my companions were of an odd cast and variety; our conversation was kept up with spirit and vivacity; and, overlooking one or two trivial and unavoidable occurrences, my time passed away without tediousness, and when I reached the place of my destination, I could but regret that my travel was completed,

I have often looked back in my thoughts upon that time; and my indulgent readers will perhaps be amused by my giving a brief sketch of my companions, and of their chit-chat on this occasion. I had taken and paid for a snug place in the inside of the coach, and accordingly proceeded with due etiquette to take possession of my post. Midnight was the hour of setting off; and one of those beings who assume so much importance about an inn, and who are in such constant demand, yeleped Boots, had been procured to convey my luggage and great coat along the streets. He might have been my servant and I a lord or knight, for we bustled up to the coach with such an air of importance and consequence, as to attract the attention of those present. The guard was called and desired to deposit the articles safely; and after paying Mr. Boots for his services, I took my situation in the carriage. In a few moments we drove away.

There were four of us in the coach; but owing to the darkness I could not make a reconnoitre as to their appearance, &c. I threw myself back and observed a consistent muteness with my companions. A short time had elapsed when I heard (from a strong and stifled breathing, which I soon expected would swell into clamorous snoring), that one of my mates had swooned into the arms of Morpheus. My anticipations were answered, for presently, the sleeper heaved a deep sigh, the gust of which could not have been exceeded, had it had its origin in a ponderous and over-swelled bellows; then succeeded a regular snore. This sort of music might possess many charms; such great numbers indulge in it for my part, it always puts me in recollection of a farm yard or the dwelling place of little murmuring porkers, whose cadences may possess great peculiarity and beauty, but my bad ear or debased taste, or what you will, prevents me from discerning the worth of the sonorific charmers. On stopping to change horses, one of the party, who

sat next to me, got out; on his return he said he had been to get a potion of aquæ vitæ, in order to rouse the lagging spirits and to keep his stomach in good tone. By the light which issued from the lanterns of the hostlers, I could, observe that the sleepy gentleman was elderly, and had long since shrunk by the gripe of time, and carried age and wrinkle on his brow. Next to him sat a female, but as to her lineaments, I could not trace them: she, however, seemed to take consideration for her lagging spirits also, and actually uncorked a small Aasket of spirits, and with ingenuous calmness applied it to her mouth. It was well that the doors were open, or the smell arising therefrom would have been intolerable. Perhaps she imagined that this indulgence would be prosecuted without our observing it; sleep, and a mirky atmos phere might have prevented it certainly; and I wish it had, on my part, for to see a woman indulging over the spiritbottle, is certainly to witness the fairest form of creation make a beast of itself. The doors were again closed, when the exhalations from the impregnated mouths ofmy companions met myolfactory nerves at every inspiration, and they quickly filled the place with their odoriferous breathings.

This fragrance awoke the old gentleman's irony, for he observed that the windows had better be wide open, as closeness could not be healthful-whether in the black-hole of Calcutta, or in a room of well-stowed topers. The female said that the air, though very cold, would be felt refreshing. 'Yes' remarked the former, it is always found to be so by persons that are over-heated: a chill wind will allay the cuticular vapours and cool the fervour of the aqua fortis that may have settled on the tongue? To this pointed allusion, our petticoat passenger was silent; but I did not envy her feelings-though I imagined from what I had observed that they were not very vulnerable or refined. 'You dont like confinement'; said my left hand neighbour, addressing himself to the old gentleman, 'and consequently would not advocate a slave trade; for the condition of these wretches in their transportation from one country to another, is of extreme closeness.' Ay,' rejoined the other, cruelly close; nor have they often that allowed them which

would quench the parching of their throat; they are strangers to French brandy and such delicacies, and will even rejoice if they can moisten their mouths' by licking off the steam of their own breaths, which may hang in drops upon the vessel's sides!

It is singular how a cursory remark will sometimes produce a long and protracted conversation. On this occasion the several interesting particulars, which have for long been handled by the public, concerning this odious traffic, was discussed; and I was not deficient in my mite of observations. It is to the philanthropic spirit which prevails over the people of England, that must be attributed the abatement of slave selling; and particularly of the severe and inhuman treatment which they were accustomed to receive. Bartered for, as we might barter for iron or wool, these poor wretches were dragged from the home of their hearts and the circle of their affections; and, under cruel and unfeeling masters led in chains to the ship which should convey them to aggravated slavery, or be the hovel of their premature death. In it, each of them received a partial piece of room-the size of which was so small that we should think it is capable of affording room for existence alone there they were jammed together

a prey to filthiness and victims of disease. Here, weighed down beneath shackles, and cramped by their chains, they were doomed to suffer without redress; and every groan that was compelled irresistably from their breasts, found no ear of mercy, and no compassionate response in the bosom of their oppressors. Death pitied the agonies of some, and gave liberty to their souls; but those poor beings who survived the voyage, had yet manifold sufferings to undergo. Though emaciated in form, and bereaved of their wonted physical energy, they were consigned over to the task-masters, and goaded on, by cruelty and lashes, to perform a labour at which nature and humanity recoiled.

