The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 285, December 1, 1827Various
History
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 285, December 1, 1827
Various
Popular literature -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
Christian man all white,
And dollars white have he;
Kanourie, like him, come,
Black man's friend to be.
From Felatah, how he run;
Barca Gana shake his spear:
White man carry two-mouthed gun;
That's what make Felatah fear.
* * * * *
HUNTING IN PERSIA.
In Persia, persons of the highest rank lead their own greyhounds in a
long silken leash, which passes through the collar, and is ready to slip
the moment the huntsman chooses. The well-trained dog goes alongside the
horse, and keeps clear of him when at full speed, and in all kinds of
country. When a herd of antelopes is seen, a consultation is held, and
the most experienced determine the point towards which they are to be
driven. The field (as an English sportsman would term it) then disperse,
and while some drive the herd in the desired direction, those with the
dogs take their post on the same line, at the distance of about a mile
from each other; one of the worst dogs is then slipped at the herd, and
from the moment he singles out an antelope the whole body are in motion.
The object of the horsemen who have greyhounds is to intercept its
course, and to slip fresh dogs, in succession, at the fatigued animal.
In rare instances the second dog kills. It is generally the third or
fourth; and even these, when the deer is strong, and the ground
favourable, often fail. This sport, which is very exhilarating, was the
delight of the late King of Persia, Aga Mahomed Khan, whose taste is
inherited by the present sovereign.--_Sketches of Persia_.
* * * * *
PIOUS WATCHMEN IN NORWAY.
In Drontheim, the ancient capital of Norway, it appears, that the
guardians of the night not only _watch_, but _pray_ for the souls of the
inhabitants. Mr. Brooke, in his recent travels, says, "as each hour
elapses, they are prepared with a different kind of exhortation or
prayer; which, forming a sort of tune or chant, is sung by them during
the drear hours of the night." Of one of these pious songs, he gives the
following literal translation:
"Ho! the Watchman, ho!
The clock has struck ten,
Praised be God, our Lord!
Now it is time to go to bed.
The housewife and her maid,
The master as well as his lad.
The wind is south-east.
Hallelujah! praised be God, our Lord!"
"The _voekter_, or watchman, is armed with an instrument as remarkable
as his cry, being nothing less than a long pole, at the end of which is
a ball, well fortified with iron spikes. This weapon is called _morgen
stierne_, or the morning star. At Drontheim, however, bands of
pick-pockets and thieves are unknown, and the morning star does little
more than grace the hand of the Norwegian watchman."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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