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very well, and flourishing, I hear; but I must see also. I feel no disposition to resign it to the contagion of its grandmother's society.' The assertion of her dishonourable conduct in employing a spy, p. 645, 1. 7, &c. A Mrs. C. (now a kind of house-keeper and spy of Lady N.'s) who, in her better days was a washerwoman, is supposed to be-by the learnedvery much the occult cause of our domestic discrepancies.' The seeming exculpation of myself, in the extract, p. 646, with the words immediately following it- her nearest relatives are a;' where the blank clearly implies something too offensive for publication. These passages tend to throw suspicion on my parents, and give reason to ascribe the separation either to their direct agency, or that of officious spies' employed by them.*-From the following part of the narrative, p. 642, it must also be inferred that an undue influence was exercised by them for the accomplishment of this purpose. It was in a few weeks after the latter communication between us (Lord Byron and Mr. Moore) that Lady Byron adopted the determination of parting from him. She had left London at the latter end of January, on a visit to her father's house, in Leicestershire, and Lord Byron was in a short time to follow her. They had parted in the utmost kindness -she wrote him a letter full of playfulness and affection, on the road; and immediately. on her arrival at Kirkby Mallory, her father wrote to acquaint Lord Byron that she would return to him no more.' In my observations upon this statement, I shall, as far as possible, avoid touching on any matters relating personally to Lord Byron and myself. The facts are: I left London for Kirkby Mallory, the residence of my father and mother, on the 15th of January, 1816. Lord Byron had signified to me in writing, (January 6th) his absolute desire that I should leave London on the earliest day that I could conveniently fix. It was not safe for me to undertake the fatigue of a journey sooner than the 15th. Previously to my departure, it had been strongly impressed on my mind, that Lord Byron was under the influence of insanity. This opinion was derived in a great measure from the communications made to me by his nearest relatives and personal attendant, who had more opportunities than myself of observing him during the latter part of my stay in town. It was even represented to me that he was in danger of destroying himself. With the concurrence of his family, I had consulted Dr. Baillie as a friend, (January 8th) respecting this supposed malady. On acquainting him with the case, and with Lord Byron's desire that I should leave London, Dr. Baillie thought that my absence might be advisable as an experiment, assuming the fact of mental derangement; for Dr. Baillie, not having had access to Lord Byron, could not pronounce a positive opinion on that point. He enjoined that in correspondence with Lord Byron, I should avoid all but light and soothing topics. Under these impressions, I left London, determined to follow the advice given by Dr. Baillie. Whatever might have been the nature of Lord By. ron's conduct towards me from the time of my marriage, yet, supposing him to be in a state of mental alienation, it was not for me, nor for any person of common humanity, to manifest, at that moment, a sense of injury. On the day of my departure, and again on my arrival at Kirkby, January 16th, I wrote to Lord Byron in a kind and cheerful tone, according to those medical directions.

changed by persuasion and interference when | I was under the roof of my parents. These assertions and inferences are wholly destitute of foundation. When I arrived at Kirkby Mallory, my parents were unacquainted with the existence of any causes likely to destroy my prospects of happiness; and when I communicated to them the opinion which had been formed concerning Lord Byron's state of mind, they were most anxious to promote his restoration by every means in their power. They assured those relations who were with him in London, that "they would devote their whole care and attention to the alleviation of his malady," and hoped to make the best arrangements for his comfort, if he could be induced to visit them. With these intentions my mother wrote on the 17th to Lord Byron, inviting him to Kirkby Mallory. She had always treated him with an affectionate consideration and indulgence, which extended to every little peculiarity of his feelings. Never did an irritating word escape her lips in her whole intercourse with him. The accounts given me after I left Lord Byron by the persons in constant intercourse with him, added to those doubts which had before transiently occurred to my mind, as to the reality of the alleged disease, and the reports of his medical attendant, were far from establishing the existence of any thing like lunacy.

Under this uncertainty, I deemed it right to communicate to my parents, that if I were to consider Lord Byron's past conduct as that of a person of sound mind, nothing could induce me to return to him. It therefore appeared expedient both to them and myself to consult the ablest advisers. For that object, and also to obtain still further information respecting the appearances which seemed to indicate mental derangement, my mother determined to go to London. She was empowered by me to take legal opinions on a written statement of mine, though I had then reasons for reserving a part of the case from the knowledge even of my father and mother. Being convinced by the result of those inquiries, and by the tenour of Lord Byron's proceedings, that the notion of insanity was an illusion, I no longer hesitated to authorize such measures as were necessary, in order to secure me from being ever again placed in his power. Conformably with this resolution, my father wrote to him on the 2d of February, to propose an amicable separation. Lord Byron at first rejected this proposal; but when it was distinctly notified to him, that if he persisted in his refusal, recourse must be had to legal measures, he agreed to sign a deed of separation. Upon applying to Dr. Lushington, who was intimately acquainted with all the circumstances, to state in writing what he recollected upon this subject, I received from him the following letter, by which it will be manifest that my mother cannot have been actuated by any hostile or ungenerous motive towards Lord Byron :

"My dear Lady Byron,-I can rely upon the accuracy of my memory for the following statement: I was originally consulted by Lady Noel on your behalf, whilst you were in the country; the circumstances detailed by her were such as justified a separation, but they were not of that aggravated description as to render such a measure indispensable. On Lady Noel's representation, I deemed a reconciliation with Lord Byron practicable, and felt most sincerely a wish to aid in effecting it. There was not on Lady Noel's part any exag geration of the facts; nor, so far as I could The last letter was circulated, and employed perceive, any determination to prevent a reas a pretext for the charge of my having been turn to Lord Byron; certainly none was exsubsequently influenced to "desert" my hus-pressed when I spoke of a reconciliation. band. It has been argued, that I parted from Lord Byron in perfect harmony;-that feelings incompatible with any deep sense of injury had dictated the letter which I addressed to him: and that my sentiments must have been

"The officious spies of his privacy." p 650. "The deserted husband."-p. 651.

