originality in all the poems which he has given to the world as his own. It is a fact, well known in Scotland, that there once existed on the borders, which formerly divided it from England, a vast collection of printed ballads or songs, in which the achievements of the English and Scottish warriors were celebrated, by harpers and bards, peculiar to the two nations; who, previous to the union of the two countries, were constantly making inroads upon each others territory. In conformity to the superstitious notions of these feudal times, and with the view of rendering their songs popular, the writers of them, almost universally, attributed supernatural powers to their own heroes, whom they placed under the immediate guardianship of Heaven, while they painted those of their opponents in the most horrific colours, as leagued with infernal spirits, and indebted for their success to the power of necromancy.

It was observed, of late years, by persons living on the spot, that these ballads were rapidly disappearing. Walter Scott, it was known, had been appointed Sheriff over an extensive portion of that district, which had been formerly the scene of these national and bloody affrays. No one thought, however, of penetrating into the cause of the disappearance of these national and romantic effusions; and it was not till scarcely a copy was to be found, and till the publication of Walter Scott's "Ballads of the Scottish Border," that any thing like a surmise was thrown upon the subject.-Even then, the world were not disposed to censure a publication, which, they were well persuaded, was not altogether original, although many felt disappointed at the studied silence which was kept up as to the real source from whence they sprung. But when volume after volume appeared, under the name of Scott, containing the ancient legendary tales of the border, there were not wanting persons who asserted that he was a plagiarist, and that his greatest merit consisted in giving to the ancient ballads a modern dress; and, in that shape, stringing them together, as a dramatist or novel writer would the otherwise discordant parts of the most discordant works of that description. When Scott took up the pen, unaided by this resource; when the subject of the battle of Waterloo called in so powerful a manner, for a display of "fiery touch," it was here that those who denied his native poetic power, sought, and found strong corroborative proof of the charge preferred against him, and which was now pretty openly avowed.

The editor of the Baltimore Morning Chronicle exulting asks, in reference to Ivanhoe, " Is it creditable that a man so eminent in the literary world as Walter Scott would share the reputation of this work if he was not the author? Would he wear the laurel that he had meanly filched from the brows of another man ?" With regard to the character which Walter Scott has obtained as a writer, being a guarantee for his principles, we do not discover the weight of this argument. There are instances of hundreds of authors of great celebrity, whose private life would not bear the smallest scrutiny. The sensible part of mankind never connect the private character of a writer with his writings. It is only the uninformed, who are always less liberal, that are apt to be influenced in this way. There is no danger, therefore, of Old Mortality, the Antiquary, or any other novels, being divested of their charms by the name of the real author, whatever was his crime, being now made public. All intelligent men have subscribed to their

merit. This was all that was necessary to place them beyond the cavils of the hypocritical.

authorship, to obtain credit, without alledging any thing
mean or filching against him. But if the statement
already given, respecting his poems, be admitted, of the
truth of which we have been confidentially assured, it
will be seen that there are persons in existence who do
not view the character of Scott, as a writer, as altogether
free from blemish.

SIR,

Correspondence.

TO THE EDITOR.

Literary Trifling.

EPISTOLARY DOUBLE ENTENDRE.

The following bagatelle is constructed upon the same principle as two others, which appeared in the first volume of our old series; the first of which, in verse, is entitled "Woman;" and the second in prose. See pages 28 and 31.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-If you think the following is worth inserting is at your service; if not you

MADAM,

every other line.

CYRUS.

The great affection I have hitherto expressed for you

is false; and I now feel that my indifference towards yo
increases every day; and the more I see of you, the more
you appear ridiculous in my eyes, and an object of contempt.
I feel inclined and in all respects disposed and determined to
hate you. Believe me, I never in the least intended to
offer you my hand. Our last conversation has, I assure you,
left a tedious and wretched insipidity, which by no means bas
possessed me with the most exalted opinion of your character.
your inconstant temper would always make me miserable:
and if ever we are united, I should experience nothing but
the fearful hatred of my parents, added to everlasting dis
pleasure, in living with you. I have indeed a faithful heart

to bestow, but however do not wish you to imagine that it is
at your service: it is impossible I should give it to more
inconstant and capricious than yourself, and one who is less
capable to do honour to my choice as well as to my family.
Yes, Madam! I beg and desire you will be persuaded that
I think sincerely, and you will do me the greatest pleasure
to avoid me. I shall readily excuse your taking the trouble

