our sygnet at Greenwich the 24th day of October, in the fourth year of our reign. Henry R." Richard Verney, Esq., of Warwickshire, an ancestor of the present Lord Willoughby de Brokes, was likewise in such esteem with Henry the Eighth, that he obtained for a similar infirmity the like privilege by special licence, dated at Greenwich, January 2, 1517. Also, Join Pekington, Esq., treasurer of the Inner Temple, in the year 1529, and an ancestor of the present Lord Lyttleton, received a remarkable grant from the same monarch, exempting him from all fines and public offices, and ordaining that "from the time to come he shall have full liberty during his life to wear his hat in his presence, and his successors, or of any other persons whatsoever, and not be uncovered on any occasion or cause whatsoever against his will and good liking," &c. Given by the King himself at Westminster, the fifth of April, in the year aforesaid. [Patent in Rolls Chapel.] (Continued from page 247-) DR LIEBIG states his views of vegetable nutrition at the different periods of growth. He says, that a plant returns just so much carbon to the soil as it has absorbed from it in the form of carbonic acid produced by decomposing humus. This supply of carbon is sufficient for many plants at the first period of their growth, but it is not sufficient to supply some of their organs with the necessary maximum of food. But the object of agriculture is to gain the maximum of produce, and this, says Liebig, p. 154, "stands in a direct ratio to the amount of food which has been given to a plant during the first period of its development," therefore all pains are to be taken to increase the amount of humus. The short and the long of these rather vague assertions (says Dr Mohl) is, apparently, that a crop will be the greater the more food a plant has received from the soil before its period of flowering. But this axiom, although true in the main, is somewhat contradicted by another at page 111, where it is stated that humus is useful to young plants by contributing to the increase of their organs of atmospheric nutrition; but it is not indispensable, and its excess may even be detrimental in the first stages of development. The food, namely, which a young plant receives from the air in the form of carbonic acid and ammonia, is restricted within certain limits, it can assimilate no more than the air contains. If, therefore, in the beginning of growth, the number of twigs, sprouts, or leaves overpass this proportion in consequence of a superabundance of food obtained from the soil at that period, when the plant requires more food from the air for the completion of its development, and for its flowering and fruiting than the air can supply it with, blooming and fruiting will not take place. In many cases, such food will merely suffice for the development of leaves, stems, or branches. Here Dr Mohl complains of the strange ambiguity of this part of Liebig's theory. In one instance (says Mohl) the usual quantity of humus in the soil suffices merely to form leaves, and if we have an abundant harvest, we must get it by conveying a maximum of food from the soil. On the other hand, humus adds nothing to the crops, but, on the contrary, is noxious, by conveying too much food, for it causes the production of too much foliage, a sufficient supply of food for which cannot be obtained from the air. Whence, then, does it arrive that a plant which has many leaves can not obtain from the air the food required for blooming, although it can do so if it has only a few leaves? It has been food from the air was in proportion to the hitherto supposed that the reception of number and size of its leaves; and this is plausible, but the contrary is not. When a plant standing in a moist and shaded situation grows too luxuriantly, and will not flower, the reason is not to be sought in a deficiency of food, but rather in its superabundance, and its influence on the too luxuriant development of its vegetative organs; for that will counteract the contraction of the axis and the metamorphosis of vegetative into floral organs. Another statement, however, shows how Liebig arrived at the above conclusion. He says that, after the completion of its leaves, a plant does not require more carbonic acid from the soil; and that even perfect dryness of the soil will not impede its growth, if the plant continues to receive from dew and air the amount of moisture required for the process of assimilation; and that, in fine, it will derive in a hot summer its whole carbon exclusively from the atmosphere. This assumption (says Dr Mohl) is the result of an erroneous view of the fact, that in many plants-by no means in all -such organic substances are employed for the development of fruit, as, having been prepared by the leaves before the period of flowering, have been deposited in the stem or other organs, and are subsequently conveyed to the fruit. We know that some bulbous plants will fruit even when taken out of the soil. But general assertions, taken from special facts, can only lead to absurd conclusions. Let Professor Liebig cut plants in bloom above their roots (unnecessary, he says, at that period), and expose them to as much dew and rain as he likes, and see what will happen; or