The Cardigan Observer and General Advertiser for the Counties of Cardigan Carmarthen and Pembroke

EVENING IN THE FIELDS. At eve she wandered through the fresh-mown grass, Along the bedgerow bordering waving corn, The turf was spicy with young sassafras, And all along the silent fields were borne The di.-it'int stroke and softened melody Of oars, and boivt-songa from tke twilight-sea. Sweet vespers rang from woods and meadows far, Where the wild song-birds bid the sun good-bye; The day had faded, but one soft, large star Grew into glory from the shadowy sky, Whiie o'er the dim horizon's dreamy glow A shimmering mist crept ghostly, cold, and slow. And "thus," she sighed," thus o'er my horoscope. While Love's own planet burns before my eyes, All trembling with the beams of holy hope Thus do the heavy mists of doubt arise, And dreary twilitrht dusks the living light, And all things chill and shiver to the night." Her soul grew sick with vague, uncertain fear, When from its home, amid the perfumed hay, A little metdow lark, that carolled near, In words articulate seemed sweet to say, Listers, Slid heart, from far across the sea I bre use the song the breezes brought to me. "Oh let no mists of portent gather o'er thee, All nitn and vast, Nor uhoits of dead affections rise before thee Froill out the past. "Before Lvoe's dewy dawn dark shadows fleeing Set tun light free; Trust is Love's sun, its very vital being— Ob, trust in me. Then welcome Hope Adieu to weary grieving, For all life through The feelings purest, sweetest, are believing And proving true."

THE STRANGE CLAIMANT; On, TWICE WED. 7 • -+-- CHAPTER XIX. THE HEARSE. I HADN'T thought it was so late," said Laxity, as he took iris seat upon the box and proceeded to wrap himself carefully. Ugh! but it strikes cold Now, you fellows; what ure you after, making such a noise ? bean't the thing big enough to nod room for ye ? It's Q-atley here," squeaked Toby Lipkins, he won't Well, I call that good, I do," cried Gatley; "when he's sitting down right atop of me, and I move out of his way." "Don't be an ass, Toby," said Laxity, with a little gentle force seating the small man, and push- ing his hat firmly down upon his head you'll have enough to do to get sober before you get in- now then, steiidy-all hold fast, for I mean to go it." And he was as good as his word. At the best speed of the four splendid animals he drove, they bowled along the widest of the roads which led to the town whence, the preceding morning, they had started. It was all the men could do, holding by one another, and to every available point, to keep their seats: while their teeth chattered, and they vainly essayed some mutual remark on the severity of the morning air. They're too far gone to think to ask me for the rest of my story," chuckled the fat man, as, having warmed himself to a glow, he relaxed somewhat of his speed. And I'm not sorry for it, either," he Beliloquised; I've always said it was the rats, though my wife and mother Moggs would have it 'twas the ghqat-ghost, indeed I never did believe in 'em; never shall tho'f I do like to set their hair on end at times with something awful. Now, then," he said, raising his voice, and looking round all right, there ? Eh! right enough; except a'moBt shook to a jelly," said he of the soapy countenance, who sat next Ohob on the roof the rest, carefully loosening one hand, were setting themselves in order, and releasing their brows from the hats into which they had been jammed, for better security during their rapid progress. Where's Toby Lipkins ? Here he is," said Gatley, in a voice by no means expressive of satisfaction at his position. The little man had, in fact, fallen asleep in a sitting posture, so near the edge of the roof, that he ran risk every moment of being jerked over and from the trying office of keeping an fye upon him and perpetually clutching at some portion 0: his attire, bis nearest neighbour had released himself by landing Toby into their midst, where his head and shoulders became the share of Gatley's knees, his nether limbs straying at random among those of his fellows, by whom they were indignantly rejected in turns. Let him be, he'll sleep it off so," said Laxity. It's easily said let him be, rejoined the one who was suffering the inconvenience but I tell you what, Chob, I shall let him go presently, and there'll be a smash his head's in my stomach every other minute-" And he's kicked my hat off a'ready," exclaimed another. "And put his foot in my eye," added a third. "Well, 11, we can't leave the fellow behind, can we ? as-• •: Laxity, with provoking coolness. I'll Ii vou what, Ohob," said Gatley-, "we might put him junia -he'd be comfortable enough there, and could take bis sleep out in peace. A about irom an applauded the proposition. Perhi c s you'll go with him ?" said Ohob Laxity. II There's no need," returned Gatley; "no need in the world. He'll be warm And snug—a precious sight more than it is out here, cutting along through this keen air." "Put him in, put him in," arose from all the men. And frighten the chap out of what little wits he have got," objected the driver. Pooh he'll not know it," said one. Hold a bit, there's a good fellow, till we get him down my legs ache fit to drop," said Toby's sup- porter. "Well," said Laxity, slackening his pace all the time, see you now, I'll have nothing to do with it, nothing at all; then if you do go scaring the man out of his senses, you'll hold me free." V Free, ah I should say so," said one fellow; free of anything, so long as we get free of this lumbering carcase; he's as void o' sense and life just now, for the matter o' that, as MJ corpse ever went in the hearse." The vehicle was stopped. Laxity, raised upon his box, leaned over to watch the proceedings; two of the men descended, and two others, having lowered, in not the most gentle manner, their sleeping comrade into their arms, also got down to assist. The door of the hearse was already opened, dis- closing its gloomy interior, when it was flung to with a loud exclamation from the one whose hand thrust it from him, and was echoed by the two others. There's something in there!" I heard a cry!" It's nought human Down went in a heap the insensible form of Toby Lipkins-away ran his valiant supporters-the men still on the roof, their brains yet muddled by liquor, knowing not what had scared their fellows, under the influence of self-preservation followed their example; and, ere Cbob Laxity could make out what hid alarmed bis followers, he found himself alone, save for the drunken sle- per, who, half roused by the shock of his fall, grumbled out an oath, rolled an inch or two, and then composed himself just between the hind wheels of the hearse. What ails the men ? cried Laxity, are they all gone stark, staring mad ? or has that fellow's liquor been working in 'em all this time, and gone off with a bang ? It Lad an extra queer flavour to me. I say, Gatley! Ben, Ben Crudles! The more