rack, upon which unfortunates were hung with weights attached to their
ankles. Two such of stone, weighing each fifty pounds, were kept
here some years back, as well as many other implements of torture
since removed or sold for old iron. The raised stone bench around the
room was for the use of the executioner and attendants. The vaulted
roof condensed the voice of the tortured man, and an aperture on one
side gave it freedom to ascend into a room above, where the judicial
listeners waited for the faltering words which succeeded the agonising
screams of their victim.
SEPULCHRAL VASES OF GREEK POTTERY.
The number of these vases deposited in the great public museums of
Europe is very large, and from calculations derived from catalogues,
or from observations made on the spot, may be stated in round numbers
as follows:--The Museo Borbonico, at Naples, contains about 2,100;
the Gregorian Museum in the Vatican, about 1,000; Florence has about
700; and at Turin there are 500. On the side of the Alps, the Imperial
Museum of Vienna possesses about 300; Berlin has 1,690; Munich about
1,700; Dresden, 200; Carlsruhe, 200; the Louvre, at Paris, about
1,500; while 500 more may be found in the Bibliotheque Imperiale.
The British Museum has about 2,600 vases of all kinds. Besides the
public collections, several choice and valuable specimens of ancient
art belong to individuals. The most important of these private
collections are those of the Duc de Luynes, the Duc de Blacas, the
Count de Pourtales-Gorgier, the Jatta collection, that belonging to
M. St. Angela at Naples, and a fine and choice one belonging to the
Marquis Campana at Rome. In England, the collections of Mr. Hope, of
Mr. Jekyll, of the Marquis of Northampton, and of Mr. Hertz, contain
several interesting examples. In addition to these, several thousand
more vases are in the hands of the principal dealers, as S. Barone, of
Naples; and the heirs of S. Basseggio, Capranesi and Messrs. Sotheby,
in London. The total number of vases in public and private collections
probably amounts to 15,000 of all kinds.
[Illustration: [++] Sepulchral Vases.]
All these were discovered in the sepulchres of the ancients, but the
circumstances under which they were found differ according to locality.
In Greece, the graves are generally small, being designed for single
corpses, which accounts for the comparatively small size of the vases
discovered in that country. At Athens, the earlier graves are sunk
deepest in the soil, and those at Corinth, especially such as contain
the early Corinthian vases, are found by boring to a depth of several
feet beneath the surface. The early tombs of Civita Vecchia and Caere,
or Cervetri, in Italy, are tunnelled in the earth; and those at Vulci
and in the Etruscan territory, from which the finest and largest vases
have been extracted, are chambers hewn in the rocks. In Southern
Italy, especially in Campania, they are large chambers, about 5-1/4
palms under the surface.
The engraving on previous page will convey an idea of the manner in
which the vases are arranged round the bodies of the dead in the tombs
of Veii, Nola, and Cumae.
The tomb there represented is constructed of large blocks of stone,
arranged in squared masses, called the Etruscan style of wall, in
contradistinction to the Cyclopean. The walls are painted with
subjects, the body is laid upon the stone floor, and the larger vases,
such as the _oxybapha_ and _craters_ are placed round it. The jugs are
hung upon nails round the walls.
GAMES WITH CARDS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
Cards were used by every one. The game of Gleek was played by three
persons. The dealer dealt twelve cards and left eight on the table for
stock, seven were bought, and the ace turned up for the dealer; if it
was Tiddy (four of trumps) such player gave four to the dealer. The ace
was called Tib, the knave Tim, the fifth Towser, and the sixth Tumbler.
The players then begin bidding for the stock in hopes of bettering
their game, the buyer taking in seven cards and putting out seven. If
Tib was turned up, it counted fifteen to the dealer. The players then
picked for Ruff, the one having most of a suit winning it--unless any
one had four aces, which always carried it. The first then said, "I'll
vie the Ruff;" the next, "I'll see it:" the third, "I'll see it, and
revie it;" the first again, "I'll see your revie;" and the middle,
"I'll not meddle with it." They then showed their cards, and he that
had most of a suit won six of him that held out longest, and forty of
him who said he could see it, and then refused to meddle with it.
