credible persons have assured me that they have seen some as big as their fist."

The venerable author of the History of Norway, Bishop Pontoppidan, who, from his having fallen into some little errors respecting krakens and sea-serpents, has long been unjustly stigmatised as a greedy swallower of the marvellous, is the first to show us by what a trifling circumstance the preceding writers, and the doctors of the Sorbonne, had been led to the conclusion that nature had departed from her ordinary course in the case of the barnacle. Speaking of the shell, the bishop says, "This peculiar creature is of about a finger's length and a half, and an inch broad, and pretty thick." It consists of two parts, the bishop tells us, the one end being composed of a soft, spongy, brown substance, attached by a hollow neck to the timber on which it usually is found, and the other end covered by a shell of two plates, smaller in size than a mussel shell. "When this shell is opened," continues the Norwegian prelate, "there is found in it the little creature reported to be a young wild-goose. Almost its whole substance, which is composed of small toughish membranes, represents some little crooked dark feathers, squeezed together, their ends running in a cluster; hence it has been supposed to be of the bird kind. At the extremity of the neck, also, there is something that looks like an extremely small bird's head; but one must take the force of imagination to help to make it look so; this I have constantly found on many examinations; and, in all mine inquiries, I cannot learn that any one has ever seen any thing more."

This is a case very like that of the three black crows. The shelled creature which yielded a lent goose for the doctors of the Sorbonne, that was neither flesh nor fowl, proves to be nothing but a part of a sea-insect of the molluscous order, and the whole foundation for the fallacy rested on such a resemblance to a feathered creature as it required a stretch of the imagination to discern. Yet sensible and learned men, going to look for the thing with the fallacy ready prepared in their heads, found no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that a marine insect was a young goose. Of the vast superstructure of writing and speculation raised upon this insignificant basis, we have given the reader a very slight outline; but more upon such a subject would be tedious. We shall quote only one other notable passage. It is from a whimsical work, entitled Franck's Northern Memoirs. Speaking of the Orkneys, the writer saith," Now that barnicles, which are a sort of wooden geese (!), breed hereabouts, is past dispute; and that they fall off from the limbs and members of the fir-tree is questionless; and those so fortunate as to espouse the ocean or a river, by virtue of the solar heat, are destinated to live; but all others, so unfortunate as to fall upon dry land, are denied their nativity."

The molluscous animals, or class of animals, which gave rise to all this nonsense, are well known at the present day, being termed cirripedes, and having a strong analogy to cuttle-fish. The barnacle, or bernicle, is a well-known species of the goose tribe. The anser leucopsis, or common barnacle, has a white forehead and throat, and is abundant on the western coasts of

Britain.

ABBOTSFORD.

MORE than one description of Abbotsford has appeared; but there is none in which it is described quite faithfully, or with the minuteness which it peculiarly calls for. I shall endeavour to supply the desideratum, to the best of my ability, and as far as a pretty careful study of the place will allow me.

not of his mind, but his fortune" [non ad animi, sed and so I will have my Bellenden windows." The
agelli, modum]. When one sees Abbotsford, he be- floor of the entrance-hall is of black and white He-
comes convinced that Scott did not build like a man bridean marble wrought in lozenge form, and the side
possessing sufficient wealth to carry out his wishes. walls are coated, to the height of seven feet, with a
Such as the house is, its best, or almost only good beautifully carved panelling of dark oak from the old
appearance, is from the opposite side of the vale, as kirk of Dunfermline. The roof is of stucco-work in
we approach it by the road between Edinburgh and imitation of the wainscoting, and comprehends a se-
Selkirk. There the turreted outline, seen over the ries of arches with dependent points, after the fashion of
trees, is somewhat interesting. The approach on the the ceilings of Melrose Abbey. Betwixt each arch is a
other side is much less so. We find here only a com- shield, and the central part of the roof is occupied in
mon gateway, and no porter's lodge, the exterior aspect this manner with the armorial bearings of Sir Walter
thus conveying an air of poverty, such as usually at- Scott's paternal and maternal ancestors, sixteen in
taches to things belonging to men who aim at more than number, being the complete quarterings of a man of
their fortune justifies, and have to pinch and spare on "gentle blood." Three shields, on the maternal side,
some articles, generally those of comfort. The mansion are blanks, and painted over with blue clouds, the
itself is externally a sad piece of patch-work-a small poet being unable to trace his pedigree in that line to
house extended into a large one, with miniature towers the full length of his spaces. "Nox-alta-premit"
and battlements, and stuck over every here and there ("oblivion has covered them") forms the appropriate
with carved stones, the fragments of other buildings, inscription on these blank shields. Two other rows
which have no business there, and degrade it to some- of escutcheons run along the sides of the roof, and
thing of the character of a rockery or a made ruin, present the heraldic distinctions of the families of Max-
all taste having been sacrificed for the sake of preserv-well, Douglas, Johnstone, Kerr, Elliott, and others,
ing a quantity of detached antiquities. Amongst whose names are set down in their proper places in
these uncouth objects, is a doorway half way up the deep red letters, having, on the whole, a fine and strik-
building, without approach, and leading to nothing- ing effect. An inscription running parallel with them
but then it belonged to some old house of note: tells you, in black-letter type and phraseology, that
another is a plain old headstone, ravaged away from a "These be ye coat armouris of ye clannis and chief
neighbouring village churchyard, where it once re- menne of name, quha keepit ye marches of Scotland
corded the virtues of a deceased shoemaker. Such in ye dayes of auld. Trewe war they in their tyme,
things, it will readily be owned, are unfitted to appear and in their defense God thaim defendyt."
on any part of the external walls of a gentleman's
country house. The notion which they give of what
we may call the domestic taste of Scott, is very start-
ling, and far from pleasing,

To come now to detail. A court before the house has the garden on the east, and is encircled on the other two sides by a wall, adorned internally by a trellised arbour covered with creepers. In niches of this wall we find numerous carved medallions from the old Cross of Edinburgh, and Roman heads in bas-relief from the ancient station of Petreia, now called Penrith. The garden is separated from the court by a very handsome colonnade, the arches of which are filled up with cast-iron net-work, and the cornice carved with flowers, after the fashion of one on the cloisters of Melrose. The floor of the court is partly gravelled and partly grassplotted, and presents two objects of interest, one on each side of the main door of the house. On the western side is to be seen a fine old stone fountain, the same which once had its station on the Cross of Edinburgh, and often played with wine at the entries of the sovereigns of Scotland in the days of old; while on the east side lies the effigy of Sir Walter's famous stag-hound, Maida, with the following inscription on the pedestal :

This

Maidæ marmoreâ dormis sub imagine Maida
Ad januam domini: sit tibi terra levis.
Englished by Sir Walter :-

Beneath the sculptured form which late you wore,
Sleep soundly, Maida, at your master's door.

