us.

boat, loaded until the gunwales were scarcely above water. We had all been wearied out with constant labour, and the complaint of excessive thirst became general. On opening our only cask, it was discovered that in the hurry we had taken brandy instead of water. What was to be done in this dilemma? The Englishman, Campbell, overheard us, for we were not more than fifty feet off, and, going below, soon returned with a small keg, which he threw over to From this slender store a mouthful, and scarcely more, was distributed to each person. As the sea had become more calm, and the ship swam well, instantaneous danger was not feared; yet every eye was frequently fixed on the horizon, in hope of espying a sail. The moment the long-boat had left the ship, the steward, black cook, and several hardened fellows, broke open the lockers, and got out the liquors, which they freely distributed. Madeira, Champagne, and rich Bordeaux cordials, laid in for the cabin passengers, were drunk in reckless profusion. A number of men were soon intoxicated, and by their hallooing, shouting, and singing, rendered the scene more awful. During the day I had been too much engaged in pumping and working to think of other matters. As soon as I was in the boat, I remembered Catharine Campbell, and entreated the captain to take her aboard. "Thank your stars you are safe yourself. Do you think the parents would be separated from their only child?—and besides, there is no place for another, were it a cat." Several times the little thing had been to the vessel's side, and cried, stretching out her arms, "Do take me with you! do take me, and father, and mother!" No one answered, and at last I turned my head, to avoid seeing suffering that I could not relieve. As night approached, the captain ordered the painter to be lengthened, and a man with an axe to stand at the bow, ready to cut away in case the ship should founder. The weather was pretty calm, and wearied as I was, I could have slept anywhere, had it not been for the cold, which was doubly felt in our state of exhaustion. It was as much as we could do, by pressing close together, to keep a little heat in our bodies. During the livelong night, shouting, dancing, singing, profane swearing, peals of drunken laughter, intermixed with quarrelling and fighting, were heard from the leaking vessel.

A little after daybreak the wind died away to dead calm. The bosom of the vast circle of clear azure water was smooth as polished crystal, and gently rose, dying away in long undulations. The shades of night still mingled with the dawn in the west; but eastward, a bright pearly hue, intermingled with rosy light, tinged the fleecy clouds, and was reflected on the broad mirror below. At length the swell entirely subsided, and the sun rose in dazzling brilliancy from an unbroken ocean of molten gold. In the midst stood our ship with her white sails hanging loosely against the masts. How soon the human mind becomes apathetic to one continued form of danger! As the sea was still, and the vessel floated well, hope revived within us and our deserted companions. In looking at the young and healthy faces around me, and the beautiful appearance of nature, I in vain tried to realise the proximity of death. We had become quite gay, chatting and joking freely on every passing circumstance. The captain alone partook not of our hilarity. In the first moment of danger, he had exhibited a composure which continued still unchanged. When I intimated to him that the vessel might not sink for some days, he merely compressed his lips and shook his head with a most melancholy expression.

The scene on shipboard disclosed by morning was but a repetition of the preceding evening. The majority of the passengers, still under the influence of liquor, continued their boisterous mirth, while a few others, overwhelmed with the prospect, walked the deck slowly and silently, or were seated immoveable pictures of despair. The Campbells, as during the whole voyage, were entirely alone. The husband was sitting to the windward, near the companion-way, with one arm around his wife, and both exhibited an air of firm and dignified composure. Their daughter moved about from place to place, the sea being so calm that the parents permitted her to go at large.

66

out of water; "but I believe, after all, it was a premature fright. The words had hardly passed his lips when the vessel seemed to quiver, and in an instant went down like lead. I have been told and have read of cries and screams from the victims in such cases; but we heard none. In fact, it was as quick as light. ning. The waters closed as easily over the sunken bark as if they had never felt the presence of such an inconsiderable atom on their mighty surface. Not an eddy was seen; not a fragment floated. "Cut the painter," cried the captain; "quick, quick, my lads." The axe was mislaid. There was a moment's pause-a moment of horror; for the next we would be drawn down by the sunken ship. "Knives!" shouted the captain; "has no one a knife?" Two or three sailors' knives were immediately unclasped, and in active operation. The rope tightened, the prow of the boat was depressed, while we all rose up in breathless expectation. The nervous arms of the sailors were plied to the utmost, and the cord, not more than a second before it would have been too late, was severed.

