To "a strange taberer," were given sixty-six shillings and eight-pence.

To" a strange tumbler," twenty shillings.

And to "Master Barnard, the blind poete," one hundred shillings. From an original MS signed by Henry VII. and kept in the Remembrance office.

NAUDE affirms that linen was so rare in the reign of Charles VII. (who lived about the time of our Henry VI.) that the queen, alone, could boast of two shifts.

FIVE holy sisters, buxom, young, and fair,
Were given to fri'r Antonio's pious care.
They edified so fast, 'ere Sol had run
Thro' ten celestial signs, each bore a son.
The friar called to answer these misdeeds,
Them in excuse before the bishop pleads:
Five talents, reverend sir, from heaven are given,
Five more are gained, so well my case hath

thriven.

The bishop smiled, and called the fri'r to grace, For faith it seems 'twas once his lordship's case.

MS.

ABOUT the year 1759, a remarkable adventurer, named Amine or Immen, found his way from India to London. His story, though very curious and interesting, is too well known, to be a proper object for minute narration in this work, and it is only touched upon here, in order to introduce the account of a laughable error into which his ignorance of the English language betrayed him. Although descended from an opulent family, a wild

effort of juvenile patriotism had incited him to work his passage to Britain, in search of military knowledge, and experience. He found his way, after many distresses, to Wapping; he met with still more distresses there; but at length his persevering spirit surmounted all obstacles; he became known and regarded; he received supplies from his father; and he rendered himself master of the science in the pursuit of which he set out. In the hours of his gaiety, the editor, who was introduced to him, has heard him with great humour relate the following tale: On his first landing in Wapping, the landlady desired to know his name; this puzzled him. His own country name, he thought might sound ill in English ears; he therefore determined to give in that appellation by which the sailors had called him during the whole voyage, and which he supposed, though he did not comprehend it, must be entirely applicable to him. So he innocently told the landlady that his name was "Cock-eyed-son-of-a b-tch," that having been the term bestowed on him, in the ship, by his marine associates. J. P. Andrews' Anec. p. 100.

HE that fears the Lord of heaven and earth, walks humbly before him, thankfully lays hold of the message of redemption by Jesus Christ, and strives to express his thankfulness by the sincerity of his obedience. He is sorry with all his soul, when he comes short of his duty. He walks watchfully in the denial of himself, and holds no confederacy with any lust, or known sin: if he falls in the least measure, he is restless till he has made

his peace by true repentance. He is true to his promises, just in his dealings, charitable to the poor, sincere in his devotion. He will not deliberately dishonour God, although secure of impunity. He hath his hopes and his conversation in heaven, and dares not do any thing unjustly, be it ever so much his advantage; and all this, because he sees him that is invisible, and fears him because he loves him; fears him as well for his goodness as his greatness. Such a man, whether he be an episcopalian, or a presbyterian, an independant, or an anabaptist; whether he wears a surplice, or wears none; whether he hears organs, or hears none; whether he kneels at the communion, or for conscience sake stands or sits, he hath the life of religion in him; and that life acts in him, and will conform his soul to the image of his Saviour, and go along with him to eternity, notwithstanding his practice, or non-practice of things indifferent,On the other side, if a man fears not the eternal God, he can commit sin with presumption; drink excessively, swear vainly or falsely, commit adultery, lye, cozen, cheat, break his promise, live loosely, though at the same time he may be studious to practise every ceremony, even to a scrupulous exactness, or may perhaps as stubbornly oppose them. Though such an one should cry down bishops, or presbytery; though he should be rebaptized every day, or declaim against it as heresy ; and though he fast all the lent, or feast out of pretence of avoiding superstition: yet, notwithstanding these, and a thousand external conformities, or zeal

ous oppositions of them, he wants the life of religion. The sum of religion, written by judge Hale, lord chief justice of England, and found in the closet, amongst his other papers after his decease.

The

MANY reasons have been assigned for the earthquake and darkness at the crucifixion, but to me this appears the only rational cause. blessed Virgin, who always in humility was accustomed to look upon the ground, lifted up her eyes to the cross. Deprived of the light of her eyes, the earth trembled, and the sun hid himself, ashamed to behold superior radiance. Southey, p. 77. From a Spanish Sermon of an Irish Priest.

Passing Bell. THE passing bell was anciently rung for two purposes, one to bespeak the prayers of all good christians for a soul just departing, the other to drive away the evil spirits, who stood at the bed's foot and about the house, ready to seize their prey, or at least to molest and terrify the soul in its passage; but by the ringing of that bell (for Durandus informs us evil spirits are much afraid of bells) they were kept aloof, and the soul, like a hunted hare, gained the start, or had what is by sportsmen called law. Hence perhaps excluSave of the additional labour was occasioned the high price demanded for tolling the greatest bell of the church; for that being louder, the evil spi rits must go further off to be clear of the sound. Encyclopædia Britannica.

Family-OUR island can produce in the royal line of Stuart, a race as steadily unfortunate as ever were recorded in history. Their misfortunes have continued with unabated succession, during 390 years.

Robert III. broke his heart, because his eldest son Robert was starved to death, and his youngest, James, was made a captive.

James I. after having beheaded three of his nearest kindred, was assassinated by his own uncle, who was tortured to death for it.

James II. was slain by the bursting of a piece of ordnance.

James III. when flying from the field of battle, was thrown from his horse, and murthered in a cottage, into which he had been carried for assistance. James IV. fell in Flodden field.

James V. died of grief for the wilful ruin of his army, at Solway Moss.

Henry Stuart, lord Darnley, was assassinated, and then blown up in his palace.

Mary Stuart was beheaded in England. James 1. and VI. died, not without suspicion of being poisoned by lord Buckingham. Charles I. was beheaded at Whitehall. Charles II. was exiled for many years.

James II. lost his crown and died in banishment. Ann, after a reign, which though glorious, was rendered unhappy by party disputes, died of a broken heart, occasioned by the quarrels of her favoured servants.

The posterity of James II. have remained wretched wanderers in foreign lands.

J. P. Andrews' Anecdotes, p. 111.