1818.] Mr. Miot's Account of the Massacre of Jaffa. rest, were dispatched on the road with the bayonet. Others went about among the crowd and seemed to be giving salutary advice in so imminent a danger. The most courageous perhaps imagined that it would not be impossible to break through the battalion which encircled them, or perhaps hoped that by dispersing themselves in the fields some of their number might escape death. Measures had however been taken in this respect, and the Turks made no attempts at flight. Having at length arrived at the sand hills to the south-west of Jaffa, they were halted near a pond of muddy water. The commanding officer then divided the multitude into small parties, which were immediately directed to different points and there shot. This horrible operation took up considerable time, notwithstanding the great number of troops employed in the bloody sacrifice, and these troops, I must acknowledge did not perform without extreme repugnance the abominable task required of their victorious hands. Near the pool there was a group of prisoners among whom were some aged chiefs of a noble and courageous aspect, and a youth whose fortitude was quite overpowered. At so tender an age, it was natural that he should consider himself as innocent, and this feeling led him to behave in a manner that seemed to shock his fellow-sufferers. He fell at the feet of the French commander's horse, he embraced the knees of that officer imploring mercy." What am I guilty of?" cried he. "What crime have I committed?"---His tears and his cries were unavailing; they could not change the fatal decree. With the exception of this young man, all the Turks calmly performed their ablutions in the stagnant water above-mentioned, then taking each other's hand and placing it, according to the Mussulman form of salutation, successively on the heart and on the lips, they gave and received a final adieu. Their courageous souls seemed to defy death; in their tranquillity was displayed that confidence with which their religion and the hope of future happiness inspired them in their last moments. I remarked a venerable old man, whose air and manners bespoke superior rank, deliberately ordering a hole to be dug in the shifting sand large enough to admit of his being buried alive in it-doubtless to avoid dying by the hands of strangers. He extended himself upon his back in this friendly grave, and his companions, addressing their supplications to the Almighty, quickly covered him up, and with their feet stamped down the sand, which served him for a shroud, probably for the purpose of abridg ing the period of his sufferings. This scene, which made my heart throb with agony and which I can but faintly describe, occurred during the execution of the groups scattered over the sands. At 307 length, out of all the prisoners those stationed near the pond alone remained; these, the troops, having expended all their ammunition, were obliged to dispatch with the sword and bayonet. I could no longer endure this horrid sight; but fled from the spot pale and nearly fainting. In the evening several of the officers assured me that these hapless wretches, yielding to that irresistible impulse of nature which makes us shrink from death even when we have not the least hope of escape, leaped upon one another and thus received in their limbs the blows which were aimed at their hearts, and which would have ended at once their miserable lives. There was formed, since the truth must be told, a ghastly pyra mid of the dead and dying dripping with blood, so that it was necessary to drag away the already lifeless bodies, to complete the doom of the unfortunates who, under cover of this appalling rampart, had not yet been dispatched. This picture is correct and faithful, and the recollection of it still causes the hand to tremble which is incapable of painting all its horrors. To this narrative M. Miot has appended the following note: Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Thomas Wilson relates this fact with other particulars in his work on the expedition of the British army in Egypt. He states the number of prisoners at 3800; if I recollect right it was not so considerable.