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the weaker vessel.” "I know that," said the cooper, " and upon that very account it will be necessary to give her a little more hooping," and renewed the castigation.

THREE Gambling Houses in Pall Mall and St. James's on casting up their accounts, on the first of September, cleared by the preceding year, £32,360. It must, however, be considered that some of the proprietors played with their own dice, and treated their customers to exhilirating wines.

THE late Lord Oxford gives the following singular anecdote of two of our Queens."While Queen Caroline dressed, prayers used to be read in the outward room, where hung a Venus. Mrs. Selwyn, bedchamber-woman in waiting, was one day ordered to bid the chaplain, Dr. Maddox, (afterwards Bishop of Worcester,) begin the service. He said, archly, And a very proper altar-piece is here, madam!' Queen Anne had the same custom; and once, ordering the door to be shut while she changed her linen, the chaplain stopped. The Queen sent to ask why he did not proceed? He replied, he would not whistle the word of God through the key-hole.

A STRANGE ACQUAINTANCE. LORD KAIMES used to relate a story of a man who claimed the honour of his acquaintance on rather singular grounds. His lordship, when one of the justiciary judges, returning from the north circuit to Perth, happened one night to sleep at Dunkeld. The next morning, walking towards the ferry, but apprehending he had missed his way, he asked a man whom he met to conduct him. The other answered, with much cordiality, "That I will do with all my heart, my lord. Does not your lordship remember me? My name is John I have had the honour to be before your lordship for stealing sheep!" “Oh, John! I remember you well; and how is your wife? She had the honour to be before me too, for receiving them, knowing them to stolen." "At your lordship's service, We were very lucky; we got off for want of evidence; and I am still going on in the butcher trade," "Then," replied his lordship, we may have the honour of meeting again."

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A POOR fellow, of a waggish disposition, put in practice the following expedient for raising a little money. He hired a large room, and posted a paper outside the door, on which was written, "In this house a Worser is to be seen." The populace, curious to

know what was a Horser, hastened in erowds to the room; when it was full the exhibitione entered, with a large hamper in each hand; he opened one, and producing a half-starved pig, addressed the audience as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen, you see this poor miserable pig, and doubtless you suppose nothing can be in a more pitiable condition, but allow me to say you are mistaken, for in this hamper (and he opened the other) you shall see a Worser." The hamper contained a dead pig.

THERE is now living, at Workington, a female, named Lindel, whose weight is twentyfour stone. She is 50 years of age, and enjoys good health.

IT is singular, though true, that there is now residing together, in the neighbourhood of Richmond, in Yorkshire, a family, comprising ten persons, consisting of a father, his four sons, and five daughters, whose dimension in height average two yards each. No person will aver that these are descendants of the Pigmy Race!

A BLACKSMITH'S WIFE BECOME A QUEEN.

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IT is a curious circumstance that the present Queen of the Sandwich Islands was formerly, or rather is at this time, the wife of a Russian blacksmith. An English vessel lying off what we usually call the Fox islands, several years ago, one of the officers became enainoured of the fair spouse of a son of Vulcan there; and, his passion being returned, contrived to smuggle her on board the vessel, and keep her there concealed without the knowledge of his captain, till they had cleared the port. In the course of the voyage, howthe captain, who being highly enraged at ever, the circumstance being made known to such a breach of faith and of discipline, kept her confined till they arrived at the Sandwich Islands, where she was put on shore. The forlorn Ariadne found a Bacchus for her Theseus, a Royal lover to replace her lost! Lieutenant. The King of the Island became enamoured of the fair Russian, made her his wife, and raised her to the throne. He was no every day king. He was a statesman and a hero, though we should call him a savage. He progressively created a respectable navy of several well-built frigates, taught his subjects to be excellent sailors; raised armies, subdued the surrounding islands, and, at the close of a prosperous reign, left his possessions and his sovereignty to his Queen, who now reigns as his successor. She is well obeyed by her subjects: possesses great wealth in flocks, herds, and rice grounds, and sends frequent presents to her former deserted husband,

still continues to hammer horses' shoes in a Russian colony, while his faithless, but it seems, not quite ungrateful spouse, stretches her sceptre over several prosperous isles.

