Reflection naturally forces itself as to how far the manufacturers of a similar article (skins) in England, can compete with such manifest advantages in the prices of the essentials of life, and of those which contribute to the perfection of this manufacture,-house rent and labour being necessarily influenced by this cheapness of provisions. We incline to the belief, from minute inquiries made on the spot, that the master manufacturer, as well as his workmen, do not expend annually more than one-third of the sum of the corre⚫ sponding classes in England; and although coarser materials of dress are worn in France, and the "comforts" of life may generally be considered as on a lower scale, there can be no doubt that the Frenchmen are the better off of the two, getting rich sooner, and less seldom falling into pecuniary difficulties. A curious proof of cheapness in an article of dress of some importance, may be adduced in that of a pair of sabots (wooden shoes), which cost about ten sous, and last four months. Thus, for a sum equal to fifteen-pence English, a French workman in the country towns of the south covers his feet during a whole year!

A very erroneous impression has also been made on the minds of occasional visitors to France, on the subject of the com→ parative industry of the French and English people. The cafés are usually crowded at those hours in the middle of the day to which an Englishman is disinclined to associate there, notions of any occupation but amusement. Besides such re-unions give rise to the notion of drinking being indispensable. The truth is that the French, and indeed all continental nations, are, by habit, very early risers. At Annonay the dinner hour is eleven; the café hour halfpast twelve to two, which is a species of simple relaxation from labour, giving the necessary zest for the renewal of it. Cards, dominoes, and billiards occupy this interval, and the custom is for one friend to play with another for the cost of his cup of coffee, eau sucré, or lemonade. Every workman (and he has his café too) labours regularly fifteen hours a day, including

three hours for meals and recreation. We contend, therefore, that the advantages of climate, habits of temperance and industry, combined with the extreme cheapness of living, give most of the French manufacturers an advantage with which in England we cannot continue successfully to compete.

Au reste: the town of Annonay itself possesses little attraction for an English visitor. Its municipal government might fairly be reminded of ill-paved, dirty, and dark streets, the only light which penetrates them at night being that "light of other days," the lantern, to whose friendly assistance the writer was more than once indebted for finding the way to his inn, after having partaken of the hospitalities of the Annoneans.

twenty young men to the army. When The arrondissement furnishes annually our informant was there, the young peasants were drawn from their mountain reof a soldier, and it was highly amusing cesses to enter on the new and perilous life their initiatory duty, accompanied by the to mark with what glee they entered on drum, unaided by "the spirit-stirring fife," and following their youthful drum-major, a lad who had not numbered more than sixteen years, after having liberally indulged in potations of wine. The period of service which the conscripts are required to fulfil is eight years or more, and the price of a substitute amounts to about 801. sterling.

It is, however, lamentable to reflect that while one-half of France is uncultivated, so many of "the bold peasantry, their country's pride," should be withdrawn for

war and destruction. The number taken

annually from the ranks of industry amounts to about eighty thousand men.

Science.

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.-A paper was read by Mr J. Taylor, describing a machine for raising and lowering the miners in the deep mines of Cornwall. It is composed of two wooden rods, with platforms fixed at given distances upon them, and clination of the vein, as is the custom for placed either vertically or following the inthe shafts in tin and copper mines. These rods receive an alternating motion from a steam-engine, and at the moment of pause caused by the crank passing over the centres, the men step from one platform to another, and thus either ascend or descend in the pits without fatigue. By the usual mode of arriving at or leaving their labour, the workdepth frequently of more than 200 fathoms, men are exhausted, traversing ladders to the and their health has been found to be severely injured. This machine has been successfully at work in the Tresavean mines upwards of a year, and its use will, it is hoped, be soon extended.