as he is fond of experiments on a large scale, let him take the hay harvest for a test of this theory; which, after all (concludes Dr Mohl), seems to be nothing more than a distorted and overdone copy of the doctrine of the development of plants given by Schwerz, in his treatise on Practical Agriculture (Anleiitung zum Pract. Ackenbau, iii, 56). Besides the formation of humus, Liebig adduces another reason for the rotation of crops, viz., the relation which plants bear to the inorganic constituents of the soil. As every plant deprives the soil of certain ingredients, it thus makes it unfit for feeding similar plants, until by subsequent decomposition a fresh amount of such ingredients is again set free. To this proposition (says Dr Mohl) no one will object; but it has long been known. A NEW tragedy must command some attention as a rarity. Formerly, it was unusual to publish a play until it had been acted, but now it must be put to press unacted, or not at all. One of our great theatres exhibits nothing but operas and ballets, and the other is shut up. This is a sorry state of things. It must be regretted that, as our author truly says, "the little encouragement afforded to the drama in modern times forbids any confident expectations by authors of acknowledged merit and distinguished fame." Had this state of things been different, Mr Thomas would have had no chance of seeing 'Theresa' performed in its present state. With every wish to encourage an enterprising young writer, we must tell him it could not succeed. 'Theresa' is a remarkable performance. Though its author seems capable of writing with force and elegance, it has been his pleasure to try how inharmoniously he could string speeches together. Anything like the recognised, measure of blank verse he utterly scorns. Witness his opening speeches: Give him all present aid and sustenance; How he can have let such lines come before the public we are at a loss to imagine. Surely he did not seriously believe while committing them to paper that he was writing tragedy. We will not institute a comparison between his short, tripping lines, and such as— "Oh, that this too, too solid flesh would melt!" but we will contrast them with some of his own. How different from those already quoted are the passages which follow: "Were I as young and vigorous as thou, I'd hold my life as cheaply as the dust, "I do not needlessly expose my life, By seeking danger without recompense. These are good, and there are many to be found in the play that deserve praise; but, generally speaking, it is written in defiance of all rule. If the author wished to set up a new standard of composition it would have been well to explain that such was his object, and then, though we might not have concurred with his views, we could better have understood what at present looks like ridiculous carelessness. do not enter into the plot, for no fable, no incident could be carried through with such a strange burlesque on verse. If the fetters, which other dramatic writers have been content to assume, are not to his taste, it would be better to write prose than give his dialogue the halting, rugged form it now wears, which really "Is not poetry, but prose run mad." We Four Views of the Royal Steam Yacht, Taken during Victoria and Albert.' her Majesty's visit to Plymouth. THE nautical truth of these views, as well as the composition and chiaro-oscuro of the drawing, reflect great credit on Mr Condy, the painter, who has been most ably assisted by Mr Haghe, the celebrated lithographist. There is a charm in nautical scenes to most Englishmen, and when care is taken to represent a lively picture of the sources whence so much of our glory and power has sprung, it is difficult to behold it unmoved. The first picture represents the Royal Yacht entering Plymouth Sound, the yards of the 'Caledonia,' Inconstant,' 'Formidable,' and the 'Regina,' manned, decorated with all their signal flags, and firing salutes. This picture, with the boats in the foreground, and effect. completes a most beautiful arrangement We cannot say less of the departure, the Royal Yacht passing between Drake's ANECDOTE OF FREDERICK THE GREAT. -Though much praised by his contemporaries, Frederick was capable of arbitrary and very cruel actions, and on one occasion did not scruple to set aside the solemn decisions of his judges. One Havenbrook, a peasant, had a lawsuit with a neighbour named Mertens about a piece of ground claimed by both parties. The field was adjudged to the former. This so exasperated Mertens that, notwithstanding repeated warnings, he drove his cattle upon Havenbrook's fields. Havenbrook at last sent his son, a lad of nineteen, to drive away the cattle; this produced a quarrel, and by an unlucky blow Mertens was killed. Young Havenbrook was tried and condemned to three years' imprisonment and hard labour in the House of Correction. The sentence was, as usual, sent to the king for his confirmation, when he wrote the following underneath:-"You call yourselves wise and learned judges and counsellors, and are not ashamed to pass so improper a sentence? According to the laws of nature and reason it is my pleasure that Havenbrook be beheaded, and his body buried under the gallows. FREDERICK." THE TREASURE IN DANGER.