As every trait in the natural history of all the resident nobility in Switzerland. birds is interesting, I beg leave to state He begs to inform the ladies and gentlethat I shall be greatly obliged to any men of this city, that he has selected $t. reader of the Every-Day Book for the James's-hill and the adjoining hills for his communication of any novel fact or infor- performances, and will first display his mation concerning this portion of the remarkable strength, in running up the animal kingdom, of which suitable ac- hill with his Tyrolese pole between his knowledgment will be made in my work. teeth. He will next lay on his back, and I understand the late lord Erskine wrote balance the same pole on his nose, chin, and printed for private circulation, a and different parts of his body. He will poem on the rook. Can any of your climb up on it with the astonishing swiftreaders oblige me with a copy of it, or ness of a cat, and stand on his head at the refer me to any person or book so that I top; on a sudden he will leap three feet might obtain a sight of it? J.J. from the pole without falling, suspending himself by a shenese cord only. He will NATURALISTS' CALENDAR. also walk on his head, up and down the Mean Temperature ...61 : 35. hill, balancing his pole on one foot. Many other feats will be exhibited, in which signor Villecrop will display to the auAugust 28. dience the much admired art of toppling, ST. AUGUSTINE. peculiar only to the peasantry of Switzer land. He will conclude his performance Of this father of the church, whose by repeated flights in the air, up and name is in the church of England calen- down the hill, with a velocity almost imdar, there is a memoir in vol. i.col. 1144. perceptible, assisted only by his pole, with CHRONOLOGY. which he will frequently jump the aston ishing distance of forty and fifty yards at On the 28th of August, 1736, a man a time. Signor Villecrop begs to assure passing the bridge over the Savock, near the ladies and gentlemen who honour him Preston, Lancashire, saw two large flights with their company, that no money will of birds' meet with such rapidity, that one be collected till after the exhibition, feel. hundred and eighty of them fell to the ing convinced that his exertions will be liground. They were taken up by him, berally rewarded by their generosity. The and sold in Preston market the same day. exhibition to commence on Monday, the 28th of August, 1826, precisely at halfHOAX AT NORWICH. past 5 o'clock in the evening." The following bill was in circulation Signor Carlo Gram Villecrop did not in Norwich and the neighbourhood for make his appearance. The people were days previous, and on the evening of Au- drawn together, and the whole ended, as gust 28, 1826, 20,000 sagacious people the inventor designed, in a “hoax." from the city and country around, on foot, on horseback, in chaises, gigs, NATURALISTS' CALENDAR. and other vehicles, collected below the Mean Temperature 61 • 55. hill to witness the extraordinary performance. August 29. “ St. James's-hill, back of the Horse-, barracks. St. John Baptist beheaded. “The public are respectfully informed The anniversary of the baptist's decolthat signor Carlo Gram Villecrop, the ce- lation is in the church of England calenlebrated Swiss mountain-flyer, from Ge- dar. His death is known to have been neva and Mont Blanc, is just arrived in occasioned by his remonstrance to Herod this city, and will exhibit, with a Tyrolese against his notorious cruelties.“ In conpole fifty feet long, his most astonishing sequence of this,” says Mr. Audley, “ Hegymnastic flights, never before witnessed rod imprisoned him in the castle of Main this country. Signor Villecrop has had chærus, and would have put him to death, the great honour of exhibiting his most but was afi aid of the people. Herodias extraordinary feats on the continent be- also would have killed John, had it been fore the king of Prussia, Emperor of in her power. At length, on Herod's Austria, the Grand duke of Tuscany, and birthday, Saloine, the daughter of Hero 1142 66 dias, by her former husband, Philip, piety he had best perform to God in his danced before him, his captains, and chief old age, he was advised by them to build estates, or the principal persons of Gali- an hospital for the wounded and sick lee. This so pleased Herod, that he soldiers, that daily retumed from the wars promised her, with an oath, whatsoever then had in France. I doubt his grace's she should ask, even to the half of his friends thought as I do of his artifice. kingdom.” Hearing this, she ran to her ‘But, continues the historian, 'disliking mother and said, “what shall I ask ?" these motions, and valuing the welfare of The mother, without hesitation, replied, the deceased more than the wounded and 6 the head of John the Baptist.” Herod diseased, he resolved with himself to prowas exceedingly sorry when he heard such mote his design-which was to have masså request; but out of regard