An error in the Latin inscription, the first syllable of
"januam" being a wrong quantity, attracted atten-
tion, and made some noise in the world a number of
years ago. Mr Lockhart was the writer of the lines,
but Sir Walter generously took the blame of the slip
upon himself.

We must not forget that, outside the handsome
arched gateway of the court, is to be seen a pair of jougs,
brought from Thrieve Castle in Galloway, a seat of the
Douglasses. These jougs are simply two semicircles of
iron, which formed a species of stocks for the neck in
wall, in a way that must have been very uncomfortable
old times, offenders being pinned up by them to a
indeed. Over a side-door, outside the gateway, may
also be seen the sculptured countenance of honest
Tom Purdie, Scott's favourite henchman, with the
inscription, "Lord resave my sprit," upon an antique

stone below.

The house is situated in a northern angle of Roxourghshire, at about thirty-four or thirty-five miles from Edinburgh, and a somewhat less distance from the English border, near the road southwards by CarThe house itself comprehends the original cottage lisle. The very laudatory style in which it has been of small dimensions in which Washington Irving described, usually misleads those who have not seen found Scott living so contentedly in 1817, and, towards it, and therefore its first appearance is almost certain the east, the addition of larger bulk which he made to be disappointing. The edifice, which is of a whitish in 1821-2, when he conceived himself to be in the way of accumulating an ample fortune. It is chiefly sandstone, occupies a singularly inconvenient site on in the principal floor of this additional part that any the face of a rather steep hill, which slopes in a north- elegance is found. To begin with the beginning the westerly direction to the Tweed at its base, and forms hall-door is sheltered by a projected porch in the form one side of a narrow and by no means romantic vale. of an arch, copied from one in Linlithgow Palace. A The front of the house is to the hill, and is almost branch out above the head of the visiter as he passes pair of huge stag-horns are suspended under it, and close upon a public road, which winds along from into the entrance-hall, a large and lofty apartment Selkirk to Melrose, thus leaving a very circumscribed about forty feet long by half that breadth. The effect of piece of ornamental ground for an approach; while this room is grand and impressive. Two windows adthe rear of the structure, so far as not shrouded by a mit the light from the court, and these are high and rising plantation, has an outlook towards the valley ample, but at the same time so completely covered beyond. The position is, in fact, an error, much of filled with a sort of rich and red twilight even at with a variety of painted devices, that the hall is which is doubtless attributable to the way in which noon-day. Sir Walter called these windows his Belthe mansion was erected, no great edifice having been lenden ones, a phrase derived from the old war-cry of originally contemplated, and every effort after the Buccleuch, and rendered applicable by their containfirst being a struggle with unfavourable circum-taries" of the clan of Scott, namely, Lords Buccleuch, ing the heraldic blazonries of the "four great dignistances. The contriver of the place was also, no Montague, Polwarth, and Napier. The lower comdoubt, under a limitation which may be supposed to partments of each window contain the shields of eight have only been affected by the Earl of Dunfermline (a gentlemen of the same name, "of whom (says Sir great Scotch lawyer of two hundred years ago), when of arms. There is a little conceit in all this (he conWalter) I can muster sixteen bearing separate coats he caused to be inscribed on his very handsome house tinues), but I have long got beyond the terror of 'Lord, of Pinkie, that he built it "according to the measure, what will all the people say, Mr Mayor, Mr Mayor?

The hall, thus walled and windowed, contains a rich assortment of curiosities in the shape of cuirasses and suits of armour, helmets, shields, swords, lances, and other arms of all sorts and ages, flags, camp-kettles, cannon-balls, and numberless other articles, all of them interesting from antiquity or associations. Two prominent objects among these are a pair of erect figures in complete armour at the east end of the room. One of them presents a knight in full panoply, the suit, formed of large plates of shining steel, being a copy from one in the Tower of London, of the age of one of the last Henrys of England. A lance about twelve feet long is held by this figure, and also a sword, which last is a very curious relic. It is straight, narrow, and dark-coloured, having a very plain ap pearance until you examine it closely, when you find that it has once been the weapon of a king, and not unworthy of a king. The initials of Henry VIII. are upon it, and on the lower half is engraven a complete calendar of the days of the year. This has been a work evidently of immense labour, though one cannot see any great use in such a steel register. The other figure in armour is clad with pieces of various ages, and holds a most enormous two-handed sword, nearly the length of a man, which was got on Bosworth field. Such a weapon the Swiss are said to have used in fight, and certainly it would require a mountaineer of no common strength to wield it with effect.

On the side walls of the hall the visiter may behold two broken body-suits of Milanese chain-armour, composed of fine linked rings, of the kind that Cromwell is said to have worn under his dress. Two brightly-polished cuirasses, once borne on the breasts of Napoleon's cuirassiers, and a pair of beautiful French flags, form also conspicuous objects, being memorials of the field of Waterloo. Of the numerous mosstrooper helmets, executioners' swords, and the like, which cover the walls, it is unnecessary to speak in detail. Two cannon-balls from Flodden, the keys of the old Edinburgh Tolbooth, and Ralph Erskine's pulpit made into two small side tables, are the only relics of Flodden will bring to mind the unhappy other articles of interest which we shall specify. The time when the Flowers of the Forest were a' wede away" and the visiter may expect to be told, on looking at the Tolbooth keys, that these are the very articles which shut out from the light of day the erring but beauteous Effie Deans. Few will behold the relics of the old kirk of Dunfermline without remembering with interest the bold and famous dissentient by whose voice their substance has so often been thrilled, and whom a great party in our country reverence as their first guide and teacher. A memorial of a very different man is also here, and should not be overlooked. In the hall chimney, which is a beautiful model of one of the cloister-arches of Melrose, stands a massive grate, "which once belonged (to use Sir Walter's own words) to the old persecutor Bishop it all in all, one must admit that Sir Walter did not Sharpe, who was murdered on Magus Moor." Take deceive himself when, in the pride of his heart, he described to Terry his preparations for its embellishment, and exclaimed, "It will be a superb entrance gallery!" It is indeed so in every respect. tinuous with it on the east or north-east, we find first study of the poet-in short, the Lion's own den. The a sort of passage-closet, and then the writing-room or closet contains two notable objects, being figures in complete armour of Asiatic origin, the one a yellow Burmese suit of thick quilted stuff, and the other a of one of Tippoo Saib's body-guards at the capture of beautiful suit of chain-armour, taken from the body Seringapatam. The study is a small room, of some twenty or twenty-five feet square, furnished with books from ceiling to floor, and provided with a gallery, to render the higher shelves accessible. By a could come quietly from his bed-room to his work in door into the upper part of this gallery, Sir Walter the morning, and thus derived some help, no doubt,

Con

in-preserving his literary secret. Over the gallery railing are hung several skins of lions and "bearded pards, presents from Indian admirers. The furniture of the room is scanty, two chairs and a plain writing desk being nearly the extent of it. These, however, are remarkable articles. One of the chairs, a leathern arm one, is that in which Scott himself daily sat while" imping" so many "feathers on the wings of fame." The pen lies on the writing desk as he left it. The other chair is one of dark brown oak, made after an antique model in Hamilton Palace, and "covered with carved work representing rocks, heather, and thistles, emblematic of Scotland, and indented with brass, representing the Harp of the North, surrounded with laurels, targets, claymores, &c. The seat is covered with silk velvet." Mr Joseph Train, supervisor of excise, whose words have been here quoted, presented this chair to Sir Walter Scott. The following inscription, which is graven on a brass plate on the upright front of the chair, will tell what are the associations which render this article interesting." THIS CHAIR, made of the only remaining wood of the house at ROBROYSTON, in which the matchless Sir William Wallace was done to death by felon hand, for guarding well his native land,' is most respectfully presented to Sir Walter Scott, as a small token of gratitude, by his devoted servant, Joseph Train." Robroyston, near Kirkintilloch, was the house in which Wallace was seized when betrayed by the false Monteith.

