Peculiar Doors, of entrance, and exit.

But, other ideas have been connected with doors; some pleasant, some moral, some instructive: perhaps, the instances of agreeable wit, offered by these parts of our dwellings, if combined, would prove highly entertaining the article may be improved into diversity by a specimen.

After the Doctor comes Death, of course. This order is so regular, that Garth, in the Preface to his Dispensary, accounts the killing of numbers of Patients, a trite piece of raillery, that ought not to make the least impression, either on physician or patient: In short, it is the end to be contemplated There is in Rome a small Chapel called by both. Other professions bear the same St. John in oleo, near the Porta Latina: terminus ia mind; but it may be new to it was erected by a Frenchman in 1509: our readers that among such we must over the door is this inscription “ Au plaisir reckon Architecture. It was, however, a de Dieu, To the pleasure of God.' "Only a Frenchman could have associated the frequent custom in the East, in Italy, and in other parts of the Continent. When a terms of this inscription. It reminds us, house was building, for the living, "the however, of an edition of the famous Rohonse appointed for all living" was not for- man de la Rose, in 1515, by Michael Le got: and when the life-long union was Noir, (cited by Lacaille, in his Hist. de formed, the call to recollection of the en-Imprimerie.) That printer introduced into france in, and the passage out, was well calculated to temper the exuberance of a ton joyous moment.

In the city of Assize, it was customary antiently, (and traces of an instance still remain in the front of a house in this city,) to construct a small door, different from the usual entrance of the house, and elevated a few feet above the pavement;-it was called “the Door of the Drad; because, according to a very ancient custom, it was never opened except for the passage of dead persons belonging to the house. The like custom obtained in Italy, at Gubbio, and at Perugia; also in Holland, at the village of Brook, uear Amsterdam. It was common, also, to open this door on occasion of marriages: the bride and bridegroom, the first day of their union, passed through it, receiving at the same time the monition that this door would never be opened again, unless on occasion of their passing out of the house and out of the world at

the same time.

The custom of constructing such doors, exclusively reserved for the dead, was, in the opinion of antiquaries, known to the ancients, who gave them the name of Sandupilaria, formed from Sundupila, a bier, or coffin of wood,

In the ancient Circuses, are seen on each side, a door called Libitinaria, because it served to remove the bodies of those who perished in the games. In the ancient church of St. Peter's, in the Vatican, there was a door called " Door of the Sentence," or of Judgment, because, by this, those bodies were brought in which were in-. tended for interment. It is possible, that this might take its rise at a time when Christianity was under persecution:-or, that the idea of resurrection to the final judgment was connected with this appellation.

the title-page a rose, supported by two blacks, with this motto :

C'est mon desir de Dieu servir,

Pour acquérir son doux plaisir. On the front of a country church, was inscribed a simple, and in fact, a sublime motto :-This Place is Holy.

On the house of Ariosto, at Ferrara, in the frieze which divides the ground floor from the first story, is written a motto composed by himself, (1510) implying, that though small, the dwelling suited him, and that it was neither sordid nor extravagant

Parva sed apta mihi, sed nulli obnoxia, sed

Sordida, parta meo sed tamen are domus.

ORIENTAL APOLOGUES:

The following are translations from the Arabic; (in Lockett's Arabic Syntax) they shew the same nature in mankind, as that with which we are acquainted; and may read lessons, equally in the West, as in the East.

The Presumptuous reproved.

A certain city lounger was standing one day in the street, and happened to see ■ woman of elegant appearance pass by with a child in her arms. He said to the people about him-If any one will bring me that child, in order that I may kiss his feet, I will give him ten dirbums-but nobody answered him. He addressed them again, and said, 'I will give fifteen dirhems to any one that will bring me the child; but they continued silent as before. I had better,' said he to himself, leave these blockheads alone, and watch the motions of the woman, and wherever she goes, go there also; and at whatever house she enters, stop there, and wait her coming

me,

me.

