Spider, and the following account of it by Professor Jones is so
interesting, that we are glad to extract it from his excellent work on
insect Architecture:--
In the Ionian islands, and also in the West Indies [as well as
in the south of France, and in Corsica], there are found certain
spiders (_Cteniza_) commonly known as Trap-door Spiders, which make a
cylindrical nest in the earth, and cover the entrance with a door of
their own construction, framed of alternate layers of silk and earth,
and fastened to the opening by a hinge of stout silk. These spiders
also line their nests throughout with numerous layers of silken web
to the thickness of stout cartridge paper, and finish it with the
greatest care. This beautiful lining is yet further strengthened in
particular parts, where the nest is likely to be exposed to danger. But
the greatest amount of skill and care is bestowed upon the trap-door
and its silken hinge. The door is about the eighth of an inch thick,
rough on the outside, not much unlike an oyster-shell, which it also
resembles in being thick and strong near the hinge, but thinner towards
the circumference. The breadth of this hinge is various, but sometimes
it is very considerable, as shown in the figure accompanying. It also
possesses great elastic force, so that, on being opened, it closes
again of itself. This is principally accomplished by a fold or doubling
of the web, at each end of the hinge, which permits the door to be
opened nearly to a right angle with the aperture, but no further,
unless violence be used. The underside of the door is perfectly smooth
and firm, being shaped so as to fit accurately, and yet to offer no
resistance when pushed open by the insect.
[Illustration: Section of Nest.]
[Illustration: Nest of Trap-door Spider.]
[Illustration: Trap-door Opening by a Lever.]
As might be expected, there are varieties in the shape and size of
these nests. Some specimens found in the island of Zante had the silken
layers of the lid extended into a sort of handle, or lever, just above
the hinge, on pressing which, in ever so slight a degree, the trap-door
opened. From this it would appear, that the entrance to such a nest
could be effected as easily by the enemies of the spider as by the
spider itself; this, however, is not the case; for repeated observation
has shown that the spider keeps guard at the entrance, and actually
holds the door with her fore-feet and palpi, while the hind-feet are
extended down the side of the nest, and the mandibles are thrust into
the opposite side near the door. By this means the insects gets such
power as to resist with considerable force the opening of the door. If
it be asked how this is known, we are able to refer to the experiments
of careful observers, who extracted a number of nests from the ground,
and opening them at the lower end, looked up, and saw the spider so
occupied. A section view of the nest will show that the curved form of
the cover, and the shape of the side walls, must favour this method of
keeping the door shut. In some cases, small hollows were formed round
the interior edge of the lid, into which the spider thrust its feet
when keeping guard. It is a curious fact, that when several of these
spiders enclosed in their nests were kept as a matter of curiosity
in a box of earth, and the doors frequently opened to examine their
proceedings, one or two of them, as if wearied at these repeated
interruptions, effectually closed their doors by weaving a piece of
silken tapestry, which was spread over the interior of the opening, and
rounded like the inside of a thimble. This was so strongly attached to
the door and to the side walls, that no opening could be made without
destroying the nest.
PRICES OF GREEK VASES.
In the ancient times of Rome the vases of Greek pottery bore a high
value, and sold for enormous sums to connoisseurs, which has also
been the case in modern times. Cleopatra spent daily, on the fragrant
or flowery ware of Rhossus, a Syrian town, six minae. Of the actual
prices paid for painted vases, no positive mention occurs in classical
authorities, yet it is most probable that vases of the best class, the
products of eminent painters, obtained considerable prices. Among the
Greeks, works of merit were at all times handsomely remunerated, and it
is probable that vases of excellence shared the general favour shown to
the fine arts. For works of inferior merit only small sums were paid,
as will be seen by referring to the chapter on inscriptions, which
were incised on their feet, and which mentioned their contemporary
value. In modern times little is known about the prices paid for these
works of art till quite a recent period, when their fragile remains
have realised considerable sums. In this country the collections of
Mr. Townley, Sir W. Hamilton, Lord Elgin, and Mr. Payne Knight, all
contained painted vases. A sum of L500 was paid in consideration of
the Athenian vases in Lord Elgin's collection, which is by no means
large when the extraordinary nature of these vases is considered, as
they are the finest in the world of the old primitive vases of Athens.
