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Whom do you wish to be taken to? You have but to speak - the names are written on the doorway of every house, in large red letters. Here is an apothecary's shop, with his drugs in phials, with surgical instruments and balsams still yielding a smell. Here are far different things. Enter, you have nothing to fear; but dare not tell you where you are, unless you have perceived the sign over the door. What think you of it? and yet facing one of those houses stands a temple of Vesta!

Let us, then, pay a few visits; we are in a baker's shop, and here is the flower grindstone; suppose a stone sugar-loaf, covered with an extinguisher also of stone-rub the one against the other, after throwing some corn between them, and you have a Roman mill. This wretched piece of machinery was entrusted to the hands of slaves.

But

I have reserved a surprise for you: here is some bread-do you read the baker's name hollowed out of that carbonised pancake; take and break it. Open that cupboard, you will find there preserved olives, dried figs, lintels, and eatables of all descriptions. A saucepan has been carried to the Naples Museur, containing a piece of meat, as well preserved as by Mr. S.... process. What a number of meals Vesuvius interrupted on that awful day.

those graceful and so ingeniously-wrought shields which fill up whole rooms at the Naples Museum. One must above all see the toilet arsenal of the Roman ladies, their combs, toothpicks, curling irons, and the pots of vegetable or mineral rouge found in a boudoir. Thus the Roman ladies used rouge and deceived people, just as is practised now-a-days; they wore like our ladies those necklaces, rings, and ridiculous earrings which add nothing to beauty and diminish not ugliness. How times resemble one another, in spite of the space that separates them.

town.

Above thirty streets of Pompeii are now restored to light; it is a third part of the The walls which formed its ancient inclosure have been recognized; a magnificent amphitheatre, a theatre, a forum, the temple of Isis, that of Venus, and a number of other buildings have been cleared. The secret stairs by which the priests of those times slily crept to prompt the oracles have been detected. On beholding so many monuments which display in so lively a manner the importance of private life among the Romans, it is impossible to resist a feeling of sadness and melancholy. Behold, along that fall of earth, the vestige of the breast of a woman who was buried alive, and stiffened by death-behold the stones of that well, worn by the rubbing of the ropes

be

caricatures of soldiers-one might suppose that a Roman people still existed, and that we were but strangers in one of their towns. Who knows what future discoveries may made in those august ruins! Murat employed upon them 2,000 men every year. Only 60 men and 1,000l. are now employed upon them. The excavations proceed in consequence with dismal slowness, however great may be the interest which his Sicilian Majesty takes in their success. It is not to Rome-devasted and disfigured Romethat one must go to study the Romans-it is to Pompeii. Pompeii, as regards antiquities, is worth all Italy together.

I nevertheless do not think that the Romans were great eaters. I have carefully-examine that guardhouse, covered with explored a number of kitchens and dining rooms at Pompeii, and I have found, even in the richest houses, but very trifling cooking apparatus, and miniature table utesils. Their plates were real saucers, and the tables upon which the dinner was served up but little stands, in general of stone or marble, which could hold but one dish at a time. The guests lay down around, as soldiers round their mess. What is admirable, delightful, charming and overwhelming to us barbarians of the nineteenth century, is the exquisite pureness and delicacy of shape of all the utensils which served in Roman domestic life. One must see those candelabras, lamps, vases of all sizes, those charming little bronze calefactors (for everything was of bronze), those tripods, scales, beds, chairs,

The view of the Temple of Fortune in its present state seems scarcely intelligible

without the drawing of the restored Temple, which will be given in the number next following. The steps, the iron railing, and the altar in the lower part, are still distinguishable. On the platform of the portico the yet existing capitals of the antæ and columns point out the site of the front and lateral pillars.

On the left of the cell, on entering, may be seen the niche of a statue. The whole must have been cased with marble. Many of the trees have been cut down in the progress of the excavation since this view was taken. On the stone pier on the right of the arch was painted a galley, larger and in greater detail than any yet seen, but it was gradually effaced by the rain. The triumphal arch opens into the street, now called that of Mercury; and the windowlike holes in it afford a sight of water pipes of which the use is not apparent.

HUMAN LIFE.-Human life is a journey which commences for each of us the moment we enter the world, and which terminates at the grave. We are like those, who, passengers on the ocean, are wafted by the winds towards the port, whilst they are asleep in the vessel; and who, insensible of the progression of their course, arrive there before they are aware. It is the same with the whole of life. It runs on, impelled by a continual current, which carries us on unconsciously along with it. We sleep; and, during our sleep, our brief space of time flies silently over our heads: we wake to a thousand cares; and, while struggling with them, life pursues its rapid course at the same rate. We are here below only as travellers; every thing rapidly recedes from our view; we leave every thing behind us; we throw a passing glance on the enamelled meads, or the purling brook, or whatever other object may charm our sight; we feel a pleasure in contemplating it, and, before we can analyze our pleasure, we have already lost sight of it. To charming prospects and a smiling country often succeed rocks, ravines, precipices, and rugged paths, sometimes infested with ferocious animals, or venomous reptiles; or perplexed with thorns which lacerate the flesh; these things annoy or afflict us for a moment, and the next we are beyond their reach. Such is life; neither its pleasures nor its pains are durable, nor does the road we traverse belong to us, any more than any of the objects with which it is diversified: other travellers have preceded us on it, others are com ing along it at the same time with ourselves, and countless multitudes will follow us.-St. Basil.

