Mr. Whitaker was a man of a strong mind; and he brought a considerable share of reading to bear on a subject of antiquity. From these causes he sometimes extended a subject beyond its due importance; and we think that he has in the present in stance enlarged to a volume, what might have been properly enough the subject of a paper in one of our periodical publications. He thinks that Athelstan, the "oldest of all the brothers of King Alfred," was appointed King of Kent by his father Ethelwulph (who himself was so appointed by his father Egbert, in 823), but after having won a great battle in 851, shocked at the carnage with which it was attended, he abdicated his royalty, and retired to the monastery of Glastonbury, where he took the name of Neotes, or the youngling, on account of his low stature; that he retired still more effectually to the solitude of a forest, and became a hermit; that he, nevertheless, embraced opportunities of giving advice to his inconsiderate and boisterous brother Alfred, and to others, who, in the sequel, abandoned the vanities of the world for the repose of devotion. Not to undertake such a solemn action without proper advice, he consulted the then reigning pontiff at Rome; by whom he was strengthened in his resolution. He lived some years in his cell, and died in the odour of sanctity, about 877. The history of this saint, with digressions on the events of Alfred's life; also, on the schools at Oxford, and the ecclesiastical establishments; on the misrepresentations of which those authors have been guilty, who supposed that King needed the admonitions of St. Neot, against the violence of his temper and conduct; on the proofs that the monks at St. Neot's, in Huntingdonshire, might have part of the vestments of this saint, but none of his relics; which, to a certainty, are deposited in the wall of the church at St. Neot's, in Cornwall, of which we have a description;-These, with other antiquarian enquiries, compose the volume. An Appendix comprizes the life of St. Neot, written in Latin verse, of very moderate poetry, by "Guilhelmum Rameseye, Monachum Crolandensem: " with another life of the saint in prose, of some antiquity. We are far from undervaluing researches into our national antiquities; and we desire to treat with respect the la performance of a man of talent and e quiry: we go further, and will not affin that the entire destruction of monas institutions is to be contemplated wi out regret; yet we cannot but acq esce in the suggestions of our auth who observes, that, "whatever enga much the affections of a writer, is sure warp aside his understanding in what writes: whether his subject be the a quity of an university in which he him has been bred, or the life of a saint wh he has been accustomed to honour." must, however, applaud Mr. W.'s l rality in producing proofs that All founded a university at Winchester, which he attracted men of eminence learning and piety: an institution, conduct of which does infinite honou that prince's judgment.—— 66 Nor was this a mere school, in the mo sense of the title. It was an academy; it an university; it was the commencing finishing place of education, for one of fred's own sons, for the sons of all the no of West-Saxony, for the sons of any pri "Ethelfloed," the persons within it. early passage that anticipated the fortune dest daughter of Alfred, says Asser in all his children," when she became riageable, was united in matrimony to earl of the Mercians; theelgofu," and daughter" engaged in the immediate ser of heaven, by devoting her virginity to being conjoined and consecrated to the of a monastic life" in Alfred's own nunt at Shaftesbury. But while his sons E ed in the royal court, yet not even ward and Elfthryth were always edu without a liberal discipline (between th were bred up in idleness and incurious other studies of this life which became bles), in studiously learning psalms and Sa books, and especially Saxon verses; and very frequently using books in genera Ethelweard, the youngest of his childr "by the suggestion of God, and the w into a school of literary discipline, and uni derful forethought of the king, was the diligent care of masters, with almost the noble infants of the whole region, even many ignoble persons besides. In school, books of both languages, Latin Saxon, were read every day. They also tended there to writing. Thus, before th had strength sufficient for the human ar namely hunting, and other arts which beco nobles, they appeared studious and ingenio in the liberal arts." Such pictures of liberal studies, in th midst of war and devastations, afford inexpressible relief to the mind: they are he repose in the pictures of history. If we may rely on the descriptions and gcounts of our early writers, Britain afrds an indubitable instance of the prealence of human population over the asts of the field. Wolves certainly bounded in our island formerly: beavers o, are known by a descriptive name in Welch language, and their ancient unts are still called " the beaver dams;" and Mr. W. brings evidence in proof the elk was an inhabitant of our rests. This creature was not extinct in Memoirs of British Quadrupeds, illustrative principally of their Habits of Life, Instincts, Sagacity, and Uses to Mankind, arranged according to the System of Lin næus. By the Rev. W. Bingley, A.M. Fellow of the Linnean Society, and late of Peterhouse, Cambridge. With Engravings from Original Drawings, Executed chiefly by Mr. Samuel Howitt. 