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ticle prepared under his own direction, but with the proper manner of making use of it. We do not know that we can do a better service to our southern trade, than by giving these various modes of its preparation, in order to overcome a difficulty in the use of it, arising entirely from a general ignorance of the article in its present form. Our readers will observe that we do not arrogate to ourselves the framing of these valuable prescriptions. We never boiled rice in all our lives: though we have some little credit for ability in encountering it in a different way. But the ladies, to whom we are specially indebted on more occasions than one, have graciously informed us where we have been in fault. For the making of rice bread, then, you are required to

Boil a pint of rice soft-add a pint of leven, then three quarts of the flour-put it to rise in a tin or earthen vesse! until it has risen sufficiently-divide it into three parts-then bake it as other bread, and you will have three large loaves.

To make Journey or Johnny Cake.*-To three spoonsful of soft-boiled rice, add a smali tea-cup of water or milk-then add six spoonfuls of the flour, which will make a large journey cake or six waffles.

To make Rice Cakes.-Take a pint of soft boiled rice-a half-pint of milk or water, to which add twelve spoonsfull of the flour-divide it into small cakes and bake them in a brisk oven.

To make Wafers.-Take a pint of warm water, a tea-spoonful of salt; add a pint of the flour, and it will give you two dozen wafers.

largest individuals that are met with in the chain of the Andes of Quito, are about fourteen feet from the tip of one wing to that of the other, and the smallest only eight. From these dimensions, and from the visual angle under which this bird sometimes appears per. pendicularly above our heads, it may be judged to what a prodigious height it rises when the sky is clear. When seen, for example, under an angle of four minutes, it must be at a perpendicular distance of 6876 feet. The Cave of Antisana, situated opposite the mountain of Chussulongo, and from which we measured the bird soaring, is situated at a height of 12,958 feet above the level of the Pacific Ocean. Thus, the absolute height which the Condor attained, was 20,834 feet, an elevation at which the barometer scarcely rises to 12 inches. It is a somewhat remarkable physiological phenomenon, that this bird, which for hours continues to fly about in regions where the air is so rarefied, all at once descends to the edge of the sea, as along the western slope of the volcano of Pichincha, and thus in a few minutes passes as it were through all the varieties of climate. At a height of 20,000 feet, the air-cells of the Condor which are filled in the lowest regions, must be inflated in an extraordinary manner. Sixty years ago, Ulloa expressed his astonishment at the circumstance that the vulture of the Andes could fly at a height where the mean pressure of the air is only 14 inches. It was then imagined, from the analogy of experiments made with the pneumatic machine, that no animal could live in so rare a medium. I have seen the barometer fall on Chimborazo to 13 inches 11 2-10ths lines. My friend, M. Gay Lussac, respired for a quarter of an hour in an atmosphere whose pressure was only 0m.3288. At heights like these, man in general finds himself reduced to a most painful state of debility. In the Condor, on the contrary, the act of respiration appears to be performed with equal ease, in mediums where the pressure differs from 12 to 30 inches. Of all living beings, it is without doubt the one that can rise at will to the greatest distance from the earth's sur face. I say, at will, because small insects are carried still higher by ascending currents. Probably the height which the Condor attains is greater than that which we have found by the calculation mentioned above. I remember that on Cotopaxi, in the plain of Suniguaicu, covered with pumice, and elevated 13,578 feet We have seldom heard a more singular apoabove the level of the sea, I perceived that bird logy for setting fire to a building than that at such a height, that it appeared like a black which was offered by a school-boy, by whose dot. What is the smallest angle under which agency it appears, the school house in Augusobjects weakly lighted are distinguished?tta, Maine, was lately burnt to the ground. He The diminution which the rays of light undergo by passing though the strata of the atmosphere, has a great influence upon the minimum of the angle. The transparency of the air of mountains is so great under the equator, that, in the province of Quito, as I have elsewhere shown, the poncho or white mantle of a person on horseback is distinguishable at a horizontal distance of 84,032 feet, and consequently under an angle of 13 seconds-Humboldt, Tableaux de la Nature, t. ii. pp. 72-78.

Rice Flour-Some notice of the preparation of this article for domestic purposes, was made in the daily prints a week or more since. Through the polite and friendly attention of colonel Vanderhorst, we have been favoured, not only with a specimen of a very superior ar

* Astronomical Observations made by order of the King of Spain, p. 109.

It is probably one minute. In 1806, a balloon, which was four fathoms in diameter, was seen with the naked eye at Berlin to fall at a distance of 40,200 feet. It was then under a visual angle of 2' 4". But it could have been distinguished at a much greater distance, not. withstanding the constitution of our northern atmosphere.

In my memoir on the diminution of heat, and on the lower limit of perpetual snow.

To make Rice Puffs.-To a pint of the flour add a teaspoonful of salt, a pint of boiling water; beat up four eggs; stir them well together, put from two to three spoonsful of fat in a pan; make it boiling hot and drop a spoonful of the mixture into the fat as you do in making common fritters.

To make Pap Pudding.-To a quart of milk add a pint of the flour; boil them to a pap, beat up six eggs, to which add six spoonsful of Havana sugar and a spoonful of butter, which when well beaten together add them to the milk and flour; grease the pan in which it is to be made, grate nutmeg over the mixture and bake it.

After all this is done, the sooner they are eaten the better.-Charleston City Gazette.

is represented as a child of "simple wit," and the only reason he gave for the incendiary act, was, that he had “had schooling enough this cold weather." The house is said to have been very old, and few would have regretted its destruction if the books of the scholars had been saved. But they were all lost with the exception of those belonging to two or three boys, including the one mentioned above. His statement of the manner in which he lighted the fire is, that the wood did not burn quick, so he piled up the books and set them a blazing, "and," said he, " I burnt Bill Pettingill's first, 'cause he's all the time a plagueing me."-Boston Commentator.

