Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

permission to emigrate to England. The request was granted; the king assigned them Pembrokeshire, where they took up their abode.

STATUTE OF HENRY THE SECOND.

In the reign of this king a statute was made, compelling every man who held a knight's fee to keep by him a coat of mail, a helmet, and a shield and spear; and that every man possessed of ten marks sterling, should keep a coat of mail, a steel cap, and a lance.

IMMENSE WEALTH OF HENRY II.

There were found in the coffers of Henry the Second after his decease, nine hundred thousand pounds, besides plate, jewels, and other valuables; an immense treasure in those days. A.

The Note Book.

SINGULAR OATH. The following curious oath is administered in the Isle of Man :-" By this book, and by the holy contents thereof, and by the wonderful works that God has miraculously wrought in heaven above and in the earth beneath, in six days and seven nights, I, A. B., do swear that I will, without respect of favour or friendship, love or gain, consanguinity or affinity, envy or malice, execute the laws of this Isle justly betwixt our sovereign lord the king and his subjects within this Isle; and between party and party, as indifferently as the herring's back bone doth lie in the middle of the fish." J.

[blocks in formation]

the same taste has been exercised in the choice of subject, and the execution has been entrusted to artists fully competent to do ample justice to the arduous tasks assigned them. As we intend to analize this graceful visitant more fully in our supplemental sheets, we shall now speak only of the illus trations, which are of a decidedly high character.

The frontispiece, "Adelaide," after Leslie, by Humphreys, is a lovely portrait of a charming fair about to warble "sweet music." If her notes equal her beauty, they must be soul-inspiring. "The Last Look," by Porter, engraved by Dean, wants clearness; too much force having been given to it, has deteriorated the picture. "The Maid of Rajasthan," drawn by Colonel James Tod, and transferred by Finden, is a magnificent plate-eastern scenes are peculiarly interesting, and this is one of more than ordinary attraction. "The Rejected," by Stephanoff, engraved by Goodyear, would be a perfect picture, if the figures were not so tall. The tale is well told, the lady cannot love, why? because, we presume, another cavalier basks in the sunshine of her favour. Leaving the abashed wooer to sigh in secret, we turn to a happier subject-" The Accepted," which is an apt illustration of " there's the church and here's the ring." Mr. Sharp has here embodied, with considerable skill, a pleasing theme, and C. Rolls has done justice to it. Obeying the burthen of the pretty ballad which accompanies "The Accepted," we turn to gaze with awe and wonder at Mr. Purser's scene of peril, "The Mountain Torrent," which has been so increased "by sudden floods and falls of water," as to carry away an antiquated bridge that crosses the river, just at the instant a fugitive has cleared it: some of her pursuers are seen hanging to the shattered fragments in imninent danger; whilst the castle and village of Saint Michael, crowned by the Tyrolese Alps, fill in the distance, and give a romantic effect to the whole. The painting is a splendid performance, and the engraving, by Goodall, is a chef d' ouvre we shall be much mistaken if the "Mountain Torrent" does not increase the fame of both artists.-"Saint Mark's Place," by Prout, is one of those busy, brilliant scenes in which his fancy delights to revel. The Venetian Quadrangle is in his best style, and the engraving of Roberts is equally good. "Ascanius in the Lap of Venus," by

Wood, engraved by Davenport, is the work of no ordinary genius. The infant, slumbering on the bosom of the airborne goddess, is a faithful picture of happy childhood and unsuspecting innocence: too much praise cannot be given to this plate, as it is one of rare beauty. "Mary Queen of Scots going forth to Execution," by Stephanoff and Baker, though a gloomy subject, is full of interest. As we are no friends to the headsman, we leave him and his lovely victim, to pass on to "The Halt of the Caravan," a picture of much novelty and interest, to which Mr. Frazer has imparted an air of reality: we should imagine the artist has been a spectator of such scenes, from the fidelity displayed in this. Our remarks upon the "Last Look," may be applied to "Auld Robin Gray;" though a design full of character, it has too much colour to please us. The last illustration, Poesie, is not least in our esteem; the face is one of vast intellectual beauty, and may be considered a perfect personification of the Muse. We have been lengthy in our remarks, in order to endeavour to do justice to our subject, and if we have failed, it is for lack of words to speak how highly we think of these extremely clever embellishinents. We have no hesitation in saying, that the engravings of "Friendship's Offering" will rank foremost amongst its contemporaries.

