TEA CAKES. Rub a 4lb. fresh butter into 34lbs. of flour: place this in a pan, make a hole in the centre, then mix together a tea-cupful of yeast, and the same of warm milk; set this mixture in the middle of the flour, cover it over with a thick cloth or flannel, let it stand an hour in a warm place, then make it up into a light dough with as much nearly cold milk as it requires. Divide the quantity into eight cakes, butter the tins, and bake from one half to three quarters of an hour in an oven. This difference in time is created by the state of the oven, which should be rather more than moderately warm. 66 EXHIBITION CHAT. -The pillar'd dome, magnific heav'd Mr. in this cursory review would be impossible-we can THE ENGLISH GALLERIES.-At the transept end of the north side gallery, amidst a confusion of rich and delicate glass, we first pause to admire two very large chandeliers which present the most brilliant and lustrous appearance. Passing on from thence, we come to the compartment occupied by the Parian and porcelain productions of the Stoke potteries, and arrive at a series occupying a considerable portion of the front north gallery, presenting a vast variety of pianos, all in cases more or less handsome, and many of them professing to have the "latest improvements," or the aid of some "patent invention." There are instruments of all sorts and sizes, from the modest "cottage" to the massive "grand," and with every style of decoration. This display of pianos is one of the most attractive parts of the Exhibition, and it presents ample opportunities of comparison with contributions from Belgium and Austria. From these galleries a fine view may be obtained of the handsome carpets hanging all along over head, exhibiting an infinite diversity of pattern and count-light colours, and accompanied with decorations in less varieties of colour-the brilliantly-flowered fabrics of Axminster, Kidderminster, and Wilton, and above all, the immense carpet woven at Axminster for Windsor Palace. Continuing our progress through the front north gallery, we pass by compartments exhibiting a great number of curious inventionsmany of them adaptations of the electric telegraph principle-some useful and some amusing-others of them machines for the collection and concentration of the electric fluid. Still proceeding, we pass by compartments devoted to optics or other departments of practical mathematics; and then we find ourselves at the end, among naval applications of science. Passing on round the western end to the gallery on the south side, the visitor will find himself at first involved and, unless he be scientific, confoundedamong all sorts of scientific inventions. He will cast a glance at the immense compartments beneath him (corresponding with similar ones on the opposite side) occupied by cotton manufactures, from which he will derive an impression, more vivid and enduring than any description could give, of the vast extent of the manufacture. He will then perceive that he has approached the department of horology, and will observe many ingenious inventions and beautiful decorations. He will next come to the electrotype department, in which he will be certainly struck with the capability of the invention for adaptation to purposes the most diverse, and to objects the most various; since he will see it applied to statues and to tea-spoons, to the splendid substances of silver and gold, and the more sombre material of bronze. We now come to the long and splendid series of compartments occupied by plate, in which the English artists enter into spirited competition with those of France and Germany. To enumerate their contents Medieval Court." He can here better observe from his present elevation the lofty height of the oaken cover to the Anglican font, or the stone pinnacle of the Roman Tabernacle, both of which (richly decorated in the Gothic style) rise almost to the level of the gallery. Continuing his review of the contents of the front gallery, he will pass from plate and jewellery to lace; and see in a series of compartments the costliest productions of the Nottingham looms. There is also a compartment devoted to contributions from Dublin, as striking in their way as the poplin contributions from the same city below. From the fabrics of lace and blonde we come to scarcely less delicate textures of crape, or of semi-transparent silk; and then from the gossamer-like manufactures of Macclesfield, we pass to the brocades of Manchester; and near these we find, over the rich repository of shawls from India, the specimens supplied from the towns of Paisley and Norwich. This brings us to the transept end of the south side gallery, where the produce of Britain and her dependencies terminates. (To be continued.) Chess. "Check! the deep vales, and Check! the woods rebound." CHECKMATE is derived from the Persian word Shah-mat, or, the king is dead. When playing with their Sovereign the Orientals say only, Sha-hem! or, O my king. A certain king of Persia is said to have ordered, that when Checkmate was given, they should, instead of the expression, say Nefs-mat, or, the person is dead. The Russians are esteemed great proficients in chess. With them the queen has, in addition to the other moves, that of the knight, which renders it more complicated and difficult. They have also another mode of playing with four persons at the same time, two against two; for this purpose the board is larger than usual, contains more men, and is provided with a greater number of squares. "THE proper time to play chess appears to be, when the mind is excited by a succession of lively pleasures, but never, when it has been deadened by long attention to serious employment." A. W., ILFORD.