The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-12-03 00:00:00

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ON 411)I SUPERSTITION OP TEE El9ll-
LANDERS AND LONDONER&
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EIPROX COLDUSN'S NEW LONDON MAGAZINE FOR TUE
Pagssme mowru.] ~ 4

In turning over the MSS. hereafter to he condensed
into my intended quarto, I find there are innumerable,
root% the4lirllest to the present times, of the'
extreme credulity of Lead,Were in all matters relating
,to Ike _to petteateral. Some of these nuestaeot be paus-
e over. A prOpeetittatioa of a parthal deluge in
1524, which was assuredly to wash the city into the
Thaines, Hit@ the tffect of creating, inseh an alarming
hydrophobia, that triple rents were offered for tempo-
rary resitiences at Highgate, Hampitead, and Harrow-
on-the-Hill. But this, you will say, happened in the
days of ignorance. Let ns then take a jump to 1750
a more enlightened period. In that year a mad-car
Lifaluarisman prophecied that on the sth of April
-an earthqu are would reduce both London and IV' st-
Master to a heap of ruins. The account I have bet
fore me states, that on the evening of the preceding
'day, "multitude, of the inhabitants abandoned their
boners, and retired into the country ; ' the roads were
thronged with carriages of persons of fashion ; the
pantiles% places within twenty miles o 1 London were so
crowded, that lodgings were procured at a most extra-
vagant price ;' the less wealthy took refuge in boats on
Life river; and the fields adjacent were crowded with
people," Bravo" And to crown all, instead of
talcieg it quietly,: thity turned round upon the soldier,
called him a stupid fellow, clapped him into prison,
}!nil entreatocred to wreak their vengeance by pelting
skim with smutty old Acts of Parliament, touching
iiisavilAm. Not long since we had a grand comet.
*brandishing its "fiery tresses in the sky," frightening
our/ watehful eitliens. and setting lean wits to work
out the cause of its banging so immediately over Lon-
don, and no where else. The South-Sea Bubble, and
'the Quart-bottle Conjuror, are pretty anecdotes, though
not esactly to my present purpose. Not so the Cock-
lane Ohost—that is a Case in point, and may not be
- forgotten. Thee we bad the Prophet Brothers, Jo-
. arias Sonthco't, and parson Towser ; but they were
errors of so melancholy a nature that 1 care not to
deo 11 upon them. • • • • • •
'flee fall.iwing short story originates in love, and,
what is still better, it gives a sentiment to the passion,
without which a love-tail is nothing but peppered
water-gruel. Then again it touches on the doctrine
of the formation of congenial souls, as taught by Plato,
—no mean recommendation. As for its authenticity,
if the reader will not take my word, he may go to
L .chnher.
About fifty years ago. a farmer lived in Olen
Speann, whose name was Mac Donald. It is shame-
ful I should forget, not only his Christian name, but
likewise the name of the faun, for every particular
was delivered to me with scrupulous accuracy. He
Trot a wife, three daughters. and three sons. This I
perfectly recollect ; for there was a dispute between
the old lady sad her son, while relating it to we,
whether there were not fonr sons and three daughters,
it four daughters and three sons, or three of each.
and (1 ani happy to say) the last was finally agreed
on by bath parties. I loie correctness. What signi- '
lies telling a story in the rough ? It is like giving
'the index of e' book instead of the text. The young-,
'est of the Wally watt a boy f int was the only one who
'bad ant been suckled at home, and, perhaps, on that
account, was not so great a favourite as the rest. Such
dal nties'as' farmers can. now and then, give to their chil-
dren, were never bestowed on Ibis poor boy. He was
just turned bf ten years when the supernatural events took
place in the cottage ; for, as the old lady observed, be was
'born at Lammas, and they began at the end of August.
1 am not sure but she said the eficr-halfof August, and
nut the end; which makes a little difference. This bOy,
'then, for it is chiefly of end concerning him,—was
all at once favoured beyond his brothers and sisters,
not by his pareate, bit by some invisible agent.—
When his porridge was set before him, a lump of but-
tar vanished from the family dish, and popped into
his basin. If oat-cake was given him, a piece of
cheese jumped out of the cupboard to keep it com-
pany. The worst slicea of the meat were distributed
to him in vain ; they were instantly exchanged, and
nobody knew how, for the tid-bits of the joint. Had
he barley scones, they were immediately powdered
with sugar. When they gave him water, it was vim-
'id into milk before it reached his lips. Did father
or mother attempt to chastise him, they antlered for
their temerity ; the pot•lid would Ay off, and the meat
tan up the lum—(Anglice the chimney): the churn
failed in its office; the sheep fell into tits; the cows
kicked over the milk-pails; and the roof of the cot-
tage was sure to want repair on the following day. The
farmer. wearied and tormented, resolved on quitting
this imitated habitation. and went to another at a short
distance ; but this removal was ineffectual, for the
same pranks constantly attended him. A schoolmas-
ter of Baidnach, bearing of these strange matters,
came to assure himself whether they were true or
false. However, he was mem glad to run out of the
cottage. every thing he presumed to tench aimed a
blow at his head. Ile was twice knocked down before
kesnade three inquiries. " This was very odd, very
odd, indeed—was it not. Sir?"—se said my inform-
ant. The farmer again removed to the upper part of
the Olen, above Keppech t the very spot was pointed
out to um S ill he could get no rost. The worst
was, that owing to so many persons coming to witness
these incomprehensible doings. be was well nigh eaten
out of house and home. This state of things conti-
nued. from first to last, for emu long years. The boy
being then seventeen, got up one morning with a dream
in his bead about America. This dream was repeated
till, morning after worming, there was nothing to be
heard but his confounded talk about America. 10 a
short while he expressed a desire to go to America ;
and at last. in spite of his father's intreaties to the
contrary. to Aiterica be went. The night be quitted
. his home—it was in the. south of Noveutber—as the
tamer and his wife were seated together by the fire, i
they heard a voice. as &Gained) person between them,
say, o West will you give me?" They looked, but
saw nothing but themselves. " What is it you would
have ?" exclaimed the farmer.' And thee the voice
eagefly answered, "One of your children!" "Ab !"
oriel the father, " whoever thou art. I will not .give
thee one of them." " There! there !" the mother
screamed out, " there is a ben--we will give that boa
—take it, aad go away." The voice thew laughed—
laughed prodigionelreand told Wm that be was pr-
iestly indifferent to their count. as. in fait, he could

