The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 291 - Supplement to Vol 10

Various

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction / Volume 10, No. 291 - Supplement to Vol 10

PREFACE

Each volume of a successful periodical miscellany resembles Seneca's "one good turn—a shoeing-horn to another;" and the Editor of THE MIRROR, in prefacing his tenth volume with this comparison, hopes that he does not over-rate what the present patronage of the public encourages him to expect. Indeed, he would fear the suspicion of ingratitude on his part, were he not thus to acknowledge the long-extended success which has attended his labours, from their commencement to the present moment. At the same time, lest vanity should be thought to have mastered his better judgment, he assures his patrons that he does not claim the undivided merit of his good fortune; since, beyond his own taste of adaptation and selection, he "misses nothing he can fairly lay his hands on;" so that, the multiplicity of his resources being considered, his success is, perhaps, more complimentary to the discernment of the public, than it is laudatory of his individual exertions.

As many readers would yawn over a long preface like so much Latin, the Editor will not, in the present instance, subject them to so extraordinary a stretch of ennui, by any lengthy comment on the character of his last volume. He hopes that its contents will be found equal to either of its predecessors; and, if any superiority be observed, he begs that it may be attributed to the "march of mind," in whose rank and file he may be allowed his proper order.

Like the well-graced actor, who, at the conclusion of a play, bows to the performers before he addresses the audience, the Editor first returns his acknowledgments to his several Correspondents, who have contributed to the public entertainment in his last volume: perhaps this class may be very small, although in the usual proportion of good and evil which is scattered up and down all paths of life. To the other and more numerous class, viz. those whose Communications (from various motives, generally explained) have not been inserted, the Editor is equally indebted,—for intention, if not accomplishment; and he hopes that the performance of his critical duty has been such as to conciliate their respect and good-will. As a pleasantry, he would remind a fair proportion of his readers, that,

As the young and forward bud Is eaten by the canker ere it blow, Even so by love the young and tender wit Is turned to folly; blasting in the bud, Losing his verdure even in the prime, And all the fair effects of future hopes—

for he would not affect the fickle guide on so extended a scale. For graver matters, or such as are beyond the surface of the heart, the Editor thanks his Correspondents on subjects of Art, in its antiquarian and modern departments, of whose researches he has frequently availed himself. With a view to keep pace with the Spirit of Philosophical Discovery which characterizes the present day, the Editor has been his own Prometheus in introducing his readers to the "Arcana of Science," the object of which has already been fully explained, and he hopes, to a certain extent, realized.

The Editor is not disposed to indulge too freely in anticipation, lest he should lose sight of his object: accordingly, he must be brief in his professions for the future. Improvement is contemplated in the general execution of the Embellishments, as far as the Proprietor and Editor have control; but, anon, they will be at the bar of public taste. To use a parliamentary phrase, other new "features" will be introduced from time to time, so as to continue to reflect in THE MIRROR the characteristics and curiosity of the present day, aided by some of the bright lights of past ages.

LONDON, December 24, 1827.

LIST OF ENGRAVINGS

PORTRAIT of His Royal Highness the DUKE of CLARENCE.

1. Pony Phaeton of his Majesty.

2. Emblematical Design for July.

3. New Church, Regent's Park.

4. Archers.

5. Royal Archer of Scotland.

6. Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle.