to his oaths es said for the king, queen, and himself, and his guests, he immediately sent an &c., while living, and for their souls when executioner to behead John in prison. dead;' and that mummery, the old foolish This was instantly done, and the head rogue, thought more efficacious than ointbeing brought in a charger, was given to ments and medicines for the wretches he Salome; and she, forgetting the tender- had made! and of the chaplains and clerks ness of her sex, and the dignity of her he instituted in that dormitory, one was station, carried it to her mother. to teach grammar, and another prick An ECCENTRIC CHARACTER. Sir,-I trouble you with an account of Yours, most respectfully, of John. Both he, and Herodias, whose C. C--y, M. R. C.S. E. ambition occasioned his ruin, were after Ashton Under Lyne, July 17th, 1826. Billy BUTTERWORTH. Near the summit of a small hill, called Oldham, commanding a very extensive prospect, stands the solitary, yet cele- eccentric being who bears this name from singularities, has obtained the name of the “hermit,” though from the great ARCHBISHOP ChicheLEY. numbers that daily and hourly visit him from all parts, he has no real claim to the Lord Orford, in a letter dated the 29th title. of August, says, “ I have just been read- Billy Butterworth's hut is a rude building a new public history of the colleges of ing of his own construction, a piece of Oxford, by Anthony Wood, and there ground having been given him for the found a feature in a character that always purpose. In the building of this hut, the offended me, that of archbishop, Chicheley, rude hand of uncultivated nature laughed who prompted Henry V. to the invasion to scorn the improvements of modern of France, to divert him from squeezing times, for neither saw, nor plane, nor the overgrown clergy. When that priest level, nor trowel, assisted to make it apmeditated founding All Souls college, and pear gracious in the eye of taste; a rude consulted his friends, who seem to have heap of stones, sods of earth, moss, &c. been honest men, what great matters of without nails' or mortar are piled ! a a а a a gether in an inelegant, but perfectly conve- there is only seating for one in the carnient manner, and form a number of apart. riage. The boy acts as a waiter in busy ments. The whole building is so firmly put times. In this carriage “ Billy Buttertogether, that its tenant fears not the pelt- worth” visits his wealthy neighbours, and ing of a merciless storm, but snug under meets with a gracious reception. He frehis lowly roof appears equally content quently visits the earl of Stamford, with the smiles or frowns of fortune. earl de Wilton, &c. &c. From his gro To give a proper description of the tesque dress and equipage, he excites hermit's hut, would be very difficult, but mirth to a great degree. a brief sketch will enable the reader to The inner part of this hermit's hut conform a pretty good idea of the object. It sists of many different apartments, all of is surrounded by a fancy and kitchen which are named in great style; such garden, fancifully decorated with rude as the servants' hall-pavilion-drawingseats, arches, grottos, &c., a few plaister room-dining-room-library, &c. &c. The of Paris casts are here and there placed walls are lined with drapery, tastefully so as to have a pleasing effect. The outer hung, and the furniture exhibits numé part of the hut consists of the hermit's rous specimens of ancient carved woodchapel, in which is a half-length figure work. Pictures of all sorts from the genuof the hermit himself. To this chapel the ine oil painting, &c. prints of good line hermit retires at certain hours, in devo- engraving down to the common caricature tion to his Maker; besides the chapel is daubs, are numerously hung in every part an observatory, where the hermit amuses of the hut. Natural curiosities are so his numerous visiters, by exhibiting a placed, as to excite the curiosity of the small and rather imperfect camera obscu- gazing ignoramus. ra of his own construction, by which he is Billy Butterworth” is himself a tall enabled to explain the surrounding coun- man, of rather a commanding figure, with try for four or five miles. Near the ca- dark bair and dark sparkling eyes. His mera obscura is a raised platform, almost countenance is of a pleasing but rather on a level with the roof of the hermitage- melancholy appearance, which is increased this he calls “the terrace.”. From the by an immensely long black beard which terrace there is a beautiful view of coun- makes him an object of terror to the neightry.