tattooed. was a clean tablecloth, and dozens of glasses they grew up. Creole negroes never are of Mrs. C.'s family, are highly creditable to characteristic. than the giver. Some of our really attached people brought up fine fowls, as a present for us, to put on board for sea-stock; indeed, we purchased and collected nearly our whole provisions for the voyage home from the estate negroes. Plenty of fruit was gathered, and brought for the pic-a-ninnies to eat on board; and, for the last few days, the good negroes were continually loitering about the house, and seemed anxious to see all they could of us, during the short time we had yet to remain. “I had visited all my favourite spots, and walked for a last time round the garden with old D., who was evidently struggling with her feelings: Misses, I'll take care of dis bush for your sake,' said she, as we passed a young elder tree, which I had got from La Reconnoissance, and cherished as an European plant. Mr. Warner sent to let me shake hands, and say God bless you!' many know that the carriage was ready. The best negroes were all around the door, waiting to others were at the foot of the hill, where the carriage was. Tears were streaming down "We had now determined upon return-their cheeks, all save one; and that one I ing to Europe, there seeming no longer any have often mentioned as a most excellent A fact which had operated prejudicially rational prospect of doing good, in any sense negro. Ned's conduct on this occasion was on the public mind here, is explained by Mrs. of the word: the toil became insupportable, quite like himself. Seeing his wife crying Carmichael; and Sir Charles Brisbane's com-where the best intended efforts all failed, and sobbing, he pushed her back, saying with parison of West Indian with European punish-either for the improvement of the people, or spirit, You fool too much, no cry some ment is not undeserving of attention. the benefit of the estate. We felt that the love massa, love misses, love pic-a-ninny, "Before finishing all I have to say re-really important influence of the proprietor ebery one; but me no go cry; me gie me specting the negro population, I must add was gone; that even personal security was hand to massa, misses, pic-a-nipny, and say, one or two observations, which would in- in danger; and, in fine, that there was no God bless you all every one, and take you deed have been better introduced elsewhere, longer any incentive to remain. There were safe in a' England ober da sea. Me say me. but which, rather than omit altogether, I some good and faithful negroes, both of prayers obery night for you all, and den go shall conclude this chapter with. Much has those originally attached to the estate, and vorck ebery day wid good heart, for massa. been said as to slaves being branded with hot also among those from St. Vincent; but, in See, you make massa and misses cry! B., irons, and being punished by wearing heavy the event of any rising, their numbers could you fool too much.' We walked down in collars, weights, and chains attached to them. have been of no avail. Health and spirit both silence, followed by our people; and again To pass over this might be construed into a fail under such hopeless circumstances; and, shook hands with them, and the others wish to blink at one of the charges brought though we had many dear friends to part waiting to see us at the foot of the hill. against the West India proprietors. In from, and felt a deep interest in our people, There was not a dry eye to be seeu; they common with others, I once believed in those yet the certainty that we were no longer safe, kissed the children over and over again :horrors; but I do solemnly declare that, and were no longer able to effect any good, and, lifting them in the carriage, I silently though looking into, and daily investigating determined us to leave the estate. commended those whom we had left to the the treatment of slaves-walking over estates "There was little time for deliberation: care of the Almighty, hoping and trusting when no one expected me, or suspected I had only two ships remained to sail in such time that, though our path of usefulness had been a thought beyond the enjoyment of a walk, as would enable us to reach England during closed, yet in His own way, and good time, I never saw one slave branded; nor one the and summer, one of these was to proceed He would begin and perfect his own work. working at any time with a collar, or weight, first to America. We therefore chose the We drove on in silence, until we approached upon any part of his or her person. I saw, other, direct for Bristol, and our arrange- a bend in the road which I knew would shut occasionally, a double series of marks upon ments were soon made. out Laurel Hill from our view; and there we some African male negroes-marks very "The best negroes expressed much con-all involuntarily turned round, and took one similar to fresh scars left by cupping-glasses; cern at the prospect of our departure; and last look at a spot, endeared to us, even then, but I never saw them without inquiring many who had latterly behaved ill appeared by many, many recollections. what was the cause of those marks; and the then to feel there was