ARMS. For the Olio. ANECDOTES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION OF 1830.--Many individuals distinguished themselves in various ways in the course of the attack upon the Louvre, made on Thursdey, July the 29th. A Captain Lancon, an old military man, is stated to have made his appearance about noon at the head of a small force of fifty men, whose shot told with great effect among the Swiss. He took his station with the band of assailants who came from the south side of the river. It was on the suggestion of a citizen named Rouvat that the towers and galleries of the church of St. Germain l'Auxerrois were occupied by a number of the popular sharpshooters, who were enabled from thence to harass their opponents with superior success. While the fighting went on, balls were cast for the use of the assailants at the house of a M. Duvaud Brayer. Several foreigners are honourably commemorated as having mingled their exertions and in some cases their blood in this fight with those of native Frenchmen. Among these is a Mr. Goldsmith, a dentist, an Englishman, who, resisting the entreaties of his wife and five children, joined the attack, and after having been wounded, was one of the first to penetrate into the palace. A Veronese of the name of Failoni conceived himself precluded from actually taking arms in a contest which did not concern his own country; but exposed himself to nearly as much danger as if he had engaged in the fight by the alacrity and fearlessness with which he hurried about from place to place rendering succour to the wounded and all who needed his services. An old man from Lyons, named Roza, or Rozet, mixed in the thickest of the combat, helped to load the muskets of his most vigorous but not more zealous juniors, and inflamed their courage by reminding them of the ancient warlike renown of their country. Levy Abraham, a Jew, residing in the Rue des Vieilles Audriettes Saint Martin, had, on the first sound of the artillery, rushed to the scene of action, although unprovided with arms; but he was not long in possessing himself of those of one of the Lancers, which he employed so successfully that he had the honour to be one of the first who entered the Louvre. On the termination of the affair he went to the Mairie of the seventh arrondissement, and there delivered up the lance with which he had done such good service. On some money being offered In the 'Canons of the Hebrews,' a custom is mentioned, which is in accordance with the usage of the ancients, viz. He that did cut one gash for the dead, was to be beaten; and, whether he were a priest or an (other) Israelite, if he cut one gash for five dead persons, or five, for one dead person, he was to be beaten five times.In a milder point of view, however, was made a print. or a mark, or, as the Chaldees translated it," engraven marks," ," and the Greeks," letters printed. The method is thus explained-" the print of a mark spoken of in the law, was, when one did cut upon his flesh, and filled the cut place with stibium,* * or ink, or some other colour. And this was the custom of the Heathens, that they marked themselves unto idolatry". It appears then, that in those countries down to the present day, in which idolatry flourishes, marking, cutting, tattooing, and disfiguring, either for mourning or ornamenting, in approved and permitted superstition. But, it may not have occurred to many, that in a moderated degree, the custom prevails. For, it is well known, a sailor, no sooner enters the British Navy, than he submits to the operation of having his arm pricked and punctured with a needle, in various devices-'a ship'- his 'initials'-the initials' of his 'Sue' or 'Sal'-sometimes, with a heart and true love knot." And the punctures are usually filled with the 'true blue' ink, durable as life, and the 'anchor' accompanies it, as the emblem of a 'sailor's hope.' Though this simple mode of establishing the feelings of a young seaman, may appear trivial, yet there is no doubt, but its origin is of the most ancient kind; and derived, with many others, from the mariners of the liquid deeps before the flood. PYLADES. • Antimony. An anecdote which is told of one of the Polytechnic scholars, affords a noble example of the generosity which ever accompanies true courage, and forms its brightest ornament. He had advanced at the head of his company to one of the iron gates of the court; when, having asked to see the commander of the guard, a superior officer presented himself. Open your gates, Sir, said the young man, if you do not wish to be, every one of you, exterminated; might as well as right is with the peo-. ple. To this demand the officer replied by retiring a step or two, and snapping a pistol at the young man. Fortunately it missed fire. But the act roused the people to irresistable fury; throwing themselves en masse upon the gate, they burst it open; when the officer immediately found himself held by the grasp and entirely in the power of his intended victim. Your life is in my hands, exclaimed the youth, but I will not shed your blood. Overcome by this magnanimity, the officer tore from his breast an order which he carried, and offered it to his gallant antagonist. Take it, he said; none can be more worthy to wear it. He besought him at the same time to let him know his name; but the youth merely replied that he was a pupil of the Polytechnic School, and retired among the crowd. Customs of Warious Countries. CUSTOMS USED AT GREAT GRIMSBY. -Beating the Bounds.