This fact leads us back to the earlier times of Aberdeen, when it might have been called "new." Made a burgh in 1130 by David I.; ranked under the Laws of Burrows" in 1140; made a city by royal charter in 1179 by William the Lion, and entitled to representation in the Scotch parliament; privileges extended in 1196; commercial advantages increased, a weekly market allowed, and a "mercantile confraternity" instituted in 1222-3 by Alexander II., and such improvement allowed in 1342, by David II., through confirming previous charters, paving streets, rebuilding houses of stone, etc., as to entitle it to the distinction of being called "New Aberdeen." The last charter granted to the city was by Charles I., dated Sept. 9, 1638. New Aberdeen and Old Aberdeen form an independent constituency, under the Reform Bill of 1832.

KING'S COLLEGE, OLD ABERDEEN.

Among the eminent men connected with Aberdeen were John Barbour the poet, George Jamieson the painter, James Gregory, inventor of the reflecting telescope, Doctor Beattie, author of "The Minstrel," and the late eminent physician Doctor Abercrombie of Edinburgh; all of whom, with exception of Doctor Beattie, were natives of the town, or of its immediate vicinity.

Old Aberdeen is a small but ancient city, about one mile from New Aberdeen, of which it is regarded as a suburb. It consists of but one principal street, and some diverging lanes or alleys, several of which are very old. It is well supplied with water, is surrounded with several handsome villas, and is, altogether, an agreeable place of residence. The most prominent structures of the place are King's College-an engraving of which may be found on this page-the remains of the Cathedral

and the old bridge of Don. The existence of the college dates from before 1500, and was patronized by James IX. The students, numbering from 200 to 250, wear red gowns. The bridge, celebrated in Scotch tradition as the "Brig o' Balgownie," is probably the oldest structure of he kind in Scotland, it having been built by Robert Bruce in the 14th century. It consists of one gothic arch of 67 feet span, and is regarded as a precious relic by everybody but Aberdeen people. The old cathedral is very picturesque and imposing, a portion of it being yet occupied by religious worshippers. It is kept in high preservation, its large western window and oak ceiling, painted with armorial bearings, being much admired. There are several good schools in town, and the people are quiet and exemplary, devoted to agriculture. There are no trade or manufactures in the place, the

university being its principal support.

We close our sketch of Balmoral and Aberdeen with the following extract from Queen Victoria's Diary.

66

September 13, 1850.-We walked with Charles, the boys, and Vicky to the river side above the bridge, where all our tenants were assembled with poles and spears, or rather "leisters," for catching salmon. They all went into the river, walking up it, and then back again, poking about under all the stones to bring fish up to where the men stood with the net. It had a very pretty effect; about one hundred men wading through the river, some in

kilts with poles and spears, all very much excited. Not succeeding the first time, we went higher up, and moved to three or four different places, but did not get any salmon, one or two escaping. Albert stood on a stone, and Colonel Gordon and Lord James Murray waded about the whole time.

"Duncan, in spite of all his exertions yesterday, and having besides walked to and from the Gathering, was the whole time in the water. Not far from the laundry there was another trial, and here we had a great fright. In one place there was a very deep pool, into which two men very foolishly went, and one could not swim; we suddenly saw them sink, and in one moment they seemed drowning, though surrounded by people. There was a cry for help, and a general rush, including Albert, towards the spot, which frightened me so much, that I grasped Lord Carlisle's arm in great agony. However,

Doctor Robertson swam in and pulled the man out, and all was safely over; but it was a horrid moment.

"A salmon was speared here by one of the men, after which we walked to the ford or quarry, where we were very successful, seven salmon being caught, some in the net, and some speared. Though Albert stood in the water some time, he caught nothing; but the scene at this beautiful spot was exciting and picturesque in the extreme. I wished for Landseer's pencil. The sun was intensely hot. We did not get back till after three o'clock, and then took luncheon. Duchess of Gordon came to see us afterward; and while she was still with us, Captain Forbes (who had asked permission to do so)

The

marched through the grounds with his men, the pipers going in front. They stopped and cheered three times three, throwing up their bonnets. They then marched off, and we listened with pleasure to the distant shouts and the sound of the pibroch.

