The Sun.
London, England, 1841-12-13 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, MONDAY, DEC MBER 13, 1841.

THE GIGANTIC MISSOURI LEVI-

ATHAN, OR MISSOURIUM.
Mr. Koch, who has discovered the bones of this gi-
gantic animal, now exhibiting at Egyptian Hall, is a Prus-
sian by birth, who for the last fifteen years has resided
in the United States, and the perfect skeleton was found
by him on the shores of the river Pomme.de Terre, a tri-
butary of the Orsage river, in Benton county, state of
Missouri, N. lat. 40 deg., W. long. 18 deg. The strata
of the river in which the Missourium existed, exhibit
six or seven different changes, in the first or original
stratum of which, formed of quicksand, the deposite of
the skeleton was found, and in the brown or alluvial soil
composing, the next stratum, the remainder of the skele-
ton was contained and covered.
" This stratum was mixed with a great quantity of ve-
getable matter, and most of this is in a wonderful state of
preservation ; but what is still more surprising, all the
vegetable remains are of a tropical or very low southern
production. They consisted of large quantities of cypress
burs, wood and bark ; a great deal of tropical cane and
tropical swamp moss ; several stumps of trees, if not log-
wood, yet bearing a very close resemblance to it ; even
the greater part of a flower of the Strelitzia class, which,
when destroyed, was not full blown, was discovered em-
bedded in this layer ; also several stems of palmetto leaf,
one possessing all the fibres perfect, or nearly so. To
those who are not acquainted with the nature of this
plant, it is well to remark that it is not found, at present
further north than the northern parts of Louisiana.
The time when the revolution of the earth took
place, during which the Missourium lost its life, was be-
tween the 25th of September and 20th of October, which
is proved by the fact just mentioned of the cypress burs
being found. There was no sign or indication of any
very large trees, the cypresses that were discovered being
the largest that were ever growing here at the time.
" About 200 yards from said deposite stands a sin-
gularly formed rock, which not only bears the appear-
ance, but can be considered as a monument of great an-

tiquity, formed by nature, against whose rough 'and rug-
ged sides can be distinctly traced, in deep and furrowedb
lines, the former course of angry waters ; yet its summit
is full 30 feet above the present level of the Pomme de
Terre. The rock has the appearance of a pillar, on
whose top rests a table rock far projecting over:on every
side ; from the base of the pillar to the lower edge of the
table is 30 feet, and from the base down to the deposite
of the bones is 16 feet—making, from the stratum on
which the bones were deposited to the edge of the table
46 feet.

"By a minute and close examination the formation of
the said rock, as it now appears, was found to be pro-
duced by the long action of the river against and around
it ; and had the river continued to act with the same
force for 100 or 200 years longer, the pillar would
have been so far worn away, that the table must have
fallen. It now stands as an indisputable witness, that
the water, at the time these animals existed, was at least
46 feet in depth."
That some idea may be formed of the enormous di-
mensions of the Missourium, we transcribe a few of the
measurements of the skeleton, as it stands at present in
one of the large rooms of the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly,
where it has been placed for public exhibition. From
Mr. Koch's own pamphlet :
" Extreme length 32 feet, height 15 feet. The
head measures, from the tip of the nose to the
spine of the neck, six feet ; from one zygomatic
arch to the other, four feet ; from the lower
edge of the upper lip to the first edge of the front
tooth, 20 inches; from the front point of the lower jaw to
the first edge of the front tooth, 8 inches; from the edge
of the upper lip, measuring along the roof of the mouth
to the socket of the eye, 3 feet; from thence to where the
atlas joins the head, 10 inches. The whole number of
teeth is eight—that is, four upper and four lower, not
including the two tusks. The formation of the nose is
very peculiar : it consists of a bony substance inter-
woven with cells, and presents a broad, flat appearance ;
it projects 13 inches over the lower jaw, and ends in two
nostrils, which are somewhat raised on the face."
The Missourium is also distinguished by two enor-
mous tusks, which partake Of the quality of horns, being
curved backwards. They were carried almost horizon-
tally, and are in length 10 feet, exclusive of a part 15
inches long, which forms the root, and is buried in the
skull. When first discovered, the right tusk was solid in
the head, and was only subsequently broken off in the
course of being removed from place to place. The re-
maining bones of the skeleton are of proportionate size.

