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OR,

Literary and Scientific Mirror.

"UTILE DULCI."

This familiar Miscellany, from which religious and political matters are excluded, contains a variety of original and selected Articles; comprehending Literature, Criticism, Men and Manners, Amusement, Elegant Extracts, Poetry, Anecdotes, Biography, Meteorology, the Drama, Arts and Sciences, Wit and Satire, Natural History, Monthly Diary, Fashions, &c. &c.; forming a handsome Annual Volume, with an Index and Title-page.

AGENTS.

Blackburn-T. Rogerson;
Bio-Kell, or J. Brandwood;
Bradford-J. Stanfield;
Bur-J. Kay;

Chester-R. Taylor;
Chorley-T. Parker;
Congleton-J. Parsons;
Dublin-W. Baker; J. P. Power;
and Mrs. Broadhurst;

Halifax-R. Simpson;

No. 44.-NEW SERIES.

The Traveler.

Never before published.]

A PEDESTRIAN PILGRIMAGE

OF FIVE DAYS,

HAO' SOME OF THE MOST ROMANTIC PARTS OF
DERBYSHIRE:
7th Month, 1820.
BY WILFRED WENDER.

(Continued from our last.)

MATLOCK.

Though in the utmost peak
Awhile we do remain,
Amongst the mountains bleak,
Exposed to sleet and rain,
No sport our hours shall break

To exercise our vein.

What though bright Phœbus' beams
Refresh the southern ground,
And though the princely Thames
With beauteous nymphs abound;
And by old Camber's streams
Be many wonders found;

Yet many rivers clear,

Here glide in silver swathes ;
And what of all most dear,
Matlock's delicious baths;
Strong ale and noble cheer,
T'assuage breem winter's scathes.
Drayton.

Directly below us, at the bottom of a steep scent of about half a mile, clad in the green nd gold of midsummer verdure, through which the mowers were swinging steadily ong, lay Matlock village; at that height Orming a very picturesque and interesting bject. Its neat church and white parsonge, and gray stone-houses scattered peace lly about on the flat, rich green; the white wads winding along; the gay carriage, like

Hanley T. Allbut;
Huddersfield-T. Smart;
Hull-J. Perkins;

Lancaster-G. Bentham;
Leeds-B. Dewhirst;
Macclesfield-P. Hall;

Manchester-Miss Richardsons;
J. Fletcher; and T. Sowler;
Newcastle-U.-L.-C. Chester;
Northwich-J. Kent;
Ormskirk-W. Garside;
Prescot-A. Ducker;

TUESDAY, MAY 1, 1821.

Preston-P. Whittle;
Rochdale-J. Hartley;
Runcorn-Mrs. Harrison;
Sheffield-T. Orton;
Shrewsbury-C. Hulbert;
Stoke-R. Č. Tomkinson;

St. Helen's Edw. Glover;
Stockport-J. Dawson;
Wakefield-R. Hurst;
Warrington-J. Harrison;
Wigan-W. and Lyou;
Ditto-J. Brown.

PRICE 34d.

