you no bet? Why for you no go ober?' Here the mule shook his ears to drive away the flies, which almost devour the poor animals in that climate. 'Oh! you do bet; bery well, den me try.' The young rogue (he was not more than ten years old) disappeared in the bush, and returned in a few seconds with some strips of fanweed, a few small pebbles, and a branch of the cactus plant. To put three or four peb bles in each of the mule's ears, and tie them up with the fanweed, was but the work of a minute. He then jumped on the animal's back, turned round, put the plant to the animal's tail, and off they went, as a negro himself would say, 'Like mad, massa!' Into the water they plunged-the little fellow grinning and showing his teeth in perfect ecstasy. Out they got on the other side; head and ears down-tail and heels up-and the boy's arms moving about as if he was flying; and I lost sight of him as he went over a rocky steep at full gallop, where one false step would have precipitated them into the sea beneath, from whence there would have been but small

chance of escape. A butcher's boy is nothing to a negro boy in these exploits. About two hours afterwards I reached Port Maria. There I saw, in an open space near one of the stores, standing, or rather leaning against the wall, Quashie, eating cakes; and there also stood the mule, eat ing Guinea grass, and looking much more cheerful than when I first saw him at the river side. Well, Quashie,' I said, 'you have got here, I see; but which of you won? Quashie win, massa-Quashie never lose.' 'But will he pay?' I inquired. Quashie pay himself, massa. You see, Massa Buckra, massa gib Quashie tenpenny bit for grass for mule: Quashie bet fippenny him make him go ober de river. Quashie win. Quashie heb fippenny for cake-mule heb fippenny for grass.'

Some of his stories are dull and long winded, but the following are not bad:

Sleep has no Master.-Exhausted by a long journey, a negro servant had fallen asleep. On being awoke, and told somewhat sharply that his master was angry because "him da call, call, and him keep on sleep, and no heary," he facetiously replied, "Sleep no heb massa.'

A Negro Pun.-"Wilberforce," said a negro, on one occasion, in the midst of a group of his companions" Wilberforce-dat good name for true; him good buckra; him want to make we free; and if him can't get we free no oder way him will by force."

Meum and Suum.—A negro, having purchased a hat, was observed to take it from his head on the fall of a shower of rain, and to manifest considerable anxiety to preserve it from the wet. On being remonstrated with for his supposed stupidity

in thus leaving his head exposed, he wittily observed, Hat belong to me-head belong to massa.'

Man made of Mud.-During an examination of a black servant in the Catechism, he was asked by the clergyman what he was made of. "Of mud, massa," was the reply. On being told he should say, "Of dust," he snswered, "No, massa, it no do, no tick togedder."

A New Way to Pay Old Debts.—A negro, when in a state of heathenism, contracted a debt to a considerable amount. Being frequently importuned for payment, he resolved to be christened, and afterwards, on the application being made, replied, with considerable naivete, “Me is new man now; befo me name Quashie, derefo me no pay Quashie debt."

What's Sauce for a Goose is Sauce for a Gander. - A white man had often beaten one of his slaves unmercifully; the latter, after a punishment unusually severe, preferred a complaint before a bench of magistrates, which had the effect of securing a reprimand to the master. Highly provoked with the slave for thus daring to oppose him in open court, the master meditated revenge. Some time after, sending the slave into a summer-house in a secluded spot, seizing a large stick, he entered, and securing the door, vociferated, "Now, villain, I'll teach you to take me before the magistrates. I'll make you pay dear for it, I'll warrant you. Nobody can see me here, and you'll have no witnesses now,' at the same time beginning to beat him unmercifully. The slave, being a powerful man, on hearing the latter sentence, seized the weapon, and wresting it from the master's hand, retaliated, saying, "If me no heb witness to prosecute massa, massa no heb witness to prosecute me," and continued the flagellation until the assailant was obliged to cry for mercy, which was shown him by the victorious Quashy, on condition that he would never notice the circumstance to his disadvantage.

