Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

till within four steps of the ground, when unluckily imagining that he had reached the bottom, he stepped off, goblet and all. After a dismal jolt, but which did not make him leave his hold of the glass, and some desperate floundering to save himself and the brandy and water, he brought up suddenly at last with his back against the wall of the inn. Up to this point he had miraculously retained the whole of the mixture; but this unexpected shock from behind, robbed him of the object of all his struggles, the flight of the cherished fluid was clearly indicated by a dark stripe across the dust, terminating like the burst of a rocket in a bright silver spoon, on the other side of the road.

There is many a slip between the dickey and the lip.

The empty glass hung in his hand
droopingly, but was never replenished;
he put the money into the goblet, gave
it to the waiter without speaking,
pointed to the spoon over the way, and
doggedly remounted to his seat in the
dickey. Possibly the demon of mischief
was at work within me, or it might be
an impulse to avenge the slight of the
other female, but as he took his seat
again, I could not help pointing to the
dark track on the road, and quoting his
own sentiment: "You see," said I, "a
man never loses anything by civility."
He answered by a grunt, turning him-
self a little towards the opposite side,
and I remarked, that from Crawley even
unto Brixton, where he got down, he
never bestowed a word, no, not even a
good evening," on the former partner
in his gossip:-
:-

Gloomy he sat apart, nor speech vouchsafed
To Eve, late partner in colloquial love.
T. HOOD.

THE SCARLET WITCH.
Concluded from page 399.

DOUGLAS and Bucke were looking at the ship, which was now fast bearing down the white frith. A distinct flash was seen from her side, and in the twinkling of an eye the shore was again torn up not more than five yards from their feet.

"Diana has a long arın, I'll warrant her," observed the lieutenant; "but I think we shall have no more of her. As for her poor captain's body, I suspect it is needless now to think of getting it."

"A handful of black ashes is all that remains of him now," said Douglas. His rite of sepulture has been in re

markable keeping with his wild and fanciful character and life, I believe."

On returning to the main party, and finding all unhurt,-" It is wonderful that it is so," said the lieutenant. "Let us thank God;" and, accordingly, the soldier said a short prayer, which, though given in rather a blunt military style, was yet honestly sincere before God. They then found that their prisoners had escaped. Finally, it was settled that, for the remainder of the night, the whole of them should repair together to the next inn, which was only a mile or two distant. Meanwhile, Bucke was tying a red spotted handkerchief round his head, as a substitute for his hat, which somehow he had lost; and the want of which (for he was very careful of of his health,) he was beginning to be at leisure now sorely to feel.

"Come, you little curly-headed rogue, I have taken a fancy for you," said the lieutenant, sitting down to get one of the landlord's children on his back; and the varlet, probably from the quick tact of childhood, which saw that he was a presiding master of safety among them all, instantly left his mother, and sprawled manfully up upon the soldado's back, who arose with his burden. The party then set forward, with Bucke in the van-a curious figure, clipped as his head was by the red spotted handkerchief, whose coufinement of his hair gave double sway to his large red nose; whilst ever and anon he stood still, violently to shake the little urchin on his back, who, finding himself quite at home, was springing and spurring at a great rate, and at the same time taking improper liberties with the lieutenant's whiskers.

They reached the inn, and gained admittance. The kind-hearted Bucke saw the children fed and carefully put to bed; then whispering to Douglas that he had still duties to do ere morning, but that he would join him there at breakfast, he left the house.

66 Being now thoroughly well," said Bucke, next morning, explaining to Douglas how he had been led so timeously to interefere on the preceding night at the Anchor Inn, "I left London, eager to see you. On reaching your house in the afternoon, your sister told me that you were away to visit your friend Lieutenant Bucke, at his country house, which she named, and that you had got a letter from him the day before, requesting you to do so. I was amazed; but thinking that it was