Satire.

NATURE'S LABELS.

A FRAGMENT.

IN vain we fondly strive to trace
The soul's reflection in the face;
In vain we dwell on lines and crosses,
Crooked mouth, or short proboscis;
Boobies have look'd as wise and bright
As Plato or the Stagirite:

And many a sage and learned skull
Has peep'd through windows dark and dull!
Since then, though art do all it can,
We ne'er can reach the inward man,
Nor inward woman, from without,
(Though, ma'am, you smile, as if in doubt,)
I think 'twere well if Nature could
(And Nature could, if Nature would)
Some pretty short descriptions write,
In tablets large, and black and white,
Which she might hang about our throttles,
Like lables upon physic-bottles.

There we might read of all-But stay-
Asiearned dialectics say,

The argument most apt and ample
For common use, is the example.
For instance, then-if Nature's care
Had not arrang'd those traits so fair,
Which speaks the soul of Lucy L-nd-n,
This is the label she'd have pinn'd on:

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Song.

The following Song, written by that ornament of his country and age, TuоMAS MOORE, to a Portuguese Air, has, we believe, been some time before the public: it is now re-published, as strikingly applicable to passing events in Europe, particularly in that country whose music has been married to these verses. The Air is spirited and beautiful, and might be effectively introduced at the Theatres.

FROM life without freedom, oh! who would not fly?

For one day of freedom, oh! who would not die? Hark-hark, 'tis the trumpet! the call of the brave,

The death-song of tyrants, the dirge of the slave; Our country lies bleeding, oh! fly to her aid; One arm that defends is worth hosts that invade. From life without freedom, oh! who would not fly?

For one day of freedom, oh! who would not die?

In death's kindly bosom our last hope remains, The dead fear no tyrants, the grave has no chains, On, on to the combat- the heroes that bleed For virtue and mankind, are heroes indeed; And, oh! ev'n if Freedom from this would be driven,

Despair not-at least we shall find her in heaven. From life without freedom, oh! who would not fly?

For one day of freedom, oh! who would not die?

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THERE is a fearful spirit busy now,
Already have the elements unfurled
Their banners; the great sea-wave is up-
curled;

The cloud comes; the fierce winds begin to blow
About, and blindly on their errands go;

And quickly will the pale red leaves be hurled From their dry boughs, and all the forest world

Stripped of its pride, be like a desert show.
I love that moaning music which I hear

In the bleak gusts of Autumn, for the soul
Seems gathering tidings from another spere,

And in the sublime mysterious sympathy, Man's bounding spirit ebbs, and swells more high,

Accordant to the billow's loftier roll.

WINTER.

THIS is the eldest of the seasons; he

Moves not like Spring, with gradual step, nor grows

From bud to beauty, but with all its snows Comes down at once in hoar antiquity. No rains nor loud proclaiming tempests flee Before him, nor unto his time belong The suns of Summer, nor the charms of song, That with May's gentle smiles so well agree. But he, made perfect in his birth day cloud,

Starts into sudden life with scarce a sound, And with a tender footstep prints the ground, As tho' to cheat man's ear: yet while he

stays

He seems as 'twere to prompt our merriest

days,

And bid the dance and joke be long and loud.

Tales.

ARABIAN STORY.

WE here present our readers with some account of the Arabian Story entitled Keid al

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nesa, The Stratagems, Frauds, or Cunning Devices of Women," more happily expressed in French, "Ruse des Femines," by Mons. Langles, the celebrated Orientalist, who has published it with the original text at the end of his " Voyages de Sindbad le Marin," (Paris, 1814. 18mo.)

