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589

Monthly Observations.

590

;

Pimpinella saxifraga & magna; Dwarf rey, S. subulata; Purple Loosestrife, Elder, Sambucus ebulus; Tamarisk, Lythrum salicaria; Weld, Reseda Tamarix gallica; Strapwort, Corri- luteola; Base Rocket, R. lutea; Purgiola littoralis; Thrift, Statice arme- ple Spurge, Euphorbia peplis; and ria; Sea Lavender, S. limonium; five other species; House Leek, SemMatted Sea Lavender, S. reticulata; pervivum tectorum; Willow-leaved Common and Narrow-leaved Paleflax, Spiræa, S. salicifolia; Dropwort, S. Linum usitatissimum & angustifolium; filipendula; Burnet Rose, Rosa spiProcumbent Sibbaldia, S. procum-nosissima; Prickly unexpanded Rose, bens; Round-leaved, Long-leaved, and R. involuta; Hazel-leaved Bramble, Great Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia, Rubus corylifolius; Common Bramble, longifolia, & anglica; Great round- Rubus fruticosus; Mountain Avens, headed Garlick, Allium ampelopra- Dryas octopetala; Yellow-horned sum; Sand Garlick, A. arenarium; Poppy, Glaucium luteum; Mongrel Mountain Garlick, A. carinatum; and White Poppy, Papaver hybridum Streaked Field Garlick, A. olera- & somniferum; Yellow and White ceum; Crow Garlick, A. vineale; Water Lily, Nymphæa lutea & alba; Asphodel, Narthecium ossifragum; Limetree, Tilia Europæa; DottedTen species of Rush, Juncus ; Smooth leaved and common Dwarf Cistus, and Powdery Seaheath, Frankenia Cistus surrejanus & helianthemum levis & pulverulenta; Water Purslane, Columbine, Aquilegia vulgaris; Water Peplis portula; Bloody-veined Dock, Soldier, Stratiotes aloides; Traveller's Rumex sanguineus; Sharp Dock, R. Joy, Clematis vitalba; Common Meaacutus; Broad-leaved Dock, R. obtu- dow Rue, Thalictrum flavum ; Greater sifolius; Golden Dock, R. maritimus; Spearwort, Ranunculus lingua; Little Yellow Marsh Dock, R. palustris; Upright Crawfoot, R. parvulus; AlGreater Water Dock, R. aquaticus; pine Bugle, Ajuga alpina; Wood Marsh Arrow Grass, Triglochin pa- Sage, Teucrium scorodonia; Water lustre; Great and Floating Water Germander, T. scordium; Wall GerPlantain, Alisma plantago, & natans; mander, T. chamædrys; Catmint, NeSeven species of Willow Herb, Epi- peta cataria; Vervain, Verbena offilobium; Yellow Centaury, Chlora per- cinalis; Bergamot Mint, M. odorata; foliata; Cross-leaved and Cornish Downy Hemp Nettle, Galeopsis vilHeath, Erica tetralix & vagans; Am- losa; Common Hemp Nettle, G. tephibious Persicaria, Polygonum am- trahit; Bee Nettle, G. versicolor; phibium; Spotted Persicaria, P. per- Betony, B. officinalis; Hedge, Downy, sicaria; Pale-flowered Persicaria, P. and Corn Woundwort, Stachys sylvalapathifolium; Buckwheat, P. fago- tica, germanica, & arvensis; Black pyrum; Round-leaved Wintergreen, Horehound, Bullota nigra; White Pyrola rotundifolia; Lesser Winter- Horehound, Marrubium vulgare; Mogreen, P. minor; Serrated Winter- therwort, Leonurus cardiaca; Marjogreen, P. secunda; Single-flowered rum, Origanum vulgare; Wild and Wintergreen, P. uniflora; Clustered Bazil Thyme, Thymus serpyllum & Alpine, Yellow Mountain, and droop- arinos; Čalamint, T. calamintha ; ing Bulbous Saxifrage, Saxifraga Common Skull-cap, Scutellaria galenivalis, aizoides, & cernua; Annual riculata; Self-heal, Prunella vulgaris ; Knawel, Scleranthus annuus; Dept- Alpine Bartsia, B. alpina; Yellow, ford Pink, Dianthus armeria; Proli- Viscid, and Red Bartsia, B. viscosa & ferous Pink, D. prolifer; Clove Pink, odontites; Eyebright, Euphrasia offiD. caryophyllus; Maiden Pink, D. cinalis; Crested Cowwheat, Melamdeltoides; English Catchfly, Silene pyrum cristatum, and three other speanglica; Bladder Campion, S. inflata; cies; Round-leaved Fluellin, AntirSpanish Catchfly, S. olites; Corn rhinum spurium; Sharp-pointed FluCatchfly, S. conica; Night-flowering ellin, A. elatine; Creeping pale blue Catchfly, S. nortiflora; Lobel's Catch- Toadflax, A. repens; Great Snapdrafly, S. armeria; Purple Sandwort, gon, A. majus; Lesser Snapdragon, Arenaria rubra; Dwarf Cherleria, C. A. orontium; Knotty-rooted and Wasedoides; Four species of Stone Crop, ter Figwort, Scrophularia nodosa & aquatica; Balm-leaved Figwort, S. scorodonia; Moneywort, Sibthorpia Europea; Mudwort, Limosella aquatica; Tall, Lesser, and Purple Broom