Humming Bird and Insects at a great height on the Volcano of Orizaba.-Schiede and Deppe, on their ascent of Orizaba, observed, at a height of 10,000 feet above the sea, the Humming Bird (Trochilus) flying round the

We have a strange notion that this should be neither Johnny nor journey, but Jenny cake. We have not the slightest question but that it was called so by some rustic lover in compliment to his mistress, who possibly excelled in the art of preparing it. Let it then, in future, be called Jenny cake; and whoso shall henceforth call it by any other masculine appellative, let him not partake of the delicacy.

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orange-coloured flowers of the Castilligen. At a height between 14,000 and 15,000 feet, on the same mountain, above the region of grasses, &c. they found, under a block of porphyry, many moths, some dead, others alive, which appear to have been carried upwards into this snowy region by an ascending current of air. In the same dreary region, a live species of beetle was found, which, from its nature, must be considered a native of this lofty situation.

Species of Mussel exclusively employed as Bait in the New Foundland Cod Fishery-The utility of the inhabitants of shells (shell-fish) to mankind is well known. The following fact, as it is connected with an important branch of commerce, is a further proof of the value of these animals in an economical point of view. It was communicated to M. Sander Rang by Bellanger, the captain of a French frigate, and is inserted in Sang's valuable work on the Mollusca. The captain, endeavouring to ascertain how it happened that the French codfishers on the banks of Newfoundland were not so successful as the Americans, discovered that it was owing to these latter employing, as a bait, the animal of a species of mya (mussel,) which abounds on several parts of the American coast; and he was the more confirmed in the truth of this fact, by observing that the French fishers, towards the conclusion of the season, purchased from the Americans the remaining portions of their bait, in order that they might the more speedily complete their cargo. Bellanger, who is well versed in conchology, examined this mya very carefully, and found that it was a species met with abundantly on the coasts of the French channel. To our readers interested in the kinds of bait used in the Newfoundland fishery, we recommend the perusal of Mr. Cormack's valuable communication, vol. i. of the new series of this Journal.-Edin. Phi. Jour.

Oak Trees liable to be Struck by Lightning. -In Denmark, where there are considerable tracts covered with oak and beech-trees, it is remarked, that the oaks are struck with lightning twenty times for once the beeches are struck. It is conjectured by some observers, that this circumstance is to be traced to the forms of the two species of trees.

Potato at a great height on the Mountain Orizaba.-MM. Schieds and Deppe, in a letter to Baron A. Humboldt, giving an account of their ascent of the great volcano of Orizaba in Mexico, mention that they found the potato in a wild state, at the height of 10,000 feet above the level of the sea. It was about 34 inches high, with large blue flowers, and tubers or potatoes the size of a hazel-nut.

Method of detecting the Adulteration of Tea. The Chinese frequently mix the leaves of other shrubs with those of the tea-plant; this fraud is easily discovered by adding to an infusion of it a grain and a half of sulphate of iron. If it is true green tea, the solution placed between the eye and the light assumes a pale bluish tint; if it is bohea tea, the solution is blue, inclining to black, but if it is adulterated, it shows all the colours, yellow, green, and black.-Desmarest's Chemie Recreative.

THE LITERARY PORT FOLIO. It is intended that this journal shall contain such a variety of matter as may make it acceptable to ladies as well as to gentlemen; to the young as well as to the old. While we shall take care that nothing be admitted which would render the work unfit for any of these classes, we shall endeavour to procure for it sufficient ability to entitle it to the attention of all of them. To these ends we have secured an abundant supply of all foreign and do mestic journals and new books-and we ask the assistpublic. Upon this assistance we depend in a great deance of all who are qualified to instruct or amuse the gree for our hopes of success, for however the abundant stores to which we have access, may enable us to supply matter highly interesting to our readers, we think it of even more importance to give them something peculiarly adapted to the present time and circumstances; something from home.

Wanted-to solicit subscriptions for this work, a suitable person. Apply to E. Littell & Brother.

No. 13.

PhiladelphiA, THURSDAY, APRIL 1,

Terms.-Published every Thursday by E. Littell & Brother, corner of Chestnut and Seventh Streets, Philadelphia. It will contain four handsome engravings every year. Price Two Dollars and a Half a year, payable in advance.

Agents who procure and forward payment for four subscribers, shall receive the fifth copy for one year; and so in proportion for a larger number.

THE following letters, copied from the daily papers, explain, so far as we know them, the causes of the late duel between Mr. William Miller, jr. and Lieutenant Charles G. Hunter. The meeting took place on the borders of Delaware, and Mr. Miller was shot through the lungs and died immediately.

Our acquaintance with him was very slight, although of several years standing. So far as we knew his character from our own observation or the opinions of others, it was unusually amiable and gentle. Of Mr. Hunter we know nothing but what has lately been made public -and of that we lay aside all the reports which tend to aggravate his guilt in this affair, and confine our notice to his own circular, which will be found in the accompanying papers. Judging from that only, it appears that Mr. Miller did every thing that he could to satisfy the opponent, whose ferocity could not rest short of his death.

We are aware that while Christian gentleness, and the fear of God are thought unmanly, we could say nothing of the wickedness of such murder, that would have any effect upon public opinion. Mr. Hunter has however fallen far short of the standard of a chivalrous gentleman, as settled by the practice of those who consider such an appeal to arms necessary. The rudeness with which he carefully avoids affixing to the name of his opponent the customary mark of respect, is characteristic of the manner of the whole circular-and is in keeping with the murderous determination which is the matter of it.

(COPY.)

New Brunswick, March 7th, 1830. Sir,-We the undersigned, friends to Mr. Charles H. Duryee, of the U. S. Navy, having been informed of a statement made by your friend, Mr. R. Dillon Drake, of the difficulty existing between your friend and Mr. Duryee, beg to make the following communication.

