found. It is not intended here to give a history of these animals, though in their different orders, and families, and location (for they are not confined to the intestines), there is much that well deserves attention, and which may, probably, be given in a separate article; our present aim is only to select a few Fig. 5 of the plant-like forms, and thus to show how widely such forms are distributed among the lowest tribes of animal life. The singular animal represented at fig. 5, is not unlike a portion of that common plant, the arum of the hedges. A large species of this kind is very abundant in the intestines of the hog and the wild boar, where some of them have been found to attain the length of fifteen inches. They attach themselves to the intestines by means of their proboscis, and sometimes they pierce them, and make their way into the thickness of the tunics. The proboscis is armed with small hooks bent backEchinorhyncus wards, which can be protruded or retracted spherocephalus by means of particular muscles. (highly magni- of the species this armature of hooks is extended to other parts of the body. fied). Fig 6. In some in Fig. 6 represents a small leaf-like animal which is exceedingly common sheep, and is also sometimes found in men, horses, and swine. It attacks the liver and its vessels, and is found to multiply with great rapidity in sheep when they feed in damp places, causing dropsy and death. It is like a small oval leaf, having in front a contracted portion at the end of which is a sucker. Various canals may be seen ramifying the entire Fasciola he body, and carrrying to every part the bile on which this animal is nourished. patica. In the same class and order with these are arranged the Planaria, (fig. 7,) although they do not inhabit Fig. 7. Planaria lactea (magnified). other animals, but merely the fresh and salt waters. Their bodies present the same leaf-like appearance, and small black points are discoverable, which are taken for the eyes. The branching of the intestines is visible as in the Fasciola, and in some species there are two tentacula situated in front. These animals are very voracious, and do not even spare their own species. They are multiplied not only in the ordinary way, but by division, and sometimes they appear to undergo spontaneous separation. Several of the Planaria are found in our fresh waters, and our coasts abound with the larger species. We have ceased to remember, in a great measure, what we were. What is become of all those vernal fancies which had so much power to touch the heart? What a number of sentiments have lived and revelled in the soul which are now irrecoverably gone! They died, like the singing birds of that time, which sing no more. The life we then had, now seems almost as if it could not have been our own. We are like a man returning after the absence of many years, to visit the embowered cottage where he passed the morning of his life, and finding only a relic of its ruins.FOSTER. THE polish of elegant manners is indeed truly pleasing, ană necessary to make the worthiest character completely amiable; but it should be a polish, and not a varnish: the ornament of a good heart, not the disguise of a bad one. CONVERSATION. THERE is not an individual, however shallow and ignorant, who may not be superior to another in some point, or useful to him in some way or other, and, consequently, from whom he may not derive more or less benefit. On this observation is founded the art of conversation. If you happen to be in the company of a lawyer, turn the conversation to the courts, their organization, their forms, the consequent advantages and disadvantages, and the abuses which may have crept into, or been banished from, the administration of justice. If you are with a merchant, a banker, or a shopkeeper, you direct your inquiries to the nature of his speculations, and to the interests of the class to which he belongs: you acquire a notion of commercial intercourse, considered in detail in society, or in trade, viewed on a large scale, in its connexion with the prosperity of a country, and in the communications which it establishes between different and distant nations. A military man, if you have the art to question him concerning that branch of the service with which he is familiar, will explain to you the internal mechanism of a corps, and will make you a spectator, as it were, of its evolutions and manœuvres. He will give you interesting and instructive descriptions of the battles at which he has been present. It will frequently happen, that objects which appear the most remote from the ordinary sphere of your occupations and your thoughts, will present to your mind observations or processes, which may be beneficially applied to the science or pursuit that especially engages your attention. You We ought, according to Bacon, to listen to, nay, even sometimes to seek the company of superstitious persons, were it only for the purpose of closely observing superstition, a very common disease, from which we cannot well preserve ourselves unless we are acquainted with it. will profit by the experience of the aged; the artist and the scholar will give you a relish for the beautiful; the chemist, the naturalist, the physician, the farmer, will furnish you with elementary notions of the science which each of them has more particularly studied. The artisan and workman will initiate you into those mechanical details, which ought neither to be neglected nor despised. The most trivial objects are capable of acquiring a degree of utility in a comprehensive mind, which can properly arrange all it knows. Every individual has lived in some sphere or other, tra versed a more or less extensive circle of ideas and observations, and can impart more or less information to him who possesses the art of extracting it-The Art of Employing Time. YOUNG people should be taught those things which will be useful to them when they become men.