ON AND OFF. ADDRESSED TO AN ANONYMOUS PLAGIARIST. Steal on steal on ;-and if suspected- As when some thief's disturb'd-the wretch No. VI. (CONTINUED.) SPECIMENS OF THE ELDER POETS. ROBERT HERRICK. CHERRIE RIPE Cherrie ripe, ripe, ripe, I cry, All the yeere where cherries grow. The Bouquet. "I have here only made a nosegay of culled flowers, and have MARY DONALDSON, OR THE WEE WOMAN O' BRECKONHILL. A TRUE STORY. "Affliction's sons are brothers in distress, A brother to relieve, how exquisite the bliss!" Fifty years ago the people of England practically understood what a Solitude meant; in these days we know it only by the term and description;-loneliness of situation, remoteness from the dwellings of men. There are no solitudes, no lonely dwellings such as existed in former times, when retirement was such, that it was little short of exclusion from society; when the arrival of the old bagpiper, or the wandering pedlar, with his little basket of wares, was considered an event in the family; an event which never failed to assemble the whole household, not only to gather all the news that was going, but to hear TO THE VIRGINS, TO MAKE MUCH OF THEIR TIME. the old minstrel play "On Ettrick's banks in a summer's Gather ye rosebuds, while ye may, Old Time is still a flying, And this same flower that smiles to-day, To-morrow will be dying. The glorious lamp of heaven, the Sun, The sooner will his race be run, And nearer he's to setting. That age is best which is the first, When youth and blood are warmer; HIS WISH TO PRIVACY. About the sweet bag of a bee, And whose the pretty prize should be, night," or "Farewell to Lochaber," and to purchase The solitude in such situations was often so unbroken, What a change does this country exhibit since art and science have given such facility to travelling! now every mountain and every valley are visited; every rural haunt, famed for beauty, is explored, not only by the painter, the poet, and the curious traveller, but by all classes of the community. On one side of the court was an ancient stone tower, built From its turrets there was a fine view of the country On the outside of the court was a green, and on this green, close by the old gate-way, stood a cottage, where Mary Donaldson, the subject of this narrative, resided: she was a woman of unusually short stature, and, by old and young, was always called Little Mary Donaldson. But if her figure were diminutive, her humanity and benevolence of heart were warm and expansive. In contemplating her little history, one cannot help regretting that a being of such tender and compassionate feelings should have had to struggle with poverty and hardship through the whole of her pilgrimage; for she was literally a servant of servants; one who was expected to run at every body's call, as if she herself were incapable of fatigue.The very children imposed on her patient good humour, and would climb upon her back and add to her burden, as she returned from the distant well with her pitcher of water in one hand, and a bundle of sticks in the other. She wore a man's large slouched hat, tied under the chin in all seasons, both within doors and without; and in the winter, when she could no longer work in the fields or tend the cattle, she spun hard all day, and thought her labours well repaid, if, in the evenings, her earnings amounted to a few pence. Her diminutive stature prevented her from ever being hired as a regular servant, so that when she was employed, she received only the wages of a girl. In those days, the pay of the peasantry was very small, so that in all her life poor Mary rarely possessed more than a few shillings at one time; consequently, a sum of money that we should deem insignificant, would, in her estimation, appear wealth and affluence, whilst the very circumstance of its being earned with difficulty would enhance its value. tion for her labours, he at length presented her with a little Scotty calf, which she was to rear and sell for herself. How she tented it! how she watched its growth as she drove it to the pasture! and how hard it was to part with this her This intercourse, we must allow, civilizes mankind, and For a short period Mary left her little cottage by the introduces important blessings into society, but it neces-gateway at Breckonhill, and went to live at Langholm sarily destroys much of that originality and simplicity with her brother, who rented a small farm there: in his which are so delightful to be met with. Collision may service she never received any wages, so, as a compensapolish character, but it lessens individuality. Perhaps it is a foolish prejudice in favour of old times, but we should wish to see some of those strong characteristic traits, which grow up in seclusion, preserved amongst our peasantry; we should rejoice to perceive all ranks Christianized in first possession, even for all the money its dappled sides heart, but not at all modelled and stereotyped either in would bring, we may not declare. But to Annan Fair manner or language. We would not have all solitude wee Mary Donaldson set off with her little Scotty :-her Gymnastic and Callisthenic Exercises.