L8,400 were paid for the vases of the Hamilton collection, one of the
most remarkable of the time, and consisting of many beautiful specimens
from southern Italy. The great discoveries of the Prince of Canino, in
1827, and the subsequent sale of numerous vases, gave them, however,
a definite market value, to which the sale of the collection of Baron
Durand, which consisted almost entirely of vases, affords some clue.
His collection sold in 1836 for 313,160 francs, or about L12,524. The
most valuable specimen in the collection was the vase representing
the death of Croesus, which was purchased for the Louvre at the price
of 6,600 francs, or L264. The vase with the subject of Arcesilaus
brought 1,050 francs. Another magnificent vase, now in the Louvre,
having the subject of the youthful Hercules strangling the serpents,
was only secured for France after reaching the price of 6,000 francs,
or L240: another, with the subject of Hercules, Dejanira, and Hyllus,
was purchased for the sum of 3,550 francs, or L142. A _crater_, with
the subject of Acamas and Demophoon bringing back AEthra, was obtained
by M. Magnoncourt for 4,250 francs, or L170. A Bacchic amphora, of the
maker Execias, of the archaic style, was bought by the British Museum
for 3,600 francs, or L142 in round numbers. Enough has, however, been
said to show the high price attained by the most remarkable of these
works of art. The inferior vases of course realised much smaller sums,
varying from a few francs to a few pounds; but high prices continued
to be obtained, and the sale by the Prince of Canino in 1837, of some
of his finest vases, contributed to enrich the museums of Europe,
although, as many of the vases were bought in, it does not afford a
good criterion as to price. An _oenochoe_, with Apollo and the Muses,
and a _hydria_, with the same subject, were bought for 2,000 francs,
or L80 each. A _cylix_, with a love scene, and another with Priam
redeeming Hector's corpse, brought 6,600 francs, or L264. An amphora
with the subject of Dionysius, and a cup with that of Hercules, sold
for 8,000 francs, or L320 each. Another brought 7,000 francs, or L280.
A vase with the subject of Theseus seizing Helen, another with the
arming of Paris, and a third with Peleus and Thetis, sold for 6,000
francs, or L240. Nor can the value of the finest specimens of the art
be considered to have deteriorated since. The late Mr. Steuart was
offered 7,500 francs for a large _crater_, found in southern Italy,
ornamented with the subject of Cadmus and the dragon; 3,000 francs, or
L120, were paid by the British Museum for a fine _crater_ ornamented
with the exploits of Achilles: 2,500 francs, or L100, for an amphora of
Apulian style, with the subject of Pelops and OEnomaus at the altar of
the Olympian Zeus. For another vase, with the subject of Musaeus, 3,000
francs, or L120 were paid, and 2,500 francs, or L100, for the Athenian
prize vase, the celebrated Vas Burgonianum, exhumed by Mr. Burgon. At
Mr. Beckford's sale, the late Duke of Hamilton gave L200 for a small
vase, with the subject of the Indian Bacchus.
The passion for possessing fine vases has outstripped these prices
at Naples; 2,400 ducats, or L500, was given for the vase with gilded
figures discovered at Cumae. Still more incredible, half a century back,
8,000 ducats, L1,500, was paid to Vivenzio for the vase in the Museo
Borbonico representing the last night of Troy; 6,000 ducats, or L1,000,
for the one with a Dionysiac feast; and 4,000 ducats, or L800, for
the vase with the grand battle of the Amazons, published by Shultz.
But such sums will not be hereafter realised, not that taste is less,
but that fine vases are more common. No sepulchre has been spared when
detected, and no vase neglected when discovered; and vases have been
exhumed with more activity than the most of precious relics.
OLD WALKING STICKS.
It would seem that at the present time the fashion of carrying
walking-sticks has to a considerable extent "gone out." So great
is the bustle in our city thoroughfares, that the use of a staff,
except by those who are lame, is seldom adopted by business people.
Professional men still affect the custom, however; and your City man,
although he may repudiate the use of a walking-stick in town, straps
a good sapling to his portmanteau whenever he has a chance of getting
amongst the woods and green fields. About a century and a-half ago
everybody carried a cane. Dr. Johnson, Oliver Goldsmith, and a host
of others, considered a good stick as necessary as a coat; and a
collection of these staves would, if they could be had at the present
day, be valuable, not only as relics, but also as an indication of the
characters of the owners, perhaps.
