Me to the precincts of the place, My spreading shade, extending wide, Nor fondly blame, with strain severe, Of zeal's unletter'd warmth possest, (Written for the Iris.) A WEEK IN LONDON. (Continued from our last.) to mark out its intended grandeur, but it re- The ceilings of many of the rooms are beau- We now came to a large mahogany folding door-our guide made a pause and listenedReader! the mightiest Monarch in the world, was here, pacing in irregular steps, wrapt up in sad but happy insanity, "ever and anon" he touched the chords of his piano, then resumed his walk; his beard we understood was of venerable whiteness, flowing down to his chest ;we saw his favourite dish, the leg of mutton, come in, and our guide paid a tribute to the excellence of his appetite. Our French companion manifested his sense of the unhappy condition of the British Monarch, for he could not withhold the tributary tear. "He believes," said the guide, "he is always in the company of Angels"-happy idea!-we hope that his imagination is realized. This day was marked out for a journey to Windsor, the Castle of which, independent of its antiquity, was then the mournful residence of the best of Kings; we departed at an early We were next conducted to a large room with hour, and passed through Brentford, and Houn- a magnificent table in the centre; at each end slow, the Heath of which is notorious for its were laid two flags, by the replacing of which robberies and murders: at a small village we annually, two noble Dukes preserve their titles took up his Majesty's bread, carefully packed those of Marlborough and Wellington, the in tin cases, and which having always had latter had only recently been placed there, and predilection for in the days of his vigour, had the French nobleman exclaimed, with a shrug, been furnished him up to that hour, as, through"Ah! le Duc de Vellington! The Royal Bedboth mental and bodily darkness, he could dis- chamber is adjoining this, and is remarkable criminate between that and other. for the gorgeous tapestry of the curtains; it is On our arrival, and previously to an inspec- the manufacture of ancient days, and not to be tion of the Castle, which, it should be remarked,equalled now. There are some lovely pictures for many miles has a grand and imposing ap- in this, as in all the rooms, but the Arms of pearance, with the royal standard waving from England, in marble, by a youthful sculptor, the round tower, we heard at the Inn many snatched from oblivion by the King, cannot fail interesting anecdotes of our good old King," to arrest the attention, and was presented as a and had a personal narrative of his benevolence, grateful tribute to his Royal benefactor. The from an actual dependant on his bounty. His Terrace is a noble walk, higher than the lofty eccentricities were mixed up with his general trees which encompass it, and from hence are character, nay, his very foibles were proverbial; clearly seen the "antique towers" of Eton Colbut there was but one opinion amongst all, even lege; this is an interesting object, having been his enemies, (if he had any) as to his meek fostered by every succeeding Monarch, but by and generous nature. To this place he has none more than his late, and present Majesty. often been known to come on foot from the The view from hence comprises many counties, Castle, at the early hour of five-on one of and is, without exception, the most enchanting these occasions, he overheard his own servants prospect I ever saw-the vale of Clwyd not of the stables disputing about the payment of excepting. As we repassed through the apartsome gin, which they had that morning been ments, the remains of some milk were in a indulging in, and giving the landlord the bowl of silver gilt, that his Majesty had just amount, said, "tell them the King has settled been partaking of, and which I could not retheir dispute, but if they attended to their du- sist drinking to his health, for the affection ties as he does, and abstained from such prac- I bore to his amiable character. We were now tices, they might live to be as old as he is." A ushered into a spacious court-yard, and the diftear stood in the eye of the worthy man as he ferent residences of the Royal family were desrelated it, and communicated itself by sympa-cribed to us, without a permission to enter thy to that of his wife. A visitor to this place will pause some time before he enters the Castle-there is much to command his silent admi. ration. It belonged to William the Conqueror them, and were thence conducted to St. George's the mind with a religious awe. There are here many splendid monuments, but one tearfully struck us, if I may be allowed to manufacture an expression, which serves to illustrate the heart of that " 1 good old man" on a subject that terminated in the subversion of his reason. It is a simple slab of white marble bordered with black, and bears this inscription— To the Memory of For fifteen years the faithful Servant of Her Royal Highness the Princess Amelia, And who died three days after her. Erected by the