A short description was then read of an annular valve constructed by Mr Hosking, and said to be in use with advantage at the Vauxhall Water-works, and attached to some large engines for draining fens.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.-A communication from Captain Hall, Berwick-uponTweed, was read, relating to a new vegetable, which it is considered easy to acclimate in the southern parts of England, and for which the climate of Britain is thought peculiarly suitable. The plant is a variety of some species of Aramanthus, possibly oleraceus, and is markedly distinguished by the milk-white appearance of its stem, branches, and leaf-stalks. As its excellence depends on the succulency and tenderness of its nature, it requires to be grown rapidly, so as to be fit for use at the age of a month or so; and this is effected by a rich light soil, abundance of moisture, and a high temperature: the latter may be carried occasionally as high as 90° in the day, and regulated at from 70° to 75° at night. It is rather impatient of much light. In

India it is grown to the greatest perfection during the rainy season, towards the end of June. A common melon frame is recommended to grow it in; and the plants grow from a foot to a foot and a half high. The seeds should be sown in rather shallow rich earth, and the part of the fermenting materials beneath the soil should be in a partially decomposed state, that the roots may penetrate into them. The plants may be pricked out, when young, at six inches apart, and require a slight shading in bright weather. The early part of the year preferred for growing it. It is used as a vegetable in two ways: First, the leaves are plucked and dressed like spinach, when they are considered not inferior to those of any similar plant. Secondly, the stems and side-branches (being the white parts of the plant) are. separated from each other, cut into proper lengths, boiled, and placed on toast, like asparagus, and eaten with meat, either with butter, sauce, or gravy. They are very like asparagus or sea-kale.

THE NOBLE HOUSE OF PERCY. WILLIAM DE PERCY, the founder of this great family, accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066. The name is derived from a village named Percy, near Villedieu, in France. The descent of the family has been further traced back to Mainfred, a Danish chieftain, who, in the year 912, assisted the famous Rollo in subjugating Normandy, where he acquired considerable possessions.

We read that William de Percy obtained the surname of Alsgernons, or "William of the Whiskers." The name, altered to Algernon, has since constantly remained in the family. "William of the Whiskers" founded or restored the celebrated Abbey of St Hilda, in Yorkshire, of which his brother Serlo was the Prior. He went with Duke Robert in the first crusade to the Holy Land, and died in 1096, at Mountjoy, near Jerusalem, the spot from which the Cru

saders first obtained a glimpse of that city, the conquest of which was to crown all their labours. He left four sons and two daughters by his wife Emma, whose lands had been bestowed upon him by the Conqueror. Possessed of her property, he is recorded to have offered his hand to the fair despoiled owner, that in this way he might satisfy his conscience without abandoning the advantage he had gained through the favour of the King.

He was succeeded in his feudal rights and lands by Alan, his eldest son, whose first son was the next wearer of the honours. On his decease the family became extinct in the male line. His sisters, Maud and Agnes, severally succeeded. The latter married Josceline of Lovain, brother to Queen Adelicia, the second consort of King Henry the First. It was, however, only on the condition that he should assume the arms or name of Percy, that she consented

to become his wife. His lordship took the arms-the ancient arms of Hainault, and gave the name of Percy to the issue of the marriage.

Several children were the offspring of this union. Henry, the eldest, died before his mother. He was, however, married to Isabel, the daughter of Adam de Brus, lord of Skelton. With her he gained the manor of Skelton, on the somewhat singular condition, that he and his heirs should annually, on Christmas-day, proceed to Skelton Castle and lead the lady of the castle from her chamber to the chapel to mass, thence back to her chamber, and after dining with her, depart. Henry left two sons, William and Henry. The former, after some ligitation, succeeded to his rights. His son and grandson, both of the same name, succeeded him. The latter was summoned to parliament by Edward the First, from Feb. 6, 1299, to July 29, 1315. On the 19th of November, 1309, he obtained, by purchase from Anthony Beck, Bishop of Durham, a grant of the Barony of Alnwick, county Northumberland. He was one of the Barons who subscribed, in 1301, the letter to Pope Boniface VIII, whose humiliation was lately the subject of an article in THE MIRROR, repelling his attempts to interpose in the affairs of the kingdom, and declaring that "their king was not to answer in judgment for any rights of the crown of England, before any tribunal under heaven, and that, by the help of God, they would resolutely, and with all their force, maintain against all men."