—A contributor to the Gent's Mag. describes the following customs as observed by our forefathers, at the above place. The annual perambulation of the boundaries was a ceremony of great antiquity and importance in the borough of Grimsby; and in an old document amongst the Corporation records, it is stated to be a custom of ancient usage. The day was ushered in with appropriate solemnity. The mayor and his brethren, in their robes of state, attended by the commonalty of the town, assembled at the hos pital of St. John of Jerusalem, and heard Divine Service in the chapel of that house, performed by the chaplain thereof. After which, they "beat the boundaries" by perambulation; that is, they proceeded round the extrem'ties of the parish in every direction; pausing at certain points to mark them by peculiar ceremonies. At some they offered up prayers; at others, they threw money for the people to scramble for; and at a few, they scourged sundry little boys, to imprint upon their minds a memory of particular places by means of painful associations. The perambulation concluded, the mayor formally claimed the whole space as belonging to the lordship of Grimsby; and by this practice, annually performed, litigation was prevented, and the rights of every adjoining parish, as far as they related to that of Grimsby, were accurately defined. In these perambulations, the jury levied fines for nui sances. Grimesbie Magna, 11 Car. 1. The perambulation of Richard Fotherbie Major, taken the 21st day of Ap. anno sup' dic't. It is framed that the frontigers on both sides the fresh water haven from the Salt Ings bridge to the Milne, shall scower the haven, and make a sufficient drain for every man against his own ground. That the occupier of Goule Garthes shall sufficiently ditch and scower the ditches under the hedge before Whitsuntide, sub poen, 10s.t These duties performed, the mayor and his brethren adjourned to the preceptory to partake of the procurator's good cheer, for it was one of the articles of his tenure to provide ample refreshment for his visitors on this occasion. The particulars of the progress were then recorded in the Boundary book, and the party dispersed. THE DUCKING STOOL.-The second custom which I shall briefly notice as practised by our forefathers in Grimsby, is in the use of that instrument, so terrible in the eyes of scolding wives, the Cucking Stool. It was erected near the Stone Bridge, at a place, which is still called Ducking Stool Haven, and was used here from the earliest times. Madox has recorded an instance in the former part of King John's reign, where the community of the burgh were fined ten marks for consigning a poor woman unjustly to the Ducking-stool. In 1646, Corp. Rec. 11 Car. 1. the machine was probably out of repair, for the Chamberlains presented it to the court on the 15th day of October in that year, and it was ordered to be renewed without delay, and thirty years afterwards it came into full operation. A woman named Jane Dutch about that time, was repeatedly subjected to the ordeal, without deriving the least benefit from the application. It is recorded of her that the frigidity of the wave, even in the depth of winter, was insufficient to cool the fervour of her tongue. Between every dip she favoured the spectators with abundant specimens of her exhaustless eloquence, and when the watery castigation was at an end, though dripping wet, she saluted her persecutors with such an overpowering volley of high sounding tropes and rhetorical flourishes, as convinced them that her weapon of offence was unconquerable. Indeed, her disorderly conduct was carried to such a length, without respect to persons, that the church wardens were heavily fined for neglecting to present her in the Ecclesiastical Court. The last lady who occupied the exalted situation of chair-woman in the Trebucket, was Poll Wheldall, about the year 1780. She is represented as being possessed of great volubility of, speech, and somewhat addicted to scandal withal. This latter quality acquired for her the distinguished title of Miss Meanwell. The Cucking Stool was ultimately removed in the year 1796. Anecdotiana. DEATH BLOW TO AN ARGUMENT.— When that vacancy happened on the Exchequer Bench, which was afterwards filled by Mr. Adams, the ministry could not agree among themselves whom to appoint. It was debated in council, the king, George the Second, being present, and the dispute grew very warm, when his Majesty put an end to the contest by calling out in broken English, "I will have none of dese, give me de man wid de dying speech," meaning Adams, who was then recorder of London, and whose business it therefore was, to make the report to his Majesty of the convicts under sentence of death. KING'S STATUES.-The characters of the monarchs of the race of Stuart are not very high in history, but they have better statues to their memories than the sovereigns of any other house. That of Charles I., at Charing Cross, is unquestionably the first equestrian statue in the metropolis, and that of James II., behind Whitehall, though seldom seen, is indisputably superior to any that we have had before or since. The air and attitude are peculiarly fine, the manners free and easy, the expression inimitable; it displays the very soul of that ill-judging and ill-fated prince, and is therefore valuable as it commemorated a hero. Added to all this, the execution is in a highly finished and eminently spirited style. IRISH POLITESSE.-A common servant girl at a little inn, in a very obscure part of Ireland, being asked how it happened that the house was so full, she answered, " I suppose I must not say it is the goodness of the house, therefore it must be the goodness of the gentlemen.' UNCEREMONIOUS DEPARTURE. When Lord Thurlow was Chancellor, he was, at the commencement of the long vacation, quitting the court without taking the usual leave of the Bar. A young counsel perceiving this, when they were all standing up in expectation, said, "He might at least have said D ye.' Thurlow certainly heard it, and returned to make his bow. SIR THOMAS ROBINSON AND LORD CHESTERFIELD. The figure of Sir Thomas Robinson struck every one who saw him, as distinct from all other men ;so long, so lank, so lean, so bony, so out of all manner of proportion. When the late celebrated Lord Chesterfield was confined to his room by an illness, of which he felt a consciousness that he should never recover, a friend, who visited him in the character of one of Job's comforters, gravely said, he was sorry to tell his Lordship, that every body agreed in thinking he was dying, and that he was dying by inches, "Am I?" said the old peer, am I indeed? why then, I rejoice from the bottom of my soul, that I am not so tall as Sir Thomas Robinson." The following anecdote is recorded of a right worshipful mayor of Coventry, who wished to teach his horse good manners.