some of the authorities say that each of these stones is eighteen yards, or fifty-four feet in length. If this be correct, the bridge is one of the most wonderful structures ever erected by man. This bridge is decorated with fantastic ornaments of the same dark-coloured stone as that which forms the roadway; and there is a fortified castle in the middle of it. Opposite this province," the island of Formosa lies, like a great breakwater, a defence for the coast."

A portion of the province of Che-keang, which lies along the sea-shore to the northward of Fuh-keen, is accounted, by the Chinese, the paradise of their country. The capital of this district is Hang-chowfoo, estimated to be twelve miles in circumference, independently of the suburbs, and containing a population equal to that of London. This extent is in no way connected with the imperial residence, (the general cause of the prosperity of Chinese cities,) or with any other circumstance liable to be changed; but upon the physical resources of China, and the industry of a vast number of its population. All accounts concur in describing Hangchow-foo as a delightful city in its situation and ornamental buildings. "The shops are represented as being magnificent, often with more than a dozen attendants in a single shop," a number greatly exceeded by our metropolitan haberdashers and silkmercers. This city is a grand depôt for British merchandise, whence it is largely sent to all parts of the empire, more especially to the cold northern countries, where English broad-cloths are winter luxuries. Here are many triumphal arches, enriched with very durable stucco ornaments. A beautiful crystal lake, and its banks, planted with the choicest flowers and shrubs, are laid out for the recreation of the citizens, so as to "render the surface all beauty to the eye, and the air, as it plays gently between the land and water, all essence to the smell." The woods and groves in the neighbouring hills abound with camphor-trees, tallow-trees, and the Chinese arbor vitæ, in delightful contrasts of bright green, purple, and deep green. The green-tea district lies partly in this province; silk-worms are bred here in great numbers; and the sugar-cane and orangetree abound. Altogether, this is as delightful a country as can well be imagined. (To be concluded in our next.)

Periodicals.

THE TOWER OF LONDON. BY W. H. AINSWORTH, ESQ.-PARTS IV. AND V.

[IN the first of the above Parts of this very attractive Romance, an extra sheet

is given, to compensate for the deficiency in Part II. The illustrations continue to be very striking, more especially that of "Jane imprisoned in the Brick Tower." In Part V., the promise of deep and thrilling interest and vivid portraiture which the early chapters held out, is ably fulfilled; and we consider the work to be progressively adding a new interest to the Tower itself. Indeed, we venture to predict that Mr. Ainsworth will, eventually, accomplish for our own time-worn citadel what Victor Hugo has done for Nôtre Dame. The gardien who at present exhibits the antiquities of that venerable cathedral, is occupied solely with details of the localities and events described in the romance of the same name, heedless of any historical data. In this respect, "the Tower of London" has a decided advantage: for, whilst the romantic portion is sustained with the author's usual vigour and ability, the main plot is cleverly interwoven with the annals of our country; besides which, we have, in the present number, an excellent historical précis of the Tower, replete with antiquarian lore; in the opening page of which, however, the overseer of the foundation is stated to have been "Gundulph, Bishop of Exeter," instead of "Rochester." The following passage is very picturesque.]

Viewed from the summit of the White Tower, especially on the west, the fortress still offers a striking picture. In the middle of the sixteenth century, when its outer ramparts were strongly fortifiedwhen the gleam of corslet and pike was reflected upon the dark waters of its moat

when the inner ballium walls were entire and unbroken, and its thirteen towers reared their embattled fronts-when within each of those towers state prisoners were immured-when its drawbridges were constantly raised, and its gates closed-when its palace still lodged a sovereign-when councils were held within its chambers-when its secret dungeons were crowded-when Tower Hill boasted a scaffold, and its soil was dyed with the richest and best blood of the land-when it numbered among its inferior officers, jailors, torturers, and an executioner— when all its terrible machinery was in readiness, and could be called into play at a moment's notice-when the steps of Traitor's Gate were worn by the feet of those who ascended them-when, on whichever side the gazer looked, the same stern prospect was presented-the palace, the fortress, the prison,-a triple conjunction of fearful significance when each

It is not too much to infer the publication of this Romance to have been one of the causes of the recent increase of visitors to "the Tower of London."

structure had dark secrets to concealwhen beneath all these ramparts, towers, and bulwarks, were subterranean passages and dungeons-then, indeed, it presented a striking picture both to the eye and mind.