8vo. pp. 500. Price 18s. Sherwood, Neeley, and Jones, London, 1809. OBSERVATION is the very life of na and in the twelfth century: the wildtural science; and a habit of observation, is mentioned together with the wild is a source of pleasure, to those who ne, in the first of our game laws, 33 practice it, almost independent of advenVIII. cap. 6. sec. 33; and thus the titious enjoyments. Thomson seems to iquary assists the naturalist. Our auhave felt the full force of this principle, or seems also to think, that the hair of when he exclaims, elk might be woven into a kind of miet; and that this is certainly the ar on which Lady Moira would not ture to pronounce judgment. ArchaioVol. VII. p. 95. Of the late Mr. Whitaker, we had a sonal knowledge; and remember well fluctuations of his mind, on several ts of his History of Manchester, before was communicated to the public. Yet, hall our respect for his abilities, we st be allowed to regret, that his works not more pleasant reading; that he not studied the art of interesting his ader, progressively, as he advances in subject; and that to derive from his Yours a few clear and simple ideas, hich may be carried in the memory for asional service, is almost impossible. hile, therefore, we commend his dience and patience of investigation, we ise whoever proposes to emulate him antiquary, to endeavour, and en to study, to excel in those very derable ingredients in good writing, orderarrangement of matter, enlivened and miliarized by suavity of style. / an The late reverend writer contemplated a istory of Oxford, a small work: and a History of London, quite new and original, fit to make a quarto"-as it kely that he had formed collections for se works; we hope they will be carely preserved; and if ""quite new and original" presented to the public-A ate of St. Neot's Church, with the winw containing the history of the Saint, hould have accompanied this volume. I care not Fortune! what you me deny; You cannot rob me of free Nature's grace; You cannot bar my constant feet to trace The woods and lawns, by living stream, at eve; Let health my nerves and finer fibres brace, And I their toys to the great children leave, Of fancy, reason, virtue, nought can we bereave. The contemplation of nature is, when rightly conducted, a medium of virtue and devotion. It is of great importance, to younger minds especially, that it be judiciously directed and facilitated. This is the end proposed by system; and though system has an air of constraint which is not precisely the character of nature, yet this imperfection is no more than might be expected, from human powers. It is the best man can do: as such, let him value it. We are glad, therefore, to see a systematic arrangement of the British Quadrupeds, presented to the British public, in a single volume, and at a moderate price. Perhaps Pennant did as much service to science by his " Synopsis," as by any of his works; because it was within the purchase of all who were attentive to science: while his "British Zoology " was no less gratifying to the naturalist, than to the patriot. Mr. Bingley follows the same honourable course. We cannot expect that all should be new in a work of this description; yet Mr. B. contributes a portion of novelty. He understands his subject; he explains the leading principles Q 2 of it with perspicuity; and he communi- | I must inform you that they were all m cates the result of his assiduity in a pleasing manner. His plates are mostly etched in a spirited style; and we are glad to see the Misses Byrne employed in a manner so suitable to their talents: many of these plates evince their skill: others are by Mr. Howitt. Specimens of the execution of this work selected from articles that occur constantly in Natural Histories, would not be doing justice to the author: we therefore select the history of the hares domesticated by the late poet Cowper; which Mr. B. has very properly admitted into a volume, intended to illustrate the manners of animals that of the still less to be expected performances of the famous setting pig; whose portrait has lately gratified