a possibility they negroes invariably told me they were their might miss us. Numbers came up a few own country marks. Some few like to have days before we left, begging us to give them their initials marked on their arms, and other some remembrancer of us; and the morning figures pricked; but this is a fancy of their before we left, all but ten negroes came up own. This is done by themselves for each in turns, and received something to keep other often, and sometimes they get white them in mind of massa and misses. Jugs sailors to do it for them, with a needle and and plates, saucepans and baskets, every gunpowder and a little indigo. The native thing that could be mustered, was in requisiAfrican mark is admired by them: it is tion. Many, no doubt, took the opportunity generally on the centre of the chest; and I to profess an affection they did not feel, that think I have seen one or two such marks on they might possess themselves of some little the arm, and on the cheek. They told me household article they coveted; but we knew this tattooing was done in Africa, when they the true character of every individual, aud were young, that the marks might grow as who those were who prized the gift more "In a few weeks, the Atlantic rolled betwixt us and Trinidad.” bled the reader to see that there are two Our very copious extracts will have enasides to the West India Question. To settle which is the right, would require more time and space than we can spare. Mrs. Carmichael's book is, at all events, a very able and agreeable one. The Railway Companion, describing an Excursion along the Liverpool Line, accompanied with a succinct and popular History of the Rise and Progress of Rail Roads; Illustrated by several Lithographic Views. By a Tourist. London: 1833. Effingham Wilson. James Fraser.] Few things seem more likely to effect an important change on the face of society than the introduction of railways. That a man should be able to breakfast in London at his usual hour, and dine, not very late, with a friend at a distance of a hundred and twenty miles, would, a few years since, have seemed like the wild incident of a fairy tale. Yet railways will render this practicable. The pamphlet before us is a very agreeable companion to the railway traveller between Manchester and Liverpool, pointing out all the remarkable objects on the line of travel. Prefixed is an interesting account of the introduction and progress of railways, and of the means by which the present rapidity of locomotion was gradually attained. This is followed by an account of the regulations of the Manchester and Liverpool company, from which the following is an extract. The New Post-Office Pocket Directory. cel consisted of deeds. Suppose, in the adapted for every part of the Country as confusion, these deeds had been lost-no imwell as London; and shewing, in one Mi-probable thing; or, suppose they had been nute, all the Regulations, &c. of the Gene-stolen, or fraudulently secreted-certainly not ral and Twopenny-post Deliveries; in- an impossible occurrence; would not the heads cluding Alphabetical Lists of all the of the post-office have been accountable? General and Twopenny Receiving Houses But, although the contents of the parcel in in London. Collected and arranged by this case were neither lost nor purloined, is E. E. Perkins. London: 1833. Hurst.it to be endured that the people of the postMR. BABBAGE, in a short passage which we office should, at their pleasure, enter the extracted, about two months ago, from his warehouse of a common carrier, break open Manufactures," has depicted the agony of they please, and return what they please? work on the "Economy of Machinery and what parcels they please, take away what a man in search of an unknown post-office, This may do in Russia or Turkey, but Engand his despair on arriving at it just as the lishmen are not yet ready for it. And this box has closed. To avert these misfortunes attack upon private confidence, and public (sometimes no trifling ones) is the design of convenience is to protect the revenue to the the publication before us; and he who is amount of sevenpence, or thereabouts. provided with it has no occasion to intercept Suppose the Exchequer suffered to the passengers, or break the peace of shop-amount of a few hundreds annually, would keepers, with supplications to direct him to it not be better to submit to this than to seek to do but to put his hand into his waistcoat When taxation excites discontent, it is selthe nearest post-office. He has nothing to correct it by means which Englishmen abhor? pocket, take out his Directory, and the dom so much from the amount of it as from information lies before him. Besides lists the vexations attending the collection. The of the receiving-houses, both for the general postage of letters is, on the whole, a popular and twopenny-post, the work contains an tax; but the heads of the post-office deaccount of the times of dispatch and delivery, partment are doing all they can to make it the rates of postage, and an exposition of all unpopular and odious. The matter cannot the mysteries of post-office stamps, bank rest as it is. We trust it will be taken up notes and drafts, money orders, franks, ship