"UBI MEL,

No. 25-NEW SERIES.]

SATURDAY, JUNE 22.

LE JEUNE D'EGMONT.

ADVENTURE OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

(FOR THE "FLY.")

There was always to be traced in the blood of the Counts d'Egmont a certain bold daring ind want of caution, mixed up with native courage, that not unfrequently have led them nto straits and difficulties. We might cite nany instances of this kind, were we not enraged to write an adventure less serious in its onsequences than many others recorded of he noble house from which our article takes

ts name.

One evening in the last years of the reign f Louis XV., some gay musketeers having opiously dined, and in like manner done jusice to their wine, repaired to the Opera, which pon this occasion happened to be much rowded. Pot valiant, and with no lack of ssurance, they contrived cleverly to make heir way through the dense masses, until they ucceeded in gaining places in the centre of he pit. There was, however, no room to sit t this time, nor could they advance further, nd as patience was now the only remedy, atient they needs were. The curtain drew p, and warmed with their wine they thought f nothing else but the enjoyment of the pera. Unhappily one of them, the wildest the company, a young Belgian nobleman, ho was engaged in the service of Louis XV., ad before him an old Monsieur, very stout, nd of ample dimensions in all respects. An normous peruke on his head, in front of the oung musketeer, formed a sort of screen, hich nearly deprived him of a sight of the age, and of the graces, especially of a charmig dancer in whose evolutions he seemingly bok much interest.

"Sir," said the musketeer mildly, finding hat his efforts were fruitless in attempting to make the colossus in front of him move right

or left, "could you not by a little politeness afford me a glimpse of the stage ?"

"Impossible, sir," replied coldly and drily the wig-headed gentleman, without turning round, or evincing the least movement of his person.

Still, sir, continued the musketeer, "if you would put aside your peruke in the smallest degree I could”

"Impossible!" was once more the calm and phlegmatic reply of old wigsby.

The young man, not discouraged, renewed his request again and again, always with temper and courtesy. The stout gentleman no longer replied by word or action, but stood immovable as a railway terminus, a statue, or a dome. A similar sang froid would have irritated a head more tranquil and less impatient. The musketeer was the more annoyed as his position, which allowed him to see nothing, afforded a subject for raillery and laughter to his neighbours, and above all to his own companions, who were in a degree better off than himself. Still, however, not being simple enough to stir up a row in the pit of a playhouse, while the performance went on, his mind next turned upon vengeance, and in a few seconds he had planned a trick which would bring back the laughers to his side. Here was some compensation at least. He bethought himself that in his pocket he had a pair of scissors-these he drew out, and began to crop that superfluity of the peruke which obstructed his view; this was done on the left hand of the stout gentleman, making at once an opening tolerably capacious and convenient. But the bursts of laughter which this pleasantly produced, awakening the old gentleman from a species of apathy which till that time he had exhibited, he soon perceived the state in which a mischievous hand had left his wig, and on this occasion turning himself about, he presented a figure at once grave and determined.

[TWOPENCE.

"My young friend," said he to the mus keteer, with emphasis, "I hope you will not leave this place without me."

Having thus said, he resumed his position, and to all appearance never budged an inch as long as the performance lasted. This little compliment nevertheless, but above all the expressive look with which it was accompanied, made the young Belgian perceive in a twinkling the extent of his folly, and tempered very considerably the pleasure he had had in forming it. But he was brave; the wine had been drawn, and he resolved to drink it. The opera over, the old gentleman turned round gravely, in spite of his wig, which had only one wing, and invited his young friend, as he termed him, by a sign merely to follow him, and the musketeer followed him instanter. After they had traversed, not without trouble, the Place du Palais Royal, and filed through the street of St. Thomas du Louvre, they entered under the archway of the grand stables (which have just been demolished), and there they stopped on a sudden.

