foot, when the right-angled gentleman coiled himself up into a perfect ball, and fell to the ground, where he rolled comfortably down hill, wrapped up in his own tail, which was nearly twice the length of his body. This animal, which Chard had not seen before, he afterwards found was called in Africa the Pangolin, in Asia the Manis, and sometimes "the tiger's football."

of his wart-hog. Well, I had another reason it but to pace up and down, leading the three
for my ride that day; but it wouldn't do. I horses, on the level spot which was marked
could not quiet my uneasy thoughts, nor find out for them as secure from danger by the
any resting place for my mind till I had made footprints of their steeds.
a resolution that I would do my best, when
the proper time came, to rob Charley of his
housekeeper. You and I have been like
brothers for many months. Have I your leave"
to ask your sister whether she will make us
brothers indeed ?"

"My dear fellow," replied Robert, "I shall be only too happy to have you for a brother, and I suspect Maggie will not be very hardhearted, only I doubt whether she will think it right to leave Charley."

But neither pangolin nor flamingo would make a dinner for Englishmen, whatever the Kafirs might think of them; Chard therefore reserved his bullets for more profitable game, and rode on. Presently, the sounds of sylvan warfare met his ears; a most unmistakeable pig-squeal rang through the air, followed by plunging and struggling in the water, and enlivened by an accompaniment of incessant chattering on the tree-tops. Putting his horse into a quick trot, Chard soon came in sight of the combatants. Two huge alligators had attacked a troop of wart-hogs (Phascocheres Eliani), or, "pigs with four ears," who were gallantly defending themselves with their long sharp tusks, while a dozen monkeys, safe on the highest branches of the neighbouring trees, looked on, grinning, and talking after their fashion, with delight. One of the alligators was severely wounded; the other had seized a fine hog in his huge jaws, and was just taking About 20 miles from Fetchley they deviated the water with his prize, when a bullet from from the direct road to Grahamstown; a friend Chard's unerring rifle pierced the soft folds of of Chard's, with whom they proposed to pass the shoulder joint. Dropping the pig, he the night, having lately settled in one of the plunged into the lake and disappeared; but if valleys of the Amatola. As the road was you had passed that way a few hours later strange to either of the Englishmen, Utiluan, you might have seen his unwieldy carcase who knew the country well, was sent to the floating, belly upwards, on the blue waves. front to act as guide. They had not ridden Five minutes afterwards Chard was on his way far before a fog came on, and in half an hour homewards, with two fine hams slung across more it was so thick that they could scarcely his saddle; and he and Robert dined next day see their guide at ten yards' distance. Preon pork, which had been killed by a four-sently, Robert remarked to Chard, that there footed butcher.

Chard's receipt for the cure of low spirits scemed to have been successful. At least, Robert Ciscovered no difference in his manner, except that he was kinder and more brotherly than ever.

The fourth Kafir war was over, and Robert was fairly on his legs again, a richer man than when it began; for not only had he laid by money earned in honest labour by skilled hands, but in reward for his services in the war, he had received from Government the grant of a good farm, on condition that he built a house, resided in it, and held himself ready, with horse, gun and ammunition, whenever summoned, to defend the border. His only expense was the title-deeds.

The new house rose rapidly. For though Robert was not yet strong enough to do much to it himself, his oversight of the workmen, with his practical knowledge of the work to be done, spurred them on. Chard too, lent a helping hand, in return for similar services rendered him by Robert before the commencement of the war.

The last lock was fixed on the last door, the last window was glazed and bolted, and the two friends had sat down to supper, when Robert said, abruptly, "Chard, I'm for Grahamstown, to-morrow. Will you go with

me?"

"Pleasant this!" said Chard, "isn't it? What can we do?"

"Nothing that I can see," answered Robert, but walk up and down here all night, unless when the moon rises the fog should disperse, and allow us to pick our way to some more comfortable spot. I wonder," he added, "where that unfortunate fellow is."