command of His Majesty King George the Third. Could any thing speak more for the love of a daughter, the feelings of a father, or the regard for a domestic? for myself every other monument sunk into insignificance in the contemplation of so much virtue-such amiable condes cension. I cannot quit his memory hastily, and at least be allowed to quote from myself "Our sighs suppart thy bier, I may And thy best epitaph s-every Britain's Tear." The stained glass window is an object of great and were singularly preserved during the Revocuriosity; the colours are superlatively fine, lution. But while gazing on this, we were reminded on what we were standing-the entrance to the sepulchre of the Princess Charlotte. I must again tear a leaf out of my own book; for we lustrious Pitt, Fox, and Nelson, and now we had already trodden upon the graves of the ilwere standing on the consecrated sepulchre of the Heiress to the British Throne! "Lo! the Divine, in deep reflection, cries, This sepulchre is shelved all round, and of late We arrived in London time enough to pay a visit to the King's Bench, the rules or liberties of which are very extensive, but which are only to be obtained by satisfactory security. This is the place to see real "LIFE IN LONDON," from the pampered voluptuary to the desolate mechanic. It comprehends within its walls, a Green ket-with all the et cetera which would form Market, a Butcher's Market, and a Fish Mar a village. The game of tennis is the chief tion. Visitors to this place should be cautiousamusement here, and is played in high perfecthe traps laid for the unwary are ingenious and multifarious. OPTICS AND CHARACTERS. Sanntering down St. James's-street the other day, with little occupation either for mind or body, I met pressions of delight at seeing me, and almost as many with a fashionable friend, who, after a thousand exapologies for having only five minutes to speak to me, begged I would accompany him to a shop close by, where he must positively go without delay; " for," added he, looking at an eye-glass that was suspended round his neck by a chain of exquisite workmanship, "this glass is absolutely too antique to be endured an hour longer, I must go to Rubergall's immediately and get something that will look a little more comme il faut!" As I knew that my friend only wore the glass for fashion's sake, and not from any defect of vision, I was not a little surprised that he had not rather chosen Hamlet's than Rubergall's, as I thought that the jew eller's would have been a lounge better suited to one of his taste and pursuits than the mathematical recesses of the optician. But I soon found that novelty was the charm that brought the young idler to this abode of science, and that as there was no likelihood of his ever having any other occasion of entering its learned bound, he was glad of the opportunity afforded him by making a trifling purchase, of examining the many wonders of optical inventions, and of wiling away an hour that might otherwise have hung heavily on his hands. I was almost ashamed of the trouble that he delighted in giving, and of the many puerile inquiries he made concerning every article that was exhibited for his inspection; and was really surprised at the number of curious instruments that were spread before him, ere his inquisitive spirit was satisfied. Being rather apt to carry my thoughts farther than is common, or perhaps useful, I soon began to consider the variety of Glasses that were here displayed, with reference to the characters by whom they would probably be used, and thus in a manner identified these cha racters with the glasses themselves. Thus, the eyeglass, made more for ornament than use, conveyed to my mind the exact idea of my Friend, who by the oc casional aid of a convenient shortness of sight, could, with the most perfect good breeding, pass by a very particular friend, if he were not dressed precisely as a man of fashion ought to be; or if he happened to encounter him at a time when he did not desire his com pany. The Opera-glass, which in all its infinite varieties was laid before him, reminded me of the Critic, who can never be satisfied with a mere casual view, and must always inquire into the intrinsic merits of every thing that meets his eye; and, whether in the decorations of a theatre, the painting of a fine picture, or the architecture of a noble building, must always refer the decision of merits to the theory of taste and the rule of art. Microscope, the investigating, the scrutinising, the minute microscope, was the Virtuoso; the shell gatherer, the fossil fancier, the collector of coins; the searcher into the beauties of a Ay's wing, the forceps of a spider, and the eyes of a magnified ant: The Telescope, which, unable to notice the objects that immediately surround it, always turns its light to prospects which distance alone renders worthy of its observation, was the coxcomb Traveller, who, despising his native land, its beauties, and its comforts, is ever wandering into foreign conntries, in search of some | ment. I almost grew sad as I contemplated the picture who have certainly never yet thought of draw- THE CLUB. No. XXXVII.-FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1823. GENTLEMEN,—It has afforded me more plea- have come forward to offer you their assistance, You are not to infer that because few persons that, therefore, there are but few who can appreciate the merit of your productions. As I have perhaps had greater opportunities of ascertaining the state of public opinion, permit me to redeem the town from the imputation that it would lie under if it should appear to be insensible of your merits. A very worthy motive to which I can do no more than allude, has probably prevented some of your best friends from relieving your labours by the substitution of their own. But I, gentlemen, am oppressed by but few scruples which are calculated to shew that I have formed a mean estimate of my own powers; and I have, therefore, the vanity to hope that my assistance, which it will be my pride to furnish, will not be altogether unacceptable, though my style, as well as that of not received the unqualified approbation of the some other scribblers of greater notoriety, has Club at the Green Dragon. My vanity, which thing to admire or it might more strongly resemble my friends are pleased to assure me is my printhe Poet, whose excursive fancy ranges with equal fa- cipal defect, was still gratified by your notice; eility over earth, air, and sea. The night Telescope, and because I cannot be persuaded to conceal contrived solely for the votaries of Urania, could be this foible of my nature, a quizzical friend of no other than the Astronomer, who prefers winter to mine told me the other day, that, in this partisuminer, because the nights are longer; to whom day-cular I resembled an interesting young lady of light is tedious and uninteresting, and who hails the rising of the evening star almost as fervently as the Persians worship the sun. The darkened or smoked Glass, used for looking at the eclipsed sun, I did not at first apply to any character, but, determining that it should not be omitted, I fancifully converted it into the envious being, who, when a man of talent is under a cloud, will add to the shade by which he is enveloped, because the brightness of his genius has thrown his bumble abilities into deeper obscurity. The Green Glasses, the preservers of the feeble sight, were very like people of weak minds, who must bring every thought and action to their own tone, before they can see or understand them. My attention was next attracted to a pair of specta cles of a very strong magnifying power; which my companion in bis idle foily chose to try on, when he was told that they were for extreme old age, and he seemed to please hims: If with calculating on the length of time that would elapse before he should be obliged to have recourse to them. These suggested to me the idea of a captions and querilous Old Age; which, though surrounded by infirmities and afflictions, yet adds to the hoavy load that oppresses it, by aggravating every inconvenience, and enlarging every trifling ail his acquaintance, who has no weak point in her tion to it. You sometime ago made your readers a promise which I regret that you have so long delayed to perform. It was your intention you stated to give some further account of the different clubs which had been visited by the member whose adventures are related in your third which clubs of every kind are generally formed, number. As this is a season of the year at some observations on the subject from the Green giving a direction to public mind. The CardDragon might be productive of good effects, in Clubs, which have, I am assured, already become very numerous, deserves your reprehension in particular; for they not only engender angry passions and other injurious excitements; they not only cause discord among the best friends, and promote private scandal; but, if I ter so organized by designing persons, and caram not greatly misinformed, they were last winried to so great an extent, especially among the fair sex, as to occasion much precuniary inconvenience to individuals and in some cases to whole families. It has even been whispered that Mrs. who, during the last winter, played at cards oftener, it is suspected, than she did any thing better, was obliged to use paint to conceal the feelings which would otherwise have been exposed in the altered complexion of her once sweet and blooming countenance. Hoping to see your attention very soon directed to this subject and to others by which the public taste may be improved, I remain, Gentlemen, your well wisher and ready assistant, ANTHONY PRUDENT. A THOUGHT ON DEATH. By Mrs. Barbauld, written in her 80th year. Ab! then how easy 'tis to die! 'Tis joy, 'tis triumph, then to die. 'Tis Nature's precious boon to die! GREENWICH HOSPITAL. (From the Literary Gazette.) Here I am again. Fol-de-rol de-rol-lol, fol-de-rol-de-ray. Ha! how are you, Mr. Editor?