FALMOUTH READING AND NEWS ROOMS, ON Monday the 20th November, the above Rooms, (which were recorded to have been commenced in No. 3 of the SELECTOR,) were opened to the Subscribers and Visitants of the town:upon inspection they seem admirably adapted for convenience, comfort, and rational amusement. The building is situate in ChurchStreet, in a very central part of the town, and is but a short distance from the Royal Hotel, and the Theatre; the exterior presents a handsome appearance, having six noble columns in front; the interior possesses a lofty Hall, and wide Stair-case: on the right of the Hall is a fine room 28 feet long, for the London and Country Newspapers, Maps and Charts, Periodical Publications, and for accumulating in due course a valuable Library; on the left a Steward's apartment, and a large room, which may be called a Coffee Room, where the Subscribers and Gentlemen Foreigners, and those in the Naval service, whose luxury is in smoking, may have the enjoyment of a Cegar; on ascending the Staircase there are two fiue and large apartments for Billiard Tables, very superior to most that can be seen. In the rear of the building is a large court extending to the harbour, on which it is in contemplation, as soon as the funds will allow, to erect Hot and Cold Sea Water Baths. The windows of the house have a fine and uninterrupted view of Trefusis, the seat of Lord Clinton, of the mouth of the Harbour, of Truro River, Pendennis Castle, &c. so that his Majesty's Packets and all the vessels, present a Coup d'ail not to be equalled. In thus making known the above Institution, the opportunity is afforded us to notice the other improvements to this Town and Port;-The elegant building of the Classical School for the more opulent, aud the National School just raised for our poorer brethren; also the projected great improvements on the road between this and Launceston, by the patriotic subscriptions of the Noble Lords and Gentry in the County likewise the improvement going forward on the road to Penryn, and the intended bridge and new road to avoid the narrow steep hill of that town: on Green Bank, Falmouth, a line of handsome small Villas is extending, and a beautiful Gothic Chapel is near completion for those who find the Parish Church too distant:-all which, and the proposed further improvements in the town will render this Sea Port a delightful residence, and will induce many families to visit it as a Summer Watering-place; which last will be much accelerated by the large and fine Steam Vessels that are established, namely, two which run from Portsmouth, to Plymouth and Falmouth, and on to Guernsey, Jersey, and St. Maloes; and four which in the Spring will run direct from the great Metropolis to Falmouth, and onward to Dublin, Belfast, and Glasgow. Thus the Mines and wonders of the County of Cornwall may be viewed by the Tourist, at a reasonable rate, by a visit to FALMOUTH, and from thence can extend a scientific and pleasurable Tour to Ireland and Scotland. being indifferent to Philosophy and Science; FALMOUTH has long borne the reproach of we are happy to know that such indifference is more in appearance than reality. It is now Society was formed in this Town, comprehendupwards of five years since a Philosophical ing not certainly much scientific talent, but what possibly is of more value to such an Institution, These young men had sufficient experience to young and ardent minds thirsting for knowledge. know that there is no " royal road to the mathe matics," and sufficient common sense not to seek any patronage; they have consequently pursued their course unostentatiously; so much so, that their existence as a society has probably been unknown beyond the precincts of the Town. The want of apparatus obliged them for some time to direct their attention chiefly to metaphy. sics, at present however there are few experi ments requisite to demonstrate the principles of physical science which they cannot shew, and according to a recent determination their trans. actions are to be confined to Natural and Expe. rimental Philosophy and the Abstract Sciences. Lectures are delivered every fortnight. last to attend a Lecture on Matter, the nature were obligingly permitted on Thursday evening and properties of which were ably and clearly examined; a free discussion of two hours dura tion followed on the same subject, to which every member contributed. We regiet that our limits will not allow us to give our readers even We a brief statement of the varions theories contended for. Lectures on the following branches of Sciences are to follow that on matter Principles of Chemistry- Electricity and THE MOTHER'S SOLILOQUY On the Death of her infant Son. (By the late Revd. J. Lawson, Missionary at Calcutta.) Hush'd be the murmuring thought! Thy will be done, O Arbiter of life and death. I bow To thy command. I yield the precious gift, I lay thee down to rest, the cold, cold earth, Oh, yet once more I kiss thy marble lips, Farewell, a long farewell! yet visit me In dreams, my darling! Though the vision'd joy BIRTHS IN OCTOBER. At Breage, wife of F. Rogers, Esq. of a daughter At St. Austle, wife of Mr. A. Rickard of a son At Penzance, Mrs. Matthews of a daughter At Redruth, Mrs. J. P. Magor of a daughter MARRIAGES IN OCTOBER. At Padstow, Mr. Edmonds to Miss M. Nance At Camborne, Mr. G. Smith to Miss Brickford IN NOVEMBER. At Gwennap, Mr. W. Wilson to Miss Barrett DEATHS IN OCTOBER. At Scorrier the lady of J. Williams Esq., At Tregarrick, Mr. S. Scantlebury At Camelford, Mrs E. Taylor IN NOVEMBER. At Redruth, Mr. Foss At Wadebridge, Mrs. Hawken At Liskeard, Mr. Binnicke, aged 77 At Padstow, Mr. C. Boney aged 79 Printed and Published by J. PHILP, Falmouth, and sold by most Booksellers in the County Anxious to please and to do justice to our kind Correspondent, whose favor was too late for the last No. and at the same time we trust gratify our kind Patrons, the following is added-Gratis-in this our Supplement to the Volume,-and we hope thereby to gain an increase of recommendation to the "Selector." THE COMPLAINT OF THE DYING YEAR. (Communicated by E. E.) RECLINING on a couch of fallen leaves, wrapped in a fleecy mantle, with withered limbs, a