The railway bills before Parliament have been classified || length, was opened. The following week the Lincoln and into 12 English groups, two Scotch, and one Irish. Three Gainsborough portion of the Great Northern scheme was of these groups have commenced sitting. opened, thus completing the chain from London to Great Grimsby. The following is an abstract of the increase or decrease in the mileage and earnings of the leading English railways in 1848 as compared with 1847:Incd, miles Increase. Decrease. London and North-Western....... £ 32 York, Newcastle, and Berwick 42,810 paid. 4 Eastern Counties.ཧ་ཨཨ་ཡ་འས་ད་ཨཟན་ལྡ 24 26,183 £17 25 Brighton 20,985 Birmingham and Oxford 26 17 11,240 Chester and Holyhead Eastern Counties 469 Deduct decrease-་་་་་་་འའའའའ་ £256,385 Net increase for 1848. The increase in expenditure on these lines is, as near as possible, the same as the increase in earnings by £256,779. In the month of February last, no less than 120 railway meetings were held. Opening of New Lines.-The Liverpool, Preston, and Ormskirk Railway was opened on April 2, thus forming a direct communication between Liverpool and Preston, reducing the distance from 38 to 25 miles. On the same day, the portion of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire railway between Brigg and Gainsborough, 18 miles in Edinburgh and Glasgow Great Northern Great Western Hull and Selby North Staffordshire York, Newcastle, and Berwick £278,370 21,985 ww 86 65 50 ww ww 741 88 SIR ANDREW AGNEW, BART. At his residence, Rutland Square, Edinburgh, on the 12th April, of debility, consequent on fever, Sir Andrew Agnew, Baronet, of Lochnaw, in Wigtownshire, in the 56th year of his age. He was the seventh baronet, and succeeded bis grandfather in 1809. Born in 1793, he was the son of Andrew Agnew, Esq., by the eldest daughter of the 26th Lord Kingsale, in Ireland. He married, in 1816, the daughter of Sir David Carnegie, Baronet, of Southesk, by whom he had several children. He was vice-lieutenant of the county of Wigtown, which he represented in Parliament from 1830 to 1837. He voted for the Reform Bill, and, in general, his conduct, as a member of the Legislature, was marked by a liberal and independent course of politics. The introduction of his famous Sunday Trading Bill, however, rendered him a conspicuous butt for the shafts of ridicule and abuse; and he endured a storm of raillery and revilement which would have overwhelmed almost any other public man, up to 1747 held the hereditary shrievalty of Wigtownshire. On its abolition in that year, when the heritable jurisdictions of Scotland were universally abolished, the then representative of the family received £4,000 as compensation. Soon after Sir Andrew had succeeded to the estate he introduced several important and judicious improvements of his property, for which there was abundant scope. Lochnaw Castle, the patrimonial seat, a very ancient, and once strongly fortified, edifice, stands on an eminence, in the parish of Leswalt; and on the west side of it, in the olden time, lay the waters of the Loch from which it derived its name. This beautiful sheet of water, nearly half a mile long, had been drained, and its bed turned into meadowland; but Sir Andrew, with excellent taste, restored it to its pristine condition, raised a noble plantation around it, and improved and decorated the adjacent grounds, till the ancient seat of his family soon became the grand attraction of the parish. After his retirement from Parliament, Sir Andrew continued to have great political influence in Wigtownshire: and the importance of his position was increased by the disruption of the Church of Scotland in 1843, He is succeeded in his title and estates by his eldest son, Captain Andrew Agnew, R.N., who married, in 1846, Lady Mary Arabella Louisa, a daughter of the Earl of Gainsborough. A daughter of the deceased baronet married, after the disruption, the Rev. T. B. Bell, Free Church Minister of Leswalt, and one of his sons is a Minister of the Free Church. Sir Andrew Agnew was buried on the 19th April, in the Grange Cemetery, near Edinburgh, in a grave next to those of Dr. Chalmers and Mr. Graham Spiers, late Sheriff of Edinburgh. The ceremony was public, and six, out of seven, of his surviving sons, followed his remains to the grave, one being prevented by The measure caused nearly as much excite ment, especially in London, as even the Reform Bill itself, and was thrown out in Parliament. He did not, however, abate one jot of his efforts in behalf of the "better observance of the Sabbath," as his constant and indefatigable, and, it must be admitted, able and disinterested, advocacy of the Sabbath railway closing movement abundantly testified. Indeed, his last appearance in public was at & meeting of the Scottish Central Railway Company, a short time before his death, when he took part in the proceedings. Though too rigorous for England in his notions, Sir Andrew was sincere and well-meaning, and his name will