-We are glad to destroyed by perpetual frequency, nor all spontaneous own simple narrative shall relate the sequel. ad that Professor Voelker is engaged to attend some feeling checked by imitation. But, alas! we are afraid the most respectable schools in this town and neigh-that ere another fifty years have passed away, there will urhood. His gymnastic room, in Clarendon-buildings, ako pretty well attended; but the Professor could still be no individuals like Wee Mary Donaldson-no solitudes modate several classes of gentlemen who may wish like the solitude of Breckonhill. Practise in select parties-See adv. "I selt my bonnie cow at Annan Fair for three pund ten, and was just turning hame again, right glad o' heart, wi' the money a' safe i' my pocket, when at the town fit what should I see but a meikle crowd o' folk, an i' the This beautiful spot is situated on the borders of Scot-vera midst o' them a', a puir man wha stood wringing his The Bulldog Potato.-A potato, grown in the parish of land and Cumberland. The old house stands on the brow hands an greeting unco sair; sae I spiered+ what was And worth, near Northwich, has been sent to our office. of a hill which looks down upon the river Line, the bor- the matter, an they telt me he had just buried his wife, an eighs nearly one pound; and in one of its aspects it ders of which are shaded with trees and covered with un- they were e'en taking him awa to jail because he could a most striking resemblance to the head of a bull-derwood. A little mill, to which the miller's cottage is not pay his mailens." An how meikle is't spiered I?" The nose, mouth, eyes, and ears very closely reble those features of that animal. We have a notion attached, stands on the brink of the river-the very image and they said it was three pund ten.-Then I was sae wae, ending it to some of our phrenologists, to examine of solitude and repose. sae vera wae§ for the puir man, for the widower, to see Greeting, weeping. † Spiered, inquired. + Mailens, rent. Wae, sorry. bumps, which are very numerous, and, no doubt, very ificant.-It may be seen in our office window. "Lone mang trees and braes it reekit Hafflins seen, and haftlins hid." him greet sae, for he'd just lost his wife, that I e'en gied him a' my money-my three pund ten! that I had selt my Scotty for. I said, Here puir man, here ye shall hae it a'-But the warst o't was, I was sae wae, sae vera wae, and sae dinted, that I never minded on to spier the puir man's name. Sae when I gat hame fra the fair, an telt them a' what I had done, oh the weary life my brother led me! he was e'en like to turn me out o' the onset, an ca'd me monie a puir silly daft body, an aye telt me I would never see a plack o' my money again.-But it was just that day six weeks, for weel I mind on, I heard somebody knock at the door, an a man spier gin a vera wee woman didna live there ca'd Mary Donaldson? It's me! it's me!' I said, an rinning to the door, wha should it be but the vera puir man's ain sel! an right justly did he pay me a' my money again, my three pund ten! an treated us wi' a crown bowl o' punch forbye." This affecting narrative was often repeated to the writer, when a child, by a near relative, who resided at Breckonhill, and who was intimately acquainted with the circumstances. By her benevolence, Mary's severe poverty was softened and relieved, and such was her simplicity of character and confidence in that benevolence, that she was wont to say, "I'll never apply to the parish as long as ye hae either milk or meal i' the house." How sweetly does the charity of this poor woman realize the example recorded in Scripture" She of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living!" Dinted, overpowered. THE MYSTERIOUS MANUSCRIPT, (From Ryley's Itinerant in Scotland.) "When my brother, Sir, returned i' sacrit tul the Isle of Skye wi' his lovely bride, for so indeed she was, he came himsel to Heatherbell Haw, and his wife returned tul her ane hame, at the shepherd, her father's cot. Now, Sir, ye ken, my father glomed wi' angry sight upon me ever since he shot the poor laverock, and his knowledge of Sandy's marriage gard him to look upon me as an accessary, and a malison seemed to hang upon his gloming brow whenever he kenn'd me. a Tis an auld saying, Sir, that its na mare to see woman greet than to see a goose gae bare-foot ;' but I can speak for mysel, my eyes were seldom dry, both on my ain accoont and Sandy's; for to have obtained the anger of A parent, though innocently, is an awfu' thing, and to reflec that a brother, the best of aw human craters, had for ever lost the gude-will of his father, and with it, during his life, every pecooniary resource, brought on fashious thoughts that gard me greet morning, noon, and night. As I was meditating ane evening, alone in my room, Sandy gently opened the door, on his arrival frae Glaskie. He seated himsel by my side, and placing his hand to his head, wi o heavy sike, Ah, my dear sister,' said he, what will our high-minded father say, when I confess to him my marriage? Then taking my hands wi' a kind look that went to my heart, Sister' said he, you promised to mediate; you have, I know you have; what am I to expect? will my father receive my Nelly? Alas! I see by your woful aspect I have little to look forward to but displeasure. I then informed him of the vain attempt I had made upon our father's feelings, whose haughty and impetuous disposition led him to destroy the poor bird, and advised him not to come within his reach, or the consequence might be fatal. Alas, alas! these tears witness what I feel even at the recital. For at that moment some evil being having informed my father of Sandy's arrival, with