-It will be impossible to give any decided pattern for window blinds. Windows vary so much in width and depth. G. P. H-One or two cloves placed in the ink will prevent its moulding. ELLEN. All disagreeable smell may be taken from gloves, drawers, or boxes, and a most agreeable fragrance substituted, by mixing together four minims of extract of ambergris, and two ounces of spirits of wine, well shaken, and left for a day or two before using. Rub the inside of the gloves or other article with a piece of cotton wool, dipped in the perfume. EFFRA, BRIXTON.-There is no such thing as good or ill-luck. Prudence and moderation in our expectations, are luck; want of calculation, and inordinate desires, create what is termed ill-luck. forward way is the best, and though at first it may be productive of uneasiness, and perhaps for a time create a coolness, depend upon it, peace will come at last. TYRO.-Yes, this has been done. A gentleman of Sheffield applied the opposite pole of a larger magnet, and by approaching it to, and moving it from side to side, for a few minutes, he effectually destroyed the previous magnetism which the first magnet had acquired. E. O.-Papier maché is a substance made of cuttings of paper boiled in water, and well beaten till reduced to a paste; it is then boiled with size, and afterwards pressed into moulds and dried previously to ornamenting. AMY.-Add alum to whiten paste you use; whether made of flour or rice, it makes the paste of greater tenacity, and prevents it turning sour. M. C., Liverpool.--We strongly deprecate the course All Letters and Communications for the Editor to hinted at, as one that would cause you in the process of be addressed, care of Messrs. PETTER, DUFF, and Co., time unceasing regret. The most direct and straight-3, Crane Court, Fleet Street, London. ISIDORE AND EGIALE; OR, THE TAKING OF MITYLENE. (BY CORNELIA.) "Nor streamer light, nor pennon gay, It was the fourth year of the Peloponnesian war, and each rival state prepared with alacrity for the campaign which was about to open. Of all the warriors in the Athenian army none longed more ardently to distinguish himself in the field than the young Isidore. "To-day," he exclaimed, as he girded on his armour, "to-day I go to retrieve the honour of my name, or to perish in the attempt! Should I die-I shall fall gloriously, proclaiming to Greece that my father's son is not unworthy to be called an Athenian-and should I live to return home, every stain will be effaced from my injured honour; I shall return victorious Egiale will then be mine, and I shall be happy beyond the reach of fate." As he spoke his eye seemed to gather new fire from the contemplation of future glory; and already his sword gleamed in his hand, as if bidding defiance to every enemy of Athens. Isidore was the only child of Philip, a noble Athenian, famed alike for wisdom in council and valour in the field, who, during the plague which desolated Athens, had placed his wife, with his son, then too young to bear arms, in the island of Lesbos. Leaving them in safety there, and fearless for his own life whilst the continuance of war demanded his aid at home, he returned thither to share the fate of his fellowcitizens; determining either with them to fall a sacrifice to the pestilence, or, escaping its fury, to devote his talents and remaining years to the service of his country. But it is not for mortals to direct the shaft of death. The gentle Olinthia, though in her native island, mourned deeply the separation from her husband at a time when his life was in momentary danger even from the air which he breathed. Anxiety brought on disease-under its relentless influence she fell, and bitterly did the young Isidore weep, when a few short months after their retirement to Lesbos he saw the ashes of his mother consigned to an early tomb. Nobly born and liberally educated, Isidore had an enterprising disposition, and his mind was open to every generous sentiment; but, young and inexperienced, he beheld the first approach of sorrow, and was unable to meet it with fortitude. His mother had possessed his fondest affection; and the grief occasioned him by her loss was sincere as it was immoderate. He refused at first all consolation, and sought the most retired and solitary places where he might weep in secret, and indulge without restraint his feelings of sadness. By degrees, however, he suffered himself again to be led into society; and, once more become a partner in the world's pursuits, his young companions allowed him, under pretence of dissipating his grief, to a participation in the delights of every kind with which the island abounded., The