examine and touch up his new letters, was surveying them with downcast head, and more than ordinary minuteness, when 'ouder than ever came upon his ear the dreadful note-" hiss!" And now in truth he stood appalled. Fear had succeeded doubt, and terror and, strange to relate, actually kept the secret to the last moment of her existence. N. S. Morley, near Leeds, Yorkshire. Sun rises fear. He had profaned the morning of March 12. Day breaks the Sabbath, and he was commanded to desist or peradventure the sentence of death had been passed upon him, and he was how himself to be laid among— "Whole rows of kindred and acquaintance By far his juniors." With tottering gait, however, Peter now went home, and to bed; but sleep had forsaken him. His wife in vain interrogated him as to the nature of his indisposition. Every comfort that the good housewife could during the night think of was administered to no purpose. In the morning the good woman, happening to cast her eyes upon the great chair where Peter's wig was suspended, exclaimed with vehemence "Oh Peter! what hast thou been doing to burn all t'hair off one side of thy wig?"Ah! God bless thee," vociferated Peter, jumping out of bed, "thou hast cured me with that word." The mysterious "hiss," and "hush," were sounds from the frizzling of Peter's wig by the flame of his candle, which, to his imperfect sense of hearing, imported things "horrible an' awfu'." The discovery, and the tale, afforded Peter and the good people of merry Wakefield many a joke. I have heard the story related by so many old, respectable, and intelligent natives of the town who knew Peter well, that not a doubt can exist as to the fact. At all events I have no hesitation in subscribing my name to this paper, which may be worthy of a perusal on three grounds. First, as having never (that I know of) been published before; secondly, as being no fictitious tale; and, thirdly, as it may tend to dispel those idle fears and notions of which we have many remains. Wakefield has been the scene of many interesting adventures, which ought not to be lost through supineness and false notions. I have heard, on good authority, one of a lady, who had the craft to get acquainted with the Freemason's secret, but, being detected, was made a mason, sets Twilight ends Coltsfoot flowers by road-sides. March 13. March 13, 1661, Mr. Evelyn sets down in his diary," This afternoon, Prince Rupert shewed me with his own hand the new way of graving, called mezzotinto, which after ards I published in my 'Historory of Chaleography;' this set so many artists on work, that they soon arrived to that perfection that it is since come (to), emulating the tenderest miniatures." Prince Rupert was the inventor of the art of mezzotinto engraving. He is said to have taken the hint from observing a soidier scraping his rusty fusil. The invention is also claimed for Sir Christopher Wren, by whom it is certain that there is a black-moor's head. A MS. of Vertue's mentions a large head" something like mezzotinto," by an earlier hand, and refers to Sandrart's Lives of the Painters for another inventor of mezzotinto. The discovery is, however, generally awarded to Prince Rupert, whose first print is in the first edition of Evelyn's "Sculptura." A fine impression of this engraving by the Prince is valuable. Vaillant, the painter, who came into England with him soon after the restoration, assisted him considerably, and improved upon the invention. Prince Rupert's military eminence is well known. He was fond of philosophical experiments, and very ingenious. His glass drops are familiar to every schoolboy, although when he devised them they surprised the learned. Pepys writes in 1662, "Mr. Peter did show us the experiment (which I had heard talk of) of the chemical glasses, which break all to dust by breaking off a little small end; which is a great mystery to me." The Prince also invented a metal called by his name, in which cannon were cast; and he contrived a method of boring them, for which purpose a water-mill was erected at Hack:ney-marsh, which ruined the person en On the 14th of March, 1758, died, at the age of 75, the once celebrated and still remembered Marshal, General Wade, who commanded against the forces of the pretender, in 1715; and, having finished the contest, remained in Scotland as commander in chief. While holding that office his soldiers effected the famous military road through the Highlands, which tended more to the civilization of the country than all that the sovereigns before the reign of George I. ever effected. Its inconsiderable expense has caused no less wonder than a just admiration of his incorruptible integrity. He likewise built the noble bridge over the Tay. When Marshal Wade commanded as generalissimo of the English and Hanoverian forces, the English were greatly dissatisfied with him and the Duc d'Aremberg. These allied generals were severely censured in England, and became the ridicule of France, not only in private companies, but upon the stage, where they were introduced into farces and pantomimes. The Marshal introduced the bill into parliament which disarmed and changed the dress of the Highlanders. He