fire was estimated at £3000, but it fortunately happened to have been insured at £8000 a short time previously.

The plan on which the Institution is conducted is similar to the High School at Edinburgh. There are two Schools, the Higher and the Lower. The former is intended for the benefit of the children of the wealthier portion of the community; and in it there are nearly 300 pupils; the latter for the children of poorer tradesmen and operatives, in which there are 350 pupils. There are likewise evening schools for the benefit of older persons, whose days are occupied in the pursuit of business. At a trifling expense those who feel desirous may have the assistance of competent masters in almost any pursuit to which they choose to direct their attention. Interesting and useful lectures are delivered every Wednesday and Saturday evenings, On the other nights classes meet to receive instruction in languages, mathematics, landscape and figure drawing, ornamental painting, modelling, chemistry, &c. There is also a good library containing upwards of 3,000 volumes belonging to the Institution, from which each member is permitted to take one book at a time. The top shelves are adorned with excellent busts of distinguished friends and benefactors of the Institution.

Next the library is the Board room. Over the chimney piece in this room is a beautiful painting, representing Britannia crowning a mechanic, presented to the Institution by Mr Mayer, of Liverpool. There is also in this room a bust of the Rev. William Spencer, a large stuffed Swan, an Albatross, and a glass case containing a variety of other stuffed birds.

In the middle of the landing up stairs, there is a kind of box, containing bells, which are connected with the clock underneath, and ring at certain hours. Upon this box there is a large marble bust of Mæcenas, cleverly executed, and on each side is a beautiful cast of a female figure, one with a butterfly on her hand, the other leading her children. The room opposite is the drawing room, which contains various figures and busts. A museum on a rather large scale is being formed, which, when completed will be the most interesting room in the Institution. The Institution is exceedingly well attended, having upwards of 1000 members. The hours of attendance in the evening are from seven till nine. With a view to stimulate young men to excellence in their pursuits, prizes are distributed among those who have distinguished themselves for proficiency in their various studies, at the end of every half year.

THE LIVERPOOL POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY

Was Instituted 23rd October, 1838, and has for its object, as mentioned in the original Prospectus, "The promotion of the useful and ingenious arts in Liverpool, by securing to their Inventors those advantages which, in every department of science, have been found to result from mutual encouragement and co-operation, and from the inter-change of ideas in unreserved discussion;" the subjects of which the Society takes cognizance are Mechanical Engineering of all kinds.-The Statistics of Improvements in Machinery, as the Steam Vessel, Cotton Spinning, &c.-Inventions connected with the manufacture of works of vertu.-Ornamenting the interior of dwellings; or, in the grouping of forms or colours.-Chemical Science applied to the Arts.-Improved Agricultural Implements; with the application of Chemistry and Geology, to Agriculture. The Cultivation of valuable Timber.-Economy of Fuel.-The application of Heat to Horticultural purposes.-Heating public and private Buildings, and properly ventilating the same. With other subjects connected with the Commercial interests of this country, and the physical conditions of its inhabitants.

The Meetings of the Society are held on the second Tuesday in each month, at the Royal Institution; and the proceedings consist in first receiving any miscellaneous information that any member may have to lay before the Society and then in hearing one or more papers on any of the subjects above referred to; after which, a discussion follows on the paper. It will be seen from the list of subjects that it is the useful more than the fine arts that are the objects which occupy the attention of the Society.

The attendance at the meetings now reaches to about two hundred, and the number keeps gradually increasing.

Besides the resident members, the Society have corresponding members in all the principal towns from whom reports of the proceedings and copies of the papers of other Societies are received,—and the Society has printed the most interesting papers that have been read before it.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

ON A CAGED EAGLE.

OFFSPRING of a kingly race,

Born on never tiring wing; Far beyond where eye can trace,

E'en beyond imagining. Thou of such majestic form, Thou that brav'st the angry storm, Thou whose piercing fiery eye With the lightning's flash may vie ; Who hath dared to bind thee here? Who hath lured thee from thy sphere? How they've humbled thee proud bird, Chained thee fast to once spurned earth, Wings that lashed the winds untired,

Now to thee are nothing worth.

