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and his black letter dogs at his heels, I made a rapid retreat; and, at last, thanks to the forgotten labours of ancient and modern geologists, I crept into a snug corner between Father Kircher's Mundus Subterraneus and Dr Calcott's Theory of the Earth, where I have lain undisturbed for the last twenty years. By what unlooked-for accident you came to consult the work and disturb the venerable dust of my old friend the Jesuit, whom I recollect well conversing with in one of my little Continental trips in the seventeenth century, I cannot tell. Many a good hint did I then give him for his Magia Universalis.Poor Kirchy! He had always a warm heart to the unknown world, and loved us spirits, and any thing mystic or magical, better than the fat paunches, and often lean pates, of his reverend fraternity. You will perhaps recollect that you discovered me in the Mundus Subterraneus, to which I had retreated in the chapter De Fine et Scopo Geocosmi. I dreaded instant destruction. This moment was to me decisive of my destiny. Had you swept me from the page, or crushed me, like the generality of collectors, in a rage, or carelessly closed the volume, I should have been either destroyed past all redemption, or become a maimed, disfigured, and unhappy spirit, unfit for ever to mingle in aerial society. Conceive then my delight, when you not only proceeded to no violent measures, but favoured my escape, and appeared even solicitous about my safety.

has infected the higher classes of collectors of books, in England more particularly. The passion for collecting books, when under proper modifications, and directed to the higher kinds of literature and philosophy, is of the very first utility, and is an interesting, rational, and delightful amusement. But the rage for buying up all the black letter old treatises, all the smokedried, worm-eaten principes editiones ;-the taste which gives two thousand guineas for an Ariosto or a Bocacce, which, in accuracy and beauty, is probably infinitely inferior to the more modern editions; the knowledge which leads some men to detect the age of any work by the smell of the parchment or the taste of the paper;-all which conduces them, in short, to spend on such trivial follies, that time, talents,

and industry, which might extend the range of more solid improvement, or enlarge the bounds of more important knowledge, all this is truly ridiculous.

"Nothing since this adventure has occurred to disturb my retreat; I have passed the years of my pilgrimage on earth in unbroken privacy; and the moment that the laws of our order have restored me to my original brightness, I have appeared before you, to show you, that although you have forgotten this benevolence of yours, I cannot rest till I have conferred on you some lasting mark of my gratitude."

I remained so entirely overcome, so utterly amazed at this singular and learned address of the Spirit, that I did not open my eyes for some moments. "How can I possibly be persuaded of the reality of all this?" I at last exclaimed. "Stay, stay, my friend! on this point I am about to give you most ample satisfaction." She waved her wand, and at this moment a sight was presented to these eyes, so varied, so astonishing, and so beautiful, that I sunk, overcome with the mingled feelings, into the very farthest corner of my rustic chair.

(To be continued.)

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Venlaw, July 8th, 1817.

Geneva, June 26, 1817. I proposed to set out the day after to-morrow on an excursion to Genoa, by the way of Turin, with the intention of returning by Pavia, Milan, and the Simplon; but in consequence of the information which we have received from M. Sismondi, respecting the dreadful state of misery, bordering upon famine, with which these countries are afflicted, and the prevalence of diseases, partly contagious, which are the consequence of bad food, we

have deferred our journey, till the approaching harvest and the ripening of the fruits shall better the condition of the people.

We ourselves have escaped from these dreadful evils by the prudence of the government of Geneva, and the patriotism of the citizens, who procured such a supply of corn from Odessa, as not only to save ourselves from scarcity, but to enable us to assist our miserable neighbours of Savoy, who, from the scantiness of last year's crops, were literally perishing by famine. In April last, some of the inhabitants of Geneva proposed to open a subscription for furnishing them with Rumford soups, till the harvest should supply them with food. boiler was, for this purpose, established beyond Mount Saleve, at the expense of Mr Pointz, an English gentleman, and the composition and distribution of the soups was directed by an excellent Genevese lady, Madame Prevost, who took up lodgings at the house of the curate, and still remains there in the performance of this charitable work.