the amateurs of living extraordinaries are no less amusing. The hare is a very gentle animal, and when caught young is susceptible of education. The best proof that I can adduce of this, is to recite, without abridgment, Mr. Cowper's highly interesting narrative respecting his tame hares. This is inserted in some of the latest editions of his poems; but as it has not hitherto appeared, in illustration of the character of the animal, in any book of natural history, I trust that, without censure, (on account of its length,) I may be allowed to introduce it here. "In the year 1774, being much indisposed both in mind and body, incapable of diverting myself either with company or books, and yet in a condition that made some division necessary, I was glad of any thing that would engage my attention without fatiguing it. The children of one of my neighbours had a leveret given them for a plaything; it was at that time about three months old. Understanding better how to tease the pror creature than to feed it, and soon becoming weary of their charge, they readily consented that their father, who saw it pining and growing leaner every day, should offer it to my acceptance. I was willing enough to take the prisoner under my protection; perceiving that, in the management of such an animal, and in the attempt to tame it, I should find just that sort of employment which my case required. It was soon known among the neighbours that I was pleased with the present; and the consequence was, that in a short time I had as many leverets offered to ine, as would have stocked a paddock. I undertook the care of three, which it is necessary I should here distinguish by the names I gave them :---Puss, Tiney, and Bess. Notwithstanding the two feminine appellations, Immediately commencing carpenter, them houses to sleep in; each had a sepa apartment, so contrived that an earthen placed under each, received whatsoever from them. This being regularly em and washed, they were thus kept per sweet and clean. In the day-time, they the range of a hall; and at night, each tired to his own bed, never intruding that of another. Puss grew presently familiar, leap into my lap, raise himself upon hinder feet, and bite the hair from my ples. He would suffer me to take hit and carry him about in my arms; and more than once, fallen fast asleep on knee. He was ill three days, during w time I nursed him; kept him apart from fellows, that they might not molest (for, like many other wild animals, persecute one of their own species that is si and, by constant care, and trying him a variety of herbs, restored him to p health. No creature could be more gra than my patient after his recovery; as ment which he most significantly expr by licking my hand, first the back then the palm, then every finger separa then between all the fingers, as if an to leave no part unsaluted: a ceremony w he never performed but once again, uf similar occasion. Finding him extre tractable, I made it my custom to carry always after breakfast, into the garden, w he hid himself, generally under the leat a cucumber vine, sleeping or chewing cud till evening: in the leaves also of vine he found a favourite repast. I had long habituated him to this taste of lib before he began to be impatient for the re of the time when he might enjoy it. would invite me to the garden, by on my knee, and by a look of such ex sion as it was not possible to misinter If this rhetoric did not immediately succ he would take the skirt of my coat betw his teeth, and pull at it with all his fo Thus, Puss might be said to be perfe tamed; the shyness of his nature was d away; and, on the whole, it was visible many symptoms, which I have not room enumerate, that he was happier in hut society, than when shut up with his nav companions. drums "Not so Tiney; upon him the kin treatment had not the least effect. H was sick, and in his sickness had an e share of my attention; but if, after his r very, I took the liberty to stroke him, would grunt, strike with his fore-feet, spr forward, and bite. He was, however, entertaining in his way. Even his sur was matter of mirth; and in his play, served such an air of gravity, and perfor- | what enjoyment they have of life; and that, impressed as they seem with a peculiar dread of man, it is only because man gives them peculiar cause for it. ra bis feats in such a solemnity of manner, it in him too 1 had an agreeable compa"Bess, who died soon after he was full va, and whose death was occasioned by ig turned into his box, which had been zhd, while it was yet damp, was a hare great humour and drollery. Puss was ad by gentle usage; Tiney was not to be ed at all, and Bess had a courage and sidence that made him tame from the pusing. I always admitted them into the Four after supper, when the carpet