When you came to town in about a fortnight, or perhaps more, after my first interview with Lady Noel, I was for the first time informed by you of facts utterly unknown, as I have no doubt, to Sir Ralph and Lady Noel. On receiving this additional information my opinion was entirely changed: I declared my opinion, and added, that if such an idea should be en

tertained, I would not, either professionally or otherwise, take any part towards effecting it. Believe me, very faithfully yours, STEPH. LUSHINGTON.

Great George street, Jan. 31, 1830.”

I have only to observe, that if the statements on which my legal advisers (the late Sir Samuel Romilly and Dr. Lushington,) formed their opinions, were false, the responsibility and the odium should rest with me only. I trust that the facts which I have here briefly recapitulated will absolve my father and mother from all accusations with regard to the part they took in the separation between Lord Byron and myself. They neither originated, instigated, nor advised that separation; and they cannot be condemned for having afforded to their daughter the assistance and protection which she claimed.-There is no other near relative to vindicate their memory from insult. I am therefore compelled to break the silence which I had hoped always to observe, and to solicit from the readers of Lord Byron's Life an impartial consideration of the testimony extorted from me. A. 1. NOEL BYRON.

Hanger Hill, Feb. 19, 1830.

Varieties.

An Incident which happened to the Rev. Author, in Paris.-Perhaps a more lively iden may be conceived of the manner in which Sunday is observed, or rather disregarded, in this gay city, by the following incidents, in which I was undesignedly implicated, than by any general remarks. By a mistake, which might naturally enough occur to one journeying from place to place, and having his mind occupied by a variety of objects, I had lost a day in my reckoning, and Sunday came, when I supposed it to be Saturday. Having some business to transact, I breakfasted as usual at a cafe, and repaired to the booksellers, all of whose shops I found open. The streets and quays were thronged as at other times; the stores were all open; the market-places were crowded with buyers and sellers; and in no quarter did there appear the least cessation of business, to remind one of the day of rest. After being engaged till dinner time, I went out in search of refreshment. The sound of labour was dying away-the tradesmen were closing their shops-the bells of Notre Dame were pealing forth, and large groups of welldressed citizens were collecting in the gardens and Boulevards. Presuming that it might be the day of some festival in the Romish calender, I made inquiry, and was answered that it was Sunday. Whaeton's Travels.

About a century ago, one Captain Walton, of the British navy, having been detached from the main fleet, on a particular service, announced his success to the admiral in these laconic terms: "Sir, we have taken and destroyed all the Spanish ships and vessels, which were upon the coast, as per margin."

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The following letter from Samuel Boyse, a poor poet of the 18th century, to the editor of the Gentleman's Magazine, nay let some into the secret of mere literary pleasures, independent of pecuniary aid.

Sir, I wrote you yesterday an account of my unhappy case. I am every moment threatened to be turned out here, because I have not money to pay for ny bod two nights past, which is usually paid beforehand; and I am loth to go into the counter, till I can see if my affair can possibly be made up. I hope therefore you will have the humanity to send me half a guinea for support, till I can finish your papers in my hands. The Ode on the British Nation, I hope to have done to-day, and want a proof copy of that part of Stowe you design for the present Magazine, that it may be improved as far as possible from your assistance. Your papers are but ill transcribed. I agree

with you as to St. Augustine's case. I humbly intreat your answer, having not tasted any thing since Tuesday evening I came here; and my coat will be taken off my back for the charge of the bed, so that I must go into prison naked, which is too shocking for me to think of. I am, with sincere regard, sir, your unfortunate humble servant, S. BOYSE. Crown Coffee House, Grocer's Alley, Poultry, July 21, 1742.

Method of obtaining Skeletons of small Fishes. Some time since I was employed in making observations on the produce of some of the ponds in the neighbourhood of London; and I discovered that the tadpole was a very serviceable animal in anatomizing the very small fishes, as well as some of the larger sorts, generally found in such places; the tadpole acting in the same manner as the ant. I have tried the experiment several times, and on various sorts of fishes, and was always successful, particularly with that very little one called by children Stickleback: even in these the skeleton was at all times perfect. My method is this: I suspend the fish by threads attached to the head and tail, in a horizontal position, in a jar of water such as is found in the pond, and change it often till the tadpoles have finished their work, which if two or three tadpoles are allowed to work on so small a fish as the species just mentioned, they will complete in twenty-four hours. I always select the smallest sort of tadpoles, as they can insinuate themselves between the smallest bones, without destroying their articulation.-T. Bluett.