In looking over your Kaleidoscope, I observed, among other interesting matter, a letter, signed Censor, in which were many suitable observations relative to a in the Kaleidoscope, late innovation, which has been introduced by certain have my leave to burn it. young tradesmen of late years-that of keeping their shops open to a much later hour than was the practice in former years; and also much later than is now the N. B.—To be read straight on, and then the first and hour of nine o'clock is quite late enough to close the practice with their more reasonable neighbours. The labour of the day, and allows time sufficient for all common purposes of business.-I perfectly coincide with Censor in his reprehension of the practice of keeping open the shops till ten, eleven, and twelve o'clock, which has of late obtained among a few of our young tradesmen. Supposing the shops are closed at nine, the tradesman's working day is even then fourteen or fifteen hours, which is quite long enough for apprentices, and quite sufficient to finish off the business of the day; unless, indeed, druggists are to claim exemption upon the plea of advantage to the public health; in my humble opi. nion, not however presuming to place it in competition with theirs, the public health would not suffer materially, nor would the reproaches of conscience endanger their repose, were they to set the good example of retiring earlier to rest. Of whatever trade, or under whatever circumstances those few tradesmen to whom "Censor" alludes may be, I trust the public sentiment will never encourage in this town a growing innovation upon the good old custom of closing the shops at a reasonable hour; and that such unreasonable innovators will see their error, and be content to allow their enslaved apprentices the respite from toil enjoyed by their equally industrious and more sensible neighbours. If the young puffing tradesmen were the only experimentalists in their new system, it would have a more palliative appearance, because, being their own masters, they might alter their plan when they found themselves unequal to the fatigue; but with the poor apprentices it is different, because, however evident it might be, that their health their fate, and it is well known that late hours are parsuffered in consequence, compulsion no doubt would be ticularly injurious to the constitution of young persons. I conceive this plan so far from getting a shop-keeper a good name, that it is the surest mode he could adopt to obtain a bad one, or that of a hard master, which in my opinion is synonymous; more especially if they intend to rise in the estimation of the respectable part of their fellow-townsmen. We cannot suppose for a moment that there is any occasion for these extraordinary late hours, as we hear our oldest and most respectable tradesmen complaining of the dulness of trade: we may conclude they have more to do than any young beginners, yet they contrive in the briskest of times, to finish at a reasonable hour; since these young tradesmen are so desirous of being considered active and managing above all their neighbours we might imagine they would contrive better, than to be in such a bustle and predicament at midnight, as humourously described in the letter of "Censor." Those who have children may imagine what would be their feelings, were their's in the situation of these poor lads, and what their indignation to see them thus doomed to such a useless species of slavery. Liverpool.

TO THE EDITOR.

CIVITAS.

this town, at the present period, cannot fail but inspire SIR,-The great improvements that are making in every friend of Liverpool with a heart full of joy and As to Walter Scott being incapable of "meanly filch-a boasting tongue; and if an obelisk were erected in the ing from the brows of another man," we think we have area of the new Haymarket, it would be gratifying to shown, in our last article on this subject, that sufficient the eye, and ornamental to the town. reason exists for allowing the doubt, as to Walter Scott's

Yours, &c.

A FRIEND TO LIVERPOOL.

to give me an answer to this. Your letters are always full of
nonsense and impertinence, and have not the shadow of
so averse to you, that it is impossible I should be
Adieu! and believe, truly, that I a
wit or good sense.

Madam,

Your affectionate servant and low

Miscellanies.

