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ast performance. It was done in seden-
tary recreation after a serious illness, and,
for more healthy and active amusement,
our friend resorted to his much-loved
field sport. I learn, during my absence
from London, that in reaching a fowling-
piece from his chaise it went off, shattered
his right hand, and amputation was im-
mediately performed. To this gentleman
was committed the engraving of all the
subjects for the Year Book, except those
which commence each month. I could
not be so unfeeling as to address him
upon a mere matter of business, and have
contented myself with introducing into
the present month fewer subjects, and
such as could be forwarded to the printe.
under the exigency-hence the present
cut of the poor old spinner and her cat.
In the next, which will be the concluding November 4.-Day breaks
month of the year, and of the work, there
will be a superflux of engravings, to make
up for the obvious deficiency in the pre-
sent month.

and the durability of the India nankeens,
and long cloths, are owing to this mode
of spinning, which disposes the fibres of
the cotton more evenly, and twists them
more into the body of the thread than the
spinning machines do. Our old woman's
mode is the primitive one, used for thou-
sands of years. It is the occupation to
which Hector sent Andromache, and in
which Hercules employed himself, in a
love-adventure with Omphale, as pictured
by the painters, on the authority of ancient
poetry.

Mr. Guest's work on the Cotton-Manufacture purports to contain "a disproval of the claim of Sir Richard Arkwright to the invention of its ingenious machinery." Leaving that question still open between the Edinburgh Review and Mr. Guest, who published a "Reply" to an article on the Spinning machinery in that review, which opposed the "disproval" of Mr. Guest, his first named work is now resorted to for the purpose of observing that it traces the manufacture from the first process.

The earliest and simplest mode of spinning is represented in the engraving, and was in use within memory. The old woman is in the act of converting "the fleecy contents of the fruit of the cottontree into thread, for the purpose of being woven into cloth." She holds between the left arm and the body a wooden rod, called the distaff, with a bundle, or fleece of cotton wool tied loosely round the top of it; and with her hands about two inches apart she pulls a continuous lock: the right hand draws out and twists so much of the lock as is between it and the left hand into a fine thread. which is further twisted by a pendent spindle or bobbin, which is kept constantly twirling round, and on which the thread is afterwards wound.

This tedious process is still used in Hindostan. The superiority of texture

In the Year Book, which contains much concerning antiquities, there is not any mention of one more useful or more ancient than spinning with the distaff.

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November 5.

GUNPOWDER PLOT.

The reader will find quite enough of of this story, and its celebration, in the Every-Day Book.

LANDING OF WILLIAM III. This was effected in 1688, on the anniversary of Powder Plot day.

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On his way from Torbay to London, the prince of Orange slept at the deanery house, Exeter, while the bishop of the diocese, Dr. Lamplugh, ran off to king James, who, for his loyalty, made him archbishop of York. On the Sunday afterwards, the prince of Orange had reached Exeter. Dr. Burnet, mounting the pulpit in the cathedral, to read the declaration, all the canons, and part of the congregation, left the church. the other hand, few offered their services; for, however the people might be inclined to the undertaking, their recollection of the severities towards the adherents of the duke of Monmouth deterred them from engaging in the enterprise; and the prince remained nine days at Exeter, without being joined by any person of distinction. It is even said that, in a council of war, held in that city, he suffered it to be proposed that he should re-embark for Holland. On the tenth day, however, sir Edward Seymour and other

country gentlemen came to him, and formed an association, whose united energies contributed in no inconsiderable degree to the success of the revolution

In several parts of Exeter cathedral are monuments of great antiquity, and that of judge Doddridge particularly attracts attention. He was the ancestor of the pious and learned Dr. Philip Doddridge. A curious incident happened to this upright judge, on one of his circuits. It is related in the Harleian Miscellany, that, being at Huntingdon assizes, in 1619, he reproved the sheriff for having returned on the jury persons who were not of sufficient respectability; and that at the next assizes the sheriff returned the following singular panel, at which the judge smiled, at the same time applauding his ingenious industry :

Maximilian, King of Tortand,
Henry, Prince of Godmancheded,
George, Duke of Somersham,
William, Marquis of Stukely,
Edward, Earl of Hartford,
Robert, Lord of Warsley,
Richard, Baron of Bythorpe,
Edmund, Knight of St. Neots,
Peter, Esquire of Easton,
George, Gentleman of Spaldock,
Robert, Ycoman of Barham,
Stephen, Pope of Weston,
Humphrey, Cardinal of Kimbolton,
William, Bishop of Bugden,
John, Archdeacon of Paxton,
John, Abbot of Stukely,
Richard, Friar of Ellington,
Henry, Monk of Stukely,
Edward, Priest of Graffham,
Richard, Deacon of Catsworth.*
An old MS. of this list is in the British
Museum, among some writings attributed
to Partridge, the almanac-maker.

