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John White leap'd from his vessel's prow,
He had braved the boisterous sea,
And boldly rode the mountain-wave,—
A stalwart man was he.

John White leap'd from his vessel's prow,
And joy was in his eye;

For his daughter's smile had lured him on
Amid the stormiest sky.

Where were the roofs that fleck'd the green?
The smoke-wreaths curling high?
He calls-he shouts the cherish'd names,
But Echo makes reply.

"Where art thou, Ellinor! my child!
And sweet Virginia Dare!

O silver cloud, that cleaves the blue Like angel's wing, say where ! Hartford, Connecticut, May 10th, 1852.

"Where is the glorious Saxon vine

We set so strong and fair?"

The stern grey rocks in mockery smiled,
And coldly answered "where!"
"Ho! flitting savage! stay thy step,
And tell-" But light as air
He vanish'd, and the falling stream
Responsive murmured-" where !"

So, o'er the ruin'd palisade,

The blacken'd threshold-stone,
The funeral of colonial hope,
That old man wept-alone!

And mournful rose his wild lament,
In accents of despair,
For the lost daughter of his love,
And young Virginia Dare.

THE VALE OF TINTERN.

THE banks of the Wye, in Monmouthshire, present to the traveller a continued series of the most beautiful and varied landscapes that the eye can dwell upon; and perhaps the fairest portion, certainly that which contains the greatest combination of picturesque objects, will be found in that known as "The Vale of Tintern." How grandly the hills sweep down on either side to the winding river, sheltering from the wintry blast the magnificent ruins of the ancient Abbey, and forming, in the distance, a noble background to the picture, lessening in intensity of colour till earth and sky are scarcely distinguishable from each other. "The Devil's Pulpit," from which point the artist has taken his view, seems a strange misnomer; it should rather have been designated the "Altar of the Deity," if the term might be used without profanity, whence He manifests His power, and goodness, and glory, in decking the earth with beauty, and giving it to us "richly to enjoy."

Excellent judges of what would administer to the pleasures of sense, as well as of that retirement generally considered conducive to study and meditation, were "the monks of old." Look where one will for the remains of monastic and religious houses, we invariably find them standing among pleasant pastures and beside refreshing waters-meadows yielding their fruits, and streams their finny tribes, for the gratification of those who had fled from the follies and vanities of the world, but who could still find pleasure in its natural beauties, and were by no means insensible to the advantages derived from a well-conducted cuisine. Tintern, Netley, Bolton, Kirkstall, and a score other names that one might readily

recall to mind, are left to proclaim the fact, that they considered there was a time for all things, and that it formed no part of their duty to reject the good things the bounty of Providence had spread out before them, or rather, it was more becoming to seek out and apply them to their own purposes, spiritual and corporeal.

Tintern, which looks in the picture scarcely larger than a dove-cot embosomed in trees, stands on the right bank of the Wye, about nine miles below Monmouth. It was founded in 1131, by Walter de Clare, for the Cistercian monks, or Bernardines, a branch of the Benedictines, who were also called White Monks, from the colour of their habit. It has been remarked, that this order, or fraternity of monkhood, almost invariably erected their monasteries in secluded localities, and they were always dedicated to St. Mary. The Cistercians were transplanted from Normandy, in 1128, by Walter Giffard, Bishop of Winchester, who placed them in his newly-founded abbey of Waverley, in Surrey, of which no vestiges now remain. This was the first house of the order established in England, though for a long time precedence was given to the abbey of Furness, in Lancashire. The extent and power of the Cistercians may be gathered from the fact that, when Henry VIII. suppressed all monastic establishments, they possessed thirty-six greater monasteries and thirty-nine of less importance, besides twentysix nunneries; and their revenues amounted to nearly nineteen thousand pounds—an enormous sum in those days.

The chapel of Tintern Abbey was commenced by Roger de Bigod, Earl of Norfolk: the abbots and monks celebrated their first

mass within it in 1268. At the dissolution, the site was granted by Henry VIII. to Henry, second Earl of Worcester; the entire property now belongs to the Duke of Beaufort.

