them their wives-grandmothers at the least-poking their white faces, like those of sheeted corpses, over the shoulders of the fathers of their numerous progeny-there chariest maids, prodigal enough to unveil their beauties to the moon, yet, in their alarm, folding the frills of their chemises across their bosoms-and lo! yonder the Captain of the Six Feet Club, with his gigantic shadow frightening that pretty damsel back to her couch, and till morning haunting her troubled dreams! "Fire! Fire!" "Murder! Murder!" is the cry-and there is wrath and wonderment at the absence of the police-officers and engines. A most multitudinous murder is in process of perpetration there-but as yet fire is there none; when lo! and hark! the flash and peal of musketry-and then the music of the singing slugs slaughtering the Catti, while bouncing up into the air, with Tommy Tortoise clinging to his carcass, the Red Rover yowls wolfishly to the moon, and then descending like lead into the stone-area, gives up his nine-ghosts, never to chew cheese more, and dead as a herring. In mid-air the Phenomenon had let go his hold, and seeing it in vain to oppose the yeomanry, pursues Tabitha, the innocent cause of all this woe, into the coal-cellar, and there, like Paris and Helen,

"When first entranced, in Cranae's Isle they lay,

Lip press'd to lip, and breathed their souls away," entitled but not tempted to look at a king, the peerless pair begin to pur and play in that subterranean paradise, forgetful of the pile of cat-corpses that in that catastrophe was heaped half-way up the currant-bushes on the walls, so indiscriminate had been the Strages. All undreamed of by them the beauty of the rounded moon, now hanging over the city, once more steeped in stillness and in sleep!

SHEPHERD.

Capital! Talkin' o' cats reminds ane o' mice-and mice reminds ane o' toasted cheese. Suppose, Mr Tickler, we hae a Tin-Trencher?

A Welsh rabbit? Ring the bell.

TICKLER.

[Enter Sir David Gam and Tappitoury with Welsh rabbits.

SHEPHERD.

Noo, sirs, indulge me, if you please, wi' some feelosofical conversation.

NORTH.

Nay-nay-James-remember there are three of us-and that it is share and share alike-remember, too, that Tickler had no oys————

Wheesht!

SHEPHERD,

TICKLER.

Physical philosophy, gentlemen, is the most rigorous investigation of truth that the human mind has ever pursued. More than history-more than the legal examination of evidence-more than moral and metaphysical philosophy-more than religion. In it the matter of enquiry is more under command, the spirit of enquiry more just and sincere. It would seem that the discipline of truth which the human mind has undergone in its last hundred, one hundred and fifty, two hundred years-since Lord Bacon-of physical study, is the greatest, truest, most effectually fruitful that it has ever proved. Do we not feel the effects in the study of moral science, of history, philosophy? Do we not now look upon them with the purged eyes of Baconian pupils, with habits of thought, lights of examination, canons of judgment, a criticism of truth learnt in the school of physical philosophy? Do we not require other evidence, judge with another sobriety, look for another solidity in knowledge than we did? There were bolder, greater, more capable thinkers, not a stricter rule of thought. The great intellectual feature of the last age has been its success in physical science; not merely among the leaders, but among the multitude, so that every one could

contribute, and has done. Let us say this is not the end, but a step. Now it is time that the higher thinkers take another step. They do in Germany. The next step is that they cease to view man's physical as his greatest conquests, and recognise, as they used to do, a mightier field.

NORTH.

Yes. Let them become again moralists, not physicians.

SHEPHERD.

Ay-let them become again moralists, no physicians.-A savouryer Welsh rabbit I never preed.

TICKLER.

The character of the physical philosophy of the last century is, that it is without hypotheses (comparatively)-a kingdom of facts. Let moral philosophy be so. But first let us recognise the field, its extent, might, fruitfulness; that it is not less than the physical-that it has been lost sight of -that it must be seen after again;—and this understood, things will resume their natural proportionate place. And now a change commences, which see. Physical philosophy having exerted its own rectifying, strengthening influence on the higher order of minds, will begin to leave them, to give way to more needed science, and to decline to an under rank of minds-and shall, according to a wonted and known law of society, pass gradually down to the lowest, producing in each rank as it descends, by its temporary activity, a salutary permanent influence-till it reaches the bottom, and at last gives way even from the lowest rank. But it will not, in truth, give way from and leave any rank; but from predominant will become subordinate, and take its due proportioned place in each.

I

NORTH.

suppose, then, that we may bestir ourselves to advance the moral studies of the higher, and need not so much guide the intellectual of the lower.

TICKLER.

But meanwhile, Mr North, the moral studies of the lower classes ought to be wholly involved in religion-as the moral studies of the higher may be safely enough distinct from it, without forgetting it.

Eh?

SHEPHERD.

NORTH.

