brought out of the diptote into only one pocket. Yet, for all this, the clown may boast of his side slips gulping all its thefts; the Haarlem goblins may have hidden pigmires in theirs; the Cap of Fortunatus may have held plenteous marvels; but, for times past, present and to come, there's nothing like the first day of wearing a large pair of trousers with a voluminous pair of pockets, and always a 'splendid shilling' in each of them. In proportion to the stingy saving or prodigal dispersion of their contents, so may a youth's character in some degree be craniologised for his future destination. P. THE STORY OF A LEGACY. Concluded from p. 963. Ir was a dark and comfortless night; the wind was up, and swept over field and forest in fitful wailings; the moon peered from out her cloudy mantle but at intervals. The high-road had become nearly deserted, and the by-paths fearsome and lonely. Henderson pursued his way uninterrupted, musing on the nocturnal prospect revealed by the casual glimpses of the moon. He had arrived at within one mile and a half of Rainstow, when he was startled by the intemperate laughs and furious riding of some horsemen behind him. He had scarcely time to leave the path clear for them, ere they came up with him; when he discovered them to be Squire Rockton and his uncle George Yeateley, the former in a state of considerable elevation, and the latter deeply intoxicated. They were no less remiss, however, in recognising Frederick, by his voice, and the nature of the answers he returned to their temulent interrogatories. Resuming their pace, they galloped onwards, leaving Henderson, not without some forebodings, the origin of which he could not satisfactorily determine. There was a footpath over the fields which led to Ashby,-a dangerous route after nightfall, on account of a narrow and unguarded bridge, which was merely a plank laid across a frightful chasm called Holm-bank Quarry, an excavation which had many years before been worked for stone; but so deep and dismal had it become, that it was discontinued. A stagnant pool had formed at the bottom, which was overhung by spontaneous trees of long growth, whose tops closed over the noisome water, and, with some slight exception, hid it from observance. The depth, from the edge of this terrible pit to its bottom, was nearly thirty feet; its width about ten occupying to its extremities a nook of ground which was enclosed with high fences. The rock at intervals protruded considerably; and the various holes and interstices afforded shelter to the fox, the badger, the marten, and other vermin; in fact, so unapproachable and secluded an asylum did its ruggedness afford, that it was almost invariably the last retreat of poor Reynard when dogged closely by the hounds; the difficulty of getting at the holes precluding the possibility of their being effectually closed up by the earth-stopper: and it was over this appalling gulf that so frail and temporary a bridge had been thrown as to deter any inhabitant of the vicinity from passing that way after dark; and there was no danger of its proving hazardous to strangers, the unfrequented and unknown path being familiar only to those of the neighbourhood. But Henderson was unfortunately an exception; he had invariably taken that road at night, its proximity to Ashby being half a mile nearer than that of the high-road, and the solitariness of the fields suiting more with his disposition. This fact was known to his uncle Yeateley, for he had aforetime warned him of the risk in taking that route in the dark; but it now left his lips in the shape of an angry wish, of which his sober judgment would have been ashamed, that his nephew's foot might that night miss the plank,-an expression which suggested to Rockton the manner of Henderson's death. He knew well that Yeateley would not second such a design, and he therefore left him, while the latter, growing more and more insensible with the quantity of liquor he had imbibed, unconsciously let go the bridle of his trusty mare, which bore him to his residence at Beechwood Park. That most expressive phrase in the indictment for murder, 'prompted thereto by the devil,' conveys a no less true than fearful idea of the facility with which such crimes are suggested and perpetrated, a remark which was verified in the contriving of the death of Henderson by the sanguinary Squire. It should be observed, however, that he was half intoxicated when he formed the determination of loosening the plank laid across Holm-bank Quarry, and thus ensuring the perishing of his victim. He had resolved to accomplish this demon like act himself; but circumstances threw in his way an agent fully efficient to the compassing of such an inhuman project. Riding forwards, he came in contact with a desperate cha racter, known by the name of "Iron Jack." He was a burglar and incendiary of a long standing; and had escaped the gallows no fewer than three times. There was scarcely a farmer in that neighbourhood whose granary or larder he had not robbed; and the last crime of which he had been morally guilty, though the law had failed to bring it home to him, was the firing of Topton Mill. This casual meeting with, and riding by the side of Squire Rockton at so late an hour, made him more impudent and familiar. He was mounted on a fleet