In the eastern angle of the study, a small low door leads to a closet seven feet high, looking out on the garden, and having the purposed character of an ancient oratory, which is finely sustained by the painted glass of the window. In this closet we find most affecting memorials of the poet. His walking-stick, his woodman's axe, his yeomanry dress, and accoutrements, are hung upon the walls, and in a glass-case (which was found necessary to protect them from the over-ardent devotion of pilgrims) lie the last articles of attire which Sir Walter wore, consisting of a green country-coat with metal buttons, striped vest, and plaided trousers. His thick shoes and hat are likewise here, as well as his Celtic-Club uniform. These personal mementos of the poet rank among the most attractive objects in the building, and the nook in which they are kept corresponds well with the emotions which they are fitted to excite.

tures of Abbotsford, to pass over the chalk sketches of
Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, productions held in very
high estimation by the late owner. The most notice
able of these is a clever and amusing fancy drawing
of "Queen Elizabeth dancing disposedly" before Sir
James Melvil, the Scottish ambassador. To speak the
truth, however, this sketch treats the English queen
very unfairly. Elizabeth, at the time of the incident,
which is an historical one, was little more than thirty-
years of age, and, upon the whole, a comely and per-
sonable woman, to whom music and dancing were not
unsuitable amusements. The long, sharp nose, there-
fore, the pinched, wrinkled features, and the bony,
scraggy figure, which we observe in the drawing, may
make a very fit object of laughter, but form no fair
representation of Elizabeth of England, as she was
when she chose to go through her steps before Sir
James Melvil. However, the sketch is certainly an
admirable one in point of execution, and of conception
also, if we could only suppose the incident taking place
at a later period. The same ingenious gentleman
presented two or three other sketches of a similar
order to Sir Walter, illustrating the famous border
incidents of Harden's marriage with Muckle-mou'd
Meg of Elibank, the feast of the Spurs, and another
similar scene. They are all amusing.

We have mentioned the dining-room as the most
westerly of the four main apartments composing the
ground floor of Abbotsford, on the side of the Tweed.
But we ought not to have forgotten the existence be-
yond of a small breakfast parlour, which we shall take
leave to describe in the words of Mr Lake, an Ame-
rican visiter to Abbotsford. "It looks to the Tweed
on one side, and towards Yarrow and Ettrick on the
other; a cheerful room, the walls being thickly covered
with valuable and beautiful water-colour drawings,
chiefly by Turner and Thomson of Duddingstone
the designs, in short, for the magnificent work entitled
the Provincial Antiquities of Scotland.' There is
one very grand oil-painting over the chimney-piece, of
Fast Castle, by Thomson, alias the Wolf's Crag of the
Bride of Lammermoor, one of the most majestic and
melancholy sea-pieces I ever saw; and some large
black-and-white drawings of the Vision of Don Rode-
rick, by Sir James Steuart of Allanbank, are at one
end of the parlour. The room contains some queer
cabinets and boxes, and in a niche there is a bust of
old Henry Mackenzie, by Joseph of Edinburgh."
This description, though written a number of years
ago, is still applicable.

We now arrive, in the course of our jottings on Abbotsford, at the armoury, an apartment so-called on the eastern side of the dining-room. But, the remainder of this subject must be left over for another paper

FARCICAL CEREMONIES AT THE HAIHUNGA
IN NEW ZEALAND.

6

pean articles of dress were put, were, to say the least, certainly foreign to the intention of the manufacturer in Glasgow, if they came from that emporium of industry, or of London, if 'town made.. One gentle-> man sported a black worsted stocking on one arm, and a white sock on the other; his nether man was encased in a pair of inexpressibles, so arranged that the front buttoned up behind, leaving exposed to view an insertion in the seat, proving that the garment had not been repudiated too hastily by its original possessor. Another, whose sole article of dress was the apparition of a fashionable body coat, had encased his ample chest within it; but, though the perspiration streamed from every pore, this tight fit was buttoned, the wearer gasping for breath at each respiration he took; the rest of his person was in puris naturalibus. Another wore a shirt round his naked loins, as a a pastry-cook would an apron, and round his throat a pair of duck trousers was tied in lieu of a handkerchief. Another party had put on a woman's gown,.. whereas his lady (for we had the dear sex with us) sported the trousers of her spouse-a circumstance that, from the natural turn of her temperament, was far from inappropriate. Some other articles of faded apparel, shrunk from the stature of their former possessors by continual ablution, completed the ar rangements of the rest of this unique suite, who saw nothing inappropriate in their appearance, while, from its droll inconsistency, no European could refrain from laughter. The ladies had decorated their glossy ringlets with oil, and inserted the pretty flowers of the kaikátoa and towai in their beautiful tresses, which hung down their backs in profusion. They made no use of the red earth. With the exception of the lady in trousers, they had dressed themselves in gowns and check shirts, over which were thrown their native garments, woven from the silken flax, which descended in ample folds to their feet.

On these preparations being completed, the gentlemen loaded their guns, whose locks and butts had been carefully burnished, and on arriving in the vicinity of the village, discharged them. On the report reaching the ears of the villagers, a number of them rushed forth to ascertain, who the new comers were, and on learning that they were Europeans, a shout was raised, A white man! a white man ! (Epákàha! Epákàha 1) This cry was reverberated a thousand times among the inmates of the village, who rushed forth, waving boughs of trees, garments, and discharging their am munition, which was returned by our party. Between 2 the village and the place where we stood, a broad rivulet irrigated the valley, at the brink of which a number of our hosts presented themselves, vociferously insisting on carrying us across on their shoulders. The claimants for this dubious honour became so numerous and unruly, that we had nearly fallen from the crupper of one of these steeds, but finally got a safe passage across, some attending supporters keeping us up behind, while each leg and foot was detained in wise be contented. As we approached the village, a the custody of two stout fellows who would not othernumber of stout natives, wholly denuded of dress, rushed forward in a tumultuous manner to meet us, hallooing and roaring to the utmost extent of their dogs, those harbingers of joy and grief in a native also screeched in chorus a warm reception, and the well-practised lungs, a welcome (airamai!) The ladies village, with an instinct peculiarly refined, howled their welcome to the new comers, whose particular notes immediate followers of the head chief, who sat on the they recognised with affectionate avidity. On entering the village, a lane was formed of the ground with his back leaning against his hut, surflowing beards and grey heads attested the salubrity of the climate, and the fortune that had attended the the invariable custom of his people, sat in state to tribe in escaping from the lures and violence of their enemies. E'Ruku, the chief, in conformity with receive us, and though undistinguished by any peculiarity in dress from his attendants, his rank was easily recognised by the dignified bearing, acquired by an habitual exercise of authority. After pressing fication at the visit paid to him. The old gentlemen noses for a few seconds, the chief expressed his grati around also expressed much satisfaction at the pre

