VARIETIES. ADVERTISEMENTS. Theatre-Royal, Manchester. parley with his maid-servant as to whether two or three WONDERS OF LITTLENESS.-Mr. Beedell, residing of pheasants has been sent him as a present, rather potatoes would be sufficient for dinner. When a brace at Ottery St. Mary, Devon, has been induced to produce another specimen of his extraordinary perform-take them back, if he insisted on having such a sum! than give the porter a shilling, he has ordered him to FOR the BENEFIT of MR. G. PENSON, on which ance of penmanship. Having observed in the Percy Anecdotes that a gentleman at Liverpool had written A COSTLY SUBJECT.-A surgeon and apothecary, not Goldsmith's poem of the Traveller (488 lines) in a 100 miles from this city (Salisbury) desirous of having square 3 inches by 34 inches, Mr. B. commenced his a subject for the benefit of his pupils, agreed with some arduous task, and wrote with the greatest facility Gold- of the all-night people to procure him one. At about smith's poem of the Traveller, Deserted Village, Re-half-past eleven at night, a subject was accordingly taliation, Stanzas on Woman, Stanzas on the Taking of Quebec, and a Sonnet, without any abbreviation whatever, in the same space, that is, in a square 3 inches by 34 inches, the whole comprising 1038 lines, and about 40,000-letters! It may be distinctly read with a magnifying glass, and by some without that help. Various productions of the kind have been produced by others, but this is considered the greatest piece of ingenuity that has ever been written. It will be placed in the British Museum. EASTER RECKONINGS.-A Priest called upon one of his parishioners for what are called, in many places, Easter Reckonings. The person he called upon was a Quaker, and exercised the ancient profession of a barber. "Reckoning!" quoth the knight of the razor, "wly, friend! I never had any dealings with thee, and therefore I can have no reckonings with thee." The priest replied it was a just claim, and if the peruquier did not come to church, that was his own fault, as the doors were open. Upon this the amount of the demand was paid, and the priest departed. But soon afterwards the barber sent him an account for shaving and dressing, and when the clergyman came to require an explanation, saying that he had never been shaved or dressed by the barber, and consequently could not be in his debt; the Quaker replied, "No matter for that, friend! my doors were open, and thou mightest have come in and been shaved and dressed if thou hadst chosen, so pay me my demand." GARRICK AND FOOTE.-Garrick was supping with Foote at a tavern, when the latter dropped a guinea, with which he was going to pay the waiter, and it rolled out of sight. "Where the deuce (said Foote) can it be gone to?"-"Gone to the devil, I suppose," cried Garrick." Well, well, David (observed Foote (you're what I said you were-ever contriving to make a guinea go farther than any other man.' THE LATE MR. NOLLEKINS. The papers say that "Nollekins has left 50,000l. to his Majesty; 50,000l. to Dr. Kerrick, the public librarian at Cambridge; and 50,000% to Francis Douce, Esq. who is also made residuary legatee, by which he will get 90,0001. in addition." The funded property exceeds 225,000l.; 20,000 in the hands of the bankers, Chambers and Co.; besides many houses, his valuable works of art, &c.; the whole exceeding in value 300,000l. The whole amount of legacies not 9000l., leaving above 300,000l. to the residuary legatees, who were Mr. Douce, Dr. Kerrick, Mr. Russel, and another gentleman, who, after his appointment as executor, died. Mr. Nollekins wished that two other friends might be put in place of the deceased executor; and Mr. Smith of the Museum, and Sir W. Beechey, were requested to accept it, which they did; but Mr. Douce, who knew the contents of the will, inserted their names before they arrived at Mr. Nollekin's house, and sealed and sent away the will. Mr. Nollekins has neglected to provide for many who had absolute claims on bis property. His old servant, grown grey, is now a candidate for a workhouse, having only nineteen guineas left to her. His old foreman, near 40 years in his service, is left a beggar; and young Bonomi, now at Rome, a student in sculpture, for whom Nollekins was sponsor, and who was always led by him to expect a proportionate remembrance in his will, has only a legacy of 1001. Mr. N. was for years a successful dealer in works of art, as well as an excellent sculptor of busts, and his habits were all of the Elwes school, so that many years of accumulation must have heaped up no small sum. Such were his miserly courses, that he would, after due calculation, resolve on baking a shoulder of mutton, rather thau have it roasted, on account of the difference in expense; and he has been heard to hold a brought, and placed in the parlour. The surgeon re- FOOTE AND MOODY.-Foote, while walking with a wards them, on the Fulham-road, two persons in one SWIFT AND HIS PAD.