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ards, to sell them. With a stock worth noble's Miscellany, entitled Histories of the more than two pounds, the produce of Scottish Rebellions, and a Life of James long savings of pocket-money, he com- the First in two volumes. Then, for other menced business; a boy-bookseller, self-publishers, Scottish Ballads and Songs, a reliant, unaided. There lies before us a Biographical Dictionary of distinguished kind of small ciphering-book, containing Scotsmen, and a compact little History of young Robert Chambers's first year's ac- Scotland. He also edited for several years count of profit and loss. The former was the Edinburgh Advertiser newspaper. Yet small, but, for his modest wants, sufficient. this goodly list represents little more than The writing is extremely neat. Indeed, the beginning of his literary career. the young penman was employed by the city authorities to copy on vellum the address presented to George the Fourth, who visited Edinburgh in 1822.

Meanwhile, the elder brother, William, had also started as a printer and bookseller, and they commenced a crude weekly miscellany. called the Kaleidoscope. Robert was the editor, William setting up his own compositions in type without troubling himself with pen and ink. This first effort closed a short life in December, 1821.

Neither was William Chambers idle. He toiled away in his snug little shop in the Broughton suburb, writing, printing, and selling books. He had already written and published an account of the legal constitution and customs of his native country, under the title of The Book of Scotland. Another work, The Gazetteer of Scotland, must have cost much labour, which, happily, proved to be profitable. About the end of the year '31 the turningpoint in the fortunes of the brothers accidentally turned up. The agitation for Robert Chambers never ceased to culti- Parliamentary Reform had awakened a vate his Tweed-side associations, and was necessity for the spread of education. therefore able to "spot," from personal Lord Brougham proclaimed that the knowledge, several of the characters in the" Schoolmaster was abroad." The schoolWaverley Novels, then in the height of master accordingly appeared in various popularity. "Illustrations of the Author of Waverley,' his maiden book, brought him into notice, and introduced him to Sir Walter Scott. His next venture, "Traditions of Edinburgh," has not ceased to be issued and read to this day. Every type of it was set up, every sheet pulled at press, by his brother. The first edition, dated 1823, presents a curious contrast to the handsome copies of the same work, improved also in other respects, published only last year.

guises. Henry Brougham himself started him, through the agency of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, a formidable organization of Chairmen, Treasurers, Committees, paid and honorary secretaries, and local agents. This literary mountain did not labour in vain; and among its progeny was The Penny Magazine. A copy of the prospectus (which appeared a very long time before the periodical itself) having been seen by William Chambers-who had long been gestating Publishers now began to seek out its similar schemes,- he forwarded to one of author. For one he wrote "Walks in the chief promoters several suggestions Edinburgh," partly the result of rambles which, in his judgment, would have imin the odd nooks and corners of the quaint proved the chances of the project. No anold city in company with Sir Walter Scott. swer was vouchsafed to his letter, and his In 1824 there was a great fire, depriving self-love was wounded. He determined to many poor families of their means and realize his unappreciated ideas himself; homes. Robert Chambers, having no and they took the form of Chambers's Edinmoney to give them, wrote a book describ-burgh Journal. The first number appeared ing the past historical fires in Edinburgh, on the 4th of February, 1832-six weeks for their benefit; and it sold largely. before the ponderous Society in London Having published his "Popular Rhymes fulfilled its promise of a Penny Magazine. of Scotland," he set out, as if determined Success exceeded not only expectation but to harden his tender feet by pedestrianism, the means of production. The projector to explore Scotland, chiefly on foot; his had to call in the aid of his brother Robobject being to collect materials for his ert for the editorship; and all Edinburgh Picture of Scotland," a work that proved to be equal only to produce the proved for many years to be the Scottish Scotch edition, one of the largest printingtourist's best companion. Although now offices in London being employed to work a prosperous bookseller, he found leisure off the supply for England and the coloto write and compile upwards of twenty nies. volumes. Among them five for Consta- ago:

The Penny Magazine expired long
Chambers's Journal still flourishes

amongst the widely-read hebdomadals of | plete that when commenced few men, even to-day.