New Colony of Jews.-A Jewish merchant of New York, named Mordecai Noah, has demanded permission from the Government of the United States, to become the purchaser of an Island on the Niagara, between the Lakes Erie and Ontario, not far from the English ter tory, and containing about a thousand acres on its sur face. The Member of Congress who acted as reporte of the commission charged to examine this demand pointed out to the Chamber, in very lively colours, the persecutions to which the Jews are still exposed in man parts of Europe, and suggested that the professed pri ciples of the United States perfectly coincided with th views of Mr. Noah, in seeking to make this purchase it being his object to offer an asylum, under the tection of the liberal and tolerant laws of the Unite States, to a class of men who sought in vain for a cou try on the soil of the old world. In short, it is the in tention of this opulent Jew to found a colony of sanctioned by the American Legislature. countryman in this island; and his proposition has bee

Lusus Nature.-Last week, a cat, belonging to Mi Bevan, of Frodsham-street, in Chester, produced a ki ten, with one head, particularly divided in the centr four eyes and two tongues. It lived nearly a day, and now in the possession of Mr. Leet, chemist.

TENX

ELEPHANT.

DEATH OF AN ELEPHANT.

Anecdotes.

FEMALE PRESENCE OF MIND.

FROM THE GERMAN.

Lord Chesterfield's Opinion of Operas." As for Operas, they are essentially too absurd and extravagant to mention I look upon them as a magic scene, contrived to please the eyes and the ears, at the expense of the uuderstanding; and I consider singing, rhyming, and chiming heroes, and princesses, and philosophers, as I do the hills, the trees, the birds, and the beasts, who amicably joined in one country dance, to the irresistible tune of Orpheus's lyre. Whenever I go to an opera, I leave my sense and reason at the door, with my half-guinea, and deliver myself up to my eyes and my ears. Letter 269.

Dr. Radcliffe, it is well known, loved his glass; as he was one day enjoying it in a convivial circle in a coffee house, a man entered and entreated him to visit his wife, who was taken suddenly ill. The Doctor said, he would accompany him inmediately, but the affectionate husband, a stout robust figure, impatient of delay, threw the Doctor over his shoulder and ran off with him. As they were ascending the stairs, "Now," says the Doctor "I'll be even with you, you rascal, for I'll cure your wife."

ECLIPSES.

of Galileo. A nobleman of some consequence, desi-
Many of our readers, no doubt, remember the story
rous of seeing an eclipse, which happened in his time,
to the best advantage, applied to the philosopher to admit
him and his ladies to view the phenomenon through
his apparatus. Galileo assented, but our fine gentleman
was too much of a dandy to be dressed in time, and he
arrived at the observatory when the eclipse was over.
The ladies were, of course, shockingly disappointed;
but he consoled them, saying, "Pray don't mind it:
I assure you I have great influence with Galileo, and I
make no doubt, but to oblige me, he will perform it
over again!" Many persons, indeed, have odd notions
about heavenly as well as earthly matters. A worthy
farmer, in the south of Yorkshire, in the comet year,
on being asked by some of his friends in that town if
he had seen the fiery stranger, replied with much sim-
plicity" No, how could I, when I was at Wakefield
all the while?"-eighteen miles off.

