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sold such things to them at an easy rate." He added, that it was suitable to the reputation which a judge ought to preserve to make such bargains that the world 'might see they were not too well used on some secret account. Cab. Cyc.

OF THE SINGULAR MOVEMENTS OF THE BLOOD AFTER BEING TAKEN FROM THE BODY.

A minute drop of blood, (says the able and well informed Editor of the Technological Repository, in an article upon the Microscope,) freshly drawn, being laid upon a slip of glass, and covered with a thin slice of talc, will continue to flow for several hours afterwards, and will afford a most interesting object under the microscope. It, however, requires an excellent instrument to view it; we have found the single lens of our Varley's microscope, of the sixtieth of an inch focus, to answer perfectly. Sometimes the single cakes alone flow forwards in the serum, and frequently rows of the combined ones will be intermingled with them. What this very singular property may be owing to, is, we believe, yet unascertained; it may possibly be the curdling action of the blood, or that part of it termed the crassamentum, in separating from the serum, or more fluid part of it; at any rate it constitutes a highly interesting microscopic object.

THE ORIGIN OF KINDLING STRIFE,
"That set on fire the fire,

That burned the burning." One brought fire and another after brought wood; he that brought wood was bound to pay. One brought wood and then another brought fire; now he that brought the fire was bound to pay. If one came and made the flame, then he was bound to pay. But if either complied not with the law propounded, he was said to kindle strife, and unworthy of that mutual aid which is expected by kindred beings in communion with each other in the common cause of human fellowship.

ANCIENT NOBILITY.

J. P. R.

It is a fact but little regarded, that the first noble family in England was that of Lord Courtenay, who descended from those Earls of Devonshire who often intermarried with the blood-royal of France and Britain, as may be found at the commencement of Sully's memoirs. The Duke of Beaufort is descended from Geoffery Plantagenet, Earl of Anjou, son of Fulke, king of Jerusalem, and graudson to the Empress Maud, daughter to Henry I. Consequently this family has flourished as Dukes, Marquesses, and Earls, without descending to a lower degree, for full 700

years. The Duke of Montague traces his descent by the female line from Charlemagne. The Earl of Shrewsbury's family is derived from the famous Talbot, the terror of France. Hence they have been Peers for 500 years.

DIVORCE.

By the law of England, marriage is indissoluble, except in the single instance of the crime of adultery. The first case of divorce that occurs in Parliamentary history, was in 1669, and was that of Lord Roos, who was afterwards Duke of Rutland. King Charles II. attended the debates in the house on the bill for the dissolution of his Lordship's marriage, which passed only by a small majority. Bishop Burnet attributes its passing to a sceptical and libertine spirit at Court, and a desire on the part of the King himself to ob'ain a divorce from his queen, Catherine of Braganza. From that time to 1800, a period of 130 years, there were only one hundred and thirty-two divorces by act of Parliament; whereof eight were in the first 45 years; fifty in the next 60 years; and seventy-four in the last 25. Then the divorces ran on in rapid proportion; for from 1820 to 1830, there have been twenty-six cases of parliamentary divorce.

Useful Hints.

Ants are often at this season of the year very annoying to the gardener in the conservatory and green-house. They may be totally exterminated by mixing a small quantity of arsenic with some powdered sugar, spread on a sheet of paper.

Mode of Destroying Bugs-To effectually annihilate these noxious intruders, their common harbour, the bedstead, should be taken to pieces, and all the joints and crevices washed well with spirits of wine and then fired. This will at once remove old and young and destroy the eggs deposited. As a further precaution, close every interstice or cavity with the best soft soap mixed up with verdigris and Scotch snuff. On this composition, should any young ones have remained or quit the eggs after the igniting of the spirits, they will feed and speedily die.

An excellent method of killing insects for preserving in cabinets, consists of enclosing the insects to be killed in a small glass phial, and, after corking it, putting it into boiling water, or exposing it on the fire. In this method the wings are not apt to become wrinkled, as the vapour arising from the bodies of the insects, or from the moisture contained in the bottle, is sufficient to prevent their shrivelling.