We are unwilling to touch upon the unfortunate subject which has laid the foundation of this misunderstanding, and beg to take up Mr. Drake's statement, at that point which is yet unsettled and which involves Mr. Duryee, and that the grounds upon which we are about to act, may be fully known, we are impelled to state that we disapprove that part of Mr. Duryee's conduct which has now become the subject of discussion; nor do we intend to dictate to Mr. Duryee what he shall do, as we deem that he has now lost the privilege to trace his own line of conduct, and that it rests with Mr. Drake to point out what step on the part of Mr. Duryee shall efface the stain which this rashness of Mr. Duryee has put upon the character of your friend.

We cannot come forward to shield our friend from the consequences which may occur, but

after reflecting and consulting together we have strengthened each other in the hope that this matter may be honourably adjusted; that the character and credit of both parties may be equally maintained, and society benefited by an illustration of the maxim, "that it requires more courage to acknowledge and atone for an insult, than shrink from the feeling that prompts us to the act." We can confidently advance that Mr. Duryee is convinced of his error, that he is willing to acknowledge he committed it, while under such excitement as his reason could not control.

The spirit of moderation which pervades the statement of Mr. Drake, has given to those, among us, who are not personally acquainted with him, a high opinion of his character, and we trust that the same spirit will lead to an amicable adjustment of this affair: we would propose that a committee on our part should meet one composed of the friends of Mr. Drake, at Trenton, where other reasons shall be adduced to palliate the aggression which this form of communication would preclude: should this meet the approbation of Mr. Drake and his friends, please appoint a day on which our committee may meet that of Mr. Drake's friends.

We are respectfully, Sir, your most obedient servants,

R. A. DE RUSSY, MILES C. SMITH, JAMES NEILSON, HATFIELD SMITH, DIGBY B. SMITH.

To William Miller, jr. Esq. Mr. Miller replied in the following letter: Philadelphia, March 9. Gentlemen, I had the honour of receiving your letter of the 7th, yesterday afternoon, and lost no time in laying it before Mr. Drake and his friends. After careful consideration of the subject, I have the pleasure of submitting to you the following reply.

The difference between Mr. Duryee and Mr. Drake is looked upon by the latter, as having been already finally settled, and in a manner entirely satisfactory to himself.

It is the decided and unanimous opinion of the friends of Mr. Drake, that no stain whatever rests upon the character of that gentleman, from any circumstance which arose during his late misunderstanding with Mr. Duryee.

The moderation which you kindly ascribe to the conduct of Mr. Drake, has been exercised by him through every stage of the affair. He has never entertained any feeling of ill will towards your friend, but has acted throughout dispassionately, and solely regarded what was due to his own character.

Regarding therefore the affair which forms the subject of your communication as finally and definitively settled, Mr. Drake and his friends are unable to discern that any advantage can arise from reopening, and making it a ground of further and new discussion, and though they appreciate your motives for interposition, respectfully decline doing so. Assuring you, gentlemen, that Mr. Drake, as well as myself, feels gratified by the obliging tone of your letter to me,

1830.

delphia, as he needed my services as a friend, in an affair which admitted of no delay. The next evening I arrived here, and learned that a letter signed by five persons of New Brunswick, N. J. had been sent to Wm. Miller, jr. of this city, on the subject of his (Mr. Duryee's) conduct in the affair between Mr. Griffith and R. Dillon Drake.

As this letter was unauthorized by Mr. Duryee, and considered by him as an improper interference on the part of those who signed it, the next morning at half past eleven o'clock, I called on William Miller, jr. at his office, and demanded of him the letter and all copies of it. At first he refused-but I explained to him, that unless he immediately delivered up the letter and copies, he must meet Mr. Duryee. He then said that he must have time to reflect upon it; to which I replied, that he had already had time enough since the receipt of Mr. Duryee's note which was written to him on the subject two days before, and that he must give it up immediately. He then consented to give up the letter, and burn all the copies in my presence, as soon as he could procure them. I asked him what time would be necessary for that purpose. He answered one hour. And upon his promising upon his honour, that by that time he would fulfil his engagement, I left him. In one hour's time, he really did arrive at the United States Hotel, and handed to me the letter in question, and said that if I would call at his office at two o'clock, he would burn the copies in my presence.

At the hour appointed I called on him, and a copy of the letter, which he declared to me was the only one taken, and the only one which he believed to be in existence, was destroyed by him. I then compelled Mr. Miller to draw up and sign the following certificate"Charles G. Hunter, Esq.

Sir, I have this morning destroyed in your presence the only copy of a letter received by me from five gentlemen, friends of Mr. Duryee in New Brunswick, relating to the affairs of that gentleman, which I know or believe to be in existence. You of course understand that I speak of copies taken from the letter received by me. If I see or hear of any such copies hereafter, I shall have them destroyed. Yours respectfully, WM. MILLER, jr.

12th March, 1830.

Wm. Miller, jr. assured me that he had not shown the letter received by him from New Brunswick, to more than two persons-if I recollect distinctly those persons were Mr. Canac and R. D. Drake. If by any accident it should be discovered that Wm. Miller, jr. did show, or communicate the substance of the contents of that letter to any others than those above named, he will have an excellent opportunity of displaying his genius, by endeavouring to prove to the world that he has not been guilty of downright treachery and falsehood.

Notwithstanding that Wm. Miller, jr. declared to me that he had destroyed the only copy taken, and the only one which he believed to be in existence, and although he distinctly understood me to say, that I would hold him accountable to me for any circulation of the same, on the morning of the 17th inst. to my great surprise, I saw a printed copy of it. I immediately addressed the following note to Wm. Miller, jr. believing, and still believing, (notwithstanding any thing that William Miller, jr. may say to the contrary) that he could have prevented its circulation, and that its Then followed the annexed circular from publication was not without his knowledge or Lieut. Hunter.

am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, (signed) WM. MILLER, jr. To R. A. De Russy, Miles C. Smith, Jas. Neilson, Hatfield Smith, Digby B. Smith, Esquires.