both by the mercantile and professional letters, overcharges, dead letters, &c. classes, and that the rights of Englishmeu will no longer lie at the mercy of a “postmaster's boy." Our long discourse must not make us for. get our text. Mr. Perkins's Post-Office Directory is a most useful little book, and every body ought to buy it. ORIGINAL PAPERS. SUPERSTITION of the Middle ages. "The company keep a police establishment, who have station-houses at intervals of about a mile along the road. These stations form also depôts for passengers and The post-office has some strange regulagoods, from or to any of the intervening tions. We should scarcely have thought places. The duties assigned to these men that its governors were very deep in political are to guard the road, to prevent or give no-economy, or very zealous champions for one -tice of any obstruction, and to render as- side of a much disputed question in that sistance in the event of any accident occur- most disputable science. But it seems they ing; and, to do this effectually, they keep up are warm advocates for a metallic currency; a continual line of communication. They and, like true disciples of the Times and Sir are guided by a code of regulations issued by Robert Peel, refuse to admit bank notes to the board of management. Their directions be money at all. No letter is a "money to the engineer are given by signal. When letter" unless it contains "metallic cur-AMONGST the various extravagancies to a train approaches within a certain distance rency." A bank note, whatever the value, of a station, the policeman presents himself, does not constitute a money letter. Thus, and signifies a clear road by assuming an a letter containing a half-sovereign, has all erect posture, with his arm outstretched; the care that can be bestowed upon it as a should he take the position of stand at money letter," but a letter containing a ease,' the engineer is aware that some ob- bank note or draft for a thousand pounds is struction exists. When a passenger is wait-left to take its chance, as, although it may ing at the station, a red flag is hoisted by be so superscribed, it is not acknowledged day, and a swinging light exhibited at night. as a "money letter." This is surely an In travelling in the dark, the last carriage of absurdity, and sometimes, we apprehend, a every train carries 'astern,' to use a nautical very inconvenient one. expression, a revolving lamp, one side of But the right of search recently assumed which is red and the other blue. As long by the post-office, is a far more serious matas the train is in motion, the red light pre-ter. The post-office has, it is acknowledged, sents itself to whatever follows, but at the a monopoly of the trade of carrying letters, instant of stopping, the blue light is turned but it does not follow that it has the right outward; the engineer of the next train to defend this monopoly by the outrageous instantly sees this change, and is enabled, by checking the velocity of his engine, to avoid a collision that would be tremendous. The fire of the engine is sufficient to give warning to the policeman, or to any object upon the road, of the approach of a train." The book is illustrated by some clever lithographic engravings. The traveller on the railway will find it a very agreeable companion; and those at a distance may gather from its pages some knowledge of the extraordinary work which it describes. means which have lately been adopted. The which the superstition of the middle ages gave rise, there are few which present more singularly ludicrous features than the regard for relics. The feeling which attaches value, and almost veneration, to whatever is a memorial of a faithful servant of Christ, is not only natural but laudable, and in itself possesses nothing to call down ridicule or sneer; but, when this feeling ceased to be restrained within natural bounds,—when the rage for relies became an overpowering passion, absorbing much of the purer and more spiritual devotion of its votaries, when the adoration which belongs to the Supreme Being was frittered away in worshipping fragments of the bodies of mere creatures of human clay,-when we detect the knaveries and thefts of which this passion was the origin, it surely may with safety be said that there was but a narrow line between the monk who worshipped his cherished idol, and the ignorant South Sea Islander who bows before the deity he has himself created. In the present paper are thrown together some striking particulars, which may serve to convey an idea of the extent to which this system was carried during the middle ages; but it is, of course, a mere sketch. Numerous lists of these relics remain both in manuscript and in print; and we can assuredly promise, to any one inclined to follow out the subject, a plentiful supply of amusement from those documents from which we have gleaned the following history. opening in the hill of Calvary in which the testimony of twelve grave religious men, the cross was fixed, of the door of the temple the manner in which he had retained the of the Lord, of the garment without joinings, true relics within his monastery. Edward of the column to which he was bound when the Confessor, in