twenty small ones. Lord Egmont at the head of one, Nugent of another, consis ting of himself and two more, Lady Middlesex and Doddington of a third, the chief ornament of which was the Earl of Bute, a Scotchman, who, having no estate, had passed his youth in studying mathematics and mechanics in his own little island, then simples in the hedges about Twickenham, and at five and thirty had fallen in love with his own figure, which he produced at masquerades in becoming dresses, and in plays which he acted in private companies with a set of his own relations. He became a personal favourite of the prince, and was so lucky just now as to give up a pension to be one of the lords of his bedchamber.

Bishop Secker.-March 10th. The king would not go to chapel, because Secker, Bishop of Oxford, was to preach before him. The ministers did not insist upon his hearing the sermon, as they had lately upon his making him dean of St. Paul's. Character and popularity do not always depend upon the circumstances that ought to compose either. This bishop, who had been bred a presbyterian and man-midwife, which sect and profession he had dropt for a season, while he was president of a very free thinking club, *had been converted by Bishop Talbot, whose relation he married, and his faith settled in a prebend of Durham: from thence he was transplanted at the recommendation of Dr. Bland, by the queen, and advanced by her [who had no aversion to a medley of religions, which she always compounded into a scheme of heresy of her own,] to the living of St. James's, vacant by the death of her favourite Arian, Dr. Clarke, and afterwards to the bishoprics of Bristol and Oxford. It is incredible how popular he grew in his parish, and how much some of his former qualifications contributed to heighten his present doctrines. His discourses from the pulpit, which, by a fashion that he introduced, were a kind of moral essays, were as clear from the quotations of Scripture, as when he presided in a less Christian society; but what they wanted of Gos

Here is my evidence. Mr. Robyns said he had known him an atheist, and had advised him against talking so openly in coffee-houses. Mr. Stevens, a mathematician, who lives much in the house with Earl Powlett, says, Secker inade him an atheist at Leydon, where the club was established.

pel, was made up by a tone of fanaticism that he still retained. He had made a match between a daughter of the late Duke of Kent and a Dr. Gregory, whose talents would have been extremely thrown away in any priesthood, where celebacy was one of the injunctions. He had been presented with a noble service of plate for procuring a marriage between the heiress of the same Duke of Kent and the chancellor's son, and was now forced upon the king by the gratitude of the same minister, though he had long been in disgrace for having laid his plan for Canterbury in the interest he had cultivated at the prince's court. But even the church had its renegades in politics, and the king was obliged to fling open his asylum to all kind of deserters: content with not speaking to them at his levee, or listening to them in the pulpit!

Edward Vernon, a silly noisy admiral, who, towards the beginning of the war with Spain, was rash enough to engage to take Porto Bello with six ships only, and rash enough to accomplish his engagement, which made him so popular, that, notwithstanding his failing soon afterwards in an attempt upon Cartha gena, and after that, more blameably upon Cuba, he was chosen into parlia ment for several places, had his head painted on every sign, and his birth-day kept twice in one year. Yet as his courage was much greater than his sense, his reputation was much greater than his courage: one should have thought that the lightness of his head would have buoyed up his heart in any extremity! He had withdrawn himself but very awkwardly from two or three private quarrels, and lost his public character with still greater infamy; for be. ing out of humour with the Admiralty, he published a series of letters and instructions from that board in the very heat of rebellion, by which he betrayed our spies and intelligence to the French, and was removed from all command with ignominy. He raised great wealth by the war, and by his economy, and was at last chosen one of the directors of the new herring fisheries, which occasioned the following epigram:

Long in the senate had brave Vernon rail'd,
And all mankind with bitter tongue assail'd;
Sick of his noise, we wearied heav'n with pray'r,
In his own element to place the tar:
The gods at length have yielded to our wish,
And bade him rule o'er Billingsgate and fish.

(To be continued in our next.)

LIGHT.

