THE HALIFAX SEPTEMBER, 1842. Ml PRESS. No. 1. Price One Penny, And now the time in special is, by privilege, to write and speak what may keep to the further discussing of matters in agitation. The Temple of Janus with his two controversal faces, might now not unsign/ ficantly be , set open: And though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so Truth be in the field we do injuriously, by licensing and prohibiting, to misdoubt her strength. Let her and falsehood grapple. Who ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter. Her confuting is the best and surest suppressing.— MILTON'S ARISOPAGITIC A. PROCLAMATION. Whereas We, the Hermit of Beacon Hill, the Monk of Clark Bridge, and the Knight of SUrcoat Moor, being the literary triumvirate of our good old town of Halifax, have, in gracious consideration of the wants, and condescension to the necessities, of our trusty and well- beloved cousins, the quidnuncs of our said town, resolved, in our sovereign will and pleasure, and do hereby order, direct, and decree, that there shall be forthwith established in the said town, a free, open, untolled, and untaxed market, for the public sale and barter of unfettered discussion of facts, arguments, and opinions ; And We do accordingly, to that intent ® nd . purpose, hereby order, direct, and decree, that there shall be printed, published, and sold, therein, a new periodical, which shall be known by the name, style, and title, of the HALIFAX FREE PRESS; Which said periodical shall be published once in every month ; each monthly number being issued upon the Saturday preceding the first day of the said month ; Which said periodical, in consideration of the grievous burden of the income tax, and the abso- lute necessity of our exchequer being forthwith re- plenished, shall be sold at the full price of one penny be the same of, silver or of copper ; pro- vided, nevertheless, that if the said penny be paid in half- farthings, an extra lialf- farthing be charged for counting and weighing the coin ; And which said periodical shall have for its chief object and leading feature, the printing and pub- lishing of such correspondence, touching divers grievances, complaints, grumblings, growlings, murmurings, and other inattersjof local or genera! interest, as may suit the taste, the interest, or the pleasure, of our own editorial selves : I'rovided, nevertheless, notwithstanding, that the columns of the said periodical shall be fairly and impartially,— without fear, favour, or affection,— " open to all parties, but influenced by none And provided also, notwithstanding our notorious and obstinate celibacy, yet having a due, honour- able, and chivalrous regard to the wishes, feelings, whims, caprices, and humours, of the gentler sex We do hereby, direct, order, and decree, that a fai and reasonable portiou of the Said periodical shall be allotted to their especial entertainment, by the insertion therein of sucli scraps of literature, poetry, and other light matters,— back- biting and scandal being occasionally excepted,— as may, from time to time, be deemed fitting and appropriate thereunto ; And We do hereby further order, direct, and decree, that the whole business of our said periodical shall be carried on and conducted upon the good, safe, and substantial toll- bar principle of " pay to- day and trust to- morrow ;" it being our conscientious conviction that there is no " rbino" like the " ready ;" and that, as is pathetically expressed by one of our poets, " a tradesman's tick is the tic doloureux ;" And We do hereby further and finally order, direct, and decree, that all scribblers and scrawlers' whether with swan quills, goose quills, crow quills, or steel pens,— do forthwith forward to us, at the office of our printer, their respective lucubrations, essays, epistles, songs, sonnets, and other commu- " to party give up what was meant for mankind?" Why must we ever bear about us the invidi- ous badge of the blue, the orange, or the green ? Behold the rainbow, glistening with the rich and fertilizing drops of the summer shower; and say not that its beautiful variety of hue is either inharmonious or unseemly. Cast vour eyes over the verdant pastures, in the freshness of nature's luxuriance ; and say not that the vivid green of the herbage would be more charming, were it not for the conflicting contrasts of the crocus and the harebell. " Have you, then, no colour to distinguish your character and opinions ; or are you, like the chame- leon, of all colours; ' every thing by turns, and nothing long ?' " Why, that is just as it suits our humour. Let us be as black as our ink, or as white as our paper; or even let us, when the whim fits that way, contend, as some have done, that black is white, and white 110 colour at all. nications; and that herein they fail not, on pain Why should We wear the livery of party, when our of our editorial displeasure, and the positive rejec- tion and non- insertion of all the articles that do not conic to hand. Given at our Observatory on the top of the Butter Cross, this eleventh day of August, 1842. SCENE IN A NEWS ROOM. ' The Free Press'. Of liberal politics, of course'.' exclaims one, laying down the Morning Chronicle' and taking up this our first number. ' A Radical, I should think," responds another, who is paying his addresses to the columns of the Times. ' Perhaps a Chartist," says a third, in a nunder- tone of hesitation, followed by a return to the lucubra- tions of the Morning Herald. duty is to throw our columns " open to all parties," and allow them to be " influenced by none ?" Let us hold the balance evenly; and our readers,— if we should have the good luck to find two- legged animals patient enough to wander through the wilderness of our lucrabations, and content to browze upon the thistles it produces,— may draw what conclusions and what inferences they please. We spread our table, and place our dishes before the people. If they can neither digest our meat, nor relish our cookery, they may spend their pennies at some other pie- shop. NOLLEKENS AND CHANTUEY.