that he is one of the ten thousand "remarkable You strain your ear to catch the harmonies And seek to learn the native tongue of Earth. I pitch my tent upon the naked sands, Gazed on its glory, heard the grand acclaim In nature, making mine her myriad shows; Instinct with freedom. Blame me not, that I And leave the heavens where you are wandering still To hear from thy lattice breathed And open thy chamber door, And the stars are old, And the leaves of the Judgment LAIRD. I wish Taylor would come out and prelect, (as Crabtree hath it,) in our Town Ha'. When he gangs back to the "Model Republic" he can deliver a fine lecture upon the natural and artificial beauties o' Bonnie Braes! He might gang farther, for a text, and fare worse! My braw boar pig Claverhouse, alone, would furnish matter for the delectation o' ony classic audience, either in Christendom, or the United States! Did ye ever see Claverhouse, Sangrado? DOCTOR. -No-and I trust never shall! I have no pleasure in contemplating an animated mountain of fat and bristles! Faugh! The very idea stirs me like an emetic! LAIRD.-Listen to the auld heathen! My man, Nature must hae been clean oot o' taste when ye were fabricated! Mony a kid-gloved leddy, who could play on the piano, and pent roses on hand screens, has admired my peerless pig! DOCTOR.-As you observed, these stanzas are DOCTOR.-Very likely! We all remember indeed characteristic of the parent thereof. the dainty maiden in the Arabian Nights, who They convey to us the notion of a wrestling eat her rice with a tooth-pick during dinner, bout between ideality and matter of fact! The and supped at night upon the tenants of the poet comes out strong, but the traveller tippeth burial ground! him a cross-buttock ! LAIRD. Comparison run mad! MAJOR.-Come, come, children, no fighting in the Shanty, if you please! We have no time MAJOR.—There is a good deal of pith and to spend in bickering! The night is far ad fang in the following Arab lyric :— BEDOUIN SONG. From the desert I come to thee And the midnight hears my cry: And the stars are old, And the leaves of the Judgment Look from thy window and see I lie on the sands below, And I faint in thy disdain. And the leaves of the Judgment My steps are nightly driven, vanced in senectitude, and I have yet to bring under your cognizance the choicest novel of the DOCTOR.-Its author? MAJOR.-Theodore Mügge. LAIRD.-Mug! Indeed, that's a convivial name, strongly suggestive o' brown stout, and "Reaming swats, that drink divinely." DOCTOR.-For the love of charity shut up! MAJOR.-At the head of the popular fictionists of Germany stands Theodore Mügge, and I am much mistaken if he is not destined to acquire a world-wide fame. In the present story he has done for Norway and Lapland, what the author of Waverley did for Scotland. To quote the words of a distinguished German critic: "His romance introduces us to a region with curse of eternal barrenness. But God stretched which he is thoroughly acquainted from perout his omnipotent hand, and blessed the desolate earth. 66 sonal observation, but, which is a rare and bloom," said the Almighty, "no bird sing, and Although no flower shall here almost untrodden field of fiction, the remote no blade of grass grow, yet the wicked spirit neighbourhood of the North Pole, and those icy shall have no share in thee. I will have comdesert steppes, where the Laplander pursues passion on thee, and suffer men here to dwell, his wandering life of privation and suffering. who, with love and affection, shall cling to these rocks, and be happy in their possession." Then His life-like descriptions of the manners and the Lord commanded the fish to frequent the customs of this curious people, and the Norwe-sea in vast swarms, and above, on the ice-fields, gian settlers on the coasts, are drawn with such he placed a wonderful creature, half cow, half power as to awaken the keenest interest in his deer, which was to nourish man with milk, butter, and flesh, and clothe him with its furry brilliant story, and to keep the attention of the skin. reader intensely excited from the first to the last page." DOCTOR.-Do you homologate and endorse coasts, animated by such multitudes of the finny Thus, according to the saga, originated Norway. For this reason is the sea, on its wild tribes, and the reindeer found on its deserts of ice and snow, without whose help no human all this wealth of commendation ? MAJOR.-Yes, in the most unqualified man- being could live there. What a world of hor ner. ror and silence there lies concealed! With what DOCTOR.