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asleep as Duncan in Macbeth's castle, when a loud thundering rap at the door startled them amid their slumbers. The diminutive bandy footman had gone home with the coachman and horses, the landlady and her family had followed the example of her lodgers, and before any one could rise to unbar and open the door, to ascertain the cause of such an unusual alarm, a second louder and longer rap had been made upon it, and which awoke the sleepers to an instinctive idea that the house was on fire; a notion confirmed by the strong glare of red light reflected against their windows, and illuminating the apart ment, as the footmen impatiently shook thousands of sparks from the flambeaux. As Bonaparte observed upon another occasion, From the sublime to the ridiculous is but one step.' So it was with the Flybekins. From the most sublime repose they hurried into the ridiculous fire-escapes, in the full conviction that the lower part of the house was on fire; and without waiting to dress, or inquire into the real state of affairs, they gave the signal wordNow!' and both descended in all the freshness of their fears before the pavement of the door! The wondering lord and lady, and still more wondering footman, gazed upon the apparition before them with the most inexplicable amazement, totally at a loss to conceive the cause of such a novel reception. The terrified pair were, like Othello, perplexed in the extreme,' when they found themselves, instead of being in the confusion of a fire, deposited beneath the windows of a magnificent carriage, attended by footmen with white torches, and a full-dressed lady and gentleman enquiring after them, and the meaning of the extraordinary descent. A few minutes served to explain the mal-a-propos mistake; the detected pair sought refuge in the hall of the house, with some such feelings as our first parents experienced when they had tasted the fatal apple in the garden of Eden. The carriage rolled away with the tittering coachman and footmen, and the ill-suppressed mirth of their master and mistress, who quickly disseminated the story throughout the fashionable throng of the party, whither they were bent, and which remained a standing joke wherever Lord and Lady B. appeared. Humbled and confused, the unhappy Flybekins could not retrieve the blunder they had committed, and prudently resigned all their ambitious schemes. So they returned

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to Devonshire with the unlucky fireescapes, sincerely regretting they had ever been tempted to purchase them. But although the disaster had got wind, and with various versions had reached even into Devonshire, they were much consoled by the following narration of it which appeared in the county paper, in a light most favourable to their interests and reputation, although totally devoid of truth in almost every particular. The flaming paragraph run thus: We understand that Mr. and Mrs. Flybekin, of in this county, while upon a visit to their noble relatives, Lord and Lady B. in London, narrowly escaped being burnt to death. The devouring element almost destroyed the lower part of the family mansion in Grosvenor-square, over which the lady and gentleman slept, who had retired early to bed, and who by the accidental return of Lord and Lady B. from a party, were awakened only just in time to effect their retreat by means of a fire-escape, fortunately attached to their bed-room window. We are informed that the fire occurred in consequence of the footmen appointed to sit up for their master and mistress having fallen asleep, leaving a lighted candle in the room. Mr. and Mrs. Flybekin escaped, with the loss of all their clothes but what they hurried on in the confusion, and were conveyed to a neighbouring hotel by their noble relatives, where they received succour for the night.' But unhappily for the Flybekins, the naked truth at length forced its way into Devonshire, and the true statement of the matter was circulated as above related, and now handed down to their posterity. Thus the best version of their story only placed them out of the fire into the frying-pan, and the unlucky fire-escapes merely saved them from the fear of being badly burnt, in order that they might all the rest of their lives be welt roasted !"Offering.

LA BELLE CAUCHOISE.

Comic

GENTLE Reader, have you ever been at Dieppe or Rouen? If not, take my advice, and go there as speedily as possible, and I promise you you will see sights which will amply repay you for any thing disagreeable that you may encounter in the voyage.

At the latter end of the month of May, 1830, I became an invalid; and instead of following my doctor's recommenda

tion of spending a month at Brighton, determined at all risks to see some thing of life abroad; and taking advantage of the steam vessel, soon found myself at Dieppe. I was no stranger to the country itself; but I confess that had I been set down in Rotterdam, the appearance of the town and its residents could hardly have presented a stronger contrast than that of the people of Normandy, as compared with the inhabitants of the northern provinces of the same nation.

The peculiarities which first strike a stranger in this neighbourhood, is the grotesque attire of the greater part of the population, the form of which has undergone scarcely any alteration since the fifteenth century; indeed it is still the custom of the inhabitants of Normandy to transmit, from one generation to another, the rich cap of Flanders lace, with its accompaniment of gold ornaments, that adorned the heads of their respective families some hundred years before.

The first object that presented itself on my landing, that I had an opportunity of particularly observing, was the person of a young woman, apparently the daughter of some small farmer. She was seated at the foot of the gigantic cross on the right hand side of the cliff, and seemed to be watching the world of waters, as though in the hope of catching the first sight of some expect ed sail.