[The whole of the chapter detailing the execution of the Duke of Northumberland is terrifically graphic. Here is a fearful sketch of the headsman.]

As they drew near, they heard the shrill sound produced by the sharpening of some steel instrument. Smiling significantly at Gunnora, Renard, instead of opening the door, proceeded to a narrow loop-hole, and looked in. He beheld a savage-looking individual seated on a bench near a grindstone. He had an axe in one hand, which he had just been sharpening, and was trying its edge with his thumb. His fierce bloodshot eyes, peering from beneath his bent and bushy brows, were fixed upon the weapon. His dress consisted of a doublet of red serge, with tight black sleeves, and hose of the same colour. His brow was lowering and wrinkled-the summit of his head perfectly bald, but the sides were garnished with long black locks, which together with his immense grizzled moustaches, bristling like the whiskers of a cat

a-mountain, and ragged beard, imparted a wild and forbidding look to his physiognomy. Near him rested a square, solid piece of wood, hollowed out on either side to admit the shoulder and head of the person laid upon it. This was the block. Had Renard not known whom he beheld, instinct would have told him it was the headsman.

[Again, of the execution:]

The last night of his existence was passed by the Duke of Northumberland in a most miserable manner. Alternately buoyed up by hope, and depressed by fear, he could neither calm his agitation nor decide upon any line of conduct. Allowed, as a matter of indulgence, to remain within the large room, he occupied himself in putting the finishing touches to a carving on the wall, which he had commenced on his first imprisonment, and had wrought at at intervals. This curious sculpture may still be seen on the right hand of the fireplace of the mess-room in the Beauchamp Tower, and contains his cognizance, a bear and lion supporting a ragged staff surrounded by a border of roses, acorns, and flowers, intermingled with foliage.

Northumberland was employed upon the third line of the quatrain below his name, which remains unfinished to the present day, when he was interrupted by the entrance of a priest, sent to him by Gardiner. The holy man found him in no very favourable frame of mind, but succeeded, after some time, in awakening him to a due sense of his awful situation. The Duke then made a full confession of his guilt, and received his shrift. At daybreak, the priest departed, with a promise to attend him to the place of execution.

Much tranquillized, the Duke now prepared himself for his last trial. He pondered over what he should say on the scaffold, and nerved himself to meet his fate, whatever it might be. The Earl of Warwick was then introduced to him to receive his blessing, and to take an everlasting farewell. After he had received the Duke's embrace, the Earl observed, "Would I could change places with you, father. I would say that on the scaffold which would shake the bigot Mary on the throne."

The Duke then partook of some refreshment, and wrapped himself in a loose robe of grain-coloured damask. At eight o'clock, the sheriffs of London arrived at the Bulwark Gate, and demanded the body of the prisoner. Upon this, the lieutenant, accompanied by four warders, proceeded to the Beauchamp Tower, and informed the Duke that all was in readiness.

"I am ready, too," replied Northumberland, once more embracing his son, whose firmness did not desert him at this trying juncture; and he followed the lieutenant to the Green. Here they found the priest, and a band of halberdiers waiting to escort him to the scaffold. Among the by-standers stood Simon Renard, who immediately advanced towards him.

"How fares your Grace?" he asked. "Well enough, sir, I thank you," answered the Duke, bowing. "I shall be better anon."

The train then set forward, passing through lines of spectators, until it reached the Middle Tower, where it halted, to allow the lieutenant to deliver the prisoner to the sheriffs and their officers. ceremony over, it again set forward, and passed through the Bulwark Gate.

This

Prepared as the Duke was for some extraordinary sight, he was yet taken completely by surprise. The whole area of Tower Hill seemed literally paved with human heads. A line of scaffoldings was erected on the brink of the moat, and every seat in them was occupied. Never before had so vast an assemblage been collected in the same place. The whole

of the western ramparts of the fortressthe roof and battlements of the White Tower-every point from which a view of the spectacle could be obtained, was thronged. On the Duke's appearance, a murmur of satisfaction pervaded the immense host, and he then felt that, even if the Queen's pardon should arrive, his personal safety was more than questionable.