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No. 57.

Saturday, October 10th. 1840.

CHINA.

(Continued from No.43.)

It is remarkable that all the nations which use the Chinese written character, harbour the same prejudices against foreigners. By means of this written language they have been united for ages under similar laws, institutions, and religion. Hence they have formed one great family distinct from other nations, in all points of peculiarity. As they enjoyed the privileges of civilization at an early period, while the adjoining nations were living in barbarism, they learned to look down upon them with contempt, and in all collisions with them, to treat them, if inferior, as vanquished enemies, or if superior, as savage intruders. By sedulously shunning any intercourse with the "barbarians," the opinion of their ferocity and depravity, which the Chinese had imbibed, continued to be cherished through ignorance of its objects and settled prejudice. This general contempt was increased also by the consciousness that they were the most numerous of the nations of the world. The fact is certainly true, but not so the conclusion which they derive from it, that their country was the most extensive of all. Fancying the earth to be a square, they assumed to themselves the main land in the centre, and allowed to the other nations the small and remote clusters of islands, in various directions around themselves. How could they look upon the poor inhabitants of those scattered lands otherwise than with the utmost contempt! The sovereign of so great a nation, also, regarding himself as the sole potentate of the earth and the vicegerent of heaven, claimed the universal dominion over all the lands and the four seas. Their princes he considered his vassals and tributaries. He slighted them when he pleased, viewing them merely as

(Price Id.

the petty chiefs of barbarous tribes; yet, with much compassion, he occasionally condescended to receive their embassies.

Though the modern improvements in navigation, the progress in the science of geography and in general information, have partially rectified their opinions on this subject, yet they are too proud to confess the fact of their national ignorance: to this moment they claim the title of "the flowery middle kingdom," and would have all the princes of the earth humbly do them homage. We still hear the same old stories about the "four seas" repeated, and maps of the world may be met with, which so represent it still. So long as the public opinion is swayed by such notions, we cannot expect foreigners to be held in any just estimation among them. Those petty nations which use the Chinese written character, and acknowledge their vassalage to the Celestial Empire, imitate them also in all the arrogance of national vanity.

Another cause operating to favour the same system of restriction, exists in their literature. The Chinese are much attached to their own literature, and are therefore prepared highly to value any degree of eminence in this department. But foreigners are not often acquainted with their literary productions, and having scarcely any thing else which in the estimation of a Chinese entitles them to rank among the "literati," they are together regarded as ignorant barbarians. Proud of their own observance of the rules of propriety and justice, the Chinese are also taught by their classical authors to look down upon these barbarians as rude and fraudulent, and to esteem any friendly intercourse contaminating. "These barbarians," they are told, "have never felt the transforming influence of the Celestial Empire, and though they may therefore be pitied, yet much more do they call for our

contempt. Drive them away, banish them | extremity of force, where he is as sure of from the empire." This is true Chinese This is true Chinese defeat, as he is certain of victory, in a pitched policy. battle of words.

To increase and perpetuate this contempt of foreigners, various methods have been adopted by the government, and with various degrees of success. They know, though reluctant to admit it, that some barbarians are more warlike than themselves, that they made extensive conquests in their vicinity, and that in the event of a war with them, they themselves would be an unequal match for them. This has led them to regard these nations with constant suspicion. But to conceal from the people their fear of the superiority of Europeans, they are accustomed to stigmatize their character as infamous, and in their intercourse with them, to substitute violence and cunning for principle and candour. I am firmly persuaded that government would, were it possible, reduce all European residents and visitants to the same state of humiliation which the Dutch endure at Japan.

It must, however, be acknowledged, that Europeans have frequently, by petty aggressions, provoked the Chinese to carry their laws of exclusion into the most rigorous execution. We have cause to regret that they have never been so successful in re-establishing friendly intercourse, as unfortunate in giving occasion for stopping it.

