"Ah, Monsieur !" replied he, with a graceful bow, that at once acknowledged the compliment and admitted the fact. "Methinks it was well worth submitting to some little delay at the poste," continued I, "since it was to produce to us the satisfaction of being driven by one who, I protest, is the very pink of all postilions." "Ah, Monsieur is too good," replied François, with another inclination of his body and slide of his right foot, which, considering the hill we were then climbing, displayed an inconceivable knowledge of the art faire la reverence. "But," continued he, "I hope Messieurs les voyageurs will not for one moment believe that I could have dared to have detained the without strong reasons for doing so." "Doubtless," said I. "But what were your reasons, if I may venture to inquire into them ?" "I have two," replied François, with a mysterious air; "each in itself so powerful, that Monsieur cannot fail to admit them to be irresistible." "Out with them, then!" said I. their bodies, or the nervous energy, is excited, and which it accidentally held in the earth; for a poker, it the sensation experienced by the most remote of the has been found, acquires a certain degree of magnetic number. But the first, or toucher of the wire, feels it power, from standing in an angular position with remuch more vividly, for in him the agitation of the gard to the earth. But the most plausible theory of nervous or electric fluid is strongly excited, while magnetism seems to be, that it arises from the attracin the last the oscillations are more feeble from dis- tions and repulsions of the currents of electricity, which tance and the imperfect conducting power of human are constantly circulating round every magnet, and inbodies. It is scarcely necessary to allude to the ana- deed round every body that possesses the electric power logy in the transference and diffusion of heat, as the in a high degree. Steel, struck by lightning, or a same theory which we have applied to electricity and strong shock of electricity, acquires magnetism; and light, has been long admitted with regard to heat. it is curious that a shock which renders iron only a The tendency to establish an equilibrium is a strong temporary magnet, affects steel permanently. point of resemblance between heat and electricity, and When a wire conducting electricity is placed parallel the repulsion of heated particles in all bodies, whether to a magnetic needle properly suspended, the needle solid, fiuid, or aëriform, appears to be regulated by will deviate from its original or natural direction. the same laws which guide the phenomena of electrical This deviation was found, by Professor Oersted of Corepulsion; for the repellant power is not to be attri-penhagen, to follow a uniform law, which led him to buted to the particles of the bodies, but to the mole- the conclusion, as stated above, that electrical currents cules of caloric, which repel each other when excited, moved in a circular direction round every magnet. and thus expand the body, or substance in which they Heat, it is proved, lies dormant in bodies; light, as in are in action, which is exactly similar to the operation phosphorescent substances, does the same; and there is of the electric power. Between light and heat a strik- no difficulty in supposing that iron, which is in great ing analogy exists, with regard to their refrangible abundance on the earth's surface, absorbs and retains and reflectible powers. When a ray of light moves in electricity, of which it is an excellent conductor, in a one medium, it does not change its direction, but certain state of condensation, and is affected by laws of passes in a straight line; when the medium, however, attraction resembling those which actuate the ordinary is changed, it takes an oblique direction, and is then electric power. But an experiment nearly conclusive said to be refracted. When a ray of light strikes with regard to the identity of electricity and magnetobliquely against a plane surface, it is reflected from ism, has been lately performed by Professor Faraday, it in an angle equal to that at which it falls. These for which that accomplished philosopher deserves the are well-known facts, but they are worthy of notice, thanks of all lovers of science. From a horse-shoe "Your first reason is so strong, and so well put, because they maintain the analogy between light and magnet of no great power, he succeeded in eliciting Monsieur François," said I, smiling, "that it seems heat, for the latter follows precisely the same laws of electric sparks, or at least sparks of white light, in to me that a second were almost unnecessary." "But refraction and reflection which light is subject to. every respect resembling the electric. This is by far Monsieur will find that my second reason, when he the most decisive proof we have yet got on the subject. comes to know it, is yet more powerful,” replied he, We may conclude with quoting from a late number of with a certain polite air of waggery. "Ha, ha !" said the Information for the People, the theory which is I, "come away with it, then, if you please." held regarding the earth's influence on the magnet. "With the gracious permission of Monsieur, I shall "In explanation of that influence by which the mag-defer producing it for the present," replied he, with another exquisite bow; " and if Messieurs will now do me the honour to condescend so far as to replace themselves in the carriage, I shall be able to master the rest of this slope without giving them any further personal fatigue." ST SYMPHORIEN DE LAY. With respect to power, the similitude of light and electricity is particularly striking. When light is condensed by means of a large lens, it excites, or perhaps we should rather say, becomes, the most intense heat. In its focus oxides may be restored to the metallic state, ores reduced, and gold brought to the boil-netic needle is kept always in a position nearly coining point. What was the power which enabled Sir ciding with the meridian, it is conjectured that currents Humphry Davy to gain an immortal name by his dis- of electricity, analogous to those which circulate round covery of the metallic basis of the alkalies and earths? every magnet, are constantly flowing round the globe, It was the application of electricity to the same pur- as the current of electricity in a galvanic apparatus poses, which, we have said, concentrated light can ac- moves in an unbroken circuit from the negative to the complish, the reduction of potash, soda, and other positive pole, and from it, by the connecting wire, metallic oxides, to their basis of ore; a task the more round again to the negative pole. The direction of difficult, because these ores have yet been nowhere these currents is inferred to be the same as has been found in a simple state. Can different powers follow stated with regard to artificial magnets; and it is simso many similar laws, and produce so many similar ef- ply by the attractions and repulsions of these terresfects? Vegetables thrive in light and die in darkness: trial currents, bringing the currents round the needle beds of flowers, when insulated and frequently electri- to coincide with them, that the latter always points to fied, have their growth accelerated. Heat, however the north." derived, hatches eggs, and electricity, repeatedly applied, does the same. The expansion of fluids is caused both by electricity and light; both of them precipitate BY SIR THOMAS DICK LAUDER. lime from lime-water, and change vegetable blue [From the Scottish Annual; Glasgow, J. Reid & Co. 1836.] juices to red. The following experiment shows that electricity can cause transparency:-Let one end of a EVENING was approaching as my friend and I stopped chain be connected with a charged jar, and its other to change horses at Roanne, in order to prosecute our end lie on the table: place the other end of a chain journey to Lyons. We were most unaccountably deabout half an inch from it, and place a decanter of wa-tained for an unusual length of time, and it required ter on these separated ends. If now the jar be dis- all the politeness of a very civil postmaster to keep us charged through these chains, in the dark the water in any thing like tolerable humour. At length we will appear beautifully luminous. If we consider that found ourselves en route, and we proceeded at a ratlight lay latent in the glass and water, and only re- tling pace along a chaussée, running for a considerable quired the excitement of