THE DISTRESSED SPITALFIELDS

WEAVERS.

Last Saturday night a numerous meeting of the dis-
tressed Spitalfields weavers was held at the Crown and
Anchor, Waterloo-town, Bethnal. green, by adjournment•
from the previous Saturday, to receive the Report of the
Deputation which waited upon the Lord Mayor, for the
purpose of hearing from his Lordship his intentions as to
the appropriation of the funds in his hands for the relief
of the Spitalfields weavers.
Mr. Boddington having, about nine o'clock, been ap-
pointed to preside,
Mr. Fox, on the part of the Committee, said, that
he and two of the Committee waited upon the
Lord Mayor on Thursday last. The Committee were
aware that a meeting had been held in the vestry-
room of the church, at which meeting several
clergymen of the district, and some gentlemen con-
nected with the Adelaide Society, attended. The Com-
mittee were informed that an intention was then ex-
pressed to devote the moneys raised for the relief of the
Spitalfields weavers to the support of all persons in dis-
tress, of whatever trade. The Committee resolved, in
consequence, that a deputation should wait upon the
Lord Mayor. The Deputation saw his Lordship at the
Mansion-house, and his Lordship expressed his surprise
that there should be an attempt to appropriate money in
any other way than the donors intended. They observed
that they called to express their desire that the money
should not be parted with by the Lord Mayor, until a
proper Committee had been appointed. His Lordship
said, that such was his intention. While they were
in conversation, Mr. Wenwood, from the Adelaide
Committee, and Mr. Brydges, entered the room,
when they stated what had been done at the ves-
try, and what were their intentions as to the dispo-
sition of the funds. The Lord Mayor, having stated his
objections, recommended the deputation to get up a dis-
trict meeting, when, if they had a responsible Chairman
and an efficient Committee, who would apply the funds
judiciously, he would then give the money out of his
hands. He stated that he had about 1,0001., but which,
he observed, he knew was not near sufficient to supply
their urgent necessities. The Committee had since
waited on Mr. R. Ilanbury, who had declared his wil-
lingness to become their Chairmrn at the district meet-
ing.—(Hear.)
Mr. CLAISSE, the Secretary, said that he was happy
to find they were in a course to obtain some assist-
ance for the starving Spitalfields weavers. It was now
out of the hands of the Committee.—(Hear.) He as-
sured them that in the City, and at the West End, the best
disposition was evinced on their behalf by all parties ;
and he believed that now that the opinion of the Lord
Mayor was known, that many of the gentlemen who met
at the church had fallen in with his views. The distress,
he was sorry to say, was increasing to an alarming ex-
tent. Since their last meeting the Committee had had
above 300 personal applications ; while the landlord of
the Knave of Clubs, where the Committee meet, is called
upon all day to know when the money will be distributed.
A few days ago he saw Mr. Brutton, the vestry clerk,
who stated that there were about 1,000 in the house, and
1,300 who receive out-door relief.—(Several exclaimed,
" Nearly 3,000 ;" and a weaver said that Barton, the
relieving-officer, informed him a few weeks ago that
there were above 2,000 receiving out-door relief.)
Mr. Fox said, that a fortnight ago there were 854 in
the house. He believed the out-door relief was about 3,000.
Several weavers addressed the Chair, after which the
Report was unanimously received ; when, thanks being
passed to the Chairman, who replied, the meeting broke up.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
ANDOVERSFORD COURSING CLUB.
CHAMPION MEETING, DEC. 10.
The Champion Cup (8 dogs) was won by. Mr. H.
Herbert's Ajax, beating Mr. Arkell's Wire.
The Andoversford Stakes (8 dogs) were divided by
Messrs. F. Catcher (Pigeon), Arkell (Gift), Herbert
(Skyscraper), and Smith (Spring).