-ARISTIppus. CONTENTMENT by no means involves a tacit acquiescence in the infirmities of our condition; and the man of noble and elevated mind, will not only aim at the perfection of his art or science from that abstract love of knowledge, which Sir H. Davy has beautifully observed “is, in fact, in its ultimate and most perfect development, the love of infinite wisdom, and unbounded power, or the love of God," but may also safely cherish the belief, that every contribution he makes to the establishment of general laws, will ultimately have its practical bearing upon the condition of humanity, and that future generations, if not his own, will be benefitted by it. ANIMALS, in their natural language of articulate sounds and gestures, find a facility of expression amply sufficient to serve the limited purposes of their creation; but man, whose race is spread over every climate of the globe, and whose progression depends upon the intellectual exertions which he is able to make, finds in artificial language the only means of communication commensurate with his wants, and worthy of his exalted nature. Speech, then, loudly proclaims the fact, that man possesses the superior powers of reason and judgment, which involve the high moral responsibility that attaches to his existence here; and hence, by a chain of reasoning which forces itself upon our minds, we are led to the conviction, that he has been placed on the earth by a wise and intelligent Being, for objects and purposes which, bearing no relation to anything in the present state of existence, silently, but awfully remind him, that he is on his passage to another, and, as he is taught to believe, a happier and a higher sphere.C. BURNETT. 46 Ir is curious to trace on the globe the different steps or shades of social liberality. Beginning with Corea and Japan, the least sociable of all nations, we come next to China, the commercial resources of which mighty empire have hitherto been dribbled sparingly off at the solitary port of Canton. Manilla, which is strictly ruled by the principles of the Spanish colonial system, is but a slight degree better. Proceeding to the westward we come to Jave, where the restrictions and monopolies of the Dutch are still felt, though of late somewhat modified. When the Straits of Sunda are passed, a nobler field is opened in British India, the Isle of France, the Cape, and still farther westward, the free continents of North and South America. After again crossing the Trade-winds, we come within the influence of English intelligence on both sides of the Atlantic; though even in these latitudes we may, perhaps, detect some anomalous views of the subject. CAPTAIN BASIL HALL. PLATO acquaints us that some of the ancients were not without suspicion, that what is now called death, was to men more properly a nativity or birth into life, and what is called generation into life, was comparatively rather to be accounted a sinking into death; the former being the soul's ascent out of these gross terrestrial bodies to a body more thin and subtile, and the latter its descent from a purer body to that which is more material and terrestrial. ARISTOTLE ingeniously ridicules those who put material agents in place of the Creator's will, by telling us that it is just as if a carpenter, joiner, or carver, should give this account, as the only satisfactory, of any artificial fabric, or piece of carved imagery;-that because the instruments, axes and hatchets, planes and chisels, happened to fall so and so upon the timber, cutting it here and there, that therefore it was hollow in one place, and plane in another, and the like; and by that means the whole came to be of such a form. But a carpenter would give a better account than so, for he would not think it sufficient to say, that the fabric came to be of such a form, because the instruments happened to fall so and so, but he will tell you that it was because himself made such strokes, and that he directed the instruments and determined their motion after such a manner, to this end, that he might make the whole a fabric fit and useful for such purposes. And this is to assign the final cause. "CHARITY begins at home." There it is born and brea. It gets its education by the fire-side. One of its first lessons is to rock the cradle of infancy, lisping, or singing a prayer; another almost as early, to minister silently to the bed of age. And thus gradually expanding to its perfect growth, it becomes the religion of the hearth-the guardian genius of domestic life-the spirit that imbues and embalms all our best human affections. Thus trained within holy walls, it delights to walk through their neighbourhood. It makes as yet no long excursions, but keeps within the vicinage of its beloved birth-place. It is never at a loss to find there objects having a natural claim on its tender solicitude. The circle of its cares continues to widen and widen; and it sees that they may eventually embrace the uttermost ends of the earth. But it never ceases to feel that the light within it which assuredly is from Heaven, must be concentrated before it can be diffused-that otherwise there will ensue loss or extinction, of the celestial flame. Charity is but another name for love. And love is founded "in reason, and is judicious,"-intuitively discerning ends and means, and achieving those by following these, as if obedient to a holy instinct. Its home is now its natal land. It hears the voice of God,—the still small voice of conscience-bidding it busy itself with the concerns of that region. In one great sense we are all brethren ;-brethren of mankind. The blue sky bends over us all." But dearest is still the visible horizon! If we shut our eyes to the sights it encircles, our imaginations shall not prosper of those lying beyond; if we shut our ears to the sounds close beside us, can we hope to please Providence, by listening to those that come across the seas? Let us not seek to reverse the order of nature. Our duties exend from the shadow of own house "to the farthest extreme of the poles." But all the duties that lie near, are comparatively clear and easy; the distant are often doubtful and difficult. Let us not, then, disregard miseries that are lying thick around our feet!