Sedum ;
Water Chickweed, Ceras-
tium aquaticum; Corn Spurrey, Sper-
gula arvensis; Knotted Spurrey, S.
nodosa; Ciliated Awl-shaped Spur-

591

Observations on the Study of History.

592

Creeping Satyrion, S. repens; Least Twayblade, Ophrys cordata; Dwarf Ophrys, O. loeselii; Bee Ophrys, O. apifera; Marsh Tender Twayblade, Malaxis paludosa; Broad-leaved Helleborine, Serapias latifolia; Marsh Helleborine, S. palustris; Birthwort, Aristolochia clematitis; Horned Pondweed, Zannichellia palustris; Greater Duckweed, Lemna polyrrhiza; Great and Dwarf Cat's Tail, Typha latifolia & minor; Branched Burreed, Sparganium ramosum; Simple Burreed, S. simplex; Curved Carex, C. incurva; Capillary Carex, C. capillaris; Russet Carex, C. pulla; Spiked Water Milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum; Verticillate Water Milfoil, M. verticillatum; Arrowhead, Sagittaria sagittifolia; Burnet, Poterium sanguisorba; Hop, Humulus lupulus; Annual Mercury, Mercurialis annua; Frogbit, Hydrocharis morsus ranæ; Juniper,Juniperus communis; Shrubby and Frosted Sea Orache, Atriplex portulacoides & laciniata.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE STUDY OF
HISTORY.-BY A. H.