Lightning Rods.-It is most curious to find, however, that this very conductor or rod, which so many men of genius, learning, and ingenuity, have been at the pains to complete, -which in fact has been always regarded as one of the proudest trophies of science, was known and employed by a people of no more refined cultivation than the wild peasantry of Lombardy. The Abbè Berthollet, in his work on the Electricity of Meteors, describes a practice used on one of the bastions of the Castle of Duino, on the shores of the Adriatic, which has existed from time immemorial, and which is literally neither more nor less than the process that enabled Franklin to bring down lightning from the clouds. An iron staff, it secms, was erected on the bastion of this castle during the summer, and it was part of the duty of the sentinel, whenever a storm threatened, to raise an iron pointed halberd towards this staff. If, upon the approach of the halberd, sparks were emitted (which, to the scientific mind, would show that the staff was charged with electricity from a thunder cloud), then the sentinel made sure that a storm impended, and he tolled a bell which sent forth the tidings of danger to the surrounding country. Nothing can be more delightfully amiable than the paternal care of its subjects, which this interesting provision of the local government exemplified. The admonishing sound of the bell was obeyed like a preternatural signal from the depths of the firmament; shepherds were seen hurrying over the valleys, urging their flocks from the exposed fields to places of shelter. The fishing boats, with which the coast of the Adriatic was generally studded, forthwith began to crowd sail and make for the nearest port, whilst many a supplication was put up from many a gentle and devout heart on shore, before some hallowed shrine, for the safety of the little fleet.

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ed with portraits of the Chiefs who have visited the capital as deputies from their several tribes, and who are complimented by having their likenesses painted at the public expense. This árray is very imposing, and the portraits highly interesting. There are also preserved here, presents from the Indians, specimens of their ingenuity, implements, dresses, and a variety of aboriginal curiosities.

In the treaty room I was shown a cabinet containing all the treaties to which the United States is a party. Each is elegantly written upon parchment, in the form of a folio book, the cover of velvet, variously ornamented with gold, silver, or silk embroidery. Appended to each volume is a heavy cord of silk and gold, or silver, terminating in two large tassels of the same, to which is fastened the seal of the foreign nation, impressed upon wax, and enclosed in a silver box, on the lid of which the arms of the party is embossed. The English treaties are bound in crimson, ornamented

with gold crowns; the American in purple,

worked with silk. I examined with interest the autographs of nearly all the sovereigns now in power, and of those from whom the sceptre has in one way or another departed.

In a third room were exhibited, amongst other sights, a number of presents conferred by foreign potentates upon American citizens, and which they deposited here to avoid the disfranchisement denounced by the Constitution. A gold snuff-box, adorned with diamonds, presented by the late Emperor of Russia to your townsman Mr. Harris, is valued at $15,000.-In the collection were some splendid medals, swords, guns, &c.

I cannot avoid contrasting the meanness of the building occupied by the Departments, with the Capitol and the President's Mansion. It is due to the federal city and to the government, that an edifice should be constructed, in which all the Secretaries, with their subalterns, might be accommodated.-Morning Journal.

Among the passengers in the Charlemagne, are three Osage Indians; who with three others were taken to France from N. Orleans, about three years since, by a Frenchman named Delaunay, who was acquainted with their language. His object was to exhibit them as a "show," expecting thereby to reap a handsome profit. At first they attracted a good deal of attention: but after being some time in Paris, the Police put a stop to their public exhibition,-it is presumed on account of a remonstrance from Mr. Brown, the late Am. Minister. Since then they have been travelling in Italy, Switzerland and Germany, and have suffered much from sickness and want. It appears that Mr. Delaunay, in the course of his journey, got into some difficulty on account of a former debt; and these poor creatures had to shift for themselves. Last summer three of them returned to Paris in great distress. Mr. Barnet, our Consul, who is well known for his philanthropy, relieved their wants, and got up a subscription to pay their passage to the United States. General Lafayette also interested himself very much in their behalf. They embarked in a ship bound to Savannah. Two of them died on

the passage by small pex. The other three, Kachichinka, Gutomy, his wife, and Machakilarango, who have now arrived in the Charlemagne, were sent out of the country by the French government. They are entirely destitute, and are now upon the Captain's hands. We trust that our city authorities will immediately relieve that gentleman from the burden, and take measures to send them back to their native forest. It is proper to add, that the passengers on board the C. raised a subscription in their behalf.-New York paper.

An Uncourtly Preacher.-It is said, a young preacher, dilating before James's face on some matter highly offensive to him, the monarch

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Apology for the Londoners.-Why a man should be despised because he has passed the principal part of his life in a great capital, the seat of government, the centre of civilization, the abode or resort of every thing curious, beautiful and great, we do not precisely understand; nevertheless, it is a legitimate cause of laughter amongst Englishmen; and the native of the most insignificant village, and the inhabitant of any second or third-rate town, glories in his superiority over the Coekney. It is different in France, where the epithet Parisian has hitherto perhaps had too much influence as a stamp of approbation.-Foreign Quarterly Review.

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The Children of Israel should either be treated as fellow creatures and brethren, or we should abandon all boasts about "the spread of knowledge,' "the march of intellect," and the progress of liberal opinions.-Forcign Literary Gazette.

Fearful Believers.—I am not afraid of those tender and scrupulous consciences who are over-cautious of professing and believing too much if they are sincerely in the wrong, I forgive their errors and respect their integrity. The men I am afraid of are, the men who believe every thing, subscribe to every thing, and vote for every thing.-Bishop Shipley.

