adieu with his hands, when he found that his tongue could not perform that office.

EPITAPH ON A GREAT CARD PLAYER.
WILL, in this world, had many a rub to tame
His spirits, yet he with his rubs was blest-
For cards were heaven-but now a single game,
Quite grave and low, he plays at endless whist.
His hands are chang'd, and all his honours gone;
He cannot call at eight, howe'er afraid;
His suit a shroud; his sequence to be shown,
Must wait untoll'd till the last trump is play'd.

MARKET FOR SINGING BIRDS DOGS, &C. IN

RUSSIA.

From Clarke's Travels.

On a Sunday, in Moscow, the market is a novel and interesting spectacle from five in the morning till eight.-The Place de Gallitzin, a spacious area, near the Kremlin, is filled by a concourse of peasants, and people of every description, coming to buy or sell white peacocks, fan-tailed and other curious pigeons; dogs of all sorts, for the sofa or the chase; singing birds, poultry, guns, pistols; in short, whatever chance or custom may have rendered saleable. The sellers, excepting in the market of singing birds, which is permanent and large, have no shops, but remain with their wares, either exposed upon the stalls, or hawking them about in their hands. Dogs and birds constitute the principal articles for sale. The pigeon feeders are

distinguished in the midst of the mob by long white wands, which they carry to direct the pigeons in their flight. The nobles of Moscow take great delight in these birds and a favourite pair will sell at from five to ten roubles in the market. I was astonished to see the feeders, by way of exhibiting their birds, let them fly, and recover them again at pleasure. The principal recommendation of the pigeons consists in their rising to a great height, by a spiral curve, all flying one way, and following each other. When a bird is launched, if it does not preserve the line of curvature which the others take, the feeder whistles, waving his wand, and' its course is immediately changed. During such exhibitions, the nobles stake their money in wagers, betting upon the height to which a pigeon will ascend, and the number of curves it will make in so doing.

Among dogs for the chase, we observed a noble breed, common in Russia, with long, fine hair, like those of Newfoundland but of amazing size and height, which are used in Russia to hunt wolves. German pug dogs, so dear in London, here bear a low price. I was offered a very fine one for a sum equivalent to an English shilling. We observed, also, English harriers and fox hounds; but the favourite kind of dog, in Moscow, is the English terrier, which is very rare in Russia, and sells for 18 roubles or more, according to the caprice of the buyer and

seller. Persian cats were also offered for sale, of a bluish gray, or slate colour, and much admired.

Seeing several stalls apparently covered with wheat, I approached to examine its quality, but was surprised to find that what had the appearance of wheat consisted of large ant's eggs, heaped for sale. Near the same stalls were tubs full of pismires, crawling among the eggs, and over the persons of those who sold them. Both the eggs and the ants are brought to Moscow as food for nightingales, which are favourite, though common birds in Russian houses. They sing, in every respect as beautiful in cages as in their native woods. We often heard them in the bird-shops, warbling with all the fulness and variety of tone which characterizes the nightingale in its natural state. The price of one of them, in full song, is about 15 roubles. The Russians, by rattling beads on their tables of tangible arithmetic, can make the birds sing at pleasure during the day; but nightingales are heard throughout the night, making the streets of the city resound with the melodies of the fo

rest.

Mr. Clarke also observes, that he has been informed that the above method of keeping and feeding of nightingales is becoming prevalent in England.

COLONEL THORNTON..

The family of the Thorntons has been, for some centuries, established in the county of York, where they have enjoyed the most valuable and extensive possessions; and at one period, so large were their domains, that they had the right of sixteen lordships vested in them. The most ancient bears the family name, being still called Thornton cum Bucksby, of which mention is made prior to the period of William the Conqueror.

Sir William Thornton, the grandfather of the present Colonel, was a very active gentleman in supporting the rights and privileges of Englishmen; and such was the estimation in which his talents were held, that he was the individual selected as best calculated to present at the foot of the throne, the articles of the union with Scotland, during the reign of Queen Anne; on which memorable occasion he received the honour of knighthood from her Majesty, accompanied with such demonstrations of royal pleasure as sufficiently indicated that his abilities did not pass unnoticed by his sovereign.

Colonel William Thornton, the father of the subject of these memoirs, bearing all those principles instilled into his mind which had insured his universal approbation, was a ready advocate for the cause of England's rights and liberties, as ratified by the blood of our ancestors. At the period of the rebellion in Scotland,

this gentleman, anxious to testify his loyalty to his sovereign, raised, at his own expense, a corps of 100 men, whom he fed, clothed, and paid for several months. At the head of this little troop, Colonel William Thornton marched into Scotland, where he joined the main forces under the command of the Duke of Cumberland, and conducted himself at the battles of Falkirk and Culloden with the most intrepid bravery; and such was the publicity of his active conduct that a reward of 1000 pounds was offered by the rebel commanders for his head. After the termination of that eventful struggle, Colonel William Thornton was elected member of Parliament for York.

After a life thus spent in the service of his country, and characterized by every social refinement which adorns human nature, Colonel William Thornton died suddenly, at the age of fifty years, his son being then a minor.

Colonel Thomas Thornton was born in the neighbourhood of St. James's, and placed at a proper age in the Charter-house, in order that he might be near his uncle, who resided in the vicinity of that public seminary.

When fourteen year of age, it was determined that he should go to college, and in consequence he left the Charter-house: the University of Glasgow was preferred, where he was placed by his father, after being introduced to all the leading families residing in that city and its environs,