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relations and the spectators. The wretched victim, who beheld these preparations making for her cruel death, seemed to be much less affected by it than we Europeans who were present. She underwent everything with the greatest intrepidity, and her countenance seemed at times to be animated with pleasure, even at the moment when she was ascending the fatal pile.

Her feet appeared from between the firewood on the side where I stood; and I had an opportunity of observing them, be cause a little breeze, playing upon that side, cleared it of the flame and smoke; I paid peculiar attention to her, in order to discover whether any convulsive motions agitated her feet, but they remained immovable in the midst of the conflagration. The women who were present, and who all, sooner or later, would have to undergo the same fate if they survived their husbands, appeared to rejoice at the sacrifice, and showed every token of exutation."

For a long period it was supposed that this custom was too general, and by the natives deemed too sacred, to admit of its being safely interfered with by the British. It however was at length forbidden, and no fearful convulsion arose from the effort made to put down a practice so revolting to humanity.

How it came to be supposed that the horrid custom was so dear to Indian hearts, we do not at this moment very distinctly remember to have heard, but we have read of its being interfered with, and that by a few strangers, with impunity and success, as if those engaged in the work of death were little interested in seeing the butchery unaccomplished; as if they were glad to save themselves trouble.

"The Memoirs of a Gentleman who resided several years in the East Indies during the late Revolution,' published by Donaldson in 1774, give a very curious and amusing account of an effort of this kind. The book is seriously written, and seems to have been put forth to serve the cause of truth.

The writer was a medical man, and was called upon to attend the brother of a Rajah to whom he had engaged himself for pay in some other capacity, who was, however, too far gone for medicine to save him. The doctor then gives the following narration of what followed immediately after the death of his patient.

"His wife was exceedingly pretty, and on or about seventeen years of age. The distance of their house from that of my Rajah was not great.

When the news arrived that she was to burn herself the idea of her person was still fresh in my memory, and just at that time two Frenchmen came to the house of my Rajah. They had each a set of good

pistols, and well tempered broad swords: and my seeing them so well armed induced me to form the resolution of setting the lady at liberty, so as to prevent her being burned. All the troops belonging to the Rajah were then on an expedition to assist the Nabob, and the Rajah, my master, being ill, he did not take the field.

The inhabitants being mostly Gentoos, who will not fight, we did not doubt. but three Europeans, properly armed, would put them all to the flight, nor will they attempt to rescue a woman after a European or any person who is not of their religion has touched her hand.

I told my Rajah by one of the servants, that I intended to return to my own country, and that unless he would pay me my wages I would be revenged on his son who was in the army.

Upon that he sent me three hundred rupees and desired me to stay, telling me that he would use me well, and give me the same sum every month, which is about thirty-six pounds. However, I refused, for I could not place any confidence in what he said; and being determined to leave him, I asked such of the servants that attended me, whether they would assist me against the Gentoos?

The two Europeans were obliged to walk, but I took care to keep up their spi rits by means of good liquor which we took along with us. We arrived at the place where the horrid ceremony was to be performed just about daybreak, and about twelve o'clock, a fine bed embroi dered with gold and silver, with the dead body upon it, and an urn to hold the ashes, were brought to the place. Perfumes were put under the bed, and the whole were ar ranged with fine art. The place where the bed stood was raised about a yard from the ground, and the lady was brought to it in triumphant dress, in the richest manner, preceded by music, both vocal and instrumental, according to the custom of the country.

The vehicle in which she stood was wide open that every one might see her, and she looked at me in such a manner as to induce me to believe that she remembered me. I looked at her in the most sorrowful manner, as she turned her head three times while she sat on the sofa. My men walked before me with swords drawn, according to the custom of the country, and I followed, attended by the two Euro peans.

A parcel of the inhabitants, vile fellows whom they employed to hang malefactors, attended with clubs in their hands: and the reason they do so is, that if the woman attempt to make her escape, they are to bring her back to the fire; but they are such cowardly fellows that few need be afraid of them. When the wood is kindled,

if the woman seeks to escape, they knock her down, and keep her fixed to her bed with their sticks.

She was to dance three times round the bed before she went upon it, and I placed myself as near to it as I could possibly get. In coming round the first time, she saw me, and fixed her eyes on me in the most wishful manner, as if desirous that I would save her. At that moment I caught her in my arms, while my two Europeans and my other servants prevented any one from following me. My carriage or palanquin was ready at a little distance, and when I told her that she should be treated with every mark of respect, she seemed content, and declared that she was willing to place herself under my protection.

Upon that I placed her in my palanquin, and walked on foot behind it, followed by the two Europeans and the Moor men, my servants, whom I took care to make as cheerful as possible by giving them plenty of liquor. I humoured them lest they should take away my prize. However, the next morning, when I got up, the Europeans and two of my Moor men had deserted, taking with them all they could lay hold of."

