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now moved wide and deep along, bearing many a going and coming sail,-the houses rose more lofty and regal, -the streets were purer and broader, and the hum of business and industry was heard far and wide. My native town," I said, " thy ancient name of Bonnie Dumfries,' which I have heard pronounced by one of the fairest and noblest of Scotland's daughters, becomes thee more than ever." I hurried through the good old town, which, overflowing the ancient limits of its walls, had pushed its streets far among the green fields and gardens, and hastened northward; for my heart lay with a little nook of undistinguished earth some miles up the river.

dropt away in the fulness of years,-some had sunk in
their prime,-and some had found a grave in the raging
sea, and other in the battle trench. One by one, there-
fore, had passed away of all I loved or esteemed, till
one alone was left; but I had not heard that the village
was desolate, and the kirk cast down,-they had still
been present to my imagination; and when far distant,
and after hot and perilous battle, when I seated myself
on the ground, and washed my hands, and removed
the stains of battle from my dress, my thoughts flew
home, and Dalgarnock village and kirk rose before me,
full of venerable and friendly faces.

With a slow step and an agitated heart I made my
way towards the old burial ground, for there I knew,
whatever became of the kirk, the old sages of the
parish would be buried; we are ever unwilling to min-
gle with other dust than that of our kindred. On the
very brink of the river,-the walls of which the stream
moistens when in flood, stood an old cottage, with a
spot of garden in which a few coleworts grew,-the
residence, when I went abroad, of a person so old that
she was suspected of witchcraft, and withal so shrewd
and adroit, that she contrived to levy a tax equal to
her sabsistence on the superstitious terrors and credu-
lity of her fellow parishioners. I remembered her
wandering from house to house collecting meal, barley,
and cheese, clad in a white mutch, a gray gown, and a
black mantle, carrying a long staff in her hand. Age,
I reckoned, had long ago consigned her to a quiet
grave; and if I had actually seen her rising in a wind-
ing sheet, I could not have been more startled than I
was now on beholding her in the same dress, and with
the self-same looks, seated upon a stone by the river
side, enjoying the warmth of the descending sun. She
had strewn her door-step with brackens and rushes,
and there she sat spreading her withered hands in the
summer heat, and looking towards the west, and mut-
tering snatches of old superstitions prayers, half rhyme
and prose, which were imagined in the darker days to
contain spells against unhappy chances and the approach
of evil spirits.

scaur me.

The sun was nigh to setting when I entered the upper vale of Nith, among the ancient strong holds of the Douglasses and Kirkpatricks. Here the hand of improvement had a heavier darke to do than even in the lower valley ;-heath had been exchanged for corn, -wild hindberries and brambles, for the apple and the plumb; and the rough-footed fowls of the moss and the ling had flown away before the flocks of innumerable sheep and cattle which covered all the higher pasture lands. The memorial stones of the martyrs, which I left among heather, I found among wheat,-their dwelling place sacred, and their legends renewed; the men who rode past me as I went, sat formerly in saddles of plaited straw, on shaggy and uncombed horses, -they were now in shining leather with silver mountings, and on steeds worthy of bearing the burthen of knighthood. The women who walked to the kirk on Sunday, went formerly in gowns of homely gray, spun by their own frugal hands,-they now flaunted in silks and in scarlets, and the youths fluttered in ruffles, and walked on the very limit of fashion. Here and there a broad blue bonnet, with tresses white and thin flowing from beneath it, might be seen,-here and there a dame in the antique and simple dress of the district, moved on stiff and stately.- and here and there a car without wheels dragged heavily along the ground,and here and there a farmer persisted in old modes of cultivation, and rode proudly on sonks of straw, with a halter of hair, rejoicing that in his person the simple patriarchal times were yet preserved. All else was changed! Though I could not help owning the increased wealth and beauty of the country, I looked upon it with something of sorrow the change seemed to me so violent and so sudden, that I shut my eyes and opened them again, to see that imagination was playing me none of her pranks. But the scene stood before me in invariable beauty,-the hills were there with their well remembered outline, and there was the hall of Drumlanrig, once a palace in a desert, but now looking over a vast extent of orchards and inclosed fields. All this was proof that the place which I sought, and the dwelling of my kindred, was nigh. At length, I reached the rising ground, from which Dalgarnock kirk, with its ranks of grave-stones, and its little village, are first visible to one travelling up the river bank. I stood on the very spot on which I stood in the morning of life, and gazed back on the vale with a full heart, when departing for a far country; I stood and gazed now, and my heart was scarcely less fall when I observed that kirk and village were both gone, and that the plough, had passed over the hearth of many a house dear to my heart, and that corn was waving where fifteen chimnies had smoked. missed the kirk and the village, and I looked around for the signs by which I distinguished the abode of my fathers. There stood an ancient pillar of stone, with rude figures and uncouth symbols carved on its sides, at the foot of which, in old times, people met and transacted bargains, sold cattle, and disposed of land, there grew the three oaks, so similar in shape, in stem, and in height, as to countenance the belief of the peasantry that not a bough or a leaf was on one but Aye, aye, unsonsie looks? nobody cares for unwhat bad its companion on the others; and which, sonsie looks now. I have seen on a day when they growing but a short step asunder, shoot up in a beauti-brought baked bread, and new cheese, and lapfuls of ful cone of green, and make them known by the name daintiths. I mind the time when a glance of an uncanof the three brethren, wherever a Scotchman wanders. nie ee was reckoned ruinous to any undertaking. The And beyond all these flowed the Nith, its clear stream cow on whilk ane looked askance, shuddered, and rescarce visible between its green banks, so much had it felt the influence of summer's beat. I singled out all these well-known memorials, but kirk and village were no longer visible. I was not prepared for this. I bad heard, at times, of the visitations which death had made among the hearths of those I loved ;-some had