beauty of her daughters, the charms of her wine, and the luxury and opulence of her cities, had conspired to render Lesbos one of the favourite abodes of pleasure; and not vainly did this goddess present to an imagination warm as that of Isidore, the allurements which accompany her reign. Although the cup, which she held out to him was at first but tasted and dashed from his lips, since instead of abating he found it added poignancy to his grief; yet, when again presented, he drank deeper and deeper of the intoxicating draught, until its effects had gained an influence over his mind, and he at length found himself engaged in scenes of dissipation which he would formerly have blushed to name. Whilst he thus passed his time, the plague had ceased to rage in Athens; and her citizens carried on with redoubled vigour the war against Sparta. Philip, considering his son now of an age to join his countrymen in battle, sent to recal him from Lesbos, that he might take up arms in the approaching campaign. Isidore heard the summons with displeasure-suffered the messenger of his father to depart alone, and made some trivial excuses for not accompanying him. The first neglect of his authority was forgiven by Philip, who loved his son; but he repeated the mandate for his immediate recal. The messenger, disregarded, was again sent away, and having been a witness to some of the scenes of revelry in which the young Athenian daily mingled, he recounted the whole on his return; and Philip, enraged, declared that one so unworthy of his country should no longer be considered as his son, but abandoned as he was to the effeminate life of the Lesbians, he might retain the character which he had acquired, cast off by his father, and at a distance from his native city. The sentence was heard by Isidore with feelings of sorrow and remorse; but these wore away; and finding that in his mother's fortune, now his own, he possessed the means of continuing a life of careless indolence, he soon became heedless of farther consequences from a parent's displeasure. Yet the sentiments of an exalted mind, although obscured, were not extinguished; they needed but a powerful incitement to call them forth in all their native lustre. Devoting his talents and imagination to the muses, he frequently composed verses in honour of love and beauty, which he would sing with enthusiasm to the lyre; and, whilst his fascinating manner, added to the mellow tones of his voice, gained the hearts of all his auditors, flattery's tongue was loud in paying court to him. Yet at times he would steal from amid the gay throng to enjoy undisturbed his favourite amusement. One morning, when tired after a night of revelry, he had wandered forth into the fields with no other companion than his lyre, chance directed his steps along the course of a stream bordered with flowers, and at intervals overshadowed by trees whose graceful foliage floated in the air, whilst others in picturesque groups N friends for their assent, which was readily granted, she said it would give them pleasure again to hear his song. Then seating themselves on a bank of flowers, Isidore struck the notes of a softly plaintive air, such as Alcæus might have loved or Sappho sung; and, in sweeter accents than before, accompanied it with his voice. His words, tenderly and delicately expressive of the softer passions which they described, joined to the thrilling music of the lyre, soon reached the hearts of his auditors. They listened with de raised their tops to the heavens. The beauty of the surrounding scenery induced him to stray farther, until he found himself within a wood. Following a path that still conducted him along the brink of the stream, he proceeded, regardless whither he was going, until tired of wandering, he threw himself on the grass where an opening in the wood extended to a short distance on either side of the rivulet, and presented by its bright verdure a striking contrast to the darker foliage of the trees around. He remained some moments silent and motionless. Then, snatch-lighted attention; and when he ceased, all joined ing the lyre which had fallen by his side, he pressed his fingers on the strings, his voice followed their movement, and in an instant the neighbouring groves resounded with his song. First he sang the praises of the young Adonis, whose matchless charms had induced the Queen of Love to abandon the courts of Olympus. Next he celebrated the flight of Daphne; then filled the air with the triumph of Hippomenes in the race with Atalanta; then bewailed the sorrows of the tender Io, until, lost to every other feeling | in the soft langour which music inspires, he yielded irresistibly to its impulse, and sank into an involuntary sleep. On awaking some time after, how great was his surprise when he beheld, at the opposite side of the brook, a train of beautiful nymphs clad in white emerging from an adjacent thicket. To gaze at the little troop as they approached nearer to the opposing current, to dart forward and plunge into the stream occupied but a mothe next he had gained the opposite bank. The foremost of the party, who far exceeded her companions in the beauty and grace of her person, advanced a few paces; and Isidore, unable to repress his admiration, exclaimed ment "Nymph-goddess-or whoever thou art who presidest over these groves! deign to bless with thy pardon the humble votary who, with unprivileged hand, has dared to awaken their sacred echoes." "I am neither nymph nor goddess," replied the maiden, "but the daughter of Clearchus, of Mitylene. Drawn hither with my companions by the sound of your lyre, we have strayed thus far in the hope of discovering whence it proceeded. 