I holloa the faster they run What's that? it was a child's voice, as I'm a sinner, and in the maehine, too, I'd take my oath With more agility than might have been expected from his size and rotundity, Obob Laxity descended from his elevated post, and quickly approached the back of the bearse. The door had swung back on its hinges, he threw it open to the fuil extent, and the faint light of early day glimmered into the obscurity within. „ Ob mercy on us! the palls are moving cried Laxity; what on earth! it's a face, flesh and blood, too!, lie dived head foremod into the vehicle as he spoke, and dragged forth the clothes and other appurtenances of his trade, which had been thrown promiscuously to the other end. As he did so, a child's voice burst out in a pitiful wail, and a light mass at the farther end began to move. Oome forth, whoever ye are," cried Laxity, adopt- ing something of the solemn adjuration style he had heard at the Kerseley theatre years gone by. Come forth ye can't be at any good, burrowing and hiduis' among the dwellings of the departed. A sliaht movement, and a few muttered words made answer the light heap advanced slowly towards the light. "Mercy on us!" cried Laxity, startled into his natural tone. Tis a woman and a child! Heaven preserve ua What on earth do ye do in here ?" The intruders had by this time reached the opening of the hearse, where Laxity stood guard. Crouching and terrified, holding with firm grasp to her breast the little child, who was sobbing piteously, the woman turned a pallid, terror-stricken face up to the jolly one of the undertaker. "Speak! tell me woman, what do you here ?" Laxity began again, in tragedy tones, but it would not do. There, there, don't tremble and shiver! don't cry, little one. I won't harm you; come out, do, of this here dismal machine! So, so, that's it—stand easy, now." He assisted the stranger to the ground, she still clinging to the child, and glancing fearfully around her in all directions. "You must have been hard up for a ride; my word you must," he said, as he returned to the receptacle the various et teteras he had withdrawn, yet still keeping his hold upon the trembling fugitive. "It's a mercy you weren't smothered in that old black box, and the rate I've been rattling along at! eh, sakes! little dreaming who I was shaking and jumb- ling of inside." If How far-how far-" gasped the pale-faced woman, in an anxious tone. How far we got to go ? "No, from there—we have come—3ince "Well, you see, not knowing bow far I've had the pleasure ef driving you, mistress, I can't say." "The cross roads," she said, hurriedly "oh, pray forgive me I I did not know what to do, 1 was pur- sued." It Oh, at the cross roads," said Laxity, reflectively; ah! while me and my mates were in at the Trouble House. Well, mistress, it's a matter of eleven miles we've done since we started, and I flatter myself we done it in good style, too." Has any one passed us on the road ?" she asked, eagerly "any men ?" Not a soul—man, woman, nor child. Eb, sakes! they must be fast ones, they must be, that will come up with these beasts, when they steps out as it is in them to do. But may I be so bold, mistress, as to ask where you be going ? To London, to London," she replied hurriedly, interrupting him. CHAPTER XX. OUTSIDE THE HEARSE. WHERB ? to London!" repeated Chob, with a low whistle; "well, that's a long road, and, though it's all in the way as far as I be going, 'tis but a small part of it, I'm thinking. However, if I can give you a lift-and I'm sure the air's better out than inside of this old machine—why, you're welcome, mistress though you frightened my mates well nigh out of their wits, a bit since." Oh, bless you and thank you," cried the woman, eagerly answering him you don't know from what you have saved me and my poor child. I would never have dared to get in there it was wrong, but I 11118 almost mad with terror!" Well, well, I'm always sorry to see a female in a scrape," said Ohob kindly, adding, sotto voce, though it's little comfort I've had of 'em, goodness knows I" "Now, then, let me help you," he said, and mo- tioned that she should ascend to the box beside him. But the woman drew back, nervously. We shall be seen up there," she said. Nay, nay, I don't know who thee's afeard on of a certainty," said Laxity, but I tell thee we got the start many a mile of any of the Trouble House folk, and we'll be at the end of our journey afore they could be half way, letting alone that there bean't a horse in their stables as would go without a cart at his heels. Thee'd stifle in there, mistress; and see, ye can put this ere about theeself and the little one." He had assisted her, while speaking, to a place be- side him upon the box, «nd threw over her shoulders a large, warm rug, of which he had felt the full benefit during his night drive. The woman proceeded to muffle herself in this and a shawl of her own, in such a manner that a chance passenger might make any- thing out of the dark, shapeless form, sooner than a young woman and a child. "I wonder what I shall do with yeu," growled Laxity, as he approached the unconscious Toby Lipkins, still recumbent in not the most graceful of attitudes between the hind wheels. "It would be no more than you deserve to roll you ti the road-side, and leave you to sleep it out, you scurvy little dog, but I'll return good for evil, so here goes!" As he spoke, with little effort he raised Toby from the ground, tossed him within the machine," where, upon the hammer cloths, Ac., Lipkins reposed as genially, doubtless, as ever enervated Roman upon his rose-strewn couch after a debauch. And now we're off," said the good-natured man, as he gathered up his reins, then paused, and looked around. I wonder wre those fellowB have got to," he said. ''A pretty footing they'll have of it, if they miss me on the way, as likely as not, and have to walk every step into Brankswold. Well, it be no business o' mine—" and with one touch of the tract- business o' mine—" and with one touch of the tract- able animals he drove, they were off at a aignified trot, tossing their manes as proudly, and conferring together as urbanely, as if conveying to its last abode the mertal clay of titled Doble- or courtly dame. For a considerable distance they proceeded at a moderate pace, Laxity scanning each side of the way, which was skirted with woods, seeking some trace of his companions; but finding it vain, he presently urged his horses to a quicker step. All this while not a word had been spoken till Ohob, turning to the huddled-up form beside him, said- It's like me to be doing a thing, and thinking about it after. Now, for aught I know, I might just be helping them I ought not; you might be a bad one, ye see, and running av from any villany as ever was. But I don't know how it is, I never can stand out agin the face of a youngster; and I always do say there can't be much harm in a woman, while she do stick to her child through