there is nothing more graceful, is planted of this tree; lic Accuser is designated in law Latin as the King's "Be sober, be vigilant (says the Greek-English), for your adversary the Devil walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."" But "Be sober, be vigilant (says the proper English-English), for your adversary the Accuser walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Here is a a poor mistaken human being, instead of a prowling Satan; and what can be more natural, simple, or reconcileable with God's goodness and pre-eminence, and the working of an improveable weakness and blockish mystery, instead of a malignant might? To shew how accustomed we are to follow up the spiritual analogies suggested by all kinds of reasonable and loving faith, we will close this article with a copy of verses which we wrote last winter, after we had been thinking of some beloved friends who have disappeared from this present state of being. AN ANGEL IN THE HOUSE. How sweet it were, if without feeble fright, THE WEEK. A HEDGE FOR YOUR WALKS; AND A NATURAL PAVILION. suitable to us this week, because it concludes with The present extract is from the account of the Hornbeam in his famous work on Forest Trees, which is thought, with reason, to have inspirited the growth of timber in this country, and strengthened its "wooden walls." The Hornbeam, being planted in small fosses or trenches, at half a foot interval, and in the single row, makes the noblest and stateliest hedge for long walks in gardens or parks, of any tree whatsoever whose leaves are deciduous, and forsake their branches in winter, because it grows tall, and so sturdy as not to be wronged by the winds; besides, it will furnish to the very foot of the stem, and flourishes with a glossy and polished verdure, which is exceedingly delightful, of long continuance, and of all other the harder woods, the speediest grower, maintaining a slender upright stem, which does not come to be bare and sticky in many years. It has yet this (I shall call it) infirmity, that, keeping on its leaves till new ones thrust them off, it is clad in russet all the winter long. That admirable espalier hedge in the long middle walk of the Luxembourg garden at Paris, than which are planted in perfection at New Park, the delicious But, to return to Brompton. It is not to be with the cooling and early dew, pregnant with the But, after all, let us not dwell here too long, whilst lations, and all our pains and curiosity, representing that happy state above, namely, the celestial Paradise: Hail! O hail then, and welcome you blessed *Amaranth means unfading-immortal. Our learned author therefore wishes to be understood, not that the flowers are all "amaranths" in the specific sense (which would make but a poor heaven) but that all the flowers, of whatever kind, are everlasting. Points of Landscape for the Mind's Eye.-These mountains (of Savoy) are so high, that half an hour after sunset its rays still gild the tops of them; and the reflection of red on those white summits forms a beautiful roseate colour, which may be perceived at a great distance.-Rousseau. REMINISCENCES OF A JOURNEY, [WHEN we began to read this communication of our pleasant friend unknown, and came to the passage in which he speaks of angling, we had half a misgiving that he was some "impudent young dog” (to use the fatherly language of the plays) who proposed to banter us out of our ichthyophilozoosophy (fish-lifeconsidering-wisdom, as a German would call it). But something connected with the very excess of his elegancies on that point reassured us; and we read on to the end of his paper, not only to our own entire gratification, but to that of some friends who happened to be with us, and whose alternate laughter and gravity he would have been glad to see. The philosophy of the "box" and "luggage," the parson and his daughter, the green lane with its insect murmurings (as if they were the "voice of the sunbeams the music of warmth and light"), the old forest with its glooms, natural and supernatural, the shouts of the tempest, and the awful "talk of the trees,"-all, we venture to say, are excellent, and promise admirably for the writer, who describes it as his first performance. We know not who he is; but we conclude him to have too much heart, and too solid a foundation in knowledge, to be spoilt by this approbation. It is curious (though natural enough) that, in direct proportion to a correspondent's real abilities, we almost invariably find him modest and doubtful in the way in which he writes to us respecting his contributions. The one before us says he is not sure whether his paper is good, bad, indifferent, or even "execrable." The truth is, that genius is apt to know itself well enough on occasion, but its standards of excellence are so high, that when the impluse of composition is over, it reverts to them, and is filled with doubt by the comparison. Besides, in proposing an article for insertion in another man's paper, there is another kind of doubt which seizes a mind of a right order, unconnected even with the consideration of literary merit. Our correspondent has honoured and obliged us.] REMINISCENCES. "Or whom?-by whom?"