UNLUCKY LIKENESSES.

SKETCHES AT BOW-STREET.-No. XXV.

A FINE, tall, stout, broad-shouldered Cambrian gentleman was brought before Mr. Minshull, charged with having assaulted, or rather with having manifested a disposition to assault, an elderly taker of likenesses, who occupies apartments over a baker's shop in the Strand. The parties were brought before the Magistrate by one of the street-keepers, in consequence of his having seen the Cambrian gentleman, with his head and shoulders out of the likeness-taker's window, shouting "Murder!" with all his might.

When brought into the office the Cambrian gentleman was dreadfully agitated, and much at a loss for breath, but the likeness-taker was as cool as a cucumber, and the matter between them was this:-The likeness-taker painted a couple of likenesses, some months ago, for a lady who has bloomed more than fourscore years. Whilst the likenesses were painting, the Cambrian gentleman fell in love with and married the lady; for she was rich as she was venerable. In due time the likeness-taker sent home the lady's likenesses; but when he looked to have his money for them, he was told the likenesses were not liked, and must be altered before they would be paid for. He would willingly have altered them if they were not like, whether they were liked or not; for it would be a shocking thing if the lady should "lend her graces to the grave and leave

the world no copy." But they were never sent back to him to alter; and after waiting till he was tired, and being in great want of the money, he got a solicitor to serve the lady's lord, viz. the Cambrian gentleman, with a copy of a writ. Whereupon the Cambrian gentleman and his blooming bride ordered their carriage forthwith, and proceeded full of wrath to the likeness-taker's abode. When they reached it, the Cambrian gentleman left his bride in the carriage, and ascending to the likeness-taker's room, he said, "My name is

; and you are an infamous blackguard !” The likeness-taker, not liking this, replied, “I know you--you are just out of the King's Bench, and you have been down to Margate a fortunehunting!" Then the Cambrian gentleman put his clenched fist in the likeness-taker's face; and then the likeness-taker told his maid-servant to fetch a constable; and then the Cambrian gentleman popped his head out of the window and shouted murder! and then the street-keeper came scampering up stairs, and brought them both to this office; and the Magistrate held the Cambrian gentleman to bail, and the likeness-taker went home triumphing.

Herald.

IMPROMPTU.

You say, whene'er abroad you roam,
You meet with none but fools and asses:
Would you avoid them, keep at home;
But hark ye-break your looking-glasses.

Literary Magnet.

THE DISINTERESTED AGE.

Τερπεο πασιν όμως, οἷσι διδωσι θεος.

LAERT. vitâ Periand.

Take the good the Gods provide thee.-DRYDEN'S Ode.

OURS the disinterested age,

Tho' virtues may th' Historic page

Confer on years gone by, to loathing,
For when and who, like us at home,
Of all that Britain graced, or Rome,

So labour'd for mankind for nothing?
Time was, when those who Members sent
To sit and vote in Parliament,

Bestow'd a stipend in their bounty;
But now men will no more be paid,
But rather pay*—such love, 'tis said,

They feel for Borough and for County!

* See how changed these matters are at present: "The Crown formerly," says Blackstone, "pro re nata summoned the most flourishing towns to send Representatives to Parliament. As new towns therefore increased and grew populous, they were admitted to a share of the Legislature," (a custom entirely abandoned). "But unfortunately, the deserted boroughs continued to be summoned too," (a custom strictly abided by)," except a few who petitioned to be eased of the expence of maintaining their Members, 4s. being formerly allowed for the maintenance of a Knight of a Shire per diem; and 2s. for that of a Citizen or Burgess." Now, the greater virtue of the age disdains to touch a single penny, while men cheerfully disburse thousands, that the country may not be deprived of the unrequited benefit of their services. Under these circumstances, the laws of the Saxons and Danes were enacted, it is said, " by the advice of the Wittenagemote, or assembly of wise men." Thank Heaven, we have nothing of the kind now-a-days! Having happily substituted disinterested Patriots in the place of Mercenaries, it is pleasing to think, as it takes the sting out of the Holy Alliance, that Kings in their Council, still adhere to their German origin:-" De minoribus rebus Principes consultant; de majoribus omnes."-TACIT. de Mor. Germ. c. 11.The innocent fruits of which are an embroidered petticoat, the sublime of Chinese architecture, the cut of a military jacket, and (Oh! the cruellest cut of all!) an Austrian Edict.

The Justices of other days

Pursued the most corrupt of ways-
Without a bribe, then, no approaching;
Not so our unpaid Magistrate,

Who serves for nothing-such their hate
Of tithe recusancy and poaching!
"The good old times" (miscalled we know)
Did nought without a quid pro quo

To sweeten and relieve the onus;
But honorary all things now,
No public men to Mammon bow-

For 'tis not pay, to touch a bonus!
E'en Quacks the noble impulse feel,
And pure benevolence reveal,

For filthy lucre much their hate is:-
Tho' some folks, well inclined to mirth,
Declare it's just exact its worth,

When their advice is given gratis!
So graceless knaves are apt to deem
All unpaid service but a dream,

And most uncharitably scout it;
But thoughts like these are very hard,

For "Virtue is its own reward,"

None but the Chancellor can doubt it! Chronicle.

THE TEMPLE OF RHAPSODY.

We understand the Rev. Edward Irving's brick and mortar Committee are divided upon the question of whether their intended new meetinghouse shall be of the Grecian or Gothic order of architecture. Some think, that in consideration of their leader's barbarous style of preaching, the Gothic ought to be selected; but, in our opinion, if any peculiarity of the preacher is to be the ground of their decision in this important matter, the preference should most certainly be given to the Eye-onick. John Bull

THE JEWS AND CROMWELL.

DURING the protectorship of Oliver Cromwell he proposed the re-establishment of the Jews in England, with the liberty of carrying on their trade and enjoying the exercise of their religion. This scheme met with great opposition from the leaders of the different sectaries. Cromwell, however, carried the point, and procured the settling of a small body of Jews in an old quarter of London, under the direction of Manasses BenIsrael, a famous Rabbin, who set about building and soon finished a synagogue. The correspondence and unalterable friendship maintained between the dispersed Jews in the different countries of the earth, were of singular advantage to the Protector. He was often indebted to them for important pieces of news and intelligence, which not a little contributed to the success of the enterprises he had from time to time formed against foreigners. Among a number of examples that may be cited, we shall produce but one to corroborate what is here asserted.

One day, as Cromwell was walking with Lord Broghill in one of the galleries of Whitehall, a man, who was very meanly clad, presented himself before them. Cromwell immediately quitted company with his Lordship, and, taking that man by the hand, showed him into his closet. Here he learned from him, that the Spaniards were sending a considerable sum of money to pay their army in Flanders; that this sum was aboard a Dutch vessel; and the Jew was so exact in