-Riding out one morning near PHENOMENON. A gentleman found a small silver coin, (a Dutch piece, value two stivers,) adhering to the white of an egg. It was evidently interposed between the yoke and the albumen. The shell was discoloured in parts, and particularly in that part where the coin was situated. The egg was laid that morning, and the servant says there was no difference in the appearance of that and the others previous to their being boiled. It had not affected the flavour. THE FLUTE. An inhabitant of Dieppe, M. le Che- TO CORRESPONDENTS. Sancho Sensitive's Adventure exhibits an evil of frequent oc- E. B. R.'s packet is received; its contents shall appear, and a Lines by J. P. Kemble possess merit; but our correspondent's our next. The Falling Leaf, by Mr. Montgomery, will be found in the Civis' Coggeshall Illumination and Loyalty, in our next. T. C.'s verses are not so incorrect as they are inelegant. occasion, by permission of the Manager, MR. PENSON, To conclude with the Musical Farce of the TURNPIKE In the course of the Piece the following Songs, &c. "Britannia's Sons at Sea"-Mr. G. Penson. "Tom Starboard" -Mr. Foster. "With a Merry Tale "-Mr. Penson. "Pray Young Man your Suit give over"-Mrs. Aldridge. "Ere Sorrow taught my Tears to Flow"-Miss M. Hammersley. "When off in Curricle we go"-Mr. Penson and Mr. G. Penson. Tickets to be had of Mr. G. PENSON, 39, George-street; of Mr. ROBERT SMITH, Printer, 12, Market-Place; and of Mr. ELAND, at the Box Office, where Places may be taken. This day is published, In 4to. with 16 Engravings, price £1 5s. boards, Vol. VI. SUPPLEMENT to the ENCYCLOPEDIA BRI- Treatises, written by John Barrow, Esq., Jean Baptiste Biot, Printed for Archibald Constable and Co., Edinburgh; and The Second Half of this Volume, which COMPLETES In One Volume, Demy 8vo. price 4s. 6d. boards, A CLEAR, Systematic View of the EVIDENCES of CHRISTIANITY. In addition to the important historic matter, and valuable dissertation, found in the most popular evidences, the present volume contains-a Collateral Digest of Prophetic and Historical Evidence; a Scriptural View of the Godhead; and a Summary of Mahometanism: with INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS on the POPULAR CAUSES OF INFIDELITY. BY JOSEPH MACARDY. "This is an excellent work, which requires only to be known to be duly valued......The work is divided into five books, and these again are subdivided into chapters. The first book infers the truth of Christianity from the nature and fulfilment of prophecy; the second founds its truth on the evidence farnished by profane anthors: and the third reaches the same conclusion from sacred and early Christian writers. The fourth book is but remotely connected with the grand subject of the work. It contains three chapters, which treat of the Divinity of Christ, the Plurality of the Godhead, and the Unity of the Godhead. The fifth is chiefly employed in stating Mr. Leslie's argument in favour of Christianity, and in answering objections raised by infidels against the authenticity of the sacred volume. The whole concludes with a summary of Mahometanism, as it stands compared or contrasted with the Christian system"Imperial Magazine. "To those who have not the original works, this concise view of the Evidences of Christianity, is certainly valuable; and to those who possess them, it will prove a convenient compendium.”—Evangelical Magazine. London: Published by LONGMAN, HURST, and Co.; and sold by W. and W. Clarke, J. Roberts, and Silburn and Richardson, Booksellers, Manchester; and by E. Willmer and Co., Booksellers, Liverpool. MUSIC.-We this week present our readers with an original Air, for one of the favourite Ballads of Burns. A LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY. This Paper is Published Weekly, and may be had of the Booksellers in Manchester; of Agents in many of the principal Towns in the Kingdom; and of the News-carriers. The last column is open to ADVERTISEMENTS of a LITERARY and SCIENTIFIC nature, comprising Education, Institutions, Sales of Libraries, &c. No. 68.-VOL. II. THE PHILANTHROPIST. ESSAY I. ON POISONS IN GENERAL. inflammation, lethargy, stupor, &c.-the resinous narcotic vegetables are in this class. And others affect the nervous system only, giving rise to stupefaction, apoplexy, and death-the deadly night shade is in this class. As these essays are intended for practical instruction, and not for speculative inquiry, I shall waive the questions whether the brain is in these cases sympathetically disordered, or whether the poison is absorbed, and conveyed to the brain through the medium of circulation. the time of the injection. On examining the stomach after death, it will be found altered from its natural to a brownish gray colour, and instead of its usual firmness, may be lacerated with a very little force. We must infer from these facts, that the poison has, first a local THE Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal king-operation, which operation consists in a disordoms, abound with substances which are poison-ganization of the stomach, but that the immeous or deleterious to animal life. We may give diate cause of death is the sympathy of the the name of poison to all such substances as brain and heart with the organ primarily affectderange the healthy functions of the body. ed.-In the term sympathy there is some obscuSome of them operate in a slow manner, that is rity-physiologists are in the habit of employing In the Animal Kingdom there exist evils, to say, not immediately endangering life; but it for the sake of giving a name to the occult some of which, from giving rise to temporary there are others which cannot be introduced agent of certain phenomena occurring in animal inconvenience, may be called annoyances; but into the body, without creating that disturbance bodies. We are often ignorant how distant others put life in imminent danger. From these, in the vital functions, which soon shows itself parts of the body sympathize when we can trace however, luckily our happy clime almost exin an alarming form.