Page images
PDF
EPUB

while it acquaints them with the pleasing wonders of Nature, teaches them, at the same time, that all these are but the varied GOD.". Gentleman's Magazine for December 1816.

Notices of Time's Telescope for 1816.

'Time's Telescope is compiled with skill and judgment, and contains much desirable miscellaneous information, and many interesting and instructive sketches, particularly on some parts of Natural History. We recommend this work to the attention of our juvenile readers, who will find it an agreeable and instructive companion.'Monthly Review for November 1816.

'We are glad to see that the Editors of this useful work find encouragement to continue it annually, and that the articles it contains increase in their interest.'-Gentleman's Magazine for August 1816.

'A very entertaining and useful compendium of multifarious lore.' -Eclectic Review for January 1817.

Notices of Time's Telescope for 1815.

'We never met with a compilation better calculated for the use of families, and to serve as a portable companion for young persons, than this elegant little volume, which abounds with valuable information on subjects of general interest, and with a pleasing variety of rational entertainment. The book is written in a popular style, the articles are selected with great judgment from the best autho rities; and while the scientific illustrations tend to quicken curiosity, the reflections interspersed with the extracts, occasionally given from the most charming of our poets, will increase the delight afforded by contemplating the works of nature, and raise the mind to a devout admiration of the Divine Author.'-New Monthly Magazine, Jan. 1815.

'The work before us supplies accurate, though popular, instruction on a variety of topics. It is written in a correct and tasteful style, enlivened by many exquisite quotations from the poets of the day; and is interspersed with such reflections as flow naturally from the conviction that knowledge, to be extensively beneficial, either to its possessor or to others, must be purified by religion, manifested in benevolence, and consecrated to God.'-Eclectic Review for February 1815.

Notices of Time's Telescope for 1814.

'This work contains a great variety of very useful information, conveyed in a most pleasing manner. We cannot hesitate to pronounce that it will be popular. It deserves to be so; and it has too many attractions, for every kind of taste, to be overlooked. It will form a delightful as well as instructive present for young persons at Christmas.'-British Critic for December 1813.

'We cheerfully give to Time's Telescope our warmest recommendation as a pleasing and safe book for the rising generation.'Eclectic Review for February 1814.

Advertisement.

[ocr errors]

FRONTED, as we are, with many a goodly herald of our fame,' we have only to express the unfeigned pleasure we feel at the very flattering manner in which the fruits of our labours have been received; particularly manifested in the unprecedented sale of our last volume.

[ocr errors]

If, in the course of our yearly lucubrations, we have contributed something to the instruction of youth, or the amusement of maturer years;—if we have taught the mind to direct its regards towards the starry heavens,' and to read in those marvellous works the infinite wisdom of the Omnipotent;-if we have excited a taste for the study of Natural History, and have led our readers to contemplate the Beauties as well as the Wonders of Creation;—if, in a word, we have given birth to one sentiment favourable to benevolence, to virtue, and to religion,—we have done that, the consciousness of which will more than repay us for continued labour during the past, and unceasing attention towards the future.

It remains only to observe, that as each volume of TIME'S TELESCOPE is almost entirely a new work, and, at the same time, boasts some interesting features

peculiar to itself, the present volume is not deficient in such necessary attractions. Among these are, Remarks on indispensable Astronomical Instruments, illustrated by wood-cuts; Popular Reflections on the Starry Heavens; an INTRODUCTION descriptive of the Habits, Economy, and Uses of British Insects; and an Ode to Time, written expressly for this volume, by our friend and contributor BERNARD BARTON.

LONDON,

Nov. 16, 1822.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

To our Correspondents residing in the counties of Huntingdon, Somerset, Gloucester, Suffolk, and Essex, we return our thanks for their valuable and ingenious communications, as well as for the kind interest they take in the success of our annual volume. To other friends and well-wishers who have contributed their mites to the general treasury,' we are likewise grateful. -N. B. Observations on the appearances of Nature in every month, in various parts of the kingdom, and curious and important facts in British Zoology, will be always acceptable: these should be addressed to the Editor, to the care of Messrs. Sherwood and Co., Paternoster Row, London; and transmitted before the 1st of August, 1823.

AN

ODE TO TIME;

WRITTEN FOR THE TENTH VOLUME OF TIME'S TELESCOPE

BY BERNARD BARTON.

I.

SPIRIT! if I may call thee such,
Beneath whose silent sway,
Structures, defying grosser touch,

In fragments fall away;-
Essence, or Shadow,-whatsoe❜er

Thou art;-with mingled hope, and fear,

I frame this votive Lay:

For feelings I can ill define

With ev'ry thought of thee combine.

II.

I court no fabled Muses', aid

To scatter spells around;

For long before their

presence made

Parnassus classic ground,

Thou from dark Chaos' depths didst spring

Elate on thy expanded wing,

Which never since has found,
In all the boundless realms of space,
One moment's tranquil resting place.

III.

"LET THERE BE LIGHT!"-JEHOVAH said;

And, with that Fiat, Thou,

Thy wings for instant flight outspread,
Becam'st-what Thou art now!
A viewless thing, whose very Name
Fancy's most daring flights may tame,
And furrow Wisdom's brow:
Given-and recalled-with vital breath;
Thine entrance-LIFE!-thine exit-DEATH!

IV.

And yet that seeming Death, which tells
That we have done with Thee;

And Thou no less with us ;-compels

1

Our Spirits still TO BE !

And parting from Thee does but seem

Like launching from some shallow stream
Into a soundless sea,

Upon whose thought-o'erwhelming brink
Thy Cent'ries into Moments shrink!

V.

But to that soundless, shoreless deep
I now must bid adieu !—

Enough it is for me to keep

My subject theme in view;

And all-sufficient is thy spell

To wake more thoughts than tongue can tell,

Or fancy can pursue :

For, short of " THINGS ETERNAL," thine

Must closest round our hearts entwine.

« PreviousContinue »