The other rooms of interest in Abbotsford lie on the side of the building looking to the water. Four rooms compose the suite, the dining-room on the west, followed towards the east by the armoury, drawing-room, and library, in succession. Passing towards the diningroom by the west end of the entrance-hall, the visiter traverses a part of the armoury (which runs across the house), and a small room, in which are miniatures and plate-likenesses of Lord Jeffrey, Professor Wilson, Sir A. Ferguson, Lord Kinedder, Prince Charles Stuart, Mrs Lockhart, Miss Anne Scott, and a few other persons... The dining-room is not large, but THE haihunga is a religious ceremony of the New handsome in appearance, having a ceiling and furni-Zealanders, designed to commemorate the actions of ture chiefly of oak (or an imitation of it), and one illustrious chiefs, and generally performed a year after ample bow-window to admit the light. The walls are the death of such chiefs, whose bones are on this crowded with paintings, among which one of the trunkless and bleeding head of Queen Mary of Scot- occasion disinterred, cleaned, and then exposed to land, said to have been taken by Amyas Canrood on the people had enjoyed the benefits of European interpublic view on a raised scaffold. Formerly, before the morning after her decapitation, has an especial interest attached to it, as well on account of the cele-course, a great number of slaves and wives belonging brity of the subject, as from the doubts entertained to the deceased were sacrificed at the haihunga; but regarding the existence of other authentic portraits this is now given up, and the ceremony itself would of this unfortunate princess. Of the authenticity of banquet and fair with which it is accompanied. Mr probably have been abandoned ere now, but for the the present beautiful painting, Sir Walter is said to Polack, author of a late work on New Zealand,* have satisfied himself, by inquiry, as far as that was possible. The face of Mary has the pallor of death attended many of these festivals, and in his work he upon it, but is at the same time wonderfully regular gives the following amusing account of one of them-rounded by a circle of venerable men, whose white in contour, and gives us a perfect idea of the early that of a much-esteemed warrior named Ti Koki :beauties of the victim of Elizabeth. Portraits of "Some native chiefs in our employment, who, be(on horseback), of Oliver Cromwell, of Sir Walter accompanied us. Taking advantage of the flood tide, Charles XII., of Fairfax the parliamentary general longed to the tribe giving the feast, invited and we rowed to the river Káuákáua, until it contracted Raleigh, of Thomson the poet, of James Duke of Monmouth and (a beautiful oval of) his wife Anne, so much in breadth, that we were obliged to make use Duchess of Buccleugh, of Nell Gwynn, of Henrietta of paddles; about a mile farther, the stream became Maria and her husband Charles I., and of Anne Hyde, too shallow for the boat, when the natives, who had Duchess of York, are among the most prominent of decked themselves in European duck frocks and the other oil paintings of the dining-room, some of trousers, stripped themselves of the latter, which they them being large half-lengths, and others small-sized left inside the boat, manually propelling it, thus full-lengths. The fact of Sir Walter having placed lightened, for the distance of a quarter of a mile; we were then obliged to land. Previously to proceeding them in his collection, not to speak of their intrinsic of the whity man,' whose presence was merits, argues much for the authenticity of all these to the village where the festival was to be held, dis- peculiarly agreeable, and whose tobacco was infinitely pieces, as he was careful in inquiring into the origin tant about half a mile, the natives stayed to arrange requested by the attendant chiefs. We presented more so. This favourite narcotic was immediately of every one of his curiosities. He received the most the hair of each other; and being all sons of chiefs, each of his surrounding nobles, until, instead of the their painting and dressing. The gentlemen arranged some to Ruku, who immediately gave a portion to, of them, besides, as presents from very high sources. A portrait of his own great-grandfather also deserves placed with the goût of connoisseurs the pluckedlion's share,' he retained not enough to satisfy an notice. This individual was named Beardie from his feathers of the albatross (uianui), gannet (tára), and infant. The venerable fathers were aware of this; having left his beard untrimmed after the execution other sea-fowl, in various parts. Red paint (kokowai), but, regarding us as the jackall on the occasion, of Charles I., and we see him here, accordingly, diswas much in requisition; a quantity of the mixture and consequently provider for the lion, they very tinguished by was arranged in a broken calabash, into which some of these antipodal exquisites dipped the entire head coolly pocketed (if a small pouch, three inches square, and face. One of them had painted one-half of his the term) their share, after priming their pipes for a suspended by a greasy cord from the neck, deserves Of two fine miniatures on the walls of Scott's dining-face longitudinally with this mixture, from the back room, one gives us a spirited and characteristic likeness of the head, forehead, downwards to his throat, the present supply. Ruku, with some earnestness, reof Allan Ramsay, and the other of Claverhouse. This opposite half being rubricated with charcoal-dust, and gretted that he had wholly forgotten himself, but felt last painting exhibits a countenance of uncommon the whole washed over with rancid shark-oil. The even at the consequent loss he must individually feel. satisfied he had been enabled to supply his friends, grace and beauty, corresponding less, assuredly, with effect of the red and black joining in the centre, Aware that as long as any of this much-valued prothe ferocious attributes ascribed to the man by the which was executed with much exactitude, so that duction remained in our possession, attempts would Covenanters, than with the chivalrous characteristics each side of his nose wore a parti-colour, was ludicrous be made to procure it, we gave the chief all that given to him in Old Mortality. A miniature of James in the extreme. The purposes to which the Euro- remained, who, assured that no more was secreted. Ballantyne appears, also among the pictures already enumerated. behind, appropriated it to himself. We were afterwards introduced to the ladies of the several chiefs, whose nasal members we pressed with a vigour that

"His amber heard, and flaxen hair,
And reverend apostolic air."-Marmion.

It would be unpardonable, in this glance at the pic

* Manners and Customs of the New Zealanders, with numerous
Madden and Co. 1840,
cuts drawn on wood. By J. S. Polack, Esq. 2 vols. London:

sence:

SONGS OF BERANGER.

