Pottinger demanded that an inquiry should be made into the massacre alleged to have taken place at the island of Formosa, the governor-general of Fokien was one of two commissioners appointed to conduct the investigation. This governor in his report gives a portion of his instructions, which appear to have run thus : "If Eliang in the slightest degree practise concealment, and will not cast aside every consideration of regard for the parties concerned, so that we shall be made to award reward and punishment, mistakenly and unjustly, and that injury shall be occasioned to the grand measure of pacification now pending, hereafter when we shall from some other source become aware of this, what, let Eliang ask himself, will be the punishment due to him? Let him well and tremblingly consider this; and let a copy of Keying's representation be forwarded to him." Such was the Emperor's stern mandate. The following is Eliang's comment on it:"His Majesty's slave has received deep and abundant favours, which have entered into the very marrow and life of his being. With humility he has read the words of the imperial rescript. Luminous and bright, indeed, are these divine commands; brilliant as emanations from the heavenly lights themselves. And who and what is the Emperor's slave, that he should dare to cherish the least thought of deceit and falsehood? Moreover, Le Tingyn and Soo Tingyuh could tell Keying of what they had heard, and should his Majesty's slave not truly and completely report the facts, how will he yet be able to prevent persons from telling of them?" The individuals supposed to be inculpated by what had taken place at Formosa, were named Yaou-yung and Tahunga. They, no doubt, when entrusted with power, were enjoined with like sternness to be faithful to duty. The manner in which they transgressed has in it something originally monstrous. They had the matchless impudence to report warlike proceedings, and to claim fame and distinction as the heroic defenders of their country, when there had been no fighting. From the labours of Eliang and his colleague it was proved, as announced in the Pekin Gazette,' that "In consequence of Tahunga and Yaouyung having reported, that, during the month of September, 1841, an English vessel had suddenly approached the coast of Formosa, when the said general of division, intendant of circuit, and others, led on the troops and militia to the attack and sunk the vessel; that, again, in the month of March last year, a foreign vessel suddenly entered the harbour, when the local officers and troops enticed her on to sions successively caught and killed many of the foreigners, and captured sundry Chinese military weapons, flags, banners, and other things. Our imperial pleasure was, therefore, on each of those occasions, declared, graciously commending and rewarding the general, intendant, and all other persons who exerted themselves in the several affairs." The truth is, some ships had been wrecked on the coast, and Tahunga and Yaou-hung had seized and murdered some of the helpless mariners. For this brutal outrage they received the honours due to conquerors. It was something like Burking wholesale. Poor helpless sailors were seized and butchered, and presented to the head of the celestials as vanquished enemies. The searching inquiries of Eliang unveiled this enormous fraud, and the following facts were established : "That, of the two foreign vessels destroyed, one went to pieces from the bad weather encountered, and the other was driven on shore by stress of weather; that in neither case was there any meeting in battle or enticing into danger. On being examined into, Tahunga and Yaou-yung themselves have confessed that their report was a pre-arranged and made-up one, and that their crime is wholly undeniable, and have presented to Eliang their own depositions, requesting him to report clearly to us that they may meet due punishment." The officers mentioned were not the only offenders. They had a multitude of accomplices; and the falsehood thus imposed on the Chinese authorities might have escaped detection for ever, but for the representations of the British. All the offenders have very properly been deprived of the honours so fraudulently obtained. The Imperial decree runs as follows: "Let Tahunga and Yaou-yung be dedeprived of their rank, and be handed over to the board of punishments, and let the ministers of the grand council be sent to join with the board in judging them, reporting fully to us the decision come to, and let all the officers and others who were recommended as having exerted themselves at Taewan, Kelung and Taan (excluding only the militia and other private individuals), and all the civil and military func tionaries who have been promoted and commended for their diligence, be deprived of all the honours they have thus obtained.' If How the "Board of punishments" will deal with the case remains to be seen. they are as tardy in their movements as some European tribunals have been, years may elapse before the result is known. It is to be hoped, however, that an early day will bring the grateful tidings, that justice has been done upon these mean and Arms. Sa., a cross, flory, within a bordure, or. Crest. A bear's head, couped at the neck, erm., muzzled, gu., buckled, or, collared of the second, studded gold of the third. Supporters. Two bears, erm., muzzled and collared, gu., chained, or, the collar studded with five bezants, and pendant thereto a shield of the arms. Motto. "In solo Deus salus." "In