a small baby-coach, moving smoothly upon probably the sign of George the Second;
them; the fields all round ready for the for the board on which it was painted
scythe, or enlivened with the laughing hay- was gray with age, and displayed many
makers, were all softened and improved by venerable chinks, that seemed to say it had
the unusual height from which we looked not been saluted by a painter's brush since
down upon them. Beyond Matlock, stretch-his reign. It had, however, no cause of
ed out many a mile, the calm, and fertile, complaint; its contemporary sign on the op-
and expansive Dale of Darley, with its posite side, the Wheat Sheaf, having evi-
various villages, and woods, and waters, dently been as little molested since the day
and boundaries of sublime hills. To our left, it was traced by the same hand, the same
we overlooked the romantic dale in which brush, and the same colour; for it too was
the baths stand, concealed from view by the blood-red. Indeed, every thing in this place
green fields on the back of the High Tor, and reminded me strongly of Geoffry Crayon's
surveyed beyond, the high scenery towards "Legend of the Sleepy Hollow;" every
Wirksworth and Bonsal. Thence to the thing seemed to stand as it did centuries
N.W. the valley considerably expands. We ago; all was quietness and delicious idle-
saw Winster, a large village, running along
an ascending ridge, at the distance of some
miles. From this place, the high range of
hills that terminate Stanton Moor gradually
contract the valley towards Darley. On
the right, Matlock bank, forming the east-
ern side of the valley, rose with a gradual
slope to the extent of a mile or more up-
wards; covered with populous villages, and Round Matlock baths we spent much time
thence winding with a fine swell along the dale in vainly seeking for the Bee Orchis in
every
till it seemed to meet the opposite ridge place where it has been noticed by botanists.
of Stanton Moor, towards Rowsley. Down This beautiful flower seems to be now nearly
this noble vale runs the Derwent; but, if not totally extirpated from this neigh-
from the spot where we stood, we caught bourhood, through the eagerness with which
only a brief glimpse of it. At the dis- it has been purchased by visitors. We
tance of about three miles, rises, in the sauntered through the various scenes that
middle of the dale, Hooker-hill; a singular
but pleasing object, swelling from the flat,
without any intersecting lines of fences, or
any other interruption,-green, smooth, and
clear to its lofty top, and crowned with two
solitary trees.

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Fine Arts.

ON THE STUDY OF COINS.

LETTER VII.

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(Written for the Kaleidoscope.)

OF THE PRESENT VALUE OF ROMAN
COINS;

BEING THE CONCLUDING LETTER.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-Having, in my former letters, treated on the the coins of Rome, I shall, before I conclude, makes various denominations, sizes, and other particulars of few observations on their present value, chiefy guiding myself by sale catalogues; though, at the same time, keeping an eye to their estimation by Mr. Pickerter, which, on the large scale on which he has entered into let alone the very insipid part of the treatise: but it is by no means devoid of faults; and the prices there given fall very far short, in most instances, of the it mand for them at the present day. He tells us, "hit

