And here, among these rustling leaves,
With which the wanton wind must play,
Inspired by it, my sense perceives
This snowy Jasmin whispering say,
How much more frolic, white, and fair
In her green lattice she doth stand,
To enjoy the free and cooler air,
Than in the prison of a hand.*

Loving without hope.

I look'd if underneath the cope
Were one that loved, and did not hope;
But from his nobler soul remove
That modern heresy in love :
When, hearing a shrill voice, I turn,
And lo! a sweet-tongued Nightingale,
Tender adorer of the Morn,-
In him I found that One and All.
For that same faithful bird and true,
Sweet and kind and constant lover,
Wond'rous passion did discover,
From the terrace of an eugh.
And tho' ungrateful she appear'd

Unmoved with all she saw and heard;
Every day, before 'twas day,

More and kinder things he'd say.
Courteous, and never to be lost,
Return'd not with complaints, but praise;
Loving, and all at his own cost;
Suffering, and without hope of ease:
For with a sad and trembling throat
He breathes into her breast this note:
"I love thee not, to make thee mine;
But love thee, 'cause thy form's divine."

The True Absence in Love.

Zelidaura, star divine,

That do'st in highest orb of beauty shine;
Pardon'd Murd'ress, by that heart

Itself, which thou dost kill, and coveted sinart:
Though my walk so distant lies
From the sunshine of thine eyes;
Into sullen shadows hurl'd,

To lie here buried from the world;

'Tis the least reason of my moan,

That so much earth is 'twixt us thrown.

'Tis absence of another kind,

Grieves me; for where you are present too,

Love's Geometry does find,

I have ten thousand miles to you.

'Tis not absence to be far,

But to abhor is to absent;

To those who in disfavour are,
Sight itself is banishment.†

To a Warrioress.

Heav'n, that created thee thus warlike, stole
Into a woman's body a man's soul.
But nature's law in vain dost thou gainsay;
The woman's valour lies another way.

Claridiana, the Enchanted Queen, speaks this, and the following speech.

† Claridoro, rival to Felisbravo, speaks this.

The dress, the tear, the blush, the witching eye,
More witching tongue, are beauty's armoury:
To railly; to discourse in companies,
Who's fine, who courtly, who a wit, who wise;
And with the awing sweetness of a Dame,
As conscious of a face can tigers tame,
By tasks and circumstances to discover,
Amongst the best of Princes, the best Lover;
(The fruit of all those flowers) who serves with most
Self diffidence, who with the greatest boast;
Who twists an eye of Hope in braids of Fear;
Who silent (made for nothing but to bear
Sweet scorn and injuries of love) envies
Unto his tongue the treasure of his eyes:
Who, without vaunting shape, hath only wit;
Nor knows to hope reward, tho' merit it:
Then, out of all, to make a choice so rare,
So lucky-wise, as if thou wert not fair.*

WELSH WEDDINGS.

From a Lady-To the Editor,

Sir,-If a brief account of the manner of celebrating marriage in some parts of Wales should afford entertainment to your readers, I shall feel gratified.

The early part of my life was spent at a village in the mountainous part of Glamorganshire, called Myrther Tidvel. Since then it has become a considerable place for the manufactory of iron, and I expect both the manners and inhabitants are much changed the remembrance of its rural and lovely situation, and of the simplicity of its humble villagers, when I lived amongst them, often produces in my mind the most pleasing sensations.

:

Some weeks previous to a wedding taking place, a person, well-known in the parish, went round and invited all, without limita tion or distinction, to attend. As the ceremonies were similar I shall select one, as an illustration, in which I took part as bride's-maid to a much valued servant,

On the evening previous to the marriage, a considerable company assembled at the bride's father's, and in a short time the sound of music proclaimed the approach of the bridegroom. The bride and her company were then shut up in a room, and the house-doors locked; great and loud was the cry for admittance from without, till I was directed, as bride's-maid, by an elderly matron, to open the window, and assist the bridegroom to enter, which being done the doors were set open, and his party admitted. A room was set apart for the young people to dance in, which continued for about an hour, and having partaken of a common kind of cake and warm ale, spiced and sweetened with sugar, the company dispersed.