The following curious account of an attempt to kill an elephant by poison is from the Journal of Science and the Arts. What must strike even the most careless observer with astonishment is the immense quantities of very active poison administered It was a German lady (of a house which had already without any apparent effect. Prussic acid is, per-distinguished itself by its heroic courage, and given an haps, superior in virulence to arsenic, whose powers Emperor to the German empire), who, by her determined are well known; yet we find three ounces of the said conduct nearly made the terrible Duke of Alva tremble. acid, followed by three ounces of arsenic, so ineffi- When the Emperor, Charles V. after the battle of ciest, that it required a four-pound shot to destroy Muhlberg, on his march through Franconia and Swabia the animal.-Edit. Kal. came through Thuringen the Countess Catharine of Schwartzburg a Princess of the house of Heuneburgh, obtained from him a letter of protection (sauve garde), “An elephant had been brought to Geneva for by which her subjects were to be free from any molestaexhibition some months ago, and found to be re-tion from the passing Spanish army. She, on the other markably obedient and docile. In removing this hand, pledged herself to have bread, beer, and other animal from place to place, it was not confined in a provisions, for just payment, conveyed from Rudolstadt caravan, but passd openly by the streets and roads, to the bridge over the Saal, to supply the Spanish troops and attended by three conductors, and no accident had who should pass that river at that place. She used the as yet happened in this way; but, on removing it precaution, however, to cause the bridge, which was from Geneva, the animal became ungovernable, pur close to the town, immediately to be broken down, and suing its guardians, and endeavouring to do mis-again thrown over at a greater distance, lest the too great chief. It returned towards Geneva again, and by At the same time the inhabitants of the different places proximity to the town should tempt her rapacious guests. various means was got into a place of security; and through which the route was to be made, were permitted then its proprietor, intimidated by a former accident, to remove all their most valuable effects, for security, to see of resolved to have it put to death. The first inten the castle at Rudolstadt. In the mean time the Spanish notions were to poison it, and, for this purpose, three General, accompanied by Henry Duke of Brunswick dances of prussic acid were mixed with ten ounces and his sons, approached the town, and invited himself spirits, and given to it. The animal took the by a messenger, whom he sent in advance, to breakfast ottle, and drank the liquor; but, after the lapse of with the Countess of Schwartzburg. So modest a reme time, did not seem at all affected by it. Three quest, made at the head of an army, could not well be refused Every thing should be given that the house Hs were then prepared, each containing one ounce could afford, was the answer, and his Excellency was arsenic, mixed with sugar and honey, and were welcomed to partake of the fare. At the same time ten by the elephant. The poisoning commenced mention of the sauvegarde was not omitted, and the Spafive o'clock in the morning, and, at the end of an nish General was earnestly recommended the most conur, not the slightest effect was produced on the scious observance of it. A friendly reception and a well mimal. Finding these means ineffectual, orders furnished table awaited the Duke, at the castle. He is re given, and the animal was shot with a four-obliged to confess that the Thuringian ladies have good kitchens, and honour the rights of hospitality. Scarcely from the Hall. It is reported to her, that, in some vilare they seated, when a messenger calls the Countess lages on the march, some of the Spanish soldiery had used force and driven away the cattle from the peasants. Catharine was the mother of her people; whatever affected the poorest of subjects affected herself. To the highest degree exasperated at this breach of promise, yet not forsaken by her presence of mind, she commands all her domestics to arm themselves, in silence and with every despatch, and well to bolt the castle gates: she, herself, goes into the hall, where the Princes are still at table. The sinking of the well in Lincoln's Inn Fields still Here she complains to them, in the most moving terms, anties; and although the excavation is now sunk to of what had been reported to her, and how badly the unusual depth, not the least indication of water being Imperial promise had been kept. She is answered with antear has yet been observed. The well sunk some few laughter, and with the remark, that such was the cusears ago, adjoining St. Dunstan's Church, in Fleet-tom of war; and that, in a march through a country, treet, was dug to the depth of 174 feet before a spring such little misfortunes were not to be prevented. "Well, was discovered. we'll see," replied she, enraged, "my poor subjects must have their own again, or, by God! (raising her voice,) Princes' blood for oxen blood!". With this emphatic declaration she left the room, which, in a few minutes, was filled with armed men who, yet with demonstrations of respect, planted themselves, sword in hand, behind the Princes' chairs. On the entrance of this intrepid band, the Duke of Alva changed colour, the Princes looked at each other, mute and confounded: cut off from the army, surrounded by a numerically superior and robust body of men, what other option had he than A man called Cæsar, lately married a girl of the patiently to collect himself, and appease the offended name of Roma, both common names in Rome. They lady on any condition? Henry, Duke of Brunswick, lived in the Piazza Navona, close to Pasquin's statute, Sporting.-A. Hamilton, Esq. of Mauchline, while was the first who possessed himself, and he burst into a where was found nex: morning the following advice: shooting partridges on the 9th instant, in the course loud laugh. He adopted the sensible expedient of giv-" Cave, Caesar, me tua Roma republica fiat." The man his walk, fell in with and killed a very fine black cocking the whole affair a playful turn, and complimented replied the next day; "Cæsar imperat!" But his anthe lands of Scheock, in the parish of Tarbolton; a the Countess upon the motherly care and determined tagonist immediately rejoined: "Ergo coronabitur." stance that rarely occurs in the low grounds; as courage which she showed. He requested her to remain black cock is a native of, and almost always confines quiet, and undertook to persuade the Duke of Alva to melf to, the highest mountains. A bird of the same consent to every thing that was just. He really succeeded, ad was killed at the back of Mauchline-hill, just 21 too, in inducing this last to give an order on the spot to his army to restore the plundered cattle, without delay, ars ago. to the owners. As soon as the Countess of Schwartzburgh was certain of the restitution, she thanked her guests in the handsomest manner, who politely took their leave.

