Wednesday, Nov. 23.

St. Clement, pope and mart. A. D. 100. Iligh Water 10m after 4 Mor.-33m after 4 Aftern. Plott, in his history of Staffordshire, describing a Clog Almanack, says, "A pot is marked against the 23rd of November, for the feast of St. Clement, from the ancient custom of going about that night to beg drink to make merry with.

23rd Nov. 1552.-Ancient Punishment of Fornicators and Adulterers.-As early as the year 1383, being the seventh of Richard the Second, persons found guilty of incontinence in the city, were imprisoned in the Tunne (a jail in Cornhill) by the Court of Aldermen, and before they were liberated they were exposed with some ceremony through the city. The disgraceful parade attending the punishment will be seen from the following extract:--" Proceedings of the Court of Aldermen, (under the above date). Item, it was orderyd and agryed, that Sir Thomas Sowdeley, clerk, who did not deny, but playneley confess this day in the full corte, that he hath kept and viciously and carnally used an harlot in his howse a long tyme, namynge her to be hys wyfe, shall to-morrowe be caryed abowte the cytie in a carte, with a ray hoode on hys heade, a whyte rode in his hande, and basons and pannes ryng. inge before bym, according to the lawes and ancient customes of this cytie in such case made and provyded and used."

Thursday, Nov. 24.

permitted, by the privileges of the season, to increase and participate his happineis. It is now that the husbandman is repaid for his former risk and anxiety,-that, having waited patiently for the coming harvest, he builds up his sheaves, loads his waggons, and replenishes his barns." It is now that men of study and literary pursuit are admonished of the best season for the pursuits of literature, and the suug fire-side, in an armedchair, during a long winter's evening, with an entertaining book, is a pleasure by no means to be despised. There is something, too, very pleasing in the festivals which are now approaching, and which preserve the recollections of the oldentime.

Saturday, Nov. 26.

-

St. Peter, bishop and martyr. Sun rises 50m after 7 ·Sets 10m after 4. Nov. 26, 1703.-To-day began the tremendous wind, attended with lightning, so memorable for the extent of its mischief among shipping: it uncovered the roofs of many houses and churches; blew down the spires of several steeples' and chimuies: tore whole groves of trees up by the roots. The leads of some churches were rolled up like scrolls of parchment, and several vessels, boats, and barges were sunk in the river Thames; but the royal navy sustained the greatest damage, being just returned from the Streights. Four third-rates, one second-rate, four fourth-rates, and many others of less force, were cast away upon the coast of England, and above fifteen hundred

A. D. 851.

Sun rises 48m after 7-sets 12m after 4. The following Sonnet is well addressed to St. Flora at this season :

Flower of nectar odours, pride of Spain,

Beautie's unvarnished essence, saintlie mayde, Before whose form all earth-born flowers fade, And, blushing, let their petals fall again: How rightly art thou named from the train

Of fragrant crops that catch the morning dew; Thou the chaste Snowdrop's whiteness without stain,

Mixt with the Harebell's deeply purpling blue. Thy care in Spring, wise maid, was to bedew The garden of the soul with heavenly grace, Weeting that all that's earthly weuds apace, Into the dark abyss of death and rue. Well didst thou weave thy crown for that blest place,

Where Virtue's flowers ever keep their hue.

Friday, Nov. 25.

St. Catherine, vir. A. D. 305. High Water, 49m aft 5 Mor-16m aft 6 After. "It is now," observes a pleasing writer, " that the labourer is about to enjoy a temporary mitigation of the season's toil. His little store of Winter provision having been hardly earned and safely lodged, his countenance brightens, and his heart warms, with the anticipation of Winter's comforts. As the day shortens, and the hours of darkness increase, the domestic affections are awakened anew by a closer and more lengthened converse; the father is now once more in the midst of his family; the child is now once more on the knee of its parent; and she, in whose comfort his heart is principally interested, is again

merchant-ships. The loss which London alone sustained was computed at one million sterling. and the city of Bristol lost to the amount of 200,0007. Among the persons who were drowned, was Rear Admiral Beaumont.

Lessons for the Day.-Proverbs, 17 chap. Morning Proverbs, 19 ch. Evening.

London Fogs.-" In a well-mixed metropolitan fog, there is something substantial and satisfying. You can feel what you breathe, and see it too. It is like breathing water-as we may fancy the fishes to do. And then the taste of it, when dashed with a fine seasoning of sea-coal-smoke, is far from insipid. It is also meat and drink at the same time; something between egg-flip and omelette soufflee, but much more digestable than either. Not that I would recommend it medicinally-especially to persons of greasy stomachs, delicate nerves, and afflicted with bile. But for persons of a good robust habit of body, and not dainty withal, (which such, by the bye, never are,) there is nothing better in its way. And it wraps you all round like a cloak, too-a patent waterproof one, which no rain ever penetrated.