-To these we shall restrict no nervous communication between them, but empts us. There are certain insects, as the our inquiries. the case in question is quite different, for there bee, wasp, hornet, scorpion, &c. whose sting The blessings which the three kingdoms of are no organs which so constantly sympathize is very acute, and instances have been related nature afford are alloyed by the poisonous pro- with each other as the stomach, brain, and of serious accidents in consequence, but in a perties which some of them possess, but in say heart, and nervous connexion readily explains general way we have not much to apprehend ing this, we do not mean to call in doubt the the fact. If we do not attribute the speedy dis- from it. There are some venomous reptiles in wise disposal of terrestrial objects Every thing solution to the influence of that obscure prin- this country which inspire the husbandman with in nature has its specific use; it is their abuse ciple, sympathy, we must believe that the poi- terror, but if the injury which they inflict be that we deplore and suffer for, and this is to be son is absorbed, and by entering the mass of properly treated, we have not much to fear; attributed to the presumption, ignorance, or blood, acts in a direct manner on the heart and this, however, is not the case in hot climates; carelessness of man. The most formidable poi- brain. We know well that we may soon destroy the hotter the clime the more noxious and sons in the mineral and vegetable kingdoms are, an animal by introducing poison into the blood venomous are they, and the same obtains with when judiciously prescribed, the most efficient vessels; therefore, should the sublimate be regard to insects. The house spider is consiand powerful remedies. Antimony, arsenic, taken up by absorption, there can be no difficulty dered for the most part as an innoxious little mercury, opium, hemlock, and a few other in solving the question, why death happens in creature, and so it is to man; but it has a venom articles, are the sheet-anchor of the pathologist; so short a time, but seeing how soon the struc- malignant enough to destroy the insects on explode them from practice, and you will ture of the stomach is destroyed, and that the which it preys.-The tarantula is a species of weaken the strong arm of the healing art so absorbents must share the fate of the other spider, an insect as much more venomous in its much, that disease will often outvie the physi- component parts of that organ, it is not easy to bite in comparison with the common house cian's attempt at cure. It is then, the mal-ap- account for a continuance of their function.- spider, as the venom of an African serpent propriation of these means that begets danger- We must conclude that corrosive sublimate, surpasses in virulence that of a serpent of this their appropriation is productive of the most arsenic, and most of the mineral poisons, have country. What has drawn my attention to the salutary results. In addition to the power a two-fold action, viz. directly on the stomach, tarantula at this time, is a letter which appeared which they have of triumphing over the bodily and indirectly on the heart and brain by sympa- in your last number on the cure of the bite of afflictions of mankind, there can be no doubt thy. The celebrated French physiologist Orfila, this insect by music. Many extraordinary they have a secret operation in nature, which has placed the substance lead, in the class stories have been told by naturalists and physinature's Author alone is privy to. The different" astringent poisons," but I see no reason, in a cians on this subject, but we are not bound impoisons have different modes of action-some practical point of view, for any such distinction. plicitly to believe them all; they have been destroy by producing inflammation of the parts The preparations of lead in substance, when written under the influence of prejudice and with which they come in contact; this is one of taken into the stomach produce inflammation, superstition. Experiments have overthrown the the operations of most of the mineral poisons. and, like corrosive sublimate, and other mineral opinion that the bite of the tarantula is mortal, Almost all the preparations of antimony, some poisons, they derange the nervous system, but as some have maintained, and as to the agency of those of arsenic, and all of those of mercury, in a more marked degree. A dog will survive of music in luring its effects, a serious attempt may not only be given with impunity in small a considerable dose of the sugar of lead some to refute it cannot be necessary. It is believed doses, but often with the greatest advantage. hours, during the whole of which time the ani- by some, that the venom of this insect produces Care, however, is necessary not to exceed the mal will experience much pain, and ultimately a slow fever, which will only yield to the ridicuproper dose; if we do they prove dangerous, grow convulsed. After death marks of inflam-lous ceremony thus mentioned by Orfila.—“ Uncausing injury from the degree of slight irrita- mation will be detected in the stomach and fortunate wretches have been seen all decorated tion to inflammation and corrosion of the coats bowels. A small dose not sufficient to excite with flowers and ribbands like victims, traversing of the stomach, and death.