The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 13, No. 377, June 27, 1829

"And this is why my spleen's above
The power of words;—'tis that they can
Make the vile semblance be to Love
Just what the Monkey is to Man!

"But yonder I, methinks, can trace
One very different from these—
Her features speak—her form is Grace
Completed by the touch of Ease!

"That opening lip, that fine frank eye
Breathe Nature's own true gaiety—
So sweet, so rare when thus, that I
Gaze on't with joy, nay ecstacy!

"For when 'tis thus, you'll also see
That eye still richer gifts express—
And on that lip there oft will be
A sighing smile of tenderness!

"Yes! here a matchless spirit dwells
E'en for that lovely dwelling fit!—
I gaze on her—my bosom swells
With feelings, thoughts,–oh! exquisite!

"That such a being, noble, tender,
So fair, so delicate, so dear,
Would let one love her, and befriend her!—
—Ah, yes, my Chosen One is here!"

London Magazine.

TRAVELLING ON THE CONTINENT

The man whom we have known to be surrounded by respect and attachment at home, whose life is honourable and useful within his proper sphere, we have seen with his family drudging along continental roads, painfully disputing with postilions in bad French, insulted by the menials of inns, fretting his time and temper with the miserable creatures who inflict their tedious ignorance under the name of guides, and only happy in reaching any term to the journey which fashion or family entreaty have forced upon him. We are willing, however, to regard such instances as casual, and proving only that travelling, like other pleasures, has its alloys; but stationary residence abroad brings with it other and more serious evils. To the animation of a changing scene of travel, succeeds the tedious idleness of a foreign town, with scanty resources of society, and yet scantier of honourable or useful occupation. Here also we do but describe what we have too frequently seen—the English gentleman, who at home would have been improving his estates, and aiding the public institutions of his country, abandoned to utter insignificance; his mind and resources running waste for want of employment, or, perchance, turned to objects to which even idleness might reasonably be preferred. We have seen such a man loitering along his idle day in streets, promenades, or coffee-houses; or sometimes squandering time and money at the gambling-table, a victim because an idler. The objects of nature and art, which originally interested him, cease altogether to do so.

We admit many exceptions to this picture; but we, nevertheless, draw it as one which will be familiar to all, who have been observers on the continent. One circumstance must further be added to the outline; we mean, the detachment from religious habits, which generally and naturally attends such residence abroad. The means of public worship exist to our countrymen but in few places; and there under circumstances the least propitious to such duties. Days speedily become all alike; or if Sunday be distinguished at all, it is but as the day of the favourite opera, or most splendid ballet of the week. We are not puritanically severe in our notions, and we intend no reproach to the religious or moral habits of other nations. We simply assert, that English families removed from out of the sphere of those proper duties, common to every people, and from all opportunities of public worship or religious example, incur a risk which is very serious in kind, especially to those still young and unformed in character.

Quarterly Review.

RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS

ANCIENT FARRIERY

(For the Mirror.)

The following curious verses are copied from an engraving which the Farriers' Company have lately had taken from an old painting of their pedigree, on vellum, at the George and Vulture Tavern.

If suche may boast as by a subtile arte,
Canne without labour make excessive gayne,
And under name of Misterie imparte,
Unto the worlde the Crafie's but of their brayne.
How muche more doe their praise become men's themes
That bothe by art and labour gett their meanes.

And of all artes that worthe or praise doeth merite,
To none the Marshall Farrier's will submitt,
That bothe by Physicks, arte, force, hands, and spiritt
The Kinge and subject in peace and warre doe fitt,
Many of Tuball boast first Smythe that ever wrought,
But Farriers more do, doe than Tuball ever taught.

Three things there are that Marshalry doe prove
To be a Misterie exceeding farre,
Those wilie Crafte's that many men doe love.
Is unfitt for peace and more unaptt for warre,
For Honor, Anncestrie, and for Utilitie,
Farriers may boast their artes habilitie,

For Honor, view, this anncient Pedigree[2 - It commences from Henri de Ferrer, Lord of Tetbury, a Norman who came over with William the Conqueror.]
Of Noble Howses, that did beare the name
Of Farriers, and were Earles; as you may see,
That used the arte and did supporte the same,
And to perpetuall honour of the Crafte,
Castells they buylt and to succession left.

For anncestrie of tyme oh! who canne tell
The first beginning of so old a trade,
For Horses were before the Deluge fell,
And cures, and shoes, before that tyme were made,
We need not presse tyme farther then it beares,
A Company have Farriers beene 300 Yeres!!

And in this Cittie London have remayned
Called by the name of Marshall Farriers,
Which title of Kinge Edward the Third was gaynde,
For service done unto him in his warres,
A Maister and two Wardens in skill expert,
The trade to rule and give men their desert.

And for utilitie that cannot be denied,
That many are the Proffitts that arise
To all men by the Farriers arte beside.
To them they are tied, by their necessities,
From the Kinge's steede unto the ploweman's cart,
All stande in neede of Farriers skillfull arte.

In peace at hande the Farriers must be hadde,
For lanncing, healinge, bleedinge, and for shooeinge,
In Warres abroade of hym they wille be gladd