SECRETS IN RUSSIA.

THE numerous Englishmen in Russia are obliged in their correspondence to be silent on all passing events. A gentleman in London lately wrote to a friend at St Petersburg to furnish some particulars of life in Russia. The answer was, it would be un safe for any one residing there to do anything of the kind. Many particulars were given in the Tour' which lately appeared in this publication, which had never transpired before. The secrecy necessary to be observed in the Russian dominions in cases which would receive all possible publicity elsewhere, is strongly shown in the work of the Marquis of Custine, the 'Empire

"About three o'clock, while at dinner in the English palace, a squall of wind passed over Peterhoff, violently agitated the trees, and strewed the park with their branches. While coolly watching the storm, we little thought that the sisters, mothers, and friends of crowds seated at the same table with us were perishing on the water, under its terrible agency. Our curiosity was approaching to gaiety at the very time that a great number of small vessels, which had left Petersburg for Peterhoff, were foundering in the gulf. It is now admitted that two hundred persons were drowned; others say fifteen hundred or two thousand: no one knows the truth, and the journals will not speak of the occurrence; this would be to distress the empress, and to accuse the emperor. The disaster was kept a secret during the entire evening; nothing transpired until after the fete; and this morning the court neither appears more nor less sad than usual. There, etiquette forbids to speak of that which occupies the thoughts of all; and even beyond the palace little is said."

What follows is still more remarkable. It exhibits the Russian police in no very favourable light.

"At the last carnival, a lady of my acquaintance had permitted her waiting woman to go out on the Sunday. Night came, and this person did not return. On the following morning the lady, very uneasy, sent to obtain information from the police. They replied that no accident had occurred in Petersburg on the preceding night, and that no doubt the femme-de-chambre had lost herself, and would soon return safe and sound. The day passed in deceitful security. On the day following a relation of the girl's, a young man tolerably versed in the secrets of the police, conceived the idea of going to the Hall of Surgery, to which one of his friends procured him an admission. Scarcely had he entered when he recognized the corpse of his cousin, which the pupils were just about to commence dissecting. Being a good Russian, he preserved self-command sufficient to conceal his emotion, and asked-Whose body is this?' 'No one knows: it is that of a girl's who was found dead the night before last, in street; it is believed that she has been strangled in attempting to defend herself against men 'Who are the men?' 'We do not know: one can only form conjectures on the event; proofs are wanting.' How did you obtain the body?' 'The police sold it to us secretly; so we will not talk about it.' This last is a common expression in the mouth of a Russ, or an acclimated foreigner. The peculiar cha racteristic of Russia is the protective

shrouded. The cousin was dead. The mistress of the victim dared not complain; and now, after a lapse of six months, I am, perhaps, the only person to whom she has related the death of her femme-de-chambre. It will by this be seen how the subaltern agents of the Russian police perform their duties. These faithless servants gained a double advantage by selling the body of the murdered woman: they obtained a few roubles, and they also concealed the murder, which would have brought upon them severe blame if the noise of the event had got abroad."

ON WALLACK'S CHALLENGING THE AUDIENCE

Heidelberg. The young Princes of Baden are still pursuing their studies here despite the vacation they continue hearing private lectures of the professors. Ludwig, the hereditary Prince, has a good knowledge of the English language; and on Monday, the 2nd of October, Mr T. W. Gaspey was favoured with a private audience, on which occasion he had the honour of presenting a copy of his translation into English of Engel's Laurence Stark,' which had previously been dedicated by express permission to his Highness. Book and translator were both graciously received.

A Bull.-"Patrick, you fool, what makes you stale after that rabbit, when your gun has no lock on?" "Hush! hush! my darlin', the rabbit don't know that."