out; upon which he began to follow her. rotten teeth, stammering tongue, staggerThe woman turned round, and said, What ing in his gait like a mau intoxicates, pof. is your object, Sir, in pursuing me thus?' fing and bowing like a thirsty dog, and "I wish' reptied he), for permission to forming at the mouth be an angry amel, kiss the feet of that child, and if you allow who came up, and seated biniself before I will do whatever you comunud. Whence come you,' said {, - 0 Why do you wish this?' said the woman. ther of gladness?'' From bome, piese Because I love you' (replied he, and your worship,' said he; And pray where you love the child, and the beloved of the is your home?' I rejoined, and what is the beloved is also beloved.' The wonan cause of your journey › My home,' be laughed at his answer, and said, if you replied, is near the great mosque, adjoinare determined on this, you had better waiting the poor-house; and I am come for the for his father, who is about to proceed to enrpose of being married, and to beg you the bath; and when he takes off his shoes, will perform the ceremony; the object of you can go and kiss his feet, for my love to my choice is this long-tongued, importa him is greater than to this child. The nate, hump-backed, scarlet-skinned, oue fellow was abashed at her reply and re-eyed, no-nosed, stinking, deaf, widetreated." montbed daughter of my uncle. Do you agree, Miss Long-tougne,' said I, to marry this Mr. Pot-belly?" By,' said the lady, with a great deal of Doric brevity. Then accept, my friend,' cried I, this woman for your wife-take her bome: cherish and protect her.' So he took her by the hand and departed. Now it happened, that about nine months after that, they both re turned to me rejoicing; and had hardly seated themselves, when my old friend Adonis called out, 0), your worship, we have been blessed with a most sweet and

The Case altered : or pro and con argued and applied according to existing

circumstances.

pops

"The wife of a niggardly attorney happened to be seized with a longing after fish, and expressed her desire one day to her husband. O what execrable food (said the attorney) is fish, and how vile a thing is fish for food! for its Fis fotality, its I insipidity, its S sickness, and its H horror! The good woman, however, was determined to satisfy her longing; and accordingly, having pawned her ear-rings fascinating child; and are come to request Baknown to him, purchased some fish; you will bless and give him a name, and offer but in the very act of enjoying it, who up a prayer for his parents." Now in upon her but old Pinchpenny, who, what should I behold but a little archin, seeing her eating, cried out, What is that stone-blind, hare-lipped, without the use of you are eating, my dear?' Nothing but a its hands, splay-footed, bald-headed, asslittle fish, replied the wife, which a neigh-eared, bull-necked, Bot possessing one bour woman has sent me.' Oh, ho,' cried sense out the five, and altogether (rightful Muckworm, then allow me to join your and deformed: in short, a perfect epitome of mess immediately, for most excellent food all the qualities of his parents. At this sight, is fish: aye, fish is truly excellent food; for i said to them, 'Be thankful forthis daring ils Fis fatness, its impletion, its S sata-boy, aud call him Oo»bervor, for truly he brity, and its His hilarity.” What a vile has all your perfections combined in humdescriber of fish you are,' said his wife; self; and that child is truly admirable who for yesterday you abused it, and now resembles his parents' again you are praining it! Nay, my dear,' and the attorney, I am an admirable definer of fish, for I divide it into two classes; one that is purchased with money, and this I hold to be the bad class; the other that is got gratuitously, and this! consider the good class. His wife laughed at his auswer, and was surprised at the readiness of his reply."

en

Arabian Savings.

Five things are the most useless in the world: a lighted torch st brut avo ; a fair countenance before a bind man; a pleuteons rain in a desert, or on barren ground; a sumptuous Yeast before those who have already fed to the full; and truth with science, proposed to au iguorant fellow.

The blindness of Self-love: Arabic politeness Five things are useless, when they are in complaisance, and description. not each of there, recompanied by someOur limits restrict us to one story more. | thing else. dis ourse without consequence "I resided at Basrah,' said a certain Ara-in practice; riches without economy; bian Yorick, as a parson and professor of science without correct manners; a'ms, humanity; and was, one day, a good deal without iLlention and consideration of amused by a strange fellow, squint-eyed, time and place; and life without the enstraddle-footed, lame of both legs, with joyment of health.