The breeze springing up, the sail of the long-boat was hoisted, and we bore away. During this time, Catharine was slowly recovering. She had swallowed but little water, as her submersion was momentary. When somewhat restored, she inquired, "Where is father and mother?" I could make no reply. She looked round on the water with an affrighted air. "The ship is sunk!” exclaimed she. "Yes, my little girl," replied the captain, with an emotion even he could not suppress; "and all that were in her are sunk also." She threw herself on my neck, and cried bitterly. Seeing her wet and chilled, one of the sailors handed me his pea-jacket, in which I wrapped her, and, exhausted in body and mind, she soon wept herself to sleep in my lap. When, however, she awoke, her lamentations for her " poor father and mother" were renewed.

When things were a little in order, our only cask of biscuits was opened for distribution, but they were found injured by salt water, excepting a few, which were equally divided among us. Water was also doled out, the captain himself pouring it into the cup for each one separately, to prevent the exhausted wretches from taking an undue share. Catharine's eyes followed the cup as it passed round, with an intensity which showed she was dying of thirst, though she uttered not a word. The captain, at my request, put in my portion and hers together. My throat was parched; but I barely bathed my lips, and gave the cup to the pale and suffering child. She swallowed the contents at a draught, and then for the first time looked in my face and smiled. Yet the next instant, burying her face against my breast, she wept again.

Since the commencement of our misfortunes, every All our hopes were in soon falling in with a ship. eye had been frequently stretched round the horizon. As the sun was declining, the breeze freshened, and the water dashed so freely over the sides that we were steadily employed in baling it out. Meanwhile, one of the sailors, in stepping heedlessly over a bench, put his foot on our compass and crushed it to pieces. Without a guide on the trackless ocean, our situation was in truth hopeless. Our provisions were nearly exhausted, and should our boat ride out the night, starvation stared us in the face. The breeze became a strong gale, lightning flashed in the livid clouds, and muttering thunders were heard nearer and nearer. Before sunset, the skies were so enveloped in gloom that a premature twilight had come on. As the water dashed more frequently and abundantly over the gunwale, the captain at last exclaimed, "My friends, it is all over. In less than an hour we will be with those whom we have just seen swallowed up."

The storm soon broke in all its fury, and darkness rendered our situation as dismal as it could possibly be. When all hope was gone, and we expected every moment to go down, our straining eyes caught sight of a vessel lying to. What a relief was this! We hailed the ship, and were speedily rescued from our dreadful situ

ation.

"I thought she was going down," said the captain, looking at the ship that stood almost as high as evei

I was rich in resolutions and wishes, but my whole worldly store consisted of about twenty guineas and my watch. My only clothing was the suit on my back, which was not very new before, and had become thoroughly discoloured by abundant drenchings of sea-water. All my hope was on my friend the captain, and that hope was not misplaced. Before landing, he promised to do his best for me. As soon as he was ashore, he took me with him to the City Hotel. A number of friends called in the evening to congratulate him on his wonderful escape, and he ordered in a quantity of Champagne. In the midst of the hilarity, he fell down and expired in an apoplectic fit. He was a short corpulent man, and the exertions he had undergone, and his anxiety of mind, no doubt hurried the catastrophe.

My only anxiety was now to get employment, hoping that as my diligence and qualifications were known, I could at least make a support. Eventually I found a place at three hundred dollars a-year, in a store of fancy goods in Maiden Lane. This might have been enough

had I been alone; but Catharine was with me, and had any one offered to have taken her, I would have consented reluctantly, in spite of my poverty. In fitting her out with clothing, and myself also, no matter how simply, my guineas were consumed to a fraction. I thought, should it come to the worst, I could raise something more from my watch. I hired a small room in one of the back streets at a hundred dollars a-year, including breakfast and tea. As for dinner, though I regularly left the store apparently for it, a few biscuits and cheese, or something of the kind, sufficed. It took the rest of my salary to board, clothe, and educate my little ward at the neighbouring village of Brooklyn. As I had various small items of expense, the strictest economy could not have kept within my means, had it not been for my skill in copying music, which I had formerly practised much for amusement.

After a lapse of six months, my employer gave me lodgings back of the store, perhaps as much to guard it against thieves as from any other motive. I had served two years, when a couple of hundred dollars was voluntarily added to my salary, and for a moment I felt delighted in the hope of a little more spare time and recreation. My next reflection determined me to persevere in my course of life. At every succeeding visit I had become more and more attached to Catharine, and she appeared devoted to me. She was always on the watch on my visiting days, and would come running towards me with extended arms as far off as she could descry me.

I afterwards sent Catharine to Troy, on the Hudson, where there was a school of great reputation, and directed that no expense should be spared in either the useful or ornamental branches. She took the separation so much to heart, that had not all the arrangements been yielded to her entreaties. She clung convulsively round made and the money paid in advance, I would have her. my neck, begging me to let her remain, or to go with When, however, I explained things to her, she quietly submitted, though her pallid cheek and swelling bosom spoke more distinctly her deep feeling.