Preceded by a band of arquebusiers, armed with calivers, and attended by the sheriffs, the priest, and Simon Renard, Northumberland marched slowly forward. At length he reached the scaffold. It was surrounded by seats, set aside for persons of distinction; and among its occupants were many of his former friends and allies. Avoiding their gaze, the Duke mounted the scaffold with a firm foot; but the sight of the vast concourse from this elevated point almost unmanned him. As he looked around, another murmur arose, and the mob undulated like the ocean. Near the block stood Mauger, leaning on his axe; his features concealed by a hideous black mask. On the Duke's appearance, he fell on his knees, and, according to custom, demanded forgiveness, which was granted. Throwing aside his robe, the Duke then advanced to the side of the scaffold, and, leaning over the eastern rail, thus addressed the assemblage :

"Good people. I am come hither this day to die, as ye know. Indeed, I confess to you all that I have been an evil liver, and have done wickedly all the days of my life; and, of all, most against the Queen's highness, of whom I here openly ask forgiveness," and he reverentially bent the knee. "But I alone am not the original doer thereof, I assure you, for there were some others who procured the same. But I will not name them, for I will now hurt no man. And the chief occasion that I have erred from the Catholic faith and true doctrine of Christ, has been through false and seditious preachers. The doctrine, I mean, which has continued through all Christendom since Christ. For, good people, there is, and hath been ever since Christ, one Catholic church; which church hath continued from Him to his disciples in one unity and concord, and so hath always continued from time to time until this day, and yet doth throughout all Christendom, ourselves alone excepted. Of this church I openly profess myself to be one, and do steadfastly believe therein. I speak unfeignedly from the bottom of my heart. And I beseech you all bear witness that I die therein. Moreover, I do think, if I had had this belief sooner, I never should have come to this pass: wherefore hort you all, good people, take example of me, and forsake this new doctrine be

ex

times. Defer it not long, lest God plague you as He hath me, who now suffer this vile death most deservedly."

Concluding by desiring the prayers of the assemblage, he returned slowly, and fixing an inquiring look upon Renard, who was standing with his arms folded upon his breast, near the block, said, in a low tone, "It comes not."

"It is not yet time," replied Renard.

The Duke was about to kneel down, when he perceived a stir amid the mob in front of the scaffold, occasioned by some one waving a handkerchief to him. Thinking it was the signal of a pardon, he paused. But he was speedily undeceived. A second glance shewed him that the handkerchief was waved by Gunnora, and was spotted with blood.

Casting one glance of the bitterest anguish at Renard, he then prostrated himself, and the executioner at the same moment raised his hand. As soon as the Duke had disposed himself upon the block, the axe flashed like a gleam of lightning in the sunshine,-descended, and the head was severed from the trunk.

Seizing it with his left hand, Mauger held it aloft, almost before the eyes were closed, crying out to the assemblage, in a loud voice," Behold the head of a traitor!"

Amid the murmur produced by the released respiration of the multitude, a loud shriek was heard, and a cry followed that an old woman had suddenly expired. The report was true. It was Gunnora Braose.

[Cruikshank's plates are, "Mauger sharpening the Axe," a finely-wrought scene; "The Duke renouncing the Protestant religion;""The Execution upon Tower Hill," surprisingly elaborate we have never seen so great a multitude of figures, in one plate, worked out with more minuteness. The wood-cuts, too, are cleverly drawn, and liberally distributed.]

Obituary.

ON April 25, at Sceaux, aged fifty-eight, M. Poisson, President of the French Academy of Sciences, one of the most able mathematicians of modern times. M. Poisson was a native of Pithiviers. On the formation of the Normal School, in 1811, he was appointed a Professor of Mechanics; and, in 1818, he was chosen one of the members of the Board established to examine candidates to fill the drawing and mathematical masterships at the schools of Metz, Douay, and Vaserne. In 1811, M. Poisson published, in two volumes, a Treatise on Mechanics, which enjoys high repute. He was a peer of France, member of the Board of Longitude and of the Council of Public Instruction, Senior of the

Faculty of Sciences, and Commander of the Legion of Honour; and member of all the learned societies of Europe. It is stated in the Athenæum, that, at the moment of his death, M. Poisson "was engaged on the proofs of a great work, to which he was anxious to have put the finishing hand.”