might put an end to 11,
~,to pluck up:. eatise. Mut
llro siAb..,yor dirk.
celled the.voice,-L-iita he threw it e
" ThroW 011ie" (alias knife) ofrous your pocket :a'
"riitdit; the-Voice, abet he dtd so: .."littirels a pin in
your kilt," cried the Coice; " I cannot he seeirhY ;fey
one with a pointed wiMpon!" anifia, • obeyed ia
particular as well as in the rest. Mac Donald wens
forth. There was a high wind, and the sky we
heavily clonded; but fight enough to distinguish ob-
jects, for it was 14 the time of a full moon. .Ile first
lookeftstralght forward, RA thenaurning sharp roved
to the right beheld two figures, not guile vesting thei)-
feet arm the groan& as if in cootempeof the law*
of gravitation. They were band in hand. on,
ghostlof a man whose name was Campbell, ar4ahe
other the ghost of bit daughter, a little girl, phi). died
on the very day the supernatural events beg*.
in the
cottage ; as for Campbell. he died,. as 1 s; k,
some three months before het. The
asked the farmer why hr had nut iwnt
before, seeing that. all his trouble; were
him. " It was this.. my danghter,:' pursued leg
stantly waited on him, served him with theltiVet,44ised
you for yon ruelty, and, at lest, w hisperid t 14Miititr.
dreams of America, while her spirit, eisil4egrl'iti.fts
he sl,:pt. For know—her:soul wacoriginiity"torm4
to be wedded to his; and we learnt that tie •
iuiglit
chance to marry here, and be wretched, net rf eettisjg
with his fellow-soul. To come to mydaughtei.ilti
must die young and innocent ; 'and for that purpose. "it
was necessary he should go to a foreign bind. Ex-
pect, ere long, to hear lie has quitted the living!" And
such, indeed, happened. News came from America
that, on the first siebt of the boy's lapdiag there, be
died in Lis sleep.

