96 Characteristic Anecdotes of the Gael. he saw distinctly as the moon shone clear, he vociferated nonsense in broken Engligh, and sung Gaelic songs, acting the part of a drunken buffoon. This odd ap pearance induced the robber to ride slowly. Stewart came up, reeling and exclaiming, and at length they proceeded a little side by side; and our soldier frequently laid hold of his companion as though he had been like to fall from his seat. Perceiving the servants near, he seized the highwayman, and throwing himself from the saddle, both came to the ground, where they grappled till assistance came up. Stewart received the reward, but unfortunately placed it in the hands of a gentleman who became insolvent, and he never benefitted by it more than ten pounds. A brave man, J. G., rose from the ranks of the forty second regiment nearly fifty years ago. The first day he dined at the mess an acute consciousness of inacquaintance with the minutiae of good manners so bewildered his mind, that he hardly seemed to retain his reason; his lips quivered, and he evidently swallowed each morsel with difficulty. As early as possible he left the table, and attempting a retiring bow, in his extreme confusion turned his back to the company. Several younkers burst into incontrolable laughter, and next day intimated a recollection of the bizarre sortie by going out in turns making their obeisance with their faces to the door. Mr. G. bore their derision some time; but his native good sense and bravery discerned a necessity for setting bounds to the insulting mirth. "Gentlemen," said he," it was by no fault of mine that I was not sooner introduced to polite society; but it will be my fault, indeed, if I fail to call any man to a severe account if he is so ungenerous as to mock me for awkwardness, which never troubles me when I face an enemy." Another Highlander, boru a gentle man, enlisted and accepted a serjeant's appointment, being reduced by misfortune to make this the last resource for maintaining a wife and family. When quartered in Dublin, the viceroy of Ire land, Lord Townshend, ordered the serjeants attending on him to have their dinner at the castle; and all, except our poor gentleman, availed themselves of this indulgence. His lordship's well known affability often led him to talk to the soldiery; and he one day asked this serjeant why he preferred fasting to a comfortable meal?" Because, please your Excellency, I am a poor proud Highland gentleman; and though for the sake of a [March 1, wife and six children, I serve as a serjeant, I strictly avoid all unsuitable company." The lord-lieutenant wrote down his name. He soon had an ensigncy and died a field officer. The means resorted to by the ancient Gael for maintaining family friendships has formed a lasting monument of their refined liberality of mind. The houses of Dunstaffnage, Melford, and Duntroon, were originally represented by three brothers united in the closest bonds of amity; and to perpetuate the remembrance of their fraternal origin, they ap pointed that in all future generations the funeral of each should be attended by the two others as chief mourners; the oldest man in years to take the head of the coffin, and the youngest to carry the feet; that in like manner the oldest in years should preside at the entertainment, which Highland hospitality gives on those occasions; and the youngest sit as croupier. Thus all disputes respecting precedence were obviated, and the custom is observed to the present day. The family of Dunstaffnage has now many able men in different professions. Sir Colin Campbell, aide-camp to the Duke of Wellington, is a son of Melford, and Sir Niel Campbell is the eldest sur viving son of Duntroon. His eldest brother fell in the service of his country; but no variety of scenes or vicissitudes can impair the brotherly attachment of these three families. B. G. Auchterblair, N.B. Jan. 13, 1818. To the Editor of the New Monthly Magasine. THE following particulars communicated by M. PICTET of Geneva will doubtless prove acceptable especially to your meteorological readers. It is well known that M. Pictet has for upwards of forty years kept a regular series of meteorological observations made at Geneva, and that these observations have not been without utility in regard to another branch of science, the measurement of heights by the barometer. Registers of this kind, however, are kept only in the lower strata of the atmosphere that rest upon inhabited places. They relate only to the two horizontal co-ordinates of latitude and longitude, and the influence of the third, or vertical co-ordinate, cannot be exactly appreciated in small differences of elevation. Thus philosophers are not yet agreed on the subject of the law of the decrease of heat in ascending upward from below. But where shall we find in 1818.] Mr. Pictet on the Convent of Great St. Bernard. Europe, a place bordering on the limits of perpetual snow, that is inhabited all the year round? Where too shall we find people zealous enough to reside there, and sufficiently informed to appreciate the utility of these observations, and to make them with the requisite regularity and precision? All these conditions are luckily combined in the celebrated bospital, known by the name of the Convent of the Great St. Bernard. On two former occasions the propriety of making a series of meteorological observations there induced first the Academy of Turin, and afterwards a society instituted at Arau, to send the necessary instruments to the convent; observations were mide, but for reasons unknown, they were discontinued and the instruments themselves became useless. The importance of this station however, has led M. Pictet to make a third attempt, which promises to be attended with better success. 