the subject, must have been an almost endless task,

groups that passed below us. A little dap-every finer sympathy; a little paradise of | per gentleman in black, his hair whitened affectionate happiness among themselves, with the powder of wheat, and his feet with such as thousands of families in our refined the powder of limestone, strutted briskly and christian country can exemplify? But along, directing his quizzing-glass, now to one begins to wither! Alarm breaks in the face of some fresh-coloured country lass, upon the long, sweet tranquillity of that mounted on a cart horse, whose feet were blessed family! Before, it was a puzzle to tasseled with bunches of hair that danced discover which could claim a preference of at every step; and now to the face of some esteem; now, all seem to love that delicate giant rock, perhaps calculating its height, or sister the best. Who could bear to part examining the position of its strata, or con- with her? The very administration of intemplating the swallows as they skimmed valid attentions; a thousand little schemes backwards and forwards before it. This likely to produce benefit; instances of This likely to produce benefit; instances of might be, perchance, some great philosopher prompt care, watchings and forebodings, incog, whose phiz we may one day recognise anxiety and voluntary privation, and ardent in the portrait prefixed to his book. A troop wishings on the one side; and full-hearted of young dashing folks were strolling along gratitude, delicate concealment of pain, laughing and joking, with looks of health and growing demonstration of sisterly and happiness, that told they did not seek love on the other, elicit a strange mixture the baths for the edification of baptism. A of amiability, greatness of spirit, attachlittle beyond, a fine genteel couple were seen ment, sorrow, and apprehension! What sauntering along, pausing to examine every anguish have they not endured, while they in France and Italy coins sell at twice the price they more striking scene: the lady with an ele-beheld her withering in the silent progress fetch in England; and he, having been guided by a gant port-folio in her hand; envy would say of disease! what cold sinkings of heart, foreign valuation, has, in many cases, reduced the for display and pretence; but a poetical and what despair; and yet what bright to half the sum marked in those works ;" and this may, in some degree, account for the very small price afited imagination would whisper a thousand ami- gleams of hope and happiness have been to most coins by him and his reason for the medals able and admirable things of here: here, an mingled in the dark career of their sighs being on the same par as on the continent, will ad open carriage, driving at a gentle pace, with a and forebodings! But the work of death my argument, viz. "that if they reach a price so load of splendid ladies; their parasols form- proceeds; the hectic flush, the palpitation, much higher in those countries, our dealers will t ing a complete but variegated canopy, over the involuntary tremor, and a fearful num-profit ;" and why should not coins, as well as medals, if port them, through the hopes of a more considerable countenances of unusual beauty and interest. ber of concomitant symptoms grow stronger. they only sell here at half the foreign prices, be exported They seem one family, the mother and sisters. They have tried many schemes, sought It is a difficult question to answer: but let it sufice There is one whose countenance is pale, but many opinions, visited many places, but all thus to point out the cause of an error which has mise exquisitely lovely: she seems the object of in vain! To-day they are here, surveying It is much to be regretted that no person of merit the whole party's attention, and is most pro- these sublime and romantic scenes, with an commences a trade, which, if honestly and fairly c bably the occasion of their being here. enthusiasm, and wonder, and expansion of ducted, must prove very lucrative: but it has falle into the hands of a set of persons whose only aim is to Who does not imagine a thousand tender mind most delightful, were it not for a spiamass wealth as rapidly as possible, even by unfair and pathetic things, as he observes that fa- ritual pang, a dark, unquenchable conscious-means; and, when that is the case, there is not w mily, and that languishing, drooping flower? ness that makes one's heart bleed to think scope for displaying their genius than in dealing in coins. Who does not picture them the inhabitants of. A few days will see them elsewhere, Ask the price of a second brass Hadrian, mayhap be a forgery; they will tell you, with a grave face, of some ancestral hall, where they have soliciting one only denied blessing of this “This is a very rare coin, seldom met with; but, 01 grown up together; the glory of their fond world; imploring, with strong but subdued is you, the price must be only half-a-guinea." Ar delighted parents; the idols of their ad- solicitude, the God of love, for that sweet, nishing audacity! but, by such flattery, and a litt joining village; and the angels of mercy to resigned, and sinking angel: a few more, sixpect terested ingenuousness of the dealer, the youthful col its dwellings, when beclouded with sickness and their hopes, and fears, and journeyings for a coin, which, if genuine, might fetch two or want; where many a tear of affectionate are over! But these are day-dreams. In lings: but to return to their more immediate value. gratitude has sparkled at their approach; the afternoon Richard returned, and God- The silver coins, or denarii, of Gordianus P many a prayer has ascended for them; and frey and myself pursued our route up Hadrian, Trajan, Domitian, and many others, marked by Pinkerton one shilling, may, when in good piè many a warm ejaculation, from simple Darley Dale. servation, be worth two two shillings; but a scarce reverse and admiring hearts, has pursued their dewill frequently double, or, in a greater degree, increas Who does not see them parting steps? their value: for instance, Trajan's, with the BAS LICA VLPIA, FORVM TRAIANI, and others, gathering in their intercourse with the Insurance Company Extraordinary-An insurance will fetch five, six, or seven shillings. The coins world, its elegance of manners only, and its company at Cadiz once took the Virgin Mary into for- the Gordiani Africani, Pertinax, Didius, Juhar mal partnership, covenanting to set aside her portion of freedom of address; from books, philoso-profits for the enrichment of her shrine in that city, and a few others, cannot be procured at any prie phy, literature, and poetry; from parental Not doubting that she would protect every vessel in being almost unique, and what are known, bring which she had such a manifest interest, they underwrote the collections of persons from whence they are b example, piety, and pity; their hearts glow-ships of all sorts, at such reduced rates, that, in a few ing with every softer sentiment, and alive to months the infatuated partners were all declared bank. soon to appear. Otho's silver money may be class with the more rare specimens; especially with

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rupts.

1

[To be continued.]

led many.

it

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Which appeared in three Numbers of our present
Volume; see pages 145, 153, and 169.