"We heard afterward that our men had carried all Captain Forbes's men on their backs through the river. They saw the fishing going on, and came to the water's edge on the opposite side; and on being greeted by our people, said they would come over, on which ours went across in one moment and carried them over-Macdonald at their head carrying Captain Forbes on his back. This was very courteous, and worthy of chivalrous times."

crystals will take any color-thus indigo will color them blue, cochineal red, and so on. Now, bearing these facts in mind, take a quantity, say a pound of alum, and dissolve it in as little hot water as possible. Then having made a basket of wire, like Fig. 1, immerse it in the hot solution, and put it quietly away to cool. Next morning you can take the basket out, and it looks like Fig. 2, all the wires being covered with beautiful crystals.

Should your first basket have given you some pleasure, here are directions to cut a nice one out of cardboard, one like that shown in the engraving, Fig. 2. Take your cardboard and draw one circle in the centre, and then a larger, just the distance apart you want the sides to be high. Then on these circles construct the hexagons that form the base and rim of your basket. Place the point of the compasses in A, and afterwards in B, and draw with the pencil point two arcs which intersect each other at C; this done, place the compass point at C, then describe the arc A B, which will give the necessary curve to the side, and then from the points DE draw arcs intersecting at F. From this point you obtain the side D E, then from the points D E describe the arcs BH and EH, and from H you get the curve G for the top; having done this with each side, on folding them up, they will form a very pretty basket, and any devices that suit the maker's fancy may be drawn or painted on the sides.

While workmen were engaged in digging a grave in an old churchyard near Cork, Ireland, they came upon a stone coffin of massive dimensions, upon opening which three skeletons were discovered, on one of which lay an ancient archiepiscopal cross, a representation

ANCIENT IRISH CROSS.

of which we give herewith, denoting that the skeleton was that of an archbishop, but of whose identity nothing could be known, the relics bearing marks of great antiquity. One of the other two skeletons lay with its head at its feet, as if it had been decapitated before burial; the other was characterized by nothing unusual. The stone coffin indicated a Roman

origin, but the mystery was impenetrable. The cross bears marks of very elegant handiwork, the bronze of which it is composed being finely chased, and the form is graceful and artistic. It was originally gilt. The obverse bears a representation of the crucifix

ion scene, with the initials I. N. R. I. over the head of the Saviour, and on the arms the first words of the prayer of the penitent thief, "Domine Memento Mei." The stone coffin in which the cross was found was highly sculptured, and revealed a period of advanced art. The savans have been unable to fathom the mystery buried with the cross, and a mystery it must remain till the time when all things shall be revealed.

Such antiquities, accounts of which are often published, serve to throw a light upon the early history of Ireland gratifying to the feeling of pride which inspires every son of the Emerald Isle, and we cannot blame the spirit that actuates the Irishmen of to-day in recalling the magnificence of the old dynasty of native kings, who by their deeds reflected a glory upon the Irish name, the traditions and history of which are embalmed in their literature. The cruel subjection of Ireland to indignity and wrong is arousing the spirit that once gave nerve to the arm of Irish valor, and eloquence to the tongue of Irish patriotism, and her oppressors are anxious regarding the result. The exhumed relics of departed grandeur speak impressively to the Irish heart, and when commended by the tongue or pen, controlled by gifted minds, we can readily understand the influence they wield and the power they exert, leading the susceptible often to the commission of rash acts for which they suffer, but which have the world's sympathy for the motive that inspired them. The glories, political and ecclesiastical, of Ireland come before their eyes, like the ghosts of Fingal, and as the Israelites wept by Babylon for the splendors of the Judean capital, they long for the restored majesty of "Bryan the Brave," and the glory of the Celtic kings. These, however, they will never realize, but the privilege of independence may some day be wrung from the hand of the oppressor.