— When Chantrey sent his bust of Home Tooke to the Royal Exhibition, he was young and unfriended, but the merit of the " It won't be a Tory, at all events I" shouts a reader I work did not escape the eye of Nollekens. He lifted of the Globe— at the same time thumping the I it from the floor, set it before him, and having- satis- table with his fist. I fied himself of its excellence, turned round to those " It may perhaps be a blue, after all," drawls j wll° were arranKinS the works for tbe Exhibition, and said—" There's a fine work— let the man who another, who has been poring over an express edition of the Sun. " Bet you two to one it ain't," eagerly exclaims the gentleman of the Globe, repeating the blow upon the table, and upsetting the inkstand. made it be known— remove one of my busts, and put this one in its place, for it well deserves it." He sat for his own bust subsequently to Chantrey, by whom his name was^ ever mentioned with a depth of respect that amounted almost to tenderuess or love. Nolle> kens was a great admirer of his young friend Chan- trey's art, and was heard to recommend him on all occasions when opportunity offered. He had himself a Sislike to any thing in the shape of ancient art, and cal partisanship ? Why must we as a thing of J when asked to model a bust would constantly say, " Go course, erect our structure upon sands so fluctua- Chantrey; he's the man for a bust; he'll make a , .... , I good busk' you: I always recommend him." ting and so unstable : Why mutt we 1 " Out upon ye 1 impertinent quidnuncs as ye are ! Who • must we, of course, attach ourselves to the ever, shifting policy and ever- revolving fortunes of politi o TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. No prospectus or puttie announcement of our intended publication having been issued, until within a few / tours of its appearance; and the project having been made known to a few only of the immediate friends of the Proprietors; our first number contains a smaller portion of correspondence than is likely to be the case with its successors. With reference to the length of letters intended for insertion in our pages, our correspondents must remember that " brevity is the soul of wit," and also bear in mind the limited extent of our sheet; but if any epistolarian scribbler should he so enamoured of his own effusion, however dull and however long, as greatly to desiderate its publication, and will also be " ready" with the " rhino," he will find us ready to make such arrangements as will allow its appearance without, encroachment on the other departments of our monthly sheet. It is our intention to insert advertisements, upon moderate terms, for cash only; and as our circula- tion is sure to be very great, our sheet will afford great advantages to advertisers. Our October number will appear on Saturday, theUth of September; and communications should be iransmtted to the Editors, at our printer's, not later than the 17 th of the month. There is something so extremely serious in tbe present aspect of affairs, that a true and concise re- cord of passing events would prove useful in future emergencies. Our circumstances are new, and re- quire free and candid discussion. Such a medium as you propose to furnish, may be of the greatest service to the cause of truth. The long period between the publication of each paper, will allow time for the revision of hasty com, position, and for the correction of crude and ill- digested notions; so that if we have not the fullness of the broad- sheet, we may also be without its faults. I hope your periodical will be such as our Halifax people will look for with pleasure, and peruse with profit; and one in which they will find nothing bu' truth and fairness. Whatever wit may be put forth, let it be in accord, ance therewith ; and be sure that all your satiricaj pieces be well seasoned with good nature. And should any false reports, given in other papers, receive cor- rection in yours, take all possible care that it be such as will leave no necessity for future reply. Excuse the very great freedom 1 have talien in offering these considerations for your notice, as 1 am really anxious for your success. As the expectation of your paper has given me great pleasure, I am the more desirous that its appearance should give much more both to myself and others. I am, Yours & c. MONITOR. Halifax'August 13th. 1842. 0U11 LETTER BOX. To the Editors of the Halifax Free Press. SIR,— I understand that your " Free Press,'- promised in monthly parts, is intended to contain very precious matter ; comprising accounts of the most remarkable events which transpire in our little, though important borough, together with the best part of all public proceedings— the most particular acts, speeches, and movements of our public men— with short abstracts of the Laws, Regulations, and Resolves of the members of our " Back Lane Parliament," including occasional extracts fro in their splendid orations, sensible remarks, logical conclu- sions, smart replies, and witty retorts. It may be properly considered the " Penny Magazine " or the " Penny Cyclopedia" of Halifax. As you take plenty of time, you must indeed be very negligent in getting it up, if it be not well worth preserving. The publication must of necessity be small, because the price is too low to admit of a large one. The " penny" subscription has, however, worked wonders in other departments, and I see no reason why it should not do so in this, especially in these stirring times, and in this thriving little town. Besides, every one will admit, that there are a few of as great oddities, choice spirits, curious tempers, rare geniuses, and eccentric mortals in Halifax, as could be found in any town of similar dimensions in the West Riding of this most celebrated County. There has, of late years, been a very great rage for enlarging the newspaper sheet; and I fear the matter lias sometimes been diminished in value, as the space for it has been enlarged. But you have determined to take another course. Your sheet is to he a small one, and we may, therefore, fairly expect the matter to be so much the more valuable. Indeed, if we take the trouble to read several papers weekly, weiind the same articles in most of them. You will have no excuse for such a practice, and we shall expect to read in youvs such articles as find their way into no other paper. ' Ihey must, of course, be short; but they maybe the more pithy ; and if so, it