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and when I returned to my home I found it desolate the things sold, my wife flown, and I thus cruelly robbed and a beggar. Revenge then seized me, and borrowing a fast horse from a friend, I galloped to Parramatta, a distance of fifteen miles from Sydney, goading on the poor beast, while I was perfectly frantic, until he fell with me and severely injured me. Three days did I lay senseless, and on my recovery I adopted more cool measures, and by great manoeuvring discovered her abode. When I called she was not at home; the man who opened the door did not know me, he said she was gone for a ride with her paramour on the South Head road. This was enough for me. I procured a horse, and arming myself with a heavy brass-handled hunting whip, patiently took my position in the bush, and had not long to wait before I saw them both on horseback coming down the road. Never shall I forget the demon spirit that enraged me; at this distance of time I feel sick when I think of the horrible feelings that animated me: guess, as I tell you what occurred, what they must have been. She was riding on the side of the road nearest where I was, and as they passed I plunged my spurs into the horse, burying them above the rowels, and so great was the violence with which I came against the horse she was riding, that both her and the horse were thrown down with great violence, and, as I afterwards heard, she was nearly killed. My horse was brought up by her paramour's-I struck one blow, and but one, but it was one that few men would live to tell the tale of. As luck would have it, I only struck with the side and not with the hammer. I caught him on the head-I saw him fall-I saw them both lying in the road bleeding, and I laughed yes, I actually laughed; but I could not have touched her for worlds-no, there she lay, for aught I knew or cared, dead. I immediately returned to Sydney, and to save myself from the hands of the police, I that night went on board the 'Maria' for Hobart Town, where I landed in May, 1835, with four shillings in my pocket, amongst strangers. Having had some success before on the stage, I rejoined the company as manager, and became the favourite of the town. I received a letter soon afterwards from a friend who knew of my residence in Hobart Town, that neither of them were killed, though both desperately hurt. They did not even know me, for the advertisement offering rewards for my apprehension gave the wrong colour to the horse, and described me as a bushranger. Thus I escaped.

I wrote repeatedly to her to inquire about the child, but could never get an answer. Then it was that I felt truly wretched; the black ox had struck on

my threshold, and I was friendless and without a home. Soon after I went to Launceston, where I met the Governor's nephew, Mr Arthur, with whom I was intimate, and who was collector of customs; he gave me a situation in his office, which I had hoped to retain for some time at least, but being obliged to go to Hobart Town, as a witness in the Supreme Court, on my return I found new faces in all the seats. The bubble had burst, without any notice had the Home Government superseded us, by gentlemen sent from England, and thus was I again adrift on the world, with nine pounds to fight my way. I then went to Hobart Town, where I joined the theatre with great success, excepting benefits, for on those occasions it was always sure to be wet. Many strange ups and downs did I have in this course of life; one day a gentleman, the next a beggar; still my heart never failed me. About this time, and as I told you, I would relate all facts, I met a young woman, who is now living in London. I was ill, she nursed me, and paid great attention, and as I had no wife, my conduct needs some palliative, she was at once nurse, wife, and everything to me; she lived with me for nearly two years, when an opportunity occurring, I prevailed on her to return to England, where she now is. I do not wish to wound the feelings of any of you, but I cannot pass over this portion of my history without saying that to that unfortunate girl I owe my life. When the theatre failed kept the tavern attached to it, and there, while going on successfully, as if misfortune was ever to be in my path, the house was put in Chancery, and I obliged to close my doors. Driven again on the world, I went to Launceston, where I got a situation as clerk in a lawyer's office, at thirty shillings per week, and as my board and lodging only cost me sixteen out of it, I thought I should be able to lay by something; but how ridiculous are all human calculations, the first Saturday night I got ten shillings for wages, and after starving in his employ for three months, I left him in my debt seven pounds. I then practised as an agent in the Court of Requests there, but, as if the devil was in the people, nobody would get in debt, so that was no go. As I had heard no definite news from Sydney for so long a time, I determined to return, and, proceeding to Hobart Town, embarked in the Yankee ship

Tybee,' and arrived in Sydney on the 26th of June, 1839. Mine has been a life of adventure-while coming up the harbour, a vessel, bound for London, the 'Lucretia,' caught fire, and was burned. On landing this time in Sydney, with my wardrobe in a pocket handkerchief, and the enormous sum of two shillings in my pocket, after paying my passage, I