"You are young, M. le Comte d'Egmont," said the stout gentleman; "I have the honour to know you, as you perceive, and I owe you a lesson, the which your deceased father, who I had the honour of knowing also, would probably not object to. When an old military officer is insulted publicly, the parties should know something of fighting. Let us see, sir, how you acquit yourself on this point."

In saying these words, the unknown person had unsheathed his sword. Young Egmont, humbled as he was, allowed him not to wait, but rushed upon his adversary with all the impetuosity which his age and resentment made him capable of. But the old gentleman, who was as calm as when at the theatre, and firm as a rock, after contenting himself with parrying a few thrusts of the musketeer, by a most insolent parade of the art, made at length no other reply to the attacks of his

opponent, than by a sort of whip cut, which

HOPE.

was his dismay, when he again looked up, to find the tinteréro still hovering over him, as

paces distant.

"Take it up, sir,” said he, with his usual sang froid. It is not as a fencer at the Opera, it is as a gallant man, one of a firm foot, that a man of your name should fight: it is to this that I invite you."

"You are quite right, sir," answered the young man, biting his lip, "and I hope soon to prove myself worthy of your esteem."

Determined rather to die than expose himself to the sarcasms of this strange adversary, Egmont planted himself immediately opposite him, and recommenced operations with as much coolness and self-possession as the other had shown in defending himself.

"Fort bien cela! very good, indeed, M. le Comte," repeated the stout gentleman, up to the moment when piercing the fleshy part of the young musketeer's arm through and through, he added, with his characteristic calmness, "Let be-there's now enough for this time." F. E.

life,

as having large round and inflamed eyes, ap.

And animates us when with cares opprest; It soothes the mind, and sweetly softens strife.parently just ready to start from their sockets And bids the weary from his sorrows rest. with eagerness, and a mouth (at the recollec tion of which he still shuddered) that was

And is the future dark, and fraught with

cares,

Are deep forebodings pressing on the mind? 'Tis hope that smooths the path and calms our fears,

And by its presence can e'en comfort find. How like a sunbeam on the soul it glows, Sheds a soft balm, and speaks a sweeter peace;

Dispels the gloom and dissipates our woes,

And joys arise, and sorrows quickly cease. Wafted on wings of hope the soul doth rise, Above the transitory joys of earth; Beyond the present, far beyond she flies, And seeks for pleasures of celestial birth. Oh! on my soul sweet hope then brightly

shine,

Nor prove to me an evanescent ray; Make happiness and peace for ever mine, Light up my morn and gild my closing day.

PERILS OF PEARL DIVING.

P.

continually opening and shutting, as if the

monster was already, in imagination, devour. ing his victim, or, at least, that the contempla tion of his prey imparted a foretaste of the gout. Two alternatives now presented them. selves to the mind of Don Pablo; one, to suffer himself to be drowned; the other, to be eaten. He had already been under water so considerable a time that he found it impossible any longer to retain his breath, and was c the point of giving himself up for lost, with as much philosophy as he possessed. But what is dearer than life? The invention of man is seldom at a loss to find expedients for its preservation, in cases of great extremity. On a sudden, he recollected that on one side of the rock he had observed a sandy spot, and to attentive friend still watching his movements, this he swam with all imaginable speed; his and keeping a measured pace with him. As soon as he reached the spot, he commenced stirring it with his pointed stick in such a way that the fine particles rose and rendered the water perfectly turbid, so that he could not see the monster nor the monster him. Avail. ing himself of the cloud by which himself and the tinteréro were enveloped, he swam very far out in a transvertical direction, and reached the surface in safety, although completely ex hausted. Fortunately, he rose close to one of the boats; and those who were within seeing him in such a state, and knowing that a enemy must have been persecuting him, and that by some artifice he had saved his life. jumped overboard, as is their common practice in such cases, to frighten the creature away by splashing in the water, and Don Pablo L taken into the boat more dead than alive.Hardy.

WANTING A PLACE UNDER GOVERN

MENT.