-Not one word at present, dear Reader, unravelling these mysteries. If I am worthy of being better known, proceed with me but for a little while, and our acquaintance will rapidly increase: in the mean time, be indulgent enough to prepare yourself for a JOURNEY. "Good bye, my dear Henry, do take care of yourself," are the parting words of an affectionate sister"Good bye." Bang goes the door, and at six o'clock, one clear cold morning in the latter end of August, I find myself in a long, dull, silent street, in a northern town of Scotland, making my utmost speed to the coach, to meet a friend with whom I had arranged to take a trip to the Highlands. : There is something rather noticeable in the appearance of a provincial town at this early hour of the morning, particularly when the houses, built of stone, present a dull, high, and heavy front, which prevails in that part of the country; they look like the corpses of buildings, and have an unnatural aspect. There is the silence of night, with the clearness of day there is light, but no life: there they stand, gaunt and gloomy, and quite distinct the habitations, but where are the inhabitants? There are the dark glazed windows, but where the moving forms, the glimpses of life and activity, to be caught behind them? The doors too, are not only closed, but seem shut with a closeness determined to resist all future attempts at being opened. There are objects also to be met with at this hour, which you may look in vain for at another; there is the hungry, lean, spectral-looking dog, with brown, dingy hide, walking slowly up the street alone, anxiously peering round for the first refuse to be thrown out. There is the solitary beggar-woman, concealed in a dark brown tattered cloak, hanging from her head, and fastened tightly beneath her chin; a withered, miserable outskirt of humanity, cut off from the rest of her species, prowling about, with her staff projecting before her, on the same errand. And then amidst the silence, your boots make such a confounded clattering, you fancy it must awaken all the inhabitants of the street, and that the pretty girls will be leaping simultaneously from their beds to take a peep at the traveller! Occasionally, at the upper windows, a flutter of something quite indescribable is to be seen; and if a door should be opened and shut, the noise is echoed through the town. The general stillness and apparent lifelessness lend a promising and vivid colouring to those animate objects which may appear: in artists' phrase, they come out strongly; they are seen in a novel aspect, and their traits and peculiarities take a strong hold of the imagination. Never shall I forget, in passing along one summer morning on a fishing excursion, having my attention attracted by the quick clattering and floundering of iron heels on the pavement. I looked up the street, and beheld at the further end a moving mass of clothes, umbrellas, and portman. teaus; a conglomeration of human habiliments: above all these there appeared conspicuous, and courting especial notice, a blue cloak with the brightest of scarlet linings, fluttering and flapping in the air; and evidently some being was perseveringly grappling with it; but it contrived ever to elude his hold, and in the strife the umbrella fell to the ground, and then the portmanteau, and the hat box, and with each there was a snatching and conflict, of which words can give no adequate idea. No sooner was one fairly caught and imprisoned, than another made its escape, and the bright scarlet banner mingled in all parts of the fray, which held out no hope of being speedily terminated, when a horn was blown!-How utterly feeble was my estimate of human physical power ;-look at him! see with what preternatural energy and all-embracing clutch he seizes the multifarious objects around him! They are gathered together, and pressed in one voluminous mass against his chest and face, and in this plight he waddles off at a rate certainly miraculous; his head is thrown back, and his mouth is just perceptible, emerging upwards, puffing and gasping for air;-never did I witness running before, except in a dream, in which I beheld a creature clamber up the precipitous sides of the lower regions, and make his escape with a legion of devils after him. But our traveller's woes were unhappily not at an end; his head was in an unfavourable position for the retention of his hat, and when turning into the street where the coach was waiting, it was blown off, and carried to some distance. Shouts of laughter from the passengers greeted this mischance;-surely now our hero of the cloak will give up in despair? Not so he throws all away, and springs with undivided energy at his hat; his knees reach his chin as he runs, and his arms are extended horizontally like wings;—he has caught it—he returns -again the supernatural grapple at his accoutrements; and in an instant he reaches the coach, panting and perspiring, with a gibe from the guard, and a general titter from the passengers. Well, after all, man is a noble animal!-a persevering and energetic animal-an animal capable of sustaining a conflict with cloaks, umbrellas, and portmanteaus-yea, of subduing them and bearing them off, captives into captivity. Talking of hats, brings to my mind an incident which I witnessed some years since in the metropolis of Scotland. Engaging Reader, (female, to wit; for if I win you, I win all) let me deprecate your wrath for committing these digressions; variety is the charm of existence; believe in this, and pardon me; resume that soft and kindly smile, so sweet and becoming, and say, "Very well, sir, go on as suits your fancy. I am not given to squabbling; you will find me compliant to all your whims and vagaries for the future." There's a dear and noble creature, and in return for this tiny bit of courtesy I will whisper in your ear a secret,-closer. "But sir, you tickle me, breathing in my ear." Do I? Wretch that I am! then I will breathe on your cheek; now listen. There are but two expressions becoming to the female face, the sprightly and affectionate, or the proud and petrifying: for the lat ter there is no call at present; therefore, dear Reader, it is lifted from the ground, till it is deposited in you act wisely and well-Allons! One stormy evening, in hurrying along a gloomy street in the old town of Edinburgh, I overtook a big burly man, struggling against the wind, and pushing his way rudely through the crowd, when a violent gust blew off his hat. His ponderous size, and the suddenness with which he turned round to pursue his fugitive head-piece, startled those persons immediately following, and created a bustle; some females behind were alarmed at the commotion, arising, as they thought, from some black-looking beast scampering along with rapidity, and pursued by a huge man; and, wisely following the established rule of their sex on such occasions, they screamed— the terror increased, and the shriek was answered by fifty; the uproar and consternation became general; all took to flight, or called out lustily for help. Amiable elderly ladies, and young ones of unimpeachable character rushed into shops, and clasping their arms around the necks of astonished shop-boys, begged in the name of mercy for refuge and protection ;-windows were dashed up in hundreds, and eager faces projected,-maid servants ran to the doors in dozens, and "Eh sirs! whaat is't?" resounded through the streets.