Poems (Mitford)/Notes
NOTES.
PAGE 53.
Saw Niger roll to meet the morning beam.
Looking forwards, I saw with infinite pleasure the great object of my mission, the long-sought for majestic Niger, glittering to the morning Sun, as broad as the Thames at Westminster, and flowing slowly to the eastward. I hastened to the brink, and having drank of the water, lifted up my fervent thanks in prayer to the Great Ruler of all things, for having thus far crowned my endeavours with success."
Park's Travels, page 191.
PAGE 54.
The dreary wilderness, the fiery plain.
"The burning the grass in Manding, exhibits a scene of terrific grandeur. In the middle of the night I could see the plains and mountains, as far as my eye could reach, variegated with lines of fire; and the light reflected on the sky, made the Heavens appear in a blaze. In the day time pillars of smoke were seen in every direction; while the birds of prey were observed ho veiling round the conflagration, and pouring down upon the snakes, lizards, and other reptiles, which attempted to escape from the flames. This annual burning is soon followed by a fresh and sweet verdure, and the country is thereby rendered more healthful and pleasant."
Park's Travels, page 229.
PAGE 54.
And added grace to Nature's sweetest song.
Alluding to the beautiful Negro Song, written by the late Duchess of Devonshire.
PAGE 55.
Drew pitying tears, how similar his fate!
"From this village Major Houghton, (being deserted by his Negro servants, who refused to follow him into the Moorish country,) wrote his last letter with a pencil to Dr. Laidley. This brave, but unfortunate man, having surmounted many difficulties, had taken a northerly direction, and endeavoured to pass through the kingdom of Ludamar, where I afterwards learned the following particulars concerning his melancholy fate. On his arrival at Jarra, he got acquainted with certain Moorish Merchants, who were travelling to Tisheet, a place near the salt-pits in the great desert, to purchase salt; and the Major, at the expense of a musket and some tobacco, engaged them to convey him thither. Their intention, probably, was to rob and leave him in the desert. At the end of two days he suspected their treachery, and insisted on returning to Jarra. Finding him persist in this determination, the Moors robbed him of every thing he possessed, and went off with their camels; the poor Major being thus deserted, returned on foot to a watering-place, in possession of the Moors, called Tarra, He had been some days without food, and the unfeeling Moors refusing to give him any, he sunk at last under his distresses. Whether he actually perished of hunger, or was murdered by the savage Mahomedans, is not certainly known; his body was dragged into the woods, and I was shewn, at a distance, the spot where his remains were left to perish.
Park's Travels, page 103.
page 57
Philosophy's poetic dream."
"The Adventures of Signor Gaudentio di Lucca," said to have been written by Bishop Berkeley.
PAGE 58.
The wishes of each blameless breast.
"If the man be the person the woman likes, he presents her with a flower just in the bud, which she takes, and puts in her breast. If she is engaged before, she shows him one, to signify her engagement; which, if in the bud only, shows the courtship is gone no further than the first proposal and liking; if half blown, or the like, it is an emblem of further progress; if full blown, it signifies that her choice is determined, from whence they can never recede."
Gaudentio di Lucca, page 182.
PAGE 67.
You'll think of Whitley's lovely cot.
Whitley Cottage, near Reading, the residence of J. P . Reeve, Esq.
PAGE 79.
The tragic muse uprear'd her double throne.
The Alcestis of Euripides, and King John, altered from Shakespeare by Dr. Valpy, had been admirably acted by the young Gentlemen of Readmg School, at their Triennial Visitation, Oct. 18, 18O9.
PAGE 107.
"Behold," he cries, "our Father's Halls!"
The rums of Mitford Castle, near Morpeth, Northumberland.
PAGE 107.
Of Kirkley's hospitable bowers.
Kirkley, the elegant mansion of the ancient Family of the Ogles.
PAGE 107.
Bedew'd by Linskill's dashing spray.
Linskill Spout, a water-fall in the Cheviot hills.
PAGE 108.
Ascends your sister's bright abode.
Little Harle Tower, in Northumberland, the seat of the Right Hon. Lady Charles Aynsley.
{{c|PAGE 108.
To go where sacred duty calls.
Lord Charles Aynsley left his Lady's venerable mansion for his Deanery of Booking, Essex, 18O6, and left it, alas, never to return! He died in the prime of life, universally beloved and lamented, May, 1808.
PAGE 122.
THE WREATHS.
This Tale is taken from the following passage in Mr. D. Israeli's elegant and amusing work, "The Curiosities of Literature:"—
"I recollect a pretty story, which, in the Talmud or Gemara, some Rabbi has attributed to Solomon.—The incident passed as Solomon sat surrounded by his court. At the foot of the throne stood the inquisitive Sheba; in each hand she held a wreath of flowers, the one composed of natural, the other of artificial flowers. Art, in the labor of the mimic wreath, had exquisitely emulated the lively hues, and the variegated beauties of nature; so that, at the distance it was held by the Queen, for the inspection of the King, it was deemed impossible for him to decide, as her question imported, which wreath was the natural, and which the artificial. The sagacious Solomon seemed posed; yet to be vanquished, though in a trifle, by a trifling woman, irritated his pride. The Son of David—he who had written treatises on the vegetable productions, 'from the Cedar to the Hyssop,' to acknowledge himself outwitted by a woman, with shreds of paper and glazed paintings! The honor of the Monarch's reputation for divine sagacity seemed diminished; and the whole Jewish court looked solemn and melancholy. At length an expedient presented itself to the King; and, it must be confessed, worthy of the natural philosopher. Observing a cluster of bees hovering about a window, he commanded that it should be opened; it was opened, the bees rushed into the court, and alighted immediately on one of the wreaths, while not a single one fixed on the other. The decision was not then difficult; the learned Rabbis shook their beards in rapture, and the baffled Sheba had one more reason to be astonished at the wisdom of Solomon!"
Curiosities of Literature, vol. 1. page 556.