some luminous body to ren- way across the plain, until the road finally turned into der it visible, we can easily account for the brilliant a small but romantic valley. I may with truth affirm light by the agency of the spark. Many more experi- that this lovely spot had the merit of presenting us ments might be advanced in proof of the theory which with the first scenery we had yet met with in France holds light, electricity, and heat, to be merely modifi- which had any pretensions to be designated by the cations of one and the same power; but enough has term romantic. The bottom was narrow, and sequesbeen said to show their wonderful similarity in the tered, and sweet, and peaceful, like the simple Highmost important points, and active minds may easily land glen. A clear and lively stream foamed and push the inquiry further. They certainly obey, in sparkled through it; and beautiful rocks of porphyry many respects, similar laws, are endowed with similar arose here and there from its margin, in bold and picpowers, and produce similar effects. turesque masses. Nature, persecuted, beclipped, and befrizzled as she is throughout the whole length and breadth of this most artificial kingdom, might well have been glad to avail herself of such a retirement to snatch a few moments of repose. Galvanism and magnetism, as mentioned at the commencement of this article, are now also admitted to be identical with electricity. Galvanism may be said to consist of a series of electrical phenomena, in which the electricity is developed without the aid of friction, and where chemical action, unknown in simple electrical developement, takes place. A simple galvanic circle consists of three conductors of electricity, of which one must be solid and one fluid, while the third may be either solid or fluid. Copper, zinc, and a solution of muriatic acid, are an example of one of these circles; and a number of these, arranged in succession as in a galvanic trough, are sufficient for the evolution of the electric power. Two laws of electricity, which we have stated, seem to be the basis of galvanism, namely, its existence in a latent state in all matter, and its constant tendency to establish an equilibrium. The chemical action between the fluids and solids in the galvanic circle, is probably the exciting power which renders the latent electricity active; and its evolution follows from the tendency of the fluid to enter all bodies not already surcharged, and its constant motion from the negative to the positive pole. The identity of the galvanic and electric principles in their effects is so well understood now-a-days, that convenience or a difference in power are the only reasons for the use of the one in preference to the other in experimenting, and for this reason we shall proceed to magnetism. The natural magnet is a ponderous iron-stone of a blackish colour, and possessed of the power of attracting other substances of a metallic character. It was long supposed to derive its power from the position As we proceeded, we began to ascend the mountains, and our road became very steep. The evening was delightful, and we got out of the carriage to walk up the long hill. I have a natural inclination to gain good-will, if I possibly can do so, from all mankind, whatever may be their rank or condition. As I trust I shall never condescend to purchase it from the great by meanness or subserviency, so neither shall I submit to gather it from the small by unworthy means, But if I can work mine easy way with my fellow human beings, by the mere expenditure of a few honest civilities, I hope I may do so without the risk of incurring any great degree of blame. Our postilion was a fine handsome young fellow, and the good-humoured smile which played over a very lively and ingenuous countenance, seemed to court converse. His hair was plaited and powdered in an excessive degree-his queue was magnifique and every part of his dress was so supereminently spruce, that I could not help suspecting that nature had given him a more than ordinary share of that vanity which is said by us grumbling matter-of-fact sons of Britain to be so much the characteristic of his countrymen. I won his heart in the lighting of the tinder that ignited my own cigar, and that with which I presented him. "Why, friend, you are by much the smartest of all the many smart postilions who have driven us any where between Paris and Roanne," said I, as we went pushing up the hill together. "Since Monsieur is pleased to listen to me, then," said François, "I shall presume to tell him that my first reason is, that this is a jour de fête (festival) at St Symphorien de Lay, whither I have at this moment the honour of conveying the carriage of les deux Messieurs Anglais, with three of the best horses in the universe, and Monsieur will himself at once perceive the importance of my taking sufficient time to enable me to make such a toilette as should not dishonour him or his equipage on so important an occasion." "So be it!" exclaimed I, shaking my head and laughing, and seating ourselves in the carriage; and François having put up the steps and shut the door, all further conversation was put a stop to by the incessant crick-cracking of his whip. From the top of the hill we enjoyed a most extensive prospect. Below us lay the deep and narrow valley we had left, and farther off the broad plain of the Loire stretching away beyond Roanne, and finely bounded by those mountains, over which the rising sun had seen us journeying in the morning. The glorious orb was now declining towards the horizon, and we enjoyed the contemplation of the magnificence of nature glowing beneath the full brilliancy shed over it by his parting rays. The face of the country more immediately around us was very singular. Our road towards St Symphorien de Lay ran along the ridge, which disclosed to us all those great amphitheatric hollows and round intervening hills, of which its varied surface was so strangely composed. It was sweet to look down into these depths, which every where exhibited the most industrious cultivation, and where modest but comfortable dwellings were scattered about in every retiring nook. There was nothing, it is true, which could be called strikingly grand, or pre-eminently beautiful, or even individually interesting, in the fea tures either of nature or of art which presented themselves to our eyes. It was, after all, little else but a succession of scenes of mere cultivation. But all nature was calm, and a peaceful air of rural simplicity and innocency seemed to blend itself with the drooping shades of evening, as they descended from heaven upon these humble roofs; and this alone was sufficient to spread a charm over them, which nothing else could equal. Our minds busied themselves in penetrating within their thresholds, and in holding imaginary converse with their inmates; and thus a thousand agreeable associations were awakened within us-so that we drove on towards St Symphorien de Lay, in that pleased and pliable temper of mind which naturally disposes us to harmonise most fully with the feelings of our fellow-mortals, whether they be those of pleasure or of pain. We entered the little bourg, and our heartstrings were instantly touched by sounds of mirth and revelry. We found its inhabitants indulging in all the exuberance of rustic joy. A narrow, crooked, and awkward street, brought us into a confined market-place, the breadth of which was so small, and the projection of the roofs so great, that a large canvass awning had been, with very great care, drawn entirely across it, so as to cover it completely from the sky. A band of musicians, by no means despicable in performance, were seated on the upper steps of the outer stair of a sort of town-house, which formed an admirable orchestra. The whole presented the appearance of a vast ballroom, which was well crowded with peasants of both sexes, and we regretted that the passage of the carriage should unavoidably break through the phalanx of dancers. Our postilion, however, who seemed to be familiarly recognised by individuals from various parts of this gay assemblage, cracked his whip with increased activity, as he dashed fearlessly in among them, scattering them in dismay to right and left; and, amidst the pride of his professional triumph, he threw about very arch looks, that seemed to say, "Messieurs, if I do mar your sport at present, depend upon it I shall do my best to mend it by and bye;" and having, with great seeming impatience, at