it." He put aside the folds of the shawl with the handle of his whip, and gazed down into the little pale face of the sleeping child. It's yours V he asked, kindly. A low voice gave the affirmative. And where be her father ? you'll be fond of him as you lova the child." Dead," said the woman. Eh, poor lass, poor lass-then thee'rt a widow ?" "No, she said, and then went on, in broken accents, and with a voice that faltered often, as if uncertain how much to reveal, she told him briefly the cause of her being found in such a forlorn con- dition. "Ill treated you, eh? and the child; led a bad life ? Well, well, it is hard when them one has to look to for cherishing and comfort, turns all to the contrary; as hard one way as t'other, not a doubt. And thee hasn't the look or a scold nor a bad one, neither." He had not yet seen the face, which had been averted: by the full, morning light he now beheld it, very pale and worn, but yet possessing something that appeared to give the good man uneasiness. He fidgetted awhile, and muttered to himself, Make it worse, too—and thenttle one—not mend matters—can't be helped," and so on. "And you are going tO London, eh?" he said. aloud; got any relatlous-friends there ? She replied in the negative. It's a sorry look-out for you, and with that little one upon your hands; God know's it's a hard lot you've set yourself, my lass, and you can't know nor tell half the pains and crosses of it. A woman gets on but poorly, alone, anywhere; and it do not seem natural a wife should quit a good home for nought, and cast herself out upon the world—a hard world it is, too, I can tell You. But you do not look false-like, and as I believe y0U) and think a man's no man that treats a woman ill (though it be small comfort I've had of 'em)"—this in a lower voice— why, I will do all I can towards putting you on your way." She blessed and thanked him again, assuring him how much he had already berved her. Ay, ay, but I were trapped into that, mind ye," said the old man; now, I don't know but if yon had come to me and said as yOQ was going to give yonr master the slip, and would I help you to do it—I do believe I should na' washed my hands o' the matter. It is an ill office, my lass, stepping betwixt a woman and her lawful husband; but being as you'd thrown yourself, like, upon me, itbeantinme to step aside and let you down with a run. That's just where I be; and though I will, as I 8ayf help you on, if it be only for the sake of that little one there, I'd sooner see thee starting on t'other road, I would indeed lass, I would indeed! You will not tell them! you will not send him after us?" exclaimed the woman, starting as if she were about to spring from her seat. Nay, nay sit still, sit still! he replied never fear, I will do thee no hurt; but I could wish thee wouldst turn, and make just one more trial; so back and Never, never I" cried the woman, with a fierce energy that startled poor Laxity. If you had known him !-i£ you had but heard him-ii you knew what I do Go back-go back," she repeated, wildly, "look here!" and she held up a short, bright blade before the astonished eyes of the driver. When we lay in the barn, when she was so weary her feet could go no farther, and I could not carry her—I heard his voice, I listened to what they said, I thought every moment he would be in upon us. And I would have stabbed him, or myself, ah! even her, even HERT sooner'than he should have taken us back—ah 'p-ahe shuddered and drew herself up around her child. God help you, lass!" he replied, thee must ha' suffered a deal to talk like that. It was a mercy you did get away, at that rate, and it was then you got into the hearse, was it ?" Yes. They'd put logs against the door I heard them, and they meant to come back for us; there were people in the public-house, and he was afraid then-yes, afraid. When they bad gone, I got up. I tried to force open the door, but I could not. I felt around the walls for some place I could get out at. There was a thin place in the wall where it was rotted, and boards had been nailed up; I tore and pulled them away-look here!" She uncovered her hands, and showed them cut and bleeding all over; one finger, laid open, quite useless. Laxity uttered an exclamation of distress, and hastily pulled out a very white handkerchief, rather stiff, and of 'special appearance. Wrap it up, wrap it up he said, with a choking tone. You pity them," said the woman, coldly enough again, but he would make it something to laugh at and mock me for." Obob clenched his teeth over what I fear was a very improper sentiment. "I did not feel it," she went on "I was only glad to squeeze myself out throug get this poor child out-she never cried, never said one word, though I know it hurt her. I did not know what to do I saw the hearse, then the thought came into my head that I would hide in it till he had gone. I got in with my child, and hid among the things. I listened, and listened oh, it seemed so long, while the men were singing and laugh- ing-but I heard nothing of him he waited, I sup- pose, till you were gone Then that was the fellow that sat behind the settle in the corner," cried Laxity; "there was two of them, ill-mannered scamps, grumbled at our sing- ing, and I believe gave old Scraws a hint to start us He urged on his horses to full speed as he spoke, as if the balance was now fairly turned, and his mind quite resolved on the subject of the side which he stood pledged to support. And now the day was fairly begun, and the road no longer ran between wooded country and wide heaths, or fenny marshes; snug farm closes, stacked hay and corn, with well kept meadows, and here and there a gentleman's country seat, appeared in view. The pace of the horses was again slackened, and Ohob Laxity mused thoughtfully. Nelly had, more than once, offered to get down, and appeared anxious to be released from a position so prominent, but Laxity still kept on his way. "I am very much obliged to you," Nelly said, earnestly: you have helped me more than you can tell; if you will now only tell me which is the best road I can take, I will not trouble you any longer." Yes, yes," said her kind companion, slowly, and evidently undecided what to say you see, my lass, I want to help you what I can; I feel for you and for the little one; but this is it—every wife don't run awav from him and mine sticks fast and sure by me. Well, well! we'll see what can be done. Any way, I'll stop at the Blue Moon I am friends with the landlord, and you can have a rest and a bit there." "Thank you; but no," said Nelly, nervously, "we had better be getting on; I don't feel it safe to stop." But, my good lass, you can't be going on like a water mill, and never to take a rest nor a sup' You trust to me, Jack Featherston's a fine old boy, and you're as safe at the Blue Moon as if, ah 60 if — but here we are." And he drew up at a small, snug country just without the little town of Brankswold. (To be continued.)