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And Westminster is overflown
With wit peculiarly its own;
Chief justices with brethen three
Swagger in ermined majesty ;
Yet these, like other things, declare
What short-lived fools we mortals are ;
For Hilary Term begins to wane
To Easter's transitory reign.
And Trinity's hot sunbeams now
Descend on Michcelmas's snow;
Succeeding Terms their loss atone
But we, when once our days are flown,
With Littleton and Blackstone lie
Like records in the Treasury.
And who can tell, if we shall stay
To earn the fees we touched to-day?
For with the wealth we leave behind
The uninheritable mind

Is what our heirs shall never find.

COUNTRY LIFE.

Isaac Walton describes a delicious scene in spring :

Turn out of the way a little, good scholar, towards yonder high honey-suckle hedge; there we'll sit and sing, whilst this shower falls so gently upon the teeming earth, and gives yet a sweeter smell to the lovely flowers that adorn these verdant meadows. Look! under that broad beech tree I sat down, when I was last this way, a fishing; and the birds in the adjoining grove seemed to have a friendly contention with an echo, whose dead voice seemed to live in a hollow tree, near to the brow of that primrose-hill; there I sat, viewing the silver streams glide silently towards their centre, the tempestuous sea; yet sometimes opposed by rugged roots and pebble stones, which broke their waves, and turned them into foam; and sometimes I beguiled time by viewing the harmless lambs, some leaping securely in the cool shade, whilst others sported themselves in the cheerful sun; and saw others craving comfort from the woollen udders of their bleating dams. As I thus sat, these and other sights had so fully possest my soul with content, that I thought as the poet has happily exprest it,

I was for that time lifted above earth; And possest joys not promised in my birth. As I left this place, and entered into the next field, a second pleasure entertained me: 'twas a handsome milk-maid, that had not yet attained so much age and wis. dom as to load her mind with any fears of many things that will never be, as too many men too often do; but she cas; away all care, and sung like a nightingale

her voice was good, and the ditty fitted for it; it was that smooth song which was made by Kit Marlowe, now at least fifty years ago; and the milk maid's mother sung an answer to it, which was made by Sir Walter Raleigh in his younger days. They were old fashioned poetry, and choicely good; I think much better than the strong lines that are now in fashion in this critical age. Look yonder! on my word, yonder they both be a milking again. I will give her the chub, and persuade them to sing those two songs to us: "God speed you, good woman; I have been a fishing, and am going to Bleak-hall to my bed, and, having caught more fish than will sup myself and my friend, I will bestow this upon you and your daughter, for I use to sell none.

"Milk woman.-Marry, God requite you sir, and we'll eat it cheerfully; and if you come this way a fishing two months hence, a grace of God I'll give you a sillibub of new verjuice, in a new made haycock for it, and my Maudlin shall sing you one of her best ballads; for she and I both love all anglers, they be such honest, civil, quiet men; in the meantime will you drink a draught of red-cow's milk? you shall have it freely."

In this beautiful manner the dialogue runs on, and the songs are sung by the milk-woman and her daughter; but to speak of the beauties of Isaac Walton's Angler is almost a supererogation, now that it is in the hands of every lover of nature, tranquillity, and contentment. EUMILYS.

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a village owing its existence to the road made some fifty or sixty years ago. Before that road was formed, a hostelrie existed, known by its present sign, "the Hind's Head." It was then known to be the rendezvous of certain persons who lived by causing others to cease to exist; and standing, as it did, alone, on the dreary heath, it was regarded by the rustics with that superstitious awe which the timid feel so near the purlieus of abodes reputed to be haunted. The countryman chose rather to go five miles out of its way, than one within it. Many stories are related of travellers putting up at that inn for the night, and resting there for ever. One of these narratives I well remember.

