Reise, &c. Journey to the Glaciers of the Canton of Berne, made in the sum mer of 1812. 8vo. pp. 45. With a Map of the Glaciers. Arau. FOR the following Article we are indebted to a foreign pen; not having seen the work ourselves. It will be particularly interesting to those who have at hand Saussure's Account of his Expedition to Mont Blanc, performed some years ago. M. Rodolph Meyer, an experienced chemist, at Arau, and his brother, undertook in 1811, a journey, not without danger, to the summit of the Pic of the Virgin, which had till that time been deemed inaccessible. This enterprise having proved successful, it emboldened them to contemplate another, which was, no less than to vanquish the difficulties universally acknowledged, in reaching the summit of the Pic of the black Aar (Finster Aarhorn). This is the highest peak of the whole range of the Alps, except that of Mont Blanc: and presented so many, and so great obstacles, that the hardiest adventurers had declined it, as too hazardous. The intention of these intrepid brothers, was among other things, to verify several of the principal projections in the great Map in relief of Switzerland, constructed under the direction of their father, M. Rodolph Meyer, and now, or lately, exhibited at Paris. Experiments on the electricity, temperature, light, sound, &c. of the locality, followed as matters of course, to be included in the labours of these philosophers. During their progress to the scene of action, they continued to make barometrical and thermometrical obser vations, on the border of the lakes of Lucerne, of Thun, and in other places. On the 25th of July, in the evening, they quitted the hospital inn of Grimsal, which is situated at an elevation of 5,628 french feet above the level of the sea, intending to penetrate by the glaFinster Aarhorn. In a deep cleft of this cier of the Oberaar, to the foot of the above the level of the sea, they passed mountain, at the height of 10,370 feet the first night, amidst a desert of rocks, covered with snow. At the height of 7 or 8,000 feet, and higher than the region where the chamois frequents, they found traces of an animal of the mammiferous class; but, they had no opportunity of approaching the creature sufficiently near to be enabled to give any description of it. It appeared to them to be a kind of black mouse, or squirrel, five or six inches in length, in colour black, and having a short tail. One of the guides having lost his cap, it was found the next day, half eaten, as if by a mouse. Here and there they observed wasps and flies, and On the very crest of the Finster Aarhorn, they found, at an elevation of 12,000 feet, a butter-fly of a common species; and another, on the glacier of Alets, at 9,000 feet high. On the same glacier, they observed plains of snow, enlightened by the sun, covered with a quantity of small insects, of the genus Podura, and of the Aptera class. These insects, perhaps about They began their journey in July, the tenth of an inch in length, leaped 1812, forming a company of five per- in the same manner as fleas, by means sons, of which four were brothers, of of their tail, which is highly elastic. the family of Meyer, and the fifth was Insects of the same species a Doctor Thilo. To these were added also found, on auother rock, a quarter four guides, inhabitants of the moun-of a league distant from the former ; tains, and two of them by profession from whence these naturalists inferred hunters of the chamois; an occupation that they travelled, as well as leaped. that requires the utmost personal It should appear, that these insects substrength, activity, accuracy of remark, sist at this great height, on the dead and knowledge of places. Several at- leaves blown thither by the winds and tendants carried provisions, poles, cords, storms; for our travellers found leaves coverings of various kinds, such as of the beech, and of the oak, on the coverlits, mattresses, waxed cloths, a glacier of Alets. small tent, and the necessary instruments for making observations. were The first attempt of the party to reach the summit of the Finster Aarhorn, failed, on account of the inclemency of the weather; and, after all their pains, the adventurers found themselves obliged to return to their friendly shelter of the Grimsal; and there to remain several days. At length, on the 15th of August, after having spent six whole hours in clambering over mountains of ice, and hazarding themselves down rapid descents of snow, they arrived, towards noon, at the summit of the glacier of the Ober Aar. At this point, the party divided, and one of the divisions directed its exertions towards the summit of the Finster Aarhorn, which they attained, about four o'clock in the afternoon; after a continued struggle with the ascent, during three hours. This summit, on which, till then, no mortal had ever stood, is, according to the measure of Tralles, full 13,234 feet above the level of the Mediterranean. Its height is not surpassed by any mountain known in the old world, that has been measured by tolerable authority; except by Mont Blanc, which rises to 14,500 feet. When arrived at the top, the weathe was fine, the air was clear, and the sight was enabled to lose itself in the immensity of its range. The highest mountains of the Canton were under