Ombre, Basset, Whist, Costly Colours, and Five Cards, were, we believe,
of later introduction. Of our period, are Ruff, Bone, Ace, Pult. The
great game in the West of England was Post and Pair, as All Fours was
in Kent, and Five Cards in Ireland. In Post and Pair, the ace of trumps
was the best card; at Post the best cards were one and two, but a
pair of court cards one. The daring of the game consisted in the vye,
or the adventuring upon the goodness of your hand to intimidate your
antagonist.
RESCUED RELICS.
The following is a list--translated from the original in the chartulary
of the University of Glasgow; of the relics which were carried
away from Glasgow Cathedral, by the Archbishop, before the work of
demolition began, in 1560:--
The image of Christ in gold, and those of the twelve apostles in
silver, with the whole vestments belonging to the church.
A silver cross, gilt in the upper part, and adorned with precious
stones in the lower part, with a small portion of the cross of our
Saviour!
Another silver cross, adorned with precious stones, with several other
portions of the cross of Christ!
A silver casket, gilt, containing the hair of the blessed Virgin!
A square silver coffer, containing several of the scourges of St.
Kentigern, and St. Thomas of Canterbury, and a portion of the hair
garment worn by the former saint!!
Another silver casket, gilt, containing part of the skin of
Bartholomew, the apostle!!
A silver casket containing a bone of St. Ninian!
A silver casket, containing part of the girdle of the Virgin Mary!!
A crystal case, containing a bone of some saint and of St. Magdalene!!
A small vial of crystal, containing the milk of the blessed Virgin, and
part of the manger of Christ!!!
A small phial of a saffron colour, containing the fluid which formerly
flowed from the tomb of St. Mungo!
A phial, containing several of the bones of St. Eugene, and of St.
Blaze!
A phial, containing a part of the tomb of St. Catherine the virgin!
A small hide, with a portion of the cloak of St. Martin!
A precious hide, with portions of the bodies of St. Kentigern and St.
Thomas of Canterbury!!
Some other hides, with bones of saints and other relics!
A wooden chest, containing many small relics!
Two linen bags, with the bones of St. Kentigern, St. Thanew, and other
deceased saints!!
PAPER.
With respect to the paper now in use, Dr. Blair says, the first
paper-mill (in England, we suppose) was erected at Dartford, in the
year 1588, by a German of the name of Speillman; from which period we
may, perhaps, date its manufacture in this country.
It appears, however, that it was known in the East much earlier; it
being observed that most of the ancient manuscripts in Arabic and other
Oriental languages, were written upon cotton paper, and it is thought
the Saracens first introduced it into Spain.
Anderson, in his "History of Commerce," says that, till the year 1690,
there was scarcely any paper made in England but the coarse brown
sort. Paper was previously imported from France, Genoa, and Holland.
However, the improvement of this article in England, in consequence of
the French war, produced a saving to the country of L100,000 annually,
which had been paid to France for paper alone.
LOTTERIES.
If the antiquity of a practice could justify its existence, lotteries
might claim peculiar reverence. The Romans, we are told, used to
enliven their Saturnalia with them, by distributing tickets, all of
which gained some prize. Augustus instituted lotteries, that consisted,
however, of things of little value. Nero also established lotteries,
for the people, in which 1,000 tickets were daily distributed, and
several of those who were favoured by fortune got rich by them. The
first lottery of which we find any record in our annals, was in the
year 1659, which, according to Stow, consisted of 40,000 lots, at 10s.
each. The prizes were plated; and the profits were to be applied to
the purpose of repairing the havens of the kingdom. This lottery was
drawn at the west door of St. Paul's cathedral; and began on the 11th
July, 1569, and continued incessantly, day and night, till the 6th May
following. The tickets were three years in being disposed of. In the
year 1612, King James granted a lottery to promote the plantation of
English colonies in Virginia, which was also drawn at St. Paul's.