—An immoderate inflammation, may, if not rejected, be absorbed, the public places in the hottest part of the day, quantity of arsenic or corrosive sublimate will and if absorbed the nervous system will suffer- dancing bare-headed with their faces turned tooccasion very speedy dissolution-too speedy, when lead is received into the body in the form wards the sun, until the total exhaustion of one would conjecture, to justify a conclusion of emanation the same system is disordered, their strength plunges them into a state of prothat inflammation and corrosion alone could hence the convulsions, palsy, &c. which charac- found lethargy, then their relations carry them cause it. The experiments of physiologists go terize the injurious operation of this metallic off on a couch, and the music is continued a far to prove that the suddenness of death in poison. The Vegetable Kingdom includes many long time after they have ceased to hear it." these cases, must be explained on some other more poisonous materials than the mineral. How great must be the credulity of those who principle. If six or eight grains of corrosive Some of them kill by producing inflammation put faith in such mummery !!! sublimate, or muriate of mercury be dissolved which terminates in mortification; the white in about one ounce of water, and injected into and black hellebore, the sea onion, the meadow the stomach of a rabbit, the animal will become ranunculus and others, belong to this class. convulsed, and die in about five minutes from Others act on the stomach and brain, causing All kinds of serpents are not venomous some are quite harmless.-In the anatomy of the mouth, we have the means of determining whether the species is poisonous or not. In the upper jaw of venomous serpents, we find two tusks which are perforated, and connected with the bladders in which the venom is contained. The venom is secreted by two small glands, and conveyed by a duet proceeding from each gland to the bladder and reservoir situated at the root of each tusk.-The tusks lie concealed in the jaw, but the animal has the power of protruding them at will. The innoxious serpents are not provided with these instruments-in the poisonous species the upper jaw is moveable, so that the mouth can be very widely opened, and it is this anatomical arrangement that enables them to take in animals even larger than themselves. The process of poisoning consists in this :-On seizing its prey the serpent bites with the fangs before alluded to, the bladders in connexion with them are by this means pressed on, and a small quantity of their contents passing into the cavity of each tusk, is introduced into the wounded part of the victim. The poisonous fluid is said by those who have examined it to be of a yellow colour, and soon proves fatal on being injected into the blood. of Mrs. Kilspinnie, and to inspire that very amorous lady with a passion for himself. By her he is invited to a midnight visit, which invitation he communicates to the poor Bailie, but without letting him know the name of the fair wanton. His intention is to cure him of his regret for a faithless wife, and accordingly they set out together : My grandfather observed the wicket open in the gate, and guessing therefrom that it was one spying to forewarn somebody within who wanted to come out unremarked, he made a sign to his companion, and they both threw themselves flat on the ground, and hirsled down the rocks to conceal themselves. Presently the gate was opened, and then out came the fat friar, and looked east and west, holding the door in his hand; and anon out came his Grace the Antichrist, hirpling with a staff in his hand, for he was lame with that monkish malady called the gout. The friar then drew the yett too, and walked on towards the castle, with his Grace leaning on his arm. In the mean time the poor man of Crail was grinding the teeth of his rage at the sight of the cause of his sorrow, and my grandfather had a sore struggle to keep him down, and prevent him from running wud and furious at the two sacerdotal reprobates, for no lightlier could they be called. The venomous properties with which certain insects and serpents are endowed, are quite natural, and bestowed on them as the means of part, did Master Kilspinuie come to jealonse that the Thus, without any disclosure on my grandfather's defence and preservation; but there is a malig-lemane who had trysted him was no other than his own nant animal poison of a morbid kind, I mean faithless wife, and he smote his forehead and wept that poison communicated by the bite of a rabid bitterly, to think how she was become so dreadless in animal-of its nature we are ignorant; with its sin. But he vowed to put her to shame; so it was effects we are too well acquainted; and with covenanted between them, that in the dusk of the evenproofs of its fatality the annals of medicine bearing the afflicted husband should post himself near to awful testimony. Hydrophobia is the dread of where they then stood, and that when my grandfather mankind, and acknowledged by physicians to was admitted by the other entrance to the house, he be the opprobrium of the healing art. should devise some reason for walking forth into the garden, and while there admit Master Kilspinnie. In the treatment of poisons, from whatever sources they are derived, the following are the general indications:-First, to rid the body of the poison by the means adapted to the case.Secondly, to change the injurious properties of it by chemical or other means, if the