1814.]

Capt. Manby's Survey of the Durham Coast.

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Redcar and Cortham are so notorious clergyman in a parish on the coast for the numerous cases of destruction, would imitate such a plan of charity that it was truly distressing to hear their and patriotism. Thus sanctioned and recital. At the former place, four pa- patronized, it would excite the opulent rallel, most dangerous shelves of rocks, to extend their bounty, and induce every called Salt Scars, (seen only at low inhabitant to contribute; whereby a water,) protrude themselves a great dis- blessing would be diffused, by a parochial tance into the sea for giving assistance institution for providing the means of to vessels driven on them, it will be re- snatching the shipwrecked mariner from quisite to send a 54 inch mortar, and a a premature death. A whole set of apsix-pounder. To the latter place, for paratus will not exceed twenty pounds. relief to vessels when stranded on the The salutary effects of such an exerBran Sand or South Gare, a 51⁄2 inch mor- cise of benevolence would soon be extar will be necessary. perienced, and the universal system of preservation promptly established; which would erect a monument of unparal leled national beneficence. There is not a clergyman, I am convinced, will disregard this appeal, or be offended at the suggestion, when it arises from the zealous feeling of an individual who loves his country, and is so deeply interested in the welfare of mankind.

There being no signal station from Flamborough Head to Hartlepool, a distance of upwards of eighty miles, I found it necessary to provide for, and point out, in whose care the mortars, &c. recommended should be placed. For Filey Bay, the Rev. Mr. Wrangham, of Hunmanby; Scarborough, the Committee of the Life Bont; Robin Hood's Bay, Mr. Cook; Whitby, the Collector of the Customs; Sandend Bay, Runswick Bay, and Staith's Bay, the Earl of Mulgrave, for his lordship to appoint such persons as might think proper to direct the same; Redcar, for the similar disposal of Lord Dundas; and at Cortham, H. Vansittart, esq. These arrangements I have made, being fully persuaded that nothing can contribute so much to promote the views of the establishment, as rank, opulence, and respectability, interesting themselves in the cause of humanity.

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DURHAM.-Hartlepool is surrounded by rocks close to its frightful shore, which extend some distance to the northward: there is likewise a Reef that stretches itself far into the sea, called Long Scar. To the south, there are very favourable bays of sand on each side of this place, to insure the safety of lives by the aid of a 5 inch mortar, when vessels are driven on them. As I make a point, at every place where a e-boat is kept. of inspecting it, to suggest whatever I conceive may conduce to its utility, I was much gratified at the admirable appointment and arrangement made for it here. A committee of experienced persons judge the merits of any extraordinary case, and exertion of the people appointed to it, and reward accordingly. A fund for this purpose is principally supported by a sermon, annually preached at the parish church. On this occasion every one attends, and contributes according to his ability, to carry into effect this benevolent design. How glorious would it be for the cause of humanity, if every

Easington has both rocks and sandy bays, and will require a 5 inch mortar for the preservation of the crews stranded on each side of the Signal Station.

Sunderland has many dangerous rocks in front, and extending on each side of its pier, running far out, where innumerable vessels have been lost. It will be proper to send to this place, from the various natures and requisite methods of giving assistance, a forty-two, twentyfour, and six-pounder. The life boats here are particularly worthy of notice, having a superior advantage over every boat I have seen or heard of; four apertures going through the bottom, that when the sea breaks over and fills them, these apertures discharge the water to the regular buoyancy of the boat, in a very short space of time It is the contrivance of

Davison, esq. of this place, and does very high credit to his ingenuity. Attention to a few slight suggestions, such as having the air boxes detached from the bottom of the boat, in case of the bottom being stove in by rocks, and a projecting rope round the gunwale for men firmly to hold by, until they can be taken into the boat, (should they be obliged to swim from the wreck) would render these boats perfectly adequate to any service, and give such security as to preclude all danger.