Don Pablo Oshou, who was for many years a superintendent of the fishery, and himself a most expert diver, gave me the following account of one of his watery adventures :-The Placer de la Piedra Negada, which is near Loretto, was supposed to have quantities of very large pearl oysters round it—a supposition which was at once confirmed by the great difficulty of finding this sunken rock. Don Pablo, however, succeeded in sounding it, and, in search of specimens of the largest and oldest shells, dived in eleven fathoms water. The rock is not above 150 or 200 yards in circumference, and our adventurer swam round and examined it in all directions, but without meeting any inducement to prolong his stay. Accordingly, being satisfied that there were I was called out of my bed early one no oysters, he thought of ascending to the winter morning by a person coming on bas surface of the water; but first he cast a look ness of the utmost consequence, and dressed upwards, as all divers are obliged to do who myself in great haste, supposing it might be hope to avoid the hungry jaws of a monster. summons to attend a Cabinet Council. Wher If the coast is clear, they may rise without I came into my private office, I found a quer apprehension. Don Pablo, however, when he long-sided man, at least six feet high, with a cast a hasty glance upwards, found that a tin-little head, a long queue, and face critically teréro had taken a station about three or four round, as rosy as a ripe cherry. He handed yards immediately above him, and, most pro-me a letter from his Excellency the honourbably, had been watching during the whole able Peleg, recommending him particularly time that he had been down. A double- my patronage. I was a little inclined to te pointed stick is a useless weapon against a rude, but checked myself, remembering that i tinteréro, as its mouth is of such enormous was the servant of such men as my visiter, dimensions that both man and stick would be and that I might get the reputation of an ar swallowed together. He therefore felt him-tocrat if I made any distinction between mu self rather nervous, as his retreat was now completely intercepted. But, under water, time is too great an object to be spent in reflection, and therefore he swam round to another part of the rock, hoping by this means to avoid the vigilance of his persecutor. What

and man.

"Well, my friend, what situation do y wish ?"

"Why-y-y, I am not very particular; he somehow or other I should like to be one ci them ministers to foreign parts."

"I am very sorry, very sorry indeed, that there is no vacancy just now. Would something else suit you ?"

"My dear sir, I'm sorry, very sorry indeed, but it happens unfortunately that every one of these situations is filled. Would you not take something else ?"

My friend stroked his chin, and seemed as if struggling to bring down the soarings of his high ambition to the present crisis. At last he answered,

"Why-y-y, ye-e-es, I don't care if I get a good collectorship, or inspectorship, or surveyorship, or navy agency, or any thing of that

sort."

"Really, my good Mr. Phipenny (said I), I regret exceedingly that not only these places but every other place of consequence in the government is at present occupied. Pray think of something else."

He then, after some hesitation, asked for a clerkship, and finally the place of messenger to one of the offices. Finding no vacancy here, he seemed in a vast perplexity, and looked all round the room, fixing his eyes at length on me, and measuring me from head to foot. At last, putting on one of the drollest faces that ever adorned the face of man, he said,

"Mister, you and I seem to be built pretty much alike, havn't you some old clothes ean spare!"

you

"Oh what a falling-off was there!" from a foreign mission to a suit of old clothes, which the reader may be assured I gave him with infinite pleasure, in reward for the only honest laugh I enjoyed for years afterwards.

MARSHAL MORTIER, DUKE OF TREVISO.

(Letter to the Editor of the Caméléon.)

(FOR THE "FLY.”)

The late deplorable event which has struck France with stupefaction and horror, as well as indignation, can never be forgotten by the people. All the country condemns in terms of the greatest abhorrence this execrable at tempt, which at one "fell swoop" has consigned to death illustrious chiefs and obscure citizens; the latter distant and removed from their homes, the former far from the field of battle! National and pompous funerals, one tomb in honour of the illustrious dead, one universal gloom and mourning, have been the sorrowful compensation for deaths so premature and so appalling. From this time the names of the victims belong to history. It is a duty incumbent on those who know them to impart such knowledge to the public. The most obscure life, as well as the most conspicuous, can often unfold humble deeds, not generally known. To bring them to light, is to place a fresh laurel upon the tomb of its author, and is the only tribute that can be paid to those whose names we wish to see recorded

shall always feel pleasure when I look back to the way in which this sum was disbursed.'