I stood and listened. When she concluded her prayers, she began to question their influence in her favour. "Hout, tout, why should I hang up these sapless shoots from the rotten tree of popery aboon my door bead-they cannot hinder old age and poverty to become ben, and these are the fiends which vex and What imp or saint, it matters not which, can put strength into my limbs, and marrow into my bones, and light into my een, that I might move about as I was wont, and get the plack and the penny, and the curnie meal, and the ewe milk cheese, and an ell or two of the new web, as in reason I should. But auld age has worried up my skill, and the last time I tottered out there came after me many of the wicked youngsters, chips of the tree of perdition,-who shouted out witch,' and 'beldame,' and though I wished them ill enough, the fiend o' ane o' them was a plack the worse. But had it been Sathan's will that they had treated my aald mistress of Scaur Water sae, who learned me all that I ken of the craft, she wad have wagged her thumb, and some fool fowk would have moaned the death of their brats. Aye, she was the wife for the warld,-she could find siller where other fowk could see nought thicker than moonshine; and wi' dog's-pluck, and herring bone, and hollow hemlock, could make a salve that would redeem ane frae the grips of death. I have seen her do't. But the spell o't's lost. I made some of the salve myself, and feigh! it was fit to poison a pool of toads; it took all the honey-comb of a wild bees' byke to souk the taste o't out of my mouth;" and she distorted her face, puckered her mouth in abhorrence, and coughed vehemently, and thus she continued her curious complaint:

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gave and miscarried. But now, the fiend have Girzie
Gunson, if the weakest head of the parish heeds whe-
ther she smile or frown. I think the spiritual kindom
over on earth, the reign of spell and pantraips gone.
The only thing whilk has happened to my wish of late,
was when Hacbie Hetherton's cow bursted o'er a crib
of dewy clover,-I ken whase four quarters he may
thank for that, he might have given me a pound of
yellow butter as his douce mother did affore him,-let
him take that for making mouths at me.
Od, I'm no
sae auld and feckless as some folk trow ;-there was
proud Pennie Purdie, that used to cry after me,
Witch, witch, score thy brow and burn thee.' I trow
I gave her a dainty downcome with the wild lad of
Moffat water. What wad ye think?-a gliff after
gloaming fa, who should drop down by our gate end
but Pensie Pennie. I ken o' your coming cummer, said
I, ye are come for a cannie cast of my skill. Sae I
gied her something that gaurd her skirl, and skriegh-
the lucken browed limmer,-I ken'd weel how to do't;

I had done the samen wi' mysel ere seventeen sim-
mers were o'er my head,-she deserved it, she de-
served it; what had she to do wi' my wee aald warld
ways!"
And she arose and drew her mantle proudly
about her, tossed her head till all the remainder hairs
danced for joy, and seemed to dilate herself with the
thought that much of her old might remained anim-
paired.

