div, as holidays, calling this latter and as he fancied even still to see the Fasto-Beice, that is the day of fasting speetre walking up and down before above the rest.

46

him, he cried out with a loud voice to A maritime Laplander of the name those present to help him, and drive of Peter Peterson, dwelling in one of off the spectre lest he should rush in the bays of west Finmark, and parish upon him. Restored at last to himof Kielvig, commonly called Smor- self, he sincerely laid open all he saw fiord, told me that when he once went and heard, gravely and severely inout to hunt hares on a Saturday, and joining, that none of his people should was from fatigue seated on the ground, attempt to profane the Saturday, or that a spectre with a human visage any other day that was sacred and fesand dark garment, appeared to him, tive. He ended here, and instantly' asking him what he did there, and on recited the Lord's Prayer, and part of his answering that he came to hunt the catechism. On the next day, this hares, which he intended to give to his said Laplander was visited by a great priest, the spectre replied, what do you many who had accidentally heard think that hares taken on the Satur- these matters, to whom he gave a sinday, which should be observed with cere explanation of all that happened the greatest veneration, can be accept to him, and attempted to persuade able to your priest? And then sub- them to bring back and restore Saturjoined in caution, that he should care- day, and all the other festivals of old, fully guard against violating Satur- which through time were brought day, or any other holy day for the fu- into disuse, and should for that purture, by any profane exercise. He pose sacrifice lambs in order that the added that from this profanation of former plenty, with which the country the ancient festivals, that the wild abounded, should be restored. Some beasts, birds, and fishes, abhorring obeyed his monitions, while others and detesting the impiety of irreligious took the whole vision for a mere illumen, quitting their haunts, had fled sion and juggle of the malign spirit." away and hastened into other countries. That the same spectre, which hitherto presented itself in ragged garments, had soon after appeared to him in a more sumptuous habit, addressing him in words of this kind: you will sacrifice a cow to me, when To put a handle to an axe in the this is done, the sea, the air, and house of a lying-in woman was imearth will bring forth again fishes, pious. The Laplanders cautiously fowl, and beasts. When this conver- provided against any thing twisted or sation was ended, the Laplander, you knotty in the garments of a person will suppose in consternation and dis under such a situation, led by a vain order, returned home, sat a little, but imagination that such knots would soon drew his knife in a rage, and in render the birth of the woman more the midst of these agitations of mind difficult. The garments with which and body fell like to a dying man to she was clothed when in her labour the ground. His servants faithfully she soon put aside, never to put on or attended on him under this loss of his wear again. She was kept to that part understanding and senses, striving of the hut where she lay-in; nor was now and then to awaken him, by she permitted to change until she rose slight blows, but in vain. Meantime in a state of health." the apparition which appeared to him "When discharging leaden balls in hunting, presented itself to him in from their muskets they make use of his vision, using these words: you obscene expressions, and were of an will never recover from this disease, opinion that the wolf had the power unless you sacredly promise, when of fascinating their pieces, and could you get well, that you will, with due prevent their hitting the mark." right, sacrifice a cow to me. The un- "If any man happened to come happy man made this promise, and under a tree where the cuckoo kept, immediately awoke from his trance, and it raised its note before it fled, he but so weak that he could not walk; thought it a happy omen for him. To

"A woman when with child looks to a certain star which is next to the moon, judging from its nearness or remoteness, whether the young she caries in her womb should yield to fate, or be born under a happy omen.

66

I

FELTHAMIANA.

Sir,

have found the eggs of this bird was regarded as a happy omen; the head of the person who eat the eggs of such a CONTINUE my excerpts from bird was to be covered with a kettle. Owen Felltham, and send you To kill a cuckoo was always thought this month two "Resolves' of great ill luck. And if any one heard him merit. The first has truth and rea when fasting, in the beginning of son; the other, if tanciful, is at least spring, this was deemed an unlucky ingenicus. omen, that he would be on bad terms

I remain, &c.

"Of Woman.

all the next year with his neighbour. Oxford, May 9.
To avert this bad omen he forthwith
tore the bark from the first tree that
presented itself to eat, after going
three times round it.

W.P.