After her departure, I used my utmost endeavours to ascertain something about her family. Soon after the shipwreck, I had made some inquiries; but I was in truth a mere boy, unacquainted with business of such a nature. I now wrote to my friends in Europe on the subject, and had advertisements inserted in a number of the London and provincial papers; but without gaining any intelligence whatever

I had now remained six years in the same establishment, with apparently increasing satisfaction on both treated me more like a son than a stranger. My wages sides. Indeed, my employer, from the very beginning. had also been increased at different times, till I was quite at my ease; especially as my parents continued to send me every year a good supply of clothing, which cost little in Europe, but was valuable here. Originally, my intention was to return to my native country as soon as I had accumulated something; but I had formed many acquaintances, and become so satisfied with my situation, that I began to consider myself as settled for life. short time, my employer imparted a share in the business to me, with which I felt perfectly satisfied.

In a

Catharine's education was now completed, and, at the recommendation of the principal of the school, I removed her to the boarding-house of a lady of her acquaintance. My situation with respect to my fair protegee was now somewhat critical. Every evening I visited the house at which she resided. I was extremely fond of music, and she both played on the piano and sung with uncommon sweetness and execution. As there were two other agreeable young ladies in the house, a number of gentlemen were often there. With her beauty and talents, Catharine was quite a belle. I felt uneasy when I saw others near her, or praising her singing and playing. In spite of me, I could not pay her a single compliment, even when I felt all that others said; yet her eyes always sparkled as I entered the room, or if I asked her to sing. She practised the pieces I liked, and bought those I recommended. Whenever a walk was proposed in the evening, she took my arm. At first, found the young men that visited Catharine pleasant; but afterward, just in proportion as they were talkative or witty, I felt a growing dislike for them, which I in vain tried to

repress.

One evening, being unoccupied, I went to see Catharine immediately after dinner. The servant informed me, as I entered, that the family was out, but would soon return. I had often wished to be alone with her; yet my heart throbbed so violently, and my tongue stuck so to the roof my mouth, that I could scarcely utter a word. She looked confused also.

"Brother," said she, after a momentary pause, I am happy to speak with you a moment alone. I expect to leave here soon."

"Leave here soon, Catharine!" I exclaimed, starting. "For mercy's sake, where are you going?"

"I have been too long a pensioner on your bounty, and-" "Never mention it again, Catharine, if you would not wound my feelings. You have been my greatest-my only happiness."

Her eyes filled with tears; but she assumed some firmness, as if her mind had been made up before. "I feel, my dear brother, the whole extent of your kindness; but I would be unworthy of myself and your generosity, were I to remain a dead weight on your hands, when your liberality has placed me in a condition to support myself. A teacher of music and drawing is wanted in a female school not far from the city, and with the recommendations I can obtain from Troy, I am sure of getting the situation. For the last two years I have laboured indefatigably to fit myself for such a place, and I hope my success has not been contemptible."

I would have interrupted her, but she spoke with a resoluteness which deterred me. Approaching her, I took her hand. "My dear Catharine, I had hoped wo should never more be separated." She looked down, an if overcome with emotion.

"You will not now leave me," I continued. "It seems as if fate had united our destinies, and my mind has so dwelt on you alone, that the world would be to me a blank without you."

Catharine turned partly from me, but withdrew not her hand, which tremblingly returned the pressure from mine.

"It is useless to tell you I love you. Will you be mine, Catharine ?"

me.

"No," sobbed she, painfully; "I cannot; I will not." My heart was now too full, and it burst forth in spite of "Catharine, I am afraid that you look upon Mr Selwyn with more favour than you do upon me. But I love you too deeply to see you the wife of another; and therefore I must leave you, I must place distance between us." Catharine started. "And do you really love me ?" she said. "Is it not mere pity-charity for an orphan ?' "Would to God it were !" "Then, indeed, I am happy," she exclaimed, and threw herself weeping on my neck.

The revulsion of my feelings was so sudden, for a mo. ment I was without the power of moving or uttering a word. We soon came to an explanation. Catharine told me, that even at school her fancy had dwelt on me alone, and that as she advanced in age, and saw more of the world, she distrusted her feelings, fearing her childish fondness might strengthen into a deeper affection; and that this at times had rendered her melancholy; and that once, during her stay at school, having heard it reported I was to be married, it had thrown her into fainting fits, which her teachers could not understand. She said, since her residence in New York, though she often Aattered herself with having made an impression on me, fears obtruded themselves on her mind, that I, who had

already done so much for her, might, out of pure kindness, carry my sense of duty farther; and it was for this reason, that even while her heart bounded with delight at my first avowal, that she, in spite of herself, had rejected me.