(To be continued.)

AFFECTING TALE.

[The following statement is extracted from the Nashville Gazette, not as a tale originating in a poetical fancy and embellished by the touches of a wild and wantou intellect, but as a relation of incidents which have actually occurred, and which, therefore, possess a more powerful claim on our attention and from a wish to prevent any painful reflections to some that sympathy. The Gazette states, that the names are known, but perhaps knew the parties, they are concealed.-Washington paper.}

"JANE

―――was the only daughter of a man, who, in the early part of his life emigrated to the United States from the North of Ireland. Accustomed to a life of industry, by application to business, and suffering from poverty in his youth, he regarded money as the only object worth a reasonable man's attention. By his diligence, he had amassed a large fortune, which it was known in the country his daughter would inherit. It is now more than forty years since I have seen her. She was then in the bloom of youth-hope and expectation gave to her a more interesting appearance than I ever yet witnessed. -She was about eighteen; possessing natural good sense, and accomplishments that rendered her the pride and admiration of her friends. Many were the suitors for her hand, but she refused them with such a grace and respect for their feelings that they loved her the more.— Among her admirers there was a young man, a native of Massachusetts, respectable by his talents and genius. He was a member of the bar, and though young, maintained a respectable standing among his brethren. He was loved by all classes, for his gentleman-like and manly deportment, and nature had given him a striking and interesting appearance. But as yet he was poor, and he owed to fortune nothing. Chance threw him in the company of JANE an intimacy was formed, and he frequently visited her father's house, where he received not only that attention and marked politeness which he deserv ed by his standing in society, but also experienced that open hearted cordiality which marks the character of Irishmen.

"There is a secret attachment formed between fused to yield milk,—the borse aue frowned on threw congenial minds of which even the persons themits rider, the bride who forgot to bid ane to her bridal, selves are not aware, and often they are suprismade her husband lord of a barren bed-the lass who, ed at the hold they have got of each other's afforgot to cast ane plack as she went to the tryste of berfections. This was the case with these two young lover, never came maiden hame, and the proudest persons. It was not until these circumstances hopes of men, and the wisest wishes of women, mis- took place that either of them ever suspected

THE

ROSE-BUD OF CHEETHAM.

A Favourite Quadrille.

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The first and third couple advance, join hands and set.-The Gentlemen conduct their partners to opposite places.-The first and third couple advance join hands and set.-The gentlemen conduct their partners to proper places.-The little square. The ladies hands across, while the gentlemen hands round on the outside.

This QUADRILLE can only be had with the IRIS.

Mr. H took him home as his adopted child.
Years had rolled away since then, and he enjoys
a comparative degree of peace; yet he looks for-
ward with anxiety to that state of existence
when the troubles of this life are lost in undis-
turbed felicity-where men can be happy with-
out gold, and where the envenomed tongue of
detraction can never be heard."

POPULAR PREJUDICES AND SUPERSTITIOUS
IDEAS PECULIAR TO THE ESTHONIANS.
Birth, Death, Baptism, &c.

