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bad. The seeds which were sown on the land had difficulties to contend with, for the wiry fibres of the grasses prevented the admixture of the earth, and therefore prevented the seeds from benefiting by even the thin covering of soil, which time had brought on the surface; and lastly, such of the seeds as did germinate, grew like so many dwarfs, as it were, to mock us of our labours. Our provisions were nearly exhausted; the only fresh meat that we had eaten since our arrival in the Island, was supplied by hunting the kangaroo; and they were now become shy and scarce; at length we were brought to the alternative, either of famishing for want, or finding some other spot better calculated for a settlement. We had scarcely formed the latter resolution, when some of our people who had moved further into the bush, returned to the Camp, with the alarming intelligence, that the Natives were coming down upon

us.

Every man prepared himself for defence; the pieces of ordnance which had been landed from the vessel for protection, were loaded, and ere our equipment for the reception of the Natives was completed, they were heard distinctly at no great distance, hallooing and cooeeing, making a fearful noise, as if they were resolved to strike us with terror, before they could point their weapons at us. They continued to approach nearer; the sounds appeared to extend over a great space of ground, and we fancied all the tribes of the Island had combined to hurl destruction on us at once. We listened to the various sounds-heard them beating the bush-the rattling of the dead branches. Some of our party approached towards them to ascertain the numbers of the enemy, but unlike the mode of warfare among civilized nations; they were not coming down in a body, but had extended their line so as to close upon us in the form of a crescent. We receded towards our camp; the numbers then began to assume fearful odds to our little band; one alternative only was left, either to submit, and be swept from an existence, which had become miserable, or, strike a blow, and impede the progress of their body, as they became more concentrated; at last their approach did not appear like the advance of an army, determined or prepared for battle; but still, the well known treachery of savages, created within us fearful suspicions. Perhaps we had no real cause to fear; or perhaps our fears had been excited by the numbers which had collected together-but if once within their power, they might take unfair advantage. Little time was left to take all these things into consideration-the word of command was given, to fire :-consternation was caused by the report of our guns, and when they saw their companions struck to the earth, by means which they could not understand, a dreadful scene of terror and dismay ensued; some were observed to fly for safety, while others became frantic at the loss of their comrades. The first fire had not the desired effect of driving back the suspected enemy, nor did they appear bold enough to rush upon us to revenge their loss;-a pause ensued, little calculated to allay our fears; it was observed that the chiefs had not been prepared for the sudden attack made upon them, and

looked undecided what measures to adopt; but no time could be lost in the deliberations; we interrupted their councils, by firing a volley of musketry. The second attack put their whole body into a state of utter confusion; a mixture of rage and dismay was pictured in every countenance-the yells and cries of the poor savages, reverberated from hill to hill; some more desperate than the rest approached to the attack with their spears and waddies, but as they rushed on, our well directed fire stemmed their progress. Their numbers were thinned, and their revenge vain, they fell into disorder; the terror was communicated to their comrades, and the whole fell back. To complete our victory, we pursued the enemy, and continued our fire. Like passion when once excited becomes ungovernable, so it was with us, when we found that the enemy fled before us ;-a scene of carnage was left for our contemplation.

It eventually appeared but too certain that these poor savages were at the time only engaged in hunting the kangaroo, at a meeting of the several tribes; and had unwarily taken the direction of our camp, neither desiring to drive us from the land, or injure us in any manner.

Thus was the first aggression on the part of the British, which opened a field for treachery and revenge on the part of the Natives, that has scarcely yet been obliterated, even by the destruction of five-sixths of the Aborigines.

A. S.

POETRY.

The following Lines are founded on fact; and though the humble Author cannot presume to suppose that on their own account they merit notice, yet, as reflecting a just tribute to the humanity of one of his most valued friends, they perhaps may be tolerated.

The sun's ruddy beam, illumined the stream
And the breeze was deliciously sweet-
A fowler then came, took pittiless aim,

And his victim lay dead at his feet

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LINES,

Written in a Vineyard.

O, vine! thy green leaves are graceful;
O, vine, thy ripe juice is sweet!
But its effects are disgraceful,

And with tears I should thee greet.
From kindred thou canst sever
To madness thou do'st urge :-
Those who subserve thee never,
From mis'ry's gulph emerge!

MANNERS OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

E.