'Surely,' we said, 'some kind deity propitious to the arms of Athens, teaches us, whilst our warriors fight her battles abroad, to be forgetful of their absence, by filling with charms like these even the loneliest recesses of our woods.' But since we find it to be a mortal who is gifted with such powers, let us not, we implore you, be the means of interrupting your lay!" Touched by a speech, that in the most artless manner conveyed a reproach for past ingratitude to his country, Isidore hung his head and remained silent. He was soon conscious, however, that his silence might create surprise, if not a harsher feeling, and after a moment's hesitation he said "Happy must I deem myself, daughter of Clearchus, that my poor lyre has been thought worthy of a moment's attention by you and your fair companions. Will you suffer its chords to retard yet a while your departure ?" The maiden thanked him, and looking at her in soliciting yet one more song before their departure to their several homes. Isidore readily complied with the request; and he was about to sing in the same strain as formerly, when the daughter of Clearchus said, "Now you shall sing the deeds of heroes who have signalized themselves in the defence of Greece, and in her cause have conquered, or have fallen." This was a new stroke to the already awakened consciousness of his own degeneracy. Again it flashed across his mind, and, confused, he turned away his head, while a burning blush overspread his cheeks. He would, perhaps, to another have pleaded in excuse that his lyre accorded better with the lighter lays of the country, and that to sing the praise of heroes belonged to bards more renowned; but here he so much wished to obey, that, struggling with his emotion, he swept with a bolder hand the chords, and soon the unpremeditated verse arose to his lips. His song now embraced the actions of the great men of his country, from the earliest ages of her emancipation from barbarism, to the period when her sons resisted every effort of the Persian monarchy to deprive them of liberty -dearer to them than life. The sun's last rays were gilding the horizon ere Isidore ceased to sing. Rising hastily, each of his young auditors now proffered her thanks; but the thanks of the daughter of Clearchus were to him sweeter far than the rest. There was a touching grace in each look, in each movement of this Mitylenean maiden, which stole irresistibly to his heart. It was not alone the full dark eyes and fine symmetry of form, which she possessed in common with the rest of her countrywomen, that he admired in her; it was that in so fair a form he beheld an unaffected simplicity of manner, added to the dignity of native worth, that in her countenance he saw portrayed each passing sentiment of a mind enriched with every virtue, and a heart warm with every kind emotion, and pure as it was warm. All her companions were fair, from the majestic Lydia to the lively, laughing Helen; but, amid all these, the simple charms of the young Egiale shone as sweetly superior as does the lily of the valley amid her less lovely sisters of the field. As they purposed returning to the city, Isidore asked permission to accompany them; and during the walk he made himself known as an Athenian, and the son of Philip. On entering Mitylene, the friends of Egiale took leave in turn, as they approached their respective homes; and she only was left with Isidore to pursue their walk. They soon reached a house distinguished from those surrounding it by the un adorned simplicity of its appearance. Egiale stopped, and, turning to her companion, she said, "Will you enter? My father loves the Athenians." "To be introduced by you to a philosopher so renowned as Clearchus, is a pleasure which I cannot deny myself," he replied; and followed her into the house. In an inner apartment they found the philosopher. His aspect was mild, yet dignified; and his countenance beamed with benevolence. "My child," he said, "you have been long absent." Then observing Isidore, "Who," he continued, "is this stranger?" "Father," she replied, "it is the son of Philip of Athens whom you behold. He it is who, by means of his lyre, has detained my companions and myself so long in the wood. He now stands before you, to answer in his own defence to the charge laid against him." 66 Welcome," resumed Clearchus. "Thrice welcome, offspring of one so noble-minded." Isidore, advancing with modest ease, received the greeting of the philosoper; and his mien and countenance belied not the story of his birth. Seating herself, by the desire of Clearchus, they entered into conversation; and the youth listened with delight to the precepts of the