Literary honours fell thickly upon Robert Chambers. He became a member of many scientific Societies, and enjoyed the rare distinction of being nominated into the Athenæum Club by its Committee of Management. The last years of his life were passed at St. Andrews; where the Senatus Academicus of the University conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws.

with the indomitable perseverance of these Robert Chambers's contributions to the remarkable brothers, could have hoped to Journal, of which he now became joint see it completed. It is called "Chambers' proprietor, plainly express his mental or- Educational Course." This series of some ganization. His early bent was towards fifty or sixty school-books begins with a history and archæology, and he contribu- three-halfpenny infant primer, reaches the ted many pleasant articles on these sub-classics through a whole library of gramjects. But it was the front page that he mars, dictionaries, and class-books, for most impressed with his own idiosyncrasy. teaching some of the foreign living lanGifted with keen, accurate observation, guages and every department of English, and a good-natured yet grave (therefore including most of the sciences, and ends mirth-provoking) humour, his miniature with cheap editions of several Latin auportraits of character and pictures of life, thors, and a popular Encyclopædia, in ten under the name of "Mr. Balderstone," thick volumes. To supplement what their were so truthful and sympathetic, that, Journal could not supply to the reading even when removed from their context and public, the brothers Chambers also wrote, re-published in seven volumes in '47, they with not much assistance, and published, met with a very general acceptance. The "Information for the People." "Papers for secret of their success is revealed in the the People," a series of Miscellaneous Preface: "It was my design from the Tracts, besides several cheap editions of first to be the essayist of the middle class the best bygone authors. - that in which I was born, and to which I continue to belong. I therefore do not treat their manners and habits as one looking de haut en bas, which is the usual style of essayists, but as one looking round among the firesides of my friends." He also furnished articles on elementary science. Eventually, indeed, he became a leading geologist; and, in his favourite pursuit, he explored, hammer in hand, not only many parts of Great Britain, but Memorials of Robert Chambers would visited Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Canada, hardly be complete without mention of and the United States. A theory which" Vestiges of the Natural History of Crehe had formed respecting Ancient Sea Margins he propounded before the British Association, and also in a volume with that title. The list of his other independent works comprises, "The Domestic Annals of Scotland," and a chronological edition of Burns's Poems, so arranged with connecting narrative that it serves also as a biography, with the money proceeds of which he helped to make Burns's sister comfortable for life. This was a labour of love. Robert Chambers was himself a poet,- tender, sympathetic, as a dainty little volume printed for private circulation, in 1835, fully attests. Associated with Mr., now Dr., Carruthers, he produced the "Cyclopædia of English Literature; and lastly (if we except the mysterious work to be presently discussed), "The Book of Days."

During all this hard work, Robert Chambers helped to conduct with his brother William, one of the largest printing and publishing establishments in Scotland, gradually grown out of the single hand-press at Broughton. He, too, aided in realizing an educational project so com

ation," published more than a quarter of a century ago, to prove that the Divine Governor of this world conducts its passing affairs by a fixed rule, termed natural law : this book communicated a sharp shock to the nerves of the orthodox. Its real author may never certainly be known, unless some evidence confirming that which already exists be left among Mr. Chambers's papers: it has been ascribed to Mrs. Robert Chambers. The controversy which

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The Vestiges" engendered was most envenomed in the North; and when, in 1848, Mr. Robert Chambers was selected to be Lord Provost of Edinburgh, he thought it better to withdraw, in the face of a storm raised against him as the supposed author. His brother William, however, afterwards filled the office with so much satisfaction to his fellow-citizens, that he was re-elected after serving the prescribed term of three years.