rape, Orobanche elatior, minor, & cœ- | Lizard Satyrion, Satyrium hircinum; rulea; Awlwort, Subularia aquatica; Broad-leaved Pepperwort, Lepidium latifolium; Bitter Candytuft, Iberis amara; Woad, Isatis tinctoria; Wall Rocket, Sisymbrium tenuifolium; Flixweed, S. sophia; London Rocket, R. iris; Treacle Hedge Mustard, Ery- | simum cheiranthoides; Mountain Ge- | ranium, G. pyrenaicum; Bloody Geranium, G. sanguineum; Marsh Mallow, Althea officinalis; Musk Mallow, Malva moschata; Sea Tree Mallow, Lavatera arborea; Dyer's Genista, G. tinctoria; Ten species of Pea and Vetch, Pisum lathyrus & Vicia genera; Hairy Mountain Milk Vetch, Astragalus uralensis; Six species of Trefoil, Trifolium; Tutsan, Hypericum, Androsæmum, and some other species of St. John's Wort; Hawkweed Oxtongue, Picris hieracioides; Blue Sow Thistle, Sonchus coeruleus; Tall Marsh Sow Thistle, S. palustris; Common Sow Thistle, S. oleraceus; Ivy-leaved Lettuce, Prenanthes muralis; Rough Hedypnois, H. hispida; Deficient Hedypnois, H. hirta; Alpine single-flowered Hawkweed, Hieracium alpinum; Branching Mouseear Hawkweed, H. dubium; Umbelled Mouse-ear Hawkweed, auricula; Wall Hawkweed, H. murorum; Succoryleaved Mountain Hawkweed, H. palu-efficient than History. The most imdosum; Soft-leaved Hawkweed, H. molle; Spotted Cat's-Ear, Hypocharis maculata; Wild Succory, Cichorium intybus; Burdock, Aretium lappa; Common Sawwort, Serratula tinctoria; Alpine Sawwort, S. alpina; Four species of Thistle, Carduus; Hempagrimony, Eupatorium cannabinum; Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare; Dwarf Cudweed, Gnaphalium supinum; and three other species; Plowman's Spikenard, Conyza squarrosa; Alpine Fleabane, Erigeron alpinum; Stinking Grounsel, Senecio viscosus; Mountain Grounsel, S. sylvaticus; Hoary Ragwort, S. tenuifolius; and three more species of Grounsel; Golden Rod, Solidago virgaurea; Elecampane, Inula helenium; Sea Feverfew, Pyrethrum maritimum; Sea Chamomile, Anthemis maritima; Oxeye The experience of others in that Chamomile, A. tinctoria; Goose- which is evil, and that which is good tongue, Achillea ptarmica; Corn Blue and beneficial, is, or ought to be, a Bottle, Centaurea cyanus; Greater warning to those who succeed them. Knapweed, C. scabiosa; Common He who attends to this warning, will Star Thistle, C. caleitrapa; St. Bar- take the safe path; it will serve him as naby's Star Thistle, C. solstitialis ; a rule by which to proceed in that parPyramidal Orchis, 'O. pyramidalis; ticular whereof it treats. Individuals,

Or all the subjects which tend to amuse and yield improvement, none is more

portant reflections may be drawn from facts that have affected great portions of mankind. They incline us to admire the designs and providence of the Deity, furnishing lessons of instruction to all, and especially to those who are at the head of government.

Effects are produced from occurrences which are indistinctly delineated. On the other hand, causes appear, which, though they seem not to be of much consequence, produce important effects. The studious reader will discover these things. And, although the superficial will not consider them so philosophically, they will be engaged by the relation of circumstances which are extraordinary, and interested in knowing their event.

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therefore, who have relation to go-
vernment and public business for the
nation, should take advantage of His-
tory: they should profit by the expe-
rience of other States, avoiding per-
nicious counsels, principles, and con-
duct; and imitate only those actions
which have produced beneficial effects.
By this, I do not mean, that certain
rules which apply to the situation of
one, will apply to the situation of
every nation.
Their various circum-
stances forbid it. Still, fixed and
right principles in the art of govern-
ing, are necessary; and they may be
drawn, at least in some degree, from
experience.

594

accounts of ancient Rome, and read her poets and historians, delight to tread the "classic ground."

Where History is obscure, there has arisen political controversy. Many things are concealed from our knowledge, as to any certainty, and in a great measure lost. Concerning them, History has given but imperfect hints; hence endless contention: some declare the existence of certain facts, and others deny it. I refer now to that disputed question, viz. whether there was any house of commons in the Saxon government, in England? Such questions as these are not of great importance now. I can only I must remark, that to those indi- say, that if men were unbiassed by viduals of whom I have been speak-party feeling, and came unprejudiced ing, a knowledge of the former circum- to the question, when there is any stances, and situations of their own light thrown upon it, it would be more country, is most necessary. They justly determined.

They

then see what may happen under their
own particular government.
perhaps may discover an instrument
in it by which to benefit society; or,
perhaps, be able to view its defects,
and endeavour to reform them.