hack, which he had deprived of its shoes, thus rendering his course the more noiseless, and favouring him in his felonious reconnoiterings and escapes. Squire Rockton, knowing his business admitted of no delay, was not long in broaching his designs to this villain, and soliciting his aid in their execution, which was gained by the promise of reward. They were both in a condition the reverse of being sober, and their plan was accordingly matured with but little deliberation. Spurring their horses across the intervening fields, they soon arrived at the gloomy nook of Holm-bank Quarry, where, kneeling down, in the presence of his guilty abettor, with the slow and tremulous caution of inebriation, Iron Jack laid hold of, and completely dislodged the fatal plank, leaving it resting at one end, on the slender roots of a young ash growing on the verge of the quarry. This task accomplished, they hurried their horses back to the high-road, and made the best of their way homewards. A quarter of an hour only had elapsed before Frederick arrived at Holmbank Quarry. A few stars twinkled in the sky, the night wind howled over desert-like fields-and the wailing of the the bittern was heard on the doleful blast. Frederick tarried for a moment at the foot of the specious snare which was shortly to precipitate him into eternity; dismal apprehensions of death and annihilation involuntarily crept over him; he startled at some coming sound," which his cooler perception demonstrated to be but the falling of a shrivelled leaf from the chesnut, which, dropping into the black and yawning pit below him, rustled against the several branches of its trees; and which, though a trifling incident, added to the terrors of the dark and dangerous quarry. His hour had come ;-moving forwards, he placed his foot on the deceitful plank, which bore his weight for about a second,-when, breaking away from its support, it descended beneath the feet of Frederick Henderson, and precipitately whirled him into almost the centre of the chasm. Instinctively stretching forth his hand in his descent, he caught hold of the topmost twigs of a rotten sapling, which snapped like threads of spun glass in his grasp :-he fell through the crackling branches of the decaying trees, and his head coming in collision with the abutting rock, his brains were dashed out, and his body dropped into the pool below, the revolting surface of which closed over his mangled remains! Such was the untimely doom of Frederick Henderson. His murderers survive; but their wretched existence is a death in life,-the curse of Heaven is upon them; and days of despair, and nights of wandering, point out to the surrounding peasantry the sleepless penitents in the moving tragedy of the Story af a Legacy." G. Y. H-N. COMMENTS OF A READER. The Poetry of Delta. On every gentler scene That moves the human breast, Pathetic and serene, Thine eye delights to rest. A MODERN PYTHAGOREAN. THAT the periodical works of the present times materially contribute to irradiate our literature, and to call forth every gem of native talent, few will deny; but how far this species of light and desultory reading tends to invigorate the public mind, and direct its purity and chastity, is a question that admits of some discussion. It is evident, however, that this important charge-the guardianship of the national taste-is vested in the hands of the periodicals; for the mobile vulgus, always panting after novelty, finds in these attractive works, served up monthly between red, yellow, and drab-coloured envelopes, an intellectual banquet, suited to the most fastidious epicure. Whilst this all-directing power is readily conceded, it must be lamented, that it is frequently abused -as frivolity, and sometimes absolute nothingness, seem to characterise many of our periodical writers. An elegant turn of expression, a felicitous phrase, or an apt alliteration, is their only aim, disregarding the far nobler substance of idea, and studying only to indite "words of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Delta, with many others, deserve honourable mention, as brilliant exceptions to the above general remark. It need scarcely be observed, that this "pyramidical bard" is identified in the person of David Macbeth Moir, a gentleman educated in the medical profession. As the personal history of no incognito writer of equal celebrity is so little known, it may not be irrelevant to introduce a few biographical particulars, the substance of which is gleaned from a northern periodical. He is a native of Musselburgh, at which place he received the rudiments of his education. The medical profession having been fixed on, he entered into indentures with a surgeon, and finished his studies at Edinburgh, where he obtained his diploma at the early age of 18. In 1820 he formed a partnership with Dr. Brown of Musselburgh, at which place he still continues to reside. Dr. Moir first appeared on the arena of literature, in a letter relative to Phrenology, which was published in Blackwood, and Delta made his bow, as early as 1810, since which time he has been a large contributor in every department to that singular work. It would be a difficult task to particularise even a small portion of his lucubrations, scattered as they are through so many pages; neither am I aware