What is physical study? Consider the difference in the knowledge of the world since the Greek thought the sun a chariot, and the earth a flat circle or oblong, with Hyperboreans, Cyclops, Acephali, &c., a south uninhabited from heat, &c., as in Herodotus, with Elian's natural history, &c., and its present state-geographical voyages, &c.

Et cetera.

SHEPHERD.

TICKLER.

That was a dream of the world-this is knowledge. That was the age of imagination-this of understanding or reason, or an approach to it. What is the good of physical knowledge? Many. One is, that it helps to make man feel strong in his powers: justly. Reading the universe rightly, he is exalted by understanding in it the wisdom that made it. It is one case of "magnanimous to correspond with heaven." Farther, he feels, by his power both to understand and to control nature, how much his destiny is given into his own hands. He is excited similarly to search government, education, happiness-to investigate the internal world, and endeavour to control and mould it. Only, he must not think himself higher, or more self dependent, than he is. But to know fully the true extent of his powers, is the way not to think falsely, or have an interest in doing so. His intellectual dominion is now so great, that it may satisfy his ambition; and he may be content to know where it stops, where he becomes finite and dependent. If he is ennobled by his just contemplation of the structure and design of the universe, shall not the whole race participate in his ennobling? Shall not the common man be raised by it-by knowing the results, without the process of deduction, without the science? Thus, I can well suppose that mechanics' lectures on Geography, Natural History, Astronomy, and some other branches, scienti

fically true in all their matter, but popular in their exposition-that is, made intelligible to a very moderately constructed understanding, and affecting to the imagination and feelings, might be very interesting and very useful indeed; therefore, let Dr Birchkeck, spite of his politics, which are bad, flourish, and all Institutions.

SHEPHERD.

That's leeberal and illeeberal in ae breath. Never heard I mortal man sae voluble during a Welsh rabbit.

Listen to me, gentlemen.

NORTH.

SHEPHERD.

Listen to you, sir-what else hae we been doin'-and I fear to little purpose-a' this lang interminable night?

NORTH.

The spirit which draws men individually towards knowledge, is not the same which invests it with reverence to the eyes of the world. The sages of rude times have been held in mysterious veneration; and their wisdom has been thought to proceed from beings of a higher nature, or even to command them. Imagination, ever-seeking Deity, apprehends its presence not only in the powers that move in the natural world, but in human power, when much surpassing all that appears within the range of familiar knowledge. Thus it makes prophets, enchanters, and the favoured that have intercourse with spirits.

SHEPHERD.

Michael Scott, in the olden day. But times are changed, sir; and even Christopher North himsell, is by few reckoned a magician.

NORTH.

But this reverence for knowledge is imaginative and generous, and of the same birth with the love of knowledge, which is itself an inquisition after Deity. But in those times of ours, when Imagination is almost expelled from the processes and counsels of human life, what then makes worship around knowledge? Truly, she that worshippeth Power. She that liveth in the eyes of men, and is ruled under their influences as her stars.

What's her name?

SHEPHERD.

NORTH.

She sees that knowledge is great and strong in the world—that it commands power and fame; that it gets wealth; that it sways even in the great motions of the world; that it is set in honour, in places of old authoritytherefore it is for her reverence-therefore she will set her children to learn it-therefore she will give it her favour and her help, and will to some degree bow herself before it.

TICKLER.

Yes, North, that principle will govern even opinion of knowledge, among every society, wherever great causes act to produce a general contention of spirit for it beyond the pure love of it for its own sake. Or, to make clear sense at once, what are the principles that excite labour after knowledge, besides the pure delight in it?

NORTH.

There are two great original powers, Tickler, that drive onwards the human spirit in quest of knowledge; the necessity of life, and the delight of the soul. From the rudest to the most civilized state of society, the acquisition of knowledge that arises to men, from their contention with nature, to make her yield them life, is very great-immense. Suppose in our own country, James, one mind to possess all the knowledge by which, in ten thousand thousand hands, bread is earned.

SHEPHERD.

What a Solomon he would be-a livin' Library o' Usefu' and Entertainin' Knowledge.

NORTH.

Setting aside, for a moment, the multiform application of simple principles by which the instruments of human art are produced-heavens! only

think on the knowledge of Nature, James, which in every minute division is distributed throughout those various arts!

The thocht's overwhelmin'.

SHEPHERD.

NORTH.

Suppose that all the facts as to the nature and properties of the different substances which are employed as materials or agents in various arts in Birmingham and Sheffield, were known to one mind, as they are known to those who without higher knowledge practice them for their bread! Suppose an intelligent mind to possess the knowledge only which it might acquire in a course of workshops, from the conversation of those who worked in them-would it not, without study, without books-be most extensive―

most

SHEPHERD.

The knowledge o' many a' gathered thegither in ae master-mind-yet aiblins withouten sceence.

NORTH.

But if you will look at those forms of life in which each man, James, is required to possess the whole of that knowledge of nature, which is necessary for obtaining from her the greater part of the means of his subsistence

SHEPHERD.