nature of the poison admits of a strictly speaking antidotal remedy-and thirdly, to remove or alleviate its effects. These general views will be particularized in the essays which are to follow. REVIEW. S. Ringan Gilhaize; or, the Covenanters. By the Author of 'ANNALS OF the Parish,' &c. 3 vols. Whittakers. London, 1823. This romance is from the fertile pen of Mr. Galt, the author of The Entail,' and many other works of more than common popularity. Ringan commences his tale with a brief his tory of his grandfather; who, being well chastised for insulting the monks in one of their sacred processions, deserts his father's home with some other godly-minded spirits, and enters into the service of the protesting Earl of Glencairn. By this nobleman he is employed as a spy on the Catholics, with directions to get into the secrets of the Archbishop of St. Andrews by appearing to enlist himself amongst the Catholic partisans. Gilhaize accordingly flings himself into the way of Sir David Hamilton, wins his favour, and by him is introduced to the service of the Archbishop, whom he finds drinking and feasting with his lemane, Mrs. Kilspinnie, the adulterous wife of a poor tradesman. Here he stays long enough to see Master Mill brought to the stake for recusancy, to get acquainted with the Bailie of Crail, the unfortunate husband Accordingly, betimes my grandfather was ready, and the stripling, as had been bargained, came for him to the vintner's, and conducted him to the house, where, after giving the signals before enumerated, the damsel came to the door and gave him admittance, leading him straight to the inner chamber before described, where her mistress was sitting in a languishing posture, with the table spread for a banquet. testations, and filled him a cup of hot malvesie, while She embraced my grandfather with many fond proher handmaid brought in divers savoury dishes; but he, though a valiant young man, was not at his ease, and he thought of the poor husband and the five babies that the adultress had left for the foul love of the papist high-priest, and it was a chaste spell and a restraining grace. Still he partook a little of the rich repast which had been prepared, and feigned so long a false pleasance, that he almost became pleased in reality. The dame, however, was herself at times fearful, and seemed to listen if there was any knocking at the door, telling my grandfather that his Grace was to be back after he had supped at the castle. I thought,' said she, to have had you here when he was at the burning of the heretic, but my gilly could not find you among the troopers till it was owre late; for when he brought you, my Lord had come to solace himself after the execution. But I was so nettled to be so balked, that I acted myself into an anger till I got him away, not, however, without a threat of being troubled with him again at night.' Scarcely bad Madam said this, when my grandfather started up and feigned to be in great terror, begging her to let him hide himself in the garden till his Grace was come and gone. To this, with all her blandishments, the guilty woman made many obstacles; but he was fortified of the Lord with the thoughts of her in jured children, and would not be entreated, but insisted on scogging himself in the garden till the Archbishop was sent away, the hour of his coming being dam Kilspionic was obligated to conform; so he was then near at hand. Seeing him thus peremptory, Mapermitted to go into the garden, and no sooner was he there than he went to the sallyport and admitted her husband; and well it was that he had been so steadfast in his purpose; for scarcely were they moved from The good Bailie of Crail breathed thickly, and he trembling with a passion of grief and rage. In the took my grandfather by the hand, his whole frame lapse of some four or five minutes, the giglet damsel came out of the house, and by the glimpse of a light from a window as she passed, they saw she had a tankard of smoking dring in ber hand, with which she went to the friar; and my grandfather and his com panion taking advantage of this, slipped out of their hiding-place and stole softly into the house, and reached the outer chamber, that was parted from Madam's banquet bower by the arras partition. There they stopped to listen, and heard her complaining in a most dolorous manner of great heart-sickness, ever and anon begging the deluded prelate Hamilton to taste the feast she had prepared for him, in the hope of being able to share it with him and the caresses of his sweet love. To which his Grace as often replied, with great condolence and sympathy, how very grieved he was to find her in that sad and sore estate, with many other fond cajoleries, most odious to my grandfather to hear from a man so far advanced in years, and who, by reason of the reverence of his office, ought to have had his tongue schooled to terms of piety and temper ance. The poor husband meanwhile said nothing, but my grandfather heard his heart panting audibly, and three or four times he was obligated to brush away his hand, for, having no arms himself, the Bailie clutched at the hilt of his sword, and would have drawn it from the scabbard. The Antichrist seeing his lemane in such great malady as she so well feigned, he at last, to her very earnest supplications, consented to leave her that night, and kissed her as he came away; but her husband broke in upon them with the rage of a hungry lion, and seizing his Grace by the cuff of the neck, swung