sage, adorned with the graces and eloquence of the orator, and with the benevolence of the truly virtuous man. Egiale, from time to time, bore a part in the conversation; amd although she spoke little, and with modesty, the justness of her remarks convinced Isidore that if her appearance had led him to form a hasty judgment in her favour, he had not been deceived. He was charmed by her attention to her father. To please him seemed her sole study, as with filial tenderness she watched his looks, and tried every little art which might contribute to his gratification. They conversed long together, mutually pleased with each other, and not wishing to separate. Supper succeeded, and our hero was detained by the hospitality of Clearchus to partake of a simple but elegant repast. And when he afterwards rose to depart, he gladly accepted an invitation to repeat his visit. Returning home, he meditated on the occurrences of the day past, and felt that there was happiness to be found far from the noisy haunts of revelry, and the crowded scenes of dissipation. The next day he repaired at an early hour to the residence of Clearchus, and met from him a reception equalling in kindness that which he had received on the preceding evening. "Frequently, my son," he said, "have I heard the name of Philip ranked amongst those of the best and bravest of his countrymen. Let me then often see and converse with you, that I may hear the praises of the father repeated from the lips of the son." For Egiale, Isidore felt each moment his love and admiration increase. He marked with delight the affectionate assiduity evinced in all her conduct towards her father, and the reverence with which she listened to his words. She would often throw aside her embroidery, on a question being started by Clearchus, or the young Athenian, the import of which she did not perfectly comprehend, and would listen attentively, or, in artless terms, express her ignorance; and not until she had derived from her father's answer a clear conception of the subject of discourse, would she return to her occupation. The pleasure found here in an acquaintance so unexpectedly formed made Isidore promise faithfully to become a frequent visitor. Weeks, months passed away, and some portion of each succeeding day found him seated by his loved Egiale, and listening to the wise counsels of the philosopher. Emboldened by the kindness of the old man, he confessed to him by degrees the whole of his undutiful conduct towards his father; and owning that he had been much in fault, said that for the future he hoped by a more blameless conduct to expiate the follies of his past life. Clearchus heard him with interest, and replied "My son, there has been in your past conduct much to merit censure; but you confess that you have erred, and the acknowledgment of error should be the first step towards its renunciation. Since you begin to experience the fallacy of those pursuits in which you have hitherto sought for happiness, let your time and care be now given to worthier objects; and, believe me, to follow the dictates of wisdom and of virtue is the sole means of arriving at true happiness and renown. The soldier without the aid of wisdom will lose in the day of peace those laurels which courage may have gained for him in the field. The patriot who devotes his life to the service of his country, if wisdom be not the basis of his actions, will by them add little lustre to his country's name. And he who enters on the busy stage of life without a firm resolution to adhere to the dictates of wisdom and of duty, will find himself in the midst of dangers and difficulties without a guiding hand to support and strengthen him on his way, and will be a stranger to all the generous sentiments which adorn and ennoble man." Whilst the philosopher thus inculcated the principles of virtue, his life was a bright example of the precepts which he taught. His house too was the resort of the wisest and best of his fellow-citizens; and there Isidore frequently saw and conversed with them, and enjoyed in their society pleasures to which he had formerly been a stranger. Time at length, added to the lessons of Clearchus, had made a complete change in his character. He abandoned his former associates, he sought alone to render himself pleasing in the eyes of the truly great and good, and was emulous to excel only in such qualifications as adorn the heart, and give new vigour to the understanding. Whilst the old man beheld this change in his character with the delight of a parent or friend, our hero might perceive that it was regarded by the young Egiale with sentiments that had more of tenderness, if they were less disinterested. Thus to behold his most ardent wishes accomplished, whilst he had scarcely dared to hope for their realization-was happiness that would have repaid him for the sacrifice of every former pleasure, could he still have thought that sacrifice painful. But such á thought was far from his heart; there, one only passion, exclusive of those which the votaries of virtue feel when warm in the pursuit of her paths, now held a place; and that passion pure as the object which inspired it, was such as the |