DANIEL O'ROURKE. GOOD morrow to you, Daniel O'Eourke," said the Man in the Moon how do you do ?' T Very well, fchank your honour," said I; hope your honour's well ?" What brought you here, Dan ?" said he. So I told him how I was a little overtaken in liquor at the master's, and how I was cast on a desolate island, and how I lost my way in the bog, how the thief of an eagle promised to fly me out of it, and how, instead of that, had fled me up to the Dloon: Dan,' said the Man in the Moon, taking P1Qch of snuff, when I was done, you must not stop here. "Indeed, sir," says I, 'tis much against my will I'm here at all. But how am I to go back ?" II That's your business," said he; mine is to tell you that here you must not stay so be off than no time." "I'm doing no barn! qtv- T: "only holding on hard by the reaping-hook, ;>v 11..11 ,I. That's what you must not do," says he. Pray, sir," says I, may I ask, how many you »re in family, that you would not give a poor tra^ lodging ? I m sure 'tis not often you're troubled with strangers coming to see you, for 'tis a long way." I'm by myself," says he; but you'd better let go the reaping-hook." "Faith, and with your leave," says I, I'll not let go the grip." "You had better," said he. "Why then, my; little fellow," said I, takin? the whole weight of him with my eye from head to foot, there are two words to that bargain and F11 not budge, but you may if you like." II We'll see how that is to be," said he and back he went, giving the door a bang after him (for it was plain he was huffdd) that I thought the moon aDd all would fall down with it. Well, I was preparing myself to try strength With him, when back again he comes, with the kitchfn- clearer in his hand, and without saying a tford, he gave two bangs to the handle of the reaplog-hook that was keeping me up, and whap! it came in two- "Good morning to you, Dan," said the spiteful little old blackguard, when he saw me cleanly fallIng down, with a bit of the handle in my ban I thank you for your visit, and fair weather after you, Daniel!" a I had not time to make any answer to hiØl, tor 1 was tumbling over and over, and rolling and rolling at the rate of a fox-hunt. el God help me!" says I "but this is a pretty pickle for a decent man to be seen in at this time of night: I am now sold fairly." The word was not out of my mouth, when whiz I what should fly close te my ear but a flock of wild geese and the ould gander, who was their general, turning about his head Jried out to me, Is that yoloo Dan ?" I was not a bit daunted now at what he said, for I was by this time used to all kinds of devilment, and besides I knew him of ovoid. Good morrow, Daniel O'Rourke," says he; how are you in health this morning ?" "Very well, sir," savs I—«j thank you kindly," drawing my breath, for I was mightily in want of some; "I hope your honou- the same?" « I think tis falling you ar6f Daniel » gayg he. You may say that, air," aaya I. "And where are you going all the Way so faafc?" said the gander. So I told him how I had taken the drop, and. how I came on the island, and how I lost my way in the bog, and how the thief of an eagle flew me up to the moon, and how the Man in the Moon turned me out. Dan, I'll save you," said he put out your hand and catch me by the leg, and I'll fly you home." Sweet is your hand in a pitcher of honey, my jewel!" aaya I, though all the time I thought in my- self that I don t much trus; you. But there was no help; so I caught the gander by the leg, and away I and the other geese flew after him as fast as hops. We flew, and we flew, and we flew, until we came right over the wide ocean. I knew it well, for I aaw Cape Clear to my right hand, sticking right up out of the water. "Ah, mv lord," said I to the goose, for I thought it best to keep a civil tongue in my head, any way, "fly to land, if you please." "It's impossible, you 8ee> Dan -» gay8 he, "for a while; because, you see, we are aoing to Arabia." To Arabia," said I; II that's 1urely some place in foreign parts, far away. Oh, Mr. Goose I why, then, to besure,Im a man to be pitied among TOU." "Whist, whist, you fool," says he, "hold your tongue. I tell you Arabia is a very decent sort of place, as like West Oarbery as one egg is like another, only there is a little more sand there." Just as we were talking, a ship hove in sight, scud- ding so beautiful before the wind. "Ah, then, sir," said I, "will you drop me on the ahip, if you please P" We are not fair over it," said he "If I dropped you now, you would go splash into the sea." I would not," said I; I know better than that, for the ship is iust clean under us, so let me drop now at once." If you must, you must," said he; there, take your ewn way;" and he opened his cla'w, and faith he was right!sure enough, I came down plump into the very bottom of the salt sea! Down to the very bottom I went and I gave myself up then for ever, when a whale walked up to me, scratching himself after his night's sleep, and looked me full in the face, and never the word did he say, but lifting up his tail he splashed me all over again with cold salt water, till there wasn't a dry stitch upon my whole carcass; and I heard somebody saying, "Get up, you drunken brute, out of that! and with that I woke up, and there was Judy with a tub full of water, which she was splashing me all over;—for, rest her soul! though she was a good wife, she never could bear to see,me in drink, and had a bitter hand of her own. Get up," said she again; and of all places in the parish, would no place serve your turn to he down upon, but under the ould walls of Ottrriga- pbooka?—an uneasv resting-place I'm sure you had of it." And sure enough I bad for I was fairly bothered out of my senses with eagles, and men of the moon, and down to the bottom of the great ocean. If I was in drink ten time, over, long would it before I'a lie down in the same spot again, I knew that. THE END. J'

LADIES' COLUMN. THE FASHIONS. Amongst the materials prepared for the inter- mediate season, says Myrats Journal, is drap Two, somewhat resembling bourrKtte, and mide in all the prevailing tints of Havana and copperMS. Oachemire de l'Inde continues in favour, possibly from the fact that few other materials equal its soft supple texture, or are as well adapted for combining with the new fabrics which appear daily. One is certain to be well dressed in a costume of this charming fabric even for evening toilette a pale sky blue Indian cashmere is extremely dressy. A charming toilette is made of the new shade known as opal, with its iris lights and shades and changing hues; the trimming should be of braid embroidered with opal beads, and opal fringes. For morning toilettes, the favourite colours in drap Turc are willow and other yreens, indigo blue, Parma violef, &c. Tunics of crepe de Ohine also retain their prestige among our 6!6gantes, who enjoy the monopol of this costly tissue, which is unequalii-d for soft tints and gracefully falling drsperies. The