-Well, then, as you love me, do not awe trembles the heart of the solitary traveller drop the slightest hint touching the plot or per-sounds, where the sea, in labyrinthine folds, when he wanders among the desert fiords and sonages! Good romances are scarce now as loses itself between gloomy, snow-crowned new-laid eggs, and when one falls in a poor rocks, in inaccessible gulfs and caverns! With fellow's way, he likes to discuss it with an un- what astonishment he beholds his ship gliding blunted appetite! through this immensity of cliffs, gigantic rocks, and black granite walls, which wind, as a girdle, for more than three hundred miles around the stony breast of Norway! MAJOR. I Sympathise with your feelings, and comply with your behest. There can be no harm, however, in my reading aloud the prologue. It thus runs : ORIGIN OF NORWAY. Man is but sparsely distributed over the neglected land. Over rocks and swamps must he wander, eternally roving with the reindeer, which nourishes him; in coves and inlets on the sea-shore he lives, solitary and secluded, and, with extreme toil and trouble, supplies himself with fish. The land, however, can never become the fixed abode of any one. Deep lies it under swamp and ice, buried in cloud and darkness, without trees or fields, the hut of the peasant, or the lowing of cattle, and the genial blessings which spring from the industry of man and social intercourse. In the remote north of Europe a legend is current that God, when he had created the world, and was reposing from his labours, was suddenly aroused from his meditation by the fall of a monstrous mass in the abyss of waters. The Creator, as he looked up, perceived the devil, who had seized a prodigious mass of rock, which he had hurled into the deep, so that the axis of the new creation, trembling under the weight, threatened to break, and yet wavers, Such is the aspect that this region presents and will to all eternity, The Lord preserved when a ship leaves the harbour of Trondheim, his work from entire destruction by his mighty and, steering northwardly, pushes through the power. With one hand he sustained it, and fiords and sounds. Behind, the coast rises in with the other he threatened the base fiend, bold precipices; the fertile spots gradually diswho, howling with fear, took to flight; but appear, and wilder, more naked rocks stretch everywhere the fearful pile of rock rose above to the desolate wastes, until the insurmountable the waters. High and gloomily it projecte glaciers of Helgoland mark the limits of human out of the swelling flood to the clouds; jagged, habitations. Human life withdraws into the wild, and shattered, its naked sides sank into bays and inlets. There dwells the merchant the unfathomable depths, and filled the sea with and the fisherman of Norse blood, and near innumerable cliffs and peaks for many miles. them Danes and Laplanders are settled. The The Maker cast a look of sadness and pity upon Laplander drives his antlered milch cow over this waste, and then took he what remained of the snowy mountains, and the report of his gun, fruitful earth, and strewed it over the black s he hunts the bear and the wolf, is echoed rocks. But, alas, it was too sparse to be of back from the dark sea-caverns. Wilder and much avail. The ground was scarcely covered more desolate grows the scene with every new in the clefts and hollows, and only in a few morning. For miles no house is to be seen, spots was sufficient deposited to nourish fruit and no sail or fishing-boat breaks the dismal trees and ripen seeds. The farther to the north, monotony. Dolphins sportively gambol around the scantier was the gift, until at last none re-the bows of the ship, and the whale spurts the mained, and the devil's work rested under the water into the air; flocks of sea-gulls hover over, and dive upon the moving shoals of her- from the second story can be brought down rings; divers and auks spring from the rocks, these stairs without being seen from any of the the eider-duck flutters over the foaming billows, and high in the clear sharp air, the eagle pair the kitchen. In the hall is the principal siairs Entrance to the cellar from principal rooms. circle round their rocky nest. At last, winding around a thousand rocky leading to second story, which is divided into capes, in the midst of this ocean labyrinth, you bed-rooms having closets attached; also insee the house of a trader upon the declivity of closed stairs to attic, in which there are three a birch-wooded promontory. There are his warehouses, his vessels, and his boats; there large sleeping-rooms, with store-rooms, &c. The rises the smoke of some ten scattered fishermen's little front room in second story would make a huts among the cliffs, and between them lies a bed-room if required, or a dressing room atnarrow strip of green meadow, through which tached to a large front bed-room. a brawling brook rushes to the sea. A few mi nutes more, and all has disappeared. Again First story 9 ft. 6 in. high, second story 8 ft. the rocky desert meets the eye; again the same high. The superstructure is framed, sheathed sounds surround the ship, and the same deep on the outside with 14 in. boards about 9 in. and unruffled mirror of water reflects the pass-wide, put on horizontally, and rebated to imitate ing sail; and from the deep ravines, the wind block work, and painted three good coats, the rushes out with the fury of a wild beast. Here begins our story. last two to be sanded; thus making the building appear like a stone one, with very little expense. To be plastered on the inside two coats (browning and white finish.) The inside finish is to be Architraves in principal story plain and neat. LAIRD.-And here ends my patience! Having tasted sorrow a thing since breakfast, save and except twa or three pounds o' pork chops, and some other trifling sunkets no' worth mentioning, I am as hungry as a hawk! MAJOR.-Out with your facts, then, and ere long you shall be dipping your beak in a platter of magnificent clam soup. LAIRD.