tenacious of advancing what I do not positive. ly, and from my own conviction, know to be fact, I shall remark upon the above that, as I had no communication whatever with Mr. Tickel concerning this same comedy, I could come at what I have related through my friend's account only. I have a pretty strong presumptive proof, however, that it is literally true; for, during the transaction, to clench the business, which the readers see it did with a vengeance, a near relation of Mr. Tickel had a curacy given him of two livings, not an hundred miles from Bedford, by the very gentleman who presented the comedy. Another friend, in the same manner, sent an afterpiece to Mr. Harris, who returned it, saying, "though it had great theatrical merit, it would not do on the stage. ---Hear this, ye would-be-witlings, and rejoice! theatrical merit is no longer a dramatick requi site ! This piece is now in the hands of Mr. Colman, who, by agreement, was to have performed it during his late season-but, whether he did not wish to risk the principal character with any body but Mr. Palmer, which is the reason he assigned to me, adding, that the piece was so well written it deserved good actors, for that it was in the style of the Guardians, but more delicate-or, whether he was shocked at the cruel and inhuman murder of Harvest Home

or, in short, whatever may be his reasons, it still lies in his hands. I even, to leave nothing untried, made an agreement with Mr. Daly, the

Irish manager, which, after being broken, on his side, three times, yielded me, in three years, about 1201-whereas, had it been properly kept, I must have received six times that sum. Finding myself therefore in the state of Adam, with all the world before me, where to choose--for I have pretty well proved that the theatrical paradise was shut against me-it struck me that the warm and fostering climate of Asia might revive a drooping plant that had been neglected in its native soil; but then, as Mr. Bays says, came in the Quomodo-how to procure the ways and means. I had never travelled much in England, and I thought it would be no bad thing to pay my personal respects to my old patrons, to thank them for their liberality, and at the same time present them with such an entertainment as should not only insure me their good wishes and interest them for my prosperity, but supply me with the means to accomplish my design.

Determined however to make sure of every thing in my power, I wrote to Mr. Harris, telling him my intention, and offering to sale such materials as I conceived might be useful to him. I received a letter encouraging me to furnish him with pieces of any description; and I have actually from that time to this, at my leisure, been hard at work for him.

But I know not how it is-my mind misgives me on this subject. I have since seen Mr. Harris at Bristol, and heard from him at York.

However, I shall anticipate nothing--all mat ters shall come in their proper order-and, if you have the patience I wish you-for patience you must have if you jog on with me through my Tour-indeed, if I were to follow the examples of some musical travellers, I should exercise no other virtue in you-you will permit me to place the banquet I have invited you to, in what manner I please. Interest forbid, hav ing such work for my own imagination, I should not leave the reader as much room as possible for the workings of his. It has been affirmed that the pleasures we fancy, are completer than those we enjoy; and, if this position be well founded, who knows but, by constantly keeping curiosity on tiptoe, I shall receive credit for having furnished a good feast, even though half the merit lay in exciting the appetite. There is more art, say the painters, in concealing than showing. Would any one read an epigram if the last line were taken away? Not to gratify, would be to make a Tantalus of the reader; but still let us remember that possession, easily attained, is but another word for satiety.

Thus, having, by a regular gradation, with a few shirts and books in a trunk, a well digested plan in my head, and a letter from Dr. Arnold to Dr. Hayes, in my pocket, seated myself in the Oxford stage-coach, my next letter will, of course, contain what happened to me at that confusion of tongues. In the prosecution of which, as well as of all the rest of my adventures,

though no more than Othello would I have any thing extenuated, or ought set down in malice; yet, like Dick, in The Miller of Mansfield, I shall certainly speak truth, and if that happens to be satire, I cannot help it.

BEAR HUNTING IN FINLAND.

THE favourite weapon of the Finlander, in hunting the bear, is an iron lance fixed at the end of a pole. At about the distance of a foot from the point of the lance is fixed a cross-bar, which prevents the instrument from penetrating too far into the body of the bear, or passing through both sides. When the Finlander has discovered where the bear has taken up his winter quarters, he goes to the place and makes a noise at the entrance of his den, by which he endeavours to irritate and provoke him to quit his strong hold. The bear hesitates and seems unwilling to come out; but continuing to be molested by the hunter, and perhaps by the barking of his dog, he at length gets up and rushes in fury from his cavern. The moment he sees the peasant, he rears himself upon his two hind legs ready to tear him to pieces. The Finlander instantly puts himself in the attitude of defence; that is to say, he brings back the iron lance close to his breast, concealing from the bear the length of the pole, in order that he

may not have time to be upon his guard, and consequently to parry with his paws the mortal blow which the hunter means to aim at his vitals. The Finlander then advances boldly towards the bear, nor does he strike the blow till they are so near each other, that the animal stretches out his paws to tear his antagonist limb from limb. At that instant the peasant pierces his heart with the lance, which, but for the cross-bar, would come out at the shoulder; nor could he otherwise prevent the bear from falling upon him, an accident which might be highly dangerous. By means of the crossbar the animal is kept upright, and ultimately thrown upon his back; but what may seem to some very extraordinary, is, the bear, feeling himself wounded, instead of attempting with his paws to pull out the lance, holds it fast, and presses it more deeply into the wound. When the bear, after rolling upon the snow, ceases from the last struggles of death, the Finlander lays hold of him, and calls for the assistance of his friends, who drag the carcase to his hut ; and this triumph terminates in a sort of festival where the poet assists, and sings the exploits of the hunter.

!

PICTURESQUE VIEW OF LONDON.

SMOKE, SO great an enemy to all prospects, is the everlasting companion of this great city;