last extricated himself from the crowd, he drove us like fury down the street to our inn. This was the festival of St Symphorien, the patron of this little town. Determined to enjoy as much as circumstances would permit, of a scene which promised to be so hilarious, we hurried over our hasty meal, and sallied forth to witness the amusement that was going on. The vicinity of our inn was very dark and silent, chiefly because it was at a considerable distance from the market-place, then the great centre of attraction. As we advanced up the street, however, bright lights began at intervals to glare across the way, in broad and brilliant masses, from the interior of some of the houses on either hand. By these we were enabled to work our passage from one to another, by a navigation somewhat resembling that of a ship beating up some narrow channel, by tacking from light to light. By degrees the buzz of human voices became louder and louder, as we moved onwards; the blazing lights became more universal, and the whole town appeared alive. Every window was wide open, giving free admission to the genial air from without. Every cabaret, every little auberge that we looked into, was filled with thick-set groups of the most joyous faces of both sexes, surrounding plentiful tables, where large flasks of wine crowned every feast. Wilkie might have here found fifty subjects for first-rate pictures, without moving more than as many yards. What strong and expressive countenances!-how eagerly were the heads thrust forward and the necks strained, each in the vain attempt to be individually heard!—what a confused Babel of voices!-what a profuse expenditure of lungs!what volubility of utterance, altogether thrown away where all were talkers and none were listeners!—what shouting!-what stentorian chaunting!-and what peals of laughter! But amidst all their revelry we could nowhere discover any thing like inebriety, or its yet more disagreeable offspring, riot and quarrel; all of which are but too frequently found to be the natural attendants on similar scenes of jollification in our own country. As we approached the little market-place, the sounds of merriment increased. We now found that chandeliers, curiously constructed of wood and pasteboard, had been suspended by ropes from the lofty canvass roof, and these having been fitted with a great number of candles, the place was now as light as day. What a mingled sound of busy voices! Here, on seats along the walls, sat the old men and matrons, stretching their lantern jaws and black muzzles from ear to ear in one universal grin of delight, and jabbering to one another in ecstacy, as they gazed on the gambols of their progeny, and recalled the merry days when they were themselves young. There stood the maidens scattered about in smart parties, trigly dressed in their gayest attire, and having their wooden sabots exchanged for shoes of a lighter material and fashion. The youths were clad in cotton jackets of various gaudy hues, of which, however, a light blue was the most prevalent colour. Their hair was trimmed and powdered with the greatest nicety. These rustic cavaliers were moving about in fluctuating and promiscuous throngs; gliding among the little knots of beauties, and darting their sprightly remarks to this well-known face or to that, and exciting blushes, or poutings, or smart repartee, according to the disposition or temper of her upon whom they might fall. We remarked one lovely, fresh, and blooming brunette, on whose pensive countenance these random arrows of gallantry produced no change. Unheeding all around her, she stood apart, leaning against a projecting buttress; and her dark eyes seemed to rove eagerly and anxiously through the crowd, as if in search of some object interesting to herself alone. The band, which had retired for refreshment, now returned, and the music struck up. Inspired by its lively strains, the beaux approached the belles with their cocked hats in their hands, and with a succession of bows, any one of which might have been sufficient to have carried the day in a competition for the situation of dancing-master to an English boardingschool, each addressed his lady with the most profound respect, and humbly soliciting the extreme honour of Mademoiselle's hand, each led his curtseying partner forth. In an instant the centre of the place was converted into one vast vortex of waltzes and quadrilles; in the midst of which we very soon descried our lively postilion, spinning it and footing it away with an air that betrayed the fullest consciousness of his own superior grace and agility. We could read another emotion in his eyes, too, for they were rivetted on the dark sparklers of her with whom he danced. She was the fresh and blooming brunette, whose wellturned form we had already remarked leaning against the buttress. How different was the expression which now animated her beautiful features, as she gave herself up with perfect rapture to that delirium of joy in which she was whirled by the vigorous arm of her partner! Her soul seemed to exhale itself, as it were, from the lattices of her long dark eyelashes. It was easy to guess how matters stood between them; and we watched them with a peculiar degree of interest, as they re-appeared from time to time amidst the circling eddies of the dance, where the pairs were revolving round and round, with all the regularity of the orbs in some great planetarium. It did now and then happen, indeed, that some errant body, more clumsy and ponderous than the rest, leaving his own orbit, came like an awful comet to jostle the lesser planets from their spheres. But even such an occurrence as this occasioned no derangement of that composed and well-regulated air of politeness which reigned every where among them. A bow of apology was made and graciously received, and then matters went on as before. That decorous ceremonial that befits a ballroom prevailed every where throughout, whilst it was enlivened by a full infusion of that joyous bounding of the heart which naturally takes place in the lightsome bosom of rural innocence, when indulging in virtuous recreation. What a contrast, thought I, between this unalloyed scene of pure enjoyment, and that brutal debasement of human nature, which, I grieve to say, we so often see exhibited in the drunkenness, riot, obscenity, and debauchery of an English fair! By way of a little variety, we left this great central ballroom, and wandered into other parts of the bourg. We found music and dancing every where. In one place we discovered a genteel party of well-dressed young ladies and gentlemen, in the well-furnished apartment of a handsome house, with the windows thrown open, dancing quadrilles to music played to them in the street, altogether regardless of the passengers that stopped to admire them. All ranks and conditions were doing their best to testify their respect for the saint under whose protection they lived; and if music and dancing were gratifying to him, he must have been that night supremely blest. On our return to the market-place, we found the indefatigable feet of the dancers there still in active motion. We stood for some time gazing on them with intense pleasure, and conversing now and then familiarly with the elder peasants of both sexes. One old farmer politely made room for us on the bench where he sat, and we accepted his courtesy more from complaisance than from fatigue. As I sat talking to him, his eyes suddenly shot past me to some more distant object. I turned mine to see what or who it was that had so strongly attracted them, when I beheld the beautiful brunette leaning on the arm of François, and altogether absorbed in the interest of the soft things which he appeared to be pouring into her ear. Ha, Monsieur," said I to the old man, "I see that though age has shed some of its frosts on your head, you still have an eye capable of estimating beauty. She is very lovely.' "She is the daughter of a poor widow," replied the farmer somewhat gruffly; "and she is no match for my son François. When I am gone, he will have a small patrimony, and he ought to marry better." | concerned, it would be sufficiently pre-eminent, not only as might regard the mere kingdom of France, but every other country of Europe also, we thought that they might well enough dispense with the loss of all the honour which our presence could have bestowed on it. Yet were we by no means insensible to the warm expressions of gratitude which these worthy people showered upon us. Our