-Reader, there is sometimes much in a hat! Now then we proceed. We are on the coach at last. My friend, punctual to his appointment, with a brace of pointers and a fowling piece; I, with only a humble fishing rod. Scorn me not ;-little can you imagine the ethereal taper of that magic wand, so finely pointed as to be hardly discernible within three feet of its extremity; and barely can your fancy picture the delicacy and sparkling beauty of my gossamer tackle, impervious to all but an angler's practised eye. Look at this elegant little morselthis artificial fly-with its silver grey wings, and dark green glistening body, from which peeps out the most enticing bit of purple steel with its delicate barb, like the serpent amid the flowers of Eden, tempting, not forcing to destruction; no, never could aught so frail and beautiful be guilty of violence; the enamoured fish swims after it, and lies pantingly on the bank, happy to die gazing on the witching insect. Schiller's Robber, after he has plunged the dagger into Emily's bosom, asks if it was not sweet thus to die by the hands of her lover, and she replies" Oh! most sweet!" In like manner have I fancied that the bulky salmon gasped out "most sweet," as it turned a sentimental glance from its glazed and dying eye on the little gaudy, heartless piece of mischief, reposing a few inches from its nose. But above all, gentle Reader, if you could bring before your view the lonely glen, glittering with the dewy leaves of the green and sweetly-scented birch; the brawling, sparkling brook, making its way through rocky impediments, round which it growls and grumbles, fretful at being interrupted in its course; the fragrant banks clad with wild flowers and heath; the tempting recesses, "Haunts right seldom seen, Lonely, leafy, cool, and green." The spots of green sward, sprinkled with daisiesthe seclusion—the deep and profound peace, tinged softly with a smile of joy-if you could behold all this" Well, prosing sir, what then?" Why, why then, my imperious beauty, you would remonstrate but slightly against sauntering down that same glen with me and my fishing rod, some sparkling summer morning! Too enchanting Reader! these digressions all spring from you; you see I cannot get on-I am now talking to you, thinking of you, admiring you! Hard is my lot to have so vivid an imagination. Why is it (I ask in the utmost perplexity) that you will sit before me with that Grecian head, dimpled smile, arch and intelligent glance, and Reader, we are on the coach! Bandboxes are handed up in dozens, and old women with handkerchiefs tied round their bonnets and faces, and young ones with ribbons, glance from heaven to earth, that is, their eyes follow with the most intense anxiety the passage of their precious gear, from the moment Heav-pshaw! on the Coach-they would not quit sight of it for one moment; even mid-way in air they are fearful it will be entrapped by some fairy sprite, and disappear. There is no maxim on which man. kind are so universally agreed, as the necessity there is for every one to look after his luggage. Look at that old woman; she is in absolute terror; she snatches a momentary wild side glance, but instantly her eyes are rivetted on her box. If you were to address her, she would scream, and squash herself down on it, as the best means of securing its safety. She conceives it impossible, that you could have any other motive than a design against her box:-she has but two ideas, one, that she has a box; the other, that all the world are in league to deprive her of it. Verily, I believe, that some people have a suspicion that even the lobbies and staircases have the power of kidnapping luggage. I have seen a traveller rise twenty times in an hour to look at his trunk in the passage; eating and drinking, and newspaper-reading, could not divert his attention from this. I watched him from an adjoining room, and saw him poke half his body out, with a carving knife and fork in his hands; the thought had struck him, just as about to commence dinner; he came again, with his mouth stuffed full, to take a glance; again, with a wine-glass in his hand; and afterwards with a paper." O, now my dear, do take care of your luggage," is the earnest admonition of our parents and guardians to us in early life, and it is repeated till nearly our dying days. Here I feel inclined to make a moral reflection :--Truly this world seems but a huge caravansary, in which it is the most important business of all to look after their luggage! The time is up, the preparations for starting are drawing rapidly to a close. What shuffling and shifting! What anxiety in each one to make himself entirely comfortable! There is a cluster of human beings around the coach even at this early hour -meagre mechanics, standing gazing with a look half curiosity, half inertness, but in perfect silence; no one ventures to speak but the guard and coachman, or some garrulous passenger. Look at these poor females huddling together, with their arms muffled up under their aprons, their shoulders drawn forward, their heads and feet uncovered, as they stand shivering with idle gaze on the coach! These are factory girls, as they are called, on their way to commence their labours, which will continue with short intermission for fourteen or fifteen hours, in a heated unwholesome atmosphere, with the machinery, in its unvaried motions, swinging before their eyes-the floors vibrating beneath them from the ceaseless working of the bulky engines and in their ears a heavy