The Book Of Curiosities Part 73

CHAP. Lx.x.xVII.

MISCELLANEOUS CURIOSITIES.--(_Concluded._)

_Lama--Nun--Mahometan Paradise--Opinions respecting h.e.l.l--London--Coins of the Kings of England--Singular Calculations respecting the National Debt--Moral and Physical Thermometer.--Conclusion._

LAMA.--This is the sovereign pontiff, or rather G.o.d, of the Asiatic Tartars, inhabiting the country of Barantola. The lama is not only adored by the inhabitants of the country, but also by the kings of Tartary, who send him rich presents, and go in pilgrimage to pay him adoration, calling him _lama congiu_, i. e. "G.o.d, the everlasting father of heaven." He is never to be seen but in a secret place of his palace, amidst a great number of lamps, sitting crosslegged upon a cushion, and adorned all over with gold and precious stones; where at a distance they prostrate themselves before him, it not being lawful for any to kiss his feet. He is called the great lama, or lama of lamas; that is, "priest of priests." The orthodox opinion is, that when the grand lama seems to die either of old age or infirmity, his soul in fact only quits a crazy habitation to look for another younger or better; and it is discovered again in the body of some child, by certain tokens known only to the lamas, or priests, in which order he always appears. A particular account of the pompous ceremonies attending the inauguration of the infant lama in Thibet, is given in the first volume of the Asiatic Researches. The emperor of China appears, on such occasions, to act a very conspicuous part, in giving testimony of his respect and zeal for the great religious father of his faith.

The twenty-eighth day of the seventh moon, corresponding nearly (as their year commences with the vernal equinox) with the middle of October, is reckoned the most auspicious for the ceremony of inauguration. The procession, on these occasions, from Terpaling to the Teeshoo Loombo, is conducted with such slow and majestic solemnity, that though the distance is only twenty miles, it takes up three days. The crowd of spectators is immense. The three next days are spent in the inauguration, in delivering the presents sent by the emperor to the lama, and in the public festivals on the occasion; during which, all who are at the capital are entertained at the public expense, and alms are distributed liberally to the poor.

Universal rejoicings prevail throughout Thibet; banners are unfurled on all their fortresses, the peasantry fill up the day with music and festivity, and the night is cheered by general illuminations. A long period is afterwards employed in making presents and public entertainments to the newly-inducted lama, who, at the time of his accession to the _musnud_, or pontificate of Teeshoo Loombo, is often not three years of age. The whole ceremony, from its commencement to its consummation, lasts forty days.

Some particulars respecting NUNS.--A nun is a woman dedicated to the severer duties of religion, secluded in a cloister from the world, and debarred by a vow from the converse of men. When a woman is to be made a nun, the habit, veil, and ring of the candidate, are carried to the altar; and she herself, accompanied by her nearest relations, is conducted to the bishop, who, after ma.s.s and an anthem (the subject of which is, "that she ought to have her lamp lighted, because the bridegroom is coming to meet her,") p.r.o.nounces the benediction: then she rises up, and the bishop consecrates the new habit, sprinkling it with holy water. When the candidate has put on her religious habit, she presents herself before the bishop, and sings on her knees, _Ancilla Christi sum, &c._; then she receives the veil, and afterwards the ring, by which she is married to Christ; and lastly, the crown of virginity. When she is crowned, an anathema is denounced against all who shall attempt to make her break her vows. In some few instances, perhaps, nunneries and monasteries may have been useful to morality and religion, as well as to literature, but, in the gross, they have been highly prejudicial; and however pious they may appear in theory, in fact they are unnatural and impious.

MAHOMETAN PARADISE.--The paradise of the Mahometans is said by them to be situated above the seven heavens, or in the seventh, and next under the throne of G.o.d; and, to express the amenity of the place, they tell us that the earth of it is of the finest wheat flour, or of the purest musk, or of saffron; and that its stones are pearls and jacinths, the walls of its buildings enriched with gold and silver, and the trunks of all its trees of gold, amongst which the most remarkable is the tree _luba_, or tree of happiness. They pretend that this tree stands in the palace of Mahomet, though a branch of it will reach to the house of every true believer, loaded with pomegranates, grapes, dates, and other fruits, of surprising size, and delicious tastes, unknown to mortals.