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The good example which was thus set was rapidly followed, and no fewer than eleven boilers have been erected in as many parishes, within a semicircle of four or five leagues radius, furnishing 3260 soups a-day. All this is at our expense; the English have furnished about one-fourth or one-fifth of the subscription, and the lowest classes of citizens have made it a point, and considered it an honour,

to contribute.

Necessity has suggested an astonishing resource for supplying the animal part of the soups from bones, which, in ordinary cases, are thrown away. Experience has shewn, that a first boiling for some hours extracts a rich broth, which turns into a mass of jelly, covered with a stratum of fat like butter. This jelly, which can be transported, supplies the boilers. A second boiling of the same bones, after being bruised, extracts a second quantity of broth, not much inferior to the first; and if new bones cannot be obtained, a third boil-. ing may be resorted to with success. The same bones which have furnished all this nutritive matter, when treated with diluted muriatic acid, according to Darcet's method, are converted into gelatine, which is dried; and a single ounce of this gelatine will, by sufficient

boiling, convert thirty-two ounces of water into jelly.

As there are more bones collected in the city than can be immediately employed, they are first steeped for twenty-four hours in the running water of the Rhone, and then boiled with potash, so as to take away all the superficial grease, without affecting the animal soluble matter within. They are next dried in the open air, and may be preserved in a dry place for an indefinite length of time, without suffering any change. In this way we might prepare a granary of bones, as well as a granary of corn, and thus keep in reserve, animal as well as vegetable food. This, in my opinion, is one of the most generally useful discoveries that want has ever suggested. The broth made of bones is really as good, if not better and more nutritive than broth made of meat. Four or five hours boiling, in a covered vessel, is sufficient, without any compression beyond the weight of the atmosphere.

MARLOW'S TRAGICAL HISTORY OF

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF DOCTOR
FAUSTUS.

As in all probability the greater number of our readers are unacquainted with this very singular composition, and as, independently of its own great merits, it possesses an extraordinary interest at the present time, from the general resemblance of its subject to that of Lord Byron's last poem, we now shall give an analysis of it, accompanied with extracts sufficiently copious to exhibit its peculiar spirit and character.

It opens, in somewhat rude imitation of the Greek Tragedy, with the Chorus, who gives a short sketch of the pursuits and character of Faustus. "Till swollne with cunning and a selfeconceit,

His waxen wings did mount above his reach— And melting, Heavens conspir'd his overthrow:

For, falling to a Devillish exercise,
And glutted now with Learning's golden
gifts,

He surfeits on the cursed Necromancy.
Nothing so sweet as Magicke is to him!"

Faustus is then seen sitting in his study; and he enters into an elaborate discussion on the emptiness of all human knowledge, from the Analy

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And

booke aside,

gaze not on it lest it tempt thy soule, And heape God's heavy wrath upon thy head, Read-read the Scriptures:that is blasphemy!

Bad Angel. Go forward, Faustus, in that famous Art

Wherein all Nature's treasure is contain'd: Be Thou on earth as Jove is in the skie, Lord and Commander of these Elements."

While Faustus is debating with himself which advice to follow, Valdes and Cornelius enter, two friends cunning in necromancy, and by whose suggestion he has been led to engage in that art. They eloquently describe to him the miracles which magic will perform; and especially, that the Spirits of the Elements will serve him in various forms, and among others, "Sometimes like women, or unwedded

maids,

Shadowing more beauty in their ayrie browes Than have the white breasts of the Queene of Love."

He is overcome by these sensations, and agrees to meet them in his study, that he may learn from them the requisite words of art.

Having, it appears, become master of the spell, he employs it in his study during a night-storm, and Lucifer and four Devils rise up before him. Lest any of our readers should be desirous of trying the effects of this incantation, it is as follows:

"Sint mihi Dii Acherontis propitii, valeat Numen triplex Iehouæ, ignei, aerii, aquitani spiritus salvete: Orientis Princeps Belzebub, inferni ardentis Monarcha et Demigorgon, propitiamus vos, vt appareat et surgat Mephostophilis Dragon, quod tuVOL. I.

meraris: per Iehouam, gehennam et consecratam aquam, quam nunc spargo; signumque crucis quod nunc facio; et per vota nostra ipse nunc surgat nobis Dicatus Mephostophilis."

