arms. THE Sorrows on our youth that rise Like morning clouds from summer skies, A burst of feeling, wild and brief, A tempest of the breast, Reveals the keen, but passing grief, That weeps itself to rest. But there are woes that wear a veil, Thus, round pale Heckla's head is wove And all is chilling frost above, The cureless sorrow hath no tears, (A symbol to the sight,) To soothe the burning thought that sears, No words its sleepless pangs impart- The thunder that hath scathed the heart, But where the reckless revel whiles It sits behind a mask of smiles, And wears the form of joy; While burning in the bosom, deep LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES. BYRON. THE SCOTTISH GAEL.-Among the various subjects which Mr James Logan's forthcoming work on Celtic Manners will embrace, the remains of Druidism, with an enquiry into the mysterious system to which they owe their existence, will occupy a prominent part; and there will be included notices of Bards, and extracts from their compositions. An interesting portion will also be devoted to the Military History of the Highlanders, and description of their weapons and armour, ancient and modern, from the stone celts and arrow-heads of antiquity, to the more recent manufacture of fireThe costume, so singular and picturesque, will be accurately described, and its remote antiquity proved. Various figures will illustrate this manly garb, and the appropriate tartan of each elan. The peculiar music of Scotland-the pibroch, coronach, family march, strathspey, &c.—and the national instruments and dances, will be explained. Connected with these subjects are genealogical dissertations, in which the origin and antiquity of names will be traced. It will be an object to prove the Celtic derivation of many names generally accounted Lowland, and ignorantly termed "Gothie:" and it will be attempted to assert a higher antiquity for some of the more remarkable Highland names, than modern scepticism is disposed to allow. A new edition of Colonel Montague's Ornithological Dictionary, with additions and numerous illustrative woodcuts, at a price that will place it within the reach of every class of readers, is announced. To Colonel Montague the British Fauna is indebted for many important discoveries, and his Dictionary has been so scarce for many years, that a copy has been known to produce five guineas. We believe it is now impossible to procure a copy at any price. The History of the Christian Church during the three first centuries, translated from the German of Neander, by the Rev. Henry John Rose, M. A. is preparing for publication. A Memoir of the Life of the Poet Shelley, during his residence in Italy, with several hitherto unpublished poems, is to be included in Captain Trelawney's Autobiography, now preparing for the press. The captain has reserved for himself a grave next to that of Shelley, in the Protestant Campo Santo at Rome. Captain Medwin, the editor of "Byron's Conversations," has just finished a translation of Eschylus, on which he has been engaged for the last two years. He is at present residing at Genoa. Classic Cullings and Fugitive Gatherings, by an experienced editor, is announced. The next volume of Dr Lardner's Cyclopædia will contain the Military Memoirs of Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington, by Captain Moyle Sherer. A History of the French Revolution in 1830 is also preparing for the Cyclopædia, by T. B. Macauley, Esq. Le Keepsake Français is to contain eighteen engravings, by the most eminent artists, and contributions in prose and verse, from all the most celebrated French writers of the day. The engravings will also appear at the same time (early in November) in an English Annual called the Talisman, to be edited by Mrs Alaric Watts. Captain Trant, who has lately returned from Greece, announces for immediate publication, a narrative of his journey through that country, with remarks on the actual state of the naval and military power of the Ottoman empire. The Life of Titian, with anecdotes of his Contemporaries, from the pen of the venerable Mr Northcote, will shortly make its ap pearance. CHIT-CHAT FROM LONDON.-A curious attempt is at present making to evade the stamp-duty upon newspapers, by the following expedient:-The Act of 1797 prohibits the publication of a newspaper, except upon the payment of a duty of four-pence upon each Number. The subsequent Act of 1819 extends the like imposition upon all pamphlets containing news, intelligence, occurrences, &c., published periodically, or in Parts or Numbers, within certain intervals of time. But beyond this it does not proceed. Periodical political pamphlets only are prohibited. In the prospectus of the new paper, the conductors, proceeding on this discovery, say,-"We design to publish a political Letter, in which we will give a full and comprehensive abstract of public occurrences in every part of the world; accompanied with such comments, strictures, or other remarks, as the nature of the case may require; which will be followed, each succeeding week, by a similar, but totally distinct work." Whether this experiment will succeed or not has yet to be proved:-it is said that Dr Bowering is at the bottom of it.