At eight, next morning, I repaired to the house of the bridegroom, where there had assembled in the course of an hour about one hundred and fifty persons: he was a relation to the dissenting minister, a man highly esteemed; and he was much respected on that as well as his own account. The procession set out, preceded by a celebrated harper playing "Come, haste to the wedding," the bridegroom and I came next, and were followed by the large company. At the door of the bride's father we were met by the bride, led by her brother, who took their station behind the bridegroom and me; her company joining, and adding nearly as many again to the procession: we then proceeded to the church, the music playing as before. After the

ceremony the great door of the church was opened, and the bride and her maid having changed their partners were met at it by the harper, who struck up "Joy to the bridegroom," and led the way to a part of the church-yard never used as a burialground; there placing himself under a large yew-tree the dancers immediately formed, the bride and bridegroom leading off the two first dances,-"The beginning of the world," and "My wife shall have her way" these are never danced but on like occasions, and then invariably.

By this time it was twelve o'clock, and the bride and bridegroom, followed by a certain number, went into the house, where a long table was tastefully set out with bread of two kinds, one plain and the other with currants and seeds in it; plates of ornamented butter; cold and toasted cheese; with ale, some warmed and sweetened. The bride and her maid were placed at the head of the table, and the bridegroom and her brother at the bottom. After the company had taken what they liked, a plate was set down, which went round, each person giving what they chose, from two to five shillings; this being done, the money was given to the bride, and the company resigned their places to others; and so on in succession till all had partaken and given what they pleased. Dancing was kept up till seven, and then all dispersed. At this wedding upwards of thirty pounds was collected.

In an adjoining parish it was the custom for the older people to go the evening before, and take presents of wheat, meal, cheese, tea, sugar, &c., and the young people attended next day, when the wedding was conducted much in the way I have described, but smaller sums of money were given.

This method of forwarding young people has always appeared to me a pleasing trait in the Welsh character; but it only prevails amongst the labouring classes.

When a farmer's daughter, or some young woman, with a fortune of from one hundred to two hundred pounds, marries, it is generally very privately, and she returns to her father's house for a few weeks, where her friends and neighbours go to see her, but none go empty-handed. When the appointed time arrives for the young man to take home his wife, the elderly women are invited to attend the starald, that is, the furniture which the young woman provides; in general it is rather considerable. It is conveyed in great order, there being fixed rules as to the arti

cles to be moved off first, and those which are to follow. I have thought this a pleasing sight, the company being all on horseback, and each matron in her appointed station, the nearest relations going first; all have their allotted basket or piece of small furniture, a horse and car following afterwards with the heavier articles. The next day the young couple are attended by the younger part of their friends, and this is called a turmant, and is frequently preceded by music. The derivation of starald and turmant I never could learn, though I have frequently made the inquiry.

I am, sir, &c. &c.

A. B.

CUMBERLAND WEDDINGS.

In Cumberland, and some other parts of the north of England, they have a custom called a "bridewain," or the public celebration of a wedding. A short time after a match is entered into, the parties give notice of it; in consequence of which the whole neighbourhood, for several miles round, assemble at the bridegroom's house, and join in various pastimes of the county. This meeting resembles the wakes or revels celebrated in other places; and a plate or bowl is fixed in a convenient place, where each of the company contributes in proportion to his inclination and ability, and according to the degree of respect the parties are held in; by which laudable custom a worthy couple have frequently been benefited with a supply of money, from fifty to a hundred pounds. The following advertisements are from Cumberland newspapers :

INVITATION.

Suspend for one day your cares and your labours, And come to this wedding, kind friends and good neighbours.

NOTICE is hereby given, that the marriage of Isaac Pearson with Frances Atkinson, will be solemnized in due form in the parish church of Lamplugh, in Cumberland, on Tuesday next, the 30th of May inst. (1786); immediately after which the bride and bridegroom, with their attendants, will proceed to Lonefoot, in the said parish, where the nuptials will be celebrated by a variety of rural entertainments.

Then come one and all

At Hymen's soft call, From Whitehaven, Workington, Harington, Dean, Hail, Ponsonby, Blaing, and all places between; From Egremont, Cockermouth, Barton, St. Bee's, Cint, Kinnyside, Calder, and parts such as these; And the country at large may flock in if they please.

Such sports there will be as have seldom been seen,
Such wrestling and fencing, and dancing between,
And races for prizes, for frolic and fun,

By horses and asses, and dogs, will be run,
That you'll go home happy-as sure as a gun.
In a word, such a wedding can ne'er fail to please;
For the sports of Olympus were trifles to these.

Nota Bene-You'll please to observe that the day
Of this grand bridal pomp is the thirtieth of May,.
When 'tis hop'd that the sun, to enliven the sight,
Like the flambeau of Hymen, will deign to burn bright.
Another Advertisement.
BRIDEWAIN.