good wishes, uttered over a · hearty parting wine cup, and a small present which we made to the bride, to assist in the provision of her trousseau, were received with heartfelt joy and grati. tude, and with many fervent benedictions from the party; and when they took their leave, I could perceive tears glistening in the dark eyes of Marie. Never shall I forget the rustic festival of the little mountain bourg of St Symphorien de Lay. BAZAARS OF CONSTANTINOPLE. [From "Willis's Pencillings by the Way," or Sketches by as American, recently published.] BRING all the shops of New York, Philadelphia, and Boston together around the City Hall; remove their fronts, pile up all their goods on shelves facing the street; cover the whole with a roof, and metamorphose your trim clerks into bearded, turbaned, and solemn old Mussulmen, smooth Jews, and calpacked and rosy Armenians, and you will have something like the grand bazaar of Constantinople. Yet you can scarcely get an idea of it without having been there. It is a city under cover. You walk all day, and day after day, from one street to another, winding and turning, and trudging up hill and down, and never go out of doors. The roof is as high as those of our three-story houses, and the dim light so favourable to shopkeepers comes struggling down through skylights never cleaned except by the rains of heaven. Strolling through the bazaar is an endless amusement. It is slow work, for the streets are as crowded as a church-aisle after service; and, pushed aside one moment by a bevy of Turkish ladies, shuffling along in their yellow slippers, muffled to the eyes; the next by a fat slave carrying a child; again by a kervas armed to the teeth, and clearing the way for some coming dignitary, you find your only policy is to draw in your elbows, and suffer the motley crowd to shove you about at their pleasure. Each shop in this world of traffic may be two yards wide. The owner sits cross-legged on the broad counter below, the height of a chair from the ground, and hands you all you want without stirring from his seat. One broad bench or counter runs the length of the A little further converse with him informed me that street, and the different shops are only divided by the the old man had been misled by the old mercenary slight partition of the shelves. The purchaser seats principle, and that he wished to make out his son's himself on the counter, to be out of the way of the happiness by means which could never have accom- crowd, and the shopman spreads out his goods on his plished it. He had some plan of tying him to some knees, never condescending to open his lips except to rustic heiress whom he could not abide. I proceeded tell you the price. If he exclaims "bono," or "kalo” instantly to attack his better feelings and his good (the only word a real Turk ever knows of another lansense; and ere we parted, we had come to a somewhat guage), he is stared at by his neighbours as a man would better understanding. Meanwhile, amidst the keen-be in Broadway who should break out with an Italian ness of our discussion, the subjects of it had vanished. bravura. Ten to one, while you are examining his I would fain have spoken once more to François, but goods, the bearded trader creeps through the hole leadI looked every where for him in vain. ing to his kennel of a dormitory in the rear, washes Having torn ourselves away from this gladdening himself and returns to his counter, where, spreading and refreshing scene of rustic happiness, we with his sacred carpet in the direction of Mecca, he goes some difficulty found our way home through the dark-through his prayers and prostrations, perfectly unconsome street that led to our inn. Just as we entered within the field of light that streamed from the threshold, François appeared like an apparition before us from the shadow of the neighbouring wall. "Will Messieurs les Anglais condescend," said he, with a bow and an air altogether indescribable, as he led his blushing partner forth to present her to us"Will Messieurs les Anglais do me the honour to condescend to permit me to make them acquainted with this my second reason of which I took the liberty to speak to them. Marie, do me the favour to ask the forgiveness of these gentlemen for the detention which I occasioned them this afternoon at Roanne, for you know that it was the desire I felt of appearing quite comme il faut in your bright eyes, which was the cause of my fault." "This new apology of yours is infinitely the most powerful of the two, François," said I; "it is irresistible! She is your betrothed, doubtless! If so, as you certainly are the pink of all the knights of the double-peaked saddle and boots, so, methinks, you are now also the happiest of all postilions." "Alas, Monsieur !" said François, with a sigh, "the fates have conspired against us. My cruel father opposes our union, and Marie will not consent to be mine without his approbation." scious of your presence, or that of the passing crowd. No vocation interferes with his religious duty. Five times a-day, if he were running from the plague, the Mussulman would find time for prayers. The Frank purchaser attracts a great deal of curio sity. As he points to an embroidered handkerchief, or a rich shawl, or a pair of gold-worked slippers, Turkish ladies of the first rank, gathering their yash macks or veils over their faces, stop close to his side, not minding if they push him a little to get nearer the desired article. Feeling not the least timidity, except for their faces, these true children of Eve examine the goods in barter, watch the stranger's countenance, and if he takes off his glove, or pulls out his purse, take it up and look at it, without ever saying "by your leave." Their curiosity often extends to your dress, and they put out their little henna-stained fingers and pass them over the sleeve of your coat with a gurgling expression of admiration at its fineness; or if you have rings or a watch-guard, they lift your hand or pull out your watch with no kind of scruple. I have met with several instances of this in the course of my rambles; but a day or two ago I found myself rather more than usual a subject of curiosity. I was alone in the street of embroidered handkerchiefs (every minute article has its peculiar bazaar), and, wishing to look at some of "Allons!" cried I; "let us talk over this matter uncommon beauty, I called one of the many Jews alin the house here;" and entering the little inn, Iways near a stranger to turn a penny by interpreting opened the door of the room which had been appro- for him, and was soon up to the elbows in goods that priated to us, where, to the great surprise of the lovers, would tempt a female angel out of Paradise. As I was I forthwith introduced them into the presence of the selecting one for a purchase, a woman plumped down old farmer. I need hardly say that he was by this upon the seat beside me, and fixed her great, black, time fully prepared to make the young couple happy, unwinking eyes upon my face, while an Abyssinian and the astonishment and delight of both may be easily slave and a white woman, both apparently her depenimagined. "In a few days," said François, "we shall dents, stood respectfully at her back. A small turbe married; and if Messieurs les Anglais would but quoise ring (the favourite colour in Turkey) first atcondescend to be present at our nuptials, Marie and I tracted her attention. She took up my hand, and would indeed be the happiest and most highly honoured turned it over in her soft, fat fingers, and dropped it couple in all France." again without saying a word. I looked at my inter preter, but he seemed to think it nothing extraordinary, and I went on with my bargain. Presently my fineeyed friend pulled me by the sleeve, and, as I leaned toward her, rubbed her forefinger very quickly over Our plans were, unfortunately, not such as to admit of our yielding to a request which would have been productive of so much gratification to us; but being satisfied that, so far as the happiness of the couple was my cheek, looking at me intently all the while. I was a little disturbed with the lady's familiarity, and asked my Jew what she wanted. I found that my rubicund complexion was something uncommon among these dark-skinned Orientals, and she wished to satisfy herself that I was not painted! My Constantinople friends inform me that such liberties are not at all parti cular. which were but a ginger-bread expenditure, becomes We entered a street of