whose reign it occurred, scourged, of the swaddling-clothes in which was highly incensed at the duplicity of the he was folded when in the manger, of monks of Ely. The trickery of these longthe gate through which he entered into robed gentry is certainly entertaining. Jerusalem, and of the stone on which he The different shrines in which all these stood when he prayed in the garden of relics were deposited were of the most valuGethsamine. But undoubtedly, one of the able description; gold, silver, and precious most extraordinary gifts ever offered or stones, being scarcely costly enough to conreceived is spoken of by Matthew Paris; and tain them. The shrine for the reception of the the minuteness with which he relates the body of St. Alban, in the monastery we have circumstances attending its presentation is last spoken of, and built by Geoffrey, one of extremely entertaining: for these we have its abbots, was one of the most sumptuous: not space, but must content ourselves with the materials were entirely of precious mesaying, that this valuable relic was be-tals, ornamented with precious stones, one stowed upon the Westminster monastery by of which was so large that a man could not Henry the Third, in 1247, and was no other grasp it in his hand; it was said to help than some of the blood which came out of women in labour, and therefore was unatour Saviour's wounds at his crucifixion. tached to the shrine, that it might the more easily be carried where it was needed. Upon it was carved a figure as of one in ragged clothes, holding a spear in one hand, with a snake winding up it, and in the other hand a boy bearing a buckler. This stone (an onyx) was given to the monastery by king Ethelred. Some over curious people may wish to know how Henry became possessor of the same; and we have no sort of objection to answer such inquiry. It was given to him by the master of the Templars, and attested by the patriarch of Jerusalem. On the day of St. Edward's translation, the king carried The period immediately preceding the Reformation was, as might be expected, one | in which the value of relics was fully discussed. Wickliffe raised his voice against them, and did not hesitate to rank with idolatry the veneration they received. The path was prepared to a certain degree by Chaucer, who had ridiculed them in his prologue to the "Canterbury Tales." The satire of the following lines is exquisite: "But of his craft fro Berwike unto Ware, Ne was ther surche an other pardonere : For in his male he hadde a pilwebere, Which, as he saide, was oure Ladies veil; He saide he hadde a gobbet of the seyl Thatte Seint Peter had, whan that he went Upon the see, till Jesu Crist him hent; He had a crois of laton full of stones, And in a glass he hadde pigges bones. But with these relikes whanne that he fond A poure persone dwelling up on lond, Upon a day he gat him more moneie From the earliest times until the reign Than that the persone gat in monethes tweie.it in solemn procession, and on foot, from of Henry the Eighth, this passion for relics, And thus with fained flattering and japes He made the persone and the peple his apes." sented it upon the altar. Two years after continued gradually to increase, until, if the St. Paul's to Westminster, where he pre- and scrupulous care in their preservation, Few churches seem to have possessed a this, in 1249, he presented another relic- former were a weakness (as it undoubtedly greater share of these treasures than Glas- a marble stone brought from the Holy Land was,) the consequence of its indulgence toubury. The list of them, which Hearne by the friars, with the impression of a foot, was the accumulation of extraordinary has published from an ancient Ms., occupies affirmed to have been made by our Saviour, wealth in different parts of the country. ten closely printed octavo pages, and exhibits in stepping from it at his ascension. Whether, when Henry interfered in the as complete a catalogue of legs, arms, teeth, The religious care with which these sup-matter, he did so with a view to the skulls, "et hoc genus omine," as can well be posed authentic remains were treasured up spiritual welfare of his people, or with an imagined. To give anything like an abstract almost exceeds credibility. In times of eye to the "Tower, and his jewel-house of the contents of this charnel-house is of peace and quiet they were worshipped as course impossible, in the present article; but idols, and, at the first moment of alarm or we subjoin a few of the most interesting threatened danger, they were the objects for entries; and can only add, that any amateur the preservation of which every species of will be amply repaid for the trouble of cunning was put into request, and life itself turning to the pages we have referred to. not unfrequently sacrificed. In one of the The monks of Glastonbury possessed nearly incursions of the Danes, the abbot of St. the whole of St. Bede, (who, by-the-by, had Albans, alarmed for the security of his mo-question. long been very safely sleeping in Durham nastery, caused the relics and shrine of St. "Henry the Eighth, of the grace of God, cathedral:) the head was broken, and the Albans to be secreted beneath the altar of king of