will not be said that we pay " too dearly for our whistle." I think you would do well to register a short ac- count of the late disturbances in Halifax, as many of the towns- people may wish to have some record of such a truly lamentable circumstance. And how many more would do so, at the price of one penny' than at four times that amount, besides having the account compressed in fewer words, the articles may be easier found and soonei read. In twenty years' time, few indeed will take the trouble to read the first and second editions, with all the amended reports— the various contradictory com- munications from most respectable correspondents the comments abusive and complimentary, and the various readings of agitated scribes, filling column after column of the broad sheet now in fashion. never forget the occasion of laying the foundation stone, tbe joy and satisfaction then expressed, the the tremendous shouts which burst from the assembled crowd when the orator exclaimed " We are doing our ancestors Justice." The idea of doing our ancestors justice was so con- sonant to their feelings that the shouts were severa' times repeated. Now, Sirs, I have no doubt that the " Free Press " will be considered a measure of justice and supported as such. It may be eminently useful in the propaga- tion of truth, in dissipating many of the wild and per- nicious notions which are now so very prevalent. For certainly there are public writers who encourage the propagation of such absurdities, professing to believe tlieui, and for party purposes allow them to pass current with tbe awful sanction of the editorial — WE. I hope you will be above such conduct, and that your " Free Press " will be distinguished as much for truth as for freedom. I am, Gentlemen, Your Obedient Servant, GUILLOTINE vill be To the Editors of the Free Press. SIR,— I have no doubt the " free piess1 hailed with pleasure by many in Halifax. Tbe name gives fair promise, and I hope it will prove to be what you call it " free." Let it be devoted to no party purposes ; but open alike to all who seek for justice, ever ready to admit fair, free, and full discussion : provided always that such discussion shall be conducted in civil and decor- ous language. Such a medium has been long wanted, and often talked about by individuals who have im- agined themselves ill- used, by being misrepresented in the company's oracle, which for special purposes ( hey have agreed to designate the " Guardian." I believe there is not a town in the Kingdom whose inhabitants have a purer, or a stronger love of justice, than the Halifaxians. Our forefathers were so tenacious on this point' that they erected a gibbet to take people's heads off for the most trifling delinquencies. This famous machine was for some time suffered to cease working^ and during the prevalence of those dark ages, while anarchy reigned in the town, this glorious monument of our former greatness was thrown down, and in the confusion some unknown ruffians, ( most probably to save their own necks) buried it in rubbish. Not long since however, the foundation of the Gibbet was accidentally uncovered by some workmen engaged in digging on the hill, and upon the sigh1 thereof such a sensation was excited as fully proved the high estimation in which the far- famed relic was held by the inhabitants. The Antiquarians first assembled on the spot, and cautioned the workmen to be mindful how they used their spades, or other tools in removing the surround- ing matter ; warned them on the nearer approach, to trust their bands only, fearing some loose corner of the building might suffer by the use of ruder instru- ments. The whole of the foundation was finally cleared, and the antiquarians in order to make the more minute inspection put on their spectacles, walked round and round the venerable pile, until they had lully satisfied themselves of the sacred identity The authorities were then called together, committees appointed to determine on the means best adapted to secure and to immortalize the interesting discovery Many solemn meetings were held, various resolutions adopted; the subject reconsidered, new members added to the said Committees; who finally resolved to erect a most unique and curious building, of the form and architecture of the days in which the celebrated and venerable machine was supposed to have been set up. They also determined to plant a sacred grove around the place, that the piety, as well as the justice ot our forefathers might be duly honoured. The expenses incurred were considerable ; but the people were so gratified with the discovery, that no complaint was heard even from the most rigid econo- omist. The antiquarians gave their advice and laboured in the good cause gratuitously, and wrote many laboured articles on the subject, which kept up the interest until the works were completed. I shall THE PUBLIC CEMETERY. To the Editors of the Free Press. GENTLEMEN,— Much calm and tranquil enjoyment of the beauties of nature ; and much soothing medi- tation on the solemn realities of life, death, and eternity : have I experienced in my quiet rambles, on fine evenings, around the walks of the new Cemetery > but there is one draw- back to my gratification. 1 do not like to see the neatness of the flower borders broken in upon by the rude footmarks of wanton and malicious trespassers. The propria tors ofthe ground deserves the hearty thanks of the community for their liberality in throwing it open to the public ; and this trampling upon the flower beds evinces an ingratitude as hateful as the debased. aud degraded state of feeling by which it must be accompanied. Perhaps this hint in your columns, may prevent a repetion of the offence. I am Gentlemen, Youvs truly, PERAMBULATOR. Halifax, August 20th, 1812. Boileau, being one day visited by an indolent person of rank, who reproached him with not having returned his first visit; " You and T," said the satirist, " are upon unequal terms. I lose my time when I pay a visit; you only get rid of vour's when you do so." A gentleman, in passing through a small hamlet in the vicinity of Edinburgh, knocked at the door of one of its humble tenements, for the purpose of inquir- ing the road to Castle, which he knew to be in the neighbourhood.