form and pageantry of royalty to a small suburban retreat, where, free from the annoyances of state, they may experimentalize in the happiness afforded by more private life.

At Alexandrowsky a service of china, which had been manufactured for this sans souci retreat, was shown to us, bearing a crest illustrative of a chivalrous event in the early lives of their present majesties. It seems that at a Prussian military review, about twenty years ago, a wreath of flowers which adorned the brow of the present Empress chanced to be blown off, and Nicholas, who was in attendance to do the amiable, caught it on the point of his sword, and thus returned it to its fair owner. The wreath was perhaps considered as a gage d'amour, and is represented in the china on the sword's point.

The Emperor Nicholas has been placed by fate at the head of a system of governmen, and line of national policy, which have been handed down from one monarch to another, and it is a question, however much disposed he may feel towards the amelioration of many things, whether his individual will, powerful as it may be, is capable of creating a new system.

His majesty is considered the most energetic European sovereign of the present age, and his reign has given an activity to many things in Russia, which they could not have acquired under the milder sway of his predecessor. Immediately on succeeding to the throne he adopted a system of visiting personally, and unexpectedly, all the various departments of the public service, and is reported to have discovered in them much that required correction. Many of the lower officials were, for instance, found to be worse clad than even Falstaff's ragged regiment, and he in consequence introduced the present system, which compels every employe to wear uniform, and thus, perhaps, carries the honour of the public livery too low in the scale of employment.

To purge the service of the fraud, bribery, and corruption of every possible description, which affects alike the civil and the military systems of Russia, from the judge and general down to the lowest myrmidon of the police, is much too herculean a task for one monarch to hope to accomplish.

That this general corruption of principle is not a matter of mere surmise, may be clearly proved by a thousand circumstances, and more particularly by the unblushing assurance with which the officials live in a style unquestionably requiring six times their legitimate incomes; and public employment has thus become rather a license for extortion, than in itself a means of respectable subsistence. The Emperor is fully aware of the existence of this system, but appears to consider its cure as

hopeless, and when it was proposed to him to raise all salaries so as to afford no excuse for bribery, he is reported to have replied that he knew the Russians well, and that though their salaries might be increased, their plunder would not be diminished.

Every suitable opportunity is, however, eagerly embraced to show his appreciation of integrity in public life, and as a recent instance of this feeling, our incorruptible countryman, Admiral Hall, was, in despite of his age and a desire for ease, long compelled to retain the government of an important province of the empire, and on ultimately being permitted to retire, he was loaded with honours, and rewarded with a sinecure appointment.

The first step towards an improvement of the institutions of Russia should no doubt be the education and the emancipation of the people, and these some of the Emperor's admirers believe that he is not unfavourably disposed towards. Be this, however, as it may, whatever Russian monarch shall first adopt education, emancipation, and internal improvement, as the national watch-words, instead of conquest and territorial acquisition, will richly merit to be considered as a civilized Peter the Great. The feeling of the nobility is, however, so strongly in favour of the present system of slavery, that the change would no doubt be one of some danger to any sovereign who might undertake it.

The Russian nobility have of late begun to see the possibility of improving the value of their estates by a better system of agriculture, and importations of the best breeds of English cattle; indeed, a scheme is now organizing for the establishment of a large model farm near St Petersburg, for the purpose of instructing pupils from the more remote provinces. This idea originated with one of the English residents of St Petersburg, and should it be properly carried into effect, our obscure countryman will prove to have been a greater benefactor to Russia than even the greatest of her generals or statesmen. At present no part of Russia can be considered as properly cultivated, and probably not one fourth of her improvable surface is cultivated at all.

HERR DÖBLER'S CELEBRATED

WINE TRICK. SEVERAL of our subscribers having expressed a desire to be informed how to conduct this very ingenious and truly philosophic experiment, we are enabled, through the kindness of an old correspondent, this week to gratify their wishes.

The experiment consists in being enabled, from a common wine-bottle, apparently to pour either white or red wine, milk, water, or champagne.