The lady proved grateful, and after wards rendered important services to her deliverer.

Biscellaneous.

TWICKENHAM NEW PARK.-The sale of the rich and beautiful grounds formerly belonging to Pope's Villa has been adapted to the means of small capitalists who wish to secure a pleasant retreat now or hereafter. This is not often done with a property so celebrated. It will destroy old associations by creating a new neighbourhood.

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.-The directors have advertised the temporary closing of their useful and instructive establishment for the laudable purpose of introducing, on a grand scale, Mr Armstrong's new discovery of generating electricity through the agency of steam. It is not in the power of private individuals, or even public institutions, generally to afford room sufficient for machines of such magnitude as that now to be employed, or even the gigantic plate electric machine, which could only be effectively worked by steam power. Great credit is due to the directors for the efforts they continue to make in the cause of science by the liberal ap propriation of their funds to procure machinery so vast and magnificent, while the price of admission is not advanced, thus giving to the public, through the able assistance of the learned professors there engaged, the most complete explanation of

any matter, chemical or philosophical, that may be arranged for the lectures of the day. The philosophical apparatus of this institution, as well as its laboratory, is not to be equalled in London, and of course it is no bull to say, cannot be approached anywhere else.

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SCIENTIFIC ENTERPRISE. —A scientific expedition is commenced to the Xanthus. Mr Fellows is on his way to Malta, whence the expedition will start in October. It will consist of 100 persons,-engineers, carpenters, masons, &c., besides an architect and artist, under Mr Fellows. A government steamer, the Medea,' whose officers, having been employed before, have volunteered again, is placed at his command. They will arrive during the healthy season, and not, as was the case when the Syrian marbles were fetched away, at the time when the climate becomes intolerable. The firman given to Mr Fellows before is still in force; the local pachas are prepared to render every assistance; timber is felled in readiness to pack up all that may be acquired.

MELONS.-When the late Sir A. Burnes returned from his adventurous visit to Bokhara, he mentioned, as one of the more remarkable products of that country, its magnificent melons,-large, juicy, and rich beyond anything he had seen in the East. This fruit appears to have not less attracted attention among those who visited Cabul; and seeds have been sent home in abundance by officers employed in the Affghan expedition. These seeds are now bearing fruit, and delicious they prove: not hardfleshed, with a thick rind, like oak bark, forming their larger part, and almost as indigestible as that substance,- but noble fruits, thin-skinned, delicate, and almost wholly eatable. Such a one was produced at a late meeting of the Horticultural Society by Mr Fleming, the Duke of Sutherland's gardener at Trentham; and we have since seen a specimen of the famous Sirdar kind, grown in the Isle of Wight, which weighed nearly nine pounds, and would not have been inaptly named (as some actually are, in the poetical language of the East) "a mountain of sugar.'

Few things more plainly show the great progress that has been silently made in gardening, than the skill with which this delicate fruit has been thus readily brought to perfection in a most unfavourable sum

mer.

In our opinion, a melon is an infinitely better fruit than a pine-apple, provided it is like the Ispahan, the Hoosainee, or, above all, the Sirdar; it has the great merit of being much more easily grown, and we strongly recommend everybody who values his dessert, not only in future to procure seeds of the melons of the East, or of those which have been raised from them, such as the Beechwood, but in future

to expel the whole race of Cantaloupes and Rocks as entirely unworthy of a modern garden.- Gardeners' Chronicle.

The Gatherer.

Extraordinary Discovery of Preserving Vegetables for an unlimited Period.-Our energies and exertions of late years have been directed to the improvement in the growth of fruits and vegetables; but we have never yet been able to discover how to grow them at every season of the year; but, thanks to the talent and research of a French gentleman, we are enabled, by a singular process, to enjoy not only fruits and vegetables, but poultry, game, meat, and even milk, at all times and all sea

sons.

Window Duty. The returns of window duty for the twelve towns in England paying the largest amount, and just published by order of the House of Commons, gives the several amounts as follows:-For Bath, 21,8987.; Birmingham, 11,0937.; Brighton, 15,216.; Bristol, 15,056l.; Cheltenham, 6,755l.; Clifton, 7,850l.; Leeds, 7,514.; Liverpool, 30,7901.; Manchester, 19,1577; Newcastle, 5,710.; Norwich, 7,141.; Plymouth, 11,3917.

