The Gatherer. No. XVII. did. The market, or bazaar, according to Asiatic custom, is held in one of the principal streets, which is covered over from one end to the other with a wooden roof, intended apparently to protect the shops At "I am but a gatherer and dealer in other from the scorching rays of the sun. men's stuff." Proofs of Affection. the bazaar merchandize of every description is sold; fruit, vegetables, silks, shawls, and wine, are frequently displayed on the same stall In one corner a smith has established his workshop, from which the sparks issue in every direction in the very faces of the passengers. Tailors, locksmiths, and goldsmiths, pursue their avocations in the open air, except when rainy or windy weather obliges them to take shelter beneath the roof with which the street is covered. In Greenland virgin modesty requires that a girl be carried off by her suitor; nay, even dragged by the hair, and when she is really in his hut, she runs away from him again several times, and at length perhaps compels him to give a proof of his affection, by cutting the soles of her feet in several places, that she may be obliged to sit still. Those who are baptized, now leave the matter to the priest. The suitor explains his wish to hini, and the girl is called. After some indifferent questions, the clergyman says, "It will soon be time for you to marry." I will not marry.' That is a pity, for I have a suitor for you." Whom? The clergyman names him He is good for nothing; I will not have him" "Why not? He is young, a good seal hunter," &c. I will not marry; I will not have him. "Very well, I will not force you; I have besides another match for him."-A pause.stand that measures have already been ta-The Girl sighs-a tear comes into her ken for drawing up a circumstancial statistieye-and, at last, she whispers, As you cal description of the whole country. This will priest.' No, as you will; I do not work cannot fail to prove interesting The wish to persuade you." Here follows a results of the wisely-directed labours deep sigh, then a half audible Yes,' and of an active government are every where the affair is settled. 16 Description of Tiflis. From the journal of a German Traveller who has recently visited Tiflis, we extract the following observations on that city, and the part of Russia in which it is situated: "Our caravan spent eight days in proceeding from Mosdak to Tiflis, a distance of about 250 wersts; but if due attention were paid to the state of the roads, the journey might certainly be accomplished in one half the time. Tiflis is accounted one of the finest cities in Asia, yet the streets are so extremely narrow, that it would be impossible to drive a carriage through the best of them. The houses, which have no regular roofs, are built of the clay used for making bricks, mixed with gravel: the windows are small, and distributed without any attention to regularity. As the external walls of the houses are never plastered, the town presents a gloomy and even dirty appearance. The houses are generally two stories high, and earth huts are exceeding ly numerous. There are many churches in Tiflis, but they are neither large nor splenVOL. VIII. No. 43, Lit. Pan, N. S. April 1, It would be unjust to assert that the inhabitants of Tiflis are not incimed to receive the benefits of education, if proper means were adopted for that purpose. It is said that the present chief intends to establish public schools, and that the materials for building them are already provided. The breeding of cattle is likewise to be introduced here, and in furtherance of this design, the chief has purchased upwards of 7000 sheep from some Persian Khans subject to the Russian government observable." I under Anecdotes of Dr. Franklin. When a child he found the long graces used by his father before and after meats very tedious. One day, after the winter's provisions had been salted," I think, Father," said Benjamin, if you were to say Grace over the whole cask--oure for allit would be a vast saving of time.” Dr. Franklin was so inimoderately fond of chess, that one evening at Passy, he sat at that amusement from six in the afternoon, till sun-rise. On the point of losing one of his games, his king being attacked by what is called a check; but an opportunity offering at the same time of giving a fatal blow to his adversary, provided he might neglect the defence of his king-he chose to do so, though contrary to the rules, and made his move. "Sir." said the French gentleman, his antagonist. “you cannot do that, and leave your king in check" he is in check," said the Doctor, “but I shall not defend him. If he was a good king, like yours, he would deserve the protection of his subjects; but he is a ty F I see [11 catching insects, among which it prefers spiders to any vegetable food. When any person speaks, it fixes its eyes upon his rant, and has cost them already more than he is worth: Take him, if you please; I can do without him, and will fight out the rest of the battle, en republicain—as a Com-mouth, and if it can possibly get upon his monwealth's man.' The Russian Greek Church. It does not use in its public service what is commonly called the Apostles' Creed; nor what is improperly called the Athanasian Creed; but simply that which we use in the Church communion service, which is usually denominated the Nicene Creed; though it is not, in every point, precisely that which was composed at the Council of Nice, in Bithynia, in the year 325. The Rus ian Church differs from the Romish Church, in not acknowledging a purgatory; in not denying the sacramental cup to the laity; in allowing their priests to marry; in explaining transubstantiation in a mystical manner; in not invocating saints and the Virgin Mary as mediators; acknowledging Jesus Christ as the only mediator; and