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.

Communications should be addressed to "E. Littell for the Literary Port Folio,"-and subscriptions will be thankfully received by E. Littell & Brother, corner of Chestnut and Seventh streets, Philadelphia. Subscriptions are also received by Thomas C. Clarke, N.W. corner of Chestnut and Seventh streets.

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

No. 17.

PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, APRIL 29,

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clean. Here and there mats were spread on
the floor: at the upper end were antique-look-
ing chests, covered with glass of different co-
lours, and a profusion of gilding; on these
were models of pagodas, also richly gilt, and
alabaster images of the Boodh, in a sitting pos-
ture, with their large ears resting on their
shoulders, and their legs crossed under them.
The chests contained the sacred writings on

During the late service in Ava, my favour-slips of ivory; and books in the vernacular ite amusement of an evening was to paddle

about in a canoe made out of the trunk of a

tree, and to visit any interesting objects that presented themselves on the banks of the majestic Irrawaddi, which in part of its course winds through beautiful wooded hills, the scene of many a skirmish, and afterwards rolls over golden sands to the Bay of Bengal. One lovely evening I was gliding down the gentle current, and was admiring the luxuriant foliage of the tropical trees dipping their pendant branches into the stream, their leaves glittering with gold, and amongst which insects of the richest colours and of singular appearance wore disporting themselves. Below an aged trunk lay two alligators crouching down, and seemingly enjoying the last rays of the sun. As my skiff approached, they turned a suspicious eye towards me, and then plunged their serrated backs under water. 1 held on my course, and saw at some distance in the jungle the gilded spire of a temple conspicuous over the dark green leaves.

So secluded a fane had an inviting air about it, and thinking that the enemy was at a distance, I pushed my canoe on shore, and shouldering my paddle, wended my way through the entangled wood. The air was cool and refreshing, and I felt myself in high health and spirits.

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With gentle murmur comes the breeze,
Just kissing as it passes by

The shutting flowers and leafy trees;
A twilight gloom pervades the woods,
Through all their darkening solitudes.
And neither were they silent; for besides the
hum of myriads of insects, many curious little
green parrots, about the size of a sparrow,
chattered in a small and angry tone from the
branches, and woodpeckers ran up the decayed
stems, and chirped merrily, whilst transfixing
their prey with their filiform tongues. On
the ground, the occasional rustling of the with-
ered leaves indicated the retreat of a striped
snake.'

I arrived at an open spot, and on a gentle eminence the pagoda rose before me. The tall spire, surmounted by its gilded tee, or umbralle of filagree iron-work, rested on its cir. cular base, in which was a small dark shrine, with a grotesque door-way, to which a few broad steps led; the bells, with their leafshaped tongues, which hung round the tee, were agitated by the breeze, and emitted a wild and mournful chime. Those only who have lain awake amongst the Burman pagodas, and listened to their tinkling bells of different sizes and tones, can know the extraordinary sensations which they occasion. They always pow, erfully affected my feelings, and on this occasion, as heretofore, the spirit went wandering. in a mournful reverie. All at once I was roused to a sense of my situation by a slight female scream; and a maiden in silk attire, with a few white flowers twisted in her hair, who had been beating rice at the door of a wooden building with a triple roof, ran into the jungle on perceiving me. I called to her to remain, but she disregarded me; so I entered the Poonghee, or Priest's house, near the pagoda, to examine it.

The principal room, raised on piles, some distance above the ground, was large and

1830.

other assistance they might want. This vessel, with a crew of probably more than a thousand men, had but one medical officer on board, and he had, unfortunately, been almost the first man killed in the action. Her loss had been immense, and they had not thrown the dead overboard, nor removed their wounded to the cockpit, and the decks presented a most horrible scene of gore and mangled bodies. Amidst this frightful spectacle, about a dozen characters, written with an iron style on palm of the principal Turkish officers, superbly leaves, lay on the mats. I was continuing my dressed, sat in the cabin upon crimson ottoscrutiny of the apartment, when I heard rough mans, smoking with inconceivable apathy, voices outside; and as it struck me that it whilst slaves were handing them their coffee. might be some stragglers from the army, I Seeing the English uniform approach the cabin, climbed up on a shelf, and there ensconced they ordered ottomans and coffee for the Lieutemyself behind an idol, to observe who might nant, who, however, quickly told them that he enter. Presently three stout Burmans came had more important business to attend to. He left shoulders, bound round the waist, and in; their checked clothes thrown across their gave the Admiral's compliments, and offered any assistance. The Turk, with a frigid comhanging to the knee, exactly the old Highland posure, calmly replied, that they stood in need showed formidable calves to their legs, and the costume. On their feet they wore sandals, and of no assistance whatever. Shall not our muscles of the right arm were very conspicu- gravely replied the Turk; "wounded men surgeon attend to your wounded?" ous: on their heads were white and red cloths, want no assistance; they soon die." Returntied in a knot in front: and cigars were stucking to the Asia, and communicating this scene, through an orifice in the ears. Two of them had dhars in their hands, or curved swords, with the handles as long as the blades, most powerful weapons in decapitating or taking off an arm. The third carried on his shoulder a spear, ornamented with the tail of a Thibet

cow.