Some are so uncharitable, as to thinke all Women bad: and others are "If any one in the beginning of so credulous, as they beleeve they all spring had heard the cry of the lom, a are good. Sure: though every man kind of large bird, when fasting, he speakes as he findes; there is reason persuaded himself that all that year's to direct our opinion, without expeproduce of milk could not be curdled, rience of the whole Ser; which in a or turned into cream, but would be strict examination, makes more for their like whey. They had a superstition, honour, then most men have acknow. too, that if they played with fire even ledged. At first, shee was created his in jest, that the young of the rein-deer Equall; onely the difference was in would be blind. It was a custom also the Ser: otherwise they both were to mark the doors with the sign of the Man. If wee argue from the Text, that male and female made man: so It is apparent, that the sun in Lap- the man being put first, was worthier. land in the winter, for the space of I answere, So the Evening and Morning seven weeks, is below the plane of the was the first day: yet few will thinke horizon, and under the lower hemi- the night the better That Man is sphere; and that the same does not set made her Governour, and so above her, in summer for the said space of time; I beleeve rather the punishment of and hence a custom, that on its return her sinne, then the Prerogative of his after seven weeks darkness they anoint worth: Had they both stood, it may their doors. be thought, sbee had never beene in

cross.

They have a foolish belief, that that subjection: for then had it beene stones which are weightier than their no curse, but a continuance of her fersize and outward figure seem to re- mer estate: which had nothing but quire, had in them, something preter- blessednesse in it. Peter Marur innatural and uncommon. deed is of opinion, that man before the

They believed that thunder fall, had prioritie: But Chrysostome, struck their wizards with horror, even he saves, does doubt it. All will grant killed them. With this persuasion her body more admirable, more beauti not a small number of Norwegians full than Mans: fuller of curiosities, was impressed. Hence the proverb, and Noble Natures wonders: both for That if thunder did not exist, wizards conception, and fostering the producted would destroy the universe. They birth. And can wee thinke, God say, that, on the sight of lightning, would put a worser soule into a better they run up and down the woods, body? When man was created, 'tis struck with horror, until they find a said, God made man: but when zohollow tree to conceal themselves in, man, 'tis said, God builded her: as if whioh was just blasted with light- hee had then beene about a frame of ning. rarer Roomes, and more exact composi "There is no doubt but that the tion. And, without doubt, in her body Laplanders cherished many more su- shee is much more wonderfull: and by perstitions, but to dwell longer on this, we may thinke her so in her them would be tedious, having already minde. Philosophie tels us, Thongh adduced examples enough to prove to the soule be not caused by the body; demonstration the errors of this most yet in the generall it followes the temmiserable people." perament of it: so the comeliest out

sides, are naturally (for the most part) Besides, Education makes more differmore vertuous within. If place can bee ence between men and them, then Naany priviledge; we shall finde her ture: and, all their aspersions are lesse buil in Paradise, when Man was made nobie, for that they are onely from without it. Tis certaine, they are by their Enemies, Men. Diogenes snarled constitution colder than the boyling bitterly, when walking with another, M: so by this, more temperate: 'tis hee spyed two women talking, and said, heale that transports Man to immodera- See, the Viper and the Aspe are changto and firie: 'tis that, which hurries ing poyson. The Poet was conceited, han to a sauage and libidinous violence. that said, After they were made ill, that Women are naturally the more modest: God made them fearefull, that Man an mudesty is the seate and dwelling might rule them: otherwise they had prace of Vir ne. Whence proceed the beene past dealing with. Catullus his most ablurred villanies, but from a Conclusion was too generall, to collect taonice o dhushing impudence? What a deecit in all Women, because he was a leve of weelnesse doe we find in a not confident of his owne. mid disp it on? When a Woman growes bold and daring, we dislike her, and say, see is too like a man: yet in our selves, wee magnifie what wee condemne in her. Is not this iniustice? Every man is so much the better, by how much bee comes neerer to God. Man in nothing is more like Him, then in being mercifull. Yet Woman is farre more merciful then Men: It being a Sere, wherein Pitty and compassion haue dispers'd farre brighter

rayes.

Nulti se dicit mulier mea nubere malle Quàm mihi: non si se Iupiter ipse petat.

Dicit: sed mulicr Cupido quod dicit amanti,

Invento, & rapida scribere oportet

aqua.

