cages and loathsome dungeons of their determined foe, Louis XI. could subdue. But what his oppression could not effect, the vicious court and corrupting despotism of Louis XIV. accomplished. In the whining sycophants, who shed tears when the monarch frowned ;* who canvassed the honour of becoming the husband of his mistress, or of yielding up their daughters to a royal concubinage, it is difficult to trace the ancient baronial independence, the high sense of honour, which produced the Guesclins and the Bayards of earlier days. -Amidst the orange groves and luxurious pavillions of Versailles, among priests and parasites, in childish amusements and womanish gossip, expired that once brilliant spirit, which gave to the French cavalier his peculiar tone of gallant intrepidity. The energy and vivacity, distinguishable through the political and religious struggles of the league, were no more, and that careless desperation which induced the chiefs of the Fronde to embark in a cause, scarcely understood, to please a beauty, scarcely known, or, "de faire la guerre aux rois," "de faire la guerre aux dieux," this bright etherial spark of national fire was exchanged for a flame cold and putrescent as the harshy exhalation, and fit only to light the idolatrous altars, raised by a parasite aristocracy, to the worship of a vain-glorious monarch. The group of slaves which the flattery of the sculptor has placed at the feet of the most gorgeous statue of the most gorgeous of kings, aptly images of the higher classes of society, by which he was surrounded.+" * Even le verteux Pomponne" is described as weeping, when the king reproved him; and Monsieur kneels at the feet of his royal brother, to thank him for a favour conferred on one of his friends. Mad. de Maintenon's own picture of this “cour inique, as she calls it, is curious: "Nous y voyons des envies, sans sujet, des rages, des trahisons, sans ressentement, des bassesses qu'on couvre du nom de grandeur d'âme." + When this famous statue of Louis XIV. was thrown down, in 1792, the name of the celebrated artist, Girardon, was found written on one of the feet of the horse. Chamfont rather harshly defines this humility to be "la modeste bêtise d'un homme de génie, qui se croit honoré de travailler à la gloire d'un tyran." ROSSLYN CASTLE. Who that has heard the favourite air of Rosslyn Castle would not wish to know something of a mansion associated with pleasing recollections? Take then the following: About the thirteenth century, Lord Rosline determined on preserving an independent power within his own family, for which purpose he built a fortified castle (eight miles south of Edinburgh), surrounded by strong walls, a murmuring river, and lofty braes; a drawbridge protected its only entrance, over which now hangs a dangerous ruin. Beyond this are the remains of a tower; facing it is a house composed of the stones that once formed the other parts of the castle; beneath it are the original vaults, divided into two ranges ; the first was used for stables, the second was applied to the service of the soldiers, and was their only habitation for many years. Below these are other vaults, formerly a place of confinement for prisoners; the winding staircase that leads to it is now so much decayed as to be impassable without the aid of a guide and lights. Two hundred years after the erection of this castle the family built a chapel for their private devotions. It is still in so good a state of preservation, that nearly all its peculiarities are discernible. It is small and completely gothic; its sides, both exterior and interior, are lined with niches, in each of which a statue formerly stood. The roof and galleries are supported by fourteen pillars. One was rendered remarkable by a pe- culiar circumstance at the time of its erection. The architect went to Rosslyn for the model of a pillar, which he intended to place near the altar; before his return the apprentice obtained the model, and completed the work, which so enraged his master, that upon his return he struck him a blow with a hammer, which caused his death. The circumstance is commemorated by three heads being placed near the spot, representing the master, the apprentice (with the mark of the blow on the forehead), and his mother. The pillar is bound with ivy, and represents passages of scripture, such as Sampson pulling down the temple, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, burying the dead, &c. At the east end of the chapel were three altars, a few stones only remain now, and near them is a staircase, which leads to a deep vault, formerly used for confessions. PROPHECY. In the prophecies of Scripture, it is said ecclesiastical and civil tyranny are described under the denomination of the two beasts particularly mentioned in the 13th chapter of the Revelations. Vivienne, a French writer, who published his works about eight years before the revolution, asserts that these beasts meant the King of France and the Pope of Rome; and it is somewhat extraor dinary that the name of Ludovicus, which is Latin for Louis, should apply to the following lines in those Revelations. Let him that has understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred three score and six. It applies thus: L stands for 50 TO MISS ANN-ON A WATCH. While this gay toy attracts thy sight, Thy reason let it warn; And seize, my dear, that rapid time That never must return. If idly lost, no art or care The blessing can restore : Short is our longest day of life, Yet equal to our being's aim, MATELOTE OF EELS.