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stalked through the busy scene, wondering what would come next, and fancying every fellow I met was a bailiff. I met a friend in the street, who told me, over a glass of grog, that I had better be off, for I should only be annoyed by her conduct, which now was too notorious to mention; but for me, who had braved in many instances the futile attempts of false friends to injure, to return without obtaining my object was too good a joke. On passing by a house I saw a fat fellow standing at the door. ‘Halloo!” says he, “you, sir, with the bundle, there, where are you going?"-" Halloo!" said I, equally astonished, "inside your house, to be sure, for I am pretty sharp set, seeing I've had no dinner."—" Dinner be d-d," says he, come on, while I've got sixpence, old boy, you know threepence is yours." Accordingly I went in, and the cordial and warm reception I met with from my old friend, Jack Meredith, and his not very handsome, but for all that a good, wife, does honour to that worthy pair-long may they live in peace and happiness; poor Jack and I saw some rough work in the bush in Van Diemen's Land, and as we have both learnt to work, so much the better for us. Two days after I met the dame flaunting through the street, and I do not envy her feelings at that moment. I did not speak, nor notice her, but a message was brought to me to meet her. I did, and demanded the child; I gave her till seven that evening to make up her mind, when I told her if she did not give up the girl to me, or tell me where she was, I would visit her at her house, as I knew I should be welcome. Receiving no answer at seven, I proceeded to her domicile, and the door was opened by a gentleman, who inquired my business; I requested him to step outside, and I would tell him; he came out of course, so I gave him a poke behind, and walked in, shutting the door after me. She then, I believe, was tolerably frightened, and said, if I would be quiet, she would tell me where Maria was; but another friend advised her not to tell the scoundrel; as he was somewhere about six feet long I took a chair to him, and as we say colonially, made him "close up a muckah," which, in plain English, means that I floored him with the chair, and as I found that it was likely to be an awkward weapon, I took the liberty of breaking off one of the legs, furnishing myself, by this means, with a very pretty little shillelah; at it we went, tooth and nail, and I can't say that the drums and trumpets sounded, but the women screamed, and the men swore, and I fought, and kicked, and flourished my leg of a chair about in a most astounding way, until I was master of the field. My God! says one, take care, he is mad; and so I was,

for I can assure you I never hit with such right good will in my life; as I found one of the enemy still on the floor, and as I was not quite certain he was not dead, and as in that case it would be necessary to bury him, I thought I would give him a decent funeral, so I kicked over the table with a lot of knicknacks, shells, and glasses on it, by way of a coffin, and gave him some chairs and the sofa for a shroud and pall. Then came the fun-I, standing like a maniac, and the interesting wife, on bended knees, with hair dishevelled and distilling briny tears, imploring her affectionate hus band to be quiet for one minute, and she would tell him where his daughter was. This was glorious, that I, single-handed and unarmed, could clear the house of four men, and bring a violent shrew to my feet: who would have thought it? it seems so ridiculous, I can't help laughing at it now. I obtained my object, got my child, and got rid of her, for I never spoke to her after, nor did she think fit to trouble meso much for that. Well, after remaining six weeks out of employ (here comes the gist, and proves at once what a blackguard, wretch, swindler, scoundrel, villain, I must have been), I was sent for to Hyde-park barracks, and the chief clerk asked me what I was doing, and if I should like to return to my old situation in the principal superintendent's office? "Yes," said I.

"Well, then," says Mr Ryan, "I will speak to Capt. M'Lean, the present principal superintendent, and see if I can get you back." He was as good as his word; and, to the astonishment of everybody, even my own well-wishers, was I, after: resigning the situation, and being absent from the colony four and a half years, with a character vilified in every way by these despicable wretches, who so ardently and earnestly tried to work my ruin, restored to the very same situation I had previously held; and after two years and a half that I have now held it, received again in society as a gentleman, holding a situation of trust and responsibility; and I am now satisfied that, from my good conduct, whenever a vacancy again occurs, it is mine. I have already been promoted four times, and I begin to suspect there is something now like the dawn of future prosperity breaking through the clouds. Mrs T. sailed for Calcutta, in the Charles Jones,' with a Monsieur Layeteau, captain of a whaling vessel; and after a few capers there, leading a most infamous life, for her conduct was so bad that they would not receive her on the stage, she expired, as I have before told you, in misery, on the 13th of last May-may her sins lay lightly on her, she has much to answer for.

Reviews.