The question, "is light a substance" remains yet undecided. When two pieces of lump sugar are rubbed against each other in the dark, light is emitted: or, when a similar lump is melted in the dark, by placing it on a hot coal, a similar appearance presents itself.Light is necessary for plants: when a plant is deprived of light, as in bleaching salads, sea kale, &c. by gardeners, its colour is lost, and, instead of its beauteous green, a sickly yellow tint serves in its stead. The French gar deners call these sickly plants etiolated, as if they grew by star-light. It has been lately discovered that the gas which is now employed for the purposes of illumination (carbonated hydrogene,) and which is almost always present in coal mines, has the curious property of preserving the green tints of plants unimpaired after all light has been withdrawn from them, various plants having lately been discovered growing in such situations, whose green colour was quite as perfect as those growing in the light. When animal matters are just beginning to putrefy, they often emit light; this is particularly the case with some kinds of fish, as the herring, whiting, &c. The finest phosphorescent appearance of this description we ever witnessed was emitted from the head and shoulders of a large cod-fish deposited in a damp farder, in the night after a warm summer's day; an evolution of light took place, of a very beautiful description, and the largeness of the fish, which appeared one mass of light, added not a little to the solemnity of the scene. Dr. Thomson, in his learned System of Chemistry, gives a process for producing this light at pleasure. When four dracms of the herring, the whiting, or the mackarel, are placed in a phial containing two ounces of sea-water, or water holding solution one half drachm of common salt, or two drachms of Epsom salt, and the phial put into a dark place, a luminous ring appears upon the surface of the liquor within three days, and the whole liquid, when agitated, becomes luminous. Much discussion has lately taken place as to the power possessed by the violet ray (into which, with six others, the sun's rays are divided, when received on a prisin of glass) of imparting magnetic powers to a steel needle; it seems,

however, by the experiments of the Marquis Ridolfi, that this is really the case, and we are not without our hopes that this discovery may have a tendency to throw some little light upon the at present dark aad unexplored fields of magnetism.

MANUFACTURE OF VINEGAR FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES.

The Vinegar which has for ages been yended by the retailers of this country is prepared from the fermented washes of barley and other grain, which are for this purpose kept heated in close rooms, to a requisite temperature. This process, however, the manufacturers of late years found means to expedite by mixing with the fermenting materials considerable quantities of sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) which considerably quickens the process, and gives to the vinegar a much stronger taste. This fraudulent adulteration is now, however, nearly at an end; for the new or "Distilled vinegar" of the shops has nearly superseded its use. This vinegar is procured by the dry distillation of wood-shaving, &c.; and in the neighbourhood of Glasgow we have learnt that a considerable manufactory of this acid is carried on at án extensive cooperage; the chips and shavings of the staves affording abundance of materials. The acid thus pro-` cured (the old Pyroligneous) is deprived of its colour and empyreumatic flavour, we have reason to believe, by the application of animal charcoal, and the acid thus formed, as usually vended, is twice as strong as the vinegar of malt-it is used extensively as an excellent preservation of animal matters, as herrings, mackarel, fresh meat, &c. by simply dipping them once into the acid, keep fresh in the hottest seasons for any length of time, and with a flavour totally unimpaired. It preserves pickles admirably; but some experienced housewives have informed us that it renders onions and walnuts soft, but that all others are preserved in perfection. The property which the new vinegar possesses of preserving animal matters from putrefaction, explains the fact of the herrings being so well preserved after being simply dried over a fire of wood-shavings, and why all careful housewives are very particular in having their hams, &c, dried in chimneys

where wood fires are alone in use. Add one pound of sugar to every seven pints of water; mix some yeast and place them in a cask in a warm sunny place (as early in March as possible,) cover the bung hole with a piece of gause, which, if pasted round the edges, will keep out insects and dust-during the summer the vinegar will be produced.

AVENHAM.

"Sweet A'nham! lovely promenade,

Where exercise cheers the heart of men and 'maids,

Where smiling spring its earliest visit pays, And parting summer's ling'ring blooms delays.

Dear lovely bowers of innocence and ease, Seats of my youth, when ev'ry sport could please;

How often have I loitered o'er thy walk serene,

Where humble happiness endear'd each scene!
How often have I paus'd on ev'ry charm;
The shelter'd cot, the cultivated farm,
The never failing ribble, the purling rill,
The decent church that topt the neighb'ring
hill,

The hawthorn bush, with seats beneath the shade,

For talking age, and whisp'ring lovers made!

AVENHAM Walk, about five minutes ramble from the town of Preston, in Lancashire, is universally admired by all, who have had the peculiar pleasure of visiting it, for its beauty and picturesque scenery.*

Its position is south from the marketplace, the road to it is now down Fishergate, through Chapel-Street and Ribblesdale-Place, which leads immediately to that delightful terrace of thirty yards in breadth, well coated with small gravel, and interspersed with indigenous trees, placed at regular distances, creating at once, a salutary exercise of one hundred and thirty four yards in length, over which the umbrageous sprays extend themselves in shady silence, unless

*Mrs. Godfrey possesses a respectable boarding school, attiguous to this walk: the house is a spacious edifice, known by the name of "Avenham House," the original residence of the Myer's. The corporation of Preston hold the land, on which stands Avenham walk, by lease from the Trustees of Dr. Bushell's hospital, an excellent Institution for decayed Gentlemen, situate near Goosnargh Church.