Varieties.

Hampton Court.-Not having visited this interesting palace under the new regulations for the gratuitous admission of the public, we were unaware that Wolsey's Hall is still an aula clausa; but, we are happy to find that, on the suggestion of Mr. Ewart, in Parliament, this noble apartment will shortly be re-opened. To shew Hampton Court Palace without Wolsey's Hall, reminds one of Hamlet with the principal character omitted.

The Queen's Marriage. The fittings of the Chapel Royal, and other parts of St. James's Palace, and miscellaneous expenses connected with the marriage, amounted to £9,226.

British Museum.-The sum of £25,250 has been voted by Parliament for the works and fittings of the new buildings at the British Museum. It is calculated that the completion of the new buildings will cost from £250,000 to £260,000, and occupy five years. The sooner the works are completed, the better; for collections of great value are in danger of perishing, for want of proper places in which to deposit them.".

Holyrood.-The Duke of Hamilton has opened Holyrood House to the public free of expense.Mr. Hume, in Parliament. [This is an example of liberality, which we should like to see followed at Blenheim, and elsewhere.]

April Temperature.-The greatest heat of the sun last summer, was on June 18, when the mercury reached 111° Fahr. On Saturday, April 25, last, it was as high as 1140. On the 28th, the thermometer reached 75° in the shade, and 113° in the sun. By the register kept at the Reading Philosophical Institution, in the last week of April, the thermometer reached 76° in the shade, and the amount of rain was the smallest noted since the establishment of the Institution: a mere decimal fraction of the 100th part of an inch; and this in the month of April! A very fine meteor was seen on the evening of Wednesday, April 29, at a little before eight o'clock, rushing from the N.W. to the East: although quite daylight, the brilliancy of its light was intense.Reading Mercury.

Great Western Railway.-The entire line will be opened in the middle of next year.

Handel.-At the concert of Ancient Music, on April 29, Lablache sang a song, by Handel, after a lapse of 120 years; it having been a portion of the opera of Berenice, which was first performed in

Calculation.-A few evenings since, Mr. Wakley inquired, in the House of Commons, whether Mr. Babbage's Calculating Machine was likely to be of any use to the public; upon which Sir Robert Peel felicitously remarked, that "the machine should be put to calculate the time at which it would be of any use." (Hear, and a laugh.) To ourselves, it appears, that, from the sums already advanced for this machine, and its present incompleteness, some parties are strangely "out in their reckoning."

Public Libraries.-During last week, Mr. Ewart, one of the few literary members of Parliament, complained of the great want of public libraries, as contrasted with the cities on the Continent; and suggested the establishment of various public libraries throughout the metropolis. To this observation, no reply was immediately made; but, in the course of the same evening, Lord John Russell observed, that "he thought very favourably of the plan of availing themselves of the duplicate copies of books which existed at the British Museum, for the formation of additional reading-rooms in different parts of the town, to enable studious persons to prosecute their researches with advantage." We hope to see this excellent suggestion followed up.

[Since the above was written, an announcement has appeared in the Times, of a plan for a subscrip tion institution, to be denominated the London Library; which shall present advantages offered by no establishment of the kind in the metropolis. The project has been taken up by "many persons of high station in society, as well as in the literary, scientific, and political world;" as also by the leading publishers in London; and we need scarcely add, that it must receive the advocacy of every journalist in the empire; the subject being, as well observed in the Times, "one which comes home in so direct a manner to the daily comfort and enjoyment of those who cultivate letters, whether as a luxury or a more grave pursuit." We are among those persons who have ever considered the library of the British Museum to have been strangely overrated in its advantages to men of letters: the condition of consulting authorities "on the spot," imposes the labour of notes and transcripts, the majority of which, upon the student reaching home, may prove useless; for, it will scarcely be urged, that any work of research can be perfected among "such crowds as elbow each other in the reading-rooms of the British Museum;" so that "a writer engaged with subjects of complex detail, who has frequent occasion for recurring to printed and voluminous authorities, finds little or no assistance from this boasted, unwieldy, and unaccommodating institution." How often have we smiled at the miscalculation of persons upon the benefit of this "national establishment" to the working author, who has not the good fortune to own many superficial yards of library, and has many less of books. The great point is to be allowed to carry the books to your own home; and such we take to be the main object contemplated by the Circulating new institution. libraries, we know, from experience of nearly every one of considerable extent in the metropolis, are comparatively useless for the works of reference which they contain. They are available for "new books," but, of these, chiefly trumpery novels and wire-drawn, gossiping books of travels; and, to shew the calibre of the minds of the subscribers to these establishments, if you chance to require a "popular novel," you will be less likely to obtain it than a sterling work. Again, the greater portion of the standard works "in the catalogue"-non est inventus. To literary men especially, and to the educated public, the success of the London Library will be very gratifying; and, peculiarly so to ourselves, who, twenty years since, formed one of the earliest Magazine Societies in this country.]