God alone is salvation." THE NOBLE HOUSE OF THE family of Lascelles has been of importance in the county of York from the time of Edward I, when, in the year 1295, Roger de Lascelles was summoned to parliament as a baron. He died in 1295, leaving no male issue, but four daughters, his co-heirs, when the barony fell into abeyance, and has continued so till the present time. The heir of that lord, could he now be found, would be entitled to a revival of the barony. John de Lascelles, of Hinders helfe (now Castle Howard), was living in 1315, and from him lineally descended, through a long line of highly respectable ancestors, we find Francis Lascelles, Esq., of Stank and North Allerton, M.P. for the North Riding of Yorkshire in 1653, and a Colonel in the Parliamentary army. He was succeeded by his son, Daniel Lascelles, of Stank and North Allerton, who served the office of Sheriff of York in 1719, and represented North Allerton in Parliament. He married, first, the daughter of William Metcalf, Esq., of North Allerton, by whom he had, with other issue, a son named Henry. His second wife was Mary, daughter of Edward Lascelles, Esq., of London, and left an only surviving son, Edward, who became Collector of the Customs at Barbadoes, and left a son of the same name when he died in 1747. That son eventually inherited the family estates, and was created Baron Harewood. Mr Daniel Lascelles, above named, died in 1734, and Henry Lascelles, Esq., his son by his first lady, became of Harewood, Stank, and North Allerton. He was a Director of the East India Company, and married Janet, daughter of John Whetstone, Esq., of the island of Barbadoes. At his decease, in 1745, he was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward Lascelles, Esq., who was elevated to the peerage July 9, 1790, by the style and title of Lord Harewood, of Harewood par Castle, county of York. His lordship married twice, but died without issue January 25, 1795, when the barony expired, but the estates passed to the heir-at-lawEdward Lascelles. This gentleman, already mentioned as the second son of Daniel Lascelles, was born January 7, 1740. He sat for North Allerton in several liaments, and was raised to the peerage June 18, 1796, by the title of the former lord. He had been married May 12, 1761, to Ann, daughter of William Chaloner, Esq., of Gainsborough, by whom he had issue, Edward, who died unmarried in 1814, Henry the present peer, and two daughters. His lordship was advanced to a viscounty and earldom September 7, 1812, by the titles of Viscount Lascelles and Earl of Harewood. He died April 3, 1820. The present peer, who then succeeded to his estates and honours, was born December 25, 1767, and married, on the 3rd of September, 1794, Henrietta, eldest daughter of the late Lieutenant-General Sir John Saunders Sebright, bart., who died February 15, 1840. By her he had a large family, of whom the eldest son, Edward, Viscount Lascelles, born July 18, 1796, is now heir to the title. The Earl of Harewood is Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the WestRiding of Yorkshire, and High Steward of Allerton. Atmospheric Railway. The railways which now enjoy so perfect a monopoly are threatened with competition. The speed of the atmospheric mode of travelling, it is said, as far exceeds that of the locomotive plan, as the locomotive speed exceeds that of the stage coaches; this mode also reduces the expenses one-half, which the locomotive system does not, it being as expensive, or more so than the coaches. Let these promises be realized and we shall really see wonders. DR KEENAN'S LECTURES AT THE THE HUMAN BODY AN ELECTRO-MOTIVE GENERATING THE ELECTRO-MOMENTUM. THERE has long been a suspicion that electricity is more intimately connected with animal motions than is commonly supposed. It is now for the first time that that suspicion has assumed the form of a system of electro-human philosophy. Dr Keenan has not only proved beyond the possibility of a doubt that the body is an electro-motive engine, but has in a great measure referred the facts of physiology and medicine to this great principle, with the same simplifying and elucidating effect as that with which the facts of physical nature are referred to the law of gravitation. Nothing can be more beautiful and conclusive (to all prepared for its appreciation) than his proofs of the fundamental law of the constitution of our nature, which lay hidden till he revealed it, and nothing for centuries (not excepting even the law of gravitation or of the atomic theory) has introduced such order among so many scattered and apparently dissimilar facts. The lecturer commenced by enumerating an assemblage of well-known phenomena, which, though of the most apparently heterogeneous nature, were at once reduced to a common principle of causation-namely, that the active energies of every being created, were in the ratio of the available oxidizement of respiratory food by the air breathed. Respiratory food was clearly shown to be for a purpose not hitherto suspected, to act as the zinc-plate of the galvanic battery, and as the amalgam of the electrifying machine; and air, instead of subserving the purposes commonly imputed to it, is for the purpose of oxidizing the food to extricate the electric force that moves the living body. Considering that the true function of the lungs is only now being developed, and that that is the fundamental function of life, we are on the eve of a great change in the philosophy of medicine and physiology; indeed, a