the most learned of the travelled, and of the most travelled of the learned, than that wherever there is a fig, there is a feast.

It remains for Jamaica, and the contiguous islands, to acquire that celebrity for the growth of figs, which yet attaches to the eastern archipelago; to learn to dry them as in the Levant; and to supply the desserts of the food-fanciers of London.

Pheasant.-The pheasant and the peacock were considered as sacred birds among our Gothic ancestors; and in the age of chivalry, when any solemn agreement was made at table, it was customary to vow it over the pheasant. The lady of the house, or her daughter, carried round the dish to the chief guests, and each pronounced over it his promise. At Lille, in 1453, as M. de St. Palaye informs us, a nobleman induced his principal neighbours to vow over the pheasant a crusade againt the Turks; however, it did not take place.

Frog and Snail Eating.-Frogs at Vienna are a great delicacy. Both the edible (esculenta) and the common frog (temporania) are eaten, but the latter is much less esteemed, as its flesh is not so white. The hind legs are in most request.

Two pairs of them cost about three halfpence; they are therefore by no means a cheap dish. The fore legs and livers are most used for soup. These poor animals are brought from the country, thirty or forty thousand at a time, and sold to the great dealers, who have conservatories of them. These are large holes, four or five feet deep, dug in the ground, the mouths of which are covered with boards, and with straw in severe weather. In the hard frosts, they never become quite torpid, when in these conservatories. There are only three dealers; and most of those which are brought to the market are ready for the cook. Snails are eaten in Germany, boiled, fried in butter, and sometimes stuffed with forced meat. The sliminess is considered as the greatest delicacy, and therefore remains after dressing. Snails close the list of maigre dishes; but they are not eaten from economy, seven of them being charged at the traiteur's the same as a plate of veal, or beef.

REVIEW.

A Poet's Portfolio; or Minor Poems, in Three Books, by James Montgomery.

London: Longman and Co. 1835.

As the enlightened patriot, as the devout Christian, as the talented poet, the name of Montgomery, of Sheffield, has long been before the world for good; and if the increased and increasing admiration which is accorded to him, if a reputation, rising with every new effort of his pen, be indicative of anything, we are assuredly amply borne out in the assertion, that that name will descend to generations yet unborn, associated with all that is beautiful in intellect and in morals.

The volume before us, to use his own words, "consists of miscellaneous and fugitive pieces, which have been accumulating on his hands, during a period, when no recollection of past success could embolden him to attempt greater things." It is, as its title intimates, divided into three books-the first, composed of "Narratives"—the second, of Miscellaneous Pieces, including "Songs on the Abolition of Negro Slavery in the British Colonies and the third, of "Sacred and Scripture Subjects."

Of the narratives, "Lord Falkland's Dream," and "The Voyage of the Blind," are the longest, and, perhaps, the best. The latter poem was suggested by the singular circumstances of a Spanish vessel engaged in the iniquitous slave traffic, the whole of whose crew, having become blinded by ophthalmia, were obliged to abandon the guidance of their ship, and were, probably, lost. His description of the vessel, gliding over the broad, blue sea, before the fatal disease broke out, although it contains no very novel or striking thought, is yet very happily hit off.

From the Miscellanies we select "Winter Lightning," alike

for its brevity and its beauty.

"The flash at midnight!-'twas a light

That gave the blind a moment's sight,
Then sunk in tenfold gloom;

Loud, deep, and long, the thunder broke,
The deaf ear instantly awoke,

Then closed as in the tomb;
An angel might have pass'd my bed,
Sounded the trump of God, and fled.
So life appears; -a sudden birth,
A glance revealing heaven and earth,
It is and it is not!

So Fame the poet's hope deceives,
Who sings for after times, and leaves
A name-to be forgot:

Life is a lightning-flash of breath,
Fame but a thunder-clap at death."

We cannot resist the temptation to copy "The Negro's Vigil." At the time of its first publication, in "The Bow in the Cloud," it was much admired, and reprinted in several of the metropolitan newspapers. Nevertheless, it may be read again with pleasure and profit. We conclude our brief notice with its

insertion.