-BLACKWOOD'S Magazine. THE KITCHEN GARDEN II. There's cauld kail in Aberdeen, An' castocks in Stra'bogie.-Old Scottish Song. AMONG Our Saxon ancestors, February was called Kale is mentioned among the oldest English records, and it is probable that some species of cabbage were introduced into England by the Romans, as it is well known that this vegetable was commonly cultivated at Rome, and was a favourite article of food. But many of our field and garden varieties of cabbage have originated from the Brassica oleracea, or culinary cabbage, a wild sort of colewort growing on cliffs near the seacoast. Our ancestors had no distinctive names for the different kinds of cabbage, and therefore we are in ignorance of the species principally cultivated by them. All the varieties of this plant are now improperly called cabbage, which term really belongs to such only as produce a firm head or ball from the leaves turning closely over each other. To cabbage, therefore, means to form a head, or ball; and as Rogers quaintly remarks, "We may say the kale has cabbaged, the lettuce has cabbaged, or the tailor has cabbaged, which last means the rolling up pieces of cloth instead of the list and shreds, which tailors claim as their due." The eastern coast of Scotland is noted for the love of* this vegetable, which prevails among its inhabitants, and which has earned for their country the title of the "land of kale." The close-hearted cabbage, and the open colewort, are in equal favour, and are both used in the soup called kale. It is said that Cromwell's soldiers first introduced cabbages into the north of Scotland; for in spite of the bitter hostilities which accompanied civil war, we are assured that Cromwell was a great promoter of agriculture and the useful branches of gardening, so that his soldiers introduced all the best improveOther writers attribute to ments wherever they went. the German fishermen, who settled on the eastern coast, the national love for this vegetable. However this may be, it is certain that, in times past, the fondness of the Scotch for their kale or cabbage was one of the national peculiarities to which frequent allusion is made in old songs. It is little in accordance with our present ideas of good fare, to reckon cauld kail, or cold cabbage, as a dainty, which seems to have been considered as such by the good folks of Aberdeen at the time when the song was written, of which a couplet is placed at the commencement of this article. It appears that the "castocks" spoken of were cabbage-stems, with the fibrous Before the turnip was introduced into parts peeled off. Scotland, these castocks were commonly boiled and eaten by the peasantry. The fibrous parts of the castocks were called runts, and were given as a dainty to the milch cows. The "kale brose o' auld Scotland" is celebrated to the same tune as the "roast beef of old England," though which is the most deserving of national celebrity will hardly admit of a moment's doubt. There is an immense consumption in Germany of the large white variety of cabbage, for it is of this that they make their national dish called sauer kraut. The cabbages are sliced by hand, or by a machine resembling a' turnip-cutter, and are then stowed away in the following | We shall notice the varieties for autumn on a future manner. The bottom of a cask, from which the head occasion. has been removed, is covered with salt, and on this is placed a layer of thin-sliced cabbage, six inches deep; over this a quantity of salt is spread, and then another layer of sliced cabbage, mixed with juniper-berries and whole pepper. These alternate layers of salt and cabbage are continued until the cask is full, when a round board is placed on the top, with a heavy stone or weight to press it down. As the cabbage ferments and sinks, the cask is filled up with fresh salt and cabbage. After some time the expressed juice is poured off, and water, in which salt is dissolved, is added. This is again poured off, and more salt-water added, until it ceases to rise with a scum, and fœtid smell. The process is then complete; a cloth is laid over the cabbage, and on this the board and weights are placed as before. When any of the sauer kraut is taken out for use, sufficient brine is allowed to remain over the mass to exclude the air, and the cloth, board, and weights are replaced as long as any cabbage remains. This sauer kraut, when washed in soft water, and stewed with bacon or salted meat, is very wholesome, though distasteful to those who have not been early accustomed to it. It is an admirable preservative against sea-scurvy, and was therefore largely employed in long voyages, until it was found that lemon-juice, or citric-acid, had a similar beneficial effect, with the additional advantage of requiring less room in the ship. Of the different kinds of cabbage there are three very distinct classes, well known to