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that they had loved each other. Among the
suitors for the hand of JANE, was a man of
about forty years of age, a widower, who was
devoid of every principle that makes man noble,
and whose riches were his only support in socie-
ty. It is but justice to remark that his private
character was unknown to the father of JANE.-
He solicited a permission to wait on JANE, and
received it, with hearty wishes from the father,
for his success. He there met Mr H. and his
sagacity soon discovered that, which, though un-
known to themselves, would prevent him from
obtaining the object of his wishes. Fearful of
meeting his rival openly, he took occasion of in-
juring the growing reputation of Mr. H. both as
Pregnant women, when they lay wood in the stove,
take care not to put it in contrary to the branches; this
a man and a lawyer, and he too well succeeded.
-His influence in society was great, and people sent itself at the birth.
would influence the manner in which the child will pre-
could not disbelieve his insinuations-it was not
- When two pregnant women
sneeze at the same time, it is a sign they will have girls;
possible, said they, that ever the dark hints of if the two husbands sneeze, it announces that they will
the rich Mr. T. could be without foundation-have boys. --- Great care is taken not to tread on the
no, there must be something in them. As it feet of pregnant women, otherwise their children would
was to be expected, his little practice declined have deformed feet and crooked legs. --- As soon as a
every day and the cold looks of the people, were woman after her lying in can sit at table, she is placed
to his noble spirit worse than the loss of life. at the upper end, to procure the infant good treatment
He determined on leaving the country, and wait- and distinction during its life. - Nothing heavy must
ted on Jane for the purpose of taking leave of be placed on a child's head, which would impede its
her, but unfortunately for both, notwithstand-
-The first thing a child lays hold of indi-
ing all his prudence and determinations, he re-
cates his future inclinations; the parents therefore place
within his reach such things as they wish their children
vealed his attachment, and they parted with the to be engaged with in future. When a child is born
assurances of mutual love and fidelity.
at the latter end of the week, it is a sign that he will
marry late, or not at all. - When the clergyman comes
to visit a sick person, they remark whether his horse
holds his head up, or the contrary; in the latter case
they despair of the recovery of the patient.-- A fune-
ral must never pass through a field, even if it is fallow.
brush, money, needle and thread, and so many neces-
--- Many of the peasantry place near the deceased a
sary instruments to employ him in his long journey from
this world to the other. --- On returning from a fune-
but left for a time in the open air, that other members of
the same family may not soon die. In some places
food is put on the floor in a separate room, that the de-
ceased may help himself. - Others, holding a broom
in their hands, evoke the souls of their deceased friends,
and invite them to a feast; and when they suppose the
defunct to have eaten sufficiently, the broom is broken
in token of their dismissal, at the same time desiring
them not to tread upon the rye as they go away.

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--

They have very particular ideas respecting the resurrection of the dead; some do not believe in it at all. fall towards the north, they have great dislike to be As they think on the day of judgment the churches will

buried on that side.

"After the departure of Mr. H. the rich Mr. T. pressed his suit, and from some expressions of his, together with hints of his conduct to her lover, she was induced to believe that the misfortune and disappointment of both, might be attributed to his conduct. She refused him with contempt. He waited on her father, exposed to him the state of his property, and offered to settle a large estate upon her could the latter pre-ral, the hearse is not immediately brought under cover, vail upon Jane to become the wife of the former. The father dazzled with the offer, promised to use his influence, and if that would not be sufficient, his authority. He did both-but they were as yet useless. Mr. T. finding all his schemes prove abortive, and knowing well the cause of his failure, raised a report that Mr. H. died of a fever at, to which place he had removed. This report was carefully conveyed to the ears of Jane, and which was further confirmed by the silence of her lover. She believed it -and to pacify, or rather to gratify her father, she became miserable by being the wife of Mr. T. From that hour she never knew peace. In following improperly the opinions of her father, and forgetting what was due to herself, her future life became wretched; and in performing what she conceived to be a duty she owed her father, she neglected the prior one, her own happiness. "Some short time after her marriage, H. returned from where he had settled himself, and where he had gained a degree of eminence worthy of him-He came to claim her as his bride; but she was now another's-not her heart, but her person. She saw him once, and but for a few minutes, when all was explained. He loved Jane too well to demand an explanation with her despicable husband, well aware what would be the consequences of such a proceeding-he returned to his place of abode unhappy. From that time Jane declined fast. A slow consumping grief seized fast hold on her-her husband became a gambler, and lost his only support in society and Jane died in giving birth to a son, whom its grandfather took home. Too late he found that it was not money that could make his daughter happy, and soon after, he followed her to the grave. The unfortunate child, neglected by his father and deprived by death of his protector, was an outcast upon the world, until

is a fortunate day. Many of them firmly believe that a thing, and will perhaps even perish under the hands of child christened on a Friday will become good for no

the executioner.

ideas relative to the Communion :-There are some They have also a thousand strange and superstitious who, after having taken the consecrated wafer, endeavour, without being perceived, to take a part of it out of their mouth to use it for conjuring certain sorceries, and producing certain supernatural effects. --- On the day of the Communion it is almost a general custom to drink to excess, under the persuasion that it will add to the efficacy of the sacrament which they have received. - - On the night after they have taken the Communion they sleep with a part of the clothes they had on, generally their stockings. On the same day they carefully avoid the use of tobacco, and do not go into the bath for many days after.