-It is expected that King's Col lege will be completely roofed in before the close of the present year. -A new club, under the designation of the English and Foreign Union Club, is about to be opened under high patronage. It will consist of Members of both Houses of Parliament, Foreign Ministers, Naval, Military, and Literary men. CHIT-CHAT FROM GLASGOW.-Lord Lansdowne, on the occasion of his recent election to the office of Lord Rector, refused a public dinner, but dined with the Senatus Academicus, and also at Professor Sandford's. His inaugural discourse was poorish-very un. like what Jeffrey's was.-The annual election of the councillors in our Merchants' House-a rich, powerful, and numerous corporation-afforded ample scope for intrigue for a fortnight;-but you will not take much interest in our civic politics, although I could tell you some curious anecdotes concerning them.-Mr Dugald Moore has a third volume in the press, having been fortunate enough to sell the manuscripts.-Notwithstanding the excellent medical school which we have in our University, and the scarcely less eminent one of Anderson's Institution, some able practitioners have here associated themselves to establish a third, which is to commence soon under favourable auspices.-Religious controversy rages here in a small way-a storm in a wash hand basin. The Rev. Mr Struthers, a clergyman of the Relief, refused to attend a funeral where the Rev. Mr Herris, the Unitarian minister, an able and eloquent man, was to officiate, and the result has been about a dozen twopenny pamphlets. They have had a prodigious sale, and have afforded a fruitful theme of conversation at the tea-tables of the middle classes and lower orders.-Talking of controversy, we had a duel here last Saturday, arising out of an anonymous letter in a newspaper. Both parties are highly respectable, and appear to have conducted themselves properly. The affair, fortunately, ended without bloodshed, but it excited a great sensation here, where such meetings are rare. It is to be hoped that some letters which have been appearing in the Free Press will not lead to similar results.-A caricature has just been published, entitled, "The March of Temperance." It is not deficient in humour, and is about as good as these things commonly are in provincial places. I send you a copy. CHIT-CHAT FROM AYR.-Oct. 19th.-The last week was one of unusual festivity here. The splendid public rooms, the completion of which was recently noticed in the Journal, were opened on the 13th, by a dinner given by J. F. Kennedy, Esq. M.P., to his constituents, the burgesses of Ayr; and on the evening of the 15th, a ball and supper were given to as fine a sample of "Ayrshire lasses" as ever met the "merry lads o' Ayr." The dinner was provided by Dun of the Crown Inn-the viands were substantial and good--and the thing went off as electioneering dinners generally do. The chairman acquitted himself with so much eclat, that were the universal panacea, of a certain class, for all evils-burgh reform and poll election-accorded by parliament to-morrow, Mr Kennedy would assuredly be carried by the bourgeois of Ayr to St Stephen's, shoulder-high. About 150 partook of the Hon. Member's claret, which was put on the table in such profusion, as to make the Tories present applaud Whig speeches-"Wine ! wine! thou art divine!" On the evening of the ball, the whole suite of rooms was thrown open, and 200 ladies and gentlemen sat down to a most elegant supper, provided by Malcolm of the Ayr Hotel. Dancing was kept up, as usual, to a late hour.—A change has recently taken place in the weather, which will produce more lasting gladness than these ephemeral gaieties. The season throughout has been cold, wet, and squally; white fish were scarce, and the meal was latterly rising in price so rapidly as to threaten a dearth, when all at once the clouds were "bottled up," the sun showed his face, the earth looked glad, the price of meal came to its proper level, and we can now have a haddock any day. -Herrings were abundant in the westland lochs this year; and it was consolatory to be able, at the worst, to say, as they do in Campbelton, we had plenty of herring, but no fish.”— The Western Meeting and Caledonian Hunt assemble here to-day. A great number of race-horses and sporting characters are arrived, among whom we saw Ward and Jack Carter.-Seymour has opened the theatre with a tolerable company.