Having no one to consult, and few preparations to make, our wedding took place in a short time. Though not wealthy, I was in a condition to keep house with perfect comfort.

Three years had rolled away, when, looking over an English newspaper, I noticed an inquiry for William Malone, his wife, and daughter, who were supposed to have sailed for New South Wales or the United States nine years before. I could remember no such person, yet the name seemed familiar to me. At last it struck me that I had seen it in one of two volumes given to me by Catharine's father, which were in my pocket at the time of the shipwreck. I hunted up the book, and sure enough I found "William Malone" written on the margin of one of the pages, partly erased. I then examined the other book presented me by Campbell, which I had indeed never opened before, and discovered "Catharine Dormer" clearly enough, though attempts had been made to efface it. hand, three silhouettes fell out, on which were inscribed in pencil, William Malone, Catharine Malone, and Catharine Dormer Malone." The last was of a little girl. I informed Catharine of my discovery, and told her I hoped it would enable me to trace out her family. She immediately showed me a small gold locket she had

"And was Campbell his real name?" I inquired. "No matter what it was," firmly answered the mendicant. "The sea rolls over every thing connected with him, and the secret I promised to keep shall be as still

as his rest."

Just then Catharine entered the room, but seeing us apparently occupied, instantly withdrew. "For mercy's sake!" exclaimed the old man," who is that young lady?" "She is my wife, and the daughter of William Campbell." "How! was he not then lost at sea? I thought the whole were wrecked?" "No; the father and mother perished, but I saved the daughter you have just seen." "Then one of the name of Malone still exists ?" "William Campbell and William Malone were then the same?" "They were. Bowed down by poverty, he hoped to better his fortune abroad, and, perhaps out of false pride, changed his name, that his degradation, should he continue unfortunate, might not reach his acquaintances, and particularly his hard-hearted father-in-law. I followed him to Greenock, and would have crossed the water with him had he not positively refused. No one but his father and mother knew his destination, nor did they

even know the name he assumed."

My chain of evidence was now perfectly clear, as it was not difficult to prove by my fellow-passengers, some of whom lived in New York, that Catharine was the daughter of Campbell, and the manner of his death. Indeed, so conclusive was the proof, that my wife's property, which is considerable, was given up without a conI shall renounce business as speedily as I can well wind up my affairs; but I shall return to America, and take up my residence there for life.

test.

UPON POISONS AND POISONING. THE animal poisons, which first come under our notice, include the sting and bite of certain animals, and others when taken internally as food. And, first, of

It is

The bite of many foreign snakes is attended with peculiarly dreadful consequences. The author of the Excursions in New South Wales, speaking of the result of a bite from the death or deaf adder, says, "immediately decomposition commenced, and, in a very short space of time, the body was in such a state that it was with difficulty removed to where the grave had been dug. My informant," he says, "who had been twenty-two years in the colony, emphatically added, that when a person is bitten by a death adder, he has scarcely time to exclaim, Lord have mercy upon me!' before he becomes a lifeless corpse. affirmed that, in Africa," continues this author, "there are several, the bite of which causes a most horrible death. The person bitten feels drowsy, and the form melts at once into a mass of putrefaction. burning snake of India can cause instant death, the blood flowing from the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, and exuding from the pores. An American serpent, called de la crux, is said to kill in the same manner; finally, the bite of the najer is represented to be so fatal, that a person bitten by one will die in the course of half an hour." But these are foreign to our present purpose, and we shall proceed to the bite of rabid or mad animals; at the head of which stands the dog.

The

which, however, Plenck assures us that only twentyfour species are venomous. Of these, Europe has only five, and Britain, happily, but one-the common viper or adder. There is a marked difference between the teeth of the innocuous and poisonous snakes: in the

posed might mean the name on the small silhouette. As the investigation might be a long and troublesome one, I resolved to go to Europe, especially as our mercantile affairs rendered it desirable. On arriving in England, Catharine and I went to Exeter, where the advertisement was dated. I there ascertained that a young man, of great respectability but no fortune, named William Malone, had made a runaway match with the only daughter of a Mr Dormer, a wealthy landholder; that after expending what little he had, and failing in his attempts at farming, the husband had left Exeter with his wife and a young daughter; but no one knew where he had gone. The father and mother of Malone had both died soon after the departure of their only child, and recently Dormer was also deceased; leaving, in the hour of final repentance, the whole of his fortune to his daughter and her issue. The executors of Malone, the father, readily permitted me to examine his papers. Among them I discovered a letter, in which William Malone informed his parents that he would sail the next day from Greenock for New York-the day exactly on which I had left Europe.