When thou view'st thy sphere, the sky,
Still thy spirit soars on high;
Years may follow one another,
Naught can thy ambition smother.
Still majestic; yet I ween,

Not now what thou once hast been;
Ruffled now thy pinions are,
Sluggish is thy mien with care.
Bright thine eye, but far more bright
Was it in thy native hight;
Still it flashes as in scorn,
Of the base, the lowly born.

When thy matchless wing was free,
Sailing o'er the boundless sea,
Bearing thee above the cloud,
Where beneath rolled thunders loud.
Thou wert feared by all below,
Dreadful wert thou to thy foe;
Little then, thou thought'st thine age,
Would be lingered in this cage.
Thou remindest me of the fate,
Of earth's proud ambitious great,
Who like thee, have soared on high,
And could once the world defy,
To whom once the menial croud,
With obsequious rev'rence bowed,
Yet like thee, have e'er they died,
Thus been hurled from scenes of pride.

MISCELLANEA.

SOCIAL CONDITION OF WOMEN IN PALESTINE.

As the reservoirs and the canals which supply Bethlehem as well as Jerusalem with water are in ruins, and dry eleven months in the year, the women are obliged to go a league for what they fetch for household use, and to bring it back themselves in skins. Add to this the toil of climbing steep hills under their burden, and then say, my dear friend, if it be possible to suppress a painful feeling, especially when you consider that this task has to be performed three or four times a week. A few days since I was taking a walk out of the town with the cure. About three-quarters of a mile from it, we met with a young girl returning with her provision. She had set down her skin upon a fragment of rock, and was standing beside it, out of breath, and wiping the perspiration from her face. Curious to know the weight of the skin, I begged her to put it on my shoulders; my request astonished her not a little; she nevertheless complied very cheerfully. It was as much as I could do to take a few steps under the burden. "Poor thing!” said I, as I threw it down, looking at the cure, "how old is she? Not more than sixteen I dare say."-"Sixteen," said he, "she is not thirteen ;" and addressing her in Arabic, he asked "How old are you my girl?" "Twelve, sir." I took from my pocket some pieces of money which I handed to her, and which she accepted with a lively demonstration of joy. But to go so far for water is not the only task of the poor Bethlehamites. The town is destitute

of wood, nor is any to be found nearer than some leagues. It is the women who have to provide this also. But what wrings one's heart, and I confess makes my blood boil, is to see these wretched, worn down, emaciated creatures, having misery stamped on their faces, sinking beneath their loads, passing in sight of their husbands, listlessly seated on the public square, smoking and chatting by way of pastime; while not a thought ever enters the head of these heartless, base, and unkind husbands to relieve his partner of her burthen, and to carry for her at least from that spot to his home what she had to bring whole leaugues. Is this all! No, my friend. At night, with this wood which has cost so much toil, she is obliged to heat the water brought from such a distance, she has to wash the feet of that man, then to cook his supper, then to wait upon him standing-upon him and his eldest sonwithout taking the least share in the meal, and to wait till they have done before she can step aside to eat by herself what they have left. The pen drops from my fingers. Is it possible that a sex so worthy of all the affections of man, can be thus treated by man? Is it possible that she can be thus treated, who carries him in his bosom, who brings him forth with pain, who suckles him with her milk, who warms him on her heart, who rocks him upon her knees, who guides his first steps, who strives by education to transfuse into him all that is gentle and kind, who delights to throw a charm over his life, who shares his sorrows, who best knows how to soothe his woes, to comfort him, to nurse him in illness and infirmity, to lighten, and sometimes to embelish his old age, and to perform for him until his last moment, services of which any other courage, any other devotedness, any other love, would be incapable! And that at Bethlehem.— Baron Geramb's Travels in Palestine.

*

*

*

THE KING'S SOLO.

