We admit many exceptions to this picture; but we, nevertheless, draw it as one which will be familiar to all, who have been observers on the continent. One circumstance must further be added to the outline; we mean, the detachment from religious habits, which generally and naturally attends such residence abroad. The means of public worship exist to our countrymen but in few places; and there under circumstances the least propitious to such duties. Days speedily become all alike; or if Sunday be distinguished at all, it is but as the day of the favourite opera, or most splendid ballet of the week. We are not puritanically severe in our notions, and we intend no reproach to the religious or moral habits of other nations. We simply assert, that English families removed from out of the sphere of those proper duties, common to every people, and from all opportunities of public worship or religious example, incur a risk which is very serious in kind, especially to those still young and unformed in character.
Quarterly Review.
* * * * *
RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS
* * * * *
ANCIENT FARRIERY.
(For the Mirror.)
The following curious verses are copied from an engraving which the Farriers’ Company have lately had taken from an old painting of their pedigree, on vellum, at the George and Vulture Tavern.
If suche may boast as by a subtile arte,
Canne without labour make
excessive gayne,
And under name of Misterie imparte,
Unto the worlde the Crafie’s
but of their brayne.
How muche more doe their praise become
men’s themes
That bothe by art and labour
gett their meanes.
And of all artes that worthe or praise
doeth merite,
To none the Marshall Farrier’s
will submitt,
That bothe by Physicks, arte, force, hands,
and spiritt
The Kinge and subject in peace
and warre doe fitt,
Many of Tuball boast first Smythe that
ever wrought,
But Farriers more do,
doe than Tuball ever taught.
Three things there are that Marshalry
doe prove
To be a Misterie exceeding
farre,
Those wilie Crafte’s that many men
doe love.
Is unfitt for peace and more
unaptt for warre,
For Honor, Anncestrie, and for Utilitie,
Farriers may boast
their artes habilitie,
For Honor, view, this anncient Pedigree[1]
Of Noble Howses, that did
beare the name
Of Farriers, and were Earles;
as you may see,
That used the arte and did
supporte the same,
And to perpetuall honour of the Crafte,
Castells they buylt and to
succession left.
For anncestrie of tyme oh! who canne tell
The first beginning of so
old a trade,
For Horses were before the Deluge fell,
And cures, and shoes, before
that tyme were made,
We need not presse tyme farther then it
beares,
A Company have Farriers
beene 300 Yeres!!