—' There's naebody in,' cried a voice from the interior, in a shrill, childish, treble key. The gentleman, tickled with the answer, and being withal somewhat of a humourist, knocked again in the hope of extracting further amusement, if not in- formation. ' I tell ye there's naebody in but me, an' am daft,' reiterated the oracle within, ' but gin ye want the road to the Castle, gang into the plantin' ower- by there, and cut a young oak saplin. and Jock Macgregor the grieve ' ill soon let ye see the road to the Castle, as he did to me last week, tbe auld High- land rascal that he is !' Some one, in casting up his accounts, put down a very large sum per annum for his idleness ; but there is another account more awful than that of our ex- penses, in which many will find that their idleness has mainly contributed to the balance against them. From its very inaction, idleness ultimately becomes the most active cause of evil ; as a palsy is more to be dreaded than a fever. The Turks have a proverb, which says that the Devil tempts other men, but idle men tempt the Devil. THE FALL OF NIAGARA. BY LORD MORPETH. There's nothing great or bright, thou glorious Fall! Thou mayst not to the fancy's sense recall.— The thunder- riven cloud, the lightnins's leap. The stirring of the chambers of th<= deep, Earth's emerald green and ma « ? tinted dyes, The fleecy whiteness of the upper skies, Tne tread of armies thickening as they come. The boom of csnnoli, and the beat of drum, The brow beauty, and the form of grace. The passion and the prowess of our race. The song of Homer in its loftiest hour. The unresisted sweep of Roman power, Britannia's trident on the azure sea, America's young shout of liberty ! Oh ! may the wars that madden in thy deeps. There spend their rage, nor climb the encircling steepi; And till the conflict of thy surges cease,| The nations on thy banks repose in peace. THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. THE PRAISE OF LITTLE WOMEN. TRANSLATED BY J. H. WIFFEN, From the Spanish of Garcilasso de la Vega. I wish to make my preaching short, as all good things should be, For I was always foud, I own, of a short homily; Of little women, and in courts of law a most brief plea ; Little well said, makes wise, as sap most fructifies the tree. His head who laughs and chatters much, the Moon I'm sure must sway; There's in a little woman Jove— nor little, let me say; Some very tall there are, but I prefer the little— nay, Change them, they'd both repent the change, and quarrel night and day. Love prayed me to speak well of all the little ones— the zest They give, their noble qualities, and charms s— I'll do my best; I will speak of the little ones, but don't think I'm in jest; That they are cold as snow, and warm as fire, is manifest. They're cold abroad, yet warm in love; shy creatures in the street; Good- natured, laughing, witty, gay, and in the house discreet; Well doing, graceful, gentle, kind, and many things more sweet, You'll find where you direct you thoughts,— yes, many I . repeat. Within a little compass oft great splendour strikes the eyes, In a small piece of sugar- cane a deal of sweetness lies; So to a little woman's face a thousand graces rise, And large and sweet's her love; a word's sufficient for the wise. The pepper- corn is small, but yet, the more the grain you grind. The more it warms and eomforts; so, were I to speak my mind, , A little woman, if ( all love) she studies to be kind, There's not in all the world a bliss you'll fail in her to find. As in a little rose resides great colour, as the bell Of the small lily yields great and most delightful smell, As in a very little gold exists a precious spell, Within a little woman so exceeding flavours dwell. As the small ruby is a gem that clearly does outshine For lustre, colour, virtues, price, most children of the mine, In little women so worth, grace, bloom, radiancy divine, Wit, beauty, loyalty, and love, transcendently combine. Little's the lark, the nightingale is little, yet they sing Sweeter than birds of greater size and more resplendent wing; So little women better are, by the same rule,— they bring A love more sweet than sugar- plums or primroses of spring The goldfinch and Canary- bird, all finches and all pies, Sing, scream, or chatter passing well,—- there's quaintnesi in their cries; The brilliant little paroquet says things extremely wise; Just such a little woman is, when she sweet love outsighs. There's nothing that with her should be compared-' tis profanation ;— She is a walking Paradise, a smiling consolation ; A blessing, pleasure, of all joys a sparkling constellation: In fact— she's better in the proof than in the salutation ! Small women do no harm, kind things, though they may sometimes call Us angry names, hard to digest: men wise, as was Saint Paul, Say, of two evils choose the least,— by this rule it must fall, The least dear woman you can find will be the best of all! 3. 6. SEPTEMBER. Next him September marched, eke on foot; Vet was he heavy laden with the spoyle Of harvest's riches, which he made his boot. And him enriched with bounty of the soyle. In his one hand, as fit for harvest's toyle. He held a knife- hook ; and in the other hand A palre of weights, with which he did assoyle Both more and less, where it in doubt did stand. And equal gave to each, as justice duly scanned, SPENSER. This is the ninth month of the year ; but in the Roman calendar it was the seventh, as is indicated by- its name, which is compounded of septem, seven, and imber, a shower of rain ;— the rainy season usual'y commencing at this period. Vulcan was the tutelar deity of the month ; and the principal feasts were the lHonysia, or the vintage; and the grand games called the Circenses, which continued five days. The sign Libra is appropriated to it, because, according to Virgil, it is the month when Day and night in equal balance hang. According to Verstegan, onr Saxon ancestors called this month " yerst- monat, for that barley, which that moneth commonly yeelded, was antiently called gerst; the name of barley being given unto it, by reason of the drinke therewith made, called beere, and from beerleyh. it came to be berlcyk, and from bcrlcy to barley." ALMANAC FOR THE MONTH. Til. 1, 8, 15, 22 28. Mo. 5, 12, 19, 26. Fr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. Tu. 6, 13, 20. 