In former times, a golden-mounted stick or staff was commonly used by
both the male and female heads of families. Queen Elizabeth carried one
of these towards the end of her life. They were then more frequently
used, however, as a sign of authority than for any other purpose.
The staff was a weapon long before flint-headed arrows and such-like
instruments were invented. Sheriffs, and others high in authority, have
wands or staffs borne before them on important occasions; the bishops'
pastoral staff is as old as episcopal authority.
In former times the running footmen, who, in a body of half-a-dozen,
on each side of a carriage ran to alarm robbers and to assist the
lumbering vehicle out of the ruts, were well armed with stout
staves. At the present time they are still carried by the Plush
family, although the use of them is not so clear. In the royal state
processions, the footmen with their staves walk as in former days, and
we should be sorry were these little bits of ceremony dispensed with,
inasmuch as they bring to recollection a former condition of things,
which makes us feel comfortable by comparison.
The monstrous sticks shown in the engraving are drawn from specimens
which have been preserved by dealers in London, and put as a sort of
sign at the doors of umbrella and walking-stick dealers. These were,
however, a century ago, common enough, and might have been seen by the
hundred together, borne by tall footmen behind ladies dressed in the
old hooped dresses which we are trying now to imitate. At that time
there was also a taste for various kinds of monsters, in China, wood,
and other materials. Monkeys and pug-dogs were made pets of, and the
sticks of the footmen fashioned into such ugly forms as no modern bogey
ever dreamed of.
These clubs, sticks, maces, or whatever they may be called, were about
six feet high, and were in parts painted and gilt. The centre one is
an elm-sapling, and the natural bumps have been taken advantage of by
the artist to model a sort of Moorish head, with ornamental covering;
lower down, the knobs are fashioned into terrible heads, in which are
mounted glass eyes of various and impossible colours.
[Illustration [++] Old Walking Sticks.]
No doubt before long these staffs, which might be necessary for
the protection of the ladies from the "Mohawks" of the time, will
have disappeared, and people will look with curiosity at Hogarth's
representation of them. Perhaps good specimens of such objects, which
have passed out of use, would be worthy of a place in our national
museum. One of the old-fashioned tinder-boxes would be a curiosity
there now. Although but a few years have passed since the introduction
of lucifer matches, it is no easy matter to get one of those
old-fashioned machines.
THE SANCHI TOPE.
Under the name of topes are included the most important class of
Buddhist architecture in India. They consist of detached pillars,
towers, and tumuli, all of a sacred or monumental character. The word
is a corruption of the Sanscrit _sthupa_, meaning a mound, heap, or
cairn.
By far the finest as well as the most perfect tope in India is that
of Sanchi, the principal one of those opened near Bilsah, in Central
India. It is uncertain whether it ever contained relics or not, as it
had been dug into in 1819 by Sir Herbert Maddock, since which time it
has remained a ruin, and may have been plundered by the natives. At any
rate it must have been a spot of peculiar sanctity, judging both from
its own magnificence, and from the number of subordinate topes grouped
around it. In fact there are a greater number of these monuments on
this spot, within a space not exceeding 17 miles, than there are, so
far at least as we now know, in the whole of India from the Sutlej to
Cape Comorin.
[Illustration [++] Sanchi Tope.]
The general appearance of the Sanchi Tope will be understood from the
annexed view of it. The principal building consists of a dome somewhat
less than a hemisphere, 106 feet in diameter, and 42 feet in height,
with a platform on the top 34 feet across, which originally formed the
basis of the _tee_ or capital, which was the invariable finish of these
monuments.
The dome rests on a sloping base, 14 feet in height by 120 in
diameter, having an offset on its summit about 6 feet wide. This,
if we may judge from the representations of topes on the sculptures,
must have been surrounded by a balustrade, and was ascended by a
broad double ramp on one side. It was probably used for processions
encircling the monument, which seem to have been among the most common
Buddhist ceremonials. The centre of this great mound is quite solid,
being composed of bricks laid in mud; but the exterior is faced with
dressed stones. Over these was laid a coating of cement nearly 4 inches
in thickness, which was, no doubt, originally adorned either with
painting or ornaments in relief.