Multum in Parvo.-The following business-like account of the last penalty of the law being inflicted on eight unhappy beings, appeared in the Historical Register of the Gentleman's Magazine' for Jan. 1747:-"Wednesday, 21st, were executed at Tyburn, Felix and Anthony Mathews, haymakers, Barnaby Lindsay, a boy of 16, for highway robberies; Samuel Mecum, for burglary; Philip Jewel, for shoplifting; Robert Fitzgerald, for uttering a forged bill of exchange; Richard Clay and John Mathews, for burglary."

Barking Trees.-According to Grimm, the offence of barking trees was that which, amongst the ancient Germans, was visited with the most atrocious severity. The offender's naval was dug out, and nailed to the injured tree, round which he was driven, dragging out his own bowels, and winding them upon it in lieu of the de

spoiled bark. While damaging trees was thus punished, every injury to a fellow. creature, even murder, might be expiated with a sum of money!

Law of Debtor and Creditor in Norway.In the old Norwegian code it was declared, "If a debtor be impertinent to his creditor, or refuse to work for him, the latter may bring him before a court of justice, and invite his friends to pay the debt. If the friends will not free the debtor, the creditor has a right to cut off of him as much as he will, above or below." (It is not explained whether he was to cut flesh only, or might lop off a limb.)

Aged Parents to be Destroyed.-The Teutonic and Sclavonian races were accustomed to put their fathers and mothers, when very old, to death. Dr Grimm, alleges that they were no worse than the Romans, in proof of which he quotes a passage from Festus, showing that sexagenarians might, in times of scarcity, be legally thrown from a bridge into the Tiber; and another from Cicero (Cic. pro Sext. Rosc. cap 35), alluding to such a right.

A Civic Compliment.-The late Margrave of Anspach married an English lady. On the occasion of the freedom of the city of London being voted to him, in the Fishmongers' Company, it was presented to him with a medal, on which appeared this remarkable motto: "He married our countrywoman, and we adopt him as our brother."

Royal Anxiety to guard against Misrepresentation. An officer who attended Frederick the Great in his campaigns remarked that at night he opened a large book, in which he wrote, sometimes very little, at other times a great deal; and venturing to ask him at last what he was writing, he replied, "A journal of my campaigns: when I am dead, no doubt somebody will make use of and publish it; now, by setting down faithfully every night the occurrences of the day, I am sure no lies will be told."

Gone Out.-A short time ago a gentleman in Birmingham had occasion to visit a friend, but, on inquiring, was told he was gone out. He then wished to see the mistress, but she was gone out also. That no time might be lost, he inquired for the young master, but he was also out. He then said he would walk in and sit by the fire till one of them returned, but he was told by the servant (an Irishman), "Indeed, sir, and you can't, for the fire is gone out too."

Anecdote of a former Lord Strangford.During the campaigns in Flanders, a regiment, commanded by one of the Duke of Marlborough's generals, happened to take possession of a college at Liege. One morning, as the general was walking alone

in the garden, he perceived a slate fall at his feet, with something written upon it. On taking it up, he observed these words: "Lord Strangford is confined a prisoner in this tower, against his will." The general immediately inquired into the circumstances of the case, and having found the statement to be correct, ordered the nobleman's immediate liberation. The present Lord Penshurst, his descendant, has the slate with the inscription in his possession.

Louis, the Eighteenth.-When a young man, Louis, then Monsieur, wrote a comedy in three acts, called 'Le Mariage Secret,' in verse; which he wished to have represented under the name of his secretary, the celebrated Ducis, the imitator of Shakspere on the French stage. It was acted and succeeded; but though elegantly written, was wanting in passion and deficient in interest. Afterwards, it is said, he suppressed a publication called the 'Miroir' for criticising his style too freely.

New Food.-The Viscount de BarreulBeauvert, director of some agricultural establishments in Central America, has forwarded a packet of rice, of a variety altogether unknown, to France; and a case of the root of an arum, named by the inhabitants kikishe, of which the nutritive qualities are exceedingly great, M de Barreul having obtained 27 per cent. of fecule from it. It possesses the property of keeping longer than the potatoe.