"No-I maintain that a real London fog is a thing not to be sneezed at-if you can help it.

"Mem. As many spurious imitations of the above are abroad,-such as Scotch mists and the like, which are no less deleterious than disagreeable,-please to ask for the True London Partilar,' as manufactured by Thames, Coal-gas, Smoke, Steam, and Co. No others are genuine." C. Lamb.

regard." The brow of the Prime Minister of Sweden darkened.

"And pray, who is the favoured

OR, THE

RIVAL SUITORS.

"SHOULD you like to be a queen, Christina ?" said Count Piper, in a tone of affected carelessness, to his beautiful young daughter, who was reclining upon a couch, nursing a lap-dog.

Queen of Hearts," said the petite Venus, without raising her head. "That empire is your own already," returned the politician.

"Then I have no ambition to extend my dominions. I have more subjects, at present, than I well know how to manage."

"How! I was not aware, madam, that you had lovers. Surely you are too prudent to encourage their addresses."

"Indeed! I am not so obligingly grateful for homage which I consider as my due. There is only one man in the world for whom I feel the least tender VOL. VIII.

X

enchantingly simple, and redoubled the caresses she was bestowing upon her dog. The Count repeated the question.

"My cousin Adolphus Von Hesse." "You have not been so foolish as to fall in love with that boy?"

"Boy, indeed! No, I walked into love with him; for I cannot remember the day when he first appeared lovely in my eyes.

"Nonsense! You have been brought up together. 'Tis a mere sisterly regard."

"I should be very sorry if Adolphus were my brother."

"But the youth is portionless;-has no other maintenance than his commission and my bounty."

"He is handsome and brave; and, when I discovered that he had fine eyes, and that they spoke the most eloquent language in the world, I never examined the depth of his purse."

217

"My dear girl, you must forget him," said the Count, passing his arm tenderly round her waist.

"My dear sire, I don't mean to try. You are not indifferent to his amiable qualities, and love him yourself." "Not well enough to make him my heir."

"And you will not render us the happiest couple in the world?" said Christina, her fine eyes sparkling like sapphires through her tears.

"Christina, you have been a spoilt child. I have given you too much your own way, and now you demand impossibilities. You are not old enough to choose a hushand for yourself. Be a good girl, and your aunt shall introduce you at court; and then you will see our brave young King."

"The rude monster! I have no wish to see him, Besides, he hates women."

""Tis a libel. He is in love with you."

"With me! I never saw him in my

life."

say?"

"You do not care for the opinion of a rude monster, and a womanhater ?"

"Ah, but he is a king. What did he say?" But the Count was determined to keep the secret; and no coaxing, in which feminine art the little flirt was a perfect adept, could wheedle it out of him.

"Christina, I shall bring an officer home to sup with me: you must treat him with respect, as I intend him for your husband.”

"But I will never have him," said Christina, laughing, as the Count left the room. "If I do not marry my soldier, I will die a maid."

"Bravely resolved, sweetheart," cried Von Hesse, stepping from behind the arras. "It is worth playing at hide and seek, to hear you advocate a cause so hopeless as mine."

"Hopeless!-why the battle is halfwon. My father's anger is like the dew upon the grass, which the first sunny smile evaporates. Prythee, do not sigh, and fold your arms, and look so sentimentally solemn. Love will pay the piper, and we shall yet dance to a merry tune."

"You suffer hope to deceive you, Christina. I know your father better. Ah, Christina! you will not be able to refuse the magnificent bribe he will

offer in exchange for the warm heart and devoted attachment of your cousin."

"I perceive that you are determined that I shall increase the list of faithless lovers," said Christina, pouting, "in spite of the late convincing proof you so treacherously obtained of my constancy."

"Dearest love, you mistake my meaning. Dry these tears, Christina : I am not Stoic enough to withstand such eloquence."

"Why did you cause them to flow?" said Christina, still sobbing. "Was it merely to indulge in the levity of kissing them away; or were you jealous of some imaginary rival? What think you of that antidote to the tender emotions of the heart, Count Ericson ?" "Ah, Christina ?

"Why that sigh, Adolphus?" "Your father will introduce to you, to-night, a new lover, and I—I shall be forgotten."

"You deserve the fate you anticipate, for entertaining these unjust suspicions. But, you are a man-and I forgive you."

"Then you really love me, Christina?"

"Am I to tell you so a hundred times! You must be tired of the repetition of that word."