"I can't bear to think," replied Chard. "For the last five minutes I have had a picture before me of his dead body doubled up at the Early on the following morning the friends bottom of a deep kloof, and I can't drive it were riding side by side towards Grahamstown, away. I wish I hadn't spoken so sharply to and many an air-castle was built in word and him. Perhaps I shall never talk to him again, thought, as they discussed their probable poor fellow, and he was a faithful servant to future. At a respectful distance behind them me, though, like most of these poor heathens, rode Utiluan, their Kafir attendant. Now and he would tell a lie rather than own himself then they called him forward, and drew him wrong." into conversation, sometimes questioning him | Talking thus they shouted again from time about the customs of his own people, some- to time, but still no answer reached them. At times listening to his thoughts about the new length, when they had been pacing backlife, in the midst of which he found himself, wards and forwards for an hour, they fanas the servant of the white man; and they cied they heard a distant call. They were often surprised at the acuteness of his shouted again. This time there was no misobservation, and the depth of his thought. take. The answer came to them-an exact echo of their own cry. It must be Utiluan. Another call, and another answer; the voice evidently drew nearer. In a few minutes they could distinguish the words, and then appeared through the mist the naked figure of their Kafir servant. He had lost his kaross, or blanket-cloak. Faint and weary, the poor fellow told his tale in his own tongue. It was but a few words of English that he could speak, and both his hearers understood the Kafir language. But as few of our readers are likely to make much of the original, we give the tale in English, as repeated by Robert to attentive listeners, when the adventures of the night had ended happily.

was no track visible. They wheeled their
horses round a few yards in opposite direc-
tions; still no signs of a pathway could be
discovered. Riding up, therefore, to Utiluan,
Chard asked him if he was sure that they
were on the right road. "Yes, massa," he
answered, confidently, "quity right." Another
half hour passed, and the fog was even thicker
than before, when Utiluan jumped from his
horse, exclaiming, "Massa, forgive me. Me
don't know where me going."

"Of course you don't, you rascal,” replied
his master; "why didn't you confess it when
I asked you half an hour ago? I was certain
we were lost then."

"Don't scold him, Chard," said Robert, "that wont help us into the road again. The question is, what shall we do?"

"You see I am alive. I escaped from death by the goodness of the Amadhlozi. If the Amadhlozi had not been with me I must have been killed. When I left you I went on, on, trying to find the spoor. I came into the bush, and tried to find my way out. The fog was thick, and darkness came on. I could not see where to set my foot. I heard running water, and I thought, Wau! that water runs in the kloof far below.' While I spoke the ground slipped from under me. I caught hold of a bush, but it broke away, and I went down, down. I said, 'Utiluan, if the water is deep you still live; if you fall on the hard rocks you will be crushed and die.' I plunged into the deep water. The waves went over my head. I touched the bottom lightly with my feet, and then I rose above the water. I looked about, and saw the hard rocky krantz over my head. I said, ' I-i-i,' for I thought I should have seen the light no more. I knew the water, and was accustomed to swim. I pulled off the bit of my kaross that still hung round my neck-for most of it was dangling on the rocks-and swam to the other side of the river. Then I walked all down the river bank till I could find a ford, or smooth water. I walked two miles, and then I knew by the curling of the water that there was no krantz on the other side. I swam across, and climbed up through the bush. Then I heard you shout and came to you."

If you hold the horse," answered Utiluan, "I will see if I can find the spoor;" and as Robert took the rein, the Kafir dived, head downwards, into the thick fog, hunting, like a dog, from right to left, and in half a minute was lost to sight. Every now and then the young men gave a shout, to know in which direction he was gone, and for some time Utiluan shouted in reply. At last they heard a sudden cry, followed by instant silence. They shouted-no reply; again, and againstill the dead silence of a foggy evening, without a breath of wind. What was to be done? Darkness would in a few minutes be added to the fog; the sun was down, and twilight is very short in Kaffraria. They were on high table-land; huge krantzes (i. e., perpendicular precipices of ironstone or granite) business there?" might be within a few yards of them in any "Perhaps I have," returned his friend. "I direction. Accustomed, as they were, to the can guess pretty well what you want at Gra-Karroo, they knew well enough that they did hamstown. Your house is finished now, and not possess the instinct of the natives; besides "Nothing is to be done," replied the Kafir, you want to furnish it-better than ever you which, the country on which they had entered" till daylight comes. We must stay where we have furnished house before," he added, mis- was wilder and more abrupt than they were are all night. It is not safe to move." chievously; and then more seriously, "Happy accustomed to. There was scarcely a doubt In a few minutes the horses were off-saddled. fellow you are, to know you have the faithful in their minds that poor Utiluan had fallen love of a good girl like Maria. Now, listen down a krantz; and if his acute eyesight, to my confession; I would not plague you cautious step, and whip-cord muscles had with it till you were quite yourself again: failed to preserve him from danger, what You remember when I robbed the crocodile chance had they? No, there was nothing for

"Of course I will," replied Chard, laughing. "I was on the point of proposing it myself."

