moss

nased rapidly away, by the breath cannot, in any case, yield to the apTovember; the surface of the earth proach of winter, or disappear under ow equally bare and exposed with the pressure of time. decayed superstructureit supports; Having pursued some such train of

trees of the surrounding forest thought as the above, a few days ago, now themselves equally torn and till i had drifted considerably, both nous with the turrets they surround; mentally and corporeally, out of my re is nothing now on the surface reckoning, I was suddenly arrested in the landscape to come into com- the current of my reflections, and my ition with those objects upon which attention directed to a number of Chile approach of winter effects no dren who were disporting themselves, rceptible change with the mould- seemingly with great glee and enjoyng battlement, which lifts its head ment, on the banks of the Eden in the hidst the clouds,-or the mutilated immediate neighbourhood of the “good chway, which opens up its Goth- town of C****.” The mind is never span from beneath. These objects better prepared for the enjoyment of w receive us like friends, who, with- cheerful company, or exhilarating ideas ut any parade of promise or of smile, and emotions, than after it has had its ave yet stood the test of time and ad- full swing of thoughtfulness and seersity. They are the “ Cordelias” of rious meditation- I have seen the truth ur winter rambles, and present us of this exemplified by many an old vith subjects of interesting reflection, woman at a“ funeral dregy;" by many when their elder sister, Vegetation, has a venerable and pious Clergyman on a efused us other entertainment. Sabbath evening, and if I may be per

There is yet one “ existence,” mitted the privilege of a reference to - thich, as it never has partaken of myself, by my own conduct and feelings -rm or modification of being, remains, upon the present occasion. So, ascendund must ever remain, undissolved :- ing a little eminence from which I

Mind--soul”—that within us, which could observe the juvenile sports, I ainks, and feels, and wills, and acts. seated myself quietly upon a Spon this “ formless," uncompound- covered stone," and in a few seconds d, simple Unity, neither time nor was completely and very agreeably inrcumstances can act as a solvent. All terested. lat is visible--all that is even capable, Now, Mr Christopher, if you are one the

power of imagination, to be of those wise, sober, prudential persona ictured out into shape and substance, ages, who, in all they do, and in all cestay, by some law or other of Nature, they say, and in all they write, have a

decomposed, and the shape, and constant reference to a certain length, de particular substance, may be de- and breadth, and altitude of character, nged and destroyed; but the soul which they have adopted for themman, like the great “ Parent Spirit selves as the proper standard, who are mself,” is one and indivisible. Înto always saying, or thinking, or express3 native elements that cannot be re- ing by action, “how will this conduct içed, which already exists, and can or that deportment suit—how will it hly exist in an elemental condition. become me !" If, I say, you are one of

ut of being that cannot, by any exist- those old musty fusty Prigs-why you 1, ko arrangements, be driven, which are not the man I took you for-nor

olds a charter of existence, equal in will you enter at all into my present thority , and similar in privilege, feelings. I can sit

, man! a whole day, th all the first elements of dependent and have often done it too, on the paistence. So long as “ Nihil interiť" rapet of a bridge, striking stones into written over the doorway of the the smooth pool below, observing the jiverse, so long must that which is, “dead man's plump” which they cut, dependently of mode and manner, the bells which they raised, and the ntinue to be. What, then, is it to successive and widening circles which

that the woodland is now strewed played off and off to both bank and

th the wrecks of the season, and that stream. Did you ever skip slaties, man, the button to church-yard has become a No- or swim them, all scaly and dry, adown

mber repository of dissolution and the current? Did you ever play with way? The formless, unimaged, in- “ Bent-heads” at “ soldiers," decapita

aceivable “ Existence,” which is ting hundreds of the enemy with one ames and be perly and incontrovertibly “Self,” single veteran, but tough necked and

a

a

stir

a

"Hy-spy,"