Time slipped unregretted away, while we each elicited our opinions and recited our anecdotes and relations on this subject. My friends seemed humane, and well informed. They poured upon the names of Pitt and Wilberforce, a warm eulogium; and appeared anxious for a total abolishment of this disgraceful and unnatural traffic.

Conversation did not lag; and since our tongues had once gained a freedom, they did not lie idly still. From grave we passed to merry subjects; after indulging in a sigh, we broke into laughter. Literature did not escape our strictures, nor did bards and essayists rest from our scrutiny. Writers,' said the old gentleman, 'come upon our notice as a flock of wild geese would do; we see them, and hear their screams, but we cannot count their number, or discover the tints of each one's plumage, or tell which of them is most vociferous: nor can we pretend to enumerate all who wield the pen, or digest and read all that scribblers chuse to issue forth. It would be impossible to keep pace with the prolixity of writers; they astound our ears by their clamour, but we are unable to pay attention to what each has to observe: and as to their character and worth, and whether their skin is pure or Ethiopian, we might employ a string of emissaries, and waste our days and nights in the search, and yet, after all our efforts, we should not advance our knowledge one jot, but rather increase our perplexity and confusion.'

'So

Knowledge is spreading itself extensively over the world,' said the gentleman on my left, it is not contracted and immured in colleges and seminaries, but visits the tenements of the poorest, and is within reach of the humblest.' far all is well,' replied the other, 'and I would have knowledge disseminated widely and freely; but it is my opinion, that reading will not always instil virtuous principles, and that much of the philosophy which is wafted abroad, is wrongly understood, and put to a wicked purpose. The heart of the ignorant must be mended: new principles-the principles of religion and truth-must be sown; and this will be better effected by the instruction of the gospel, than by all the glittering and high-sounding hypotheses of modern philosophers. To be good-is to be wise; and this wisdom alone will create happiness.'

Many more judicious remarks upon education and writers were broached. Society, and the good of society, was considered on all points; and we canvassed and considered most topics of public interest. We arrived at an inn to breakfast; and there our chit-chat was consistent with harmony and plea.. sure. I had then an opportunity of

looking over my friends. The female was a woman of about thirty; she seemed respectable -as we might judge from her apparel-but totally void of conver sation or address to gain her the appellative of lady. She, however, made tea for us. My fair readers, I trust, will forgive my remarks upon one small act of this member of their species: it is a failing to which persons of both sexes are addicted, but, when yielded to by a woman, it is truly detestable. I have no doubt but she suffered much mortification on being discovered; and she seemed to carry a blush of shame upon her cheek, during the time of breakfast The old gentleman was venerable in his appearance, and carried majesty in his air. He seemed calculated to command respect; and his observations were all accompanied by a fitting tone and ges-ture, that gave to them weight and importance. He was well versed in ancient and modern lore; and had read to advantage. Replete with anecdote, he made his friends merry around him; but he appeared tenacious of our becoming over free. The other person was young. He was good-looking, and had a fine and expressive countenance. His air was refined and gentlemanly, though spoiled at times by a light and flippant demeanour. These things, however, I forgot for awhile in his engaging talk, and good-natured urbanity.

As I had then reached the place of my errand, I did not proceed with my friends. A few compliments of courtesy passed between us, and we parted.

Coaches in England are comfortable, and frequented by the best of persons. In them, we may often find the wit, the philosopher, the divine, the man of business, or the wealthy; and females, whose society is mostly to be courted, and is generally so very interesting, do not unfrequently embellish and enliven the inside of a coach. The comforts of travelling are thereby enhanced, and time is not counted with langour and tediousness where the mind is engaged by surrounding objects, from whom we derive pleasure, and whose talk is full of vivacity and interest.

Anecdote. Milton was asked by a friend, whether he would instruct his daughters in the different languages? to which he replied, "No, sir, one tongue is sufficient for a woman."