was greatly attached to gaming, and not very choice of the company he piayed with. One night at the gaming table he missed a valuable gold snuff-box, richly set with diamonds. He insisted upon an immediate search, and that no person should leave the room until it was found. A gen Granger. tleman, who sat on his right, dressed as an officer, in clothes much worn, with great humility had asked and obtained permission, four or five times, to go his shilling with the marshal,-he with great vehemence declared, upon the honour of a soldier, that he had not the box, nor knew any thing of it, but that he would rather die than be searched : he was willing, however, to retire to the next room, and defend his honour, or perish in the attempt. The marshal, who before had his suspicions, was now confirmed in them, and, as the sword was to be referred to, instantly prepared for the attack; but, to his confusion, pocket. Stung with remorse at having in drawing, he felt the box in a secret wounded the honour of a soldier, he said, as he hastily left the room," Sir, I here, with great reason, ask your pardon; and hope to find it granted, by your breakfasting with me, and hereafter ranking me amongst your friends." At breakfast, the Marshal said, "Why, Sir, could you refuse being searched?" "Because, Marshal, being upon half-pay and friendless, I am obliged to husband every penny. I had, that day, little appetite; and as I could not eat what I had paid for, nor afford to lose it, the leg and wing of a fowl, with a manchet, were then wrapped up in a piece of paper in my pocket; the idea of these being found there appeared ten times more terrible than fighting the room round." 66 Enough, my dear boy," exclaimed Wade," you have said enough! your name. Let us dine at Sweet's tomorrow; we must prevent your being subjected again to such a dilemma." At Sweet's the Marshal presented him with a Captain's commission, and a purse to enable him to join the regiment.* Twilight ends 551 7 45 March 16. On a pane of glass, in the parlour window of the pleasant little road-side public-house called "the Plough," in Lord Dogs-tooth violet flowers in green- ship-lane, leading from West Peckham houses, and in warm situations. March 15. PALM SUNDAY Is the Sunday before Easter, and it may fall so early as on this day It is said in "Dives and Pauper, 1496," respecting the first commandant, " On to Sydenham, there is the following inscription : "March 16, 1810, "Thomas Mount Jones dined here, It is a question for discussion, whether, in the hero of this frail memorial, the love of distinction and desire for fame were not Palme Sondaye, at procession, the priest greater than his love of brutal gluttony. drawith up the veyle before the rode, and falleth down to the ground with all the Sun rises sets. Twilight ends people, and saith thrice Ave Rer Noster, March 16. Day breaks The ceremony of bearing Palms on Palm Sunday was retained in England after some others were dropped, and was one of those which Henry VIII., in 1536, declared were not to be contemned and cast away. In one of the volumes of Procla- Palm, or, to speak properly, slips of the willow, with its velvet-looking buds, are sometimes still stuck in churches on Palm Sunday. March 15. Day breaks . h. m. 4 13 6 7 Twilight ends. 7 47 Least willow-wren arrives. This bird White and orange narcissus flowers. March 17. ST. PATRICK. This being the festival day of the patron Saint of Ireland is denoted by wearing the "green immortal shamrock;" and by feasts and convivial meetings. Sir Thomas Overbury, in his Characters, has an allusion to this day: he says, when describing a running footman," "Tis impossible to draw his picture to the life, 'cause a man must take it as he's running; only this, horses are usually let bloud on St. Steven's day on St. Patrick's he takes rest, and is drencht for all the yeare after." There are notices of the shamrock and allusions to it in several books. As the British Druids and Bards had an extraordinary veneration for the number three, so, says Vallancey, "the misletoe was sacred to the Druids, because not only its berries but its leaves, also, grow in clusters of three, united to one stock. The Christian Irish hold the seamroy sacred in like manner, because of three leaves united to one stalk." The "seamroy" is thus mentioned in the Irish-English Dictionary. Seamroy, clover, trefoil, worn by Irishmen in their hats, by way of a cross, on is seen in the south of England all the St. Patrick's day, in memory of that great winter. • Brand. saint." Spenser, in his view of the State of Ireland, 1596, speaking of "these late warres of Mounster," which was, before, "a most rich and plentifull countrey, full of corne and cattle," says the inhabitants were so reduced, that, "if they found a plot of water-cresses or shamrocks, there they locked as to a feast for the time." Sir Henry Piers says, that in Westmeath, between May day and harvest, "butter, new cheese, and curds, and shamrocks, are the food of the meaner sort all this season.' Wythers in his "abuses stript and whipt, 1613," has this passage. And, for my cloathing, in a mantle goe, blades into the ground, thinking thereby to have the better successe in fight. Also they use commonly to sweare by their swords.