27. Sa. 3, 10, 17, 24. We. J, 14, 21, 28. Su. 4, 11, 18, 25. New Moon 4th, lOh 15m p. m. Full Moon 19th 6h 34m p. m. FIrstqu. 11th, 3h. 58m. p. m. Last qu. 27th, 3h, 5m. p. m. ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDAR. 1. Saint Giles.— This Saint is in the Church of England Calendar. He is sometimes called ^ Egidius, and was a native of Athens. After disposing of his patrimony in charity, he went to France in the year 715. lie resided, two years, with Csesarius, bishop of Aries; and then lived as a hermit; but was after- wards appointed abbot of Nismes. He died in 750 St. Giles is the tutelar saint of Edinburgh ; he is, also, the patron of beggars and cripples. Among the stories told of this saint, are the following :— going to church, he gave his coat to a sick beggar, whose disorder was miraculously cured by the garment;— he raised to life the dead son of a prince, and made a lame man walk :— at Home, he cast two doors of cypress into the Tiber, and commended them to heavenly guidance; and, on his return to France, found them at the gates of his monastery; upon which he set them up as the doors of his own church. The " Golden Legend" says of him, that " many witnisse that they herde the compauy of aungelles berynge the soule of hym into heven." 4. Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity. 7. Saint Enurchus. This saint, otherwise called Evortius, was bishop of Orleans, in the fourth century. The circumstances of his election to the see of Orleans were looked upon as miraculous; it being asserted that a dove alighted upon his head, in consequence o: the prayers of the electors. 8. The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. This festival of the Church of Rome is in the Church of England calendar, and in the common almanacs. It was instituted by Pope Servius, towards the close of the seventh century, in celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary; a concert of angels having, it was alleged, been heard in the air, to solemuize the event. In the yearl244, Pope Innocent IV. honoured this feast with an octave; and, about the year 1370, Gregory XI. added a vigil. 11. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. 14. Holy Cross or Holy Rood.— This festival of the Church of Rome is also in the Church of England calendar, although that church does not acknowledge any virtue in relics. It was instituted in the year 615, by the Romish Church, to commemmorate the recovery, by the Emperor Heraclius, of the cross, which had been taken away from Jerusalem, by Cosroes, king of Persia, who had plundered the " Holy City." It was formerly called Holy Rood day. The ceremony of kissing the cross is performed in the Greek Church, on this day. The rood was a carred or sculptured groupe, consisting of a crucifix, or image of Christ upon the cross, with, commonly, the Virgin Mary on one side, and John on the other; though for these were sometimes substituted the four evangelists, and frequently rows of saints were added on each side. The rood was always placed in a gallery icross the nave, at the entrance of the chancel or choir of the church, and this gallery was called the rood- loft, signifying the rood gallery ; the old meaning of the word loft being a high, or the highe t floor, or a room higher than another room. In the rood- loft the musicians were stationed, near the rood, to play during mass. Holy- rood house, in Edinburgh, derives its name from the rood. Nutting appears to have been customary on this day ; and Brand cites the following lines from an old play called " Grim, the Collier of Croydon :"— This day, they say, is called Holy- rood day. And all the youth are now a nutting gone. 17. Saint Lambert.— This saint lived in the time of Pepin I., and was appointed Bishop of Maestricht in the year 673, Having reproved the King's grand- son for his " irregularities,"— a soft name for vices, he was murdered, in 708, at the instigation of an abandoned woman. He was canonized in 1240. 18. Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity. 21. Saint Matthew.— This saint was the " holy evangelist" whose gospel forms the first book of. the New Testament. His gospel was written in Hebrew, about the year 64, and w. is afterwards translated into Greek. The Hebrew original is lost. After many labours and miracles, lie closed his life at Nadabar in Ethiopia, probably by martyrdom. 25. Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity. 26. Saint Cyprian.— He was a native of Africa, of good family, and well educated. He was appointed Bishop of Carthage, in the year 248. In the Decian persecution, he behaved with great courage, and openly exhorted the people to constancy and perseverance. He suffered martyrdom, by beheading, in the year 258. As one the " Fathers," his writings are re- markable for their piety. 29. Saint Michael.— This, festival was institute'' in the year 687, in honour of the Archangel Michaeli whose dispute with Satan, about the bpdy of Moses, is recorded in Scripture. St. Michael was the tutelar saint of the Jewish nation. Michaelmas day is now observed chiefly as one of the quarter days for the payment of rents, & c., and as a season for feasting upon roast goose. Douce is quoted by Brand as saying,—" I have somewhere seen the following reason for eating goose on Michaelmas day, viz. that Queen Elizabeth received the news of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, whilst she was eating a goose on Michaelmas day ; and that, in commemoration of that event, she ever afterwards on that day dined on goose." There is, however, evidence of the custom having existed at a much earlier date; and, indeed, the fact that the Queen was eating goose on that day, induces a supposition that it was at that time a custom to do so. In 1470,— a century before the event referred to, John de la Hay took of William Barneby, lord of Lasjres, in Herefordshire, a parcel of land, rendering twenty pence a year, and one goose fit for the lord's dinner on the feast of St. Michael the Archangel. Ga^ coigne in his " Posies," published in 1575, speaks of it as a well known custom. He says,— And when the tenauntes come to paie their quarter's rent, Thev bring some fowle at Midsummer, a dish of Ash in Lent, At ChristmasBea capon, at Michaelmasse a goose. And somewhat else at New- yeres tide, for fear their lease flie loose. 