The speed of the "iron horse" has now brought this most attractive spot within an easy day's journey of our vast metropolis; and, indeed, if we remember rightly, during the last great year of sight-seeing, "excursion trains" started from London early in the morning, whirled hundreds down to Bristol, who were there embarked upon steam-boats, carried up the Avon to its junction with the Wye, then past Chepstow, another most beautiful locality, up to Tintern, and, sufficient time being allowed for full inspection of its loveliness, were brought back by the same route, arriving at London on the evening of the same day.

Sailing up the Wye, the traveller cannot but be impressed with the charming scenery that surrounds him on all sides; but his delight receives a fresh and vigorous impulse when he approaches the ruins of the old abbey, which afford the most striking indication of the wealth, magnificence, and taste of the religious brotherhood to whom it belonged. It stands on a gently rising eminence, and was originally built in the form of a cathedral,

having a nave, north and south aisles, transept, and choir, with a tower rising from the intersections. The roof and tower have fallen, but the exterior, viewed from a distance, is still eminently beautiful, but excelled by the yet more striking appearance of the interior, as the visitor enters the western doorway. From this point the eye traverses along the range of stately columns, and, passing under the lofty arches that once supported the tower, rests upon the grand eastern window at the termination of the choir. From the length of the nave, the height of the walls, the imposing form of the pointed arches-the style of the edifice is that known as Early English decorated-and the size of the east window, the first impressions one receives are those of grandeur and sublimity; but, on a closer examination, these feelings are combined with those of admiration at the regularity of the plan, the elegance and lightness of the architecture, and the exceeding delicacy of the ornamental work, mingled, and partly covered in some portions, as it is, with a profusion of wild flowers, and masses of ivy and other climbing plants. We are accustomed to exclaim against the barbarisms of past ages, but how much have not these ages taught us of the noble and the beautiful!

THE CANARY.

BIRDS IN CAPTIVITY.*

(Fringilla Canaria; Passerine Order.)
"Thou little, sportive, airy thing,

That trimm'st so oft thy yellow wing,
And cheerful pour'st thy lay,
In sprightly notes, clear, rapid, gay;
As jocund in thy grated dome,

As thou at liberty did'st roam."

THE antecedents of this deservedly popular species are now of little importance, the whole aspect of the race differing from the original stock. Accidental circumstances first caused the introduction of the canary-finch into Europe, about the fourteenth century. Aldrovandus and Gessner are the first naturalists, in the sixteenth, who named it as "a great rarity."

The earliest tame birds in Europe were reared in Italy: the venturon of that country bears more resemblance to the wild stock, that had dark plumage, and but little song, than to our "musician of the chamber." It is, however,

* Continued from page 36.

worthy of remark, that birds with dark eyes are stronger than those with red: the latter are the pale and yellow colour. The effects of naturalisation, alliances formed, changes of climate, and art, combine to produce more beautiful birds, and better songsters, in the domestic canary.

A description of this bird, sui generis, would be useless, when to the thirty varieties in Buffon's time so many have since been added. The two principal distinctions adopted by the "London societies" for the rearing of the "fancy finch" are technically "jonks, or jonquils (plain), gay or spangled (variegated).” The mealy, or dim white, is the ordinary colour of the German canary; the Dutch birds are of a brighter hue. Richness of colour is the great object sought for in the "fancy finch;" and this state of regularity and perfection has taken generations to perfect. The "properties" requisite for "a show bird" it is here unnecessary to detail the peculiar mode of rearing them causing great delicacy and deterioration of

voice. As a general rule, match your birds with their opposites. A fine jonk cock, paired with a green hen, produces pied birds, rich in colour, hardy, and good songsters. Clear birds are preferred by many amateurs: they are to be obtained by "putting up" a bright jonquil cock with a mealy-coloured hen. The results will be doubtful, unless some knowledge has been obtained of non-adulteration of colour in the progenitors on both sides-that male and female have been bred from clear birds as canaries "throw back" to the old colour, which, if it had an admixture of black, may be reproduced. These startling particulars are immaterial, unless for the indulgence of pleasing the eye. I should attend more closely to temper, disposition, health, and song. A good bird is straight and taper, he has power over his notes, sings with ease, and beats out, by his insinuating language," the little fat man."

