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consent Her Majesty has also caused to be signed under the Great Seal."

After this preliminary, rendered necessary by the conditions of the Royal Marriage Act, which provides "that no escendant of the body of King George II., male or female (other than the issue of any princesses who had married or may thereafter marry into foreign families), shall be capable of contracting matrimony without the consent of His Majesty, his heirs or successors, under the Great Seal, and declared in Council, and that every such marriage otherwise contracted shall be void," the way appears to be clear for the future bride and bridegroom, who would seem to be well suited to each other as far as age and rank are concerned.

Shakspeare has said-taught, perhaps, by dire experience-that the husband should ever be older than the wife; founding his opinion, doubtless, on the fact that women grow old faster than men, and that some difference in years is necessary in order that one may not see too great a disparity from him or herself in the other; for while it is not pleasant for a woman to feel herself faded and gray before her husband, it is not, on the other hand, agreeable to him to see that the partner of his life is not his equal in youthful feelings and sprightliBurns felt the truth of this when he

ness. wrote:

"John Anderson, my jo John,

We clamb the hill thegither;
And monie a canty day, John,
We've had wi' ane anither;
Now we maun totter down, John,
But hand in hand we'll go,
And sleep thegither at the foot,
John Anderson, my jo."

In high life and low life the feelings of the heart are apt to be very much the same in relation to certain subjects, and whether the individual reposes under the purple of royalty, or walks the daily round of humble life, there is often more difference in the station and surroundings than in the men. So we may suppose that the young Duke of Edinburgh will be happier with his promised bride, and she with him, than if they were less well matched in years. Prince Alfred, second son and third child of Queen Victoria, was born August 6th, 1844; the Grand Duchess Marie on October 17th, 1853; and consequently she is now in her twenty-first year, while he is in

his thirtieth. An English contemporary says, "As to the domestic and social aspects of the intended alliance, we are glad to be assured by more than general rumor. that it will be one of affection, and being in all respects suitable, is likely to lead, as far as the promise of human affairs may be.. trusted, to happiness; and there does not seem to be any probability of any complications of a political kind arising to disturb their wedded bliss."

The wedding looked upon as so auspicious is to take place at St. Petersburg, in March next, and we herewith present our readers with faithful portraits of the bride and bridegroom elect, who are to commence housekeeping with the aid of a liberal allowance from Parliament. The duchess is to have a dowry of $250,000, and an annuity of $30,000 a year; while the duke will receive an additional yearly income of $25,000.

Looking at the marriage in reference to its political bearings, it would be difficult to imagine a course of events that would cause the Duke of Edinburgh to ascend the throne of England, or confer the inheritance of the Romanoffs on the princess who is to be his wife. The Duke of Edinburgh is the heir-presumptive to the sovereignty of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, it is true; and not very long ago the ruler of these little duchies seemed likely to play an important part in German politics. But so greatly has the aspect of affairs changed since then that nothing seems more unlikely than that any of the minor German States should grow to be of any great importance in European affairs. It therefore seems as if, in connection with political considerations, the marriage of the English prince and the Russian princess is scarcely of greater moment than that of any English nobleman with a foreign lady of rank.

But aside from purely political relations there are other influences attendant upon the inter-marriage of different nationalities which sometimes serve to awaken a kindlier feeling between the two. True, such impressions are uncertain, and apt to be broken up by any jar of the existing relations; but they are not without their effect, and we do not doubt that the Russian princess will do her part to bring Englishmen and Russians nearer each other in sympathy and interest. Such feelings, however, are unreliable, and usually give

way whenever interest or emotion prompts to a collision; but when the times are calm the more friendly element may prevail, and lead the nations to study and understand one another more perfectly. If the marriage of Prince Alfred and the Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna will promote the peace of the world, surely it has a noble part in the history of the times, and we wish the favored pair all the happiness and none of the unhappiness usually attendant upon royalty.

est of all European nations, comes to be reckoned among the most ancient of sovereignties. No European nation has made within the same time anything like the same progress. When the genius and the political system of the French monarchy had reached its very zenith, Russia was peopled nearly by barbarians. Within the memory of living men her governing system was one which might have suited the Amuraths and Solymans. She has now already attained a rank with the foremost

In point of brilliancy and eclat the Duke nations of the world, not merely in war

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THE GRAND DUCHESS MARIE ALEXANDROVNA.