SIR,

TO THE EDITOR.

Amongst the various forms which superstition has adopted for the more ostensible display of its own sanetity, no one appears to me so marked as that of monastic seclusion from the du ties and cares of life; and amongst the various shapes which enthusiasm assumes, there is none so fierce or so much to be dreaded as that which is supported by the awful sanction of the prevailing religion. The wars undertaken with pretensions of this kind have depopulated more empires, and laid more cities in ashes, than those whose single object has made itself any other plea; and no wars, even religious ones, have ever been supported with such enthusiasm, or raged with such infuriated and revengeful passions, as those undertaken about the close of the eleventh century by the Christian States of Europe, for the purpose of wresting the Holy Sepulchre out of the hands of the infidel Saracens. Monarchs left their kingdoms, prelates forsook their episcopal charges, the rich sold their estates to enlist under the holy banners, and the force of combined Europe was transported into Palestine to accomplish this undertaking which the church bad denomi nated "holy" and "glorious "

Two bodies, or fraternities, were formed about the same time, who, to the military duties of the knighthood, united the regular canonic form of discipline. The one, from their taking up their residence near the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, (at which time they consisted only of nine persons,) obtained the appellation of" Knights Templars;" the other," Knights of St. John of Jerusalem," and more frequently the

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Knights Hospitallers," Amongst these two fraternities, the most renowned warriors of that period felt proud to be enrolled; and so far as military glory was an honour to any body of men, that honour certainly was due to the Templars and the Hospitallers.

Through the fame the Templars had acquired by their valour, and the popnlarity of that cause they espoused, they soon became general favourites with the monied devotees of the period, and in after years became the richest of all the canonical bodies of that or any other age.

The principal nobility of Europe having become members, and their estates making part of the common possession, they were enabled to build a most gorgeous house in London, and preceptories in various parts of Christendom, all of which were on the plan of that in Jerusalem.

That in London was nearly opposite to Gray's Inn, in Helborn, on the site of which was afterwards built Southampton House, and now Southampton Buildings. This structure was called THE OLD TEMPLE. As they increased in opulence, they purchased ground to erect a more magnificent structure, opposite New Street, (now Chancery Lane) and it was distinguished by the name of THE NEW TEMPLE. Such was its rank and importance, that not only parliaments and general councils were frequently held there, but it was a general depository or treasury for the most eminent persons of the kingdom, as well as the place in which were kept the jewels of the crown.

When the Templars found that they bad ("like unto a swarm of bees," says a writer of that period) a colony to dispose of, they sent them to some one of their estates to form a new establishment, under the direction of a governor or preceptor, accountable to the chief in London; hence these dependant cells have received the name of ' preceptories.' They had in England these preceptories at Dover, Canterbury, Bristol, Cambridge, Temple Newsome, near Leeds, and other places.

Their profession obliged them, "1st. To serve christ after the manner of canons regular; they were habited in white, and their uppermost garments was of red cloth worn crosswise. And to show they were not ashamed of the doctrine of the cross, they are for the same reason pourtrayed and carved with their legs; and also the arms of some of them forming a saltier cross. 2. They professed not only to believe but to defend christian religion, the holy land, the pilgrims going to visit the sepulchre of our Lord; for which reason they are represented in armour like a torse or rope, and close twisted about their limbs and head, except the face, and with swords in their hands."

At the time of the general persecution which this unhappy fraternity (partly provoked by their hangbty intolerance,

without doubt) were subjected to, num bers of innocent and heroic knights suffered in the flame, with the constancy of martyrs; amongst these John de Molai, grand master of the order was burnt at Paris 1313. Such cruelties were exercised on these brave men to extort confession from them of supposed crimes with which they were charged, that the grand master was impelled by the violence of the torture to confess things of which there was good evidence he was not guilty; but when he came to the stake, he boldly retracted all he had said, asserted the innocence of the order, and with his last breath cited Pope Clement V. to answer it in forty days at the tribunal of heaven. The Pope died within the time, and Philip the fair (one of the principal of bis persecutors) and others of his most distinguished associates in this diabolical tragedy did not escape the divine jus tice for their crimes and cruelties.

In consequence of Pope Clement's bull directed to Robert Winchelsea, Archbishop of Canterbury, and to bis suifragans, the knights Templars of London, were summoned to appear before Ralph de Baldock, bishop of that diocese, to answer to charges of heresy &c. of which none could be found; but they were compelled to perpetual penance in various monasteries, though more virtuous, probably, than the judges who had consigned them to such punishment. To the credit of William de Granfell, Archbishop of York, be it remembered that out of compassion to their distressed situation, be disposed of those within his diocese into several monasteries, and commanded that they should be supplied with necessaries as long as they lived.