system of medicine must soon be introduced, wherein disease will be considered as an alteration of the constituency of the chemical elements of the body, and of the electroenergy which actuates the whole. His lecture has excited more interest than any we have heard for a long time. THE BELLS OF MALMAISON. passed at Brienne; I was then happy.' Stood list'ning to the sound Like the remember'd voice That ever could compensate all With which those hours were fraught. And Egypt had essay'd in vain But when the laurel glory twin'd The thorns of envy and of hate As elevated tracts receive Less genial heat than plains, Is void of that calm halo, which Tho' hid, perchance, like gems that deck L. M. S. SINGING IN CHURCHES. (From the Life and Times of the good Lord Cobham.') SINGING in churches made great progress in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It was bitterly condemned by the Reformers of the period, and by Lord Cobham among the rest.* In this as in many cases where the consciences of the friends to reform were * Many of their successors were not less unfriendly to harmony. Erasmus found it one of the abominations of his times. "We have," said he, "introduced into the churches, a certain elaborate theatrical species of music, accompanied with a tumultuous diversity of voices. All is full of trumpets, cornets, pipes, fiddles, and singing. We come to a church as to a playhouse; and for this purpose ample salaries are expended on organists, and societies of boys, whose whole time is wasted in learning to sing;-not to mention the great revenues which the church squanders away on the stipends of singing men, who are commonly great drunkards, buffoons, and chosen from the lowest of the people. These fooleries are so agreeable to the monks, especially in England, that youths, boys, &c., every morning A Former Lady Harrington.—The politeness of the last century would seem not to have been excessive, if we may judge from the Earl of Carlisle calling George Selwyn's sing to the organ the mass of the Virgin Mary, with attention to an advertisement in the papers" to desire Lady Harrington would not disturb the audience at the playhouse with her snuffling gabble." the most harmonious modulations of voice; and the bishops are obliged to keep choirs of this kind in their families." The evil was probably much greater when he thus expressed himself, than in the preceding century. disturbed, it is not difficult to perceive that a pecuniary grievance formed part of the subject matter of complaint-it is clear the singers expected payment. The avarice of the priests in claiming to be paid for singing, exasperated the malcontents. Their demands were most likely high, possibly enormous, where great talent was recognised; but nothing appears to justify the extreme horror manifested by some of the Reformers for the practice. It was not simply objected to as inappropriate, or censured as improper, but it was condemned as outraging all decency-as exceedingly sinful in itself, and most offensive to God. The priest who sang for money was condemned as worse than the traitor who betrayed the Saviour of mankind to the Jews, that he might be crucified. The priests so occupied were said to sell Christ, not merely once, as Judas did, but many times. "Judas sold him once, in the form of mortal man, for thirty pennies, but afterwards repented, and brought the money back again. The priest sold him in his glorified form, and for a smaller price, and till brought to pennance, returned not the money." When throughout the church rapacity was manifested in so many other ways, it was not to be expected that priests who found themselves possessed of superior vocal powers, would fail to claim some present advantage for their exertion. That what must appear to us the most innocent, the least objectionable exaction of the age, should have provoked such extravagant hostility, is a circumstance not easily to be understood. Lord Cobham, indeed, contended that singing in church was not countenanced by Scripture. That was denied, and with much apparent reason. The Apostle James, in the fifth chapter and thirteenth verse, says, "Is any merry?Let him sing psalms." This distinct permission given by one of the disciples of Jesus seems to be all sufficient, unless it could be proved that to be merry was inconsistent with devotion. Such an opinion has been so frequently entertained by good -men, that the young and unreflecting have in consequence been scared or weaned from the path of true piety, by distaste for the harshness and severity supposed to be identified with it. On the behalf of music it was urged, that instrumental and vocal strains had been, from the earliest times, associated with the worship of the Most High; that David had delighted to play on his harp, and to offer his gratitude to the Lord through such a medium; and that the angels in heaven-to join whom in their celestial exercise was the highest hope of all Christian men-were described as for ever singing Glory to God,' and therefore such exercises had the distinct sanction of holy writ. These arguments were not easily refuted, and the general feeling ran strongly in favour of a more enthusiastic strain, forming part of divine worship, than could be found in common reading or speaking. A disposition to connect song with devotional exercise has prevailed in all ages. At various periods it has grown into a passion, and the directors of public solemnities have, by their arrangements, manifested an impression that the