manufacturer never could recollect; but instead of attempting to answer—“ "Lights, lights!" was his only cry.

But the housemaid had fainted, Brandt had fled, and if his call was heard by any of his domestics, either they were so busily engaged in attending to the still trembling female servant, or so unwilling to approach the dreaded stranger, that his demand, though more than once reiterated, was not heard; at all events no answer was returned, and with no small trepidation he found himself alone, in darkness, and face to face with the Dead Guest.

(To be continued.)

ART-UNIONS.

THE putting a stop to the distribution of works of art, by the Government declaring them to be illegal, has caused great dissatisfaction and much regret in many quarters. We always considered them calculated to do good, and the artists with whom we have conversed were almost all of the same opinion. There are, however, two views to be taken of every subject, and the following strictures from the "Polytechnic Magazine" furnish the best defence of the interdict we have yet seen:

"The success of these Art-Unions must, it is obvious, depend on the number of blanks, and not upon the number of prizes that may be drawn. We have, therefore, at once a premium offered to inferior artists for inferior works, in order to make up the full complement for the raffle. Hence, many young and meritorious artists are tempted to fritter away their time and talents in hastily executing pictures to order, instead of sitting down to study, or enter upon any self-improving great work. The ArtUnion of London having squandered 36,000l. in this way, must have done a great deal more harm than good, for the distribution of so many inferior works must inevitably tend to vitiate public taste." Nor is this all: instead of creating a demand for works of art, these chance distributions have, we are persuaded, a directly contrary tendency. The possessor of a prize-good, bad, or indifferent-carries it home with him contented; he hangs it up in his hall, his parlour, or, it may be, in the bar of a public-house. His guinea chance has turned out so well, that he will in all probability not buy another picture all his life. What, then, has the Art-Union of London done, to claim any special protection from government? Our an

swer is, nothing. Look to the last presentation engravings of the London ArtUnion. There is not one of them we should have any pleasure in accepting. The last, we believe, is 'Una.' We all know Hilton to have been one of the most accomplished, although least known, artists of our school; but he was very unequal, as Una evinces; and what could induce him to paint such a picture, and the Art-Union to engrave it, we cannot possibly conceive. The 'Tired Huntsman' is another crying absurdity, selected and engraved professedly to refine public taste in matters of art. Who, that has paid any attention to the arts, would confide in the taste and judgment of persons capable of making such selections for their subscribers?"

SABBATH THOUGHTS.

And was it thus, glad Sun, that thou
On Eden's earliest Sabbath rose,
To sink as calmly bright as now
Thou sinkest to repose?

Did our first father gaze on thee
With thoughts as rapt as throng on me?

Thou, and the stars and moon. alone,
Of all that bless'd the primal earth,
Remain to shine, as ye first shone
At the creation's birth,

When man walked forth the lord of all,
Fresh from his Maker's plastic call.

Unchanged 'mid all mutations, still
Thou wear'st the joyous look of youth;
Unbann'd for sin with death or ill,
Thy smile still glows with truth;
And part of Eden lives in thee,
From gloom, and woe, and passion free.

And such a Sabbath, rife with bliss,

So sweetly mild, and soft, and lone,
And fraught with pensive happiness,
As thou now shinest on,
Be mine, when breaks within the sky
The day-spring of Eternity!

GEORGE MOIR BUSSEY.

THE LATE WILLIAM BECKFORD. FROM the newspapers we learn that the author of "Vathek" is no more. He died last week at Bath, where he had erected a singular edifice, in some respects a miniature of his former abode, the far-famed Fonthill Abbey.

Mr. Beckford was an extraordinary man. He was the son of Mr. Alderman Beckford, who gained great fame by his replying on the moment to George III., when the monarch gave an ungracious reception to an address from the city. The words which he used on that remarkable occasion were placed in Guildhall, with his statue, to testify the admiration which they had called forth from his fellow-citizens, and the gratitude

Mr. Beckford, the son, seemed well disposed to a public life, and became a member of the House of Commons. Rumours to his prejudice of the most fearful character got abroad. He was shunned by many, and in grief, disgust, or resentment, withdrew to his seat in Wiltshire. There he raised the vast fabric we have named, and which a quarter of a century ago was the theme of every tongue.

It was not the splendour of the edifice -though that was great-nor the value of its contents though on these immense sums had been expended-that fixed public attention on Fonthill Abbey, so much as the habits of the proprietor, exaggerated, and, in all probability, misrepresented, by report. He was said to see no company, to allow no approach yet to live in almost regal state. Though he had servants fitting his opulence, his favourite was understood to be a dwarf, called Pero. Mr. Beckford was described to be violent. He would speak harshly, or more than speak, to a servant or a villager that came in his way, but, soon relenting, it was his care nobly to recompense the party he had outraged. It was shrewdly suspected that some of those who experienced the throb of his impetuous anger had artfully put themselves in the way of it, for the sake of the healing donation which was likely to follow.