—If any thing worthy of notice occurs, besides " sporting intelligence," in the course of this week, you shall probably have more chit-chat from Ayr. CHIT-CHAT FROM ABERDEEN.-Cruickshank from Dundee has been giving lectures, in this city, upon the evils of intemperance.Ducrow's company and stud of horses have arrived by the Duke of Wellington steam yacht, and his amphitheatre opened on the 19th. -A new edition of Orem's description of the Chanonry Cathedral, and King's College, of Old Aberdeen, in the years 1724-5, is about to be published. The choir of St Andrew's chapel, (Bishop Skinner's,) in King Street, gave a public performance of sacred music one evening lately. In the disastrous accounts of the Davis' Straits whale fishery, which have been received lately, Aberdeen is deeply concerned; no less than eighteen British ships have been lost, amongst which are four belonging to this port, and two to Peterhead.-The Provincial Synod of Aberdeen met on the 12th, when the Rev. Mr Meiklejohn of Strathdon was elected moderator for the ensuing half year. The only business of importance was the case of the Woodside chapel of ease, near Aberdeen, which was referred to the General Assembly... CHIT CHAT FROM INVERNESS,~A deputation of burgesses from Liverpool arrived here on the 5th inst., to request the Right Hon. Charles Grant of Glenelg, M.P. for Inverness-shire, to allow himself to be put in nomination for the representation of Liverpool, in the room of his late lamented friend, Mr Huskisson. Mr Grant, however, politely declined the invitation in a letter of thanks to the requisitionists, explaining the numerous filial and friendly ties which bound his heart to Inverness-shire, the "land of his sires."-A dinner was lately given in Thurso to the venerable Sir John Sinclair of Ulbster, Bart., by a number of gentlemen residing in that town and its vicinity. It is proposed to build by subscription a Public Hotel, and feu for cottages, the ground adjoining the pump-room of Strathpeffer Spa, in Ross-shire. These improvements will tend much to enhance the rising reputation of this Highland watering-place.-The Rev. Mr Beith, late of Kilbrandon, has been inducted to the church and parish of Glenelg.-The annual meeting of the Inverness Education Society was held last week, John Stewart, Esq. of Belladrum, in the chair.-The Nairnshire Harvest-home meeting takes place in the Assembly Rooms, Nairn, on the evening of Friday the 29th. CHIT-CHAT FROM BANFF-An excellent portrait of Sir George Abercromby of Birkenbog and Forglen, Bart., by Mr Colvin Smith of Edinburgh, copied from the original, by Raeburn, was lately placed in the County hall, in testimony of the freeholders' respect for this excellent and venerable baronet, who so long and ably discharged the duties of Convener of the county of Banff.-The Misses Isabella and Eliza Paton gave a concert in the Town House Assembly Rooms, last week, which was well attended.-The Banffshire Coursing Club met on the 1st of the month; the cup is to be run for on the 3d November.-The first Banff Assembly of the season passed over, a few weeks ago, with great eclat. · Theatrical Gossip.-Wilson, of this town, has made a very successful debut at Covent-Garden, in the part of Don Carlos. There is no doubt that, as a singer, he will rise to the very head of his profession. We have occasion to know that Crevelli, one of the best judges in London, is of this opinion. Miss Inverarity is also about to appear at Covent-Garden.-Miss Phillips has been transferred from our company to Drury-Lane, where she has been well received, but as a singer she is far inferior to Miss Byfeld, who is also there. -Macready has commenced his winter campaign at Drury-Lane. He is by far the ablest man in the establishment.-A fracas which took place a few evenings ago, in the box-lobby at Covent-Garden, between Charles Kemble and Westmacott, the editor of the Age newspaper, has excited a good deal of attention in the theatrical world. Westmacott has been publishing squibs innumerable upon Charles and his daughter Fanny, which, it appears, so exasperated the papa, that on the occasion alluded to, he bestowed on the editor a severe cudgelling. We have no particular respect for the Age, but we are not quite sure that Charles's conduct is altogether justifiable. An editor, we conceive, has a right to take any view he likes of the merits of a manager or an actress, and is certainly not to be cudgelled into a change of opinion when he happens to say smart things. If Westmacott be pot an arrant coward, Charles and Fanny will come off second best after all.-Braham has been singing at Liverpool, where he has been succeeded by Young, who is now performing there. The proceeds of the late Musical Festival at Liverpool amounted to 1.7800.