To all "gentlemen of the long robe," History is certainly requisite. "No man can be acquainted rightly with his country's laws, without a knowledge of its History." To persons of every profession and condition, History is very useful. The variety of its objects may afford an amusing discourse, and assist conversation. It is not an abstruse study; but it is accounted a pleasing one, to refresh the mind after more difficult subjects.

To those who are, or intend to be, writers in any way, this study affords help. It offers us those things which serve as an illustration of our subjects, and it gives us the opportunity of drawing new ideas. In reading, likewise, we meet with sentiments and reflections, which nothing but an acquaintance with historical facts will enable us to elucidate.

How pleasing is it to the individual versed in this study, to compare the times in which he lives, with those that have passed! He rejoices at the improvements of the age, but laments its degeneracy. Still more pleasing must it be, for such an one to traverse the regions, to which History assigns the perfection of science, and the

PROVIDENCE AND GRACE, AS EXEM-
PLIFIED IN SOME ACCOUNT OF MRS.
SARAH BAKER.

(Concluded from col. 571.)

"We went on about two or three miles far

ther, when the old woman said, as I must be hungry and tired, she would take me a little

out of the road to some friends of hers, where we could get some refreshment and stay all night if we chose. With this we turned out of the highway, and crossing several by-lanes came at last to an open green spot by the side of a shady copse, where several gipsy tents were erected. As I had always been greatly when I found the inhabitants of these tented afraid of gipsies, I felt an indescribable horror dwellings salute my companion as an old friend and acquaintance. 1 thought now my ruin was inevitable. I burst into a flood of tears, and cried aloud, telling the old woman, in sobs and sighs, I did not think she would have brought

me to such a place as that. O how did I wish myself back again at ; but I knew the wish was in vain, and this made my sorrow the more pungent. The old woman, joined by her gipsy friends, used every method to pacify me. Some bread and butter was given me in the kindest manner, with promises of any thing I wanted, and assurances of safety; and it is but justice to say, that these promises were faithfully observed; and, during the time I was with them, every method was used to

please and gratify me.

"The place where these tents were set, was remarkably pleasant. A small wood was behind, bounded by a thick hawthorn hedge, under the shade of which they were placed. There was a little declivity in front. At the bottom a rippling stream murmured along, while Several village spires were lovely carpet. How would seen round about. After we had refreshed

brightness of learning.
the individual who had studied the

upon its banks grass and flowers formed a

ourselves, I was persuaded to go and gather

595

Providence and Grace.

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596

some flowers with a girl of the company, with considerable distance from the place at which whom, however, I felt no inclination to make I got into his chaise. He now endeavoured free. In the course of the evening several to allay my fears, by informing me that I was more men and women joined the party, so that quite safe, and that what he had done was for at last there were fifteen or twenty. At supper my good. 'Did'nt you meet,' said he, a genthey feasted upon the produce of the day. tleman upon a grey horse?' I told him we Various broken meats were handed from their did, and I thought he noticed us particularly. wallets, and the meal was finished with a bottleWell,' he continued, that gentleman stopped of gin, which, with a recital of their adven- me, and said I should overtake an old woman tures, closed the business of the day. I was and a girl that he suspected she had enticed excessively shocked at their coarse vulgarity; away and intended to ruin. He said he would oaths and curses composed a great part of their give me half-a-crown if I would take you away discourse. In the workhouse nothing of this from the old gipsy; which I promised to do, kind was suffered, and my misery in being ex.. and I believe it's a good thing that I have, for posed to it was very great. The old woman, a depend upon it she had no good in her head.' girl, and I, were appointed to sleep together in "The driver, as we went along, asked me a one tent. But of sleep, I had but little. I variety of questions, as to where I was going, thought of Mr. and Mrs. Conway; then of my whence I came, and how I got into company present state-among gipsies entire strangers with the gipsy. To all these inquiries I re-without a friend or protector; then I thought plied by stating the simple truth. The next of my mother. My disobedience in leaving thing that entered into the post-boy's mind was, without permission, made me very mi-how to dispose of me. To set me down in the serable. The distress it would occasion came road by myself he thought would be cruel, and fresh into my mind, and my uneasiness was in- where to take me to, he did not know. At creased by contrasting the comfortable bed I length he resolved to take me to his inn, at had at the workhouse with the crowded and hard pallet I then lay upon. A just punishment, I thought, had befallen me.

