1823.] 



Mr. Prior on the Deterioration of Manners. 



pnrpoee, the machine may be made to 

 awing round on a swivel of brass, pass- 

 ing tlirough the bottom of the box, 

 and into the top of its supporting 

 pillar. 



The elastic current of air, bj' this 

 contrivance having entered the com- 

 pressor, increases in force as it ad- 

 vances, and rushes through the narrow 

 aperture in the interior of the prism- 

 sliaped compressor at its junction with 

 tlie box, and plays with freedom over 

 the strings of the cylinder. The cy- 

 linder is keiit in constant motion by 

 the float-wheels thereto attaclied, and 

 the horizontal floats of which, being 

 also presented to tlie breeze, are 

 tJiereby made to revolve at the same 

 time. Thus the cat-gut strings of the 

 cylinder, in their swift revolutions, 

 pass repeatedly under the action of tlie 

 current from %vithout; from whence 

 they derive a vibratory motion, that is 

 promulgated in their course, and a 

 succession of the sweetest sounds is 

 the result. W. H. Weekes. 



To the Editor of the Monthli/ Magazine. 



SIR, 



TIMES there have been when citi- 

 zens relaxed themselves from the 

 toil of life, and formed their families 

 into social tiil)es, to cast their t^uccess- 

 ful tributes at the shrine of mirth. I 

 Lave read of tiic pleasui'es which lulled 

 their busy and carking spirits into ge- 

 nerous fellowship ; when enterprise, 

 either in the seasons of love or the 

 contrivance of skill, have drawn thou- 

 sands forth into tlie sun of Nature's 

 beneficence ; when the fields were 

 considered as exiiilaratiiig visiting- 

 places, and their (lowers and glasses, 

 with their trees and blue licaveus, the 

 identified dwellings of tlie eternally 

 happy. During tliis rcci<afion into 

 ruralily and humble enjoyment, the 

 Votaries of fashion, jiiiiked in the mode 

 of the newest cut, made tlieir ai)pear- 

 ance under the spire of St. Paul's 

 Cathedral, and occasionally exchanged 

 tlieir vows, their visits, and their man- 

 ners. Every topic, cither reported or 

 authenticated, was seriously or wittily 

 canvassed; and slander and virtue 

 held proportionate sway in the pas- 

 sions of those persons who were con- 

 cerned, and tiiose persons who had 

 nothing to do but to draw an estimate 

 of other men and woineii, totally re- 

 gardless of personal esleein and the 

 true interest of self-examination. 

 But how changed uro the times, and 



509 



how different the pursuits of all classes 

 of society ; although human nature 

 keeps an equilibrium in the heart ! A 

 Sunday set-out from the livery-stables, 

 Cheapside, or Crooked-lane, is very 

 different from the memoiable jaunt 

 which Master Gilpin took, and which 

 Cowpcr has immortalised. The spe- 

 cimens of Corinthianisra that display 

 the effeuiinate forms of the moderii 

 young citizens are litcrari/ curiosities, 

 and make a wide contrast to the bucks 

 and bloods of the last century. \\ hat- 

 ever be the inconveaieuec of their 

 connexions, at any expense, some of 

 this school will have their whim, and 

 are ridiculed by the man who is given 

 to reflection. A survey iu the park, 

 a glance in the public road, and a visit 

 towards the west end of the Regent's 

 Park, will strike conviction. 



The lusty cit, wiio erjiiippcd himself 

 and his family in gay clothes, and fur- 

 nished a week's provision fur a single 

 meal; he who toiled up ilampstead- 

 hill with the perspiration powdered 

 upon his f;:ce, a telescope jutiing out 

 of his pocket on one side, and a bun- 

 dle of napkins, as food enclosures, on 

 the other ; in the present day must liavc 

 a chaise, a footman, and pay dearly 

 for his refreshments in his excursion. 

 This is all very well in its waj, pro- 

 vided judgment is used to the regula- 

 tion of circumstances ; for trade, like 

 the tide, requires an impetus. Health, 

 too, must be preserved in times of 

 taxation. 



Criminal delinquents have their 

 hey-day of pleasure at the public ex- 

 pense : virtuous industry is entitled to 

 its honey, since necessity compels a 

 draught of gall and a sprig of worm- 

 wood. JMcanwhile, tlie visitors to the 

 great sanctuary in St. Paul's Church- 

 yard of a Sunday morning assume an 

 appearance as justly opposite; and 

 the subject of true devotion is also 

 under an exclusive influence. W/.o- 

 ever intends going to divine worship 

 in the choir must be present the in- 

 stant the service commences, other- 

 wise he cannot obtain admission ; and, 

 if he should be in time, and enters the 

 choir, he is locked in till the service is 

 concluded. 'J'his lock-up arrange- 

 ment is by the <lean and chapter's 

 order, the legality and propriety of 

 which, 1 have it to others to decide. 

 I UMist remark, that I do not like St. 

 Peter's keys jingling in any place in- 

 sliluted for the purposrvs of serious 

 meditatiou. Saints or sinners, looked 



at 