The fence by which this tope is surrounded is extremely curious. It
consists of stone posts 8 ft. 8 in. high, and little more than 2 ft.
apart. These are surmounted by a plain architrave, 2 ft. 4 in. deep,
slightly rounded at the top. So far this enclosure resembles the outer
circle at Stonehenge; but between every two uprights three horizontal
cross-pieces of stone are inserted of an elliptical form, of the same
depth as the top piece, but only 9 in. thick in the thickest part. This
is the only _built_ example yet discovered of an architectural ornament
which is found _carved_ in every cave, and, indeed, in almost every
ancient Buddhist building known in India. The upright posts or pillars
of this enclosure bear inscriptions indicating that they were all given
by different individuals. But neither these nor any other inscriptions
found in the whole tope, nor in the smaller topes surrounding it
(though there are as many as 250 inscriptions in all), contain any
known name, or any clue to their age.
Still more curious, however, than even the stone railing are the four
gateways. One of these is shown in our view. It consists of two square
pillars, covered with sculptures, with bold elephant capitals, rising
to a height of 18 ft. 4 in.; above this are three lintels, slightly
curved upwards in the centre, and ending in Ionic scrolls; they are
supported by continuations of the columns, and three uprights inserted
in the spaces between the lintels. They are covered with elaborate
sculptures, and surmounted by emblems. The total height is 33 ft. 6 in.
One gateway has fallen, and if removed to this country would raise the
character of Indian sculpture, as nothing comparable to it has yet been
transported from that part of the world to Europe.
BURIAL PLACES OF DISTINGUISHED MEN.
Chaucer was buried in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey, _without_
the building, but removed to the south aisle in 1555; Spenser lies
near him. Beaumont, Drayton, Cowley, Denham, Dryden, Howe, Addison,
Prior, Congreve, Gray, Johnson, Sheridan, and Campbell, all lie within
Westminster Abbey. Shakspeare, as every one knows, was buried in the
chancel of the church at Stratford, where there is a monument to his
memory. Chapman and Shirley are buried at St. Giles'-in-the-Fields;
Marlow, in the churchyard of St. Paul's, Deptford; Fletcher and
Massinger, in the churchyard of St. Saviour's, Southwark; Dr. Donne, in
Old St. Paul's; Edward Waller, in Beaconsfield churchyard; Milton, in
the churchyard of St. Giles', Cripplegate; Butler, in the churchyard
of St. Paul's, Covent Garden; Otway, no one knows where; Garth, in the
churchyard at Harrow; Pope, in the church at Twickenham; Swift, in St.
Patrick's, Dublin; Savage, in the churchyard of St. Peter's, Dublin;
Parnell, at Chester, where he died on his way to Dublin; Dr. Young, at
Welwyn, in Hertfordshire, of which place he was the rector; Thomson,
in the churchyard at Richmond, in Surrey; Collins, in St. Andrew's
Church, at Chichester; Gray, in the churchyard at Stoke-Pogis, where
he conceived his "Elegy;" Goldsmith, in the churchyard of the Temple
Church; Falconer, at sea, with "all ocean for his grave;" Churchill,
in the churchyard of St. Martin's, Dover; Cowper, in the church at
Dereham; Chatterton, in a churchyard belonging to the parish of St.
Andrew's, Holborn; Burns, in St. Michael's churchyard, Dumfries; Byron,
in the church of Hucknall, near Newstead; Crabbe, at Trowbridge;
Coleridge, in the church at Highgate; Sir Walter Scott, in Dryburgh
Abbey; Southey, in Crosthwaite Church, near Keswick.
A REGAL HUNTING PARTY.
The following is an account of the destruction of game in Bohemia, by
a hunting party of which the Emperor Francis made one, in 1755. There
were twenty-three persons in the party, three of whom were ladies;
the Princess Charlotte of Lorraine was one of them. The chase lasted
eighteen days, and during that time they killed 47,950 head of game,
and wild deer; of which 19 were stags, 77 roebucks, 10 foxes, 18,243
hares, 19,545 partridges, 9,499 pheasants, 114 larks, 353 quails, 454
other birds. The Emperor fired 9,798 shots, and the Princess Charlotte
9,010; in all, there were 116,209 shots fired.
ANTIPATHIES.
Certain antipathies appear to depend upon a peculiarity of the senses.