-(Memoires pour servir à l'Histoire des Expeditions en Egypte et en Syrie. Par J. Miot. 1814. p. 143-148.) I have thus brought under the view of the reader the evidence of various persons, men of character and respectability, corroborating the statements given by Sir Robert Wilson i: his HistoryShould any lurking suspicion of error throw a shadow of doubt on the accuracy of the accounts of Mr. MORIER, Dr. WITTMAN, Lieut. Col. HOPE, &c. yet surely the testimony of M. MIOT, an eye-witness of the circumstances which he relates, cannot fail to produce conviction. What then is the inference? If we admit the information upon which Sir Robert Wilson founded his charges to have been erroneous, we must also admit that all the other persons who have brought forward similar allegations were equally imposed upon, or gave cirfalsehoods. According to this hypoculation to what they knew to be gross thesis M. Miot likewise must have been the dupe of his imagination, and have merely fancied that he beheld the horrible scene which he has painted in such animated colours. Sir Robert himself would I think scarcely have the hardihood to make such an insinuation. If, on the other hand, we hold the facts or the case as proved by evidence positive 308 Manners of the Tonga Islanders and of Ossian's Heroes. [May 1, and presumptive, must we not consider Sir Robert Wilson upon his own showing as a murderer of his reputation; as a man with whom the most sacred of pledges are "trifles light as air," when it is convenient to disown them; as self-dishonoured, self-degraded by the voluntary sacrifice of character and principlesand for what end? To secure the "most sweet voices" of the electors of Southwark-who may probably ere long repent their choice, if, from motives of ambition or emolument, this mirror of consistency should find it convenient to discover that his present political sentiments are the result of error and to adopt others of a diametrically opposite nature. Chelsea, April 3, 1818. S. To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. AS the constitution of the human mind and the general appearances of nature are in all ages alike; mankind, though distant both in time and place, when in the same circumstances and in the same stage of society, will be found to exhibit pretty nearly the same system of manners and sentiments. The Monthly Reviewers remark that some circumstances in Mariner's account of the Tonga islanders remind them of the Heroes of the Iliad. In their wrestling matches they fancy that they see the contest between Ulysses and Ajax Telamon; and a still more striking parallel in a truce which occurred previously to a battle, when the opposite partics took an affecting farewell of each other. I was, however, much more struck with the remarkable similarity of conduct, On a particular occasion, of the Tonga warriors with those of Ossian. We are informed by Mariner that on the eve of a battle, "each warrior of note ran closely up to Finow (their chief) and striking the club violently on the ground cried out, this club is for-mentioningthe name of some individual enemy whom he meant to seek out and engage." Had the writer happened to have recorded the names of the enemies and the expressions of vengeance which they must have naturally uttered, we should have recognized in the Tonga an exact picture of the Celtic warriors, as described in the following passage of the fourth book of the poem of Fingal. Each warrior of note thus addressed the chief Fingal :"Mine" said Gaul, "be the seven chiefs that came from Lano's lake. "Let Inistore's dark king," said Oscar, "come to the sword of Ossian's son." "To mine the king of Iniscon,” said Connal "heart of steel!" "Or Mudan's chief or I," said brown-haired Dermid, "shall sleep on clay-cold earth." My choice, (Ossian) though now so weak and dark, was Terman's battling king; I promised with my hand to win the hero's dark-brown shield. "Blest and victorious be my chiefs" said Fingal of the mildest look, "Swaran king of roaring waves, thou art the choice of Fingal !" Had the above description of the Tonga warriors been published before the translation of Ossian, Laing would have triumphantly pointed it out as one of the most remarkable of the many sources from which he asserts that Macpherson has fabricated the poems of Ossian. It turns out, however, to be a strong argument in favour of their authenticity, as similar customs may be expected to be found among nations who have attained to a similar state of refinement. Bedford-Row, W.N March 21, 1818. To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. THE predilection not to say infatuation which one of our universities has shewn for the mathematics, has been the source of grief and misfortune to a multitude of individuals. Many a noble spirit has been checked and impeded in its honorable career by the study of this comparatively useless science. That it is useful to the artisan and mechanic I will readily allow, but that it can prove advantageous either to the divine or the gentleman I will firmly deny. There have been found persons who even go so far as to say that it teaches us to reason correctly. Is it possible that lines, circles, rhomboides, cycloides, or all the rest of this barbarous jargon can bear any relation to common sense? -Did Demosthenes or Isocrates construct their orations on mathematical principles? and can we expect or wish to exceed them in nervousness elegance? If indeed like Archimedes we applied our knowledge