Star.
London, England, 1822-01-12 00:00:00

ORIENTAL LITERATURE!

Monday, a ease came on before the Justice of Peace Court
held in Glasgow, which was both novel and amusing. During
the last two years, a person has been perambulating that and the
surrounding towns, who calls himself " a late Student of the
University of Halle, and Professor of Oriental Literature."—
From time to time, he has published a number of bills, which
declare that " he has visited every College Town in Scotland,
St. Andrew's excepted, and he is sincerely convinced that there
Is not one Professor, nor any private individual in Scotland who
has any competent knowledge of Oriental Literature." After
all his unqualified abuse of our learned countrymen, all his boast-
ing of his own abilities, and all his assurances that those who be-
same his scholars would In a very short time be astonishing and
'matchless adepts in " Oriental Literature," it does not appetr
that he could get a single pupil in Glesjow for either the
Hebrew, Chaldaic, Syriac, Greek, or German language.—
In this distressing di:enitua he generously resolved on teaching
gratis, and a chimney-sweep was the first object of his choice.—
After a search he got a boy in the Bridgegate. Who would re-
fuse to allow a sun to take learning for nothing 1 The bargain
was instantly concluded, and the philanthropic linguist assured
the raptured father, that in four months be would enable his son
to " beat 211 the Students in the University." A Hebrew Al-
phabet, price 2s. 6d. was first got for the hopeful scholar. An.:
other book was soon necessary, which was provided by the Ori-
ental Professor, but in a few nights be took it from the asto-
nished sweep, charged him ss. for blackening it with his sooty •
thumbs, and ordered him to provide one for himself. This the
father refused, stating, that although his son was taught gratis, it
was at that rate realty beyond his means to keep hint in books ;
however, as only four mouths were necessary to make him master
of Hebrew, he would pay ss.'a month for that time to his mas-
ter, to fundsh the necessary books. To this the teacher would
not agree, and the parties separated. In a short time the pu,
parents were handed an account—Dr. to 18 lessons in Hebrew,
at 2s. 6d. each, £2. ss.—to damaging. a book, Is —.CP. 10s. in
the whole. This account being itt. due time by a
summons, the case as aforesaid came 'before the Justice of
Peace Coart yesterday. The Court thought it rather an odd
conceit to teach sweeps Hebrew, and considering the nature
of the business, it was reasonable to suppose they would
dirty their books ;—hut the remedy in this case was to keep
a copious supply of soap and water in the class-room,
and make them wash themselves tightly before they began to
their lessons. The Learned Pursuer admitted that it was nearly
impossible to get them to keep their books cl-an ; bet " I mean
to learn de sweeps to make 'ern beat all de Professors, dat boy
(pointing to his sable scholar) can beat a Professor just now."—
This, with the sober appearance of the learned prodigy, was too
much for the gravity of both the Court and spectators, and a
good laugh followed. The C6urt next stated that it was necessary
that they should see some papers in proof that he was really able
ta teach the Hebrew. The scholar instantly respo:tdeti, " 0 me's
perfectly able to do what I say, der's my teekit will show dat."
At the same instantfthrowing down one of his own printed pla-
cards for the conviction of the Court. After a short discussion,
the boy declared he was anxious to proceed; the Professor pro-
mised to furnish books for ss. a month, and run his risk of sooty
thumbs. The parties wet e thus agreed, and left the Court to have
another push at the Hebrew. Some time since, this same Oriental
Professor took up his residence in a house in Pollokshaws ; but,
after a residence of eight days, the landlord parted with him for
attempting to teach the Oriental Languages to the servant-maid!

Among the trials of the late Court of Assize at
Riom, is that of a family called Salgues, accused of a
dreadful assassination. Maurice, one of the sons, had
for three yeifs been deeply enamoured of a girl named
Catharine Fondegoire. She had long resisted him, but
at last, yielding to his promises, she became pregnant.
Hiic father and family would not hear of a marriage
with the poor girl, who confided her situation to her
lover, and to the Curate of the parish, at whose house
they were to meet to arrange matters for her suppor t.
In the meantime she was seen one evening near Sal-
gues' house, and from that moment she disappeared.
Suspicion • then arose that she had fallen the victim of
some horrible crime. Search was made in the house of
the Salgues, and in their garden. In the house was
tbund a knife, in the form of a stiletto, still covered
With blood ; and in the garden, IA hich they dag all
over, they found the body of the unfortunate girl.--
The inspection of the body sheaved that several blows
had been given in the throat with the knife, and to
stifle the cries of the victim, they had put a gag of
straw, forced so strongly into the mouth that it was
with difficulty withdrawn. They had also attempted
`several times to strangle her, first with a cord, then
with a handkerchief, knottei, and drawn with force.
A great number of witnesses were examined on the
trial, which lasted four days. Salgues, the father,
died in prison three days before the verdict was re-
turned ; and two of his sons, Peter and Antony, hate
been acquitted. A crowd of circum.latice, gave the
fullest conviction of the guilt of Maurice Salgues, %vim
has in 'consequeuce been condemned to death.

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