It was evident that they wanted to make my acquaintance, and for no friendly purposes; most likely to do my head the honour of being presented to his Majesty of the Golden Feet, and to upale my body by the river's side. I felt if I had by chance brought any weapon; 1 found nothing but my paddle, and was annoyed with myself for indulging my propensity for adventures in so defenceless a state. Quietly I remained watching the Burmans, who looked narrowly round; cursed me for being out of the way, and then went out to look for me else. where. I remained in my elevated position for some time, and beginning to tire, thought I might venture to look after my canoe; so, tucking up my sleeves, and pulling my trowsers over my knees, with a handkerchief round my waist, I prepared for a run, and descending from my shelf, looked out at the door, and finding the coast, clear, I was making towards the jungle,. when, as ill-luck would have it, in crossing the open space in front of the pagoda, I saw my three friends near it. Like a good soldier, I sprang into a bush, and commenced a rapid retreat, as if the great enemy of mankind had been behind me. The moinent they saw me, they set up a shout and dashed after me; away we went through the brushwood, in spite of thorns and snakes, opening a way through the branches, and scaring the birds which were settling themselves for the night. I heard my pursuers at some distance behind me, and was beginning to think that I had the best of the race, when at the edge of a ravine, which I had not seen before, I stumbled and fell over a fallen trunk. The foremost of the three was at my back in a moment, but fortunately I recovered myself in time to lend him a blow with my paddle, and then jumped over the bank. I expected them to come tumbling down after me, but they did not; and quickly regaining my canoe, I pushed off into the middle of the stream, and like Crusoe, "I saw them no more."

St. Petersburgh, June, 1829,

J. E. A.

AN INCIDENT AT NAVARINO.
THE firing having ceased at Navarino, Sir
Edward Codrington sent a Lieutenant on board
Moharem Bey's ship, to offer any medical or

46

'No,"

Sir Edward, after some meditation, said, "Did you observe among them a remarkably fine, handsome man, with a beard more full and black than the rest?" "Yes, I observed him; he was sitting next to the Admiral." "Return then on board, and induce him, or compel him, to go with you on board the Genoa, and keep him there until I see him. He is the Admiral's Secretary. I must have a conference; and take with you any persons he may wish to accompany him." The Turk repaired on board the Genoa without any difficulty, accompanied by several persons whom he requested our officer to take with him. Sir Edward was closeted with him for a very long time, when he ordered the Lieutenant to put the Turkish Secretary and his companions on shore at daybreak, wherever they might choose to land. Rowing on shore, they saw the wreck of a mast, on which about a score of wounded or exhausted Turks were endeavouring to save themselves. "I must rescue those poor fellows," said the Lieutenant anxiously. "They are only common soldiers, and will soon die; never mind them," said the Turk, with the most grave composure. "It is my duty, and, if I did not help them, I should disgrace the service, and be reproved by the Admiral;" saying which, the Lieutenant pulled towards the mast, and succeeded in saving about a dozen of these unhappy wretches. As soon as they were stowed in the bottom of the boat, the Turk, after a short, but apparently profound meditation, suddenly burst into an immoderate fit of laughter. "What is the matter?" cried the astonished Lieutenant; "Good heavens, what is there here to laugh at?" "Laugh!" exclaimed the Turk, with bitter sarcasm, laugh!-by Allah! you English are a singular people: yesterday you came into the Bay whilst we were quict at our coffee; you knocked our ships to pieces, killed or mangled all our men till the fleet is one vast slaughterhouse, and this morning you pretend to be so humane, that you cannot pass a score of wounded soldiers without putting yourself out of the way to save them." The Lieutenant was astounded, and having no reply to offer to this odd view of the case, they proceeded to shore in profound silence.

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THE TEA-TABLE.
'Tis there all meet,
The downright clown, and perfectly well bred.
Blair's Grave.
THOUGH all unknown to Greek and Roman song
The paler Hyson, and the dark Souchong;

Though Black nor Green the warbled praises share

Of knightly Troubadour, or gay Trouvér,
Yet scorn not thou, as alien quite to numbers,
That friend to prattle, and that foe to slumbers,
Which Kien Long, imperial poet, praised
So high, that cent per cent its price was rais-
ed;

Which Pope himself would sometimes condescend

To place, commodious, at a couplet's end;
Which the sweet bard of Olney did not spurn,
Who sung the music of the "hissing urn:"
Let her, who bade me write, enact the Muse,
Inspire my genius, and my Tea infuse:
So shall my verse the hovering Sylphs delight,
And critic Gnomes relinquish half their spite.
Clear, warm, and flowing as my liquid theme,
As sweet as sugar, and as soft as cream.
May it awhile engage the gentle fair,
Then gambol gaily in the morning air,
Twined in the tendrils of her nut-brown hair!
Who has not read in chronicle or fable,
Of good King Arthur and his famous Table,
Where Kay and Tristrem talk'd by fits and

starts

Of love and murder, broken heads and hearts?
Like this the modern talk at time of tea,
Of the Round Table and its chivalry,
Who speak, with even voice and equal zest,
Of hearts ensnared, and heads absurdly drest.
'Tis true, a softer race the board environ,
Who corslets wear indeed, but not of iron;
Who play-but seldom combat by the card,
And drink-but drink not through the helmet
barr'd,

The fair alone with Chalybean proof,
Support their busts, their lovers keep aloof,
The Muse is female, and may dare reveal
What I have heard, and some, perhaps, may
feel.