As in the instances where actual force was used to decide disputed claims, the Chinese have generally proved inferior, they have become desirous to avoid any recourse to physical strength. Instead of spilling blood, they prefer to spill ink, and have proved to the world that China is invincible in a paper war. Like the anathemas of the Papal See, fulminating edicts have been invariably issued on such occasions against intruding foreigners. These edicts are in general very suspicious, and would persuade a European unacquainted with the case, to believe that the Chinese have justice on their side. Their threats are intimidating, and their commands almost irresistible; but here they stop: for the intruder either yields and retraces his steps, or if not, the Chinese is too wise to let matters to come to the

(To be continued.)

ILL-NATURED SATIRE.

THERE is nothing that more betrays a base ungenerous spirit than the giving of secret stabs to a man's reputation; lampoons and satires, that are written with wit and spirit, are like poisoned darts, which not only inflict a wound, but make it incurable. For this reason I am very much troubled when I see the talents of humour and ridicule in the possession of an ill-natured man. There cannot be a greater gratification to a barbarous and inhuman wit, than to stir up sorrow in the heart of a private person, to raise uneasiness among near relations, and to expose whole families to derision, at the same time that he remains unseen and undiscovered. If, besides the accomplishments of being witty and ill-natured, a man is vicious into the bargain, he is one of the most mischievous creatures that can enter into a civil society. His satire will then chiefly fall upon those who ought to be the most exempt from it. Virtue, merit, and every thing that is praiseworthy, will be made the object of ridicule and buffoonery. It is impossible to enumerate the evils which arise from these arrows that fly in the dark, and I know no other excuse that is or can be made for them, than that the wounds they give are only imaginary, and produce nothing more than a secret shame or sorrow in the mind of the suffering perIt must indeed be confessed, that a lampoon or satire do not carry in them robbery or murder; but, at the same time, how many are there that would not rather lose a considerable sum of money, or even life itself, than be set up as a mark of infamy and derision! and in this case a man should consider, that an injury is not to be measured by the notions of him that gives, but of him who receives it.

son.

There is, indeed something very barbarous and inhuman in the ordinary scribblers of lampoons. An innocent young lady

shall be exposed for an unhappy feature. A father of a family turned to ridicule for some domestic calamity. A wife be made uneasy all her life for a misinterpreted word or action. Nay, a good, a temperate, and a just man shall be put out of countenance by the representation of those qualities that should do him honour. So pernicious a thing is wit, when it is not tempered with virtue and humanity.

I have indeed heard of heedless inconsiderate writers, that without any malice have sacrificed the reputation of their friends and acquaintance to a certain levity of temper, and a silly ambition of distinguishing themselves by a spirit of railery and satire: as if it were not infinitely more honourable to be a good-natured man than a wit. Where there is this little petulant humour in an author, he is often very mischievous with out designing to be so. For which reason I always lay it down as a rule, that an indiscreet man is more hurtful than an illnatured one; for as the latter will only attack his enemies, and those he wishes ill to, the other injures indifferently both

friends and foes. I cannot forbear, on this occasion, transcribing a fable out of Sir Roger l' Estrange, which accidentally lies before me. "A company of waggish boys were watching of frogs at the side of a pond, and still as any of them put up their heads, they would be pelting them down again with stones. 'Children,' says one of the frogs, you never consider that though this may be play to you it is death to us.'

999

ADDISON.

IT is the general misfortune not to be content with what we have; not to see or cultivate the sources of comfort which in our personal circumstances may be realized; and not to value what we are enjoying, because we have it, and by the daily use of it become indifferent to it, till we learn its importance by its departing from us. If every one would but study to extract pleasure from their means of pleasure, however humble, and to be as happy as it is in their power to make themselves in their situation, without looking at other means of gratification which are not within their reach; all would experience a comfortable manhood, and learn from their own experience that every one may be in this agreeable condition. The Apostle presents to us the true and golden

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(Continued from No. 56.)

RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE OF FORTUNE.

This restoration of the temple of Fortune and the triumphal arch seemed necessary to give an idea of the original features of the place, now so disfigured as to be almost unintelligible to an uninformed spectator.

The altars on which sacrifices were offered could never have been placed within those temples of the ancient which were not hypæethral; and many proofs might be brought to show that even those of hypethral temples were placed at some distance in front, like the great altar before the eastern portico of the Parthenon at Athens.

The triumphal arch supported an equestrian statue of bronze, thought to be that of Tiberius, or Caligula, the fragments of which

were found below.

The fountains probably existed, because the remains of water-pipes are still found in the masonry of the arch, though it is not easy to ascertain the exact manner in which ed that the arch fronting the entrance of they were employed; but it is to be remarkthe Forum had also its fountain or reservoir of water.

The actual appearance of this spot having been first drawn by the camera lucida, the objects have been restored upon that drawing, in order to render intelligible its ancient aspect to those who are in need of such assistance, without the possibility of erring widely from the truth.

"

Above the arch is placed the inscription Augusto Cæsari parenti patræ," which was on marble, and which, Iorio says, was positively found near the spot.

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