He certainly lived in seclusion for a number of years, and objected to the abbey being shown to the curious. It was even said, George IV., when Prince of Wales, had intimated a wish to visit it, which had been met by something like a refusal. Be this as it may, it got wind among the public that the residence of Mr. Beckford was "a sealed book;" and when, in 1822, the news burst on the town that the abbey and all its contents were about to be on public view, preparatory to a sale by auction, every one was anxious to see the Palace of Wonders. It was likened to throwing open the blue-room of Bluebeard.

Mr. Christie was the auctioneer to whom the important charge was confided. Catalogues were issued, and

thousands repaired to Hindon, and thence to Fonthill. Great was the interest in the approaching sale, when, the day before it was commenced, a new surprise was prepared for the public mind, and it was announced that there would be no sale at all!

The whole property had been bought by the late Mr. H. Phillips for a Mr. Farquhar, a Scotsman, of very penurious habits, who had made a vast fortune in India, but who continued to dress and to live in the meanest style. He bought this palace and park, not because, like old Scrooge, a dream had induced him to rush from grinding parsimony to openhearted benevolence, but because it appeared a good opportunity for increasing his store, aided by the experience and talent of the Bond-street auctioneer. It is true he took up his abode in it for a time, but he bought it not to inhabit, but to sell, and accordingly it was announced in the following year that the whole, as the phrase is, was to be brought to the hammer.

Mr. Phillips took possession of the abbey-and then, how changed was the scene! Where silence and solitude had long been witnessed, crowds assembled, and day after day, and week after week, a merry group was seen at his hospitable board, among whom the representatives of the press found a distinguished place. Those who partook of the entertainments given on that occasion, while extravagant dissipation was avoided, confess that nothing was wanting to render them perfect hours of enjoyment. It was in the cloisters, approached by the western avenue, that they usually took place. They broke up early, as the indefatigable Phillips had always occupation for the evening.

Mr. Beckford's library was very extensive, yet, among the countless ranges of books which he possessed, he had so extraordinary a memory, that he could at once indicate the shelf, and the part of the shelf, on which any particular volume might be found. This was proved, to the utter amazement of the new proprietor of Fonthill. In many of the works, notes had been made, in the handwriting of Mr. Beckford: the books which contained them were intended to be withdrawn, but, by accident, some escaped discovery; they were discovered by the prying gentlemen of the press, and the memoranda found in several of the books appeared in the newspapers.

They were eagerly sought after at the sale, though frequently they presented but quotations from the books: occasionally, however, they expressed opinions, and some of them were of a most singular nature. High prices were given for these, and some, it was understood, were purchased for Mr. Beckford at twenty times the price which the holder had given for them at the sale. His thoughts were often expressed with great force. In one instance, speaking of human nature, he powerfully marked his sense of the humanising power of letters. He pointed to the mind of man as wretched in its native state-as "blood-raw, till cooked by education."

One of the works which he had most copiously illustrated, was Irving's "Memoirs of the Life and Writings of George

Buchanan." The movements of the learned Muretus, as there recorded, attracted his observation, and more than one of his notes relate to that individual, the melancholy accusations to which he was subjected, and the strange effects they produced on his constitution. We have seen the work just mentioned, with the notes in Mr. Beckford's handwriting. As specimens of penmanship-or pencilmanship rather, for they are written with a black-lead pencil-they are curious and as many would like to read the commentaries of so remarkable a man, we purpose obtaining a copy of them for the next number of The Mirror. These, with the passages in the book to which they have reference, may throw considerable light on the manner of the author of "Vathek."

;

NAPOLEON.

A cheap and revised edition of the history of the wonderful man who so long ruled the destinies of Europe, is being brought out in numbers by Willoughby. It is to be embellished with 20 portraits, and 500 engravings, by Horace Vernet and M. Jacques. Many of these have great merit, and would fitly adorn a much more expensive work. We give one by way of extract, to represent Napoleon re-visiting Marengo, the scene of a memorable triumph, where, in the moment when all seemed to be lost, unhoped-for victory exhibited to him a startling view of the chances of warthen to him most grateful, though subsequently he experienced them in all their bitterness-in humiliation, exile, and death.

Motto. "Aperto vivere voto. "To live without a wish concealed."

THIS family springs from the first Earl of Nottingham, through whom its pedigree may be traced back to the time of Henry I. The second son of Heneage, first Earl of Nottingham, who was also named Heneage Finch, having embraced the profession of the law, attained celebrity at the bar, and became solicitor-general, Jan. 13, 1678, and was subsequently the principal of those eminent advocates who defended the seven

bishops. In the convention Parliament, he represented the university of Oxford, and in subsequent parliaments so long as he continued a commoner. In 1702, he was chosen on the part of the university to compliment queen Anne, on her majesty's visit after her accession, to the an