-here I am again, as stanch an old blade as ever knock'd a cock-maggot out of a king's biscuit, or shook a mosquito by the ears. Aye, aye, you may talk of your Penny-rammers and your Mar-maids in Chancery, your Mix-i-can scenes and Cracker-acts of the Ganges; but what are they to the sights I've seed in my life? This is a comical out-o'the-way world I must needs own, for a man no sooner dowses bis coat than somebody else is ready to put it on, and swear point-blank they have had it ever since it was a jacket. Howsomever that says nothing;here I am again, and if you wants a few more tough yarns from the same winch, I'm your boy. What! did you think I was going to desert? Lord love you, old Jack never was the lad to flinch from his gun or forsake his colours. Let but Humanity beat to quarters and Benevolence take command, I'm on deck in a minate, and clear for action. So you see here I am again-none of your Tom-Coxes-traverse gentry, up one hatchway, down t'other-in every body's mess and nobody's watch. No, no, all fair and square by the lifts and braces, that's poor Jack's plan. None of tea-for-two and toast-for-six without a friend to share 44 the "We're in for it now, 'tis a folly boys, ns in good sailing trim." And away they started for, iron, and his uniform coat and waistcoat dangled from E1 Bot wind is greatly obliged to you, Mr. E-, (said his Lordship, bowing and walking off;) and now I shall know in whom to place confidence again. Make baste down to the barge, and wait till I come;" and away be went. "What's the matter, what's the matter, Mr. E- ? (said Billy, almost convulsed with laughter on seeing the young Officer throw himself into the chair in an agony)-What's the matter? Why, the Admiral knows that Spit-head's a naval station, and you are always fond of imitating the philosophers of grease."I'll have satisfaction, Mr C-; this is your doing.' So you shall, so you shall, (spreading a large sheet of brown paper, and packing the goose up in it.) You. put the goose upon me, you know-I clapp'd it upon you-and now we'll go and saddle it upon the Admiral;" and off they set for the boat. Ilis Lordship soon joined them, and the boat shoved off. What, what is this smell, Coxswain?" inquired the Admiral. kit-Tis Mr. E-'s goose, my Lord," said Billy. "How is this that you dare to presume upon my indulgence ?" 14 Indeed, my Lord, I-I-the goose-I-1" replied the stammering Lieutenant. The goose-I-I! (reiterated his Lordship,) what do you mean, Sir?" At the mercy of fortune we go." pan, bis side-arms bung pendant from the leg of a grid-, But Billy, seeing he had run bis cable out to the clinch, and that the old gentleman began to get serious, made ocean in snowy wreaths along the air. The sky was blacking with huge clouds, that rolled like The lightning burst through the gloom in bright a troubled ocean immediately over our heads. sheets of fire, or quivered in terrible lustre along the dark sky, as though its mighty vault had aye, it puts one in mind of the goose."-" So, (ex- the heavens with a noise as if ten thousand Aye, aye, (retorted Billy)-Aye, been rent in twain. The thunder crashed along claim'd his Lordship, who had overheard it, and turn'd worlds had tumbled together and shivered into short round)-So you can't forget the goose, Mr. C-! ruins. Well, well, baste the French as well as you did the clouds to gaze upon the fight. I saw warriors I turned mine eye from the stormy goose, and I shall he satisfied." A few minutes after-bestriding fiery horses-they rushed over the ward, and the enemy dropt along side. The boarders shrieking bodies of the dying, and mingled their came rushing from their quarters, when Billy snatch'd might in one terrible thunder of ruin. Sabres up a cutlass, and springing from the nettings on to the Frenchinan's deck, roared out, waving his sword, flushed-the thunder and the cannon shook the "Here's my spit; ev'ry mon his bird, and I'll tak earth with their mingled tumult. gibbie;" and cutting down all before him, though seshouts, and the clashing of arms, sounded in Shrieks, was close at his side, and together they dowsed the • Goose, a nickname given to the pensioners. MOSQUITOS. adit iter liquidum celeres neque commovet alas."-VIRG. I was very tired, and went to bed about eleven. was a hot summer night, and so light was my room with the soft yellow beams of the moon, that it was long before I could win sweet restorer 29 66 nature's to my eyelids. As I am a gentleman of an exceedingly thoughtful disposition, I was not at a loss for amusement. run over the events of the day that was gone; I began to mosquito! at whose approach the enchanted spell was broken, and every vestige of my happy miserable. I lay upon my couch in a state of vision melted away-it was too bad-it was most pitiable melancholy, mourning over the sad certainty that I was only my poor humble world-that I had not ever seen a battle. I had self-that I had not been the wonder of the not rescued lovely innocence from ruin; and stead, I had been, in all human probability, instead of cleaving the brutal ruffian from his flourishing away at my poor unoffending bedpost, or heating, mayhap, the meek