in many other points. In these, and in other particulars, the Greek church seems to have a leaning to the principles of protest antism rather than of popery. Presence of Mind. When the well-known Dr. Barth preached for the first time in his native city of Leip. zig, he disdained the usual precaution of having his sermon placed in the Bible before him, to refer to in case of need. A violent thunder storm arising just as he was in the middle of his discourse, and a tremendous clap causing him to lose the thread of his argument, with great composure and dignity he shut the Bible saying with emphasis, "When God speaks, man must hold his peace:" he then came down from the pulpit, and the whole congregation looked on him with admiration aud wonder, as a mighty pillar of the church. The Titi Ape. According to the description of M. Von Humboldt, the species of ape called Titi seems to approach nearer to man in a variety of points than any other of its genus. Its features exactly resemble those of a child; they have the same expression of innocence, the same roguish smile, and the same sudden transitions from joy to grief. The Indians assert that the Titi weeps, in like manner, when it is vexed; and this statement is perfectly accurate. Whenever it is frightened or crossed, its eyes fill with tears. The Titi is in constant action; but its motions are as graceful as they are rapid: you never find it angry or ill-tempered, but always playing, skipping about, or shoulder, it touches his teeth or tongue with its fingers. To travellers who collect insects, it is particularly dangerous. Let them take what care they will of their collectious, the Titi soon discovers them; he takes the specimens, without pricking his fingers, off the pins by which they are fastened, and greedily devours them. Such is the discrimination of these little apes, that one of them could distinguish those plates in Cuvier's Natural History which represented insects. At the sight of them, though uncoloured, the Titi would imme diately stretch out his little hand in the hope of catching a grasshopper, a wasp, or a dragon-fly; but remained quite indifferent when he was shewn engravings of mammalia, birds, and other animals. A Great man in Distress. Lord Chancellor Bacon died so poor that he scarcely left money to bury him, living obscurely at his Chambers in Gray's Inn, where his loneness and desolate condition wrought upon his temper so much, that he almost pined away: and he had the misfortune, after all his height of plenitude, to be denied beer to quench his thirst; for having a sickly taste, he did not like the beer of the lun, but sent to Sir Fulk Greville, Lord Brooke, in the neighbonrhood (now and then) for a bottle of beer, and after some grumbling, the butler had orders to deny it him. He wrote an affecting letter to King James, not long before his death, and concluded thus: "Help me, dear Sovereign, Lord and Master, and pity me so far, that 1, who have been born to a bag, be not now, in my old age, forced, in effect, to bear a wallet; and that I, who desire to live to study, may not be driven to study to live." Matrimony in England. A French Journal gives the following account of the state of Matrimony in England, for the year 1816. ..... 1,182 ...... ..2,348 Wives eloped.. Secretly discontented Mutually indifferent.......55,240 Passing for happy. Hardly happy... Truly happy.. .13,279 5 27 13 Total-96,834 ....... Chinese Generosity. Peers and Swords. When Lord Stratford was Lord Lieu About three years ago, at a public din-tenant of Ireland, he made an order, that ner, given by some East India ship owners, the conversation turned on the dishonesty and immorality of the Chinese, and many stories were told in proof of it. The late Mr. John Locke, of Walthamstow, observed, how very unjust it was to stigmatise a whole nation for the vices of a few: that it was true, rogues were to be found among Chinese, as well as among other nations; but (added he) I have known chracters among them who were an honour to human nature; for instance, there was Sha-king-qua, the Hong merchant, who behaved in so generous a manner to poor Anderson. The story seemed to be familiar to many of the gentlemen present, but as others did not know it, Mr. Locke was requested to relate the circumstance, which he did nearly in the following words:"The Hong merchant had known Mr. An derson intimately, and had large transactions with him. Mr Anderson met with heavy losses, became insolvent, and at the time of his failure, owed his Chinese friend upwards of 30,000 dollars. Mr. Anderson wished to come to England in the hope of being able to retrieve bis affairs; he called on the Hong merchant, and in the utmost distress explained his situation, his wishes, and his hopes. The Chinese listened with anxious attention, and having heard his story, thus addressed him: " My friend Anderson you have been very unfortunate: you lose all: I very sorry: you go to England: if you more fortunate there you come back and pay; but, that you no forget Chinaman friend, you take this, and when you look on this, you will remember Shaking-qua: " in saying these words, he pulled out a valuable gold watch, and gave it him. Anderson took leave of his friend; but he did not live to retrieve his affairs, or to return to China. When the account of his death, and of the distress in which he had left his family, reached Canton, the Hong merchant called on one of the gentlemen of the factory who was about to return to Europe, and addressed him in the following manner:-" Poor Mr Anderson dead; I very sorry; he good man; he friend; and he leave two childs; they poor; they have nothing; they childs of my friend; you take this for them; tell them Chinaman friend send it:" and he put into a gentleman's hand a sum of money for Mr. Anderson's