The Hesperus: a Monthly Periodical of

Literature and Art. G. Purkess. THIS magazine, said to be devoted chiefly to the productions of writers under twenty-one years of age, although much

to be discredited when the articles are taken into consideration, evinces this month (the third of its age) considerable ability in many of its essays. The opening one, On late Hours of Business,' reflects credit on the author, as much in a humane point of view, as in a literary one. When youth attacks the bane, under the Scourge of which thousands of our fellow creatures are pining. maturity may do much in ridding us of many of the evils by which we are surrounded. The Twiggle Club' is humorous and well written but too little is given of it in this number to produce a happy effect. The character of Peter Doubleday is well drawn, and the story, in toto, augurs well. The following extract cannot fail to please and will serve to give an idea of the merits of this periodical. It is from an essay on Long Hair :

"It is said that the ancient Britons were proud of the length and beauty of their hair, and took great pains in dressing and colouring it; they were particularly anxious that it should never be touched by a slave, nor stained with their blood. The Anglo-Saxons, also, and the Danes, continued to wear long hair, which they considered one of their greatest ornaments, though it often proved a source of inconvenience in battle; many a valuable life might have been saved, and many an advantage secured, had they followed the custom of the Abantes, who took the precaution of having all the military shaved, 'because their enemyes in warre should have no occasion to pluck them by the heare.'

"William the Conqueror's long and fine hair was not forgotten by his poet, who, after the conquest of Britain, produced the following epigram:

"Cæsarium Cæsar tibi si natura negavit,

Hanc Wilielme tibi stella comata dedit;' in which, says Camden, it may seeme he alluded to the baldness of Julius Cæsar, who for that cause used a lawrell garland, to the comete appearing before his conquest of this kingdom, portending the same as it was thought, and to the manner of the French in that time: among whom long bushie haire was the signale marke of Majestie, as Agathias noteth when as all subjects were rounded, and the kings only long-haired. Which custome continued among the French kings untill Peter Lombard, Bishop of Paris, disswaded them from it, and among ours, as appeareth by their seales, until King Henry the Fifth.' The former of these circumstances led to more important results than could possibly have been anticipated; for Louis le Jeune, in yielding to the solicitations of the prelate, and parting with his royal locks, offended his haughty queen, Leonor of Poictou: he had destroyed the associations of centuries, and

become odious in her sight. Hence arose her intrigues with Saladin, her subsequent marriage with Henry II of England (who assumed, therefore, the titles of Lord of Normandy, of Maine, of Anjou, of Touraine, of Poictou, and of Aquitaine), and the repeated bloodshed between the two nations."

hostilities which have since caused so much

""TIS FOLLY TO BE WISE." (Song by J. Miller, written in 1744.) A FOOL enjoys the sweets of life, Unwounded by its cares;

His passions never are at strife,
He hopes, not he, nor fears.

If Fortune smile, as smile she will,
The fool anticipates no ill,
Upon her booby brood,

But reaps the present good.

Or should, through love of change, her wheels
Her fav'rite bantling cross,
The happy fool no anguish feels,

He weighs nor gains nor loss.
When knaves o'erreach, and friends betray,
Whilst men of sense run mad,

Fools, careless, whistle on and say,
'Tis silly to be sad.

Since free from sorrow, fear, and shame,
A fool thus fate defies,
The greatest folly I can name
Is to be over-wise.

Biscellaneous.

ANECDOTE OF BURNS.-Andrew Horner and Burns were pitted against each other to write poetry. An epigram was the subject chosen, because, as Andrew internally argued, "it is the shortest of all poems." In compliment to him, the company resolved that his own merits should supply the theme. He commenced

"In seventeen hunder thretty-nine"and he paused. He then said, "Ye see, I was born in 1739 (the real date was some years earlier), so I mak' that the commencemen'." He then took pen in hand, folded his paper with a conscious air of authorship, squared himself to the table, like one who considered it no trifle even to write a letter, and slowly put down, in good round hand, as if he had been making out a bill of parcels, the line

"In seventeen hunder thretty-nine;" but beyond this, after repeated attempts, he was unable to advance. The second line was the Rubicon he could not pass. At last, when Andrew Horner reluctantly admitted that he was not quite in the vein, the pen, ink, and paper, were handed to his antagonist. By him they were rejected, for he instantly gave the following, viva

voce:

"In seventeen hunder thretty-nine,
The Deil gat stuff to mak' a swine,
And pit it in a corner;

But, shortly after, changed his plan,
Made it to something like a man,
And called it Andrew Horner!"