The following chemicals in solution are requisite :

1. A saturated solution of the sulphocyanate of potass, for port wine.

2. A dilute solution of ditto ditto, for sherry wine.

"A certain nun, called Sister Beatrix, had led a life as to outward appearance regular enough to deserve the office of turnkey, which was given her by the Ab

4. A saturated solution of per-chloride of iron.

5. A saturated solution of bi-carbonate of potass, for champagne.

6. Sulphuric acid.

7. A clear solution of gum-arabic. The mode of conducting the trick is so simple that the following instructions will enable even the most bungling manipulator to deceive his more sagacious friends :Into a clean and empty wine-bottle pour about three drachms, or teaspoonsful, of No. 4; this, in consequence of the form of the bottle, is not seen, and, therefore, it is still apparently empty.

The water to be employed should be distilled, or clear rain-water, where the other cannot be obtained, will answer; to this add, previously to its being seen by the spectators, about a tablespoonful of the gum-water (No. 7), and a tablespoonful of No. 6. The whole is perfectly colourless, and may be placed in a waterbottle for use.*

The most important part of the trick is charging the wine glasses, it would be better to have them differently cut, the more readily to distinguish them from each other. The glasses are charged by merely pouring into them the solutions, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, and then pouring it back again into the bottle, enough adhering to the sides of the glass to produce the requisite change of colour.

When everything is thus arranged, the water is poured into the green bottle, and on being decanted into the respective glasses, will offer the apparent port, sherry, milk, champagne, or water.t B.

OUR LADY OF THE HOLY HEART. A CENTURY ago a community of young women, under the name of Our Lady of Nazareth,' or of the Holy Heart,' was formed by a priest living in the parish of St Maclou, in the city of Rouen, named Binet, a man who made himself remarkable as much by his whimsical devotion, as by his ignorance, which was of the grossest kind.

This man, in one of his sermons, indulged in a panegyric upon the Blessed Virgin, and to magnify the efficacy of her intercession with God, told the following story, in the presence of a numerous con

* If you intend to drink any of the water before using it, No. 6 may be placed with No. 4 in the wine-bottle.

+ In this you of course have an uncharged glass.

Virgin ran so high, that she never failed of performing a daily task, which she had prescribed herself, for the honour and worship of that benefactress of mankind. While she was doing the duties of her place, she unluckily listened to some seducing discourse of a young loose nun, and suffered herself to be corrupted by her pernicious counsels. After she had for some time resisted the temptation, she went and cast herself at the feet of the Holy Virgin, saying to her, It is now a long time, my good patroness, that I have faithfully served you, and you give no ear to my prayers. My patience is tired, and I am resolved to be gone; here, take my keys.' After this compliment to the Virgin Mary, she quitted the convent, changed her habit, and let herself loose to all manner of dissipation.

"When the young seducer had abandoned her, as is usual in like cases, and ceased to minister to her necessities, she became the most impudent and abandoned of all wantons, and in this woeful course of life continued full fifteen years.

"All this time the mother of God occupied the place of Sister Beatrix in the convent. She assumed her air, stature, voice, countenance, and habit, so that not a soul, either within or without doors, ever perceived the absence of Beatrix.

"At last our female apostate, quite tired of so lewd and wicked a life, inquired one day of a woman what they said of Sister Beatrix? 'She is a holy girl,' answered the woman, whom everybody loves and esteems for her meekness, faithfulness, and constancy in performing her devotions.' The nun, surprised to hear that another Beatrix was got into her place, runs away to the convent to see her. The Blessed Virgin received her with much goodness, reproached her as she deserved, and assured her that nobody had known of her absence, or her disorders; that the community had the same sentiments of esteem and friendship which it had before shown her. It was in recompense of the constant exactness with which she had offered up the prayer, which she vowed to the Virgin. The mother of God added that she herself had discharged her place, and done her work, all the time of her absence; and as she continued to serve her, that God had pardoned all her sins, and that she had no need of penance; in short, that she was sure of sanctification and eternal happiness,provided she persevered in honouring and glorifying her as she had always done."

coronet or.