and unre sisting form of my own pillow. Pity me, indulgent reader; but do not laugh exceedingly indignant; and what increased my when I assure you, upon mine honour, I was passion to a most alarming degree, was the fact that the little rascal kept humining about my face-now sailing around mine ear-then cutting a few flourishes about my nose and sometimes, my very cheek. I struck my face with all my with the most perfect sang froid, alighting upon might, in hopes of crushing the intruder to death, but he escaped from the blows, and all their fury fell upon myself. I began to be outrageous, and had already fretted myself into a copious perspiration, when to my inexpressible delight, the fury of the besieger abated—I heard his hum dying away in the distance-feebly, and could distinguish it no more. more feeble, it just reached mine ear-and I verely wounded, fought his way to the taffaril. Emine ear, and I was about to fly away from the battle, the form of a beautiful woman: her scene, when I saw in the very midst of the raven ringlets were streaming in the wind, and her white hands uplifted in terror at the desolation around. I was rushing to her relief, when I saw a huge ruffian approach to her side-he seized her silken ringlets-he tore them from her head-and dared, in the insolence of his triumph, to grasp her throat; and the shriek,¦ that arose above the storm of war, was answered by a laugh. Another, and another, roughly seized the beautiful being: until I shouted revenge, and rushed to her rescue. Many a bullet whizzed by mine ear, but I tore the bright blade flashed around me, many a swift falchion from the clenched hand of a dying few moments repose, a gentle slumber began I flung myself upon my pillow, and after a figures of my enemies bore back at my approach. the miseries of mankind were again passing I cut my way to the terrified girl: and when she rapidly from my recollection; my spirit began wretch, and mingled in the battle. The lofty again to steal over my senses-mine eyes closed; saw her brutal insulters gnashing their teeth at again to float through the creation of fancy, and my feet-she sprang to my side, and clung to mingle with the vissionary wonders of the my bosom. A giant monster struck at her dreaming world. I was just forgetting myself white forehead. I turned my wrath on him- and all my sorrows, when-" terribile dictu," his blade shivered into a thousand atoms-I the approaching music of my long-legged friend cleaved his coward skull to the jaw, and he fell back amidst the maddened fury of all around his companions. The persecuted Frenchman, was audible away off in the farthest corner of shrieking from his horse. Dreadful were my the room; and, to my utter consternation, I struggles terrible was my revenge. I bore her could distinguish the varied. hum of several of sprang with my lovely burden upon a fleet when he beheld, for the fifth time, the everlastclouds disappeared as we rode; the sun shone in the miserable consternation of his half-broken steed; the noble animal fled like the wind; the ing phiz of his waggish pursuer, and exclaimed again in bright cheerfulness-the birds sung heart, "Begar; here's Monsieur Tonson come music to our way-and in a few moments me- again," did not feel half the vexation I expe countries I ever saw, and heard the clang of of comfort, thought I, when will misfortunes thought we were in one of the most beautiful rienced from my nocturnal visitor. In the name war only as some gentle breeze bore it at inter- end? Gently and playfully sported the little vals to our ear. Reader, reader, who shall tell fellows, before they thought fit in their wisdom the happiness of my bosom, when I hore my pretty maiden from the saddle, and felt that we round; now retiring, so as to flatter my mind to sit down to supper. They sailed round and around us, and perfumed breezes kissed away for ever; and then coming boldly within an were free! Roses clustered in blushing wreaths with the vain hope that they were leaving me the drops that exertion had gathered to my inch of my nose. brow. I looked upon the being I had rescued upon what trifles does your peace depend. I and, looking-I loved. She smiled upon me called my stoicism to my aid, and determined to Unhappy man, thought I, her lips parted-she was beginning to speak, sleep in spite of them. Yes, thought I, without when the voice of a distant trumpet broke upon opening mine eyes, for I was very sleepy with all sound; sometimes breathing soft music, but as our ears. Nearer, and more near, came the fatal my vexation, I will not let so small a trouble it approached it gave a long loud thundering my soliloquy by a sharp sting on my forehead, cause a single sorrowful"-I was interrupted in ed; but the sound of the trumpet continued. I vanished, I was compelled to act upon the defentwang, and I awoke. The fairy scene vanish-upon which my philosophy and equanimity lifed myself in my couch-and, gracious fathers! sive. I tried to catch some of them as they flew it was a mosquito! a little vile rascally mosquito by me. was