If a man desires to eat of any particular kind of fruit, it will immediately be presented to him; or if he chooses flesh, birds ready dressed will be set before him, and such as he may wish for. They add that this tree will supply the blessed, not only with fruit, but with silk garments also, and beasts to ride on, adorned with rich trappings, all which will burst forth from the fruit; and that the tree is so large, that a person mounted on the fleetest horse would not be able to gallop from one end of its shade to the other in one hundred years. Plenty of water being one of the greatest additions to the pleasantness of any place, the Koran often speaks of the rivers of paradise as the princ.i.p.al ornament.

Some of these rivers are said to flow with water, some with milk, some with wine, and others with honey: all of them have their sources in the root of this tree of happiness; and, as if these rivers were not sufficient, we are told that the garden of this paradise is also watered by a great number of lesser springs and fountains, whose pebbles are rubies and emeralds, their earth of camphor, their beds of musk, and their sides of saffron.

But all these glories will be eclipsed by the resplendent and exquisite beauty of the girls of paradise, the enjoyment of whose company will const.i.tute the princ.i.p.al felicity of the faithful. These (they say) are not formed of clay, as mortal women, but of pure musk, and are, as their prophet often affirms in his Koran, free from all the natural defects and inconveniences incident to the s.e.x. Being also of the strictest modesty, they keep themselves secluded from public view, in pavilions of hollow pearls, so large, that, as some traditions have it, one of them will be no less than sixteen, or, as others say, sixty miles long, and as many broad.

With these the inhabitants of paradise may taste pleasures in their height; and for this purpose will be endowed with extraordinary abilities, and enjoy a perpetual youth.

OPINIONS RESPECTING h.e.l.l.--The h.e.l.l of the ancient heathens was divided into two mansions: the one called Elysium, on the right hand, pleasant and delightful, appointed for the souls of good men; the other called Tartarus, on the left, a region of misery and torment, appointed for the wicked. The latter only was h.e.l.l, in the present restrained sense of the word. The philosophers were of opinion, that the infernal regions were at an equal distance from all the parts of the earth; nevertheless, it was the opinion of some, that there were certain pa.s.sages which led thither, as the river Lethe near the Syrtes, and the Acherusian cave in Epirus. At Hermione, it was thought, that there was a very short way to h.e.l.l; for which reason the people of that country never put the fare into the mouths of the dead to pay their pa.s.sage. The Jews placed h.e.l.l in the centre of the earth, and believed it to be situated under waters and mountains.

According to them, there are three pa.s.sages leading to it: the first is in the wilderness, and by that Korah, Dathan, and Abiram descended into h.e.l.l; the second is in the sea, because Jonah, who was thrown into the sea, cried to G.o.d out of the belly of h.e.l.l; the third is in Jerusalem, because it is said "the fire of the Lord is in Zion, and his furnace is in Jerusalem." They likewise acknowledged seven degrees of pain in h.e.l.l, because they find this place called by seven different names in Scripture.

In the Koran of Mahomet, it is said that h.e.l.l has seven gates; the first for the Mussulmans, the second for the Christians, the third for the Jews, the fourth for the Sabeans, the fifth for the Magians, the sixth for the Pagans, and the seventh for hypocrites of all religions.

Among Christians, there are two controverted questions in regard to h.e.l.l; the one concerning the locality, the other the duration of its torments:--The locality of h.e.l.l, and the reality of its fire, began first to be controverted by Origen. That father, interpreting the scripture account metaphorically, makes h.e.l.l to consist, not in external punishments, but in a consciousness or sense of guilt, and a remembrance of past pleasures. Among the moderns, Mr. Whiston advanced a new hypothesis. The comets, he thinks, are so many h.e.l.ls, appointed in their orbits alternately to carry the d.a.m.ned into the confines of the sun, there to be scorched by its violent heat, and then to return with them beyond the orb of Saturn, there to starve them in those cold and dismal regions.

Another modern author, Mr. Swinden, supposes the sun to be the local h.e.l.l.

However difficult it may be to ascertain the local place of h.e.l.l, we may rest a.s.sured G.o.d will find both place and means to punish the obstinately wicked.

LONDON.--This metropolis is unparalleled, in extent and opulence, in the whole habitable globe, except, perhaps, Pekin in China, Jeddo in j.a.pan, and Houssa in Africa; which are all said to be larger.

It comprehends, besides London, Westminster, and Southwark, no less than forty-five villages, of considerable extent, independent of a vast accession of buildings upon the open fields in the vicinity. Its length is nearly eight miles, its breadth three, and its circ.u.mference twenty-six.