him away from her with such vehemence, that he fell into the corner of the room like a sack of duds. As for Madam, she uttered a wild cry, and threw herself back on the couch where she was sitting, and seemed as if she had swooned, having no other device so ready to avoid the upbraidings and just reproaches of her spouse. But she was soon roused from that fraudu lent dwam by my grandfather, who, seizing a flaggon of wine, dashed it on her face. From this adventure Gilhaize is fortunate enough to escape, and, returning to Edinburgh, proceeds straight towards the lodging of the Earl of Glencairn. In his way he is met by a man, who gives himself out for one of the Earl's retainers, and endeavours to worm out of him the secrets of his journey, but he is fortunate enough to suspect his purpose: and, on telling the story to his master, he learns that the spy i a discarded servant, by name Winterton. is From this time, Gilhaize rises in the Earl's favour, and is employed in many affairs that required talent and fidelity; but we cannot follow him through all his adventures, and still less can we afford space for the history of Queen in Mary and the reformers. His tale winds up the second volume with the repentance of Mrs. Kilspinnie, and after living to the age of 91 years, seven months, and four days,-we love to be particular-he is, as it were, carried, in the downy arms of sleep, to the portal door of death, where all the pains and terrors that guard the same were hushed, and stood mute around, as he was softly received in.' The next five chapters are devoted to Ringan's father; but the 16th introduces us to the bridal of Ringan, and he commences hero of a novel with a ceremony, that with all other heroes has been the conclusion. This was soon after the execution of Charles I. of England. From that time all passes on quietly to the Restora tion, which soon brought with it a persecution of the Covenanters, and its natural consequences, a civil war. The battle of Pentland Hills breaks the forces of the rebels, and Ringan flies in company with the godly Mr. Witherspoon, as fast and as far as their feet can carry them, and after many hazards, in one cold stormy night they find shelter in a deserted cottage :Every thing seemed as if it had been suddenly abandoned; bat by the help of a pistol, which I had taken in the raid from one of Turner's disarmed troopers, and putting our trust in the protection we had so far enjoyed, I struck a light and kindled the fire, over which there was still hanging, on the swee, a kail-pot, wherein the family at the time of their flight had been preparing their dinner; and we judged by this token, and by the visible desertion, that we were in the house of some of God's people who had been suddenly scattered. Accordingly we scrupled not to help ourselves from the aumrie, knowing how readily they would pardon the freedom of need in a gospel minister, and a covenanted brother dejected with want and much suffering. Having finished our supper, instead of sitting by the fire, as we at first proposed to do, we thought it would be safer to take the blankets from the beds and make our lair in the barn; so we accordingly retired thither, and lay down among some unthreshed corn that was lying ready on the floor for the filail. But we were not well down when we heard the breathings of two persons near us. As there was no light, and Mr. Witherspoon guessing by what we had seen, and by this concealment, that they must be some of the family, he began to pray aloud, thereby, without letting wot they were discovered, making them to understand what sort of guests we were. At the conclusion an old woman spoke to us, telling us dreadful things which a gang of soldiers had committed that afternoon; and her sad story was often interrupted by the moans of her daughter, the farmer's wife, who had suffered from the soldiers an unspeakable wrong. But what has become of our men, or where the bairns hae fled, we know not, we were baith demented by the outrage, and hid oursels here after it was owre late,' said that aged person, in a voice of settled grief, that was more sorrowful to hear than any lamentation could have been; and all the sacred exhortations that Mr. Witherspoon could employ softened not the obduracy of her inward sorrowing over her daughter, the dishonoured wife. He, however, persaaded them to return with us to the house; for the enemy having been there, we thought it not likely he would that night come again. As for me, during the disinal recital, I could not speak. The eye of my spirit was fist on the treasure I had left at home. Every word I heard was like the sting of an adder. My horrors and fears rose to such a pitch, that I could no longer master them. I started up and rushed to the door, as if it had been possible to arrest the imagined guilt of the persecutors in my own unprotected dwelling. Mr. Witherspoon followed me, thinking I had gone by myself, and caught me by the arm and entreated me to be composed, and to return with him into the house. But while he was thus kindly remonstrating with me, something took his foot, and he stumbled and fell to the ground. The accident served to check the frenzy of my thoughts for a moment, and I stooped down to help him up; but in the same instant he uttered a wild howl that made me start from him; and he then added, awfully 'In the name of Heaven, what is this?' 'What is it?' said I, filled with unutterable dread. 