One winter's night, a stout-hearted grazier, travelling from London to Reading, stopped at the Hind's Head. After seeing his horse to the stable, he sought the glow of the kitchen fire, where he found several jolly fellows, with laughing looks, and light hearts. He joined their company; they ate heartily, and drank merrily. The farmer related the particu lars of his journey to London, the market price of cattle, the price he had obtained for his own; and, the last stoop of liquor being emptied, with a hearty hob and nob, the serving girl showed the traveller to his chamber. As he was about to give her a hearty salute before she left the room, she whispered, "Listen: you mistake the object of your pretended regard: if you love me, love yourseif, and save your life. You are surrounded by murderers and robbers. To night they have drank deeper than ordinary, and you may preserve yourself and me. Here," pointing to the bed," is a trap-door; it will fall down if you step upon it when you get into bed, and you will tumble headlong into a deep well, and then there's an end of you." The traveller was sobered in a moment by the fearful earnestness and information of the girl. She continued, "I must be gone, and then do you sing, and be noisy for some minutes, and tread near that plank, as though you were about to get into bed. Tie the bed, and what else you can, into a heavy bundle, put it on the plank; it will go down, and youyou must look to the window for your only chance of escape. God speed you!" The grazier, when left alone, soon resumed his presence of mind; he sung while he made up the bundle-heaved it on the terrible plank, and, in a moment,

it descended through the floor, silently and swiftly, and he heard its heavy splash in deep water. He hastened to the window, and saw the snow twelve or fourteen feet below in the back yard. He leaped down, and a high wall opposed his further progress, but he found the gate, gently drew back the bolts, and then listened for a moment at the front casement. Three of his late friends were snoring; they had fancied themselves secure of their prey, and hastened not to despoil it. The grazier found his horse in the stable, and galloped off. He aroused a neighbouring farmer; they collected the farm servants, and all, arming themselves, set off and surrounded the house. The villains were sleeping, and the maid watching. The ruffians were all captured, and convicted of their crimes on the evidence of the girl. In the well the bones of men whom they had entrapped testified the extent of their guilt. The landlord was one of the malefactors: they were all executed, and the "Hind's Head" was shut up.

In the adjoining parish of Winkfield there was formerly a strong castle, and it is said that through one of its barons the inhabitants of Winkfield came into possession of their church in a remarkable manner. This baron was very pow erful, and is reported to have been so wicked that he sold himself to Satan. In his old age he was sorry for the bargain, and confessed himself to priests, and they enjoined him to build and endow a church. He built the church and provided an endowment; but, to the admiration of all, on the morning appointed for consecrating the church, it was not to be seen-not a vestige remained-the devil had removed it in the night. The old baron built another, which suddenly disappeared in like manner. The priests summoned Satan to show cause why he had done all this. He answered that the baron, body and soul, and all that belonged to him in this life, was his. His plea was overruled, and the priests decided that the church was theirs, to be held by them, in trust, for their patron gaint, as an atonement for the sins of the repentant baron sinner, and they ordered Satan to place a church on the spot whence he had removed the two churches in succession. Upon th.s decree Satan flew to Winkfield, seized three barns, placed the two smaller parallel with the largest, and Winkfield church remains to

this day the resemblance of three barns stuck together.

At East Hampstead, near Bagshot Heath, and adjoining Bracknell, there was formerly a curious custom on the installation of a new lord of the manor. The inhabitants carried the lord in a chair on their shoulders round the manor, their march commencing from a hill (the name of which I forget), and, after the circuit of the manoriai boundary, the lord was unchaired on the said hill, and the inhabitants inflicted sundry stripes upon his breach with twigs. After enduring this chastisement, the inhabitants dined, and passed the remainder of the day convivially with their lord. 1831

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November 8.

LADY JEFFERY DUNSTAN.

[For the Year Book.]