It contains above 8000 streets, lanes, alleys, and courts, and more than 65 different squares. Its houses, warehouses, and other buildings, make 162,000, besides 246 churches and chapels, 207 meeting houses for dissenters, 43 chapels for foreigners, and 6 synagogues for the Jews, which in all make 504 places of public worship. The number of inhabitants, during the sitting of parliament, is estimated at 1,250,000. Among these are found about 50,000 common prost.i.tutes, and no less than 60,000 thieves, coiners, and other bad persons of all descriptions. The annual depredations on the public, by this numerous body of pilferers, are estimated at the sum of 2,100,000 sterling. In this vast city, there are, moreover, upwards of 4000 seminaries for education, 8 inst.i.tutions for promoting morality, 10 inst.i.tutions for promoting the arts, 122 asylums for the indigent, 17 for the sick and lame, 13 dispensaries, 704 charitable inst.i.tutions, 58 courts of justice, and 7040 professional men connected with the various departments of the law.--There are 13,500 vessels trading in the river Thames in the course of a year; and 40,000 waggons going and returning to the metropolis in the same period, including their repeated voyages and journeys.--The amount of exports and imports to and from the Thames is estimated at 66,811,932 sterling annually, and the property floating in this vast city every year, is 170,000,000. These circ.u.mstances may be sufficient to convince us of the amazing extent and importance of the capital of the British empire.

The numbers of bullocks, sheep, lambs, calves, hogs, and sucking pigs, purchased at the Smithfield markets, and annually consumed in the metropolis, are in the following proportion: bullocks 110,000; sheep and lambs 776,000; calves 210,000; hogs 210,000; sucking pigs 60,000. Markets for hay, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sat.u.r.day. The markets for the sale of provisions are numerous, and amply supplied with every sort, generally of the most excellent kind: the bread generally fine and sound. Besides animal food and bread, there are no less than 6,980,000 gallons of milk [and water] annually consumed here: of vegetables and fruit, there are 10,000 acres of ground near the metropolis, cultivated wholly for vegetables; and about 4000 acres of fruit. Of wheat, coals, ale, and porter, &c. the annual consumption is as follows: of wheat, 700,000 quarters; of coals 600,000 chaldrons; of ale and porter 1,113,500 barrels; of spirits and compounds 11,146,782 gallons; of wine 32,500 tons; of b.u.t.ter 16,600,000 pounds; and of cheese 21,100,000 pounds. Fish and poultry are sometimes excessively dear, and the quant.i.ties consumed are comparatively small.

COINS OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND.--The silver Penny, which was first circulated during the Heptarchy, continued to be the general coin after the kingdom had been united under one head, and extends, in a continued series, from Egbert almost to the present reign. The only kings wanting are Edmund Ironside, Richard I., and John. At first the penny weighed twenty-two and a half grains, but towards the close of the reign of Edward III. it fell to eighteen grains; in that of Edward IV. to twelve. In the time of Edward VI. it was reduced to eight grains; and in queen Elizabeth's reign to 7-23/31 grains, at which it still continues.

Halfpence and farthings were first struck in silver by Edward I. in 1280: the former continued to the time of the Commonwealth, but the latter ceased with Edward VI. The groat and half groat were introduced in the reign of Edward III., in 1354, and continue to this day, though not in common circulation.

Shillings were first coined by Henry VII. in 1503; at first they were called testoon, from the teste, tete, or head of the king, upon them; the name shilling being derived from the German _sch.e.l.ling_, under which name coins had been struck at Hamburgh in 1407. The crown was first coined in its present form by Henry VIII. The half-crown, six-pence, and three-pence, were coined by Edward VI. In 1558, queen Elizabeth coined three-halfpenny, and in 1561, three-farthing pieces; but they were discontinued in 1582. Gold was coined in England by Henry III. in 1257; the piece was called a gold penny, and was larger than the silver one, and the execution by no means bad for the time. The series of gold coinage, however, commences properly from Edward III. In 1344, this monarch first struck florins, in imitation of those in Italy; and it is remarkable, that though these coins, at the time they were first issued, bore only six shillings value, they were (even before the late increased value of gold) intrinsically worth nineteen shillings; so much has the value of gold increased since that time. The half and quarter florin were struck at the same time, but only the last has been found. The florin being found inconvenient, gave place to the n.o.ble, of six shillings and eight-pence value, and exactly half a mark. The latter had its name from being a limited sum in accounts; and was eight ounces in weight, two-thirds of the money pound. The n.o.ble had its name from the n.o.bility of the metal; the gold of which it is coined being of the finest sort. Sometimes it was called _rose-n.o.ble_, from both sides being impaled in an undulating circle. It continued, with the half and quarter n.o.ble, to be the only gold coin till the angels of Edward IV. appeared in 1465. These had their name from the image of Michael and the Dragon which they bore. The angelites, of three shillings and four-pence value, were subst.i.tuted in their place.