of Edinburgh has nothing to wish for. The Russian monarchy is one of the oldest in Europe. The House of Romanoff itself already ranks among the long-established families of royalty. Compared with one or two other families-that of the House of Savoy, for example-it may seem but of the day before yesterday. Still, it has seen more than two centuries and a half of existence, and dates back a good half century and more before the House of Brunswick. The throne of Russia now ranks nearest to that of England in point of antiquity. So many revolutions have shaped and unshaped other dynasties and systems, that Russia, practically the youngest and fresh

and policy, but in her appreciation of all the various developments of industrial science, and, at least, her aspiration towards letters and art. The common expectation points out Russia as one of the great nations of the future, and to the future may all these anticipations be consigned, while we look at the happy pair who will enter upon married life so bountifully provided for. We notice by the Russian papers that the preparations for the marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh with the Grand Duchess Marie are being rapidly proceeded with, and when the nuptials are celebrated, St. Petersburg and Moscow will be drunk with joy.

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The adjutant, of India, represented on this page, has won its name from the habit it has of marching about upon the parade grounds of Calcutta, or walking composedly along the busy city streets with an air of ease equal to that of any civilized lounger. As may be seen, its beak is enormous, and it finds no difficulty in swallowing a live cat, whole; indeed, whatever comes in its way, be it a leg of mutton, or a fowl, or a tortoise, is seemingly acceptable and disap

pears within the capacious mouth and pouch. Although such morsels as these would suggest the idea of a fit of indigestion, the adjutant is evidently free from all such ills, and is not troubled by his dinners, be they what they may. Awkward as it appears, and even repulsive, this bird performs a very acceptable service for man, as it completely clears the streets of every species of offal that may have been left there, and for this peculiarity it is some

times called the scavenger bird. It is protected from destruction by the laws of the city, and to kill it is a serious offence; yet the young English officers sometimes amuse themselves at its expense in a very cruel manner. They fill a marrow bone with gunpowder, and attach to it a lighted slow match; this treacherous mouthful they then throw to the adjutant, which immediately swallows it and in a few minutes is blown to pieces by the explosion of the "infernal machine," while nothing is left that can tell the story and serve as a warning to other misguided and too trustful specimens. It is said that on one occasion a stout gentleman who ran quickly around a corner was suddenly brought to a standstill by finding himself impaled on the obtrusive beak of an adjutant which was leisurely walking in an opposite direction. It may be questioned which was the most surprised of the two, at the unexpected posture of affairs.

The usefulness of this bird is not confined to its offices as scavenger, for it wages war against snakes and other disagreeable reptiles, especially during the inundations, at which time it follows along the course of the rising water and devours the reptiles which are thus driven from their holes.

We cannot say much for the courage of the adjutant, which is an arrant coward, frightened into flight by even a bantam rooster or a child; yet it is perfectly fearless about attacking the most venomous serpents, which it first beats to fragments with its heavy beak, and then proceeds to devour with a relish. Having a good appetite and unsurpassed digestive powers, the number of snakes and other similar delicacies which it disposes of during the day is not inconsiderable.

The adjutant is very easily tamed, and if kindly treated soon becomes greatly attached to its owner. It is related of one that it was its custom always to take its place back of its master's chair during dinner, and there receive its portion of the meal; if unobserved, it would quickly snatch a chicken or boiled ham from the table, thus confiscating rather more than its share of the repast. In our own Southern States the turkey buzzards perform very nearly the same offices as the adjutant in India. It is from the under side of the wings of this bird that the beautiful Marabou feathers are obtained, and from another very similar species that inhabits Senegal.

The factory which was the foundation of the city of Calcutta, in whose streets the adjutant roams, was built by the English in 1645. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the English East India Company was reorganized, and in 1708 it was augmented by a new party of adventurers who were admitted to its rights, and privileges. This organization was destined in less than a century to govern a more extended and powerful empire than was ever possessed by the Moguls in India. Beside the English, the Portuguese, Dutch and French had established trading companies in India, and there existed the greatest jealousy between the rival settlements. To the good fortune of the English, a physician of the company, Dr. Hamilton, cured the emperor, Feroksheer, of a severe malady which had defied the small stock of knowledge possessed by the native doctor. In his gratitude the emperor, at Dr. Hamilton's request, gave permission to the company to purchase thirty-seven townships in Bengal, beside other valuable privileges which established the foundation of Calcutta's future prosperity. The condition of India at this time was very unsettled, and the whole vast country was the prey of internal dissensions. An eloquent writer has thus described the state of affairs at this time: "A series of nominal sovereigns, sunk in indolence and debauchery, sauntering away life in secluded palaces, chewing bang, fondling concubines, and listening to buffoonery. A series of ferocious invaders had descended through the western passes, to prey on the defenceless wealth of Hindostan. A Persian conqueror crossed the Indus, marched through the gates of Delhi, and bore away in triumph those treasures of which the magnificence had astounded Roe and Bernier; the peacock throne on which the richest jewels of Golconda had been disposed by the most skillful hands of Europe, and among others, the inestimable mountain of light. The Afghan soon followed to complete the work of devastation which the Persian had begun. The warlike tribe of Rajpoots threw off the Mussulman yoke. A band of mercenary soldiers occupied