England, to George Hennage, archshoulder-blades were deficient. St. Dunstan St. Nicholas, in one of the walls of the deacon of Taunton. For as much as we appears to have been in a mutilated state; building; while, to do away suspicion, he understand that there is a certain shrine, for, besides the larger and more important sent to the abbot and convent of Ely, re-aud divers feigned relicks and jewels in the portion of the body, they had the extremity questing permission to deposit the relics of cathedral of Lincoln, with which all the simof the spine, eleven fragments of the ribs, the saint with them till peace should be two haunches, one of the vertebræ, two legs, restored, as their island, being encompassed fifty-five smaller bones, and "certain others by impassable marshes, was inaccessible to unknown." Amongst those relics which the public enemy; taking care at the same relate more especially to our Saviour, we time to send them only the relics of a desmile to see a portion of the fragments with ceased monk, but, to cloak the deception, which he filled the five thousand; of the accompanying them with numerous ornasponge from which he drank the wine min-ments of the church, and an old coat, pregled with gall; of the stones which the devil, in the temptation in the desert, proposed should be made bread; of one of the stone jars in which our Lord changed the water to wine; seven fragments of the holy cross; two of the stone from which he ascended into heaven; fragments of the manger in which he lay, of the place in which he was born, of the purple garment with which Herod and Pilate clothed him, of the place on which his blood was shed, of the there," we will not venture to decide; but we shall conclude with one of his letters upon the subject, only wondering whether the people of Lincoln were as much more wicked than their neighbours as we should imagine they must have been richer. The following is a strict copy of the letter in ple people be much deceived, and brought into great superstition and idolatry, to the dishonour of God, a great slander of this realm, and peril of their own souls, we let you wit, that, we being minded to bring our loveng subjects to the right knowledge of the truth, taking away all occasions of idolatry and superstition, for the especial trust and tended to be that of St. Amphibalaus. Upon confidence we have in your fidelity, wisdom, the failure of the expected invasion by the and discretion, have, and by these presents do Danes, in consequence of the death of their authorize, name, assign, and appoint you king, Aelfric demanded restitution of the that, immediately upon the sight hereof, rerelics from Ely, but was at first refused, till pairing to the said cathedral church, and the abbot and convent there, fearing to be declaring unto the dean, residentiaries, and compelled to do justice, restored the chest, other ministers thereof, the cause of your having introduced into it other bones in ex- coming is to take down, as well the said change for those which they considered to be shrine and superstitious relicks, as superthe real ones of St. Alban. Aelfric, how-fluous jewels, plate, copes, and other such ever, discovered the cheat, and proved, by like as you shall think by your wisdom not meet to continue there. Unto the which we doubt not, but for the consideration afore rehearsed, the said dean and residentiaries, with others, will be conformable and willing thereunto; and so you to proceed accordingly. And to see the said relicks, jewels, and plate, safely and surely to be conveyed to our Tower of London, into our jewel-house there, charging the master of our jewels with the same. And further we will that you charge and command, in our name, that the said dean there take down such monuments as may give any occasion of memory of such superstition hereafter; streightly charging all mayors, sheriffs, bailiffs, constables, and all other officers, ministers, and subjects, unto whom in this case it shall appertain, that unto you as they shall be by you required, they be aiding, helping, favouring, and assisting, as they will auswer with us for the contrary in their peril. - ** Yeoven under our seal, at our palace of Westminster, the sixth day of June, in the two and thirtieth year of our reign.” So much for the letter. Now we beg to call the reader's attention to the following memorandum. I should have been by this time au angel in | pages crowded round the two strange dispu- The soul of the baron began to think that his companion knew too much for one who would make fair bets; but there was no help for it; he would not, and he could not, cry off: and he prayed inwardly that the brother might be found more pious than the sister. there even in the time of Sir Rollo. The tlemen of his train had obsequiously followed But there seemed little chance of this. As they crossed the court, lackeys, with smoking dishes and full jugs, passed and repassed continually, although it was long past midnight. On entering the hall, they found Sir Randal at the head of a vast table, "By force of the above written commis-surrounded by a fiercer and more motley colsion, there was taken out of the said cathe-lection of individuals than had congregated dral church