>

invincible warrior ? Did you ever lay tire, "did unco weel as a shinty,”-and the “ wabron-leaf” over the hollow of there a crooked and still elastic rib-bone one hand, and crack it like a pistol by was converted into “ a bow," and like a smart application of the other? Have the martial breast, which in all likeliyou never caught “ Bumbees" in hood it once enclosed, it still delighted

bluidy fingers,” and held them buz- in warlike feats. Here a skull was laid I zing and humming to your neighbour's upon its occiput, with the whole famiear? Have you never calculated the ly of the passions under water, and hour of the day from the “Dandelion?” having a white stick by way of a mast Have yoų never made ponds of rain- thrust immediately across the organ water after a flood, and exulted in see, “ veneration.” Two Collies, (dogs) ing them fill? Have you never con- which had long shared the sport with structed a “boat” with a “paper sail,” the shinty-players, after having receive and launched her without the aid of ed some pretty intelligible hints from helm or compass, upon the “ flood” their associates in the game, to make you had collected ? Have you never themselves scarce, had taken to the grasuspended a water wheel by two props, ving of bones, and were venturing to over a gullet, and leapt to observe the erect a very respectable “ Collyshangy* success of your contrivance ? Have over the bleaching relics of mortality

, you never flown your dragon, with a “Surely," said I to a middle-aged and well papered and nicely balanced tail, respectable looking personage, who and sent up from time to time the ra- happened to be passing at the time

, pidly ascending Messenger? --I speak surely, Sir, this is, or rather has been

, not of the “ Columbian”+ mysteries of hallowed ground, and must have been

Clecking-broad," and once appropriated to quite other purRing, -these are sports into which poses than those by which it is now eyen the most saturnine and heavy- so shamefully profaned.” The Figure headed Dolt that props a class, is com- looked me stedfastly in the face, as pelled to join.-But I say, and I swear if to inquire whether or not I were quite it-if you have never entered with a in earnest in my vituperative mode of degree of enthusiasm, of which even interrogation; and, with its hands in yet, the very recollection is most plea- its breeches pocket, proceeded, without sing, into the above-mentioned amuse- taking any further notice of my inments, If

you

have never been," se- quiry, on its way.-Frustrated in this mel imbutus,” you had better trudge. attempt, I submitted quietly to my You are no fit Editor for Ebony, let fate, waiting the approach of rather a me tell you,-nor can you appreciate more stylish looking appearance, which how much from my seat of grey stone came up whistling, and seemed to take and convenient elevation I enjoyed a particular interest in this new line the “ fun below.” But my pleasure of road. My inquiry, however, was was only of short continuance, for equally unsuccessful on this as on the chancing to look rather more attentive- former occasion; and had not a worse ly upon the face of a Scar beneath me, man who was within hearing of my under and along which a new road had question, referred me very attentively been lately driven, I thought I could to “ the Provost himsel," as he was discover something like a « bone” pro- pleased to designate a little figure, jecting out from the brow; and to my with a smart and a pleasing expression inexpressible surprise, upon a more of countenance, I believe I should have accurate survey, I found that the ma- departed just as wise as I came. From terials out of which my young friends this metropolitan dignitary, I learnt

, had constructed, and were still con- in the most condescending and oblistructing, the implements of their fun ging manner possible, that I had, in and diversion, had once been appropri- the first place, been unfortunate in ated to other purposes, having pro- the Individuals to whom my inquiries bably figured in the athletic form and had just been addressed, for that these manly deportment of their ancestors. were precisely the men who, in conHere a human thigh bone, with its sequence of the active part they had knobbed extremity still smooth and en. taken in forwarding this new line of

a

a

+ Vide Travels of Christopher Columbus the younger.

6

1

1, even at the expense of the repose place of their Ancestors.' “ You have he dead, had been most exposed a surprising memory, Sir," said I, “ to bloquy, and were, therefore, as he recollect ali this so correctly; but now ned it, a little thin skinned” for your second method. -“ My sein the subject. Not that they had cond plan,” added he,"is in fact that od singular in this business, nor for which the one I have mentioned it they were more to blame, if blame is only a substitution. It is the plain sat all attachable, than others; but common sense proceeding, upon which at being really and truly men of churches and manses are built, and weak nerves," and having discover- upheld ; let it be in every case the

their error in adopting this unhal- duty of those concerned with the supwed line of road when it was too late port of our religious establishment, to · prevent or remedy the evil, they protect the dead, as well as to find ad become exceedingly superstitious, spiritual comfort and advice for the nd were reported as living in a living, and the whole object is gained.” onstant apprehension of nocturnal “ But are there not many old Catheisits from the dead. Several stories, drals and monastic Cemeteries,” said I, he informed me, had got abroad upon “ which are not properly under the suthis subject, through the communica- perintendance of the Proprietors of the tiveness of their Wives,-but as these adjoining soil ;-but which having, at were so over-done and absurd as to the Reformation, escheated to the Exrender their truth extremely suspi- chequer, are still considered as subjectcious, he forbore, very prudently, from ed to the royal protection?”.