My experience is so decidedly in favour of the true German canary, that I am only prepared to advocate the system I pursued. I matched my birds, both Germans, (irrespective of colour,) and found that, although at first an expensive arrangement, the production had all the hardy health of the English, with the truest perfection of song: beyond the fact of the parent bird remaining in the same apartment, no particular tuition was afforded. One "family," especially, named par excellence "the Smiths"-most numerous !-kept up a first-rate character; and, after enjoying connubial bliss, in "semi-detached houses," ," "Mr. and Mrs. S." were turned into my large aviary-cage, which was six feet in length, with a dome sufficiently large to furnish sleeping apartments for forty birds, home and foreign. In one end of the cage the matron established herself, to my regret, in a box appropriated to WAXBILLS, and there she lived and loved. One of her heirs, born in a crowd, is now six years old, and a splendid bird, without an hour's ailment.

It is easy to account for the superiority I state. Our birds are mostly ill-treated in cages; hung out of windows, in an easterly wind or a hot sun; unprotected, even within the house, from draughts of air; left uncovered during moult, and exposed to nightly change of temperature from the same cause: the consequences are, their notes become harsh, (may have been originally so by descent,) both by imitation of the notes of other birds, and from the effects of cold-too much dependence being placed on native strength. There are some-we hope many-exceptions: if the birds selected for breeding can be procured

from a good stock, direct from Manchester, York, or Norfolk, or from a London dealer, on whom dependence may be placed as to early associations and pedigree, if possible; but, as these are remote contingencies, I prefer the German stock; the objection on the score of delicacy is removed by the young being acclimatised.

Canaries should not be paired before the end of April. The birds of the latest broods have the sweetest notes: the first are fierce and impatient in song; besides, early nestlings have the chances of a severe spring to contend with. Both for song and for breeding, the male should be two years old: he is then past the age for taking up false notes, and will have dignity in his paternal department of feeding his offspring. It is advanced by experimentalists, that the lady being older causes an increase of male birds.

The breeding-cages should be placed in a room having the morning sun: the effect on the temper and temperament of the parents is great; the aspect has a direct influence on the young, making them more softly beautiful, and more healthily prepared for their earliest trial -the first moult. I recommend a large wirefronted cage-top, sides, and back of mahogany -with a moveable division; two nests at the ends (which should each have a wire door). I never use nest-bags or boxes: the latter are harsh, the former subject to red mites. My plan is this: I paste a piece of calico over an oil-flask; when dry, cut it across, to remove it from the bottle, and thus two nests are ready. Line them with one fold of flannel, very smooth, cutting away superfluous pieces. The custom of furnishing hair and moss, I think objectionable; the cage, the water, and the food are soiled, and the bird makes and unmakes her nest before incubation, becoming restless and dissatisfied. An experienced matron does not always approve of a deficiency in the "raw material," and will borrow a few feathers from her breast. At the same time, as birds, like men, have their antipathies, let not a good hen be disappointed on rational grounds, I propose the adoption. Some are sufferers from "perspiration," originating, I think, in the excessive heat and small size of box-nests; parasites, that destroy their nestlings, are produced by this ailment. I do not advise any remedies such as I have read of salt and water," and warm bathing -either would drive the hen from her duties. Good strengthening food should be given; and if her weakness continues, prevent her from sitting again for the season. Some keep two

hens in one cage, and a division between. Polygamy does not answer: ladies are jealous, the progeny ill-tempered. Birds having the range of the room, select their own partners; and unless some choice birds are to be matched, let nature alone.