of his having produced any lengthy work, by which a strict estimate may be formed of his talents. In his Poemlets, he has displayed exquisite skill, and brilliancy and fidelity of colouring in his landscapes and views of nature's loveliness. There is a rich mellowness and dreamy softness about his sketches, on which the mind loves to repose. They are literally studded over with images of visible beauty. He possesses the merits of Wordsworth, without partaking of his faults. He strikes the lyre as nature's poet, the penciller of human life, presenting neither the stern unsocial monsters of Byron, the spirit-stiring scenes and border chivalry of Scott, the depth and pathos of Crabbe, the effulgence and sprightliness of Moore, nor the metaphysical peculiarities of Coleridge and Wordsworth. As a poet, his verse is always clear and harmonious, his imagery pleasing and elegant, and his themes, though of infinite variety, are uniformly treated with a Yea, all must change. We cannot stay: A few brief years revolve, and then Shall occupy our places! Perfection, unhappily, belongs not to mortals. The slight clouds that occasionally flit across his scenes by no means detract from their general beauty. Many of the criticisms in Blackwood are from the pen of Delta; their appearance, under the venerable auspices of the sage Buchannan,* is a guarantee of their excellence. The Gipsey of Leebretzin, a Hungarian Tale; The Shaving Shop, a laughable sketch; and the Auto-biography of Mansie Wauch, fond, good, honest, simple Mansie, claim, I believe, Dr. Mori as their author. H. INCE. Historic Kecords. WITCHES-CONJURORS ENCHANTERS "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, that in many instances pretenders to It is a remarkable trait in history, enchantments, astrology, divination, &c. are, though prohibited from practising with their spells, proved to have been possessed of the power of seeing them fulfilled. adopted by Sir Walter Scott in his RoThis very plan has been mances, and which is considered to be rather objectionable than otherwise, as giving examples of second sight being realized, and gaining disciples to a belief in superstitious omens and phantoms, doing no good whatever either to however, there are instances gathered literature or society. Be this as it may, from the people of other days in this article that may elucidate and warn the credulous reader. Vitellius banished all astrologers out of Italy, enacting that if any remained they should be put to death. in his old age, being full of fears, he Domitian, who enacted the same, yet sent for an astrologer and asked him about his death; the astrologer told • Alluding to his portrait on the wrapper. him that it was near at hand. Then he Constantine forbad all to ask counsel of witches, or to use the help of charmers, or sorcerers, on pain of death. Saul, when he sought to the witch at Endor, instead of finding comfort, was told of his utter ruin and destruction. Natholicus, the 31st King of the Scots, who had usurped the crown, sent a trusty friend to a famous witch, to know what success he should have in his kingdom? and how long he should live? The witch answered, that he should shortly be murdered-not by an enemy, but by his friend. The messenger instantly inquired, "By what friend?""By thyself," said the witch. The messenger at first abhorred the thought of such villany; but afterwards, considering that it was not safe to reveal the witch's answer, and yet that it could not be concealed, he resolved rather to kill the king, to the content of many, than to hazard the loss of his own head. On which, at his return, being in secret with the king, to declare to him the reply of the witch, he suddenly slew him. Cleomedes, a great conjurer in Rome, having practised the death of many little children, their parents sought revenge on him, who, to shun their fury, shut himself in a coffer; but when it was broken open, he had disappeared. Piso, being accused by Tiberius for bewitching Germanicus to death, instead of defending himself cut his own throat. There was in Denmark, one Otto, a great magician and pirate, who used to pass the seas without ship or vessel; and by his diabolical art to raise storms and drown his enemies; but at last, being overmatched by one that was more expert than himself, he was lost in the seas. There was a conjurer in Saltzburg, who attempted to gather together all the serpents thereabouts in a ditch, and to feed them there; but as he was practising his art, he was stung to death by them. The governor of Mascon, a great magician, as he was at dinner with some company, was snatched away by an enemy, hoisted in the air, and carried thrice round the town, to the great surprise of the inhabitants, to whom he cried in vain for help. Anno Christi 1437, in the reign of Charles the Seventh, King of France, St. Giles of Britain, High Constable of France, was a wicked magician, having murdered about 160 infants and pregnant women, with whose blood he wrote books full of horrible conjurations, which, being proved against him, he was adjudged to be hanged and burnt to death. Picus Mirandula writes that, in his time, a conjurer promised a certain prince, that he would present to him the siege of Troy, with Hector and Achilles fighting together as when they were alive; but as he