their feet; and they looked over the Alps of the Grisons, to the mountains of the Tyrol. The mountainous chain of the Vallais, alone, was distinguished by its proximity, as mountains. The Upper Vallais was alone distinguishable as a valley, and by the green and black tints of its forests of pines, The Rhone appeared like a fine thread of matted silver; while the other objects comprised in the picture, presented to the eye merely an indistinct and vaporous assemblage. Beyond an ocean of snow, they discovered Italy: and the habitable world floated at their feet, like an obscure sea. The travellers planted a flag of waxed cloth, coloured red, on the summit of this elevated peak : not without great labour, for the cold was extreme, and the wind was so impetuous, that it was extremely difficult to keep themselves on their feet; and they were obliged to return, after spending an hour on the spot. During their progress, the travellers were obliged to watch with the utmost After regaining the lower regions, M. anxiety, for the clefts, and crevices, and Theophilus Meyer, repeated the experocks hidden under the snow, and dition to the Virgin's Peak, on the thereby concealed from the eye. They third of September, in order to demontied themselves one to another by cords, strate, for the second time, the possibiat an interval of ten paces; and the lity of performing this task; and to siguides, who led the van, sounded with-lence the clamours of certain writers, out intermission, every suspicious place, with their long poles. who affirmed that it had not been done, and could not be done. This second expedition was no less hazardous, and painful, than the first. This march was a continued labour: they sunk in the snow up to their knees; and the brightness of the snow so power- The narration of these journeys has fully affected their eyes, notwithstand-been composed by M. Zschokke, accoring the black crape with which they ding to the notes of the travellers, made were shaded, and the green spectacles at the time, and to accounts received to which they had trusted for an effec- from them, after their return to the tual protection, that they were fre- land of the living. It is accompanied quently obliged to stop; and to plunge by a well executed map, engraved by their faces into the snow, to moderate Scheurmann, in which are laid down all the intolerable pain they endured. the chains of mountains, from the Grimsal to the bath of Leuk, and from the Staubbach to Thalgrund in the Upper Valais. Arrived at the foot of the summit, which rises almost perpendicularly, the leader was obliged to form holes in the snow, in which to place his foot, for every step; and then, to draw his companions up after him, by means of the cord, which was wound around the whole company. access to very satisfactory materials, and The History and Antiquities of Dis- appears to be master of his subject; senting Churches, and Meeting Houses, some allowances, of course, must be in London, Westminster, and South-made, for the tenor, the style, and the wark, including the Lives of their Mi-energy of his extracts from his "antient" writers; who could little foresee nisters, with an Appendix, &c. By Walter Wilson, of the Inner Temple. 4 vols. 8vo. Portraits 26. Price 31. 10s. the happy period when law and liberty should combine, and extend their protection throughout the island. That times are changed, and manners with them, can scarcely be proved The character of a great nation is not always best known from its acts of parade and public state : it may often be dis-more clearly, than by the curiosity without attachment, that actuates the modern cerned, with a singular force of expres-race of dissenters, respecting names sion, in those variations of opinion which and personages once favourite among obtain among its population. The stag-them. Such, for instance, was the fanant waters of a lake are more liable to corruption than the flowing streams of amily of the Barebones, with their appellations. Certainly, the times were river; and the sea itself is kept from out of joint," when this name could beputridity, by the saltness of its waters, come popular among any of John Bull's and by the agitation of its tides. children. Mr. W. should have indulged Nothing is so dangerous to the Pub-us with a portrait of this personage; we lic spirit as indifference; and though might then have formed some judgment, we cannot honestly affirm that all who how far his name agreed with his figure. discuss national concerns view them in PRAISE-GOD-BAREBONE was by occupatheir true light; yet the freedom of distion a leatherseller, in Fleet-street, and, cussion is a homage paid to liberty; as according to Rapin, passed among his the acknowledgement of conviction is a neighbours for a notable speaker, being homage paid to truth. It is possible, to used to entertain them with long harancontrovert the opinion of an adversary gues upon the times. This pointed him out to the notice of Cromwell, who nomiwithout diminishing our esteem for his person; without repelling his arguments nated him a member of the legislative body that succeeded the long parliament in 1658. by contempt: there is such a thing as candour; and an excellent ingredient it is, In this assembly, he greatly distinguished in the composition of the