MURDER.—A very shocking murder was corn•
mitted at Beardy Plains, New England, at the station o
Mr. S. F. Mann, of George-street, Sydney, on the 28th
of July. It appears that Mr. Mann's overseer, a man
named James Stone, a native of Devonshire (and one of
the celebrated wrestlers of that county), took one of the
Government men, named Moles, belonging to the station,
to Scone, to be punished for some misconduct of which
he had been guilty, and some time after his return
Moles entered the hut in which Stone was, with a loaded
musket in his hand, and instantly shot him dead. The
murderer was immediately secured. The commission of
this diabolical act has created a great sensation in this
neighbourhood, as the unfortunate man, Stone, was much
respected, and bore a most exemplary haracter. He had
a wife and large family in England.—Australian Chronicle.
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF RAILWAYS.—In
consequence of the recent promotions in the army, Sir
Frederick Smith gives up the appointment of Inspector-
General of Railways, and assumes an important com-
mand at Chatham. The new Inspector-General is Ma-
jor-General Pasley, of the Royal Engineers, so well
known among engineers as Colonel Pasley. In making
this announcement, although opposed to Sir Frederick
on several points, and objecting altogether to the exist-
ence of the office he held, we cannot do so without
acknowledging that Sir Frederick Smith, by the courtsey
of his demeanour, and by his bearing in the performance
of his duties, had acquired the esteem of most of those
with whom he held official communications.—Railway
Magazine.
MARNOCH.—On Saturday last, the Rev, Mr.
Edwards, the talented and accomplished minister of the
parish of Marnoch, was presented with a handsome pul-
pit gown, purchased by subscriptions among his hearers.
The gown was presented to Mr. Edwards by Peter
Findlater, Esq. Aberchirder. More money than was
sufficient for the purpose was tendered ; and many per-
sons, desirous of subscribing, complained that they had
never been offered an opportunity of doing so.—Aber-
deen Herald. [This is the Rev. Gentleman whose set-
tlement in opposition to the non-intrusionists raised the
Strathbogie hubbub. He ought to be thankful to Cand-
lish aneCunningham. He has got a good gdwil. a
good living, and his name N‘ ill go down to posterity with
the famous song, that celebrated the "Castocks of
Strathbogie."]
Augustus punished Pinarius as a spy, for taking
notes at public orations or lectures. W hat would he
say were he to see the present race of " reporters?"
A New Orleans paper states, that there is in that
city a hog with his ears set so far back that he can't
hear himself ;squeak, except when he is running back-
wards.

CO URT CIRCULAR.
WINDSOR, SUNDAY. —This morning the Queen and
Prince Albert, her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent,
and the Royal Suite and Visitors, attended Divine Ser-
vice in the private Chapel within the Castle. The Hon.
and Rev. Edward Southwell Keppell officiated.
The Earl Delawarr, the Earl of Warwick, Lady Caro-
line Cocks, Hon. Miss Cavendish, and the Hon. C. A.
Murray, attended Divine Service this evening in the
Chapel Royal, St. George's.
Yesterday morning her Majesty and the Prince walked
for some time on the Terrace. His Royal Highness
afterwards enjoyed the sport of pheasant shooting at
Cranbourne Lodge, attended by the Earl of Warwick,
Sir Edward Bowater, and Mr. G. E. Anson.
In the afternoon the Queen and Prince Albert took
an airing in a pony phaeton, his Royal Highness driving,
attended by the Countess of Gamsborough, Lady C.
Cocks, the Hon. Miss Cavendish, and the Earl of War-
wick, in a carriage ; and by Colonel Arbuthnot, Sir E.
Bowater, and the Hon. Sir W. Lumley, on horgeback.
The Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Jersey, and Sir R.
Peel, took their departure.
The Earl of Lincoln arrived at the Castle.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent walked for
some time, attended by Lady Fanny Howard.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge honoured
the Royal Agricultural Society with his presence at the
meeting held on Saturday. His Royal Highness visited
the Duchess of Gloucester at Gloucester house, and in
the afternoon returned to his residence at Kew, attended
by Baron Knesebeck.
Their Serene Highnesses, Prince Ernest of Hesse
Philippsthal and Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, visited
their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cam-
bridge on Saturday evening at Kew.
The Lord Chancellor and Sir Robert Peel arrived in
town early on Saturday morning from a visit to her
Majesty at Windsor Castle.
The Turkish Charge d'Affaires transacted business at
the Foreign-office on Saturday.
Lord Wharncliffe returned to town on Friday after-
noon, from attending the Privy Council held at Windsor
Castle.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office from Sir G. Gipps, Governor of New-South Wales.
The Lords of the Judicial Committee of the Privy
Council held a meeting on Saturday in the Council
Chamber. There were present the Lord President, Lord
Brougham, Mr. Justice Erskine, and the Judge of the
Admiralty Court. Sir A. Johnston and Sir E. East sat
as Privy Councillors.
After disposing of a motion in an appeal from Canada,
" Hutchinson v. Gillespie," the remainder of the sitting
was occupied with an appeal from Bengal, " Maharajah
Mitterjeet Singh v. Heirs of Jeserunt Singh." Mr. Jack-
son concluded his address for the appellant, and Mr.
Sergeant Sparakie was heard for the respondent. The
Court then rose.