SEVENTH ARTICLE.

argued the respect felt towards the individual, and an together (at best an unpleasant coalition, but in cold assertion of the courtesy prescribed by the native ton. seasons a perfect nuisance), and giving way to grief, A glance at the company in this native carnival may by recalling to remembrance the virtues or endearing not be deemed superfluous. The countenances of all actions of the dead. With heads enclosed and hid the males were rubbed with red kokowai, which had within one garment, entwining each other, they burst been powdered fine and mixed with oil, whose fœtid forth simultaneously into a paroxysm of tears, giving effluvia made us glad to move to windward. Many vent to their absorbing grief by dismal moans and had also enriched the crimson stains with broad bands wailing. After this has continued some time, they of blue earth (parakawahia), that encircled the eyes join in a loud chant, interrupted by liquid streams like spectacles, a band across the nose serving to issuing from the eyes and noses, commemorative of unite the colouring pigment. All present were the past, the happiness that has vanished, and probable decorated with feathers, some old chiefs having their mishaps of the future. This Jeremiad is taken up by heads resembling those unhappy wights who are turns, groans are interchanged, and they work themtarred and feathered. Each of our retinue was pre-selves up into great affliction. sented to Ruku and the conscript fathers, who sat in This strange custom is not confined to apparent conclave around him. Each presentation was accom- cause for grief; for to give an additional zest to the panied by the pressing of noses (e'ongi) and expressions entertainment, sharp muscle-shells are made use of to of Friend, welcome; how are you all ? &c. Ekoro excoriate the skin, and the consequence follows in airamai tenarákokoe,' in a whining tone, as if each streams of blood issuing from every part of the body, were about to condole for the loss of their entire face, arms, breast, legs no part having the preference generation. The last who approached was a nephew of an escape from this brutal practice. Nor is this to Ruku; they remained fast locked in mutual em- lamentation confined to such occasions; on any perbrace, tears on both sides falling in plentiful effusion sons, known or related to each other, meeting after from their eyes and nose, so that I had much cause to an absence of a few weeks, or on the illness of a friend congratulate myself on having already pressed the or relative, the muscle-shell and the accompanying now indecorous proboscis of the chief. These requisite tangi are instantly put in requisition. So enamoured salutations being performed, the natives prepared for are these people of affliction, that the writer has been the dance of welcome, without which a guest would viewing a play (takaro) among the natives, when suddeem himself but indifferently received. All the denly it has entered the afflicted head-piece of one of males doffed their native garments, the villagers the performers to sit down to a tangi. The suitor for forming one party, and the visiters another. The this display of misery has no sooner expressed his males had purposely denuded themselves entirely. desire, than, with the vacillating habits of these After pursuing each other like mad fellows for some people, the whole company, instantly squatting down time, interchanging blows, some of which were no on the ground, have commenced crying with might jest, they separated from each other and hastily and main,' as if they were about to be deprived of formed themselves into ranks, taking opposite places. existence now and hereafter. So copious is the effuThis, from long practice, was immediately performed, sion of blood and tears, that their scanty garments when they rushed past each other to secure opposite are soon saturated.” places. In this melée various knock-down arguments, as such rough play has been termed, were used. The recipients appeared to return it in good carnest, with sticks, paddles, short spears, and whatever lay in their reach. After this had continued some time, each party returned to their places, not omitting, in this dos à dos movement, to give some sly hits to their opponents. The dance (haka) then commenced, amid the discharge of artillery. Each party formed an extended line of three ranks; the entire body of performers were mixed together, without reference to the rank they individually held in the community. The males were armed with muskets, which they brandished with much adroitness, so as to display the burnished stocks, on which much care had been expended. Those who were unable to procure this much-valued weapon, sported bayonets fixed to long spears, paddles, and even rail-fencing (taiápa). The females, single and married, widows and handmaids, added their efforts to this dance of welcome; but in order to give due effect and prepare for the exertion, they had stripped themselves to the waist, leaving themselves so far exposed to the gaze of their comrades, whose attention, be it said, was wholly confined to the dance. In the chant that accompanies a dance, proper time was kept, and admirably tuned was the responsive chorus, whose effect must be heard to be appreciated, when issuing from the lips of a thousand performers, who, at the same moment, to give increased effect to the sound, accompany the voice with a clap performed by the flattened right hand on the left breast, the whole body of performers apparently actuated by one well-timed impulse. The implements in their hands are instantly brandished, accompanied by shouts, yelling, howling, 'long and loud,' that threaten hard to destroy the auricular organs of the audience.. At conceived and produced a Chant du Cosaque, or "Song When the allies were last in France, Beranger the same time their countenances are distorted into of Triumph for the Cossack," which could not greatly every possible shape the muscles of the human face increase the content of the French at the presence, can admit of-a leader giving a new grimace, which is adopted instanter by all the performers, in the in their country, of an invading and conquering army most exact unison, rolling the eyeballs to and fro in-circumstances calculated to please no people of their sockets, so that at times the ball becomes almost spirit. Our version may give an idea of the spirit of inverted. This feat has the most diabolical appearthis chant, though not of its polish :ance, when a stain of blue pigment encircles the orbit of vision. The long tresses of hair worn by both sexes, streaming loosely in the wind, and encircling countenances of a demoniacal cast, have an appearance that recalls to mind the Saxon traditions of our ancestors, or an army of Gorgons. The tongues of the performers were thrust out of their mouths, with an extension that rivalled the well-known chameleon, a feat accomplished by long habitual practice from early infancy. The whole effect gave an insight into the strong emotions these dances must produce in times of war, in raising the bravery of a party, and scaring an antagonist, as also heightening the implacable hatred the belligerents must feel towards each other. The opposite party returned the compliment in similar style, the old seigniors acquitting themselves as nimbly as their juniors. When the dance ceased, the lamentation (tangi) commenced, when this singular assemblage dissolved into tears, wailing and gnashing of teeth, with a promptitude equalled only by the transformations produced by the wand of Harlequin in a pantomime, or a ruthless enchanter in a fairy tale. The tangi on this occasion related solely to the loss of the deceased chief, and persons who had been gathered to their fathers during the year.

The

These lamentations extend to either sex. method of performing it is by two persons sitting on the ground, when they press noses for some time

THE translations from Beranger which have already
appeared in this periodical, have been accompanied
with a few remarks descriptive of the character and
position in life of the poet; and his retirement from
the busy world has also been referred to. In a letter
to the Gascon bard, Jasmin, we find that retirement
noticed by himself, in a style and tone of language
which remind us in an interesting manner of Robert
Burns, to whose independent spirit that of the great
song-writer of France seems remarkably akin. The
date of the letter is 1832. "You and others reproach
me," says he to Jasmin, "with having been long silent.
Obliged, in order to assure myself an independent
existence, to sell my songs to the publishers, I also
came under an engagement not to issue any new thing
which might interfere with these purchased rights.
I have, however, one other little collection of verses
yet to give forth, and then will I take my final leave
of the great world. My petty mission is fulfilled, and
of the public. I am advanced in life, and am weary
mankind have had enough of me. I must prepare for
my retreat-adjust my mantle, ere I fall." Without
the necessity of living, I would have broken silence
more seldom; but as it is, the world may pardon some
from his country, nor desired aught from power, and
quiet months to a man who has never asked anything
who at this hour has no wish, save for a morsel of

bread and repose."