clanking and dull din, monotonous and rapid as their employment. Such changeless labour, one would think sufficient to obliterate all humanity from their souls; yet in spite of this, a touch of womanhood remains: the hair in some cases is parted not ungracefully, and a curl here and there, placed with due care, bespeaks a still remaining attention to neatness, and a pride in their personal appearance. There is no envy in their looks, as they behold the passengers bustling around them, gay and elate; no wish, nor hope, that they too should have an excursion. No, they cannot raise their feelings to that pitch; all is apathy; they seem to be destinarians; to have a dull apprehension that every thing moves on in its pre-ordained course; that the coach must go, and the passengers go with it; and that they must proceed to their accustomed labours; and away they shuffle in groups. Heaven be merciful to them! The subject is too serious for our present purpose—so let us be off. The coach has started-off to the hills. There is music in the words, "hill and dale;" they give the idea of a cheerful undulating buoyancy of step, a breezy gladness, a certainty of peace and joy; they are away from the world, and have a perfume and a breath that belongs not to it. So long as I can breathe a blessing, that blessing shall be bestowed on hill and dale, and the breath of an autumnal eve That hour of richness, soft, and deep As if the thought of midnight gloom siderably softened in our sentiments by a tolerable Away we rumble ;-the air blows freshly, all are in good humour; and the gibe, the laugh, and cursory remark, are rife amongst the passengers as we pass along. Some muffled themselves up in cloaks, but I courted the breeze, unbuttoned my coat and vest, and had serious thought of pulling off my neckkerchief. With bounding spirits, as mine were that morning, the difficulty is to sit upon a coach. If one could but run or walk, or hop, or leap, or throw a summerset-but to sit on one spot without moving, certainly humane your thoughts, and limitless your capacity of amongst the trials of life it is not the least. On, on, we rumble-the country glistens up freshly and cheerfully around us. Wherever a labourer is to be seen, he throws down his implements of husbandry, and comes forward to gaze on the coach. Let us observe this one;-he has already descried us, although we are yet a considerable distance from him, his spade is deposited in the ground with due care, and he marches deliberately up to the road side, that he may be in perfect readiness to have a complete and satisfactory stare. He is for no half measures; the thing must be done well; he must have all his senses in the most perfect order, and in the happiest circumstances for enjoying the gratification. There is no hurry, no agitation in his manner; it is calm and solemn, it is an important matter, and must be proceeded with cautiously. He has now reached the stone dyke, and slowly he folds his brawny arms, and places them steadily upon it. He is not satisfied till he finds that they have a firm and comfortable lodgment. And now comes a still more important point, the chin must be planted on the arms in a favourable position: - he has achieved it! squash and square it is, presenting a noble base for the upper works, from which the eyes gleam out, encircled by numerous wrinkles, indicating a rigidly scrutinizing power. A cannon ball would rebound from that head, it is placed so firmly. The time has been computed accurately, for at the instant he seems in perfect readiness, the coach passes. Interesting moment! We are the honoured objects of his careful inspection; we pass, but his eyes still follow us. At length he is satisfied, slowly his arms are unfolded, and with measured step he retraces his way, and deliberately resumes his labour. Let us take another How specimen. There is a surly, independent-looking man, who seems ashamed of such idle curiosity. Three times he has laid aside his hoe, and as often returned to it with a dogged determination to proceed with his work: he takes another stolen side glance. "Ah! it is unusually crowded: what a quantity of luggage and a new leader!" He is fairly overcome-his implement is thrown on one side, and he gazes his fill.-Certainly government need be at no charges for coach inspectors in Scotland. Now we pass the parsonage ;-yes, there he is, the shrewd old boy, patroling his garden, hands behind his back, coat blackish-brown, breeches untied, neckcloth white, face unshaved, inquisitive wrinkled eye, sagacious wordly look about him; and no doubt a very pleasant fellow over a bowl of punch. But see, there is a flutter at the window. What! a bevy of butterflies? Ah, I see, the head of the parson's daughter, covered with curl papers-peeping little puss! very curious and very shy. But be cautious, be exceedingly cautious, for if a young man takes a glance at the parson's daughter, the parson's daugh ter takes to her heels! On we go-but "The bright sun is extinguished, and the stars Do wander, darkling in the eternal space." Astounded Reader-I merely mean that the sunny smiles which lately overspread the countenance of our fellow travellers are clouded, and in their eyes there is visible an unquiet restlessness-they shift to and fro on their seats, conversation flags, and their spirits are drooping low. They turn round anxiously to see how the leaders get on, and fancy that the coachman might just use his whip a leetle more-now there is almost universal silence, only broken at intervals by a deep sigh. The spirit of melancholy has descended upon us-depression has wrapped us up in his grey cloak-can you expound the mystery? One word will dispel your ignorance-breakfast! The digestive organs, like all idle beings, are becoming unruly for want of employment, and the inward derangement causes outward distraction. But let us pass the disagreeables. For fifteen minutes, men and women, lubberly boys, and eager-eyed girls, have snatched and devoured, growled and gormandized, spluttered with knives and