-The manner of their woemen's riding on the wrong side of the horse, I meane with their faces towards the right side, as the Irish use, is (as they say) old Spanish, and some say African, for amongst them the woemen (they say) use so to ride." Gainsford, in "The Glory of England, 1619," speaking of the Irish, says, "They use incantations and spells, wearing girdles of women's haire, and locks of their lovers: they are curious about their horses tending to witchcraft." March 18. EARL OF PORTLAND. Richard Weston, Earl of Portland, who died in March, 1634, set out in life with a great character for prudence, spirit, and abilities, and discharged his duty as ambassador, and afterwards, on his return, as chancellor of the exchequer, with much credit. Under the ministry of the Duke of Buckingham, in the reign of James I., he was appointed lord treasurer on which he suddenly became so elated, that he lost all disposition to please; and, soon after the duke's death, became his successor in the public hatred, without succeeding him in his credit at court. His lust after power, and his rapacity to raise a great fortune, were immeasurable; yet the jealousy of his temper frustrated the one, and the greatness of his expenses the other. His imperious nature led him to give frequent offence, while his timidity obliged him to make frequent humiliating concessions had a strange curiosity to learn what the to the very people he had offended. ledge of which always brought on fresh persons injured said of him; the knowtroubles, as he would expostulate with them for their severe sayings, as if he had never given cause for them, by which he He Is the Thursday before Easter. Some ancient usages upon this day are stated in the Every Day Book, together with an account of bestowing the Maundy at court, where silver and provisions are annually distributed by the king's almoner to poor people. The ancient sovereigns of England were accustomed to wash the feet of twelve paupers, in imitation of the Saviour washing the feet of his disciples. The giving of the "maund," which accompanied the practice, is the only relic of it renaining. King James II. was the last who personally washed the feet of the poor people. The Earl of Northumberland, in 1'512, kept his “ Maundy,” if at home, for as many poor men as he was years of age. Cardinal Wolsey, in 1530, at Peterborough Abbey: " upon Palme Sunday he bare his palme, and went in procession, with the monks setting forth the divine service right honorably, with such singing men as he then had there of his own. And, upon Maundy Thursday, he made his Maundy there, in our Lady's chapel, having fifty-nine poor men whose feet he washed and kissed; and, after he had wiped them, he gave every of the said poor men twelve pence in money, three ells of good canvass to make them shirts, a pair of new shoes, a cast of red herrings, and three white herrings; and one of these had two shillings." • Noble. OLD WATCHMAKERS. On the 19th of March, 1725, died, aged 75, Daniel Quare, an eminent watchmaker. He was successor to George Graham, who died in 1775, at the age of 78. Graham was successor to Thomas Tom pion, who died in 1713, aged 75. Tompion had been a blacksmith. Before his time, watches were of rude construction. In the reign of Charles I. they were much improved. The king's own watch, which is still preserved, has a catgut string instead of a chain; and indeed watches of that construction were in use during a very considerable time after the period of their improvement. The Rev. Mark Noble, who died a few years ago, says, "When very young I was indulged with taking an ancient family watch to school. It was very small and in silver cases, with a catgut string instead of a chain; and it required to be wound up every twelve hours. It was made in Holland. At this moment I feel ashamed to say, that I pulled it to pieces, and sold the movements for whirligigs." Robert Hooke invented the double balance in 1658, which Tompion completed in 1675, and presented to Charles II., and two of them were sent the dauphin of France, where Huygens had obtained a patent for spiral springwatches, which idea, it is believed, he gained from the information of Mr Oldenburg, who derived it from Mr. Derham. It is allowed, however, that Huygens did invent those watches which went without strings or chains. Barlow, in the reign of James II., is said to have discovered the method of making striking watches; but, Quare's being judged superior by the privy council, Barlow did not obtain a patent. Tompion's watches continued valuable for a long time, owing to their being large, and the wheels having been made of well-hammered brass. three eminent watchmakers in succession, to The Tompion, Graham, and Quare, were members of the society of Friends.* WATCHES. Watches may be traced to the fourteenth century. They were shaped like first invented at Nuremberg. Although an egg, and are supposed to have been it has been said that they were introduced into England in 1577, yet it is certain that Henry VIII. had a watch; and in • Noble. |