King Arthur kept his court in Camelot,
But the Round Table graces every cot.
Palace and farm enjoy the gentle feast
That blends the products of the West and East.
Where'er, on British ground, our footsteps

roam,

We find it still, and find it too at home.
Whether till eight the formal guests delay,
Or meet at seven in a friendly way:
Sooner or later, still the board is crown'd
The lacquer'd tray, and argent spoons re-
sound-

The homely delft, or far-sought porcelain,
In circling ranks are marshall'd on the plain.
The polish'd chest with curious art inlaid,
Or quaintly wrought by some ingenious maid,
Displays the lawful spoils of venturous trade.
But not alike in every place and time,
The social banquet that provokes my rhyme;
Not social there, where law or logic lours,
At inns of court, or academic bowers:
In silence sip the solitary tribes
Of lank-jaw'd students, and of sallow scribes.
Pot after pot is drain'd, yet not a word
From lady's lip in those confines is heard:
Nought save the knell of "midnight's dreary

noon,"

And the dull jingle of the circling spoon.
Hie we from thence, nor shall we long delay
About the homely meal of every day :
For the dear comforts of domestic tea
Are sung too well to stand in need of me,
By Cowper and the bard of Rimini.
Besides, I hold it for a special grace
That such a theme is rather common-place.
The joyous blazing of the new-stirr'd fire,
The mother's summons to the dozing sire;
The whispers audible, that oft intrude
On the forced silence of the younger brood;
The blooming daughter's ever-ready smile,
So full of meaning, and so void of guile;
With all the little mighty things that cheer
The closing day from quiet year to year,
I leave to those whom more benignant fate
Or merit destines to the wedded state.
A stranger I, a wanderer upon earth,
A thriftless prodigal of tears and mirth,
Must learn, without a cherish'd hope, to see
The loving looks that look not love to me;

Happy, if time at length shall teach me this,
To find my proper joy in others' bliss:
But ne'er be mine the selfish heart forlorn,
The tear of envy, or the laugh of scorn.
I grow too grave, and must in haste return
To the frail China, and resplendent Urn.

Behold the table spread, the lady set; Matrons and spinsters, all are duly met; The younger belles disposed in scatter'd troops, In rows demure, or gaily whispering groups; The female elders chat the time away, (I often wonder what they find to say,) Or sort the pearly-fish in painted pools, (Their light exchequers,) while their coffee cools.

A thing so fine, so exquisitely nice,
It has no gout for virtue, no-nor vice.
Its waspish waist, elaborately thin,
Its hearless leer, and apathetic grin-
That arching eyebrow of inane pretence,
That eye of unimpassion'd impudence-
Are these permitted at a lady's side?
Forbid it, Modesty, and Maiden pride.
Shall be your soft embosom'd thoughts engage
That joins the negatives of youth and age?
Boyish in brain, in heart as weak and cold
As a French Courtier fifty winters old.
Yet oft the feeling heart, the thinking brain,
Attempt to ape him, but attempt in vain:
For, let kind Nature do the best she can,
"Tis Woman still that makes or mars the Man.
And so it is the creature can beguile
The fairest faces of the readiest smile.

What various tones from female organs flow,
How briskly smooth, or languishingly slow;
The pretty creatures laugh, and weep, and rail,
In all gradations of the vocal scale,
From fell Xantippe's emphasis of brass
To the soft murmur of the melting lass;
The smoking board sets all their tongues, in For, though he laughs too loud, he seldom
motion,

Like many billows of the voiceful ocean;
From note to note the keen remark descends,
In squalls begins, and in a whisper ends.
For loud and shrill the bulky bourgeoise
Accosts the beauty of departed days-
With accents tuned with unavailing skill,
The Vestal answers to the Matron shrill;
With temper'd melody of cautious speech
The Hostess doubts and yet accords with each:
Then round and round the breezy murmurs
glide,

The next that comes the hyson to inhale, If not a Man, at least we own a Male; His worst offences are against your ears,

sreers.

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And every absent Miss is named a Bride.
Yon rosy lassie, just arrived from school,
Where all must look, and think, and feel by Then bolts his tea-and straight begins a story

rule,

Uneasy novice of an order strict,
That on her tongue has laid an interdict,
With her small hands the weighty secret spells,
And weaves her fingers into syllables.

Of things like these my infant mind took

note

Ere yet my limbs had felt the straight culotte:
I could I else by human wit divine
What Ladies do, when Gents are at their
wine.