When it thunders, many country people believe that it is God pursuing the devil, and they shut their doors and windows with the greatest care, lest the evil spirit should take refuge in their houses.---Others place two knives in the window with the points upwards, to keep off the lightening. These latter do not suspect that they are such good natural philosophers. --- They regard with religious awe places and things struck by lightning; above all, stones which it has broken to pieces. Where such fragments are found, they believe that it was there the evil spirit took refuge when the hand of God struck him. Many believe the rainbow to be the scythe which the thunder makes use of to pursue the evil genii. -- Some fancy they can attract the wind by holding up a serpent or a hatchet; and in the latter case, by hissing towards the quarter of the horizon from which they desire the wind to come. - - - On New Year's Eve, if any noise be heard in the house which they cannot easily account for, they are firmly persuaded that one of the family will die in the course of the year. (To be concluded in our next.)

ST. ELIAN'S WELL.

(From the Album.)

Sometime within the last two years, there still existed in Denbighshire a well, called St. Elian's, and supernamed, the Cursing Well. This well affords, perhaps, as strong an example as can be adduced of the force and inveter

acy
with which a popular superstition is capable
of influencing the human mind, even in our
ther with a few fields, the property of a woman
enlightened and incredulous age. It was, toge-
who held it by inheritance, and who, thanks to
trimony, so small in appearance, an estate of
man's weakness and wickedness, found her pa-

no inconsiderable value.

it bolds its head up or hangs it down. The former in-
At the christening of a child, they observe whether
dicates robust health and long life; the last makes them
fear an early death. --- Daring the christening the falian lies in a dingle, near the high road, lead-
"The well of St.
ther of the child runs as fast as he can round the church, ing from Llan Ælian to Groes in Irias: it was
in order to secure to the infant the gift of agility and surrounded by a wall six feet high, and embo-
nimbleness. This custom is particularly in vogue somed in a grove; the trees have been felled,
among the inhabitants of the sea-coast, where this qual- and the wall thrown down."-" The ceremony
ity is most essentially necessary. --- They take great
care not to have a christening soon after a funeral. ---
was performed by an old woman, in the follow-
The godfathers and godmothers do not look at each other ing manner: After having received her fee, the
during the ceremony; without this precaution, the in-
name of the victim was marked on a piece of
fant baptized would be subject to troublesome diseases, lead, this she dropped into the water, and mut-
and would have the alarming privilege of seeing spirits. tered her imprecations, whilst taking from, and
that he or she may marry early; others conceal money,
-- Several parents fasten a ring to the child's linen, returning into, the well a certain portion of the
bread, and garlic, in the child's garments, on the day of tened by a person whom he had offended, with
water." Mr. Pennant says, that he was threa-
his christening. The two first ensure to him riches, a journey to this well, to curse him with effect.
and the last secures him from the power of witchcraft. It seems, the patron of this fatal fount was one
- They despair of the life of the child if he goes to
sleep during the christening. --- The sponsors take care
Elian Geîmiad, who lived about the close of
not to eat meat directly before the christening, that their dedicated in Arvon, and another in Mona.
the fifth century, to whom there is a church
godchild may not have the tooth-ache, which otherwise
would he perpetual.
fortune to lose their children in their infancy, often give
the supernatural influence of these names will secure to
to an infant the name of Adam or Eve, in the hope that
the infant a long life. They avoid having their child-
ren christened on a Friday; Thursday, on the contrary,

--

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Parents who have had the mis

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Time out of mind has this well been cele

brated for its very baneful and malignant propossessed such a power, is not only as implicitly perty of securing the effect of a curse; that it credited among the vulgar of our days as it would have been by all ranks in more barbarous

ages, but what is far more to be lamented, and scarcely to be believed, hundreds of pilgrims annually visited it for the horrible purpose of fixing its withering influence on some neighbour who had excited their revengeful feelings. The man whose heart is set on cursing his fellowcreature, thinks a walk of twenty, thirty, or even forty miles, a trifling exertion, compared to the gratification of seeing a hated neighbour pine gradually away, till he expires under the effect of his deliberate malediction. It is difficult to believe that so fiend-like a spirit can inhabit a human bosom, or pollute a Christian land; but it is a fact, that numbers of ill-tempered, implacable Welshmen walk many miles every year, for the purpose of cursing him whom Christ commanded us to forgive, though he should offend us, not seven times only, but seventy times seven. Let the following recent and well-authenticated instances, serve as illustration :