4 ft
If /IMO
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN.

SI your Paper of Saturday evening, yet have
stated, in your Union-llall report, that *a • under.
taker resielittgan Kent-street, was finrilllM. fur play-
ing at Hazaid... Li must reqnest•you wilkatate:hiMntr
i
Paper, as early rkainrible, that k was not Mr. TisoMat
Dunn, Untlertaor, of 463,•Kent•street, which win
oblige your's, hc.
THOMAS DUNN, VXDFATIditit.
eS43, Kent-street, Dec. 3, MI.

PRICE OF STOCER TIU
Bank Stott 236)
t per Cent. Red 761)
$ per Cent. Con 771)
38 per Cent.
per Cents. 96)
5 per Ct.Sety 110))))
S per Cent.
, Long Ann 19 7-163
Imp. $ per Cent.
Irish 6 rr Cent.

DAY AT ONE Q'CtAWh

fah., st)l 2401 •
Ito and, -7-s 654 -50.
South Sea Ittork
Month gee Aid Ann.
Ex RR 101. 10410/ es. 9i. p.m"
0;. 3a. I'. pas.
-Small 3s. Is. pin.
India for ditto " - •
Coo. for Arc, 'MI
Lott. 'rickets QC. Igo.

ebt Notittegtttan:
" Tit 111TIss STATNIMAN" IS INCORTORATAP SORT, "
STATESMAN."