All this satisfied me pretty well of the parentage of Catharine. Many persons also were struck with her strong resemblance to William Malone; but legal proof was wanting, and nothing else would answer, as there were distant relatives well disposed to contend to the utmost for the property.

When I had almost despaired of success, I was told that John Cradock, a faithful old servant, had accompanied William Malone's family when they left Exeter, but had never returned. I immediately went to Greenock, to try and trace him out. There I ascertained that a John Cradock had been a servant in one of the principal inns, but that he had sailed some years ago for America; and that as he was an old man in infirm health, was probably dead. My informant stated, he had indeed heard a rumour that Cradock was living in New York in great indigence. I now employed an eminent counsellor, who told me that he had strong hopes of establishing my wife's parentage; but at the same time told me candidly that my proof was not so conclusive that a jury would give a verdict in my favour. He advised me, before bringing an action, to discover John Cradock, if pos sible, as he was probably the only one that could prove that Campbell was an assumed name. This I immediately did.

Upwards of two months had elapsed since I had written to America, when one morning a well-known old New York beggar entered my room. I inquired what wonder had brought him to Europe. "I have," said he, “ letter from your partner which will explain every thing." The letter stated that the bearer, John Cradock, had

a

and two towards the front of the jaw; while in the poisonous kinds there are only two of these parallel rows-namely, the palatine teeth-and, instead of the others, there are simply two large fangs projecting towards the edge of the mouth, and these are the poisonous fangs. The venom of these animals is contained in a bag situated on both sides of the head, which, when the animal intends to bite, it presses, by means of a muscular arrangement for the purpose, and the poison flows from it along a duct to the base of the tooth, which is moveable, very sharp, and hollowed throughout its length; through this canal the poison progresses, and issues into the wound by the opening which is near its end, for the point of the tooth itself is hard and solid. If these fangs be removed, or their structure destroyed, the animal is rendered harmless; and thus mountebanks are wont, whenever they suffer vipers to bite them before spectators, to stop with cement the perforations of the teeth, or destroy the glands in which the poison is secreted. The only venomous serpent in Britain, as we have already mentioned, is the viper, and the power of that reptile is so slight and feeble, as not in general to endanger the life of man. Small animals kill a dog; according to the experiments of Forster, may be killed by a viper, but its bite does not usually it requires three or four viper bites to kill a dog. Circumstances, however, such as great debility of body, disturbance and irregularity of the digestive apparatus, or unusual heat of the season, have sometimes led to fatal results in the human subject.

In the treatment of injuries of this kind, the prin. cipal object is to prevent the passage of the poison from the wounded part into the body; and hence it is of advantage to apply a tight ligature above the bite; that is, between it and the heart. This of course is only advisable to be done immediately after the accident; for if swelling has taken place, it is likely to do more harm than good. The part is to be most carefully washed, so as to remove all venomous matter, and then the surface of the wound may be pared out with a sharp penknife; at any rate, it hould be well scarified and laid open, to afford the opportunity of more complete ablution. These means will generally suffice when the bite has been inflicted by the British viper; but with regard to other species.

The term hydrophobia, which means a fear of wasent knowledge extends, invariably fatal disease, arising from the bite of rabid animals, and produced in the human frame by the introduction of a poison pe. culiar to animals affected with canine madness. This poison is introduced with the saliva; that is, the saliva of animals labouring under the disease acquires other animals when infused into their system. We will not in this place inquire if any other fluid than the saliva can communicate the disease; we believe there is none, nor do we think that the perspiration or breath of an infected animal can communicate it, and still less do we think it ever arises spontaneously; but these discussions do not accord with our present purpose. The dog, wolf, fox, cat, with the horse, ass, mule, cow, sheep, pig, and perhaps the goat, are lia the disease can only be communicated by the dog, wolf, ble to hydrophobia; but there is reason for believing fox, and cat. The wolf suffers much from the disease; and the late Duke of Richmond lost his life in consequence of hydrophobia contracted from the bite of a fox in Canada. When a dog labours under the complaint, his manner becomes much altered; he is peevish and sullen; he scarcely will notice those to whom he has been accustomed; he will get away from home and wander about. He will not go out of his way to attack individuals or brute animals, but he is very apt to bite those who come across him. He picks up and swallows small objects; straw, bits of grass. and dirty substances of any kind. When he is tied up, and towards the latter period of the complaint, he will gnaw and bite the objects around him; he will grow angry, and become very wild in his appearance; his jaws are continually covered with tough saliva; and at last he dies in all the horrors of confirmed madness. The disease is usually communicated to the human subject by a bite; in fact, the saliva of a rabid animal must be brought into contact with a recent wound, or with an ulcer or abraded surface; and it is not absolutely necessary that this should be done through the medium of a bite. Not long ago, a lady of rank had a French poodle, of which she was very fond, and allowed to lick her face. She had a small pimple on her chin, of which she had rubbed off the top; and allowing the dog to indulge in its usual caresses, it licked this pimple, of which the surface was exposed, and thus she acquired the disease of hydrophobia, of which she died. Wounds are not equally effective in conveying the poison, particularly if a person is bitten on a part covered with clothes; in which case the teeth of the animal are in a manner wiped or cleaned by passing through the cloth. An interval of time elapses between the infliction of the wound and the appearance of any symptoms; generally speaking, the disease shows itself between the thirtieth and fortieth day. The only symptom to which we shall al