How many a visitor to the Court of Valencay has listened with admiration and delight to the playing of the King of Spain. His vigorous bowing, his perfect intonation and purity of tone, the tenderness of his andante, and the spirit of his allegretto, have excited raptures. But kings possess resources unknown to ordinary men, and when Ferdinand received the adulation of his auditors, standing with an air of modesty at the other end of the room, and relieved en profile against a rich japanned screen, what was he doing? The King of the two Spains and the two Indies was drawing his bow in the air; and the auditors were charmed by the skill of Boucher, who executed all the difficult passages while concealed behind the screen. After this display, and while the room resounded with expressions of admiration, while the enthusiasm of all was at its height, the royal trickster would step forward, in the coolest manner possible, to receive the rapturous applause bestowed on his sham solo.-Theodore Hook's French Stage.

THE HINDOOS AS THEY ARE.

It is a prevailing custom among the Hindoos, that any one in visiting a number of female guests on any occasion whatever, must send a conveyance to bring them to his domicile. Two or three women generally get into a small palanquin, which has no mattress, and of course admits of no circulation of the air, and are thus conveyed to the house of their hostess, like cattle huddled together. On their way they are impelled by natural curriosity to peep through the doors of the palanquin, and cast a momentary glance at every thing which comes under their observation. This cursory vision subsequently furnishes them with abundant materials for inventing pleasant and entertaining stories to divert their unemployed hours. When they arrive they are at once carried to the upper apartment of the house, at the entrance of which the hostess, or an elderly lady of the family, waits to honour them with a warm reception. There they hesitate not to lift the veil from off their faces, which has hitherto concealed them from the vulgar gaze of man, and commingle in a social circle of congenial spirits. Finding themselves under no other restraint than what modesty naturally imposes, they freely talk to each other on a variety of subjects which are more or less connected with household affairs and domestic concerns, beyond which their thoughts cannot possibly soar.-East India Magazine.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We are rejoiced to find that the first Literary and Scientific men of the town are anxious for our welfare-they have displayed their zeal by strong recommendations, and by voluntarily offering valuable contributions.-The benevolent have generously offered pecuniary aid, if we shall ever find such assistance necessary. All classes and all parties after seeing our objects explained in the prospectus we issued, have shown strong desire to patronize us--we have therefore every encouragement to hope decided and permanent success.-We hope each succeeding number will win for us additional public favor.

The kind offers of Mr. C., Mr. D., Mr. S., and Mr. W. have been communicated to us-we feel obliged by them.

All Manuscripts should be sent to the Printer's Office by Thursday at latest,-earlier if possible.

To the Gentlemen of the various Institutions who have volunteered to favor us with the Reports of the proceedings of the Societies to which they belong,-we feel particularly indebted. The Reports of Lectures delivered will be inserted in our Columns whenever the subjects are ably treated, and are of sufficiently popular a character.

A friend has promised to supply us with Dramatic Critiques-our notices of the Theatre will in future be regular.

Liverpool:-Printed at HUGH GAWTHROP'S General Printing Offices, Clarence Buildings, 34, North John Street.

No. 2.

GAWTHROP'S JOURNAL.

THOSE Who speculate in a new undertaking are sure to experience many disappointments and have many serious difficulties to overcome. The frivolous objections of some-the sneer of others-the doubts of well-wishing friends-the downright hostility of foes, and worse than all the indifference of a large majority -all these are disheartening to the adventurer, be his enthusiasm ever so great or his endeavours ever so praiseworthy. These remarks are general, and may be applied to most of those who have hazarded any new undertaking. To ourselves they come particularly home. Even so humble, so useful, and we might add so necessary a little work as ours-one adapted to the capacity of every reader-young or unlearned -one calculated to give amusement, afford instruction, mend the heart and refine the taste-one likely to prove an auxiliary to the excellent educational Institutions of the town, finds among the inhabitants of the town, many hostile to its existence from a cause not known-many indifferent through ignorance of the advantages and pleasures to be derived from knowledge. These are facts and doubtless sufficiently discouraging-but all is not gloom or our case would be hopeless-if Liverpool possesses many who are ignorant and many who are opposed to knowledge, she possesses also many who are intelligent and many who are patriotic-many who love learning for its own sake and who endeavour to diseminate it for the blessing it confers upon others. From such we have met no opposition, but with very few exceptions, every encouragement to proceed.