forks, tea-spoons and cups, as if-but no, there is no earthly comparison for it; their only excuse is, that it is done from compassion to their digestive organs-disinterested humanity! All this is past, and we are again on our way, con enjoyment! How the blood flows, and the pulse beats! Reader, if you have a fancy for a life of solitude, In travelling in Scotland, you are frequently carried over ground so high, that you can overlook a great extent of hilly country. The reader must bear else he will have a poor idea of the magnificent proin mind, that he is not exactly looking up to the hills, spect his eye can comprehend. But now we come to a softer feature in the land- the golden rays of the sun), intermixed with the The brightness of the blossom on the whins is be yond all description; the bluebell occasionally min- Let us be off-let us return to our sweet path, and through the solemn gloom around,-follow it; now it is lost, now appears, again you see it far up in the distance, penetrating into that dusky ravine, like to the subduing smiles of a young girl of sixteen, making their irresistible way into the hoary and shaggy heart of a great sulky grandpapa, not over well pleased at the favour requested. If we had time, we might roam as far as that ravine, and there behold the brook tumbling down from rock to rock, plunging and leaping on its solitary course, nothing near it but the dark woods, and the grey rocks through which it foams. The eye of man. rarely rests on it, though congregated multitudes might well assemble to yield it their applause: but it shuns society; it is a gloomy and scornful spirit, that gains a proud satisfaction in the mournful and indignant tones in which it thunders out its wrongs. The trees too seem imbued with the same feeling; they raise up their tall, dark, solemn forms in the air, but disdain to utter their griefs, save when the blast comes rushing with its thousand wings through yon cleft; perhaps in early days it wronged themfar distant times, long since buried in that tombless grave, oblivion ;-or mayhap it brings to their remembrance some dark calamity, or fearful revolution in the elder days, some tale of horror, mighty wrong, or overwhelming destruction; for certain it. is, that at his presence they roar out their indignant fury, and hiss like a thousand serpents; they wring their arms and lash the air, and with ominous gestures menace the world with vengeance. And the river breaks into a savage participation in their rage, and raises his voice and growls out his anathemas in tones of thunder, as he bounds along ing white in the darkness. And at night, when his course, flinging up the foam of passion, gleamthe majestic masses of the woods are just visible in motion against the sky, and the torrent rushes past you like an enraged demon, and its roar mingles with the hissing of the pines, the scene is wild beyond description, and the mind is obliged to yield assent to the belief that the elements are actuated by feelings akin to those of humanity. But the wind wanes gradually away, and solemnity again resumes its sceptre; the pines present their former still, grave aspect, and the waters mutter in a more subdued voice their spleen. But there are times when the winds and the woods hold more friendly intercourse with each other, when the former come sweeping from far off, in long solemn trains, with dirge-like music, and take up their abode in the bosom of the latter. Then there commences dim, wild, awful talk, mournful conversation, grave conferences on old primeval times, when creation had another aspect and allotment-and the river too, is admitted into their councils, and murmurs in a confiding tone his thoughts, and together they form a dreary and plaintive diapason. I have stood, Reader, at the dead of night, by the roaring stream, rolling over rocks in vast foamy torrents; around me wood-covered hills, heaped on hills; dim glens, precipices, and ravines-the blast and the rain breaking on my face; and then nature seemed to utter a voice I never heard before; I felt that she "did mean something!" And the wind, as it wailed in my ears, seemed to me the peaceless remnant of once omnipotent power wandering over its lost realm, alternately muttering in indignation and moaning in grief. But we shall be growing too romantic, and therefore pause. We have arrived at the last town the coach can convey us to. We must now strike off into the wilds, while the stage proceeds on the high road. Waiter, order a post chaise for T-!"" The roads are impassable, sir; the floods have carried them away." "Never mind, we must go.' "Won't you No, bring some biscuit and a 66 dine, gentlemen?" bottle of sherry." With your kind permission, courteous Reader, we will continue our journey next week. EDINBURGH. S. Nor Venice riseth from the sea more fair Real Wants Few.-If the philosopher be happy, it is because he is the man from whom fortune can take the least.-Rousseau. QUEEN MARGARET OF NAVARRE'S ENTRANCE INTO FORT D'USSON. THE following sprightly bit of narrative is from a new historical novel just published, entitled “Henrie Quatre, or the Days of the League." Margaret, who more upon her own account than as the wife of the Huguenot King of Navarre, is in a state of opposition to the court of her brother Henry the Third, tricks the Governor of Usson out of his post by the help of the vanity of his Seneschal, which is here excellently portrayed. The whole novel (we say it in a spirit of real respect, and out of no invidiousness) is a remarkable proof of the progress of knowledge among those whose education has not been very scholarly. Evidences to the latter effect lurk here and there, forming a singular contrast with the author's general command of words, even of the most scholarly nature. The fault of the book is that it is too much spun out, and deals in details not commensurate with the importance of what is going forward. The passing introduction of Brantome is very pleasant. Navarre was known to be in Auvergne, and thither the happy travellers proceeded