At length the summons of the simpering Maid,
Or bold-faced footman, tardily obey'd,
Calls Lords, and Knights, and Squires, and
Priests, and Bards,

From White and Red to Coffee, Tea, and Cards. When the rude North comes roaring up the vale,

To silence sinks the lily-bending gale:
So sinks the converse of the soft-robed clan
At the hard step of heavy-tramping man.
Lost is the tale, adjourn'd the cutting jest,
The secret kept, the sly charade unguess'd.
With many a smother'd laugh, and many a
flush,

The buzzing watch-word passes-hush-hush

-hush

'Tis but the Parson-perhaps it is but I-
Then wherefore, Ladies, all this mystery?
The Parson, sure, cannot excite your fears,
And I, you know, have neither eyes nor ears-
Then let the tale, the jest, the laugh revive,
As if there were not such a quiz alive.
Oh! let me hear your sweetness; and I'm
stunn'd

With thine, Ricardo, and the Sinking Fund.
As when victorious troops to pillage bound,
In scatter'd bands obey the bugle's sound,
So, one by one, the jovial swains repair
To the soft standard of the muster'd fair.
First the prim Dangler, complaisant and sleek,
With frill that flutters, and with shoes that
creak,

Tells all the news to every aged she,
And points each slander with a low congee;
Pays for each morsel that the Lady gives
With parasitical superlatives:
Whate'er he tastes-'tis excellent-divine-
Above the Coffee-as below the Wine.
Next comes a thing, I know not how to name,
Of doubtful sex, which neither sex will claim;
So rank with Bergamot and Attargul,
That every nose will wind him for a fool-

Of Hunter's perils, or of Bruiser's glory, Talks in an unknown tongue of Max and Mill

ing

And doubtless fancies he is mighty killing.
Now up the stairs, disputing all the way,
Two keen logicians urge their wordy fray:
Abrupt they enter, voluble and loud,
But soon remember that they have not bow'd;
That error mended, both at once relate
To some fair Maid the subject of debate:
To her kind judgment both at once refer-
For each expects a judgment kind from her.
But she, too meek, too witty, and too wise,
To judge between the vassals of her eyes,
To each Polemic seeming to incline-
Allots to each the happy chance-to shine.
Through four full cups their nice distinctions

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Then to the maid he turns his solemn pace, And gravely tells her he has judged the case.

But now the lingering votaries of port
Make to the fair-their long-delay'd resort.
What bulky forms around the table press!
D. D. and LL. D. and A. S. S.
The china rings-the urn is nigh o'erset,
By such a Bacchanalian Alphabet.
With glowing faces, and with watery eyes,
They pass about their pursy gallantries.
What beauties they in every dame behold-
Inspired adorers of the plain and old:
If men were still so happy and so blind,
Could men or women call their fate unkind?
They not remark the glance-the laugh sup-
prest-

In the pert virgin's newly-budded breast;
Nor see their wives' contracted brow severe,
Their daughter's blush, that moves the Dandy's

speer;

Nay, scarce young Nimrod's merry roar can

hear.

Hark-like the rumble of a coming storm, Without we hear the dreadful word, ReformLast of the rout and dogg'd with public cares, The politician stumbles up the stairs;

Whose dusky soul not beauty can illume,
Nor wine dispel his patriotic gloom.
From guest to guest in turbid ire he goes,
And ranks us all among our country's foes.
Says 'tis a shame that we should take our tea
Till wrongs are righted, and the nation free;
That priests and poets are a venal race,
Who preach for patronage, and rhyme for
place;

That boys and girls are crazy to be cooing,
When England's hope is bankruptcy and ruin;
That wiser 'twere the coming wrath to fly
And that old women should make haste to die.
As froward infants cry themselves to sleep,
If unregarded they are left to weep,
So patriot zeal, if unopposed, destroys
Its strength with fervour, and its breath with

noise.

Allow'd resistless as the Son of Ammon,
Behold the great Reformer at Backgammon:
Debt, taxes, boroughs, and decline of price,
Forgotten all, he only damns the dice.

But pause the urn that sweetly sung before,
Like a crack'd lute, is vocal now no more;
Dry as the footsteps of the ebbing sea,
Effete and flacid lie the leaves of tea.
And I, who always keep the golden mean,
Have just declined a seventh cup of green.
The noise, the tumult of that hour is flown;

Lost in quadrille, whist, commerce, or Pope

Joan,

With eager haste my theme is clear'd away;
And, Tea concluded, shall conclude my lay.

LETTER FROM NEW YORK.

BY MR. GALT.

DEAR D, Having passed through the country westward of Utica no less than nine times, it is very probable that the incidents of one journey are mingled in my recollection with those of others. I shall therefore not attempt to give you any thing like a methodical and consecutive description of the different places, but set down my reminiscences as they may happen to arise.

Utica being a convenient resting-stage for travellers going either to the east or the west, many halt there for a day, and generally employ that day in visiting Trenton Falls. It was not, however, the case with me. I have contented myself with what I have heard about them, and with engravings and drawings. I dare say, to those who are affected. with the amiable languishment and all that, which "being a-seeing of waterfalls" produces on your London and romantic minds, while jauntily po-shaying in quest of the picturesque, they are well deserving of attention.

traveller to contemplate his condition, without | golden green, of an exquisite tint, more deliparticipating in his anxieties and fears.

The comparison of a Gothic cathedral to the
grove, is old and trite, but the associations which
the vast forest-aisles and embowered arches
awaken, make the sense of a present divinity
far more powerfully felt than in the greatest
cathedrals, with all their gorgeous talismans
of devotion. I have attempted in the follow-
ing sonnet to describe the first impression of
the interior of the forest, that mingled senti-
ment of awe and mystery with which the
images of age, and strength, and vigour there,
irresistibly affect the heart.

On the Entrance of the American Woods.
What solemn spirit doth inhabit here?

