The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-09-09 00:00:00

TIM GREEKS.

ErnWiLfiiisEo TT.

When Sir her Scott was lately travelling in the
south of Ireland be manifested particular anxiety to hear
the traditionary stories of the peasantry, and to read the
few topographic works of any merit which have been pub-
lished respecting that part of the country. Kerry has been
famous for poets, who were inspired by the romantic
scenery of the Killarney lakes ; and their works were said
to he in great demand for the distinguished visiter. Mr.
O'Flaherty, in his arygiet, gives a translation of verses of
Nenius, who wrote in the ninth century, descriptive of the
county. Most of these works, however, are more remark-
able for the legendary information which they embody
than for the beauty of the poetry. The neighbourhood of
Killarney and its romantic shores are covered with ruined
monasteries, and indented with caves which were the re-
fuge of holy men before their invasion by smugglers and
pirates. Both the saints and the sinners have left in the
minds of the peasantry the most extraordinary legends of
rapine and suffering. In one of the old Milesian works an
account is given by the people who visit the island of Ske•
lig of the massacre of some recluses by Turkish pirates;
and it is added, that since that time no bird had the power
to fly over that part of it where the old chapel walls stand,
without first alighting on the ground, which they gently
wa:k over, and then take wing. Vilhile in Cork Sir Walter
Scott declined a pressing invitation to visit the beautiful
harbour of that city, which is within little more than an
hour's sail; and the only place which he evinced a desire
to see was Blarney Castle, in the immediate vicinity of
Cork—a dilapidated building, unconnected with any real
historical association. It was strange that Sir Walter
Scott, while travelling on the verge of so hallowed a spot
to a poet did not (if we are rightly informed) visit the
Blackwater, upon which Spenser bestowed same of his
finest strains, and near which is still shown the spot where
he wrote the I'airy Queen. It was on this vety spot, too,
that Spenser received the grateful visit from Sir Itralter
Raleigh, who is celebrated under the name of " The Shep-
herd of the Ocean," in the poet's description of it. The
very lines which Spenser wrote would have appropriately
answered in " fancy s view," for the genius of the place to
have recorded the arrival of the modern bard at the shrine
of his illustrious predecessor:—
" There a strange shepherd chanc'd to find me out,
Whether allured with my pipe's delight,
Whose pleasing sound yshrilled far about,
Or thither led by chance, I know not right
Whom when I asked from what place he came ?
And how he hight, himself he did ycleep,
• The Shepherd of the Ocean by name,
And said he came far from the main sea deep."

The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lady Sarah Ro-'
binsou left Beckenham, on Wednesday, for Eastwell Park,
the seat of Mr. Finch Hatton.
Mr. IVihnot Horton arrived at his residence in Rich-
mond-terrace yesterday, from the seat of Mr. Huskisson,
at Easth, Sussex.
Mr. Kean did not sail in the Canada for New York.
We understand, that he will not proceed on his voyage to
Amerita until the I it of October.—Liverpool Courier.
Elliston, by the aid of sea breezes, the baths of Rams-
gate, and gentle exercises in the Isle of Thanet, is advanc-
ing rapidly towards recovery. He is expected to return
to town before the end of the month. Drury-lane theatre
will certainly open at the period that has been announced.
Charles Kemble is on his return from Germany, to re-
sume his management of Covent-garden theatre, at the
opening for which matters are now in an active state of
preparation. Mr. Kemble's intention was to pass a few
tlas in Paris with his friend and relation, Mr. Horace
Twiss, and Talma, the actor. The latter, however, we
suspect, has 141 the French capital, on a professional ex-
cursion to Lisle and Brussels.

The Terrific Flight, as it was announced, of Mr. Cour-
enay, the American phenomenon, from the heights at
Dover to the rope-walk in the bay, took place on Monday
evening about five o'clock. A rope of two and a half inches
in circumference, and 230 fathoms, or 460 yards, in length,
was made fast to an anchor on the heights, and stretched
to a capstan of the rope-walk, not so tight but that a seg-
ment was formed by a prop being placed near the end.
Every necessary preparation being made, he was suspended
under the ropes by stays, or braces, at the shoulders,
waist, and one foot, at each of which parts a sheaved block
traversed on the rope; having both hands at liberty, he
waved a small red nag in each, which being contrasted with
his white dress had an imposing effect. He was started off
the precipice head-foremost, amidst the shouts of thou-
sands, and the velocity with which he descended is almost
incredible; the friction of the blocks on the rope caused
them to smoke considerably, and in just 19 seconds from
the time of his departure be reached nearly to the opposite
side of the Pent, when an accumulation of mud on the
rope, and the segment thereof, caused him to stop rather
abruptly, and he was taken into a boat apparently some-
what exhausted, aml brought to shore. IVe understand,
should the subscriptions making for him answer his wishes,
be intends making another descent from a higher part of
the cliff down to the pier.head.—Kentish Gazette.
ArrevtirststoN cox Foeeser.—An individual of
whom the police have been long in search, was on Wed-
nesday evening apprehended in the neighbourhood of
Holborn. lie claims the rank of Field 4:officer, and is said
to be known at the fashionable !gaming-houses. He was
taken to Bow-street, where the examination was conducted
in the private room, upon the charge of uttering forged
checks upon the house of.. Smith, Payne, and Co. The
names of the parties are concealed for 'the present, an
active search king on foot for others who are said to be
implicated.
A DVEL.—As Mr. Nicholson and Monsieur Perrard,
of Chelfont, Herts, were out shooting, the dog belonging
to the latter having run upon a covey while Mr. N.'s dog
was at full point, this gentleman shot at it, and the conse-
quence was a challenge. The parties fought early yester-
day in the Edgware enclosures.
The plan for forming a railroad from Basingstoke to the
Collieries on Mendip is sanctioned by some of the moat
respectable and opulent inhabitants of this county, who
will attend the meeting at Wincanton on the 12th Septem-
ber. The arrangements are stated to embrace the forma-
tion of branch railroads, in those districts where their
utility shall he most apparent ; ratil in this manner the
Vale of Blackmore, in Doractshire, will be connected with
the principal !inc.—Taunton Cola r.
COMPINATION.—We are happy to be able to state that
the differences between the masters and journeymen coach-
makers is likely to be' amicably adjusted. The Magistrates
of the bead police-office en Saturday postponed giving
• judgment in Mr. Long's complaint, to afford this desirable
lopportunity of arranging matters. Arbitrators will be
named on both sides, of such respectability and known
/character as viii make their decision certain of being ac-
ceptable and permanent.—Dabfia Morning Carrier.
ATTESIPT AT SVICIIIE.•-•-YelleTday morning, a man
named Wilson, a gingerbread baker, having cleared away
! his booth, in Smithfield, where he had been during the,
fair, went into a shop in Hosier-lane, with his son to take
'some coffee. He ritired into the yard, and his son, think-
ing he was gone limg, opened the privy. door, and found
him bleeding in a dreadful manner, having cut his throat
from ear to ear. lie was conveyed to St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, where every attention was paid him. The wound
is to bed that link hopes of his recevery arc cater tainctL