Included within a widely-spread reading public, Mr. Robert Chambers has left behind him quite a public of mourning personal friends. His genial manners and unlimited hospitality brought to his house,

not only troops of local friends, but during ductive of laughter! Within reasonable his long residence in Edinburgh almost limits, it is scarcely possible to convey an every distinguished visitor to that city. idea of its diversified contents. The first Even his own immediate successors would pages are devoted to official, police, law, count for a small community. He passes and sanitary notices-notices of contracts, away the patriarch of nine children and bankruptcies, &c.; these are followed by thirty grandchildren. Not one of these trade advertisements, touching silks, fish, but can recall some affectionate memorial groceries, wines, coffins, wet-nurses, and of his generous kindness of word or deed. information as to how, when, and where The mournful record does not end here. the thousand-and-one wants of this life, While the above lines in memoriam were and death, may be supplied. Of these we being written, Mr. David Chambers, the shall say nothing, but proceed at once to youngest brother of the Messrs. Chambers, the social contents. What would our reand their agent in London, died unexpectedly at his residence at Lee, in Kent: like his brother, he was an earnest friend of Press Reform, and devoted much time in promoting the repeal of the fiscal restrictions upon newspapers.

From Chambers' Journal.
GERMAN ADVERTISEMENTS.

CLOSELY akin, and having many things in common, whilst varying in as many, the English and the Germans alike delight in advertising. There is, however, something specifically characteristic in German advertisement a spirit as clearly defined as that in German home-life, German politics, and German beer. True, we find represented in their newspapers the Agony column of our own Daily Jupiter; and the Editor's Letter-box, that medium of communication of our "penny Sundays," wherein Floretta, with light-brown eye, and flaxen hair, and considered lovely," seeks a suitable matrimonial connection; but we have no such publication in all England as is published daily in one of the fairest and most famous wateringplaces of the Rhine, the Residenz of a small duchy, which has succumbed to an overpowering army, raised by conscription, and armed with the deadly needle-gun, and become a mere province, a step-child of a great European power. The organ in question is not, however, ground to political tunes; it is intended to advertise, and nothing more. Yet it is found in all houses, among rich and poor; and, indeed, a tradition is current, that certain old pensioned officers now abstain from breakfast on Sundays and holy-days, since no Tageblatt then appears.

Imagine a newspaper, small quarto, of from eight to forty-eight pages, costing five shillings and four-pence a year, and devoted exclusively to advertisements every page full of novelty, and often pro

served island ladies say to finding their birthdays openly recorded under the most transparent initials, with their ages, the street and house-number duly added, in some such sort as this? - Hearty congratulations to the dear, tall, black, stout Gretchen B- on her to-day's cradlefeast, at No. 18 in the Hauptgasse.

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At times our attention is called to a swain who has forgotten the birthday of her whom his soul loves, and who honestly confesses it by heading in capital letters, "Better late than never." After thus introducing his salutation, his effusion jingles on:

Your birthday's past, as I do see;
Jimminy-krimminy, O dear me!
What can I say, but tell you plain,
I'll try not to forget again.

This is at least modest and penitent,
but, alas! some of us are but human, and
self will assert itself even in congratula-
tory birthday addresses; a picture of a
beer-barrel, or a couple of wine-bottles,
indicates that "a big drink" would be
regarded as an appropriate celebration
of the festive occasion; for instance, "A
cheer with three times three to the worthy
Master-joiner, Caspar L, No. 6 H-
St, from his true and thirsty friends.

Don't be afraid, my worthy son;
A cask of beer we can empty soon;
Then broach one in good time, d'ye see,
Nor very small need it to be."

Or thus:

We're thirsty souls, and could drink some beer,
If you'd give us the chance, old fellow:
We'll empty a barrel to make good cheer,
And toast you too with a bellow.