FLANDERS and HAMBURGH MAIL.

BRUSSELS, DEC. 9.-A letter from Madrid lately as-
serted that the efforts of our Charge d'Affaires and of
M. Kauffmann to obtain a modification of the new Spanish
tariff, had been unsuccessful. A letter of the 29th of
November assures us of the contrary. It informs us that
the Spanish Ministry had appointed a Commissioner to
hear the remonstrance of our Envoy; and, however that
may be received, we need not despair of obtaining some
favourable result. _

Major Lecharlier was set at liberty yesterday.
BRUNSWICK, DEC. 3.—We learn from good authority
that the Assembly of the Estates resolved to-day, by a
considerable majority, conformably to the proposal of the
Committee, to petition the Government, to take the re-
quisite steps that. the Duchy may remain in the Customs
Union with Hanover and Oldenburg till the Ist of Ja-
nuary, 1843, but then to join (with all the parts of the
Duchy, the great Customs Union, though Hanover
and Oldenburg should decline acceding to it.
HANOVER, DEC. 4.—The King has appointed M. V.
Hardenberg to be President of the first Chamber, and
Privy Councillor Wedemeyer, President of the Second
Chamber.
The Minister of the Interior has ordered the seizure of
the " Songs of a Cosmopolite Watchman," published by
Campe, in Hamburgh, and also given notice to our book-
sellers to call in the copies already sold.—Hamburgh
3-Ter, Dec. 7.
BELGIAN i!U NDS—Bausens, DEC. 10.
Actual Debt 2)4 per Cent.
Rothschild's Loan, 5 per Cent lOl%
Loan of Thirty Millions, 4 per Cent. 92
3per Cent.
--- 71%
.(1140) lO2
Loan of City, 1932, 4 per Cent. 97
Society of Commerce, 4 %per Cent
Bank of Belgium, 5 per Cent... ........
NationalSeciety. ....
Exchange on London (short) -
-Brussels Papers, Dec. 10.
AUSTRIAN FUNDS.—VIENNA, Dec. 3.
/tile per Cents. Metalliques ••......... ........ ............ 106 X
Foist per Cents. •••••••••••••••••••• ••• •••••••••••• • 0000000000000 90%
Three per Cents.
Bank Shares .. ~....... .......... ...............
..flleemeine"zettung. Dec. 5.
HAMBURG BORSENHALLE, DEc. 7
Bills. Money
Austrian 5 per Cents. ...„ ..... ............ ........... 107% 1073
Bank Shares 1625 1615
Anglo-Russian Loan l(8)4 UM%
Russian 5 per Cent. Ist series, Certificate
Inscription, Ist Series 101.%
Russian 5 per Cent. Hope and Co. 3d and 4th
Series •.. 9S
Ditto in Certificates
Ncw 4 per Cent. (1840) 86% 867 s
Dutch Actual Debt, 2% per Cent 507. 50%
Ditto 5 per Cent — -
Polish Bondi
New ticket
Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent
Norwegian Lean, 1831, 4 per Cent. 192% 102%
Spanish, New 5 per Cents. l5
EXCHANGES ON LONDON.
HAMBURG, Dec. 7.-13 6% .--Two months, 13 5
PETERSBURG'', Nor. 'X.—Two months, L'9 1-16 pence.
rife h
VRIGIEA.
AN, N0v.N.0v.231,. .5-9T—h.reereMe months,
3.9.14 j.
35..
PRUSSIAN FUN DS.— Beaus. Dec. 4.