On leaving Sunderland, the extensive lime-kilns situated on eminences, attracted my notice; and I have since been informed that they have been the occasion of the loss of many vessels, by mistaking them for lights intended for navigation. Surely when the remedy to

Sir Wm. Drummond's Edipus Judaicus.

prevent such evils can be accomplished, by having a screen placed before them, no owner or occupier of such works will refuse to have it carried into execution. The same may be said of the fires at coal-pits, which may be prevented by a similar application.

[Aug. 1,

To the Committee of the Boat at North Shields, I made the same observations, and signified my intention of sending a six-pounder mortar for its use. (To be concluded in our next.)

SIR WILLIAM DRUMMOND'S DIPUS JU-
DAICUS.

To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine.
SIR,

through an extensive circle." The writhis to my certain knowledge was not the ter must have been misinformed, since case. I am not going to discuss the "merits or demerits" of the book; but I Review to which your correspondent remust say that the article in the Quarterly fers, was not a fair statement of the case. The errors into which the reviewer has fallen are shortly, but well expressed, by Vinder, in the "Dedication" prefixed to his " Additional Letters."

Whitburn. At the front of this point of land, a most dangerous reef of low rocks runs far into the sea, called the Steel: a 5 inch mortar must be placed I HAVE as yet seen only the second at this station, which will also be a pro- number of the New Monthly Magazine, tection to the dangers of Marzon Rock (viz. for March, 1814,) and from its conBay, &c. A similar piece at South tents am inclined to augur well of your Shields will likewise be necessary to af- undertaking. I must, however, take noford assistance from Suter Point, French- tice of a passage at p. 143, which much man's, Graham's, Manhaven Bays, and injures an esteemed friend of mine. It the Upright Rock, under which vessels is there said, that the Edipus Judaicus have so often been driven and instantly" was distributed, or rather obtruded, gone to pieces; and it will also serve for the Bay called Hard Sand, (on which such tremendous surfs break) for the aid of vessels stranded on the bar, when running for the harbour, of which there have been such innumerable instances. A six-pounder mortar for the life boat will be required. In examining this boat, I was attended by several of the committee, (under whose directions this boat is vested) together with many persons who have repeatedly been employed, and have been the means of rescuing upwards of 100 lives from wrecks, In the presence of these persons I submitted such suggestions as appeared calculated to benefit the properties, and provide assistance, of a remedy for the inconveniencies complained of. That is, first, the boat's weight; secondly, having on some occasions been obliged to relinquish the object of their endeavours, from the necessity of returning to bale out the water which had broken over and filled the boat; and in consequence I have had the satisfaction of receiving the following testimonial, signed by thirty-one persons.

South Shields, Nov. 10, 1812. "We the undersigned pilots and seamen, who are used to the life boat at this place, and have been off in her at the saving of crews from wrecks, do consider Captain Manby's method of applying casks or kegs filled with air at the bottom of the boat, to be a great improvement for this and other boats of the like description, as it will greatly take from the weight, and consequently make ber more lively in the sea, by being much more buoyant. The water discharging itself by pipes is likewise of great consequence."

April, 1814.

ARISTIDES.

HISTORY of the ORLEANS' IMPOSTURE. To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. SIR,

HAD your correspondent, Mr. Hall, consulted the life of our great lexicographer, he would have spared his reflexion on finding that, though the curiosity of Johnson was strongly excited by the marvellous tale, which then engaged the general attention of the public, yet the fraud was exposed by his powerful pen, which circumstance is enough to vindicate his name from the impotent ribaldries of such writers as Churchill. With respect to the other story, á much more correct and amusing account of the transaction may be found in Reginald Scott's "Discoverie of Witchcraft, wherein the lewde dealing of witches and witchmongers is notablie detected," quarto, 1584; and as that book is not very common, perhaps the narrative may Lear telling again in your entertaining

that, from some cause which we are unable We beg to assure this correspondent to explain, this communication has but just been received, otherwise its appearance should not have been so long delayed.