Sir, On the evening of the 10th instant, I received a letter from Mr. Charles H. Duryee, requesting me to come immediately to Phila

consent.

March 17, 1830. Sir: After your base and ungentlemanly conduct in suffering a letter to be published

which you declared to me was no longer in
existence, I demand of you immediate satis-
faction. My friend Lieut. Westcott will hand
you this.
CHARLES G. HUNTER.

Wm. Miller, jr.

I had requested Mr. Westcott not to leave Wm. Miller, jr. until he should have received a positive answer to my communication; accordingly, while in his office he addressed the following note to Wm. Miller, jr.

Philadelphia, March 17, 1830.

To William Miller, jr. Esq.

Sir,-You will oblige me by giving a written
acceptance or refusal of the communication I
had the honour to make you from Charles G.
Hunter, Esq. Respectfully, &c.
H. WESTCOTT.

He returned in answer as follows:
Philadelphia, March 17, 1830.

Lieut. H. Westcott,
Sir,-Having had no connexion with the
publication of the letter alluded to from New
Brunswick, but on the contrary, having been
altogether ignorant of such a publication hav-
ing taken place till you informed me of it this
morning, I decline receiving the note from
Mr. Hunter, of which you are the bearer.

Yours respectfully,

WM. MILLER, Jr. During the latter part of the abovementioned interview, R. Dillon Drake made his appearance, and handed to William Miller, jr. a manuscript copy of the New Brunswick letter, saying, that it had been in the possession of his brother Dr. Drake. Upon which Mr. Miller observed to Mr. Westcott, "You see, sir, that I fulfil my promise to Mr. Hunter, and will destroy this copy in your presence." Westcott replied, "I do not care about seeing it destroyed, as there are printed copies of it in circulation."

Mr.

All that William Miller, jr. may urge in palliation, will not make me believe that he could not have recalled the copy from Dr. Drake on the same day he destroyed the other, if he had exerted himself in the manner which a gentleman should have exerted himself, after the pledge he had given me to that effect.

I have no doubt that I will exceedingly gra⚫tify Wm. Miller, jr. when I conclude by saying, that although I hold him in the utmost contempt as a coward, and know him to be guilty of base falsehood, yet I am, and always will be, ready to meet him, whenever he may think proper to accept my invitation.

CHARLES G. HUNTER. United States Hotel, March 17, 1830.

To the Editor of the Morning Journal. Sir,-Observing in your paper of this morning an insertion of Charles G. Hunter's circular, I feel it my duty to offer an immediate statement of the honourable fidelity with which my much lamented and esteemed friend, William Miller, jr. Esq. fulfilled his engagement. When I returned to Mr. Miller the copy which he had given to me, he asked me to ascertain whether my brother Dr. Drake had any copy, declaring that he had made a promise to deliver up or destroy every copy which he could discover, and would faithfully perform it to the utmost extent. In consequence called upon Dr. Drake, and received from him I the only copy which he had, or the existence of which he knew. How carefully that copy had been preserved will appear from the following note from him to Mr. Miller, after the publication of Charles G. Hunter's circular.

Philadelphia, 20th March, 1830.

To William Miller, jr. Esq.

Dear Sir, I have this moment received your letter, respecting one addressed to you by R. A. de Russy, Miles C. Smith, James Neilson, Hatfield Smith, and Digby B. Smith, Esquires, and in reply state, that the original of that letter was in my possession for a very short time, that a copy I inade from it was also with me but a few hours; that in no manner

used directly or indirectly, in any manner, to
was any use made of either by me, nor was it
my knowledge. The copy was given up to be
delivered to you. The first knowledge of any
publication of the above letter, which I had,
was on the 17th, at about two o'clock, P. M.
when I saw one directed to a friend of mine.
And I further state, that no publication could
have been made from either the original or
copy, whilst in my possession.

Very respectfully, your friend,
ALFRED DRAKE.

In justice to my friends and myself I should

add that I have made the most anxious and

diligent inquiries as to the source whence the
publication of the letter from New Brunswick
originated, but hitherto without the least suc-
Yours respectfully,
Tuesday, March 23d.
R. DILLON DRAKE.

cess.

PLAGUE IN LONDON.
LONDON was originally built in fens and
marshes, the rising grounds near being cover-
ed with forests. The Surrey side was a mo-
rass, connected by a slip, more or less narrow,
with that of Woolwich, stretching down to-
wards the mouth of the Thames; while the

fens of Finsbury were connected with the
sea-wall, the gigantic labour of an unknown
Essex marshes on the opposite bank. A huge
era, prevents the marshes from inundation by
the Thames; yet of this work, more useful
than the Pyramids, and perhaps as durable,
tradition has left no name of the author. Thus
ancient, and particularly liable to fevers, which
the site of the modern Babylon was like the
greater exasperation. The effect of the marshes
in hotter climates would have borne a type of
is observable at different seasons in the east-
into suburbs nearest the marshes; sometimes
ern part at present. The fever approaches
but a few houses breadth in, at others the
length of whole streets, as the atmospheric
manner, in the warmer climates of Rome we
agency is more or less favourable. In like
find the marsh nuisance traversing within eer-
tain bounds that can be there more accurately
defined. Who, then, will say it is not possible
that marsh-fever, introduced into a crowded,
filthy, ill-fed population, might not alter its
character, and a contagious pestilence arise
from the seeds it may sow, appearing perhaps
in a season when the customary presence of
the marsh disease could scarcely be perceived,
or, in other words, in the season of the year
least favourable to its action.