She was dressed in the full costume of Normandy, with none of those attempts at modification which destroy the picturesqueness of the ancient with out achieving the simplicity of the modern style of dress. Her petticoat was made of scarlet serge, gathered round the waist in as many plaits as the utmost ingenuity could extort out of the material; the body of the dress was brown, with sleeves closely fitting the arms. A scarlet fringed. handkerchief covered her neck, and a bright purple apron completed this part of her attire. Let no hyper-critic call in question the harmony of colours thus displayed; they were those chosen by Raphael of old as fit investiture for his Madonnas; and certainly on the maiden in question they looked both attractive and picturesque. Her cap-but how can I describe the tower of stiffened muslin that she bore upon her head!-a framework of pasteboard was first erected, in form somewhat resembling a halfcrescent; this was covered with blue silk, which was succeeded in its turn

by folds of snowy muslin, richly garnished with the finest Flanders lace ;waving lappets, having something of the appearance of wings, rested on the shoulders;-and massive golden earrings, with rings on two of her fingers, and a cross and clasp of the same precious metal appended to her neck, completed her costume.

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No sooner did she find that she was an object of remark, than she arose and left her seat, whilst I, on my part, availed myself of one of the many "6 commendations" thrust upon me, and repaired to an hotel. I inquired of the garçon at what hour the inhabitants were accustomed to avail themselves of the advantage of their pleasant boulevards, and having been informed that my lucky stars had led me to Dieppe on a fete day, and that all the beanty and fashion of the place would be congregated in its precincts between the hours of eight and nine in the evening, I determined to be present.

The sun had scarcely set when I arrived at the scene of festivity, and I have seldom beheld a more agreeable spectacle. The air was loaded with fragrance, and the place was radiant with happy faces. The birds warbled, the music echoed, and a spring tide of enjoyment seemed flowing on the good Dieppois of all ranks. I looked around (I may as well confess it) for the fair Cauchoise, she was no where to be seen, and I felt more disappointed than I cared to avow even to myself. I lingered hour after hour in the hope of meeting with her, and still she came not; at length when I was about to leave the spot, I perceived her sitting with a matron, at the extreme edge of the circle that surrounded the group of dancers.

I approached the spot with an air of nonchalance, and ventured a few commonplace inquiries of the old lady. She appeared gratified with the air of deference with which I listened to her replies; and when I solicited her good offices in procuring me the hand of her young companion as partner in the dance, she seconded my request with a great shew of earnestness. In due form 1 solicited the honour; but in vain. It was declined, civilly, coldly, and peremptorily. There was nothing of coquetry in her manner, and I did not therefore repeat the request. My ancient ally was not so soon to be discouraged; and she continued to repeat, Now do, dear Madeleine, oblige Monsieur; he is a stranger." The nymph turned to me with the air of a princess, and fixing

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her large blue eyes on my face, in a few words begged me to believe, that if she had intended dancing at all, she would at once have availed herself of iny politeness; but added she in a low voice, "I shall never dance again!" Her large eyes filled with tears as she spoke -she then arose, and taking the arm of her companion, left the spot.

There was nothing particularly flattering in this; yet, I confess, that the air with which these few words were uttered, changed the whole tenor of my feelings towards her. I repented of the style of levity with which I had allowed myself (not to address), but to think of her-from a frivolous admirer, those few words had converted me into her sincere friend. I returned home, but could not get rid of her image-I sought her the next day at the crucifix-and on the boulevard, but she was not to be seen. I then visited the churches; and at length discovered her in the one least frequented by strangers. She was leaning over the balustrades of one of the lesser chapels so common in Catholic churches, her rosary and her mass book in her hand; while two tapers burned before the image beside which she was sitting.

Having completed her devotions, she left the shrine, and hastened towards the door, at which she was about to make her exit, when with a feeling of unfeigned respect, I ventured to present the holy water for her use. She appeared to hesitate for a moment, as to whether it would be proper to receive such a mark of attention at my hands; and then, with a movement of thanks. availed herself of it. She passed out of the church; I did not follow her, for I felt that I had no right to subject her to attentions that appeared to be distasteful to her. I returned to my hotel; but was unable to shake off entirely the spell that possessed me. I was not in love with her; of that I assured myself at least ten times a day; and I resolved from mere curiosity to ask my landlady if she knew her, and who she was. Several times I summoned a voice of indifference to propose the "casual" inquiry; but somehow, I don't know how it was, the right words never presented themselves at the right time; and thus a week slipped by, and I was as ignorant of her name and station as when I first beheld her. At length a chance occurrence enabled me to propose the long meditated question. My landlady happened to be in my room (on her daily tour of inquiry, whether every thing

was comme il faut ?) when the maiden in question passed my window. I advanced towards it; and asked with as much indifference as I could affect, who the young lady might be, who had just crossed to the opposite side of the street? My informant stepped on the balcony for an instant, and returned with the long-wished for intelligence-"It was Mademoiselle Vermont, the only child of a small farmer in the neighbourhood. Poor thing!" ejaculated my kind-hearted hostess, "she has never looked up since Pierre Vermont, her cousin, went away. Evil befall the hard-hearted father, who drove to desperation so noble a youth."