-Dr Moncey thought the strong box offered very indifferent protection for cash. On leaving town in the summer he, on one occasion, had a lucky thought, as he deemed, and being about to go into Norfolk, he chose the fire place of his sitting room for his treasury, and placed bank notes and cash there under the cinders and shavings. On his return he found his housekeeper preparing to treat a friend with tea, and a fire just lighted to make the kettle boil. By the prompt application of a pail of water his money was found safe, but his notes were so damaged that he was not able to procure payment at the bank without much difficulty. MARSHAL DE VAUX.-Three officers had seriously offended. Finding it a case of considerable aggravation,-" Gentlemen," said he, addressing himself to them with a stern air, "I perceive that you will oblige me to resume my wonted severity." 1 At these words they fell on their knees, imploring his clemency. "No, gentlemen,. your offence is of such a nature as must not be permitted to go unpunished: retire to your quarters immediately, and return to me to-morrow morning." The next day, on quitting his chamber, he found them attending, pale, dejected, and not daring to lift up their eyes. Going up to one of them, and clapping him on the shoulder, "You have spent a disagreeable night," said he; "I see that your apprehensions have punished you sufficiently, and that you will never again be in a similar situation. You shall all three dine with me to-day." The Gatherer. ON THE GRUMBLING AMONG THE SUBSCRI- "OFF with his head," roars Crooked Dick, Would send off head and body too. White Kings.-The Lazi, a people of ancient Scythia, had a law by which their kings were allowed to wear no colour but white; and in later times it was from this custom, yet lingering in the north, that the princes, dukes, or kings of Muscovy were called "white kings," or "white princes." Versatility. One of the phantoms at which writers of the present day are apt to grasp is versatility, by which, in its ordinary sense, may be understood, a smattering of many subjects, without a true knowledge of any.-The Hesperus. Substitute for Wood. -A singular substance has lately reached this country from Singapore, and promises to become of some importance as a material for the handles of knives, tools, and all instruments which require great strength. It is a pale greyish salmon-coloured material, rather stringy, softening at 150°, and then capable of being moulded into any form. It is hard, compact, and not very unlike horn in texture. Gallantry and Philosophy.-Voltaire said the minds of women were capable of whatever was performed by those of men; and refused the invitation of the King of Prussia for the company of Madame du Chatelot, telling the king that (between philosophers) he loved a lady better than a king. Le Procédé Gannal.-The process of embalming the dead, the old process, is now exploded in France. It is superseded by the Gannal process, which consists in the injection of a liquid into the arteries of the corpse by the carotid artery. It is not unlike the method of preserving meat by means of a syringe, for which Mr Carson has obtained a patent, and which has been lately brought into common use with the greatest success. To Fine Cider.-The usual system is to filter, fine with isinglass, and rack frequently, leaving the bunghole open until fermentation has ceased. Place in the cel lar your pipe of cider which had been a day or two previously pressed from the fruit. Add to each cask four ounces of isinglass in solution, and one pound of coarsely-powdered charcoal. Bung it down, and introduce a tube through the bung of the shape of a siphon, the contrary end dipping into water, for the purpose of excluding the atmospheric air, and at the same time ensuring the safety of the vessel. When it has dropped tolerably fine, rack it as quickly as possible, adding another quantity of the solution of isinglass and charcoal, stopping it down as before. At about the expiration of three weeks, fermentation will cease. Withdraw the tube and stop the hole in the bung; it will become bright. دو Imperial Purple.-Gerald Leigh, in his Accidence of Armorie,' when speaking of the "princeliness of purple (which in heraldry shows jurisdiction, a ruler of laws, and in justice to be equal with a prince), quotes from Isidore the following passage: "There are many other colours that dyers and painters do occupie, but this colour (saith he), of them all is most noble. And that is well declared by the answer of Plato to Dionysius, who, at a banquet, commanding a maske to be made in that colour, purpure, esteeming the same according to the worthines, said: sithence it was a colour for kings and princes to be used in majestie, it were not meete to abuse the same in vaine sports and wantonnes." Fern-Leaf found in Wark.-In several of the coal mines in Somersetshire, the veins are covered with a coat of black, hard, and strong substance, called wark, which splits like slate, but is much more brittle, and not so hard. Upon dividing the wark there is often found upon one of the separated surfaces the perfect resemblance of a fern-leaf, as if cut in relievo by a skilful hand; while the other piece to which it belongs has the same figure cut into the surface; seeming as if it were the mould or case of the protuberant figure on the other side. On the Cultivation of Vines for making Wine in England.