manner of doubt. Indeed, we have proved the fact from actual observation and experience. It certainly does appear strange how the newest, highest-rented, and finest-finished houses, should generally be most afflicted with the presence of these nauseous vermin; but the circumstance is entirely attributable to their introduction through the medium of the rough timbers. In the outer clefts of the logs of wood the living animals or their germ find a habitation, and these logs being cut into smaller pieces, but without cleaning their outsides, thence the myriads of bugs, small and large, the newly hatched and the aged, creep forth at the approach of summer, or, moved by the heat of the apartments, seek the surface of the walls and floors, where their chief store of nourishment is to be found. When they thus develope themselves, nothing, as we have said, will suppress them but a plentiful exhibition of paint, along with scrupulous cleanliness.

Most unfortunately for the comfort of many families, it is a custom of house-proprietors in Edinburgh —and perhaps in other places to leave houses unpainted in any respect, for several years after their erection. The walls are left with the bare plaster, and the doors and other woodwork are left similarly bare, without colour, varnish, or paint. Possibly this practice may arise from a desire to allow the house in all its parts to be thoroughly dried and seasoned. But it must be lamented that such a practice should prevail. It would be infinitely preferable to allow the timbers, &c. to be well seasoned before being used, and to paint and paper the houses before they were entered by families. Were people a little more cautious in entering as the first tenants of new houses, the practice would soon be discontinued. From what we have learned on this subject, we would advise no family to enter a new house, however clean in appear ance, till it be painted, and, in the proper sense of the word, finished.

In London, where we believe no family whatever would enter a house till papered and painted, it would seem that even these precautions are in some places found unavailing; and, therefore, it becomes obviously the duty of house-builders in London, Edinburgh, and every where else, to use the utmost care in preventing unclean timbers being introduced into build. ings. The logs of wood ought to be dressed or plained on the outside; at least none of the outer rinds should be made use of. All preparations of the timber, such as sawing and plaining, should also take place apart from the premises in course of erection. By these means we might expect to procure comfortable dwellings, altogether free of the nuisance now under our notice. As, however, we have no doubt that many builders, whose only object is to make the most of their houses at the least possible expense, will either sneer at or pay no sort of attention to measures of this nature, it ought to be the duty of families about to rent houses, to refuse to occupy any dwelling until it be in every respect finished. We would likewise recommend gentlemen about to build houses for themselves, to expend a trifle in preparing and cleaning their timber; the satisfaction arising from such a measure of precaution will alone compensate for the outlay.

Perhaps the following particulars in connection with this subject, which appear in the BRITISH CYCLOPÆDIA (Orr and Smith, London), will not be unacceptable to our readers. "The original English name, as we learn from Mouffet, was different from that now universally given to this insect, which in his time (1634) was termed wall-louse, and Messrs Kirby and Spence suggest that the term bug, which is a Celtic word signifying a ghost or goblin, was applied to them after Ray's time, most probably because they were considered as 'terrors by night;' hence our English word bug-bear and in like manner the passage in the Psalms, Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night' (xci. 5.), is rendered in Matthew's Bible Thou shalt not need be afraid of any bugs by night.' Southall, in his Treatise upon the Cimex lectularius, published at Ipswich in 1793, and which reached a second edition, states that the first appearance of bugs in London occurred after the great fire in 1666, which learned men,' says he, united in thinking were imported with the new deal timber, as the bugs were naturally fond of turpentine woods.' That the latter circumstance took place, is perhaps perfectly correct; indeed, Linnæus was of opinion that this insect is not originally a native of Europe, and that it was imported from America; but there is abundance of evidence to show that they were known in England before the great fire, since Mouffet records the circumstance which occurred in 1503, of a Dr Pennius being called in great haste to visit two noble ladies residing at a little village called Mortlake, on the banks of the Thames, who were greatly alarmed by the appearance of bug bites, which were considered as symptoms of the plague or some such contagious disease, and whose fears were only dispelled by the capture of the insects and the statement of their physician, who happened also to be a naturalist. As a native of Europe it has been known for centuries, being noticed by Aristotle (Hist. liv. 5. chap. xxxi.) under the name of Coris, by Galen, Dioscorides, Pliny, &c. who state the medical virtues which it was supposed to possess, especially as a remedy against the bite of serpents. It was also applied in numerous other diseases, as we learn from Mouffet, who has collected the learning of the ancients and of the middle ages upon this and other similar subjects. The medical student of the

