The only authorities employed about the prison are a jailer, secretary, and eight guards; of the latter three are always on duty; one of them being stationed at the first iron gate at the entrance of the prison, another at the second gate, and a third to attend the interior, each with a bunch of keys in his hand, which serve for nearly all the doors. The guards are relieved every night at nine o'clock, when, the man who is posted at the outer door carries a strong iron rod (see the Engraving) with which he strikes every bar in the windows and gates of the gaol; and if any one of them does not vibrate, or ring, he carefully inspects it to ascertain whether it has been cut with a saw, or corroded by any strong acid. This dismal music lasts an hour. The whole expense of the prison to government does not exceed 16s. per day, and the few officers and guards, when Mr. Young was there, manage upwards of four hundred prisoners. He was confined from June 16, to September 7, and his account of the myriads of bugs, rats, mice, and other vermin is truly disgusting. The reader will however readily credit this report when he has been told of the revolting state of the city itself. Mrs. Baillie, in her recent Letters on Lisbon, says, "for three miles round Lisbon in every direction, you cannot for a moment get clear of the disgusting effluvia that issue from every house." Doctor Southey says "every kind of vermin that exists to punish the nastiness and indolence of man, multiplies in the heat and dirt of Lisbon. In addition to mosquitoes, the scolopendra is not uncommonly found here, and snakes sometimes intrude into the bedchamber. A small species of red ant likewise swarms over every thing sweet, and the Portuguese remedy is to send for the priest to exorcise them." The city is still subject to shocks of earthquake; the state of the police is horrible; street-robbery is common, and every thief is an assassin. The pocket-knife, which the French troops are said to have dreaded more than all the bayonets of either the Spanish or the Portuguese, is here the ready weapon of the assassin; and the Tagus receives many a corpse on which no inquest ever sits. The morals, in fact, of all classes in Lisbon appear to be in a dreadful state.

THE CARD

A TALE OF TRUTH

(For the Mirror.)

Young Lady Giddygad, came down From spending half a year in town, With cranium full of balls and plays, Routs, fêtes, and fashionable ways, Caus'd in her country-town, so quiet, Unus'd to modish din and riot, No small confusion and amaze, "Quite a sensation," is the phrase, Like that, which puss, or pug, may feel When rous'd from slumber by your heel, Or drowsy ass, at rider's knock, Or–should you term him block; Quoi qu'il en soit, first, gossips gape, Then envy, scandalize, and ape! Quoth Mrs. Thrifty: "Nancy, dear, My Lady sends out cards I hear, With, I suppose, 'tis now polite, Merely 'At Home,' on such a night, Now child, altho' I dare not say We can afford to be so gay, We're as well born as Lady G– And may be, as well bred as she! That is, quite in a sober way So as we've nothing more to pay: For instance, when folks choose to come, And I don't choose to be 'At Home,' I'll have a notice stuck, you know, On the hall door, to tell them so: 'Twill save our Rachel's legs you see, And soon the top will copy me! But, Nancy, d'ye hear, now write That I'm 'At Home' on Thursday night; 'Tis a good fashion, for 'tis what Most fashions in this age are not A saving one: ah, prithee think, How it saves time, and quills, and ink!" So, duteous Nancy seiz'd a pen, To ladies, and to gentlemen Sent quickly out the cards; as quick Came one again: "Poh! fiddlestick An answer, yes?—come, let me see, My spectacles!" cried Mistress T– "Hum—Mrs. Thrifty,—Thursday night—'At Home'—oh malice! fiendish spite," (Quoth the good dame in furious ire, Whilst the card, fed the greedy fire) "No, never, never, will I strive To be genteel, as I'm alive, Beneath my own 'At Home' was cramm'd, There stay, good madam, and be d—d!" 2

M.L.B.

MAHOMET THE GREAT AND HIS MISTRESS

An Anecdote

(For the Mirror.)

After the taking of Constantinople by the Turks, in the year 1453, several captives, distinguished either for their rank or their beauty, were presented to the victorious Mahomet the Great. Irene, a most beautiful Greek lady, was one of those unfortunate captives. The emperor was so delighted with her person, that he dedicated himself wholly to her embraces, spending day and night in her company, and neglected his most pressing affairs. His officers, especially the Janissaries, were extremely exasperated at his conduct; and loudly exclaimed against their degenerate and effeminate prince, as they were then pleased to call him. Mustapha Bassa, who had been brought up with the emperor from a child, presuming upon his great interest, took an opportunity to lay before his sovereign the bad consequences which would inevitably ensue should he longer persevere in that unmanly and base course of life. Mahomet, provoked at the Bassa's insolence, told him that he deserved to die; but that he would pardon him in consideration of former services. He then commanded him to assemble all the principal officers and captains in the great hall of his palace the next day, to attend his royal pleasure. Mustapha did as he was directed; and the next day the sultan understanding that the Bassas and other officers awaited him, entered the hall, with the charming Greek, who was delicately dressed and adorned. Looking sternly around him, the Sultan demanded, which of them, possessing so fair an object, could be contented to relinquish it? Being dazzled with the Christian's beauty, they unanimously answered, that they highly commended his happy choice, and censured themselves for having found fault with so much worth. The emperor replied, that he would presently show them how much they had been deceived in him, for that no earthly pleasure should so far bereave him of his senses, or blind his understanding, as to make him forget his duty in the high calling wherein he was placed. So saying, he caught Irene by the hair of her head, which he instantly severed from her body with his scimitar.

G.W.N.

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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 400, November 21, 1829

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THE CARD

A TALE OF TRUTH

(For the Mirror.)

MAHOMET THE GREAT AND HIS MISTRESS

An Anecdote

(For the Mirror.)

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