Thirty.a¢ven•

Bills. - - Money,
Et. Schuld. Sch., 46 per cent lOl% 104 ',l
Prussian English Loan, 1830, 4 per cent. lO2 101 iv
Nxeliange on Landon, three months 6 10
—Prussian Slate Gazelle, Dec. 5.

FUNERAL OF TUE LATE DR.
BIRKBECK.

Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather
this morning, as early as ten o'clock Finsbury•square
and the avenues leading thereto was literally crowded
with respectably dressed persons anxious to obtain a view
of the funeral of the late respected President of the
London Mechanics' Institution. It was originally arranged
that the members of the Institution should accompany the
funeral on foot, but owing to the wetness of the weather
mourning coaches were provided for them, which took up
their places on the west side of the square. At twenty-five
minutes past eleven o'clock, the procession, which was
decidedly the most imposing sight we ever remember to
have witnessed, moved towards the deceased's last rest-

inn-place in the following order:—The hearse containing,
the body drawn by six horses, the coachman of the de-
ceased driving, was followed by five mourning coaches,
each drawn by four horses, containing the family and
private friends of the deceased, fourteen mourning
coaches, each drawn by two horses, containing members
of the Mechanics' Institution, and fifteen private car-
riages ; amongst them was Lord Brougham's. The pro-
cession proceeded with the greatest order and regularity
along the City-road, towards Paddington. Many females
were observed to shed tears at the mournful spectacle.

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.—Madame Ves

tris, not satisfied with the crowds that throng to her
house every night that Miss Kemble plays, laid a fresh
bait for the public on Saturday night, in the shape of a
new farce called The United Service. As it was all but
irretrievably damned, and will probably never be played
again, it may be deemed almost a work of supereroga-
tion to give any account of it. However, as the subject
is a good one, and there are here and there a few smart
things in the dialogue, the farce may, if cut down, pass
muster. _ _

FATAL ACCIDENT.—This morning, shortly
after seven o'clock, a young man, of the name of Gif-
ford, in the employ of Mr. Chiswell, of Belmont-row,
Wandsworth-road, was drowned in the river. He was
carrying a sack of barley out of a vessel which was
lying in the Thames close to Nine Elms, and while so
engaged walking over a plank which extended across two
barges, one of the boats suddenly shifted, and the
plank fell into the water carrying with it the unfortunate
youth, who was plunged to the bottom of the river b. y
the weight of the sack. The body has not been dis-
covered.
The following naval appointments are to take
place : Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Brace, K C.B„
K.C.H., to succeed Admiral Sir Henry Digby, K.C.8.,
as Commander-in-Chief at the Nore ; Captain Sir Wat-
kin Owen Pell, lint., to be Superintendent of Sheerness
Dock-yard, vivre Captain Sir John Hill, Knt., re-appointed
to Deptford Victualling Department ; Captain the Hon.
Joceline Percy, C. 8., to be Superintendent of Plymouth
Dock-yard, in the place of Vice Amiral Warren ; Cap-
tain Sir Francis Collier to be Superintendent of Pem-
broke Dock-yard; and Rear-Admiral W. F. Wise, C. 8.,
is appointed to tie Cape command, vice Sir Edward 1).
King. Our Contempararies have announced Captain
Peter Fisher, as Comptroller-General of the Coast
Guard, but we believe the appointment has not yet been
filled up. Captain the
Hon. Richard Dundas is also
named as likely to obtain it.-Naval and Military Gazette.
ILFRACOMBE.--At the Borough Court held
on the 2d inst., presided over by Sir Bouchier Palk Wrey,
Bart., attended by his steward, T. Knight, Esq., Robert
William Dickinson, Esq., was unanimously elected Port-
reeve for the year ensuing.
A correspondent, of considerable experience as a
banker, informs us that from long connection with the
border counties that were daily in the habit of receiving
the notes of Messrs. Batson, Berry, and Co., in deposit,
he cannot estimate their circulation at more than 20,0001.
He adds that their business has been limited to Berwick
for many years. We quite agree with him that if the
English country banks would adopt the Scotch system of
exchanging their notes weekly at their head offices and
branches, it would create a more healthy circulation.
We are informed that the Duke of Portland
having resigned his office as Lord-Lieutenant or Custos
Rotulorum of the county of. Middlesex, the Marquis of
Salisbury will be appointed in his place.
KIMMEL PARK.—The splendid mansion of
Lord Dinorben, at Kimmel Park, in North Wales, lately
destroyed by fire, will not be rebuilt. In consequence
of the great expense (estimated at 50,0000, and his
Lordship, having no direct heir to inherit the property,
the undertaking has been relinquished.
A FEMALE PREACHER.—Much curiosity was
excited at the Wellington-road Chapel, on Sunday last,
in consequence of it being announced that a Mrs. Elaw,
a female of colour, from America, would preach two
sermons in that place of worship. The place WAS much
crowded on both occasions, numbers being unable to
obtain admission. She speaks good English, and de-
livered two excellent addresses, Manchester Times.