confectioners. The East is In the centre of the bazaar is situated what is called the bezestein. You descend into it from four directions by massive gates, which are shut, and all persons excluded, except between seven and twelve of the forenoon. This is the core of Constantinople -the soul and citadel of Orientalism. It is devoted to the sale of arms and to costly articles only. The roof is loftier and the light more dim than in the outer bazaars, and the merchants who occupy its stalls are old and of established credit. Here are subjects for the pencil! If you can take your eye from those Damascus sabres, with their jewelled hilts and costly scabbards, or from those gemmed daggers and guns inlaid with silver and gold, cast a glance along that dim avenue, and see what a range there is of glorious These One of the regular "lions" of Constantinople is a old grey-beards, with their snowy turbans! In a ramble are the Turks of the old régime, before Sultan Mah-kibaub-shop, or Turkish restaurant. moud disfigured himself with a coat like a with our consul, the other day, in search of the newly dog of a Christian," and broke in upon the customs of the discovered cistern of a "thousand-and-one columns,' Orient. These are your opium-eaters, who smoke we found ourselves, at the hungry hour of twelve, op-even in their sleep, and would not touch wine if it posite a famous shop near the slave-market. I was were handed them by houris! These are your fatal- rather staggered at the first glance. A greasy fellow, ists, who would scarce take the trouble to get out of with his shirt rolled to his shoulders, stood near the the way of a lion, and who are as certain of the miracle door, commending his shop to the world by slapping of Mahomet's coffin as of the length of the pipe, or on the flank a whole mutton that hung beside him, of the quality of the tobacco of Shiraz! while, as a customer came in, he dexterously whipped out a slice, had it cut in a twinkling into bits as large as a piece of chalk (I have stopped five minutes in vain, to find a better comparison) strung upon a long iron skewer, and laid on the coals. My friend is an old Constantinopolitan, and had eaten kibaubs before. He entered without hesitation, and the adroit butcher, giving his big trousers a fresh hitch, and tightening narrow-legged" his girdle, made a new cut for his " customers, and wished us a good appetite; (the Turks look with great contempt on our tight pantaloons, and distinguish us by this epithet). We got up on the platform, crossed our legs under us as well as we could, and I cannot deny that the savoury missives that occasionally reached my nostrils bred a gradual reconciliation between my stomach and my eyes. I have spent many an hour in the bezestein, steeping my fancy in its rich Orientalism, and sometimes trying to make a purchase for myself or others. It is curious -to see with what perfect indifference these old cross-legs attend to the wishes of a Christian. I was idling round one day with an English traveller, whom I had known in Italy, when a Persian robe of singular beauty hanging on one of the stalls arrested my companion's attention. He had with him his Turkish dragoman; and as the old merchant was smoking away and look ing right at us, we pointed to the dress over his head, and the interpreter asked to see it. The Mussulman smoked calmly on, taking no more notice of us than He of the white clouds curling through his beard. · might have sat for Michael Angelo's Moses. Thin, pale, calm, and of a statue-like repose of countenance and posture, with a large old-fashioned turban, and a curling beard half-mingled with grey, his neck bare, and his fine bust enveloped in the flowing and brightcoloured drapery of the East-I had never seen a more majestic figure. He evidently did not wish to have any thing to do with us. At last I took out my snuff-box, and, addressing him with "Effendi !" the Turkish title of courtesy, laid my hand on my breast, and offered him a pinch. Tobacco in this unaccustomed shape is a luxury here, and the amber mouthpiece emerged from his moustache, and putting his three fingers into my box, he said "pekkhe!" the Turkish ejaculation of approval. He then made room for us on his carpet, and with a cloth measure took the robe from its nail, and spread it before us. My friend bought it unhesitatingly for a dressing-gown, and we spent an hour in looking at shawls, of prices perfectly startling, arms, chalices for incense, spotless amber for pipes, pearls, bracelets of the time of Sultan Selim, and an endless variety of "things rich and rare." The closing of the bezestein-gates interrupted our agreeable employment, and our old friend -gave us the parting salaam very cordially for a Turk. I have been there frequently since, and never pass without offering my snuff-box, and taking a whiff or two from his pipe, which I cannot refuse, though it is -not out of his mouth, except when offered to a friend, from sunrise till midnight. wares. Wishing to buy a piece of Brusa silk for a dressinggown, my friend conducted me to a secluded khan. Entering by a very mean door, closed within by a curtain, we stood on fine Indian mats in a large room, piled to the ceiling with silks enveloped in the soft satin-paper of the East. Here again coffee must be handed round before a single fold of the old Armenian's wares could see the light; and fortunate it is, since one may not courteously refuse it, that Turkish coffee is very delicious, and served in acorn cups for size. A handsome boy took away the little filagree holders at last, and the old trader, setting his huge calpack firmly on his shaven head, began to reach down his costly I had never seen such an array. The floor was soon like a shivered rainbow, almost paining the eye with the brilliancy and variety of beautiful fabrics. There were stuffs of gold for a queen's wardrobe; there were gauze-like fabrics inwoven with flowers of silver; and there was no leaf in botany, nor device in antiquity, that was not imitated in their rich borderings. I laid my hand on a plain pattern of blue and silver, and, half-shutting my eyes to imagine how I should look in it, resolved upon the degree of depletion which my purse could bear, and inquired the price. As "green door and brass knocker" says of his charges in the farce, it was "ridiculously trifling." It is a cheap country the East! A beautiful Circassian slave for a hundred dollars (if you are a Turk), and an emperor's dressing-gown for three! The Armenian laid his hand on his breast, as if he had made a good sale of it; the coffee-bearer wanted but a sous, and that was charity; and thus, by a mere change of place, that In some five minutes, a tin platter was set between us, loaded with piping-hot` kibaubs, sprinkled with salad, and mixed with bits of bread; our friend the cook, by way of making the amiable, stirring it up well with his fingers as he brought it along. It was very good eating, I soon found out, and, my fingers once greased (for you are indulged with neither knife, fork, nor skewer in Turkey), I proved myself as good a trencherman as my friend. The middle and lower classes of Constantinople live between these shops and the cafés. A dish of kibaubs serves them for dinner, and they drink coffee, which they get for about half a cent a cup, from morning till night. We paid for our mess (which was more than any two men could eat at once, unless very hungry) twelve cents, or sixpence sterling. BIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES. SIR WILLIAM JONES. THAT the cultivation of science and literature may be in the life of the eminent individual of whom we are | mother's legal acquaintance, by putting cases to them from an abridgement of Coke's Institutes, which he had read and mastered. The leaning of Jones's genius seems to have been It may be very towards the study of languages. frequently remarked, that individuals who possess the knack of acquiring languages, seldom have a genius for any thing else; but such does not appear to have been the case with respect to Jones, whose intellect grasped at several of the most important departments of human knowledge and polite learning. While at Oxford, he became desirous of studying the Oriental languages, and he supported a native of Aleppo, at his own expense, to instruct him in the pronunciation of The Greek and Latin languages the Arabic tongue. he was already master of. During the college vacations, he embraced the opportunity of learning riding and fencing, and to