-The alterations going on in the TheatreRoyal here are of a very complete and satisfactory kind. We went through the house a day or two ago, and found every thing in active progress. In the audience department, the principal changes are these;-the pit has been slightly raised, and there is admittance to it from the lobby which surrounds it by three doors, one on either side, and one in the centre; the lower tier of boxes is arranged as formerly, only their number is increased from 13 to 20, each box being calcu lated to hold nine persons; the upper tier of boxes is laid out exactly as the lower, and is carried entirely round the house, the two shilling gallery being done away with altogether, the price of admission to these boxes is to be four shillings, a shilling less than to the lower ; the gallery, thus thrown into one, is capacious and comfortable,it extends nearly round the whole house, with the exception of a segment at each side, which is cut off to form the slips; to the two tiers of boxes there are separate entrances, and the lower box lobby will retain nearly the same appearance as formerly, with this difference, that a front door in the centre will be thrown open at the con clusion of the performances, tó admit of a more easy exit;—the entrance will be as before, by the door adjoining Shakspeare Square, and a small neat dressing-room is to be set apart for the accommodation of ladies' shawls and bonnets, in which a female servant will always attend. In the scenic department, the principal changes are these ;-there was formerly only a depth of seven feet under the stage, but this has been increased to seventeen, so that a scene may now be taken down or let up through the stage; the stage has been boarded after the model of Covent Garden, which is considered the best in the kingdom, and which affords facilities for the working of machinery infinitely greater than was ever possessed before in this theatre; by the removal of several old walls and encumbrances a good deal more room has been obtained for the scenes, which will now play more easily; steps have been taken to secure a greater reverbe ration of sound throughout the house, and particularly to give additional power to the orchestra; the scenery is almost entirely new, by Roberts, Grieve, Phillips, and others. The principal new engagements are as follows:-Mr Waldron, from Manchester, is to lead in tragedy,-Mr Greene, from London, is to play Hooper's parts in comedy,-Miss Turpin, from the Haymarket, a very pretty girl, is to sustain the first opera, assisted by Messrs Horncastle, Reynoldson, and Edmunds, from the Caledonian Theatre,-Mrs Barrett, from Bath, is to enact clever chambermaids,-old Mason returns, but his daughter has gone to Bath,-Miss Jarman, Mackay, Denhamn, Pritchard, Mr and Mrs Stanley, Miss Tunstall, &c, also return. Montague Stanley's place is not yet filled up; a Mr Raymond was engaged in his stead, but he has since left the stage. From all this, it is evident that Mr Murray has been really stirring his stumps; and soon as OLD CERBERUS wakens out of his sleep, we shall be glad to hear what he has to say on the subject. The Theatre will probably open on Monday the 15th of November. TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS. THE EDITOR IN HIS SLIPPERS, No. X., in our next, which will be a double number.-The Letter from the Ettrick Shepherd is in types, and will appear in our next.-We beg to inform “* An Enemy to Slavery," that we have no desire to interfere with that hackneyed subject. We are glad, however, to learn, that Dr Andrew Thomson intends to set aside immediately one-third of his annual income for the purpose of purchasing the freedom of slaves.—“ Lora de Huerta” is a well-told story, but scarcely striking enough. We shall be glad to hear again from its author;-could he make his MS. a little more distinct?-The Sketch by "O. C." will not suit us." Nieodemus" will hear more on the subject of his letter next Saturday. He need be under no apprehension about the "Physiognomy" ef the Shepherd, which is nearly ready for publication.—We find we were so far mistaken in our notice of last week concerning the paper of " G." on the rationale of the Vocative and Imperative, the author of that communication never having studied at the feet of Gamaliel, nor ever having had any conversation with the distinguished individul referred to on the subject of the paper. Our poetical and miscellaneous Correspondents for the last six weeks shall "awake, arise, or be for ever fallen," in our next week's SLIPPERS. A press of matter obliges us to postpone the favours of our adver. tising friends till next week. Edinburgh: Published for the Proprietors, every Saturday Morning, at 19, WATERLOO PLACE; Sold also by THOMAS ATKINSON & Co., 84, Trongate, Glasgow; W. CURRY, jun. and