-Clam soup! Haud aff, Doctor, till I get my papers opened! Clam soup! Oh Neptune, but ye are an honest god, after a'! Clam soup! Here gang the facts, like crushed electricity! FACTS FOR THE FARMER. A SYMMETRICAL COTTAGE.* Whoever loves symmetry and the simpler kinds of cottage beauty, including good proportion, tasteful forms, and chasteness of ornament, we think can not but like this design, since it unites all these requisites. It is an illustration of a cottage made ornamental at a very trifling expence, and without sacrificing to that kind of tasteful simplicity which is the true touchstone of cottage beauty. This cottage is entered by means of an ample hall, off which is the parlor, 15 ft. by 15 ft. 6 in. The dining room is entered from either the hall or parlor, and is 15 ft. 6 in. by 14 ft., having closets, also a closet under stairs. Adjacent to the dining-room is the nursery, 14 ft. by 12 ft. 6 in., having a bathing-room and closet. Off of the room is the kitchen, 15 ft. 6 in. by 12 ft. 6 in., having an ample pantry, sink room, &c. The back stairs ascend from the sink-room, which is a great convenience, as slops, &c., * See Illustration. to be 7 in. wide, bevelled bands, those in the second story, 6 in. The building finished complete, will cost about £500. WINTERING VERBENAS. Having succeeded in keeping the different sorts of Verbenas in small pots through the winter, when my neighbors have failed, I beg to state the method I adopt. In the first or second week in July, I strike in 3-inch pots as many cuttings of the different kinds as I require for filling the beds in the following year, about six pots of a sort being sufficient. Early in August, the pots being filled with roots, I prepare as many boxes, two feet square, as I have sorts, filling one-third of each box with broken tiles, and the rest with one part sand, one leaf mould, The plants are and two parts good rich loam. then placed in them at equal distances apart, and the shoots being pegged down they soon take root all over the box, and form one mass. The boxes are placed in a cold frame during the winter, and the lights are thrown off, except in wet or frosty weather. Early in the spring they begin to make young shoots, which I pot in 3-inch pots, and strike in a cucumber frame; these will be ready to plant out by the end of April, at which time the boxes are turned out, one side being removed, and the mass planted in the centre of a bed. The bed is then filled up those out of the boxes, being oldest and with the young plants from the 3-inch pots; strongest, take the lead and keep it; thus the plants in the centre of the bed, being the highest a striking effect is produced.-Gard. Chron. MRS. GRUNDY'S GATHERINGS. DESCRIPTION OF ENGRAVING. were striped muslin, and the skirts had seven tucks, each edged at the bottom with a row of These dresses were narrow Valenciennes. No. 1-Is a ball dress of pink tulle over silk; the tulle is looped up in festoons with clusters made low, and over the corsage was worn a sort The corsage is cut low at the neck of fichu or pelerine of muslin the same as the These pelerines were made high to of roses. with a heart-shaped trimming in front, a sharp dresses. moss roses. the throat, and pointed in the front and at the back. Round the waist was a basquire, edged with a full ruche of narrow Valenciennes lace. These two young ladies wore bonnets of white No. 2-Is a dress of heavy purple silk with crenoline, intersected by rows of a sort of horizontal stripes of black ascending half-way trellis-work formed of white blonde, combined up the skirt. The mantilla is made of silk to with narrow pink and blue ribbon. It may match, and trimmed with deep black lace. be observed that pink and blue-two colours White drawn-bonnet, trimmed with lilac rib-formerly inadmissible in combination-are now bon. frequently blended together; fashion having, for the present at least, revoked the decree A splendid fête champêtre, recently given at which formerly prohibited their union. The the ancestral seat of one of our noblest aristo-young ladies, whose dresses have just been decratic families, draws together a crowd of gay scribed, wore white worked muslin mantellets, and fashionable company. The dresses of the trimmed with frills edged with Valenciennes, ladies on this occasion were remarkable for and ornamented with bows of blue and pink elegance and novelty; we will describe a few of ribbon. LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. TO WASH A BLACK LACE VEIL. them for the information of those of our fair A young Spanish lady, one of the guests at readers who may be preparing a similar style of this gay morning party was dressed in a style costume. The noble hostess wore a dress of to her very becoming; though worn by another splendidly worked India muslin. It consisted lady, it might have been liable to the charge of of a double jupe, or rather a jupe and tunic, eccentricity. The robe was composed of the both of equal length; that is to say, sufficiently richest Irish poplin, with broad alternating long to trail a little on the ground behind. stripes of pink and black. The corsage was The front breadth of the under jupe was en- tight to the figure, open in front, and edged tirely covered with the most exquisite India with black