c“ In all mentioning them. In regard to the such cases," interrupted my Mentor, rround which had thus been cut up, who, in fact, became apparently a little I learned that, previous to the union impatient at my ignorance," wherever of that parish with the adjoining and the superiority rests, whether in more extensive one of C****, it be- Town-council, Heritor, or Prince, uplonged to the parish-church of “ St on that' Proprietor' likewise rests the Michael ;” and that the ground had so onus' of having the burial-ground long been in crop, and pasture, as to properly inclosed and protected. It

efface every memorial (from the sur- is indeed more shameful than you are i face at least) of its former appropria- probably aware of,” continued my new

tion. “But is there no remedy,” said acquaintance, the light of indignation I," for this evil, for a most glaring and seeming to kindle in his eye, revolting evil it is ? Is there no method ner in which not only old and disused whereby the Land can be made to pro- * Cemeteries' are neglected, but even tect its own dead, and the pick-axe those which are appropriated to preand shovel can be kept out of the graves sent use, are exposed to waste and di

of our ancestors ?” « Yes," replied my lapidation. All over the country, and vs pintelligent Informer, “there appears to in the kingdom of Fife in particular, w me to be two ways, by which this object this is the case; and froin the period asus may be accomplished, the one of these when the slaps in the 'kirk-yard dyke'

methods you find very simply and feels admit the Minister's cow, or his Visit

ingly stated in Gilbert Burns's letter or's poney, to that extreme advance Prym sto the editor of his Brother's works.-- of profanation,—when the village herd ad. When my father, says this most of swine are permitted and invited by »judicious narrator,

feued his little the attractions of the place, to take up property near Alloway Kirk, the wall their daily rendezvous, young and old, of the church-yard had gone to ruin, pig and dam, among the auld and cattle had free liberty of pastur- through stanes,'--there is, not unfreing in it. My father, with two or three quently, a most supine and culpable in

other neighbours, joined in an appli- attention and negligence, on the part PE, # Cation to the Town-council of Ayr, of those ' by law' concerned. Provi.

who were superiors of the adjoining đed one smalt corner or two continue land, for liberty to rebuild it; and to be protected by a square enclosure, raised, by subscription, a sum for in- having a black door, ornamented with closing this ancient cemetery with a a suitable sprinkling of chalky-cowall. Hence,' adds he, my father loured and inverted tears, where the came to consider it as his burial-place, more-honoured and more-fortunate and we learned that reverence for it ashes of the principal Proprietors may people generally have for the burial- rest,—all goes on as it has gone,--and,

Cthe man

N

with an occasional reflection it may Knox and a Melville preached, and an chance from some hardy and less- aroused and a manly Nobility stood, favoured parishioner, respecting the on that very Moor now immediately shamefulness of all this, matters pass under my view, firm and undismayed from father to son, from generation to in the cause of civil and religious generation, without any suitable re- freedom.” Hereupon," my friend," paration or amendment. I know,"con- for our intimacy, though strangers tinued my Instructor, “a church-yard when we met—or, as we country folks at this moment, which is still the buď are apt to word it, “ forgathered,”rial-ground of the parish, and through had gradually ripened into something the corner of which a mountain tor- very like friendship, proposed our rerent has forced its way. This breach, tiring to talk the subject over, more notwithstanding the instances in which at our leisure, upon a draught of even entire coffins have been swept what he termed « Macnab's brown off by the flood, has never been, and stout.”. To which * proposal having is not at this hour, repaired. And acceded, and having, upon second there is a story current of an honest thoughts, added to the Porter a conveLabourer's mother, who, after having nient accompaniment of mutton-chops been fairly—and as her son deemed, and rum-toddy, I spent one of the hapimmoveably fixed in the earth, in a piest evenings I have for some time season of continued rain, was found, enjoyed, in company and conversation upon his return home from thefuneral, with a man, who, after having lived a to have reached, by help of the torrent, bustling and an anxious, and somehis own door before him.