Co., Dublin; HURST, CHANCE, and Co., Landon; and by all Newsmen, Postmasters, and Clerks of the Roads throughout the United Kingdom. Price 6d.; or Stamped and sent free by post, 10d. THE EDITOR IN HIS SLIPPERS; OR, A PEEP BEHIND THE SCENES. No. X. "Stulta, jocosa, canenda, dolentia, seria, sacra, The reader obtains a glimpse for a few moments, as if it were a scene in a magic mirror, of a sumptuous banquetroom, where the EDITOR is discovered at the upper end of a table covered with every variety of fruits and wines, and at which are seated a select party of the most eminent men of the day. From the beams of joy which play upon every countenanc, the greatest flow of soul evidently prevails; and at length the EDITOR, full of the inspiration of the hour, bursts forth into song. The words, which are given in a deep-toned and mellow voice, are as follows: THE MEN WHOM I GET GLORIOUS WITH ! An Excellent New Song. CHORUS. O, the men whom I get glorious with! Like the men whom I get glorious with! There's HOGG, whom I get glorious with !— There's WILSON, whom I get glorious with !— Wilson's the man for a swig at the can- There's CUNNINGHAM I get glorious with!- There's KNOWLES, whom I get glorious with !- PRICE 6d. There's WATTS, whom I get glorious with!- There's TENNANT, whom I get glorious with!- There's PAYNE, whom I get glorious with !- There's MACDONALD, whom I get glorious with!- For his soul is full of his art's deep spell; Like golden clouds in evening skies! Macdonald's the man for a swig at the can So there's Macdonald whom I get glorious with! There's WEIR, whom I get glorious with!- Kennedy's the man for a swig at the canSo there's Kennedy I get glorious with! Chorus in full. O! the men whom I get glorious with! Like the men whom I get glorious with! Immediately on the conclusion of this song, the whole scene disappears, and the EDITOR is discovered in the calm repose and classic silence of his own study, the bust of Byron looking down upon him in its marble tranquillity, and his SLIPPERS looking up into his face with a glad and affectionate smile. The EDITOR's eye is fixed on vacancy, his expression is abstracted, and his thoughts are plainly wandering away through the recesses of his mighty mind. At length he lifts a virgin pen, made from a quill of the largest size, with a long clear slit and a broad point, and WRITES. The varying meditations of his heart arrange themselves in the following words: who at once offered to make every arrangement which We went THINK not we shall ever forget thee, gentle maiden! thou with whom we whiled away the long hours of darkness as we lay at anchor on board the United Kingdom, somewhere near the mouth of the Thames. Those pleasant parleyings concerning the mountain scenery of Scotland, of which in thy soft southern accents thou didst talk so well, those delightful games at chess, when it was no less enviable to be conquered than to conquer,-that exquisite negus, made by thy own fair fingers, and seasoned with spices produced from thy own stores,-those beautifully embellished, though tiny, volumes of the French classics, which thou hadst with thee, and two of which were bestowed upon us, unworthy as we were,-these are all things which it does us good to remember, hackneyed though we be in the common tear and wear of life. Then, when the light of morning dawned, and the good ship, glad to be released from her moorings, started off up the Thames, tremulous in her joy, and loud in her expression thereof, with all her wheels, paddles, and engines, on deck went we together, and admirably we We visited one day those extensive subterranean regions spoke concerning the red flag at the Nore, the new-the wine vaults at the London docks, During this pier at Southend, the seventy-fours at Sheerness, the marine stores at Woolwich, and the multitudinous pensioners at Greenwich. But, alas! at Greenwich we parted, we for the heart of the great city, and thou for thy own home in Devonshire. Little chance is there that we shall ever meet again upon this side of eternity, and a curious enquiry might be instituted, why it was ever permitted us to meet at all? But these things lead into metaphysics, and metaphysics invariably become unintelligible. After about an hour's silence, the gentleman who sat opposite in the Greenwich coach pointed to a large building we were passing, and, addressing us, said significantly," That building, sir, is Bedlam." We bowed, but returned no answer. Subsequent events made us think of this remark, as if there had been a kind of meaning in it. visit we were forcibly impressed with the conviction, as we wandered through the long roads which meander among these endless catacombs of wine, that no place was better fitted for the organization of a band of robbers, who might fix their head-quarters in some of the