was operating he suddenly disappeared whence none could tell. The Lord of Orue in Loraine, when noblemen or gentlemen came to visit him, used to serve them very honourably with dainty dishes and viands, but when they departed they found their stomachs empty, having eaten nothing. On a time a lord's servant going from thence, having forgotten something behind him, went back, and suddenly entering the hall, found a monkey beating the lord of the house that had feasted them. Others reported that he had been seen through a chink of a door lying with his stomach along the table, and a monkey scourging him, to whom he would say, "Let me alone, wilt thou always thus torment me?" At last he fell into so great misery and beggary, that he was fain to get into an hospital in Paris, where he ended his wretched life. Wierus says, A. c. 1530, there was in Nuremburg a popish priest, that studied the black art, who coveting riches, Satan shewed him through a crystal, treasures hidden in a part of the city. Thither, therefore, did the priest go with a companion, and having dug a hollow pit, he perceived in the bottom a coffer, with a great black dog lying by it, which, while he beheld, the earth fell on him and crushed him to death. C. Agrippa was a necromancer, and was always accompanied (says P. Jovius) with a familiar spirit, in the shape of a black dog. But when his end approached he took off the enchanted collar from the dog's neck, saying, "Get thee hence thou accursed beast, which hast utterly destroyed me!" After which the dog was never seen, and he died a miserable death. Zoroastres, King of Bactria, an astrologer and magician, was burnt to death (says Theat) by the devil. A. c. 1578, one Simon Pembroke of St. George's, London, was suspected to be a conjurer, and used to erect figures, for which he was called in question; but while he was before the judge, he fell down and died, having some conjuring books about him. Julian the Apostate, sending to Delphos to inquire of the devil the success of his Parthian war; while his ambassadors were there, fire descended and destroyed Apollo's Temple, and beat his image to pieces, like to the lightest and smallest dust. Tindal, in his Life, says, " being present where a conjurer was, he hindered him so that he could not play his pranks. "A saint's presence may hinder Satan's elbow-room from doing his tricks." PYLADES. ROMAN DISCIPLINE. The military discipline of the Romans was a perfect model of regularity. When on a march in an enemy's country, a centurion went before with the advanced guard, to choose a fit place for the camp, which was generally on some eminence, and contiguous to a river. The most elevated spot was marked out for the prætorium, or pavilion for the general. Its form was circular, and the top was surmounted by a white flag. A legion originally consisted of 3,000 cavalry, but Caius Marius augmented the number to 6,200. ABANDONMENT OF BRITAIN BY THE The Romans finally abandoned Britain in the year 410. Long before their departure they had quite exhausted the population by repeated levies of men, for the defence of their own empire on the continent. Gildas tells us, that in consequence of these continued draughts the Island was left nearly defenceless. inhabitants of the Isle of Wight, dreading an invasion by the French, prepared to quit the island; but that stern monarch compelled them to remain, on pain of forfeiting their goods and estates. ARTHUR PLANTAGENET. This nobleman, who was an illegitimate son of Edward the Fourth, and created by that monarch Viscount Lisle, was governor of Calais in the reign of Henry the Eighth; but having been accused of a design to deliver up the place to the French, he was thrown into prison. The charge, however, was discovered to be unfounded, and Henry, to make reparation for the governor's disgrace, sent him a valuable ring and a most gracious message. The Viscount was overwhelmed with surprise and joy, which so acted upon a constitution already shattered by a charge as tremendous as it was untrue, that be expired on the night following. EDWARD EARL OF RUTLAND. formerly perished in battle without reMany heavy armed men must have ceiving a wound, in consequence of their being unable to rise without assistance when unhorsed or overthrown. Edward Earl of Rutland led the van of the English at the battle of Agincourt; but being a heavy, corpulent man, he was overturned and stifled in the throng. FATAL EXPEDITION. In the year 1488, Sir Edward Wydeville, captain of the Isle of Wight, embarked at St. Helen's, with forty menat-arms and 400 yeomen, whom he had raised in the island, and sailed to assist the Duke of Brittany against the French monarch. Each man was clothed in a white coat with a red cross. This gallant company was destined never to return: Sir Edward and his troop fell in the battle of Saint Aubin's, and one lad only escaped to tell the sad tidings. ATTORNIES. We are told, that, in the year 1588, an attorney went over to the Isle of Wight to settle there, which aroused the indignation of the inhabitants, who would never permit their island to be polluted with such a being as a lawyer. Sir George Carey, who was at that time In the reign of Edward the Third, the lucky wight to be hunted back with governor of the Island, ordered this un DREAD OF INVASION. |