PUNISHMENT BY CUTTING TO PIECES.

To the Editor of the Literary Panorama.
SIR,

I observe among the articles with which you have favoured us in your Interesting Intelligence from China, p. 90 of the current volume, a mention made of the punishment of rebels by their bodies “being cut into minute pieces;" which a note informs us, is "Tzan, the tenth part of a cu bit." As we have no such custom anioug ourselves, and our heaviest punishment for treason, extends beyond hanging, only to quartering, the practice sounds in our ears as barbarous and inhuman. But a further acquaintance with the manners of mankind,

offender to the market place, and there in the face of the public, to dispatch him, with knives and spears, every relation and friend of the deceased making it a point of duty to strike a blow at the criminal. The young man was conducted towards the market place, and so much violence was expressed by the relations that bis fate lika Negusta, he was a particularly handseemed inevitable. Fortunately for Chesome man; which circumstance, together with the intrepidity he had displayed Ozoros [Ladies] belonging to the court, throughout the trial, interested all the and through their intercession a deputation of priests was immediately sent to plead in his behalf; every lady offering to contribute her share towards commuting the punishment. The relations however,

will convince us, that it has been established in many distant regions, and may awful sileuce to the place of execution, appeared inexorable, and he was led in almost be said to have been general. In where their spears were raised in readiness proof of this, I beg leave to send you an to strike the final blow, but the priests extract taken from Mr. Sait's Travels in Abyssinia, p. 345. That writer says, again interfering, and threatening the au ger of the church if they persisted, the “Chelika Negusta bad early in life inhe-fear of excommunication fortunately prorited the possession of a small district induced its due effect, and after a long de the neighbourhood of the Tacazze, on bate it was finally agreed that he should the borders of which resided a more pow-receive a pardon, though no less a sum erful Chief who, taking advantage of the than three hundred wakeas of gold were superior number of his troops, was conti- paid down on this occasion, as the price of nually in the habit of plundering the do- the blood that had been shed." mains of his neighbour. Chelika Negusta, then a young man of only nineteen years of age, was of too proud a disposition to let such outrages pass with impunity; and therefore, took occasion the first time he met his opponent, personally to affront him, and, with more courage than prudence, challenged him to single combat. The elder chief who had before been distinguished in battle, accepted the challenge, expressing at the same time great contempt for his antagonist; but, in the contest which ensued," as the battle is not always to the strong," he fell a just victim to his own misconduct, being killed in the first onset by the very person whom he had affected to despise.

"In consequence of this act, Chelika Negusta was soon afterwards laid hold of by the more powerful relations of the chief and carried before the Ras. Whatever might have been the inclinations of the latter, as complete proof was adduced of the fact, he was compelled by the custom of the country, which on this point is absolute, to condemn the young warrior to de th: aud according to the established rule, which is borrowed from the laws of the Mosaic institution, "to do with him as they pleased." The course commonly followed on these occasions is, to take the

It should appear, that rebellion in China, is punished by the state, as murder is pu uished in Abyssinia, where the Mosaic institution has still its existence. And it is the circumstance of the Mosaic institution prevailing in that country, which induces me to trouble you with a further remark.

Infidels have complained greatly of the savage barbarity, exercised by the prophet Samuel on the person of Agag, King of the Amalekites, (1. Sam. xv. 33.) of whom it is said in our version, “ Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal." They have taken the

that Samuel, though a prophet of the Lord, liberty of asserting, murdered this man with his own hands, and that, as an acceptable victim to a blood loving deity. But, how stands the fact? The original says" In like manuer, or by the same means as thy sword hath rendered (many) women childless-thou hast destroyed the very last child of their fami lies, so shall thy mother be rendered childless among womer. And Samuel cased to be cut into small pieces,-or suffered to be cut into small pieces, Agag, before the Lord, in Gilgal? That is to say, the relations of those children which he had cut to pieces, were forward to cispatch Agag, (as Chelika Negusta,)—“with knives and spears ; every re

lation and friend of the deceased making it a in a body, they beset me on the establishpoint of duty to strike a blow at the criminal," | ment of the Inquisition, I had not a word and these were so numerous, that he was to say.' literally hacked to pieces by them. What a barbarian he must have been! What a

number of children he had slaughtered in his time! Should such a savage live? No, let him die by the same death as he had inflicted on others: let his cruelty recoil on himself. Such Sir, appears to me to be the improvement we may derive from the customs of China, of Abyssinia, and else

where.

