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UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL LITERATURE AND EDUCATION, APPOINTED BY THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.

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AMONG the worthies of this country, who, after a successful and honourable employment of their talent in life, have generously consulted the advantage of generations to come after them, few names appear more conspicuous than that at the head of this memoir.

COLLEGE and of the ROYAL EXCHANGE, London, was born in that city about the year 1518, the second son of Sir Richard Gresham, who served the office of sheriff in 1531, and that of Lord Mayor in 1537.

Gresham received a liberal education, and was sent to Gonvill Hall, now Caius College, Cambridge, SIR THOMAS GRESHAM, the founder of GRESHAM where he acquired the character of a scholar, as VOL. II.

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we find him afterwards mentioned in high terms of praise by Dr. Caius, who styles him that noble and most learned merchant." On leaving the University, he was placed with his uncle, Sir John Gresham, an eminent citizen: and, having afterwards been admitted a member of the Mercers' company, he continued, with a steady and industrious course, to lay the foundation of that character and fortune, which were soon to become eminently distinguished; the former by reflecting true honour on himself and his profession, the latter by affording great and substantial benefits to his fellow-creatures.

His father at this time held the responsible situation of King's merchant, and had the management of the Royal monies at Antwerp, then the most important seat of commerce in Europe. To this situation Thomas Gresham probably expected to succeed, on its becoming vacant by his father's death; but another person was selected, whose unfitness for the office occasioned his speedy recall; upon which Gresham was appointed to it. Having proceeded to Antwerp, he conducted himself with so much ability and address, in the arrangement of certain money transactions, to the honour and advantage of his illustrious employer, as well as of England itself, that he not only established his fame as a merchant, but secured universal respect and esteem.

The accession of Queen Elizabeth to the throne, was an event most favourable to trade; and from that time, this country appears to have been aware of the benefits to be derived from its insular situation and natural advantages for the advancement of trade and manufactures. Elizabeth, surrounded by wise counsellors, and actuated by a sincere regard for the welfare of her subjects, applied herself to the formation of a regular navy, and to the promotion of commerce; encouraging the natives of England in preference to foreigners, lending her sanction and support to the various companies of Merchants established in London, and united for the purposes of trade. Qualities such as Gresham's were not likely to be overlooked. He was at once engaged by the Queen for providing and purchasing arms. In 1559, he received the honour of knighthood, and the appointment of "Agent to the Queen's Highness." At about this period, he built a noble house, befitting a first-rate English merchant, on the west side of Bishopsgate Street, near Broad Street, which, after his death, was converted to the purposes College of his own foundation *.

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While this liberal man, by his attention, prudence, and good-fortune, accumulated a large property, he showed himself concerned for the welfare of others. In the year 1564, he made an offer to the Corporation, that if the city would give him a piece of ground in a commodious spot, he would erect an Exchange at his own expense, with large and covered walks, wherein the merchants and traders might daily assemble without interruption from the weather, &c."

Before Gresham's plan of the Royal Exchange was adopted, the merchants were in the habit of meeting twice a day to transact business in Lombard Street, in the open air, often, doubtless, to their great discomfort. The above offer being accepted, the work was soon commenced on a design similar to that of the Exchange at Antwerp. It was an oblong square, of brick, with an arcade, as at present, and beneath the arcade were shops of various kinds. But these not answering the expectations of the tenants, nor of the public-spirited founder, he hit upon an expedient for making the

On the site of this building the present Excise-office stands.

place more popular; wnich was to solicit his sovereign to pay it a visit, and honour it with a name. He then offered such shops as were untenanted rent free for a twelve-month, to any person who would engage to furnish them "with wares and wax-lights" by the time of the Queen's promised visit. Stow gives a curious account of her Majesty, attended by her nobility, coming from Somerset House, to dine with Sir Thomas Gresham in Bishopsgate Street; of her afterwards entering the Burse, or Exchange, to view every part thereof; and causing the same Burse by a herald and a trumpet to be proclaimed, the Royal Exchange. This building, which was destroyed by the Fire of London, was very expensively constructed, and ornamented with a variety of statues. The grasshopper (Sir Thomas's crest) was elevated on a Corinthian pillar on the north side, and also above each corner of the building. The same ornament is conspicuous as a vane on the top of the tower, and in other parts of the present structure. This was erected in 1669, and has, from time to time, undergone considerable repairs. The memory of the munificent founder is also preserved in a statue at the north-east corner †, executed by Gabriel Cibber. Over it is inscribed, in praise of Gresham, the words Humani generis decus, or, translated, an honour to the human race.