THE SONG OF THE COSSACK.

Come, friend of the Cossack! bright courser, come forth,
And bound to the sound of the trump of the north!
For pillage still ready, and fearless of scathe,
Spring under me, steed, and lend pinions to death!
No gold there may be on thy saddle or bit,
But patience!-such prizes shall come to thee yet;
Thou faithful one, neigh, then, in haughtiest tones,
And prance with thy hoofs upon nations and thrones!
Peace, flying, to thee hath abandon'd the day;
The bulwarks of Europe are rent and away!
Come, bear me to treasures of wealth! and, for thee,
In the home of the arts shall thy stable soon be!
Come, drink of the rebel-waved Seine, then, once more,
Where the blood from thy hoofs has been twice laved before.
Thou faithful one, neigh in thy haughtiest tones,
And prance with thy hoofs upon nations and thrones !
Priests, nobles, and princes upon us have cried,
When press'd by the poor ones they crush'd in their pride,
"Come, save us," they cry," and our lords ye shall reign-
Slaves to you, we at home still may tyrants remain."
My lance I have lifted, and low it shall bring
The cross of the priest and the crown of the king!
Thou faithful one, neigh in thy haughtiest tones,
And prance with thy hoofs upon nations and thrones!

I saw a vast phantom aloft in the sky,

And it gazed on our host with a flame-kindled eye.
"My reign is renew'd!" cried the shadowy form,
And a huge sword it shook o'er the west, like a storm.
It was Attila's spirit-I knew it at once;
And the voice I obey, as should child of the Huns.
Thou faithful one, neigh, then, in haughtiest tones,
And prance with thy hoofs upon nations and thrones!

The fame on which Európe so proudly looks back-
Her knowledge, so weak in the hour of attack-
All, all in that dust shall be swallow'd and swamp'd,
Which rises wherever thy hoof may have tramp'd.
On, on in thy course, then!-destroy without pauso
Their palaces, temples, tombs, manners, and laws!
Neigh, faithful one, neigh in thy haughtiest tones,
And prance with thy hoofs upon nations and thrones!

The next piece now selected from Beranger's portfolio, is one very different in its individual character, yet springing from the same fundamental_circumstances. The song alluded to is entitled-Le Violon Brisé, "The Broken Violin." The scene, as the reader may readily discover, is supposed to take place as in the preceding instance, when the allied armies occupied France. Thus speaks a poor "itinerant performer on the violin :"

THE BROKEN VIOLIN.

Come, my poor dog, and eat thy fill;
Eat thou, in spite of my despair.
One festive cake I here have still;
Black bread must be our morrow's fare.
Victors by guile, thus yesterday

Invading soldiers to me spoke-
"Strike up a dance!" I would not play,
And one of them my violin broke.
Ab, 'twas the village orchestra!

No sports henceforth, no joyous strain!
Who now to dance in shade will play?
Who will awake the loves again?
When morn arose in smiling pride,

My violin's strings, so briskly prest,
Were wont to tell to youthful bride

The coming of the spousal guest.
When curates even would stand by,
Its music made our dances please;
The mirth that from its strings would fly,
Might to king's brow have given ease.

When in our glory's day if rung

To notes that glory had inspired,
Ne'er dreamt I it could be unstrung

By stratiger hand, with vengeance fired!
Come, my poor dog, and eat thy fill;
Eat thou, in spite of my despair.
One festive cake I here have still;
Black bread must be our morrow's fare.
Beneath the elm, or in the barn,
Now will the holiday seem long!
Can vintage-field or harvest corn
Be bless'd without an opening song?
My violin cheer'd the toilsome hours,

It charm'd away the poor man's ills;
Taxes, and storms, and great men's powers,
Through it fell harmless on our hills.
Feelings of hate it set to sleep,

It bade the tear-drop cease to flow;
Ah, ne'er did regal sceptre keep

So sweet a sway as my poor bow!
But these our foes must fly the land,

And they have fired me for the fray;
A musket now must in my hand
Replace what they have dash'd away.
And should I perish, then, perchance,
Some kindly friend will one day cry,
"He will'd not that a foe should dance
Above our graves in mockery!"
Come, my poor dog, and eat thy fill;
Eat thou, in spite of my despair.
One festive cake I here have still;

Black bread must be our morrow's fare.

There is surely genuine pathos in this picture. powers of Beranger, that to whatever subject he It has often been remarked, as a proof of the eminent directed his muse-whether he made it the medium of conveying political satire, of lashing social vices, or of and excellence, that they outlived the occasions which infuse into his pieces such a degree of general interest stirring up national feeling-he always managed to called them forth, and were justly admired by all lovers of mere poetical excellence. Of how few writings of a similar kind can this be said! Even the satirical poems of our own poet Moore, with all their wit and brilliancy, have fallen greatly into obliviontheir interest having declined with the hour that produced them. The "Chant du Cosaque," and the "Violon Brisé," retain a permanent place in poetry, though certainly written for a special and passing purpose. Of a more general cast is the following little piece, though still springing in some measure out of the extraordinary state of affairs in France during the career of the poet. A man of feeling and patriotism, indeed, could not escape having his fancies tinged and moulded in such a manner by the temporary condition of his countrymen and country. Many a poor victim of the long wars of Napoleon must have sung, in some such manner as this, to the winged heralds of the spring :

THE SWALLOWS,
Captive on the Moorish shore,
Bent with chains, a warrior lay.
"Are ye here," he cried, "once more,
Birds who hate the winter's day?
Swallows, whom sweet hope pursues
Hither even across the sea,
Doubtless ye of France have news→→→
Speak, oh speak of home to me!

Three years have I pray'd for ruth
That some token ye would bear
From that vale which saw my youth
Nursed in dreams so sweet and fair.
Where a limpid stream winds round
Many a freshest lilac-tree,

Ye my cottage home have found-
Of that vale oh speak to me!

One of you perehance was born

'Neath the eaves of that dear cot! Of the mother there forlorn,

You must then have mourn'd the lot. Dying, she may hope in vain

My return each hour to see: Then she lists-then weeps againOf her love oh speak to me!

Is my sister wedded yet?

Have you seen a nuptial throng Of our village youngsters met,

Her to praise and bless in song? And my youthful comrades-they Who took arms with me in glee, Have they reach'd their village, say? Of these friends oh speak to me! Ah! the stranger o'er their graves Now may foot it through the valeThose who fill my hearth he braves, Makes my mateless sister wail! Mine no mother may be more! Chains, still chains my lot must be Swallows of my native shore,

Speak ye of its woes to me!

MY FIRST CAMPAIGN.