The first attack of pestilence on the metro-
polis which I recollect to have read a record
of, was in 961, and it is described as a fever.
Its visits were very frequent. In 1348 it is
said to have destroyed eight out of ten persons.
This pest is farther said to have devastated Eu-
rope, and not to have subsided in this country
again visited with a more than common attack
for ten years. In 1407 the metropolis was
of mortality, and thousands perished. In 1487
said to destroy life in twenty-four hours. By
the pest is called the sweating sickness, and
probable it was the old pestilence in a different
many this disease was said to be new, but it is
form. In 1517 it is said again to have made
began greatly to increase. It was nearly half
dreadful ravages. From this time the city
20,000 persons were carried off by it. It came
a century afterwards, in 1564, before the sick-
ness attacked the city formidably again, and
again in 1603. Its violence was greatest be-
tween March and December, and it destroyed
than in many preceding visitations, in propor-
30,561 persons, which was a far less number
tion to the increase of population. It is said
1626 and 1627 it appeared again, and destroyed
not to have been extinct until 1611. Yet in
35,000 persons in twelve months; and in the
great plague of 1665 no less than one hundred
thousand persons perished from it.

It appears evident that from 1603 to 1665 the

thing had probably been the case for ages bedisease was never wholly extinct, and the same fore. How are we to account for these sinthe causes were inherent, or local, always exgular visitations but by the supposition that isting, but only capable of extended action under particularly favourable circumstances, which are no longer in existence? It is in this view of the subject alone that we can reconcile these visitations. The contagionists will tell us that it was imported in a bag of cotton, or a bale of cloth, but common sense revolts at such an absurdity; how comes it that for 165 years since, our merchant-ships have trafficked in the very focus of the most terrible diseases, in all climes, and have never imported any of them? The real truth seems to be, that such diseases every where exist, with favouring circumstances in the mode of living, in site, and temperature, to call them into action, but that they are rendered inert by the operation of incidental causes, and that one of the great annoyances in London has been this that founderies and steam-engines should one of its greatest benefits. I do not mean by not be made to consume their own smoke, but that a reasonable quantity of the sulphurous annoyance is a positive benefit, and, combined probability of any future visits from the most with superior cleanliness, street-draining, and dry floors and roofs, completely excludes the terrible of human calamities.

free circulation of air, unless when high winds The streets of London formerly excluded a were prevalent. The houses almost met and touched at the roofs, each story projecting crooked, that an old writer inquires whether over the one beneath it, and all being built of wood. Then the streets were so narrow and they were not built before carts were invented, as wheelbarrows could only be used in other in size and ornament, a hovel standing them. The houses were totally unlike each next to a palace. In one thing only they agreed -namely, their overhanging floors; so that the people in the garrets could almost shake hands across from window to window. The stories, or rooms, too, were so low, that a very right. The lower floors of the houses seem to tall man with his hat on could hardly stand uphave been the bare earth, on which it is probable the rushes were trodden in, and always in a state of decomposition, while dirt was every First, the precincts of the Court were so filthy, where observable. In the reign of James the that the ladies who were in the habit of attending it, complained of bringing away with them certain insects which are now found only on the backs of the filthiest poor. I mean no disparagement to this most high and mighty prince as a native of a northern country, the inhabitants of which are said not to be famous for too many ablutions. I believe dirty habits to have been prevalent among our city ancestors, and a distinguishing trait in the character of the "good old times." Then there were few or no sinks or sewers in the great city; and every species of filth accumulated in corit caused the fashionable inhabitants of the ners, and even in the middle of the streets. Coal was only partially used as late as 1640; the city people on account of their adopting it. court part of town to let slip many a jeer at every kind, and all seem favourable to the rity of Sir W. Davenant, for its peculiarities of Old Fish street is distinguished, on the authospread of disease, if not to its generation. The effluvia of the sick in one house could hardly of it entering into another. Thus the ravages escape into the atmosphere without a portion of the pestilence were Death doubled the victims which were daily would otherwise have been the case; and more extended than borne to the gulfs that had been dug to receive the festering remains of his victims.

sitations, for some cause or other, but princiThis recalls to my recollection the localities noticed for their connexion with these fatal visepulture was performed by the living with fear pally as the scenes where the hurried rite of

and trembling, lest during labour at the common grave,

"The buried drag the buriers.” This is by no means partial exaggeration. "One cart," says a recorder of the great plague, "going up Shoreditch, was forsaken of the drivers, or being left to one man to drive, he died in the street, and the horses going on overthrew the cart, and left the bodies, some thrown out here, some there, in a dismal manner. Another cart was, it seems, found in the great pit in Finsbury-fields, the driver being dead, or having gone and abandoned it, and the horses running too near, the cart fell in, and drew the horses in also." The driver's whip being found among the bodies, it is most natural to suppose he died among them. One must, however admire the dauntless spirit of the survivors; for dead bodies never remained unburied for want of persons to fulfil the last offices of humanity.

HOW TO CATCH A PANTHER.

quisite that money could purchase-and cer-
tainly they had cost dearly to the tavern-keep-
ers whom he promised to pay for them. He
was celebrated in the Fives Court: and if he
was unable to lick young Belcher, who, from
constant practice, had the advantage of him;
or the boxing coal-heaver, who was his supe-
rior in weight; he had done all that could be
required of a gentleman-he had tried. He
was the best shot in England. Twice did he
brush the morning dew from the grass of
Mary-le-bone Fields in his way to Chalk Farm;
and on both occasions had he the good fortune
to kill his man. The first was Major O'Blaze,
a scoundrel, as Sir Harry justly termed him,
who had seduced the Baronet's mistress; the
other, a Mr. Hardacre, a plain country squire,
who had the temerity to call Sir Harry a
scoundrel for eloping with his wife. Here
again had Sir Harry done all that could be re-
quired of a gentleman. But these were not
his only claims to that title. In a single night
he won seventeen thousand pounds of a young
Lackbrain, a tyro in those matters, at hazard.