TEMPLE AT SIMONBONG.
[Illustration: [++] Lepcha Temple at Simonbong.]
The above is a correct representation of the great Lepcha temple at
Simonbong, in Sikkim, a district of India near Thibet. We take the
following account of it from the Journal of Dr. Hooker, who visited it
in 1848:--"Simonbong is one of the smallest and poorest goompas, or
temples, in Sikkim, being built of wood only. It consists of one large
room, raised on a stone foundation, with small sliding shutter windows,
and roofed with shingles of wood; opposite the door a wooden altar was
placed, rudely chequered with black, white, and red; to the right and
left were shelves, with a few Tibetan books, wrapped in silk; a model
of Symbonath temple in Nepal, a praying-cylinder, and some implements
for common purposes, bags of juniper, English wine-bottles and glasses,
with tufts of _Abies Webbina_, rhododendron flowers, and peacock's
feathers, besides various trifles, clay ornaments and offerings, and
little Hindoo idols. On the altar were ranged seven little brass cups,
full of water; a large conch-shell, carved with the sacred lotus; a
brass jug from Lhassa, of beautiful design, and a human thigh-bone,
hollow, and perforated through both condyles.
"Facing the altar was a bench and a chair, and on one side a huge
tambourine, with two curved iron drumsticks. The bench was covered with
bells, handsomely carved with idols, and censers with juniper-ashes;
and on it lay the _dorge_, or double-headed thunderbolt. Of all these
articles, the human thigh-bone is by much the most curious; it is very
often that of a Lama, and is valuable in proportion to its length.
As, however, the Sikkim Lamas are burned, these relics are generally
procured from Tibet, where the corpses are cut in pieces and thrown to
the kites, or thrown into the water."
IMPLEMENTS USED IN BUDDHIST TEMPLES.
[Illustration: [++] Implements Used in Buddhist Temples.]
The above sketch places before us the implements generally used in the
Buddhist temples of India:--a praying cylinder in stand, another to be
carried in the hand, cymbals, bell, brass cup, three trumpets (one of
them made of a human thigh-bone), conch, and dorje, or double-headed
thunderbolt, which the Lama, or high-priest, holds in his hand during
service. The praying cylinder is made to revolve by means of an axle
and string, and a projecting piece of iron strikes a little bell at
each revolution. Within such cylinders are deposited written prayers,
and whoever pulls the string properly is considered to have said his
prayers as often as the bell rings. The worshippers, on entering the
temple, walk up to the altar, and, before or after having deposited
their gifts, they lift both hands to the forehead, fall on their
knees, and touch the ground three times with head and hands. They then
advance to the head Lama, _kotow_ similarly to him, and he blesses
them, laying both hands on their heads, and repeating a short formula.
Sometimes the dorje is used in blessing, as the cross is in Europe,
and when a number of people request a benediction, the Lama pronounces
it from the door of the temple with outstretched arms, the people all
being prostrate, with their foreheads touching the ground.
PROCLAMATION FOR THE PERSON OF GEORGE II.
On the young Pretender landing in Scotland, Government issued a
proclamation, offering a reward of L30,000 for his head, alive or dead.
In opposition to this, the following curious paper was issued by the
Prince and his council, which, Mr. Beloe says, "is so rare, that I
never heard of any other than that which accident lately deposited in
the British Museum."
"Charles, Prince of Wales, &c.
Regent of the Kingdoms of Scotland, France, and Ireland, and the
Dominions thereunto belonging,
Whereas, we have seen a certain scandalous and malicious paper,
published in the style and form of a proclamation, bearing date the 1st
instant, wherein, under pretence of bringing us to justice, like our
Royal Ancestor, King Charles I. of blessed memory, there is a reward of
L30,000 sterling promised to those who shall deliver us into the hands
of our enemies, we could not but be moved with a just indignation at
so insolent an attempt; and though, from our nature and principles,
we abhor and detest a practice so unusual among Christian Princes, we
cannot but, out of just regard to the dignity of our person, promise a
like reward of L30,000 sterling to him, or those, who shall seize and
secure till our further orders, the person of the Elector of Hanover,
whether landed, or attempting to land, in any part of his Majesty's
dominions. Should any fatal accident happen from hence, let the blame
be entirely at the door of those who first set the infamous example.