"Hie to the mountain afar,
All in the cool of the even;
Led by yon beautiful star,

First of the daughters of heaven:

Sweet to the slave is the season of rest,

Something far sweeter he looks for to-night;

His heart lies awake in the depth of his breast,
And listens till God shall say, Let there be light!'

Climb we the mountain, and stand

High in mid-air to inhale,

Fresh from our old father-land,

Balm in the ocean-borne gale:

Darkness yet covers the face of the deep;
Spirit of freedom! go forth in thy might,

To break up our bondage like infancy's sleep,
The moment when God shall say,

'Let there be light!'

Gaze we, meanwhile from this peak;
Praying in thought while we gaze;
Watch for the morning's first streak,
Prayer then be turn'd into praise :

Shout to the valleys, "Behold ye the morn,
Long, long desired, but denied to our sight:
Lo, myriads of slaves unto men are new-born;
The word was omnipotent, Let there be light!'
Hear it, and hail it ;-the call,
Island to island prolong;
Liberty! liberty!-all

Join in the jubilee-song:

Hark! 'tis the children's Hosannas that ring;
Hark! they are free-men whose voices unite;
While England, the Indies, and Africa sing,
‘AMEN, HALLELUJAH!' at 'Let there be light!””

TO AN INFANT.

NEW visitant of the opening spring!
Welcomed by bleat of lamb, and merry song
Of little bird, that flits with lightest wing
From spray to spray the smiling groves among
Nature, all young like thee, delights t' appear
In bud and flower of every varying shade;
Yet are their beauties perishing as fair,
Created only to expand and fade!

Like them the curious texture of thy mind

Its latent hues shall gradually display;

Yet to oblivion not alike consign'd,

Progressive ever, and without decay;

Till every charm, which but appears to die,
Be perfected in immortality!

MATER.

NORWICH MECHANICS INSTITUTION.

THE subjects of debate which have engaged the attention of this institution during the past month have been as follow:-on the 1st ult. "Are Temperance Societies Politic?"-introduced by Mr. S. Wiseman, who mentioned many astounding facts in powerful corroboration of the statements which appeared in our last number; -on the 15th-" Is machinery injurious to the working classes?"-by Mr. Riches;-and on the 22nd and 29th-" Are Theatrical Amusements prejudicial to morality?" by Mr. C. Browne.

The first lecture of the session was delivered, Tuesday the 13th. by Mr. Bakewell of Hampstead, on the fossil remains of several extinct species of animals discovered in the various strata which compose the earth's surface. After exhibiting the arrangement of these by means of a coloured diagram, he adverted to various facts from which he inferred the probable existence of a chain of being, extending from the half-animate zoophyte to the high orders of intelligence which rank above man himself. The respectability of the audience bore testimony to the interest which the subject excited.

Mr. Darken, on the 27th, lectured on the "Manners and Customs of the Americans." Mr. D. having been an eye witness of all he described, his testimony to their general hospitality furnished a satisfactory reply to the contumely which has been so copiously poured upon this free and happy people, by the travelled great ones, who, (as the lecturer judiciously remarked,) from want of time or disposition to associate with all ranks and classes, are of course incompetent to present us with a fair outline of their national character. The spirit of independence which characterizes the lower classes, and the absence of that pride and aristocracy of feeling which is so lamentably prevalent in our own country, were enlarged upon at considerable length. As a commercial people, the essayist pronounced them to be keen and shrewd; but not regulated by integrity and uprightness. The lecture closed with some powerful remarks upon the abominable system of slavery, which is the foulest blot upon the escutcheon of that people, whose atmosphere is liberty, whose motto is, that man is free. From his personal acquaintance with the people, Mr. D. was enabled to illustrate his subject by a variety of interesting anecdotes, and thus to blend amusement with in

struction.

INEBRIETY.

From the Greek of Clearchus.

IF to those who are drunk each day of their life,
The headache preceded their Racchanal strife,
Scarcely one would be found, who would not decline
So deeply to drink of the unmingled wine.

PRINTED BY J. FLETCHER, UPPER HAYMARKET, NORWICH.