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My heart sank within me as I entreated Madame de Louvois to be seated, and begged her to favour me with the history of the young man in question. Madame put her cambric handkerchief to her eyes, with true French sentiment, and proceeded to give in detail the history which I purpose to give in a few words. She told me, with much circumlocution, that Mademoiselle was only child of her parents, who were well to do in a small way; that the brother of her papa, on his death-bed, had bequeathed to him his only wealth in the person of a boy, a few years older than his own child; that the young people had grown up together; and the love they bore each other in childhood had increased with their years. For some time all went on well. At length the parents of Madeleine received an offer of marriage on her behalf from a thriving notary of Rouen; and when it is remembered that the Normans are allowed to be the most litigious people on the face of the earth, the disappointment occasioned by Madeleine's calm declaration that she would have nothing to do with him were he as rich as Croesus, may readily be conceived.Papa sacred; mamma wept; and Monsieur le Cure was summoned : they scolded, and entreated, and cajoled-in vain; and at length the young lady added temerity to disobedience, by declaring that not only would she not marry the notary, but that she would marry her poor cousin! At this declaration they crossed themselves, and locked her up.

The next morning on opening her casement, a note was discovered between the branches of the grape vine. It contained a few hurried lines from Pierre, to the purport that he could not bear to be the cause of disunion in a family 10 which he was so much indebted; that

he loved her far better than life itself; that it was his intention to join in the army, then about to leave the port of Marseilles on an expedition to Algiers; that if fortune favoured him he would return, and claim her hand; and that if not, she would never see him again!

It were vain to describe the consternation that followed this discovery. The maiden refused to be comforted, and at the end of the week the whole party were obliged to capitulate; a messenger was dispatched, and Pierre was to be recalled. The summons was, however, too late; the vessels had left the harbour, and had been long out of sight. "Since that period," added Madame, "Mademoiselle has walked about like a ghost, marring by her presence every spectacle to which ber mother carries her. The only enjoy ment she seeks, is to sit at the foot of the old cross on sunny afternoons, to watch the vessels that enter the harbour, and to search the journals for news from Algiers."-I thanked my hostess for her story, and bowed to her superior experience in love matters, when she added, in a whisper, "that such conduct proved Mademoiselle to be little better than an innocent."

I need hardly say, that alter this story I discontinued my attentions to the lady -save in the single instance of presenting the holy water. This pleasure I could not deny myself; until it seemed an understood thing between us, that I should offer, and that she should receive this courtesy at my hands. At length the beginning of July arrived, and I was thinking of taking my depart ure from Dieppe. Mademoiselle had disappeared from church. A rumour reached us, that a part of a fleet had arrived at Marseilles, crowned with victory from Algiers. The news was confirmed, the Gazette announced that Pierre Vermont had distinguished himself so highly during an engagement, that he was specially recommended by his superior officers to his majesty for promotion.

I delayed my departure from Dieppe a fortnight longer and had the pleasure of dancing with Madame Vermont, on her wedding day.

Since my return, my taste has been flattered by the discovery that I am not the only Englishman to whom the fair Madeleine has proved an object of attraction. Unless my memory strangely deceives me, I recognize her portrait in the Cauchoise Girl of Newton, which adorns the magnificent collection of Colonel Hugh Baillie.-Literary Souvenir.

Customs.

The following is given by Jaffer Shureef as the opinions formed on each day of the week by the Moosulmans of India: If a person have his measure taken for new clothes on a Sunday, he will be sorrowful and crying. If on a Monday, he will have ample food and provisions. If on a Tuesday, his clothes will be burnt. If on a Wednesday, he will enjoy happiness and tranquillity. If on a Thursday, it will be good and propitious. If on a Friday, it will be well. If on a Saturday, he will experience numerous troubles and misfortunes.

If one put on a suit of new clothes on a Sunday, he will experience happiness and ease. If on a Monday, his clothes will tear. If on a Tuesday, even if he stand in water his clothes will catch fire. If on a Wednesday, he will readily obtain a new suit. If on a Thursday, his dress will appear neat and elegant. If on a Friday, as long as the suit remains new he will remain happy and delighted. If on a Saturday, he will be taken ill.

If a person put on a suit of new clothes in the morning, he will become wealthy and fortunate. If at noon, it will appear elegant. If at about sunset, he will become wretched. If in the evening, he will continue ill.