the spirit of determined revenge for the dishonour of his family, and the features of a furious fiend, he entered offscourings of my country? Thou hast ta'en to wife a ensued. discovered. wards my brother, who calmly rose to receive him, whilst The moment the wainscot and wall fell in, the "I'm thinking, Mr. Romney, it is often the will of Providence to check and counterac the bad passions of sinfu' mortals, by some awfu' circumstance or dreadful calamity, and this unexpected blow was doubtless meant as an antidote to damp and check the ardour of long indulged pride, and a tyrannical despotism. For, Sir, when my father returned with the candle, the first objec that struck him, and dangled close tul his face, was the attamy of a human crater, naught but bare bones, Mr. Romney, hanging frae the roof by a lang rope, crusted over wi' mould, and as the light was held nearer the head, bats crept out of the eyes and mouth, and buzzed about the candle. My father's trembling limbs now began to fail him, for his soul, although undaunted by almost any common occurrence, shrunk wi' horror at this awsome display of death, the dreadful cause of which now, like lightning, flashed across his mind, and wi' a voice scarcely audible he exclaimed, Lead me, oh lead me away, whilst I have life!' mitted to enter therein. The servants were then fore gathered, and every assistance rendered for the recovery of my father; but his mind had received a shock even tul its very foundation, and though the best advice was instantly procured, and unremitting attention paid, yet he spoke not, but remained in a continued stupor for the three following days. posed that we should visit this room together, and explore "The morning after this afflicting discovery Sandy pro more minutely its contents, for he said his mind misgave him that there was something mare i' this affair than we were acquanted with. 66 "I must confess, Mr. Romney, he had much difficulty to gar me into his plan, for though no ane loo's my fellow. crater mare than mysel, when they are quick, I dunna hanker after their company when they are deed; however, I agreed, and wi' a large lighted torch we entered, and locked ourselves within, lest the idle sight of curiosity should discover what we had reason to suspec it was ou interest to conceal. "Well, Sir, the strong light Sandy held before brought the whole of this awfu' sight i' an instant tul out view. My brother was deeply interested wi' it, and ye may think I was na less affected, when kindly taking my hand, ere we ventured further, he paused, and pronounced the following pious oration; for though Sandy had call for the kirk, and didna gie credit to the comforts Calvinism, or the blessings of the Athenasian articles faith, he was, nevertheless, a bonny Christian i' his a way. It was a vital principle wi' him, not a verbal on "Stop, sister,' said he, let us reflec for a moment the instability of a' human enjoyments. In this dismal we have before us the remains of twa fellow-craters, augur right, in some degree of consanguinity allied our family; the story is, as yet, a mystery, which, I ca ceive, our parent only can unravel. These bones are the remnants of humanity that time has left as a sign t signify they once had life, inclosed a soul, were subject the same feelings which we are now possessed of; with the vice, virtues, pains, pleasures, desires, doubts, difficulties, that flesh is heir to. "They were once young, and probably those now bare ribs inclosed hearts throbbing with noble and generak pulsations towards the distresses of their fellow-ca alike prone to err, open to temptation, and subjecte too frequent indulgence of all powerful passion S rounded by various temptations, they have, perhaps, fl the victims of crime; and as it is the will of the Creator that punishment should follow iniquity, theirs, it is to be hope, is only adequate to their transgression." Then, bearing a deep sigh, he led me gently forward, and wi' cantid steps explored the whole of this frightful Golgotha. A was moulder, rottenness, damp, and decay. On the floor, a glass bottle, on which time had made no visible effe an oak chair, of very ancient make, was placed near the attamy that hung from the roof, and almost touched feet, which bore a probability that the puir distracted crater had launced himself into eternity fra off this char "On holding the light to the banes that were suspended fra the roof, and more closely examining them, what w our surprise and wonder to find, in the closed hand of the skeleton, stiff and immoveable, the edges of a paper, to he observed only between the bony fingers. Time had destroyed the appearance entirely; something rather light coloured remained visible, which Sandy, with the he a clasped knife, forced, or rather prised from the gr death hath given it. There were words legibly on the paper, which my brother read. Alas, Sir, were dreadful to hear, and my heart palpitated wi' angus at the sins and miseries o' my ancestors. It is na to te Mr. Romney, what I then felt, and what I now feel the reciting tul you, what ought to be for ever hid fra hutst knowledge; but I'll gang on, placing confidence where trust, it winna be betrayed." I bowed assent, and s proceeded. I "Sandy, whose conscience clear as the mountain spring, felt alarmed, but not like his father, who kenn'd more aboot this awfu' scene than any one suspected, and whose pride was sare galled, and