affordtheir feet a firin hold, they would frisk, und, and play a thousand gambols, in Bess, being remarkably strong and ass, was always superior to the rest, and sed himself the Vestris of the party. evening, the cat being in the room, had hardiness to pat Bess upon the cheek; indignity which he resented by drumming na back with such violence, that the was happy to e cape from under his paws, Ide herself. That I may not be tedious, I will just give a short summary of those articles of diet that suit then: best. "I take it to be a general opinion that they graze; but it is an erroneous one: at least grass is not their staple: they seem rather to use it medicinally, soon quitting it for leaves of almost any kind. Sowthistle, dent-de-lion, and lettuce, are their favourite vegetables, especially the last. I discovered, by accident, that fine white sand is in great estimation with them; I suppose, as a digestive. It happened that I was cleaning a birdcage whilst the hares were with me; I placed a pot filled with white sand upon the floor, which, being at once directed to by a strong instinct, they devoured voraciously. Since that time, I have generally taken care to see them well supplied with it. They account green corn a great delicacy, both the blade and stalk; but the ear they seldom cat. Straw of any kind, especially wheat-straw, is another of their dainties. They will feed clean straw, never want them: it serves them also for a bed; and, if shaken up daily, will be kept sweet and dry for a considerable time. They do not, however, require aromatic herbs, but will eat a small quantity of them with great relish, and are particularly fond of the plant called musk. They seem to resemble sheep in this, that, if their pasture be too succulent, they are subject to the rot; to I describe these animals as having each bacter of his own. Such they were in ; and their countenances were so expres-greedily upon oats; but if furnished with of that character, that, when I looked 3 on the face of either, I immediately which it was. It is said that a shep1, however numerous his flock, soon ones so familiar with their features, that gaa, by that indication only, distinguish A from the rest; and yet, to a common ener, the difference is hardly perceptible. mbt not that the same discrimination, in ? cast of countenances, would be discover-prevent which I always made bread their prin rin hares; and am persuaded that amnog housand of them, no two could be found ly similar: a circumstance little susd by those who have not had opportunity Jerre it. These creatures have a singular city in discovering the minutest alteration at is made in a place to which they are customed, and instantly apply their nose to e examination of a new object. A small e had been burnt in the carpet; it was adel with a patch, and that patch in a meat underwent the strictest scrutiny. y seem too to be very much directed by all ia the choice of their favourites. To ne persons. though they saw them daily, ey could never be reconciled, and would scream when they attempted to touch 5; but a miller coming in, engaged their Tection at once: his powdered coat had arms that were irresistible. It is no wonder at my intimate acquaintance with these cimens of the kind has taught me to hold sportsman's amusement in abhorrence. lile knows what amiable creatures he cutes; of what gratitude they are capa; how cheerful they are in their spirits; cipal nourishment, and filling a pan with it cut into small squares, placed this every evening in their chambers; for they feed only at evening and in the night. During the winter, when vegetables were not to be got, I mingled this mess of bread with shreds of carrot, adding to it the rind of apples cut extremely thin; for, though they are fond of the paring, the apple itself disgusts them. These, however, not being a sufficient substitute for the juice of summer herbs, they must at this time be supplied with water; but so placed that they cannot overset it into their beds. must not omit to remark, that occasionally they are much pleased with twigs of hawthorn, and of the common briar, eating even the very wood when it is of considerable thickness. I "Bess, I have said, died young; Tiney lived to be nine years old, and died at last, I have reason to think, of some hurt in his loins by a fall; Puss is still living, and has just completed his tenth year, discovering no signs of decay, nor even of age, except that he is grown inore discreet, and less frolicsome than he was. I cannot conclude without observing, that I have lately introduced a dog to his acquaintance-a spaniel that had never seen a hare, to a hare that had never seen a spaniel. I did it with great caution; but there was no real need of it. Puss discovered no token of fear; nor Marquis the least symptom of hostility. There is, therefore, it should seem, no natural antipathy between dog and hare; but the pursuit of the one occasions the flight of the other, and the dog pursues because he is trained to it. They eat bread at the same time out of the same hand, and are in all respects sociable and friendly. "I should not do complete justice to my subject, did I not add, that hares have no ill scent belonging to them; that they are indefatigably nice in keeping themselves clean, for which purpose nature has furnished them with a brush under each foot; and that they are never infested by any vermin." After Mr. Cowper's death, the following memorandum was found among his papers: "Tuesday, March 9, 1786.