with a list of descriptions, and when one occurs likely to suit, the parties may correspond; and if mutually approved, the interview may be afterwards arranged. Further particulars may be had as above." Such a strange device in our own time, for catching would-be lovers, seems incredible, and yet here is the printed plan, with the name and address of the match-making gentleman you are to inquire for "up one pair of stairs." Topographical Memoranda. CLERICAL LONGEVITY. The following is an authentic account, from the "Antiquarian Repertory," of the incumbents of a vicarage near Bridgnorth in Shropshire. Its annual revenue, till the death of the last incumbent here mentioned, was not more than about seventy pounds per annum, although it is a very large and populous parish, containing at least twenty hamlets or townships, and is scarcely any where less than four or five miles in diameter. By a peculiar idiom in that country, the inhabitants of this large district are said to live "in Worfield-home:" and the adjacent, or not far distant, parishes (each of them, containing in like manner, many townships, or hamlets) are called Claverly, or Clarely-home, Tatnall-home, Womburnhome, or, as the terminating word is every where pronounced in that neighbourhood, "whome." "A list of the vicars of Worfield in the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, and in the county of Salop, from 1564 to 1763, viz. "Demerick, vicar, last popish priest, conformed during the six first years of Eliza beth. He died 1564. Barney, vicar 44 years; died 1608. Barney, vicar 56 years; died 1664. Hancocks, vicar 42 years; died 1707. Adamson, vicar 56 years: died 1763. "Only 4 vicars in 199 years. SPELLING FOR A WAKE. Proclamation was made a few years ago, at Tewkesbury, from a written paper, of which the following is a copy : "HOBNAIL'S WAKE-This his to give notis on Tusday next-a Hat to be playd at bac sord fore. Two Belts to be tuseld fore. A plum cack to be gump in bags fowr. A pond of backer to be bold for, and a showl to danc lot by wimen." Weather. A NEW HYGROMETER. Twelfth-Day A new instrument to measure the degrees of moisture in the atmosphere, of which the following is a description, was invented by M. Baptist Lendi, of St. Gall: In a white flint bottle is suspended a piece of metal, about the size of a hazle nut, which not only looks extremely beautiful, and contributes to the ornament of a room, but likewise predicts every possible change of weather twelve or fourteen hours before it occurs. As soon as the metal is suspended in the bottle with water, it begins to increase in bulk, and in ten or twelve days forms an admirable pyramid, which resembles polished brass; and it undergoes several changes, till it has attained its full dimensions. In rainy weather, this pyramid is constantly covered with pearly drops of water; in case of thunder or hail, it will change to the finest red, and throw out rays; in case of wind or fog, it will appear dull and spotted; and previously to snow, it will look quite muddy. If placed in a moderate temperature, it will require no other trouble than to pour out a common tumbler full of water, and to put in the same quantity of fresh. For the first few days it must not be shaken. Omniana. CALICO COMPANY. 'A red kitten was sent to the house of a linen-draper in the city; and, on departing from the maternal basket, the following lines were written : THE RED KITTEN. O the red red kitten is sent away, After the king of England fam'd, But as king Rufus chas'd the deer, The ancient custom of carrying the holly tree" on Twelfth Night, at Brough Westmoreland, is represented in the accompanying engraving. in Formerly the "Holly-tree" at Brough was really "holly," but ash being abundant, the latter is now substituted. There are two head inns in the town, which provide for the ceremony alternately, though the good townspeople mostly lend their assistance in preparing the tree, to every branch of which they fasten a torch. About eight o'clock in the evening, it is taken to a convenient part of the town, where the torches are lighted, the town band accompanying and playing till all is completed, when it is removed to the lower end of the town; and, after divers salutes and huzzas from the spectators, is carried up and down the town, in stately procession, usually by a person of renowned strength, named Joseph Ling. The band march behind it, playing their instruments, and stopping every time they reach the town bridge, and the cross, where the "holly" is again greeted with shouts of applause. Many of the inhabitants carry lighted branches and flambeaus; and rockets, squibs, &c. are discharged on the joyful occasion. After the tree is thus carried, and the torches are sufficiently burnt, it is placed in the middle of the town, when it is again cheered by the surrounding populace, and is afterwards thrown among them. They eagerly watch for this opportunity; and, clinging to each end of the