brain; although in the very looks of the different speakers, there was a fear betrayed, that ill accorded with their words, manifesting the general apprehension that something tragical was to be dreaded. At last a confused noise seemed to arise from the under apartments of the castle; mutterings, and broken sentences, and half-suppressed exclamations, were heard on the great stairs and in the passages. The name of Sir Charles was frequently repeated by different voices. The more anxious of the party tried to gain information by running to the windows. The flaring lights of torches were seen to hurry across the court-yard, where all seemed to be bustle and dismay. And then it was that the doleful sound of the bagpipe, playing a sad and wailing lament, came upon the ear from without the castle-gate. A slow, heavy, and measured tramp of many feet upon the drawbridge, told that a party of men were bearing some heavy weight across it. Unable longer to submit to the suspence in which they were held, the greater part of the females now rushed from the hall. A cry of horror was heard; and the mysterious anticipations of the gifted Lady Assynt were found to be, in truth, too dreadfully realized. Lord R, in the deepest affliction, told the sad tale, with all its circumstances. Though much pressed to remain, Sir Charles had resisted all the kind importunity of their host. Their homeward way lay across the ferry of The sudden squalls affecting such inland arms of the sea are too well known: one of these had assailed them in the middle of the loch, and had been productive of the melancholy catastrophe. Nor was the prophetic conclusion of the seer's vision left unaccomplished. There was no suspicion of Lady D's pregnancy at the time; but such proved to be the case, and, according to the prediction, the child was a son, who lived, the sole hope of an old and respectable family. T. L. D. ANECDOTE. An Indian meeting with a Bramin, asked him, "what is it that supports the world ?" "Ignorant fellow ! where do you come froin? it is an Elephant! The arrogance of philosophy has left you in uncertainty, and I tell you truth at once." The other thanked him as if he had received a benefit. MR. EDITOR. Poetry. If the following beautiful STANZAS from the fertile pen of the Author of the WANDERER in Ayrshire, be worth a place in your REPOSITORY, you will oblige me and some Ladies, by inserting them. I am, Sir, yours, &c. Ayr, April 6, 1818. ........ STANZAS, On calling at BH, after the Ladies had left it. Oh sad is this spot overhanging the AYR, Even Nature partakes of the sorrows of care, All lonely the bowers, which lately she grac'd, And grateful I hear them through scenes often trac'd Oh! dear to my soul is the sorrowful flow And welcome each feeling that raises a throe, And sweet the reflection that brings to my view, But cease my fond thoughts, nor ambition pursue- In the woods, all alone, give thy griefs to the wind, By beauty possess'd--and, when this is design'd, Yes hope for the soul to which hope is not given, In the scale of creation-an outcast of Heaven, F. R. But I, blest with Hope, through her garden will range, Like a sage will I solace the sorrowful change, H. C. December, 1817. ཨ་་་་་་་ SONG. 'Tis now the hour when blushing day, One doubtful smile is yet revealing- And hark! the twilight minstrel now To youthful fancy's dreaming given ! MONTHLY REGISTER. BRITISH COMPENDIUM, An attempt similar in design to that which terminated the valuable life of Mr. Perceval, but which, fortunately, was productive of no fatal consequences, has been made upon Lord Palmerston. On Monday the 6th inst. as his Lordship was proceeding to his office, at the Horse Guards, and while ascending the staircase, he was fired at by a man who had concealed himself behind the entrance door. The ball took an oblique direction, and most luckily did no further harm than that of tearing his Lordship's coat, and slightly grazing his shoulder. The perpetrator was instantly secured, and proved to be a half-pay Lieutenant of the name of Davis. He is suspected of being insane. The only motive which could have induced him to this diabolical act, is a supposed neglect of some claim which he had preferred, and to which, it is understood, his Lordship, in his official capacity, had paid every attention. Davis was committed to prison, until a further investigation of the matter took place. men. The financial plan of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for the year, has been submitted to Parliament. It is unnecessary, in this place, to recapitulate the details of the Right Hon. GentleIt is sufficient to observe that only seven millions of revenue are available for the public service of the year, and that 14 millions are further required to meet the whole expenditure. This deficit is to be met by Exchequer Bills, and the interest and charges, amounting to L.1,625,520, defrayed by the produce of the sinking fund. The present deplorable state of Ireland has come under the consderation of Parliament in different ways.