I JOINED the depôt at Chatham, and was introduced to some of my brother officers. What a new life this was to me, who had never stirred from my own quiet home before! and now to change it for the bustle and noise of a garrison town. But I was not doomed to remain long there; the company to which I belonged was or dered to Ireland. At first my military life seemed all very pleasant, because it was new; in a short time I got tired, and often wished myself at home-but this

was of no avail, and on we went.

And then the "crossing the Channel." My first appearance on any sea! I thought I was dying from the time I started. Oh, how ill I was! but I was most provoked that none of the other officers on board were ill; and that the men under "my command" should see me reduced to such a state, was galling in the extreme. But sea-sickness is no respecter of persons. How glad I was to hear the captain of our ship say, "We shall be in now in about ten minutes:" but what a long ten minutes did that seem; the rolling of the lazy vessel, the flapping of the sails, I thought never would finish. At last, we arrived near the shore, and by dint of towing and tugging, we were enabled to land without boats. How rejoiced I was again to find myself on terra firma. And these, thought I, are some of the pleasures of a soldier's life!

We proceeded to the barracks, and were very comfortable, and enjoyed our rest that night, for we had been constantly on the move for the last fortnight. We remained at Dublin three days, and then marched for our quarters, some forty or fifty miles distant from that city. The places we had to halt in were generally wretched dirty villages, and the people miserable and filthy in the extreme. After three days' march over bad roads, we arrived at our place of destination. How any one could have fixed on such a spot as that was to send troops to, I could never properly settle in my own

mind. The village, or whatever it might be called, consisted of about a hundred or more huts, most of them built of mud. At the end of the "street," so I suppose I must call it, stood the barracks or barn for the soldiers. One apartment had been reserved for the officer commanding the troops; our captain and lieutenant had agreed to exist" together, but unfor"the poor ensign," what was I to do? A vacant hut, next to the "barracks," was now assigned

tunate me,

to me; and my heart misgave me when I heard what was to be my fate.

;

My mansion was built of mud, and the roof was covered by a sort of thatch, composed of rushes and dead leaves. I had two apartments on the ground floor, for there was no "boarding," or "flooring," barring the ground. My drawing-room opened into the street the door of the said drawing-room having no fastening but an old rusty latch, so that a light puff of wind could open it. My " bed-room"-a bed-room without a bed in it! A quantity of straw, however, could be discerned in a corner, covered with soldiers' cloaks; and in this place I was to sleep-to dream sweet dreams, and to enjoy heavenly slumbers. However, I thought, such has been the fate of many a better soldier than myself, and about ten o'clock I retired to my elegantly furnished apartments. I ought to mention that there was no door between my two rooms, but a space had been left in one of the walls which served the purpose of one.

and heard a strange noise; see I could not, for there
was no window in the room. I sat up on my straw bed.
Again I heard the same noise! I fancied I felt the
cloaks move! That might be the mice; but, no-they
moved again! I felt for my sword, but could not find
it. Imagining that the start I had given when I awoke
had forced the cloak over it, I put out my hand again
to feel for it ;-and, oh, horror of horrors! somebody,
I was sure, lay murdered by my side! I felt again-
it was cold, but it groaned! What should I do? I
did not dare move! If it should be a murdered body,
I would be taken up as a murderer. I was in a state of
terror-I could bear the idea no longer, but screamed
Help! murder! thieves!"-any thing I could think

of.

I got up, intending to run away; but, in my hurry, I fell over what I was sure was the corpse of some victim, for whose murder I should most assuredly be hanged. I screamed again and again, but move I dared not. At last my screams were heard by the sentinel on duty, and he had alarmed the guard; and soon I had the gratification of seeing lights approaching, for the door of my mansion was wide open.

Again I screamed "Murder! help!" and the soldiers came to my assistance. They lifted me up more dead than alive, and seated me on a bench outside my hut, and then, at my desire, proceeded to look for the dead body."

66

A laugh was heard, and then another, till all who had come to my relief, expecting to find a "horrid tragedy," were one and all convulsed with laughter. I ventured to take a peep, and there, sure enough, was the cause, the innocent cause of my terror a huge pig, that probably had for months made this her resting-place, had, as usual, come to her night's quarters; and finding another inhabitant in her bed, had given the squeaks which awoke me. My fright was soon over; but not wishing to have such a bedfellow again, I relinquished the "snug berth" to her, and returned to the barracks with the guard. So much for "My First Campaign."-From "Amusement in High Life," a work lately published.

PREDICTIONS OF THE WEATHER.

Whenever I reached one of these pillars, I turned and
found his eminence waiting for the expected bow,
which he immediately returned, continually progress-
ing, and managing his paces so as to go through his
share of the ceremony on the precise spot which had
As I approached the
witnessed my last inclination.
hall door, our mutual salutations were no longer occa-
sional, but absolutely perpetual; and ever and anon they
still continued, after I had entered my carriage, as the
bishop stood with uncovered head till it was driven
away.-Portugal and Galicia.

NATURAL GAS.

There is now a project on foot for lighting Newcastle and Gateshead-the Newcastle and Shields Railwayand the towns of North and South Shields, Sunderland, and the Wearmouths-by means of the natural supply of gas at Wallsend! This gas, as all persons in these parts are well aware, has long been burned at the pitmouth, man having wastefully refused to profit by the boon of which nature made him the offer. Some time

ago, however, a Mr Douglas took out a patent for the
useful application of these natural supplies of gas; and,
more recently, he obtained a lease of the copious (we
believe we may say inexhaustible) supply at Wallsend.
His proposal to apply this gas to public purposes has
for some months been under the consideration of many
influential and enterprising gentlemen in Newcastle,
who seem to be sanguine in their expectations of suc-
The gas,
cess and profit in this singular speculation.
except that it is diluted with about ten per cent. of at-
mospheric air (an evil which is not without a remedy),
is remarkably pure-much purer, we are assured, than
the gas now consumed in Newcastle and Gateshead,
being free from the offensive admixture which occa-
sionally makes itself too familiar with one of the five
senses. The facilities afforded by the railways which
line the Tyne on both its banks, for the laying down of
pipes to convey the gas to the towns at the termini, will
be at once obvious to every one; while it will be seen
with what readiness the railways themselves may be
lighted.-Gateshead Observer.