every housekeeper. First, there, is a class in which the leaves are never turned in to form a head. Among the varieties which form this class, some have crisped leaves, others have smooth leaves, with long branching stems. The crispleaved cabbages are generally called greens, and are very hardy; but the branched kinds are more productive, though requiring a better soil. The second class of cabbages comprehends the larger kinds, cultivated in our fields, whose leaves turn in to form a head. third class is well known by the division of the stem, and the formation of cauliflower or brocoli. The The varieties of cabbage now in cultivation are too numerous to mention; but a few of the most esteemed sorts for garden cultivation will be described. The following are the best for early crops: 1. Early York. This cabbage was introduced more than a hundred years ago, by a private soldier named Telford, who brought it with him from Flanders. On his return to this country he settled as a seedsman in Yorkshire, where the cabbage became celebrated, and received the name of the county in which it was first grown. It is of small growth, so that a great many can be planted in a moderate compass. It is still esteemed on account of its delicate flavour. 2. Early dwarf sugar-loaf. This is a superior cabbage on account of its keeping hollow longer than the other early sorts. It was in high estimation some years ago, and is easily distinguished by its perfectly conical shape. 3. Early Battersea. This is a roundish, oval-headed cabbage, coming in early, and being very good while young, and before it becomes hard. 4. East Ham, a variety so named from its place of growth in Essex. It is a fine early cabbage, not unlike the variety following. 5. Early Imperial. An early and delicate cabbage, attaining a good size, and in very great esteem among cottagers and market-gardeners. The varieties used for midsummer crops are:-1. Large early York, a fine cabbage, never becoming hard, and continuing long in a state fit for the table. 2. The early Battersea, and Imperial, as before. 3. Paignton, or Penton, a favourite cabbage in Cornwall and Devon, growing to a large size. 4. Russian, a round cabbage, which heads very fast, and soon grows hard; but when used young is hollow and tender. To have this in perfection, the seeds must be procured from abroad, as it soon degenerates in this country. 5. Early Loudon, a fine hollow cabbage. For family purposes, the early varieties should be sparingly planted, because they are very soon succeeded by others, and if more are reared than are requisite for immediate use, they harden and burst. Of the full crop of cabbage usually sown in August, some of the plants are placed out in October, November, and December; but a large proportion is left in the seed-beds for final removal in February, and the two succeeding months. The time of transplanting during this month must be guided by the weather. If dry weather occurs, the plants will require to be well watered at the time of their removal, and frequently afterwards, until fully established. Few plants are more injured by weeds than the cabbage, therefore the beds must be frequently hoed to prevent their increase. As soon as the growth of the cabbage-plants permits it, the earth must be drawn round the stems, and, if necessary, a shred of bast-matting may be used to confine the leaves together, and thus to promote the cabbaging of the plants. If any plants advance to seed while very young, they must be immediately removed, and the deficiencies filled up. The stalks of all early cabbages should be removed immediately after cutting. This is recommended, not only for the sake of neatness and order, but because the stems, by pushing out fresh shoots, needlessly exhaust the ground. The roots and stems of the later summer and autumn crops are allowed to remain until the spring, because in January and February the sprouts are very valuable, and almost equal to young cabbages. While the transplanting of cabbages occupies the attention of the gardener during this month, he does not forget his regular sowings of the same vegetable towards the close of the month. Of the kinds chosen will probably be the early York, the Ham, or the sugar-loaf. Also a little red cabbage. Radishes are sent in immense quantities to the London markets in March and April, and of all these the seed is sown in January and February. The private cultivator must likewise remember, that to secure a good succession of this or any other vegetable, repeated (though in his case small) sowings must be made. Radishes are not to be commended as affording much nourishment, or as being generally wholesome in a raw state. Nevertheless, when perfectly crisp and young they may be taken in small quantities, and form an agreeable relish as a salad, either alone, or mixed with other vegetables. The native country of the radish is not ascertained, though Linnæus supposes it to be China. The more wholesome way of using this vegetable is to boil and serve it as asparagus. The seed-pods, when gathered young and dry, make an agreeable pickle. As long ago as 1562 this root was in cultivation in this country, and the same opinion we now entertain of its unwholesomeness was then prevalent. Thus Bullein, a writer of that period, says, “Of radish-rootes there be no small store growing about the famous city of London: they be more plentifull than profytable, and more noy some than nourishinge to mannes nature." There is also evidence that the radish was in use thirty years prior to the period just alluded to. There are many varieties of the radish, but they are of small importance: those, however, which are most commended for the