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On Saturday, November 8th, 1818, the remains of the “lady” of “the independent Mayor of Garrett," sir Jeffery Dunstan, were interred, agreeably to her own request, in the grave of her husband in Whitechapel churchyard; the inscription on her coffin stated her to be in her 101st year. Only two persons followed in funeral habilaments, but the streets were rendered impassable by a numerous body of spectators, anxiously assembled "to see the last" of one who had so long figured in that neighbourhood as a public character." From a person to whom she was known, I gathered that, at the time of her decease, she occupied a wretched apartment in Ducking-pondlane, in that parish,-that the cause of her death was more attributable to the merciless pressure of "the cold chill hand" of penury, than from infirmity; for, although her age was so far advanced, her natural powers remained unimpaired to the last. In her husband's life-time, and also when in a state of widowhood, she claimed the soi-disant title of, and was duly recognised as, "Mayoress of Garrett." She survived sir Jeffery twentyone years

Apropos.-A colored print, a " Portrai of sir Jeffery Dunstan, M. P. for Garrett," with a legend beneath it.

"When you've got money, you're look'd

upon

But when you've got none, you may go along,"

was familiar to me in my "days of childhood" it was one of a many 66 neatly framed and glazed," that "bedecked" the walls of a "low roofed cot" (in my native town of Baldock, in Hertfordshire), the dwelling-place of "the schoolmistress," an antiquated, and a venerated dame, who first taught me and other "luckless wights" to con the A B C, from a hornalphabet-book," a "literary article" then considered indispensable to the scholastic avocation, but Low entirely disused.

E. . B.

ROYAL ARMS, LIONS AND LEOPARDS. [For the Year Book.]

MR. EDITOR,

A few years ago it was a mooted point, among the unlearned in the science of Heraldry, whether the animals which adorn the British achievements were lions or leopards. I send you the opinion of the learned and judicious Alexander Nisbett upon the subject, which will, I should think, appear conclusive.

"Sir John Ferne, one of the learned in his time, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, in his book, entitled The Glory of Generosity, p. 218, says thus (his own words): The Escutcheon of Normandy was advanced, as the ensign of our English Kings, by William the Conqueror, William Rufus, Henry I., and Henry II. The last having married Eleanor, heiress of Aquitain, whose arms were Gules a Leopard, Or, which being of the same field, metal, and form, with his own, joined them together in one shield, and composed the present blazon for England, viz.: Gules 3 Leopards Or; and, in an another place the same author adds, These two coats, viz. Aquitain and Normandy, were joined in one, and by them the addition of the inheritance of Eleanor, heiress of Aquitain, to our English crown, and therefore are borne as a quadrate royal, by our sovereign lady queen Elizabeth. The same says Guilliams, Chamberland, and others. And these arms, so composed, were placed on his funeral rmonument,

when he was interred in the abbey of Fontewrad in Anjou, and adorned with other shields of arms, as those of the Saxon race, upon the account that in him the Saxon blood was restored by his The grandfather's marriage as before. structure of which monument is given to us in Sandford's Genealogical History, P. 64. "Before I proceed further, I must insist a little upon the opinions of some late English writers, who will have the three Leopards not to be originally from Normandy, but first assumed by Henry II. or by Richard I., and that their predecessors had no arms before; they not fixing upon which of these two kinds to place their rise and first use in England, though these arms be of the same tinctures, form, position, and situation, and nothing different in any circumstance from those of Normandy and Aquitain neither will they allow them to be blazoned Leopards, but Lions passant guardant, upon the account that the Leopards of Normandy and Aquitain are now thought derogatory to the royalty of England, as not being originally ensigns of kingdoms. These opinions were raised first, if I be not mistaken, upon King James VI.'s accession to the throne of England, when there were several considerations and consultations taken about the honors and precedency of his kingdom of Scotland and England; and especially in marshalling their armorial ensigns, the difficulty arising from the armorial figures being originally those of the dukedoms of Normandy and Aquitain, which as such gave place to the flower de lisses of France, as belonging to a kingdom. Upon the same reason the Scots claimed also precedency for their armorial figure, the lion rampant. The English being put to a stand were necessitated to assert that the figures they carried for England were not those of Normandy and Aquitain, though as like as one egg to another, but new ones assumed by their kings since the conquest. To make this appear, their principal herald, William Segar, garter king at arms, was employed; and how well he performed, any herald or historian may judge by his manuscript, which he gave in to king James, entitled the variation of the arms and badges of the kingdom of England, from the time of Brutus, 1000 years before the incarnation of Christ, till 1600 years after his incarnation, 1604. Though he promises in lis

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