'Husb, husb,' he replied as he rose, lest the poor Woman hear us; and he lifted in his arms the body of a child of some four or five years old. I could endure no more; I thought the voices of my own innocents cried to me for help, and in the frenzy of the moment left the godly man, and fled like a demoniac, not knowing which way I went. Adventure now follows rapidly on adventure, So rapidly, indeed, that we cannot pretend to | follow them. At last the violent counsellors of Charles are displaced, and the country endures a temporary quiet, till the return of Lauderdale to power, and the renewal of coercive measures, which led to the battle of Bothwell-brig. What injury this had wrought to the family of Gilhaize, may be judged from his answers when placed upon trial before Lord Kelburne :Ringan Gilhaize, you were at the battle of Bothwell-brigg.' 'I was not,' said I. You do not mean to say so, surely?' I have said it,' was my answer. Whereupon one of the clerks whispered to him that there were three of the name in the list. O!' cried he, 'I crave your pardon, Ringan, there are several persons of your name; and though you were not at Bothwell yourself, may be ye ken those of your name who were there,-Do you?' 'I did know two,' was my calm answer; 'one was my brother, and the other my son.' All present remained very silent as I made this answer; and the Lord Kelburne bending forward, leant his cheek on his hand as he rested his elbow on the table, and looked very earnestly at me. Murray resumed And pray now, Ringan, tell us what has become of the two rebels?' They were covenanted Christians,' said I; 'my son lies buried with those that were slain on that sore occasion.' you.' No; he was older." 'As for this Cardinal, I grant The fact was foully done.' There was a rustle of gratification among all in the but Murray, somewhat out of humour, said— court as I said the rhyme, and Lord Kelburne smiled; 'I fancy, my Lord, we must consider this as an admission that the killing of the Archbishop was murder?' Notwithstanding the sagacity of his defence, Ringan is fined, and imprisoned till he can provide security. This he does by the following day; but in that short time strange changes have taken place : forward to tell his mother and sisters of my coming. My heart beat high with gladness. My son bounded On gaining the brow of the bill he leapt from the ground with a frantic cry aud clasped his hands. I ran towards bim-but I remember no more, though at visions of roofless walls, and a crowd of weeping wotimes something crosses my mind, and 1 have wild tiful body, all dropping wet, brought on a deal from men and silent men digging among ashes, and a beauthe mill-dam, and of men, as it was carried by, seizing me by the arms and tying my hands, and then I sometimes I think I was lifted out and placed to beek fancy myself in a house fastened to a chair;—and in the sun and to taste the fresh air. But what these But your brother; he was of course younger than things import I dare only guess, for no one has ever told me what became of my benign Sarah Lochrig and our too blooming daughters;-all is phantasma that I recollect of the day of my return home. I said my soul was iron, and my heart converted into stone. 0 that they were indeed so! But sorrowing is a vain thing, and my task must not stand still. 'Well, well, no matter as to that; but where is he?' 'I believe he is with his Maker; but his body lies among the rocks at the bottom of the Orkney seas.' The steadiness of the Lord Kelburne's countenance saddened into the look of compassion, and he said to Murray There is no use in asking him any more questions about them, proceed with the ordinary interrogatories.' There was a murmur of satisfaction towards his Lordship at this; and Murray said— And so you say that those in the late rebellion at Bothwell were not rebels ?' I said, Sir, that my son and my brother were covenanted Christians.' When I left Ayr the leaves were green, and the fields gay and the waters glad; and when the yellow leaf rustled on the ground, and the waters were drumly, and the river roaring, I was somehow, I know not by what means, in the kirk-yard, and a film fell from the eyes of my reason, and I looked around, and my little boy had hold of me by the hand, and I said to him, Joseph, what's yon sae big and green in our lair?' and he gazed in my face, and the tears came into his eyes, and he replied Father, they are a' in the same grave.' I took my Well then,' resumed the advocate, what can you say to the barbarous murder of Archbishop Sharp? hand out of his;-I walked slowly to the green tomb; You will not contend that murder is not contrary to the law of God?' that any sin was perless murder, which is Commands.' 'I ne'er contended,' said I, mitted by the law of God-far expressly forbidden in the Ten Then ye acknowledge the murder of the Archbishop to have been murder?' Can I tell who was not there?' Then, to satisfy your conscience on that score, Ringan, I would ask you, if a gang of ruffians slay a defenceless man, do or do they not commit murder?' 