and tell his mistress the whole story, and hear what she would say. We, therefore, went on till we came to the Star, at

"We drove into the yard by a back gate, and I alighted and stood in the yard till the horses were taken out and put into the stable. The driver then took me into the house to state my case to the landlady. The inn was one of the first respectability, and the mistress was busily employed in the bar. As soon as I perceived a glance from her eye light on me, dropped a low courtesy, which she was pleased to answer by a slight inclination of her head.

"I was conducted into the kitchen, where the maids werc busily employed in cooking for the various visitors of the house.

I

"In the morning, before we rose, I opened my distress to the old woman. She endeavoured to soothe me, by kind promises of taking me to London to see my mother. She said I should go a part of the way that day; but as she must make calls on the way, I must not be surprised if it took some time to reach the journey's end. 'Besides,' said she, I have very little money, and we must sometimes go a little out of our way to beg a trifle.' Though the thought of begging, was to me by no means pleasant, I was so far influenced by her promises, and the hope of reaching London, that my wishes to return to began to sub- "The cook, reasonably supposing me to be side, and I resolved to persevere in the jour-hungry after my journey, set before me a piece ney. The whole company collected round us, of cold pie, which I ate with considerable rewhen one of them, seeing me destitute of a lish, indeed I thought it was the nicest I had bonnet, gave me an old one she happened to ever tasted, so true it is that hunger is the have; then, sending their remembrances to best sauce.' An hour or two passed away befriends we were expected to see on the road, fore I was called for, when at length a waiter they shook us by the hand and bade us fare- came to fetch me and call the driver. 'Well, well. John,' said the landlady, what have you to say about this girl: what girl is it?"Why, ma'am,' replied the post-boy, I'll tell you all I know about her. As I was driving home from I met a gentleman, and he stopped me and said I should soon overtake an old gipsy woman with a tidy looking girl that he thought she had stolen away, and he said it would be a charity to carry the girl away from her; so when I came up I managed to get the girl into the chaise, and drove off, leaving the old woman in the lurch. So as I did not know what to do with her, I thought I had better come and tell you all about it.' A very pretty thing,' exclaimed the landlady, to bring her here to me. Why how can you tell that the gipsy stole her. I dare say she came honestly enough by her. There are always young bag gages enough ready to run off with such sort of folks! Why did not the gentleman part them himself, if he wanted them parted? You have got a fine trouble upon your hands by your meddling! Where do you come from, and what brought you with the old woman?" These last words were directed to me; but they

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"We travelled on together a few miles, when we were overtaken by a return chaise on its way to When it came up to us, the driver stopped his horses, and asked us if we would ride a mile or two? telling us, that, as the chaise was empty, he could give us a lift. To this we agreed, and he opening the door, I stepped in. The old woman was about to follow me, when the post-boy said to her, Stop, you'd better get in on the other side;' and immediately put up the steps and shut the door. The old woman went round to the other side, but in the mean time, the driver stepped into his place, and, whipping his horses, drove off at full speed. The old woman immediately called out to him to stop, and continued to do so as long as she could be heard. I too was dreadfully alarmed, and began to cry vehemently; but the driver was unmindful of us both, and continued at the same rapid pace till we were fairly beyond the reach of the old woman; for, though several persons upon the road who heard my cries had called out to him to stop, he absolutely refused till we were a

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597

On the Genius and Writings of Wordsworth.