LITERAT URE.

THE GLORYANDenye, l
SHAME. 9 London, 1841.
184FENGLAND.
1.
The more serious and argumentative portion of
this work is by far the best, for the author—Mr.
Lester, an American gentleman—is of a thought-
ful 2 vas. Bentley,
and inquiring turn of mind, who reasons care-
fully on all he sees, and he takes care to see as
much as he possibly can, and does not rest con-
tented with noting down the hasty results of first
impressions. His passing observations on the
Corn-laws, on the working of the Factory Sys-
tem, on Dissent, and John Thorogood's case, and
on several other public topics of more or less in-
terest, are marked by great sagacity, and a tone
of moderation and liberality that do credit alike
to his feelings and his understanding. In mat-
ters of light gossip, however, and in delineating
characters of mark and likelihood, he by no
means exhibits to advantage; and he has a clumsy
method of introducing these matters, so much so
as to give his statements, though he intends them
evidently to be considered as truths, all the ap-
pearance of fictions. Thus, wishing to tell us
something about the prevalence of gambling
among the higher classes in London, the arrange-
ments at Crockford's, and the ruinous conse-
quences resulting from the numerous hellsin which
the metropolis abounds, he introduces the subject
by stating that he most fortunately fell in with an
Irish nobleman at Liverpool, who at once sup-
plied him with all the information he needed ;
and when, in a subsequent chapter, lie is desirous
of dilating on the antiquities, &c., of London, he,
with equal good fortune, met in the coffee-room
of the inn where lie was staying, an antiquarian,
whom he calls Captain Manners, who happened
to be just as communicative as the Irish Peer,
and showed him all the metropolitan lions, not
forgetting Westminster Abbey, respecting which
he told him just the sort of old characteristic le-
gends that he most wished to know ! Now it
may be perfectly true that our author did meet
with these accommodating strangers, whose in-
formation came to him just at the very moment
when he was anxious for it; but to our thinking
these two convenient rencontres read very like
fictions—that is to say, that they are merely in-
troduced for the purpose of giving something like
a dramatic effect to the local and other informa-
tion that Mr. Lester conveys by-means of them.
What confirms us more strongly in this impres-
sion is, that neither the Irish nobleman nor the
English antiquary tell our author anything but
what he might easily have gleaned from a him-
dred modern publications. The " Clubs of Lon-
don," in particular, would have furnished him
with all the gossip about Crockford's; and who
could possibly be at a loss for legends, sketches,
descriptions, reminiscences, &c., respecting West-
minster Abbey, and other metropolitan public
buildings? When we have alluded to these ob-
jections, and stated, in addition, that Mr. Lester
is not remarkably felicitous in his delineation of
character; that he has sketched O'Connell in far
too glowing and extravagant colours; underrated
the extent of Lord Brougham's political influence,
and otherwise done him signal injustice, we have
said all that we have to urge against the book, ,
which is generally sound in its statistics, and
speaks of England and Englishmen in a bold, im-
partial, and discriminating manner. Speaking of
the difference between English and American
women, Mr. Lester says :—" I think that while
our girls, from fifteen to twenty, are far more
beautiful and lovely than English girls of tile
same age ever are, yet their women quite as
strikingly surpass those of our own country in
personal appearance. The voices of the English
women are much sweeter, their laugh is music ;
they have a fine sense of propriety, but are not
fastidious, neither are they prudish." In the
course of his first volume, the author relates some
particulars of the last days of Lord Byron, which
he says he had from a gentleman who happened.
to be in Missolonghi at the time; the informa-
tion, however, is by no means new, for the sub-
stance of it may all be found in Moore's Life of
the illustrious poet. As a specimen of Mr. Les-
ter's manner we quote some anecdotes of gam-
bling and of a celebrated gaming establishment
at the West-end, which he says were told him
by the Irish nobleman to whom we have already
alluded :

