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for men who were condemned to live in a country where there were no date trees.

"Such is the patriot's boast where'er we roam,
His first best country is his home."

BRITISH CARPENTER.

ON the surrender of Lord Cornwallis in the revolutionary war in America, the crew of the Loyalist, a fri gate of twenty-two guns, was immediately conveyed to the Count de Grasse's fleet. Of that fleet, the Ardent, captured off Plymouth, made one, but she was in a very leaky condition. The Count being informed that the carpenter of the Loyalist was a clever fellow, and perfectly acquainted with the chain pump, of which the French were then quite ignorant, ordered him on board the Ville de Paris, and said to him, "Sir, you are to go on board the Ardent directly; use your utmost skill, and save her from sinking; for which service, you shall have a premium, and the encouragement due to the carpenter of an equal rate in the British navy. To this I pledge my honour; but if you refuse, you shall have nothing but bread and water during your captivity." The tar, surprised at being thus addressed in his own language by the French admiral, boldly answered: "Noble Count, I am your prisoner; it is in your power to compel me, but never let it be said, that a British sailor forgot his duty to his king and country, and entered voluntarily into the service of the enemy. Your promises are no inducement to me; and your threats shall not force me to injure my country." To the cternal disgrace of Count de Grasse, he rewarded this noble conduct by wanton severity as long as he had it

in his power to inflict it. But on his exchange, Admiral Rodney appointed him carpenter of his own ship, and which the Board of Admiralty confirmed.

DUTCH WORKHOUSE.

THE workhouse at Amsterdam is devoted to correctional, as well as charitable purposes. In one part of the building there were confined in 1807, ten young ladies of very respectable, and some very high families, sent there by their parents or friends, for undutiful deportment, or some other domestic offence; they are compelled to wear a particular dress, as a mark of degradation; obliged to work a stated number of hours a day, and are occasionally whipped; they are kept apart by themselves, and no one but a father, mother, brother, or sister, can see them during their confinement, and then only by an order from one of the directors. Husbands may here, upon complaint of extravagance, drunkenness, &c. duly proved, send their wives to be confined, and receive the discipline of the house, for two, three, and four years together. The allowance of food is abundant and good; and each person is permitted to walk for a proper time in the courts within the building, which are spacious. Every ward is kept locked, and no one can go in or out, without the special permission of the proper officer.

CERTAINTY OF PUNISHMENT.

DURING the wars in Flanders, in the reign of Queen Anne, when the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene

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commanded the allied army, a soldier, in the division of the latter was condemned to be hanged for marauding. The man happened to be a favourite with his officers, who took great pains to save his life, and for this purpose interceded with the prince, who positively refused to grant their request. They then applied to the Duke of Marlborough, begging his Grace to interfere; he accordingly went to Prince Eugene, who said, "he never did, and never would, consent to the pardon of a marauder.” "Why," said the duke, “at this rate we shall hang half the army; I pardon a great many.' "That," replied the prince," is the reason that so much mischief is done by your people, and that so many suffer for it; I never pardon any, and therefore there are very few to be punished in my department." The Duke still urged his. request; on which the prince said, "Let the matter be inquired into, and if your Grace has not executed more than I have done, I will consent to the pardon of this fellow." The proper enquiries were accordingly made, and the numbers turned out very highly in favour of Prince Eugene; on which he said to the Duke, "There, my Lord, you see the benefit of example. You pardon many; I never pardon one, therefore few dare to offend, and of course but few suffer."

This is one among the many confirmations which might be adduced of the truth of Beccarie's remarks, that "a less punishment, which is certain, will do more good than a greater, which is uncertain.”

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MURDERERS DISCOVERED BY TWO DOGS.

A LABOURING man of Tobolski, iu Siberia, who had deposited in a purse skin which he wore at his breast, the hard-earned savings of his life, was murdered by two of his companions, for the sake of his little treasure. The murderers escaped to a neighbouring forest, followed by two dogs belonging to the deceased, which would not quit them. The wretches did every thing to appease them, but in vain. They then endeavoured to kill them, but the dogs were upon their guard, and continued to howl dreadfully. Reduced to despair, the murderers, at the end of two days, returned to Krasnojarsk, and delivered themselves into the hands of justice.

MAGNANIMOUS PEASANT.

A great inundation having taken place in the north of Italy, owing to an excessive fall of snow in the Alps, followed by a speedy thaw, the river Adige carried off a bridge near Verona except the middle part, on which was the house of the toll-gatherer, who thus, with his whole family, remained imprisoned by the waves, and in momentary danger of destruction. They were discovered from the bank stretching forth their hands, screaming, and imploring succour, while fragments of the only remaining arch were continually dropping into the water.

In this extreme danger, a nobleman who was present, the Count of Pulverini, held out a purse of one hundred sequins, as a reward to any adventurer who would take a boat and deliver this unhappy family. But the danger was so great of being borne down by the rapidity of the

current, of being dashed against a fragment of the bridge, or of being crushed by the falling stones, that no one in the vast number of spectators had courage enough to attempt such an exploit.

A peasant passing along was informed of the circumstance, and of the promised reward. Immediately jumping into a boat, he by strength of oars gained the middle of the river, brought his boat under the pile; and the whole family safely descended by means of a rope. "Courage," said he, "now you are safe." By a still more strenuous effort, and great strength of arm, he brought the boat and family to shore. "Brave fellow!" exclaimed the count, handing the purse to him, "here is your recompense." "I shall never expose my life for money," answered the peasant, "my labour is sufficient livelihood for myself, my wife, and children. purse to this poor family, who have lost all."

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THE TURKS.

THE Turks, says Mr. Turner, one of the most recent travellers in the East, allow that their emperor may kill every day, fourteen of his subjects with impunity, and without impeachment of tyranny, because, say they, he does many things by divine impulse, the reason of which it is not permitted them to know. I have been told that a Pacha of three tails, is authorized by law to cut off five heads a day; a Pacha of two tails, three; and a Pacha of one tail, one.

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