long be remembered, as it was chiefly celebrated in his life, for his championship of the sacredness of the Sabbath. The family to which Sir Andrew belonged was a very ancient one, and "indisposition from attending. THE REV. DR. MACDONALD OF URQUHART. On the 16th April, the Rev. JOHN MACDONALD, D.D., minister of the Free Church at Urquhart, in the barony of Ferrintosh, Ross-shire, in the 70th year of his age. About two months before his decease, the pressure of a tight boot caused a slight bruise in one of his feet, which was, unfortunately, neglected, and mortification ensued. The hurt, spreading, terminated in his death. He was a native of Reay, in Caithness-shire, where his father officiated as catechist, and was born on the 12th of November, 1779. He was educated in the parish school of Reay, and in his eighteenth year went to King's College, Old Aberdeen, where he completed the usual course of theological studies. In 1805 he was licensed to preach, and, for about two years, he seems to have acted as a missionary or occasional preacher in the Highlands. He was ordained in 1806, and in 1807 he was appointed successor to the Rev. Mr. Maclachlan, in the Gaelic Chapel, Edinburgh. Six years afterwards he received from Mr. Forbes of Culloden, the patron, a presentation to the parish of Urquhart, having been the free choice of the people. For the long period of thirty-six years he laboured in that remote district, with great zeal and success, and became one of the most popular and influential clergymen in the north of Scotland. His flock were strongly attached to him, and his frequent journeys throughout the kingdom made his name extensively known. His preaching was distinguished by fervour and energy, and crowds of people everywhere flocked to hear him in the pulpit. Perhaps no man ever preached more sermons in the same number of years. He often preached twice, and even thrice a day, for weeks in succession. His manner was earnest and animated, and, to a Gaelic congregation, irresistible. At the disruption of the Church of Scotland, in 1843, Dr. Macdonald was one of those who, from conscientious motives, seceded from the Church. He was twice marriedfirst, to Miss Georgina Ross of Glad field, Ross-shire, who died in 1814; and, secondly, to Miss Janet Mackenzie, daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie, Esq., of Millbank. By both marriages he had issue. The late Rev. John Macdonald, of Calcutta, was his eldest son. He was prematurely cut off by a fever, in 1848, and his remains are interred in Calcutta, the scene of his missionary exertions. JAMES MORIER, ESQ. At Brighton, on April 2d, JAMES MORIER, Esq., the author of "Hajji Baba," and several other popular oriental romances, at the age of 66. About ten days before his death, he was struck with an attack of apoplexy, from which he never recovered. Mr. Morier was for some time Secretary of Embassy to the Court of Persia, a situation which afforded him abundant opportunities of obtaining a knowledge of the customs and manners of the East. The first part of the "Adventures of Hajji Baba, of Ispahan," appeared in 1824, in three volumes. The second part was published, in two volumes, in 1828. The hero of the tale is a personage of the Gil Blas class; who, after various amusing adventures, becomes Secretary to the Persian Embassy in England. The work evinces a minute and familiar acquaintance with famous Persian prince. Two years afterwards appeared from his pen, "Ayesha, the Maid of Kars," also in three volumes, which is considered inferior to his other works. In 1841 he published the "Mirza," in three volumes, a series of Eastern tales. Besides these works of fiction, Mr. Morier was the author of "Journeys through Persia, Arminia, and Asia Minor," which abound in interesting descriptions of these different countries, their people, and government. He also edited a translation from the German, called "The Banished," a Swabian historical tale; being a story of the Swabian League in the 16th century. By Mr. Morier's death, a considerable pension, which he enjoyed for his diplomatic services in Persia and Mexico, reverts to the Crown. He has left a widow, and an only son, Mr. G. Morier, who holds a situation in the Foreign Office. DR. GEORGE GARDNER. At Ceylon, suddenly, from apoplexy, Dr. GEORGE GardNER, superintendent of the Botanic Garden, Peradenia Kandy, Ceylon. He was a pupil of Sir W. J. Hooker, the late Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow, and soon after leaving that city he undertook the enterprising journey recorded in his "Travels in the Interior of Brazil." Upon his return from Brazil, about five years since, he was appointed superintendent of the Botanic Garden, at Kandy: since then he has been actively engaged in preparing materials for a Flora of the country. This zealous naturalist expired in the prime of life, not being above thirty years of age. MAJOR-GENERAL FORBES. At Aberdeen, on the 29th March, Major-General FOBBES, C.B. He entered