Tragic Vengeance.-Tullia, in M. Ponsard's Lucrèce,' is made thus to flare up:

"And when I die, before the shades I seek, I'll snatch my anger, while my ashes reek, From midst the pile, and bear it thence away, As flies the tiger to devour his prey. I'll cross the Styx, my vengeance fostering still, To make all Hell accomplice of my will.' She ought to add

"Ye Gods, annihilate both space and time, To render my resolves just possible!" Art-Union. Mr C. Landseer's Monks of Melrose' is the 400l. prize; and the Jephtha's Daughter' of Mr O'Neil, has found a discriminating possessor in a 300l. prize-holder.

6

Fattening of Cattle.-M. Caffin d'Orsigny states that every ration of food should be equal to 5 per cent. of the weight of flesh

of the animal.

· Large Mushrooms.-Two prodigious mushrooms were gathered on the 1st of August last; one in a field near Fort Green Cottage, Garstang, the residence of Mr Saul, which measured forty-two inches in circumference, and had a stem six inches long and two inches in diameter, the height of the whole being nine inches. This nmense mushroom must have grown within twenty-four hours, as the ground had been looked over the previous evening, when there was no such thing to be found. The above was perfect in colour and well formed in all its parts. The other was gathered in Witinton Hall park, near Kirby Lonsdale, the residence of T. Green, Esq., and measured twenty-three inches and three

quarters in circumference; it was well formed, and in a state of growth when gathered.

Literary Oddity.-A new work has recently appeared at Berlin, by Goethe's well-known child correspondent, Bettina. It bears the singular title, 'Dieses Buch gehört dem König-This Book belongs to the King.' It appears to consist of anecdotes and reminiscences, said to be related by Goethe's mother.

The Marquis de Fortia d'Urban.—This nobleman lately died in Paris at the age of 88 years. He was a member of the Academy, author or editor of a great variety of works, and one of the most conspicuous amongst those who employ their wealth in the interest of letters.

The Side-saddle.-Queen Anne, wife of Richard II, daughter of the Emperor Charles IV, is recorded to have first taught English ladies the present way of riding they now use. Before her time they were accustomed to ride "after the fashion of men."

Nuns and their Looking-glasses.- Pope Innocent X appointed a religieuse of great virtue, discretion, and experience, secretly to visit the nunneries, to persuade the nuns to discard everything not perfectly. consistent with the state they had embraced. He returned greatly edified with what he had seen, but not satisfied: edified, because he had found such penances, such fasting, such discipline, such cilices, such praying and devotions, that it had been necessary to moderate the excess of their ardour, and had persuaded them to part with all unsuited to their religious poverty and simplicity but one thing; but disappointed because he had not been able to make them part with that one from their walls, and still more from their affections. That one was the looking-glass.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Vapour.-The hydrometer is an instrument to measure the gravity of liquids. It was first invented by Boyle, and was called by him "a new assay instrument." Dr Desanguliers made a great improvement on it. It was afterwards further perfected by D. G. Fordyce. Sykes's hydrometer is the one authorised by Government to be used in the Excise, to regulate the duties paid on spirit, &c. A. B. C.'s article we think will not interest those Next week we shall have the pleasure to lay before the who are strangers to the parties to whom it refers. readers of the 'Mirror,' part the first of Original Notes of a Tour through Finland and Russia." Caustic's 'Satyr' was not acknowledged because any acknowldgement that we could have made would not have been agreeable to the writer.

The lines fromRichmond are not original, though sent as such.

MORTIMER, Adelaide Street, Trafalgar Square;

LONDON: Published by CUNNINGHAM and

and Sold by all Booksellers and Newsmen.

Printed by C, REYNELL, 16 Little Pulteney street, and at the Royal Polytechnic Institution.

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Original Communications.

THE CITY OF SEVILLE. THE arrival of the Spanish chief Espartero, the Duke of Victory, among us, was preceded by the melancholy intelligence that the fine city of Seville had been bombarded by his orders. That a city which is densely peopled should be subjected to such a visitation must always shock humanity; but attention is more especially fixed on the circumstance when the place assailed is so ancient, so splendid, and so famous as Seville.

This city, called in Spanish Sevilla, and in Latin Hispalis, the capital of the province, or as it was formerly called, the kingdom of the same name, was one of the largest and handsomest in Spain. Its antiquity is so great that we find it mentioned by Strabo and Pomponius Meia, Pliny and Ptolemy, as being ancient even when they wrote. Hercules, Bacchus, the

No. 1179]

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Hebrews, and the Chaldeans, have been named among its founders, but in this matter no proof can be obtained. It became a Roman colony, and was called Julia Romula,' or 'Little Rome.' It was afterwards subject to the Gothic kings, who made it the place of their residence; and in 582 it participated in the rebellion of Ermenegild, son of King Leudivigild. In 711 it opened its gates to the Moors, and in 1027 it supported the rebellion of the Moor who was its governor in favour of the King of Cordova, whom it proclaimed King of Seville. In 1144, having been previously subdued, it again rebelled and chose itself a king, whose descendants united Cordova to their new dominions. Aben Hut, the last of the kings of that race, being assassinated at Almeria, and Ferdinand II and Leon having seized upon Cordova and Jaen in 1256, it threw off all authority, formed itself into a republic, and was governed by its own laws. It was [VOL.XLIII.

conquered by Ferdinand II in 1247, after a whole year's determined resistance, Nov. 23, 1248. From that date Seville has always formed a part of the dominions of the kings of Castile.