There let Hymen oft appear,
In saffron robe and taper clear,
And pomp and feast and revelry,
With mask and antic pageantry;
Such sights as youthful poets dream,

On summer eves by haunted stream. George Hayto, who married Anne, the daughter of Joseph and Dinah Colin, of Crosby mill, purposes having a Bridewain at his house at Crosby, near Maryport, on Thursday, the 7th day of May next, (1789), where he will be happy to see his friends and well-wishers; for whose amusement there will be a variety of races, wrestlingmatches, &c. &c. The prizes will be-a saddle, two bridles, a pair of gands d'amour, gloves, which, whoever wins, is sure to be married within the twelvemonths; a girdle (ceinture de Venus) possessing qualities not to be described; and many other articles, sports, and pastimes, too numerous to mention, but which can never prove tedious in the exhibition.

From fashion's laws and customs free,
We welcome sweet variety;

By turns we laugh, and dance, and sing;
Time's for ever on the wing;

And nymphs and swains on Cumbria's plain,
Present the golden age again.

A GOOD EXCUSE.

In the Court of Session in Scotland, the judges who do not attend, or give a proper excuse for their absence, are, by law, liable to a fine; but it is common, on the first day of the session, for the absentee to send an excuse to the lord president. Lord Stonefield having sent such an excuse, on the president mentioning it, the late lord justice clerk Braxfield said, in his broad dialect, "What excuse can a stout fallow like him hae?" "My lord," said the president, "he has lost his wife." The justice, who was fitted with a Xanthippe, replied," Has he? that is a gude excuse indeed; I wish we had a' the same."

EARLY RISING.

Buffon rose always with the sun, and he used often to tell by what means he had accustomed himself to get out of bed so early. "In my youth," said he, "I was very fond of sleep; it robbed me of a great deal of my time; but my poor Joseph (his domestic) was of great service in enabling me to overcome it. I promised to give Joseph a crown every time that he could make me get up at six. The next morning he did not fail to awake and torment me; but he received only abuse. The day after he did the same, with no better success, and I was obliged at noon to confess that I had lost my time. I told him, that he did not know how to manage his business; that he ought to think of my promise, and not to mind my threats. The day following he employed force; I begged for indulgence, I bid him begone, I stormed, but Joseph persisted. I was therefore obliged to comply, and he was rewarded every day for the abuse which he suffered at the moment when I awoke, by thanks, accompanied with a crown, which he received about an hour after. Yes, I am indebted to poor Joseph for ten or a dozen of the volumes of my work.

PUNCTUALITY.

"A QUARTER before."

Industry is of little avail, without a habit of very easy acquirement-punctuality: on this jewel the whole machinery of successful industry may be said to turn.

When lord Nelson was leaving London on his last, but glorious, expedition against the enemy, a quantity of cabin furniture was ordered to be sent on board his ship. He had a farewell dinner party at his house; and the upholsterer having waited upon his lordship, with an account of the completion of the goods, he was brought into the dining-room, in a corner of which his lordship spoke with him. The upholsterer stated to his noble employer, that every thing was finished, and packed, and would go in the waggon, from a certain inn, at six o'clock. "And you go to the inn, Mr. A., and see them off." I shall, my lord; shall be there punctually at six." "A quarter before six, Mr. A.," returned lord Nelson; "be there a quarter before: to that quarter of an hour I owe every thing in life."

I

A venerable old man is, as the reader of a newspaper, still more venerable; for his employment implies that nature yet lives in him; that he is anxious to learn how much better the world is on his leaving it, than it was when he came into it. When he reads of the meddlings of overlegislation, he thinks of "good old times," and feels with the poet

But times are alter'd; trade's unfeeling train
Usurp the land and dispossess the swain ;
Along the lawn where scatter'd hamlets rose,
Unwieldy wealth and cumbrous pomp repose;
And ev'ry want to luxury ally'd,
And ev'ry pang that folly pays to pride.
Those gentle hours that plenty bade to bloom,
Those calm desires that ask'd but little room;
Those healthful sports that grac'd the peaceful scene,
Liv'd in each look, and brighten'd all the green;
VOL. I.-26.

These, far departing, seek a kinder shore,
And rural mirth and manners are no more.

He reads of proposals for extending the poor-laws to one part of the United Kingtain means of increasing the growth of dom not yet cursed with that sure and cerpoverty-he reads of schemes of emigration for an alleged surplus of human beings from all parts of the empire-he reads of the abundance of public wealth, and of the increase of private distress-and he remembers, that

A time there was, ere England's griefs began,
When ev'ry rood of ground maintain'd its man;
For him light labour spread her wholesome store,
Just gave what life requir'd, but gave no more:
His best companions, innocence and health;
And his best riches, ignorance of wealth.