I am, Sir,

Your's, &c.
FIDELIS.

CHARACTER OF

SPAIN, AND THE SPANIARDS: Taken chiefly from the Speech of Dr. Antonio Joseph Ruiz de Pudron, Deputy to the Cortes, spoken Jun. 18, 1813, and from "Bread and Bulls," by Don Gaspar Jovellanos, 1813.

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Discussions of this nature, he tells us, Washington, but he was never able to also took place in the house of George

nerai belonged. The Philosopher Frankin, however, was suspected to be an Arminiau. On the challenge of Franklin, to give a public proof of his sincerity, he preached in the Catholic Church of Philadelphia against the Inquisition; his Sermon was translated into English; it was then preached throughout the provinces of New York and Maryland; and so satisfied were the auditors that the Inquisition was the work of human policy, and despotism, that many of the Anglo-Arminians changed their faith and became good Catholics. Since that time, the Doctor tells us, no less than five bishoprics have been established in places where, had the Iuquisition extended its baneful authority, there would not have been one."

ascertain to what sect that celebrated Ge

people whose influcuce and example would

THAT Spaniards, notwithstanding all the pains taken to keep them ignorant, If this be true, whatever the Romish should, nevertheless, discover gross viola-Church may gain in Spain, by patronizing tion of Christianity in the establishment the Inquisition, she loses much more elseand support of the Inquisition, is not the where. And she loses it, too, among least wonder of our wonderful times. That they should have had an oppor-be ten times more extensive than those of tunity of declaring their sentiments, in a the Spaniards. For, if we enquire what public National Council, is, perhaps, more sort of people these Spaniards are?—the wonderful still. One thing, however, is answer, will be little to their credit, as evident, that the existence of a National nieu and as Christians.Council, and of the Holy Inquisition, are incompatible. While the Inquisition exists-no Council: and if ever the Coun- | cil be again called into existence-no Inquisition: a short time may shew, what the event, to last for ages, will be.

-but

Are they thinking men? No:-They are enveloped in voluptuousness and indif ference. Are they active men? no: they enjoy the activity of others,-amusements, frivolity, diversions which delude the mind, without invigorating the body. Dr. Ruiz, undertakes to prove that the They have talents, it is true: but they do Inquisition is contrary to the honour of Cod, not use them: they have minds;ut they to the well being of men, and to the pro-let their countryman, Jovellanos, say what rust in idleness. In short, they are→→ motion of piety. He says, the Office of Inquisitor General is not enumerated by St. Paul among Church Officers: he says, too, in the time of Arius, it was unknown; and in no time can it be necessary. He says, that he could defeud many, or most, of the tenets of his Church; but he never could defend the Inquisition. When he was in America, be used to meet, at the house of Dr. Franklin, with eminent American literati :

Young as I then was,' says he I was able to convince many of the supremacy which the Bishop of Rome obtains, by divine right, over the whole church-a supremacy of jurisdiction and not merely of honour-but I confess that when, all

they are, and then the wonder will cease horrid yoke, of the tyrannic Inquisition. that they are still under the yoke, the

satisfaction to set out on a journey quite It is certainly,' he continues, a great unconcerned, and proceed on the ronduntil you meet a guard, stationed for collecting the toll; to arrive pierced with cold and wet, at an inn, and there to have to look for a dinner from the monopolizers of wine, oil, neat, salt, and other necessaries of life; to lead your horse to a manger, aud in addition to a payineut for straw, to have to pay likewise for the right of tying him there; to procure a fanego of barley and to go to the corregidor to have it measured ;

to purchase a pellejo of wine, and to pay the price of a permit for taking it out of the town; not at all to know whether you shall sleep in your own bed or a goal, because the alcalde has the power of making you pass a miserable night there, without assigning any reason.'