"Why?" asked Robert. "Have you any

"Well, my boy," answered his master, kindly, " we are glad to see you back, alive and sound in limb. Now tell what you think is to be done."

As the wind had sprung up after sun down, they chose the most sheltered spot they could find under the lee side of the bush, and, with their saddles reversed as pillows, keeping their heads most effectually warm, the two young men,

HARRY'S TRIALS.

FOUNDED ON FACT.

ON THE NORTH OF ENGLAND there is a town called Middlesdale. Some forty years ago, it had very few inhabitants; but the discovery of iron has filled it with people from all parts of the kingdom. In this town and neighbourhood are large numbers of iron-works and furnaces, under the management of different firms, none of which have such a reputation as the works of Messrs. Slubber and Blow. It is said that over a thousand men are employed on those works; and truly, to look at them as they teem from the sheds at twelve and six for their meals, you would declare the report to be true. The men at some of the Middlesdale works are sad characters, but at the works of Messrs. Slubber and Blow there are order, regularity, temperance and religion. Once upon a time, they were as bad as the rest, and I want to show you the reason of the improvement.

Now, dear reader, just come and take a walk with me-it is a fine, bright, frosty day, and a little exercise will do us good. Let us go through that long, straggling street, to the suburbs of Middlesdale. We will take our stand upon the bridge over which the harbour line of railway runs; keep clear of the trains, and just look in that direction. You

see those dirty brick buildings, stretching their smoky limbs out as if they were tired? Well, there are the foundry works of Slubber and Blow. If you just cast your eye to the right but wait a moment, the bell is ringing, and it is twelve o'clock, the time for dinner.

And just look at what is above the mantelpiece.
That text of scripture was illuminated, framed,
and presented to Harry, by young Mrs. Blow,
to remind him of his long-kept resolve-" My
son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."
You wish to know Harry's history? Well,
come along, and as we are walking home I will
tell you.

You will have already guessed that Harry
is about forty years old. He was born at Fen-
field, a small village in the county of Cam-
bridge, where he lived for many years under
the guardianship of pious parents. He was
always a fine lad, and at the National School,
where he was educated, gained the good will of
all who were concerned in its management.
On the Sunday, too, if you went to church,
Harry's would be the sweetest voice you would
hear in the choir; and, as you witnessed the
deep feeling with which he entered into the
whole service-as you saw his clasped hands,
and upturned eyes, and the calm, peaceful
expression of his countenance, you would know
that you were in the presence of a loving child
of God. In due time Harry was put apprentice
to the village blacksmith, and no lad in the
country could do his work better than he. At

due season he was shown his sleeping-room, a large square chamber with five beds, all of which were to be occupied by the lodgers. When they were in their chamber Harry's companions were soon in bed; but he knelt down to pray, although, to confess the truth, for the first time in his life he felt ashamed to pray. Still the knees were bent, but as they touched the floor his companions set up a loud laugh, and jeered at him with infamous jokes until he arose in confusion and turned into his bed. Ah! Harry, if you had been faithful enough to bear the mockery of the scorner, and to pray on, you would have slept more peacefully then, and spared yourself many an after hour of pain and sorrow. Restlessly did he toss about on his hard bed all that night, longing for day, and as soon as the morning dawned he rose from his bed uneasy and sick at heart. And he left his chamber without praying-thus he went forth to his labour and trials unaided by the strength of God's grace.

Before Harry commenced his work for the day he was introduced to his employer-a Mr. Bark-a hard, stern man, who looked upon the 500 men he employed as so many machines, to be cared for only when working. Once he

was known to ask after the welfare of a man who had been scalded by the hot iron, but he never made such a mistake again. Harry's interview with Mr. Bark was short and to the point.