merely a mistake on her part, I said nothing farther about it, beyond inquiring where Lieutenant Bucke's cottage was. Finding that it was in the way to my native village, which I was anxious to see, I set out again, resolved to call at the said villa, to get you, if possible, to go with me onward to my native place, there to stay with me for a day or two; after which, I meant to return and abide with you for a few weeks. On reaching the gate of the way which led up to the cottage, I saw through the shade a chaise standing at a little distance, but, taking no farther heed of it, I passed up the avenue. On coming in front of the house, I saw the door opened, and Diana Clement herself look out, with a lamp in her hand, which shewed me her face. In a moment, ere she could observe me, I retired behind a tall shrub, scarcely knowing what I was about, being in truth almost stupified at seeing the dangerous Diana in such a place. The next minute made me sensible that I had done well in thus concealing my self; for out you came, carried by two fellows, in one of them Miss Clement's lamp enabled me to recognise Jenkins. In the same way, when once or twice she advanced the light near your face, I saw and knew your features, which, appearing to me very pale, made me suppose you were dead. From a brief conversation which ensued betwixt Clement and Jenkins, I learned that you were to be taken down to Martin's Anchor, there to lie till midnight, and then be taken on board some ship. The lady then retired into the house with her lamp; and Jenkins and his associate carried you down the avenue, and put you into the chaise which I had before observed. This I saw, having cautiously followed them; and now I went to the next village, and finding there a justice of the peace, I stated enough of the matter to him to make him see the necessity of issuing a warrant for the apprehension of Jenkins and his companion, and the recovery of your body, it being my firm belief that you had been murdered by Jenkins, and that your body was to be taken out to sea and then thrown overboard, that no traces of you might ever be found. Accordingly, I joined the officers who bore the warrant, and, having raised two or three more men with fire-arms, we hastened down to Martin's, and were in good time. We were stoutly resistedbut you know the rest."

Douglas, in his turn, stated to the

lieutenant how he had been decoyed by the letter, and by what means he had been cast into that deep sleep, all of which, doubtless, had been contrived by Diana Clement.

"But wherefore ?" asked the lieutenant ;"" can you guess a reason for it?" "Scarcely," answered Douglas ;"but we shall have her, if possible, to-day, and know all. And, by the way, we ought immediately to go before the magistrate, and state the singular affairs of the night. Jenkins' death is a serious matter. Has she been long in this part of the country, can you tell me? Do you think she took this cottage for the mere purpose of more conveniently managing this mysterious plot?"

"Probably she did," replied Bucke, "but I know nothing distinctly. Indeed, I merely knew that she was away from London. But now let us take Martin and the rest of our party with us, and go to the magistrate."

It remains now only to say what became of the young Scarlet Witch, after her plan of revenge against Hinton Douglas had been so thoroughly defeated.

When Lieutenant Bucke left the inn so unexpectedly, on the night, or rather morning, of Douglas's rescue, he went straight to her house, and, having told his name, and said that he had matters of life and death to communicate to Miss Clement, he gained admittance. He was shewn into a room by his old friend Vaulpas; and Diana herself, her face awfully pale, came shooting rapidly forward, and met him with, "Your errand, sir?"

Ere Bucke, who was startled, could reply, she burst out into a long fit of laughter, and then sat down exhausted on a sofa.

"Madam-madam," said the soldier, evidently much offended, "Mr. Jenkins has shot himself-Hinton Douglas is not on board a ship: I presume I need not say any thing farther?"

Up started the lady, her whole frame in a mom nt changed from the relaxation of laughter to a locked and intense energy. She looked at Bucke with such earnestness that her face seemed gradually attenuated to spirituality. Then came trembling; but she hurried through the room as if making a violent effort to check her emotion and appear

[blocks in formation]

God of the thunder himself shall not hinder me from yet expiring with laughWe shall then speak of certain

ter. matters."

The lieutenant could only feel his ears tingling and his nose growing redder, as with fumbling hands he hastened to untie from his head the spotted napkin, which his generous haste to see Miss Clement had kept him so long from remembering to take off.

"Now, sir," said Diana, "I think you spoke of Mr. Jenkins?"

"Madam-young lady," said Bucke, eagerly, "I took care, last night, to hide your being engaged in the matter; but we must soon be before a magistrate, and there being now leisure for examinations, things must come out against you. Needs there more to enforce the necessity of your fleeing instantly? If you be in want of money, I can at this moment"- He paused, for the lady was beginning again to tremble; and her trembling increased to the most violent heaving of her bosom, till a flood of tears came to her relief, and she gradually became calm. "Mr. Bucke-generous soldier!" said she then eagerly, with a quivering voice," mistake me not: arrows and death could not so have moved me! I have wept to find one noble and thoroughly generous man.

[ocr errors]

"Lady, praise me not; had I acted justly last night, I should have ordered you to be seized immediately, thinking, as I did, that Douglas had been murdered in your house. But I thought if we secured Jenkins it would be better if you escaped; yet I am ashamed of having so done."

"I think, sir," said the young witch with a keen glance, "that you have no wish to parade your good qualities; therefore my self-love dares not abate from your praise. Will you accept this ring, as a very slight token that I estimate you aright? I shall have pleasure, whatever be my fate, in”paused.

She

"Madam-young beautiful lady!" returned Bucke, taking the proffered ring, and kissing it, "I might be allowed to say, perhaps-but no, you must flee instantly! Can I serve you in this hour? Shall I haste to D and have a chaise ready for you?"

