318 Legend of St. Christopher. mankind, on the dictates of reason,— on the checks of conscience, on the laws of the land,-and, above all, on the laws of heaven! An opposite sort of men may indeed fancy themselves strictly and absolutely independent, by having spurned at every duty, moral or religious, and emancipated themselves from all restrictions, human and divine; but they are grossly mistaken, for they have aster to whom they become only the more enslaved by so doing. With regard then to these overweening and imaginary independents, I would recommend that they should be consigned over to the care and tuition of Sig. Giovanni Ketchini, professor of pendulums, who will teach them how to appear dependent, in the most natural, and therefore the most graceful and becoming attitude, and in a manner strictly conformable to law and justice, and conducive to the best interests of society. [Nov. 1, Since writing my note upon 'Milner's devils,' (see p. 228,) I perceive that our new Pope Joan, Joanna Southcott, is pretty much of the doctor's opinion, by turning hell into a heaven, and heaven into a hell; and by teaching that the arch-enemy was expelled from heaven merely for being too jocular and facetious a gentleman!!!-In consequence of a certain parliamentary vote in favour of socinianism, and the attention that has been paid to popery, it is no wonder that blasphemies are so rapidly increas ing. LEGEND of ST. CHRISTOPHER. PERHAPS the following legend, copied by me some years since from an old manuscript, may throw some light on the history of St. Christopher. "There was a man of stature bigge, and bigge withall in minde, The servant musing, questioned his master of his feare: One Christe, quoth he with dread, I mind when does a crosse appeare. For him he askt a hermit, who advised him to be meeke; By whiche, by faythe, and workes of almes, would sought-for Christe be founde, Even at a common ferry to carry all awaites; Thus doing long, as with a childe he over once did waide, Under his load midway he faints, from sinking hardly staide; Admiring how, and asking who, was answered of the childe, As on his shoulders Christe he bore by being humbly milde: So through humilitie his soule to Christe was reconcilde, And of his carriage Christo-fer should thenceforth be his name. "St. Christopher was of the linage of Camnites, greate of stature and terrible of countenance, being 12 cubits long. The poet has omitted the staffe, with which he is alwaics painted, by which he susteyned himself in the water, bearinge over all manners of persons withoute ceasing. Now it followed on a time, as he slept in his lodge, he hearde the voyce of a childe, whiche called him and saide, Christopher come out and beare me over the water; then be arose, and went oute, but founde nobody. Nowe when he was come againe into his lodge, he heard the same voyce, crying unto him as before, at the which he runs out, but fyndes nobody. Agayne the thirde tyme being called, he comes forthe, and there founde a childe by the river's side, which prayed him to beare him over the water. Then Christopher lifted the childe on his shoulders, and tooke his staffe, and entered the water, and the water arose, and swelled up more and more, and the child grew heavier and heavier, and ever as he went farther, the water swelled up higher, insomuche that Christopher was in danger of drowninge; but when he came over, quoth he, Thou childe, thou hast put me in great perill, 1814.] Dr. Walker on Vaccination. and weighest almost as heavie as if I had carried all the world upon my backe. Quoth the childe, Thou hast borne all the worlde upon thy backe, and him that created it. I am he in this worlde whom thou seekest to serve; and for thy better assuraunce thereof, set thy staffe in the grounde, and by to-morrow it shalle budde, and bringe forthe fruite. And he did so, and founde it accordinglie, his staffe bearinge flowers and dates; and being thus converted and beleevinge himselfe, he converted thousands; and amongste many other passages of his life, was at the laste beheaded, and his bloude were there spilte, cured those that blinde." As the statues of St. Christopher were supposed to possess the same miraculous power as the brazen serpent of Moses, they were generally made much larger, and elevated more than those of any other saint, that they might be seen and known at a distance, and hence arose the fabulous idea of his gigantic stature. I am, &c. Thetford, Sep. 12, 1814. G. BURRELL. DR. WALKER-VACCINATION. thereon. I AM led to address thee, at this time, from the circumstance of my name being very conspicuously exhibited in thy last number, (for September,) and hope thou wilt receive from me some remarks