"On the contrary, 'tis ever new to me."

"We love each other," said, Christina; "but my father will not, at present, give his consent to our union; and we must wait patiently till he does."

"And if that period should not arrive?"

"Never fear."

"But, Christina, I do fear." "Our happiness would not be increased by an act of disobedience."

"I thought as much, Christina; you have grown very prudent."

"I cannot break my father's heart." "But mine?"

Adolphus, if I am not your's with my father's consent, I will never wed another. But he is so kind--so good I am his only child. No, no-I cannot disobey him."

The young soldier frowned, and walked several times hastily across the room, at every turn stopping to contemplate the fair tyrant who held his heart in her chains. Christina was trying to look grave; but the roguish dimples, which gave such a charm to her rosy mouth, were ready to expand,

upon the first provocation, into a hearty laugh. It was impossible for the little beauty to look sad for two minutes together. Von Hesse was in no laughing mood. He was in the very heroics of love; and his distorted fancy magnified the reasonable impediments to his union with Christina into mountains, guarded by those hope-extinguishing monsters, ambition and avarice. Ignorant of her father's designs, and firmly confiding in his parental love, Christina saw no difficulty in the matter; and she was greatly diverted by the perplexed and jealous askances of her lover. Von Hesse was out of humour. He dared not complain of Christina's coldness; and he, therefore, endeavoured to draw upon her compassion by railing at himself.

"Christina, I have suffered a fatal passion to mislead me. I will not repay the debt of gratitude I owe your father by robbing him of his child. Farewell, Christina. I go to join my regiment. Should I fall in battle, sometimes think of Von Hesse." His voice faltered the tears rushed into Christina's eyes-Von Hesse was at her feet. All his magnanimous resolutions vanished; and the lovers parted more enamoured with each other than ever.

If Adolphus was inclined to despair of the success of his suit, Christina, on the other hand, was too sanguine in believing that small opposition would be made to her wishes. The influence she maintained over her father was great; but it was not without limitation. She reigned an absolute queen over his household. Her comfort, her taste, and her inclinations, were consulted in every thing; but her power extended no further. To Christina politics were a forbidden subject: the Count suffered no female interference in state affairs. But, latterly, he had retailed much of the court news to his daughter, and was always eulogising the young Monarch, whose favourite he had the good fortune to be, and who was daily heaping upon him fresh marks of his affection and esteem. This brave prince, whose eccentricities had filled all Europe with astonishment, had been introduced, incognito, to Christina, and, in spite of his professed antipathy to the sex, was secretly among the train of her admirers; a circumstance which gratified the pride, and called forth all the ambitious hopes, of her father. Nor was it unreasonable for the politician to suppose, that the youth who had commenced his reign by crowning himself,

and beating the united forces of Denmark, Saxony, and Russia, would scrupulously consult the etiquette of courts, in the choice of a wife. In his charming daughter, Count Piper thought he beheld the future Queen of Sweden.

The hint which he had dropped about the young King's admiration of her personal charms, did not fail to make an impression upon the lively Christina. She knew she was beautiful; and the agreeable consciousness of the fact was displayed with such natural ease and gaiety, that what would have appeared absurd in another female, increased the attractions of Christina. Fond of admiration, she was pleased with those gallant attentions from the other sex which all women secretly love to receive. Her attachment to Von Hesse was steady and sincere; but she thought it no treason against the sovereignty of love to appear as agreeable as she could in the eyes of all men.

She received their homage as a matter of course; but it was only when Adolphus approached that her voice became tremulous, the brilliancy of her eyes softened, and her heart beat with reciprocal tenderness. Christina would not have died for love; but she would have retained through life a painful impression of the lost object of her early affections.

In spite of her lover's jealous fears, the spirit of coquetry induced her to bestow an extra ten minutes on the business of the toilette; and, when she entered the hall, where supper was prepared, for her father and his solitary guest, with unusual magnificence, she looked perfectly captivating. The stranger advanced to meet her, and, in an awkward and constrained manner, led her to her seat at the head of the table. Great was Chris' ina's disappointment in recognizing, in her new lover, an old familiar face. Ericson!" she muttered to herself: "what does my father mean by introducing such a dull wooer to me?"

"Count

And who was Count Ericson? Patience, gentle reader:-a tall, raw-boned youth, in a captain's uniform, with large blue eyes, a high aquiline nose, ruddy cheeks, and yellow curling hair; slovenly in his dress, ungraceful in all his movements, and so blunt and uncourteous in conversation, that he had long been Christina's butt and aversion. For some weeks past, this half-grown man had been a constant visitor at her father's table, with whom he was often closeted for hours. Christina, out of