-We might have a reasonable good wine growing in many places of this realme, as undoubtedly wee had immediately after the conquest; tyll partly by slothfulnesse, not liking anything long that is painefull, partly by civill discord long continuyng, it was left, and so with tyme lost, as appeareth by a number of places in this realme that keepes still the name of vineyards and uppon many : cliffes and hilles are yet to be seene the rootes and old remaynes of vines. There is besides in Nottingham, an auncient house called Chilwell, in which house remayneth yet, as an auncient monument, in a great wyndowe of glasse, the whole order of planting, prugning [pruning], stamping, and pressing of vines.-Barnabie Goose's Foure Bookes of Husbandry, &c. Lond. 1578. 4to. "The Mould of Form."-In a cabinet at Portici is preserved the fragments of a cement of cinders, which in one of the eruptions of Vesuvius surprised a woman, and totally enveloped her. This cement, compressed and hardened by time around her body, became a complete mould of it, and the pieces preserved give a perfect impression of the different parts to which they adhered. One represents half of her bosom, which is of exquisite beauty; another a shoulder, a third a portion of her shape; and all concur in revealing that she was young, tall, and well made, and even that she had escaped in her shift; for some pieces of the linen are still adhering to the ashes. Laurels grow best in graveyards. If the Man-in-the-Moon could speak to men upon earth, how many would blush to hear him! An injury committed with a good grace will often be more tolerable than a benefit conferred with an ill one. We "W. R." is informed that in most instances where a second representation has been given of the same object, it was for the purpose of exhibiting the progress of a new discovery in art. Between the design of a public structure when first contemplated, and the same thing, nominally, when completed, he need not be told there is often a mighty difference. We, however, take his hint in very good part. do not intend often to use second representations, but only when they furnish interesting subjects for We do not see the point of "Definitions," and hardly comparison. the meaning. A writer of talent should be careful in poetry not to use such abbreviations as “who've," "he'd," &c. The age is fastidious, and happy ideas The clever letter on "A stupid, fraud-protecting Judge" will hardly be appreciated in negligent costume. would be likely to bring us before his Lordship, or one of his ermined brethren. Truth, if it may be told at all, must not be too pointedly told when it refers to high characters. "A. Lovell."-We fear our correspondent is a bit of a wag, or his port wine is but so-so stuff. He asks, 1st, "how to make port wine, or any solution of logwood! discharge its colour?" This may be readily done by adding to it a strong solution of chloride of lime. 2nd, "How convert any black fluid into a colourless one?" The black colour of common ink may be discharged by adding to it a solution of oxalic acid. B. Several communications must remain unanswered till next week. LONDON: Published by JOHN MORTIMER, Adelaide Street, Trafalgar Square; and Sold by all Booksellers and Newsmen. Printed by C. REYNELL, 16 Little Pulteney street, and at the Royal Polytechnic Institution. Original Communications. THE RED HOUSE AT BATTERSEA. AMONG the numerous houses of public resort on the fair margin of "the river of Thames," few have been more largely patronized, or are more generally known to all classes, than the Red House at Battersea. During the summer months, thousands repair thither to enjoy the delights of a short water excursion, and the smiling landscape by which it is surrounded. Less picturesque than many spots in the environs of London, the eye has a vast range over the open fields which spread far and wide around it. It is rather a peculiar bit of Thames scenery. Hone says of the spot immediately adjacent, "From Weirotter's etchings and other prints, I have always fancied it resembled a view in the low countries: it is an old windmill near the Red House, with some low buildings No. 1195.] Palmer's Glyphography. among willows on the banks of the Thames, thrown up to keep the river from overflowing a marshy flat." It is now as formerly, according to Herrick, "When once the lover's rose is dead, Then willow garlands 'bout the head, Bedewed with tears, are worn;" here the Damons and Daphnes of the age lost love the only true plant." might obtain an ample supply of that "to To tell the truth, however, it is not sighing disconsolate swains, and deserted maidens, who most assemble at the Red House. Jocund mirth and the laughing loves, exulting in the gay season of the year, annually crowd its doors and people its arbours. mass of its visitors may be called happy revellers; and they are numerous. fair little neighbour, the White House, on the opposite shore, though it may seduce some of its holiday customers, leaves the aristocratical patrons of the old establishment untouched. These go there not only [VOL. XIII. DD The Its |