Fresh

Mount Hecla, at the Surrey Zoological Gardens, has been re-opened for the summer season. icebergs and fresh fire have been introduced; and the firing has been somewhat chastened in its arti

fice, being now less like a Drury-lane Vesuvius than last season. A ship on the lake, extricating herself from the icebergs, is so cleverly managed as to cool any theatrical machinist, and fascinate even the "funny" club.

Puns.-The Lover of Literature, in the Gentleman's Magazine, relates: Looking over some books of Reports at Rowe's, Mr. Pulham, who came in, observed: "So, you have law before you, Mr. Green?" I said, "Yes, sir, and divinity too;" for Miss was standing by my side. Admiring the prospect from Mr. Rogers's windows-"But what," said I, "Lucy, is the matter with the hilly field "Oh," opposite, which looks so staring white?" said she," they have disfigured it, with spreading chalk upon the surface." "Well," said I, "if it be not picturesque, we may pronounce it, at least, to be sub-lime."

Diorama.-A new view will shortly be painted, from Roberts's Greek Church of the Holy Nativity, at Bethlehem, No. 199, in the Royal Academy Exhibition.

Munificence.-The sum of £5,000 has just been contributed, by some unknown individual, to the funds of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.

Painting.-The estimated value of Paul Veronese's Marriage at Cana, in the Louvre, at Paris, is, according to Desenfans, £13,000.

Paper-making.-At length, the sum of £7,000 has been voted by Parliament to the Messrs. Fourdrinier, for their introduction of machinery in the improved manufacture of paper: for an outline of which see Lit. World, vol. i., p. 128. These gentlemen appear to have been ruined by a mistake in their patent; the word "machine" being written in place of "machines."

Nobility of Genius.-Brower, the painter, when reproached with his mean birth, retorted: "I am one of God's nobility, and these," pointing to his pictures, "are my letters patent.'

Lord Bacon brazened out his fall; after which, on being seen one day magnificently attended, Prince Henry observed: Well, do whatever we can, this man scorns to go out like a snuff."

Mr. Morison, "the Hygeist," who died a few days since, had built for himself a huge "family tomb" in the Kensal Green Cemetery, nearly as large as a park-lodge.

Sir Simon Clarke's Pictures have been sold by Messrs. Christie and Manson, for upwards of £29,000. The celebrated Murillo, the Good Shepherd, was bought by Mr. Rothschild, for £3,045. The other Murillo, The Infant St. John, was purchased by Lord Ashburton, for £2,010.

The Exhibition of the Royal Academy is universally allowed, by artists and critics, to be an excellent collection; yet there is a remarkable difference of opinion as to the merits of certain pictures.

Ingoldsby.-A gentleman hearing that the witty author of the Ingoldsby Papers was a minor canon, said, he should have thought him more likely to have been a great gun.

Postage Plaster.-That the same adhesive stamp is "no sticker," and can be used a second time, has been proved by a stamp sent from Manchester, and thence on another letter, to the Editor of the Times, -free of expense.

Sunderland continues to be the most extensive shipbuilding port in England. There were 150 ships built there last year, and there are 128 building at present.-Times.

Experience. Much memory, or memory of many things, is called experience.-Hobbes.

LONDON: Published by GEORGE BERGER, Holywell Street, Strand. Printed by WHITEHEAD & Co. 76, Fleet Street, where all Communications for the Editor may be addressed.