It happens, to myself, that I have hardly time to take a glance even at the contents of the different journals, falsely so called, which are not journaly, (daily) but monthly, brought to our table, in the reading-room of the London Institution. The author of the eulogium on me, however, whom I have never yet seen, has had the goodness to send it to me, and certain friends have also had the excessive partiality to inform me of it with great gratification. It must be otherwise with other readers; and to these I wish to assert, that if they suspect me of a charlatanerie in this busiDess, even that of conniving at either the production or the exhibition of it, their suspicions are altogether erroneous: moreover, from the circumstance of there being two sonnets in page 164,one, an invocation to the prince of poets, the idol of the Greeks, and of every mellifluent people to whom their Language has descended; the other, an address to the least in his practice of all the followers of Hippocrates,-they may even consider me most ludicrously bur- I have had the pleasure to bear the On the MEANING of the WORD Coλos. IN a note to the translation from St. Gregory, which has appeared in your magazine for the present month, I expressed my wish that some man of learning would throw light on the word soos. Since its publication, I submitted the passage to Dr. Adam Clarke, and I congratulate your readers on his valuable criticism, whieh, through your medium, I am enabled to communicate. He had no sooner perused the passage, than he said, that the probable meaning of Conv was, those who heave the lead, as the etymology may indicate; and when he compared it with the context, he found his opinion was greatly strengthened. "It appears," he observed, “ from Gregory's narration, that the vessel was overtaken by a dreadful tempest, th 320 Mr. Boyd on the Word the light of heaven was obscured, that the mast gave way, that the rudder was wrested from the pilot's hands, and that they were reduced to the last extremity. In this situation of affairs, the only thing they could have recourse to was, to continually heave the lead, to ascertain the depth of the water, (lest they should drive on shore, or strike on shoals or syrts,) for the taking of soundings was in practice, if not from the infancy of navigation, vet some hundred years be fore the time of Gregory, as various Greek writers testify." Bohos-Noise in the Head. [Nov. 1, case could scarcely be hoped for; and though he could not recollect any example of his conjectured meaning of the word in question, yet he thought it pos sible that Gregory might have used it in this sense.” Such are the remarks with which Dr. Clarke has favoured me, and I think it must be acknowledged that his interpretation of the word is much more probeble, than that which was afforded ine by the learned Greek of whom I have spoken. I cannot close this letter without observing that Dr. C. proposed not his cri ticism as a certain and indubitable explication, but only as a conjecture, which the learned will embrace or reject as their judgment may determine. I remain, Sir, From these circumstances, as well as from the etymology of the word, he was induced to think that ex here signifies the men whose office it was to heave the lead. He farther remarked, that St. Luke, Acts, xxvii. 23, speaks twice of sounding for the bottom, and that it would be interesting to see if the word Oct. 7th, 1814. used by the apostle was the same, or derived frem the same root as that employed by Gregory. On referring to the Greek Testament, we found that the βολίσαντες of the apostle, and the επήβολος of Gregory, are derived from the same root, viz. άλλο. He observed also, in confirmation of his conjecture, that when in a tempest a vessel is supposed to be drifting on a lee-shore, persons are placed in the chains continually heaving the lead, and singing-out, as the nautical phrase is, the number of fathoms in depth; and that nothing can be conceived more dreadful than the cry of the continual shoaling of the water thus announced, and the effect produced on the passengers struck with the terror of approaching shipwreck; and that probably this very circumstance is referred to by Gregory in the βοη δε συμμιγής τε και δρήνων πλεως And sad and wild a mingled murmur rose, as be himself had witnessed, being once in similar circumstances in narrow seas, where letting go the anchors was of no use. He farther added, that he supposed "Gregory in his coasting voyage, when he got to Cyprus, on his passage to Athens, had met with one of those dreadful typhons commonly called Lecanters, which are frequent in those seas." He concluded, that, "as none of the common acceptations of the