Ainsworth's Magazine.

ON THE FEAST INTENDED TO BE GIVEN TO
THE SAILORS OF NELSON.

WHEN We Jack Tars are to be fed
In festive style is not yet known;
Some say for grog, and meat, and bread,
'Tis meant to give us only stone.
But can a nation's grateful smile

So soon get a penurious chill,
That all the honours of the Nile
For us must be reduced to Nil?

A GREENWICH PENSIONER.

The Gatherer.

Apple-tree Mussel-shells.-The little animals sticking to the bark of the appletrees are so similar to mussel-shells, that Geoffrey called them Le Kermes en écaille de moule. Sometimes they are crowded together in immense multitudes in every possible position, even lying one over another. Their scales are hard, dark, and shining; they are exceedingly like a minute mussel-shell.

Importance of attending to the Stomach.The kitchen, that is, your stomach, being out of order, the garret (pointing to the head) cannot be right, and egad! every room in the house becomes affected. Repair the injury in the kitchen,-remedy the evil there, and all will be right. This you must do by diet. If you put improper food into your stomach, by Gad you play the very devil with it, and with the whole machine besides.-Abernethy.

Nelson's Column.- The figure of Nelson was quietly lifted to the top of the column. where it is to stand, on Saturday last. As yet the scaffolding has not been removed, so that it cannot be said to have been opened to the public, as all that is to be seen is a cocked-hat beneath a flag, said to be the same which waved over the hero of Trafalgar when he died in the arms of victory.

Irish Wit.-A gentleman travelling through Ireland with a very stout companion had occasion to hire a jauntingcar, and having agreed with the driver for half-a-crown, he stepped back to the inn where he was staying and called his fat friend. The driver, as soon as he caught a glimpse of the enormous dimensions of his fare, walked up to the head of his horse, and holding up the tattered lapets of a worn-out jacket, said, "Whist, sir, get up as lightly as you can, will'ee?" " What, is your beast skittish?" asked the gentleman "No, sir," with an inimitable shrewd leer, "but if he saw the big gentleman had most likely say-whist, Pat, but it ought to be five shillings."

Honesty the best Policy.-The booksellers in America, who have been in the habit of pirating English books, finding themselves similarly treated by the newspaper proprietors, are now earnest to have

literary property protected. A memorial on the subject is about. to be laid before Congress, which states that "the present law regulating literary property is seriously injurious, both to the advancement of American literature, and to that very ex ́tensive branch of American industry which comprehends the whole mechanical department of book-making."

Impetuous Gallantry of Charles I.-The Spanish customs refused Charles, when in Spain, an interview with the princess it was proposed that he should marry, but he was allowed a glance on the Prado, and a fuller view at the theatre, where he stood with his eyes immovably fixed upon the Infanta for half an hour together. He watched her progress from church to church, and tracked her carriage through the streets; and once, when she went to the Casa di Campo to gather maydew, he rose before the sun, and, accompanied by Endymion Porter, explored the house and garden, pursued his way to the orchard, and found his passage obstructed by a wall and a double-bolted door. Winged like another Cupid, he speedily scaled the wall, espied the lady, and leaping down, flew towards the alarmed and screaming Infanta, and only consented to retire on the earnest entreaties of her aged attendant, who declared her life was at stake.-D'Israeli.

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Observatory."—Our correspondent is remiss in his reading. He will find that in China there is a fine observatory, erected at Pekin in the time of the late Emperor. It was by the advice of a Father Verbest, a Jesuit missionary, that it was undertaken, whom the Emperor appointed his Astronomer Imperial. The instruments are upon a magnificent scale. Those of note are an armillary sphere, and an azimuthal horizon, each of six feet diameter; a quadrant, and a sextant, each of eight feet radius; and a celestial globe, six feet in diameter. The Brahmins have an observatory at Benares, built about two hundred years since, by Emperor Ackbar, for the improvement of the arts. He wished to recover the sciences of Hindostan; he therefore ordered an observatory to be erected at Delhi, Agra, and Benares. "A Five-years' Subscriber" is informed that provided he makes his model without any support but its own material, and dries it gradually, there will be no danger of its cracking. Nothing can be added to the clay with advantage.

LONDON: Published by JOHN MORTIMER,

Adelaide Street, Trafalgar Square; and Sold by all

Booksellers and Newsmen. Printed by C. REYNELL, 16 Little Pulteney street, and at the Royal Polytechnic Institution.

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