heart afflicted, to find his fears confirmed, and that self-destruction had stained the honours of his ancestry. Weak, and almost fainting, his son endeavoured to assist him out of this sorry sepulchre, when their way became impeded by something about their feet, and the light soon added fresh horrors to the scene, for another attamy lay before them, whose dry bones rattled at the "The contents of the paper ran thus: touch, and between the ribs of this awsome spectacle, on "Whoever is unfortunate enough to find this paper, the left side, a rusty dagger, hilt deep, bore bloody testi-he values his life, let him be cautious in moving from the mony of the assassin's hand. place on which he stands-one imprudent step will, in "This addition to the already distracted state of my instant, lay the whole castle in ashes. For barrels of gu father's mind was mare than human nature could support; powder and various combustibles are concealed in th and wi' uplifted hands and greeting eyes he faintly ex-vault beneath, and so connected with the floor of the "Ye canna form tul yersel, Sir, the awfu' figure he ex- claimed, Oh, my God!' and fell into Sandy's arms. At place, that by moving the bottle, the chair, or the arm hibited: a Grapus frae the infernal regions couldna display that moment I recovered my senses, and beholding my the horrid spectacle that lies before thee, each being c a mare murderous countenance. There he stood, wi' the father and brother i' this wretched situation, without nected by wire to a trigger, which, if ever so gently touched broad sword i' ane hand, and the door i' the other, whilst noticing other objects, hied me to their assistance, and as will cause immediate destruction. If thou survivest th a ghastly grin at having found the objec of his vengeance we bore him away I made an attempt to ring the bell, but entrance into this place, prostrate thyself before thy Maker convulsed his countenance, and his very teeth gnashed i' the word, No, no,' expressed wi' emotion by my father, and do what the wretched writer of this could not,-Pr his head. Oh, it was a fearfu' sight. Thou disgrace to my stopped my hand, and when we had placed him on a sofa, Thank thy God that thou hast escaped with life, for family,' said he wi' an awsome voice: thou cohabiter wi' in an adjoining room, he fervently enjoined our inviolable was my first intention to preserve the credit of my family slaves, villains, rascals, thinkest thou the pure and noble secrecy respecting what we had just beheld, and requested that no one should leave the place alive; but I repent blood of the Calaghaduggans shall be contas inated wi' the that my room might be instantly locked, and no one per- me of the evil, and wrote this paper. Thou will s the room. from what motive has all this arisen? I'll tell thee. A ever taken flight. My brother instantly secured the wri- of the injurious effects which such circumstances would bad one-revenge. I must be brief; for my paper is al- ting, and rang for the servants: every care was taken, have on the minds of their slaves, suspecting that he wished most covered, and my time is short, for in three minutes I every advice procured; but for hours he recovered not, secretly to kindle the spirit of rebellion, and excite a deshall be in eternity. I am the Laird of these domains- although life still lingered in his veins. But, Mr. Rom-structive revolt among them. Under these notions several married early two children only. My wife was beautiful-ney, there was na time to be lost; the whole place might, persons associated themselves for the purpose of preventing I was jealous-twelve years passed on-a fit of sickness in a moment, be destroyed; for although it had remained Paul from entering his vessel, or remaining among them. brought my wife to the verge of the grave; the faculty in its present state for so many years, whilst no one knew On examination, his papers proved to be correct, and the gave her up; she, conceiving herself dying, confessed of the place, and no visible mode of entrance was ever ob- Custom-house officers could not legally refuse the entry of her sins to me; acknowledged her infidelity to my served, yet now it was thrown open, the danger was con- his vessel. Paul combined prudence with resolution, and bed, and stated that Sandy, my supposed son, was siderably increased, from various circumstances that might on this occasion conducted himself with candour, modesty, the offspring of adultery. The trial was great. Yet happen. My brother, therefore, esteemed it his duty to and firmness; his crew behaved not only inoffensively, forgive as you hope to be forgiven' was always my dislodge immediately the combustibles; this, however, but with a conciliating propriety. In a few days the inmotto, and I eased her oppressed soul by pardoning all was not a matter easily to be effected, for in removing imical association vanished, and the inhabitants treated her faults. God knows I was sincere. But she recovered, them the fatal trigger might receive an impulse from some him and his crew with respect and even kindness. Many and the devil entered my soul. Misery for life was now of its attached wires, and destruction follow. As it was of the principal people visited his vessel; and in conse my certain lot. My wife, my son, were equally hateful impossible to employ any one in so hazardous a work, quence of the pressing invitation of one of them, Paul