"Well, young man," said Mr. Bark," is your name Harry Thorne ?"

"Yes, sir," said Harry, politely touching his cap. "There, that'll do; none of that cant. Captouching

very well for your tyrannical country squires, but it won't do for

me. So you want employment. Glad you come with such a good character. Here,

sign these rules and then get to your work. Tom Hall will set you on."

other through that great, black gateway, laughing and joking, the age of eighteen he was induced by the and their grimy faces lit up with humour. offer of good wages to enter the service of a Ah! there is Harry Thorne-Apostle Harry firm in the iron trade, in the north of England. This was Harry's introduction to his work, they call him-his name used to be Soakey It was a sad day for Harry when he left his and with a heavy heart he joined the comHarry, because he was almost always soaking native village, and as the train whirled him pany he was to be with. "Holloa!" said one, himself in drink. See how his mates are northward he felt an oppression at heart, and "here comes the saint." "Well, lad," said crowding about him, anxious for his company a boding sense of ill. At last he reached his another, "dost like prayer as well as beer?" as far as they go; and as it is rather cold destination. It was a dull, damp November "We'll ha' no canting humbugs here," said a standing here, and I want to tell you something night, when he knocked at the door of the third. At last the overlooker of the company of Harry, we will, if you please, follow him lodgings provided for him by the direction of approached him and said, laying his hand home. his employer. And what a night was that in kindly on Harry's shoulder, "My lad, if you Where am I taking you to, did you ask? doors as well as out! The fire was blazing wish to be at peace here, drop your religion." Wait a little, and you will see. These narrow brightly, and around it sat the master of the For several days Harry found that he was streets of houses certainly are dirty, but they house, his wife, and four men who proved to shunned by all the men, and was a mark for shelter many holy and humble men of heart. be lodgers. Harry was received by them with general ridicule, until his increasing skill in Here we are, however, close to the house where rough kindness, and a place was soon made for his work raised him in his employer's esteem, Harry lives. The door is open, let us peep in him by the fire, whilst the landlady brewed and compelled the respect of the men. Now as we pass. There he is, with a child on each him some tea. But Harry's ears were assailed he began to be as much courted as he was knee, telling them stories until that comely with such language-such brutal, coarse, shunned before, and Harry was undoubtedly looking wife of his has got the dinner ready. blasphemous language-as he had never heard the hero of the shops. This was his ruin. On How happy they all are." Isn't that a rose in before. At first he was shocked and sad, but one evil night, when the work was over, his a wilderness? How clean and well-furnished not having moral courage to reprove, the keen- mates crowded about him, and tried to perthe room is. The dinner table, too, is covered ness of his abhorrence wore off by degrees, suade him to go to the "Hammer and Anvil," with a snow-white cloth; and one could, as and soon he was able to hear God and man to have a drink before he went home. The you say, kiss those children with comfort. blasphemed without a blush of shame. In "Hammer and Anvil" was a public house

near Mr. Bark's works, which he had allowed on the ground as necessary for the refreshment of weary travellers (but how weary travellers ever found their way to a place reached only by a private road, antiquarians have not yet discovered.) It is, moreover, affirmed that old Mrs. Hardhead, the landlady, has made a vast sum of money by that public-house. Harry had always manfully resisted any temptation to enter, and resisted now, until John Hardcastle crossed the threshold of the house door, and, turning his head scornfully, exclaimed, "Oh, lads, let him alone; he's afraid of his mammy!" The reply which Harry gave to that was at once to enter the taproom, followed by a host of others. Swiftly the moments flew, louder swelled the voices of the drinkers, deeper sank the curses of the scoffer, song succeeded song, glass succeeded glass, and near the hour of midnight Harry might be seen staggering along, shouting and swearing the oaths he had learned since he left the home of his childhood. He had taken the first step to ruin.