Gentleman, the himself for his activity; insomuch that the members, who were little skilled in Christian, the Patriot,—and the Briton. politics, received from him, in derision, Whether the" antiquities" of Dis- the appellation of Barebone's Parliament. senting Meeting Houses be not some- Upon the dissolution of this body, about what of a misnomer, we leave to the five mouths afterwards, Barebone appears Antiquary, and the Chronologist. We to have retired from any concern in the have reported on various of our Cathe-government; and we hear nothing further of him till February 1659-60. Monk, bedral Churches, which date a thousand years ago; they interested us by their ing then in London, with a view of restorreal antiquities: Canterbury, and Salising the King, and intent upon the re-admission of the secluded members, Barebone bury, and Chester, &c. labours of skil-appeared at the head of a numerous rabble, ful artists, and learned ecclesiastics. alarming even to that intrepid general, Mr. Wilson has no such distinction to and presented a petition to parliament Monk, who boast; two or three centuries, or even against the regal interest. less, is the extent of his "antiquity." knew the popularity of Barebone, was He gives, however, a series of au- obliged to make a general muster of his thentic, and well executed portraits: army, and wrote a letter to the parliament, and we must confess, that the real effi- expostulating with them" for giving too gies of some of these gentlemen differ much countenance to that furious zealot and his adherents." The petitioners, howconsiderably from the images of them ever, received the thanks of the house for which we had formed in our minds. Mr. Wilson has spared no pains in compiling these Volumes: he has had the expression of their good affections to the parliament. The same year, he was concerned in the publication of a book' regiments; and that the muster-master, used no other list than the first chapter of Matthew. It should be observed, however, that the absurdity of naming children after this manner, was not peculiar to that period; but was in use long before, and the continues, in some measure, even to the present day. against the Court of Charles the Second, I save Barebone; and If-Christ-had-not-diedentitled, "News from Brussels, in a letter thou-hast-been-damned Barebone: some from a near attendant on his Majesty's per- are said to have omitted the former part of son, to a person of honour here. Dated the sentence, and to have called him only March 10, 1659, O. S-" À reverend pre- "Damned Barebone." This style of namlate stiles this" a rascally piece against the ing individuals was exceedingly common "King, to expose him to the hatred of his in the time of the civil wars. It was said people." It ought to be observed, that the that the genenlogy of our Saviour might reputed author of this book was March-be learnt from the names in Cromwell's mont Needham, and Barebone only his agent in conveying it to the printer or bookseller On the thirtieth of the foregoing month, Mr. Barebone was summoned before the council of state, to answer to some matters against him; but on signing an engagement not to act in oppo-practice sition to the existing government, or to disturb the same, he was discharged from further attendance. After the Restoration It is scarcely possible, that our readhe was looked upon with a jealous eye, ers should not have heard of Mr. Daand on Nov. 26, 1661, was apprehended, niel Burgess; whose zeal and dexterity together with Major John Wildman, and did not escape the notice of the Tatler, James Harrington, Esq. and committed and Spectator. He was an eminently prisouer to the Tower, where he was confined for some time. On the meeting of popular preacher, sufficiently eccentric, and more than commonly prompt, and parliament early in the following year, the Lord Chancellor thought fit to alarm the zealous, at a time when zcal was by no house with the noise of plots and conspira- means the general characteristic of the cies, and enumerated the names of several clergy. On occasion of his Meetingpersons whom he reported to be engaged house passing into other hands, at the in traiterous designs against the govern-expiration of the lease, the following ment. Among these were Major Wildman, singular combination of circumstances Major Hains, Alderman ireton, Mr. Praise-took place: God Barebone, &c. How far the charge against these persons was substantiated, When Mr. Burgess quitted the place, or whether it was only a political engine (about 1705) it underwent a thorough reof government to get rid of suspected indi-pair, and the alterations that were necesviduals, we will not take upon us to say. sary involved a considerable expence. To Certain it is, that Mr. Barebone had now defray this, the Managers of Drury-lane to contend with the strong arm of the civil play-house gave a benefit; which odd cirpower, which was directed with all the cumstance occasioned De Foe, the celeacrimony of party prejudice against per-brated author of Robinson Crusoe, to draw sons of his stamp. up the following paper. It is taken from The principles and conduct of this man are not sufficiently detailed in history, to form a just estimate of their real nature and tendency. It seems probable, however, from the preceding