THE NOBLE HOUSE OF

SHEFFIELD.

THIS ancient family emigrated to Ireland in the reign of Charles the Second. The experiment was somewhat bold, so shortly after the horrible scenes which occurred between the maddened Irish and the

English settlers in 1641. For a long time the family had enjoyed wealth and consideration in England. William de How

rode (as the name was originally spelt), had large estates in the county of York, from the thirteenth century. Howrode was the name of a hamlet in that vicinity. Isaac Holroyd, a descendant of William de Holroyde, having settled in Ireland, was succeeded by his only son John Holroyd, Esq., who was born in 1680. His son, Isaac Holroyd, succeeded him, and was in turn succeeded by his only surviving son, John Baker Holroyd

This gentleman inherited the estates of his mother's family, the Bakers, of Penn. He in consequence assumed that surname before his paternal one. He was advanced to the Peerage of Ireland, January 9th, 1781, by the title of Baron Sheffield of Dunamore, county of Meath, and created, October 19th, 1783, Baron Sheffield of Ros common, with remainder in default of male to the female issue of his first marriage. His Lordship married thrice: first, in 1767, Abigail, the only daughter of Lewis Way, Esq., by whom he had two daughters; secondly, December 26th, 1794, Lady Lucy Pelham, daughter of Thomas, first Earl of Chichester; and thirdly, January 20th, 1798, Lady Ann North, second daughter of Frederick, second Earl of Guilford, by George Augustus Frederick Charles, the present peer. On the 29th July, 1802, he was enrolled among the peers of the empire as Baron Sheffield of Sheffield, county of York, and advanced to the Viscounty of Pevensey and Earldom of Sheffield in the peerage of Ireland, January

As a

22nd, 1816. His Lordship served the public as President of the Board of Agriculture, as a Lord of Trade, and as a writer on political economy he obtained member of the Privy Council. some distinction in the literary world. He died at the age of eighty-six, May, 1821, and was succeeded by the son above

named, who was born March 16th, 1802; came to his title May 30th, 1821, and married, June 6th, 1825, Harriet, eldest

daughter of Henry, second Earl of Harewood, by whom he has issue.

A RIDE TO CHERTSEY. "Come, now toward Chertsey with your holy load, Taken from Paul's to be interred there." Richard III.-Act 1, Scene 2.

AMIDST the various attractions of railroads, steamboats, and coaches, by which the man of leisure and taste, or the merchant or trader, seek relaxation or health, it is difficult to decide where and how a particular day set apart for the purpose shall be spent. We took another glance at the 'Map of 24 Miles round London,' and seeing that Chertsey was situated on one of those graceful curves for which the noble "river of Thames" is famed, determined to take a place on the coach, as affording better opportunities for "eyeing nature's walks" than either locomotion or steam. The former we consider absolutely wearisome to the pleasure traveller; the latter is certainly agreeable, when accompanied by the cloudless sky and refreshing breeze; but if we go from home to see the haunts of men, and to mingle with their feelings, there is no mode so convenient as that which has lately, as a system, been all but destroyed-the coach and horses.

The pleasant portion of our journey begins at the suspension bridge at Hammersmith. Here, and especially at high water, the view presents two noble reaches, with

oftentimes a steamer or two ploughing their course towards Richmond and Hampton Court, throwing the swelling waves on the banks, which subside with murmurs, as if offended at the liberty taken with their upward or downward course by a new power. Here the plain is entered upon, which we never quit on this excursion, rich with vegetation and clothed with woods of various degrees of age and beauty. Barnes Church, distinguished by a red brick tower, denoting the Elizabethan age of architecture, is passed on the right. Barnes terrace appears, and again the river comes into view; thence to Mortlake, a locality, as its French name clearly indicates, where once existed a stagnant lake fed by the overflowings of the Thames, but of which in our day no vestiges re.. main. A constantly winding, or abruptly turning, road, brings us to Sheen, East and West, a suburb of Richmond, although it may not be generally known that what is now the latter place was once called by the former name, having been changed from "Sheen" to "Richmond " by order of Henry VII. The former favourite resorts of "heads who wore crowns" are here approached. Here, in ancient times, was a royal palace, the favourite residence of Edwards I, II, and III, and of Richard II and Henry V; destroyed by fire in 1497, but rebuilt by Henry VII. Henry VIII, and Wolsey resided in this palace. It served as a place of confinement to Elizabeth and her sister Mary.