Customs of Warious Countries.

CHINESE CUSTOMS. For the Olio.

The Chinese no sooner come to years of discretion, than they make provision for their deaths. Every man furnishes his house with a coffin among other moveables, to remind him of his mortality; and those whose fortune will allow it, purchase a piece of ground, on which they build a handsome tomb and a magnificent temple over it, to which they are brought when they die, though at ever so great a distance. Their coffins are made of a very lasting wood, seven or eight inches thick, which makes them appear much larger than ours, but they are of the same form, and finely japanned without, which very much preserves the wood, and makes it the more durable, as well as beautiful. The death of a gentleman is no sooner known to his relations, but they meet and perfume the corpse, dress it in the best cloathes, and having set him upright in a chair, his wives, children, and friends

successively fall down before him, and lament their loss.

The funeral is frequently put off for several months and sometimes years, a paper being set up over the gate of the house, reciting the virtues and commendable qualities of the deceased ; the sons sleeping upon mats about the coffin several nights, and eating no flesh, or drinking any strong liquors, nor can the son enter upon any office or employment for three years after the death of his father; and it is reckoned impious even to laugh, or take any manner of pleasure, during the time of mourning.

During the first year of mourning, both men and women wear white coarse linen, almost torn to rags, the second year their clothes are something better, and the third they are allowed to wear white silk. Three years the widow mourns for the death of a husband, and the man one year for his wife, and one for a brother. F.G.

Anecdotiana.

WILLIAM THE FOURTH.

His Majesty, in his progress from Brighton to London, a few days since, whilst stopping at an inn on the road to change horses, addressed" mine hostess," who was curtsying forth her loyalty near the carriage; and observing that he should return on the following day, at nearly the same hour, requested that the horses might be in readiness, to prevent loss of time.This was, of course, promised. Two poor and aged cottagers, who had also been drawn to the spot to view the Royal person, encouraged by this apparent familiarity, put in their claim to notice, by exclaiming, "God bless your Majesty!"-"And God bless you, too, my good old women," replied the good-natured Monarch; "and, as a Godsend, take this to make your hearts cheerful," at the same time handing to each a half sovereign.

CONNUBIAL CONFIDENCE.

A man who had been robbed by a companion in a public house, was asked why he did not leave his money at home with his wife? "Because, if I did," he replied, "I would never have seen it again."

QUAINT EPIGRAM FROM QUARLES.
On Peter's Keys.

The power of Peter does all power excel;
The Keys are his; in what a case were they,
He opens Heaven-He shuts the doors of Hell,
Should Peter's successors mistake the Key ?

Diary and Chronology.

Wednesday, November 3.

St. Wenefride, Virgin Martyr.-Princess Sophia born, 1777.

Old Speed, speaking of St. Wenefride's Well, in Flintshire, says, that after our saint bad been slain by the lustful Caradoc, that he "cut off her head, out of which place did suddenly arise a spring that continueth to this day, carrying from the fountaine such a forcible streame and current, as the like is not to be found in Christendome. Over the head of the spring is built a chapell of free-stone, with pillars curiously wrought and ingrained, in the chancell whereof, and glasse-window, the picture of the virgin is drawne, together with the memorial of her life and death. To this fountaine pilgrims are accustomed to repair in their blind devotion, holding firmly that the water is of much vertue. There be many red stones in the bottom of this well, and much greene mosse growing upon the sides; the superstition of the people holding that those red spots in the stones were drops of the lady's blood, which all the water in the spring can never wash away, and that the mosse about the wall was her hair, which though some of it be given to every stranger that comes, yet it never wasteth."

St. Clarus, martyr, A.D

Thursday, November 4.

S94.-High Water 32m after 4 Morn—54m after 4 Aftern. November 4, 1688 William, Prince of Orange, landed at Torbay, in Devonshire, and effected the glorious Revolution.

Friday, November 5.

St. Bertille, A D. 697.-Sun rises 18m after 7-sets 41m after 4. November 5, 1605-The diabolical Gunpowder Plot, to blow up the Parliament, with James 1., was discovered on this day.

Saturday, November 6.

