boot and shoe repairing (which it seems he had learned in early life as a livelihood, before coming into possession of the property above mentioned), and all women and children's shoes taken to him were carefully and cheerfully mended without charge; and true it is, good nature is sometimes trespassed upon, for the children of the neighbourhood would now and then call with a shoe of their own to be repaired, when perhaps it was but just new; the old gentleman would remark this to them; the little rogues would apologise for troubling him, intimating they thought they saw a hole in the sole; and, instead of making their exit, loitered about the entry, until the benevolent old man would call them in, and ask if they would like a few apples (a dozen barrels full from his orchard was well-known to be in the house by the youngsters), of course a ready reply of, "I guess I should," and out they would caper with the prizes won by their ingenuity.

XXXVII.—AN ECCENTRIC ORNITHOLOGIST.

In the course of my walks and drives in the rural districts, I heard of a strange character devoted to this science, who arrived some years ago from England, and took up his abode in the woods near Dorchester, where he built himself a hut, his only companion being his rifle, with

which, being a sure shot, he made sad havoc among all classes of the feathered tribe, in utter defiance of the States' law against the destruction of singing birds. The specimens shot by him he stuffed and prepared in the forest, procuring the services of a cabinet-maker, residing in the outskirts of the wood, to make the mahogany cases, and engaging him also (for he would never be approached himself) to negotiate the sale of them, which realised large sums of money.

In one of my rambles, I happened to call unexpectedly on the cabinet-maker, and there to my surprise I found the recluse, who appeared to have more the appearance of an Indian, than an educated European, with his tanned brown complexion, long flowing beard, ragged elfin locks, and clothes torn to shreds by the brambles, through which he was wont to make his way in pursuit of his feathered prey. On my entrance, he turned aside, and speedily retired

And, stern as Ajax' spectre, strode away.

Nor had many seconds elapsed, ere we heard the crack of his rifle ringing through the neighbouring woods. After he left, the worthy carpenter informed me, that this modern Timon was a person of considerable ability, and would converse with ease on any subject whatever, but a single forbidden one-that of his early history. As to the cause of his retirement, various were the opinions and speculations I heard, some holding that he had retired from the world, disgusted with its sel

fishness, or that crossed in love, he had become sick of human society, and like Childe Harold

Knew himself the most unfit

Of men to herd with man, with whom he held

Little in common, and was glad to find

A life within itself, to breathe without mankind.

I incline myself, however, to the less romantic opinion, that he was devotedly fond of a rural life, and followed ornithological pursuits, not only, like Wilson and Audubon, as a science, but also as a means of livelihood. His food consisted of berries, the less valuable birds he shot, and some scanty supplies of bread and groceries, purchased for him at the neighbouring town. His mode of acting, too, showed a true spirit of independence; for, when I offered to buy a number of bird-skins to take over to England for my father's museum, he told the cabinet-maker who negotiated between us, that he should decline selling me any, as he intended ere long to return himself.

PART III.

Mg Trip to the South.

Straight mine eye hath caught new pleasures,
Whilst the landscape round it measures.

HAVING resolved to visit some, at least, of the

Southern or Slave States, ere I returned to

England, I embarked at Boston Wharf, on a Saturday afternoon, in the month of April, 1856, on board the steam-ship Joseph Witney, bound for Baltimore, the capital city, and principal trading port of Maryland.

After parting with my American friends, to several of whom I was obliged for letters of introduction, that afterwards proved of great value, and as soon as I had shaken off that feeling of loneliness that is apt to overcome one on being suddenly thrown among entire strangers, I looked round to see who were my fellowtravellers; and, as the season was still early for the sea route, I found they were limited to some twenty, two-thirds at least of whom were of the rougher sex— while the remainder consisted of a small party of agreeable young ladies.

I.-BY STEAMER, FROM BOSTON TO
BALTIMORE.

A voyage at sea, and all its strife,
Its pleasures and its pain,
At every point resembles life-

Hard work for little gain!

The anchor's weighed, smooth is the flood,

Serene seems every form,

But soon alas! comes on the scud

That speaks the threatening storm :

The towering masts in splinters shivering,
The useless sails in tatters quivering;
Thunder rolling, lightning flashing,
Waves in horrid tumult dashing !

DIBDIN.

ON leaving Boston Bay, I was much struck by the picturesque beauty of the numerous little islands that dot its surface, and shine in the sun-rays, looking like patches of gold, which became more brilliant as the fiery circle went down, and all, except their own crimsoned tree-tops were immersed in the gloom of fast approaching night. The sun, indeed, as seen at sea, either when it rises or when it sets, is a sight of exquisite beauty, of which a landsman can scarcely form any conception, until he sees it declining, like a radiant ball of fire, and finally dipping below the horizon, leaving the expanse of waters in the gloom of night.

Such was our first evening; but during the night a most unfavourable change took place, materially subversive of our personal comfort; for the rain came pouring