villains put into the cave in order to hook him out, as the hooked part was found broken off, which exactly matched with the stick, and from the nature of the wound in his face, it appeared likely the hook had been hitched into his mouth, there being a hole of the size of it right through the cheek: and in dragging him to the mouth of the cave they must have turned the body, as his head, when discovered, was outermost. His jaw was broken, and, as was the opinion of a professional gentleman on the spot, the extravasated blood getting into his throat, caused suffocation. The deceased had been at the French Horn at Dulwich on the preceding Monday evening, and had changed half-a-guinea there, great part of which change he is known to have had about him when he went home, none of which was to be found, as his pockets were turned out. A secret pocket, of which none of his acquaintance had any knowledge, did not escape the prying eyes of his murderers, as it also was turned out. Mathews, the deceased, was near seventy years of age, and was supposed to have been induced to adopt his singular mode of living from the affectionate remembrance he entertained of a departed wife, by whom he had one daughter. He was generally liked in the neighbouring villages, and remarked for the simplicity of his manners and the punctuality of his dealings; from which circumstance, some gypsies, perhaps, who infest the vicinity of Norwood might be led to conceive him worth money. Three men of the above description were shortly after committed by Messrs. Bullock and Bowles, on suspicion of knowing something of the matter; as they were a part of the vagrant tenants of an encampment formed very near the cave of the deceased.

The Coroner for the county of Surrey with a Jury of twenty-four respectable persons, sat soon afterwards on the body of the deceased.-Nathaniel Field, the first witness, was one of the boys who had on the above morning (Friday) gone, as was their custom, to visit the old man of the wood.-On searching his cave they only found his bottle and scrip; on looking narrowly about the outside of his hut, they found the body covered with two old coats, and some fern; he, with his companion, gave information of the circumstance to the parish officers of Dulwich; when Mr. Kitchen, a surgeon and apothe cary, went to examine the body; he was lying on his back, his jaw-bone broke in two, and his mouth filled with coagulated blood; one part of the jaw-bone forced through the outer skin. Mr. Kitchen had known the singular character of old Mathews, and from the mode in which he usually slept, with his feet towards the entrance of the cave, believed the oaken plank produced, to have been the iustrument with which his death was effected, and that the murderers had hitched the hooked part into his mouth, and by the violence which they used to drag him out the jaw was broken; and being kept on his back (in which position he was found), the coagulated blood had caused suffocation: his pockets when found, were turned inside out; and to prove he had been robbed, Mr. Turk, a butcher at Dulwich, deposed that on the evening preceding the murder, the deceased came to his shop, and received 8s. 2d. in change of half-a-guinea, after discharging a debt of 2s. 4d.-Mr. Turk was so pleased with the old man's promptitude on the occasion, that he gave him a breast of mutton to carry home with him. The Jury found their verdict :"Wilful Murder, by a person or persons unknown."

HEROISM OF A BOY.

When the frigate La Tribune was wrecked off Halifax, in November, 1978, the whole ship's crew perished with the exception of four men, who escaped

in the jolly boat, and eight others, who clung to the main and fore-tops. The inhabitants of the place came down in the night opposite to the point where the ship struck, and approached so near as to converse with the people on the wrech. The first exertion which was made for their relief, was by a boy of no more than thirteen years of age, from Herring Cove, who ventured off in a small skiff by himself, he ventured to approach the wreck, and backed in his little boat so near to the fore-top as to take off two of the men, for the boat could not with safety hold any more. He rowed them triumphantly to the Cove, and had them instantly conveyed to a comfortable habitation. After shaming, by his example, older persons, who had larger boats, the manly boy put off again in his little skiff; but with all his efforts he was unable to reach the wreck a second time. His example, however, was soon followed by other boats of the Cove and by their joint exertions the whole of the remaining survivors were saved.

DEATH OF NELSON.

About the middle of the action with the combined fleets, on the 21st of October, 1805, Lord Nelson was upon the quarter-deck, where he had resolved to take his station during the whole of the battle. A few minutes before he was wounded, Mr. Bourke was near him: he looked steadfastly at him, and said, "Bourke, I expect every man to be upon his station." Bourke took the hint, and went to his proper station in the cock-pit.

Mr.

At this time his lordship's secretary, Mr. Scott, who was not, as has been represented, either receiving directions from him, or standing by him, but was communicating some orders to an officer at a distant part of the quarterdeck, was cut almost in two by a cannon shot. He expired on the instant, and was thrown overboard.

Lord Nelson observed the act of throwing his secretary overboard, and said, as if doubtful, to a midshipman who was near him, "Was that Scott?" The midshipman replied, he believed it was. He exclaimed, "Poor fellow !" He was now walking the quarter-deck, and about three yards from the stern, the space he generally walked before he turned back. His lordship was in the act of turning on the quarter deck, with his face towards the enemy, when he was mortally wounded in the left breast by a musket ball, supposed to have been fired from the mizen-top of the Redoubtable, French ship of the line, which the Victory had attacked early in the battle.