greatest novelty in the modes of the present time consists in the use of violets in every form either employed alone or along with other flowers they are extremely becoming. Spring chapeaux, as a rule, are very small, and of capote form, many of them trimmed with gauze, forming a kind of turban. Gilded chip will be much worn at the beginning of the season. Those ladies who do not approve of such brilliant head-gear will prefer the black and gold chip as less showy. Chip bonnets are also powdered with silver. A new model of silver chip of the prevailing small shape is encircled with a scarf of very fine JJjema net, in the fine soft shades used in Indian cashmere—green, blue, red, and yellow small wings matching the colours of the scarf are placed a. the side of the bonnet. The strings consists of bands of very narrow satin ribbon, green, red, and blu <, fastened lightly one over the other. Although the new titles of he fashionable Colours and shades of the day are extremely curious, not eo sav comical, we must admit that with the new violet, the only admirable contrasts are the shades of green, which are either lighter or darker than the crapaud mort & amour, which is the most fashionable, green. Children's toilettes are of the most charming as well as becoming style, and such as to set off tiny figures to the best advantage. A new model is of dark blue cloth; the long-waisted vetement forms Scottish basques, between each of which appears a very fine pleating. Each part ot the basque is bordered with braid to match the material, and ornamented with three silver tassels; a collar and sleeves of antique guipure complete the costume. A more dressy toilette in the same style is of white Indian cashmere; the crenelated basques are filled in by pleatings of white faille. Large hats with brims lined with velvet and trimmed with long feathers are most stylish for spring costume; the new models are of very fine chip, matching the colours of the toilettes with which they are worn. Some are of brown chip to match a cos- tume of that shade in English alpaca, the brim bor- dered with 9 Ine gilded cord and lined with brown velvet, and round the crown a long brown feather tingect with a reddish shade. Materials with large patterns like those of Scotch plaid are very largely employed for children's and girls' toilettes, a style of dress which necessitates the Louis XIII. collar. The Pierrot collar as well as large pleated collars trimmed with lace are also in great favour. UNDEB CLOTHING. The newest mode of making high petticoat bodices is to open heart-shaped in front, with long sleeves. They should oe cut on the dressmaker's bodice pattern. Fine longclotb, nainsook, and jaconet are the materials used. Low bodices, much trimmed with lace, and made in lawn and cambric, with a succession of per- pendicular plaits and folds, do no alter in form. For nightgowns, the washing silk is finding much favour. It is made up with silk tucks and lace ruch- ings and frillings. Very thin nightgowns are now fashionably worn, and, while longcloth is useful wear, lawn carries off the palm of fashion. They are made more or less elaborately with lace and insertion, small i clusters of tucks, and rich Scotch embroidery. They have upstanding frills round the neck, the sleeves very loose, some of the newest patterns having the rounded open sleeve hitherto only worn in India. Stockings should be of plain colours, with clocks. The newest clocks are a cluster of three lines on either side of the leg. Open work and embroidered stock- ings are much worn, and for the coming season Bal- briggan hosiery with silk embroidery work vie with silk, which are now much sold in the ecru shade we have learnt to associate with the Balbriggan stockings. Some of the new makes have the front portion of the foot dark, the reet of slighter shade aud vice versa. In children's underclothing there is very little that is new. Sometimes the combination form of garment is adapted by them, and their little petticoats are gored but they should be always made with bodice* attached, drawers and flannel petticoats buttoning on to the corded stays.- Queen.

USEFUL HINTS. BREAD PUDDING (WITHOUT EGGs).-Out some slices of bread from a loaf, remove the crusts, and shape them to fill a plain mould spread them over with fresh fruit or jam, and fill up the mould with them. Take an ounce of gelatine, previously steeped in cold water, dissolve it in a tumblerful of milk, add to it a glass of Marsala, and pour it over the mould steam for about half an hour. Serve with fruit or jam sauce ORANGE MARMALADE—One pound of oranges, half a pound of lemons, three quarts ef water Boil slowly for two hours. Cut all, taking out the seeds. To each pound of fruit. trJke two pounds of loaf sugar, and one pint of the water in which the fruit was boiled. While cutting the fruit into thin slices, pour the water upon the sugar, and then boil all together for half an hour. I A GERMAN way of preparing maccaroni, or the coarser kind of vermicelli, as a savoury dUh, and one not often met with in England, is as follows: Let as much maccaroni as you may require stew till perfectly tender, in as much new milk as it will absorb, adding pepper and salt to taste when perfectly tender, drain the maccaroni, and put it into a lined stewpan, with a little very good salad oil, and two or three table- spoonfuls of grated Parmesan cheese let all simmer for a few minutes on -the fire, carefully stirring the while, and then serve on a very hot dish, with a border of finely grated tongue or ham. Care should be taken to use very little salad oil, else the dish would be too rich for English palates; indeed, fresh butter may with advantage be substituted. How TO REMOTE INK. SrAiNS.—As furniture, books, papers, and other articles of value are liable to become disfigured by ink-stains, any information about the safest means of removing them is of value. Owing to the black colour of writing-ink depending upon the iion it contains, the usual method is to employ some dilute acid in which the iron is soluble, and this, dis- solving out the iron, takes away the colour of the stain. Almost any acid will answer for this pupoae, but it is of course necessary to employ those only that are not likely to injure the articles to which we apply them. A solution of oxalic acid may be used for this purpose, and answers very well. It has, however, the great disadvantage of being very poisonous, and thus requiring caution in its use. Citric acid and tartaric acid, which are quite harm- less, are therefore to be preferred, especially as they may be used on the most delicate fabrics without any danger of injuring them. They may also be em- ployed to remove marks of ink from books, as they do not injure printing ink, into the composition of which iron does not enter. Lemon-juice, which con- tains citric acid, may also be used for the same pur- pose, but it does not succeed so well as the pure acid. —Casseirs Household Guide.