read all the best authors in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. To these accomplishments, he found leisure to add dancing, the use of the broadsword, music, and the art of playing on the Welsh harp, the instrument of the country of his forefathers. While engaged in these various studies, he did not allow himself to rest in the pursuit of the object he had in view, namely, a fellowship, in order to spare his mother the expense of his education. Not succeeding to his wish in obtaining this object of his ambition, he accepted, in 1765, the office of tutor to Lord Althorp, afterwards Earl Spencer; and, some time afterwards, he obtained a fellowship also. He availed himself of a residence at the German Spa, with his pupil, in 1767, to acquire the German language, and, on his return, translated into French a Persian life of Nadir Shah, brought over in manuscript by the king of Denmark, at the request of the under secretary of the Duke of Grafton. Another tour to the Continent with his pupil and family followed, which occupied his time until 1770, when, his tutorship ceasing, he entered himself as a law student in the Temple. He did not, however, wholly sacrifice literature to his professional pursuits; but, on the appearance of the life and works of Zoroaster, by Anquetil du Perron, he vindicated the University of Oxford, which had been attacked by that writer, in an able pamphlet in the French language, which he wrote with great elegance. He also published, in 1772, a small collection of poems, chiefly from the poets of Asia, and was the same year elected a fellow of the Royal Society. In 1774 appeared his work De Poesi Asiatica, containing commentaries on Asiatic poetry in general, with metrical specimens in Latin and English. He was soon after called to the bar, and in 1776, made a commissioner of bankrupts. About this time, his correspondence with his pupil evinced the manly spirit of constitutional freedom by which he was actuated; and to his feelings on the American contest he gave vent in a spirited Latin Ode to Liberty. In 1778 appeared his translation of the Orations of Isæus, with a prefatory discourse, notes and commentary, which, for elegance of style, and profound critical and historical research, excited much admiration. In the mean time, he rapidly advanced in professional reputation, although his opinion of the American contest stood in the way of his progress to legal honours. The tumults of 1780 induced him to write a pamphlet on the Legal Mode of Suppressing Riots; and, in the following winter, he completed a translation from the Arabic of seven poems, of the highest repute. He also wrote the much admired ode, com"What constitutes a State ?" These pursuits did not prevent a professional Essay on the Ław He distinguished himself, in 1782, of Bailments. among the friends to a reform in Parliament, and also became a member of the Society for Constitutional Information. The same year he drew up a Dialogue between a Farmer and a Country Gentleman, on the Principles of Government; for the publication of which, the dean of St Asaph, afterwards his brotherin-law, had a bill of indictment preferred against him for sedition. Upon this event, he sent a letter to Lord Kenyon, then chief-justice of Chester, owning himself the author, and defending his positions. On the accession of the Shelburne administration, through the influence of Lord Ashburton he obtained, what had long been the object of his ambition, the appointment of judge in the Supreme Court of Judicature, Bengal, to which he was nominated in March 1783, and knighted. William Jones was born in London, September 20, Jones (now Sir William) arrived at Calcutta in September 1783. Here a new and extensive field of action opened to him. While filling the office of judge in the Supreme Court of Bengal, and loaded with professional duties of the most laborious nature, he contrived to do more than ever in the study of general literature and philosophy. He had scarcely arrived in the country when he exerted himself to establish a society in Calcutta on the model of the Royal Society of London, of which he officiated as president as long as he lived, enriching its Transactions every year with the most elaborate and valuable disquisitions in every department of Oriental philology and antiquities. Almost his only time for study now, was during the vacation of the courts; and here is the account, as found among his papers, of how he was accustomed to spend his day during the long vacation in 1785. In the morning, after writing one letter, he read several chapters of the Bible, and then studied Sanscrit grammar and Hindoo law; the afternoon was given to the geography of India, and the evening to Roman history; when the day was closed by a few games at chess, and the reading of a portion of Ariosto. Already, however, his health was beginning to break down under the climate, and his eyes had become so weak, that he had been obliged to discontinue writing by candlelight. But nothing could prevent him from pursuing the studies he loved, while any strength remained to him. Even while confined by illness to his couch, he taught himself botany; and it was during a tour he was advised to take for the recovery of his health, that he wrote his learned "Treatise on the Gods of Greece, Italy, and India," as if he had actually so disciplined his mind, that it adopted labour like this almost for a relaxation. His health after a time was partially restored; and we find him again devoting himself both to his professional duties and his private studies, with more zeal and assiduity than ever. When business required his attendance daily in Calcutta, he resided at a country house on the banks of the Ganges, about five miles from the city. "To this spot," says his amiable and intelligent biographer, Lord Teignmouth, "he returned every evening after sunset, and in the morning rose so early as to reach his apartments in town, by walking, at the first appearance of dawn. The intervening period of each morning, until the opening of court, was regularly allotted and applied to distinct studies." At this time his hour of rising used to be between three and four. It was philosophy, laws, religion, science, and manners of The memory of Sir William Jones received many THE HIGHLAND DRESS. THE peculiar garb of the Scottish Highlanders has During the vacation of the court he was equally occupied. Writing from Crishna, his vacation residence, in 1787, he says, "We are in love with this pastoral cottage; but though these three months are called a vacation, yet I have no vacant hours. It rarely happens that favourite studies are closely connected with the strict discharge of our duty, as mine happily are: even in this cottage I am assisting the court by studying Arabic and Sanscrit, and have now rendered it an impossibility for the Mahomedan or Hindoo lawyers to impose upon us with erroneous opinions.' these constant exertions, in truth, that gave its chief enjoyment to his life. In connection with this pursuit, he employed his active mind in planning the compilation of a complete digest of the Hindoo and Mahomedan laws, with a view to the better administration of justice among the natives. This work he did not live to finish, but its subsequent accomplish-biliments, which have happily sunk before the great ment was entirely owing to his recommendation and primary labours. His object in this instance was to secure a due attention to the rights of the natives; and he showed himself equally jealous of those of the British inhabitants, by opposing an attempt to supersede the trial by jury. In 1789, he gave to the world the translation of an Indian drama, entitled Sacontala, or the Fatal Ring. His translation of the Ordinances of Menu, the famous Hindoo law-giver, appeared early in 1794, and is very interesting to the student of ancient manners and opinions. This eminent and admirable man, however, at last fell a sacrifice to an undue zeal in the discharge of his duty and his pursuits in literature. In April of the liver, which terminated his life on the twentyseventh of the same month, in the forty-eighth year of 1794, he was seized at Calcutta with an inflammation his age. social improvements of the last age. The earliest existing notice of the Highland dress appears to be given in a somewhat obscure passage of the Norwegian history of Magnus Barefoot a king of that country, who, in 1093, reduced the Hebrides. This history, written shortly after the death of the