THE OLIO; OR, MUSEUM OF ENTERTAINMENT. "A just image of human nature, representing its humours, and the changes JOSEPH SHACKELL, 15, WINE OFFICE COURT, FLEET STREET. MDCCCXXXII PREFACE. IN présenting to our Friends the EIGHTH Volume of the "OLIO," but little can be added to what has already been addressed on similar occasions. When last we had the pleasure of saying a few words to our readers, it will be remembered that we promised to be unceasing in our endeavours to increase both the literary and graphic merits of the work, a promise which we flatter ourselves has been faithfully performed, totally regardless of labour or expense. Without deviating from the path of truth, we may be allowed to say, that the literature of the present Volume is not inferior to its predecessors. In Original Articles, it will be found extremely rich, and it is hoped that, in all its varieties, no paucity of interest or information is any where observable. To those authors whose genius and talent have lent a charm to the pages of the OLIO, we take this opportunity of returning our grateful thanks for their valuable assistance; and, at the same time, express our regret that want of room has compelled us to postpone many articles which we have been desirous of giving insertion :-early in the next Volume the corps-de-reserve shall be brought into active service. One prominent and distinguishing feature of our work has been its illustrations, and to the improvement of that in the present Volume, we have devoted our best attention in many instances, the size of the Engravings has been increased at considerable cost, and in no instance, we trust, have they been deteriorated in beauty or effect. Nothing now remains for us to add, but that we shall consult every fresh source of novelty and interest to improve our miscellany in all its departments, and render it more deserving of public favour. December, 1831. Illustrated Article. THE VALE OF CORRIEWATER. For the Olio. BEFORE Commencing the following tale, it has been judged necessary to prefix a few remarks in explanation of those incidents which the reader might otherwise consider as both improbable and unnatural. In no reign, not even in that of the ruthless Mary, was religious persecution carried to such a height, as in those of Charles and James II. The names of Claverhouse and Dalzel are still spoken of to this day with dread and horror, by the peasantry of Scotland and the northern extremity of England. The officers and soldiery were not slow in emulating the cruel example of their commanders; and the poor persecuted Covenanters, or whigs, as they were termed in derision, were hunted and shot down like beasts of the forest; to be suspected even of following that persuasion, afforded a pretext for exercising the greatest cruelties upon the unoffending peasants, VOL. VIII. A neither sex nor age being spared by the merciless soldiers. But these enormities were not always practised with impunity on the Covenanters ; driven to desperation, they often burst from their hiding-places on their enemies, like the tiger springing from his lair, taking a bloody revenge on their persecutors, whenever the opportunity for so doing occurred. At length the expulsion of the Stuarts from the throne, happily, put an end to the disturbed state of Scotland, the religious persecutions ceasing entirely under the tolerant sway of the phlegmatic William. The last rays of the set ing sun were gilding the heathy sides of the romantic vale of Corrie water; the river from which the valley takes its name lay still and calm, without a ripple to disturb its glassy surface, reflecting in its clear waters the grand and picturesque scenery by which it is surrounded. The leafy glades of the ancient Galwegian forest, which lines for some space the banks of Corrie, scarcely stirred; even the quivering branches of the aspen 197 |