the army as Ensign, in 1793, and was for many years connected with the 78th Regiment, or Rossshire Buffs. In 1794-95, he was engaged in active service in Holland. He afterwards accompanied the 78th to Quiberon Bay, and was at the taking of the Isle of Dieu in 1795. The following year he proceeded to the Cape of Good Hope, and was present at the capture of the Dutch fleet in Saldanha Bay. In November, 1797, he accompanied his regiment to India, and served with it during the campaign in Oude in 1798 and 1799. He also served during part of the Mahratta campaign in 1803. In Java he particularly distinguished himself, having been present in every action in which his regiment was engaged there during the years 1811, 1812, and 1813, including the forcing of the enemy's position at Welterveden, the storming of the lines of Cornelia, the heights of Serandah, and other strong places. In May, 1813, he quelled an insurrection which broke out in the east end of Java, when Lieutenant-Colonel Fraser and Captain M'Pherson, of the 78th, were murdered by the insurgents. For his services in Java he received a medal," and was five times thanked in general orders. In 1817, he, retired on half-pay, and in 1838 was made a militay com panion of the Bath. On the occasion of the brevet in 1844, he became a Major-General. M. JULES SLOWACKI. At Paris, M. JULES SLOWACKI, one of the most dis the habits and customs of the Persians, and on its publica- tinguished of the Polish poets, at the early age of thirty-nine. tion attained a standard reputation. In 1832, Mr. Morier produced "Zohrab the Hostage," in three volumes, an historical novel of the time of Aga Mahommed Shah, a CARDINAL MEZZOFANTI. At Rome, Cardinal MEZZOFANTI, celebrated for his ex traordinary power in the acquisition of languages. PRINTED BY GEORGE TROUP, 29, DUNLOP STREET, GLASGOW. TAIT'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE. JUNE, 1849. THE MODERN VASSAL. BY JOHN WILMER. (Continued from page 318.) surface was covered with small pieces of white, soft, spongy cheese, a very favourite dish with the peasantry, when they can afford it. They compelled Leon to swallow a large quantity of this fluid, and thereby restored some warmth and circulation to his stiffening limbs; nor would Jakubska sit down to the family meal till she had prepared a bed of fresh straw in the corner of the kitchen, on which the boy soon lay extended in a state little short of insensibility, but which was mistaken by those around for the wholesome repose that succeeds fatigue. Then, and not till then, did the woman think of her own creature comforts. After the evening repast was over, which chiefly consisted of gritz and bacon, Jakubska made interest for some of her favourite beverage-brandy. THE rain continued unabated. The weather was chill. [ing, he removed the lid from the steaming malt, whose Jakubska strode on at such a rate that it was with difficulty that Leon kept pace with her. More than once he thought of giving her the slip, but her keen eye was ever on him; until, at last, having long left the sandy ground behind, and entered upon a more fertile country, he so completely lost his bearings, and was so faint, that the thought of escape died away. But he was too proud to complain of fatigue. Once or twice, indeed, the woman rested a short time; but the approach of night made her anxious to push forward; and, accustomed to all the vicissitudes of a vagrant's life, hunger and weariness seldom visited her, or, if felt, they were overlooked whenever she had an object in view. They passed one or two villages; but the woman, evidently desirous of avoiding observation, skirted round in preference to traversing them. At last "I will not say but you want something to comfort you they approached a gently rising ground, forming an agree-after so hard a day's work," observed the host, "but everyable contrast to the dull flats they had wandered over throughout the day, on whose eminence stood something resembling a farm, though in a very dilapidated condition. "Have but a little courage," said Jakubska, turning to the boy; "we are now soon over our troubles-up there we shall find rest, food, and shelter." Leon's strength was completely gone; his eyes swam, his head reeled; he followed the old woman mechanically, scarce preserving consciousness. Perceiving his situation, she took his hand and assisted him up the acclivity, when, ringing at the gate of the solitary house, she succeeded in rousing the attention of those within. “You, Jakubska !