THE EFFECTS OF POLITICAL CONTROVERSY.

almost sure to be the result. Both of these are unfavourable to virtue and happiness, and the first is the worse of the two. Time may wear out a man's passion and violence, and he may subside into philosophy; but he who acquires a habit of bitter contempt for the conduct of men, even in their most important concerns,

There are pursuits in life, high in their character and eminently useful, which nevertheless have somefuture state of the season from some single appearance is so essential to happiness. Prominent among these There is nothing more common than to predict the thing in them that almost inevitably tends to take from the human disposition that amiableness of temper which in the early part of it, and yet there is nothing more pursuits is that of politics. Whether a man be an actor unphilosophical or fallacious. An early blossom, an early bee, or an early swallow, or the early appearance tive looker-on and a commentator, there is so much of in the political affairs of his country, or merely an attenof any other natural incident, is no evidence whatever of the kind of weather that is to come, though the belief misrepresentation, so much of effrontery, so much of that it is so is both very general and very obstinate. injustice in all its forms, to be remarked upon, to be The appearance of these things is the effect of the excused, or to be resented, that, in a man of quick senweather, not the cause; and it is what we may call an sibility, a bitter indifference or a passionate partisanship external effect, that is, it does not enter into the chain is of causation. The weather of to-day must always have some influence upon the weather of to-morrow; but its effects will not be altered in the smallest tittle, whether it does or does not call out of the cranny in which it has been hybernated, some wasp, or some swallow that was too weak for autumnal migration. Birds, blossoms, and butterflies, do not come in expectation of fine weather; far into futurity, for they generally come forth only to if they did, the early ones would show that they see not be destroyed. They come in consequence of the good weather which precedes their appearance; and they know no more of the future than a stone does. Man knows of to-morrow only as a rational being; and were it not that he reasons from experience and analogy, he would have no ground for saying that the sun of to-day is to set. The early leaf and the early blossom of this spring may be a consequence of the fine weather of last autumn, which ripened the wood, or forwarded the bud ; has been mild: but not one of these, or any thing conand the early insect may be evidence that the winter nected with plants or animals, taken in itself, throws light upon one moment of the future; and for once to suppose that it does, is to reverse the order and cause of effect, and put an end to all philosophy-to all com

mon sense.-Mudie.

PORTUGUESE POLITENESS.

and who thus despairs of any permanent triumph of justice or establishment of good, is likely to go to his grave a sneerer and a misanthrope. If, indeed, he be of a retiring and meditative disposition, this hopeless view of human affairs may resolve itself into mere melancholy and pity; but this will not be the result with such as continue to belong to active life. Every day will afford them fresh evidence of folly and fresh

food for contempt; and they go upon their way with a bitter smile upon their lips, while cold scorn sits triumphant upon their hardened hearts.-The Table

Talker.

COMFORTABLE CIRCUMSTANCES FAVOUR FORESIGHT.

It is a most remarkable fact, totally at variance with what might à priori be expected, but confirmed by the universal experience of mankind, that the dominion of reason over the passions, the habit of foresight, and the power of forming a systematic plan for the conduct of life, are just in proportion to the degree in which the danger of immediate want or the pressure of actual suffering have been removed from mankind. The savage who has no stock whatever for his support-who is in I remember a striking instance of the great extent to which mere ceremonial is carried by the Portu- danger of immediate starvation if his wonted supplies guese of the old school. I called one morning on from the chase or his herds were to fail-is totally regardless of the future in every part of the world; a high dignitary of the church, and ascending a magnificent staircase, passed through a long suite of while the rich man, whose subsistence and affluence are rooms to the apartment in which the reverend eccle- almost beyond the reach of chance, is incessantly dissiastic was seated. Having concluded my visit, I bowed quieted about the manner in which his subsequent life I undressed, and putting my cloak on for bed-clothes, and departed; but turned, according to the invariable is to be spent. The certain prospect of instant death to himself and all that are dear to him, from the occurI lay down. I kept my sword near me, for I confess custom of the country, when I reached the door, and I did not quite like the open house" that I was obliged made another salutation; my host was slowly following attention of the one from the enjoyments of the moment; rence of a very probable event, is unable to draw the to keep. I did not intend to go to sleep for some time, me, and returned my inclination by one equally pro-while the slight and improbable chance of a diminution but suppose over-fatigue conquered my intentions, found; when I arrived at the door of the second apartand in a few minutes, I imagine, I was snoring. How-ment, he was standing on the threshold of the first, and in the smallest articles of future comfort, renders the ever, the first sleep did not last long, what with the the ceremony again passed between us; when I had other indifferent to the means of present enjoyment misery of the place, the excitement I was in, and the gained the third apartment he was occupying the place which are within his reach.—Alison's Principles of quantity of visiters I had about me (for I verily believe I had just left on the second; the same civilities were Population. this hut must have been the head-quarters of all the then renewed, and these polite reciprocations were conmice in the village), I found it impossible to rest long. tinued till I had traversed the whole suite of apartments. I turned round, however, and dozed and dreamed. At the bannisters I made a bow, and, as I supposed, a I thought I was at home in our own little parlour, final salutation: but no-when I had reached the first and was enjoying a dinner with my parents. My mother landing-place, he was at the top of the stairs; when I was telling me every circumstance which had occurred stood on the second landing-place, he had descended to since I left my home, and she was just in the midst of the first; and upon each and all of these occasions, our her long story, when a violent scream was heard-so heads wagged with increasing humility. Our journey loud it seemed, that I awoke suddenly. Where was I to the foot of the stairs was at length completed. I had What was the matter? I had been dreaming certainly, now to pass through a long hall, divided by columns, but that scream I heard was no dream. I listened, to the front door, at which my carriage was standing.

ERRATA IN RECENT NUMBERS.-In the article respecting New Zealand in No. 450, the Paisley Society is described as connected with the New Zealand Land Company. This, we are informed, is not the case.-In the article entitled "Gossip respecting the Carse of Gowrie," in No. 449, Forgandenny has been inadvertently substituted for Forgan.

LONDON: Published, with permission of the proprietors, by W.S. ORR, Paternoster Row; and sold by all booksellers and newsmen.-Printed by Bradbury and Evans, Whitefriars.

CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS, EDITORS OF "CHAMBERS'S INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE," "CHAMBERS'S EDUCATIONAL COURSE," &c.

author as possessing high talents and many noble legal sanction, while in reality he referred to forms
features of character, gains admission to the Castle of totally different, and, indeed, those very forms against
which they were contending. As his difficulties in-
Lochleven in the disguise of a common soldier, with
the view of aiding in the escape of Queen Mary. Increased, he resorted to more and more deceptious
the presence of Mary, he is examined by the lady of practices of the same kind, and even on one occasion
deceived two parties at once in different negotiations.
Lochleven, one of whose first questions put to him is,
But what was the result? Let the bloody scaffold of
"You hold, undoubtedly, the true faith?" "Do not
Whitehall relate it. The life of Charles I. would
doubt of it, madam," was the answer. On another
never have been taken as it was, if he had not, by his
query being put to him, touching his willingness to
mental reservations, impressed a general conviction
perform his new duties, the stranger replies, "In
that he could hold faith with no opponent, but would
the cause of the lady before whom I stand, I fear
turn upon such opponents and rend them, the moment
nothing." The querist and respondent here referred
to very different churches and ladies, and Queen Mary him from restraint.
that they, upon however strict a bargain, had released
afterwards spoke admiringly of the address shown in
the conversation. "Marked you not," said she to her
private attendants, "how astuceously the good father
eluded the questions of the woman Lochleven, telling
her the very truth, which yet she received not as
such?"