in search of him, arriving before D'Usson in the manner we have just A brilliant idea entered the mind of related. Margaret, when she beheld the lofty rocks on which the fortress was built, its impregnability and romantic site; but, without communicating her sudden rosolve, she simply requested the Baron to ask De Cœuvres the hospitality of the castle for a daughter of France. Flushed with her scheme, she drew aside the curtain on approaching the gate-tower, and at the expected presence of the old governor; but in his place stood the smirking and bowing Pomini, who was dazzled with the beauty of the fair voyagers, and quite forgot the graceful Gabrielle. Margaret smiled inwardly at his officiousness, but she saw at a glance that he was her own, and might be moulded to her purpose. This was sufficient to induce her to return his civilities with condescension, and make him the proudest of men. He already fancied himself Monsieur L'Isle du Marais, and even went so far as to presume on the possible acquisition of a baron's coronet and mantling. The cortège passed into the interior court, where the Queen and Emilie alighted, and were conducted by the enraptured Seneschal into the hall. Great was the indignation of the loyal governor, when one of the pages ran to inform him that his visitor was the Queen of Navarre; but as it was too late to proceed to the court-yard, where he could only dispute with his servant the honour of the reception, he wisely resolved to take up a position with his daughter in the saloon of state, and in order to increase the group, the page was desired to bring his fellow immediately, that they twain might be in readiness to do honour to royalty, and reflect a proper dignity on the rank of the governor. But for this coup d'état there was more than abundant time; for Pomini indulged in his usual artifice with visitors, of conducting them through the entire suite of rooms of the castle, ere he introduced them to the Marquis; commenting the while on the antique beauty of the furniture, the lofty proportion of the chambers, and the historical importance of the royal chateau. 66 Stay! stay! Monsieur!" said the fatigued Queen of Navarre; "has not the Marquis a fair daughtera pearl of price? Let us not delay in doing her honour." "Her beauty can only be eclipsed by the bright luminaries before whom I now stand!" replied the assiduous and crafty Seneschal: "and your Majesty shall see her soon.' But Monsieur Pomini had something yet in store for his new friends, ere their eyes were blessed with the presence of the Lady Gabrielle. To the surprise of the Queen and her suite, he opened a small door behind the tapestry of the last chamber, and disappeared from view of his visitors, but soon returned with a bundle of torches, which were speedily lighted. "What! torches in day-time!" cried Margaret in surprise. "Your Majesty must consider that it is the fault of the architect, not mine," replied the obsequious Seneschal. Any one but De Nevailles would have dissuaded the Queen from proceeding further, but his curiosity and love of eccentricity were deeply interested in the denouement of this strange proceeding, and he resolved to let the Seneschal go to the full length of his line. De Nevailles caught hold of the Seneschal. "Why this mystery?" said he, not knowing whether it were prudent to express alarm. “Look!" exclaimed the Seneschal, beckoning the party to approach the iron railing which skirted the balcony. Impelled by mingled curiosity and dread, Margaret and her friends ventured to obey Pomini's bidding. "Now watch the descending light!" exclaimed the mysterious functionary ;—and at these words, he and his domestics threw their torches into the abyss. The glaring whirling meteors as they fell, illuminated the cavernous side of the descent, and impressed the awe-struck gazers with terror of the dreadful gulf over which they stood. After many a mazy gyration, the lights reached the bottom, and burned flickeringly in the abyss. The group surveyed them from above with awe. "Something shines close to the red light of the furthest torch!" cried De Nevailles, who was the first to break silence. 66 Very likely," said Pomini, in a careless tone, "the skulls are scattered about in profusion." A cry of horror arose from the fair living dames at this announcement; nor was their dread diminished by discovering that they were now in total darkness, "By St. Hubert!" exclaimed the Baron, "it would only be doing justice to throw you to the spirits beneath! Tell us, what means this, or you shall rue your mischief." "Where those torches burn are the dungeons of D'Usson," replied Pomini; "there, his Majesty, Louis, the eleventh of that name, of happy memory, kept the state prisoners, whose treason was manifest. Your Majesty's ancestor," continued the Seneschal, speaking to the Queen of Navarre, "was a wise prince-no one could escape from these depths.' "Let us away from the horrid sight," cried the Queen, who had retained the hand of Emilie out of fear. "TWO AGED OAKS” IN HYDE PARK. To the Editor of the London Journal. Birmingham, Sept. 2, 1834. DEAR SIR,-When I was in London, a few weeks since, I observed in Hyde Park, near the bridge over the Serpentine river, two very old and picturesque oaks, which are railed in from the public. The fact of these trees being enclosed has considerably excited my curiosity to know what particular history is connected with them, or of what interesting event they are the memorials. That they indicate the scene of some remarkable incident of past times, or at least of some incident worthy of remembrance, I do not doubt, as mere longevity or picturesqueness of appearance, would not, I imagine, have been sufficient inducements to make the authorities anxious to protect them, in a measure, from rude and destructive hands. As I am particularly curious in matters of this nature, and experience considerable pleasure from viewing existing memorials of every description of interesting event in our past history, or in the histories of distinguished individuals, I feel a strong desire to know all that is remarkable and memorable connected with these two spectre-looking who can afford me any information on this subject; oaks in Hyde Park. I have no friend in London and believing you to be a "good-natured man," and the last to be offended at a little freedom of this kind, I take the liberty of writing to you, for the purpose of making the inquiry. I shall feel very much obliged if, in your "Notices to Correspondents," you will have the goodness to satisfy my curiosity, by informing me on the above head, should you possess the necessary information. Wishing you great success in your present undertaking, I am, Sir, &c. A CONSTANT READER OF THE "LONDON JOURNAL." P.S. Many thanks for giving up the abominable page of advertisements. [*** We are sorry we cannot give the information here required. Perhaps some of our readers can furnish it.