of mathematics for the welfare or defence of our country or then there might be some utility in it; but can there be any doubt that when students have left College-what they have so unwillingly learned, they will as willingly forget?" The names of Locke and Newton would shed lustre on any science however uninteresting; but how few in the present day who share the least portion of their mathematical knowledge possess their philosophy? O Imitatores servum pecus! I will affirm and maintain that 1818.] On the Conduct of the Established Clergy. a dunce is better qualified for learning the mathematics than a person of genius. This aphorism may appear at first para doxical; but I hope to be able to establish its correctness. A dunce is totally indifferent to the beauties of science and consequently applies to the more harsh and uninteresting studies with just the same zeal and ardour that he would the most elegant. But a person of a polished mind reads the classics with such fervent admiration that the greatest difficulty becomes a pleasure; how then can be take delight in or make any progress in a study at whose barbarity his cultivated taste revolts in disgust? It is against the admirers and encouragersof such studies as these that Horace levelled his satire: -Pueri longis rationibus assem Discunt in partes centum diducere- at hæc animos ærugo, &c. The classics instruct us in the history and manners of former ages, and instil into our minds the noblest and most exalted sentiments; the perusal of the best modern authors is equally beneficial. Astronomy, botany, natural and experimental philosophy, all in their several spheres furnish us with the most pleasing and valuable knowledge. But of what use I repeat it can mathematics be to any but those engaged in trade or business? If we examine closely, we shall find that, too often, like the inhabitants of Laputa, those who are deeply versed in the mathematics are comparatively ignorant with respect to every thing else. Nor are the heads of the university I allude to content with a moderate proficiency in their beloved science, but unless you have studied it deeply and are thoroughly acquainted with the first six books of Euclid-they refuse you a de gree. To this science which is their summum bonum and ne plus ultra they frequently sacrifice the acquisition of the classics. Could the spirit of Horace rise from the tomb and behold his own writings, and the still more divine effusions of Homer rejected for the fantastic conceits of Euclid and Theonhe must retract his triumphant boast of "Exegi Monumentum ære perennius," and confess that what "Imber edax" and "Aquilo impotens" could not subvert owed its destruction to the "Progenies vitiosior !" It is surely high time that the extravagant admirers and favorers of the mathematics should awake from their delusive dream, and instead of attending NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No. 52. 309 solely to this study which can profit them To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. THE conduct of the "fox-hunting parson" of Bedfordshire, alluded to in p. 106 of your last number, by "CHRISTIANUS ECCLESIASTICUS," was highly disgraceful to his sacred profession; and I have no hesitation in saying that, whether it proceeds from folly or from vice, it deserves the severest reprehension; especially in times like the present, when the enemies of the established church rejoice in the opportunity thus afforded them of pointing at an officiating clergyman, and sarcastically exclaiming "By their fruits shall ye know them!" I will venture still further to assert, that the improper and indecorous behaviour of such an unworthy minister, does more real injury to the cause of the establishment, than all the arguments brought against it by the greatest opponents of the church; and ought to be considered as a marked insult, not only to the Church of England as a body, but to the members of it in general, and to the Clergy in particular. The want of devotion and attention to clerical duties is one thing; but the public display of profligacy is another. Surely a representation to the Bishop of the Diocese would produce a salutary effect in all* such cases, and prevent the mischievous consequences that must unavoidably attend a continuance in "evil doing." Bath, April 3, 1818. LAICUS. To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. "The birds of warning sing." COLERIDGE. The greatness and happiness of a nation depends more on the excellency of its morals than on any external circumstances,for prosperity becomes no real blessing unless properly improved; and the only way to improve it, is by advancing society toward the summit of perfection. The morals of the community may, I conceive, be justly considered as the vitals of a State, and if these are corrupt and debilitated, in vain is