The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-09-17 00:00:00

Literature.

NOTICES.

The Chanting portion of the Morning and Evening
Services, newly adapted, with divisions to the words,
for the use of the congregation of SI. Mary's, Kirk-
dale, by Henry Vincent Lewis, Organist.
_ _

The rtiile of this work, which is one which has long
been much wanted in our churches, explains sufficiently
its object ; but we may add a few words as to the mode
in which that object is carried out. A single upright
mark is placed between the words to be chaunted at the
point where the bar of mu,ic ends ; a double upright
mark denotes the conclusion of the sentence, at!ti words
and syllables which are to be dwelt upon are given in
italics. By this means, where congregational singing is
practised, uniformity is completely preserved. We give
a verse of the Venite, from which the reader, by running
it over, will at once perceive the plan. "Oh come let us
sing un (bar) to the (bar) Lord (end of sentence).
Let us heartily rejoice in the (bar) strength of (bar)
our sal (bar) vation (end of sentence.) Let us come be-
fore his presence (bar) with thanks (bar) giving (sentence.)
And show ourselves (bar) glad in (bar) him with (bar)
Psalms" (sentence).
This work, or a similar one, adapted to the particular
chaunts used, might with advantage be introduced into
all Churches. The excellence of the plan does Mr.
Lewis great credit.

Trip to Italy during the long Vacation. London: C
Mitchell, Red Lion Court, Fleet-street.
_ _ _

This is a very neatly got up work, and pleasantly writ-
ten, containing a description of a short trip of pleasure
taken by the author and a few friends. The route is
from Southampton via Havre to Paris, of whose princi-
pal sights it affords an entertaining though brief sketch.
The travellers proceed by the Alps through Upper Italy
to Rome, returning by the Rhine to Dover. A better
Guide Book for a hasty gallop through the countries vi-
sited, which contain much of the finest scenery and ob-
jects of interest to be found in Europe, we do not know.

SELECTIONS.

BLAIR ATHOLL CASTLE AND ITS SCENERY.

The following description of this ancient Scottish for-
tress, which has been selected for the autumnal residence
of her Majesty and the Prince Consort, may be read with
interest at the present moment :
Blair Atholl Castle, and the Pass of Killcrankie, are
the most commanding and interesting objects in the dis-
trict of Atholl in the county of Perth. The castle, the
ancient residence of the Dukes of Atholl, stands on an
extensive plain, known as the Blair, or Vale of Atholl ;
and, in point of strength and situation, was well calculated
to serve as a post of defence. With such facility, and
being the only fortress commanding the pass, it was re-
peatedly taken and garrisoned by the rival armies, which
ultimately lost and won this key to the Highlands. It
was besieged and taken by Montrose, in consequence of
its garrison having presumed to check his progress. Col.
Daniel, an officer in Cromwell's army, took it by storm
some ten years later ; and in 1689, it occasioned, what was
justly termed the most important event of the day, the
battle of Kilcrankie. In the last rebellion its garrison,
under the command of Sir Andrew Agnew, foiled the
rebels in two separate attempts to reduce it. But at last
the noble proprietor, seeing that he had but little pros-
pect of ever enjoying domestic tranquility whilst the
mansion was in a condition to serve as a rallying post in
every civil commotion, dismantled its towers, lowered it
by three stories, and reduced the warlike fortress of his
ancestors into a common-place family residence. By this
decisive measure, it has gained in security what it lost in
picturesque effect, and in these peaceful times, with its
magnificent curtain of umbrageous woods and mountains,
watered by two rivers, embellished by the hand of art,
and stocked with every species of wild game, from the
roebuck to the ptarmigan, it presents one of the most
attractive domains in Scotland.

The pass of Kilcrankie, which communicated with the
Blair of Atholl, stretches for the space of a mile or up-
wards along the termination of the river Garry. The
hills rise from the bed of the river in steep gradation,
flanking it on the western bank with a precipitous wall.
The bold rocks lining its channel are mantled over with
masses of waving ash, birch, and oak, the light and grace-
ful foliage of which, moving and changing its hue with
every breeze, contrasts finely with the bleak crags that
start at intervals through its leafy screen, and at length
soar into the abrupt and rugged outline of Ben-Vracky.
The situation of Fascally-house, at the entrance to the
pass, is singularly romantic.
This pass, in reference to its military history, has been
styled the Scottish " Thermopylae," and till the present
road was constructed, might have been called, with no
less propriety, the " Via Mala" of Scotland. But the
dangers of the pass, which contributed not a little to its
sublimity, have disappeared with the progress of art, and
those unprecedented facilities of intercourse which have
been thrown open by modern enterprise. On the bleak
surface of the moors stretching along the frontiers of
Perth and Inverness, many pillars and cairns, memorials
of those who have perished in the snow, or fallen in
battle, give melancholy interest to the scene. At Dalna-
spidal are the remains of an encampment occupied by
Cromwell's troops. Here, also, in the last rebellion,
General Cope drew up his army in expectation of an
attack, but quitting his position to continue his march
o thward, threw open the pass to the Highlanders.
The gardens of Atholl Castle extend along the Tay,
and command the most deliehtful and picturesque views.
In the immediate vicinity of the Castle several thousand
acres of forest trees were planted between forty and fifty
years ago, greatly improving and ornamenting the scenery
around the Duke's domain. On the opposite side of the
Tay is Birnham-hill, the lower part of which was covered
with trees in the time of Macbeth, and now celebrated
for its blue slate quarries. The extensive lawn on which
the Castle stands is nearly 450 feet above the level of the
sea at Panbride. On the river Bruar, about three miles
from the village of Blair, there are several beautiful cas-
cades, one of which is between 150 and 200 feet in
height.