In the address commencing our first number we mentioned the subjects which would principally occupy our columns-if, among the subjects mentioned, some do not appear in our early numbers, our subscribers must not do us the injustice to suppose that we have promised what we never intend to perform. Every thing cannot be brought under notice at once -much that is ready for print will have to be reserved for future numbers.

The most serious objection which some have made to our Journal is the price which they say is higher than that of other publications issued from the metropolis. Those who make this objection ought to consider that it is impossible a local magazine can compete

1841

with one intended for general circulation. From the first we never reckoned upon a circulation of more than 1000-the others alluded to could not yield an adequate remuneration were the Sale less than from 20,000 to 50,000. Why, then, have a local magazine? Simply because a local magazine will give much valuable information connected with our Institutions -will open a field for the display of native talent, (and surely the severest satirist will not deny that such exists)-will give publicity to much that must be interesting to Liverpool, which could not be found elsewhere. The native of Liverpool may read a London or Edinburgh Journal with interest, but he will surely feel double pleasure while reading one which acquaints him with the progress of literature, science and the fine arts in his own town, and feel also some degree of pride in contributing to the support of native talent. The experiment is, however, now being made-the result will hereafter be seen. If our pa

per meet more friends than we have calculated for, the public may rely upon our gladly reducing the price, or increasing the number of our pages. In our notice to correspondents last week we mentioned having been promised the assistance of several eminent for their enthusiasm in the cause of knowledge, and who have distinguished themselves by the display of superior talent. The most eminent poet of Manchester, Mr. C. Swain, with many of whose productions the public is familiar, has favored us with a kind letter, in which he expresses confidence of our success and willingness to contribute to our columns. Several very respectable gentlemen of this town, who have gained some reputation for their published productions, have also voluntarily offered their assistance; and from anonymous Correspondents we are daily receiving manuscripts, and promises of manuscripts on every variety of subject. We have only occupied public attention one week; and since the publication of our first number, we have had daily manifestations of the necessity of such a periodical as this existing in Liverpool. We have not yet completed our arrangements for procuring the reports of Lectures &c. delivered at the various Institutions, but it is with great pleasure we announce that the Secretary of the Mechanics' Institution, (Mr. Hodgron) has promised to use his influence to procure us accurate reports of those delivered at the Mechanics Institution.

MISCELLANEA.

SOCIAL CONDITION OF WOMEN IN PALESTINE.

As the reservoirs and the canals which supply Bethlehem as well as Jerusalem with water are in ruins, and dry eleven months in the year, the women are obliged to go a league for what they fetch for household use, and to bring it back themselves in skins. Add to this the toil of climbing steep hills under their burden, and then say, my dear friend, if it be possible to suppress a painful feeling, especially when you consider that this task has to be performed three or four times a week. A few days since I was taking a walk out of the town with the cure. About three-quarters of a mile from it, we met with a young girl returning with her provision. She had set down her skin upon a fragment of rock, and was standing beside it, out of breath, and wiping the perspiration from her face. Curious to know the weight of the skin, I begged her to put it on my shoulders; my request astonished her not a little; she nevertheless complied very cheerfully. It was as much as I could do to take a few steps under the burden. "Poor thing!" said I, as I threw it down, looking at the cure, "how old is she? Not more than sixteen I dare say."-"Sixteen," said he, "she is not thirteen ;" and addressing her in Arabic, he asked "How old are you my girl?" Twelve, sir." I took from my pocket some pieces of money which I handed to her, and which she accepted with a lively demonstration of joy. But to go so far for water is not the only task of the poor Bethlehamites. The town is destitute of wood, nor is any to be found nearer than some leagues. It is the women who have to provide this also. But what wrings one's heart, and I confess makes my blood boil, is to see these wretched, worn down, emaciated creatures, having misery stamped on their faces, sinking beneath their loads, passing in sight of their husbands, listlessly seated on the public square, smoking and chatting by way of pastime ; while not a thought ever enters the head of these heartless, base, and unkind husbands to relieve his partner of her burthen, and to carry for her at least from that spot to his home what she had to bring whole leaugues. Is this all! No, my friend. At night, with this wood which has cost so much toil, she is obliged to heat the water brought from such a distance, she has to wash the feet of that man, then to cook his supper, then to wait upon him standing-upon him and his eldest sonwithout taking the least share in the meal, and to wait till they have done before she can step aside to eat by herself what they have left. The pen drops