present day will smile at learning that twelve live bugs taken fasting (four per diem) was an approved remedy against the colic. Whether the apparent rarity of these insects in England was the result of the superior cleanliness of its inhabitants over those of France, Germany, and Italy, as Mouffet states, may perhaps indeed be doubted; certain it is that it now thrives in our climate as well as elsewhere, sometimes, especially when unmolested, swarming to a most intolerable degree, not only in inhabited, but also in empty houses, getting under the wainscotting, &c. where it appears strange that it should be able to obtain nourishment. Numerous remedies have been from time to time proposed by various writers, for the purpose either of driving away or killing these insects, which are almost as notorious for their disagreeable scent as for their annoying propensities. Of these remedies, Mouffet gives a long list; Mr Brande has given another in the index to the Materia Medica. We have known that an uninhabited house which swarmed with these insects has been completely cleared by a powerful fumigation of brimstone. And Southall, who obtained from his ancient black negro' the secret of making a fluid for the prevention of bug bites, states it to have been made by boiling several strong herbs, as herb Robert, cormint, &c. in water, and adding corrosive sublimate and sal ammonia; this liquid being applied with a sponge to furniture, &c. Our readers will perhaps smile at this statement, and in quire how the negro had gained a knowledge of Eng. lish herbs, and the other substances employed, and will probably be inclined to think the whole story to savour rather of quackery. We will only add, that these remedies are for the most part either insufficient or dangerous, and that by carefully examining furniture infested at the commencement of the spring, and by strict cleanliness, they will either be entirely destroyed, or their numbers considerably reduced."

TRAVELLING IN ENGLAND THIRTY

YEARS AGO.

gan to think we had been mistaken, when suddenly the loud trampling of horses' feet, as they whirled up the sweep below the windows, followed by a peal long and loud upon the bell, announced, beyond question, the summons for my departure. The door being thrown open, steps were heard loud and fast; and, in the next moment, ushered by a servant, stalked for. ward, booted and fully equipped, my travelling com panion-if such a word can at all express the relation between the arrogant young blood, just fresh from assuming the toga virilis, and a modest child of profound sensibilities, but shy and reserved beyond even English reserve. The aged servant, with apparently constrained civility, presented my mother's compli ments to him, with a request that he would take breakfast. This he hastily and rather peremptorily declined. Me, however, he condescended to notice with an approving nod, slightly inquiring if I were the young gentleman who shared his post-chaise. But without allowing time for an answer, and striking his boot impatiently with a riding-whip, he hoped I was ready. 'Not until he has gone up to my mistress,' replied my old protector, in a tone of some asperity. Thither I ascended. What counsels and directions I might happen to receive at the maternal toilet, na turally I have forgotten. The most memorable circumstance to me was, that I, who had never till that time possessed the least or most contemptible coin, received, in a network purse, five glittering guineas, with instructions to put three immediately into Mr Hll's hands, and the rest when he should call for them. The rest of my mother's counsels, if deep, were not long; she, who had always something of a Roman firmness, shed more milk of roses, I believe, upon my cheeks than tears; and why not? should there be to her corresponding to an ignorant child's sense of pathos, in a little journey of about a hundred miles? Outside her door, however, there awaited me some silly creatures, women of course, old and young, from the nursery and the kitchen, who gave and who received those fervent kisses, which wait only upon love without awe and without disguise.

