same at the present day as they were two centuries ago, Herbert gives the subjoined curious part culars :

The baptism of these idolators is of this nature. So soon as a male child is born, the Daroo, or priest, is called upon, who being instructed in the precise time of its nativity, calculates its fortunes. He then suggests a name, which the mother imposes; and this done, they then proceed together to the temple, where the priest puts a little pure water into a vessel formed from the bark of a tree called Holm, which grows near Yezd, a city of Persia, and is said never to cast any shadow; the water out of this holy rind is poured upon the infant, and a prayer made that it may be cleansed from all impurity. At seven years of age, the boy is confirmed by the Daroo, and made to say his prayers over a fire (but with a cloth fastened over his mouth and nostrils, lest his sinful breath should taint the holy flame), drinks a little water, chews a pomgranate leaf, washes in a tank, cloathes his naked body with a garment of fine linen, and ties a girdle of camel's hair about his loins, which he wears ever after. Then, after a short prayer, that he may never prove an apostate, eat no man's meat, nor drink any man's drink but his own, he is blessed, and considered a Persee.

"Their Marriage-Ceremony is as follows:-At midnight, the priest entering the house (for they wed not in churches), finds the parties upon a bed together, and two churchmen standing opposite, bearing in their hands rice, the emblem of fruitfulness. Then, one of them, laying his fore-finger on the bride's forehead, asks her if she is willing to take that man for her husband, who saying yea, the like question is by the other priest put to the man; the bridegroom promises to infeoff her in a certain number of dynaes; she replies, that she (with all she has) is his property; the priests then scatter the rice on their heads, and pray that they may multiply as that grain ; the woman's parents give the dowry, and eight days are spent in joviality and compliments.

Their Funerals are thus performed:

They put the dead body into a winding-sheet, and all the way to the burial-place, his kindred beat themselves, but preserving strict silence. Near the spot they are met by the priest, attired in a yellow scarf and thin turban. The bearers carry the corpse upon an iron bier (wood being forbidden, in that it is sacred to fire), to a little shed, and as soon as some mistic antics have been acted, they hoist it up to the top of a round stone building, twelve feet high, and eighty in circuit. Tis flat at top, and wholly open, and in the midst thereof is a hole, descending to the bottom, made to let in the putrefaction issuing from the melted bodies, which lie naked, exposed to the sun's flaming rage, and the merciless appetite of ravening vultures, which are commonly fed by these carcasses, tearing the raw flesh asunder, and deforming it in an ugly manner; so that the abominable stink of these unburied bodies, in some places three hundred in number, is so strong and loathsome, that did not a desire to behold strange sights allure travellers thither, they would be less seen than spoken of; nor, indeed, do the Persees delight that any stranger should go to view them."

PANEGYRIC

ON MONOSYLLABLES. SIR,-If you will give this long piece on Short Words a page or two in the Nic-Nac, it may be a new source of joy to your old friend Bob Short, who, though* a sworn foe to all long words, may like to see or hear aught in praise of short sounds, though long words form links of the chain by which it hangs; or, if you like it as well, the feet or wheels on which it runs its course: but, such as it is, I send it, with all its faults on its head. If you think it good, clap it in the press and print it; if bad, clap it in the fire and burn it.

ALBUMANIA.

Though Dr. Johnson and his pompous imitators so strenuously exerted themselves to assert the dignity of Polysyllables, there have not been wanting men of talent and learning to

* See page 109, No. 14.

maintain, both by argument and praefice, the force, energy, and terseness of those simple uncompounded explosions of the voice, called Monosyllables. The late Horne Tooke insisted on their force and efficacy; and when he had occasion to speak in public, prided himself in evincing their power, by almost confining himself to their exclusive use. He considered them, if not forming the noblest and most impressive part of the English language, that part which could least be dispensed with; and which, as qualified to convey the greatest portion of good sense in the smallest compass, bore in its convenience a value that entitled it to our highest respect.