the strength of its fleets and armies, the extent of its commerce, or the magnitude of its revenue. VOL. IX, 2 S 310 Benefit of Instituting Sunday Evening Lectures. It was depravity of mind and manners which brought destruction on Babylon, Jerusalem, Carthage, and Athens, and to this cause alone can we ascribe the fall of Rome, and that degradation in which several neighbouring nations at the present instant are involved. The artificial glow of health frequently illuminates the countenance of the person whose decayed vitals are performing their last functions, and in like manner the unsubstantial signals of prosperity often display themselves in that country whose inward resources are almost drained to the last ebb. When splendour therefore decorates the palaces, cities, and villas; when the great indulge in luxury and the poor in intemperance; when virtue and religion become the butt of fashionable ridicule, and actions that disgrace human nature are applauded, and obtain for those who commit them the regard of their fellows-when this is the case, I say, destruction is rapidly approaching to seal the fate of the nation. For iniquity, like a Circean draught, naturally tends to emasculate the courage of a people, to inspire them with a contempt of good order and government, and to call on them the just judgments of an insulted Deity. The ignorant can but dimly discover the real beauties of virtue, and the dissipated are incapable of duly appreciating the satisfactory delights which attend on moral rectitude. But happy for Britain, happy for the present age and generation, there are seminaries established where even the children of the indigent are taught the rudiments of the most useful sciences, and places of public worship opened, where the moral and religious duties of Christians are explained and enforced. The increase of population and of profligacy call, how ever, for greater exertions than have yet been made to check the progress of misery. Our streets are crowded with harlots, our prisons will hardly contain the criminals that are daily thrown into them, and Justice is almost ready to faint with the labour of inflicting due punishment on those who transgress her laws. Now in order to counteract these evils, it is proposed (by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent) that more churches be erected. This I confess is a wise and excellent plan, but here give me leave to observe, that the convenience and comfort of congregations should rise paramount in the mind of those who construct the new buildings to every other consideration, for most of our old churches and several of our modern ones, [May 1, especially those in the country, are so extremely incommodious as to render it impossible for the preacher's voice to be heard distinctly in every part; and what is of still greater consequence, they are so cold and damp at some seasons as to endanger the health of those who frequent them. Hence it is reasonable to suppose, that thousands absent themselves entirely from church, because they cannot be properly accommodated there. But the subject to which I chiefly wish to draw the attention of the public, and especially that of the venerable body of the Clergy, is the expediency of establishing Sunday Evening Lectures in the parish churches of all_the_populous towns in the kingdom. The Dissenters have long adopted this laudable plan, and the consequence is, that many who probably first resorted to their meetinghouses from motives of curiosity, or to spend an idle hour, have been brought at length to embrace their principles, and separate themselves from the established community to which they belonged; and I am persuaded there are many persons who now spend the hours of that day which God hallowed, and which he has enjoined us to keep holy, in rambles of pleasure or frequenting public-houses, who, if opportunities offered, would attend divine service, and thus at least be in the way of duty and in the "path of improvement." Evening lectures have for a considerable time been given in several churches in the metropolis, and the manner in which they are attended is sufficient to prove that a more general adoption of this practice would be highly beneficial to the community. Besides, Christian ministers are commanded in the emphatic language of Scripture, "to be instant in season and out of season, to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suf fering and doctrine; to do the work of evangelists, and to make full proof of their ministry." Few therefore will be found, I trust, after duly attending to these considerations, sufficiently infatuated to deny the necessity of adopting the proposed measures. "Sunday," observes an ingenious moralist, "seems to be a kind of Christian palladium, and it has been the opinion of many wise and good men that Christianity will stand or fall as this day is neglected or observed. Every sincere soldier of the great Captain of our Salvation must therefore exert himself in its defence, as ever be would preserve the divine fort of Revelation against the confederated attacks of the world and the devil.” Oxford, April 1. G. 1818.] State and Regulations of the Foundling Hospital, Dublin. To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. As the subject for establishing INSTITUTIONS for FOUNDLINGS has been introduced into your Magazine, I beg leave to subjoin a few answers to queries respect ing the FOUNDLING HOSPITAL in DUBLIN, &c. which I have just received. Dublin, March 28, 1818. 