6

heard that men were required at Middlesdale, light of a holy child. If so, let me tell him and he was.engaged with some others at good that his little one is resting on the breast of wages by Messrs. Slubber and Blow. In this the God-Man Jesus Christ-a breast far more firm there were three partners, two Messrs. loving than a parent's purest affections-and Slubber and a Mr. Blow. The former were that little one is saying to its father and father and son, and as they went down to their mother, its brothers and sisters, Come up work every morning, arm-in-arm, from their here, my Saviour loves you too, and bids you pretty iron house in the country every come and live with me.' Can you say no to pillar and plate of which had been cast such an invitation as that? Sir, I heard then in their own foundry-the passers-by would the voices of my three dead children calling to involuntarily turn off the footpath as ame, and saying, 'Father, come and live with token of respect. A good and holy man us here;' and I vowed that, by the help of was old Mr. Slubber-a good and holy man God's grace, I would leave my sins, do what was his son-and in this they were not alone. was right, and never rest until I had met my Mr. Blow and his young wife were patterns of children again in the home beyond the sky." Christian conduct, and they laboured hard for And he kept his resolve. He forsook the alethe welfare of their dependants. The firm house, gave up his evil companions, spent his employed a great number of hands, and when evenings at home, or at the news-room, attended Harry went amongst them these hands were Church twice every Sunday, and once in the sad, wicked set. He took the house you and week-day, with his wife, never turned his back I, dear reader, have just passed, and it was on the Lord's table, and never seemed weary noted by the neighbours that not a worse in well doing. By degrees, the gentle and household existed in all that street than Harry happy looks of old returned to Mary's face; Thorne's. the house was furnished with neat and useful On the morrow he feared to go to his Time went on-the mother and the three articles; two more children were born ; and no work, lest Mr. Bark should question him children were sickly and pale, but Harry loved house in all Middlesdale was more the abode about his bad conduct, and perhaps discharge them, and in all his evil conduct never once of love and peace than the house of Harry him. But his fears were needless, for one of treated them harshly. Not long after his set- Thorne. But you must not suppose that he that gentleman's maxims was, "What do I tlement there fever made its appearance, and on arrived at this happy condition all at once-it care so long as you do my work." Night one bright afternoon a procession of mourners came only after much prayer, and watchfulcame again, and again Harry might be seen preceded by a coffin covered with white, mightness, and self-denial. He often felt sorely staggering home, drunk and almost senseless. be seen moving from his house-his eldest tempted when he came near to the publicLower and lower down in vice he fell; evil child was dead. Just seven days after that house he used to frequent, "just to have a followed evil in quick succession; the strong another procession moved from the same house drink;" but he resisted manfully. He had also frame began to fail; the glow of health-the youngest born had gone away to God. much to put up with from his old companions. fled from his face; his eyes became red, his Just seven days after that the other child joined They left no means untried to make him give lips pale; and when a stranger passed that her sister spirits, and so with them it was all up "his canting ways," as they called themway he hardly ever failed to hear of Soakey well. So Harry stood by the grave side of his they teazed him, swore at him, coaxed him, Harry. last little one, and heard with a sort of dogged ridiculed him, and even threatened bodily silence the words of her long repose, he chastisement if he did not join their drinking started as if shot by an arrow-he turned bouts; but he was firm, and would not yield. pale-staggered-and fell across his loved For many a long day had he to endure the one's grave! What was it that produced such temptations of his old mates, and when they a strange result? Who had smitten our began to be quiet another trial assailed him friend that he fell to the earth? It was con- which was worse than all. His physical system science. As the minister in a full, deep-toned had become so habituated to drink for twelve voice, and with the great earnestness of prayer years, that when he would no longer gratify its said those words-"We meekly beseech thee, cravings, it broke down-he was cast upon a O Father, to raise us from the death of sin to bed of sickness; for days he was ravingthe life of righteousness; that, when we shall raving for drink; for days his life hung upon depart this life, we may rest in him, as our a thread-the strong man was bowed low; hope is this our sister doth." Harry's con- he was tasting the bitterness of sin. At length science awoke-the scales dropped from his the danger was past, and he slowly recovered. eyes-he saw the depth of his shame, and the As he lay for some weeks with gradually repunishment for his sin-and that night, the turning strength, he received grace which first time for twelve years, found Harry on his nerved him for all he would have to brave knees, and heard the language of sincere con- when he went to his work again, and passed fession and real repentance. And now the many a pleasant and profitable hour with the tide of his wickedness, which was fast flowing clergyman of the parish. There was one to the sea of perdition, began to ebb, and resolve Harry made when he was recovering, finally turned its course to the great sea of which was the key to all his after life. He God's boundless love. He became by degrees said, "God has made known to me the way a steady attendant at the neighbouring church, of life, and in gratitude for his goodness, I and it is very touching to hear his account of will spend the rest of my days in trying to his first visit to the house of God after an make known the same way to my fellow workabsence of twelve years. I will give you his men." And so he did. He tried with all his words as nearly as I can. heart to lead his former companions into good "You know, sir," Harry said to me, "when paths. You may be sure he had much oppoI lost my last child, God, whom I had neg-sition, but his patience, and meekness, and lected so long, taught me what a grievous sinner I was, and I prayed for grace to leave off my sins. The very next Sunday found me dressed as well as I was able, for Church; and Harry was now thirty years of age, when as I crossed the doorstep of the place I once one morning as he was going late to his work loved, all the old feelings came back, which I he met his mates all coming away. "What used to have when I sang in the choir at is the matter?" he asked. "The master's Fenfield. I sat down on a back seat, near a failed," was the reply. It was true. Mr. Bark little girl, whose modest conduct and devout had failed for the sum of 150,000l., and had manner taught me how much less in God's only 30,000l. to meet his debts. This was a sight I was than a little child. Ah, sir! didn't sad blow to Harry's prospects. What was he I sing the chants and the hymns! All came to do? Where could he get work? How was back to me as easy as if I had never left off he to find food for his wife and little ones all singing my Maker's praise. And never shall I through the winter, which had set in hard? forget the sermon! It was on Christ's love His answer was found in the deadly beer, and for children; and the clergyman used words a drunken revel till midnight. Day after day which made my flesh quiver, and the big tears went by-hunger and want and wretchedness run down my cheeks. I will tell you the words were doing their work-and Harry was fain to he used. He said: 'Perhaps I am speaking be sober for lack of money. At last he to some one who has lost from his home the

