The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 12, No. 333, September 27, 1828

In Short

Published in late September 1828, this issue of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction offers a rich cross-section of contemporary popular culture, antiquarian curiosity, and travel writing. It guides readers from the mysterious round towers of Scotland and the sprawling commotion of Stirbitch Fair to the romantic caverns of Matlock and the quiet, feline-filled room of Swiss painter Gottfried Mind. Blending practical knowledge, literary notes from northern Europe, and vivid social anecdotes, the volume preserves the intellectual tastes and everyday diversions of early nineteenth-century readers.

The Story

The issue opens with an antiquarian investigation into the ancient round towers scattered across Scotland and Ireland, focusing on the stone structure at Brechin and debating whether these architectural relics served to preserve the sacred fires of the Druids. Shifting abruptly from ancient solemnity to modern commerce, the pages transport the reader to the sprawling expanse of Stirbitch Fair near Cambridge. Here, the text details the ceremonial procession of the mayor and corporate body, followed by a lively catalog of the chaotic marketplace—ranging from theatrical booths and cheese stalls to luxurious displays of London-fashion draperies and hardware. The journey into the fair concludes inside the Robin Hood suttling booth, where newcomers undergo a theatrical and absurd initiation ceremony involving a mock trial, a bell, and a bowl of punch.

From the English countryside, the focus expands internationally to the literary landscapes of Denmark and Sweden, highlighting dramatists like Samsoe and the celebrated poetry of Esaias Tegner, alongside a brief, lighthearted poetic tribute to the simple pleasures of snuff-taking and hearty dining. The topographical eye then fixes upon Matlock Baths in Derbyshire, describing its dramatic rocky vales, subterranean crystal caverns, and the nearby gardens and historic estates.

A significant biographical portrait follows, charting the singular life of Gottfried Mind, a Swiss artist renowned for his exquisite watercolor drawings of cats and bears. The narrative traces Mind's harsh upbringing, his refuge in Pestalozzi's academy, his long apprenticeship under Freudenberger, and his eccentric domestic habits surrounded by animal companions, culminating in his quiet death in 1814. Interspersed cultural commentaries touch upon French opera, the practical simplification of mathematics, and a humorous linguistic anecdote regarding the culinary term "poor-man-of-mutton" linked to an eccentric English earl.

The volume then transports the reader abroad once more, presenting a detailed eyewitness account from Dr. Granville's travels of a traditional Russian wedding in St. Petersburg, complete with ancient ecclesiastical rites, crowns, and late-night festivities. Winding down its diverse offerings, the collection shares entertaining biographical anecdotes about the formidable scholar Dr. Parr and his uncompromising demands for pipe-smoking in polite society, before concluding with miscellaneous notes on Parisian matrimonial agencies, German temperance regulations, and a comprehensive publisher's catalog of affordable British novels.

How It Unfolds

The ancient towers The volume begins by examining the enigmatic round towers of Scotland and Ireland, paying special attention to the stone structure at Brechin. It weighs various antiquarian theories regarding their construction, ultimately highlighting their possible connection to ancient religious rites.

The bustling fair The narrative shifts to the noisy, sprawling expanse of Stirbitch Fair near Cambridge, cataloging its colorful pageantry and vast commercial stalls. It details the chaotic sensory environment of the marketplace, from theatrical booths and cheese markets to the boisterous initiation rituals practiced in the suttling tents.

Northern literature and local verse Turning toward international culture, the text surveys the prominent literary luminaries of Denmark and Sweden, including the romantic works of Esaias Tegner. This literary interlude is lightened by whimsical verse celebrating the sensory comforts of fine snuff and lavish dining tables.

The natural wonders of Matlock The focus moves to the picturesque topography of Matlock Baths, detailing its dramatic cliffs, subterranean crystal caverns, and manicured botanical gardens. The description captures the romantic atmosphere of the Derbyshire landscape and the architectural heritage of nearby Willersley Castle.

The life of Gottfried Mind A detailed biographical sketch introduces Gottfried Mind, a marginalized Swiss artist who found profound solace in the company of animals. The text chronicles his unique mastery over watercolor representations of cats and bears, painting a vivid picture of his eccentric, indoor existence.

