The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 387, August 28, 1829Various
History
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 387, August 28, 1829
Various
Popular literature -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
Sometimes it is expressed in this manner; "Lydford Law, by which they hang
men first, and try them afterwards." Lydford was formerly a town of note,
but now an inconsiderable village on the borders of Dartmoor, not far from
Tavistock. It is famous for a ruined castle, under which is a dungeon that
used to be a prison for the confinement of persons who offended against
the Stannary Courts of Tavistock, Ashburton, Chapford, and Plimpton. These
Stannary Courts were erected by a charter of Edward III. for the purpose
of regulating the affairs of the tin mines in Devonshire, and of
determining causes among the tinners, whether criminal, or actions for
debt. The proceedings were very summary, and the prison horribly offensive.
Near Lydford is a famous waterfall, and a most romantic view down the
river Lyd; over which is a curious bridge built with one arch. The parish
is the largest in the kingdom, including the whole Forest of Dartmoor.
William Browne of Tavistock, and the author of _Britannia's Pastorals_,
gives a humorous description of Lydford in the reign of James I.
* * * * *
THE CONTEMPORARY TRAVELLER.
JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF THE RED INDIANS OF NEWFOUNDLAND.
In the island of Newfoundland, an institution has been formed for opening
a communication with, and promoting the civilization of, the Red Indians;
and procuring, if possible, an authentic history of that unhappy race of
people, in order that their language, customs, and pursuits, may be
contrasted with those of other tribes of Indians and nations. The interior
of the island is less known than any other British possessions abroad;
but, from the exertions of the above Society, more information has been
collected concerning the natives, than has been obtained during the two
centuries and a half in which Newfoundland has been in possession of
Europeans. The last journey was undertaken by W.E. Cormack, Esq.,
president of the Society. His report has appeared in a recent Number of
the _Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal_, and will, we are persuaded, be
interesting to our readers:
"My party," says Mr. Cormack, "consisted of three Indians, whom I procured
from among the other different tribes, viz. an intelligent and able man of
the Abenakie tribe, from Canada; an elderly Mountaineer from Labrador; and
an adventurous young Micmack, a native of this island, together with
myself. It was my intention to have commenced our search at White Bay,
which is nearer the northern extremity of the island than where we did,
and to have travelled southward. But the weather not permitting to carry
my party thither by water, after several days' delay, I unwillingly
changed my line of route.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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