He instantly fell. He was not, as has been related, picked up by Captain Hardy. In the hurry of the battle, which was then raging in its greatest violence, even the fall of their beloved commander did not interrupt the business of the quarter-deck. Two sailors, however, who were near his lordship, raised him in their arms, and carried him into the cockpit. He was immediately laid upon a bed, and the following is the substance of the conversation which really took place in the cockpit, between his lordship, Capt. Hardy, Mr. Bourke, and Beatty.

Upon seeing him brought down, Mr. Bourke instantly ran to him. "I fear," he said, "your lordship is wounded."-" Mortally, mortally."—" I hope not, my dear lord; let Mr. Beatty examine your wounds.". "It is of no use," exclaimed the dying Nelson; "he had better attend to others."

Mr. Beatty now approached to examine the wound. His lordship was raised up; and Beatty, whose attention was anxiously fixed upon the eyes of his patient, as an indication the most certain when a wound is mortal, after a few

moments, glanced his eyes on Bourke, and expressed his opinion in his countenance. Lord Nelson now turned to Bourke, and said, "Tell Hardy to come to me."-Bourke left the cockpit. Beatty now said, "Suffer me, my lord, to probe the wound with my finger-I will give you no pain." Lord Nelson permitted him, and, pressing his left hand round his waist, he probed it with the fore finger of his right.

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When Bourke returned into the cockpit with Capt. Hardy, Lord Nelson told the latter to come near him—" Kiss me, Hardy," he exclaimed. Capt. Hardy kissed his cheek. "I hope your lordship," he said, "will still live to enjoy your triumph." "Never, Hardy," replied his lordship; "I am dying-I am a dead man all over-Beatty will tell you so-bring the fleet to an anchoryou have all done your duty-God bless you." Capt. Hardy now said, "I suppose Collingwood, my dear lord, is to command the fleet?" "Never," exclaimed he," whilst I live;" meaning, doubtless, that, so long as his gallant spirit survived, he would never desert his duty.

What passed after this was merely casual; his lordship's last words were to Beatty, whilst he was expiring in his arms, "I could have wished to have lived to enjoy this; but God's will be done." "My lord," exclaimed Hardy, "you die in the midst of triumph." "Do I, Hardy?" He smiled faintly-"God be praised!" These were his last words before he expired.

HIGHLAND FEUDS.

About the middle of the sixteenth century, the Earl of Argyll had resolved on a hostile expedition to the island of Mull, to procure redress for various injuries with which he charged Maclean and his ancestors. All the numerous vassals who held of Argyll, were ordered to rendezvous in the Bay of Dunstaffinage, each to be provided with a certain number of birlings, or galleys, fully manned and armed according to the fashion of the times.

On the appointed day they all attended in the condition required, except Campbell of Duntroon, who had been absent when the summons of his lord arrived, and he declared that he had been unable to provide an equipment. Argyll expressed displeasure, and the more so as Duntroon was known to have been on an amicable footing with Maclean. The Earl peremptorily said that the galleys must be forthcoming next morning. He was speedily and unexpectedly obeyed. Duntroon appeared on the following morning with the best equipment among them. Argyll inquired how he had been able to provide himself in so short a time? and Duntroon candidly told him, that being threatened with his Lordship's displeasure, he had gone and stated his case to Maclean, who kindly gave him his choice of all his own birlings, completely equipped. The Earl desired to be informed what remarks Duntroon had made in Mull; and he replied, that Maclean was occupied in building an addition to his castle; that he declared he knew no good cause for hostillity on the part of Argyll against him; that he would be extremely happy to receive him as a friend; but that, if he came as an enemy, he would meet with a determined resistance. The Earl asked Duntroon's own opinion on the subject; and his answer was, that he had most heartily disapproved of the expedition, from the beginning; that in the feuds between their forefathers there had been many faults on both sides, and that they had been already fully avenged; that, in his opinion, the most prudent measure would be to visit Maclean amicably, that the Earl should marry the beautiful daughter of Mac

lean, and that the handsome son of Maclean should marry the equally handsome daughter of the Earl. The friendly counsel of Duntroon was adopted. Argyll was received very kindly in Duart, and this visit ended in a mutual alliance, by marriage, between the two families. Catherine Maclean was the third wife of Argyll, and his daughter was married to Hector Oig (or Young,) of Duart.

