and I could not help admiring the bold and daring way in which the Chinese brought them alongside. The ship was dashing along before a fine steady breeze, with all sails set-studding sails below and aloft; no attempt was made to shorten sail for them, yet they bore boldly down upon us, just cleared our lower boom end, sheered alongside, hooked a hook-rope on to the chain plates, and in an instant two or three fellows were scrambling up the ship's side with the agility of as many squirrils. Before I had time to look round me, a fellow with a long tail, and, as I thought, dressed in petticoats, whisked through the port past me, nodded familiarly to me, said chin-chin,' and bolted through the door of the cabin. Chinchin!" muttered I to myself, what the deuce does the man mean?'-so, by way of solving my doubts, I followed him on deck. There I found my active friend in company with one of the ship's officers, with his fists doubled and pressed together shaking them up and down, while his head was nodding like that of one of the china-shop mandarins. I fancied, of course, that he was either asking for something, or begging pardon: but I found afterwards that he was merely saluting. And now commenced a conversation which for your edification, I shall endeavour to commit to paper, as I thought it in my ignorance, a most extraordinary one.

"Aya! my olo fleen,' said the longtailed shaven-headed man, how you do? I welly glad to see you. You hab catchee wifo?

fortresses, which, if properly manned and mounted, ought to be be able to blow any vessel out of the water which might attempt to pass perforce. As it is, there is a formidable show of embrasures and guns, but the greater part of them are in such a state, that they are almost as dangerous to their defenders as to the

enemy.

"The scenery, in going up the river towards Whampoa Reach, where the ships are moored, is striking to a stranger, from the peculiarity of its features. The low, swampy, paddy grounds, extending for miles, are intersected by innumerable small branches of the river, covered in general with vessels of all descriptions, which appear as if moving through fields of richest verdure, as nothing but their masts and sails are discernible. The sameness of the scene is a little relieved by the picturesque villages and mandarin houses peeping out from clumps of trees, while the bleak and lofty hills in the distance, form a bold and striking background."—Weekly Review.

Aya! he hab bull-chilo, cowOne piece bull-child, two piece

cow-child.'

I welly glad. I chin-chin you very

much.' "I was astonished. Good children and bad children I had heard of before; but bulls and cows were appendages to a family circle which I had not any idea

of.

A favourable breeze soon rattled us up as far as the Bocca Tigris, before passing which we were obliged to heave-to, to allow time for the pilot to procure a pass; and we lost nearly two hours in waiting the pleasure of a rascal of a mandarin. The passage through the Bocca is very narrow, and commanded by two

ACCOUNT OF GIANTS.

THAT most ancient and respectable of to us distinctly several races of giants, as all histories, the Holy Bible, establishes the Zonzonims, &c. the Rephaims, the Anakims, the Enims,

The Anakims, or descendants of Anak, to which Moses would lead the Jews. were the inhabitants of the promised Land, the spies, sent by the Hebrew General, It was those Anakims, who being seen by were reported to be men of that size, that the Hebrews were but as grashoppers to them. The giant Og, king of Basan, overcome by Moses, was of that race, whose bedstead of brass measured fifteen

feet and a half*, and the Rabbins sustain,

Nine cubits; the Jewish cubit was twenty cubits and a half.

that that was not even his bed, but only his cradle, when a child.

When Joshua entered the land of Canaan, he defeated the descendants of Anak, who inhabited the cities of Hebron, Dabir, and Anab, and only spared those of Gaza, Gath, and Azoth, where, for many ages, the tombs of these giants were seen; and where Josephus informs us, that, in his time, their bones of a monstrous and incredible size were yet shewn.

The Rephaims, descended from Repha, and continued below the time of David; Goliath of Gath, who was slain by that king of the Israelites, was ten feet seven inches high, and was one of the last branches of that family; and the scripture hath mentioned four others, one of which was brother to Goliah, and were slain by David and his soldiers.

Prophane Historians have not been less fruitful on this subject. They gave seven feet of height to Hercules their first hero, which is nothing surprising, as that is the smallest of the gigantic size; and, in our days, we have seen men eight feet high. The emperor Maximin is reported to have been of that size.

The body of Orestes, according to the Greeks, was eleven feet and a half; the giant Galbara, brought from Arabia to Rome, under Claudius Cæsar, was near ten feet; and the bones of Secondilla and Pusio, keepers of the gardens of Sallust, were but six inches shorter.

Funnam, a Scotsman, who lived in the time of Eugine the second, king of Scotland, measured eleven feet and a half; and Jacob le Maire, in his Voyage to the Streights of Magellan, reports, that the 17th of December, 1615, they found at Port Desire several graves covered with stones; and, having the curiosity to remove the stones, they discovered several human skeletons of ten and eleven feet long.