What

I found myself lifted into the chaise: counsels UPON this subject there appears an entertaining well. about the night and the cold, flowing in upon me, to written article in the twelfth number of Tait's Edin. which my companion listened with derision or astoburgh Magazine, published a few weeks ago, from which nishment. I and he had each our separate corner: we present the following sketch:-"Whilst reverting to and, except to request that I would draw up one of the these remembrances of my childhood (says the writer), glasses, I do not think he condescended to address I may add, by way of illustration, and at the risk of one word to me until dusk, when we found ourselves gossiping, a brief notice of my very first journey. I rattling into Chesterfield, having barely accomplished might be then seven years old. A young gentleman, four stages, or forty or forty-two miles, in about nine the son of a wealthy banker, had to return home for hours. This, except on the Bath or great north roads, the Christmas holidays to a town in Lincolnshire, dis- may be taken as a standard amount of performance tant from the public school, where he was pursuing in 1794 (the year I am recording), and even ten years his education, about a hundred miles. This school later. In these present hurrying and tumultuous was in the neighbourhood of my father's house. There days, whether time is really of more value, I cannot were at that time no coaches in that direction; now say; but all people on the establishment of inns are there are many every day. The young gentleman required to suppose it of the most awful value. Now. advertised for a person to share the expense of a post-a-days, no sooner have the horses stopped at the gatechaise. By accident, or chiefly, I believe, out of com- way of a posting-house, than a summons is passed pliment to the gentleness of my manners, and the down to the stables; and in less than one minute, depth of my affections, I had an invitation of some upon a great road, the horses next in rotation, always standing to the same town, where I happened to have ready harnessed, when expecting to come on duty, a female relation of mature age, besides some youthful are heard trotting down the yard. Putting to,' cousins. The two travellers-elect soon heard of each and transferring the luggage (supposing your conveyother, and the arrangement was easily completed. It ance a common post-chaise), once a work of at least was my earliest migration from the paternal (or, as I twenty minutes, is now easily accomplished in three. ought then to call it, the maternal) roof; and the And scarcely have you paid the ex-postilion before anxieties of pleasure, too tumultuous, with some slight his successor has mounted; the ostler is standing sense of undefined fears, combined to agitate my ready with the steps in his hands, to receive his invarichildish feelings. I had a vague slight apprehension able sixpence; the door is closed; the representative of my fellow-traveller, whom I had never seen, and waiter bows his acknowledgment for the house, and whom my nursery-maid, when dressing me, had de- you are off at a pace never less than ten miles an hour; scribed in no very amiable colours. But a good deal the total detention at each stage not averaging above more I thought of Sherwood Forest, which, as I had four minutes. Then (i. e. at the latter end of the been told, we should cross after the night set in. At eighteenth and beginning of the nineteenth century) six o'clock, I descended, and not, as usual, to the half an hour was the minimum of time spent at each children's room, but, on this special morning of my change of horses. Your arrival produced a great life, to a room called the breakfast-room, where I bustle of unloading and unharnessing; as a matter of found a blazing fire, candles lighted, and the whole course you alighted and went into the inn; if you breakfast equipage, as if for my mother, set out, to sallied out to report progress, after waiting twenty my astonishment, for no greater personage than my. minutes, no signs appeared of any stir about the sta self. The scene being in England, and on a Decem- bles. The most choleric person could not much exber morning, I need scarcely say that it rained; the pedite preparations, which loitered not so much from rain beat violently against the windows, the wind any indolence in the attendants as from faulty ar raved; and an aged servant who did the honours of rangements and total defect of foresight. The pace the breakfast table, pressed me urgently and often to was such as the roads of that day allowed; never so eat. I need not say that I had no appetite; the ful- much as six miles an hour, except upon a very great ness of my heart, both from busy anticipation, and road; and then only by extra payment to the driver. from the parting which was at hand, had made me in- Yet even under this comparatively miserable syscapable of any other thought, or feeling, or attention, tem, how superior was England, as a land for the but such as pointed to the coming journey. traveller, to all the rest of the world, Sweden only excepted.

Thirty-nine, or possibly, I believe, even forty years, have passed since that December morning in my own life to which I am now recurring, and yet, even to this moment, I recollect the audible throbbing of heart, the leap and rushing of blood, with which, during a deep lull of the wind, the aged attendant said, without hurry or agitation, but with something of a solemn tone,That is the sound of wheels; I hear the chaise. Mr Hl will be here directly. The road ran, for some distance, by a course pretty nearly equidistant from the house, so that the groaning of the wheels continued to catch the ear, as it swelled upon the wind, for some time without much altera. tion. At length a right-angled turn brought the road continually and rapidly nearer to the gates of the grounds, which had purposely been thrown open. At this point, however, a long career of raving arose; all other sounds were lost; and for some time I be.

What cozy old parlours in those days! low-roofed, glowing with ample fires, and fenced from the blasts of doors by screens, whose foldings were, or seemed to be, infinite! What motherly landladies! won, how readily, to kindness the most lavish, by the mere attractions of simplicity and youthful innocence, and finding so much interest in the bare circumstance of being a traveller at a childish age! Then what blooming young handmaidens, how different from the knowing and worldly demireps of modern highroads! And sometimes grey-headed faithful waiters, how sincere and how attentive, by comparison with their flippant successors, the eternal 'Coming, sir,'' Coming, sir,' of our improved generation.

Such an honest old butler-looking servant waited on us during dinner at Chesterfield, carving for me, and urging me to eat. Even my companion found