from my fingers. Is it possible that a sex so worthy of all the affections of man, can be thus treated by man? Is it possible that she can be thus treated, who carries him in his bosom, who brings him forth with pain, who suckles him with her milk, who warms him on her heart, who rocks him upon her knees, who guides his first steps, who strives by education to transfuse into him all that is gentle and kind, who delights to throw a charm over his life, who shares his sorrows, who best knows how to soothe his woes, to comfort him, to nurse him in illness and infirmity, to lighten, and sometimes to embelish his old age, and to perform for him until his last moment, services of which any other courage, any other devotedness, any other love, would be incapable! And that at Bethlehem.Baron Geramb's Travels in Palestine.

THE KING'S SOLO.

How many a visitor to the Court of Valencay has listened with admiration and delight to the playing of the King of Spain. His vigorous bowing, his perfect intonation and purity of tone, the tenderness of his andante, and the spirit of his allegretto, have excited raptures. But kings possess resources unknown to ordinary men, and when Ferdinand received the adulation of his auditors, standing with an air of modesty at the other end of the room, and relieved en profile against a rich japanned screen, what was he doing? The King of the two Spains and the two Indies was drawing his bow in the air; and the auditors were charmed by the skill of Boucher, who executed all the difficult passages while concealed behind the screen. After this display, and while the room resounded with expressions of admiration, while the enthusiasm of all was at its height, the royal trickster would step forward, in the coolest manner possible, to receive the rapturous applause bestowed on his sham solo.-Theodore Hook's French Stage.

THE HINDOOS AS THEY ARE.

It is a prevailing custom among the Hindoos, that any one in visiting a number of female guests on any occasion whatever, must send a conveyance to bring them to his domicile. Two or three women generally get into a small palanquin, which has no mattress, and of course admits of no circulation of the air, and are thus conveyed to the house of their hostess, like cattle huddled together. On their way they are impelled by natural curriosity to peep through the doors of the palanquin, and cast a momentary glance at every thing which comes under their observation. This cursory vision subsequently furnishes them with abundant materials for inventing pleasant and entertaining stories to divert their unemployed hours. When they arrive they are at once carried to the upper apartment of the house, at the entrance of which the hostess, or an elderly lady of the family, waits to honour them with a warm reception. There they hesitate not to lift the veil from off their faces, which has hitherto concealed them from the vulgar gaze of man, and commingle in a social circle of congenial spirits. Finding themselves under no other restraint than what modesty naturally imposes, they freely talk to each other on a variety of subjects which are more or less connected with household affairs and domestic concerns, beyond which their thoughts cannot possibly soar.-East India Magazine.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We are rejoiced to find that the first Literary and Scientific men of the town are anxious for our welfare-they have displayed their zeal by strong recommendations, and by voluntarily offering valuable contributions.-The benevolent have generously offered pecuniary aid, if we shall ever find such assistance necessary. All classes and all parties after seeing our objects explained in the prospectus we issued, have shown strong desire to patronize us-we have therefore every encouragement to hope decided and permanent success. We hope each succeeding number will win for us additional public favor.

The kind offers of Mr. C., Mr. D., Mr. S., and Mr. W. have been communicated to us-we feel obliged by them.

All Manuscripts should be sent to the Printer's Office by Thursday at latest,-earlier if possible.