—at this hour—in this weather!" exclaimed the man who appeared at the window. "Don't let us bandy words here at the gate," she said; || "this child requires instant care, so let us in, will you?" They soon stood, drying their clothes, by the kitchen fire. Jakubska, with a solicitude hardly to have been expected from her, disencumbered the boy of his wet garments, and wrapt him up in whatever she could procure that was warm and dry; endeavouring, at the same time, to persuade him to take some refreshment. "He has had no food this day, poor child," she said, turning to the host, "and has walked for hours without intermission; he must surely have overtasked his strength-but there|| was no help for it." thing in moderation. I have often said behind your back, and will now say it to your face, that brandy has been your bane through life. If it had not been for that, with the ample allowance the Countess made you, you would now be one of the most comfortable women in your village. You have your serf's wood and roof-your clear rental upon the Countess-your boys apprenticed at her expense they get a present of clothes whenever they want them, and yet, with all these advantages, you and your children are always dirty and in rags, and you in want of a meal, because all the money-every bit of it-goes into the publican's pocket. Why, you would drink a man out of house and home. Now, if you had but order and conduct, and did just as much work as would keep your house free from vermin, you might be thriving and respected; instead of which, you know very well, Jakubska, you are despised by the old and hooted at by the young. Surely it can't be so difficult-" "Tush! nonsense!" said the woman, impatiently; "I am not come to hear preaching, but to tell you of my difficulty. I don't want counsel, but assistance. plan is already formed; when we are alone I will tell you more about it, and let that be soon, for time presses." My "It's about yon child," he whispered. "Take care, Jakubska, you are not meddling with concerns above your station, or harra will come of it." "The best thing for him," said the host, "will be a "By-and-bye you will know all; but, for God's sake, little hot beer soup; we are just getting some ready forget rid of your folks." our supper; we'll force some down his throat." So say- The host, snatching up a bit of candle stuck in a po. VOL. XVI.-NO. CLXXXVI. 2 E boy is older, he may write to him a petition, and get a mint of money out of him one way or other. Don't you see that, neighbour?" "I don't know Count Stanoiki-I don't belong to him," said the host; "but I have heard it said that he has a will of his own, like all of them; I wouldn't build too much on the future." tato, led the way to his sleeping-room, in which a huge stove, that nearly halved the apartment, and a bed, surrounded with Catholic emblems, were the most striking objects. He locked the door carefully behind him, removed some clothes from a chair which he presented to Jakubska, took another himself, endeavoured to quiet a few goslings which, having been hatched late in the season, he was, for warmth's sake, bringing up in his own room, and disposed himself to give his best attention to the old woman's revelations. He shared the secret of Leon's birth and parentage, and of his substitution for the defunct heir of Stanoiki; the old nurse who first devised the plan and carried it out being his own sister. He, at the time, warned her against encouraging such a notion in the Countess, and told her of the danger with which the plan was fraught. He spoke of the caprices of the great said that the Countess would tire of the toy, or her conscience would get alarmed-that she was for the moment actuated by inconsiderate emotion-but all in vain. As to Jakubska, who was also his relation, through her husband, nothing that he could say had power to shake her resolve the bait had been too tempting. He now listened to her narration with the deepest interest, and, when she had ceased speaking, he exclaimed“Well, Jakubska, did I not tell you it would all end in || alarm, “ is that the tune he pipes? Then we must, innothing?" "I don't remember," said the woman, "but if you did, it was false; so there is nothing to boast of. Why, do you call it nothing to have had eleven years of pension like that I have enjoyed, without reckoning all the sums I screwed out of the late Countess? I am sure, had my good man lived, I should not have been so comfortable as I have been since his death-that is at times. No, no! pity for my destitute offspring would never have got me that. Those that are pensioned merely for charity's sake find a very different figure to cast up at the end of the year, I promise you. And even now, when the worst is come to the worst, I retain that pension, mind you, and all the other advantages the Countess granted me. So, far from meeting the punishment you predicted, you see I have greatly bettered my condition. Besides, all my children,|| except this unfortunate boy, are in a fair way to take care of themselves. The family is brought up. Each knows a trade, and can earn his own livelihood; the Countess took care of that for me." "Ay; she was a good lady," exclaimed the man. "Good! I don't know what you call good-a bargain is a bargain-have I not sold her my last born, my own flesh and blood? I think there was no occasion for gratitude between us. I had a secret in my keeping would have lost her with the severe general; that gave me