•

ninepence,

be
is ROW put jlltliAktPtiknk 1(411:1/... °S.
?resentative of
the petit), think the re•
r -70
unction of 25 percent. in thicket:4lam wonfferfullyope.
radve; although the tenantenesiasing '7O per cent.--
This ti what may be tettneti • eobling the question, or
tuaktng two boles for the one thirlitop. However,
must beg leave to tell these .cohling politicians. it is
is yak& to latter themselves is •the hope of any ir
provement, while the pretest system lasts. Refoiat
11 will work itself on without their hello, The curreol
may for a 'while be stemmed, but in the end the fond
will be the more dangerous. The time to serve the
country was before the middle classes were reduced
to
a state of pauperism, of which every day brings for-
ward many woeful exemptes. There are many thou-
sandatof respectable tradesmen, farmers, and mane-
factarers, who but a short time since held high heads
insociety, but are now driven to the desperate ewes-
sitt.of.eeeking parochial relief. All these grievances
*Alf, not (be sufficient to stimulate the Boroughroon.
re' to ;to justice to the people. Instead of a whole.
4unt7eforni. they gave SIX OACISING RILLS; instead
'4tallidoceban of useless places, pensions, and public
tifiroLleAlley kept up a standing army in 'time'
ilserree. I initead of calling forth the' energies of the
side in defence of the Constitution, they suffered
in England the law to be' taken out of the hands of
the late-officers of ' the Crown. and a gang of late.'
less Informers to erect a While, of inquisition—sad
in Ireland a sanguinary baud of Orauge-wreckers,
to rear the standard of. discord. and lay the founds-11
tion for outrage and oppression. which has since
been followed by a system of retaliation and insubor.
dination. Such is the aggregate of their exertions
to shew their unbounded loyalty to the Ktxo and at-
tachment to that Constitution they so loudly brawl about;
that Constitution that-hoes taken so much pains to
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render entrytbingbowing it should be. However, their '
time IS come; the people-are awake ;no more shootings.
no more braggings or hoastings of the great Statesman I
no more confidence in his understrappers ; no more
Jacobin insults. It is now the people's turn to remind
them of their hangings, their tortures, and their Bank,
note immolations. The honourable members have got
a taste of the cup ; they must nut only sip bat swallow
the contents, be they ever so nauseous. The Honour.
-Able, and Right Honourable, cannot look back on
eir former, perfidies without feeling tremour and
•esmorse. We shall now return to the measures likely
to occupy the attention of the house, and the results
which may arise therefrom. As to the speech of the
Minister at the opening of the Section, it is of so
little consequence to the future proceedings. that we
shall not trouble ourselves with niech progoostication
about it. We stippose it will be stung kis Majesty's jour-
ney to Ireland, his reception there, Lc. Emend so on to
Hanover ; then there wilt' be regret for the state of riot
which has since existed in Ireland, something abontinsu-
bordluation being put down by the wisdom and firmness
of his MAJESTY'S Government; about the internal peace
of this country, the improvement in trade, our &mi.
cable relations with all foreign powers. the improve-
meat in the Customs, Excise, Stampt, &c. ; but,
above all, in the reduction of the army, and the
great saving of placing &Aar poor clerks on half pay,
while the beadi of offices are left to remain as
'usual in the establishments. Then we shall be
told that agricultural distress is great but tempo-
rary that old times will soon return.
and the golden age resume its ancient happy influ-
ence. These inviting dishes of flummery will no
doubt be served up with a variety of sauces to suit the
different palates : but then, what is to become of the
• SISNIIIIRS' RENTALS ? Mow are the farmers to get'
clear bf the taxes ? How is the poor man. who is
fortunate enough to get a sninntne a-day for his la-
bour, to support a wife and' children with the cosmos
I necessaries of life ; besides cloathing, shoes, soap. ean-
dies, salt, small beer. ant a roof to corer his bead ?
This must be one of the first questions submitted
to the consideration of the Hunoarable House. The
present state of taxation, with tythes and other
charges, is mere than land or trade is able to .bear
at the present prices, had the occupiers of houses
arid lands .been RENT FREE. As this comes home
At! every Honourable Member, his interest becomes
lore and more deeply involved, and he must, as a
litatier of course, any' to himself, "This will sot
''mattets cannot remain in this deplorable state; ff I
~dons get all my rents. if I cannot get the interest
of all my stock. I must get a part ; if my estate be
unlif.lll shall bare nothing to live open i• If I till
it est gime k myself, I get nothing by site prek.
»dose Then • whpt is to be done ? To sere thew
'Hotiettrable Members all further. tremble oiabe gem
Ain at Wee. we .dou't, hesitate to say. if the Bosse
V.Onsistion bo. sot wing it should be, die Mouse
tt well Imrivery ether Folkical
. •• r
441. • 1.1116 itersioviii. •

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Witraii" to the 1 lilt of November.
I)4l,44alll(4agisetbAtit we VMSCt the Suthistias.:7-
• • •.(::opoot:l444:gaii• •
tt-Alt Itethawaybelorts that oa the day he sailed.
Uottrjsref Violas.' 41th AI county of six sail arrifai
• 14. .
Lossira Irate Catania, which place kid been takes
es tint,lbth it .octobei.. Saa of that god s frigate
,o oils of aatisla gas supposed losual,
tsitbe teelterd. Cipt..satkaacay has facoaced us with
`Oessitcs," se the lath Oct.

- - -.-- - •
_._
_.. . .
' . tap: STA'rifit4 . N
•
k 11
• ~. - - -- -
~.
c 0460.4.
.4' - N*l li in.
..1.4 ;c ter , ti. be ni
e. lb t Mt+► ,-.. tf -r ed .ice .. . 0 the
there theni o,,,,eteliii' we las tear. me!" lrhe 6 at . -shodt-d
Ifr
-11., for .seine time afraid to /Ince the incitation ;... ..
. 11611111:"S frtesoithrillarT6 . iii- 11.bedieneo' .1- 1"- gitlb il now I"
might nut an end to their-. tielb intbiinasaged thuse~all•srise,represe
a•.i..we:ne'ef 05 nereew

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nepence, I ilipetai/a
Landholders per 11 reale.— 1
be from 4/ too 51 She. quiet'