decline any such proceeding," said the horrified gentleman, as he stalked with disgust away; while the rest proceeded, holding their light in one hand, and grasping the slippery ladder by which they went down, with the other. A shout from the counting-house, where numbers of their learned brethren were dining, announced some time after, the moment of their emerging from the pit. Then what laughter resounded through the vale, as they came sheepishly forward, one by one, with dingy faces, and strange attire, scarcely daring to appear before the criticising eyes of the ladies, and the merry jeers of their comrades. One actually washed his hands and face in a neighbouring stream, before he would venture to advance towards the spectators. Unlucky trial! the water was of the yellowest hue, having been adulterated by passing over the mundic of the mine, and the unfortunate wight only made his appearance ten times worse than it was before. However the explorers were supplied with a purer bath for their necessary ablutions, and were soon seated with faces somewhat glowing with excitement, while they laughed and talked over their late feat, discussing at the same time the merits of a good dinner. In the interval those who had already feasted, rambled to another mine in the vicinity, which produces lead mixed with silver, and is known by the name of "Wheal-Betsy." Their curiosity was excited by a grand chimney crowning an eminence of Black-down, which is carried up from the smelting-house below, in order to convey away the mephitic vapours, which it is expedient to have driven windward. It is curious in crossing the moor at night to look down upon the long wreaths of smoke and flame, which pour along the sides of the valley from these works.

The imagination of the traveller may justly carry him to the idea of some miniature pandemonium, while the vulcans in their sooty gear, may well represent dark shadows traversing the regions of Hades. I believe the

philosophers were mightily pleased with their excursion to Wheal * Betsy; they returned with smiling countenances, and handfuls of stones, not even caring for the Dartmoor mist, which now began to pour its moisture around them. "Is this your summer?" slyly inquired a moustachioed Parsee of one of the Devonshire visitors. The man could answer nothing. It is too true-Our summer is a weeping one; she hides her face like Niobe in tears.

A general assemblage of the Literati took place near the counting-house, before they all set off on their return home. Smiles of recognition and good feeling, passed from one to another; the noble and the great of the earth held out to each other the right hand of good fellowship. Titles and distinctions, fell down before the almighty power of genius. Then shone out the true nobility of the soul; the aristocracy of talent. The poor lieutenant of the Coast guard, and the honoured professor of the far-famed college met together as brethren, for their minds were one. Blessings on the man who first planned a congregation of the talent of the earth! It is one grand step towards the dispensation of universal peace. Science waves her magic wand over her favoured votaries, and the hubbub of dissension is at rest. She raises her voice, and a hushed world listens and approves. She turns "the sword into a ploughshare, and the spear into a reaping-hook." She subdues the passions of war, and disperses the threatening armament. One by one the freighted vessels, strong in their mission of peace, sail from our ports the ministers of good to distant and benighted lands. Science infuses a soul into the savage

* A discussion arose amongst the savans as to the meaning of the word Wheal; some supposed it to signify Hole, but it was explained by a Cambro Britain, to mean work in the Cornish dialect, as a similar word is found in the Welsh language Hwyl, of the same import.

breast, and clearing the mists of superstition and ignorance, pours the light of heavenly truth on the darkened mind. Bigotry sinks abashed at the grandeur of her mien; at her command men of all sects and all denominations unite together for the cause of Truth. Buckland, and Sedgwick, and Smith, and Bowring, and hundreds of others enrol their names on the same sheet of fame. Holy Science! Blessed Association of kindred spirits! May the society of just men made perfect be thus continued in a better world to all eternity!

SECTION THE THIRD.

EXCURSIONS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF TAVISTOCK.

EXCURSION THE FIRST.

MORWEL-HOUSE-MORWEL-ROCKS-WEIR HEAD, &c. &c.

"Devonia lifts

Her rocks sublimely."

CARRINGTON.

E must now engage some vehicle, to bear us on our more lengthy excursions. The first shall be to our justly celebrated Morwel

Rocks. We take the Callington road which from its gentle ascents, commands many sweet views of the country. A home scene by Lumbourn, is particularly to be admired.-Leaving the Callington road, we proceed to Morwel-down, or what was formerly Morvel down, it being now in a rapid state of cultivation. From this elevated portion of land a bird's-eye-view of our most picturesque scenery is visible. The windings of the Tamar may be traced between its thickly wooded shores, far down towards Plymouth on one side, and towards the Weir head on the other. Before us are the beautiful woods and handsome mansion of Harewood, (the seat of Sir William Trelawny, Lord Lieutenant of the county of Cornwall). Thus apostrophized by Carrington