Am' nae I sic a man mysell, sir ?

NORTH.

You are, my dear James. Think, Tickler, how any man, who is much acquainted with labouring people, where they are generally neither depressed by poverty nor degraded by vicious habits prevailing among them, must have been surprised at times to find the extent of knowledge, which native intelligence, exerting itself upon those objects and facts which the plain necessities of life only made iinportant, had amassed-without books-husbandmen-shepherds-mechanics-artificers!

SHEPHERD.

Pour oot upon him, Tickler-deluge him, Timothy.

TICKLER.

If you would see the most extensive acquisition of knowledge enforced by the necessities of life, you must know what is the life of a savage, in those tribes where there is full power of mind-for in some the mind is extraordinarily degraded. For example, many of the tribes of the North American Indians, before they were visited with the curse of an intercourse with Europeans, possessed a high character of mind, both for heroic and intellectual qualities. Now, conceive one of these Indians cast amidst the boundlessness of nature-with a mind strong and ardent-not beginning life as we do-surrounded with a thousand helps to guard it from all sufferings and necessities, to spare it all use of its faculties-but cast upon the bosom of nature-to win from her the means of the preservation of his existence. From the moment he begins to understand and know-he sees what the course of his life is to be. He is to be a hunter and an inhabitant of the woods. Now, imagine all the multitude of natural facts, on the knowledge of which, for safety and sustenance, his mind is made to rest. He is a hunter-that is to say, that from the day he can use his hands at his will, he will begin his warfare against the animal race. What does that mean? That of every bird and animal of which his power can compass the destruction, he must begin to know the signs, the haunts, and the ways. He is already engaged as an observer in natural history. You may be sure he has very soon as exact a knowledge of the figure, colours, cries, &c., of many of them, and of the place and construction of the habitations of those which find, or make themselves habitations-of their young, or eggs-their number, their seasons, and precautions of breeding, &c., as any naturalist from Linnæus to Cuvier. Now, every thing he has to do to ensnare, entice, waylay them, is drawn entirely from observation of the various particulars of their modes of life. This knowledge, as he grows, he goes on extending to numbers of the birds and animals that people his dominion,—

and when the savage has, by keen and extensive observation, (you have read Hearne, North?) acquired all the knowledge that affects his own wellbeing-of the appearance, the nature, the seasons, the modes of life of as many of these creatures as will come under the necessity or the wantonness of his art as a hunter, I ask, is it not plain that he must possess, very intimately and exactly, much of that knowledge which, when possessed by a naturalist, is raised to the rank of science?

Ask Audubon.

SHEPHERD.

TICKLER.

Combine with this the knowledge of the natural world that surrounds him, as implied by his dependence for sustenance on its vegetable productions and all the various knowledge of the earth itself, and of the skies, which become important to him who is to make his way by recollection or conjecture through untracked wildernesses, forests, swamps, and precipices. How, in an unknown wilderness so made up, even after he has chosen his course, by the stars, shall he know to trace a path through the dangers and immensity of nature, which human feet may tread? By observing, studying all his life long the nature of mountains, torrents, marshes, vegetation. Then add to this-his observation of the air and the skies, from his dependence on their changes, and I think, my lads, if you have imagination to represent to yourselves one-twentieth part of the knowledge which a savage will thus be driven to possess by his mere physical necessities, you will be astonished to find how much liker a learned man he is than you be.

Maist yeloquent!

SHEPHERD.

TICKLER.

Will this seem fanciful? I will give you a single instance. There is scarcely one point in natural history more celebrated and interesting than the beaver's building his house. Do you wish to be correctly informed upon this subject? Read all our naturalists from Buffon downwards, and you will be incorrectly instructed on the mind of these mysterious animals. Then go and read the account given by a man who had nothing to do with beavers, except that he was an agent in the fur trade, and who tells you what the Indian hunters told and shewed him, and you will find much the most interesting, and the only exact account we possess of these build

NORTH.

Here

It is in Hearne's Travels in the northern parts of America. then I establish that a great part of that knowledge of external living nature which we hoard up among our treasures of science, is, through necessity, possessed, and I will say much more accurately-by men in those rude forms of life, in which they are perpetually contending with nature for the supply of all their wants.

[Silver Time-Piece chimes Twelve, and enter the Six Supper-Supporters, with Roasted Turkey, Lamb, Fillet of Veal, Salmon, Turbot, Cod, &c. &c. &c. &c. &c. &c.

SHEPHERD.

I canna charge my memory wi' ever havin' been sae lang afore without breakin' my fast. It's bad for the health sittin' hour after hour on an empty stammach, mair especially when the mind as weel's the body's exhowsted wi' the wear and tear o' rational and irrational conversation. Tickler, tackle you to the turkey-North, lay yoursell out on the lamb-and as for me, I shall hae some flirtation wi' the fillet.