—The towns of Ashton-under-Lyne, bouring children. On the whole, although Stockport, Manchester, lie in the distance, he is now in the evening of life, the rewith the adjacent villages, and the line mains of a once handsome man are very of Yorkshire hills, from among which evident. His dress is varied according to “Wild Bank” rises majestically above the seasons, but always resembling the its neighbours. The hermit makes use of costuine in king Charles's days; a black this situation, to give signals to the village cap, black ostrich feather and buckle, long at the foot of the hill, when he wishes to waistcoat, jacket with silk let into the be supplied with any article of provision sleeves, small clothes of the same, and for the entertainment of his visiters, such as over the whole a short mantle. liquors, cream, sallads, bread, &c.; of con- Billy Butterworth” has practised these fectionary, he has generally a good stock. whims, if I may call them so, for twelve or We next come to his summer arbours, fourteen years in this solitary abode. His which are in his garden, reason for this manner of life is not exand furnished with table and seats for actly known, but he seems to acknowledge parties to enjoy themselves separately, in some degree, that a disappointment in without interfering with others. The love has been the cause. Let that rest as dovehouse is placed in the garden, where it will, he has a handsome property, accuhe keeps a few beautiful pairs of doves. mulated, it is said, by these eccentric Of the out-buildings, the last we shall means. Indeed he acknowledged to the describe, is the carriage-house. The author of this, that on fine days in summer, reader smiles at the word “ carriage" in he has realized from selling sweetmeats, such a situation, and would be more apt and receiving gifts from visiters, five to believe me had I said a wheel-barrow. guineas a day. He is so independent But no! grave reader, “ Billy Butter- now that he will not receive a present worth” runs his carriage, which is of the from friends. He is communicative as low gig kind, drawn by an ass, and on long as a stranger will listen, but if the some extra visits, by two asses. A little stranger is inquisitive he ceases to conboy, called Adam, is the postillion, as verse any thing more. He is polite and numerous < well informed on general topics, and has A most excellent and peculiarly conevidently read much. structed Camera Obscura, which distinctly represents objects at the distance of thirty While the hermit was lately on a miles. a journey to his friends, a mischievous wag adver A sonorous Speaking Trumpet, wondertised" the hut,” &c. to be let. The day fully adapted to the present situation. fixed upon being rainy, no bidders made of Blind Jack of Kuaresborough, by whom A brace of pistols, formerly the property their appearance. I send you a copy of the advertisement from a printed one in they were cut out of solid rock. A very ancient and most curious Treb-, my possession. duchet, a relic of Ptolemy the Third's Sar cophagus. To be LET, A variety of coins, medals, shells, fossils, and other mineral productions, tastefully For a term of years, or from year to classified and arranged. year; and may be entered upon immediately, all that hut, garden, and premises, could be disposed of with the hermitage, It would be very desirable if the above with the appartenances, situate at Glad. but if not, Mr. B. would be willing to wick Lowes, near Oldham, in the county of Lancaster, now occupied as an enter into a separate agreement for them, For further particulars, apply to Mr. W.B. HERMITAGE, N.B. The stock of pop, peppermint, ginBy Mr. Wm. Butterworth. gerbread, and Eccles cakes, with the signThis romantic spot being the only place and other tasteful and appropriate deco boards, dials, inscriptions, rams' horns, of fashionable resort in the vicinity of the populous town of Oldham, and the uprie rations, will be required to be taken at a valuation. valled reputation which it has so long de To be let Monday August 29 1825. servedly enjoyed, render it peculiar desirable to any gentleman who may wish to acquire an independency at a trifling risk. The motive for the intended re A Hoax"]N CHANCERY." moval of the present proprietor is, his There is a spirit of waggery which conhaving already secured a comfortable com- tributes to public amusement, and occapetency, joined to a desire of giving some sionally annoys individual repose. The gentleman of a disposition similar to his following lines are in a journal of this own, an opportunity of participating in day 1826. the advantages which he has so long derived from this delightful retirement. A VISION. Among the many curiosities with which his sequestered hut abounds, may be particularized the following valuable articles. Up!" said the spirit, and ere I could pray One hasty orison, whirl'd me away To a limbo, lying-I wist not where- Above or below, in earth or air ; All glimmering o'er with a doubtful light, which is supposed formerly to have be- One couldn't say whether 'twas day or night; longed to some of the ancient saxon mo- And crost by many a mazy track, narchs, and was presented to Mr. B., by One didn't know how to get on or back ; her grace the duchess of Beaufort. And I felt like a needle that's going astray (With its one eye out) through a bundle of Praxitele's