On my recovery, finding that I still persist-Finding that by selling his commission in the ed in my favourite pursuit, the governor good naturedly resolved on gratifying me with the spectacle of a panther-hunt. Accompanied by his sons, we rode out early in the morning to an extensive plain, in the centre of which was a jungle; into this the Vaqueiros had succeeded in driving, on the previous night, a large panther, preparatory to the morning's sport. We took our station on an eminence which commanded a view of the entire field. The loud barking of the dogs, the wild cries of the huntsmen as they galloped round the skirts of the jungle cheering on the dogs, formed an animated scene. Aroused in his lair, the panther, furious with rage, sprang forth to meet its enemies. The Vaqueiro nearest to the point from which he had issued now advanced to the attack. He exhibited a beautiful sight, whirling in the air his lasso, and urging forward with the spur the spirited little steed on which he was mounted, whose dilated nostrils, fiery eyeball, and erect mane, proclaimed his instinctive dread of the enemy in his front. The panther crouched in the act to spring on his advancing foe, but he was fore stalled by the well-skilled assailant, who, at the distance of twenty yards, threw his lasso with unerring aim. Scarcely had it left his hand before the well-trained horse wheeled round and flew across the plain, dragging after him the already disabled panther; for with such beautiful precision had the lasso been thrown, that the fore-paw of the animal was fairly strapped to its neck. The whole party now dashed forward to be in at the death. The Vaqueiro, slackening his pace, gradually shortened the length of the cord till he brought his enemy within a few yards of him, and then, in less time than I can narrate it, I saw him leap from his saddle, his broad knife gleam in the morning sunbeam, and with the rapidity of lightning leaving the cloud, it was buried in the heart of the panther. I was highly delighted with this noble and manly sport, which required at once wonderful dexterity and uncommon self-possession.

SIR HARRY HIGHFLYER: A Suicide's Last Carouse. WHO was better known about town, or who knew the town better, than Sir Harry Highflyer? He was, as the phrase is, in every thing, and the best man at every thing-supreme in each pursuit that had fashion for its sanction. He was a member of the Four-inhand-Club; and it was universally admitted that no gentleman could drive his own coachman to Salt Hill in better style. He was the best dresser in London; and ruined three tailors by the disinterested readiness with which he exhibited their choicest productions on his own well-formed person. His dinners were the most récherchés, his wines the most ex

ed, "that I can be such an ideot as, for nearly two hours, to have overlooked so obvious an expedient! Is it possible that I, a man of unquestionable courage, as this very spot can attest, should have been, for an instant, in doubt about the means of escaping from an exposure of my cut up-an event I never should have found nerve to encounter! Is it possible that I, a rational being, should have failed to think of the very thing that would have occurred to any ass in London, at the first blush of the affair!-What! shall I put down my four-inhand? Shall I send my racers to Tattersall's? Shall I break up my snug little establishment at Kilburn, and confess to my pretty Julia that it is all up with me? Shall I tell my friends that I can squander no more thousands, for the reason that I have no more thousands to squander? No, no; thank my stars, I have too much courage to submit to that." It were needless to state in explicit terms what was the nature of the remedy intended to be employed by this “rational being," for the many ills which this "man of unquestionable courage" was too courageous to encounter; but, having settled the question entirely to his own satisfaction, he, upon his way home, suddenly put his handkerchief to his cheek, went into an apothecary's shop, complained of a racking tooth-ache, and purchased a phial of laudanum.

Upon reaching home, Sir Harry gave strict charge to Laurent, his valet, not to come to him till he heard his bell, nor to allow any one to interrupt him. He then went into his dressin writing letters. ing-room, where he passed nearly two hours

He drew the phial from his pocket!!

dragoons, drawing upon his agent to the utmost farthing in his hands, and pledging his pictures, his books, and the lease of his chambers in Albany, young Lackbrain could raise no more than nine thousand pounds towards the amount of his loss; he generously, with Courage and Rationality! How differently respect to the remaining sum, declared that may the qualities implied by these terms be as he should hold it unbecoming a friend and a understood! Had Sir Harry presumed to rush gentleman to press for its immediate payment, uninvited into the presence of the Prince ReMr. Lackbrain might set his mind perfectly at gent, his courage would have been stigmatized ease about it, upon signing a bond, for princi- as daring and reckless impudence, his rationapal and interest, to be payable in twelve-nay, lity as sheer insanity. But Sir Harry would with a fortune of eighteen thousand a-year. even fifteen months. Sir Harry began life not have done that: he was too well-bred a man: his consciousness of the respect due Having somewhat of a turn for arithmetic, he from a subject to his prince; his deference to at once perceived that it would be imprudent the forms of civilized society; nay, the very to spend more than twenty-thousand, and wise- consideration of what was due from man even ly resolved to limit his expenditure by that unto MAN, would have warned him of the imcumstances, which might have baffled the sum, or twenty-five at the utmost. But cir- propriety of committing so gross an outrage as that! This is a mere passing remark, which, wisest calculations, so ordered it, that thirty as it is not necessarily connected with the subwas usually much nearer the mark; and how-ject, the reader may consider, or not, at his ever extraordinary it may appear to persons discretion. unaccustomed to investigate such matters, the consequence of these continued discrepancies between the income and the outgoing, was, that one fine sun-shiny morning his debts were complicated and ugly-looking row of figures found to amount to 102,3571. 18s. 9fd.-a very whilst his assets were gracefully pictured forth by that simple and elegantly-formed symbol emphatic phrase, Sir Harry Highflyer found (0) representing NOUGHT. To use his own himself "most magnanimously dished." It was towards the close of the London season of 1817, that he made this wonderful discovery. What was to be done? He could not at the moment determine. Free air and solitude were necessary to put his mind into a fit state for reflection: so, calling for his hat and gloves, he sallied forth, and avoiding dear Bond-street, and all the more frequented avenues, he crossed St. Alban's-street, sidled through St. James's Market, felt his way along a dirty, dingy defile, called Swallow-street, and after passing through sundry dark passages on the north of Oxford-street, he, at length, found himself in the Mary-le-bone fields. There he sauntered about for some time, but to no purpose: one-hundred-and-two thousand and odd pounds, shilling, and pence, were not to be picked up in the Mary-le-bone fields; and what else under Heaven could set him afloat again! The more he thought, the more desperate did his position appear to him. But there is an old French proverb that tells us that à force de chercher l'on trouve; and so it happened to Sir Harry: for by dint of thinking and walking, and walking and thinking, he all at once found himself on the identical spot where he had killed his friends Hardacre and Major O'Blaze. Here, by that fine operation of the mind, called the association of ideas, an easy and certain mode of arranging his affairs occurred to him. "Is it possible!" he exclaim