facts, connected with the history of the times in which he lived, that he drank somewhat into the wild en- "As for my text (says he,) you shall find it thusiastic notions that disgraced some pre-written in the Daily Currant, June 18, 1706, vailing sects in his day. This might lead Towards the defraying of the charge of re him into certain extravagancies of conduct, which are not otherwise to be accounted pairing and filling up the chapel in Russelfor. The time of Mr. Barebone's death is court, at the Theatre Royal, in Drury-lane, not mentioned by any author we have met this present Tuesday, being the 18th of with, nor are we acquainted with any fur-June, will be presented the Tragedy of Hamther particulars of his history. It may be observed, however, for the amusement of let, prince of Denmark, with singing by Mr. the reader, that there were three brothers Monsieur Cherrier, Miss Stantlow, his scholar, access to very satisfactory materials, and The History and Antiquities of Dis- appears to be master of his subject; senting Churches, and Meeting Houses, some allowances, of course, must be in London, Westminster, and South-made, for the tenor, the style, and the wark, including the Lives of their Mi-energy of his extracts from his "antient" writers; who could little foresee nisters, with an Appendix, &c. By the happy period when law and liberty Walter Wilson, of the Inner Temple. should combine, and extend their pro4 vols. 8vo. Portraits 26. Price 31. 10s. tection throughout the island. That times are changed, and manThe character of a great nation is not ners with them, can scarcely be proved always best known from its acts of parade more clearly, than by the curiosity withand public state : it may often be disout attachment, that actuates the modern cerned, with a singular force of expresrace of dissenters, respecting names sion, in those variations of opinion which obtain among its population. The stag-them. Such, for instance, was the faand personages once favourite among corruption than the flowing streams of amily of the Barebones, with their appel nant waters of a lake are more liable to river; and the sea itself is kept from putridity, by the saltness of its waters, and by the agitation of its tides. Nothing is so dangerous to the Public spirit as indifference; and though we cannot honestly affirm that all who discuss national concerns view them in their true light; yet the freedom of discussion is a homage paid to liberty; as the acknowledgement of conviction is a homage paid to truth. It is possible, to controvert the opinion of an adversary without diminishing our esteem for his person; without repelling his arguments by contempt: there is such a thing as candour; and an excellent ingredient it is, in the composition of the Gentleman, the Christian, the Patriot,-and the Briton. 66 lations. Certainly, "the times were out of joint," when this name could become popular among any of John Bull's children. Mr. W. should have indulged us with a portrait of this personage; we might then have formed some judgment, how far his name agreed with his figure. PRAISE-GOD-BAREBONE was by occupation a leatherseller, in Fleet-street, and, according to Rapin, passed among his neighbours for a notable speaker, being used to entertain them with long harangues upon the times. This pointed him out to the notice of Cromwell, who nominated him a member of the legislative body that succeeded the long parliament in 1659. In this assembly, he greatly distinguished himself for his activity; insomuch that the members, who were little skilled in politics, received from him, in derision, Whether the antiquities" of Dis- the appellation of Barebone's Parliament. senting Meeting Houses be not some- Upon the dissolution of this body, about what of a misnomer, we leave to the five mouths afterwards, Barebone appears Antiquary, and the Chronologist. We to have retired from any concern in the have reported on various of our Cathe- government; and we hear nothing further Monk, bedral Churches, which date a thousand of him till February 1659-60. years ago; they interested us by their ing then in London, with a view of restorreal antiquities: Canterbury, and Salising the King, and intent upon the re-adbury, and Chester, &c. labours of skilful artists, and learned ecclesiastics. Mr. Wilson has no such distinction to boast; two or three centuries, or even less, is the extent of his "antiquity." He gives, however, a series of authentic, and well executed portraits: and we must confess, that the real effigies of some of these gentlemen differ considerably from the images of them which we had formed in our minds. Mr. Wilson has spared no pains in compiling these Volumes: he has had mission of the secluded members, Barebone appeared at the head of a numerous rabble, alarming even to that intrepid general, and presented a petition to parliament against the regal interest. Monk, who knew the popularity of Barebone, was obliged to make a general muster of his army, and wrote a letter to the parliament, expostulating with them" for giving too much countenance to that furious zealot and his adherents." The petitioners, however, received the thanks of the house `for the expression of their good affections to the parliament. The same year, he was concerned in the publication of a book |