-Eude, who was French cook to Louis XVI. in a "I am but a Gatherer and disposer of Cookery Book he has published, gives other men's stuff."- Wotton. CURIOUS EPITAPHS. ON A GOOD WIFE. By her Husband. Here lies my poor wife, much lamented, She's happy, and I'm contented. IN A CHURCH-YARD IN NORFOLK. Death did him no hurt ; ON THOMAS DAY. Here lies Thomas Day. ON JOSEPH CRUMP, A MUSICIAN. Once ruddy and plump, But now a pale lump, Beneath this safe lump Lies honest JOE CRUMP, Who wish'd to his neighbour no evil; What, tho' by Death's thump He's laid on his rump, Yet up he shall jump, When he hears the last trump, And triumph o'er Death and the Devil. the following inhuman process for cooking a dish of eels; and yet the man would make us believe he is not cruel. Let our readers judge for themselves: "Take (says he), one or two live eels, throw them into the fire; as they are twisting about on all sides, lay hold of them with a towel in your hand, and skin them from head to tail. This method is decidedly the best, as it is the means of drawing out all the oil, which is unpalatable. Note.-Several gentlemen have accused me of cruelty [astonishing!] for recommending in my work that eels should be burnt alive. As my knowledge in cookery is entirely devoted to the gratification of their taste, and preservation of their health, I consider it my duty to attend to what is essential to both. The blue skin and the oil which remain when they are skinned, are highly indigestible. If any lady or gentleman should make the trial of both, they will find that the burnt ones are much healthier; but it is after all left to their choice whether to burn or skin." What will the benevolent Mr. R. Martin, who got a bill passed to prevent cruelty to animals, say to this? "The superfluity of water Destroys its flavorality, BUMPER. When the English were good Catholics they usually drank the Pope's health in a full glass every day after dinner-au bon pere; whence the word bumper. A gentleman in a stage coach passing through the city of Bath, and observing a handsome edifice, inquired of the driver what building it was? the driver replied, "It is the Unitarian Church.". "Unitarian!" said the gentleman, "and what is that?"-"I don't know," said Jehu, "but I believe it is in the opposition line.” HOW TO SHIP A PIG.-Manœuvre with the animal till you have got his snout in the proper direction facing the plank which communicates with the vessel, then take hold of his tail and pull it hard, as though you wished him to come from the place, when, from a And quite obnoxious makes the tea!" spirit of opposition natural in pigs, he G. P. BON MOT. Two gentlemen were walking in the Digh-street, Southampton, last week, about the hour which the industrious damsels of the mob and brush usually devote to cleaning the pavement before the door. It happened that the bucket used upon such occasions was upon the stones, and one of the gentlemen stumbled against it.— My dear friend," exclaimed the other, I lament your death exceedingly!" "My death!" Yes, you have just kicked the bucket."—" Not so," rejoined his friend, "I have only turned a little pale (pail)." 66 CHARING CROSS.-This appellation commonly spelled, as if it were corupted from Chairing Cross, and described as a place where the Members for Westminster were chaired. Probably it derives from Sharing Cross, and designates the site of a cross, where two roads share, or divide. This use of the word share, may be still traced in plowshare, share bone, and in Milton's (6 Deep entering shared, An English gentleman talking with his Irish servant, said, "it is a long time since you heard from your mother, mayhap she is dead."-" Õh, no, your honour," answered he, "she is not dead, or she would have let poor Pat know of it." goes up the plank without further trouble. DICKY SUETT.--Suett, meeting Bannister, said, I intend dining with you soon, on eggs and bacon—what day shall I come, Jack?" To which the other replied, "Why, if you will have that dish, you must come on a-fryday." LONGEVITY OF AN ENGLISH PEAR TREE.-There are now standing in the garden of Hawkes Fearing, Esq. in Hingham, two of the above mentioned trees, which, according to authentic records, were brought to England by Matthew Hawkes, one of his ancestors, in the year 1683. They last year bore four bushels of pears. JOHN BULL. The expression John Bull, commonly used to signify an Englishman, is taken from Dean Swift's ludicrous History of Europe, wherein the people of England are personified under that appellation. The Sovereigns of Austria, Spain, and France, by those of Squire South, Street, and Louis Baboon. THE LAW.