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

No, sir; your generous services in my behalf are ended. With the assistance of Vaulpas, the rest is easy. Stay, sir; I thank you still for asking me no questions, as I would scorn to have any farther explanation from you about

those two young men, Jenkins and DouFarewell!" glas. She waved her hand like a queen, and Bucke felt himself constrained instantly to withdraw. And he saw Diana Clement no more.

[ocr errors]

The young Scarlet Witch fled immediately from this country, and got to Paris in the character of a French lady, which she could well enough assume, from her thorough command of the language. Ere long she became a brilliant singer in one of the Parisian operahouses, and a dictatress in many a coterie of bold freethinkers. After running however, a brief splendid career, and leading captive the proudest nobles by the witcheries of her magnificent spirit, she embraced the Catholic religion while yet young, became a devotee, and died the abbess of her convent.

Custams.

CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS OF LINCOLNSHIRE.-The ring used in the solemnization of matrimony is considered the bond of union between the parties; and is directed to be placed by the bridegroom on the fourth finger of the bride's left hand, because it was a received opinion amongst the ancient anatomists that there existed a direct communication between that finger and the heart. It was a primitive custom with the early Christians, for the father, at the conclusion of the ceremony, to salute the bride with the kiss of peace,-a practice which I have frequently witnessed; and, indeed, it was indispensable at one period in this country, being positively enjoined, both in the York Missal and the Sarum Manual. The bride cake is composed of many rich and aromatic ingredients, and crowned with an icing made of white sugar and bitter almonds, emblematical of the fluctuations of pleasure and pain which are incidental to the marriage state. On this day the important ceremony of passing small portions of bride-cake through the wedding ring is ritually performed. The just execution of this idolatrous ceremony is attended to with the most scrupulous exactness. The bride holds the ring between the fore-finger and thumb of her right hand, through which the groom passes each portion of the cake nine times, previously cut by other individuals of the party, into disposable pieces for the purpose. These he delivers in succession to the bride-maids, who seal them up carefully, each in an envelope of fair writing-paper.

As

amulets of inestimable value, they are distributed amongst the friends of the bride, who seldom neglect to make trial of their virtues. Various are the methods of augury to which they are applied, one only of which shall be mentioned here. If the fair idolatress deposit one of these amulets in the foot of her left stocking, when she goes to bed, and place it under her pillow, she will dream of the person who is destined by fate to be her partner for life. The first month after marriage is termed the honey moon, a phrase derived from a custom practised by the northern nations of Europe, who used to indulge themselves in drinking a liquor made from honey for thirty days successively, at the marriage of their chief men.

At the birth of a child, the father receives the congratulations of his friends, and the phrase 'I wish you joy' is the first salutation he hears after the event takes place. A similar custom was used by the Jews, though linked with many other superstitious observations. It is vulgarly believed that if a child be born with its hands open, it is an indication of liberality and benevolence; but if its hands be closed, the future individual will as suredly prove a churl. When it is first taken to a neighbour's house, it is presented with eggs, the emblem of abundance; and salt, the symbol of friendship. The christening is a season of rejoicing; but in some instances which have come under my observation, it is accompanied by a custom which I hope is not exhibited in any other part of the kingdom. It is the belief of some very simple people that, unless the child cry during the ceremony, it will not live. This silly superstition occasions some poor infants to suffer considerable torture; for their barbarous nurses do not hesitate to pinch their tender flesh, or prick them with pins, to excite the wished-for evidence of their longevity.

The systems of divination, and the tokens of good and evil fortune, which are still observed, are numerous and curious. If the tail of the first lamb you see in the spring be towards you, it denotes misfortune; if otherwise, good luck may be expected throughout the year. The first cuckoo you hear carries with it a similar fatality. Should you have money in your pocket, it is an indication of plenty; but woe to the unhappy wretch who hears this ill-omened bird for the first time with an empty purse! The same thing

is observed of the New Moon. The Celts and Goths equally considered the new moon a fortunate aspect for commencing any business of importance, whilst the waning of the moon was esteemed unpropitious. It was a custom with the ancient Germans to abide by the decision of their matrons, determined by means of lots and prophecies, as to the most fortunate period for attacking their enemies; subject, however, to that unalterable maxim, that success could not reasonably be anticipated, if they engaged during the waning of the moon.

The species of divination called Rhabdomancy, or setting up a stick to determine which of two paths you shall pursue, I have often witnessed. It was used by the Israelites, and is termed by the prophet Hosea an abomination. We are informed by Ezekiel that Nebuchadnezzar, when consulting the gods about the invasion of Judea, used this species of divination.