30. Saint Jerome. This saint was the most eminent biblical scholar of the fourth century. He wasbornat Stridon; and died at Bethlehem, in the year 420, in the 90th year of his age. His translation of the Holy Scriptures into Latin, is used by the Church of Rome, and is known by the name of the " Vulgate." REMARKABLE EVENTS, 1. Louis XIV died, 1715. Revolution in Madrid began, 1840. 2. London burnt, 1666. New style adopted, 1752. Preston Guild celebrated, 1822, Telford died, 1814. Carrington died, 1830. Cromwell born, 1598 ; died, 1658. Buttle of Dunbar, 1650. Battle of Worcester, 1651. SirE. Coke died, 1634. Emperor Nicholas crowned at Moscow, 1826. Battle of Mori, 1796. Riots at Barnsiey, 1829. American declaration of rights, 1774. Malt i surrendered to the British, 18U0. Dr. Jortin died, 1770. Blucher died, 1819. Battle of Dennewitz, 1813. G. A. Stevens, " Lecturer on Heads," died, 1784 7. Hannah More died, 1833. Remarkable Eclipse of the Sun, 1820. Stanislaus Augustus ( Poniatowski) elected King of Poland, 1764. 8 George III. married, 1761. William I. & Adelaide crowned, 1831. Battle of Bassano, 1796. 9. Battle of Flodden, 1513. Corporation art passed, 1835. William the Conqueror died, 1087. Gilbert Wakefield died, 1801. 10. Ugo Foscolo died, 1827. 11. Battle of Brandywine Creek, 1777. 12. Battle of Ordal, 1813. Battle of Aberdeen, 1644. Siege of Vienna, 1683. Lord Thurlow died, 1806. 13. Battle of Marignan, 1515. C. J. Fox died, 1806. General Wolfe killed, 1750. Sir John Leach, Master of the Rolls, died, 1834. 14. Treaty of Peace between Russia and Turkey signe. l at Adrianople, 1829. 15. Liverpool and Manchester railway opened, and Huskisson killed, 1830. Moscow burnt, 1812. Kouen Cathedral struck by lightning, 1822. Dinner at Edinbugh to Earl Grey, 1834. Don Pedro resigned the regency of Portugal, 1834. 16. Louis XVIII. died, 1824. 17. Siege of Gibraltar terminated, 1782. 18. George I. landed, 1741. Earthquake at Cuba, 1826. Duke of Cumberland died, 1790. 19. Battle of Poictiers, 1356. Eugene Aram hung, 1759. The Miguelites repulsed before Oporto, 1832. Royalty abolished in France, 1792. 20. Battle of Newburv, 1643. W. Button died, 1815. Robert Emmett executed, in Dublin, 1803. • 21. Sir Walter Scott died, 1832. Cadiz evacuated by the French, 1828. Pope Clement XLV. ( GanganelliJ died, 1774. 22. Charles V. died, 1558. George III. crowned, 1761. Princess Augusta died, 1840. 23. Butler died, 1680. Battle of Assaye, 1803. New Post Office opened, 1829. 24. Charles I. dethroned, 1640. Don Pedro died, 1834. Battle of Zurich, 1799. 25. R. Porson died, 1808. Robert Dodsley died, 1764. 26. Admiral Collingwood born, 1748. The Holy Alliance formed, 1815. The Turks defeated by; the Russians at Caoroi, 1828. 27. Brindley died, 1772. Rome surrendered to the British, 1799. 28. Buchanan died, 1582. Russia declared war against Persia, 1826. 29. Nelson born, 1758. J. B. Trotter, secretary to J. C. Fox, died, 1818. 30. The Jesuits suppressed, 1773. Independence of the South American Republics acknowledged by France, 1830. MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 1. Partridge shooting begins. 2. Horton Fair. 4 & 11. ( Two Sundays preceding the 15th.) Lists of objections to county electors, and also claims and objections to borough votes, to be affixed to church doors. 5. The Jewish year 5603 begins. 7. Leeds Leather Fair. 14. Salmon Fishing in Scotland ends. 21. Northowram Fair. 25. Hebden Bridge Fair. 26. Todmorden Fair. 28. Dewsbury Fair. 30. Hare hunting begins. It is related of George the Second, that one day addressing the Duke of Grafton, he said, " The people, my good Lord, are like my wife : though they quarrel with me themselves, they will not suffer others to do so." The T u r k s call swallows the angels of Mahomet, and think that whoever kills one will be immediately seized with a fever. 2 THE HALIFAX FREE PRESS. PEESTON GUILD. The celebration of Preston" Ga'jUl takes, pjyce | his" month. This Gm' 4\; i6 one of the most. spleadid provincial festivals in England, Jm$. is held once in! twenty years. The last celebration - vas in 1822 ; and the Guild wasTOTOmeliorated a, third time during'the reign of GedirgeilH.,— an event which never occurred in the reign of> ny preceding ki% 6f England. The institution of% hist festival' is " five centuries old. It was confirmed^ by . charters gran » jr! by Edward JII, Jirehard'II/ an'd'diaries JI, whereby he burgesses, were aritiently enabled- to hold " certain pleas of land, Ac., within their. own,. precin. ctSi and are BOW required to renew their claims to the rights* privileges, and freedom, " which belong ' to. lhetn in virtue of their*, charter;- which franchises devolve evefy twenty years into the bands of the mayor atid corporation, and become extinct if not . renewed at these periods. It appears from the records of the borough, that there liave been twenty Guilds in, five, hundred.. years ;, that in the first two centuries t^ ey were held at irregular,, periods, but that since- that. time, beginning with the reign of Henry" Vlll, they, have, been celebrated regulatl)* jvHth'oiit intermission, every twenty years. In the times when, guilds wtftre. Instituted, it was'the practice to commit all- gre' 4t = affSits, spiritual ' and secular, to. the guardianship ofspmeparticular saint-; in Conformity with this superstition,' Pre'stbii Guild Wasi . placed.' utitfev thq patronage of St. John the Bap- tist, ; iiul this king of feasts always begins the Monday, next after the decollation , of the. Baptist. Tlie procsssion consisted chiefly of a picturesque- display'of the emblems Qf . the different trades, depu- tations from which walked in the following order': — 1. Tanners', Skinners', Curriers', and Glovers' Com- pany • 2, Spinners, Weavers, and Woolcombers ; 3. Shoemakers; 4. Carpenters; 5. Butchers;. 