From this generous act, so important to the interests of commerce, we turn to view the subject of this memoir, in his character as a lover of learning. With a sincere regard to the interests of science, he gave his house in Bishopsgate Street as a College, which he handsomely endowed, and in which professors were appointed and remunerated, for giving lectures daily in Divinity, Civil Law, Astronomy, Geometry, Rhetoric, Physic, and Music. For this purpose he devised his property in the Royal Ex-change, after the death of his widow, in trust to the city and the Mercer's company. These lectures have been for many years fixed for delivery in term-time, in a room in the Royal Exchange, but in the midst of a bustling and crowded city, they are seldom delivered, and but little attended.

Nor did Gresham's persevering benevolence stop here. Though involved in important and often intricate business, which is sometimes found to engross the mind too fully, his thoughts had leisure to dwell on the claims of the destitute and the aged, particularly of those who had seen better days: and we now contemplate, in his endowment of eight alms-houses, with a comfortable allowance for as many decayed citizens of London, that excellent grace of charity, which was his truest ornament. For amidst the acts redounding to the praise of "famous men," the tender care which they have shown for the poor distressed outshines many a grand and brilliant achievement.

The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust. Sir Thomas Gresham's exemplary life terminated suddenly on the 21st of November, 1579, when he was sixty-one years of age. Having reached his house, after a visit to the Exchange, he fell down, and presently afterwards expired. His remains were deposited in a vault, at the north-east corner of the church of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate, his own parish-church. This, being one of the few city churches which escaped the dreadful Fire of London, contains many ancient, and interesting monuments; among others, that of Gresham, which stands over his vault. It is a large, oblong, table-shaped tomb, with a slab of dark, variegated marble at the top: † See the Wood-cut.

the sides, of lighter-coloured marble, are covered with ornaments, including the arms and well-known crest of the deceased. The whole is railed round with rich and solid iron-work. On the slab is a short inscription, consisting of little more than the name and dates. Formerly there was not even this memorial: an old author of A View of London (1708), after recording with delight, the civic foundations and benefactions of Sir Thomas, adds, in his account of this tomb, "Here is no inscription, the places above being lasting MONUMENTS of his charity and goodness".

We cannot conclude our memoir, without adverting to the praiseworthy exertions which have lately been made, to do honour to the name of this great man, in the district in which he lived and died, by the establishment of a GRESHAM PRIZE and COMMEMORATION. The prize is a gold medal, awarded by three eminent judges of music, including the Professor of Music in Gresham College, for the best composition in sacred vocal music. The first Commemoration of Sir Thomas Gresham, was held on the 12th of July, 1832, when service was performed, and a sermon preached in the church of St. Helen; on which occasion, in addition to other sacred music, the successful piece, a new Jubilate, was sung. The commemoration was concluded at Crosby Hall*, which stands in the immediate neighbourhood of the church. The parties who instituted this festival, which is intended to be annual, have, in conjunction with many others, who respect the venerable remains of antiquity, directed their efforts towards the rescue of that ancient building—the time-honoured edifice of Crosby Hall-from entire destruction. For this end, a committee has been appointed, and subscriptions are in progress, for the restoration of the fabric; an object which we should be heartily glad to see accomplished. This architectural curiosity, besides giving proofs of the taste and skill of our ancestors, and affording a model of art useful for the present day, is also closely associated with historical facts and celebrated persons. And it may be added, that as the antique mansion of an ENGLISH MERCHANT†, and situated in the parish in which Gresham lived, as well as nearly adjoining the church in which he was buried, it derives no small portion of interest from its association with the history of one of the most upright and beneficent men, that this country has produced.

THE MINERAL KINGDOM.
No. I. GOLD.