In 1527, Henry VIII. added to the gold coins the crown and half-crown at their present value; the same year he gave sovereigns of twenty-two shillings, and six-pence, and ryals of eleven shillings and three-pence, angels at seven shillings and six-pence, and n.o.bles at their old value of six shillings and eight-pence. In 1546 he caused sovereigns to be coined of the value of twenty shillings, and half sovereigns in proportion.

On the union of the two crowns, James gave the sovereign the name of unite; the value continuing twenty shillings, as before. He coined also rose ryals of thirty shillings, spur ryals of fifteen shillings, angels of ten shillings, and angelites of five shillings value. Under the Commonwealth, the sovereign received the name of the twenty shilling piece, and continued current till the coinage of guineas. These were so called, from their being coined of gold brought from the coast of Guinea, and were at first to pa.s.s but for twenty shillings, though by a universal but tacit consent, they always pa.s.sed for twenty-one shillings.

Half-guineas, double-guineas, and five guinea pieces, were also coined during the same reign; which still continue, though the two latter are not in common circulation. Quarter-guineas were coined by George I. and likewise by his late Majesty; but they were found so troublesome on account of their small size, that they were stopped at the Bank of England; and therefore are not to be met with in circulation at present. A few pieces of seven shillings value were likewise coined, and are known by the lion above the helmet; but none were issued. In 1668, the guinea rose to twenty-one shillings and sixpence, and continued to increase in value till 1696, when it was as high as thirty shillings; but after the recoinage in 1697 and 1698, it fell by degrees, and in 1717 was at its old standard of twenty-one shillings. During the reign of George III. vast numbers of seven shilling pieces were issued, which continued some years in general circulation. Sovereigns have also been coined since his present Majesty's accession, and they const.i.tute at present the prevailing gold currency of the realm.

SINGULAR CALCULATION RESPECTING THE NATIONAL DEBT.--The national debt, funded and unfunded, on the 5th of January, 1811, was 811,898,811, which are equal to 773,236,267 guineas, which, at 5 dwts. 8 grains each guinea, weigh 6312 tons, 11 cwt. 3 qrs. 5 lbs. 1 oz. 6 drs. nearly, avoirdupois.

Now supposing a waggon and five horses to extend in length twenty yards, and to carry two and a half tons of the said guineas, the number of teams necessary to carry the whole would extend in length twenty-eight miles twenty-three yards. To count the debt in shillings, at the rate of thirty shillings in a minute, for ten hours a day, and six days in a week, would take 2,469 years, 306 days, 17 hours, and 30 minutes, nearly. Its height in guineas, supposing twenty guineas in thickness to be an inch, would be 610 miles, 339 yards, 9 inches; and supposing each guinea an inch in diameter, they would extend in a right line, 12,203 miles, 150 yards, 7 inches. Moreover, the said guineas would cover, in s.p.a.ce, 348 acres, 2 roods, 202 yards, nearly. And, lastly, in shillings, each being an inch in diameter, would cover 7319 acres, 1 rood, and 349 yards!

[Ill.u.s.tration: A MORAL AND PHYSICAL THERMOMETER; OR, A _SCALE OF THE PROGRESS_ OF TEMPERANCE AND INTEMPERANCE.

LIQUORS, _with their_ EFFECTS _in their usual Order_.

_TEMPERANCE._

+---+ 70-- --- Water } Health, Wealth.

--- } 60-- --- Milk and Water } Serenity and Composure of Mind.

--- } 50-- --- Small Beer } Reputation, Long Life, and Happiness.

--- } 40-- --- Cider and Perry } Cheerfulness and Contentment.

--- } 30-- --- Wine } Strength, Vigour, and Nourishment,--when --- } 20-- --- Porter } taken only at Meals, and in --- } 10-- --- Strong Beer } moderate quant.i.ties.