to my sight, and I formed the horrid plan of suicide, but Sandy hit upon a scheme that effected the purpose without dined with his family in the town. first determined to sacrifice my wife. I did so. I enticed injury, or the risk of it. Wi' his own hand he cut down her into this hellish place, previously prepared, and the attamy wi' muckle caution, and placing it by the other, plunged that dagger into her false heart. But her prayers covered them wi' a small carpet. He then employed all for my forgiveness, in her dying moments, awakened re- the servants to carry water, and soon filled up the whole pentance, and, in a state of distraction, I looked upon place; by this means the gunpowder was rendered useless, myself as the worst of murderers. Worlds would I have and danger from its effecs at an end. given had the deed been undone. But it was too late; "Our father, in the meantime, had recovered the use the fatal blow was struck, and she expired in my arms. of his senses, but his life was still despaired of; and possess To live was madness, and existence the acme of human ing some estates that were not entailed, together wi' misery. The rope by which my body will be found sus- muckle costly furniture, he made his will and left it aw to pended, when thou readest this, will testify the mode of me; then sending for us to his bed-side, he prayed fory departure. Thou hast now my story; and if thou art giveness of Sandy, for the attempt upon his life, and overned by either honour or religion thou wilt keep it to bestowing a blessing upon us both, bad us farewell; the yself, and convey this paper to my supposed son. I morning after he departed this life, forgiving every one, te in repentance to save the life of the first person that as he hoped to be forgiven." all enter this place, and grieve that I have it not in my mer, without exposure, to alter the mechanism of the inaded explosion. Fare thee well; let thy steps be cautious in this place, out of it, and God guard thee against the power of evil ssions. It is impossible, Mr. Romney, to convey tul your and the state of mine; and Sandy too was deeply Tected, but more able to sustain it. He plainly saw that faculties were sinking, and the consequences might be tal; an involuntary motion might cause immediate deuction; the bottle too stood close by Sandy's foot. huck with the danger, and aware that the loss of my ases, though but for a moment, might be the loss of our res, a desperate effort was necessary: he instantly dealt de a severe blow on my cheek wi' his open hand, whilst ne supported me wi' the other, exclaiming, Collect your. self-for Heaven's sake maintain your situation, or you will be the death of us all!'-The severity of the blow, nd energetic exclamation, had the desired effec: I was used wi' the necessity of mental exertion; and supported my brother's arm, wi' tremulous footsteps and cautious pan, we soon escaped fra within the walls o' this se Mehral dungeon. Breathless, from well-grounded alarm, I threw elf on a sofa, whilst my brother obeyed the dead man's andate, and in words and accents most pathetic returned nks to God. Having recovered myself, at least sufficient to walk, left that part of the hoose, and retired tul a room rein we might consult wi' safety on the mode we ould proceed these most awfu' circumstances. On inry, we found my father kept his bed, and no one was mitted to visit him. Sandy, however, considered it his y to inform him of what had passed, that means might taken for the safety of the house and family, and bury horrid emblems of our misfortunes and disgrace in obarity. He therefore went tul his bed-side, and found buried in deep affliction, which the news my brother ad to communicate would considerably increase; never. heless, the general safety of us a' required that the comustibles should be instantly removed, and Sandy thus costed the parent who the night before had attempted deprive him o' his life: Permit your son, Sir, to apach you with all humility and sincere wishes for your edy recovery. He paused, when his father, wi' an in' look, cast his eyes, bathed i' tears, upon him. "Sandy,' said he, I do not deserve this from thee. Alas, las! the scene we last night discovered has nearly broke by heart; there is a dreadful mystery attendant on it, a art of which I shudder to reflect on And I, Sir, hudder to confirm your suspicions; but painful as it is to dd anguish to your aching heart, I am compelled, by duty, d inform you of your danger and that of your family. Let me request, Sir, you will call your utmost strength of mind into action, for the contents of this letter will shake your very soul. He then placed the dead man's confession in his father's hand, and he rose to read it; but the heartrending contents so sarely affected his nerves, that he fell senseless on his pillow, and looked as though life had for | Biographical Notices. THE LATE CAPTAIN PAUL CUFFEE: "Skins may differ, but affections CoWPER. [ORIGINALLY PRINTED IN THE LIVERPOOL MERCURY.] (Concluded from our last.) In three weeks Paul sold his cargo, and received into his schooner 3000 bushels of Indian corn. With this he returned to Westport, where that article was in great demand. His cargo sold rapidly, and yielded him a profit of 1000 dollars. He reloaded his vessel, sailed for Norfolk, sold his cargo and took in another, which, on his return, proved as profitable as his first voyage. The home market was now amply supplied with corn, and it became necessary to seek a different employment for his vessel.