+ There are many roads to this airy spot, such as down Turks' Head court, the Cock Yard, down Stonygate, and by the National School, Stoneygate.

ruffled by the zephyrs. This delightful promenade has latterly been much improved at the sole expence of the corporation of the borough, under whose pa tronage it is,-with great taste,-rereflecting an honour upon them, for embellishing this pleasant walk The

parapet, or terrace, is much elevated by a stone embankment, on your left, as you proceed to the well of crystal water below. Its entrance is adorned by six light ornamented stone pillars, and two iron gateways, intersected with pallisading. This place is well attended on a fine clear day by the inhabitants of the town, for the purpose of airing themselves. Upon this elegant little walk, there is often seen a display of beauty and fashion: the "mind's eye," faithful to its trust, conceives from the glances of the softer sex, which is rivetted in the hearts of the other, soft emotions arise buoyant in the breast; communications of a secret, chaste, and heavenly species open in the most soothing language ;— powerful love! is kindled; Hymen draws nigh, lights his torch, and, perhaps, composes that union which continueth pure through this sublunary life.

"Oh! how happy they when after the long vernal day of life,

Enamoured more, as more remembrance swells With many a proof of recollected love, Together down they sink in social sleep; Together freed their gentle spirits fly

To scenes where love and bliss immortal reign." From this "A la mode" walk, a variegated view presents itself;-indeed it may be said as a truism the " coup de ail" is fascinating. The Ribble below winding majestically round the meadow, arable, and pasture lands, together, with the gardens belonging to Mr. Jackson, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Wyse; which form in a measure the slope of its banks, whilst the north west side, forms a kind of shelve from the summit of the

Cliffe" and parts contiguous, of smooth green to the water edge. The scene towards Penwortham, is noble, and though the Ribble, even at high water, is too narrow for its magnificent accompaniments, yet, upon the whole it commands a pretty view as we proceed on

our

walk towards the bridge.-The scenery when viewed from the top of Jackson and Johnson's gardens, towards the north west, is rather hilly, but well cultivated, and richly wooded; the fields bear fine crops, and are wholly clothed with the brightest verdure imaginable,

the prospect of the river and the pasture land on the south and north side as far as "Nese point," presents a fine sea view, particularly when the tide is coming from the Irish sea by Lytham, then vessels are seen gliding on the surface of the watery element in full sail. The Ribble runs from east to west in a serpentine direction, and disposes the landscape in the most pleasing form, exhibiting a vast assemblage of beautiful and striking objects, in harmonious combination. When standing upon the terrace at Avenham, for so we have brought our readers again, although we wandered towards the west before, but, to the point: the view south and south-east, immediately before you, on the Penwortham and Walton side, is far more extensive, and delightful; and every thing pertaining to agriculture wears a pleasant aspect, all in the highest state of cultivation, up to the very top, as far as the eye will carry the little cottages peep from among their indigenuous thickets and variegated orchards. The country seemingly is divided into small farms, and peopled with labouring tenants. This gives the scene more than mere landscape beauty; for these little, and many of them patrimonial estates, suggest to the mind ideas of humble life, ease, comført, happiness, innocence, and peace, and indeed all that is concinnous and agreeable in rural associations. These lovely cottages may be looked upon with pleasure, and with profit too: to the admirer of landscape scenery, all seems cheerful and happy, although many of them are not very rich, yet, each has his cow, his little field, his garden, and for the major part, his pretty little orchard; few of them, except through idleness or dissipation, sink into a state of pauperism.

To take a "Panoramic view," we will begin with "Ashton-upon-Ribble," on your right, the top of Penwortham tower, embosomed amid the foliage of trees, with the ancient white building, and tower of brick, originally called the "Priory," formerly the seat of the Fleetwoods, but now of Colonel Rawstorne; the "bridge," with its five ligh arches, and the "Boat-house:;" receding this way, "Penwortham Lodge," the modern seat of the late J. Horrocks, Esq. M. P. is clearly seen, assisted, more to the left, by the white buildings, called