1. The Foundling Hospital contains at this moment 474 boys, 645 girls; total 1119 within the walls. 2. It was founded by a member of the Ormond family in 1704, as a City Workhouse for the reception of paupers. When converted to its present use I know not. 3. The vice it prevents is infanticide. 4. The misery it relieves is an over numerous starving family; or, the shame attending illicit intercourse. 5. It is supported by a tax on houses in Dublin producing nearly 8,000l. per annum, and an annual parliamentary grant of about $4,000/. 6. The Establishment consists of a Chaplain 2001., Registrar and Paymaster 2001., Surgeon 2001., Superintendant Male School 1007., Apothecary 100l., Providore diet and 100l., Superintendant Weaving Factory 100l., Porter 401., Gardener 401., Butler 161. and diet, Foundling Clerk diet and 16., Boys Orderly, clothing and diet and 251., Usher, 1 suit of clothes, diet, and 61., Inside Porter diet and 6l., Master Taylor 16s. 3d. weekly and 10d. for every suit made bona fide by the boys, Master Shoemaker 16s. 3d. weekly and 3d. per pair for all made by the boys, 1 Assistant each at 16s. 3d. weekly, 3 As sistant Weavers at 12s. cach. Females are Housekeeper diet and 60l., Foundling Matron diet and 401., Infirmary Matron diet and 401. Superintending Mistress of Female Schools diet and 30. 4 Dormitory Mistresses diet and 25l., 1 Assistant in Female School diet and 251., Foundling Nurses (wet) to receive infants on admission diet and 61, Cooks (no perquisites, a very laborious place) diet and 301., Laundry Woman (laborious if duty well done) diet and 201., 3 Infirmary Nurses diet and 27. each, Cook's Assistant diet and 2., Boys Stocking Mender diet and 6., House Maid diet and 21., Boys Nurse in washing rooms diet and 61. 7. About 6,800 children are in the 311 10. They are generally brought by hired carriers (females) of a most hardened description. 11. The carriers must produce a certificate signed by the minister or churchwardens of the parish from whence the child is brought, stating that the child is deserted, or the parents are unable to maintain it, in which case the parent may reclaim it, or it may be put in the cradle without a certificate, in which case all traces of it are for ever lost. 12. The children at nurse are ascertained by being marked with an alphabetical letter, denoting the year of admission, and the number they stand on the books, on the upper part of their arms with ink and gunpowder, by means of needles fixed in a handle for that purpose. 13. It was formerly governed by the Corporation of Dublin, through whose neglect it became a perfect Golgotha, where the tragedy of the slaughter of the Innocents was in a perpetual course of performance. Of 3,600 sent in one year to their infirmary, only three came out alive! 14. In 1797 it was taken by the Irish Parliament out of these gentlemen's hands, and transferred to 12 Governors appointed by government. Three form a board for the dispatch of ordinary business, 5 for extraordinary. It has grown progressively ever since they have had its management. They receive no salary. School 15. For six months rise at 5. 6 to 8. Chapel and breakfast to 20 minutes before 9. School half-past 9 to Dinner till half-past 2. 1. Play to 2. School 4 to a quarter before Play to 4. 7. Supper to half-past 7. Play to 8. Prayers and bed to 9. Two months rise at 6, same routine except one hour less in morning school. Four months rise at 7, do. except no school before breakfast. 16. One set of children work Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays: the other set the intervening days. 17. Foundling Hospitals in general are considered as incentives to fornication, but my opinion is, that those who commit the crime never trouble themselves at the moment about its probable results. Foundling Hospitals therefore have rather been produced by the frequency of the crime, than the crime by them; that they may enter as part of his plan into the head of a practised seducer I do not deny; but for the innocence of the human race, I hope the number of such is very limited, and as a preventive to infanticide, they must do more good than harm. The real difficulty is how |