hoarse voice, and snowy beard, appears a venerable old man. His pulse beats feebly; his breath becomes shorter: he exhibits every mark of approaching dissolution. This is old EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY SIX; and as every class of readers must remember him a young man, as rosy and blithesome as themselves, they will perhaps, feel interested in hearing some of his dying expressions, with a few particulars of his past life. His existence is still likely to be prolonged a few days by the presence of his daughter December, the last and sole Survivor of his Twelve fair children; but it is thought the father and daughter will expire together. The following are some of the expressions which have been taken down as they fall from his dying lips :—'I am, (said he,) the son of old father TIME, and the last of a numerous progeny; for he has had no less than five thousand eight hundred and thirty of us; but it has ever been his fate to see one child expire before another was born. It is the opinion of some, that his own constitution is beginning to break up, and that, when he has given birth to a hundred or two more of us, his family will be complete, and then he himself will be no more!' Here the Old Year called for his account book, and turned over the pages with a sorrowful eye. He has kept, it appears, an accurate account of the moments, minutes, hours, and months, which he has issued, and subjoined in some places, Memoranda of the uses to which they have been applied, and of the losses he has sustained. These particulars it would be tedious to detail, and perhaps the recollection of the reader may furnish them as well or better, but we must notice one circumstance; upon turning to a certain page in his accounts, the old man was much affected, and the tears streamed down his furrowed cheeks as he examined it. This was the register of the forty-nine Sundays which he had issued; and, which, of all the wealth he had to dispose of, has been, it appears, the most Scandalously wasted. 'These, (said he) were my most precious gifts. I had but fifty two of them to bestow. Alas! how lightly have they been esteemed!" Here, upon referring back to certain old memoranda, he found a long list of vows and resolutions, which had a particular reference to these fifty two Sundays. This list with a mingled emotion of grief and anger, he tore into a hundred pieces, and threw them on the embers, by which he was endeavouring to warm his shivering limbs. I feel, however, (said he,) more pity than indignation towards these offenders, since they were far greater enemies to themselves than to me. But there are a few outrageous ones, by whom I have been defrauded of so much of my substance, that it is difficult to think of them with patience; particularly that notorious thief Procrastination, of whom every body has heard, and who is well known to have wronged my venerable father of his property; there are also three noted ruffians, Sleep, Sloth, and Pleasure, from whom I have suffered much; besides a certain busy-body called-Dress, who under pretence of making the most of me, and taking great care of me, steals away more of my gifts than any two of them. As for me, all must acknowledge that I have performed my part towards my friends and foes. I have fulfilled my utmost promise, and been more bountiful than many of my predecessors. My twelve fair children have, each in their turn, aided my exertions; and their various tastes and dispositions have all conduced to the general good. Mild February, who sprinkled the naked boughs with delicate buds, and brought the wonted offering of early flowers, was not of more essential service than that rude blustering boy, March, who though violent in temper, was well-intentioned and useful; April, a gentle tender-hearted girl, wept for his loss. yet cheered me with many a smile; June came crowned with roses, and sparkling in sunbeams, and laid up a store of costly ornaments for her luxuriant successors. But I cannot stop to enumerate the good qualities and graces of all my children: you, my poor December, dark in your complexion and cold in your teniper, greatly resemble my first-born January, with this difference, that he was most prone to anticipation, and you to reflection. If there should be any, who, upon hearing my dying lamentation, may feel regret that they have not treated me more kindly; I would beg leave to hint, that it is yet in their power to make some compensation for their past conduct, by rendering me, during my few remaining days, as much service as is in their power; let them testify the sincerity of their sorrow by an immediate alteration in their behaviour. It would give me particular pleasure to see my only surviving child treated with respect: let no one slight her offerings; she has a considerable part of my property still to dispose of, which if well employed, will turn to good account. Not to mention the rest, there are three precious Sundays yet in her gift; it would cheer my last moments to know that these had been better prized than the past. It is very likely that, at least after my decease, many may reflect upon themselves for their misconduct towards me; to such I would leave it as my dying injunction, not to waste time in unavailing regret; all their wishes and repentance will not recall me to life. I shall never, never return! I would rather earnestly recommend to their regard my Successor, whose appearance is shortly expected. I cannot hope to survive long enough to introduce him; but I would fain hope that he will meet with a favourable reception: and that, in addition to the flattering honours which greeted my birth, and the fair promises which deceived my hopes, more diligent exertion and persevering efforts may be expected. Let it be remembered, that One honest endeavour is worth ten fair promises! Having thus spoken the Old Year fell back on his couch, nearly exhausted, and trembling so violently as to shake the shower of yellow leaves from his canopy. Let us all hasten to testify our gratitude for his services, and repentance for the abuse of them, by improving the remaining days of his existence, and by remembering the solemn promises we made him in his Youth. |