Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-08-14
COMMUNICATIONS.
THOUGHTS AND REMINIscENCEs.-No. III.
SToNEHENGE.

tant region, in a period of which we have no re-
cord, excite both our curiosity and wonder The
larger ones formed circle one hundred and eight
feet in diameter, and when this circle was complete,
consisted of thirty upright stones, each from Is TO
20 feet high, to broad, and feet thck-their
tops connected by huge stones forming uniform
rim, and this circle enclosing one smaller, compos-
ed Of smaller stones, forty in number, the whole
number of pieces many Of them now PROSTATE and
brOken) being one hundred and forty. 1t is con-
Jectured that they were brought from quarry in
Marlborough downs, some fifteen or sixteen miles
Distant though they unpolished,' nor is it easy
TO imagine by what means, in rude age, they were
transported. What they commemorate, or what
sentiment they were designed to embody-whether
they were intended monument to several hun
dred Britons murdered by Hengist the Saxon, or
TO Queen Boadicea-are the remains of Roman
temple, or, as is perhaps more generally thought,
of Metropolitan temple of the DRUIDs, or Of a
still more ancient people, know not, nor with
much confidence, could express even an opinion.
Yet these solitary ruins, and standing as it were
arrested in the all-wasting current of Time speak
more eloquently than VoLNEY of the rapid changes
in human society, of revolutions and ruins of en-
pires. Since the venerable Chief Priest Of the
Druids Gf the affairs of his worship were ever erect
ed here) bound his temples with oaken chaplets
and cropped with golden knife the sacred msle-
toe, receiving it in his snowy surplice, amid the
joyous reclamation of the people, how has this Is
land Queen of Britain risen the mistress of the sea,
and spread forth the signals OF her intelligence her
commerce, and her power before the eyes of the
whole world! Her sons, once so rude and savage
as to be deemed unfit to be sold as slaves at Rome
when julius Caesar held her sceptre, were the an
cestors of BOYLE and LOCKE, of NEWTON and
SHAKESPEARE, of Lord CHATHAM and BACON!
Salisbury plain and the djacent downs afford
wide open pasture for shepherds and their focks
though unfortunately could recognise, neither by
his coat his cottage or his pous observations, the
venerable man SO finely described by Miss HAN
NAH MORE. more charming picture of domestic
happiness in poverty, and of faith in the providence
and grace of God, than this Of the Shepherd and
has family on Salisbury plain, is rarely seen. He
remembers how Shepherds have, in former ages,
been honored, and concludes that David was hap
pier when he kept his Fathers sheep on such
'plain this, and employed in singing some of his
Hown psalms perhaps, than ever he was when he
8 became King OF Israel; and dare say The adds)
swe should never have had some of the most beau
tful texts in all these fine Psalms if he had not
been Shepherd"
The Southdown sheep, of which many thousands
visible on Salisbury plain, with hardly an ex-
ception, have white feeces, but dark broUn or
black faces and legs. OF course to a stranger this
appears very remarkable.
Several months attentive observation in LONDON
convinced me of the mpossibity of forming, from
q cursory view of things opinions of the English
Government and English people upon which we
could rely with confidence. English institutions,
manners, and character, the whole constitution of
society, are the growth of so many ages and ma
tured by many causes that only the well-inform-
ed in history and those who reflect deeply upon
our nature can understand them. "One year in
LONDON" said an intelligent lady, :. is worth ten in
any other part of the world, nor would thought
full observer of human nature and human character
deem the remark entirely exravagant. The stranger
finds himself in solitude amid Millions ten thousand
objects to attract his notice and crafty his curiosi-
ty, at the very centre of the commercial world and
while he opens his eyes and to all the lines OF
intelligence here concentrating stands as it were
invisible, consciously free and independent Every
thing is adjusted to meet the circumstances and in
clinations of the individual he may live expen-
syely moderately, at hotel or in private lodg-
ings, dine when and where he pleases without CEN
sure, and, provided he keep good conscience and
obey the laws, find innumerable sources of innocent
enjoyment.
In no city is there police more sober, quiet,
more polite and attentive, than in London the
members in their distinctive dress ever on their
walks, yet never impertinent or offensive saw
less poverty and more vice in the streets than ex-
pected, though the people generally appear well
clad, decent, and contented
An American, in first passing through the Strand
or Cheapside, is surprised at the vast number of
dealers in gold and silver ware and iewelry, and
concludes that London must be, as it is the great
mandatory of these articles for the world.
The loyalty Of the English is proverbial, and
doubtless all classes of them deem themselves the
most favored people on earth, and render homage
to monarchy and its union with the church as to
Divine institution.
1t is common remark that whenever trades
man in England can keep his carriage, he goes to
the established church, and certainly that church
embraces those who, if not more religious, are more
highly educated, and more adorned with all the
graces Of good manners, than There may possibly
be some exceptions) any other branches of the
Christian church.
PREACHING OF Rev. SYDNEY SMITH.
Every one who has read the Edinburgh Review
is acquainted with the writings of this gentleman,
who was one of its founders, and who has been
renowned for genius and wit in the literary circles
of London. The sermon which heard from him
in st. Pauls Cathedral plain, serious earnest
discourse, on the worth of the soul, delivered with
distinctness, without any affectation, and with APP
parent sincerity. The preacher must have been
rising of sixty years of age in person stout, with