(2) "3000 men." This is further confirmed in a letter from the first Lord Spencer to his Lady, dated Shrewsbury, Sept. 21st, 1642: "Tis said the King goes on Friday towards Chester for a day or two, leav ing his forces here, which are 6000 foot, 1500 dragoons, and above 2000 horse. There are 4000 more raised they say, 2000 by my Lord Strange, 1000 by Sir Thomas Salisbury, and 1200 by Sir Edward Stradling." Seacombe, in addition to these levies, has a romantic story of three musters made by Lord Strange, at each of which twenty thousand men appeared. The dragon rop of Cadmus revived! The absurdity of this statement will be seen by a reference to the musters of for mer periods.

1553 temp. Mary, Lancashire furnished 1570 men.
1559 Elizabeth,
armed 1919
unharnessed 2073
and at the time of the Spanish invasion, 1574, it was
ated at 5459 men, whilst seventy years afterwards order, "That no prisoners of quality should any more
we are called upon to believe that the Earl of Derby be brought to London; because, as the Lord Moly-
Drought together twelve times that number. In a very
are pamphlet, supposed to be written by the celebrated
John Angier, then Minister at Denton, entituled "Lan-
ashire's valley of Achor, is England's door of hope"
published, London, 1643) the following account is
given of these exaggerated musters, from which it ap-
pears that "the three several places" resolve themselves

neux, who was discovered and taken at Islington, near
London, had been brought thither, the apprentices
having risen, followed the coach, and were like to have
rescued him from the guards."-Monteith's Translation
of Salmonet, page 393.

This Nobleman was at Worcester with Charles the

Second; and, escaping from thence, died soon aftersto one, and that a great portion of the people were of William, Marquis of Hertford, afterwards Duke of wards. He married theLady Frances Seymour, daughter Even then adverse to the Earl. I quote more than perhaps is necessary to prove what is advanced, but the Somerset, by whom having no issue, he was succeeded extract serves to show the light in which the most in his titles and estates by his brother Caryl, who had ehement Presbyterians regarded Lord Strange. The also been a zealous cavalier, insomuch that by the ofis much-to-be-lamented Lord Strange (not of his native treaty of Hampton Court, 1647, he is excepted from if of sail did after a not overtop the ship) but through the force of evil many years, allowed to compound for his estates in the counsells (the common calamity of great personages) chiefly in land. An uncle of these noblemen, Sir Visum of £1140; which, such was his poverty, he paid was carried down those strong streams of arbitrary government, and advance of popery; witness his taxa

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Poetry.

The following specimen shows that the art of Puffing is brought to as high a perfection in America, as in our own country.

YANKEE NOTIONS.

A new specimen of advertising in Boston.

KEAN AND THE CRITICS.
A NEW SONG.

TUNE-" A Frog he would a wooing go!"

Two parties of critics are now to be seen,
(Heigho, for Boston !)

The Pros and the Cons for the great little Kean,
Disputing, and railing, and bursting with spleen,
With their roly, poly, Kean, Cooke, and Cooper, O!
Heigho! says Rowley.

""Tis shocking to see such a clownish King Dick,
"Heigho!" say the Cons O!

"Of Hamlets and Macbeths, like his, we are sick, "With his stridings, and startings, and pantomime trick, "And his roly, poly, tragical laughing, O!" Heigho! says Rowley.

"The geese may all hiss, and the asses all bray,
"Heigho!" say the Pros, O!

"The acting of Kean will yet carry the day,
"In spite of what over-nice critics may say;
"With their roly, poly, nature and Cooper, O!"
Heigho! says Rowley.

So great folks and little folks crowd to the play;
Heigho! for tickets.

To get the best places, O lack! what a fray!
The Yankees to Kean now their cash throw away;
With their roly, poly, auctions and rivalships.
Heigho says Rowley.

"But a word of advice to each tragedy elf,
Heigho!" says Fortune;

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"On theatre tickets don't squander your pelf; "Bay lottery tickets-look out for yourself; "With a roły, poly, capital prizes, O!” Heigho! says Rowley.