Deity was more likely to be moved by music than propitiated by prayer. It was such extravagance that moved the indignation of Cobham, and those who acted with him. They turned with disgust from the enthusiast who thought to gain heaven by sweet sounds, which they persuaded themselves were so agreeable to God, that they actually took measures to render the solemn joyous chorus, which they commenced here, "eternal in the heavens." The laus perennius it was proposed to keep up without one moment's pause, by relays of monks and nuns from day to day, from month to month, and from year to year. The individual performers were changed at certain periods, but not all at once. Those who withdrew to take food or sleep, first saw their places duly supplied, and it was contemplated that, as years rolled away and death successively snatched the original vocalists from earth, others should be appointed to chant the praises of God, which were thus to be continued till the day of judgment arrived, and the last singer was only to be stilled here, that his voice might pass above the skies, there to join in the hallelujahs which it was supposed his fellows were already chanting before the Almighty and his angels, and would continue to sing through a blissful eternity. THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH. BY PROFESSOR LONGFELLOW. Under a spreading chestnut tree With large and sinewy hands; His hair is crisp, and black, and long, His brow is wet with honest sweat, Week in, week out, from morn till night, And children coming home from school He goes on Sunday to the church, And it makes his heart rejoice. It sounds to him like her mother's voice, He needs must think of her once more, And with his hard, rough hand he wipes Toiling-rejoicing-sorrowing, Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, Our fortunes must be wrought; GARDENING HINTS FOR FEBRUARY. HOTHOUSES, CONSERVATORIES, &c. Conservatory.-Where forced flowers are introduced less air should be admitted than for a collection of conservatory plants. See that Orange trees, Neriums, and other plants are clear of insects. Rhododendrons and Azaleas are among the finest and easiest plants to force for the conservatory, and seeds from forced plants of them crossed are always more to be depended on for novelties than those from the open ground. Greenhouse.-Seeds of heaths, and of all woody half-hardy plants may be sown and reared in hot beds or stoves; sow Rhododendron and Azalea seed; seedlings of them of last year might now be forced, and afterwards hardened off before next May, when they might be planted out of doors. This treatment brings them sooner to a flowering state. FLOWER-GARDEN. Out-door Department. Pit and Frames.-Protect securely at night, but give all the air possible in the day-time. Calceolarias, Heliotropiums, &c., may be potted off preparatory to being hardened for the flower garden. Auriculas may be top-dressed, removing carefully the surface soil, and substituting some two-year decayed hot-bed manure and leaf-soil. Avoid all hot, stimulating composts. Polyanthuses, grown in pots, may be kept moderately moist, and a similar topdressing as that recommended for the Auricula will be of infinite service to them. They are, however, grown on beds, with a north-east aspect, with great success. Carnations. Still give all air possible. If the green-fly begins to be troublesome, remove it with a camel-hair brush. Pinks.-As spring advances, the wireworm gets more active and mischievous. If you have reason to suspect that any of these lurk in your beds, cut a potato into quarters, inserting a skewer in each; place them in various parts just below the soil, and examine them daily. This is an effectual trap. Ranunculuses. In selecting roots for blooming, choose those with a high crown in preference to size. The following are a few that will make an improvement in any collection: -Tysoe's Edgar, yellow, edged with puce; Costar's Apollo, crimson self; Mr Welch, white, edged with deep pink; Madeline, white, beautiful rosy edge; Bartlett's Charlotte, superbly mottled; and Esther, white, purple edge. The old flowers:-Naxara, splendid dark; Socrates, olive; and Le Temeraire, pink stripestill continue the best in their respective classes, most of the new seedlings being either edged, spotted, or mottled. Melons. Prepare now a bed of wellfermented dung, and leaves for planting out upon, using faggots of brush-wood for the first two feet in height. HARDY FRUIT AND KITCHEN GARDEN. Planting. Prepare the ground for fruittrees not planted in the autumn, by thoroughly draining the borders and forming a substratum through which the roots will not easily penetrate. In the absence of paving-stone, tiles, &c., a good substitute may be formed of coarse gravel and finelysifted quicklime, in the proportion of six of the former to one of the latter, mixed well together with a sufficiency of water, and laid down to the depth of four or five inches. From fifteen to eighteen inches depth of soil will be sufficient for peaches and apricots; much less will do, if the borders are mulched and cropping dispensed with. No manure ought to be mixed with the soil. Cucumbers.-Prepare fermenting materials for their growth in frames. Routine Management.-Dig, ridge, and turn up all empty ground in favourable weather. Give plenty of air to all advancing crops in frames Clean and stir the soil among all growing crops in the open garden; remove all decaying leaves. COTTAGERS' GARDENS. Soap-suds have a good effect on many |