The horror inspired by the odour of certain flowers may be referred to
this cause. Amatus Lusitanus relates the case of a monk who fainted
when he beheld a rose, and never quitted his cell when that flower
was blooming. Scaliger mentions one of his relations who experienced
a similar horror when seeing a lily. In these instances it is not the
agreeableness or the offensive nature of the aroma that inspires the
repugnance; and Montaigne remarked on this subject, that there were men
who dreaded an apple more than a musket-ball. Zimmerman tells us of a
lady who could not endure the feeling of silk and satin, and shuddered
when touching the velvety skin of a peach. Boyle records the case of
a man who felt a natural abhorrence to honey. Without his knowledge,
some honey was introduced in a plaster applied to his foot, and the
accidents that resulted compelled his attendants to withdraw it. A
young man was known to faint whenever he heard the servant sweeping.
Hippocrates mentions one Nicanor who swooned whenever he heard a
flute: our Shakspeare has alluded to the effects of the bagpipe. Julia
daughter of Frederick, king of Naples, could not taste meat without
serious accidents. Boyle fainted when he heard the splashing of water;
Scaliger turned pale at the sight of water-cresses; Erasmus experienced
febrile symptoms when smelling fish; the Duke d'Epernon swooned on
beholding a leveret, although a hare did not produce the same effect.
Tycho Brahe fainted at the sight of a fox, Henry the Third of France
at that of a cat, and Marshal d'Albert at a pig. The horror that whole
families entertain of cheese is generally known. Many individuals
cannot digest, or even retain certain substances, such as rice, wine,
various fruits, and vegetables.
A YOUNG BUT CRUEL MURDERESS.
On the 3d of July, 1772, was executed at Lisbon, pursuant to her
sentence, Louisa de Jesus, for the murder of the thirty-three infants,
that were at different times committed to her care by the Directors
of the Foundling Hospital at Coimbra; for which (as appears by the
sentence published) she had no other inducement but six hundred reals
in money, a coverda of baize, and a cradle, that she received with each
of them. She was but twenty-two years of age when executed. Going to
execution, she was pinched with hot irons, and at the gallows her hands
were struck off; she was then strangled, and her body burnt.
BECTIVE ABBEY.
Bective Abbey, the ruins of which form the subject of the annexed
engraving differs in its general arrangement from every other monastic
structure in the kingdom. It was, in fact, a monastic castle, and,
previous to the use of artillery, must have been regarded as a place of
great strength. It is for this reason that we select it as one of our
"Wonderful Things."
[Illustration [++] Bective Abbey.]
The ruins are in the immediate neighbourhood of Trim, and about thirty
miles from Dublin.
The ruins combine a union of ecclesiastical with military and domestic
architecture in a remarkable degree. Their chief feature is a strong
battlemented tower, the lower compartment of which is vaulted, placed
at the south-west corner of the quadrangular space occupied by the
various buildings, and in the centre of which the cloisters remain
in excellent preservation. The cloister arches are late in the first
pointed style, and are cinque-foiled. The featherings are mostly
plain, but several are ornamented with flowers or leaves, and upon
one a hawk-like bird is sculptured. A fillet is worked upon each of
the clustered shafts, by which the openings are divided, and also
upon their capitals. The bases, which are circular, rest upon square
plinths, the angles of which are ornamented with a leaf, as it were,
growing out of the base of the moulding.
Of the church there are scarcely any remains. As the northern wall
of the cloister is pierced with several windows, which have now the
appearance of splaying externally, it is extremely probable that it
also served as the south wall of the church, no other portion of which
can at present be identified. Those buildings which were for the most
part devoted to domestic purposes are for the most part situated upon
the east side of the quadrangle. Their architectural details are of a
character later than those of the tower and of the other portions, but
additions and alterations have evidently been made.
NOVEL MODE OF CELEBRATION.
Upon the occasion of the christening of the 21st child of Mr. Wright,
of Widaker, near Whitehaven, by the same woman, in the year 1767, the
company came from 21 parishes, and the entertainment consisted of 21
pieces of beef, 21 legs of mutton and lamb, 21 gallons of brandy, three
times 21 gallons of strong ale, three times 21 fowls, roasted and
boiled, 21 pies, &c.
ANTIQUE HEAD ORNAMENT.
[Illustration [++] Bronze Head Ornament.]