97 visit. We found the Prior and some of the brethren not only disposed to enter into our views, but even delighted with the opportunity of resuming observations to which they had been formerly habituated." Early next morning the instruments were fixed, and the same day the observations were begun. They will be made twice a day at sun-rise, and 2 P. M. and a copy of them will be transmitted to M. Pictet every month, accompanied with such notes as may appear interesting; but according to his desire the original register is to be carefully preserved in the Convent. An abstract of it for the latter half of September is subjoined. Besides the accommodations of every sort which travellers meet with in this truly admirable establishment, the mineralogist and antiquary will inspect with pleasure two collections principally formed by the late Father Murith-the one of minerals; the other of bronzes and medals found in considerable quantity not far from the Convent, in a spot formerly occupied by a temple dedicated Jovi PENNINO-which is the legend upon most of the votive gifts belonging to this collection. It contains also Carthaginian medals in fine preservation. The present Prior, a very well-informed man and a lover of antiquities, intimated his intention of preparing a catalogue of this collection. Provided with a barometer, a thermometer, and a hygrometer, constructed for the purpose by a skilful mathemati cal instrument-maker of Geneva, he set out from that city with three friends on the 13th of September, and arrived the same evening at the convent. "We were received," says M. Pictet, "with the hospitality which so eminently distinguishes the monks of this establishment, and whose kindness seemed even to be heightened by the object of our Extract of the METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS made at the CONVENT of ST. BERNARD, situated 1,246 Fathoms above the Level of the Sea, during the last fifteen days of September, 1817. Quantity 8 lin. Mean height at sun-rise RAIN. Rainy days 4. 920,0} 70,7 84,3 WIND. Eight days N. and eight days S.E. always at the first of the four degrees of strength which it has been agreed to mark by estimation. On the 18th in the afternoon only the S.E. blew at the 2d degree. NOTES. Though the temperature of this month has been delightful, yet the mountains already begin to assume the brown colour which they receive from early frosts, and which indicates the approach of winter. The beauty of the season however, has not been capable of keeping in Switzerland numerous flocks of larks which never ceased passing from the 15th to the 24th. In 1811, shoals of small long-bodied flies darkened the air like clouds on their 98 Mr. Taylor on the Platonic Philosopher's Creed. [March 1, way to Italy. But if it be rare to see flies emigrate, it is still less frequent to meet with caravans of water-flies (demoiselles d'etangs) proceeding in quest of a climate more favourable for their extraordinary metamorphosis; as the monks of the hospital remarked on the 19th of this month. On the 28th at five in the evening a voice was heard at the Hospital; after a moment of surprize a white speck was discovered, and seemed to be moving along an almost inaccessible rock. A monk hastened to the summit of the mountain to the north of the Hospital called the Point of Chenalletaz, and found on the brink of a precipice an Englishman, who, in attempting to gain the summit, had taken a wrong direction and made his way to the middle of a rock, from which he could neither ascend nor descend. The monk soon called for assistance to his brethren, who quickly climbed up with a lantern and ropes; but it was not till after dark that they reached the top, and extricated the traveller from the imminent danger in which he was involved. The rocks, the hardened snow, and the darkness retarded their progress; so that it was very late when they arrived at the hospital. [M. Pictet saw this gentleman eight days afterwards at Geneva; he confirmed the above particulars, and highly extolled the zeal, activity, and address of the good fathers to whom he was indebted for his life.] The number of meals furnished to passengers during the months of August and September amounts to 12,324. Oxford, December 18, 1817. To the Editor of the New Monthly Magazine. AS the philosophy of Plato has not been legitimately studied, except perhaps by one or two individuals, since the fall of the Roman Empire, and in consequence of this is at present almost obsolete, I request you to insert in your Magazine the following epitome of his principal doctrines. This epitome was published by me thirteen years ago, under the title of "The Platonic Philosopher's Creed;" and I now send it you in the same form in which it first appear ed, but with considerable additions. 1. I believe in one first cause of all things, whose nature is so immensely transcendent, that it is even super-essential; and that in consequence of this, it cannot properly either be named, or spoken of, or conceived by opinion, or be known, or perceived by any being. 2. I believe, however, that if it be lawful to give a name to that which is truly ineffable, the appellations of the one and the good, are of all others the most adapted to it; the former of these names indicating that it is the principle of all things, and the latter that it is the ultimate object of desire to all things. 