children, amounting to several hundred pounds. We have only to add, that the story made a strong impression on all present, and Mr. Locke, in relating it, was so much affected, that his eyes filled and his voice thickened. F2 of Lords in that kingdom, without leaving Parliamentary Anecdote. Pitt) speaking one day very much in favour The great Lord Chatham (when Mr. of a particular Bill, concluded with saypoints, that he should not desire any other ing, "that he thought so highly of it in all epitaph on his tomb-stone, than to be remembered as the author of this bill." The first Lord Holland, speaking in reply, began by observing that although he had screwed up his mind to the utmost pitch of attention, in order to catch what fell from so exalted a character, in aid of his understanding, yet he was free to confess he his mind in favour of the Bill. As to what could bring no single ray of conviction to the Hon. Gentleman says about requiring author of this bill; I should be much no other epitaph, but that of being the amazed at it, did I not know from long the worst calculated to decide upon their experience, that great men are sometimes own characters; and indeed I have now a which is in point to what I have assertedcase which occurs to my recollection, and Corelli.-When this great composer was it is the case of that celebrated Musician, dying (though he had previously established his fame in a number of beautiful, dignified compositions), so prejudiced was he to one particular trifle, the mere eccentricity of a other memorial of his musical talents to be fanciful moment, that he said he desired no engraved on his tomb, than "Here lies the author of CORELLI's Jig." Singular advice. A Greenlander was driving a merchant in a sledge across the sea upon the ice: a storm broke it in pieces. In such cases they save themselves by leaping from one piece of ice to another; but as the Europeans are said coolly, You are not to be saved, but you not able to leap in this manner, the driver have pencil and paper in your book; write here upon my back that you are drowned, otherwise your people may think I killed you.' The merchant begged him not to forsake him. Well' said the Greenlander, if you die I cau die likewise!' He staid with him and saved him. the system here pursued admits of one of HINTS, PLANS, and PROCEEDINGS these, but proceeds upen the principles of OF Benevolence. Homo sum: Humanum nihil a me alienum puto. industry, sobriety, good example, and other co-operating measures, it must follow from the very constitution of human nature, that salutary effects must be produced by the operation of the measures adopted. The criminal knows and must be convinced, that his sentence is justly inflicted; the nature of this sentence assures him, that his improvement in morals is the sole object in view: hence the angry passions So many benevolent and active minds which stripes, &c. invariably excite, are are now engaged in the humane and abso-restrained, and the whole discipline of the lutely necessary duty of reforming the pre-pison is eminently calculated to produce STATE OF PRISONS. sent prison system, that the most beneficjal results may be expected; and we have every reason to hope that the prisous of the kingdom, but particularly those of the metropolis, will be most substantially improved. We should be more desirous that our prisons should be found to possess capacity enough for their guests, than that their enlargement should be necessary; but as the reformation of the criminal seems to depend upon his separation from others of a worse character, or tainted with a different vicc, a larger space which shall allow of this seems to be the most likely means of diminishing the guilty; and if we may look forward into futurity, the most happy kind of desolation would be that of extensive prisons baving remedied the evils for which they were constructed, and containing of consequence few inhabitants. Various other provisions, however, and regulations, besides space enough, are necessary for the amélioration of the present prison system; but as it is not our purpose now to expatiate upon this subject, we shall introduce to the notice of our readers a short account of the Penitentiary at Philadelphia, and of the Maison de Force at Ghent, as peculiarly interesting at the present moment. PENITENTIARY AT PHILADELPHIA. The theory of the action of the means employed to prevent and reform criminals, will serve to illustrate them more clearly. The great causes of vice are idleness, intemperance, and evil connexions, and as * See an account of the truly benevolent exertions of Mrs. Fry, in L. P. Vol. VI p. 999. N. S. and the Address of the Grand Jury on, he State of Newgate, in our last volume, p. 855. the same conviction, to conduct to the same result. Intercourse between the sexes, that extensive cause of moral contamination, is strictly prohibited; the diet, a powerful agent on the human passions, is moderate and whol some. Ardent spirits, the great source of his present puuishment, are strictly denied him; idleness, the parent of vice, is substituted by regular constant labour; and silence, which naturally produces reflection and attention to duty, is strictly enjoined and cuforced; and, lastly, the religious counsel which is given on the Sabbath, seals the whole, and proves to them that neither the law, nor the officers appointed in pursuance of it, have any other object in view than their refor. mation. The criminal, therefore, makes his calculation, to conduct himself so as to command the good-will of the keepers and inspectors, and merit recommendation for a diminution of bis time of servitude; but pardous are never thought of, nor any diminution of servitude recommended; unless after the most thorough conviction of the desired reformation. Previously to any