nad ball in the head, *After a while the animal was dissected for the aseum, but the muscular parts were given to the ople, who took it home as food. Between three nd four bundred persons ate of it without any fear rom the poison, and without any ill effects from indigestion

This elephant was from Bengal, was about nine feet high, and ten years of age."

There is now living in the vicinity of the Minories an d woman, at the advanced age of 111, who was touched Queen Anne for the King's Evil.

gentleman, in 16 days shooting this season in the ghbourhood of Ongar and Brentwood, Essex, killed race and a half of partridges, of which number 32 were old birds!! a remarkable proof how deseive the storms have been the last summer to the e in that county.

Medallic Biography.—A subscription is now open for g a hundred medals in bronze, silver, and gold,

iki

ho

our of those men, in all countries, who have acire the greatest real glory by the distinguished serthey have rendered to society, and to the world at The King of Sweden has subscribed nearly 5000 towards this undertaking.

They who wish to consult the German original, will
find it in (Fr. Schiller's Worke XVIII. Historische
Abhandlungen) the Carlsrhue edition of the German
Classics.

Parisian Juke.-On the day of the eclipse, when all the inhabitants of Paris were without doors, provided with pieces of smoked glass, an Englishman was seen driving furiously in a fiacre along one of the principal "Where does streets. Lord wish to go to?" said my "To see the eclipse," exclaimed the the driver. Englishman, thrusting his head out of the coach widow; "only drive up as near to it as possible, for I am short-sighted."-French Papers.

Presence of Mind.-It is recorded of a late Noble Earl, that he was suddenly awakened at night in his carriage by a highwayman, who, thrusting a pistol through the window, and presenting it close to his heart, demanded his money, exclaiming, at the same time, that "he had heard his Lordship had boasted that he never would be robbed by a single highwayman, but that he should now be taught the contrary." "His Lordship putting his hand into his pocket, replied, "Neither would I now be robbed if it was not for that fellow who is looking over your shoulder." The highwayman turned round his head, when his Lordship, who had drawn a pistol from his pocket instead of his purse, shot him dead on the spot.

lark flew into the shop of Arthur Burrow, in Oak-street On Saturday night last, about eight o'clock, a fine in this town; and whilst a man in the shop held it in his right hand, another came in about three minutes and contentedly perched upon his left. To increase the singularity of the circumstance, a third came in shortly after, and was readily secured.-Preston Chron. Oct. 14,

A new colonnade is erecting in front of Drury-lane Theatre, to obviate the inconvenience to which ladies were subjected in a rainy evening.

Natural History.

TOADS IN SOLID TREES.

[From a recent American Journal.]

A short time time since, we published an account of the discovery of a snake, inclosed in a solid mass of hard coal, at the depth of 150 feet from the surface of the ground, in a coal-pit in England. The following article, communicated from Middletown, Connecticut, contains a parallel case of a different animal, inclosed in a different, but not less extraordinary prison in this country.

It was reserved for Miss Stephens to call up the warmth of applause, the absence of which Mr. Kea lamented. In her "Echo Song," the "Soldi Tired," and two of the songs in the revived Comed she obtained bursts of approbation almost astound ing; but perhaps the sweetest of all her efforts w in "Auld Robin Gray," on Friday night. Isha never forget it while my reason lives.

tion to this subject, than which, as you have very pro-
SIR,-You have occasionally called the public atten-
perly observed, "none can be more interesting to the
philanthropist." Some years since a murder occurred I
at or near Whiston, in this neighbourhood, which was
detected by circumstantial evidence of a nature still
more extraordinary than any you have recorded. I do
not recollect all the particulars, but I believe that a torn
ballad, in the pocket of the murderer, was the clue
which led to his detection. My object in addressing
oblige the public with the particulars of this singular
is to request some of your numerous readers to
detection.

you

A READER.