The Chevalier Scory, in his Voyage to the Peek of Teneriffe, relates, that they found, in one of the sepulchral caverns of that mountain, the head of a Guanche, which had eighty teeth, and that the body (which was in the burial-place of the kings of Guimar, and of whose race it was said to be) was not less than fifteen feet high.

The giant Ferragus, slain by Orlando, nephew to Charlemagne, was eighteen feet high.

Rioland, a celebrated Anatomist, who wrote in the year 1614, says, that, some years before, there was to be seen, in the suburbs of St. Germaine's at Paris, near St. Peter's Chapel, the tomb of the giant Isoret, who was twenty feet high.

In the City of Rouen, in 1509, some

persons employed in digging in the ditches near the Jacobins, found a stone-tomb, which contained a skeleton, whose skull held a bushel of corn, and whose shinbone reached up to the girdle of the tallest man there, it being about four feet long, and consequently the body must have been seventeen or eighteen feet high. Upon the tomb was a plate of copper, whereon was engraved, "In this tomb lies the noble and puissant lord, the Chevalier Ricon de Vallemont, and his bones." Platerus, a famous physician, and who certainly knew human bones from others, declares, that he saw at Lucerne, the true human bones of a subject, which must have been at least nineteen feet high.

Valence in Dauphine, boasts of possessing the bones of the giant Bucart, tyrant of the Vivarias, who was slain by an arrow, by the Count de Cabillon, his vassal. The Dominicans had a part of the shin-bone, with the articulation of the knee, and his figure painted in Fresco, with an inscription, shewing, that this giant was twenty two feet and a half high, and that his bones were found in 1705, near the banks of the Merderi, a little river at the foot of the mountain of Crussol, upon which (tradition says) the giant dwelt. This river overflowing its banks, discovered a very long and wide brick tomb, in which were these bones, and an arrow, which they supposed to be the same which slew him.

The Canons regular of the abbey of St. Ruff, in the same city of Valence, had in their possession a collar-bone of the same giant, which measures three feet and a half, though above six inches are broken off from one end, and also one of the Vertebræ of the loins, which is three feet eight inches in circumference, eleven inches high, the hole for the passage of the spinal marrow being four inches in diameter. We may conclude, that this giant must have been taller than the inscription above cited makes him, at least unless he had been very ill proportioned which is very common in men of such extraordinary size.

The Giant Theutobochus, King of the Teutoni, went far beyond the Tyrant Bucart.

Florus says, that Marius conquered and took Theutobochus prisoner near the city of Aix, and that that King was a singular spectacle in the triumph; for, says he, he was so big that he surpassed even the tro phies. Those trophies were trunks of trees, either left rough, or cut into the form of a man, on which the Romans hung the arms and spoils of the vanquish ed. The only trophy which we have the

dimensions of in the antiquities of father Montfaucon, is that of the triumphal arch at Carpentras, which is thirteen feet four inches high; these trophies were carried by men, or in chariots, either of which would elevate them about four feet, which then made it 17 feet to the top of their heads. Therefore, if Theutobochus, when valking in the triumph, was taller than chose figures, he must certainly have been an astonishing spectacle to the Romans, who were already little, if compared to the Gauls.

The historians of Dauphine deny that Theutobochus was vanquished near Aix, or taken by Marius; but they say, the battle was fought in Dauphiné, a few leagues from Valence; and that Theutobochus died of his wounds, and was buried by the care of Marius the conqueror.

But be that as it will, on January 11, in the year 1613, some masons digging in a field near the castle of Chaumont, in Dauphiné, in a sandy soil, discovered a brick tomb, 30 feet long, 12 feet wide, and eight feet high; on which was a grey stone, with the words Theutobochus Rex cut thereon. When the tomb was opened, they found a human skeleton entire, 25 feet and a half long, ten feet wide across the shoulders, and five feet deep from the breast bone to the back.

Before they moved a bone, they observed the measure of the head, which was five feet in length, and ten feet round; the lower jaw was six feet round the chin from joint to joint; the circumference of each orbit of the eye was seven inches, about the size of a small plate; each of the collar bones was four feet long.

His teeth were about the size each of an ox's foot, and his shin bone measured four feet.

Near Mazarino in Sicily, in the year 1516, was found a Giant 30 feet high, his head the size of an hogshead, and each of his teeth weighed five ounces.

Near to Palermo, in the Valley of Mazera in Sicily, a skeleton of a Giant, 30 feet long, was found, in the year 1548; and another of 33 feet high, in 1550; and many curious persons have preserved several of these gigantic bones.

