Immagini della pagina
PDF
ePub

with some straggling leaves, but there was so much inflammable matter in the place, that Truth had but just time to make her escape with a few small vo lumes.

The library was burnt, and the librarian too. The emperor came to look at the conflagration, and said with a satirical smile, "It is pleasant enough to see a library in flames." His satisfaction was the more sincere, since there had always been in India, a secret hostility between books and emperors.

The vizir hastened to outlaw his victim who had thus effected her escape. In the morning the procla mation for that purpose was affixed to the public buildings. This dispatch need not be deemed surprising, for, in every chancery in the universe, there are always forms of proscription in readiness against poor Truth.

At day break the unfortunate fugitive found herself beyond the walls of the city, near a neat little house, which was surrounded by a small garden: it was the residence of the sage Pilpay*. She entered it without apprehension, declared who she was, and demanded an asylum.

This frankness pleases me," said the sage, in reply, but it makes me tremble for you. If you should be recognized, nothing can save you: follow me!" They ascended a large gallery, which formed the upper story of the house.

Here were arranged in order the skins of all animals, the rind of every tree, the coverings of all sorts of beings. It might be seen at once that it was the repository of a fabulist. Pilpay, having shewn it to Truth, thus addressed her

"Since you can neither hide yourself, nor be silent, you had better assume a disguise. I can make you enter, at will, into all the figures you see here, which shall thereupon be instantly animated. You shall speak under these new forms, and you shall, without danger, reproach even the vizir himself with his crimes.'

Pilpay, or Bidpay, an Indian philosopher and fabulist, became minister to Dabschelim, and was in high reputa tion in the east.

[blocks in formation]

Truth accepted the proposal, and was not ungrateful. The genius of her deliverer, inspired by her, ilkuminated all Hindostan. The yisir was deposed, and Pilpay appointed in his room. He arrived to an ex treme old age, surrounded by the blessings of the people; for Asia has no balm so powerful to prolong life, as the habit of doing good.

Au instance of such high fortune, gave birth to a crowd of imitators, and the ambitious wished to share with philosophers the labours of Pilpay; but Truth, who penetrated their views, continued to conceal herself in the works of the wise, and consigned the rest to the phrenzy of their imaginations.

The imitators of fables found themselves thus di: vided into two very different classes, of whom one wished to instruct with gentleness, and the other to prevail at any rate. It will be rendering a great service to mankind, to teach them by what traits they may distinguish them.

The latter assemble the multitude, and cry out to them from an elevated place, "Slaves of Brahma, be lieve or perish, for what we are about to deliver to you is the Truth." Then they relate to them extra. vagant fables, which render the auditors either impostors or madmen.

The former, with a mild voice, and affable counteDance, invite the traveller to stop, saying to him, "Friend, if thou art alive to mirth, laugh a moment with us. What we are going to relate is only a fable.” But the gay narrative conveys wholesome truth to the mind, and he who listens becomes better while he is amused.

ተ+ተ

TO THE EDITOR OF THE POCKET MAGAZINE. SIR,-The following may perhaps be acceptable to some of your readers, and may tend to effect an important object-creating more labour for our industrious poor.

11 Oct. 1820.

I am, &c.

BENJ. WILLS.

A FIELD of seven acres, situated in the county of Surrey, was, in the last year, prepared for barley, by the spade. The labourers employed earned in the

winter at the rate of fifteen shillings per week-two pence per rod being given for digging; and the proprietor considers that it would have cost him double the expence if he had had it ploughed.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

King's Head, Poultry, London, Dec. 1820. IN our community, while the wants of the lower, are found stimulating the other classes to afford the necessary redress, the relations of civil society are preserved, and our tranquillity insured.

The Provisional Committee having these objects ever in view, through its numerous correspondence, has appreciated, under the present circumstances of manufactures, and the great and valuable improvements in machinery, that the cultivation of the soil offers the most efficacious relief. In attempting primarily to accomplish the regeneration of the condition of our agricultural labourers, the following has been demonstrated to be decidedly preferable;-That portions of land, in proportion to their families, should be supplied to agricultural labourers for a term of years, such lands to be inalienable, on which themselves and their families may employ their leisure hours.— Also, that a very considerable additional use of spade husbandry having been proved profitable to employers, and at the same time, by the encreased wages hereby earned, affording additional resources to the labourer, it is desirable that the same be generally recommended.

For the relief of the labourers hitherto engaged in manufactures, comprehending artisans and all others, it appears that parcels of land, usually waste lands, should be obtained, on which cottages and suitable buildings should be erected, by which persons unable to earn subsistence should be employed, under suitable superintendence; and that such should be supplied

?

with small portions of land for their own cultivation during leisure hours.

[ocr errors]

By these means will our industrious fellow-subjects be assisted in their exertions to regain their independant standing in British community-the rising race suitably employed-an enormous burthen of poor's rates removed-moral conduct and patriotism promoted, and crimes prevented. Thus restoring the bonds of our society, and re-establishing, under Divine Providence, the security of the land.

To accomplish the above, it is proposed, that a Bill be introduced, pursuant to a petition already presented to the House of Commons, and lying on its table; and that County Meetings be recommended to facilitate the same.

BENJAMIN WILLS, Hon. Sec.

PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE, &c.

A BILL being contemplated to be laid before the Legislature for the amelioration of the condition of the labouring community, and multiplying employment, through the culture of the soil; for the purpose of producing the most universal co-operation, the exhibition of opinions and facts is considered desirable. The essential importance of supplying agricultural labourers, in proportion to their families, (the man with several children to have sufficient for a cow,) with small portions of land, for the cultivation of their leisure hours, is proved by the example of individuals, of parishes, and even of counties, wherein the practice has tended to encourage industry; the promotion of moral conduct; furnishing a most suitable employment to the rising race; the repression of poor's rates; and the prevention of crimes. The object of supplying cottagers with land had been provided for by the statute of Elizabeth, and a special commission for its enforcement was appointed under Charles I. For our manufacturing population, the great and valuable improvements in machinery necessarily displacing such a considerable body from their accustomed employments, or involving the necessity of a

partial occupation of time, the cultivation of land, principally waste land, to be obtained, as near as possible, will afford the most advantageous and perma

nent resource.

While to the Legislature of the country we submit these important measures, the following information will not be considered uninteresting. A benevolent society has been established in Holland, having for its object the formation of colonies in the northern provinces; Prince Frederick, the king's second son, being the patron. Accounts have appeared in some Dutch paper, that lands have been purchased on the borders of the Overyssel, and necessary materials for building collected; the funds necessary for which have been raised by charitable association-and that with a view of extending the operation of the scheme, numerous sub-committees have been appointed in different towns, &c.

BENJAMIN WILLS, Hon. Sec.

King's Head, Poultry, Nov. 1820.

NOTES ON THE UNITED STATES.

BY AN AMERICAN.

BETWEEN the high colouring of exaggeration and the dark shade of detraction, it may be difficult to discern the truth in what relates to America. Not only the manners, which travellers estimate, as usual, bý comparison with their own, have been exalted by some to the innocence of paradise, and degraded by others to the corruptions of a brothel; but things which admit of more easy and accurate information, even the soil and climate, have been represented as variously as the temper, genius, and manners of the people.

"I am sorry, Sir, you kept such bad company in Spain," said a gentleman in Paris to one who indulged himself in the ridicule of Spanish customs. This flippant reply might be made to certain descriptions of American society, which border on caricature. But instead of resorting to repartee, which would here be misplaced, it seems proper to remark, that when strangers undertake to delineate the character of a

« IndietroContinua »