A silver ring made of money which has been offered at the altar is reputed to be a cure for fits; and it is well known that the kings of England were formerly in the habit of consecrating rings with solemn ceremonies on Good Friday for this especial purpose. I have seen many young ladies, and some old ones, turn their chairs three times round, or sit cross-legged, as a charm to ensure good luck at cards; and the advantage of having the choice of chairs at whist is a universally received opinion.

Many are the ceremonies observed by young people who are desirous of prying into futurity to find their destined mates, or to know their future success in the connubial state; and thus they frequently lay a foundation for misery which they carry to the grave. To obtain a sight of her future husband, when a young girl sleeps in a strange bed, she observes the cere mony of tying her garter round the bed-post in nine distinct knots, carefully repeating some potent incantation. Divination by cards or teagrounds is merely used for amusement, but the following process of preparing a magical amulet called "The Dumb Cake," which equals any diabolical incantation of ancient times, is still practised by many an anxious female with strong assurances of success.Three unmarried girls are necessary for the due performance of this rite, who must be pure unspotted virgins ;

because three is a number sacred in fall on some devoted member of his such ceremonies.

[blocks in formation]

and the charm was expected to fail if any levity was displayed during the process. This trio search for a virgin egg, and having found one, they take flour, salt, water, and all other ingredients to form a cake; which they unitedly mix with the same spoon, unitedly place in the oven, and when baked unitedly take it thence. It is then divided into three equal portions, and each taking one, they proceed in solemn silence to occupy the same bed; and placing each part under their respective pillows, they disrobe themselves and walk backwards into bed. Should either of the parties laugh, or utter a single syllable during the whole process, the charm is broken. This cake is intended to produce pleasant dreams, in which the future husband of each damsel will manifest himself to her enraptured view, arrayed in all the manly charms of a youthful bridegroom.

The dread of apparitions is a prolific source of distress and misery to which our nature is subject; but it is now happily, together with the reputed power of witches to injure and torment the human species, almost exploded. The most superstitious of the people are, at this enlightened period, little affected by those fears which in the seventeenth century agitated all ranks and descriptions of men. I must not omit to mention, however, that a most terrific source of alarm still retains its influence over the superstitious in some parts of the county, in the visionary Death-Cart. Before the demise of any individual, this tremendous machine is heard to rattle along the streets like a whirlwind. Every heart beats with dismal apprehension at the ominous sound. The father of a family feels an involuntary shudder pervade his frame; children hide their faces in the mother's lap, who herself exhibits too many evident symptoms of alarm to afford any comfort to her terrified offspring; while the more experienced, with a significant shake of the head, exclaim, "Ah! poor !

he'll die before morning!" referring to some person whose indisposition is known; and each endeavours to avert the omen from himself by fixing the application on his neighbour; although he secretly fears, at the same time, that the affliction will assuredly

own family.

To neutralize the evil influence of witchcraft, we still find seamen, stable boys, and others, using the efficacious horse-shoe; and when good housewives put their cream into the churn, they sometimes cast a handful of salt into the fire for the same purpose. Some people, after eating boiled eggs, will break the shells to prevent the witches from converting them into boats, because an ancient superstition of crossing the sea in egg-shells. Why gave to these unhappy beings the power the preference was given to egg-shells is rather equivocal, when an oyster or a muscle shell would have been at hand to constitute a much more plausible and imperishable vehicle. From a Correspondent in the Gents Mag.

Varieties.

AMERICAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. During the sitting of the House of Representatives, boys, neatly dressed, carry messages that may be required between the members, or from the clerks to the members, and deliver such letters or papers as may be necessary. They also supply the speakers with a glass of water, which is placed on their desk, in case of their requiring it while speaking. Speakers in the pulpit have generally a glass of water placed within their reach. The employment of little boys in the way [ have mentioned is attended with this advantage, that they are much less in the way of the speakers or the members, and can move among the desks without disarranging the papers. The reporters are well accommodated in both Houses of Congress, having comfortable seats, and the best part of the House is allotted to them. Divine Service is, during the sittings of Congress, performed every Sunday in the House of Representatives, the Chaplain of the House preaching from the Speaker's chair. There is no restriction in the admission of persons on this occasion; but, as the House is reckoned a fashionable place of worship, it is necessary to go early, in order to procure a seat. I heard Mr. Jones, the present Chaplain to the Senate, preach, who is an Episcopalian; but there is no limitation in this respect. Clergymen whom we should call in Britain sectarians are all eligible, and have been elected Chaplains. In point of fact the Chaplain to the Senate at the present mo

« AnteriorContinua »