The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 19, No. 539, March 24, 1832

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Various. The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 19, No. 539, March 24, 1832

WINDSOR CASTLE, (N.E.)

THE MARCH OF MIND

ILLUMINATED PSALTER

ANCIENT VALENTINES

THE COSMOPOLITE

SUPERSTITIONS, FABLES, &c. RELATIVE TO ANIMALS

NOTES OF A READER

DOMESTIC LIFE IN AMERICA

THE BELL ROCK LIGHT HOUSE

NO CHALK

THE NATURALIST

ANGLING

SKILFUL ANATOMISTS

THREE ENTHUSIASTIC NATURALISTS

BURIAL PLACE IN TONGATABU

THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS

FRANCIS THE FIRST

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS

OLD ENGLISH MUSIC

BENEDICTION ON CHILDREN

DRAMATIC CHARACTER OF THE CATHOLIC RELIGION

SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY

BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY

THE GATHERER

Отрывок из книги

Our sketchy tour of Windsor Castle has hitherto been told in visits far between, perhaps, if not few, for the interesting character of the whole fabric. 1

The present Cut includes the North-east view, a picturesque if not important point. The reader will remember, if he has not enjoyed, the splendid terrace on the north; this is now continued on the eastern side. The fine tower at the eastern end of the north terrace, (at the angle,) is Brunswick Tower, with a projecting bastion in its front containing the apparatus for heating the orangery, with rooms for the attendants; it is octagon shaped, and has a most commanding appearance, the height being 120 feet above the level of the terrace.

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"JAMES HOWELL."

The Toad, owing to its hideous, disgusting appearance, has been the subject of many superstitions: it is commonly thought to spit venom, whilst, as yet, the question is unsettled, whether or not it be poisonous in any respect; some affirm that a viscous humour of poisonous quality exudes from the skin, like perspiration; whilst others pretend that cancers may be cured by the application of living toads to them; and a man has been known to swallow one of these abominations for a wager, taking care, however, to follow this horrid meal by an immediate and copious draught of oil. But the very glance of the toad has been supposed fatal; of its entrails fancied poisonous potions have been concocted; and for magical purposes it was believed extremely efficacious; a precious stone was asserted to be found in its head, invaluable in medicine and magic. In Carthagena and Portobello (America) these creatures swarm to such a degree in wet weather that many of the inhabitants believe every drop of rain to be converted into a toad. It is said of the Pipa, or Surinam toad, a hideous, but probably harmless, animal, that very malignant effects are experienced from it when calcined.

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