Customs of Various Countries,

CUSTOMS OF THE MALTESE.

The marriage ceremonies of the people of Malta are the same, says Wilkinson in his valuable" Epitome," as in many other parts of Christendom; the first visit the bride pays to her parents is merely celebrated by a fête called nargia, and which consists of a grand conversazione, as in Italy, during which the company receive refreshments of all kinds. In this island no longer is seen the Neuicha following a funeral but two women in black cloaks carrying chafing dishes with incense. The only particular custom which is confined to the houses of the rich, is the Cucciha,

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or a meeting of relations and friends on the birth-days of their children. When all the company are assembled, they present to the child, if a boy, two baskets, one containing corn and comfits, the other jewels, money and an inkstand, sword, &c. His choice determines the profession or character he will assume in growing up: if he chooses the corn, it is a sign of nerosity; if he prefers the inkstand, he is designed for trade or the bar; if he seizes the sword, they trust in his valour; thus Achilles by a similar choice betrayed at the court of Lycomedes, that the robe he wore concealed a hero. If it is a girl, instead of the sword and inkstand, they substitute needles, silks, and ribands. On the last day but one of the carnival, a fête takes place in the great square of Valletta. Before the Corps de Garde they erect long poles, and the intermediate space is filled with rope ladders; the whole is covered with branches of trees, on which are hung from top to bottom live animals, baskets of eggs, hams, sausages, garlands of oranges; in short, all sorts of food: this pile, which they call a Cocagua, is terminated by a globe made of cloth, on which stands a figure of Fame: the whole square is filled with people, anxiously waiting for the signal from the gran visconte, who is head of the police: the Maltese are so submissive, and their fear of this officer so great, that by his order, one day, a false signal being given for assailing the Cocagna, the crowd, which had already covered lialf the ladders, quietly came down again. They neither suffer strangers or soldiers to partake of the profits of this feast, and even ill-treat them if they present themselves.

The

provisions of the Cocagna belong to those who seize them, and they know very well how to protect them from being carried off by the crowd; this frequently produces quarrels between different sets. The man who first gets up to the figure of Fame receives a present in money; the moment

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Sir John Harrington was so careless of his affairs, that his extravagance compelled him to part with a fine estate named Nyland, in Somersetshire. Fuller relates, that Sir John one day riding over his manor, accompanied by his trusty servant John, he turned suddenly round, and with his accustomed pleasantry said

"John, John, this Nyland, Alas! once was my land." To this, John as wittingly answered"If you had had more wit, Sir, It might have been your's yet, Sir."

The Duke of Wellington's house at Hyde Park corner, was originally built by Lord Bathurst. After it was finished, the late King visited Lord Bathurst, and having looked about the house, his Majesty said, with reference to its situation, "Well, well, I must congratulate your lordship on your promotion.' Lord Bathurst, thinking his Majesty had chan ged the subject, regretted that he was not aware to what allusion was made."O yes," said the King, " you have had a conspicuous promotion-you are now muster-master-general of dust for the western district."

SINGULAR EPITAPH RECENTLY INSCRIBED

IN TOTTENHAM CHURCH-YARD.
Tread lightly on his ashes,
Ye men of Genius,

For he was your companion!
Weed his grave clean,
Ye men of Goodness,

For he was your brother !*

In the same Church-yard, not far from "Afflictions sore long time I bore, Physicians was in vain," &c. is the following grave orthography,"A seancear friend."

Diary and Chronology.

Tuesday, June 1.

St. Wistan of Mercia, died A.D. 849.-Sun rises 53m after 3-sets 7m after 8. June 1, 1788.-Upon this day sixty English officers in the service of the Empress of Russia, tendered their commissions to the Empress in consequence of her having appointed the notorious Paul Jones to a command in the Russian fleet, declaring they would neither serve with, nor under that renegado. Wednesday, June 2.