FDITOR.

1814.]

History of the Orleans Imposture.

miscellany, for which purpose I have sent you a transcript.

"The lady of the mayor of Orleans in France, in the year 1534, on her death bed desired to be buried in a private and frugal manner, near to her father and grandfather, in the church of the Franciscans. Her husband fulfilled her will, and thereby greatly disappointed the expectations of the friars, in regard to the advantages arising from a pompous funeral. This disappointment put them upon a device to be revenged, which was to propagate, by the means of an invisible agent, which they represented to be the spirit of the lady deceased, that the mayor's wife was damned for

ever.

"The actors in this scene of deception were two doctors of divinity, and a young lad in his noviceship; who being placed properly, and well instructed and provided with implements, made such a rumbling noise about midnight, when the friars attended matins in their church, that greatly alarmed those who were not in the secret, and prepared the way for exorcisms, in which the confidants demanded a sign to know whether it was a dumb spirit. To which it was answered in the affirmative, by a token agreed on by the exorcists and the supposed spirit. "Having laid this foundation of a method to converse by tokens and noise, they called in such of the citizens as they could best influence, not telling them immediately what was the matter, but beseeching them to attend their midnight matins, when they would be witnesses of a very unfortunate affair that had happened in their church.

"The citizens attended pursuant to invitation, and as soon as prayers were begun, the invisible agent, or counterfeit spirit began to make a surprising noise; and the friars who took upon them the conducting of this exorcism, having asked him what he meant, and who he was, it was signified, that it was not permitted him to speak.

"Then they commanded him to answer by tokens and signs to such questions as they should put to him; which at length was agreed to be done by knocks. "The first question, Are you the spirit of one buried in this church? Ons knock. Yes.

"Then having run over many other names in the negative; at last it was demanded, Are you the mayor's wife? One knock. Are you in a state of damDation? One knock. What is your guilt? is it covetousness? or wanton NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 7.

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lust? or pride? or want of charity? To which separately were answered by two knocks in the negative.

"Is it heresy, that damnable sect of Luther for which you are damned? One knock. Can't you rest in consecrated ground? One knock.

“Would you have your body taken up and buried in some other place? One knock. Here the friars applied to the citizens present to attest the truth of this pretended spirit, and of the conversation held with it in their sight and hearing,. But they, dreading the authority of the mayor, excused themselves from sub scribing to the veracity of the fact. This did not discourage the friars, who, por sisting in the truth of this transaction, pronounced their church polluted, while the body of the supposed spirit remained there buried, and removed the host, reliques, and their other matters, for the use of the mass, &c. to another place.

"By this time the account of the spirit was propagated industriously about the city; and the bishop sent his vicar genes ral to inquire into the affair with strict impartiality. But all his prudence and authority were baffled by the conjurors, who, driven to any leading circumstance to detect them, either pleaded an exemption from episcopal jurisdiction, or pretended that the spirit was angry, and ought not to be disturbed with frivolous impertinencies. The mayor not able by all the acts of prudence, and the assistance of the clergy, to detect the fraud; and the affair beginning to work greatly to his discredit, upon the credulity of several pious and well meaning people, carried away by the appearance of truth, applied personally to the king for an extraordinary commission to bring the conspiring friars to justice; which courmission was granted to certain aldermen of Paris, with full and absolute au thority to make inquiry of this affair'; and it was also confirmed by the pope's legate, in order to deprive the friars of any plea of exemption from the king's authority,

"These commissions convened all the friars of this convent before them at Paris, and proceeded against them by way of interrogatories, but to no pur pose. Then they were committed to divers prisons, and 'kept without any communication or correspondence with each other, except the novice, who had played the spirit under the direction above-mentioned. One of the aldetmen, named Fumanus, expecting to sift something out of this youth, to pave the VOL. II.

C

Origin of Illuminations.