cient city of Oxford, and on that occasion he was elevated to the peerage by the title of Baron Guernsey, March 15, 1702-3; and shortly after the accession of George I., October 19, 1714, he was created Earl of pointed chancellor of the duchy of LanAylesford. He was in the same year apcaster, and nominated a member of the Privy Council. He married Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Sir John Brooks, Bart. of Aylesford, and had issue, Heneage, Lord Guernsey, two other sons, and three daughters. He died June 22, 1719, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Heneage, who married Mary, daughter and heir of Sir Clement Fisher, Bart., of Packington, in the county of Warwick. His lordship had issue, Henry, Lord Guernsey, and three daughters, and dying June 29, 1757, the Heneage, third earl of Aylesford, LL.D.; he title came to his son of the same name,

was born Nov. 6, 1715, and married Oct. 6, 1750, Charlotte, daughter of Charles sixth Duke of Somerset, by his grace's second wife. This Lady Charlotte Finch, daughter of Daniel, Earl of Winchelsea and Nottingham, by whom he had issue Heneage, Lord Guernsey, six other sons, and four daughters; he died May 9, 1777, and was succeeded by his eldest son Heneage above mentioned. This nobleman was born July 15, 1751, and married Nov. 18, 1781, Lady Louisa Thynne, daughter of Thomas first Marquis of Bath, and had issue, Heneage, the present Earl, three other sons, and seven daughters; his lordship was Steward of the Household, died October 21, 1812; on his decease the title came to Heneage Finch, F.S.A., the present Earl, who was born April 24, 1686; he married April 23, 1821, Lady Augusta Sophia Greville, daughter of George second Earl of Brooke and Warr-she has issue Heneage, Lord Guernsey, born December 24, 1824; Daniel, born April 26, 1827, besides daughters, Margaret and Sarah.

two

anions, or such as appear at the anode; and cathions, or such as appear at the cathode. A few examples may be instructive:

ANIONS.

Oxygen; chlorine; iodine; bronine; nitric acid; sulphuric acid; carbonic acid; and the acids generally. CATHIONS.

Hydrogen; the metals; ammonia; potassa; soda; lime; and the protoxides generally. Vegetable alkalies.

We are not permitted now to enter too minutely into the secondary actions, which often modify the primary result the two cases which have already been before us are sufficient for illustration; the first, in which the oxygen, from decomposed water, enters into combination with the metal of the electrode; the second, in which the hydrogen combines, by electrine affinity, with the oxygen of an oxide, and releases the metal. The third case being, in fact, that which covers metallo-chromes and anion deposits, is when the oxygen combines with the compound in solution; and the product of such combination is deposited.

Sugar of lead, or, as it is chemically termed, acetate of lead, is well stirred in water until a saturated solution is obtained; this is then filtered for use. The composition of this solution is oxide of lead in diluted acetic acid. Some of it may be poured in a flat dish over a polished plate of platinum, or, which answers equally well, a polished steel-plate. This plate is touched with the battery wire so as to become an anode; if the point of the other wire is dipped into the solution, and held at a little distance from the surface of the steel plate, a succession of concentric rings, coloured with all the brilliant tints of the spectrum, make their appearance. They seem to grow out of the plate. They are caused by the presence of very thin films of peroxide of lead, deposited from the solution. Light is reflected through them from the polished surface of the plate, and is decomposed into one or other prismatic tint according to the thickness of the film. One word on the electrochemistry of the matter, and we leave the science of the subject, to give a few instructions as to the modes of obtaining them. Water is decomposed in this case as in the preceding; but the oxygen, in place of combining with the anode, combines with the protoxide of lead held in solution, converts it into a peroxide, and

the peroxide is deposited in these their films-the release of the metal; lead at the other electrode goes on as usual. Two cells of the battery, and sometimes three should be used for producing the best effects. The result is obtained in a few seconds. The colours make their appearance in due gradation. Immediately on immersing the point, a small circle of a silver blond colour, like very light hair, makes its appearance; this increases in size, and becomes darker at its centre until it reaches a decided fawn colour; it then passes on through various shades of violet, until it reaches the indigos and blues. The blue makes its appearance in about three seconds; the imagination cannot conceive of any thing more brilliant than its tint; it emerges from the centre, as it were from a cloud, and bursts on the eye with surpassing splendour. The tints pass on, through pale blue to yellow, and then through a range to lake, and through bluish lake to green, and greenish orange: next follow rose orange, which fades off to greenish violet and green: by various shades, this passes to reddish yellow, and onward to rose: lake. According to Nobili, who first devised these experiments, rose-lake is the forty-fourth colour of the series. This series of colours will constitute a ring of an inch or more in diameter, rose-lake occupying the centre; the width of each colour, and the distinctive characters, depend mainly on the strength of the voltaic action, and the distance at which the point is held from the plate. The whole operation, as I have said, only occupies a few seconds; and any action after the the appearance of the rose-lake, operates in undoing what has been done, by increasing the thickness of the films beyond the limit which gives colour.

This then is the first and simple form of metallo-chromes.

(To be continued.)

PARASELENE

SEEN AT HIGH-FIELD HOUSE, LENTON,

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

SIR,-On Wednesday, May 1st, 1844, at 11h. 10m. P.M. a most remarkable and curious phenomenon made its appearance. The following are the remarks which I made at High-field House, situated about two and a half miles S.W. of Nottingham.

The day was very fine, and the max