Sts. Marcellinus & Peter, mar. d. 304.-High Water 45m after 9 mor.-21m after 10 After. June 2, 1653.-On this day the English, commanded by Monk, defeated the Dutch under Van Trump, taking and destroying twenty of their ships, and pursuing the enemy to their own harbours. This engagement, which happened off the North Foreland, in Kent, lasted two days.

Thursday, June 3

St. Lifard, Abbot, 6th Cent.-Sun rises 31m after 4-sets 27m after 7. June 2, 18.6.-Died at his apartments in the Taurida Palace, Nicholas Von Karamsin, the celebrated Russian historian and poet. At the time of his death he was engaged in the twelfth volume of his " History of the Russian Empire." Karamsin is regarded as the most popular writer that Russia ever produced; all his productions are said to indicate the greatest genius and power, and are of a very striking and impressive character.

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Friday, June 4.

St. Nenoc, Virgin, died A.D. 467.-High Water 11h 53m Morn-0h 0m Afternoon. June 4, 1820.-Expired in the 74th year of his age, the Right Hon. Henry Grattan, M.P. This illustrious statesman and orator was born in Dublin, where his father was an eminent barrister. He was educated to the same profession, but becoming disgusted with it, retired from its avocations; and in 1775 entered the Irish House of Commons, here he soon distinguished himself both by his superior talents, and by his zealous patriotism. Throughout his whole parliamentary career, he was assiduous to obtain an entire abolition of all the penal laws against the Catholics, and in this cause he at last expired. The remains of this eminent patriot are deposited in Westminster Abbey, not far from those of the illustrious Pitt and Fox.

Saturday, June 5.

St. Dorothens of Tyre, martyr -Sun rises 30m after 4-sets 31m after 7. June 5, 1826.-Anniversary of the death of Carl Maria Von Weber, the eminent composer of the operas Der Freischutz and Oberon; the success which attended the production of the former piece is unequalled in the Anuals of the English Drama.

Sunday, June 6.

TRINITY SUNDAY.

Lessons for the Day, chap. Genesis Morning-18 chap. Genesis Evening.

Full Moon 19m after 2 Afternoon.

June 6, 1720.-Died Robert Preston, drawer at the far-tamed tavern of the Boar's Head, EastCheap. This celebrated tavern has furnished subject matter for the pens of our first writers from Shakspeare down to Washington Irving. The back windows of this hostel, where the sons of kings have deigned to revel, used to look into the burial ground of St. Michael's, and it is a curious and remarkable fact that it contains an inscribed_gravestone in memory of the individual here, mentioned. The epitaph of honest Robert runs as follows:

Bacchus, to give the toping world surprise,
Produced one sober son, and here he lies;
Though nursed among full hogsheads, he defied
The charms of wine, as much as others pride.
O, reader if to justice thou'rt inclined,
Keep honest Preston duly in thy mind;

He drew good wine, took care to fill his pots,
Had sundry virtues that outweigh'd his spots!
You that on Bacchus have the like dependance,
Pray copy Bob in measure and attendance.
Monday, June 7.

St. Golman, Irish B. d. A.D. 610.- High Water 19m afie 2 Marn-37m after 2 After. June 7, 1566.-On this day that public spirited man, Sir Thomas Gresham, laid the foundation-stone of the Royal Exchange, and with such activity did this munificent citi. zen proceed in its erection, that it was wholly completed at his own cost, before the November of the following year.

Tuesday, June 8.

St. Gildard, Bishop, died 51.-Sun rises 4sm after 3-sets 1:m after 8. June 8, 1828-Expired the Rev. W. Coxe, T. 81, author of Travels in Switzerland; Memoirs of the Earl of Oxford; Historical Tour in Monmouthshire; History of the Honse of Austria; Memoirs of the Kings of Spain; Memoirs of John Duke of Marlborough; and many other valuable and interesting works,

ERRATA. At page 307, in the "Skeleton Rider," in the 32d line for "ould" read "auld," in the eighth, for "loitered" read twittered;" and, in the second column, the fol lowing line should succeed the 19th line from the bottom:

"Wad'st drink up a' the Fairies' river.”