Shakspere in Prussia.-At Berlin, the 'Midsummer Night's Dream' has been acted with scenic music by Dr Mendelssohn Bartholdy. The first act, of course, offers no scope to the musician; but the three following, in the Athenian wood, have been embellished with rich and fantastic elfin music. In the fifth there is a brilliant bridal march; and caricature music to the "parlous" tragedy of Pyramus and Thisbe, written in the sublimest style of false sentiment.

Progress of Puseyism.—The 'Alleghany Banner' says it saw a beautiful young lady of the Episcopal Church walking along Federal street with a bishop on her back and a cardinal on her shoulders. Verily this is a priest-ridden people.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The communications of several correspondents must

remain unanswered till next week.

We do not recollect seeing the lines sent by" Delta" before, and of course cannot give the information he seeks.

"J. Y. B. R. H.'s" suggestion will be considered. Two or three stories have been received, which, from their length and other circumstances, must be declined. They will be left for the writers at the office towards the end of the week.

Original Communications.

MEMBURY CHURCH. THE subject of our engraving is the parish church of Membury, near Axminster, in Devon, situated in a rich valley under the Black Down hills. It is remarkable in the neighbourhood for the height of its tower, but more interesting to the general antiquary as containing some curious monuments of the ancient family of Fry, seated at Tarty house, a family which long held a distinguished position among the gentry of Devon, and claimed to be descended from the Royal house of Plantagenet. Risdon, in his quaint style, says of this parish

66

Membury, more properly Maimburgh, is also a member of Axminster, where the maimed men in King Athelstane's age, after that great overthrow of the Danes, were sent to be relieved, in which place the ruins of a castle yet remain. It is to be observed that many places, towns, and No. 1189]

X

cities have borrowed their names of enterprises there achieved, for

"Whence the name,

Thence commonly the fame.'

The like hath been in other kingdoms, and may especially be noted in the Scriptures, where, in Genesis and other books thereof, often mention is made."

Polwhele, however, thinks that the place was named from the castle there, as Membury means a stony castle or burrow. The church, which was built about the end of the 13th century, is dedicated to St John the Baptist, and the living is a perpetual curacy annexed to the vicarage of Axminster in the archives and diocese of Exeter; but though its church is a chapel of ease to Axminster, Membury is a distinct parish.

In the church is a monument to Sir Shilston Calwady, who was killed at the siege of Ford Abbey, Feb. 3rd, 1645-6, besides which there is no tomb of note, except those in the "Tarty, or Fry aisle," [VOL. XLIII.

as it is called, being enclosed in a carved oak screen surmounted with the Fry arms. The principal of these monuments is a mural one against the south wall formerly painted and gilded, but now ruinous and defaced. It exhibits an entablature and cornice supported by columns, and ornamented with smiling cherubs, and coats of arms, &c., beneath which are the effigies of a man and woman kneeling opposite to each other, with a desk and books between them; their hands are uplifted in the attitude of Royers, and they are habited in the costume of the 17th century, each with a large ruff round the neck. Underneath the figures is a tablet with the following inscription:

"Here lie the bodies of Nicholas Fry, of Teartie, Esq., who died the 25th of October, 1632, in the 79th yeare of his age, and of Elynor, his wyfe, the daughter of John Brett, of Whitstanton, in the countee of Somersett, Esq.; she died the 28th of March, 1619, in the...th yeare of her age. they lieved in wedlocke 37 yeares, and had issue 4 sonnes and 6 daughters.Willyam, theire eldest sonne, who marryed Marye, the youngeste daur. of John Tonge, of Colyton, Esq.-Henrie, theire second sonne, who marryed Elizabeth, youngeste dau of Richard Parrett, of Buckerell, Gent.-Nicolas, theire third sonne, who died an infante.-John, theire fourth sonne, who yett liveth unmarryed. Margerette, theire eldeste daur, who marryed Robert Ashford, of ... Newell, Esq.-Elizabeth, theire 2nd daur, who marryed Henry Worth, of Worth, Esq.Bridgett, theire 3rd daur, who marryed Edward Pyne, of East Downe, Esq.-Anne, theire 4th dau", who died an infante.Alice, theire 5th dau", who married Henry Luscombe, of Luscombe, Esq.; and Agnes, theire youngeste dau, who marryed Gideon Sherman, of Knightston, Esq."