If a person bathe on a Sunday, he will experience affliction. If on a Monday, his property will increase. If on of mind. If on a Wednesday, he will a Tuesday, he will labour under anxiety increase in beauty. If on a Thursday, his property will increase. If on a Friday all his sins will be forgiven him. If on a Saturday, all his ailments

will be removed.

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MOHAMMEDAN MIRACLES. A certain person's ship sprang a leak at sea, and the vessel was nigh sinking, when the captain vowed with a sincere heart, that should Qadir Wullee Sahib vouchsafe to stop the leak, he would offer up, in his excellency's name, the profits of the cargo, and likewise a couple of small models of vessels formed of gold and silver. At that moment the saint was engaged with the barber, in the operation of shaving, and instantly became acquainted with the predicament in which the captain stood. Out of kindness he threw away the looking-glass

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he held in his hand;* which by some wise dispensation of Providence flew off to the vessel, and adhering to the aperture of the ship stopped the leak. On the vessel's reaching its destination in safety, the commander, agreeably to promise, brought his offering of gold and two little vessels, one of gold, the other of silver, and presented them to him. The saint directed the captain to restore to the barber his looking-glass; on which the skipper, in astonishment, inquired what looking-glass he meant; and received in answer, that it was the one adhering to the aperture at the bottom of his ship where the water had entered. On inspection, it was found firmly attached to the vessel; and was accordingly removed and produced. Near the sacred tomb of this saint is a grove of cocoa-nut trees. The customhouse officer observed to the owner, that the revenue which it yielded was considerable, and that therefore it was but just that he should pay a tax for it. The proprietor replied, that the garden belonged to a great wullee, and had never been taxed before, and why should it now? The other said, it did not signify to whom it belonged-the duty must be paid adding, that cocoa-nuts had no horns that he should be afraid of them. No sooner had he uttered these words, than horns sprouted out of a couple of them! From this circumstance the duty on these trees has been dispensed with. To this day are the two-horned cocoanuts suspended near the head of his blessed shrine.

Table Talk.

CHAK SAVAK A BRAHMANEE DUCK.The Hindoos imagine that, for some transgression committed in the human body, the souls of the offending persons are condemned to animate these birds, who are compelled to part at sunset; the male and female flying on different sides of the river, each imagining that the other has voluntarily forsaken the nest, and inviting the supposed wanderer's return with lamentable cries. The brahmins, compassionating the melancholy condition of these birds, hold them sacred, and will not allow them to be molested within the precincts of their jurisdiction.

SINGULAR DISCOVERY.-The Rev. John Kinderley's connexion with Scotland had procured him the acquaintance

*It is customary with natives, while the barber shaves, for the individual who undergoes the operation to look at himself in a small looking-glass which he bolds before him.

of several families in the north, among
was one of his most in-
whom Lord
This nobleman had
timate friends.
met with a lady at Bath, both young
and attractive, and who passed for the
widow of an officer. His lordship be-
coming attached to this lady, he married
her, and they soon after left England
to reside on the Continent. Here,
after a few years, she was seized with
an alarming illness, and earnestly de-
sired her lord, in case of her death,
that she might be conveyed to England
and interred in a particular church,
Upon this event
which she named.
taking place, Lord D- accompanied
the body in the same ship, and, upon
landing at Harwich, the chest in which
the remains of his lady were enclosed
excited the suspicions of the custom-
house officers, who insisted upon as-
certaining its contents. Being a good
deal shocked with such a threat, Lord
D-proposed that it should be removed
to the church, and opened in the pre-
sence of the clergyman of the parish,
who could vouch for its containing
what he assured them was within. Ac-
cordingly the proposal was yielded to,
and the body conveyed to the appointed
place, when, upon opening the chest,
the attending minister recognised in
the features of the deceased his own
wife! and communicated the unwelcome
discovery to his lordship on the spot.
It appeared, upon further conversation,
that Lady D- had been married against
her inclination to this person, and, de-
termining to separate entirely from him,
had gone he knew not whither, and
under an assumed name and character
had become the wife of Lord D-. The
two husbands followed her remains to
the grave the next day; and on the
same evening Lord D-, in great dis-
tress of mind, attended by one servant,
came to his friend's house, in Norwich,
for consolation. It was winter, and
about six o'clock when he arrived. Mr.
Kinderley was called out to speak to a
stranger, and returning to his wife, de-
sired her to leave them together, pretend-
ing that a stranger from Scotland was
Lord
arrived on particular business.
D-sat up with Mr Kinderley the whole
night, to unbosom his affliction and ex-
traordinary fate to his friend; and, at
day-break, in order to avoid any inter-
view with his host's family, for which
his spirits were unequal, he departed.

Memoir of the late Sir J. E. Smith.
GOLD DISCOVERED IN EGYPT.-A let-
ter from Alexandria, in Egypt, dated
August 12, states that M. Linant, a
French traveller, has discovered a rich

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