"The most brilliant actors on my stage are seen ; "Hoigho! such acting!

"They have more sterling worth than Cooke, Cooper, or Kean!

"The prizes are sold by GILBERT and DEAN,
"With their roly, poly, bushels of Eagles, O!"
Heigho! says Rowley.

SONNET,

ON THE DEATH OF JOHN KEATS, THE POET, Who died at Rome, aged twenty-five years.

Thus fleet, so soon, young spirits, whose gentle love
And rich affections, breathed in sad wild tone,
And exquisite thoughts and fancies of days gone,
Revive old Greece and Italy; where grove,
Vine hill, and shady dells, and bowers bright-wove
Of rose and myrtle flowers, poured songs that won
The ear of Pan; and, from their sports, upon

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The antiquity and the popularity of the legendary tale upon which the following lines are founded, must be pleaded ass me excuse for their defective versification. When first we pledged ourselves to their insertion, it was under the impression that the verses were ancient as well as the legend itself, which would have been some apology for their numerous defects. After the article was prepared for the press we discovered, however, that it was only the story to which the claim of antiquity attached. It was too late to re-model some of the lines, which we therefore send forth, with all 'their imperfections on their head."

WINIFRED,

A POEM.

The story, from which the following poem is taken, is related in the Golden Legend; printed by Wynkin de Worde, in 1512. viz:

St. Winifred, a beautiful and devout virgin, having fled from a young man called Cradock (the son of a king named Alane) who would have dishonoured her, he pursued and overtook her near the church, where, on her refusal to yield to his desires, he with his sword cut off her head.

On the spot where it fell there suddenly sprung up a fair well, yet famous for it wonderous virtues, in healing divers diseases. At the bottom of the well are to be seen stones spotted with blood, which stains, cannot, by any means, be effaced; and round its sides grows a moss of marvelous sweet odour.

St. Bueno, a holy man, coming from the church to the spot where the body lay, and finding the murderer, who had not the power to move from thence, he first replaced the head, and then, by his prayers, raised Winifred to life, and struck Cradock dead, whose body turning black, was instantly conveyed away by his friends.

On hilly Cambria's rugged shore,
Not far from base of Penmaenmour,
Where Nature, once on earth again,
And Nature's envied sister reign-
(That sister, now so seldom seen,
Array'd in vest of sylvan green,
With heart at ease, and aspect mild,
Old Pan's admir'd and only child;
That goddess coy-on shades intent-
By all so sought, yclept Content.)
Immers'd in wild and rustic spot,
Once stood alone, a homely cot;
Within its walls there dwelt a pair,
In peace-more blest than many are;
Untaught unbid abroad to roam,
They there had fix'd their little home,
Nor sigh'd for wealth they ne'er had known.
Two sons, the parents' dearest boast,
Supplied the strength the sire had lost;
Till'd the small field, and past the day
In honest toils of husbandry.
Still more had they-another child-
A daughter-innocent and mild;
Who laid the meal, arranged the store,
And did whate'er was wanted more.
One winter's evening, when the sun
His half-contracted course had run,
Nor deign'd the friendly stars t' appear,

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And, all was darkness-still and drear;
The family, annidst rustic mirth
Had gather'd round the cottage hearth:
A knock was heard-the latch uprear'd,
And an old minstrel form appear'd:
Benignity, o'ergrown with woe,
Gave his wan cheek a transient glow;
White, scanty locks, in parcels fell
Round his poor head; and seem'd to tell
The bitter lot-the vagrant part,
That fate had parcel'd to his heart:
Meek was his eye; nor deign'd t' upbraid,
The cruel game his fortune play'd;
Nor seem'd its master's wrongs to know,
But beam'd alone for others' woe:
Coarse were his robes, their sober dye,
Seem'd the sad garb of misery:
Low hung his scrip, on one side down,
Nor look'd too large a store to own:
His harp, dear partner of the day,
Hung cross his back in minstrel way:
So poor the man-so mean-and yet
A hearty welcome there he met;
No need that rank or pomp attend,
A stranger is the peasant's friend.
The bard to seat of honour led-
The fare was brought-the table spread;
And soon the good old man forgot,
'Midst present ease, his hapless lot;
His eyes, grown bright, with pleasure beam'd;
His face, with satisfaction gleam'd;
He smil'd on all; he thanked his host-
Of former skill began to boast;
He took his harp from whence it hung-
Struck a wild chord, and thus he sung:

1

Fair Winifred's fame had been spread all around, For piety, beauty, and worth;

No tongue was e'er weary her praises to sound; All hearts, which her goodness by sympathy bound, Had deem'd her an angel on earth.

2

Her form it was fair; but still fairer her mind,
Like crystal unsullied and pure;
And, sure too, it was of the chrystalline kind;
For never yet stain on its surface could find
Retreat, for a moment secure.

3

He saw her!-the son of the mighty Alane;
He saw her, and wish'd her his own;
He woo'd her; but Winifred woo'd was in vain ;
She heard his black love with the look of disdain;
And turn'd from his vows with a frown.
4

For Cradock was wicked, and cunning beside,
His vices were hidden by art;

He vow'd that he lov'd her-he told her he died;
But yet would he never have made her his bride:
His tongue ne'er beat true with his heart.

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24

All wounds, when immers'd in its waters so clear,
Imbued with its virtues, grow well;

And should any stranger be wandering near,
He, down to this day, from the peasant may hear
The story of Winifred's well.

The minstrel ceas'd-the rustic praise
Of all around him, crown'd his lays;
Nor was this all; the peasant's heart
In all his sorrows took a part:
No more went he abroad to roam,
The happy cottage was his home;
And freed from care, or want, or strife,
Long led the bard a peaceful life.

[Written for the Kaleidoscope.]

HORE OTIOSE.

No. X.

"A man is but a worm."

“And since then,” cried Cradock, "the Fates have I am at present safely lodged in the gallery of the

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First brought he the head to the trunk whence it fell,
Then, many an orison said;

His prayers were heard, and most wondrous to tell,
At his touch, the blood ceas'd, the wound it grew well,
And Winifred rose from the dead.

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The features of Cradock straight deathlike were grown,
His flesh with corruption grew gray;
His head left his shoulders, and, grinning, fell down;
Apollyon came, for the wretch was his own,
And bore him in sulphur away.

23

Where Winifred's blood had sunk into the ground,
A chrystaline rivulet arose ;

A moss of sweet odour, encircled it round;
The drops of her blood still at bottom are found,
And where she was murdered disclose.

a transport of rage, he threw the book on the ground, and the violence of the shock was the cause of the death of the whole family, myself only excepted, who narrowly escaped, and hid myself in an illuminated Missal. This was shortly presented to a rich young fellow, whose first care was to strip the binding of the plates of gold and precious stones with which it was ornamented; after this, he did not disturb me for some time; but, at length, being dangerously ill, he became very devout, and read the long-neglected Missal with the greatest application. As soon, however, as he was pronounced by the physicians to be out of danger, I returned to my wonted obscurity.