3. I believe that this immense principle produced such things as are first and most proximate to itself, similar to itself; just as the heat immediately proceeding from fire is most similar to the heat in the fire; the light immediately emanating from the sun, to that which the sun essentially contains; and the life which is immediately imparted by the soul to the body, to that which subsists in the soul. Hence, this principle pro Plato in Parmenide. J. J. duces many principles proximately from itself. 4. I likewise believe that since all things differ from each other, and are multiplied with their proper differences, each of these multitudes is suspended from its one proper principle. That, in consequence of this, all beautiful things, whether in souls or in bodies, are suspended from one fountain of beauty.— That whatever possesses symmetry, and whatever is true, and all principles are in a certain respect connate with the first principle, so far as they are principles with an appropriate subjection and analogy. That all other principles are comprehended in this first principle, not with interval and multitude, but as parts in an incorporeal whole, and number in the monad. That it is not a certain principle like each of the rest: for of these, one is the principle of beauty, another of truth, and another of something else; but it is simply principle. Nor is it simply the principle of beings, but it is the principle of principles, it being necessary that the characteristic property of principle, after the same manner as other things, should not begin from multitude, but should be collected from one monad as a summit, and which is the principle of principles. 5. I believe, therefore, that such things as are produced by the first good, in consequence of being connascent with it, do not recede from essential goodness, since they are immoveable and unchanged, and are eternally established in the same blessedness. All other natures, however, being produced by the one good and many goodnesses, since they fall off from essential goodness, and are not immoveably established in the nature of 1818.] Mr. Taylor on the Platonic Philosopher's Creed. 99 divine goodness, possess on this account in their present condition through a dethe good according to participation. 6. I believe that as all things considered as subsisting causally in this immense principle, are transcendently more excellent than they are when considered as effects proceeding from him; this principle is very properly said to be all things prior to all; priority denoting exempt transcendency. Just as number may be considered as subsisting occultly in the monad or unity, and the circle in the centre; this occult being the same in each with causal subsistence. 7. I believe that the most proper mode of venerating this immense principle of principles is to extend in silence the ineffable parturitions of the soul to its ineffable co-sensation; and that if it be at all lawful to celebrate it, it is to be celebrated as a thrice unknown dark ness, as the God of all Gods, the unity of all unities, and beyond the first adyta;t as more ineffable than all silence; as holy among the holies; and concealed in its first progeny the intelligible Godst. 8. I believe that self-subsistent natures are the immediate offspring of this principle, if it be lawful thus to denominate things which ought rather to be called in effable evolutions into light from the ineffable. 9. I believe that incorporeal forms or ideas resident in a divine intellect, are the paradigms of every thing which has a perpetual subsistence according to nature. That these ideas subsist primarily in the highest intellects, secondarily in souls, and ultimately in sensible natures, and that they subsist in each, characterized by the essential properties of the beings in which they are contained. That they possess a paternal, producing, guardian, containing, perfective, and uniting power. That in divine beings they possess a power fabricative and gnostic; in nature, a power fabricative, but not gnostic; and in human souls * Of the first principle, says Damascius, Tagy, the Egyptians said nothing, aλλ' ώσπερ σκότος υπέρ πασαν-νοησιν ανυμνήκασιν, σκοτος αγνωσίαν, τρις τουτο επιφημίζοντες. ti. e. Beyond the first occult and immanifest orders. For this is the meaning of the word adyta according to Orpheus, as we learn from Procl. in Tim. * ως Θεός εςι θεων απαντων, και ως ένας ενάδων, και ως των αδυνάτων (lege αδύτων) επέκεινα των πρώτων, και ως πάσης σιγής αρρητότερον, και ως πάσης υπάρξεως αγνωστοτερον, αγιος εν αγίοις, THE VERTOIS EVATONExgμμvos Osos. Proc), in Platon. Theol. lib. 2. p. 110. gradation of intellect, a power gnostic, but not fabricative. ARCHITECTURE, when first it began to be considered as an ornamental art, must have consisted in nothing more than a more tasteful disposition of the parts which constituted the first rude habitations of mankind; and, in each country where architecture first began to be cultivated, it must have had for its basis the primeval hut of the inhabitants. As those huts would naturally be con structed of the materials which were most abundant in the country; and the climate and the nature of the materials, would determine the form of the hut, consequently, in different countries a different style must have originated from the different forms of the primitive huts. But as the progress of civilization in different countries is not equal, it depending on the climate, the form of government, and various other circumstances, those states where the necessaries and conveniences of life, were most easily obtained, would be far advanced in the arts before their less fortunate neighbours had even thought of improvement. On the other hand, the