The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 20, No. 566, September 15, 1832

In Short

This single issue of an 1832 British weekly periodical collects short historical sketches, philosophical dialogues, eyewitness accounts of the Napoleonic Wars, poetic tributes, and natural history notes. It progresses from ancient ruins and Voltaire's imaginary encounters to the chaos of Waterloo and the quiet dedication of an Alpine teacher. It endures as a vivid, unvarnished cross-section of what educated readers in the Regency and early Victorian eras found entertaining, informative, and morally uplifting.

The Story

The issue opens with a topographically detailed profile of Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire, tracing its origins from the Norman Conquest through King John's reign to the Civil War, when the Duke of Newcastle fortified it for the Crown before fleeing into exile. The narrative transitions into a whimsical, philosophical dialogue by Voltaire, in which Cicero’s daughter, Tullia, materializes in the chamber of Madame de Pompadour. Guided by the Marchioness and a cultured French Duke, Tullia marvels at modern inventions like mirrors, printmaking, watches, and coffee, eventually admitting that the modern era has surpassed ancient Rome in science, comfort, and the arts.

From light satire, the issue shifts abruptly to dramatic history via excerpts from a woman's private correspondence during the Year of Waterloo. She describes Napoleon’s quiet reentry into Paris in 1815, the nervous stillness of the Tuileries review, and the sudden, breathless call to arms at the Duke of Richmond’s ball in Brussels. The narrative paints a stark picture of the battle's aftermath: wounded soldiers trailing along dusty roads with reversed muskets, Belgian women begging for linen to make lint, and the heartbreaking death of Colonel C---- moments after declaring he is shot through the body.

Following the turmoil of war, the publication turns to quiet reflection and moral instruction. A literary tribute honors the exiled lives and tombs of Dante and Petrarch, paired with a long poem by Felicia Hemans exploring the fragile, spiritual nature of human love. This leads into an account of Eastern smoking customs, detailing the delicate preparation of rare tobaccos like Latakia and Salonichi for viceroys and pachas.

The issue then presents an inspiring narrative of Felix Neff, the "Apostle of the Alps." Neff establishes a grueling fourteen-hour daily school regimen in the frozen village of Dormilleuse, training young adults and future teachers on minimal funds. The issue closes with natural history notes on garden-destroying beetles and cuttlefish ink, alongside a miscellaneous miscellany of trivia detailing military pay rates, historical customs, and practical household advice.

How It Unfolds

The ruins of Bolsover The periodical opens with a structural and historical breakdown of Bolsover Castle, detailing its succession through Norman lords, medieval monarchs, and the loyalist Duke of Newcastle. The physical decay of the fortress sets a reflective, historical tone for the entire issue.

An ancient in Versailles Voltaire’s imaginary dialogue introduces Cicero’s daughter to the luxuries and technologies of eighteenth-century France. Through witty banter regarding furniture, chemises, and printing presses, the modern world proves its scientific superiority over ancient Rome.

The shadow of Napoleon A civilian woman records the sudden return of Napoleon to Paris and the sudden call to arms in Brussels. Her firsthand testimony captures both the glamour of marching Highland regiments and the bleak, agonizing reality of wounded soldiers returning from Waterloo.

Tombs and devotion A shift toward literature highlights the exiled deaths of Dante and Petrarch, followed by a poem on the anxieties of earthly love. These entries emphasize themes of resilience, grief, and spiritual devotion amid worldly suffering.

The Alpine classroom Pastor Felix Neff describes his rigorous educational campaign in the snowbound village of Dormilleuse. Teaching reading, writing, and geometry to isolated mountaineers, he details how meager funds achieved profound community transformation.

Curiosities and miscellany The issue finishes with naturalists' observations regarding destructive garden beetles and the properties of cuttlefish ink. A final gathering of facts offers readers bite-sized nuggets on British military expenses, tea-making tricks, and civic traditions.

The People

The Duke of Newcastle A royalist commander during the English Civil War who raised an army at his own expense. Lacking military skill, he suffered a crushing defeat at Marston Moor, fled into European exile, and spent his final years in retirement writing books on horses.

Tullia The daughter of the Roman orator Cicero, transported across time into a French salon. Arrogant yet curious, she initially boasts of Roman supremacy but is gradually humbled by modern innovations like mirror glass, printing, and global navigation.

Felix Neff A devoted Protestant pastor and educator known as the "Apostle of the Alps." He sacrifices his health in the harsh climate of Dormilleuse, working grueling fifteen-hour days to educate isolated mountain youths and establish local schools.

Madame de Pompadour The host of the imaginary French salon who receives Tullia. She represents modern grace and refined taste, gently introducing the ancient Roman lady to the conveniences and social customs of eighteenth-century France.

In Its Own Voice

"The whole pile is now wearing away. Trees grow in some of the deserted apartments, and ivy creeps along the walls; though the ruins have little of the picturesqueness of decay."

An opening note describes the physical decline of Bolsover Castle after centuries of military and aristocratic history.

"'I am shot through the body--adieu for ever!' He left me petrified with horror, and I saw him no more!"

A civilian witness records the final words of Colonel C---- as he arrives wounded from the battlefield of Waterloo.

"Our youthful anchorites were lodged gratuitously by the people of Dormilleuse, who also liberally supplied them with food for fuel, scarce as it was..."

Pastor Felix Neff describes the communal sacrifices required to keep his winter mountain school operating.

What It's Really About

This issue is fundamentally about the tension between human ambition and the passage of time. Whether examining the overgrown walls of a Norman castle, the collapse of Napoleon’s empire, or the forgotten tombs of exiled poets, the text repeatedly illustrates how worldly glory fades into ruin or historical memory. Against this backdrop of decay and conflict, the publication offers a quiet counterweight: the enduring value of intellectual progress, moral duty, and selfless service. The modern world may surpass the ancients in technology and warfare, but true human achievement is measured in the preservation of knowledge and the elevation of isolated communities like Dormilleuse.

Why Read It Today

This issue offers a fascinating, untamed look at the nineteenth-century popular mind. Reading a period miscellany like The Mirror feels like stepping into a historical cabinet of curiosities, where grand geopolitical drama sits side-by-side with practical home advice and satire.

The prose varies wildly in style, ranging from Voltaire's crisp, cynical dialogue to the dramatic, emotional journal entries written in the immediate wake of Waterloo. Modern readers should be prepared for archaic spelling, dense historical references, and an unabashedly moralizing tone, particularly in the poetic and educational sections. There are no overarching narrative threads connecting the pieces; it demands a reader who enjoys browsing eclectic topics rather than following a single plotline. It remains a deeply rewarding read for history enthusiasts, offering an authentic taste of what educated readers digested over breakfast on a September Saturday in 1832.