Amongst the various monuments of antiquity. in the
united parishes of Blair and Strowan, the following may
be mentioned :—Near Atholl Castle, on the east bank of
the rapid Tilt, is Chaghglil-Aindreas, or cemetery of
Andrew's disciples, where numerous bones have been
found entire, in coffins composed of flat stones. To the
southward of this formerly stood Andersmass market,
now held at Perth. On the same bank of the Tilt, about
a quarter of a mile from this spot, is one of those
singularly constructed round castles or towers, in former
times so fre, 11 nCy to be met with in Scotland; and close
to:this stands Tom-a-vuir, or the bill of the fort, on a
steep bank of the river. A short distance eastward of
the Tilt, in Strathjoy, are the ruins of two round castles,
on the top of a ridge, fortified with double, and in some
places, treble ditches. One of the greatest objects of
interest near this spot is a sacrificing cairn, sixty paces
in circumference, having several large flagstones ou the
summit, which formed the altar ; and near it are two
obelisks, apparently part of a temple. Upon the Loch-
ain, which flows from Lochloch towards the Tilt, stand
the vestiges of a house in which the Earl of Atholl en-
tertained James V. and his followers, and which the Earl
burnt to the ground the moment the King had taken his
departure. We have not room to describe a tithe of the
interesting localities of the mountainous and diversified
territory of Atholl.—Glasgow Mail.

AN EFFECTIVE EEFLY.—When Queen Elizabeth,
soon after her accession, wished to retain in her council
some zealous popish lords, Sir Nicholas Throckmorton
insisted on their dismissal. The queen, irritated by the
freedom of bis remonstrances, exclaimed, " God's death,
villain ! I will have thy head !" a remark which proves
that swearing was an accomplishment of her youth.
Throckmorton very coolly replied to this threat, "You
will do well, madam, to consider, in that case, how you
will afterwards keep your own on your shoulders."—
Strickland's Lives of the Queens of England.

THE JEWISH BURYING-GROUND AT JEHOSHAPIIAT.
—Returning along the valley of Jehoshaphat, and passing
along its eastern sides, we came to the great burying-
ground of the Jews. It looks more like a paved court,
and I walked over it without at first perceiving it. Among
the monuments are four unique in their appearance and
construction, and known from time immemorial as the
tombs of Absalom, Jehoshaphat, St. James, and the pro-
phet Zechariah. All are cut out of the solid rock. The
tomb of Absalom is a single stone as large as an ordinary
two-story house, and ornamented with twenty-four semi-
columns of the Doric order, supporting a triangular py-
ramidal top. The top is battered and defaced, and no one,
whether Muslim, Jew, or Christian, ever passes through
the Valley of Jehoshaphat without casting a stone at the
sepulchre of the rebellious son. No regular entrance to it
has ever been discovered ; and the only way of getting into
the interior is by a hole broken for the purpose in one of
the sides. Notwithstanding the specific names given to
these tombs, it is altogether uncertain to what age they
belong; and it is generally considered that the style of ar-
chitecture precludes the supposition that they are the
work of Jewish builders.—Library of Travel, No. 5.
ORIGIN OF THE BOROUGH GAOL.—The Borough Gaol
is situated in Great Howard-street, (so called after the
philanthropist, from whose designs and by whose archi-
tect, Mr. Blackburn, this immense prison was built.) It
was formerly called the French Prison, being used as a
receptacle for prisoners taken during the war. The cap-
tives were treated with the utmost kindness, supplied with
every comfort, and it is a well known fact, that during
the severe winter of 1795.6, they were supplied with bet-
tei bread than even many respectable families in the town
could procure. They were allowed to manufacture trin-
kets, toys, &c. for their amusement. They had a little
theatre erected, at which on one occasion, £5O was taken
at the door. Amongst the prisoners was an extraordinary
man named Charles Domery, who, in the presence of Dr.
Cochrane, other medical gentlemen, and Admiral Child,
devoured 14 lbs. of raw meat, 2 lbs. of candles, and drank
five bottles of porter. He preferred raw meat to any other
sort of food, and though supplied with the rations o ten
f
men, complained of being badly served. In
devoured 174 cats, besides
rata one year, he
living that could be converted into and dogs ; fact, nothing
o food, came amiss to his
-voracious appetite. At the peace of 'lB
1100 prisoners were liberated. In 1811 02, upwards of
devoted to other purposes, being converted into
prison
gaolwas
debtors, who were removed to it from the Tower.oa
Felons for
also were confined
.within its walls at first, but they wer
afterwards located in Kirkdale Gaol. The original coat
of this erection was £20,000, to which the sum of £lOOOO
alterations.
may be added for This prison has contained
at one time 2000 persons ; the circumference outside is a
quarter of a
mile.We cannot refrain from quoting She.
ridan on the subject of imprisonment.
" Of old to debtors who insolvent died,
Egypt the rites of sepulture denied;
A different trade enlightened Christians drive,
And charitably bury them alive."
—Lacey': Pictorial Handbook.