Rohilcund. The Sikhs ruled on the Indus. The Jauts spread terror along the Jumnah. The high lands which border on the seacoast of India poured forth a yet more formidable race-a race which was long the terror of every native power, and which

yielded only after many desperate and doubtful struggles to the fortune and genius of England. It was under the reign of Aurungzebe that this wild class of plunderers first descended from the mountains; and soon after his death every corner of his wide empire learned to tremble at the mighty name of the Mahrattas. Many fertile vice-royalties were entirely subdued by them. Their dominions stretched across the peninsula from sea to sea. Their captains reigned at Poonah, at Gaulior, in Guzerat, in Berar, and in Tanjore. Nor did they, though they had become great sovereigns, therefore cease to be freebooters. They still retained the predatory habits of their forefathers. Every region that was not subject to their rule was wasted by their incursions."

At this time Dupleix, governor of the French settlement of Pondicherry, had conceived the ambitious project of uniting the states of Hindostan into one mighty empire, of which he was himself to be the head and governor. Of course, a scheme like this necessitated the destruction of the British power, and therefore he proceeded to remove the English authorities, at the instigation of natives secretly promoted by himself, endeavoring to accomplish his grand object, but always under the cloak of a pretence of serving native local interest. In these first attempts the French were completely successful, and the English interests

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were on the brink of ruin, when the daring courage and military genius of Robert Clive saved the menaced British settlements with two hundred European and three hundred Sepoys. He attacked and captured the city of Arcot, which he held in defiance of all the efforts of his foes. Dupleix was no soldier, and the control of military operations was given into the hands of native generals. Clive, a soldier by nature though tied to the civil service, forced his opponents to raise the siege, and thus was decided the fate of India. Riding on the full tide of victory, the company, from mere motives of expediency, were prevented from retracing steps which had raised them so high, or from refusing to take advantage of their opportunities. The French power was entirely destroyed in a few years, and as early as the year 1760 a partnership of traders in England had gained the sovereignty of the finest provinces of Bengal, Bahar, and a part of Orissa, abounding in manufacturing towns of immense population and yielding a magnificent revenue. Since that time the limits of the British empire in India have steadily increased with but few reverses, the superiority of disciplined European forces over more irregular troops, however brave, being plainly manifest. Well may England jealously guard her rich Indian possessions from the longing eyes and ready hands of other nations.

FRENCH SHEPHERDS.

The department of Les Landes, in the south-western part of France, on the one side bounded by the broad-rolling Atlantic, and bordered by the peaks of the lower Pyrenees on the south, is chiefly remarkable for its sweep of barren sterile plain, and its numerous heaths. It has a superficial extent of about 3600 square miles, but has not a proportionately dense population, the number of inhabitants being between two and three hundred thousand.

La belle France, so famous for the beauty of her scenery, the softness of her air, and the richness of her soil, fails to appear in her usual smiling aspect in the department of Les Landes. Indeed, as the district is mostly level, covered with heath, and abounding in swamps, it may be questioned if so dreary and desolate a spot can be

found elsewhere in the entire country. As the deserts of Africa have their welcome oases of green, where the flowers and grass spring, the fountains murmur, and the fruit trees wave their branches in the sultry air, so at long intervals, in the midst of the dreariness of the Landes, appear fertile spots near to which a little rye may be grown, while all around extends the barren waste dotted with heath, firs, or cork trees. The climate in this unpleasant region is very trying to any but the most robust persons; the summer months are attended by a scorching heat, while heavy and chilling fogs hang thickly over the marshes in winter. It may easily be concluded from this unfavorable picture that life among the low lands of France cannot be any too pleasurable, though doubtless to those who have

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