The following inscription, recording the murder, is
literally copied from a stone erected on the spot:
"In memory of Edward Culshaw, who was inhumanly
shot through the head, and robbed, near this place,
on the 19th of January, 1784, by John Toms, an
Irishman, who was executed at Lancaster for the
horrible deed, having before his execution confessed
the fact."

It is not yet satisfactorily ascertained upon what principle certain species of the animal creation, apparently requiring air for the purposes of respiration, can for a long time exist, when totally excluded from the atmosphere. Among many instances of this nature, may be mentioned one which occured some weeks since at Middletown, in Connecticut. At Mr. Stephen Miller's mill, in that place, was sawed an uncommonly large pine log, from which six boards were taken out of each side. The log contained 220 rings or grains, one of which is annually formed by the growth of the tree. In the middle of the log was found a hollow place about two feet long, and about the size of a man's hat crown. When the tree was felled, the hole must, probably, have been nine or ten feet from the earth. From this hollow place, when opened at one end by the saw, hopped out a pretty large toad, rather blacker than usual, and displaying as much activity as is common to its family. After a few hops it jumped down the sawpit, plunged into the mill-pond, and disappeared. As there was no hole in the sides, or in any part of the log, except directly in the center, it is supposed by some that when the tree was young, the toad, theu probably extremely small, had crept into some little defective aperture, since closed up by the growth SIR,-During the past week a series of most of the tree, and had remained there ever since gradu- excellent performances have afforded high gratificaally more and more inclosed, as the pine increased in tion to select audiences, and especially to the lovers size. As the tree grew, the hole must have grown in of music. The new plays of Henri Quatre and the proportion; so, that, in process of time, the toad must, of Errors, and the old favourite of Love in a Village, Antiquary, the revived one of Shakspeare's Comedy of course, have been greatly relieved from his cramped have given scope to, and been rendered doubly attracposition, and finally accomodated with a snug drawing-tive by, the sweet warblings of Miss Stephens. This room, to which nothing was wanting but the company of his friends.

If, according to the Pythagorean doctrine of transmigration, this recluse had once been 2 MAN, and if the

The Drama.

LIVERPOOL THEATRE.

ventures upon

66

MISS STEPHENS.

TO THE EDITOR.

But I have spoken of select audiences. The think, must have produced little more than were very select indeed. Out of nine nights, seve ordinary average; and yet Miss Stephens ner complained even in looks, and before her benefit s made a handsome donation to the Theatrical Fut had one of the most crowded houses, and certa On her benefit uight, however, I am glad to say, the most genteel one of the season. And she d served it.

CLIO,

P.S Want of room alone prevents my noticing with approbation Mr. Collins's obligato accompan ments to Miss Stephens; the exquisite performance in the Antiquary; Mr. Rees's irresistible humouri of Mrs. M'Gibbon in Elspeth; the fine water-scen

many characters (I wish he had never seen Muudes and Mr. Tayleure's," Really, brother, I think wad, (but when will Mr. T. leave off talking to the a dience?)

To Correspondents.

STEAM NAVIGATION.-We have adopted the suge tion of A FRIEND, by appropriating the whole of pamphlet just published on this subject; and sti will be found under the Scientific department of t Kaleidoscope. There are many hints in the essay memoir, which are particularly interesting to this a other subjects; although the suggestions cannot considered as altogether new; as the scheme for to ing out vessels becalmed, by means of Steam Bois was strongly recommended in a series of letters, Bu dressed to the public by the individual where the paragraph.-[See several letters of in pool Mercury, Vol. V. pages 23, 39, 49, 71, culti AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY, &c.-The article on t subject in the American journals, had excited notice, before we were favoured with the co obligingly supplied by A FRIEND TO THE LEIDOSCOPE. Our correspondent will perceive we have no been slow in recording a document tends to elucidate the nature of the claim of S ter Scott to the high reputation inseparable real author of these immortal works; to RA said the reputed author is mainly indebte i present title.