My Mistris sweares she'd leave all men

for me:

Yea, though that love himselfe should
Suiter be.

She sayes: but what Women sweare to
kind

Loves, may be writ in rapid streames,

and wind.

God is said to bee Loue; and I am sure, euery where Woman is spoken of, for transcending in that qualitie. It was neuer found, but in two men onely, that their loue exceeded that "I am resolved to honour Vertue, of the feminine Sexe: and if you ob in what Sexe soever I finde it. And I serue them, you shall finde, they were thinke, in the general!, I shall finde it both of melting dispositions. I know, more in Women then Men; though when they proue bad, they are a sort of weaker and more infirmely guarded. I the cilest creatures: Yet still the same beleeve, they are better, and may bee reason giues it: for, Optima corrupta wrought to bee worse. Neither shal pessima: The best things corrupted, be- the faults of many, make me uncharitacome the worst. They are things, ble to All: nor the goodnesse of some, whose soules are of a more ductible make mee credulous of the rest. Though temper, then the harder metall of man: hitherto, I confesse, I have not found so may bee made both better and worse, more sweet and constant goodnesse in The Representations of Sophocles and Man, then I have found in Woman: Euripides may bee both true: and for and yet of these, I have not found a the tongue-vice, talkativenesse, I see number." not, but at meetings, Man may very well cie words with them. "Tis true, they are not of so tumultuous a spirit, so not so fit for great Actions, Naturall "A Christians voyage to Heaven, is heat does more actuate the stirring Ge- a Sentence of three Stops; Comma, Conius of Man. Their easie Natures lon, Periodus. He that repents is come make them somewhat more unresolute: to the Comma, and beginnes to speake whereby men have argued them of sweetly, the language of Salvation: feare and inconstancie. But men have but if he leaves there, God understands alwales held the Parliament, and have not such abrupt speeches: sorrow alone enacted their owne wills, without ever cannot expiate a Pirates robberies: he hearing them speake: and then, how must both leave his theft, and serve easie is it to conclude them guiltie? his Countrey, c're his Prince will re

"Sanctitie is a Sentence of three

Stops.

ceive him to favour. "Tis he that con- servility of Dryden's mind. Speakfesseth and forsakes his sinne, that shall ing of the attempt of translating finde mercy: 'tis his leaving his wick- Chaucer, and the general excellence ednesse, that is as his Colon: and car- of the plan, he says, "of this opinion ries him halfe way to heaven. Yet was that excellent person whom I heere also is the Clause unperfect, un- mentioned, the late Earl of Leicester, lesse he goes on to the practice of righ- who valued Chaucer as much as Mr. teousnesse, which as a Period knits up Cowley despised him. My Lord disall, and makes the Sentence full. Re- suaded me from this attempt, (for I turne and penitence is not sufficient for was thinking of it some years before him that hath fled from his Soveraignes his death) and his authority prevailed Banner; he must first doe some ca- so far with me, as to defer my underliant act, before by the Law of Armes, taking while he lived, in deference to hee can be restored to his former bear- him; YET MY REASON WAS NOT CONing. I will not content my selfe with VINCED WITH WHAT HE URGED a Comma; Repentance helpes not, AGAINST IT!" What more humiliatwhen sinne is renewed; nor dare I ing proof of personal debasement can make my stay at a Colon; not to doe be given, than that of a man, foregood, is to commit evill, at least by going an opinion against his reason, emission of what I ought to doe: be- in weak compliance of another's wish. fore I come to a Period, the constant To increase the degradation, too, we practice of Pictie, I am sure, I cannot be sure of compleate Glory. If I did all strictly, I were yet unprofitable; and if God had not appointed my faith to perfect me, miserable. If he were not full of mercies, how unhappie a crea

ture were man?"

DESULTORY OBSERVATIONS ON
DRYDEN.