flourishing in all the glory of long legs and of burying them in its folds. Alas! alas! I had I whirled around the clothes, in hopes sharp sting, around the very pinnacle of mine no sooner composed myself to rest again, under unhappy nose! away, than the same everlasting hum came the foolish supposition that I had driven them whizzing about mine ears, and sailing in the of my face. At length I sprang out of bed in most provoking composure around every feature despair-opened the windows and doors of my and after some little preamble, my meditations gathered around the pretty form of a certain lady of our city,* and I lulled myself into a gentle slumber by thinking of her. I lay for some time in that most luxurious state between of mortality with half my senses yet clinging sleeping and waking-just on the boundary line to this earth, and the rest already beginning to rove in the lightness of freedom through the realms of fancy. I was indeed in a most delightful state of mind, and scarcely felt the couch that gave rest to my weary frame. Fairy visions, beautiful as the hues of the rainbow, floated in mine imagination. The conceptions of fancy embodied themselves-the very wishes of my waking moments were half accomplished; and I became as it were the mighty ruler of a world of mine own. Sometimes I thought I ing through the immensity of space, and passed was fallby planets in my way; but it was pleasant to me, and I seemed to be wheeling in graceful circles in the air, as in my younger days I have seen the eagle do, far away in the calm sky. Sometimes I thought I was sporting in the green meadow, romping and racing with the most lovely maidens that I had ever beheld; and in a "proh pudor" I dreamed I was actually kissing Mrs. L some kind spirit had lifted me far above the In short, gentle reader, scenes of earthly degradation, and I was revelling in the gay pleasures of another world. At length my fancy began to cut terrible capers. The pretty girls-the green meadows and Mrs. L- 's rosy lips-passed away; methought I beheld a battle. I stood upon the brow of a rugged mountain. The sea dashed and foamed on one side, and the crash of war and arose on the other. The wind blew in roaring whirlwinds, and bore the white foam of the New York. Now, was ever such a misfortune? To be dragged down from the fairy realms of imaginafrom fame-and victory-and love-to be torn tion-from blushing cheeks and blushing roses― away from these pleasures by the humming of a room, and paced the door in augry sleeplessness. ¡ingly long interval, and all was apparently MARY M'CLEOD. "O'er thee the secret shaft That wastes at midnight, or the undreaded hour The wisdom of the Persian adage-"Begin nothing of which thou hast not well considered the end," need not be illustrated better than by the catastrophe of the following melancholy story, in which the eloquence of Sterne could hardly be required to render its termination additionally appalling;-fiction need not lend her aid to render the colouring more attractively impressive. Listen, said the wife of the worthy host, a physician of long practice in the most benevolent of the sciences-Listen to that curious, long-continued laugh! it is surely the laugh of It was hardly possible to imagine the exist- your favourite, Mary M'Cleod! in a few moence of a more amiable spirit than that which ments all the inmates of the house were assemactuated the conduct of the charming Mary bled at the door of the room, which contained M'Cleod. The circle of friends which had as- the beauteous form from whence this wild laughsembled at the house of her uncle, at Lubec, in ing emanated; it paused for a few moments, Danish Pomerania, was composed of rather a and then again proceeded-again it ceased, and large family circle of the youth of both sexes, all became silent as the grave. Again the laugh and they formed a constellation of no ordinary went on-no entreaties could stop it-all quesinterest; for there was more than one youthful tions passed away unheeded. It sounds, said Tyro of the number, of acknowledged talents, one of the servants, as if it was approaching and yet none whose acquired principles could the window. This suggestion roused the weeprender the fondest parent solicitous to preventing energy of the worthy doctor: he hastily the object of its, affections from being blasted burst open the door, and rushed into the room; by its contagious influence. Amid all their but his benevolence came too late, for the undancing and revelry-in the deepest warmth of fortunate subject of the story had precipitated sparkling disputation-Mary M'Cleod always herself to the ground, and was borne back, by held a foremost rank; and, without intruding her agonized companions, more dead than alive. herself forward as the arbitress of any other The doctor soon foresaw that the injury she had person's opinion, she in reality gave a tone to received would render all care useless-death that of the whole-for those who could not be had marked her for his own. The incessant convinced by the strength of her