POETICAL FRIENDS.-The poem of Leonors we preferred inserting entire, rather than divid between two publications) is of such a length occupy the whole of this week's poetical depart a circumstance which will, we trust, satisfact apologise to those correspondents, whose compos or transcriptions have suffered a temporary posi ment. We take this opportunity of repeating thanks to the friend who favoured us with the le his splendid edition of Leonora, of which we availed ourselves on this occasion, and inform that the copy awaits his orders.

lady has more than ever won upon the good opinion of the public; she has ravished the hearts as well as the ears of her auditors; and yet she is no performer: nor does she pretend to be such. She wand of an enchanter could have restored him to his the stage like one tempted from the human form and voice, it would have been pleasant to and when she is welcomed, or her songs are rewarddrawing-room, to fill a vacancy in dramatised story, learn from him some particulars of our country at the ed, by the applause which she never fails to excite, distance of two centuries past, and to listen to garru- you can read in her unassuming and blushing face lous old age recounting the history of days of yore. can all this be for me?" She betrays her artlessHe was, probably, when released from prison, the old-ness in a thousand ways: she cannot put on a marest living creature in the United States. Admitting faces of a Tayleure or a Rees; an embarrassing ble countenance and talk gloomily to the whimsical the HUMANITY of the toad, conjectures might vary, smile will frequently steal up, and ask pardon at the whether, in his pristine form, he might have been an same moment, for its intrusion; and it is readily Indian Sachem of the Pequod or Mohegan tribes, or granted, for the audience themselves are in a titter. one of the old settlers of Plymouth, New York, or Miss Stephens's singing is of the most perfect and We trust the foregoing paragraph will be satisfa Virginia. A calculation of probabilities, founded upon effective kind. Its perfection, both musically and to ANON-W. Ë. T.-HENRICUS-W. W. the supposed period of his incarceration in the tree, poetically considered, makes me proud to rank A-0.-J. H.-BOB TRIPPET. would naturally incline minute chronologists to the whom it is the fashion to prefer and to enrich. Further Communications.—J. H.—F. S. G. this genuine Englishwoman above all the foreigners adoption of the former conjectures in preference to the Poetry has in her a splendid advocate; in articulation she has no rival; and around the beauties of heroic, enamoured, or pathetic imagination, she alternately throws such a witchery of inspiring energy, lavish sweetness, and true, natural simplicity, that she elevates the soul to the daring of noble deeds, enchants it to love's tenderness, or sinks it to the depths of weeping sorrow, with a mastery which acknowledges no limits but the boundary of her author's genius.

latter.

An excellent Recipe for destroying Flies.-To one pint of milk add a quarter of a pound of raw sugar, and two ounces of ground pepper, simmer the same together eight or ten minutes, and place it about in shallow vessels; the flies attack it greedily, and in a few moments are suffocated. By this method kitchens, &c. may be kept clear of flies all summer, without the danger attending poison.

Printed, published, and sold
BY EGERTON SMITH AND CO.

Liverpool Mercury Office.

Sold also by John Bywater and Co. Pool-lane: M
Evans, Chegwin and Hall, Castle-street; Mr.
Smith, Paradise-street; Mr. Warbrick,
Library, Lime-street; Mr. G. P. Day, New
Dale-street; Mr. Lamb, Hanover-street; and
John Smith, St. James's-road, for ready money

T

The Gleaner.

old verger, in his black gown, moving along | upon this distant shore of time, telling no their shadowy vaults, and seeming like a tale but that such beings had been, and had

"I am but a gatherer and disposer of other men's spectre from one of the neighbouring tombs. perished; teaching no moral but the futility

stuf

WOTTON.

THE SKETCH BOOK

OF

Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.