7. Garrick's Mulberry Cup.

8. Croydon Palace.

9. Hadley Church.

10. Emblematical Design for August.

11. St. Thomas's Hospital, Canterbury.

12. Duke of Devonshire's Villa.

13. Ancient Powder-Flask.

14. Town-Hall, Liverpool.

15. New Prison, Norwich.

16. Emblem of September.

17. Dublin Post-Office.

18. Hammersmith Bridge.

19. Monge's Mausoleum.

20. Ancient Grecian Sepulchre.

21. New Palace, St. James's Park.

22. Plan of Improvements in the Park.

23. Triumphal Arch, Hyde Park.

24. Temple Church.

25. Kew Palace.

26. Kanemboo Market Woman.

27. Shouaa Woman.

28. Bristol Cathedral.

29. Emblem for October.

30. Central Market, Leeds.

31. Palace at Stockholm.

32. Brambletye House.

33. Moated House, Brambletye.

34. Elsineur from Hamlet's Garden.

35. The Camelopard.

36. Body Guard of the Sheikh of Bornou.

37. Lancer of the Sultan of Begharmi.

38. St. Martin's, near Canterbury.

39. Hanover Terrace, Regent's Park.

40. Emblem of November.

41. Haddon Hall.

42. Autographs of the Conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot.

43. Navarino and the Island of Sphagia.

44. Plan of the Attack at Navarino.

45. Castle of the Seven Towers, Constantinople.

46. Fisherman of Bornou.

47. Musician of Mandara.

48. Caxton's House.

49. Bushy Park, the Seat of the Lord High Admiral.

50. Design for December.

51. Greek Armament.

52. City of Old Sarum.

53. The Clarence Cup.

54. New Steam Carriage.

Memoir Of His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence,

LORD HIGH ADMIRAL OF ENGLAND Ye sacred arks of Liberty! that float Where Tamar's waters spread their bosom wide, That seem, with towering stern and rampart stride, Like antique castles girt with shining moat: Should War the signal give with brazen throat, No more recumbent here in idle pride, Your rapid prows would cleave the foaming tide, And to the nations speak in thundering note. Thus in the firmament serene and deep, When summer clouds the earth are hanging o'er, And all their mighty masses seem asleep, To execute Heaven's wrath, and judgment sore, From their dark wombs the sudden lightnings leap, And vengeful thunders peal along the shore. Forget Me Not—for 1828.

The recent appointment of the above illustrious individual to the head of our naval administration is a gratulatory topic for every Englishman; and we doubt not the measure will contribute as largely to individual honour, as it will to the national welfare. In the abstract, nations resemble large families, of which kings are fathers or guardians; and the subdivision of this guardianship or paternal government, among the sons or younger brothers of the sovereign is calculated to promote unanimity among the governors, and to engraft with affectionate loyalty the hearts of the governed. Indeed, the tutelar presence of princes seldom fails to inspire courage, and to support the patriotic sons of arms even in the extremes of danger; and, although the princes of our times have seldom been distinguished in the camp of war,—we should recollect that

Nihil sunt foris arma nisi est consilium domi.

The DUKE of CLARENCE, who is next brother to his present Majesty, was born at St. James's Palace, August 21, 1765, at a quarter before four in the morning, and in the following month was baptized by the name of WILLIAM HENRY. It is said that in his childhood and youth, it was the frankness of his countenance and behaviour induced the king to devote him to the naval service: added to this, he surpassed his brothers in corporeal strength and constitutional hardihood; although he was exceeded by them in the more refined acquirements of study, to which he manifested comparative indifference. With a mind naturally framed for peril and enterprise, and aware of the subordinate rank and laborious stations through which he must pass to distinction, he appears to have been enthusiastic and impatient for the service long before he entered the lists, notwithstanding he commenced his career at the age of fourteen, by joining the Prince George, a ninety-eight-gun ship, recently built, and named after his present majesty. In this ship, under the command of Admiral Digby, his royal highness bore a part in the great naval engagement between the English and Spanish fleets, commanded by Admiral Rodney and Don Juan de Langara. Previous to his leaving the Prince George, he was also present at the capture of a French man-of-war and three smaller vessels, forming part of a considerable convoy; but in neither of these instances was an opportunity offered for any distinguishing effort of bravery. On this occasion, the Spanish admiral, Don Juan de Langara, on visiting Admiral Digby, was introduced to his royal highness. During the conference between the two admirals the prince retired, and when it was intimated that Don Juan wished to return, his royal highness appeared in the uniform of a midshipman, and respectfully informed the admiral that the boat was ready. The Spaniard was surprised to see the son of his Britannic majesty acting in the capacity of an inferior officer, and emphatically observed to Admiral Digby, "Well does Great Britain merit the empire of the seas, when humble stations in her navy are filled by princes of the blood."

We have next the pleasing duty of adverting to two signal exertions of his royal highness in the cause of humanity—conduct which

is twice bless'd: It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown.

The first is thus narrated by a midshipman of the Torbay, in a letter to his friends:—

"Port Royal Harbour, April, 1783.

"The last time Lord Hood's fleet was here, a court-martial was held on Mr. Benjamin Lee, midshipman, for disrespect to a superior officer, at which Lord Hood sat as president. The determination of the court was fatal to the prisoner, and he was condemned to death. Deeply affected as the whole body of the midshipmen were at the dreadful sentence, they knew not how to obtain a mitigation of it, since Mr. Lee was ordered for execution; while they had not time to make their appeal to the Admiralty, and despaired of success in a petition to Admiral Rowley. However, His Royal Highness generously stepped forth, drew up a petition, to which he was the first to set his name, and solicited the rest of the midshipmen in port to follow his example. He then himself carried the petition to Admiral Rowley, and in the most pressing and urgent manner, begged the life of our unhappy brother; in which he succeeded, and Mr. Lee is reprieved. We all acknowledge our warmest and grateful thanks to our humane, our brave, and worthy prince, who has so nobly exerted himself in preserving the life of his brother sailor."

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