Now, although Harry had forgotten God, God had not forgotten him. His long-suffering mercy followed him through all the dark paths of misery, and prepared for him a way of escape. Harry had been three years in his situation when he met with a good and modest girl named Mary Gold, who exerted so beneficial an influence over him that he gave up his wicked habits, and seemed to be a reformed character. Mary would talk to him in such a winning and gentle voice that he not only lost his bad habits, but he lost his heart into the bargain, and one fine autumn morning found them on their road to church to be married. A meek and loving wife was Mary, and well she reclaimed her husband for a time from pleasure. Little, however, did she think that human influence is unavailing to burst the bonds of a bad habit, unless the grace of God is in the heart to aid it! If she had felt this she would not have wept so bitterly, and hung round her husband's neck, when about three months after their wedding day he was brought home upon a shutter, drunk and bruised and almost dead. Poor Mary! for nine long years did she endure the privations of her sad lot. One by one her little ornaments were sold to supply the necessaries of life; one by one the articles of furniture departed; her three children were in rags, her light step was gone, her gleesome heart was saddened; but no one had a rough word for that meek and uncomplaining

woman.

untiring energy, as well as his high character, won upon them at last. One by one they began to forsake the haunts of sin, one by one they found their way to church, until the men at Slubber and Blow's, many of them, became religious, and most of them steady and wellconducted. Mrs. Blow was anxious to do all she could for them. She visited their wives, made clothes for their children, started a sick club, aade the firm build a reading-room, backed Harry in his endeavours, and shed her loving influence over all with whom she came in contact. One day a new hand joined the works, and as she was passing asked his mate who she was-"That's our angel," was the reply. "And who is that?" he asked again. "That's Apostle Harry."

Now, dear reader, I have reached the end of the walk, and the end of the story, and as we shake hands, let me give you a bit of parting

advice" If ever you really come to Middles-
dale, be sure and visit the works of Messrs.
Slubber and Blow. Good-bye."
R. A.