word en can possibly apply to its use in the poem of Gregory, a probable conjecture should not be slighted, as certainty in such a Your obedient servant, INQUIRY after a REMEDY for NOISE in To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. AS your valuable miscellany is wisely adapted to promote the knowledge and happiness of mankind, suffer me to communicate a case to your readers, in hope that some person who has been in similar circumstances, will have the goodness to mention the means by which he has been relieved. The disorder to which I allude, is commonly denominated a Noise in the Head. I know not how better to de scribe it, than by comparing it to the loud hissing of a kettle before it boils. It is louder and shriller at some times than at others; and frequently like the roaring of the sea heard at a distance. It is attended with no pain, but occasions a sort of confusion that is very unfriendly to reading, and especially to any thing that requires close application. It sometimes affects, in a small degree, the hearing; and continues night and day without intermission. The patient is far advanced in life, and the health and appetite are good. The best medical assistance has been resorted to in vain. If any of your readers who have laboured under the same complaint, and met with relief, will have the goodness to communicate, through your excellent work, the means by which it was effect ed, the intelligence will be gratefully received by, Sir, Your humble servant, G. W. 1$14.] "Annals of the Poor"-Epitaphs on the Steele Family. SCENE of the INCIDENTS contained in the REV. LEIGH RICHMOND'S " ANNALS OF THE POOR.' To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. IN reply to your correspondent, B. L. Y. (p. 119) I can assure him that his conjecture as to the station where the various incidents of the different nar ratives given by Mr. Leigh Richmond, in his "Annals of the Poor," occurred, is correct: he was then the officiating minister at Brading, in the Isle of Wight. Little Jane, or the Young Cottager, was interred in the church-yard of that раrish; the Dairyman's Daughter in Arreton church-yard, in which parish her father resided: her name was Walbridge. The Old Dairyman was living in July, 1813, when a friend of the writer's paid him a visit at Arreton, a little distance from Brading; a son and his wife lived with him, and conducted the dairy for him, as he was grown very old, (upwards of eighty,) and incapable of attending to it himself; though he was in the habit, when able, of riding on his donkey to church, a distance of two miles or more, to hear a clergyman whom he preferred to any one nearer. The worthy old man was confined to his bed by illness: he spoke with the greatest respect and affection of the Rev. Mr. Richmond; the tears rolled down his venerable cheeks when conversing, of his daughter Elizabeth; and he expressed his hope of meeting her in that world of perfect bliss which she now inhabits. The description given of the scenery and other objects noticed by Mr. Richmond, is remarkably accurate; nor did it appear that either time or innovation had much altered their general appearance, whether at Arreton or Brading, After spending some time at the dairyman's cottage, my friend visited the dairyman's other son, (for it appears he had two, though Mr. Richmond, in the tract entitled the Dairyman's Daughter, mentions but one, not perhaps knowing there was another,) who resided at Newport, and is a lay local preacher in the Wesleyan connexion: he appeared to be a worthy respectable man. When inquiry was made at his house whether Mr. Walbridge was within, he said his name was Walbridge, but he was not much of a Mister. He spoke in terms of gratitude, affection, and respect, of Mr. Richmond, and of the accuracy of his account of his sister. "She was," he said, "a very excellent good girl; but there have been, Sir," continued he, "others as good as 321 she, though they did not meet with a Mr. Richmond to write their lives, or narrate their histories." Thinking it probable that your correspondent B. L. Y. and perhaps some other of your readers, might be willing to learn the above particulars respecting the dairyman and his family, I have taken the liberty to trouble you with them, and remain, Sir, yours, &c. Sept. 19, 1814. A. B. In the 13th Report of the Religi ous Tract Society, page 35, there is a letter which confirms the account of my friend: it was written by the master of a merchantman, and dated Cowes Road, Nov. 14, 1811. This report may be obtained at No. 60, Paternoster-row; or 15, Castle-street, Oxford-street. SEPULCHRAL INSCRIPTIONS of the FAMILY of STEELF, at BROUGHTON, HANTS. To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. SIR, OBSERVING