A PROCLAMATION was issued by Henry VIII. directing that women should not meet together to babble and talk, and that all men should keep their wives in their houses. ROMAN MORNING CALLERB.-He (Cicero) had his little annoyances, however, even in these happy hours in his country-house of retirement. Morning calls were an infliction to which a country gentleman was liable in ancient Italy as in modern England A man like Cicero was very good company, and some- what of a lion besides; and country neighbours, wherever he set up his rest, insisted on bestowing their tedieusness on him. His villa at Permits, his favourite residence next to Tusculum, was, he protested, more like a public hall. Most of bis visitors, indeed, I ad the consideration not to t ouble him after ten or eleven in the forenoon (fashionable calls in those days began uncomfortably early) but there were one or two, especially his next door neighbour, Arrius, and a friend's friend, named Sebosus, who were in and out at all hours: ths former bad an unfortunate taste for philosophical dis ussi^n, and was postponing his re- turn to Rome' 3 w s good enough to say) from day to day in order co l joy these long mornincs in Cicero s conversation. Such are the doltful complaints in two or tbreeof the letters to Atticus but, like all such complaints they were probably only half in earnest; popularity, even at a water ng- pi ace, was not very nn- pleasant, and the writer doubtless knew how to practice the social philosophy which he recommends to others, and took his plaie cheerfully and pleasantly in the society which he found about him-not despising his honest neighbours because £ hey had not all adorned a consulship or saved a state.—Cicero. By the Ref). W. Lucas Collins, M,A,

VARIETIES. The heart of the fool is in his mouth, the language of the wise man is in his heart. TBCTH.—A mind that seeks truth for its own sake is as rare as it is valuable. EASY OR DIFFICULTY.—Nothing is more easy than to do mischief; nothing is more difficult that to suffer without complaining. GOSSIP.—Can the evil wrought by gossip be esti- mated? We trow not. A wise woman can scarcely say too little in company if the conversation trenches in the least upon scandal. TRAINING.—Do not, then, train boys to learn by force and harshness, but direct then to do it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be the better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each. LOOK AT THE SUNNY SmE.- We do not please God more by eating bitter aloes than by eating honey. A cloudy, foggy, rainy day is not more heavenly than a day of sunshine. A funeral march is not so much like the music of angels as the song of birds on a May morning. LITTLE THINGS.—Springs are little things, but they are sources of large streams; a helm is a little thing, but it governs the course of a ship; a bridlebit ia a little thing, but we know its use and power nails and pegs are little things, but they hold the parts of a large, building together; a word, a look, a smile, a frown, are all little things, but powerful for good or evil. Think of this, and mind the little things. PARENTAL PARTIALITY. — There is another fatal danger in family government, from which we would warn every parent, and that is partiality. It is too often the case that fathers and mothers have their favourite child. From this two evils result. In the first place, the pet usually becomes a spoiled child; and the "flower of the family" seldom yields any other than bitter fruit. In the second place, the neglected part of the household feel envy towards the parent that makes the odious distinction. DR. CHALMERS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF GAS.— It is related of the celebrated Dr. Chalmers that, happening to be in London at the time (1803-4) when Mr. Winsor was trying to persuade the people of the feasibility of introducing gas into private houses for the purpose of illumination, he heard a lecture on the subject, and was so convinced of the practicability of the scheme that on his return home he had the re- quisite pipes introduced into a parsonage which he was then building for his occupancy, so that they should be ready when the discovery was accepted and gas-works were established. THB rSBGGARS J<EAST.—Moscow gives us an odd little romance. A beautiful young heiress has married a beggar at eighty-six years old. It has a queer look at first, but nothing could be more natural. The young girl-she is only twenty-two—could not enter into possession of her fortune until she' was married, and the young men whom her guardian introduced to her were empty-headed creatures, to whom she was unwilling to bind herself for life, so she resolved to marry an old beggar and get the money without sacrificing her independence. The old man was one of her pensioners, and readily consented to marry her, and then keep out of her way, retiring on a com- fortable allowance. All the beggars in town feasted and made merry on the wedding night. That was a girl of spirit. THE SHAKESPEARE WHO FOUGHT AT BOSWORTH.— One of the combatants on Henry's side in that great battle may well be memorable to us. He was the ancestor and virtual founder of the Shakespeare family. William Shakespeare was directly descended, in the fourth generation, from the brave and fortunate sol- dier, whose Christian name is, unfortunately, unknown to history. Our Shakespeare was born eighty years after the decisive fight at Bosworth. It was this valiant ancestor whose exploits gained later for the Shakespeare family that shield, or coat of arms, con- firmed in 1696 by William Dethick, Garter Principal King of Arms, which consists of gould, on a bend sable, and a speare of the first, the point steeled, proper; and his crest, or cognizance, a faulcon; his wings displayed, argent, standing on a wrethe of his coullors supporting a speare gould steele as afore- said, sett upon a helmet with mantells and tassells." Hence William Shakespeare was armeger, and Master William Shakespeare and thus we con- nect our poet with Henry VII. and with Bosworth fight. Picturesque Europe." How RUSSIANS LEARN ENGLIsH.-The Russian method of acquiring foreign language is more me- thodical than that of any other nation. In the first place a foreign nurse, usually English, is secured for the baby. The Russians are very careful in choosing this personage, because, as she is not on any account to breathe into the infant's ears an accent of plebeian Russ, her speech must be free from those collo- quialisms in which ladies like Sairey Gamp are apt to indulge. When the child is about nine years old foreign playmates are sought for it. During the summer months the children of the English and French residents in Russia are at a premium. It it a regular practice for them to spend their holidays on the estates of Russian nobility. Besides the pleasure the trip into the interior affords them, they mostly return home laden with presents; and if a boy is sharp enough to be able to add a little grammatical instruc- tions to his practice as conversationalist," he may pick up enough pocket-money to last the remainder of the twelve months. Lastly, a tutor or governess is engaged for the child until it can converse in a foreign language as freely and faultlessly as a native. Language masters make a fine living in Russia. In spite of their numbers-English teachers may be counted by the hundreds-they charge a high price for their instructions, and are held in great esteem by the Russians, who often retain their services for years. ABOUT MYSELF.