: its ears are large and rounded; its legs are very short; and its soles are fuired beneath. Its whole coat is very long, soft and smooth; with a thick long fine down beneath, of a brownish lead colour. The hair is of the same colour, of a light grey to wards the ends, and tipt with black. The lower parts of the body are hoary: the sides and ends of the fur are yellowish. Its length is about six inches its weight from three ounces and a quarter to four and a half. In winter they are scarcely two and a half. They inhabit the south-east parts of Russia; but are found no where, in the east, beyond the river Oby. They delight in sunny val lies, and hills covered with herbs, especially those near the edges of woods, to which they run on any alarm. They live so concealed a life, as very rarely to be seen; but are often taken in winter in the snares laid for the ermines. They choose, for their burrows, a dry spot, amidst bushes, covered with a firm sod, preferring the western sides of the hills. Their place would scarcely be known, but for their excrements; and even those they drop, by a wise instinct, under some bush, lest their dwelling should be discovered by their enemies among the animal creation. It is their voice alone that betrays their abode. Their cry is like the piping of a quail, but deeper; and so loud, as to be heard at the distance of half a German mile. It is repeated, by just intervals, thrice, four times, and often six. This cry is emitted at night, and in the morning; but seldom in the day, except in rainy or cloudy weather. It is common to both sexes; but the female is silent for some time after parturition, which happens about the beginning of May. She brings forth six at a time, blind and naked: she suckles them often, and covers them carefully with the materials of her nest. These most harmless and inoffensive creatures never go far from their holes. They feed, and make their little excursions by night; drink often, sleep little, and are easily made tame. They will scarcely bite when handled; yet the males have been observed, when in confinement to attack each other, and to express their anger by a grunting noise. ON THE BUSTARD. NATURAL history has peculiar claims to our attention and investigation. Every reflecting mind must be interested in tracing the instincts and peculiar characteristics of the animal creation: and by contemplating the effect of nature's laws, will discover the cause to be infinite wisdom. In addition to what was said of the bustard, page 338, &c. of your last volume, permit me to make the following extract from the Beauties of Wiltshire:-"This very singular animal is one of the largest of our native land birds: it has been known to weigh thirty pounds, and to measure four feet in length. It was formerly very numerous on Salisbury Plain, but the murdering tribe of the sportsman, and pilfering hand of the shepherd, have nearly exterminated the species. An insignificant and tiny partridge is protected by the laws of the land, whilst this large and noble bird is allowed to be sacrificed by any murdering ignorant clown, who has cunning enough to surprise him. For, happily, nature has taught him to shun the walks of man, as the most wanton, I grant in the creation. Mr. Gilpin, speaking of the bustard, * Some of the old leases of farms on the plains, contain a clause, that the tenant shall provide the landlord with a bustard annually. says "his own vigilance is a better security to him than an act of parliament; as he is so noble a prize, the flesh so delicate, and the quantity of it so large, he is of course frequently the object of the fowler's stratagem." Mr. G. particularizes some of these, and places implicit confidence in the common, but erroneous opinion, that the bustard may often be caught with greyhounds before he can rise from the greyhound, as he performs the ceremony with great difficulty. In the summer of 1800, I saw two on Salisbury Plain, near the village of Tilshead; and amused myself for ten minutes by looking at and examining them, through a telescope. I approached them within eighty yards, when they sprang immediately from the ground." B' FORESTER, a printer, [From Moral Tales, by Miss Edgeworth.] EFORE we commence this extract, we shall give our readers the author's own description of the character before us. "Forester," says she," is the picture of an eccentric character-a young man, who scorns the common forms and dependencies of civilized society; and who, full of visionary schemes of benevolence and happiness, might, by improper management, or unlucky circumstances, have become a fanatic and a criminal." The generous and enthusiastic imagination of Forester supplied him with eloquent invectiv.es against human nature, even whilst he ardently desired to serve his fellow creatures. He wandered through the streets of Edinburgh, indulging himself alternately, in misanthropic reflections and benevolent projects. One instant, he resolved to study the law, that he might reform the revenue aws; the next moment, he recollected his old pas sion for a desert island; and he regretted, that he could not be shipwrecked in Edinburgh. The sound of a squeaking fiddle roused Forester from his reverie; he looked up, and saw a thin, pale man, fiddling to a set of dancing dogs, that he was exhibiting upon the flags for the amusement of a crowd of inen, women, and children. It was a deplorable spectacle; the dogs appeared so wretched, in the midst of the merriment of the spectators, that Forester's compassion was moved, and he exclaimed "Enough, enough!-They are quite tired; here are some halfpence!" The showman took the halfpence; but several fresh spectators were yet to see the sight; and though the exhausted animals were but little inclined to perform their antic feats, their master twitched the rope, that was fastened round their necks, so violently, that they were compelled to renew their melancholy dance. : Forester darted forward, stopped the fidler's hand, and began an expostulation; not one word of which was understood by the person to whom it was addressed. A stout lad, who was very impatient at this interruption of his diversion, began to abuse Forester, and presently from words he proceeded to blows. Forester, though a better orator, was by no means so able a boxer as his opponent. The battle was obstinately fought on both sides; but, at length, our young Quixote received what has no name in heroic language, but in the vulgar tongue is called a black eye; and, covered with blood and bruises, he was carried by some humane passenger. into a neighbouring house. It was a printer and bookseller's shop. The bookseller treated him with humanity; and, after advising him not to be so hastily engaged, to be the champion of dancing dogs, inquired who he was, and whether he had any friends in Edinburgh, to whom he could send. This printer, from having been accustomed to converse with variety of people, was a good judge of the language of gentlemen; and though there was nothing else in Forester's manners, which could have betrayed him, he spoke in such good language, that the bookseller was certain, that he had received a liberal education. Our hero declined telling his history; but the printer was so well pleased with his conversation, that he readily agreed to give him employment; and, as soon as he recovered from his bruises, Forèster was eager to learn the art of printing. "The art of printing," said he, " has emancipated mankind, and printers ought to be considered as the most respectable benefactors of the human race. Always warm in his admiration of every new phantom, that struck his imagination, he was now persuaded that printers devils were angels, and that he should be supremely blessed in a printer's workshop. "What employment so noble !" said he, as he first took the composing-stick in his hand; "what employment so noble, as that of disseminating knowledge over the universe!" It was some time before our hero acquired dexterity in his new trade: his companions formed, with amazing celerity, whole sentences, whilst he was searching for letters, which perpetually dropped from his awkward hands; but he was ashamed of his former versatility, and he resolved to be steady to his present way of life.-His situation, at this printer's, was far better suited to him, than that which he had quitted with so much disgust, at the brewer's. He rose early; and, by great industry, overcame all the difficulties, which at first so much alarmed him. He soon became the most useful |