This Mephostophilis is henceforth to become his servient spirit on the following conditions, to which Faustus chearfully subscribes.

"For when we heare one racke the name of God

Abjure the Scriptures, and his Saviour, Christ,
We flye in hope to get his glorious soule.
Nor will we come unlesse he use such meanes,
Whereby he is in danger to be damn’d :
Therefore the shortest cut for conjuring,
Is stoutlie to abjure all godlinesse,
And pray devoutly to the Prince of Hell."

The following lines are striking; and whether Lord Byron had them, or had them not, in his mind during the composition of some passages of Manfred, they will, we think, stand a comparison with any strain of a similar nature in his Lordship's drama.

Faust. "Was not that Lucifer an angel

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Where we are tortur'd and remaine for ever!
Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscrib'd
In one selfe-place; but where we are is Hell,
And where Hell is, there must we ever be.
And to be short, when all the world dis-
solves,

And every creature shall be purified,
All places shall be Hell that are not Heaven.
Faust. Think'st thou that Faustus is so
fond to imagine,

That after this life there is any paine?
No! these are trifles, and mere old wives

tales."

The soul of Faustus is now eternally vowed to Lucifer, and henceforth commence his agonies of remorse and despair, interrupted by sudden starts of exultation and pride, as the visions of eternal bale, or of earthly pleasure pomp and grandeur, alternately take hold of his imagination. Great knowledge is here displayed of human nature and the workings of the passions. In a soliloquy, Faustus exclaims, "My heart is hardned—I cannot repent. Scarce can I name Salvation, Faith, or Heaven:

Swords, Poysons, Halters, and envenom'd Steele,

Are laid before me to despatch myselfe, And long ere this I should have done the deed,

Had not sweet pleasure conquered deep despaire.

Good Angel. Repent!

Faust. O, Christ! my Saviour! my
Saviour!

Help to save distressed Faustus' soule! Enter Lucifer, Beelzebub, and Mephostophilis.

Luci. Christ cannot save thy soule for he

is just. There's none but I have interest in the same. Faust. O! what art thou that lookst so terribly?

Luci. I am Lucifer, and this is my com.

panion Prince in Hell.

Faust. O, Faustus! they are come to fetch thy soule.

Beel. We are come to tell thee thou dost injure us.

Luci. Thou call'st on Christ contrary to
thy promise.

Beel. Thou should'st not thinke on God.
Faust. And Faustus vowes never to looke

to Heaven."

While Faustus is thus agitated, Lucifer calls up before him, in their own proper shapes, the Seven Deadly Sins, to make him some pastime. As they pass by, they describe themselves

and occupations with very great vigour, and with a kind of grotesque sublimity. This vision delights the senses and imagination of the magician; and he is left so charmed with himself and situation, that he gives vent to his feelings thus :

Faust. O might I see Hell, and returne againe safe,

How happy were I then!

Old Marlow now indulges, quite unexpectedly, in a most extraordinary flight. After Faustus and Mephostophilis have taken an excursion through the air, from Paris to Naples, and thence to Padua and Venice, they arrive, apparently by rather a circuitous route, at Rome, which the Demon thus describes not unpoetically. "Know that this city stands upon seven hills, That under-prop the ground-worke of the Just thorow the midst runnes flowing Tiber's

same:

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Of Styx, of Acheron, and the Fiery Lake
Of ever-burning Phlegeton, I sweare
That I doe long to see those monuments
And situation of bright splendent Rome," &c.