"CHARLES, P. R.
"Given at our Camp, at Kinlockeill, August 22, 1745.
"By his Highness's Command.
"JOHN MURRAY."
DOGS IN JAPAN.
Dogs or common curs they have, and in superfluous numbers. These
dogs are as much the pest of the towns of Japan as they are of
Constantinople and the other foul cities and towns of the Ottoman
Empire. This vast increase of the canine species, and the encouragement
and immunity accorded to it, arose (according to the popular account)
out of a curious superstition and an extravagant imperial decree. An
Emperor who reigned at the close of the eighteenth century chanced to
be born under the Sign of the Dog, the Dog being one of the twelve
celestial signs of the Japanese Zodiac. For this reason the Emperor had
as great an esteem for dogs as the Roman Emperor Augustus is reported
to have entertained for rams. When he ascended the throne, he willed
and ordained that dogs should be held as sacred animals; and, from
that time, more puppies saw the light, and were permitted to live in
Japan than in any other country on the face of the earth, Turkey,
perhaps, excepted. These dogs have no masters, but lie and prowl
about the streets, to the exceeding great annoyance of passengers,
especially if they happen to be foreign travellers, or Christians in
Christian dresses. If they come round you in packs, barking, snarling,
and showing their teeth; nay, even if they fall upon you and bite you,
you must on no account take the law into your own hands, and beat them
off or shoot them. To kill one of them is a capital crime, whatever
mischief the brute may have done you. In every town there are Guardians
of the Dogs, and to these officers notice must be given in case of any
canine misdemeanour, these guardians alone being empowered to punish
the dogs. Every street must keep a certain number of these animals,
or at least provide them with victuals; huts, or dog-hospitals,
stand in all parts of the town, and to these the animals, in case of
sickness, must be carefully conveyed by the inhabitants. The dogs that
die must be brought up to the tops of mountains and hills, the usual
burying-places of men and women, and there be very decently interred.
Old Kaempfer says:--"The natives tell a pleasant tale on this head. A
Japanese, as he was carrying the carcase of a dead dog to the top of
a steep mountain, grew impatient, grumbled, and cursed the Emperor's
birthday and whimsical command. His companion bid him hold his tongue
and be quiet, and, instead of swearing, return thanks to the gods that
the Emperor was not born under the Sign of the Horse, for, in that
case, the load would be heavier."
LAGMI, AND THE USE MADE OF IT.
Mohammed, we are told, prohibited the use of wine, owing to a drunken
quarrel among the chiefs of his army, which produced great disorder
and confusion in his affairs, and almost caused the prophet's death in
one of his daring military engagements. He, therefore, addressed his
followers in these words: "The devil desires to sow dissensions among
you, through wine and games of chance, to divert you from remembering
God, and praying to him. Abandon wine and games of chance. Be obedient
to God and the prophet, his apostle, and take heed unto yourselves."
But the prophet, who could so minutely delineate the furniture of
heaven, and the instruments of torture of hell--who could describe the
mysterious occurrences before the creation was formed into its present
shape, and predict stupendous events to happen in thousands of years
to come--could not forsee that man would stupify himself by any other
beverages besides "wine." The believers in the Koran at Tozar, a city
near the Great Desert, in Africa, certainly abstain from wine, and thus
obey the prophet's precept, but then they indulge freely in _lagmi_,
or the juice of the palm-tree, which, when fermented, is as pernicious
in its effect, when taken in excess, as the wine possibly can be. This
juice is easily obtained, and more easily still prepared. An incision
is made in the tree, just beneath the branches, and a jar so fastened
that it receives every drop of liquid flowing out. During a night they
procure from a tree "in a producing condition" (in which it is not
always) from a quart to three pints of _lagmi_. When drunk immediately
it tastes like _genuine_ rich milk, and is perfectly harmless; but
when allowed to stand one night, or, at most, twenty-four hours, it
partakes (with the exception of the colour, which is whitish,) of the
quality and flavour of champagne, and that of a far superior sort than
is usually offered in the British markets. This date-tree wine, (for so
it may be called,) procured at so little trouble and expense, is to be
found in every house, and has its victims reeling through the streets
of Tozar, just as the stupifying porter has in the streets of English
cities. But the curious part in connexion with this is, that "the
faithful" persist in their justification that they do not transgress
their prophet's precept! "_Lagmi_ is not wine," they say, "and the
prophet's prohibition refers to wine."