-A month in law is a lunar month of 28 days, unless otherwise expressed; therefore a lease for 12 months, is only 48 weeks; but a lease for a twelvemonth is good for the whole year. (East end of Exeter Change); and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers.--Printed by T. DOLBY, 299, Strand. Published by J. LIMBIRD, 355, Strand, borders of the sea, and the interior is almost invariably possessed of a soil admirably adapted to all the purposes of civilized man. This island is mountainous, and consequently abounds in streams. On the summit of many of the mountains there are large lakes, some of which are the sources of considerable rivers. Of these the Derwent, Huor, and Tamar, rank in the first class. There is, perhaps, no island in the world of the same size, which can boast of so many fine harbours: the best of these are the Derwent, Port Davy, Macquarrie Harbour, Port Dalrymple, and Oyster Bay. The first of these is on its Southern side: the second and third on the Western, the fourth on the Northern, and the fifth on the Eastern side; so that it has har bours in every direction-a circumstance which must materially assist the future progress of civilization. The climate of this island is healthy, and much more congenial to the European constitution than Port Jackson, The North-West winds, which are there productive of such violent variations of temperature, are here unknown, and neither the winters nor summers are subject to any great extremes of cold or heat. The natives of Van Dieman's Land are few in number, considering the extent of country which they yet hold free from European invasion. It is probable that their extreme wretchedness forbids their increase. They have been always hostile, and by no means avail themselves of the freedom of our streets and houses, like the natives of Port Jackson. This feeling is ascribed to a fatal quarrel at the first settling, in which several of them were killed, and the memory of which has been kept alive by occasional encounters in the interior, between them and the solitary Europeans employed as stock-keepers. These are frequently assaulted by spears and stones, and are compelled to use fire-arms in their de fence. The two parties live in mutual suspicion and dread; and time and conciliation towards such of the natives as afford opportunities of intercourse, can alone obliterate the present impression of long cherished animosity. Some intercourse has lately been effected with those of the western coast, and they appear free from all oppression of the colonists. Hence it would seem that, on the other side of the island, the native hostility arises from some ancient grudge, particularly since, from the difficult, if not wholly im practicable, nature of the western range of mountains, it is very doubtful whe ther the tribes have any communication, unless by the northern extremity of the island. The savages do not eat the cattle or sheep; but they often destroy them and burn the carcasses. They subsist chiefly on kangaroos, opossum, and "such small deer," down to the kangaroo rat, migrating, in times of scarcity, to the coast for fish. The great difference between the Indians of Van Dieman's Land and those of New Holland, though the countries are separated by a strait not a hundred miles wide, and studded with islands, by means of which canoes might safely pass, and though the rest of nature's productions are nearly the same in both lands, affords a subject of curious speculation. The Islanders resemble the African Negro in physiognomy, much more than the natives of the continent; and the hair of the former is woolly, whereas that of the latter is coarse and straight. Both races are equally free from any tradition of origin, or acquaintance with each other, although their barbarism seems at the extreme pitch. Their languages are entirely different, and it is probable that they never had any connection with each other. The barbarism of the few inhabitants of this island, is said to be equal to that of the New Hollanders; and the following passages from Symes's Embassy to Ava, might have been written of the natives of Van Dieman's Land. "Their sole occupation is to rove along the margin of the sea, in quest of a precarious meal of fish. In stature they seldom exceed five feet. Their limbs are disproportionately slender, their bellies protuberant, with high shoulders and large heads; and, strange to find in this part of the world, they are a degenerate race of Negroes with woolly hair, flat noses, and thick lips. They go quite naked, and are insensible of any shame from exposure. Hunger may (but these instances are rare), induce them to put themselves in the power of strangers: but the moment that want is satisfied, nothing short of coercion can prevent them from returning to a way of life more congenial to their savage nature. Their habitations display little more ingenuity than the dens of wild beasts; four sticks stuck in the ground are bound together at the top, and fastened transversely by others, to which branches of trees are suspended: an opening is |