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Ellustrated Article. RUDIF BRONDINBERGER. A LEGEND OF THE RHINE. (For the lio.)

ON the borders of the Rhine, a few leagues below Oberwessel, and partly hidden by the tall heathy hills which skirt the river, the vestige of a rude gothic tower, to which tradition assigns the following singular legend, is yet discernible. Its earliest possessor is said to have been a haughty though valiant knight, named Conrad Brondinberger, unto whom it was presented by the renowned Frederick Redbeard, at the termination of a desperate border fray, wherein he had defended the emperor against a band of spearmen, hacking and hewing his way through them with a courage and resolution worthy even of Ruberzhald himself. Indeed, there were many who looked upon him as one descended from that whimsical and malicious sprite, and many there were who scrupled not to vent their opinions pretty openly and pretty largely upon the subject. 23-VOL. V.

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See png 355.

Now there dwelt not many leagues distant from Brondinberger Hall, and in the same period, a brave and generous baron, called Arnold Maldenhein, between whom and Sir Conrad a very close intimacy had long subsisted, insomuch that one-half the year was chiefly passed by Sir Arnold at the hall, and the other by the knight of Brondinberger at Maldenhein; a separation, therefore, betwixt them, even for the space of a single day, was a thing of very rare occurrence.

Their friendship originated during a hunting excursion in the adjacent forest : Sir Conrad Brondinberger, flushed with success, had unwittingly pursued his game into its dark and dismal recesses, and ere he could withdraw himself from its bewildering maze, a wolf of monstrous size sprang suddenly from among the brushwood which beleaguered his path upon the neck of his steed, and fastening on the shoulder of its rider, bore him in an instant to the ground. At that very moment a shaft came whistling through the leaves, so truly aimed that it struck the ravenous monster full on the forehead, when he instantly relaxed his jaws, and

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dropped dead beside his intended victim. This exploit was followed by the appearance of Sir Arnold Maldenhein, who, with two or three of his attendants, came to the aid of Sir Conrad.

66 By St. Bernhald! but thou hadst an ugly foe to contend with," said the baron to the knight of Brondinberger, as he bound up his frightfully mangled shoulder with his scarf;" 'twas well the game attracted us both to the same spot, or yon grisly monster would scarce have been despoiled of his feast."

"Thy assistance came most opportunely," answered Conrad, grasping the hand of his deliverer," and I thank thee for it. I have heard full oft of the gallant warrior of Maldenhein, and have as often coveted his friendship. Lead me to my castle on the river side, my hurt calls for instant attention.'

Notwithstanding the strict intimacy which succeeded this event, and which appeared to increase daily, it had not lasted above a year or so, ere it was suddenly converted to the most deadly hate. -Sir Conrad Brondinberger, during his stay at Maldenhein, had become greatly

enamoured with the daughter of his friend, insomuch that he at length besought her hand in marriage. She was then in the very bloom and beauty of womanhood, possessed of every charm, and endowed with a nature peculiarly mild and fascinating. The knight of Brondinberger, as has been already stated, exercised an air of extreme haughtiness, and had, beside, a seemingly inherent propensity to quarrel and domineer, which oftentimes broke out upon the most frivolous occasions.This, though it could not entirely escape observation, was nevertheless greatly diminished in the eyes of his friend compared with those of the lady Beatrice, and therefore determined the baron, at the earnest desire of the latter, at once to reject his suit, which he forthwith did, observing all possible courtesy. Then it was that the indomitable spirit of Brondinberger showed itself at once in its true colours. When the baron tendered him his refusal, he stood surrounded by his numerous and splendidly clad retinue, whom he had assembled purposely to escort their expected mistress to the hall. The condition of its haughty owner on

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