— He sailed to Passamaquoddy in search of a cargo. When he arrived at the river, James Brian, a merchant of Wilmington, (Delaware State,) made him a liberal offer for his vessel to carry a load of gypsum. Paul thought the proposed price for the freight would equal the profits of any other business, and embraced his terms. He took on board the proposed cargo, and proceeded to Wilmington, (Delaware.) Since that period, some of the vessels in which Paul is concerned have annually made one or two voyages to the same port. During the year 1797, after his return home, Paul purchased the house in which his family resided, and the adjoining farm. For the farm and its improvements he paid 3500 dollars, and placed it under the management of his brother, who is a farmer. By judicious plans, and diligence in their execution, Paul has gradually increased his property, and by his integrity and consistency of conduct has gained the esteem and regard of his fellow-citizens. In the year 1800 he was concerned in one-half of the expenses of building and | equipping a brig of 162 tons burthen, which portion he still holds. One-fourth belongs to his brother, and the other fourth is owned by persons not related to his family. This vessel is now commanded by Thomas Wainer, Paul Cuffee's nephew, whose talents and character are perfectly adequate to such a situation. The ship Alpha, of 268 tons, carpenters' measure, of which Paul owns three-fourths, was built in 1806. Of this vessel he was the commander; the rest of the crew consisting of seven men of colour. The ship has performed a voyage under his command from Wilmington to Savannah; from thence to Gottenburgh, and thence to Philadelphia. About this time Paul proceeded on a Whaling voyage to the Straits of Belle Isle, where he found four other ves. sels completely equipped with boats and harpoons, for catching whales. Paul discovered that he had not made proper preparations for the business, having only ten hands on board, and two boats, one of which was old and almost useless. When the masters of the other vessels discovered his situation, they withdrew from the customary practice of such voyages. and refused to inate with his crew. In this emergency Paul resolved to prosecute his undertaking alone, till at length the other masters thought it most pruAfter Paul's return in 1806, the brig Traveller, of 109 dent to accede to the usual practice, as they apprehended tons burthen, was built at Westport, of one half of which his crew, by their ignorance, might alarm and drive the he is the owner. After this period, Paul being extensively whales from their reach, and thus defeat their voyages.- engaged in his mercantile and agricultural pursuits, reDuring the season, they took seven whales. The circum-sided at Westport. stances which had taken place roused the ambition of Paul For several years previous to this, Paul had turned his and his crew;-they were diligent and enterprising, and attention to the colony of Sierra Leone, and was induced had the honour of killing six of the seven whales; two of to believe, from his communications from Europe and those fell by Paul's own hands. He returned home in due other sources, that his endeavours to contribute to its welseason, heavily freighted with oil and bone, and arrived in fare, and to that of his fellow men, might not be ineffec the autumn of 1793, being then about his thirty-fourth tual. Under these impressions he sailed for Sierra Leone year. He went to Philadelphia to dispose of his cargo.-in the commencement of 1811, in the brig Traveller; his His pecuniary circumstances were by this time in a Bou- nephew, Thomas Wainer, being the Captain. He arrived rishing train. When in Philadelphia, he purchased iron there after a two months' passage, and resided there about necessary for bolts and other work suitable for a schooner the same length of time. The African Institution, apof 60 or 70 tons, and soon after his return to Westport the prized of his benevolent designs, applied for and obtained keel for a new vessel was laid. In 1795 his schooner, of 69 a license, which being forwarded to Paul Cuffee, induced tons burthen, was launched, and called "The Ranger." him to come to this country, with a cargo of African proPaul possessed two small fishing boats, but his money was duce. For the more effectual promotion of his primary exhausted, and the cargo for his new vessel would require intention, he left his nephew Thomas Wainer in the coa considerable sum beyond his present stock. lony, and, with the same disinterested views, brought with him to England Aaron Richards, a native of Sierra Leone, with a view of educating him, and particularly of instructing him in the art of navigation. From the exertions of one individual, however ardently engaged, we ought not to form too high expectations, but from the little information we have obtained of his endeavours amongst the colonists at Sierra Leone, and the open reception which he met with amongst them, there are strong grounds of hope that he has not sown the seeds of improvement on an unfruitful soil. He now sold his two boats, and was enabled to place on board his schooner a cargo valued at 2000 dollars; with this he sailed to Norfolk on the Chesapeake Bay, and there learned that a very plentiful crop of Indian corn had been gathered that year on the eastern shore of Maryland, and that he could procure a schooner-load, for a low price, at Vienna, on the Nanticoke river. Thither he sailed, but on his arrival the people were filled with astonishment and alarm. A vessel owned and commanded by a black man, and manned with a crew of the same complexion, was unprecedented and surprising. The white inhabitants were struck with apprehensions He arrived here a few weeks since in the brig Traveller, (consigned to W. and R. Rathbone,) navigated by eight A B C D E F G H To Correspondents. THE WINTER'S WREATH.