THIS metal is sometimes found in solid masses, as
in Hungary, Transylvania, and Peru; in a grained
form, as in the West Indies; in a vegetable shape,
resembling the branches of plants; in thin plates,
covering other bodies, as in Siberia; or in eight-sided
crystals, as in some of the Hungarian mines. When
it is found under a perfect metallic form, it is termed
native gold: the largest specimen ever found in
Europe, stated to have weighed twenty-two ounces,
was discovered some years since in the county of
Wicklow, where other pieces, exceeding an ounce in
weight, were also found. Native gold, however, is
seldom met with perfectly pure; that which ap-
proaches nearest to perfection is of a fine yellow
colour, but it is frequently alloyed with silver, copper,
iron or platina, when it becomes of a brassy colour,
or of a greenish or gray yellow. Gold in its native
state is sometimes concealed in other minerals;

For a view, and some account of this building, see Saturday Magazine, vol. i., p. 89. + Sir John Crosby, in the reign of Henry the Sixth.'

whence it is extracted by art, if sufficiently abundant to defray the expense.

Many rivers contain gold in their sands; the Tagus and Pactolus were anciently celebrated on this account: in Brazil it was so abundant, that the torrents were frequently diverted into new channels, for the purpose of collecting the gold they deposited.

Gold-mines are of rare occurrence in Europe; one, however, was discovered in 1781, in the valley of Oisans, in Dauphiny; but the vein was too poor to defray the expense of working it: gold-dust has also been found in several of the continental rivers. Α mine was discovered in the time of Peter the Great, near Alonitz, among the rocks which skirt the eastern side of the Lake Ladoga; masses of native gold weighing more than a pound were found near the surface of the earth; this was supposed to be inexhaustible, but when the miners had reached the depth of a few fathoms, they were awakened from their golden dreams, on finding that they had arrived at a barren vein of quartz.

China and Japan are rich in this metal; but of all the Asiatic mines, those of Siam are the most productive; the king's domestic utensils, the troughs of his white elephant, and nearly all the ornaments of the temples, being of solid gold.

In Sofala, Mosambique and Monomotapa, on the eastern coast of Africa, it is found at the depth of two or three feet from the surface. The gold-dust which is so important an article of commerce in Africa, is collected from earth deposited by the rivers. Bambouk also furnishes a considerable quantity, which is sold on the western coast, from the mouth of the Senegal to Cape Palmas.

But it is in America that gold is found in the greatest abundance, sometimes in the form of spangles, and occasionally in veins, blended with other metals: the South American mines, and more especially those of Brazil and Chili, are the most productive.

Gold is so ductile and malleable that an ounce of it may be drawn into a thread of seventy-three leagues in length, or beaten into sixteen hundred leaves of nine square inches each: its ductility, however, is greatly impaired by the presence of tin or arsenic. It readily assumes every form that human art can bestow upon it: its unalterable colour, and the beautiful polish of which it is susceptible, render it the most eligible of all metals for ornamental purposes.

Gold is perfectly tasteless and scentless; indestructible by air, water or fire; but on exposure to the focus of a powerful burning lens, it may be evaporated without losing its metallic state: for if a plate of silver be exposed to the fumes of gold thus melted, it soon becomes perfectly gilt. It was considered by alchemists, during the dark ages, to possess great medicinal virtues, and was administered as a medicine in various forms; but no sooner had the sun of true science begun to shine upon Europe, than the visions of alchemy vanished; and gold was no longer considered to be a panacea for all the "ills that flesh is heir to."

Gold is insoluble in any of the mineral acids taken separately; but aqua regia, which is a compound of the nitrous and muriatic acids, will dissolve it; and if to this be added a solution of tin, a fine purple powder is precipitated, known by the name of Purple of Cassius, which is preferred by painters in glass and enamel to all others: by adding volatile alkali to the solution, aurum fulminans, a highly-dangerous explosive powder, is produced, which explodes upon the slightest pressure or friction, and has frequently been productive of the most fatal effects.

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again. But it sometimes happens, that the person above is overpowered by the weight, and they both inevitably perish. They fling the birds they obtain into the boat which attends their motions and receives the booty. Seven or eight days are often passed in this dangerous employ, and during this time they lodge in the crannies which they find in the base of the precipice.

AWEYER'S CAVE

Is a great natural curiosity in Augusta county, Virginia, one of the United States of North America. It was named after its discoverer, who, in 1806, when hunting, was led in pursuit of his game to a small hole in the earth; this, on being dug into, proved to be the entrance into an immense grotto, which was explored for about a quarter of a mile; it contains a great number of divisions, or apartments, branching off in various directions, and abounding with sparry concretions. The following description is abridged from an account by "an Eye-witness," published in the Boston (N. A.) Daily Advertiser.