"The ruling passion strong in death," he held it up to the light; and muttering "Bright as a ruby-a cursed bore though, for all that," he twisted out the cork, put the poison to his lips, and-there was a tap at the dressing-room door.

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"Who the devil's that? Did'nt I give positive orders that no one should disturb me?" Beg you pardon, Sare, but it grow late; you remember Milord Dashmore dine wiz you, and you not tell me how many I will order

dinner for."

This reminded him that he had invited Lord

"

Dashmore and a party of friends to dinner for that very day. They'll look upon it as a sneaking piece of business," thought he, "if I leave them in the lurch in this way: a few hours later will make no difference, and I shan't be in worse condition for my journey, for a dozen bumpers of claret." Then added, aloud, to Laurent, "Order for twelve, and af terwards come and help me to dress."

"Mr. Maxwell is here, Sare; shall you see him?"

"Maxwell!" thought Sir Harry; "what whimsy has brought him here! I thought I had given him a surfeit of me, at his last visit, a twelvemonth ago. Beg Mr. Maxwell to walk up."

Mr. Maxwell was the son of a clergyman who died of a very odd complaint-a broken heart for the loss of his wife-leaving this son an orphan at the age of two years. As this is an age at which a young gentleman is not very well qualified to take care of himself, the

late Baronet, Sir Harry's father, thought that he might do it much better for him; and, acting upon this suggestion, took him into his own house. Little Master Maxwell and the Baronet's son being of nearly the same age, they were instructed by the same masters, sent at the same time to Westminster, and, afterwards, entered at the same college at Cambridge. Upon their return from College, Sir Robert Highflyer gave young Maxwell the choice of a profession; but as the young gentleman entertained an unbounded dislike of law, physic, and divinity, the army, and the navy, it seemed a matter of some difficulty how to provide for

him.

""Tis a lucky thing for you, Tom," said Sir Robert, "that I have the command of four votes, and can, therefore, obtain from ministers any thing in reason I choose to ask."

Now, although I am certain these were the very words used by Sir Robert, I never, for the soul of me, could understand what he meant by having the command of four votes; still less, by the most industrious application of my reasoning faculties, could I ever perceive the remotest connexion between such a possession, and a certain degree of influence with ministers, which he considered as its obvious and natural consequence. However, such was his expression.

Young Maxwell's inclinations tending towards politics, a valuable appointment in the office of the for the department, was procured for him, with an understanding that, at the first convenient opportunity, he should have a seat in Parliament. Shortly after this, Sir Robert died; and his son succeeded to the title and estates.

Between the latter and Maxwell as close a friendship had always existed as could exist between two persons whose habits and occupations were diametrically opposed; and Maxwell, presuming, perhaps, too far upon this, (and entertaining, as he did, a stupid notion that he could not better evince his gratitude to the patron to whom he owed every thing, than by endeavouring, to the utmost of his power, to save his son from ruin,) would sometimes take the liberty to make it too evident to Sir Harry that the system of extravagance he pursued must inevitably lead to the utter destruction of his fortune. The result of one of these remonstrances was an intimation from Sir Harry, that unless Mr. Maxwell could find more amusing topics for conversation, his absence from Street would be particularly desirable; and Mr. Maxwell not being able to comply with the first condition, he very coolly availed himself of the other. The Baronet's astonishment at the present visit is thus accounted for.

"Ha! Tom, how do? devilish glad to see you," said Sir Harry, holding out one hand, and with the other depositing the little phial of laudanum, together with the letters he had written, in a drawer of his dressing-table; devilish glad, 'pon my soul I am; but no preaching, Tom."

"

"No, no; my preaching days are over." "So much the better; and I'm glad to find that, in that respect at least, I have succeeded in reforming you, whatever may have been your success inHe suddenly stoppedwalked towards the window-returned-and continued." No matter-Stay and dine with me; you will meet Dashmore, and Leslie, and Colonel D-, and-in short, all friends of yours."

To tell you the truth, Highflyer, I came for the purpose of billeting myself upon you. I met Leslie this morning, who told me of your party. And-" (here he made an unaccountable pause,)-"But since I am here, will you allow me to send a message to my servant to bring my things here to dress? 'Twill save me the trouble of going home." "Ay, to be sure; Laurent will be here presently, and he shall send somebody to him?" Had Sir Harry been in a state of mind to think to any purpose, he would have thought

that, considering the terms on which they had
stood for some time past, all this was very
strange.