He

well; and, extremely terrified, he made all possible despatch to counteract the curse; but, on arriving at St. Elian's fountain, he found the period was expired; his offering was positively rejected, and he must needs summon whatever of fortitude and resignation he could command, and wait the slow operation of the curse. returned dejectedly home, convinced that his doom was irreversibly sealed; and so potently did this superstitious belief work on his imagination, that his spirits sank totally beneath the shock, hope entirely forsook him, his appetite and rest were gone, and he wasted rapidly and visibly. Towards the close of this melancholy scene, he became subject to long fits of delirium; during his last short interval, he inquired earnestly after his revengeful neighbour, expressed a hope that his wrath against him was appeased, and declared that he forgave, from his heart, the man who had persecuted him unto death. Having thus, by the last effort of his There were two farmers living in Flintshire, reason, proved himself a Christian, he relapsed whom we will call, if you please, Jones and into derangement, and shortly after died, leavLloyd. Jones was a surly, gloomy, enviousing a wife and family to deplore the loss of so fellow, who spent his time in grumbling, and good a man. contrasting his lot with that of his more prosperous neighbour, instead of emulating his active, industrious habits; envy soon becomes hatred, and Lloyd happening to be the fortunate competitor in some little purchase of cattle or land, which each was desirous to make, the wicked and malignant spirit of Jones was exasperated to the height, and he vowed revenge on his unconscious neighbour, who was employing his hours in cheerful labour, and had no time to waste in brooding over schemes of hatred, or even for caring, or perceiving, what was going on in the unquiet mind of Jones. The latter, meanwhile, felt his own wretchedness, in some degree, appeased, by the soothing thought that he might, by a few words, bring death and ruin into the family of his neighbour, nor was he slow in executing his project. He set off one morning, with as much secrecy as his exultation would permit, to St. Elian's well, a journey of thirty-four miles, but the anticipation of his beloved revenge shortened the way, and put fatigue out of the question. He made his application to the proprietress, or Cursing Hag of the well," a denomination which her perseverance in this abominable traffic well merited. Having received the customary offering, without which the curse would have been powerless, she led him to the well, where he uttered his malediction in the terms she prescribed; wishing, with some accompanying imprecations, that his neighbour Lloyd, might be seized by a consuming malady, which should, ere long, terminate in death, and that he might die standing. Having lightened himself of this curse, which had been, for some time, sticking at his heart, he returned home: I never heard how he slept that night. He had now one subject of anxiety remaining, which was, that Lloyd might not discover what had happened, till he was within grasp of the charm; because, if a man discovored that some adversary had "put him into the well," within a given period, he might, by means of a counter offering, buy himself out. Jones, however, was too full of diabolical exultation, always to restrain it: especially when any one remarked the thriving fortunes of Lloyd, he could not forbear muttering some hint, that it would not last long, till a suspicion of the fact became prevalent, and some good-natured, foolish friend, thought he could not do better than warn the victim of his situation. Poor Lloyd shared, in common with his neighbours, an implicit faith in the baneful properties of the

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How fared it, meanwhile, with the human fiend who wrought this mischief? Every creature regarded him with mistrust and abhorrence; and, in proportion as his victim had been beloved and pitied, he was execrated. There is something intolerable, even to the most unsocial being, in the consciousness of being universally odious, and Jones walked about among men with Cain's mark on his forehead; he was looked on as a visible demon; and if any one ministered to him, it was the effect of fear, and not of good will; these manifestations of dislike, combining with the whispers of his own dark conscience, were, as the first murderer expresses himself with regard to his own punishment, more than he could bear. He, in his turn, drooped and sickened, and was left to his feverish, miserable bed, and to his own embittered, remorseful feelings, for no man had any pity for him-no one prayed for his recovery, Were I inventing a tale, its catastrophe would probably be the death of Jones; but as I am relating a fact which has positively happened, I must not warp or modify, according to my own fancy, the circumstances attending it. Jones recovered his health, and is, I believe, now living. This story is true: the names of Jones and Lloyd are fictitious. This example is selected, in preference to many others, from my own knowledge of its authenticity, and that I am well acquainted with the minute particulars attending it.