Travels and social anecdotes The journey extends to St. Petersburg for a rich, ceremonial description of a traditional Russian wedding ritual observed by Dr. Granville. Finally, the volume closes with humorous anecdotes concerning the uncompromising pipe-smoking habits of Dr. Parr and a practical catalog of affordable British literature.

The People

The collection features several distinct figures whose ambitions and peculiarities animate the text. Gottfried Mind wants only to draw and live peaceably alongside his beloved animals, but his profound intellectual limitations, near-illiteracy, and a difficult, bear-like appearance stand in his way. He remains socially isolated yet finds contentment, spending his life rooted to a single stool, achieving artistic immortality through his exquisite portrayals of cats and bears before a pulmonary illness cuts short his life in 1814.

Dr. Samuel Parr wants absolute freedom to enjoy his pipe in any company, but social decorum, rigid aristocratic rules, and the occasional stubborn host block his path. He navigates these obstacles through sharp wit and relentless persistence, famously labeling an unyielding hostess the "greatest tobacco-stopper in England" to secure his humorous, if defiant, triumph.

Anna Ivanowna and Nicholai Demetrivich Borissow seek a lifelong union through marriage in St. Petersburg, where the pressures of elaborate social expectations and ancient ecclesiastical traditions surround them. During the ceremony, Anna successfully steps first onto a silken carpet to secure domestic mastery, moving gracefully through the lavish crown rites and banquets into a prosperous middle-class life. Meanwhile, historical figures like Esaias Tegner seek poetic immortality through verse, overcoming linguistic barriers to captivate international readerships across Sweden, Germany, and England.

In Its Own Voice

Reflecting upon the architectural mysteries of ancient Scottish structures, the author notes the specific physical dimensions of the Brechin landmark.

It consists of sixty regular courses of hewn stone, of a brighter colour than the adjoining church.

Describing the sensory overload experienced by visitors entering the perimeter of Stirbitch Fair, the text captures the clamor of the marketplace.

Your attention was attracted by flags streaming from the show-booths, suttling-booths, &c.; whilst your ears were stunned with the "harsh discord" of a thousand Stentorian bawlers, and the clang of jarring instruments of music.

Portraying the unique physical appearance and demeanor of the Swiss artist Gottfried Mind late in life, the review records a striking observation.

His countenance, especially in latter years, was a mixture of the bear's, the lion's, and the human, for most part of a dull brick-colour; so that many people, particularly children, were afraid to look at him.

What It's Really About

This volume explores the intersection of popular curiosity, antiquarian heritage, and the evolving fabric of nineteenth-century European society. It investigates how communities preserve their histories, whether through the silent stone architecture of ancient Irish and Scottish towers or through the vibrant, recurring spectacle of traditional country fairs like Stirbitch. Beneath its varied collection of travel writing, biography, and cultural critique lies a deep fascination with human individuality and expression. The text questions how art, literature, and social rituals bridge cultural divides—connecting a Swiss artist to his feline companions, uniting a St. Petersburg couple through ancient liturgy, or linking European readers to northern poetic traditions. It is ultimately an inquiry into the shared amusements and instructions that define an era.

Why Read It Today

Modern readers will love this volume for its remarkable window into the texture of daily life and intellectual inquiry in 1828. Reading it feels akin to browsing through an eclectic cabinet of curiosities, where a scholarly debate on Druidical fires sits comfortably beside a lively fairground brawl, a technical description of Derbyshire caverns, and a tender profile of a marginalized animal painter.

While contemporary readers may occasionally find the period's dense prose style, archaic phrasing, and lengthy antiquarian digressions demanding, these very elements impart an authentic historical flavor that rewards patience. What stays with you long after closing the book is the vividness of its human details—the sharp wit of Dr. Parr demanding his pipe, the astonishing dedication of Gottfried Mind sketching kittens from his stool, and the brilliant pageantry of a St. Petersburg wedding. It offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into what amused, instructed, and fascinated our forebears, reminding us that the human appetite for wonder, art, and shared storytelling remains timeless.