attempts at that internal reform, which it is the object of the discipline to effect, cleanliness, so intimately connected with morality, is attended to; and the criminal adapted to the season, and made by the is clothed in the peculiar habit of the jail, prisoners. The Work, suitable to the age and capacity of the convicts, is assigned, and there are looms for weavers; workshops for joiners, carpenters, turners, shoemakers, and tailors; and a manufactory of nails. remainder are employed in sawing and polishing marble, cutting logwood, grinding plaster of Paris, beating hemp, carding wool, and picking hair, or oakum. The bakers and cooks also are convicts. An account is opened with them, and they are charged with their board, clothes, the fine imposed by the State, and expense of prosecution, and credited for their work; at the expiration of, the time of servitude, half the amount of the sum left, after de quainted with the general principles of the system pursued; and hearing the grating of the stone-saws, or the noise of the nail hammers, they naturally reflect, that while they are idle, their fellow-convicts are working out their daily expences, and lay dueting the charges, is required by law to be paid them. As the board is low, the labour constant, and the working-hours greater than among mechanics, it is easy for the convicts to earn more than the amount of their expences; so that when they go out they receive a sum of moneying up a sum for themselves, when their sufficient to enable them to pursue a trade: er, at least, that will keep them from want, until they find employ, and prevent the necessity of stealing. On several occasions, the balance paid to a convict has amounted to mare than 100 dollars; in one instance it was 150 dollars, and from 10 to 40 are commouly paid. The diet is wholesome, plain, and invigorating; and their meals are served up with the greatest regularity and order. While eating, silence is strictly enjoined, and enforced by the presence of the keepers. For breakfast, they have about threequarters of a pound of good bread, with molasses and water. At dinner, half a pound of bread and beef, a bowl of soup and potatoes. At supper, corn-meal, mash, and molasses, or boiled rice. The drink is molasses and water, which has been found to be highly useful, as a refreshing draught, and as a medicine. Spirituous liquors or beer never enter the walls of the prison, and no provisions are permitted to be sent to the convicts from without. The effect of the new system has been seen, in no particular more evidently than in the diminution of disease among the convicts. period of servitude shall arrive; and that their own confinement in prison must be prolonged, to make up for lost time; and above all, the hopes of pardon cut off. Such are the remedies which have been prescribed in Pennsylvania, for the cure of vice, that great aud moral disease; and several States in the Americau Union have followed the example, with various degrees of success. MAISON DE FORCE AT GHENT. The following account of this interesting establishment is taken from an Enquiry into Prison discipline" by Mr. Buxton, a gentleman well known in the eastern parts of the metropolis for his philanthropic exertions, and is drawn up from au actual examination of the prison. This prison is situated just out of the city. It was originally intended to be an octagon, but at present only five departments are finished; still an entire separation is effected between men and women, the sickly and the healthy, the untried and the convicted, misdemeanants and felons. It is in contemplation to finish the building; and when this takes place, there will be six additional subdivisions. For each of the above description of prisoners, an open court is provided, in which they have their daily exercise. Religious instruction was one of the original remedies prescribed for the great moral disease, which the present penal system is calculated to cure. Divine service Their beds are in small recesses, from a is performed every Sunday, and discourses gallery opening to the court. Each has a delivered, suited to the situation and capa-seperate sleeping cell, which is furnished cities of the prisoners. Good books are likewise distributed among them. Corporal punishments are strictly prohibited, whatever offence may have been committed. with a metal bedstead, a thick mattrass, a double sheet, a double and single blanket, and a pillow. The bedding is brought out to be aired in fine weather, and the doors are open all day. The rooms were perfecly sweet and clean. and sacking cloth; but there are shops for sawyers, carpenters, blacksmiths, &c. The solitary cells have on all occasions been found amply sufficient to bring down The major part of the prisoners of the the most determined spirit, to tame the same class work together, in rooms 170 most hardened villain that ever entered feet long, and 26 broad. The principal them: of the truth of this there are stri-employment is weaving calico, damask, king cases on record. In these cells, the construction of which precludes conversation among those confined, the miserable man is left to the greatest of all possible punishments-his own reflections. His food is given him in the morning; in the course of a few days or weeks the very nature of the being is changed: and there is no instance of any one having given occasion, for the infliction of the punishment a second time. The convicts are well ac The utmost order and regularity are preserved. No prisoner is allowed to speak, and to such an extent was this carried, that they did not answer our questions, when we addressed them. I never saw any manufactory in which the workmen were more busy; wherever we went, there was no noise but the motion of the shuttle; and every eye and every hand was engaged. |