From Brand, and other writers on popular superstitions, we gather that wells and fountains were objects of dread or reverence in the times of paganism, according as the nature of the nymph or demon who inhabited them was benign or malignant. It is well known that many of these absurditics were adopted and avowed in the darker ages of Christianity; nay, St. Winifred's fountain at Holy-well is, at this hour, an existing proof that this superstition is yet alive, even amongst enlightened, or at least well educated, Catholics, and maintained and encouraged by their bishops and ecclesiastics. Happily St. Winifred's influence is as benevolent as that of St. Elian, (who must surely belong to the calendar of his infernal majesty,) is perverse and malicious. In consequence of a trial, of which Fynnon Ælian, or the Well of Ælian, was the subject, the justices of the peace for the county of Denbigh met to consult on the means of ridding the country of this disgraceful evil; according to their sentence, the well was

choked up with rubbish, and its ancient proprietress prosecuted: so we may hope that the practice of "cursing with effect" is effectually abolished.

ON ANCIENT HOUSE SIGNS.

(From the Gentleman's Magazine.)

The origin of House Signs may be referred back to tic of any object, amongst a barbarous and uncivilized a very remote period. The distinguishing characterispeople who paid but little regard to the proper title of things, has sometimes supplied a name indicative of some peculiar trait in its character, which, by universal adaptation, has superseded its more correct decomination; these titles have been embodied and rendered

in a palpable form, as the still-existing hieroglyphics and emblems of this description attest.

The Phonetic characters of the Egyptians represented natural objects; the names of which, in their language, began with the sound of that letter they wished to express. The names therefore, of persons or things in this character, would bear a striking affinity to the heraldic rebusses now in use; and as it is not improbable that these names were affixed to the houses of this people, or to acquaint the reader with the description of wares to be had there, suspended before their hops, there is reason to suppose that the custom of thus distinguishing man from man, which we are told did not obtain until the "days of chivalrie," has been resorted to time immemorial.

the siege of Thebes; and in support of this idea, in

Johnson imagined armorial bearings to be as old as

stanced a passage in the "Phoenician Virgins" of Euripides.

That the use of signs is of considerable antiquity, we have the testimony of St. Luke, who tells us, that St. Paul, after his shipwreck at Malta, “departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered there, whose

sign was Castor and Pollux,"

It was deemed advisable among our grandfathers, to this is" before naming the prefix the affirmative," sign, as may be seen in the old names of streets still existing.

It is justly observed in the " Adventurer," that “it cannot be doubted but that signs were intended origi

nally to express the several occupations of their own

ers, and to bear some affinity in their external designations to the wares to be disposed of. Hence the Hand and shears is justly appropriated to Taylors, as the Hand and pen is to Writing-masters. The Woolpack plainly points to us the Woollen Draper; the Naked Boy, elegantly reminds us of the necessity of clothing; and the Golden Fleece, figuratively denotes the riches of our staple commodity."

ry; such are the Boar's Head, and the Golden Lion. The majority of signs are common charges in heraldThree is an heraldic number; and we find it in frequent use, as the 3 Compasses, the 3 Pigeons; and I bave by me a book published "at the 3 Daggers in Fleetstreet, near Inner Temple Gate, 1654."

And this offers an apology for the varied and unnatoral adaptation to some animals, of colours to which they cannot otherwise lay claim, such as-Blue Boars, Golden Lions, Green Dragons, and that cara avís in

terris" the Black Swan.

The Bunch of Grapes is, I think, never appended elsewhere than over the door of a Publican; and if we find the Three Tuns, which I think bad its rise in the Vintners' Company, prefixed their arms on houses rented of them, in any other station, we may impute it to the cause here noted. Our modest ancestors were contented with a plain Bough stuck up before their doors, whence arose the wise proverb, "Good wine needs no bush ;" and the enstom is still continued in many parts of the Continent. Might not the Fox and Goose, now so universally adopted by publicans, intimate that the game bearing this title was to be played Skittle and Jack now invite to "a good dry skittlethere, in the same manner as a representation of a

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