B

MURILLO,

THE SPANISH PAINTER.

unexpectedly regions that possess long-con- of the outline of the island, and of the nature
cealed and neglected wealth. In the hope, of its coasts and harbours. This we shall
however, that my reply to your inquiries may attempt to do by taking a rapid survey of its
contribute something to make it further known, whole shores, and noticing any particular
and attract some little notice towards our fine feature of the country as it presents itself in
island, I cheerfully set to work to afford all the our progress.
information in my power. For the history,
statistics, and other similar matters I have
been indebted partly to works already before
the public; and where I have relied upon
private and recent information, I have taken
care that the authority has been good. Having
myself visited many parts of the island, my
descriptions of scenery and other natural
characteristics of the country are drawn almost
wholly from personal observation.

ARTHOLOMEW STEPHEN MURILLO, one of the finest, if not the very finest, of Spanish painters, was born in 1613. He received his earliest lessons in art from his uncle Castillo, and afterwards profited by the instructions of the best masters his country could afford, and improved his style of painting by copying the In giving an account of Cape Breton, a pictures of Titiens, Rubens, and Vandyke. general outline of its features and position may But his beloved study was nature herself; and naturally be looked for. This cannot, however, he had a peculiar homely pleasure in painting be well obtained without an inspection of the beggar boys and country peasants. His map, where it will be found that it constitutes highest powers he devoted to religious subjects, the north-eastern extremity of Nova Scotia, of but in his leisure hours he found his amuse- which province it is politically a part, although ment on the road-side or in the fields, sketch-separated from it by the narrow strait of ing the quaint figures that came in his way. Causo. It is about one-third of the size of Mr. Kearney has happily illustrated this Nova Scotia proper; and, generally speaking, peculiarity of the great painter (see woodcut). its soil and climate are very similar. Running Here we see him in his peaked Spanish hat, up towards the north-east into the Gulf of St. pencil in hand, sketching a boy and girl whom Lawrence, it lies between 45 deg. and 47 deg. he has found lounging by the steps of some of north latitude and between 59 deg. and foot-path in the outskirts of the city. The 61 deg. of west longitude. These boundaries principal figure in Mr. Kearney's picture is the take in three remarkable islands situated at Spanish lady with her veil and comb, return- opposite and extreme points of its shoresing apparently from the market, followed by St. Paul's at the north, Scatari at the east, and her servant with fruit and vegetables. Watch- Isle Madame at the west. The greatest length ing with interest as she passes the painter's of the island is usually given as 100 miles, and occupation, she is evidently unperceived. He its breadth 80. But the whole conformation is far too intent upon his subject to have any glances to spare for bye-passers. Altogether it is about as pretty a group as one would wish to see, and gives one a very pleasant idea of Spanish manners, scenery, and costume.

CAPE BRETON.

LETTERS TO A FRIEND.
No. II.