ANGLO-SAXON UMBRELLA.
[Illustration: [++] Anglo-Saxon Umbrella.]
In Anglo-Saxon times the traveller always wore a covering for his
head, which, though in various shapes, in no instance resembled our
hat, though it was characterised by the general term _haet_. He seems
to have been further protected against the inclemency of the weather
by a cloak or (_mentel_). One would be led to suppose that this outer
garment was more varied in form and material than any other part
of the dress from the great number of names which we find applied
to it, such as--_basing_, _haecce_, _haecla_, or _hacela_, _poell_,
_pylca_, _scyccels_, _waefels_, &c. The writings which remain throw no
light upon the provisions made by travellers against rain; for the
dictionary makers who give _scur-scead_ (shower-shade) as signifying
an umbrella are certainly mistaken. Yet that umbrellas were known to
the Anglo-Saxons is proved beyond a doubt by a figure in the Harleian
MSS. which we have engraved above. A servant or attendant is holding an
umbrella over the head of a man who appears to be covered at the same
time with the cloak or mantle.
THE HEJIRA.
The Hejira, Hegira, or Hejra. The flight of Mohammed from Mecca to
Medina is the epoch of the Mohammedan nations. Omar, the second Caliph,
instituted the Hegira in imitation of the Christians, who counted their
years from their persecution by Diocletian, (A.D. 284,) and who called
it the era of the martyrs. Thus the Mohammedans wished to commence
their calculation of time from the period of the most memorable
persecution they had suffered. The learned Mohammedan astronomers have
been divided in opinion on the exact year of the Christians which
corresponds with the Hegira. But the generality of writers place
this epoch on Friday, the 16th of July, A.D. 622. The ancient Arabs
counted time by solar months; these months always returned in the same
season, and their names correspond with the employments which the
seasons rendered necessary. Since the epoch of the Hegira was fixed the
Mohammedans count time by lunar months, the Arabian year consisting of
354 days, eight hours, and forty-eight minutes. The intercalary days
are adjusted by a cycle of thirty lunar years, of which nineteen are
of 354 days, and eleven of 355 days. The years of excess are in the
following order:--2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 18, 21, 24, 26, 29.
CHINESE PAILOOS.
[Illustration: [++] Chinese Pailoos.]
The Pailoos, or, as they are commonly but erroneously called, triumphal
arches, form an object of Chinese architecture which, from its constant
recurrence in views of Chinese scenery, is almost as familiar to us
as the pagoda. They are, in fact, monuments to deceased persons of
distinction, generally of widows who have not married a second time,
or of virgins who have died unmarried. The smaller and less important
ones consist merely of two upright posts of wood or granite, supporting
a flat board with an inscription, like, both in purpose and design, to
the wooden rails which are used as substitutes for tombstones in some
districts in England. The more important Pailoos have three openings,
supported by several boards, with more or less ornament and carving.
Sometimes they are wholly of wood; in others no material is used but
stone, generally granite; and these two materials are combined in
various proportions in other examples. Sometimes they are raised on
platforms as in the annexed example, from a peculiarly graceful one
near Canton.
At other times they are placed on the ground, and even across roads,
so as to form arches, if they may be called, though certainly not
triumphal ones.
REMARKABLE GROTTO, AND STORY CONNECTED WITH IT.