Here, however, he breaks out into a lament, that during all his airy voyaging he has been a mere spectator, and is now desirous of becoming an actor in the scene; above all things, he wishes to astonish the Pope. phostophilis enters warmly into his designs against his Holiness, and thus advises him :

Me

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Here enters a procession of Cardinals and Bishops, some bearing crosiers, some pillars, and Monks and Friars chanting. They are followed by the Pope, Raymond King of Hungary, and the Saxon Bruno," whom the Emperor of Germany had created Pope, but who is now led in chains by his reigning Holiness. The Cardinals of France and Padua are ordered to the holy consistory, to consult the decretal statutes what punishment is due to Bruno for his usurpation of the See. Soon as they depart, Faustus and Mephostophilis assume their appearance, and, as if returning from the consistory, declare to the Pope,

That Bruno and the Germane Emperor
Be held as Lollards and bold Schismatiques,
And proud disturbers of the Church's peace.
And if that Bruno, by his owne assent,
Did seeke to weare the triple diadem,
He shall be straight condemn'd of heresie,
And on a pile of faggots burnt to death."
On this the Pope bestows his bless-
ing on them, which makes Mephosto-
philis jocularly remark,

So, so, was never Devil thus blest before."
Meanwhile, Bruno

"Is posted hence, And on a proud-pac'd steed, as swift as thought,

Flies o'er the Alps to fruitful Germany.” The Cardinals, whom Mephostophilis had struck in the consistory with profound sleep, now awake, and with all haste repair to the Pope, who is enjoying himself at a banquet. They immediately exclaim :

"First may it please your Sacred Holinesse To view the sentence of the Reverend Synod Concerning Bruno and the Emperor."

Here a thorough misunderstanding takes place. His Holiness flies into a violent rage and swears, that unless the Cardinals instantly deliver up Bruno, they shall both die. Faustus and Mephostophilis enjoy this scene invisible and occasionally put in a little biting remark, which, coming none can tell whither, bewilders and affrights the sacred company. But they are not satisfied with this-and when refreshments are brought in, they snatch the wine-glass from the Pope's hand, and finally give him a slap on the face, when he cries out,

"Oh! I am slain-helpe me my Lords. O! come and helpe to beare my body hence; Damn'd be his soule for ever for this deed." Friars then enter, with bell, book, and candle, and a curse is solemnly pronounced on him who stole his Holiness' meat, on him who struck his

Holiness a blow on the face, and on him who gave Friar Sandelo a hit on the pate. The scene at last degenerates into the most utter farce, but, on the whole, it is written with great vivacity and spirit, and shews, that both Mephostophilis and Faustus had a keen sense of the ludicrous.

After this merry exploit, the Devil and the Doctor return to Germany,and Faustus, of course, is in high favour with the Emperor, as the deliverer of Bruno. The Emperor limits his demands on the magical powers of Faustus to this :

"We would behold that famous conqueror,
Great Alexander, and his Paramour,
In their true shapes and state majestical,
That we may wonder at their excellence."

This is accordingly done rather stupidly-but the scene soon ceases to be solemn, and the Doctor returns to his pranks. A certain courtier, Benvolio, had doubted of his magical powers, and treated him with great ridicule before this exploit. Faustus accordingly punishes him, by planting horns on his head, a favourite mode of punishment with this magician. Much merriment between Faustus and Mephostophilis here ensues. Benvolio tries is of course baffled, and subjected to to waylay and assasinate his tormentor, farther torments and indignities. Various facetious scenes follow, in which harmless way, confusing the noddle the Doctor uses the black art in a very of a clown, and cheating a horse-dealer; on which last feat he seems greatly to pride himself. It is impossible to give any idea, by extracts, of these scenes, but their merit seems to consist in their extreme simplicity, bordering at all times on the veriest silliness; yet from the earnestness of the actors, possessing a sort of natural interest, and affording a laughable contrast between the high power of Faustus, and the insignificant objects on which, for his amusement, he thinks proper to exercise it.

As the play approaches its conclusion this farcical spirit subsides. Faustus, Mephostophilis, and several of his scholars, being assembled, one of them asks his master, in very elegant terms, to shew them "that admirablest lady, Helen of Greece;" to which request he thus beautifully replies:

"Faust. For that I know your friendship is unfeign'd,

It is not Faustus' custom to deny

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