'I can easily answer that.' Lord Kelburne again bent eagerly forward, and rested his cheek again on his hand, placing his elbow on the table, while I continued A gang of ruffians coming in wantonness, or for plunder, upon a defenceless man, and putting him to death, there can be no doubt is murder! but it has not yet been called murder to kill an enemy in battle; and and therefore, if the captain of a host go to war without arms, and thereby be defenceless, it cannot be said, that those of the adverse party, who may happen to slay him, do any murder.' Do you mean to justify the manner of the death of the Archbishop? exclaimed the advocate, starting back, and spreading out his arms in wonderment. ''Deed no, Sir,' replied I, a little nettled at the construction he would put on what I said; but I will say, even here, what Sir Davie Lindsay o' the Mount said on the similar event o' Cardinal Beaton's death, - I knelt down, and I caused my son to kneel beside me, and I vowed enmity for ever against Charles Stuart and all of his line; and I prayed, in the words of the Psalmist, that when he was judged he might be condemned. Then we rose; but my son said to me Father, I canna wish his condemnation; but I'll fight by your side till we have harlt him down from his bloody throne.' And I felt that I had forgotten I was a Christian, and I again knelt down and prayed, but it was for the sin I had done in the vengeance of the latter clause. Nevertheless, Lord,' I then cried, as thou thyself to David, make me an instrument to work out the purdidst take the sceptre from Saul, and gave the crown poses of thy dreadful justice, which in time will come to be.' where my home had been; but when I saw the rains Then I rose again, and went towards the place I ran back to the kirk-yard, and threw myself on the grave, and cried to the earth to open and receive me. there he sent down his consoling angel, and the whirlBut the Lord had heard my prayer, and while I lay promise of my son to fight by my side, and I rose to wind of my spirit was calmed, and I remembered the prepare myself for the warfare. Ringan again joins the covenanters, and as usual to his own loss; his son is killed, and himself taken prisoner, but he is fortunate enough to escape, and fortunate enough to kill the great Dundee; who, as the scourge of the Scottish dissenters, is the peculiar object of his hatred. With this achievement the romance closes.-Museum. ST. MARY'S SPIRE. The engraving with which we here present the public, is a neat and correct representation of the Spire, and Cross and Bull, of St Mary's Church, in this town. The Cross and Ball were blown into the horizontal situation in December last, and so continued until Tuesday the 6th instant; when their removal was effected by the ingenuity and courage of an individual-FRANCIS WOOTTON of Nottingham. Mr. Wootton (assisted by his son and another person) commenced his operations on the 1st or 2nd instant, by placing a ladder on the roof of the church; having ascended, and firmly cramped its upper extremity to the wall, he fastened a block and pulley to its top, by which was raised a second ladder; after securing the bottom of this to the top of the first, he then ascended the second ladder, and cramped it in the manner of the former; six others were raised in a similar way, when this dexterous, enterprising man gained the summit-an elevation of more than 230 feet, where he stood cheering and waving his hat, with the utmost confidence and compo sure. The next operation was the fastening of a block for the suspension and lowering of the Cross and Ball, when separated from the Spire; a noose was then, by means of a staff, passed over an arm of the cross, and properly secured : after this he attempted the division of the bar by sawing; but the vibrations of the cross, occasioned by the wind, rendered it impracticable. Tuesday morning, being calm, he again mounted and suspended a rope from the cross to the roof of the church; his son then undertook the operation of sawing, but not succeeding to his wish he descended; when, on pulling the rope, for the purpose of opening the division for the action of the saw, the bar unexpectedly snapped, and the cross and ball became suspended from the block and pulley, and were gradually lowered. Mr. Wootton intended to have separated and lowered the cross first, and had been accordingly cutting between the cross and the ball. On inspection, it proved that the iron bar snapped within the ball, where, owing to a flaw, it had only about a quarter of an inch for the support of the whole. The ball and cross are of sheet copper, the former two feet diameter, and 60lbs. weight; and the latter six feet by five feet eight inches, and about 160lbs. weight. The portion of the bar between the cross and the ball is from two to three yards in length. This intrepid individual has also undertaken to repair the Spire towards the top, which he will effect by the use of suspended ladders; he will substitute a rane for the ornament just removed. We extract the following particulars from "Mr. Aston's Picture of Manchester"-" This elegant Church, situated between Deansgate and the river Irwell, is of the Doric order; has a spire steeple 186 feet high, universally and deservedly admired for its elegance and fine proportions, though in point of architectural regularity, it is faulty, being of no particular or acknowledged order. The Architect has been accused of not being learned in his profession, but if it is deficient in regularity, like the Dramas of the immortal Shakespeare, it rises superior to rule, and will be admired as long as a taste for the really beautiful is inherent in those who observe it. The lantern is particularly striking. It is composed of eight Ionic pillars, which support the spire (the highest in the town) surmounted by a large globe, upon which, instead of a wind vane, is placed a massy cross, which, as well as the globe, is gilt." |