The whole circuit of the shores of Cape Breton may be stated as comprising about 275 miles. If we commence, then, from the extreme northern point of the island which is called Cape North, we shall first pass the broad and open inlet of Aspy Bay, indenting the north-eastern extremity of what has been called the upper of the two natural divisions of Cape Breton, consisting of very high rocky land towards the centre, and composed of what is termed granite "sienite," and thinly covered with soil, which, however, is considered productive. At "White Point," which is nearly the western extremity of this extensive bay, has long been established a prosperous fishery, which gives activity and bustle to that remote quarter of the island; at least, during the summer months. This is situated about ten miles from Cape North. Proceeding along the eastern shores of this great division of Cape Breton, upon whose elevated and rugged cliffs the Atlantic beats with unobstructed fury, and where little shelter is afforded to ships overtaken in a storm, you arrive at the splendid harbour of St. Anne's, distant about 30 miles from the last-named point. Port Dolphin was the original name of this harbour, given to it by the French, who, in the early occupation of the country, marked this out for the capital of the island; but afterwards, discovering it to be inaccessible to of it is very peculiar; and it is so intersected navigation for a certain portion of the year, by water through the greatest part, that in on account of the ice, they exchanged it for looking at it upon the map, it presents the Louisburg. After rounding Cape Dolphin, appearance of a number of long narrow islands which forms the eastern point of St. Anne's placed side by side, instead of one connected harbour, a long narrow opening presents surface of country. There is, however, actually itself, in width about one mile, and reaching but one main island of any size in the interior: about 25 or 39 miles into the interior, where the rest of the country, although cut up by it expands into various lake-like sheets of long channels and inlets of the sea, lakes, water, extending itself in various directions and tortuous pieces of water, hangs together for many miles, in the shape of bays and throughout its whole extent: yet in one spot broad winding channels. In conjunction with towards the west it is only prevented, by a the water of the Little Bras d'Or, which meets SHALL NOW proceed to comply narrow isthmus of a few miles, from being it here, it passes in one direction through a with a request made by you some time separated into two large islands. It may, how-narrow channel, and forms the inland sea ago, that I would furnish you with an ever, be said to be distinguished by nature into called Bras d'Or Lake, which is so conspicuous account of the Island of Cape Breton. As I two grand divisions, marked by different a geographical feature of Cape Breton. The reside here myself I shall not have much diffi- features, and easily discerned by the eye, when entrance of this strait from the Atlantic was culty in collecting such information respecting glancing upon the map. once distinguished by a much more active and it as may be interesting and correct; and also The north-western portion of the island-bustling scene than it now exhibits. A prosperof giving such descriptions of the country as which comprises its longest extent-runs up ous establishment once carried on a fishery upon will enable you to judge of its general character from the extremity of Nova Scotia towards the this coast, and even engaged in ship-building, and importance. It not unfrequently happens shores of Newfoundland, in a north-easterly with a view to the British market. that countries possessing great resources and direction, for about 100 miles, and terminates attractions remain long in a state of obscurity at Cape North, with St. Paul's Island standing and neglect before the public eye is turned about 10 miles off in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. towards them, and the fostering hand of enter- This upper division of Cape Breton consists of prise and capital are enlisted for the develop- a longitudinal extent of country almost entirely ment of their hidden riches. Such has been unbroken by intersecting waters, and presenting the case with New Zealand and California, and a surface of elevated land, sometimes rising even of Australia, and in a more remarkable almost to mountains, in many parts rugged degree with British Columbia. The rapid and wild, but containing a large portion of growth and prosperity of these colonies within highly productive soil. The other or lower the last twenty or thirty years, and of the last division of the island is much more level, much more recently, is truly wonderful when although abounding in undulating land and compared with the tardy state of their previous many high ranges of hill, but is cut up into advancement. And it can unquestionably be long strips by inlets of the sea from the said of Cape Breton, that, when its natural north-east, and by the branching arms of a advantages and geographical position are con- large salt-water lake situated near its western sidered, it seems difficult to account for its extremity. As these various channels afford backward state, and the manner in which it is the opportunity of easy water communication passed by by the tide of modern enterprise and with almost every part of this portion of the research. In the present age, when practical island, it is not difficult to understand that at science is so unremitting in exploring new some future day, in a country abounding with sources of wealth and improvement, and when mineral wealth and fine timber, as ell as fertile From the entrance of the strait of Little a quicker communication between distant coun- soil, these natural canals may be made the Bras d'Or, about 10 miles further along the tries is so much sought for, the comparative roads of commercial enterprise and prosperity. north-eastern coast of Cape Breton, the broad neglect of this valuable island appears mar- The above description may assist in giving estuary of Spanish River (now called Sydney vellous. At the same time, from what is some general idea of the surface of the harbour) opens upon the Atlantic. At its often exhibited in other quarters of the world, country, leaving further detail of the interior mouth it has a width of 3 or 4 miles, and we should not be surprised at it; and must to be afterwards supplied, when we come to runs up into the interior to the distance of only wait for that due time to come, which, in speak more particularly of its various sections. 15 or 18 miles, in a south-westerly direction, the mysterious course of civilisation, visits We may proceed now to form some conception in two branches, called the north-west and

MY DEAR FRIEND,

This

flourishing state of things has, however, now sensibly declined. Saying nothing more for the present, then, of this large strait and its shores, we pass round the eastern extremity of a long narrow island called Bouladeries, from 25 to 30 miles long, which separates the two channels of the Little and Great Bras d'Or. This channel differs but little from the one already described, except that it is narrower in its first portion, and almost double the width for some miles before its junction with the twin channel. Upon this strait many fine and picturesque views are afforded to the traveller as he steams up this beautiful sheet of water, bordered on either side by high bold land, and indented in many directions by wooded inlets, and varied in other places by islands of romantic appearance. The entrance of this strait, however, is very narrow, and being obstructed by a bar, affords no inlet for navigation to any but small vessels.