Concerning the odious charges which has made the ground work of the persecution they suffered, Dr. Whitaker remarks "a cup was found here (Temple Newsam) which had evidently belonged to the Templars, the motto of which, though, if I perfectly understood it, very decent, served to vindicate the Knights of this house, from the most .odious part of the charge preferred against them. I should not have mentioned this circumstance but as a matter of evidence in favour of an oppressed and calumniated fraternity."

After all they suffered and after all that has been urged against this body of

gallant men, there can be no doubt but their riches constituted their chief crime. The nine thousand manors they possessed in England, and the twelve thousand in France, made the suppression a profitable speculation to his holiness and his minions the kings and priests of the different countries where the Templars were settled. Even during the time that this body was nominally protected in England, and when, indeed, they were considered so capable of defending themselves that their preceptories were made the depositaries of the money and moveable valnables of the nobles and barons, in turbulent times, a most despotic depredation was committed on their house in London, in 1283. Edward I. taking with him Robert Waleran and others, went into the Temple, where calling for the keeper of the treasure house, as if he intended to view his mother's jewels which were kept there, gained admission into the treasury, and having broken open the coffers of different persons who had placed money &c. there for safety, took away one thousand pounds.

At the dissolution of the order in 1312, the lands escheating to the King, in whose hands they remained till 1323, when they were by act of Parliament confirmed to the Knights "Hospitallers of St. Johns." Yet there is ground to believe that the richest manors were reserved by the King and the principal nobles for their own use. The Temple in London was given to Thomas Earl of Lancaster, and Temple Newsam(to which we refer not merely for its local interest but also for its own importance)was given to Sir John Darcy, ancestor of the Earl of Holderness and other distinguished families, and his heirs for ever, by Edward III.

What Sir Walter Scott's opinion as to their guilt or innocence is, we cannot exactly determine from his Ivanhoe; but he seems. so far as I can gather from that amusing romance, to adopt the supposition of their guilt in the particular of their unnatural criminality. Such, at least it appeared to me when I read it, which was immediately after its publication. Indeed, Sir Walter, though he has made his Templar a man of undoubted courage, seems to have painted him such merely to show the prowess of the hero of the tale, the disinherited Knight of Rotherwood.

The Templars possess a local interest to the inhabitants of this neighbourhood,

from having given the names to several portions of our town. Timble, Temble, or Temple Bridge near the parish church, so called from having been the passage from Leeds to the Old Temple (“ a place for sure much frequented in those times of superstition" says Thoresby) at Temple Newsam.—Templai's Street, North Street, from being built upon ground which was formerly in possession of that body, and still having attached to it their privileges and immunities—an exemption from the soke of the King's mills. The manor of Whitkirk having been a part of the possession of the Hospitallers, is also exempt.

If you judge these few brief notices of a body, the history of whom would occupy a volume, sufficiently interesting, you will oblige me by inserting them in the first vacant corner you have in the Babbler.

Yours &c.
Leeds, January 28th, 1822.

ON TEA.

T. S. D.

(Concluded from our last.) 4. The first rule to be adopted is, to avoid the high priced and high flavoured teas, which generally owe their flavour to pernicious ingredients, and to prefer those which have been prepared in a simpler manner. The green teas owe their colour and flavour, either to the leaves being plucked when young, or to some noxious mode of preparation; for they disagree with numbers of people, and even a single cup will occasion sickness and other unpleasant symptoms. In a view to wholesome diet, those sorts of tea, the infusions of which are of a dark, and not of a green colour, and which go under the general name of

The only advantage which is now derivable from inhabiting premises standing on ground included in the limits of this ancient fraternity's possessions, is a freedom from the soke of the King's Mills-or in other words, a power to grind wheat and malt, or to purchase them ready ground where the inhabitants of Leeds pleases. Formerly there was a common bakehouse, which had the same feudal authority as the Mills, but this has been long abolished; and it is highly desirable that this last remnant of ancient bondage should follow its example, as we are obliged to pay the highest market price for the very worst flour that can possibly be procured, and subjected to a penalty if we do not. Is this consistent with the present state of English feeling and of English justice?

If, however, a person does not place upon his house the double saltire cross, the badge of the order, within a limited time after its erection, he is deprived of the advantage of grinding and purchasing where he pleases.