The Athenians found near their city two famous skeletons, one of thirty-four, and the other of thirty-six feet high; also a sepulchre, of one hundred and fifty-feet long, which inclosed a skeleton of a like length, with an inscription. At Totu, in Bohemia, in 785, was found a skeleton, the head of which could scarce be encompassed by the arms of two men together; and whose legs, which they still keep in the castle of that city, were twenty six

feet long; by which it may be supposed that that Giant did exceed a hundred and ten feet.

The skull of the Giant found in Macedonia, about six leagues from Thessalonica, in September, 1691, (at the time when M. Quainet was consul for France in that city) held 210 pounds of corn, which is about five bushels French measure; and whose body was ninety six feet high.

Boccace tells of a Giant 300 feet high, found near Trapani in Sicily, whose teeth are still hung up in the church of that town, and which the learned of that time thought to be the skeleton of Polypheme.

The celebrated Sir Hans Sloane, president of the royal society of London, treated this matter very learnedly, not doubting in the least of any of these facts, but of opinion that these bones were those of elephants, whales, or other enormous animals.

Elephants bones may be shewn for those of Giants; but they can never impose on persons who have considered human bones ever so lightly; the difference between the two species is too striking, even in those which time has somewhat defaced, to mistake the one for the other.

Whales, which by their immense bulk, are more proper to be substituted for the largest giants, have neither arms, nor legs; and the head of that animal hath not the least resemblance with that of a man: the whale, therefore, cannot be brought to refute any of those histories, in each of which some of the above parts were found.

But if it is true, that a great number of the Gigantic bones, which we have mentioned, have been seen, and examined, by the best anatomists, and have been by them reputed to be real human bones, the existence of Giants is proved, if there had been but only one of that species.

Fine Arts.

THE DIORAMA.

THE two new views we are about to notice of this highly entertaining exhibition, present powerful claims to public patronage, and we have little doubt but what they will excite as lively an interest as those that have preceded them. The subjects are the Cloister of the Convent of St. Wandrille, in Normandy, and the Swiss Village of Unterseen, which is situated upon the river Aar, between the Lakes of Thoun and Brientz, in the Can

ton of Berne. We proceed to notice the Ruins first, because generally speaking, this part of the exhibition has been considered as its most prominent feature; and we think in the present instance, that it is eminently calculated to retain the character. The view of the Cloister as first seen by the spectator, has the appearance of being enveloped in the mist of morning, which gradually dissipates by the suns effulgence, and presents to the spectator a distinct view of this venerable pile, with its architectural decoration forcibly depicted: the distance is well managed, and in good keeping; in fact, this painting may be considered, upon a whole, as near to perfection as it is possible for human powers to arrive at. The artist (M. Bouton) has skilfully added to the effect of the scene by the admirable way in which he has introduced a plank in an inclined position; another powerful aid has been given to the subject by the moving of the leaves influenced by the wind, which overgrow various parts of the building, causing their shadows to be displayed on the adjoining columns as the sun appears and disappears; but the most striking feature of the picture is the passing of the clouds which is beheld by the spectator through an open arch of the cloister. This delusion would have been complete had the blue of the sky been of a brighter nature, as it ought to be, considering that it is viewed as laced by bright sunshiny clouds.

The other subject is the Village of Unterseen, which is pre-eminently felicitous; the view is taken from the entry of the principle street. On the right of this painting you behold a spacious chalet, or house of great antiquity, with its sloping and projecting roof, having before it a small pond of water, with the shadows of the surrounding objects beautifully represented on its glassy surface. The left of the painting presents a line of chalets with a break or way leading to the back of the buildings, finely shewn, the nearest building has a gallery extending along the whole front of the house, covered by its projecting roof, which is formed by transversal poles, covered over with tiles, the colouring of which is true to nature, the windows of the buildings possess the charm of reality, and are relieved by a variety of objects, such as clothes hanging out, &c. which give a very natural appearance to the painting, as does the trees in one or two instances, which are growing against the houses; the road, paved with flint-stones, is admirably depicted, as is the body of one or two fir trees laying along side the road,

which are pourtrayed with the wedges sticking in them (such as are used in rending of them,) with the utmost fidelity to nature; the street is terminated by another running at right angles. In front of this road is seen an extremely picturesque chalet, sweetly displayed. The distance of this view is bounded by the sterile tops of the Gillihorn, the Hoch-Birchi, the Bellenhorhst, and Sulek mountains, some of which are topped with snow, whilst those nearer to the spectator are robed in the verdant drapery of the fern and heathbroom. Beautiful as the several Landscapes have been which the proprietors of the Diorama have already exhibited, none of them have, in our opinion, come up to the present in point of excel lence as a work of art. There is one little drawback upon the great merit of the painting, and that is the whiteness, or an appearance similar to hoar-frost, which pervades the front and top of the houses on the left, although the sun is shining powerfully upon them. This defect might be easily remedied, the removing of which, would add materially to render the illusion perfect.