power over her, and I made use of it." "Well, I think differently; however, Pavel will now soon grow, and be able to help himself. Do you know it was a hard thing, though, to give up one's child for so many years, and to be treated and looked upon as I have been by that boy? It was a hard thing to be hated and scorned by one's own flesh and blood, and I, too, who was so proud of him, and his handsome face and his fine clothes! I longed to kiss him to-day-it would have been the first time for eleven long years-but I knew I should have driven him frantic! I shall have trouble enough to prevent his getting himself or me into some terrible scrape; and it is the manner in which he took our restoration to each other that forces me on extreme courses. This is why I am come to ask your assistance. I dare not leave him in this neighbourhood; he'd betray all; find his way to the castle, and make a mortal foe of the Count.” "Holy Virgin!" exclaimed the man, in unfeigned deed, get him out of the way at any cost, for I would not have my name mixed up in an affair concerning any of our neighbouring lords for all the wealth that you foolishly dreamt of for your boy." "I thought," said the woman, with a sigh, "it would be no use proposing to leave him here." "Then you thought very rightly! For my nearest and dearest I would not put myself into trouble by wagging a single finger in the concerns of those above me." "But you will help me out of this troublesome affair?” "I will help to get the boy out of our way." "Well, where do you think you could dispose of him for the time being?" "Why, not far over the frontier I have friends who keep a small inn on an unfrequented road; he is never likely there to fall in with any one who would attend to his story; he'll be quite snug, and there, among strangers, he will soon forget his grand airs, and get accustomed to the sort of life he will be obliged to lead in future. Nay, never shake your head; it will come to that, depend upon it; he'll be glad enough, one day, to come and share your home and your pension. What do you look so blank at? You haven't had him for ten years and more; why shouldn't you be able to part with him now!" "Ay, but I knew him to be happy then; it was for his good." "Well, it will be still more for his good now. Believe me, it is not by degrees that you can break him into such "I'll be bound you did!" said the host, with a sagacious a change. It is better to inure him to it at once. The wink and smile. "Well, you see," resumed the scheming matron,|| "though, on the one hand, I might, doubtless, have gained more had my son remained a Count, and in possession of a Count's estate, yet, on the other, the boy is high of heart, and not gentle in temper. Instead of being frightened by my threats, or induced by my claims to share with me his wealth, he might-nay, probably, would, have denied both, and maltreated me. God has spared him the sin and me the sorrow. Then, all is not over yet. The Count may not be able to miss him; he has acted in his first anger; he may yet change his mind. At any rate, when the first shock over, he'll bear his fate all the better where nothing reminds him of the past; and when he sees you again your presence will be a blessed relief.” "Well, I have no choice; but will he be comfortable with these friends of yours?" "Much of his comfort will depend on the price you pay for his pension." "I knew you would sing that song!"' said the woman, in a whining tone. "I must say it is the hardest thing of all for a poor lone widow'— "You'll accept my succour on my own terms or let it alone," said the man, coldly. "You know I can't help myself, so what's the use of talking! I'll pay what I can, and you must promise me that your folk will do the best in their power for my boy; however, I'll go and see him occasionally, and judge for myself." "That's the best plan; I, too, have sometimes business in that part of the country, for my master has an estate hard by, and I will now and then drop in to look after him. The people have plenty of children of their own, and companionship will reconcile your boy to everything, even to what at first he may term hardships. Come, Jakubska, be reasonable can you put your child in a palace? If I were not afraid that, owing to my being the|| brother of the nurse and your cousin, and the child's having been here to-night, I might eventually be mixed up with this ugly business, I would not trouble myself so much about the matter, I can tell you, but even let you follow your own bent. It has been my principle through life never to let my name come to the ear of the great, either for good or for evil. The less they know about one the better. We have a proverb that says, "the meanest bush can cast a shadow-what must it be, then, with the huge oak?" " meet them in that neighbourhood; and now, Jakubska, the money?" "I have not yet touched a penny from my lord-it's all promise." "Ay, but the people will be wanting some immediately, and I have none