"Penwortham cotton mills," nearly in the centre of the valley, with a distant view in the back ground of "Leyland church," and the neighbouring hills; a vast concatenation of farms, enclosures, meadows, and corn fields, cattle feeding on the pasturage, with the whole rising hill, opens to your view. Situate on the margin of the fore-ground to your right, stands the "Cliffe," with its white crenated terrace, enriched below by the sloping kitchen gardens of Mr. Wyse. Extending your view southwards, a distinct sight is obtained of "Cuerde-hall," the lovely seat of Townley Parker, Esq. inclining from this more easterly, rises in tall aspect, apparently topping the ethereal sky, the distant mountains of Lortock, Anglezark, and Rivington; viewing the scene more easterly, "Brindle church," with all its surrounding vicinage, is seen distinctly. Walking to the top of Avenham-walk, the "Belvidere" of H. Hoghton, Esq. fronts you; this pretty building, with its centre terrace of a snowy hue, is ornamented by heraldic crenate work, and peeps from between the trees, neatly varied with its pea-green lawn, enamelled with the violet and the daisy, in full bloom, adding variety to ornament. Below this fairy scene, the chimney tops of "Walton-hall" are faintly seen, with their curly smoke issuing from them, whilst the body of the edifice apparently remains enveloped amid the umbrageous trees. Drawing the fore-ground of the scene closer, Frenchwood, part of Walton-le-Dale, the river Ribble, the Rail. yard, the Wooden-bridge, Jackson's cottage, bath and flower gardens, together with a large tract of country, possessing all the richest herbage, over which na ture has scattered hedge-rows, trees, &c. giving a peculiar grandeur to these enchanting objects.

"Rich with sweets the western gale,
Sweeps along the cowslip'd dale;
A'nham banks with violets gay,
Siniles to welcome th' first of May.

The whole range of this delightful prospect makes the "tout ensemble" at all times interesting, particularly on a clear and fine afternoon in summer, when Sol shines in all his glory,-serves greatly to illuminate its picturesque beauty.

The majestic windings of the Ribble;→ the elegance of the numerous villas

situate aloof on its banks, and the extensive and fertile vale, terminating eastward, by a distant view of Hoghton Tower, and embellished with the native trees, which the material world has scattered here and there in wild profusion; this variegated and chrysographic prospect may be challenged equal to any in Lancashire. Turning round, and moving a little from the top of the terrace, facing towards the town, various edifices stand before your eye, built in singular forms, which opulence and taste have impressed upon them: and equally pointing out the progress of improvement in the art of building, &c. in the town of Preston, (within these late years,) and the munificent, spirited and noble character of its inhabitants. The country which we have been attempting to delineate by the mere force of language, was viewed with extraordinary feelings of regret in the year 1745, by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, (the 8th.) the Pretender, when here, its position and beauties were marked by him as being of a most romantic nature.

"To A'nhams terrac'd walk,
And Frenchwood's groves;
Oft let me exercise, so sweet:
Where freshness breathes.-

The whole vicinity of Preston, is divided into innumerable little fields, by hedges in every possible variety of curve and shape, and are composed of whatever can possibly enter into the disposition of a hedge, hoary, oaks, crab, alder, larch, fir, maple, box, helly, yew, ash, hawthorn, briar, honeyanckle, and a thousand flowering plants, all blending in unrestrained luxuriance. Our hedges ramble unmolested in every direction, and straggle, sometimes in a zig-zag form, in some parts, (thereby, making variety;) as they list without confining or being confined. "Pretty landscapes present themselves" when viewed from Spa brow, Ashton upon Ribble, Penwortham Priory, Middleforth brow, Walton Do. Hatters Do Common bank,topof High Street,and last. ly from the front of Frenchwood house.

With every respect I remain,

Yours truly,

MARM. TULKET, O. S. B. Preston, March 22nd, 1822.

ON SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS. TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,

As

your work is at all times open to remarks upon every subject wherein the welfare either of societies or of individuals is concerned, I have. taken the liberty to transmit a few hints on the management of sunday schools; hoping that if you approve of them, you will give them an early insertion.

I had occasion to spend last sunday with a friend at Stoke upon Trent; and as he was a Wesleyan Methodist he invited me to the Chapel, to which I immediately agreed. We sat in the gallery on the west side; and in the body of the Chapel on the east, were the girls educated in the sunday school under the direction of the Methodists in that place. At their back stood one of the masters for the day, who, if I may judge by his countenance was a mild and a good man, but a weak one too. In the front stood a man of about forty or upwards; whose malignity was stamped upon his countenance, the crown of his head was bald, and his hair knitted in so many and such irregular forms, that with a change of genders we may apply Pope's description to him:"A hundred snakes his gloomy visage shade A hundred serpents guard his horrid head."

To the most untamed ferocity, he added an indication of that imbecility of intellect and awkward self-importance that impressed upon my feelings the strongest contempt and disgust, even before I noticed his mean garb (velveteen jacket, waistcoat, and inexpressi bles; blue stockings half down about his legs and blue and whiteneckerchief,) that I could attend to nothing else. He held a cane in his hand, both ends of which by being in constant requisition were split into lengths, apparently, as fine as bristles. During the time of service he did nothing but walk up and down with this instrument of cruelty in his shoulder-of-mutton fist; and whenever he saw any one of the children looking another way than at the preacher, he gave them a stroke over the hands or arms that, I am confident, would leave a mark through the next week! One little girl, however, who had a respectable appearance, was the