What can a "million donnerndes Hoch" | arms, as a good evangelical Christian, with be, other than a cheer as loud as a million trust in the Lord God, who has the rule thunders - or a bellow? over life and death, slept away, after that Happy couples proclaim their approach-she had been to me scarcely three-quarters ing nuptials thus: "With the loving con- of a year the faithfullest and happiest wife, sent of their parents, WH- and protection and aid in all my sorrows, sufST herewith announce their be- ferings, and cares. Hence, I beg for silent trothal." sympathy in my unforgettable and irrep

In the following notice there is some-arable loss. W, 17.7.70. The deeply thing truly Homeric: "HAVE A CARE- weeping and deep cast-down husband, A. a fat cow will be hewn to pieces in my Ryard, on Tuesday, at 11 A.M. sharp, and the flesh will be sold at 3d. a lb."

We now find a notice of death headed "Thanks."

About our next extract there is a grim "THANKS.-My husband, H-———— Kblood-thirstiness that would have done now rests in God; and I would thank all credit to the court of King Theodore; it re- those who accompanied him to his last minds one of the Pantin tragedy under resting-place- the Worshipful Sick and patronage, and must surely emanate from Burial Clubs, the Fire Brigade, and the one whom urgent private affairs have re- Madrigal Society, for the soul-stirring called from the scene of the war ere his hymns at the grave-side; as also those who appetite for horrors was satiated: "Thelped and comforted me during his illness. M- recommends himself for private -THE SORROWING WIFE." slaughtering. Terms moderate."

Our next is of another description: "When two young ladies, whose room is on the ground-floor in the B-Street, attired for the night in complete negligee, amuse themselves with mouse-hunting, they should take the precaution of first closing the curtains; and, when the pleasures of the chase are over, they jump into bed with a single spring, they should mind the bed does not break down with them.

Whoe'er the cap is found to fit,
Need not scruple to wear it."

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A lady who seems to have left the place unbeknownst to the inhabitants, causes the following to be inserted: GOOD-BYE! Want of time obliges me to adopt this way of bidding my friends and acquaintances adieu. I shall be sure, at the proper time, to recollect the small debts I have left behind me. Signed J. P., Widow, late of the Hotel Z-" Dated "Over the Frontier."

Here follows a parade of private grief, upon which the pen of a Juvenal might employ itself. That our readers may have it in its integrity, we render it literally: "DEATH NOTICE.-To all relations, friends, and acquaintances, I intimate generally, rather than by special notice, the sad news of the death of my dear, inwardly and hotly loved faithful wife (mother, daughter, sister, and daughter-in-law), Julia R—, née L, who, scarcely in the twentieth year of her life, the past night at 12 o'clock, at the hour and the minute at which she, to me, ten days before, had presented a healthy and dear boy, in consequence of miliary fever, softly in my

And here again is a similar notice, which moreover contains a happy suggestion to our Woman's Rights Committee, for the utilisation of the able-bodied female population.

"THANKS.-To all those who accompanied our now-in-God sleeping son, P- N-, to his last resting-place-to the honourable virgins who bore his body company - as also to his friends who carried him thither, our heartfelt thanks."

Such would-be benefactors to the human race as Mrs. Gamp ("if I could afford to lay out my feller-creeturs for nothink, I would gladly do it, such is the love I bear them ") are scarce even among ourselves; but that there are in Germany, too," sober creeturs to be got at eighteenpence a day for working-people," who "don't name the charge," but suggest the modesty of their prospective claims, would appear from the following: "At No. 21 in the Roof-chambers, orders for sick-nurses are taken kindly; also the undressing and dressing of corpses is performed. The advertiser can produce the best testimonials. Charges moderate." Whether these testimonials are from those who have been under the advertiser's hand or from those who may yet come under them, does not appear. In these days, it might not be extravagant to suppose that the testimonials had been procured by spiritual agency.

Having dealt with deaths, we may remark that births are announced thus: "To the Privy Councillor L- a son. Name J. F. S."

Here are some miscellaneous morsels. "To be sold cheap, a tolerably modern dress-coat, in very good preservation."