tree, endeavour to carry it away to the inn they are contending for, where they are allowed their usual quantum of Carrying the "Holly Tree" at Brough, Westmoreland. To every branch a torch they tie, And then bear it flaming through the town, ale and spirits, and pass a merry night," which seldom breaks up before two in the morning. Although the origin of this usage is lost, and no tradition exists by which it can be traced, yet it may not be a strained surmise to derive it from the church ceremony of the day when branches of trees were carried in procession to decorate the altars, in commemoration of the offerings of the Magi, whose names are handed down to us as Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar, the patrons of travellers. In catholic countries, flambeaus and torches always abound in their ceremonies; and persons residing in the streets through which they pass, testify their zeal and piety by providing flambeaus at their own expense, and bringing them lighted to the doors of their houses. W. H. H. Emigration of the Deer from Cranbourn Chase, 1826. VOL. I.-2. The genial years increase the timid herd Till wood and pasture yield a scant supply; And in long lines o'er barren downs they hie, The deer of Cranbourn chase usually average about ten thousand in number. In the winter of 1826, they were presumed to amount to from twelve to fifteen thousand. This increase is ascribed to the unusual mildness of recent winters, and the consequent absence of injuries which the animals are subject to from severe weather. almost to Salisbury. Its market is on a Thursday, it has a cattle market in the spring, and its fairs are on St. Bartholomew's and St. Nicholas' days. It is the capital of the hundred to which it gives its name, and is a vicarage valued in the king's books at £6. 13s. 4d. It is a place of high antiquity famous in the Saxon and Norman times for its monastery, its chase, and its lords. The monastery belonged to the Benedictines, of which the church at the west end of the town was the priory.* Affray in the Chase. In the month of November, a great number of deer from the woods and pastures of the Chase, between Gunvile and Ashmore, crossed the narrow downs on the western side, and descended into the adjacent parts of the vale of Blackmore in quest of subsistence. There was a large On the night of the 16th of December, increase in the number about twelve years 1780, a severe battle was fought between preceding, till the continued deficiency of the keepers and deer-stealers on Chettle food occasioned a mortality. Very soon Common, in Bursey-stool Walk. The deerafterwards, however, they again increased stealers had assembled at Pimperne, and and emigrated for food to the vallies, as in were headed by one Blandford, a sergeant the present instance. At the former period, of dragoons, a native of Pimperne, then the greater part were not allowed or were quartered at Blandford. They came in the unable to return. night in disguise, armed with deadly offen sive weapons called swindgels, resembling flails to thresh corn. They attacked the keepers, who were nearly equal in number, but had no weapons but sticks and short hangers. The first blow was struck by the leader of the gang, it broke a knee-cap of the stoutest man in the chase, which dis abled him from joining in the combat, and lamed him for ever. Another keeper, from a blow with a swindgel, which broke three ribs, died some time after. The remaining keepers closed in upon their opponents The tendency of deer to breed beyond the means of support, afforded by parks and other places wherein they are kept, has been usually regulated by converting them into venison. This is clearly more humane than suffering the herds so to enlarge, that there is scarcely for " every one a mouthfull, and no one a belly full." It is also better to pay a good price for good venison in season, than to have poor and cheap venison from the surplus of starving animals "killed off" in mercy to the remainder, or in compliance with the wishes of landholders whose grounds they invade in their extremity. The emigration of the deer from Cranbourn Chase suggests, that as such cases arise in winter, their venison may be bestowed with advantage on labourers, who abound more in children than in the means of providing for them; and thus the surplus of the forest-breed be applied to the support and comfort of impoverished human beings. Cranbourn. Cranbourn is a market town and parish in the hundred of Cranbourn, Dorsetshire, about 12 miles south-west from Salisbury, and 93 from London. According to the last census, it contains 367 houses and 1823 inhabitants, of whom 104 are returned as being employed in trade. The parish includes a circuit of 40 miles, and the town is pleasantly situated in a fine champaign country at the north-east extremity of the county, near Cranbourn Chase, which extends with their hangers, and one of the dra * Hutchins's Dorset. Capper. |