St. Leonard, Hermit, 6th Century.-High Water Im after 6 Morn - 26m after 6 Afternos A November 6, 1771.-Expired, æt. 76, Dr. John Bevis, a very able astronomer, who relinquished the study of physic for the celestial science. Dr. Bevis was so unremitting in his observations, that he is said to have often observed the transits of 160 stars in one night. On the death of Mr. Bliss, he became a candidate with Dr. Maskelyne for the situation of astronomer royal, but, as is well known, was unsuccessful.

Sunday, November 7.

TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

Lessons for the Day-2 chapter Proverbs, morning-3 chapter Proverbs, Even. November 7, 1665-To-day the first gazette in this country was published in a half-sheet folio, at Oxford, where the court then was; and on its removal to London, the title was changed to the London Gazette, first published on the 5th of February, 1666. The Oxford Gazette appeared on Tuesdays, and the Loudon one on Saturdays, and this continued till June, 1826, when the London Gazette was ordered to be published for the future on a Friday. Gazettes derive their name from Gazetta, a coin current at Venice, and the price of the first news pamphlet there published.

Monday, November 8.

St Godfrey. A D. 1118.-High Water 51m after 7 Morning—38m after 9 Afternoon. November 8, 1828.-Expired the eminent engraver on wood, Thomas Bewick, who carried to a greater height of excellence the art of wood-engraving, than it had hitherto ived at in this country. The illustrations to his works on Natural History are universally a cemed the most faithful delineations that have ever appeared.

Tuesday, November 9.

Lord Mayor's Day.-As my Lord Mayor's guration festival will this year derive addi-, tional interest from the circumstance of its being honoured by the presence of King William and his beloved Consort, we have gleaned a few particulars relative to the Mayors of London, which we trust will prove acceptable. The city of London was originally governed by Portreeves; but at the coronation dinner of Richard I., the chief magistrate of London had the title of Bailiff, and acted as Chief Butler. The title of Mayor was given by John to Henry Fitzalwin in 1208, and the civil importance of London was greatly increased; the corporation assuming the form and pre-dominancy which, with a few alterations, it has maintained till the present time. The custom of presenting the Mayors before the Treasurer and Barons of the Exchequer on St. Simon's and St. Jude's day, originated in the reign of Edward II. In 1328 the Mayors had the privilege of sitting in all places within the liberties of the city, as the King's Chief Justice. In 1881, Walworth, the Mayor, having killed the rebel Wat Tyler, he was knighted on the spot by Richard II., and upon this occasion the dagger was added to the city arms. Sir John Norman, in 1453, is said to have been the first Mayor who went by water to Westminster, to be presented and hence the origin of the Lord Mayor's Show. The Lord Mayor's Feast is dated from the year 1501, when Sir John Shaw was Mayor, who is also stated to have rode on borseback to the Fleet-ditch, where the water pageant commenced. In Queen Anne's reign the state carriage was introduced, Sir Gilbert Heathcote being the last Mayor who rode on horseback. In the year 1741, the Mayor died, and his successor, who, it appears, was not a freeman of one of the twelve companies, was sworn in at the Tower-gates.

With the next number will be published a SUPPLEMENTARY SHEET, entirely devoted to, and being our first CREAM OF THE ANNUALS.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

THE evening shades were falling as I entered a deep and darksome glade of the New Forest. I had walked many a weary mile since the morning, and was anxiously looking out for some -hedge side inn or farm-house, at which I might procure refreshment, and rest my tired limbs for the night. Ignorant, however, of the intricate topography of the forest, I had wandered since the sun was in his meridian, without seeing a single habitation or meeting one human being, except a solitary woodman. Well pleased was I, therefore, to see, as I entered the dingle, a tall chimney, towering above a cluster of huge oaks, which appeared to embosom the habitation to which it was doubtless appended, and with rapid strides I was making my way towards the cheering landmark, when a peculiarly loud and prolonged whistle assailed my ears. It VOL. VI.