effeminate pleasures of the civilized part of society, would render them and their desirable country, an easy prey to the more hardy and less cultivated adventurers. Those conveniencies and luxuries which had first tempted their conquerors would soon become objects of imitation, and among the rest their architecture. But the principles upon which their style was first founded not being known to their imitators, an inconsistent and barbarous mixture of dissimilar ideas would characterise the de signs of the new possessors. Having settled themselves in their new possessions, the conquerors would be desirous of ornamenting their own country, and would transplant with their own semibarbarous improvements, the once simple and elegant style of the conquered. Sometimes, however, the transfer of styles must have happened in a more peaceful manner, and those who had not 100 On the Origin and Styles of Architecture. a style of their own, have been contented with importing the styles of other countries, at the same time carefully grafting them upon old stocks of their own-not to preserve each style in its original state of excellence as the gardener would his fruits, but to debase, by combining them with the homely and discordant qualities of their own productions. But to whatever the mixture of such discordant principles may be owing, to peaceful imitation, or to conquest-its effects are now too visible. It has not been confined to nations emerging from obscurity, but has been practised in the most enlightened parts of Europe; and is, even now, carried to excess in this country. But to return to the simple and original styles on which the rest have been founded. Each of these consisted in the adaptation of ornament to a simple model, which we may suppose to have been the primitive hut of the country; and each of these styles has beauties of its own some originating in fitness, others in fitness combined with forms that are in themselves beautiful. Now, as these original specimens of taste were constructed to suit a particular climate, with ornaments adapted to the form and to the nature of the materials, it is evident that their characters would not bear transferring to other models, without losing all, or nearly all the peculiar beauties of the original: it is also equally obvious that the transfer of the whole would be equally out of character. For instance, the building that would be perfectly fit for the residence of an Indian on the banks of the Ganges, would ill suit an Englishman on the banks of the Thames; the climate, the manners and habits of the two nations are so completely different; and to attempt to preserve Indian character on the outside, and make it English within, is too ridiculous to need comment. The same observations will apply to other styles. The styles which are peculiar to this country have acquired the names Saxon and Gothic; the terms are sanctioned by common usage, though neither of them appears to be appropriate. However this is of little consequence, but the ori⚫ ginal forms to which these styles may be referred, may serve to guide the architect in the selection of appropriate ornaments, to prevent the intermixture of the styles, and to preserve that unity of character so essential to the beautiful, [March 1, The peculiar state of society which rendered it necessary that the Lord of each Manor should reside in a fortified castle, would naturally direct the atten tion of architects to the forms best adapted for defence, which would cause them to depart from the simple style of the common habitation; and as castles were the principal buildings of the time, the churches and conventual buildings would be erected in a similar style, at least as far as their peculiar arrangements would admit of it. To this castellated or fortified style the term Saxon has been applied, and to its subsequent alterations the term Norman. But when the feudal system began to decline in this country and castles were no longer necessary, the principles of construction appear to have reverted to the form of the rude dwellings of our forefathers. I am not erudite enough on this subject to describe those huts, but it is probable that their parochial churches were something of the same kind, only larger; and that these rude places of worship contained all the essential characters of the pure Gothic Cathedral. If the real form and construction of these primitive churches have not been discovered, at least something that approximates so nearly to it as to answer the same purpose has been traced with much ability by Sir James Hall, in his "Essay on the Origin, History, and Principles of Gothic Architecture" published in 1813. The next question is, how far this mode of considering the subject is likely to be productive of improvement in the art of design? and for the better elucidation of this point we will consider the advantages in respect to the styles of our own country. It must be obvious that to produce the same effects we must act upon the same principles as those we wish to imitate. It is true their works are before us and might be imitated, or at least something like the same effects might be produced by disposing the parts in the same manner. But to say nothing of the minute attention that must be directed to their works, (which, by the way, is a tacit confession of the want of principles,) nothing that is really new could be effected without the risk of its being inconsistent. For example, let us take the castle or Saxon style. Here the object was to build a place of defence; and accordingly every part was to be consistent with the principal design; buttresses and all |