About this period, England was divided into violent factions; the people were then irritated, not as at present, by political, but by religious opponents. Folks may rant as they please about the good old t mes,' but for my part I do not regret them; however high your squabbles now a-days may run, you are perfectly satisfied with breaking the bones or splitting the skulls of your adversaries; whereas, formerly, nothing less than making a bonfire of a heretic was thought of; and, when the heretic could So full is man of the conceit that he is Lord of not be found, the fury of the rabble was spent upon the creation,' and so contemptuously does he look his books. Thus it happened to that in which I had down upon the insect race, that I have some doubt taken up my lodgings. It was discovered to be a whether he will pay much attention to the short relique of the Mother of Harlots,' and was, acand simple annals' of the life of a bookworm.cordingly, condemned to the flames. Just at that must premise, however, that if, as many seem to moment, when, with a dreadful shout, it was comthink, the worth of a man is to be estimated by the mitted to a roaring fire in Smithfield, where the mischief he does, I shall not be ashamed of a com- Catholics and Protestants alternately amused themparison with most of your race; nor, viewed in that selves with burning each other, I, with a prodigious light, am I so contemptible an insect as many wise- leap (the effects of which I feel to this day, in a acres would fain have you believe. I may add, that stiffness of my joints) forsook my old mansion, and gained the pocket of a bystander, in which I was Lyceum library, having inhabited the same tenement rejoiced to find a Bible, into which I crept, blessing for upwards of forty years, during which period it myself for such unexpected good fortune. But I has been read but once. You will justly conclude soon found that I had but little cause for congratu that I must have taken up my residence in a volume lation upon my escape: I had, to use a once comof divinity! No candid man can find much fault mon, but now obsolete adage, 'leaped out of the The family with whom with me if I am occasionally found incorrect with fryingpan into the fire.' regard to chronological dates, when he is informed, my lot was now cast were, for some reason or other, that I am now upwards of 300 years of age; conse- distinguished by the name of Puritans. Never a day quently, you may well believe my memory has greatly passed in which the master of the house did not asfailed me; or, should my language be plain and out semble his family, morning, noon, and night, in order of date, the courteous reader will attribute it to my to instruct them from the book in which I lay conhaving been educated auld lang syne. Notwith cealed. You may well suppose that 1, who had standing these drawbacks, those who will be at the been heretofore accustomed to so retired a life, did pains to read, may perhaps derive some information, not at first feel very comfortable at being so often or at least a little innocent amusement, from the disturbed; seeing, however, no prospect of a better history of the life and adventures of situation, I heroically resolved to accommodate my temper to my circumstances, and had just got com fortably reconciled to my lot, when the master of the family, suddenly opening the book, caught me I have but very faint recollections of any thing devouring it. With a flirt of his finger I was driven previous to the year 1516; a year which will ever senseless across the room, where I lay unnoticed be memorable to me; for I was then stripped of for some time; and at length recovering my strength 'Domus et placens uxor ;' parents, wife, and children a little, I crawled into a dusty volume which lay near were involved in one commou ruin, and I was turned me, in which I composed my weary limbs, and was out a wanderer. We had lived for a long tine in never disturbed, except occasionally by the mice, the ample folds of a parchment, containing, I should who often supped from off this neglected book. It suppose, nothing of any great importance, as I never contained the works of Horace, which I can boast, remember hearing my parents speak of their having with the greatest truth, of having digested, so that been disturbed: indeed, I have great reason to sup- you need not be surprised at the scraps of Latin pose they and their ancestors had inhabited it for at with which I embellish my narrative; pardon the least five centuries (a bookworm lives to a much garrulous propensities of old age; but I must here greater age than you are aware of;) but at length a dis- digress a little, to tell you that I never yet met with pute arose between a monk, of the college in which I any thing so forbidding as to withstand my devourwas lodged, and one of the newly risen sect of Reforming tooth, with the exception of a bundle of vile ers, respecting the House of our Lady,' which, as political pamphlets, into which I crept some few you have no doubt heard, was transported through years ago, and in which I must have been starved the regions of air, and that, too, several times; the to death, but that I effected a hasty flight; they were one as stoutly denied, as the other averred, the truth indeed wretched trash, full of venona, malice, and of this well known fact: the monk, at last, referred poison, and except there is more difference than I to the work in which we were so comfortably lodged, am aware of between the constitution of a man and in order to put the matter beyond doubt, by pointing a grub, they who read these productions must have out to the sceptic the very page which vouched for caught a fever from them, or have died roaring the truth of the voyages and travels of the said mad;-but I am rambling. house. He was petrified with horror, upon opening the book, to find it so eaten through, as to have an appearance very similar to the caps which the ladies of late years have been in the habit of wearing. In

A BOOKWORM.

Lyceum Library, April, 1821.

The wife of my host one Friday set the chimney on fire, whilst frizzling some bacon. Chimneys were not in those days very common, but my habitation boasted one which invariably smoked with

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