of Lincoln at that time, in gold, lord of the castle had signified that “it was two thousand six hundred and twenty-one ounces; in silver, four thousand two hun-his royal pleasure to be drunk," and the gendred and eighty-five ounces; besides a great number of pearls and precious stones, which were of great value, as diamonds, sapphires, rubies, carbuncles, &c. There were also two shrines, one of pure gold, called St. Hugh's shrine, the other of pure silver, "called the shrine of St. Valderly; and some of extraordinary value, containing, among other treasures, the following: a bone of the head of St. John the Baptist, a bone of St. Stephen, a tooth of St. Cecil, a tooth of St. Hugh, a finger of St. Katharine in a purse worked with pearls, a joint of St. Margaret, and one of St. Sebastian; and in another, the chain with which St. Katharine bound the devil." What Henry did with these latter articles we caunot say; perhaps he stocked some private "cabinet of curiosities," whose in⚫fluence could not keep alive the imbecility it was his professed object to cure. We are almost tempted to say that we are sorry he interfered in the matter at all, for we could in the present day very well afford to have shorter heads and longer purses; and, had the different monasteries and other deposita ries remained unmolested until the present time, Lord Althorp might take off the house and window tax, and pay the interest of the national debt, with becoming regularity. The entrance of Sir Roger, who had been dead about a year, and of a person with hoofs, horns, and a tail, rather disturbed the hilarity of the company. Sir Randal dropped his cup of wine; and father Peter, the confessor, incontinently paused in the midst of a profane song, with which he was amusing the society. ** "Holy mother!" cried he, "it is Sir Roger.” "Alive!" screamed Sir Randal. "No, my lord," Mercurius said. "Sir Roger is dead, but cometh on a matter of business; and I have the honour to act as his counsellor and attendant." Nephew," said Sir Roger, "the dæmon saith justly; I come on a trifling affair, in which thy service is essential.” "I will do anything, uncle, in my power." "Thou canst give me life, if thou wilt ?" But Sir Randal looked very blank at this proposition. "I mean life spiritual, Randal," said Sir Roger; and thereupon he explained to him the nature of the wager. Some love the matin-chimes which tell Or capon, drowned in gravy, My pulpit is an alehouse bench, A smiling rosy countrywench I kiss her cheek so red and sleek, And in her willing ear I speak A most religious ave. And if I'm blind, yet heaven is kind, Who thus admires good living; Our blood celestial ichor, 1 And with this pious wish the holy confessor tumbled under the table in an agony of devout drunkenness. Whilst the knights, the men-at-arms, aud the wicked little pages, rang out the last verse with a most melodious and emphatic glec. "I am sorry, fair uncle," hiccupped Sir Randal, “ that, in the matter of the are, we could not oblige thee in a more orthodox mauner; but the holy father has failed, and there is not another man in the hall who hath an idea of a prayer." "It is my own fault," said Sir Rollo, "for I hanged the last confessor." And he Whilst he was telling his story, his com-wished his nephew a surly good-night, as he panion, Mercurius, was playing all sorts of prepared to quit the room. antics in the hall; and, by his wit and fun, "Au revoir, gentlemen," said the devil became so popular with this Godless crew, Mercurius: and once more fixed his tail that they lost all the fear which his first ap-round the neck of his disappointed compearance had given them. The friar was wonderfully taken with him, and used his utmost eloquence and endeavours to con- The spirit of poor Rollo was sadly cast vert the devil; the knights stopped drinking down; the devil, on the contrary, was in to listen to the argument; the men-at-arms high good humour. He wagged his tail with forbore brawling; and the wicked little the most satisfied air in the world, and cut a panion. hundred jokes at the expense of his poor associate. On they sped, cleaving swiftly through the cold night-winds, frightening the birds that were roosting in Bicton woods, and the owls who were watching in the towers. At last they arrived at St. Mary's, and went their way through passage and cloister, until they reached the door of the prior's cell. Now the prior of St. Mary's Ottery was a wicked and malignant sorcerer; his time was spent in confessing devils and doing wicked deeds, instead of fasting, scourging, and singing holy psalms: this Mercurius knew, and he therefore was fully at ease as to the final result of his wager with poor Sir Roger. "You seem to be well acquainted with the road," said the knight. "I have reason," answered Mercurius; "having, for a long period, had the acquaintance of his reverence, your brother; but you have little chance with him.” "And why?" said Sir Rollo. "He is under a bond to my master, never to say a prayer, or else his soul and his body are forfeited at once." "Why, thou false and traitorous devil," said the enraged knight, “and thou knewest this when we made our wager." "Undoubtedly: do you suppose I would have done so, had