-We have pleasure in stating t the profits arising from this publication are to be priated to charitable purposes. SPECIMENS OF THE ELDER POETS.-We thank our c pondent Percival Melbourne for his continuation of the teresting collection of specimens of the Elder Poets, we assure him we prize highly, and with which we e to enrich our columns for some time to come-Wet we have no ridiculous antiquarian prejudices; but a per of some of the specimens which our correspondent collected with so much taste and assiduity, has convi us that there was a spirit and quaintness in the writing some of what are now deemed the elder poets, which may vainly look for in the works of some of the m pular modern writers. CRISPIN ANECDOTES-It is our intention to produce men of this series next week, as we before intimated Remarkable Storm.-On the 26th Sept. (8th Oct.) last, a shower of aerolites fell near Belostok, between nine and It has always been not only allowable, but commend- ten in the morning. The inhabitants were alarmed by an able, to unmask a quack, which is exactly what we have extraordinary noise, which proceeded from a large black done. The means adopted for this purpose are such as cloud that hung over their heads, and which continued have been often resorted to by men of character and talent, for three (some say six) minutes, resembling a running to expose the ignorance and conceit of critics. Michael fire of musketry. This noise, which was heard by several Angelo once cut a statue in marble, which, after disfi- persons at the distance of more than fourteen wersts, was guring, to give it the appearance of antiquity, and depriv-succeeded immediately by a shower of stones, of which ing it of one arm, he buried in a place where he knew that only four were picked up: the largest weighed 4lb., the it would soon be dug up. The scheme succeeded: it was smallest lb.-St. Petersburgh Gazette, Oct. 30. attended to. If this esteemed correspondent will tur our poetical department he (or she) will find the in Babylon. ORIGINAL GERMAN TRANSLATIONS.-Our old corresponda GYMNASTICS.-In our next it is our intention to offer "whose harp discordant could remove The dogs and cats, but never waken love," Are not perfectly original; and the model from which are taken has been so very closely followed lately by a poet, that no future plagiarist can possibly improve upo The lines of W. B., to the memory of Mr. Hackman, This famillar Miscellany, from which all religious and political matters are excluded, contains a variety of original and selected Articles; comprehending LITERATURE, CRITICISM, MEN and MANSERS, AMUSEMENT, elegant EXTRACTS, POETRY, ANECDOTES, BIOGRAPHY, METEOROLOGY, the DRAMA, ARTS and SCIENCES, WIT and SATIRE, FASHIONS, NATURAL HISTORY, &c. forming a handsome ANNUAL VOLUME, with an INDEX and TITLE-PAGE. Persons in any part of the Kingdom may obtain this Work from London through their respective Booksellers. No. 387.-Vol. VIII. Biographical Notices. THE RAINER FAMILY—THE TYROLESE MINSTRELS. As these interesting songsters of nature are now in Liverpool, we presume that some account of their history will prove acceptable to our readers; we have, therefore, selected a very complete narrative of the eventful life of these minstrels for this week's Kaleidoscope, in which will also be found a specimen of heir music, which, as arranged by Mr. Moscheles, we are copied from a late number of the Harmonicon. Our narrative, which we copy from the Lady's Monthly Magazine, originally appeared in a work alled the Tyrolese Melodies, by Mr. Moscheles, with glish words by Mr. Ball, who has rendered the Vreli ho!" in our opinion very cleverly.-Ed. Kal. THE TYROLESE MINSTRELS. The extraordinary popularity which these Songsters of fature enjoy, and their decided claims to that popularity, ill sufficiently justify our introduction of the following ery interesting particulars, for which we are indebted to e Tyrolese Melodies, arranged by Mr. Moscheles, with English words by Mr. Ball. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1827. united performances are so effective and harmonious, that PRICE 34d. school, reading and writing German; while our hours generally, either of business or leisure, were, more or less, unfailingly accompanied by our peculiar songs. In this state we continued, happy to see all our connexions around. us, and little thinking we should ever wander through the world as minstrels, until the year 1809, when the terrible war which devastated the Tyrol, visited our native valley. "As all who could bear arms eagerly assembled to enThey were born in the Tyrol, in the village of Fügen, counter the invading foe, we (the four elder brothers+) which is situated in the Ziller Valley (Zillerthal) where hastened to serve under the orders of our brave and heroic their father was, like many of his