6. Vintners; 7. Tailor^.; 8. Smiths ; 9. Odd, Fellows' Society'; ' 10. ~ Br'itfdayers ; 11. ^ Plasterers ; 12. Gardeners.; 13- Printers, and " I56o" kbitiders ; 14. Free- masons,. The Mayor and. Corporation closed the procession. The whole of the persons composing tbi? pageant were dressed in. new apparel* with sashesand rosettes. The banners were of the most splendid description. Before the Spinners, and others engaged in the cotton tradfe, Cotton trees were carried, and carriages, drawn by horses, contained the steam- engines and different machinery emp! o}- e- d in tha' business, all at full work, and superintended by able workmen, who were chiefly dressed in white clothing This exhibition had a most pleasing and' novel ef? ect Between each carriage, walked forty men with white sashes, and, on a rose- coloured ground, were the in scrjptions ' Success to the Spindle,' ' Prosperity to the Warpers,' & e. & c. The procession of the Master Tailors claimed particular notice, and excited much laughter from its singularity. The Smiths were preceded by two stout men in antique drqsses, carrying axes, followed 6$ jHHMthers, one in mail and the other in brass armour. The Carpenters, and Joiners Company made a splendid show ; each man carried a wand, surmounted with a gilt square and compass The ' Paradise Lodge of Gardeners' was greatly adj . mired"; a large crown of flowers preceded the individuals cpjapojiing the. lodge,' together with pole's" bearing specimens of the choicest fruits. Two chil- the county. The. dresses of the ladies were particularly splendid, 6niting the very height of fashion with classical chasteness. Silver lama over white muslin, with. a profusion of pearl ornaments, in a variety of devices of loops, b^ oclies, tiijras, necklaces, & c., fbrmed the prevailing costume. The simplicity and elegance of the general appearance were uncommonly attractive and beautiful. dren raised in a car of flowers, surmounted with trees personified Adam and Eve ; the, serpent being placed between them,. Villi a large apple in its mouth. . The Printers ' and'- Bookbinders , came in deservedly for a great share pf public attention. In a large vehicle, a printing press was seen cti full w. ork, striking of various mpttjs, which were eagerly . purchased. On . tlie side'of. the carriage a- ppeared the words—' Printing • invented tfiO/— and;:.. on the Hags,—' Liberia*, non iicentia,' and ' SiLlux, et lux fuH' Next came tlie pdd~ Felloivs, attired in'the " eccentric, dress of their ' order. The Freemasons, decorated with their several orders, closed the procession, and lined the way, from the town- hall to the chujtcb, for the'Mayor,' Recorder, and Members of the Corporation, who proceeded on foot, together with the officers of the city, bearing the mace, & r. The' sermon was preached bythe Vicar, from the 4th verse of tlie 132d Psalm ; and, at the conclusion of Divine Service, the procession, in the order already mentioned, paraded all tbe principal streets of the town back to tbe town- liall, where the bands played ' God save t( ie King,' and • See the Conquering Ilero comes.' The Mayor and Corporation walked ' the whole of the distance, though the rain poured very fast. Tlie whole line of procession was thronged with spectators, together with the tops of houses and churches! The windows' presented a brilliant assemblage of beauty Wij ' fashion. In the evening the opening Guild Ball was numerously attended, and displayed a scene of bkutjr," elegSnce, and fashion, unrivalled in that to » n,' and; p'erhapsj in1 Various other^ processipns, horse- races, balls, and endless cqrnivaliq, followed, continuing for several days. OCCURRENCE IN THE WHALE FISHERY OF 1823. BY THE REV. DR. SCORESBY, VICAR OF BRADFORD. On the 13th of July, blowing hard with rain or sleet; we moored to a large and heavy floe ( a sheet of ice about three or four miles in diameter) in order the more commodiously to enjoy a sabbath day's repose. A ship from Peterhead, which had for some days been accompanying us, followed our example, and a con- siderable number of her officers and crew joined us in our usual sabbath devotions. ' An evening service, designed chiefly for the instruction and benefit of'tlie apprentices, , had been . concluded, Jhe sacred day of the Lord was. drawing to, a close, and our visitots were preparing to return'to tlfeir ship, when a large whale was descried by one, of bur. seamen in a situa- tion very inviting,, for. attempting, itsi capture. , No doubt it was contemplated by many with an ardent and longing gaie ; bu't the orders for sanctifying the sabbath being, quite peremptory, no attempt, oil t ® f part qf any of, our people, was made, to, pursue the. tempting objeict. Our fellow- worshippers, however, being ' less' scrupulous", instantly manned'the boat which had brought thein on bp^ rd of, the Baffin, and set forth, along with some others from their own ship, in "( lager. p irsuit. ^ Nor were their ardent hopes disappointed ;. for in a short time the usnal qniettiess of the day, with us, was broken in upon by the shout of success from the pursuing bpats, followed by vehe- ment respondings from the contiguous ship. . The attack being followed up with wonted vigour, proved successful, and the prize was fully secured by the middle of the night. That such a result should not be exceedingly trying to the feelings of our people, who saw that their competitors had won the prize which we had first declined, was more than could be expected. Never- theless, both the trial of their obedience, and the exercise of their patience, were so sustained, as to be at once satisfactory tome and creditable tothemslves. Their minds,- in general, seemed disposed to admit the principle on which we acted ; for, in addition to the religious sanctions, their repeated experiences had testified that the. principle was acknowledged of Heaven. It was my intention to have ' cast off,' in the the morning of Monday, to explore the navigable spaces of the ice to the westward, with a view to the furtherance of our voyage; but the day being, still stormy, with constant thick weather from snow, sleet, or rain, we found if expedient to remain in somewhat anxious idleness, whilst our successful comrades were joyously and usefully occupied. in flensing the valuable fish obtained " almost under our stern. This was donbtlcsif an additional trial of " the good feelings of our crew ; but whatever. might be the regrets of any in yielding> up, for conscience' sa. ke„ our chance of so fine a prize, I heard of rio other