It is situated on a beautiful and extensive plain, on the banks of the Guadalquiver. Its shape is circular, and its circumference, as it was left by the Romans, is marked by a wall, more than a league in circuit, flanked by 176 towers. There are twelve gates, that of Triana being of Doric architecture, and ornamented with columns and statues. Over one of the gates is the following inscription:"Condidit Alcides renovavit Julius urbem, Restituit Christo Fernandus Tertius Heros." The streets are narrow, crooked, and ill paved, but the houses are well built, and including those of the suburbs amount to about 12,000. It is believed the number of inhabitants is from 90,000 to 100,000. There are 84 convents and 24 hospitals. Many of the houses have long courts, surrounded by galleries or columns, with fountains in the middle. In summer the families live in the galleries or courts, where they spread tents. There are many squares, the best of which are those of La Lonja, or the Exchange, the Hotel de Ville, the Arsenal at the entrance of the harbour, with the Custom house and the Gold house, in which the gold and silver brought from the Indies are deposited. There are fine suburbs, and a handsome promenade called Alameda, having three walks planted with trees, and ornamented with seats and fountains. This city is the see of an archbishop, and contains the public ecclesiastical edifices. The cathedral, constructed by Guever, the Moor, in 1568, is much admired for its lofty tower, which was originally 250 feet high, and to this height 150 feet have since been added, while the ascent is so easy and the space so great that two horsemen may ride up to the top side by side. It is surmounted by the Giralda, or brazen image, which with its palm branch weighs nearly a ton and a half, and yet turns with the slightest variation of the wind. The cathedral measures 420 feet by 263. The height is 126 feet. It was erected in the year 1401. Four score windows, formed of painted glass, furnish the interior with more than "a dim religious light." Each of these cost 1,000 ducats. They are the work of Arnao, of Flanders.

This church is very rich. One altar is wholly composed of silver, with all its ornaments, as are the images, large as life, of St Isidore and Leander, and a custodia or tabernacle for the host, more than four yards high, adorned with forty-eight columns; yet these are greatly surpassed in value by the gold and precious stones deposited by the piety and zeal of Catho

lics during the period in which all the wealth of a newly-discovered world flowed into this city. The profusion of gold, silver, and diamonds would be more striking were not the attention occupied by the innumerable pictures which grace its walls, the works of those Spanish masters who flourished immediately after the revival of the art in Seville. Every chapel preserves monuments of their superior skill. these the most conspicuous are the works of Luis de Vargas of Fr Zurbaran, and the far-famed Murillo. By the last there is a Nativity in the chapel of the Conception, and near the baptismal font St Anthony of Padua, with the baptism of Christ. The construction of the organ is pecu

Of

liar. It contains 5,300 pipes, with 110 stops, being, as it is said, fifty more than are contained in the celebrated one of Haarlem, yet so ample are the bellows when stretched, that they supply the full organ for fifteen minutes. The mode of filling them with air is rather singular. Instead of working with his hands, a man walks backwards and forwards along an inclined plane about fifteen feet in length, which is balanced in the middle on its axis. Under each end is a pair of bellows of about six feet by three and a half. These communicate with five other pair connected with a box, and the latter are so contrived that when they are in danger of being over strained, a valve is lifted up and gives them relief. Passing ten times along this inclined plane fills all the vessels.

The manner in which some of the ceremonies of the church are here performed is peculiarly striking. A description of these we reserve for another article.

The soil of Seville is rich; but in consequence of the stagnant waters in and near it putrid fevers are very common. Among its productions liquorice may be mentioned. Not less than two hundred tons of this are exported annually, and it is said a large portion of it is purchased by the brewers of London.

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Here, as in many parts of Spain, mendicity seems to flourish. The impudence of the beggar in 'Gil Blas' is nobly sustained by some of the students in a state of destitution, who are not unfrequently to be found bawling out, una limosna para un poure estudiante," an alms for a poor student; words which, the "Young American" observes, they utter in a tone and manner that seems to say, "An alms, and be d-d to you!"

Chinese Ingenuity.-If we may credit one of their traditions, the Chinese have lost a very curious secret, by which they could paint their porcelain with fishes, so that the figures never appeared to the eye till the vases were filled with liquor.

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