It is related that a young man of graceful stature and beautiful countenance resided formerly at Baghdad, where he was most distinguished among the sons of the merchants. One day, whilst he sat in his shop, a lovely damsel approached: having looked at him she perceived written over his door these words: "There is no cunning equal to that of men, since it surpasses the cunning of women.” “By my veil then I swear," said she, "this man shall be the sport of female cunning, and he shall change this inscription." On the next day she returned most richly drest, and attended by many slaves; under pretence of purchasing some article, she seated herself in said she, "the gracefulness of my the young man's shop. "You have beheld," ; can person; am humpany one presume to affirm that backed ?" at the same time she uncovered part of her bosom-the young merchant was fascinated. "I appeal to you," continued she, "whether I am not well formed:" she then shewed him her finely turned arm, and her face, which in beauty equalled the moon when near its fourteenth night; saying, "Are these features marked with the small pox? or who shall dare to insinuate that I have lost the use of one eye?" The merchant requested to know her reasons for thus exposing to his view so many charins, generally_concealed under a veil. "Sir," said she, "I am rendered miserable through the tyranny of my father, a sordid, avaricious man, who, though abounding with riches, will not expend the smallest trifle to establish me in matrimony." "Who is thy father?" inquired the merchant. "He is the Grand Cadhy," replied she, and then departed. The young man in a transport of astonishment and love, shut up the doors of his shop, and hastened to the tribu nal, where he found the Magistrate. come, sir," exclaimed he, "to demand in marriage your daughter, of whom I am enamoured.' She is not worthy," replied the judge, "of so handsome and so amiable a mate. "She pleases me," said the young man; "do not oppose my wishes." A contract was immediately concluded: the merchant agreed to pay five purses before the nuptials, and settled fifteen as a jointure. The father still represented how unsuitable the bride would prove, but the young man insisted that the nuptials should be celebrated without delay, and on the next night he was admitted to the chamber of his bride. But when he had removed the veil that covered her face, he beheld such an object!—may the Lord defend

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us from the sight of so much ugliness! for in her was comprised every thing completely hideous. He passed the night as if he had been in the prisons of Deylem, among the monstrous demons. At dawn of day he repaired to a bath, and having performed his ablutions, he returned to his shop, and refreshed himself with collee: many of his acquaintances passing by amused theinselves with jokes repecting the charms of his bride. At length the lovely form of her who had contrived this affair, appeared before him. She was more richly and more voluptuously ornamented than on the preceding interview; so that a crowd of persons stopped in the street to gaze on her. "May this day," said she "be auspicious to thee, my dear Olu-eddyn; may God protect and bless thee!" The young man's face expressed the sadness of his heart. "How have I injured thee," replied he" that thou hast in this manner made me the object of thy sport?" "From thee," answered the beautiful stranger," I have not experienced any affront, but if thou wilt reverse the inscription over thy door, I will engage to extricate thee from every difficulty. The Merchant instantly despatched a slave, desiring him to procure from a certain writer, an inscription in letters of blue and gold, expressing, "There is no cunning equal to that of women, since it surpasses and confounds the cunning of men.' The inscription was soon traced, and brought by the slave to his master, who placed it over the door of his shop. Then, by advice of the fair damsel, he went to a place near the citadel, where he concerted with the public dancers, bear-leaders, and those who exhibit the tricks of monkeys; in consequence of which, while he was sitting, the next morning, drinking coffee with his father-in-law, the Cadhy, they came before him, with a thousand congratulations, styling him cousin: the young Merchant immediately scattered among them handfuls of money. The judge was astonished, and asked several questions. My father,' said the young man," was a leader of bears and monkeys; such has been the profession of my family; but having acquired some wealth, we now carry on the business of merchants with considerable success. "But dost thou still," asked the judge," belong to this company of bear-leaders? I must not renounce my family," replied the young man," for the sake of thy daughter. "But it is not fit," exclaimed the judge," that such persons should espouse the daughter of one who, seated on a carpet, pronounces the decisions of law: one whose pedigree ascends even to the relations of our prophet. "But my good father-inlaw," said the merchant," recollect that thy daughter is my legitimate wife; that I value each hair of her head as much as a thousand lives; that for all the kingdoms of the world I would not consent to be separated from her, "

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But for Cross-way interments I think, on my life,

"He'd enough of Cross-ways when he lived with his Wife!"