at home." With a heavy sigh, the woman took from her under vestments a small faded purse which had once belonged to the Countess, and which miraculously yet contained some remnant of her bounty. This the man buried in an inner pocket of his waistcoat, and raising the child gently from his straw pallet, carried him to the cart, and there deposited him, still plunged in the deepest sleep. He next mounted to the rough seat he had arranged in front for himself, and was about to shake the reins, when Jakubska stopped him by a parting exclamation— "Be kind to my Pavel," she said; "remember, though you are not his god-father, he is named after you. "Ay, ay; lock the gate carefully after me, and put the key where I told you, and be off before any one is stirring." With these last injunctions, he departed. The rain had abated, but the night was cold, and the "You were ever a prudent man," said Jakubska, with air impregnated with the damp of the previous day. The a dubious expression about eye and lip. "But he is fearfully fatigued," said the woman. Well," said the woman, sulkily, "I am in your hands, and you know it so it must be as you say, I suppose, but you take me with you." "Not to-night--not till I have arranged everything-|| for a thousand reasons it's better so." Count, in his hermetically closed, easy, travelling carriage, in vain courting slumber, looked out on the starless night under an overwhelming sense of isolation and strangeness. But a few days back a husband and a father, and now quite alone and joyless in the world, to which, it seemed to him, no tie now bound him. The General thought of his own sorrows, his own trials, of himself whom the world would be so happy, so proud to console; but of that poor, lone boy, that very morning sitting by his side in the pride of station and wealth, now littered on straw at the bottom of a peasant's cart-of that existence crushed in its bud-of those first and purest affections trampled down of that abandoned human being the Count thought not. And herein lies the cruelty of those whom fortune has spoiled-in their fearful egotism! In the total oblivion It was not until the whole household had retired to rest, of everything but self, or what, by position and circumthat the man made his preparations for the road; and stances, comes nearest to self, exists the gulf that separates these preparations were simple enough. He harnessed one them from the rest of the world. What right had the of his raw-boned, high-cruppered plough horses to an un- vassal's son, the imposter, to occupy any place in the covered cart, at the bottom of which he shook an abundant || General Count Stanoiki's remembrance? And Leon—or supply of straw, taking care to make as little noise as rather Pavel, as we must henceforth call him-slept on possible; for, like most very prudent men in his country, under his sheep's skin covering, unconscious of the deep he was apt to enwrap his movements in mystery, and his ruts and hard stones he was rumbling over; for he slept family knew better than to pry into those things which he the sleep of utter exhaustion. chose to keep secret. He then softly re-entered the kitchen, where he found Jakubska leaning over the sleeping boy, and examining carefully every part of his raiment, in search of the valuable baubles which she fancied he must have on his person. "What are you doing there?" said the host, severely. "I am only looking after my own; surely I have a better right to anything the child may have about him than the people he is going to." "Well, it's no concern of mine," said the host, carefully sorting the objects he might need on the road: first, an ample provision of rope and twine-a very necessary precaution to those who travel along Polish roads-then, some nails wrapped in a sheet of brown paper, a hammer, a flask || of brandy—then, a sheep's skin for himself, another to throw over the child, and, lastly, a tinder-box. “And your gun," said Jakubska—“you forget your gun!" "True," said the man-"the wolves one is sure to The morning light was struggling through the hazy atmosphere when the cart arrived at the frontier. A couple of drowsy, grumbling officials turned out, but not so drowsy as to neglect looking very sharply after the contents of the vehicle. They manifested considerable suspicion, too, in examining the person of the driver; when, finding nothing that could defraud Government, they permitted him to move on without further discussion. But not even the stoppage, the raising of the sheep's skin, nor his exposure to the cold, damp morning air, could rouse the child from his leaden slumber. Austrian Poland now lay behind them; they were entering the Russian division, which retains a more national character than those that have fallen under the German sway. Striking off from the high road to Warsaw, into one that led to a town of minor importance, they soon reached a village of some appearance. Here the man rested awhile, for his horse's sake as much as for his own, |