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were uttered with so much severity, accompanied with such a sternness of countenance, as forbid any reply but tears. I was strongly agitated, and sobbed aloud. The post-boy looked at me affectionately, and said to his mistress, I'am sure, ma'am, nobody could have refused to do as I did." Well, well,' said she, in a softer tone, I say you've got yourself into a pack of trouble: the girl might, to be sure, have been stolen, but what is that to us!' Her tears soon told her these last words would not bear criticizing, and she immediately added, Yet one would not like a

poor thing to be lost.' She then spoke to me

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and said, Come, child, don't cry, but tell me where you came from?' In broken accents, I said, From And where was you going?' To London, to find my mother.' And how came you with the old gipsy?' In answer to this question I related all the circumstances of the case, giving a particular and artless account of all my adventures with the old woman, from the time we met, to our separation. The feelings of the landlady were evidently changed by my simple tale, and the change was apparent on the countenance of the post-boy, who anxiously traced the mind of his mistress upon the features of her face. Poor thing,' said he, I would not have left her with that creature on any account: I would not trust that dog with her;' pointing to a spaniel that lay on the hearth. The landlady looked at me, then at the dog, then at the driver; Well, what's to be done?' said she. I don't see what we can do, only send her back by the waggon to La! ma'am,' said the bar-maid, who had listened to all that had passed, I'd never send the poor thing back to the workhouse. Why there's Madam Wallis, where our Jane went to live, she's a kind soul, and I dare say would take the poor creature till something could be done for her.' "Do you think So, Charlotte?' I have no doubt of it, for you know how good she is to the poor? We can but try, said the landlady; so,' addressing herself to me, kitchen and stay with the maids, and to-morrow go into the we'll let Madam Wallis know about it.' "In the morning my landlady took me with her, and waited on Madam Wallis. She was an aged widow, who employed a considerable income in acts of benevolence and piety. The landlady was admitted, and, after some time, I was sent for into her parlour. The same ques tions were again proposed, as at the inn, and I gave similar answers. The old lady reprimanded me, but in a tone of kindness, for leaving and made some just remarks on the dangers to which I had thoughtlessly exposed myself. The conclusion of the matter however was, that she would take me into her house, and set me to work as well as I was able, till something better offered itself. Here then, for the present, I took up my abode.

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"Mrs. Wallis was remarkably kind. She bought me new clothes, and employed me in errands and little jobs in the house. As she found me tractable, and was likely to lose one of her servants, who was about to marry, she resolved on keeping me with her; at which I with her till her death, which took place eight was not a little pleased, and, in fact, I continued years after I entered her hospitable house."

598

The subsequent branches of this interesting narrative go on to state, that after the death of Mrs. Wallis, she entered into the service of a Lady Johnson; that she was savingly converted to God; and was afterwards married to a fellow servant now her husband, who in a remarkable manner had also been brought to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. The whole is interspersed with important reflections, that are at once entertaining and highly instructive. We envy not that man his feelings, who can read this little book without being both interested and profited.

ON THE GENIUS AND WRITINGS OF
WORDSWORTH.

SIR,-If the following remarks meet
your approbation I shall be happy to
see them inserted in the Imperial
Magazine as early as possible.

THERE is not any living Poet upon whom so much has been said, to so little purpose, as upon Wordsworth. Innumerable essays and pamphlets have appeared, many of which were written from a party spirit, and others from a mistaken idea of his system of poetry. That system has been misrepresented with no common baseness, and those who have endeavoured to take up the subject the most impartially, have, in general, reasoned upon the theory, without once looking at the poetry; and thus have been fighting with shadows, and wrestling with sunbeams. As it regards that system, however, it is not our intention to make any observations; it has been long before the public, and whatever ridicule may have been thrown upon it, one thing is certain, that Mr. Wordsworth has been gradually rising into fame, and is now acknowledged by the master spirits of the age, as one of the divinest of intellects. wish to shew our readers, that though some highly-gifted bards have picand told of the turbulent spirits and tured all the anomalies of our nature, sad diseases of the heart, yet there is one who has opened a fountain of pure water, and made its streams to flow in a thousand channels-who has caused flowers to spring up in our path, and cast a hue over human nature at once bright and enduring

We

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