"Eleven young hens and a cock, good | lasting talkers, and remarkably intelligent, layers, to be sold." Is this the rara but because they have picturesque instincts, avis? and are not satisfied with expressing their "Chamber-sportsman M— resides at ideas by feeble words; while they satisfy No. 7 L St. The above recommends their natural impatience by using gestures himself as a medium for the destruction of in lieu of whole sentences, and can, and do, all species of vermin." occasionally carry on conversations without The mahogany child's chair, and the any speech at all. For example, I have Oxford prohibition concerning the main- seen a man in a balcony near the top of a tenance of dogs, cats, and other singing-house narrate entirely by gestures his day's birds, are so old as to have been entered in the Index Expurgatorius of the most inveterate Joe Miller; but we can produce a modern instance.

"BIRD HALL, WILH. ST.-I have the honour to announce to the honourable public of Wthat I opened my bird-hall on Saturday last for the sale of Parrots, Aquaria, and all sorts of other foreign and indigenous birds. Entrance to non-purchasers, 7 kreuzers; to purchasers, 3. Most respectfully, R. S."

adventures to a friend on the ground floor of a house on the opposite side of a street.

The gesture-language is believed to be, in the main, the same all the world over; still, in places widely apart, in which the habits of life are very different, it is natural to expect a corresponding difference in a language which is plainly imitative, and nothing else. In Mr. Tylor's work upon the Early History of Mankind, which contains a very interesting account of this language, it is stated that, according to the general practice of mankind, shaking the

We will conclude with two notices illustrative of the German national character-head is the sign for the negative "No." In istics Music and Economy.

"The Singing Society meet to-night at the Muckerhöhle." The name is not inviting; but the locality is historical.

And: "A gentleman wishes to hire a fur-cloak for a few weeks."

From Chambers' Journal. THE GESTURE-LANGUAGE IN SOUTH

ITALY.

South Italy, however, shaking the head never means "No," but always, "I don't understand you; what do you mean?" while "No" is expressed by elevating the chin and protruding the under-lip a little : and a still stronger negative by the same movements, to which is added, scraping the under-side of the chin with the tips of the right-hand fingers, holding the knuckles outwards, and the fingers slightly bent. In the curious affidavit in support of the will of a deaf-and-dumb man, unable to read and write, quoted by Mr. Tylor, which IN South Italy there is current a vener- explains the signs used by the testator to able story, which is here given with all re- express his testamentary wishes, it is to be serve, as the diplomates say: in other observed that the testator expressed his words, it is totally unworthy of belief. death by laying the side of his head in the The story is this. A stranger present at a palm of his right hand, and then lowering cabinet council in Naples, after some silent the right hand, palm upwards, to the pantomime had taken place, asked when ground. In South Italy, a Catholic counbusiness was going to begin, and was told try, death is expressed by making the sign that it was over. "But," objected the as- of the cross with the first two fingers of tonished stranger, "nobody has said a the right hand held together, upright, beword." "True," was the answer; "but fore the face, that being the final action of surely you observed what was going on?" the priest when administering the sacra"I saw nothing going on," said the stran- ment to a dying person. The gesture by ger, except a few shrugs and grimaces, which the English deaf-and-dumb man exand the king signing his name. You don't pressed his death, would, omitting the mean to say you call that business?" "Of lowering of the hand, mean, in South Italy, course," was the answer. "What's the sleep. In this country, we beckon a person use of a long talk, when we can express towards us by holding a hand or finger our meaning as well, and more quickly, by with tips upwards. In South Italy, howsigns." The story, though an exaggeration, ever, the tips are held downwards, and the is, nevertheless, not so utterly absurd as it English manner of beckoning is used for seems to the English reader. Southern salutation. The verb "go" is expressed Italians use a great deal of gesture while in South Italy by holding the open hand, speaking; not because they are deaf or the palm perpendicular, to the ground, and dumb, for they are quick of hearing, ever-pointed in the intended direction, and

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