At the top of the monument is a coat of arms carved in stone and painted - quarterly, first, gules, three horses courant ar. in pale (Fry); second, sa. a fess. engr. betw. three mullets ar. (Bratton); third, sa. a lion ramp. ar. (Mathew); fourth ar. three mallards gu. (Tartie); crest, a horse's head erased argent.

In front of the desk, between the kneeling figures, is a shield with their coat armorial, viz., Fry, as above, impaling ar. remée of cross corslets gu. a lion ramp. of the last (Brett). Beneath the brackets which support the monument, and on each side of the tablet, is a shield, but the arms are defaced excepting one, which is Fry impaling gu. a chevron between three cones or. (Pyne).

In the south east corner of the aisle is a large tablet of black and white marble, ornamented with sculpture, and the following inscription in gilt letters:

"In memory of Robert Fry, of Tearty, Esq., who married Frances, ye daur. of Joseph Langton, of Newton park, in ye county of Somersett, Esq., by whom he had 1 son and 6 daurs who all died young save Elizabeth, who was married to John, Lord King, Baron of Ockham, she died 28 Jany. ætat 23, who lies also here interred without issue:-the said Robert Fry, descended from John Fry, of Tearty, and Agnes, his wife, the only daur and heiress of Tearty, of Tearty, Esq., and which said John was the son of John Fry, of Finiton, Esq., and Jane, daur of Edmund, Duke of Somersett, ye grandson of John of Gaunte, Duke of Lancaster, who was ye son of King Edward the Third. "Robert Fry, obiit Jany. 1725.

"Frances Fry, obiit 24 Decr. 1730, ætatis suæ 50.

"From John Fry afore-mentioned descended Henry Fry, now of Deer park, Esq.; Gilbert Fry, late of Wood, in this county, Esq.; Bernard Fry, yett afore of Dulcis, Esq., whose only daur and heiress was married to Geo. Southcott, 2nd_son of Thomas Southcott, of Calverly, Esq., and gt. grandfather to Geo. Southcott, now of Dulcis, Esq.

66

"This monument was erected pursuant to the directions of ye last will and testament of the said Frances Fry, by Raymondo Brett, Richard Hallett, and Geo.. Southcott, Esq's exors in trust therein named for Joane, Margrett, Elizabeth, daurs of John Fry, uncle to the aforesaid Henry Fry, Esq., anno 1742.”

Above the tablet is a shield with the arms of Fry impaling quarterly sa. and or. over all a beudlet ar. (Langton).

Against the eastern wall is an elegant mural monument, consisting of the bust of a young female surrounded by flowers, very well sculptured in white marble; beneath it a tablet with the following in-scription:

66

Frances, daur of Robert Fry, of Tearty, Esq, by Frances, his wife, dyed 18 March, 1718, æt suæ 17, who, disconsolate for her loss, erected this monument to her dear

memory:

666

"Stop, passenger! and view ye mournful shrine, Which holds ye reliques of a form divine. O she was all perfection, heavenly fair, And chaste and innocent as vestals are, Her wit, her humour, and her youth conspired To warm the soul, and all who saw admired. But, ah! how soon was all this heaven of charms Rifled by Death, and withered in his arms; Too soon for us, but not for her too soon, For now upon ye wings of angels flown Her native skies she's by her God carest, And keeps the eternal sabbath of ye blest. Learn hence, believers (good reader), to be wise, This trifling world and all its joys despise; With each high virtue let thy bosom swell, And live like her, yt you may dye so well."" Above the monument the arms of Fry in a lozenge.

On the chancel floor a stone bearing the