No. XXIV.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

When I behold, with deepe astonishment,
To famous Westminster how there resorte,
Living in brasse or stoney monyment,
The princes and the worthies of all sorte:
Doe not I see reformde nobilitie,
Without contempt, or pride, or ostentation,
And looke upon offenselesse majesty,
Naked of pompe or earthly domination?
And how a play-game of a painted stone,
Contents the quiet now and silent sprites,
Whome all the world which late they stood upon,
Could not content nor quench their appetites.
Life is a froste of cold felicitie,

And death the thaw of all our vanitie.
Christolero's Epigrams, by T. B. 1598.

The approach to the abbey through these of that pride which hopes still to exact
gloomy monastic remains prepares the mind homage in its ashes, and to live in an in-
for its solemn contemplation. The cloisters scription. A little longer and even these
still retain something of the quiet and se- faint records will be obliterated, and the
clusion of former days. The grey walls are monument will cease to be a memorial.
discoloured by damps, and crumbling with Whilst I was yet looking down upon these
age; a coat of hoary moss has gathered over gravestones, I was roused by the sound of
the inscriptions of the mural monuments, the abbey clock, reverberating from but-
and obscured the death's heads, and other tress to buttress, and echoing among the
funereal emblems. The sharp touches of the cloisters. It is almost startling to hear this
chisel are gone from the rich tracery of the warning of departed time sounding among
arches; the roses which adorned the key-the tombs, and telling the lapse of the hour,
stones have lost their leafy beauty; every which like a billow has rolled us onward to-
thing bears marks of the gradual dilapida- wards the grave.
tions of time, which yet has something
touching and pleasing in its very decay.

I pursued my walk to an arched door opening to the interior of the abbey. On The sun was pouring down a yellow au- entering here, the magnitude of the buildtumnal ray into the square of the cloisters; ing breaks fully upon the mind, contrasted beaming upon a scanty plot of grass in the with the faults of the cloisters. The eye centre, and lighting up an angle of the gazes with wonder at clustered columns of vaulted passage with a kind of dusty splen- gigantic dimensions, with arches springing dour. From between the arcades the eye from them to such an amazing height; and glanced up to a bit of blue sky or passing man wandering about their bases, shrunk On one of those sober and rather melan- cloud; and beheld the sun-gilt pinnacles of into insignificance in comparison with his choly days, in the latter part of autumn, the abbey towering into the azure heaven. own handywork. The spaciousness and when the shadows of morning and evening As I paced the cloisters, sometimes con- gloom of this vast edifice produce a proalmost mingle together, and throw a gloom templating this mingled picture of glory found and mysterious awe. We step cauOver the decline of the year, I passed seve- and decay, and sometimes endeavouring to tiously and softly about, as if fearful of ral hours in rambling about Westminster decipher the inscriptions on the tomb- disturbing the hallowed silence of the tomb; Abbey. There was something congenial stones, which formed the pavement beneath while every footfall whispers along the to the season in the mournful magnificence my feet, my eye was attracted to three walls, and chatters among the sepulchres, of the old pile; and as I passed its thresh-figures, rudely carved in relief, but nearly making us more sensible of the quiet we hold, it seemed like stepping back into worn away by the footsteps of many gene- have interrupted. the regions of antiquity, and losing myself rations. They were the effigies of three of It seems as if the awful nature of the among the shades of former ages. of the early abbots; the epitaphs were en- place presses down upon the soul, and I entered from the inner court of West-tirely effaced; the names alone remained, hushes the beholder into noiseless reveminster School, through a long, low, vault- having no boubt been renewed in later rence. We feel that we are surrounded by ed passage, that had an almost subterranean times; (Vitalis. Abbas. 1082, and Gisle- the congregated bones of the great men of look, being dimly lighted in one part by bertus Crispinus. Abbas. 1114, and Lauren- past times; who have filled history with circular perforations in the massy walls. tius. Abbas. 1176.) I remained some their deeds, and the earth with their reThrough this dark avenue I had a distant little while, musing over these casual re-nown. And yet it almost provokes a smile view of the cloisters, with the figure of an liques of antiquity, thus left like wrecks at the vanity of human ambition, to see how