I close this portion of my subject, by enjoining that cages may be so constructed as not to disturb the parent bird, and at the same time convenient for the supply of food, and for the usual attention to cleanliness; on which latter subject there have been mistaken opinions-I trust, now obsolete-that it is hurtful. The arrangements for an aviary must proceed on a more extended scale. The period of incubation is thirteen days; for fifteen more the parent birds must be provisioned, twice daily, with scalded rape-seed, in one vessel, and the fourth portion of a hard-boiled egg, mixed with roll, squeezed out of water in another; and take care, or your nestlings will perish, that this food is not left to sour. On the fifteenth day, the young feed themselves; then begins the trying time. The food is the same; the males begin to warble; the lady sits again; the father gives his daily lessons, and at a month old the new generation may leave the maternal wing*find a new home. Then it is the period when succulent food is replaced by seed: then the danger. Let the transition be gradual, or the "wasting fever," or "surfeit, intervenes. I found but one cure: a handful of groundsel to a pint of water, boiled down to half the quantity; make fresh as required, and give it in the drinking vessel. In all my cages I put a lump of rock salt, and pounded mortar.

The diversity of opinions as to the superiority of the German canaries, being best esteemed for their song, yet objected to on the score of liability to loss of voice, suggests a glance at the causes of the good and the evil. In the Hartzgebürge there is a mining district, called Andresbürge: the occupants of the ranges of the little dwellings are the families of the miners, who rear from 40,000 to 50,000 canaries yearly. At three weeks old their education begins, they hear but the best singing, from nightingales and woodlarks, and are, so far, perfect at three months old. Self-interest on the part of the dealers prevents these very imitative birds from hearing bad singing; for,

* A friend of mine was very proud of her four nestling canaries; when, one morning, she heard a great squeaking and fluttering in her aviary, and found that it proceeded from the desire the old birds had to peck the feathers off the young birds, to line afresh their nest for the anticipated eggs. The young brood were obliged to seek the shelter of a new cage.--ED.

while their aptitude for learning is in one sense desirable, on the other hand, it is unsafe to allow any canary-finch to be within hearing of bad singing till he is at least two years old: hence the defects of most English birds. I do not say that when imported all are good singers; far from it. A first-rate bird will cost from three to five guineas.

The mode of life adopted by the miners causes delicacy. Bred in an atmosphere totally heated by stoves, the transition to a cold and damp climate is in its effects calculated to produce hoarseness-that complaint from which vocalists, the animal bipe implume, of foreign lands suffer. I have had German birds, bought them from the foreign dealers, and I have taken some pains to obtain opinions; and I can safely pronounce that one year's acclimatising, one year's trial of food, will enable the amateur to understand his bird. The first moulting season is dangerous: pass over that, and your little companion is as safe as any. The cruel carelessness of life shown in the ordinary treatment of one of our poor natives is rarely practised on an expensive pet. Keep your "German" warm the first year; cover half his cage at night; during moult, put baize round his cage by day also, except in front; according to his strength, reduce the temperature the second year. All these attentions are imperative, in consequence of stove-rearing: it is not therefore necessary to treat other birds, more hardy, in the same way, but do not therefore slight and ill-treat a British songster. You will find him as social, merry, and attaching as the foreign favourite: he has the same amount of animal feeling, an equal desire to please, as just a claim upon your mercy and kindness.

I have known birds given away in disgust when they became hoarse-their glory had departed!-and those same birds were cured, and live. This serious malady is caused chiefly by cold-sometimes by "over-singing." For the cure, scald some rape-seed, make it into a paste, with roll-crumbs, or sweet bun, and pour over it almond oil. Give as little seed as will content the patient; allow nothing heating; leave a vessel with new milk in his cage; keep him warm, and in a quiet place; and by persevering steadily, the sufferer will become "the gayest of the gay."

For the food of all canaries, I prefer equal portions of turnip-seed, millet, canary, and flax seeds. I say "turnip" advisedly, for the summer rape," on which the German vendors insist, can only be distinguished by "growers," and the kind usually sold is so rank and bitter,

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