Not many years ago, Lord paid down, on his
oming of age, for debts of honour contracted at the
gaming table before he was twenty-one years old, the
enormous sum of 100,000/. ; and at about the same time,
Lord , the grandson of an aged and venerable Earl,
lost 30,000/. in one night. It is well known that a Noble
Lord has at different times won more than a million and
a half sterling, and spent the greater part of it in dissi-
pation. If a gentleman whose estate is sufficiently large
offers to play for a stake of 100,0001. at this establish-
ment, he is instantly accepted.
There is a moral certainty that every man who fre-.
quents this establishment will come off a beggar at last,
unless he is a participator in the gains of the house ; and
when his money and his estate are gone, he is no longer
wanted there, and is generally turned away with but little
ceremony. Still, there are several regular gamblers. at
this fashionable gaming-house who are not worth a far-
thing, their presence being indispensable to the success
of the " concern." They are the proprietor's creatures.
They are not mere hangers-on, but active and efficient
agents for their base-born master. They. are constantly
on the alert to catch every fortune which goes up to
London.
Ah ! that gaming-house is a terrible place. I have
often been there to gratify my friends, and am perfectly
familiar with the whole establishment, but I never could
be prevailed upon to play. I promised my father, when
he was dying, that I would do these things—that I would
maintain the honour of his house, preserve his family
estates unimpaired, and never gamble ; and I have held
my pledge sacred. But many of my friends have been
ruined there.
A twelve-month ago
M
Marquis of —, came to me about twelve o'clock at
night, in the saloon of the -- Club, and asked me for
1,000/. I knew he a young friend of mine, the
wanted it for play, but I had great
confidence in his judgment and self-control ; it was an
inconsiderable sum, and
amount. He came out of the hazard-room in two or
three hours with 23,0001. I gave him a draft for the
The next evening he staked
and lost it all. He came to me at half-past one o'clock
that night, and asked me for 5,0001. ; he was a friend,
and I could not refuse him. I gave it him. and in
half an hour he had not only lost every guinea of it, but
impoverished his family for ten years. You may ima-
gine the feelings of,his beautiful wife, when, on returning
home from Alip/ek s the same morning, she found at her
door a man waiting to take her' carriage to Tattersal's,
to be sold to pay his debts of honour. Anticipating the
result, I had gone with my friend to his house, on his
leaving the gaming-table. 'We were sitting in the draw-
ing-room when his wife entered. Ike was almost raving
with madness. She was exceedingly alarmed when she
perceived the change in her husband, and came to him,
took his hand, and asked him what troubled him. " You
are a beggar, Mary," he screamed out in despair, and
fell senseless on the floor. After he was restored, she
came and sat down by my side en the sofa, and prayed
me to tell her all. It was a painful task, I assure you.
I shall never forget the scene whieh followed. It was a
more affecting sight to see the agony of this beautiful
woman, than it would have been to see her die a thousand
times. I satisfied his creditors at Crockford's for
33,0001. ; and this saved the furniture, her horses and
carriage, and their house in the country. She left
London with a broken heart, and is now living a retired
and miserable life.