We are not permitted, on this excursion, to take a survey from that celebrated spot, renowned both in story and song, and illustrated in the favourite ditty

"On Richmond hill there lives a lass, More bright than May-day morn; as our route lies under the hill, whence its beauties can best be seen, particularly from Richmond bridge; and here passing again into Middlesex, before entering Twickenham, observe on the right-hand side the house where Louis Philippe, now the greatest monarch of his day, resided in the very humble capacity of a teacher of the French language, and opposite, separated from the road by a high wall, are the grounds of "Orleans House" (a noble mansion fronting the river), the subsequent residence of the King of the French during his exile in England. Passing through Twickenham, which presents an appearance of population and trade, let us remark that here lived the amiable brother of the most active politician of this century, Mr Jones Burdett, but having finished his career, now lies quietly in the church,

"Where the weary are at rest." His virtues are commemorated by an affectionate eulogium from the pen of Sir Francis Burdett, which, condemning the mean falsehoods of many memorials of the

departed, offers a tribute of merited praise to his friend and brother. This is the classic ground of Pope and Walpole, the house of the latter (Strawberry Hill) is empty, and "to let." The celebrated dwelling of the former has been so modernized and changed that its former glory exists now only in imagination.

Teddington, it is said, is a corruption of the words "Tide-end Town," the Thames here ceasing to be influenced by the action of the sea, and certain it is, whether the given origin of the present name of the village be correct or not, the water here continually flows downward. The view before reaching Teddington, both up and down the river, is remarkably pleasing. We next arrive at Bushy Park: a grand avenue of stately chesnuts and limes present a most appropriate and imposing entrance to Hampton Court. Bushy House is on the right, and from hence to Chertsey, through Hampton, Sunbury, and Shepperton, the road and river vie with each other in their serpentine courses. At the village of Littleton, on the right, is the seat of Col. Wood, the member for Brecon, and on the same side, nearer Chertsey, that of Earl Lucan, at Laleham. The former gentleman, it is said, allows no poor's rate or church rate to be collected in his parish a pleasing instance of liberality in a "fine old English gentleman."

Beyond Chertsey, invisible from the locality, is St Ann's Hill, where lived the great statesman, Charles James Fox; it is commanding, and beautifully wooded. In the church is a tablet,

66 TO THE

MEMORY OF THE BEST OF HUSBANDS AND
THE MOST EXCELLENT OF MEN,
CHARLES JAMES FOX,
WHO DIED SEPT. 13TH, 1806,
AND IS BURIED IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY,
HIS MOST AFFECTIONATE WIFE
PLACES THIS TABLET."
"A patriot's even course he steered,
'Mid faction's wildest storms unmoved.
By all who marked his mind-revered,
By all who knew his heart-beloved."

His "affectionate wife" enjoyed a long career after the death of her husband,

having survived him half a life, namely, 36 the spot respectably but not ostentatiously years. She is buried in the church-yard,

marked

66 ELIZABETH BRIDGET FOX, DIED 8TH JULY, 1842, AGED 92 YEARS." One "Laurentio Tomsono" occupies an honourable niche in the chancel; he travelled in Sweden, Russia, Denmark, Germany, and France, understood, besides the languages of these countries (as it may be presumed), Hebrew made a new translation of the testament, and died 4th April, 1608. He must have been an adven

turous man who travelled in the north of Europe in those days! But where is the "Abbey" of Chertsey, in which was buried the murdered Henry VI, although his remains were afterwards removed to Windsor? Reader, it is gone! Even the spot where it stood is apocryphal, but not so, we believe, some stones which have been used to repair and strengthen an old brick wall at the bottom of the garden of the Crown Inn. They are a composition of clay and gravel, dark in colour, and certainly very abbey-like, as are also some other chalk stones sufficiently distinguishable from the more modern brick.