| disgraces human nature, hold their court? There the licentious fop inflames the incautious damsel, by indecent words and gestures; there the base husband places his wife by the side of her gallant; there the cowardly bully musters up all his insolence; there the smutty blacksmith utters words even more indecent than him

self, and the impudent fishwoman makes a boast of her effroutery; there the pres sure, noise, heat, and dust, joined with the aromatic sweets of tobacco, wine and garlic, are sufficient to cause suffocation. Who will not acknowledge the innu

some

• Bull-feasts are the links of our society; the food of our patriotism; the seminaries of our political manners. These feasts, which characterise us among all the nations of the earth, embrace as many agreeable and instructive objects, as it is possible to desire; they temper our excessive parsimony, enlighten our tender under-merable benefits of these feasts? Were it standings, sweeten our humane inclina- not for them, the tailor, ironmonger, and tions, divert our laborious application, shoemaker, would pass their Mondays in and prepare us for generous and magna- the vulgar labour of their trades; mothers nimous actions. The arts and sciences would not have a plea for leaving their combine to render them perfect, and they houses and children, to the neglect of materially assist in improving the arts and hireling; in it they would lose a most bar sciences; they procure, even for the lower barous market of modesty; physicians, a order, the blessings of ease and diversion, most fruitful seminary for diseases; husand prevent the evils of toil and labour; bands, a scene of their own iniquity and they encourage hospitals which (to the dishonour; wives, an opportunity of imę honour of modern nations be it related) proving themselves in prodigality and exthey not only supply with medicines for the travagance; ecclesiastics, an relief of the sick, but also with sick for the spending among sinners the price of their excuse for consumption of the medicines, which are sins; philosophers, a most perfect comthe two indispensable requisites to their pendium of human weakness; magisprosperity; they mortify the body with trates, the sure means of destroying all idea fatigue and patience under inconvenience, of civil liberty; tradesmen, the consolaand fortify the mind by the most dreadful tion of beholding the death of animals and tragic scenes. which, if living, would find them constant employment; and the whole kingdom, lands (which should be exclusively apthe advantage of seeing the most fruitful propriated to diversion and amusement,) laid out in pasture.'

Omagnificent feasts! O useful feasts!" delectable feasts! O pious feasts! O feasts which are the most perfect crown of our wisdom! Strangers abominate you, because they know you not; but Spaniards prize you, for they alone can ciate your value!

appre

• If Rome lived contented with "bread and arms"-Madrid feels quite satisfied with bread and bulls !"

Who, accustomed in cold blood to see a man suspended on the horns of a bull, his entrails falling through an immense wound, and his blood overflowing the whole place; a wounded horse that has thrown his rider, writhing and struggling in the agonies of death; a troop of af frighted bull-fighters, flving from au enraged animal, pierced with darts; the tumultuous shouting of an innumerable multitude, mingled with the harsh grating sounds of warlike instruments, ugmenting the confusion;-who, I say, after this, would be moved at a battle or a defeat? who will not conceive sublime ideas of our nobles, eager to patronise these barbarous spectacles; to honor the with your own estate, envy not that of O happy Spaniards! who, content bull-fighters; to reward desperation and others! who, accustomed to govern no madness; and to vie with each other, in body, obey all! Pursue these enlightened protecting the most villanous characters in maxims despise (as you have hitherto the republic who would not be de- done) the idle babbling of envious stranlighted with the uumerous assemblage of|gers-abhor their turbulent maxims-conboth sexes, crowded together, without demn their free opinions-prohibit all reserve; tavern-keepers and grandees; their books, which have not passed the barbers and dukes? courtezans and matrons; laymen and clergy-where lux- by the hisses that deride you!" holy table"-and sleep in peace, lulled ury, profligacy, shamelessness, libertinism, stupidity, and, in short, every vice which

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