What sacred oracle hath here a home?
What dread unknown thrills through the heart
in fear,

And moves to worship in this forest-dome?
Ye storied fanes in whose recesses dim

The mitred priesthood hath their altars built,
Aisles old and awful where the choral hymn
Bears the rapt soul beyond the sphere of
guilt,

Stoop your proud arches, and your columns
bend,

The high umbrageous vaults that here extend,
Your tombs and monumental trophies hide,-

Mock the brief limits of your sculptured
pride.-

Stranger forlorn! by fortune hither cast,
Dar'st thou the genius brave? the ancient and
the vast!

It must be a matter of sad regret to the poets
that a more dignified epithet than" chopping"
has not been invented to designate the Hercu-
lean task of hewing down the giants of the
woods; for really the business itself is not only
noble and picturesque, but is often accompa-
nied with circumstances highly imaginative.
There is a fulness in the sound of the wood-
man's first strokes much more musical in the

American woods than in ours. And there is
something altogether in the labour of opening
new scenes for the shelter and the industry of
man, that cannot be witnessed without emo-
tion and a strange delight. Lo, it hath made
me again poetical.

The Chopping.

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Man takes their place and science, wing'd on high,

Shall grasp the bolted fires their pride could but defy.

Besides the stupendous toil of "chopping" down the immeasurable forest,-clearing a world with the axe and the hand, there is a more expeditious mode of rendering the land fit for cultivation-"girdling," which is performed by cutting a zone, deeper than the bark, round the trunks of the trees. It causes them to die; and the brushwood having been removed from amongst them, the ground is then prepared for the seed. These dead groves are numerous throughout the western territory; and really, without exaggeration, the sight of them dismayed me exceedingly. I could think of nothing but skeletons and spectres. They reminded me of the most dismal spot on the face of the whole earth-a certain cometery between Calais and Dunkirk, where every ensign of death's black pageantry is displayed in forms so alien to humanity, that all the dramas of Corneille, Racine, and Voltaire, I am quite sure, have nothing in them half so mysterious and poetical. Bu, in the course of a few years, these gallows-looking monuments either fall down and are burnt where they lie,

Hark! to the woodman's axe! the forest's or, being set on fire where they stand, such of

knell

Peals wide and far-the startled echoes
moan!

'Tis as the note of a deep booming bell
Sounding the exit of some mighty one.
As when the fitful thunderbolts of war
Wreak iron wrath, remorseless, on the wall,
Shattering the towers, with cataract-crash

afar,

The startled deer, light-bounding o'er the
The hoary Titans of the forest fall.
brake,

them as happen to be hollow enact a torch in the most magnificent style imaginable-the flame roaring up through them with a zeal that would do credit to the foulest chimney on the eve of quarter day.

After leaving Utica, there is nothing pic. turesque in the features of the country until you approach the banks of the Niagara river. When you have seen one clearing, and the style of the forest, the moors of Scotland are more interesting, as far as the landscape is concerned. To the political economist, however, no portion of the world presents scenes so interesting. The towns rise like mushrooms. I never see a steeple peering above the woods, without thinking of the growth of Jack's bean-stalk. But if the scenery be dull, the imagination is not left without amuseAway! ye denizens of lake and lair, ment in the names of the different places. The stranger claims your homes, and rears his They baffle all conjecture as to their origin, dwelling there.

Halts and looks back, for the rude winds are
still;

And the scared wild-duck, fluttering from the
lake,

Wists not what sounds the silent woodlands
fill.

Although the general aspect of the American scenery is woodland, I think it is not until you have proceeded westward from Utica that you become fully sensible of the peculiar character of the forest. Where the land has been some years cleared, as in the older settlements, the harsh arborous wall, which the tall naked primeval trees present towards the new openings, becomes mantled, as it were, with a second growth, and the skirts of the woods, in consequence, are not, save in altitude, much dissimilar in appearance to our own. Thus it happens, that to the east and south of Utica, the country has, if the expression may be allowed, a more civilized look than to the westward. Nothing, indeed, can be more drear and discouraging than the long dark forest- Being in the mood, I may as well go on with line which, for miles and miles, stands like a another stave. Of all the sights of desolation precipice on each side of the road, with only a -the field of battle not excepted-an extennarrow strip of "improvement" (as the Ame-sive clearing before the "logs," as the felled ricans call it) between, as melancholious as a churchyard: the stumps of the headstones bear an impressive resemblance.

The interior of the woods is singularly silent-I would say, is awful. When the air is calm, scarcely a sound of any kind is to be heard, for the few birds that flit athwart the gloom are dumb. It is impossible that the European emigrant can enter such solitudes to form his habitation, without dread; nor the

having in their localities no resemblance whatever to those of the ancient cities, their godmothers-only think of Port Gibson between Babylon, Rome, and Palmyra! A friend of mine is building a Port Glasgow, which may be said to stand cheek by jowl with timber is called, are burnt off, is one of the Carthage! I do not object to towns being most impressive. With the settlers who have named after celebrated characters, as some of come upon the land in the spring, the burning them are, but it is the disturbance of all one's is generally briskest in August. The state of the antique associations which renders the pracforest before the fires are kindled is the scene tice ludicrous. I have a great notion, howI would describe; and that your European ever, without any evidence of the fact, that taste may not be shocked at the seeming ex- ancient names are here chosen chiefly on actravagance of my first epithet, I take leave to count of their euphony. The research to deassure you that "green" is often the natural termine the point would be worthy the juvecolour of the American evening skics-anile antiquity of the country. I suspect that

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