A remarkable circumstance is related, connected with the last of these marriages. It is said that John, a younger brother of the lady, was for some time with his nurse at the castle of Duart, and that Maclean, being desirous to destroy him, had so contrived that the boy should be tempted to follow an apple which was rapidly handled from one to another around a large fire, until he was so much injured by the heat, that his face continued blue or livid for life; that it was from this cause he was denominated Ian Gorme, or Blue John; by which appellation he was certainly distinguished; and that his life would have been taken in this way, had not his nurse snatched him out of their hands, and conveyed him to a place of safety, with the assistance of a gentleman then present. It seems indeed strange that such an absurd story should ever gain credit, because, it refutes itself. Had there been a wish to kill the boy, it would have been an easy matter to have accomplish it in a less public and more effectual manner than this. No child would continue the pursuit to his own serious injury; nor is it probable that the nurse would have been permitted to save him, if such barbarians as these are represented to have been determined on his destruction. The story indeed appears to be a modern fabrication, founded on the unfortunate feuds which have since existed between the families; and a similar story is related of another in that country. Gorme, or Blue, is the term used in the Gaelic for dark grey, in describing animals, and from that cause it is an appellation very common in several families who were naturally dark-haired, and became grey at an early age. This John the son of Argyll was the first Campbell of Locknell, the progenitor of a brave and generous race. His eldest daughter was married to a younger

brother of Maclean, and his eldest son was also married to a daughter of the same,—two circumstances which entirely disprove the above foolish story.

Ian Gorme was killed at the battle of Langside, where he was distinguished for his bravery in the cause of the unfortunate Mary Stuart. It is indeed very remarkable, that of seven Lairds of Lochnell now deceased, four were killed: the first as we have just mentioned; the second at the battle of Glenlivat; the third at the battle of Inverlodry; and the fourth fell unhappily by the hands of an assassin.

FILIAL SACRIFICE.

When Cicero and his brother Quintus were proscribed by the second triumvirate of Rome, they endeavoured to make their escape to Brutus in Macedon. They travelled together some time, when they recollected that they were not furnished with the money necessary for the voyage; it was therefore agreed that Cicero should hasten to the coast to secure their passage, while Quintus returned home to make more ample provision. The return of Quintus was soon known, and his house filled with soldiers and assassins; but he so effectually concealed himself, that the soldiers could not find him. Enraged at this disappointment, they put his son to the torture, in order to make him discover the place of his father's concealment ; but the young Roman was proof against the most dreadful torments. A sigh, and sometimes a groan, escaped from

him; and in proportion as his agonies increased, was his fortitude strengthened. Quintus was not far off, and heard the stifled sighs and groans of his son expiring in tortures to save his father's life. He could bear no longer; but rushing from his concealment, presented himself to the assassins, and with tears entreated that they would put him to death, but spare the innocent child, whose generous conduct would meet with the highest approbation and reward from the triumvirate. But the monsters, in whose breasts pity or a generous feeling had never entered, answered that they must both die; the father because he was proscribed, and the son for concealing his father. A contest now arose between the father and his son, who should suffer first. The misery of surviving each other even for a single moment, was however spared them; and they were both beheaded at the same instant.

THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO.

Waterloo is a village of the Netherlands, between twelve and thirteen miles from Brussels, situated behind the skirts of the fine beech forest of Soignies, rendered famous by one of the most severe and sanguinary battles the modern history of war records, fought in its vicinity, on Sunday, June 18th, 1815, between the Duke of Wellington, who commanded the British, Hanoverian, German, and Beltic armies, and Napoleon Buonaparte, who conducted the operations of the French forces. The ground on which the battle was fought did not exceed nine miles and a half. The village of Waterloo which is not seen from the field of battle, was occupied on Saturday night by the Duke of Wellington, the Prince of Orange, Lord Uxbridge, and other General Officers. The number of men with which Napoleon took the field on the 18th of June, could not amount to less than 90,000; and it appears from the Adjutant General's office, 6th of November, 1816, that the effective strength of the British forces did not exceed 74,050 men, including the army of observation. As soon as day-break, on the 18th, the British could perceive immense masses of the enemy moving in every direction, at eleven o'clock every thing seemed to dictate that the awful contest was about to commence, and at half-past, the first division of infantry, commanded by Jerome Buonaparte, made their appearance, and our nine pounders opened upon his columns, and in a moment they were hid by the rising ground from which they had just emerged. Soon after, a powerful artillery was brought to bear on our guns, that had so annoyed Jerome's forces, and by mid-day the cannonade was general; Buonaparte directed his first grand attack to be made about noon upon our centre, which unfortunately was the weakest part of our position, and an immense mass of infantry followed by 12,000 cavalry, advanced upon the points occupied by the third and fifth divisions, and the left of the guards covered by a fire from upwards of 100 pieces of artillery, they advanced almost to the muzzle of our guns, our brave fellows gave them a volley, then rushed on to the charge, which they did not stand to receive, but were driven back upon their own line. In this conflict the British army had to lament the loss of Sir Thomas Picton, who fell mortally wounded while leading on the fifth division. The battle continued to rage with unabated fury, while the rapidity with which the columns of attack succeeded each other, seemed to indicate, for a time, that the resources of the enemy were inexhaustible. At half-past seven o'clock, the issue of the battle being still doubtful, Buonaparte gave orders to form the last column of attack; the column was formed chiefly of the guard, and placing