N

Sir,

O man of a reflecting turn of mind can take up a book, without having some opinion of that book excited in his mind, detecting some error, discovering some beauty, or meeting with some difficulty. Now, as what are beauties, errors, or difficulties to him, may not be so to others, and as truth is best elicited by the col lision of various minds, it would be an advantage to literature did every man come forward with these ideas, which arise from reading, supposing that they be not absolutely silly or fruitless. Magazines, Mr. Editor, are excellent storehouses for such materials, and form a convenient and advantageous medium, through which insulated thoughts upon topics of polite literature, the arts, or sciences may be promulgated. Impressed with this idea, I venture to send for your approbation some rambling observations that occurred to me this morning while turning over the pages of Dryden's works.

see that man himself tell the world the dishonourable fact! When we reflect that such servility was united with the high endowments of genius, our indignation is increased tenfold. Had a private individual urged this, though possessing a better judgment than the Earl of Leicester, it is proba ble Dryden would have followed his own inclination: but his lordship's

authority" prevailed: Dryden had not learned to respect himself.

a

In the Flower and the Leaf there is confusion of time, which is sufficiently remarkable:

"When Chanticleer the second watch had

I believe it is rather an unusual From the Preface to the Fables may circumstance to hear birds singing by be collected an idea of the extreme moonlight.

This same poem also presents an droppers. Let this self-constituted instance of anti-climax, not perhaps society confine themselves to such easily paralleled. objects as may meet with public ap"On the green bank I sat, and listen'd long, probation: let them not send their (Sitting was more convenient for the song!" spies and their hirelings into the Loose as Dryden confessedly was lurk like petty informers through the houses of Englishmen; let them not in his versification, it was hardly to streets, to catch some poor barber be expected that he should have writshaving his customers on a Sunday ten such a line. Perhaps some of your readers may to church; or some innkeeper giving morning, that they may go decently be able to inform ine what sort of rime is that which is called female evening to the homeless and o'erlashelter and refreshment on a Sunday rimes. I confess my own ignorance boured beings, who drive many a of them: nor have I ever seen them mentioned, but in the following pas- this metropolis with food; let them weary mile the cattle which furnish sage from Dryden's preface to the not break in upon the harmless diverAnnus Mirabilis," Neither can we sions of the people, and erect their give ourselves the liberty of making own rank hypocrisy as the palladium any part of a verse for the sake of morality; let them, I say, WATCH of rime, or concluding with a word OVER THEIR OWN CONDUCT: lét which is not current English, or using the variety of female rimes, of reformation with himself; let them every member commence the work all which our fathers practised: and for the female rimes they are still in tremble, how they proceed so far, till use amongst other nations: with the some Englishman shall step forward, Italian in every line; with the Spa- expose their proceedings, and call niard promiscuously; with the French upon his countrymen to resist with alternately; as those who have read the Alarique, the Pucelli, or any of their later poems will agree with

Ine

On this subject I should thank any of your readers for an explanation, and specimens of the female rime, and remain, &c.

Cambridge, May 1.

I. I. D.

abhorred system of private inquisition, determined energy the hateful and which their rotten and unwholesome sanctity would seek to establish.

will correct itself: that their own exI hope most earnestly that the evil cesses will produce their own disgrace and ruin. I hope this letter may rouse some pen to vindicate the FRIVATE RIGHTS OF ENGLISHMEN: Or if no abler one appears, I will attempt

On the SOCIETY for the SUPPRES- the task: I stand in no awe of their SION of VICE.

SIR,

power: I detest their principles; I venerate my country, and the liberty

IN the liberal and impartial pages I have been educated in: in the abof your Magazine I hope to find sence of better men, I will never fear an asylum for a few words upon a to step forward where I think I can subject which seems to be too little be of service: and I know, that it only attended to: I mean the SoCIETY needs the word to be sounded, to FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF VICE. I create a host of vindicators. It is in wish, through the medium of your this hope that I address you, Sir: I publication, to call the attention of its feel the task that I have assigned myreaders, and of the public at large, to self; I undertake it deliberately: and a consideration of the daily excesses it will form the proudest recollection committed by this puritanical horde, of my life if I can stem a current who infringe upon the rights of indi- which threatens to overwhelm that viduals, and the private liberties of noble consciousness in the breasts of the subject. No man wishes more Englishmen, that his house is his ardently than myself, that vice should castle, and that only when he has ofbe exterminated wherever it can; fended against the laws, can it be viobut at the same time, no man would lated. Above all, I should rejoice to more resolutely resist the fawning free them from a tyrannical species encroachments of inquisitorial eaves of domestic inquisition : a hateful UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. IX. 3 C