To the Gentlemen of the various Institutions who have volunteered to favor us with the Reports of the proceedings of the Societies to which they belong,—we feel particularly indebted. The Reports of Lectures delivered will be inserted in our Columns whenever the subjects are ably treated, and are of sufficiently popular a character.

A friend has promised to supply us with Dramatic Critiques-our notices of the Theatre will in future be regular.

Liverpool:-Printed at HUGH GAWTHROP'S General Printing Offices, Clarence Buildings, 34, North John Street.

No. 2.

GAWTHROP'S JOURNAL.

THOSE Who speculate in a new undertaking are sure to experience many disappointments and have many serious difficulties to overcome. The frivolous objections of some-the sneer of others-the doubts of well-wishing friends-the downright hostility of foes, and worse than all the indifference of a large majority -all these are disheartening to the adventurer, be his enthusiasm ever so great or his endeavours ever so praiseworthy. These remarks are general, and may be applied to most of those who have hazarded any new undertaking. To ourselves they come particularly home. Even so humble, so useful, and we might add so necessary a little work as ours-one adapted to the capacity of every reader-young or unlearned -one calculated to give amusement, afford instruction, mend the heart and refine the taste-one likely to prove an auxiliary to the excellent educational Institutions of the town, finds among the inhabitants of the town, many hostile to its existence from a cause not known-many indifferent through ignorance of the advantages and pleasures to be derived from knowledge. These are facts and doubtless sufficiently discouraging-but all is not gloom or our case would be hopeless-if Liverpool possesses many who are ignorant and many who are opposed to knowledge, she possesses also many who are intelligent and many who are patriotic-many who love learning for its own sake and who endeavour to diseminate it for the blessing it confers upon others. From such we have met no opposition, but with very few exceptions, every encouragement to proceed.

In the address commencing our first number we mentioned the subjects which would principally occupy our columns-if, among the subjects mentioned, some do not appear in our early numbers, our subscribers must not do us the injustice to suppose that we have promised what we never intend to perform. Every thing cannot be brought under notice at once -much that is ready for print will have to be reserved for future numbers.

The most serious objection which some have made to our Journal is the price which they say is higher than that of other publications issued from the metropolis. Those who make this objection ought to consider that it is impossible a local magazine can compete

1841.

with one intended for general circulation. From the first we never reckoned upon a circulation of more than 1000-the others alluded to could not yield an adequate remuneration were the Sale less than from 20,000 to 50,000. Why, then, have a local magazine ? Simply because a local magazine will give much valuable information connected with our Institutions -will open a field for the display of native talent, (and surely the severest satirist will not deny that such exists) will give publicity to much that must be interesting to Liverpool, which could not be found elsewhere. The native of Liverpool may read a London or Edinburgh Journal with interest, but he will surely feel double pleasure while reading one which acquaints him with the progress of literature, science and the fine arts in his own town, and feel also some degree of pride in contributing to the support of native talent. The experiment is, however, now being made—the result will hereafter be seen. If our paper meet more friends than we have calculated for, the public may rely upon our gladly reducing the price, or increasing the number of our pages. In our notice to correspondents last week we mentioned having been promised the assistance of several eminent for their enthusiasm in the cause of knowledge, and who have distinguished themselves by the display of superior talent. The most eminent poet of Manchester, Mr. C. Swain, with many of whose productions the public is familiar, has favored us with a kind letter, in which he expresses confidence of our success and willingness to contribute to our columns. Several very respectable gentlemen of this town, who have gained some reputation for their published productions, have also voluntarily offered their assistance; and from anonymous Correspondents we are daily receiving manuscripts, and promises of manuscripts on every variety of subject. We have only occupied public attention one week; and since the publication of our first number, we have had daily manifestations of the necessity of such a periodical as this existing in Liverpool. We have not yet completed our arrangements for procuring the reports of Lectures &c. delivered at the various Institutions, but it is with great pleasure we announce that the Secretary of the Mechanics' Institution, (Mr. Hodgron) has promised to use his influence to procure us accurate reports of those delivered at the Mechanics Institution.