Chertsey has a market, is situated in the midst of a corn-district, and has several good inns. If you wish to dine well, in its vicinity, you may try—

"Where the Red Lion staring o'er the way,

Invites each passing stranger that can pay." Between Sunbury and Shepperton a small river crosses the road, and must be forded by all vehicles and horsemen. It is dignified with the name of "Sunbury Water-splash "-not inappropriately, by the way, when dashed into by fast-trotting coach-horses-and in Oatlands Park, on the opposite side of the Thames, there is a stone tower of considerable size and height, which, together with the river just named, form a curious illustration of primitive ideas being applied to objects; the latter, 80 or 90 feet high, has no better or grander name applied to it, and suggested by its form, than the " Pepper Box," although it would probably contain within it all the pepper boxes ever manufactured from the days of Adam to this present month of September, 1843.

SUPERIORITY OF THE ROYAL

BLOOD OF FRANCE. THE courtesy and friendly feeling which prevailed during the continuance of those gratifying scenes on the other side of the water in which our Queen and the King of the French were the chief actors, with all the accompanying splendour, exhibit the cordiality of humbler life. It would seem as if, on this occasion, kindness and esteem put aside those lofty pretensions which in former days rendered even friendly greetings cold and unconciliating. It perhaps is not generally known that the Bourbons of the old stock claimed to rank above all other royals. To English ears the foundations of this claim will seem ridiculous enough. It was made to rest on some flattery addressed by a priest called St Gregory, a thousand years ago, to King Childebert. He is said to have written to that monarch, that "the excellence of his crown indubitably exalted it as much above all other nations, as the royal dignity raised its possessor above common men." Mat

thew Paris, the English historian, in 1254, was induced to use the words "Dominus Rex Francorum, qui terrestrium Rex Regum est," and to add, that "the dignity of the King of France was superior to that of all other monarchs." Such a declaration, coming from an English writer, was supposed to settle the question beyond dispute.

The other authorities relied on will be deemed rather curious than important. Our King Henry V is referred to, as having decided the point. When he entered Paris with King Charles VI, in 1420, "Les deux Rois," says Warin, "moult noblement de front, l'un d'auprès l'autre, le Roi de France au dextre côté; et après eux étaient les Ducs de Clarans et de Belfort, freres du Roi d'Angleterre, et à l'autre côté de la rue, a la main senèstre, chevauchoit Phillippe-le-Bon, Duc de Bourgoyne, et après lui étaient les Chevaliers et les Ecuyers de son Hotel."-"The two Kings rode gallantly side by side in front, the King of France taking the right hand; and after them came the Dukes of Clarence and Bedford, brothers to the King of England, and on the other side of the street, on the left hand, Philip le Bon, Duke of Burgundy, and after him came the gentlemen and pages of his household." That the Duke of Burgundy, who was neither son nor grandson of France, but only related to the King by the third degree, should have taken his place by the side of the brothers of the King of England, was viewed by the French royals as a recognition of the superiority of the Princes of the blood of France, over all of the same high degree elsewhere.

Their grandeur is also supported by a speech given to the Emperor Maximilian in Jerome Bignon's work, 'De l'Excellence des Rois et Royaume de France.' "If it were possible," said that courteous, but not over-pious monarch, "that I could be God, I should wish my eldest son to be God after me, and my son to be King of France."

The superiority of the crown of France, it is urged, has been acknowledged in all ages. It was only to the ambassadors of the imperial crown that precedence was allowed. Personally, the Kings of France have claimed from the Emperors to be treated as equals. Charles V gave way to Francis I, in 1521, at the conference of Calais. More commonly the Kings of France and the Emperors have walked side by side, and if ever the former have given way, it has always been an act of deference and courtesy, never of duty or necessity.

The French love glory, and many of them are pleased to identify glory with the successful enforcement of such high-flying claims as have been described. Louis XIV, it is exultingly proclaimed, would sooner