By the time Laurent had finished dressing
his master, Maxwell's servant arrived; and
Sir Harry descended to the drawing-room to
receive his guests, leaving his friend to per-
form the duties of the toilette.

than to live. Again: untempted affluence may enlarge on the dignity of our nature; it is only when living in the depths and drinking of the dregs of poverty, that we know the unimaginable evils bound up in the human heart; -the meanness, the grossness, the pride, the hate, the envy, and the cruelty, that, like serpents in a nest, lie hushed and still when fed, "Another pin, Ward," said Maxwell to his but writhe, and sting, and hiss, when aroused servant. "Plague on the inventor of this tie ! by the fury of want! My Last Night's Dream! it requires as many pins as the frock of a Had one told me, years ago, when presiding as boarding-school romp." But Ward having ex- master over an elegant, nay, a sumptuous hausted all the pins in Sir Harry's cushion, his mansion, a centre to devoted and gifted master opened first one drawer and then ano- friends; playing the good Samaritan abroad, ther, till coming to that in which the Baronet and the good centurion among my dependants had deposited the letters, he was astonished at at home; had one told me then, that avarice perceiving that the letter on the top of the pile would ever so seize upon my vitals, that even was addressed to Lord Dashmore, who was to in my sleep my dreams should be of sins combe of the party that very afternoon, and the mitted for gold, of scenes that the love of next beneath to himself! In addition to these lucre has desolated like a plague; that I,-in were letters addressed to his agent, to his soli- my prosperity, the gentle, the kind, the lovcitor, and to his aunt, Lady Mary , whoming,-should be fitted, by my waking thoughts, he had offended beyond all hope of pardon. to become an actor in those dreams! Why, "This is very strange!" He continued his what a whited sepulchre is man! I dreamt, search. "Good God!-Ward-I have no far- then, but it was not one continuous and unther occasion for you: you may go.-Unless I broken vision, but a dream of episodes, conam at home by one, you needn't- -yes-you nected only by the spirit that reigned throughhad better be in waiting for me- -that's all. out, and the person who appeared in every

Stay-call a hackney-coach immediatelydon't bring it to the door, but wait with it at the corner of the street."

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(To be continued.)

MY LAST NIGHT'S DREAM.
BY MRS. JEWSBURY.
"Money brings honour, friends, conquest, and realms."
Paradise Regained.
"The love of money is the root of all evil."-St. Paul.
I HAVE Wealth, and I have learned to loathe
life; I am young, and I have envied age and
decrepitude; I have wife and child, yet my
eye and heart are evil towards them: think
me neither fiend nor madman-I am only
POOR. To many that word conveys little no-
tion of wretchedness and degradation. Sages
and moralists ofttimes, in their speeches, as-
sociate poverty and cheerfulness; poverty and
content: but sages and moralists lie. When I
was rich (once I was so) I talked lightly too;
I did not love money then, for I boasted and
believed that I esteemed my fellows for their
own sakes, and was by them esteemed for
mine. I thought that happiness was inde-
pendent of circumstances; that affection, re-
finement, and fame, depended solely on quali-
ties, and were never affected by the accidents
of condition and herein I thought as a fool.
There came a time when I was made to think
differently; and it came suddenly. My wealth,
that I deemed a rock, proved to be a mound of
earth overhanging a precipice; it tottered,
crumbled, fell. Since then the lust of gold
has taken possession of my soul; for now I
know its worth. I know now the power that
will move the human spirit to deeds the vilest,
and deeds in their effects the most splendid.
I know now the principle that exerts over hu-
man destiny the influence that fable attributed
to the planets. I perceive now the super-emi-
nent worth of that which, when possessed, I
considered merely useful. I perceive that,
without it, every blessing is, in some sense,
cursed. That which you love must bow to
labour; that which is lovely may be bought
and sold for destruction; genius, that vanity
terms the lord, necessity makes the hireling of
Mammon; refinement is the child, not of
drudgery, but of leisure; and the hunger
after fame is turned, by poverty, into the hun-
ger after bread. If you are old and rich, you
may wrap your palsied limbs in the furs of
emperors; if learned and rich, purchase the li-
braries of nations; if a lover and rich, you may
deck your mistress in the spoils of the east,
and worship with more than words; if a
friend, you may imitate the bounty of nature;
if a philanthropist, the benignity of God.
The poor and old; learned and poor; a lover
and poor; a friend and philanthropist, yet
poor-turn aside and die; it is less painful

scene.

And at first I seemed removed to another world, far different and far distant from any country I had ever seen. Towns and villages there were; and glittering under a brighter sun, and skies more intensely beautiful, than ours; but they were not like the buildings of northern climes and matured civilization; they rather resembled the shining structures called up by an enchanter's wand, to be inhabited by a soft and indolent people, prone to simple pleasures, and acquainted only with inartificial pursuits. The character of the surrounding country was also different from any I had previously beheld. The earth teemed with vegetation, even to luxuriant wildness; fruits and flowers, the jewelry of nature, met the eye and solicited the hand in the most splendid varieties of form and colour; fragrance exhaled from magnificent and unknown trees; and birds, beautiful as winged blossoms, darted through the air or fluttered amongst the branches. The land had remained the paradise it was, but its mountains and rivers contained gold, and the Spaniard sought it. Then the native song was no longer heard at nightfall; the flowers that once enwreathed the cottage were trodden down; the maize grounds lay desolate; the once pleasant and prolonged repast was snatched in haste and silence; there was heard a sound of groans, execrations, and the clank of fetters, instead of melody and the voice of content; and the Indians were bowed down, body, soul, and spirit, to labour, and servitude, and sorrow. I saw one, a young Cacique, bolder in heart than his brethren; he fled with the remnant of his tribe to a fastness among the mountains, and there, for some time, remained in safety, except for remembrance, happy. But one day the Spaniard stole upon him when he was separated from his people. Ancoana, for so he called his beautiful bride, was sleeping beside him; and he leaned over her, shading her slumbers from the noontide sun, with flowers and branches plucked from the forest trees. He had despoiled himself of all his ornaments since compelled to be a fugitive, yet, true to that impulse of the heart, which longs to adorn whatsoever it loves, Ancoana was still adorned as if his fortune was still at its height. But the Spaniard found them, one sleeping, and both secure. He was a Hidalgos who led the way; a man, when amongst his own countrymen, jealous of his honour and proud of his integri ty; but the land of the Cacique yielded gold, "and the gold of that land was good." He stripped Ancoana of her ornaments; I saw his eye sparkle as he tore them rudely from her person; and when he found that the pearls which adorned her hair were strung upon the braids, he shred the long dark locks from her

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