-ED.] "There is no danger from this conceited fool," A REMINISCENCE OF THE FAIR OF whispered De Nevailles, who was close to Mademoiselle. BARTHOLOMEW. As the road was straight, no great difficulty was found by the visitors in groping their way out of the gallery into the genial light of day, and the warm tapestried chamber. But their anger now vented itself against the Seneschal; he was surrounded by a circle of inquisitors, who threatened him with every punishment they could think of. "If I had been anxious only to revenge an insult to my sovereign," said De Nevailles, "your body would have been flung after the torches." "But why show us these curiosities when the Marquis is waiting?" exclaimed Margaret, who could not repress a smile at the singular occurrence. Pomini, who was taken off his guard by the cheerful speech of the Queen, replied with naiveté, "that since the visit of the Abbé Bourdeille de Brantome to D'Usson, he had taken his advice, which was to display the dreary depths of the prison caverns to visitors, ere he introduced them into the presence of the Lady Gabrielle, that her lightsome beauty might strike her beholders with all the force of intense contrast." A peal of laughter followed this explanation, which was uttered in a tone which at once displayed the vanity and weakness of the Seneschal, at the same time that it bespoke the sincerity of the impulse. "Ah! the Abbé De Brantome is a man I reverence," said De Nevailles; "his wit leaves a rough mark on every softer mind it comes in collision with." Dictatorial Manners.-In the too-frequent way of communicating even useful counsel, there is almost invariably something to vex, often to insult, and almost always the arrogance which assumes authority, and exercises a species of despotism. Now, if men were as willing, and as ready to give reasons as they are to give rules, much mischief might be prevented, and some good might be done. undoubtedly gratified by being enabled to deal out its animadversions, and self-regard is flattered, but at a terrible expense,-a great sacrifice of benevolence. Yet, it is no small part of good-breeding and good morals to give appropriate advice appropriately. -Bentham. Pride is ALL unforgotten is that sunny day, Ah! days were sunny then! Oh! joyous child! I mark'd the glittering shew.. Are ye in truth no more? Despite his sulphur supperings, is cold. And the strong man has wrestled with a stronger. Scene of past freaks, you are not what you were, Have flown: Old Richardson remains alone; The last man' of the race, Wearing his old familiar face; And galligaskins; For one would almost swear, That eighteen years since brav'd the summer's baskings, name. Health to thee, relic of a by-gone day, For thou hast paced thy daily path in quiet; Punctual as tax collector in thy rounds, Thy parsimonious pennies swoln to pounds, Let spendthrift managers dress, ride, and cab it; Landmark of mirthful memories long remain, Bring to a myriad minds the days again, Come thou, Bartholomew; much mirth and noise; Teaching one gentle truth To soberer years; in mem'ry of past joys. W. L. R. Some years since, during the period of the St Alban's Fair, a fire occurred in that town: Richardson and his troop' were very active in their endeavours to stay its ravages; but damage to a great extent occurred, and a general subscription took place: a rough ill-clad person waited on the Committee and gave one hundred pounds! In what name shall we put down this munificent sum? asked the Secretary. "Richardson, the penny shewman," was the proud reply. A GOOD HINT FOR DANCERS [From the new French periodical, published in Paris and London, and entitled the "Caméléon."] THE existence of the country-dance is threatened. The galopade has been tried; but the galopade deranges the ladies' head-dresses, tumbles their clothes, and flusters their faces. As the ladies have no right to make themselves ugly, the galopade must be given up. The mazurka comes next, and it has numerous partisans. We shall see! While these revolutions are hanging over us, there is one thing which alone would keep a man from dancing at all; a difficulty that renews itself at every first dance. If you invite a lady to be your partner, she is engaged. What will you do? Ask another. Very good. But then it is as much as to say to the former, "I care no more for dancing with you than with any other;" and to the second, "I dance with you for want of a better, and because another has refused me!" How is this to be avoided? By not dancing at all; because the lady you first made choice of is no longer at liberty. But in that case it may so happen, that you pass the evening without dancing, however eagerly you may desire otherwise. In many towns to the south they manage after the following fashion. To each man, as he enters, a basket of artificial flowers is offered, that he may choose out of it. When he would obtain a partner, in lieu of the customary formula,-seldom relieved by the slightest variation," Madam, will you do me the honour to dance with me?" he offers the flower, which the lady fixes in her belt till the dance is completed. By this means, no one exposes himself to the mortification and risk of asking a lady who is already engaged, since whatever fair one is still without a flower, is also without a partner. ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE. XXXVII. FIVE STORIES OF THIEVERY. WE take these from one of those celebrated old book- As we do not vouch for the truth of all the stories, There is a certain French booke (quoth our The other theeuish trick was plaid in the presence But the boldnesse of an Italian theefe was as great, In the same chapter there be other strange and notable tales of diuers theeueries; but it sufficeth to have pickt out these three which I take for the most memorable among them. I will here add a fourth, which seemeth incredible, and excelleth all the rest for valour and boldnesse. Sabellicus setteth it downe with all the circumstances, and it is thus: A certaine Candiot called Stamat, being at Venice when the treasure was shewed in kindnesse to the Duke of Ferrara, entred into the chappell so boldly that he was taken for one of the Duke's domesticall seruants, and wondering at so much wealth, instead of contenting himself with the sight, he resolved from thence forwarde to commit some notable peece of theeuerie. Saint Mark's church, guilded with pure gold very neere all ouer, is built at the bottom round about within and without with peeces or tables of marble. devised to take out finely by night one of the tables This Grecian theefe, marueilous cunning and nimble, or stones of marble against that place of the church where the altar stands, called The children's Altar, thereby to make himself an entrance to the treasure; and hauing laboured a night, because the wall could not in that time bee wrought through, he laid the stone handsomely into his place againe, and fitted it so well, as no man could percciue any shew of opentooke out of the wall, he carried it all away so niming it at all; as for the stones and rubbish that he bly and so cleanly, and all before day, that he was neuer discovered. Hauing wrought this many nights, hee got at length to the treasure, and began to carie away much riches of diuers kinds. I did once see this treasure, and wondured at it, being admitted amongst the traine of the ambassador of Fredericke the Emperor. For besides an infinite number of precious stones set in worke, I saw there twelue crownes, and as many brest-plates of golde, set with an innumerable sort of jems, whose brightnesse would have dazzled the eyes both of the bodie and of the minde; moreouer, pots of aggat and other stones of price, the eares exceedingly high esteemed because of their value also shrines, candlesticks, and manie other implements for altars, which were not only of pure gold, but also garnished with so many stones of worth, that the gold was nothing in comparison thereof. I speak not of the Vnicorne's horne which is infinitely estimated, nor the duke's crowne, nor had carried away all by leasure. But (as it is comthe other peeces of exquisit worke, which this Greek monly said) adulterie and theft were neuer long time hid; and because this fault could not be so soon discouered, it so fell out that the authore thereof laid it open, and the theefe bewraied himself. He had a compeere in the citie, a gentleman of the same Isle of Candie, called Zacharias Grio, an honest man, and of a good conscience. Stamat one day taking him aside neere to the altar, and drawing a promise should tell him, discouered from the beginning to from him that hee should keepe secret that which he the end all that he had done: and then carries him riches he had stollen. to his house, where he shews him the inestimable The gentleman being vertuous and conscionable, stood amazed at the sight, aud quaking at the horror of the offence, began to reele, and could no longer stand. Whereupon Stamat (as they say) like a desperat villaine, was about to have killed him in the place, and as his will of doing it increased, Grio mistrusting him, stayed the blow by saying that the extreame joy which he conceived in seeing so many precious things, of which he neuer thought to haue had any part, had made him (as it were) beside himself. Stamat, conside, Grio receiued in gift of him a precious stone, tent with that excuse, let him alone. Of the other and of exceeding great value, and is the same that is now worne in the forepart of the dukes crowne. So, making as if he had some weightie matter to despatch, forth he goes of the house, and hies him to the palace, where hauing obtained accesse to the that there needed expedition, otherwise Stamat might duke, he reuealeth all the matter, saying withall rouse himself, looke about him, disguise himself, shift lodging or saue himself otherwayes with the best of his booties. To giue the more credit to his words, he drew forth of his bosome the precious stone that had been given him; which seene, some were sent away with all speed to the house, who laid ing to the value of two millions of gold, nothing hold of Stamat and all that he had stollen, amountthereof being (as yet) remoued. So he was hanged between two pillars and the Informer (besides a rich recompense which he had at that time receiued) had an yearely pension out of the public treasurie for so long time as he liued. Petrus Iustinianus reciteth the same story after Sabellicus, and withal setteth downe another of our time that fell out in the same citie of Venice. A Neapolitan found meanes with counterfeit keyes, to vnlock the common treasurer's chamber, and the yron chests that were therein, full of the common treasure, and carried away eight thousand crowns. But in a few days hee was taken, and by sentence of the Tenne, after hee had his right hand cut off, was hanged at an high gibbet set vp of purpose in the place called the Realte, neere to which the robberie had been done. To the aforesaid description of the treasure of Venice set downe by Sabellicus, I thinke not amiss to annexe that which Phillip de Commines, a witnesse worthie to bee credited, reporteth to haue himselfe seene. "There is at Venice,' saith he, "Saint |