there been any chance of losing?" And with this they arrived at father Ignatius's door. "Thy cursed presence threw a spell on my niece, and stopped the tongue of my nephew's chaplain, I do believe that had I seen either of them alone, my wager had been won." "Certainly; therefore I took good care to go with thee: however, thou mayest see the prior alone, if thou wilt; and lo! his door is open. I will stand without for five minutes, when it will be time to commence our journey." It was the poor baron's last chance: and he entered his brother's room more for the five minutes' respite than from any hope of suc cess. "Whence camest thou?" music of his verse, displays considerable "From the abode of the blessed in Para-fancy and feeling. Carew was greatly addise," replied Sir Roger, who was inspired mired by his contemporaries; and, in later with a sudden thought; "it was but five mi- times, his merits have been admitted by nutes ago that St. Mary Ottery, the patron competent judges. Pope has imitated, and of thy church, told me of thy danger, and of Bishop Percy and Mr. Headley have praised, thy wicked compact with the fiend. Go, him. said he, to thy miserable brother, and tell him that there is but one way by which he may escape from paying the awful forfeit of his bond." "And how may that be?" said the prior; "the false fiend bath deceived me; I have given him my soul, but have received no worldly benefit in return; brother! dear brother! how may I escape?" "I will tell thee. As soon as I heard the voices of blessed St. Mary Ottery (the worthy earl had at a pinch coined the name of a saint,) I left the clouds, where, with other angels, I was seated, and sped hither to save thee. Thy brother,' said the saint, hath but one day more to live, when he will become for all eternity the subject of Satan; if he would escape, he must boldly break his bond, by saying an ave.'” "It is the express coudition of the agree- "It is the express condition of the saint," So the foolish monk knelt down, and de- "Amen!" said Mercurius, as, suddenly coming behind, he seized Ignatius by his long beard, and flew up with him to the top of the church-steeple. The monk roared, and screamed, and swore against his brother; but it was of no avail. Sir Roger smiled kindly on him, and said, "do not fret, brother, it must have come to this in a year or two." And he flew alongside of Mercurius to the steeple-top: but this time the devil had not his tail round his neck. "I will let thee off thy bet," said he to the dæmou, for he could afford now to be generous. Father Ignatius, the prior, was absorbed in magic calculations: he stood in the mid“I believe, my lord,” said the dæmon podle of a circle of skulls, with no garment litely, that our ways separate here. Sir except his long white beard, which reached to Roger sailed gaily upwards, while Mercurius, his knees; he was waving a silver rod, and having bound the miserable monk faster than muttering imprecations in some horrible ever, he sunk downwards to earth, and pertongue. It seemed that he was aware of haps lower. Ignatius was heard roaring and the approach of some strange and inexplica-screaming as the devil dashed him against ble spirit; and he began addressing it in a the iron spikes and buttresses of the church. wild doggrel strain. I know full well The spirits of hell, And the spirits of air, and earth, and flame; The moral of this story will be given in several successive numbers. THE PRIMROSE. Ask me why I send you here This primrose all bepearled with dew: What doubts and fears are in a lover. MONDAY." Nero." A farce under this name made its appearance, with Mr. Reeve for the hero, parodying Macready and “ Macbeth." The happy author is Mr. Haynes but the Bayly. The piece was damned; managers have, with a noble perseverance, played it through the week. Mr. Reeve, in a blond Brutus wig and a Roman toga, sung several vulgar parodies, but did not condescend to learn any portion of the dialogue which the author had set down for him. Perhaps he was right; for, judging from the sentences uttered by the performers who had learnt their parts, the dialogue was witless, vulgar, and impertinent to a degree. The pervading joke was on a dish of "mushrooms," at each repetition of which word the gallery laughed, and the orders in the pit roared. The curtain CAREW and Waller have enjoyed the reputa- | fell amidst a chorus of hisses. Accordingly, Sir Rollo came forward. "Ition of having polished and refined our versi- A new musical drama, to be called "Jessie, cannot address thee in rhymes, brother," fication. Perhaps a comparison of their the Flower of Dunblaine," is to be brought said he; "but I will talk to thee in reason. works with those of some earlier, would forward on Monday. Mrs. Waylett is to perI am the shade of my brother, Roga de Rollo; prove that they were not entitled to this dis-sonate the heroine. The piece is written by and have come, from pure brotherly love, to tinction. They were both, however, very Captain Addison, the author of Lo Zingaro. warn thee of thy fate." elegant poets; and Carew, in addition to the Planche has a new opera in rehearsal, I know them by feature, I know them by name; Appear! OUR OLDEN AUTHORS. THOMAS CAREW. |