I must own I adopt that philologist's opinion: Monosyllables do certainly give the English tongue an advantage over most other living languages in point of conciseness. Their breadth is short but strong. They breathe the very genius of the British nation upon every argument they come close and quickly to the point. They speak with a clearness and boldness-touch and go on-and carry a man to the peroration of his speech, ere endless polysyllables, "dragging their slow length along," would get him through his exordium. Even while I am now writing I feel the inconvenience of having used words of more than one syllable, and can by no means get on as I would wish, though, as it is clear, I do at this point of time try hard to keep to words of one brief sound. By the sense contained in these thirty-five foregoing monysyllables, how evident it is that great national advantages would arise, if Ministers, Members of Parliament, Judges, Counsellers, &c. would express themselves in monosyllables; what a saving of time, if the former would adopt such a plan for conducting the business of all Congresses, Preliminaries, Memorials, and Commissions for adjusting disputes. It has been generally thought that GREAT MEN should be masters of words of a great many syllables; but surely the honor they obtain by employing such words, is dearly bought by the trouble it constantly costs them, which might

All na

be spared by the adoption of two snug little monosyllables. There is a a numerous and exalted assembly, which, if it would but avail itself of other short words as freely as it does of these, would save itself a vast deal of time; and since we see the collec tive wisdom of the nation daily doing Ay and No the honor of debating which of these brief explosions of the lips shall triumph over the other, I cannot see why others of a like nature should not have their share of attention. Two others of these diminutive heroes I can name, whose importance has long been felt and acknowledged, and their aid resorted to with avidity by the honourable assembly I have just mentioned. I mean those pigmies in the Parliamentary Vocabulary, both of which are comprised in five letters, viz. the words IN and OUT. tions, however great, are divided into two principal bodies-the INs and OUTS; and though the ins always form the wealthiest and most considerable of the two parties, the outs, at least in this country, are not without their share of weight and respectability. I now with pleasure name two more of these lingual dwarfs-CHURCH and KING. These, in all assemblies, public or private, are uttered with becoming pride, and listened to with the most heartfelt veneration. Combining the supreme object of our eternal welfare, as promised by religion, with that of our temporal happiness, as promised by a just equipoise between the power of the Crown and the protection of the laws. There are a few others smail of body, but great of soul, as follow:-Tax, Ways and Means, Gold, Debt, Votes, Stocks, Bank, Jobs, Puffs, Place, Bribe, Brief, Fee, Law, all of which are indispensable, and held in constant requisition in their respective meridians. How many titles of honour and dignity moreover are formed of those invaluable little words: for instance, King, Queen, Prince, Duke, Earl, Lord, &c.

Could Queen Elizabeth rise from her grave, we should not doubt of her rejoicing to hear herself hailed by the monosyllabic title of GOOD QUEEN

Bass; nor, could Sir R. Walpole mount again the Treasury Bench, of his being equally pleased at his nickname BOB. I shall only add that there are many other monosyllables in our language which could not be too often or universally employed; among which none are more deservedly conspicuous than the six following: "God save great George our King!"

THE KING'S CHAMPION IN

IRELAND.

THE following historical narrative of the De Courcys, Barons of Kinsale, has a romantic air about it, which renders it interesting, independent of its curiosity as an historical fact.

At Kinsale, which is a beautiful spot in the county of Cork, reside in great seclusion, a nobleman and his family, dear to antiquity and to the historian, and revered by their country; yet as little known to the modern peerage as if their family honours had been without the distinguished origin they possess.

John Courcy, of the kingdom of Ireland, was, in the reign of Henry II., created Lord Kinsale, Baron of Courcy and Baron of Kingstone, at so remote a date as the year 1181.

In those barbarous days, the fate of kingdoms was often decided by single combat. Kings entertained Champions; and to excel in tilt and tournament was the ambition of nobles and of princes.

During the reign of Henry II. some difference broke out between the courts of England and of France. Respecting the cause the historian is silent, and we therefore can only say that, to demand satisfaction, a French champion arrived in London.

The far famed prowess of this hero of the lance and plume, spread an unusual terror: the English people were panic-stricken, and the alarm of the Court was not only increased by this panic, but by the difficulty of providing a person to meet the challenger. England had no St. George to encounter this Hector of France...

The dilemma, in which the court found itself, having transpired, the

challenger lost all respect for the country, and the heart of Henry was agonized by the insolence of his exul

tation.

While France and her champion chuckled at England's embarrassments, one of the nobles of Henry recollected that a person of the name of Courcy, who resided in Ireland, was reputedto possess amazing courage and strength, and infinite skill, both at the lance and the sword. He hastened to his royal master with the intelligence ; the matter was discussed in council; and, more from curiosity than otherwise, Courcy was sent for.