INQUIRY respecting the ORIGIN of IL light an emblem of joy, is the custom of general illuminations a humble attempt to perpetuate or prolong the day?

1814.] Of Aristocracy, Despotism, and Mixed Governments.

pable of exercising it: the lowest of the people cannot exert power but to their own injury. The distinctions of political rights founded on birth are culpable, since the field should always be left open to the exertions of fair and laudable ambition. Every man ought to have a reasonable prospect of elevating himself by his talents and virtues to the highest situations; but those certainly should be excluded from power, whose constant labour is incompatible with the talents required for its exercise.

In their general conduct an aristrocacy should avoid all invidious distinctions of dress, of manners, and whatever relates totaxation-distinctions, which introduce haughtiness into the manners of one order, and servility or disgust into those of the other. The most favourable view of aristocracy is in the public manners of the higher orders, in their generosity, their courage, and that frankness which is connected with high birth and elevated rank: on the contrary, the most unfavourable view of it is in their intercourse with their inferiors. But it should be recollected at what price these distinctions are purchased, by the degradation of the more numerous classes of society, as in Sparta. Nothing is more absurd than distinctions of rank that do not serve some political purpose. (See Montesquieu, &c.)

Of DESPOTISM.

The next species of government is despotism, where the people have no rights in opposition to those of the master. Despots having no concern about their subjects' welfare, and being in general miserably educated, find it necessary to employ some chief minister in the character of vizier. (For a character of Despots, see Helvetius.)

As no established law exists under a despot, every subordinate magistrate exercises a despotic authority over bis dependants; and the worst of all servitudes is that of serving under a slave. The extreme of despotism is where the despot is proprietor of all the lands and heir to the effects of all his subjects, as among the Siamese. This kind of governiment defeats its own purpose. Without some degree of liberty, men will never exert industry, nor acquire those riches, which it is one of the objects of despotism to amass by rapine. We cannot help feeling astonishment that such a government exists: it is founded on general ignorance, on a foolish and absurd admiration of the splendour of rank, and on general timi

11

dity and distrust. Spies and informers, mingling with every private society, render the multitude a rope of sand : and have been deservedly styled by Tiberius, the guardians of the state. Nor is the condition of the despot less deplorable than that of his subjects: for his reign commences generally with a civil war, and ends in premature death.

Of MIXED GOVERNMENTS. Simple governments, such as have been described, do not in reality exist; they are mere abstractions contrived by politicians. All governments are mixed, partaking more or less of one or other of the simple forms. In practice, governments frequently differ from what they appear to be in theory. From the indefinite nature of the words employed to express political notions, and the complicated and numerous institutions which mutually influence each other, it is dithcult to comprehend the precise nature of modern governments, of which the mistakes of the French respecting our constitution are a sufficient proof. The despotism of the East differed in many respects from that of ancient Rome. The former had forgotten even the name of freedom, but the latter continued for ages to feel and recollect, and exercise the virtues of their ancestors. In modern Europe, also, despotism is restrained greatly by the freedom of public opinion resulting from the operation of the press, by the multitude of states into which it is divided, and by the subordination of ranks arising from feudal institutions. Honour is said to be the principle of this kind of government. Every man is taught from his infancy to respect the adventitious rights of others, to maintain his own rights, and to seek, as the great object of his life, the advancement of his own rank. Montesquieu's description of a limited monarchy, by which he means a monarchy restrained by opini›n, but not by law, is partial, and too fa vourable to this kind of government. Perhaps he was swayed by a partiality for that in which he was educated, or perhaps by prudence; frequently his praises appear ironical, as if he meant indirectly to intimate to his countrymen to seek a better syste:n. Thus we see that all governments are in real ty mixed, but some are so expressly by. their constitution, as the English.

A natural aristocracy in every country, formed from the men of birth, opulence, talents, and virtues, distinctions which naturally draw the respect of mankind, so disposed as to obtain all the good of