—I have no philosophical turn, although I have been much censured for having too much philosophy in my romances. That arises from my frequent fits of passiveness. If I am under deep feeling, or moved by a conviction, my reflections, my reveries, even my fictions, are necessarily affected. They are impregnated in like manner as our clothes and our hair retain the perfume of the garden or the woods. Free arbitration, entirely free! Fifty years ago I made attempts to think of such subjects only as could be made useful by the slave that I am. In order to control my unruly brain, I determined on a regular life, and imposed on myself a daily task; but twenty times out of thirty I forgot myself and fell to dreaming, or reading, or writing on other subjects. Had it not been for these intellectual strolls, I should have acquired instruction; for I comprehend pretty readily, and analyze even too rapidly. I should have forced my mind to classify its ideas. To understand and to know has been my perpetual aspiration; but my desire has by no means been realized. My will has not had absolute control over my thoughts. Yet I cannot suffer from remorse, for I have indulged in no idleness, nor opened the door to any kind of abstraction. The exterior world has always had more power over me than I over it. I have been a mirror in which my own reflection is crowded out by the accumulation of other figures and objects.- Georges Sand. MUSTAKD.—The condiment on our tables seems so completely a matter of necessity that we imagine it must have been in use from time immemorial, more especially as Our Lord draws a simile from the seed of the plant. Yet its use in the form best known to us is very recent. It was known, indeed-two varie- ties being raised like watercresses as a kind of salad, the leaves being dressed and eaten raw, and some- times cooked. About the year 1729, an old woman named Clements, residing at Durham; began to grind the mustard seed in a mill, and to pass it through several processes to free the yellow meal from the husks without impairing its pungency. She kept her trade secret for many years, and sold her flour of mustard in all parts, but especially in London. Others attempted to imitate her Durham mustard, but the result was so inferior that her manufacture was un- rivalled. When King George 1. adopted it at the royal table, its position was established, and the old woman's happy invention became indispensable in every house. All Europe soon bowed to England's superiority in this Branch, and though French cooks despised the English cuisine as barbarous, they appre- ciated English mustard, but made a preparation of their own to enter the lists with it; so that for a cen- tury the world has been divided on the merits of English and French mustard. Mustard belongs to the brassica or cabbage family, one of the cruciferse or cross-bearing plants, almost all of which are useful for food and none injurious. A TURKISH LEGEND.—On a rock opposite Scutari, facing the entrance to the Bosphorus, stands a tower which is often, without reason, called "the Tower of Leander." The Turks call it "the Tower of the Virgin." In it, according to a Turkish legend, was confined the lovely daughter of Mohammed-feultan, Mehar-Schegid by name, of whom it had been pre- dicted by a mysterious gipsy that she would die by the bite of a serpent. Mehar-Schegid s reputation for beauty spread until it reached the ears of the Prince of Persia, who came to Constantinople deter- mined by some means to gain admission to the tower. He contrived, by bribing her attendants, to get con- veyed to her bouquet of symbolical flowers expressing- to her in a language she perfectly understood the passion with whibh she had inspired him. But, like Cleopatra's basket of fruit, Mehar-Schegid's bunch of flowers concealed an asp. Mehar-Schegid was stung. Her servants, remembering the gipsy's prophecy, uttered loud cries of distress, and, throwing open the doors of the tower, rushed out frantically, exclaiming that was all lost. Thence the Prince of Persia rushed in, seized Mehar-Schegid in his arms, and sucked the wound in her shoulder until he had extracted from it all the venom left there by the asp. The Sultan, when he heard of the young man's noble and devoted conduct, declared that he should be his son-in-law; and the Prince of Persia made Mehar-Schegid his wife, and lived with her very happily for a great number of y«§p, agd had mauy du&ren. INTELLECT AND WORDS.—A man's actions are effaced and vanish with him. But his intellect is im- mortal and bequeathed, unimpaired, to posterity. Words are the only things that last for ever. Youth beholds happiness gleaming in the prospect. Age looks back on the happiness of youth, and, instead of hopes, seeks its enjoyment in the recollections of hopes. This happiness ever resides in the imagi- nation. Nervousness is by no means incompatible with gentle- manly conduct. True, it will almost invairably mar the effect of politeness—-lending to the actions of a man a character that will seem to savour much of that may be called an ^inoffensive gaucherie. Wealth is desirable for what it enables us to do or enjoy; but it is not desirable at the cost of honesty and honour, and true manhood. It is not desirable when truth, and virtue, and religion-when honour- able usefulness and happiness here, and eternal happi- ness hereafter-must be sacrificed for it. BAD SPEAKERS.—The two representatives of con- stituencies who were the worst speakers I ever heard when sober, were the late Sir William Guise, M.P., for Gloucestershire, and Colonel Webb, the member for the city. The former, in an after-dinner speech, expressed his satisfaction at having his health proposed "by so respectable an individual" as his lioyal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, and the latter, in a low pothouse, during his canvass, assured half-a- dozen sweeps and tinkers that his feelings overcame him in having the onerous responsibility of addressing so respectable an assembly." The assembly grinned, and one of them cried "Walker!"—Hon. Berkeley's Ltfe and Mecollections. A HINT.-If a youth is wooingly disposed towards any damsel, as he values his happiness, let him call on the lady when she least expects him, and take note of the appearance of all that is under her control. Observe if the shoes fit neatly, and the hair well dressed. And we would forgive a man for breaking off an engagement if he discovered a greasy novel hid away under the cushion of a sofa, or a hole in the garniture of the prettiest foot in the world. Sloven- liness in a female will ever be avoided by a well- regulated mind. A woman cannot always be what is called" dressed," but she may be always neat. And as certainly as a virtuous woman is a crown of glory to her husband, so surely is a slovenly one a crown of thorns. HASTY FRIENDSHIP.—Some people are continually acquiring" dear friends." Ladies of an impressible nature have been known to add two or three to their list every week during the visiting season. We men are not, generally speaking, as apt to rush into friend- ship as the more amiable sex yet many of us contract friendships in hands that we repent of at leisure. JLrue triends are scarce articles, lhey cannot bo picked up at the rate of half a dozen a season at dinner parties or balls. Will the ladies excuse us for sa: :ng I that men's friendships are, in most cases, stronger tnan theirs ? A lady's very dear," or even dearest friend" of her own sex is apt to fall from favour if she tries to compete with her affectionate sister, even in so small a matter as dress. The charming young crea- tures who walk with their arms linked around each other's waists and exchange kisses and confidence daily are not, as a general thing, so closely wedded together by mutual affection but that envy or jealousy may part them, or even make them enemies. Loss OF PARKS BY THE WARS.