stature of Jupiter Ammon, hay: brought from Greece, by the right honour- When the spirit he grinn'd, and whisper'd me, able the earl of Elgin, and came into the “ Thou'rt now in the Court of Chancery." hands of the present possessor, through the medium of the duke of Devonshire, Of shapeless, bodiless, tailless forms ; Around mc fitted unnumber'd swarms after it had, for a considerable period, (Like bottled-up babes, that grace the room formed one of the most permanent orna- Of that worthy knight, sir Everard Home) ments of his grace's splendid mansion, All of them, things half-kill'd in rearing ; Chatsworth house. Some were lame-some wanted hearing ; A capital portrait of Mrs. Siddons, Some had through half a century run, painted by B. West, Esq., P. R. A. Though they had'nt a leg to stand upon. BY THE AUTHOR OF CHRISTABEL. a 'em ; Others, more merry, as just beginning, that “Hand-book" of masterly sayings, Around on a point of law were spinning ; his voice has ceased from the public. ForOr balanced aloft, 'twixt Bill and Answer, gotten he could not be, yet when he was Lead at each end, like a tight rope dancer. remembered it was by inquiries concernSome were so cross, that nothing could please ing his present “ doings,” and whispers of his “ whereabout.” On a sudden the preSome gulp'd down affidavits to ease 'em ; All were in motion, yet never a one, ceding verses startle the dull town, and Iet it move as it might, could ever move on. dwelling on the lazy ear, as being, accord“ These," said the spirit, you plainly see, ing to their printed ascription, “ by the “ Are what they call suits in Chancery!" author of Christabel.” In vindication of himself against the misconception of the I heard a loud screaming of old and young, wit of their real author, the imputed paLike a chorus by fifty Vellutis' sung; rent steps forth in the following note. Or an Irish dump (“the words by Moore") At an amateur concert scream'd in score ;- TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. So harsh on my ear that wailing fell Of the wretches who in this limbo dwell! Grove, Highgate, Tuesday Evening. It seem'd like the dismal symphony of the shapes Æneas in bell did see; Sir,–I have just received a note from a Or those frogs, whose legs a barbarous cook city friend, respecting a poem in “The Cut off and left the frogs in the brook, Times” of this morning ascribed to me. To cry all night, till life's last dregs, On consulting the paper, I see he must « Give us our legs !-give us our legs!" refer to “A Vision," by the author of Touched with the sad and sorrowful scene, “ Christabel." Now, though I should I ask'd what all this yell might mean, myself have interpreted these words as When the spirit replied with a grin of glee, the author, I doubt not, intended them, “ 'Tis the cry of the suitors in Chancery!" viz., as a part of the fiction ; yet with the I look'd, and I saw a wizard rise, proof before me that others will underWith a wig like a cloud before men's eyes. stand them literally, I should feel obliged In his aged hand he beld a wand, by your stating, that till this last half hour Wherewith he beckoned his embryo hand, the poem and its publication were alike And then mov'd and mov'd, as he wav'd it o'er, unknown to me; and I remain, Sir, reBut they never got on one inch more, spectfully yours, S. T. COLERIDGE. And still they kept limping to and fro, Like Ariels' 'round old Prospero This little “affair" exemplifies that it Saying, “ dear master, let us go," is the fortune of talent to be seldom com. But still old Prospero answer'd “ No." prehended. NATURALISTS' CALENDAR. Mean Temperature ... 61 • 45. He talk'd of his virtue—though some, less nice, (He own'd with a sigh) preferr'd his Vice August 30. And he said, “I think"-" I doubt"_" I hope" CHRONOLOGY. Callid God to witness, and damn'd the Pope ; With many more sleights of tongue and hand August 30, 1750. Miss Flora Macdo. I could'nt, for the soul of me, understand. nald was married to a gentleman of the Amaz'd and poz'd, I was just about same name related to sir Alexander MacTo ask his name, when the streams without The merciless clack of the imps within, donald, bart. This lady is celebrated in Scottish annals for having heroically and And that conjurer's mutterings, made such a din, successfully assisted the young Pretender That, startled, I woke-leap'd up in my bed- to escape, when a price was set upon his Found the spirit, the imps, and the conjurer fled, head. Her self-devotion is minutely reAnd bless'd my stars, right pleas'd to see, corded in the late Mr. Boswell's “ AscaThat I was'nt, as yet, in Chancery. nius," and Johnson has increased her fame by his notice of her person and chaFor several years before the appear: racter, in his “ Tour to the Hebrides." ance of his solemn “Aids to Reflection” in 1825, Mr. Coleridge had been to the world “ as though he was not ;" and since NATURALISTS' CALENDAR. |
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