The Sun. — 1839-08-14 (London, England)

CONFESSIONS OF A THUG. BY CAPTAIN MEADOWS TAYLOR, OF THE SERVICE OF H. H. THE NIzAM.—" You have given a faithful portrait of a Thug's life, his ceremonies and his a2ts ; whilst I am prond that the world will know of the deeds and adventures of Ameer Ali, the Thug ;" are the concluding words of the autobiographical narrative which Captain Taylor has here put into the mouth of one of the most desperate of that extraordinary combination of assassins, whose atrocities have only within the last seven or eight years become the wonder and horror of India. The history of mankind affords no parallel to Thuggee. The bands of the Old man of the Mountain scattered over many lands, the Secret Tribunals of Germany, the Inquisition, were all petty murderers, when compared with this terrible association. Romance could not invent anything so hideous and contradictory as is shown in this strange work ; and were not the whole system discovered, revealed and corroborated by unquestionable proof, it would be impossible for the mind to believe that such things could have been, and, in spite of all the exertions of European intelligence and power, could still be. We have not room to tell of the incredible incidents with which these volumes abound, or of the various adventures and dangers of the Thug. These are altogether so curious as to ensure for this work a general circulation. The sketches of Oriental manners, customs, and society, which the subject involves, are alone a high recommendation to this publication.—Literary Gazette.  THE Eyes.—Optical improvements to enable persons at an advanced age to read with ease, and discriminate objects with perfect distinctness. Messrs. S. and B. Solomons, Opticians and Aurists to the Royal Family, 96, Cheapside, arid 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, have succeeded in effecting a most scientific improvement in Spectacle Lenses, of the greatest transparent refractive power, for imperfect Vision ; the extraordinary advantage derived from this invention is, that they are adapted to the sight to the greatest nicety by experienced persons, of more than 30 years' extensive practice, so that the sight becomes preserved and strengthened, and persons are enabled to employ their sight for any length of time, either by day or candle light, at the most minute occupation, with ease and comfort. These Spectacle Lenses are constructed on a principle that persons can see with them of a much less magnifying power, nor will they require the change so frequently to greater magnifying powers as those now in common use; those objects being accomplished, is a matter of much deeper importance to the public than may be imagined; thousands of individuals have been most seriously injured in consequence of neglect to those subjects. Persons can be suited at a distance; those who have never used Spectacles, by stating the number of inches they can see moderate sized print from the eye, and those who are making use of Spectacles by sending them, and making the same statement. The Messrs. Solomon's Voice Conductors, for deaf persons, are not the least per: ceptible, and give immediate relief.—No agents nor travei ers are employed. THE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLEKINGDOM,— The close connexion between these two great component parts of our globe, though sufficiently obvious in the mass, n detail. A ol goodare sometimesillustration eminentlyoccursi worthy mofanr remark ofrkgrowth the Hair and of vegetable productions, whiche is not ouly advanced or retarded by a similar concurrence of circurnssttraenricgesth, as snd luxuriancetosunair' by artificialseason,beat' &c., but is forced into applications, by which nutritious juices arc generated in the roots. Thus the skill of the chemist and agriculturist is directed by different means to the one end, of contributing to the arts of civilization. Instances of the successful culture of exotics in our ungenial climate will readily occur to the least experienced ; and OLDRIDGE'S BMA,/ of Col.usiniA affords a ready corroboration of the success of scientific research in contributing to develope the physical perfections of men, by its unprecedented success in promoting, strengthening, and reproducing the Human Hair. OLDRIDGE'S BALM causes Whiskers and Eyebrows to grow, prevents the hair from turning grey, and completely frees it from scurf. Sold wholesale and retail by the Proprietors, 1, Welling. ton-street, Strand, London, and by most of the respectable Perfumers and Medicine Venders; Price 3s 6d., 65., and 11s. per bottle. No other prices are genuine. N. B.—The public are requested to be on their guard against counterfeits; ask for" Oldridge's Balm,"I, Wellington Street, Strand.