that your correspondent VECTUS (p. 107) has furnished you with an epitaph or two for insertion in your excellent miscellany, I am induced to trouble you with a few others, copied from the tombs of the Steele family, in Broughton church-yard,near Stockbridge, Hants. Of this family was Miss Ann Steele, better known by the name of Theodosia, who was the author of two or three volumes of elegant poems on sacred and moral subjects. The late Mrs. Dunscombe, who died a few months ago at Broughton, was nicce to Theodosia; she was author of a beautiful and elegant poem intituled Danebury Hill, from a Danish encampment of that name near Broughton. The following inscription was written by Miss Anne Steele, for her father's tomb in Broughton church-yard, and was copied from it. Mr. Wn. Steele died 10th Dec. 1769, But parting pangs shall rend the heart no more: When Jesus comes to wake the sleeping dust, Inscription for Miss Anne Steele, (or Theodosia,) written by her Brother, Anne Steele, died Nov. 11th, 1770, Silent the lyre, and dumb the tuneful tongue, That sung on earth her great Redeemer's praise; But now in heav'n she joins th' angelic song 322 Miscellaneous Questions-Neglect of Church Music. For Wm. Steele, Esq. (Brother to Theodosia,) died 21st Dec. 1735, aged 70, written by his Daughter the late Mrs. Dunscombe. How lov'd, how honour'd, words can ne'er Nor speak the loss of many a bleeding heart: For Wm. Steele, Son of the above; born So fades the lovely, blooming flow'r, The writer would suggest to the friends of Theodosia (if any such should cast their eyes on this paper) the propriety of republishing her works, as they have been out of print many years, together with any additional poems that could be obtained, and a selection of her letters. Of the latter the writer has a few, addressed to a relative of his, who corresponded with her. The profits, I believe, either in whole or in part, of the former edition, were devoted to the support of the Dissenting Academy at Bristol. Would the learned head of that semimary undertake the work? I remain, Sir, yours, &c. Sept. 19, 1814. VICLEE. [Nov. 1, lication, and feel much interested in its success, especially as I perceive your inclination to receive any hint for its im provement with candour, and to permit a ready insertion of moral, instructive, entertaining communications. therefore make no apology for requesting the insertion of the following in your Magazine. or 1 In your number for July your cor respondent P. X. animadverts very properly on the degraded state of psalmody in country churches, which is certainly more to be lamented than a matter of surprize, as there is seldom any remuneration to those who form the choir, which of course must be composed of persons residing in the parish, who may not perhaps possess any peculiar musical abilities. But what would have been the surprize of P. X. had he accompanied me this summer in a tour for the inspection of the cathedrals in England and Wales, from which I expected much gratification, being an amateur of music, especially sacred or church music!Surely we have a right to expect in those places where generally a very sufficient, and in many a handsome fund is allotted to the support of a respectable choir, that the music, vocal as well as instrumental, should be of the best composi tions and appropriate; but I was in many places miserably disappointed. In the cathedral of Landaff, in Wales, there was no organ, and the singing was in no wise superior to a country church. Surely, Mr. Editor, the public of that diocese have a right to know how the funds, which should be employed in supporting an organ, organist, and choir, are disposed of. That the singing where I did not wonder; but in many cathethere was no organ should be indifferent drals where I found the finest, and players equally good, the choir was very badly managed. This was particularly the case at Wells, in Somersetshire: at that cathedral, which is one of the most beautiful in the kingdon, the organ is remarkably fine, and the organist stands at the head of his profession; your musical readers will readily allow this when I mention the name of Mr. Dod Perkins, who is a pupil of the old school, a zealous admirer of the immortal Handel; and who, if he had the ma nagement of the choir, would render the NEGLECT of the MUSICAL PART of the vocal part of the service as much the CHURCH SERVICE in our CATHEDRALS. To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. SIR, subject of admiration as the instrumental is. On inquiry I found that a very liberal, nay, independent sum was al I TAKE in your well conducted pub- lowed to each choral vicar; but that |