hero, states that, on his return from the expedition to the Hebrides, "he and many of his followers adopted the costume in use in the western lands; they went about barelegged, having short tunics, and also upper garments; and so men called him Barelegged or Barefoot." The next notice of a distinct and intelligible character is given four centuries later, namely, by John Major, the historian, writing in 1512. According to this writer, the Highland gentlemen of his own day It was by a persevering observance to a few simple" wore no covering from the middle of the thigh to the maxims that Sir William Jones was principally en- foot, clothing themselves with a mantle instead of an abled to accomplish what he did. One of these was upper garment, and a shirt died with saffron. They never to neglect an opportunity of improvement: another was, that whatever had been attained by others always carry a bow and arrows, a very broad sword was attainable by him, and that, therefore, the real or with a small halbert, a large dagger sharpened on one supposed difficulties of any pursuit formed no reason side only, but very sharp, under the belt. In time of why he should not engage in it, and with perfect war, they cover their whole body with a shirt of mail confidence of success. It was also," says his biogra- of iron rings, and fight in that. The common people," pher, Lord Teignmouth," a fixed principle with him, he adds, "rush into battle, having their body clothed from which he never voluntarily deviated, not to be deterred, by any difficulties which were surmountable, in a linen garment manifoldly sewed and painted, or from prosecuting to a successful termination what he daubed with pitch, with a covering of deer-skin.” had once deliberately undertaken. But what appears From these and some contemporary notices, it seems to me," adds his lordship, "more particularly to to be ascertained that the principal Highland garment have enabled him to employ his talents so much to his own and the public advantage, was the regular allotwas a shirt, dyed, painted, or bedaubed, and that the ment of his time to particular occupations, and a scru- next in importance was a mantle; the one being appapulous adherence to the distribution which he had rently the original of the kilt, and the other of the fixed: hence all his studies were pursued without in-plaid. It is remarkable that the lower Irish of the terruption or confusion." Few men have died more regretted, or whose loss to the world of letters was more deeply felt, than Sir William Jones, who, as a linguist, has scarcely ever been surpassed. His acquaintance with the history, same period went similarly attired. A French author and over this a garment hanging to the knee, of thick wool, after the manner of a cassock."* When James V. of Scotland prepared, in 1538, for a hunting excursion in the Highlands, he thought it necessary to attire himself in the costume of the country; and a kind of clothier's account of the dress which he wore is preserved in the books of his treasurer. Thirteen pounds ten shillings are in the first place disbursed for two ells and a quarter of “ variant cullorit velvet, to be the kingis grace ane schort Heland coit." This appears to have been lined with green taffety. Then there is thirteen shillings for three ells of "Heland tertane, to be hois to the kingis grace.' Fifteen ells of Holland cloth are purchased, syde [long] Heland sarkis to the kingis grace," and "four elnis of rubanis to the handis of thame." The hose here alluded to would be trews, or Highland trousers. Velvet, taffety, "Holland claith," and ribands, with the making of "the sarkis," and "twa unce of silk to sew thame," cost in all twenty-three pounds, one shilling, and sixpence. It is worthy of remark that, when George IV. came to visit Scotland, he also thought it necessary to assume the garb of the mountains. 66 to be Throughout the sixteenth century, we find many notices of the saffroned shirts and various-coloured or tartan mantles of the Highlanders, as also of their broadswords, daggers, bows, and arrows. One John Elder, a Highland priest, who, in 1543, sent an acmentions that they wore shoes or buskins formed incount of his countrymen to King Henry VIII., also artificially of raw hide with the hair outwards, which obtained for them the names of Red-shanks and Roughfooted Scots. One writer of this age speaks of their love of "marled clothes, specially that have adds, "purple and blue." A minute description, given long stripes of sundry colours: they love chiefly," he by Bishop Lesley, in his History of Scotland, published in 1578, has been thus rendered in English:"In battle and hostile encounter their missile weaedged sword, which with the foot soldiers was pretty pons were a lance or arrows. They used also a twolong, and short for the horse: both had it broad, and with an edge so exceeding sharp, that at one blow it would easily cut a man in two. For defence, they used a coat of mail woven of iron rings, which they wore over a leather jerkin, stout and of handsome appearance, which we call an acton. Their whole armour was light, that they might the more easily slip from their enemies' hands, if they chanced to fall into such a strait. ancients Their clothing was made for use (being chiefly suited to war) and not for ornament. All, both nobles and common people, wore mantles of one sort (except that the nobles preferred those of several colours). These were long and flowing, but capable of being neatly gathered up at pleasure into folds. I am inclined to believe that they were the same as those to which the gave the name of brachae. Wrapped up in these for their only covering, they would sleep comfortably. They had also shaggy rugs, such as the Irish use at the present day, some fitted for a journey, others to be placed on a bed. The rest of their gar ments consisted of a short woollen jacket, with the sleeves open below for the convenience of throwing their darts, and a covering for the thighs of the simplest kind, more for decency than for show or a defence against cold. They made also of linen very large shirts, with numerous folds and wide sleeves, which flowed abroad loosely to their knees. These the rich coloured with saffron, and others smeared with some grease to preserve them longer clean among the toils and exercises of a camp, which they held it of the highest consequence to practise continually. In the manufacture of these, ornament and a certain attention to the different parts of their shirts very neatly with silk taste were not altogether neglected, and they joined thread, chiefly of a green or red colour. Their women's attire was very becoming. Over a gown reaching to the ancles, and generally embroidered, they wore large mantles of the kind already described, and woven of different colours. Their chief they decorated their arms and necks." ornaments were the bracelets and necklaces with which John Taylor, "the King's Majesties Water Poet," made an excursion to Scotland in the year 1618, of which he published an amusing narrative under the title of "The Pennylesse Pilgrimage." He describes the dress of the Highlanders in the following account he gives of his visit to Braemar, for the purpose of paying his respects to the Earl of Mar and Sir William Moray of Abercairney.