--- --- 0-- --- _INTEMPERANCE._ --- --- } _Vices._ _Diseases._ _Punishments._ --- } 10-- --- Punch } Idleness; Sickness; Debt; --- } Puking; and --- } Tremors of the Black Eyes; 20-- --- Toddy & Crank, } Peevishness; Hands in the --- } Morning; Rags; 30-- --- {Grog, & Brandy } Quarrelling; Bloatedness; {and Water, } Inflamed Eyes; --- } Fighting; Red Nose and Hunger; } Face; 40-- --- Flip and Shrub, } Lying; Sore & swelled } Legs; Hospital; --- {Bitters infused } Swearing; Jaundice; {in Spirits, } Pains in the Poor-house; 50-- --- {Usquebaugh, } Obscenity; Limbs and {Hysteric } Burning in the Jail; {Water. } Swindling; Palms of the --- } Hands & Soles Whipping; {Gin, Aniseed, } Perjury; of the Feet; 60-- --- {Brandy, Rum, } Dropsy; {and Whiskey, } Burglary; Epilepsy; The Hulks; {in the _Morning_.} Melancholy; --- } Madness; {Ditto during } Murder; Palsy; Botany Bay,; 70-- --- {the _Day_ and } Apoplexy; {_Night_. } (.) } Suicide. Death. Gallows.

CONCLUSION.

Thus we have conducted our reader through some of the princ.i.p.al curiosities of Nature and Art, Science and Literature. We trust he has found both amus.e.m.e.nt and instruction. Our object has been, throughout the work, to a.s.sist the reader in looking through Nature up to Nature's G.o.d.

All second causes derive their origin, permanency, and efficacy from Him alone.

Since, then, the LORD G.o.d is himself the source and perfection of all beauty and excellency, the author of our existence, and the bountiful giver of all good gifts; we undoubtedly ought to love him with our whole hearts, and to serve him with all our powers; we ought to reverence his majesty and authority, and endeavour above all things to obtain his favour; we ought to devote ourselves entirely to his service, and make all our actions tend to the advancement of his glory. And as his mercy and goodness are unbounded, so should be our grat.i.tude and praise.

Jehovah reigns: let ev'ry nation hear, And at his footstool bow with holy fear; Let heav'n's high arches echo with his name.

And the wide-peopled earth his praise proclaim; Then send it down to h.e.l.l's deep gloom resounding, Thro' all her caves in dreadful murmurs sounding.

He rules with wide and absolute command O'er the broad ocean and the stedfast land: Jehovah reigns, unbounded and alone, And all creation hangs beneath his throne: He reigns alone; let no inferior nature Usurp or share the throne of the Creator.

He saw the struggling beams of infant light Shoot thro' the ma.s.sy gloom of ancient night; His spirit hush'd the elemental strife, And brooded o'er the kindling seeds of life: Seasons and months began the long procession, And measur'd o'er the year in bright succession.

The joyful sun sprung up th' ethereal way, Strong as a giant, as a bridegroom gay; And the pale moon diffus'd her shadowy light, Superior o'er the dusky brow of night; Ten thousand glittering lamps the skies adorning, Num'rous as dew-drops from the womb of morning.

Earth's blooming face with rising flow'rs he dress'd, And spread a verdant mantle o'er her breast; Then from the hollow of his hand he pours The circling waters round her winding sh.o.r.es, The new-born world in their cool arms embracing, And with soft murmurs still her banks caressing.

At length she rose complete in finish'd pride, All fair and spotless like a virgin bride: Fresh with untarnish'd l.u.s.tre as she stood, Her Maker bless'd his work, and call'd it good; The morning stars with joyful acclamation, Exulting sung, and hail'd the new creation.

Yet this fair world, the creature of a day, Tho' built by G.o.d's right hand, must pa.s.s away; And long oblivion creep o'er mortal things, The fate of empires, and the pride of kings: Eternal night shall veil their proudest story, And drop the curtain o'er all human glory.

The sun himself, with weary clouds opprest, Shall in his silent dark pavilion rest; His golden urn shall broke and useless lie, Amidst the common ruins of the sky!

The stars rush headlong in the wild commotion, And bathe their glittering foreheads in the ocean.

But fix'd, O G.o.d! for ever stands thy throne, Jehovah reigns, a universe alone; Th' eternal fire that feeds each vital flame, Collected or diffus'd, is still the same.

He dwells within his own unfathom'd essence, And fills all s.p.a.ce with his unbounded presence.