dissatisfaction than the mere ' expression'of a natural, anxiety to be under- way that we might find a fish foj; ourselves. The state of the Weather? however, induced ns Uncontiniie at our tnboi'ings, tiM'fotbed dff by tlrfe movements of the. con- however, a variety of little adventures, as well a, some very threatening obstacles, we succeeded in subduing the powerful animal; and no sooner was it cleared off the lines, and in a condition to be removed, than the compact aggregation of ices by which it was enveloped';- began to relax, so that with little further embarrassment a channel was cleared out, and tbe prize effectually secured. Thus before the very first day available for the fishery, after the sabbath, had come to a close, all our anxieties were relieved,, our forbearance, compensated., and. our efforts crowned with the desired success. I. tigubus ice'sj $ filch threatened the safety pf the'phipj Soon afterwards we set furth oil our object ;' and having made a stretch - to the westward, all hands were speedily called into • exhilarating ' action, by th? discovery of several whale's. The eagerness of the men, indeed, was, in the first instapce, against us; more than one of the objects being, unnecessarily scared, for want » f that wise considerate prudence which, under the circumstances, was peculiarly needed to; temper and direct their excited zeal. At length, however, after a variety of mortifying failures, a harpoon was ably struct;; arid though the boat, re- ceived a desperate heav e, fend some of its oars werp projected high into the air, happily,- up ,. accident ensued. The fxcess of, ardour among the meri, was now in full demand, being appropriately drawn off by tb^ vigour with which the wounded monster struggled for his liberty aruklife. Outstripping the " utmost speed of its purstrers, in . th'e beginriing^ of '£* he chase, 4it obtained shelter amid the compact accumnla- tyjn of numerous niassesxif jce, where it was most difficult to reach", ahd from whence it seemed next to impracticable to be dislodgefl, " After"' encountering, " FEMALE DRESS.— In 1709, a lady's dress is thus described in an advertisement, to recover ohe that was lostt " A black silk petticoat, with a red and white calico border : cherry- coloured stays, trimmed with blue and silver; a reel and dove- coiour'ed damask gown, flowered with large trees; a yellow Satin apron trimmed with white Persian, mijslin, head cloths! with crowsfoot edging; doubie ruffles, with fine edging ; a black silk furbelowedseatf; and a spotted hood." In 1711, a lady's riding- dress is advertised for sale, in the Spectator, of blijg camblet, welt laced with silver; being a coat, waistcoat, petticoat, bat and feathers. And arnothex advertisement, in 1712, mentions an Isabella coloured Kinqob gown, flowered with green and gol'd ; and' a dark- coloured cloth gpwn and." petticoat, with Wo stiver ptric'es; a: pirfplS'' and ' gold atlas gown, a scarlet " and gold mtlas petticoat, edged with silver; a wrought under petticoat, edged with gold ; a black velvet pet- ticoat; aUegah petticoat, striped with' gre'eri, gold, and white ; a blue and silver silk gown irnd petticoat; a blue and gold atlas gown and geVticaiit, and clogs,. laced. with silver. A Mrs. vBealei » tthe Same period, advertises her loss of agreen silk; krjit waistcoat, with gold and. silver flowers all over it, and aboiit 14 yards gold and silver thick lace on it; with a petticoat o£, rich strong . flowered satin, red and white, all in great flowers or leaves, and scarlet flowers with black' specks brocaded in, raised high, like velvet or shag. The ladies wore hooped petticoats, scarlet cloaks, and masks, when walking. The hoopa were fair game for - the wits, and they spared. them not : as, for instance,, An tlderly lady, whose bulky squat figure, By hoop and white damask was render'd much bigger. Without hood, and bare- neek'd, to the Park did repair. To show her new clothes, and take the fresh air : Her shape, her attire, rais'd a shout and loud laughter; Away waddles Madam, the mob hurries after. ENCOURAGEMENT.— Napoleon, in one of his cam- paigns in Italy, being satisfied with the conduct of a regiment which had distinguished itself, addressed them in tbe following singular language :—' It is now many weeks that you have been marching over mountains, and yon are always attentive to ' your duty, without a murmur ; eight months' pay is due to you, and I have not heard a single complaint. As a proof of my satisfaction, and in reward ' for your conduct, at the first engagement you shall " m; irch at the head of the van- guard.' Which, in other words, implies— My friends, as. you have conduetetl your- selves well for eight mouths, and I'am perfectly satis- fied with your conduct, I will expose you in a few days to the first fire of the enemy. The Swallow is one of my favourite birds, and a rival of the Nightingale; for'lie cheers my sense;' of seeing, as much as_ the other does my sense of heating. He. is the glad prophet^ tJthe year,— tbe harbinger of tbe best season j lie lives a life eff enjoy- ment amongst the loveliest for'msof nature'; winter is unknown to him ; and he reaves'tbe green meadows of England, in autumn, fpr. tlje myrtle aqd orange groves of Italy, aud'for tlie palmo. of Africa.— Sir Humphrey Davy. • - ' ' 1 :'"•'" It is a notorious fact, that many years ago wretches sold themselyes to give any evidence upon oath, that might be required; - and some of these openly walked Westminster JHoll with a straw in the shoe, to sigpify that they wanted employment; as witnesses^ Hence our common phrase,—" men of straw." When Miss Anno Pitt, sistar to Mr. Pitt, ( after- wards Earl Chatham) got a pension from Lord Bute, her biajther sent her a very angry lettfer upon the occasion, and amongst other thjnj's said, " he had ' hoped that the. nanie , of Pitt am peqsion would never have appeared together.". When Pitt himself got a pension of 4.30.00 • a yeat from the same Lord Bute, his sister, upon* congratulating him upon this accession to his. pecuniary fortune, sent him a true copy of his former letter. HALIFAX :— Printed and Sold, for the Proprietors, at thS General Printing Office of H. Martin, Upper George Yard ; and may be bought at any shop where it is to'bd sold.