—"Of eight parks which my Lord had before the wars, there was but one left that was not quite destroyed, viz., Welbeck- park of about four miles compass; for my Lord's brother, Sir Charles Cavendish, who bought out the life of my Lord in that lordship, saved most part of it from being cut down; and in Blore-park there were some few deer left. The rest of the parks were totally defaced and destroyed, both wood, pales, and deer; amongst which was also Clipston-park of seven miles compass, wherein my Lord had taken much delight formerly, it being rich of wood, and contain- ing the greatest and tallest timber trees of all the I woods he had; in SQ much that only the pale-row was valued at £ 2,000. It was watered by a pleasant river that runs through it, full of fish and otters; was well stocked with deer, full of hares, and had a great store of partridges, poots, pheasants, &c., besides all sorts of water-fowl; so that this park afforded all manner of sports, for hunting, hawking, coursing, fishing, &c., for which my Lord esteemed it very much: And although his patience and wisdom is sach, that I never perceived him sad or discontented for his own losses and misfortunes, yet when he beheld the ruins of that park, I observed him troubled, though he did little express it, only saying, he had been in hopes it would not have been so much defaced as he found it, there being not one timber-tree in it left for shelter.-Margareta, Duchess of Newcastle's Lives" I VALUE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.—One good of a great Eublic school is the way in which the moral pruning- nife is wielded there. I do not mean by the masters, but by the republic of boys. Many a lad of rank and fortune, in whom the evil shoots of arrogance, self-conceit, contempt for his fellow-creatures, and a motion that he himself is the mightiest of mortals, has been fostered at home by the adulation of servants and cottagers and tenantry, has these evil shoots effectually shred away. You have heard, of course, how the Duke of Middlesex and Southwark came to his title as a baby, and grew up under the care of obsequious tutors and governors until be had attained the age to go to sohooh The first evening he was there he was standing at a corner of the playground with a supercilious air, surveying the sports that were proceeding. A boy about his own size perceived him, and running up, said with some curiosity-Who are you P" The Duke of Middlesex and Southwark," was the reply. "Oh," said the other boy, with an awakened interest, 11 there's one kick for the Duke of Middlesex and another for the Duke of Southwark," and having thus delivered himself, he ran away. 0, what a sharp pair of shears in that moment pruned off certain shoots which had been growing in that younger peer's nature ever since the dawn of intelligence! The awful yet salutary truth was impressed by a single lesson, that there were places in this world where nobody cared for the Duke of Middlesex and Southwark. And perhaps that painful pruning was the beginning of the discipline which made that duke, as long as he lived, the most unpretending, admirable and truly noble of men. —A Country Parson. SINGULAR CASE OF ACCURATE RECKONING. — Another sketch is that of Capt. Joseph Huddart, son of a village shoemaker of Allonby. Huddart was born in 1741. The boy, like David Roberts, had no liking for shoemaking, and the father let him gang his ain gait," which tended to seafaring and engi- neering, and a love for instrumental music, which led to his playing well on the flute and the violin. He was early afloat, and at the age of three-and-twenty he was expert in the coasting trade, but at a subse- quent period his eyes were directed to the other side of the Atlantic:—"As his ship-building ideas were revived, he went to Maryport, five miles further west, and had a ship built on. his own plan, and partly by his own hands, in 1768. This ship of Huddart's has got the credit of being the first constructed in Cum- berland from 'draft,' or drawings, and working by scale. As master of his own ship, and about to ex- tend his navigation beyond the coasts of Britain, Joseph now seems entitled to the name of Captain Huddart. A voyage to America being determined upon by Huddart, his friends suggested that a sailor who had frequently crossed the Atlantic should form one of his crew; the advice was adopted, but, curioua to relate, the sailor of many passages' experiences was no match for the captain, who only made it for the nrst time. The captain's observations and reckonings were so accurate, that he was enabled to point to the land first seen on the American coast as the very port he was bound to; and though his sailor judged very differently, he steered for the river, and found his wished-for-haven. Here was a triumph of science, over uneducated experience; and it is but one of the thousands of proofs daily oceurring to show the accu- racy of astronomical data, and the glorious privileges possessed by modern navigators." — Dr. Lonsdale's Worthies of Cumberland." THE GREAT OVEHTHHOW AT MARSTON MOOR.— "Not long had my Lord been there, but he heard a great noise and thunder of shooting, which gave him notice of the armies being engaged Whereupon he immediately put on his arms, and was no sooner got on horseback but he beheld a dismal sight of the horse of his Majesties right wing, which out of a panick had left the field, and run away with all the speed they could; and though my Lord made them stand once, yet they immediately betook themselves to their heels again, and killed even those of their own party that endeavoured to stop them; the left wing, in the meantime, commanded by those two valiant personf, the Lord Goring and Sir Charles Lucas, having the better of the enemies right wing, which they beat back most valiantly three times, and made their general retreat, in so much that they sounded victory. In this confusion my Lord (ac- companied only with his brother Sir Charles Caven- dish, Major Scot, Capt. Mazine, and his page) hasten- ing to see in what posture his own regiment was, met with a troop of Gentlemen Voluntiers, who formerly had chosen him their Captain, notwith- standing he was General of an army; to whom my Lord spake after this manner Gentlemen,' said he, I You have done me the honour to chuse me your captain, and now is the fittest time that I may do you service; wherefore if you'l follow me, I shall lead you on the best I car, and show you the way to your own honour." They being as glad of my Lord's profer, as my Lord was of their readiness, went on with the greatest courage; and passing through two bodies of foot, engaged with each other not at forty yards distance, received not the least hurt, although they fired quick upon each other; but inarched towards a Scots regiment of foot, which they charged and routed; in which encounter my Lord himself killed three with his pages half-leaden sword, for he had no other left with him; and though all the gentlemen in particular, offered him their swords, yet my Lord refused to take a sword of any of them,' —Margareta, Duchess of Newcastle s •