The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 43 pages of information about The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction.

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 43 pages of information about The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction.

We admit many exceptions to this picture; but we, nevertheless, draw it as one which will be familiar to all, who have been observers on the continent.  One circumstance must further be added to the outline; we mean, the detachment from religious habits, which generally and naturally attends such residence abroad.  The means of public worship exist to our countrymen but in few places; and there under circumstances the least propitious to such duties.  Days speedily become all alike; or if Sunday be distinguished at all, it is but as the day of the favourite opera, or most splendid ballet of the week.  We are not puritanically severe in our notions, and we intend no reproach to the religious or moral habits of other nations.  We simply assert, that English families removed from out of the sphere of those proper duties, common to every people, and from all opportunities of public worship or religious example, incur a risk which is very serious in kind, especially to those still young and unformed in character.

Quarterly Review.

* * * * *

RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS

* * * * *

ANCIENT FARRIERY.

(For the Mirror.)

The following curious verses are copied from an engraving which the Farriers’ Company have lately had taken from an old painting of their pedigree, on vellum, at the George and Vulture Tavern.

  If suche may boast as by a subtile arte,
    Canne without labour make excessive gayne,
  And under name of Misterie imparte,
    Unto the worlde the Crafie’s but of their brayne. 
  How muche more doe their praise become men’s themes
    That bothe by art and labour gett their meanes.

  And of all artes that worthe or praise doeth merite,
    To none the Marshall Farrier’s will submitt,
  That bothe by Physicks, arte, force, hands, and spiritt
    The Kinge and subject in peace and warre doe fitt,
  Many of Tuball boast first Smythe that ever wrought,
    But Farriers more do, doe than Tuball ever taught.

  Three things there are that Marshalry doe prove
    To be a Misterie exceeding farre,
  Those wilie Crafte’s that many men doe love. 
    Is unfitt for peace and more unaptt for warre,
  For Honor, Anncestrie, and for Utilitie,
    Farriers may boast their artes habilitie,

  For Honor, view, this anncient Pedigree[1]
    Of Noble Howses, that did beare the name
  Of Farriers, and were Earles; as you may see,
    That used the arte and did supporte the same,
  And to perpetuall honour of the Crafte,
    Castells they buylt and to succession left.

  For anncestrie of tyme oh! who canne tell
    The first beginning of so old a trade,
  For Horses were before the Deluge fell,
    And cures, and shoes, before that tyme were made,
  We need not presse tyme farther then it beares,
    A Company have Farriers beene 300 Yeres!!

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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.