HALL'S IRELAND.and
Parsons,
London,P a XI
84. V
The present Part Part of this attractive and popular
work is chiefly confined to a description of the
scenery, antiquities, &c., of the county of Wick-
low ; and is embellished with a Map of the
counties of Dublin and Kildare, and a beautiful
engraving of the Valley otGiendatough, one of
the loveliest spots, not even forgetting Killarney,
in all Ireland. By way of extract, we quote
Mrs. Hall's sketch of an Irish gentleman of the
old school, which forms a very interesting per-:
sonal reminiscence :
The race of the O'Tooles, notwithstanding the attempts
to extirpate them, are not even now eltinct. Some di-
rect descendants of " the Kings" still live in the county
of Wexford. In our early youth it was our lot to be
acquainted with one of them—the immediate representa-
tive of the brave but intractable sept. We used to anti-
cipate his visit to our house as one of the greatest treats
we could enjoy. His presence was princely, but .not
austere •, his tall slight figure, silver-mounted hunting.
horn and fowling-piece, noble horse, and perfect dogs,
bespoke the gentleman ; but when his head was unco-
vered, and his long silver hair flowed over his shirt-collar,
and you observed the extraordinary brilliancy of his eyes
and the exquisite proportions of his features, you could
not fail to inquire who he was, and to pay involuntary
homage to manly beauty and polished demeanour. His
very dogs were courtly ; Bran had the credit of being
a genuine Irish wolf-dog ; and certainly was the only
animal we ever saw that answered the description of the
noble breed. He was, indeed, a
" Rough fellow, stout fellow, brave-hearted and true"—
a most sagacious, and, as we have said, courtly, brute,
for he would never precede a lady when entering a room.
His master would not under any circumstances endure to
be styled Mr. O'Toole, holding Mr, as an unworthy desig•
nation, but would be called simply O'Toole. Meeting
Lord Arne one day in Sackville-street, he bowed (his
bow was perfection) and said " O'Toole salutes Arne."
But though proud on points of etiquette, he was the
humblest of the humble to the poor ; he would watch be
side the bed of a sick dependent, and enter with exquisite
feeling into sorrows which he lived to alleviate. As long
as a coin remained in his pocket, 110 one ever solicited
his aid in vain and his family would often restrain his
liberality, not
by thy argument, for that would be very in-
effectual, b lessening the contents of his purse, while
_
he remained unconscious of the friendly robbery. His
peculiarities were many, but none of them wore evil.
It is impossible to imagine a love more chivalrous or de-
voted than that he cherished for his native country ; his
acquaintance with foreign lands had increased his affec-
tion for his own, And it was no uncommon thing to hint
at Something disparaging to Ireland for the purpose of
rousing 0"
,manusdicpalla veelalh;liena lam' upon the table,
foole's energies. Then,
from the intensity of his feelings ; even Bran would
'acinqdueireed,nhewis toneseyes
would
14
illma flash, hisul h
isfi
lnaei r

looking ;with inquiring eyes into his face. With him
Ireland was the alpha and omega of the world. Her his-
tory, real or imaginary, formed his political creed. He
would assure you that no Chinese tea was equal to that
which could be made by an infusion of the sloe, with a
few leaves of bog myrtle. His shirt buttons were of
Irish diamonds set in pure Wicklow gold. Fond, like
all gentlemen of the old regime, of jewels, he wore none
that were not Irish. His snutf-box of Wicklow pebble
was set with Irish pearls, his fingers glittered with Irish
atnethysts, the chimney-pieces in his house were of Irish
marble—everything about him of Irish manufacture, and
his hunting-coat of " Lincoln green" was grown, shorn,
dyed, wove, and made on his own estate. When we
doubted the truth of any statement—hinting, for instance,
that he had been misinformed—he would promise ocu-
lar demonstration ; start at break of day with his faith-
ful servant, who always carried the results of his master's
geological speculations (no light weight either) and re-
turn to the breakfast-table, eager to prove that what you
believed to be yellow clay was gold-dust, and that every
stone on the Irish coast was a jewel. Upon this one point
the mind of our noble friend wandered ; and upon that
it was dangerous to contradict him. He would brew the
most noxious decoctions and swallow them down with
gout, because they were made from Irish herbs. He had
his gooseberry and currant vintage, and always declared
that the word Nectar signified Poteen. Regardless of the
state of the weather, he might have been often seen, pre-
ceded by his dogs, followed by his trusty squire, wading
through bogs in the hope of discovering some new Irish
specimen of root or flower ; or climbing the crags to col-
lect mineralogical specimens to bear out his theory," that
everything necessary for the life, the health, the happi-
ness, and the adornment of man was to be found in Ire-
land." The very corn-birds he asserted to be the same
as the ortolans of Italy. One of our childish delights was
to climb to his knee (and a good long climb it was) and
in the grey, dim twilight of evening coax him to repeat
Ossian, or some real Old Irish ballad. His memory was
wonderful, and he would take as much pains to please a
wayward child as if an audience waited on his words.