-A motion for the abolition of the oppressive window tax in that country, has drawn from the Chancellor of the Exchequer an acknowledgement of his intention to take 25 per cent. from the aggregate of that duty, making the reduction greatest where the severity is felt in the highest degree. And, on the motion of Sir John Newport, a select Committee was appointed to enquire into the origin and existing state of the Fever in Ireland. Mr. Peel, in the course of the discussion, stated that the disease was attributable to the extreme poverty of the lower orders, the consequent inferiority and scantiness of their fare, aggravated by the humidity of the season and scarcity of fuel. The extensive prevalence of the contagion, to which the above circumstances acted as pre-disposing causes, he imputed to peculiar customs of the country; the hospitality with which the tribe of wandering beggers, a numerous race, was treated, and the assembling of great crowds in the performance of funeral ceremonies. From all accounts, the distress in the sister kingdom appears to have been unprecedented, but, from the statement of Mr. Vansittart, a gradual amelioration seems to have commenced, which, aided by such measures as the legislature may deem it proper to adopt with that view, will, we trust, effect a speedy relief from the afflictions under which it has laboured. MISCELLANEOUS OCCURRENCES. It is said, in a private letter from Rome, that Sir John Cox Hippisley has caused an engraving to be made of the veil of Mary Stuart, which Cardinal York left him as a legacy. The print merely exhibits a reticulated tissue, like those used by ladies in their embroidery of tapestry. In the corner is the emblem of the Jesuits (I. H. S.), and a border with eagles. The inscription imports, that the unhappy Queen was covered with this veil when she was beheaded. The veil is of white silk, embroidered with gold. The plate has round it a Latin inscripion, of which the following is a translation :-"The veil of the martyr Mary, Queen of Scotland and France, which she wore when she was unjustly put to death by heretics in the year of salvation 1586; preserved for a long time with religious veneration by a noble lady of England, and at last devoted to God, being consecrated by the Society of Jesus." At Ayr, on the 23d inst. the foundation stone of the County Court House, Jail, and other public buildings, was laid by Alexander Hamilton, Esq. of Grange. The procession was respectably attended. There were present the Right Hon. Lord Lieutenant of the County, the Commissioners named and appointed by the Act, the Magistrates and Town Council of Ayr, &c. Mr. Hamilton of Grange, Grand Provincial Master, delivered an eloquent speech. After which the Rev. James Henderson, of Irvine, gave an appropriate prayer. The whole ceremony closed with three cheers from the united assembly. For the erection of these buildings, 27,000l. are provided by the Act of Parliament. On the 19th inst. off Cardill Point, about 14 miles from Campbelltown, a large whale was discovered about mid channel. Mr Camp bell of Cardill, immediately got four boats manned and armed with every offensive weapon they could muster, (himself accompanying the expedition.)-As they approached, the peaceful arctic wanderer lay slumbering on the ocean, and appeared to be in a weakened condition, which created a belief that it would prove an easy conquest but on coming to close quarters, and probing it with their weapons, it evinced a powerful activity, instantly plunged, and made considerable play, placing the assailants in imminent danger. Notwithstanding the hazard, they continued the pursuit, and finally succeeded in towing it into Port Ree, at Cardill. It measures 94 feet in length, and 56 in circumference. A curious dispute has arisen respecting the possession of the remains of the venerated patriot, General Kosciusko. The Prince Tablonowsky arrived at Soleure on the 16th ult. in order to claim the body, for the purpose of its receiving funeral honours in Poland, when the General's executor unexpectedly protested against the removal, alleging that Kosciusko had expressly desired to be buried with simplicity, and had chosen Switzerland for the interment of his remains. REMARKABLE OCCURRENCE.-The Rev. Mr. Gould, late Rector of Axbridge, a town in Somersetshire, had in the earlier part of his life been preaching the doctrine of the new birth, in such forcible language, as to give offence to three neighbouring Clergymen, in so much, that they lodged a complaint against him with the Bishop, who appointed a day for the private hearing of all parties at the palace. The first fell sick, and died in a fortnight; the second waited on the third to acquaint him with the misfortune, and, as he was returning home, received a particular injury from a sudden jolt of his horse, of which he died in a week; the third persisted in attending the Bishop, but, before he came to Wells, his horse threw him and broke his neck. Mr. Gould appeared alone, and the Bishop presented him to the Rectory of Axbridge, which he enjoyed for upwards of 30 years. Some time ago, Professor Jameson received from the rocky Mountains, in North America, two specimens of a remarkable quadruped, which is known in America under the name of the Rocky Mountain Sheep. On a particular examination, it proves to be a new species of a new genus, and apparently intermediate between the genera Capra and Antelope. It is covered with a white wool of uncommon fineness, and judges are of opinion, that it promises to be even more valu |