early and principal crop are the scarlet long-rooted and the red and white turnip. The mode of sowing this vegetable was noticed in our last article; we now add directions for the management of the seedlings. When the crop put forth their rough leaves, they are ready for thinning to the distance of two inches apart; this will be sufficient for the present, as they will soon have another thinning by the drawing of some of the young radishes for salads. The turniprooted varieties will, however, require more room, and may be thinned to the distance of four or even six inches. In dry weather, the seedlings require to be watered regularly every night, as their flavour and crispness depend upon the quickness of their growth, which is greatly aided by the moisture of the soil. As the crop may still have to withstand severe attacks of frost, the coverings must be carefully replaced every night, although the day may have been sufficiently mild to make this precaution appear needless. In severe weather the crops must not be exposed even in the daytime. Lettuces, spinach, or carrots, are often sown along with radishes, that if the latter should be destroyed by the frost, the carrots, &c., may supply their place. Yet the practice of mixing crops is not generally approved of, and is better avoided, except where the ground is of great importance. The principal crop of beans is generally planted during the present month, and it may be interesting to notice the high estimation in which this plant was held in ancient times. The reason for the preference shown to this kind of pulse among the nations of antiquity, and the cause of the superstitions connected with its use, are probably beyond the reach of inquiry at the present time; but the Greeks, from whom we have the earliest accounts of this plant, were accustomed to use beans. sodden in their feasts dedicated to Apollo; while the Romans presented beans as an oblation in their solemn sacrifice called Fabaria. Pliny says, that cakes of beanmeal were offered to certain gods and goddesses on these occasions. So important was the cultivation of this plant among the Romans, that one of their noblest and most powerful families took the name of Fabii, from the successful cultivation of the bean (faba). The ancients made use of beans in gathering the votes of the people, and for electing magistrates. A white bean signified absolution, and a black bean condemnation. When the Roman husbandmen sowed corn of any kind, they took care to carry home with them from the field a few beans, under the superstitious notion that this would ensure good luck, and that the corn would be sure to return to them again. The beans thus brought home were called refrine or referine. For the same purpose, beans were mixed with goods offered for sale, and were supposed to bring good luck to the seller. The bean appears to have been originally cultivated in Egypt and Barbary, and thence conveyed to Greece, and also sent to Spain and Portugal, from which latter countries we have received some of our best varieties. Some travellers affirm that the bean is found growing wild in Persia, near the shores of the Caspian Sea. The plant is also cultivated as far eastward as China and Japan. According to Shaw, beans are full-podded in Barbary at the latter end of February, and continue in bearing during the whole spring. When stewed with oil and garlic, they form the principal food of all classes in that country. The bean in its green state is largely used as a culinary vegetable in this country; bean-meal is also sometimes mixed with other meal in making coarse bread. There is much nutriment in this meal, so that oxen very soon fatten on it, and cows yield a much greater quantity of milk if the meal is mixed with water and given them to drink. A small quantity of beans is generally mixed with new wheat when ground to flour. Beans are largely cultivated in the field, as well as in the garden, and few persons are unacquainted with the delightful fragrance given to the air of country districts when this crop is in blossom. All the cultivated beans are annual plants. They grow to the height of three or four feet, and bear white flowers with a black spot in the centre; these are succeeded by the thick pods, smooth without and woolly within, which contain the seeds. Notwithstanding the coarse appearance of the bean, it is not so hardy as some of the other leguminous plants, being subject to disease, and to the attacks of insects, whenever it becomes sickly through an unfavourable season, or uncongenial soil. An open situation, and a moderately rich soil are needed for this crop. The principal sorts of bean now under cultivation are: 1. The early Mazagan, a good sort, and a prolific bearer. This bean receives its name from a settlement of the Portuguese on the coast of Morocco. Though it is one of the hardiest and best flavoured of the early sorts, it is but partially planted, on account of the introdection of superior varieties. 2. Early Lisbon, or Portugal bean, a small, sweet kind, much resembling the Mazagan, but with rather larger seeds. 3. The common Sword, or other Long-pods. These are excellent and well-flavoured beans, generally found in cottagers' gardens, since they are some of the most abundant bearers. 