-(Taylor's Works, London, 1633, folio) : scending, mounting and alighting, I came at night to "Thus, with extreme travell, ascending and dethe place where I would be, in the Brae of Mar, which is a large county, all composed of such mountaines, that Shooters Hill, Gads Hill, Highgate Hill, Hampstead Hill, Birdlip Hill, or Malvernes Hills, are but mole-hills in comparison, or like a liver, or a gizzard under a capon's wing, in respect to the altitude of their tops, or perpendicularitie of their bottomes. There I saw mount Benawne with a furrd'd mist upon his snowy head instead of a nightcap; for you must understand, that the oldest man alive never saw but the snow was on the top of divers of those hills (both in summer as well as in winter). There did I find • La Navigation du Roy d'Escosse Jaques Cinquiesme du non, autour de son royaume, published by Nicolay d'Arfeville, at Pa is, 1583. the truely noble and Right Honourable Lords John Erskine, Earle of Marr, James Stuart, Earle of Murray, Sir William Murray, Knight, of Abercarny, and hundred of others, knights, esquires, and their followers; all and every man in generall, in one habit, as if Licurgus had been there, and made lawes of equality. For once in the yeere, which is the whole moneth of August, and sometimes part of September, many of the nobility and gentry of the kingdome (for their pleasure) doe come into these Highland countries to hunt, where they doe conforme themselves to the habite of the Highland men, who, for the moste part, speak nothing but Irish, and in former time were those people which were called the Red-shanks. Their habite is shooes with but one sole a-piece; stockings (which they call short hose) made of a warme stuff of divers colours, which they call tartane. As for breeches, many of them, nor their forefathers, never wore any, but a jerkin, of the same stuffe that their hose is of, their garters being bands or wreathes of hay or straw, with a plaed about their shoulders, which is a mantle of divers colours, much finer and lighter stuffe than their hose, with blue flat caps on their heads, a handkerchiefe knit with two knots about their necke; and thus are they attyred. Now, their weapons are long bows and forked arrowes, swords and targets, harquebuses, muskets, durks, and Loquhabor-axes. With these armes I found many of them armed for the hunting. As for their attire, any man of what degree soever that comes amongst them, must not disdaine to weare it; for if they doe, then they will disdaine to hunt, or willingly to bring in their dogges; but if men be kind unto them, and be in their habit, then are they conquered with kindnesse, and the sport will be plentifull. This was the reason that I found so many noblemen and gentlemen in those shapes. But to proceed to the hunting. My good Lord of Marr having put me into that shape, I rode with him from his house, where I saw the ruines of an old castle, called the castle of Kindroghit. It was built by King Malcolm Canmore (for a hunting house) who raigned in Scotland when Edward the Confessor, Harold, and Norman William, raigned in England; I speak of it, because it was the last house that I saw in those parts; for I was the space of twelve dayes after, before I saw either house, corne-field, or habitation for any creature, but deere, wild horses, wolves, and such like creatures, which made me doubt that I should never have seene a house againe." men, is made of fine wool, the thred as fine as can be | In the early part of the last century, when the or go any where on horseback; but those among them The common habit of the ordinary Highlanders is far from being acceptable to the eye; with them a In the beginning of the year 1678, a body of High-small part of the plaid, which is not so large as the landers, "the Highland Host," as it was called, amounting to about ten thousand men, were brought from their native mountains and quartered upon the western counties, for the purpose of suppressing the field meetings and conventicles of the Presbyterians. William Cleland, lieutenant-colonel to the Earl of Angus's regiment, who was killed whilst gallantly defending his post at Dunkeld against a party of Highlanders, soon after the Revolution, wrote a satirical poem upon the expedition of the Highland Host, from which the following extracts are taken (Collection of Poems, &c. 12mo. 1697, p. 12) :— But to discrive them right surpasses Their head, their neck, their legs and thighs But those who were their chief commanders, former, is set in folds and girt round the waist to make The plaid is the undress of the ladies at Inverness, der and alarm than they were to the denizens of Westmoreland and Lancashire; and a Scottish Lowlander of the present day feels the kilt to be as foreign to his associations, and eke his hams, as any Southron among them all. With this information so widely diffused, it is to be hoped that the two ingenious classes alluded to will henceforth be less apt to commit the solecism of indicating every thing Scotch by a dress at no time universal in the country, and for many years nearly altogether disused.* • We are indebted for the facility with which we have obtained the materials of this article, to a late fasciculus or number of the Transactions of the Iona Club. This club was established in 1833, for the purpose of ascertaining the antiquities, historical and literary, of the Highlands. So much fancy and imposition have been practised in this department of inquiry, that the commencement of an association designing to conduct its operations in the spirit of accuracy, and qualified to do so with zeal and industry, is entitled to our most respectful consideration. CROSSING A RIVER IN SOUTH AMERICA.-The mode of crossing a river which is far from inconsiderable, is of a very peculiar kind, whenever the height of the flood renders the ordinary method of fording impracticable. On both banks of the river are men, whose occupation it is to conduct travellers These men are through the bounding torrent, which in some places FIRST VIEW OF JERUSALEM.-At eight hours from Ramleh, ascending from a valley among the mountains, we caught the first sight of Jerusalem, half a forth, is that which prophecy has said shall be in the league distant. The first exclamation which bursts mouth of "all that pass," "Is this the city that men call the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth ?" It is impossible that any delineation can be more just, or any image more vivid, than is contained in these few words, "How doth the city sit solitary!" The sight carried across a tract of grey, desolate, and barren rock, rests upon a bare dead wall, above which little is seen except the tops of a few Turkish mosques. We here find that a custom had commenced of At this time not a living creature was moving without making a part of the plaid into a kilt for covering the the city, and, with the exception of the leaden green middle of the body down to nearly the knees, the reproduced by a few ragged olives, scarcely a sign of maining part being carried loosely as a mantle for the vegetation could be traced; a death-like silence setshoulders. About the year 1720, when some High-tled upon the rocky waste; and the city, placed upon land labourers were employed in iron-works in Glenan eminence, as if an object for observation, presented garry's country, they found inconvenience in being one of the most gloomy and melancholy spectacles that unable to lay aside the mantle part of the plaid, and the fancy could paint.-Monroe's Rambles in Syria. their English superintendant suggested that the dress should be divided. The custom spread, till in time the kilt was generally worn as a separate piece of dress, under the name of fillebeg, or little coat, as it is now found among the Highland regiments, and in the fancy dresses of societies. Before closing this historical sketch of Highland costume, it may be proper to mention distinctly, for the information of our English readers, that not only is the dress now nearly extinct among the mountains, but it does not appear to have ever been, at any time within the ken of history, used in the Lowlands. English artists and actors, unacquainted with Scotland, seem to imagine that tartan and kilts are essentially characteristic of the whole country, whereas they were never used any where else than in a rude and thinly peopled part of the kingdom, which hardly acknowledged the same laws till almost within the recollection of people still living. To the Scottish people, in 1745, the Highlanders, with their peculiar dress and arms, seem to have been objects of scarcely less won LADIES' THIN SHOES.-Thin shoes, as an article of female dress, I am sufficient of a Goth to wish to see disused; and I would replace them with shoes having a moderate thickness of sole, with a thin layer of cork or felt placed within the shoe and over the sole. Cork is a very bad conductor of heat, and is therefore to be preferred: if it is not to be had, or is not liked, felt may be substituted for it. I think thin shoes ought not to be used, unless for the purpose of dancing, and then they ought only to be worn while dancing. The invalid or dyspeptic ought assuredly never to wear thin shoes. And as to the common practice of changing thin shoes for warm boots, it is a practice which I know to be replete with danger, and therefore to be rash and almost culpable. There is another custom, or habit, or usage, in the dress of my fair countrywomen, which must be noticed here; it is that of covering the head with a cap in the morning, and leaving it uncovered in the afternoon or evening. It is indefensible, useless, absurd, and dangerous.-Robertson's Popular Treatise on Food and Regimen. |