Half-way up of the hill, we entered into the vestibule or ante-chamber, the arch of which is eight or ten feet high, abounding in spar; thence through a rock of petrifaction, into what is called the Dragon's Room, where, by the percolation of the water through the above, there are found thousands of stalactites and stalagmites, of the most uncouth figures. These were formerly supposed to be petrified water, but later researches prove them to be various kinds of earth, carried down with the water, and collected into bodies, which, after the evaporation of the water, become congealed by the cementing 'qualities of the lime. This petrifaction is also of different kinds; there are yellow, white, reddish, marble-coloured, transparent and crystallized.

In the Dragon's Room there is a representation of a Dragon, facing a stupendous vault, under which there is a projecting rock, called the Devil's Gallery. We proceeded through a short and narrow passage, and descended a ladder, partly hewn out of rock, to Solomon's Temple, which is the most sublime scene I ever beheld. To attempt to describe what is here imagined, in entering this lurid, scarce half-illumined recess, is quite vain! no one can form the faintest idea of the sublimity and grandeur of this subterraneous abode, until he witnesses its magnificence. It was justly observed by an English painter, that a correct delineation of its extraordinary features with

the pen would require years. From the ceiling to the floor, there is a wave-like folding of incrustations, exactly resembling water tumbling over a precipice, and which had become congealed in falling, called the Cataract, or Falls of Niagara. In front is a large seat, called Solomon's Throne; on the left is a large transparent fluted column, called Solomon's Pillar; a few paces further, are thousands of white pieces hanging to the ceiling, of a spiral form, called the Roddish Room; beyond which it is difficult to proceed, on account of the huge masses of rocks which have fallen over the floor. We then returned to the Cataract, ascended a ladder, and went through a long passage to the Tambourine, or Drum Room, which is decorated with a variety of beautiful congelations resembling drapery; and throughout the room are a number of transparent curtains, of different colours and forms. Besides these, are large sonorous sheets, called the drums, which sound very much like the kettle-drum, and a semicircular column, with pedals about it of different lengths, called the PianoForte.

We then proceeded up a natural staircase, and passed Patterson's Grave, (a hollow rock into which a gentleman by that name fell,) and by descending a ladder we entered the Ball Room, which is about forty yards in length and ten in breadth, the floor being quite level. At one extremity there is a small room, called the Lady's Dressing Room; at the other, there is a stalactite of spar, about four feet high, and twelve inches in circumference, on which may be fixed a candle, called the Recluse Candlestick. About the centre of this beautiful apartment, there is an imitation of a sideboard, furnished with decanters and tumblers. Besides those in the Ball Room, there is a sheet extending up the side of the wall, called Tragical Soundboard, remarkable for its sound; a gentle thump with the foot will produce a sound, resembling distant thunder. From the Ball Room we passed through a narrow and difficult passage to Jacob's Ladder, which is hewn out of a sort of calcareous rock; at the foot of this ladder is a very low and dreary place called the Dungeon. Next we came to the Senate Chamber, which contains a variety of beautiful spar; in this place there is a magnificent gallery, projecting over one half of the room, called the Music Gallery, on which there is a small apartment remarkable for the reverberation of sound; the voice can be heard to re-echo in this room with such astonishing velocity as to render speech unintelligible. We then went through an open and grotesque, passage to Washington's Hall, the most splendid, extensive, and beautiful room in the cave; where the grandeur of its height, the diversity of its representation of the works of art, the reverberations of the voice, and the splendour and brilliancy of its spar, are well calculated to keep the emotions in a constant state of excitement. curious explorer now witnesses something amazingly sublime; the walls are strung with musical columns, which, by running a stick over them, will produce a profusion of discordant sounds.

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The drums, the tambourine, the piano, and each note discordant heard alone, aid the full concert, while the sound-board roars a melancholy murmur through the whole. On the right side of this apartment are a number of indications of figures, resembling a colonnade of marble statues; and as we advanced further we saw an incrustation on the side of the wall, which extended from the floor to the ceiling, representing a streak of lightning.

We now look forward and see Washington's Statue, which, at this distance, represents a gigantic figure;

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