4. Broad Windsor beans are considered the best of all for the table. When planted in a good soil, and with sufficient room, their seeds will be large and abundant, and if gathered young they are the sweetest of any. Nevertheless, this kind does not bear the frost so well as many of the other varieties. Several other varieties are in request among gardeners; but it is needless to mention them here. Regular sowings of mustard and cress may now be made every fortnight, under the protection of a frame, hand-glass, or some convenient covering. Mustard grows wild among corn, but is very generally cultivated for a salad, for which purpose it is cut while the seedleaves only have come forth, the subsequent growth being rank and harsh. It can either be sown in a bed or border of light earth, or in shallow drills, very thick, covering it slightly with the same sort of mould, and giving it during the early part of the year sufficient protection from the frost. Cress is also of a warm, spicy nature, and is always cultivated with mustard as a salad. It is not a native of this country, but has been cultivated here since the middle of the sixteenth century. It is said originally to have come from Persia, and also to be indigenous to Cyprus. It produces a number of small leaves, curled in some of the varieties, and plain in others. It germinates very rapidly, and like the mustard is used in its earliest growth. There are three varieties of cress in general cultivation: the curled-leaved, which is much the handsomest in appearance, and besides being used in salad, is employed as a beautiful garnish; the plain-leaved, having the same flavour as the preceding, though not so good an appearance; and the golden cress, very slender in growth, and resembling the curled. This kind is praised for its mild and delicate flavour. These herbs are so cultivated as to grow very rapidly, being far preferable when eaten in their young and crisp state. Though quick of growth, cress does not come up quite so rapidly as mustard; the seeds of the latter if merely strewed on wet flannel, or on cork floating on water, will quickly put forth tender leaves, and thus produce a salad in a few days, at the winter fire-side. The remaining operations of February are common likewise to the succeeding month, and can here be but slightly mentioned. Onions are sown in a frame for transplanting; slips of various plants are set, such as mint, balm, sage, rue, rosemary, &c.; spinnach is sown once or twice; advancing plants of various kinds are earthed up; vacant ground is dug up and manured; weeds are carefully removed and destroyed; hot-beds are well attended to, and all plants that require alternate shelter or exposure, according to the weather, meet with daily attention. Ir will be an interesting occupation of the pensive hour, to recount the advantages which we have received from the beings who have left the world, and to reinforce our virtues from the dust of those who first taught them.-FOSTER. JOHN W. PARKER, PUBLISHER, WEST STRAND, LONDON. I. ELVET BRIDGE, ON THE WEAR. THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE CITY. DURHAM is celebrated among English cities for its romantic and picturesque situation. Placed on a ridge of high land, its most prominent features stand out in bold relief: the Cathedral, with its three towers; the embattled walls of the ancient Castle, now the Palace; the lofty and steep banks covered with woods and irregular buildings; the river Wear winding round the west, south, and east sides, in the form of an irregular horse-shoe, spanned by several bridges: these objects are collectively or in succession brought before the spectator; serve to charm the eye, and awaken many historical recollections, some of which may prove of interest to the general reader. During the unhappy reign of Ethelred the Unready, Britain was particularly exposed to the scourge of Danish invasion. Northumberland, which then included a wide extent of territory, was plundered. The monks of Chester-le-Street*, in the year 995, sought refuge in Chester-le-Street, about five miles north of Durham, is now a mere village. The monks of Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, of which Cuthbert had been the bishop, fled to Chester-le-Street from the ravages of the Northmen, in 882; they carried with them the body of the saint, and established the see there. Both remained at Chester for above one hundred years, when the renewal of the Danish piracies, which had been repressed by the vigour of Alfred and his immediate successors, obliged the monks, in the above-named year, to retreat much further inland, to the monastery of Ripon. VOL. XXIV. the monastery of Ripon. The treasures of Ethelred were lavished in the purchase of a doubtful peace, during which the monks returned northwards with the relics of St. Cuthbert, but instead of reoccupying Chester, a pretended miracle led them to seek a permanent residence in Dunholme, a place of apparent strength and security, and which probably afforded the real motives for the preference. Dunholme, that is, the hill girdled with water, was then an eminence entirely covered with shaggy wood, except on the summit, which alone presented a small extent of level arable surface. It is described as being insufficient for the reception of the multitude that attended the saint till they had cleared the woods. Their first work was then to erect an ark, or tabernacle, with timber and boughs of trees, where they deposited the relics of the saint; after which they built a complete edifice, on which much labour was expended. The Earl of Northumberland commanded all the inhabitants between the rivers Coquet and Tees to render their services; and workmen were drawn from a tract of country no less than fifty miles in length. This was about the year 995. After the church (called the White Church) was completed, the superstition of the age naturally led the workmen to expect the peculiar favour and protection of the patron saint if they continued to reside near his shrine. This led to a permanent habitation of Dunholme, and to the origin of 745 |