countrymen, a reputable Hofer. This was a trying juncture for our poor parents. cattle-dealer; and where their parents, two brothers and Our two younger brothers, Joseph and Franz, at that time two sisters, still reside. From their infancy the subjects nine and seven years old, were running wild and terrified of this memoir were accustomed to catch by ear the popu- about the mountains, almost lost to their wretched family, lar airs of the peasantry, and used to attract their friends and only re-appearing when the storm had partially suband neighbours around their cottage door when they sang, sided, and a fearful sort of quiet took place of the once with their sweetly-accordant voices, their cheerful national happy peace to which we had been accustomed. Our famelodies, delighting their unsophisticated hearers with the ther's house had been three times devoted to plunder, and harmonious stores they had acquired. It may well be what our brutal enemies could not carry away they ruined supposed that, as they grew up, their audiences did not and destroyed. Many of our surrounding villages were diminish; nor did admiration fail to follow them when, devastated by fire and sword with unsparing cruelty, occasionally traversing the country in their father's trade, among which the following places particularly suffered : they gave their countrymen, from time to time, a musical-Fomp, Schleters, Zirl, St. Margarethin, Kiesdorf, and treat on the farther side of the valley. the fine market town of Schwatz. Every preparation The first person, however, of any distinction, whose was made for burning our village, the combustibles being notice and patronage became of consequence to their talents, laid for that purpose, when Batten, our father, as princiwas the Count Dönhof, who lived in their vicinity. On pal of the parish, and our reverend old pastor, Von Walbirthdays and other festivals, this worthy and kind-dreich, humbled themselves before their persecutors, and The inhabitants of the Tyrol are known, to all those hearted nobleman used to send for them to his chateau, implored upon their knees for it to be spared. It was who have had an opportunity of visiting that delightful where he would listen to them with delight, and encou-through this intervention, and the offer of the latter (that untry, to be of a cheerful, open-hearted, equable dispo-rage them by his advice to learn the rules and properties worthy and venerable man of seventy-five) to become the Ition; realizing, in every acceptable attribute, the picture of music; but for this their father would not grant per- hostage for our enforced obedience, that the place was fa race created for and enjoying the purest blessings of mission, as he alleged that he wanted them for his business, ultimately saved. At length, in the autumn of 1809, gral life. Undisturbed by the cares of modern society, and had no other intention for them than that of their fol- peace was proclaimed, and we again came under the goind destined only to cultivate their fertile soil, they seem lowing the wonted rural occupations of the family: more-vernment of France. We were now obliged to endure-vited by their parent Nature, appealing to them through over, the unavoidable expense would have been, with him, we who had been the devoted defenders of our countryher manifold echoes on their hills and in their valleys, to a material object. His determination was, therefore, en- the being stigmatized as rebels; and every mind, amid at the joyful feelings of their blameless minds in songs tirely against the adoption of what seemed to him so un-its unimaginable bitterness, was turned towards the contruly pastoral, that even the greatest composers and fitting and erratic a pursuit. From this point it woulddition of our leader, poor Hofer, and his expected fate. riters on music of all times, when desirous of imitating perhaps be preferable that the narrative should be sub- He desired us to return to our homes in peace; and we aral character in their works, have not disdained borrow-mitted in their own simple but sufficing manner, (transla- did so, with bleeding hearts. His foes offered him his life and pardon, if he would confess himself a rebel against their authority; but he was above all disguise of his patriotic feelings, and never would yield to the demand. He sought to conceal himself awhile in a cottage of the Alps, where, to our unspeakable grief, he was betrayed and delivered up to the enemy, who brought him to Mantua, where he was shot. § After these shocking events, we laid The Tyrol was overrun by the French and Bavarians in 1805; and, by the treaty of Presburg, was ceded to Bavaria. In 1809, it was formally ceded to Italy; but, in 1814, was restored to Austria. Feliz and Anton, now in London, Johann (the eldest of the family,) and Simon (his next brother,) who remains at home. Andrew Hofer, commonly called Sandhofer, or Sandwirth, he being, in his usual avocation, an innkeeper. "With all his faults, all his irresolution and contradictory conduct, when we reflect that Hofer was a simple, uneducated village innkeeper, who opposed for some time with success the enormous power of France and Bavaria, with an army of undisciplined peasants, we cannot contemplate his conduct without astonishment and admiration. It is true that his name will not occupy a conspicuous place in the page of general history; but in his own country; by those who knew, |