A long series of Henries followed him. His son obtained the Barony and Castle of Warkworth; his grandson fought at Crecy; his great grandson, on the 16th of July, 1377, was advanced to the Earldom of Northumberland. He, however, subsequently appeared in arms against that king, and fell at Bramham Moor, 1407-8. His honours were forfeited, but restored to his grandson in 1414.

Henry, the second Earl, lost his life at the battle of St Albans, May 23, 1455, combating on the side of Henry the Sixth. His son, Henry, the third Earl, like his father, died In battle, fighting for the house of Lancaster, at Towton, March 29, 1461, and his honours became forfeited. They were, however, restored to his son Henry, the fourth Earl. He was appointed by Henry the Seventh to enforce the payment of a subsidy granted by parliament in 1489. An abatement was prayed. King Henry replied "not a penny shall be abated." This being communicated to the petitioners by the Earl, it appears they regarded him as having prompted it, and in consequence broke into his house, Cocklodge, in Yorkshire, and murdered the unfortunate nobleman, April 28, 1489. His son and grand

son were the fifth and sixth Earls. The last died without issue.

His brother, Sir Thomas, had been attainted and executed, and the family honours were confiscated. In 1555, Queen Mary created Thomas, the son of the lastnamed Sir Thomas, "Baron Percy of Cockermouth, Baron Poynings, Lucy, Bryan, and Fitz Payne ;" and on the day following, his lordship was created Earl of Northumberland. It was his lot to suffer decapitation for treason against Queen Elizabeth, (avowing the Pope's supremacy, and affirming the realm to be in a state of schism, and those obedient to Elizabeth no better than heretics). His brother, however, succeeded to his honours by virtue of a reversionary clause in the patent. He was supposed to have been concerned in a plot formed in favour of Mary, Queen of Scots, and committed to the Tower, where he was found dead in his bed, having been wounded by three pistol shots, June 21, 1585.

To him succeeded Henry, Algernon, and Jocelyne, the ninth, tenth, and eleventh Earls. Elizabeth, the only surviving child of the last, married first, Henry Cavendish, Earl of Ogle (son and heir of the Duke of Newcastle), who assumed the name of Percy. He died childless. She was then contracted to Thomas Thynne, Esq., who was murdered, Feb. 12, 1681-2, and the lady subsequently married Charles Seymour, Duke of Somerset. The eldest son of that marriage, Algernon Seymour, inherited the Dukedom of Somerset, and was created Baron Warkworth, of Warkworth Castle, and Earl of Northumberland, Oct. 2, 1749.

Sir Hugh Smithson married the daughter of Algernon Seymour, and succeeded to his honours. He was created Earl Percy and Duke of Northumberland, Oct. 18, 1766. His grace was succeeded by his eldest son, Hugh, the second Duke, who died in 1820, when his honours descended to Hugh Percy, the present Duke, who was born April 20, 1785.

EXECUTION OF A JUDGE.

SIR Robert Tresilian, in 1388, according to Froissart, "was delivered to the hangman, and so led out of Westminster, and there beheaded, and after hanged on a gibbet;" but another and more connected account would make it appear that the old chronicler was in error, and that, as might be expected, the hanging preceded the taking off his head. He was drawn from the Tower on a hurdle, and a pause was made at the end of each furlong, that a friar might demand if he had any confession to make. The executioner, in his case, had a singular duty to perform. Sir Robert refused to ascend the ladder, nor was it till he had been "soundly beaten

On

with bats and staves" that he would go up. When thus much had been accomplished, he expressed an opinion that he should not die while he retained any clothing on his person, and, instead of making the experiment of the truth or falsehood of this impression, the hangman was directed to strip the sufferer. this being done, certain images, like to the signs of the Zodiac, the head of a devil, and the names of many devils, were found, painted and written on parchment, and these being taken away, he was hanged in a state of nudity; and to make it quite clear that neither they nor anything else had saved his life, while yet hanging the executioner cut his throat.