-Queen Elizabeth, in one of her progresses to that city, was met, about a mile before she arrived there, by the mayor and aldermen, who, desirous of declaring the high honour which they felt she would thus confer upon their city, employed the mayor to be their speaker. The mayor was on horseback, and (as the record saith) the queen was also on horseback, behind one of her courtiers. A ltttle rivulet happening to run across the road where they stopped, the mayor's horse made several attempts to drink; which the queen observing, told his worship, that before he began his oration, she wished he would let his horse take his draught, "That, an please your majesty, he shall not," replied the mayor, "that he certainly shall not yet. I would have him to know, that it is proper your majesty's horse should drink first,and then, he shall." MILITARY ARCHBISHOP.— -In the year 1745, when the Scotch rebellion threatened most formidably, Herring, then Archbishop of York, resolved, in case of extremity, to take arms himself, and oppose the progress of the rebels. His avowing this intention, gave occasion to orator Henley to nickname him-a red herring. HIGHLAND SIMPLICITY.-A family in Edinburgh, not keeping a footman, engaged a Highlander to serve them during a visit from a man of fashion. Dinner having waited an unreasonable time one day for the guest, Duncan was sent to his room to inform him that it was on table. But he not coming, Duncan was sent again; still they waited, and the lady at last said to the man, "What can the gentleman be doing?". "Please ye, madam," said Duncan, "the gentleman was only sharpening his teeth." Diary and Chronology. Monday, Jan. 16. St. Marcellus, Pope and Mar. A. D. 310. High Water, Oh. 13m. Morn. Oh. 43m aft. This day seems to be called Dies Electrica in Calendarium Naturale, from the once great prevalence of northern lights or Aurora Boreales. In the year 1781, so remarkable for this phenomenon, brilliant northern lights were seen from this time of year to the end of the vernal season. On different occasions they varied in form and colour: an accurate register of them appears to have been kept in the weather journal of the late Edward Foster, Esq. of Walthamstow in Essex. Tuesday, Jan. 17. St. Anthony, Patr. of Monks, A.D. 356. Full Moon, 53m, aft. 3 Afiern. Onr saint was particularly solicitous about animals, to which a whimsical picture, by Salvator Rosa, represents him as preaching. His whole life affords an excellent example to the mendi. cant friar and benevolent jesuit, and passes a fatal censure on the lazy beneficed parson and idle sinecurist. From his practices, perhaps, arose the custom of blessings, passed on animals, stili practised at Rome. He regarded all God's,creatures as worthy of protection; an opinion which lost ground in Europe after the Reformation, of which Spenser's catalogue of hateful animals, affords a sort of proof. Even all the nation of unfortunate And fatal birds about them flocked, were, Wednesday, Jan. 18. St Peter's Chair at Rome. Sun rises 49m. aft. 7.-Sets 11m, aft. 4. The church celebrates to-day the establishment of the Episcopal Chair at Rome, by St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles. The festival, as recorded in the Martyrology, is ascribed to Bede, and was, therefore kept prior to the year 720. St. Peter is said metaphosically to keep the key of Heaven. Hence many churches dedicated to this Saint have, the vane on their steeples surmounted with a key as St. Peter's in Cornhill, London, and others. Lord Byron thus whimsically represents St. Peter, with the keys, at the Portal of Heaven :Saint Peter sat by the celestial gate; His keys were rusty, and the lock was dull, Not that the place by any means was full, At sea-which drew most souls another way. Thursday, Jan. 19. St. Canutus, King of Denmark, m. A.D. 1085. High Water 3m, aft. 3 Mor.-29m. aft. 3 aftern. Jan. 19, 1547.- Executed Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey.--Son of Thomas, Third Duke of Norfolk. King Henry VIII, thinking that both father and son had views upon the throne, and intended to re-establish the Catholic religion, determined to sacrifice them. The Earl of Surrey was tried for high treason, and the principal charge against him was that of bearing the arms of King Edward: he was sentenced to death, and decapitated accordingly. He was the most gallant soldier, the most accomplished gentleman, and the best poet of his time. Vol. VIII, embellished with 27 splendid engravings, is just published. page 52 the aspect of Prague is more impressive than that of Rome itself. This remarkable city, which rises from both sides of its broad and noble river, and covers the flanks and summits of several hills, occupies so large a surface, as to be indefensible except by an army. On the right bank of the Moldau is the eminence called the Wissherad, on which once stood the castellated palace of the ancient kings and dukes of Bohemia, razed to the ground in the great rebellion, by the fierce disciples of John Huss. On this side, also, are the two large divisions of Prague, called the Old city and the New, both of considerable extent, and surmounted by the towers, domes, and spires of innumerable churches and convents. 226 |