"After the battle of Talavera, the Duke of Wellington, then Sir Arthur Wellesley, finding himself under the necessity of moving a division of the army against a French column advancing on his left, gave his hospital in charge to the Spaniards; but that very day he was apprised by the Spanish General that the French army, beaten some time previously, had rallied, and was then directing its march on Talavera. The English commander gave

immediate orders to evacuate the town. All the sick in a state to be moved were transported to the other side of the Tagus; some officers, with a portion of the medical staff remaining with those who, from the nature of their wounds especially, could not be removed. Three days afterwards the French entered the town. Marshal Mortier, Duke of Treviso, commanding this division of the army, sent for the medical officer, intimating to him that he wished to see the different houses in which the sick and wounded of the English army were lodged. At this inspection the Marshal addressed himself with great kindness to the sick soldiers, assuring them that he would use his best endeavours to abridge their captivity. He exhorted them meanwhile to support their ills with patience, giving them reason to hope that an exchange of prisoners would shortly take place. The Marshal next requested Mr. Macdonnel, the chief medical officer, to furnish him with a daily report of the sick, adding obligingly that he should be always glad to see him at his table, where he was sure to find the means of advancing the interests of his patients; assuring him, moreover, that he should be happy at all times to aid him in the cause of humanity. This manner of inviting the officer to dinner daily, is it not a trait of finished and delicate courtesy worthy of record?

"The first proclamation invited the peasants to bring provisions to the town, giving notice that every thing would be paid for argent comptant, and an order was issued that the English hospital should be served before the French. Mr. Macdonnel has transmitted to the author of this article the sentiments of the Marshal upon this interesting subject, conceived in his own words. If I have not authority over the military chest of the army, I am at least master of my own purse. I offer to you this sum (which, as well as I now remember, was between four and five hundred Napoleons); this I beg you will employ as you may see expedient for the use of your people. Perhaps hereafter the amount may be refunded by your Government; if not, I

"R. S. I."

CHINESE PUNISHMENTS.

What is called in China close confinement is a very terrible punishment. The criminal is fastened at full length upon a sort of bedstead, a block of wood serving for pillow. His hands and feet are loaded with iron manacles, and his neck is chained to the block on which his head rests. The whole is generally enclosed in a cage.

A person sentenced to transportation is led by an officer of justice into the country appointed for his future residence. He carries a mat to serve him as a bed, and a palm leaf to protect him from the weather. Upon his back his crime, his sentence, and his name are displayed in conspicuous characters. This punishment is inflicted on those who have struck an elder brother; who have incurred debts by gaming, which they are unable to pay; and for such other offences as appear to render the perpetrator unworthy to continue in his native country. If offenders are sent to Tartary, their banishment is perpetual.

The dreadful operation of ham-stringing is performed with a short sword. The culprit is thrown down upon his face; a vessel containing chunam, a species of mortar, is at hand, to be applied by way of styptic to the wounds. This punishment is generally inflicted upon condemned prisoners who have endeavoured to make their escape, but is said to have been lately abolished, it being considered that the natural inclination for liberty merited not a punishment for such severity.

The usual capital punishments in China are strangling and beheading. The former is the most common, and is decreed against those who are found guilty of crimes, which, however capital, are only held in the second rank of atrocity. For instance, all acts of homicide, whether intentional or accidental; every species of fraud committed on the government; the seduction of a woman, whether married or single; giving abusive language to a parent, plundering or defacing a buryingplace; robbing with destructive weapons; and for wearing pearls. For the last it would be difficult to give a rational motive.