-This day died poor Puss, aged eleven years eleven months. He died between twelve and one at noon, of mere old age, and apparently without pain." The following is the history of the pointer pig. Those persons who have attended at all to the manners of swine, have observed, that they are by no means deficient in sagacity; but the short lives that we allow them, and the general confinement they undergo, entirely prevent their improvement in this respect. We, however, have frequently heard of exhibitions of learned pigs;" and we know that Toomer, formerly the game-keeper of Sir H. P. St. John Mildmay, actually broke in a black sow to find game, back, and stand, nearly as well as a pointer. This sow, which was a thin, long-legged animal, (one of the ugliest of the New Forest breed,) when very young, took a great partiality to some pointer puppies, that Toomer, then under keeper of Broomy Lodge, in the New Forest, was breaking. It played and often came to feed with them. From this circumstance, it occurred to Toomer, (to use his own expression,) that, having broken many a dog, as obstinate as a pig, he would try if he could not also succeed in breaking a pig. The little animal would often go out with the puppies to some distance from home; and he enticed it farther by a sort of pudding made of barley meal, which he carried in one of his pockets. The other he filled with stones, which he threw at the pig, whenever she misbehaved, as he was not able to catch and correct her in the same manner that he did his dogs. He informed Sir Henry Mild may, who has been so obliging as to supply me with this account, that he found the animal very tractable, and that he soon taug her what he wished, by this mode of rewa and punishment. Sir Henry Mildmay sa that he has frequently seen her out Toomer, when she quartered her ground regularly as any pointer, stood when she car on game, (having an excellent nose,) a backed other dogs as well as he ever saw pointer. When she came on the cold sce of game, she slackened her trot, and gradua dropped her ears and tail till she was certa and then fell down on her knees. So staun was she, that she would frequently rem five minutes and upwards on her point. soon as the game rose, she always retur to Toomer, grunting very loudly for reward of pudding, if it was not immedia given to her. When Toomer died, his wid sent the pig to Sir Henry Mildmay, w kept it for three years, but never used it, cept for the purpose of occasionally amus his friends. In doing this, a fowl was into a cabbage-net, and hidden amongst fern in some part of the park; and the ext ordinary animal never failed to point it, the manner above described. Sir Henry w at length, obliged to part with this sow, fr a circumstance as singular as the other oce rences of her life. A great number of lam had been lost, nearly as soon as they w dropped, and a person being sent to wai the flock, the animal was detected in the vi act of devouring a lamb. This carnivore propensity was ascribed to her having be accustomed to feed with the other dogs, a to eat the flesh on which they were fed. Henry sent her back to Mrs. Toomer, w New Forest; where she died the usual dea sold her to Mr. Sykes, of Brookwood, in t of a pig, and was converted into bacon. We add a few notices; and corre tions; for the advancement of know ledge. Mr. B. says "seal skins a sometimes used in the south of Europe f covering trunks :"-We believe that ma thousands are annually used in Londo for that purpose; also as leather, & "Dogs-by a singular depravity of last generally prefer flesh that is, in par corrupted."-The conformity of the dogt the wolf and the fox, which is notice by Mr. B. should appear to support th inference that this particular is not a d pravity of taste. The fur of the cat remarkable for the electric property yielding sparks:-has any one ascertaine whether this phenomenon may not b connected with the resplendence of th cat's eyes in the dark? which Mr. B. eluc dates by reference to the properties phosphoric light. Mr. B. speaks of th white mouse, as occurring "very rarely |