reasoning, care, however, which was bestowed upon her, were always ready to admire the manner in brought her from a state of torpor to some little which it was delivered, and were always willing feeling. Her half-dead attendants had yet a to believe that her eyes said less than her other hope for the best; but death came on apacearguments. no balm could cure an injured frame, whose anBoasting, one evening, how little she was gelic spirit was, if possible, still more dreadsubject to the impressions of fear, it was re- fully wounded-her days of suffering, were solved, by her thoughtless juvenile associates, therefore few; and on the morning in which she that an attempt should be made to expose what fled into the field where folly never riots, the they considered vanity in the extreme; with bright spark of reason returned to her once this view, after some consultation, they resolved again-all her powers of mind came back with to introduce into her bed a portion of a human renewed strength; and calling around her the skeleton, with its head reclining upon a pillow, weeping groupe, with whom she had parted but imagining that, when the unfortunate subject of a few evenings before, she begged of them to this memoir should undraw the curtains of her forget her fate as completely as she forgave bed, an involuntary scream would expose that those who were the unintentional cause of her even her fears could be easily worked upon. death. Do not imagine, said the retiring angel, They listened, when she had retired from the-do not for one moment believe that I am dance, with no ordinary silence; but for such sorry that the period is come when I shall be an exclamation they listened in vain; no scream set free from a pilgrimage which night, perhaps, -not the least sound was heard-the light of have ended still more unfortunately, and might the lamp, too, was extinguished, after a seem- not have afforded so useful an example of the dangers of working upon the fears of any one; nor should I have been so tried, had not my vanity laid claim to what no one ever possessed -a total absence of all fear. In all future periods, amid the gay scenes of life, when anger shall prompt you, you may recollect to forgive others as Mary M'Cleod forgave you; and if ever my spirit shall be deputed again to visit the earth, I shall, perhaps, be that very attendant spirit, who, at that very moment, will bring back to your recollection the fate of Mary M'Cleod. ARTS AND SCIENCES. IMPROVED LAMP. M. Fresnal has lately constructed, in France, lamps on the principle of M. Argand; but having, instead of one circular wick, two or three of such, concentrically placed, and admitting up a free current of air between each wick. The perfect combustion produced by the great heat and free access of air, to the oil thus volatilized at top of the wicks, is said to be productive of very great advantages, as to perfection and economy of light. Flat wicks have for a long time in this country been placed side by side, and near to each other, with similar advantages, by Major Cochrane and others. VARIETIES. SWALLOWING SWORDS. It is not generally known, says a correspondent, that the juggling part of swallowing a sword, which has just produced so fatal a result to an awkward practitioner, and which Ramo Samee previously exhibited with so much eclat, is a very ancient conjuring trick, as appears from the following curious passage in Plutarch; From hence resulted the pithiness of the Laconian speech, an instance of which we have in King Agis, who, when a pert Athenian laughed at their short swords, and said that the jugglers and mountebanks swallowed such upon the stage, answered him, "Short as they are, we can give our enemies a home thrust with them.". Plutarch's Life of Lycurgus. SELFISHNESS. Some persons (we hope the number is small) seem. perfectly callous to every thing, which does not immediately touch their own persons. Sympathy is a stranger to their bosoms; love and friendship, and every other generous sentiment, is as incomprehensible to them, as the theory of light and shade is to a blind man. A man of this description, who was visiting the Va tican at Rome, "after staring some time, with marks A COMMON TUNE. A lady the other day, who had made some progress on the piano, and whose vanity prompted her to display proficiency on every possible occasion, asked another who was sitting by her, if she knew what she was playing? "I do,' "answered her friend," you play it very often." "But what is it called ?” "The fool," returned the other. PORTRAIT. "Could you not give a little expression to that countenance?" said a gentleman to an eminent English painter, who showed him a portrait that he had just finshed; "I have made that attempt already," replied the painter, but, what the picture gained in expression, it lost in likeness; and by the time there was a little common sense in the countenance, nobody knew for whom it was intended. I was obliged, therefore, to make an entire new picture, with the face perfectly like, and perfectly meaningless as you see it." |