So the matter was hush'd, and poor Dip was interr'd

With due ceremonial in Hockley Churchyard; And the tombstone sets forth (a most faithful recorder!)

That he died of a lengthen'd Polemic disorder.

Thoughts.

ON TRANSMIGRATION.

A SUPERFICIAL reader of the metamorphoses of Ovid, will be apt to look upon them as no more than improbable fictions, calculated for the amusement of school-boys, and imagine them fit to be ranked in the same class of absurdities with our modern fairy tales, or

those records of fabulous chivalry, which pre

vailed in the fashionable literature of of the

former century; yet if we do not confine ourselves merely to the literal interpretation, but care fully search for truth beneath the surface of things, we shall find that Ovid has couched excellent morality under the veil of allegory. Let us strip that off, and explore the bidden

treasure.

In this light, those who abandon themselves to perfidiousness, may be said to be transformed into wolves like Lycon. The following part of the description is at least very applica ble to a man of that disposition:

About his lips the gather'd foam he churns,
And breathing slaughter, still with fury burns.

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Thus, according to the Pythagorean doctrine of transmigration, we may suppose the inhuman tyrant transformed into a lion or a tyger, and exercising the same cruelty over his subjects of the brute creation; the crafty statesinan into a fox, and the surly critic into a cur, still shewing his teeth, snarling at passengers, and biting the helpless and unarmed; the miser into a beast of burden, loaded with wealth, and incapable of enjoying it.

All, according to this system, under forms suitable to their former temper, may be rewarded or punished for their behaviour in their first station. What a shock must it he to the vanity of the insignificant fop, to think, that in the next stage of his existence he may be degraded into a monkey! to the gay coquette, who is now elated with the triumphs of her youth and beauty, and who shines with distinguished splendor at every assembly, to be told, that she must hereafter display the gaudy colours of a mere butterfly-If any motive can rouse the sluggard from his indolence, it must be the apprehension of hereafter living the life of a drone.

The attorney may consider with triumph, that his diligence and honesty in an inferior department of the law, will probably in the next scene of existence raise him to the dignity of a judge. The humble labourer, may then expect to be as great as the imperious master in whose service he hardly earns daily bread.

I can even sometimes amuse myself with thinking that from yonder colony of industrious ants, there may, in succeeding ages, rise a generation of men, whose virtues may exalt them above the idle insignificance of princes, or the barbarous achievements of heroes, born A company of old maids, who are perpe- to grace humanity with the patriotism, learntually disturbing the peace of their neighbouring, and integrity of another Geneva. hood, with scandal and immoderate loquacity, may, by this ideal tribunal, reasonably be sentenced, like the piendes, to be transformed into magpies; she, whose abdurate heart rejects the addresses of a lover, like Aglauros, into a stone; and he, whose excessive avarice will not suffer him to taste the enjoyments of life, may be said, like Midas, to turn his food into gold; for, if the body only is neat while the mind is groveling in the dust, wherein can a man be said to differ from those true animals to which his manners bear so near a resemblance.

Will a man of sense stand in amazement, when he reads in Homer's Odyssey the story of the companions of Ulysses being turned into swine, by accepting the banquet of Lerce?

After having undergone a variety of tran migrations, the soul was at length supposed to return back, purged from its corporea dross, and again become an inhabitant o native and æthereal regions.

Nothing is more delightful than the excur sions of fancy in the boundless field of a lux uriant imagination; but when those flight of licentious fiction are applied to the pu poses of morality, fancy becomes, perhap the greatest of human instructors. It li been justly doubted, whether virtue has n suffered more from the rigid severity biggots, than all the excesses of the pr fligate. The passions ought to be proper guided, and governed within due bounds, b not eradicated.

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