Ellustrations of History.

WILLIAM RUFUS AND THE JEWS.

Hee

Ir is related of William Rufus, that being in Roan one tyme, there came to hym dyvers Jews, whyche inhabited that citie, complayning to him, that divers of their nation had renounced their Jewish religion and were become Christians, wherefore they besought that, for a certaine summe of money which they offered to gyve him, it myghte please him to constreyne them to abjure Christianitie and turne to the Jewish laws againe. was contented to satisfie their desires, and so receiving the money, called them afore him, and what with threats and putting them otherwise in feare, he constreyned dyvers of them to forsake Christ, and returne to their old errors. There was also about the same time, a young man, a Jew, by a vision appearing unto him (as is said) was converted to the Christian faith, and being baptized, was named Stephen, because St. Stephen was the man that had appeared to him in the vision, as by the same was enformed. The father of hym being sore troubled that his sonne was thus become a Christian, and hearing what the King had done in such like matters, presented to him 60 markes of silver, upon condition he should compell his sonne to returne to his Jewish religion. Hereupon was the young man brought

before the king, unto whome the King said, Sirrah, your father here complayneth that without his licence ye are become a Christian; if this be true, I command thee to returne againe to the religion of your nation without any more adoe. Unto whom the young man answered: Your Grace, as I suppose, dothe but jest. Wherewith the King said, What thou dunghill knave, should I jest with thee? Get thee hence quickly, and fulfill my commaundement, or by St. Luke's face, I shall cause thine eyes to be plucked out of thine head. The young man, nothing abashed therewith, with constant voyce annswered, Truly I will not do it, but know for certaine, that if you were a good Christian man, you would never have uttered any such wordes, for it is the part of a Christian to reduce them again to Christ which be departed from him, and not to separate them from him, which are joyned to him by faith. The King herewith confounded, commaunded the Jew out of his sight, but his father perceiving that the King could not perswade his sonne to forsake the Christian faith, hee required to have his money againe; But the Kyng said, he had done so much as hee promised to doe, that was to perswade him so far as he might. At length, when he would have the King to have dealt further in the matter, the King, to stop his mouth, returned back to him the one half of his money, and reteyned the other half.".

CUSTOMS OF VARIOUS COUNTRIES-No. XII.

CUSTOM OF MAKING APRIL-FOOLS ON
ALL FOOL'S DAY.

A CORRESPONDENT to the Gentleman's Magazine for April, 1766, in an article written on this subject, observes that it is a matter of considerable difficulty to account for the expression an April-fool, and the strange custom prevalent throughout this kingdom, of people making fools of one another on the first of April, by trying to impose upon each other, and sending one another upon that day, upon frivolous, ridiculous, and absurd errands. The author of the article, after making some judicious remarks upon the subject, proceeds to give the following account of his supposition of the origin of this strange and puerile custom, by observing, that the usage arose from the years formerly beginning, as to some purpose, and in some respects, on the 25th of March, which was supposed to be the incarnation of our Lord, it being customary with the

Romans, as well as with us, to hold an high festival attended by an Octave, at the commencement of the New Year, which festival lasted for eight days, whereof the first and last were the principal; therefore the 1st of April is the Octave of the 25th of March, and the close or ending, consequently of the feast, which was both the festival of the annunciation, and of the beginning of the New Year. Hence it became a day of extraordinary mirth and festivity, especially amongst the lower orders, who are apt to prevent and make a bad use of institutions, which at first, might be very laudable in them selves.

Another account is given as follows in that highly interesting and amusing annual Time's Telescope for 1822, which says, "On this day every body strives to make as many fools as he can; the wit chiefly consists in sending persons on what are called sleeveless errands; for the history of Eve's mother, for pigeon's milk, stirrup oil: and similar ridiculous absurdities. Fools in the modern or dramatic sense, were known in the church, and called also Vice. Shakspeare makes Richard the Third say :—

CURIOUS CEREMONY OBSERVED ON MAUNDAY THURSDAY.

THE following ceremony was observed in the year ▲. D. 1363, by Edward the Third, who actually washed the feet of a number of poor persons, in imitation of the example of our Saviour's washing the feet of his disciples, as recorded in the second lesson; and it is also on record, that Cardinal Wolsey did the same at York, in the time of Henry the Eighth, the court being at the time held there; and the same ceremony is still kept up in Catholic countries. After the above ceremony had been performed, liberal donations were made to the poor, of clothing and silver money; and refreshments were served to them, to mitigate the severity of the fast.