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seized in the belfry, the night before, with an apoplectic fit. He was found lying on the floor, insensible, the next morning, and carried home, where he soon breathed his last. He had been ringer for sixty-three years, and was much respected for his honesty and ingenuity.

THE BLIND BOY.

O SAY, what is that thing called light,
Which I must ne'er enjoy?

What are the blessings of the sight?
O tell your poor blind boy!

You talk of wondrous things you see,
You say the sun shines bright:
I feel him warm, but how can he
Or make it day or night?

My day and night myself I make,
Whene'er I sleep or play,
And could I always keep awake,
With me 'twere always day.

With heavy sighs I often hear
You mourn my hapless woe,
But sure with patience I can bear
A loss I ne'er can know.

Then let not what I cannot have

My cheer of mind destroy;
While thus I sing, I am a king,
Although a poor blind boy.

CIBBER.

A

VISIT TO A SOUTH-AFRICAN CHIEF.

WHEN Captain Harris was travelling in Southern Africa in 1836 and 1837, he went through the territories of the chief Moselekatse; and he gives an amusing account of his interview with that barbarian chief, (or king, as he is generally called,) in his Narrative of his Expedition. As he approached the royal residence, one of Moselekatse's heralds advanced towards Captain Harris and his companions, roaring and charging, in imitation of the king of beasts; then placing his arm before his mouth, and swinging it rapidly, to represent an elephant, he threw his trunk above his head, and trumpeted shrilly. He next ran on tiptoe, imitating the ostrich; and lastly, humbling himself in the dust, wept like an infant, at each pause proclaiming the courage and mighty conquests of his monarch.

Several chieftains now came forward to meet the travellers, and to welcome them in his majesty's name. These all carried snuff-boxes stuck in their ears; all their heads were shaven; and they wore, as their only dress, streamers of skin, like the tails of a lady's boa, fastened to a thin waistcord. Mohanycom, the king's page, next appeared, to congratulate his guests on their safe arrival. At last his

194 majesty approached to welcome them, attended by several of his chiefs and warriors. As he advanced, others rushed up with shouts, brandishing their sticks; women followed, carrying beer upon their heads; and two men cleared the way, roaring, charging, and prancing as the herald had done, and proclaiming their sovereign's titles. The expression of his features was cunning and suspicious; in person he was tall and well-made. The ring on his closely shaven head was ornamented with three green feathers from the tail of a paroquet, two behind, and one in front. He had a necklace of small blue beads, a bunch of twisted sinews round his left ankle, and the usual girdle, with leopards' tails, completed his dress. The interpreters being placed in front, the king began the conversation by saying, that he was glad Captain Harris had brought him news from his friends the white people. Captain Harris then produced the presents which he had brought for his majesty; namely, a greatcoat, lined and trimmed with scarlet shalloon, a coil of brass wire, a looking-glass, snuff, and beads. The sight of so many fine things quite overcame the king's dignity; putting his thumb between his teeth, and opening his eyes wide, he grinned, patted his breast, and exclaimed, "Monanti, monanti, monanti; tanta, tanta, tanta;" "Good, good, good; bravo, bravo, bravo." Captain Harris pointed out to his majesty the representation of an uplifted arm, holding a javelin, on the clasp of the greatcoat, which referred to his great conquests; and then presented him with a suit of tartan, sent by Mrs. Moffat, with a note, which Captain Harris read to him: upon which the king patted him on the back, exclaiming, "Tanta,

VISIT TO A SOUTH-AFRICAN CHIEF.

VISIT TO A SOUTH AFRICAN CHIEF.

195

tanta, tanta." Then rising suddenly, he made signs to one of his attendants to help him on with the coat, dressed in which, he strutted up and down before the looking-glass with great satisfaction; and then made Mohanycom put it on, that he might see how it fitted behind. This being

settled, he threw off his tails, and called all his people to shake him into the tartan trousers, which it was no easy matter to accomplish. Soon after this, he sent all his presents to his kraal, and seating himself, tea was brought in. Gourds filled with beer were provided for the assembly. Captain Harris and his companion drank tea out of two battered plated goblets, while the king was provided with a flowered china bowl; but with this he was not satisfied, and handing it to his attendants, seized upon Captain Harris's cup, and drank off its contents. He was always on the look-out for presents; and repeatedly told the interpreters to say that he "liked all and every thing."

Moselekatse inquired after the health of the British sovereign, whom he declared to be, next to himself, the greatest monarch in the world; adding, however, that the white king's nation was certainly second to his own in power. Captain Harris was impatient to proceed on his journey, and took leave of his majesty as soon as he could gain permission to depart.

AN

AMERICAN FOREST ON FIRE.

THE traveller in America may sometimes see whole forests in flames, which spread rapidly on every side, destroying every thing which comes in their way. These fires are sometimes accidental, sometimes caused by hunters or wandering tribes of Indians, who set fire to the dry grass of the plains, or "prairies," in order to attract animals which

feed upon the young and tender grass, which springs up

in due time after the burning. The flames soon spread to the trees, and extend for miles and miles, leaving only scorched and withered branches, to mark the ruin and desolation which they have worked. Mr. Audubon relates an account which an American hunter gave him of one of these terrible fires; which he said was caused by insects, which had killed all the fir-trees some years before, by eating their leaves. Soon afterwards they began to fall, and covered the country around for miles; and when they became dry, they kept up and spread the burning of the other trees, when by accident or intention a fire was kindled in the neighbourhood. I shall give the description in the hunter's own words, as repeated by Mr. Audubon, in his American Ornithology.

"We were sound asleep, one night, in a cabin about a hundred miles from this, when, about two hours before day,

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