THE ART OF DRAWING.-(Part II.) HAVING explained the utility of the orthographic mode of drawing, we proceed to show that the isometric and military systems seem to have been devised for the express purpose of executing such representations of objects as would convey a correct idea of the manner in which these various parts are connected: for allow the figures (2) to be the

ISOMETRIC REPRESENTATIONS

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article, and the following figures (3) to be their

MILITARY REPRESENTATIONS,

о

о

g

оо

it will be granted by our readers, that these convey to their minds a better idea of the forms of the objects referred to, and of the manner in which their various parts are connected, than is to be obtained from viewing their plans or elevations as before represented.

At the present time the isometric system is often employed by practical mechanics and engineers, for by means of it they can execute such perfect and useful representations of their peculiar works in a short period, as enable them to assist their employers in unravelling the mode in which it is proposed to construct any piece of simple or complex mechanism.

The military system is seldom or ever employed, although it might be with advantage by land and building surveyors, civil and military engineers, and by all classes of artizans who have to construct objects which are principally contained under plane surfaces.

of the objects already referred to. We recommend the student to make an enlarged copy of these. He will find, on viewing them from a certain position, that they appear more like solid objects which fill a certain portion of space, than their perspective representations, which merely coincide with some positions in it.

This useful system of drawing is generally employed by all classes of professional men who have to provide designs for the structures in constant demand for every civilized nation, in order to convey to their minds the probable appearance that will be derived by viewing them from any determined positions.

In the practice of the art the number of representations are in general determined by the positions from which objects may with advantage be seen. This is the last system which is to be noticed, in which the representations are executed by a given rule.

In each of the four systems of drawing which we have illustrated, before the prac

titioner can proceed to execute any part of the representation of a given or assumed object, he must previously determine their real or proportional dimensions, with their position by an assumed plane or picture. In the practice of the remaining system, Artistic Drawing, it is only requisite to allow the artists to be placed so that they may see the objects, and then proceed to execute such representations as will either convey an idea of the manner in which their various parts are connected, or one that will present an appearance almost similar to that which may be obtained by viewing the original objects from the position in which the artist was placed.

By this peculiar mode of drawing, it will in general happen that if we place a hundred artists alternately to view and sketch any particular scene, that on comparing them with each other, no two will be alike. In the practice of the four former systems quite the reverse ought to be the case, for were ten thousand draughtsmen, who had previously acquired a knowledge of those peculiar arts, to execute representations of an object or objects placed in a given position by the picture, they would, in reality, correspond with each other in all their parts.

After having so clearly explained the difference in practice between the various systems of projection and of artistic drawing, it will at once be perceived that it is only the latter art that can ever be effectively employed in executing representations of animate objects; for we need scarce remark, that our portrait and animal painters do not attempt to draw the outlines of the living creatures, to which they have to direct their attention, from real dimensions. A vain and fruitless task it would indeed prove, for whether waking or asleep, it cannot truly be said that any part of a living being is at rest for a single moment.

This art, therefore, is the only one by which we can execute those mixed representations of animate with inanimate objects, which are to be met with wherever we direct our attention; and as such it must ever be continued to be practised, whilst there are minds to reflect on the endless and ever-changing variety of scenes and characters presented to their notice, throughout the wide expanse of space.

As the term Perspective is so frequently understood to be the name of that branch of art by which artists are enabled to execute their pictorial representations of objects, we trust, from what we have already communicated relative to the system generally in use at the present day, that it will be plainly perceived and understood, that artists have never used any scientific term as the name of their peculiar branch of art. The consequence is, that our ris