Shorly after, without knowing for what he was summoned, arrived at the palace of Henry, in his native habiliments, without heraldic bearings or retinue, John Courcy of Kinsale, a man endowed by nature with a fine athletic person, and a noble and commanding countenance.

When the matter was opened to him, with a modest caution he requested to see the hero of France, who was accordingiy introduced, bedecked with all the splendour of his court, forming a singular contrast to the plainness of his proposed antagonist. The Frenchman conducted himself with an insulting hauteur; the Irishman behaved himself with the most intimidating indifference. Each took the other's dimensions, and the parties adjourned for farther consultation.

When Courcy was asked in confidence if he would choose to accept the challenge, he declined giving an answer until he should procure from his home a certain sword.

Some insinuations about this sword excited so much curiosity, that the king sent for it forthwith; meanwhile Courcy remained at the palace of Henry, entertained with all due respect.

At length arrived this eagerly-expected weapon, which was, to all appearance, no more than the unornamented simple sword of a warrior.

The moment this talismanic weapon was presented to its owner, he requested that an immense block of wood might be placed in the tilt-yard,

and that the Champion of France should be summoned forthwith, both of which wishes were accordingly coinplied with.

As before, the Knight of Gaul could scarcely forbear rudeness and ridicule; the Hibernian was, as before, polite, reserved, and composed.

Expectation was now on tiptoe to see the mystical preparations of Courcy unriddled. When all was arranged and silent, he drew his sword from his scabbard, and with one tremenduous blow, wedged it into the block, like a thunderbolt. "The man," said he, looking significantly on the king, "the man who shall with one hand draw out that sword, I will acknowledge as conqueror." Then turning to the Champion of France, he politely requested him to hand him his sword. The boaster was confounded, stammered, stept forward towards the block, and retreated. A laugh broke forth from the auditory; all cried "Draw forth the sword." Overwhelmed with shame and confusion, the glittering knight not only declined to do so, but declined a single combat with John de Courcy.

A universal shout of joy and exultation rent the air, and John de Courcy was declared to be the CHẠMPION OF ENGLAND.

When the submission of the foreigner was complete, for the gratification of his curiosity, he did attempt with one hand to extricate the blade from the block. He might as easily have drawn the poles through the earth; but to his consternation and amazement, and to the delight and astonishment of Henry and his nobles, De Courcy drew it out with as much ease as he had drawn it from its scabbard.

The grateful monarch instantly conferred upon this Champion of England, the title of Baron of Kinsale, and bid him name the reward that should be appended to his dignity; when, singular as true, this most extraordinary man, with that romantic disinterestedness which is so often injurious to his countrymen, claimed, instead of pecuniary compensation, to be distinguished above other noble men. He claimed permission that the De Courcys should wear their hats in

the King's presence, which privilege was granted, and is still enjoyed by the family.

In proportion as this noble-minded man was proud and generous, Henry was liberal and condescending. His munificence was not to be counteract ed by the too delicate pride of his amiable subject.

On the departure of Lord Kinsale, his Majesty, in private conference, commanded him, when he should arrive at his home, to mount his horse some morning at sunrise, and gave the royal promise, that, so much land as he could ride round before sunset, should be the estate of the Baron of Kinsale and his heirs.

When the Baron returned, conformably to the King's command, he did mount his horse, at sunrise, on a certain day, for the purpose of measuring an estate; but, alas! too noble to be mercenary, and too convivial to be provident, he stopt at the house of a friend, staid to dine, and, instead of thinking of acres and of watching the sands of time, chatted over the bottle till darkness told him that the sun and the fortune of De Courcy had set together.

BATTLE BRIDGE.

J. C. A. B.

Enteresting Garieties.

BREAKFAST POWDER. SOME animadversions have lately appeared in the public papers upon the high price charged for this article by Mr. Henry Hunt, who is a wholesale manufacturer of it. As a pound, which sold at the shops costs ls, if prepared at home would not cost 2d., we have extracted the following receipt for preparing it, from Cobbett's "Address to the Female Reformers," published in his Register of December 29, 1819:

"Tea is really unwholesome; that is, it is injurious both to the stomach and the nerves. Very nearly the same may be said of coffee, and it is notorious that if either of them be chewed in a raw state, they are perfectly offensive to the taste. I have substituted, in their stead, for both morning and evening, ROASTED WHEAT. And I