In Drummond Castle, there is a curious M.SS. Journal of, maiden Elizabeth Woodville, written during the early part of the 15th century -the habits of ladies in those times, and some of the fair sex of the present day, afford an extraordinary contrast, which may not be uninteresting. This Elizabeth Woodville first married Sir John Grey, and after his death became in 1465, the Queen of Edward IV. On the accession of Henry VII. (who married her daughter) to the throne, she was confined in the nunnery of Bermondsey, in which seclusion she died :

"Monday, March 9.-Rose at 4 o'clock, and helped Catherine to milk the cows; Rachel, the other dairy-maid, having scalded her hand in so bad a manner the night before. Made a poultice for Rachel, and gave Robin a penny to get her something comfortable from the apothecary's.

"Six o'clock. The buttock of beef too much boiled, and the beer a little of the stalest. Memorandum :-To talk to cook about the first fault, and to mend the second myself by tapping a fresh barrel directly.

"Seven o'clock.-Went to walk with the lady, my mother, into the court-yard. Fed twenty-five men and women; chided Roger severely for expressing some ill will at attending us with broken meat.

"Eight o'clock.-Went into the paddock behind the house with my maid Dorothy; caught Thump, the little pony, myself, and rode a matter of six miles without saddle or bridle.

"Ten o'clock.-Went to dinner. John Grey there, a comely youth, but what is that to me? a virtuous maiden should be entirely under the direction of her parents. John ate but little; stole a great many tender looks at me, and said, "Women never would be

handsome in his opinion, who were not good tempered." I hope my temper is not intolerable; nobody finds fault with it but Roger, and he is the most disorderly serving-man in our family. John Grey likes white teeth; my teeth are of a pretty good colour I think and my hair is as black as jet, though I say it; and John, if I mistake not, is of the same opinion.

"Eleven o'clock.-Rose from table, the company all desirous of walking in the fields; John Grey would lift me over every stile, and twice he squeezed my hand with great vehemence. I cannot say I should have any objection to John Grey; he plays at prisonbars as well as any country gentleman, and he never misses church on Sundays.

"Three o'clock.-Poor Farmer Robinson's house burnt down by an accidental fire. John Grey proposed a subscription for the benefit of the Farmer, and gave no less than four pounds himself with this benevolent intent. Memorandum: Never saw him look so handsome as at that moment.

"Four o'clock.-Went to prayers.

"Six o'clock.-Fed the hogs and poultry.

"Seven o'clock.-Supper on the table: delayed in consequence of Farmer Robinson's misfortune. Memorandum : The goose-pie too much baked, and the pork roasted to rags.

"Nine o'clock. The company fast asleep; these late hours very disagreeable. Said my prayers a second time, John Grey distracting my thoughts too much the first time. Fell asleep, and dreamed of John Grey.".

WEALTH.

From the Authologia Græea of Grotius, by De Bosch.

(AUTHOR UNKNOWN.)

When old Diogenes, with bitter sneer,
Saw royal Croesus 'mongst the shades appear,-
In tatter'd cloak, before the ghost he stands,
For whom once roll'd Pactolus' golden sands;
And, smiling, thus the monarch he address'd,
A Cynic pride still rankling in his breast:--
"Croesus! thy wealth is vanished now to smoke,
Mine I brought with me, for I brought my cloak."

N

SONG.

Sing me to sleep-and let me rest
Pillow'd upon thy snowy breast,
That I may dream myself to be
Sailing upon some summer sea;
While each pulsation soft will seem
The wave to bear me through my dream.
Sing me to sleep!-thy cadences
Shall be the music of the breeze
That fills my sail, and wafts me on,
Until some halcyon shore be won--

While love, and hope, and pleasure beam,
The guiding stars throughout my dream!

THE SOLDIER'S BILLET.

ANGLO-TASMANIAN,

Some years ago, a regiment marched through a French town in which I then was, on their way to the camp of Charles X. at Saint Omer. Two of the soldiers were billeted on me. I had been struck with the face of one of the two as they entered the townindeed, by his conduct and manner, as well as his features. After passing the gate, the regiment, at word of command, I believe, broke their lines, and went scampering and jumping, and shouting, like possessed creatures, down the precipitous main street to the place where they were to get their billets served out to them-a most indecorous exhibition to eyes accustomed to the gravity of English soldiers after a march-indeed, upon all occasions: and, I suppose, their pranks were meant to express joy at having gained a resting point for the day and night, with the near prospect of bread and onions and bonne soupe. But I digress. One man, among them all, cut no such capers as I have mentioned, contenting himself with tramping sedately down the street, his musket held by the middle in his left hand; nor did he shout nor utter any boyish nonsense like his comrades, nor contract his features as only Frenchmen can do. In fact, though young-about seven and twenty-and handsome too,-thought, if not sorrow, sat on his open, manly brow, and compressed the corners of his mouth-so far as I could observe his mouth, it so appeared to me: for not only did he wear moustaches of a prolific growth, but his black beard had been suffered to grow

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