Of no what of a political life, amidst" Town. country that I know or have read of, councils” and county-meetings," nor of any other age or state of society, has now retired from this busy annoy

, however rude and uncivilized, can this ance to enjoy his friend, his glass

, and disgraceful allegation,—" that they the inexhaustible resources of an acute shew disrespect to the ashes of their and a vigorous mind. At what hour Forefathers,” be made with so much we parted, and what additional time truth asof our own,-of reformed Pres- passed before I reached home, are byterian Scotland in particular. One is questions of curiosity only, and of no almost disposed, upon taking a survey importance whatever. of this truly-melancholy subject, to Suffice it to observe, in conclusion, wish back again that “ hallowing and that although there existed no previa Catholic faith,” which, whilst it con- ous arrangement, or connexion, or afsecrated the very ground in which the finity, betwixt the current of my medead reposed, by this means suffi- ditations and the little trivial occur. ciently guarded them from all viola- rences I have just circumstantially station or disturbance; or, at least, to ted, yet I could not help thinking to take shelter under the guardian wings myself on my way home, that a cunning of the younger, and more courtly sis. and ingenious reasoner might contrive

, ter, Prelacy," who, in this respect, is without any very extraordinary stretch little behind her elder relative. "To of generalization, to bring both subthis sentiment, (subjoined I) rising, jects under one rule, and might instiand looking around me, I can never, tute no very unnatural alliance benotwithstanding all my reverence for twixt the neglected and scattered bones the ashes of the dead, 'accede, whilst of dead men, and that vegetable deI inhabit a county where the happy vastation which November exhibits. principles of Presbyterian reform were Adieu. Yours, &c. first promulgated, supported, and seal

NONDESIGNATUS. ed with blood ;-where a Mill, a Ha- Nov. 23, 1821. milton, and a Wishart suffered,

You may talk of your Youngs and your Ambroses as you please. Whoever has had the good fortune to experience the comfort, civility, and accommodation which are to be had at “ Macnab's,” will be apt to become a very testy and troublesome guest anywhere else.

HAROLD'S GRAVE.

“ Pictaviensis and Orderic say that he was buried on the beach ; most of the historians, that the body was given to his mother without ransom, and interred by her order at Waltham. A more romantic story is told by the author of the Waltham M.S. in the Cotton Library, Jul. D. 6, who wrote about a century afterwards. If we may believe him, two of the canons, Osgod Cnoppe, and Ailric, the Childe-maister, were sent to be spectators of the battle. They obtained from William, to whom they presented ten marks of gold, leave to search for the body of their benefactor. Unable to distinguish it amongst the heaps of slain, they sent for Harold's mistress, Editha, surnamed the fair,' and the swan's neck.' By her his features were recognized.”-LINGARD'S History of England.

There, where yon stretch of yellow sand,
Sparkling beneath the glance of noon,
Bends gently inward on the land,

Like crescent of an eight-days' moon,-
So lovely is that fatal coast

Where England's liberty was lost.-
Ah! woe is me, that ever there

The best of Saxon blood was shed,

That first the Norman foot should tread
Upon a spot so calm and fair.

There-midway, where the sunny

shore
Shelves, smoothly, to the wavy blue,
The fishermen, in days of yore,

Would land, while yet the day was new ;
And wives and maids greet their returning,
Blythe as the fresh wreath of the morning ;
Though now degraded serfs, they wait,

The sullen youth and fearful maid,

Pale as those flowers that grow in shade,
Beneath their tyrant's gloomy gate.
Oh! Freedom, thou art worth the striving-

Where Slavery once hath drawn his mesh,

The very air cannot refresh;
The very day-beam not enliven.

Their golden skies may glow serenely,

Their scented groves may flourish greenly ;
But the wreaths that would our brows emblossom,

The flowers that seem to meet our smile,

Disgust us when they most would wile
Like gems upon a harlot's bosom.
And all is silent, desert now,

Save that there is one noteless spot,

By some kind foot 'tis ne'er forgot,
Still

you may find it. Wond'rous how
The form that haunts that scene so fair,

Still leaves her simple traces there,
And still some sad device appears,

Which drooping wreaths seem to enclose,
As if that untired mourner's tears

Were ceaseless as the wave that flows.

For whether, in warm autumn's glow,

The waves seem languidly to fall,

That scarce their voice is heard at all,
The murmuring is so hush'd and low,

8