U

seemed so close, that I at first started, and hastily turned round to see who had produced it: but, all around, nothing living was visible. As the mysterious sound died away among the woody dells of the forest, another, as if in answer, burst from the opposite direction; that of the lonely cottage. The reader may smile at the idea, but if he will, in imagination only, place himself in my situation,that of a companionless wanderer in a wild unfrequented spot, to which he was a stranger, with the shades of night rapidly descending around him, and his head full of the legends of terror which the very name of the spot calls up,-he will not wonder at the fact, that I instantly conceived these mysterious sounds to be the signals of a band of robbers. It was in vain that I attempted to divest my mind of the notion; to convince myself of its absurdity; to laugh at my groundless fears; the genius loci kept so tight a hold of my mental faculties, that I could not throw off the incubus that weighed them down. In this dilemma I dared not to stir; I knew not which 157

way to get out of the forest: and, to go forward to the cottage, the appearance of which had hailed with such delight, was only to throw myself on the tender mercies of the supposed banditti, for I was confident the signal was answered from that very spot.

At length, I mustered up all the courage I remained master of, and manfully determined, at whatever hazard, to bring affairs to an issue at once, by going to the dreaded cottage and requesting quarters for the night; and I had already marched two or three steps in that direction, when the sound of approaching footsteps made me pause. My first impulse was to conceal myself; but to do this, my legs refused their assistance, and I remained rooted to the spot, staring in stupified anxiety in the direction whence the passenger would approach me. I did not wait long-in a few moments he appeared, in the shape of the solitary woodman whom I had passed in the morning.

My courage returned on the instant; I felt like a hero, and saluted the man with the accustomed 'good night,' in a tone free from the slightest tremor or agitation.

"Good night, Measter," replied he, you had best make your way out o' the forest whilst there is a little twilight to see by."

"Why?" said I, and I felt my fears returning, "is it not safe to travel in the forest by night?"

"Oh, safe enow for that matter," returned he; but then ye see ye might lose your way, mayhap-and then they tell queer stories of Farmer Gilbert that lives in yon cottage; and sure enow, nobody knows how he do get his living; but, good night, Measter, ye ha' nothing to do but keep straight on till ye come to Lonesome-lane; then down that and across Cut-throat-croft, to where the man hangs in chains, and so along Hangman's Acre, and you'll soon find the keeper's lodge."

original cause of my terror again sounded, evidently at no great distance from me, and was again answered as before. The strongest impulse was now to fly-but whither? I cared not, so that I could but escape, and dashed straight onward-I had not proceeded far, however, when the sound of horses' footsteps on the road before me, again compelled me to stop, for I could not doubt but these were the banditti. I knew not what to do: at length, I dashed aside, and reached a woody glade, where I threw myself, tired and full of terror, among the fern, with the wild resolve of remaining there, as the only chance of safety, till daybreak;-for by this time it was night-dark and starless.

With these ominous words, the woodman took his departure, ere I could find the use of my tongue to stop him, or before I could attempt to follow him; for the mention of the bad character of Farmer Gilbert's house, which seemed to me 'confirmation strong as proofs of holy writ' of the truth of my suspicions, and his dismal enumeration of the places in my road from the forest, had called back all my fears with double strength.

While hesitating which course to adopt, the whistle that had been the

But even in this I was doomed to be disappointed—I had not been long in my new position, ere the horsemen whose approach had caused me to conceal myself, approached. I quivered in every limb as they passed close to the spot where I was concealed; and when I perceived, by the light of the lanterns which they carried, that over the crupper of each of their horses was flung a large sack, I could not gaze on that dreadful object, and think on the probable nature of its contents, without a sensation of the deepest horror and loathing. But my eyes seemed fascinated, I could not take them off the terrific countenances of the men, or the still more terrific burthen of their horses.

On a sudden, the two wretches stopped, and dismounted: they spoke to one another, but in so low a tone, that (they being at some distance) I could not catch the import of their conversation. One of them snatched up his lantern, and-oh! horror!-approached the very spot where I lay!Never shall I forget that moment of unimaginable torture; the misery of years seemed concentrated into that one awful instant; every moment I expected to be seized-my hair stands on end as I write-and murdered. The villain approached, he held his lantern, even so as to flash the light across my eyes; he stooped down towards me! I could hardly refrain from uttering a shriek of terror; but he saw me not, and calmly taking up a spade at a short distance from me, rejoined his companion.

Their purpose was too obvious: in a short time a deep excavation, in form resembling a grave, was made, and the two ruffians proceeded to unlade the sacks, and deposit them in the vault. A

« AnteriorContinua »