wch died likewise. So that now there wanted but one (the olde man) to accomplish their prædiction. Which likewise came to passe after this manner. In that winter about mid January, began a sharp and long frost, during the continuance of which some of Sir John Munson's freindes in Cheshire having some occasion of entercourse with him, dispatch away a foot messenger (an ancient man) with letters to him. This man travelling this bitter weather over the mountaynes in Derbyshire was neare fretisht with colde, yet at last he arrived at Burton wth his lrs, where within a day or two he died, and these men so soone as ever they see him, said peremptorily that he was the man whose apparition they see, and that doubtles he would dy before he returned, wch accordingly he did. In the cause of Barker v. Ray in Chancery, August 2, 1827, a deponent swore that a woman named Ann Johnson, and also called 'Nanny Nunks,' went to the deponent, and said to her, I'll tell you what I did to know if I could have Mr. Barker. On St. Mark's Night I ran round a haystack nine times, with a ring in my hand, calling out, "Here's the sheath, but where's the knife?" And when I was running round the ninth time, I thought I saw Mr. Barker coming home; but he did not come home that night, but was brought from the Blue Bell, at Beverley, the next day.'-Some customs at Venice, on St. Mark's Day, are described in our last volume, p. 102. CHARACTER OF K. HENRY VIII. A.D. 1519. Whenever the Council of the Senate of Venice sent an ambassador to a foreign country, in former times, they ordered him to study and report to them upon the circumstances of the State to which he was sent, its geographical condition, population, wealth, and various relations; with all that he could learn of the personal characters, not only of the sovereign, but of the principal members of his court. The following was the description which Sebastiano Giustiniani, the Venetian resident in England in 1519, gave to the Council of the person and manners of King Henry the Eighth. 'His Majesty is about twenty-nine years of age, as handsome as nature could form him above any other Christian prince; handsomer by far than the King of France. He is exceeding fair; and as well proportioned in every part as is possible. When he learned that the King of France wore a beard, he allowed his also to grow; which being somewhat red, has at present the appearance of being of gold. He is an excellent musician and composer; an admirable horseman and wrestler. He possesses a good knowledge of the French, Latin, and Spanish languages; and is very devout. On the days in which he goes to the chace, he hears mass three times; but on other days he goes as often as five times. He has, every day, service in the Queen's chamber at vespers and compline. He is uncommonly fond of the chace, and never indulges in this diversion without tiring eight or ten horses. These he has stationed at the different places where he purposes to stop. When one is fatigued, he mounts another; and, by the time he returns home, they have all been used. He takes great delight in bowling, and it is the pleasantest sight in the world to see him engaged in this exercise, with his fair skin covered with a beautifully fine shirt. He plays with the hostages of France, and it is said that they sport from six to eight thousand ducats in a day. Affable and benign, he offends no one. He has often said to the Ambassador, he wished that every one was content with his condition. "We are content with our islands." He is very desirous of preserving peace; and possesses great wealth.' This seems the character to which Henry the Eighth was really entitled in his earlier years; and it is corroborated no where more frequently than in the Letters of Erasmus and his friends. The business of the divorce seems to have first roused the more angry passions of his nature. Wolsey perceived, and felt them, as we learn from the description of his Master which he gave, in his last moments, to Sir William Kyngeston. He is sure a prince of a royal courage, and hath a princely heart; and rather than he will either miss or want any part of his will or appetite, he will put the loss of one half of his realm in danger. For I assure you I have often kneeled before him in his privy chamber on my knees, the space of an hour or two, to persuade him from his will and appetite: but I could never bring to pass to dissuade him therefrom. Therefore, Master Kingston, if it chance hereafter you to be one of his privy counsell, as for your wisdom and other qualities ye are meet to be, I warn you to be well advised and assured what matter ye put in his head, for ye shall never put it out again.'-ELLIS'S ORIGINAL LETTERS, Second Series, vol. i, p. 177, 178. Astronomical Occurrences In APRIL 1828. SOLAR PHENOMENA. THE Sun enters Taurus at 14 m. past 3 in the morning of the 20th of this month. He will also be eclipsed on the 14th, but the eclipse will be invisible in this country. The conjunction will take place at 171⁄2 m. past 9 in the morning, in longitude 24° 23', Moon's latitude being 6 south. He will be centrally eclipsed on the meridian at 24 m. after 9, in longitude 38° 58 east, and latitude 18° 26' north. He will also rise and set, during the same period, as in the following TABLE Of the Sun's Rising and Setting for every fifth Day. April 1st, Sun rises 34 m. after 5. Sets 26 m. past 6 6th ....... 11th 24 ...... 5 .... 36 .... 6 Equation of Time. It is well known that one of the readiest ways of regulating a clock, in many places, is by means of a good sun-dial. This is to be done by employing the numbers as directed in the following TABLE Of the Equation of Time for every fifth Day. Tuesday, April 1st, to the time by the dial add Sunday .... .... 6th 11th m. s. 3 54 2.25 1 0 Wednesday 16th, from the time by the dial sub. 0 16 Monday 21st Saturday 26th 1 23 2 20 If the day be intermediate to those in the Table, or the time be any other than noon, the number to be added to, or subtracted from, the time given by the dial, must be found by proportion. LUNAR PHENOMENA. Phases of the Moon. Last Quarter 7th day, at 6 m. after 12 at noon 9 in the morning Moon's Passage over the Meridian. The following transits of the Moon will afford op portunities for observation this month, should the weather prove favourable: viz. April 6th, at 57 m. after 4 in the morning 7th .. 54 51 5 8th .. 9th 6 10th 40 8 .. Time of High Water at London for every fifth Day. The following are the times of high tide at London Bridge on certain days of this month: for other days and other places, the times must be obtained as already directed. The following is the proportion of these phases at the commencement of this month: viz. Illuminated part: = 8.58622 April 1st {Dark part......3-41378 Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites. The following eight eclipses of the first and second of these small bodies will be visible at the Royal Observatory, this month: Immersions. First Satellite 5th day, at 45 m. 59 s. after Form of Saturn's Ring. The relative proportion of the two axes of this ring, at the commencement of the present month, are, viz. Conjunction of the Moon with the Planets and Stars. April 24, with Jupiter at 8 in the evening 8th Bin Capricorn at noon 29th .... .... Jupiter at 11 at night. |