lace. The sleeves demi-short, with needlework; and the upper jupe was open in ruffles of black lace; the same lace forming the front, so as to show this needlework. The basquine at the waist. On her head, this open sides of the upper jupe were trimmed with Spanish brunette wore her national mantilla; a double bouillonne of muslin, edged with the graceful folds were gathered just above the narrow Valenciennes lace, and within these left ear, and confined by a large moss-rose. bouillonnes were runnings of bright Islay green ribbon. The corsage, which was half-high and open in front, was trimmed at the top by Mix bullock's gall with sufficient hot water to bouillonnes with ribbon insertion. The ends make it as warm as you can bear your hand in. of the sleeve were finished in a similar style, Then pass the veil through it. It must be squeezwith the addition of deep hanging ruffles of ed, and not rubbed. It will be well to perfume the Valenciennes. The head-dress was of peculiarly gall with a little musk. Next rinse the veil through beautiful and novel description. It consisted two cold waters, tinging the last with indigo. of a cap, fitting almost closely to the head, and Then dry it. Have ready in a pan some stiffencomposed of feather trimings of brilliant hues ing made by pouring boiling water on a very of green, formed of the plumage of foreign small piece of glue. Put the veil into it, squeeze birds. This feather trimming was plaited, so as it out, stretch it, and clap it. Afterwards pin to form a sort of transparent net-work, and was it out to dry on a linen cloth, making it very intermingled with rows of narrow black blonde. straight and even, and taking care to open and Long lappets of the same floated over the back pin the edge very nicely. When dry, iron it on of the neck and shoulders. the wrong side, having laid a linen cloth over Two young ladies-sisters-wore white mus- the ironing-blanket. Any article of black lace lin robes of a very elegant description. They may be washed in this way. 615 CHESS. (To Correspondents.) ANECDOTES OF CHESS-PLAYERS.* TAMERLANE THE GREAT.-The game of chess A. M. S.-You will find one of the positions sent inserted has been generally practised by the greatest as a problem in the present number. warriors and generals. Tamerlane the Great ROOK.-The games you have sent appear to have been wrongly taken down, or impossible moves have been was engaged in a game during the very time of made. In reporting, a confusion of the King's and Queen's the decisive battle with Bajazet, the Turkish emperor, who was defeated and taken prisoner. Kt. has evidently taken place. We defer the solution of our last problem until our next issue, as only one correspondent has favoured us with a reply, which unfortunately is wrong. White to play and mate in three moves. No. 37. By G. S. Jellicoe. WHITE.-K at Q B 3d; R at K B 6th; B at K 8th; Kt at Q 5th; Ps at K R 4th and Q 2d. BLACK.-K at K 4th; Ps at Q 6th, QB 2d, and K R 4th. White to play and mate in three moves. BLACK.-K at Q B 4th; Q at K sq; Rs at KR sq and Q Kt 5th; Bs at Q 5th and Q R 5th; Ps at K 5th, Q 3d, and Q Kt 2d. White to play and mate in five moves. No. 39. By an Amateur. related of Al Amin, the Khalif of Bagdad, that AL AMIN, THE KHALIF OF BAGDAD. It is he was engaged at chess with his freedman Kuthar, at the time when Al Mamun's forces were carrying on the siege of that city with so much vigor, that it was on the point of being carried by assault. The Khalif, when warned of his danger, cried out, "Let me alone, for I see checkmate against Kuthar!" KING CHARLES I. was playing at chess when news was brought of the final intention of the Scots to sell him to the English; but so little was he discomposed by this alarming intelligence, that he continued his game with the utmost composure, so that no person could have known that the letter he received had given him information of anything remarkable. KING JOHN was engaged at chess when the deputies from Rouen came to acquaint him that their city was besieged by Philip Augustus ; but he would not hear them until he had finished his game. COLONEL STEWART used frequently to play at chess with Lord Stair, who was very fond of the game; but an unexpected checkmate used to put his lordship into such a passion, that he was ready to throw a candlestick, or anything else that was near him, at his adversary; for which his feet, to fly to the furthest corner of the reason the Colonel always took care to be on room when he said, "Checkmate, my Lord!" LIFE is chess on a grand scale, and chess is an emblem of life, with its hopes and its fears, its losses and its gains; only in chess, if you lose one game by a false move, you can set up the pieces and play another. * * * * Nobody but a chess-player can appreciate the strong tie of brotherhood which links its amateurs. For a fellow-chess-player, a man will do that which he would refuse his father and mother. The habit of breathing the same air, WHITE.-K at K R sq; B at QB 7th; Kt at and looking at the same chtss-board, creates a K 7th; Ps at K B 5th, K 2d, and Q B 3d. BLACK.-K at K 5th; Ps at K B 3d, K 6th, and Q B 3d. White to play and mate in four moves. friendship to which that of Damon and Pythias was a mere "How d'ye do?"-Frazer. Related by Herr Harrwitz. |