The Mirror, 1828.07.05, issue No. 321 | Page 4

that used for a game of their own; and brought his board

and equipage for Mr. Irwin's inspection, and soon after gave him a
manuscript extract from a book, relating the invention of the Chinese
game, called by them chong-he, or the royal game, which it attributed
to a Chinese general (about 1,965 years ago) who by its means
reconciled his soldiers to passing the winter in quarters in the country
of Shensi, the cold and inconvenience of which were likely to have
occasioned a mutiny among them. Other writers contend that chess is a
game of Persian invention, since scah muth is the Persic term for
check-mate; and since the Persians were sedulous in recommending it
to their young princes, as a game calculated to instruct kings in the art
of war. It has been attributed to Palamedes, who lived during the Trojan
war; but it was a game played with pebbles, or cubes, of which he was
the inventer. Palamedes was so renowned for his sagacity, that almost
every early discovery was ascribed to him. Whether the Greeks or
Romans were acquainted with this game is doubtful. Of the three
contending nations, the claim of the Persians appears to me to be least
eligible, and that of the Chinese the most.
_Near Sheffield._
J. M. C-D.
* * * * *
THREE SONNETS TO JOHN KEATS.
(For the Mirror.)
I can think of thee! now that the light spring Showers live in the rich
breezes, and the dyes Of the glad flowers are won from her blue eyes
Exulting; whilst loud songs, on the fleet wing Of the Earth's seraphs,
bear her welcoming From it to heaven, and, up to the far skies, From
turf-born censers floods of incense rise. I can think of thee in my
wandering; And when the heart leaps up within to bless The sights of
love and beauty, on each hand,-- The pouring-out of sky-sprung
happiness Over the dancing sea and the green land, Thought wakes one
saddening thrill of bitterness-- Thou canst not o'er this Eden smiling
stand!

Yes! even as the quick glow of Spring's first smile Is unto the renewed
spirit,--even As that abundant gush of wine from Heaven Loosens the
dreary grasp of Cares which coil Round the lone heart like
serpents,--the sweet toil Of draining the dear dream-cup thou hast given
Is unto me,--and thoughts which long have striven With joyousness, flit
far away the while My lips are prest to it. By the fire-light, Or in full
gaze of sun-set, when the choirs Of winged minstrels, waking out of
light, Ring requiem meet to those departing fires-- Let me be with thee
then--forgetting quite The world, its scornfulness, and its desires.
O! I could weep for thee! and yet not tears Of hopelessness, but
triumph, and sit down And weave for thee wet wild-flowers for a
crown-- Then up, and sound rich music in thine ears; And teach thee,
that sweet lips, in coming years, Shall lisp the songs which cold dull
hearts disown,-- That all which hope could pant for is thine own,--
Dimmed, for a moment's space, with human fears. Then watch the
new-born glories in thine eye, Glancing like lightning from its chariot
cloud, And list these words, which know not how to die,-- Joy's
inspiration gushing forth aloud: Then back again unto the world and
sigh, And wrap my heart up in a dusky shroud.
THOMAS M---- S.
* * * * *
CHOOSING OF BAILIFFS AT BRIDGNORTH.
(For the Mirror.)
The bailiffs of Bridgnorth are chosen out of the twenty-four aldermen
upon St. Matthew's Day in the following manner:--The court having
met, the names of twelve aldermen being separately written on small
pieces of paper, are closely rolled up by the town clerk, and thrown into
a purse, which is shaken by the two chamberlains standing upon the
chequer, (a large table in the middle of the court,) and held open to the
bailiffs, when each, according to seniority, takes out a roll. By this
means the callers are decided, who, mounting the chequer, alternately
call the jury of fourteen out of the burgesses present. They are then

sworn neither to eat nor drink till they, or twelve of them, have chosen
two fit persons, who have not been bailiffs for three years before, to
serve that office for the ensuing year; they are locked up till they have
agreed, which sometimes occasions long fastings. In 1739, the jury
fasted seventy hours. The persons chosen are sworn into office on
Michaelmas Day.--W. H.
* * * * *
ON COALS, AND THE PERIOD WHEN THE COAL MINES IN
ENGLAND WILL BE EXHAUSTED.
(_From Bakewell's Introduction to Geology, 3rd Edition, 1828_.)
Coal was known, and partially used, at a very early period of our
history. I