more remote cavernous recesses, and support themselves by plundering and making away with the wine merchants and pleasure parties who continually frequent this world beneath a world. Our plan was quickly carried into execution. We mentioned it to several literary characters, such as Dr Maginn, Mr Westmacott, Leigh Hunt, Señor Juan de Vega, Sewell Stokes, and one or two others, all of whom entered eagerly into the scheme, and unanimously elected us captain of the gang. It was not long before the terror of our name spread through the whole wine vaults. We succeeded in murdering and robbing some of the most respectable wine merchants in the city, see veral ladies of distinction, and a great number of gentlemen from the country. We emptied the wine out of upwards of a dozen casks, and hid the dead bodies within them, where they may be found at this moment. The novelty of this mode of life amused us for some time, but we got tired of it, and the gang at length agreed to break occupations. Yet, it is to be questioned whether we shall ever spend such halcyon days again, spent though they were entirely by torch light. The exquisite wine which we drank, and the glorious adventures which we had in the claret and madeira walks, can be forgot only when the heart ceases to beat. We waited one morning on the Rev. Edward Irving, in a full suit of black, with our hair combed smooth over our forehead, most Covenanter-like, and introduced ourselves to him as a preacher of the gospel from Ross-shire, on our way out to take possession of a missionary appointment in the South Sea Islands. We, at the same time, mentioned our desire to be allowed to preach the follow-up, the members of it severally returning to their former ing Sunday forenoon in his church. The worthy divine said that he was unaccustomed to lend his pulpit to any one whom he was not intimately acquainted with; but that, from the high respectability of our appearance, he thought he might safely accede to our request, and the matter was arranged accordingly. Sunday came; and having borrowed Mr Irving's gown and bands, we marched One Wednesday morning we threw ourselves into a up the church, followed by a very douce-looking precen- chariot and four, and desired the postilions to drive at There was a full attendance; and when we looked full gallop to Brighton. We were in the full dress cosround from the pulpit, we saw that we had already made tume of the court of Holland. On reaching Brighton, an impression on the audience, and that curiosity was on we proceeded direct to the Pavilion, and requested an intip-toe. With a humility which did us honour, we chose stant audience with his majesty King William the Fourth. for our text the first clause of the 28th verse of the 22d We were admitted without delay, and found the monarch chapter of Numbers,-" And the Lord opened the mouth chatting with three of the London aldermen. We stated of the ass." From this simple theme, we preached a dis-ourselves to be the Dutch king, and mentioned, by way course so powerful and eloquent, that it is talked of with of apology for our sudden visit, that certain revolutionrapture by the whole congregation to this day. Mrary movements had taken place in Holland, which made Irving was so much delighted, that he pressed us to officiate again in the afternoon; but this we positively declined, and, leaving his gown and bands in the session-house, we walked away immediately, and never saw him again. tor. Having formed the resolution of making our début on the stage, we mentioned our intention to Charles Kemble our immediate absence necessary. We added, that we came to entreat our brother of England not to forget his "ancient ally," the more especially as we were of opinion that, with the aid of twelve ships of the line, we could still restore the former order of things within the Dutch boundaries. William appeared exceedingly puzzled; but recollecting that the Duke of Wellington had come to Brighton that morning, he dispatched a messenger for him, and at the same time hinted to the three aldermen that they might walk off, which they at last did, with many profound obeisances, both to their own king and to us. Wellington came soon afterwards. He entered the room hurriedly, with his hat in one hand and his umbrella in the other. For a moment he fixed his eye penetratingly upon us, and then he turned towards the king his majestic nose, which we could not help thinking looked like a large point of interrogation, although he said nothing. His majesty did not leave the premier's curiosity long ungratified;" Wellington," said he, "this is our brother his majesty of Holland," and then he repeated the story which we had told him. During the recital, Wellington looked at us again, and there was an expression in his look we did not altogether like. "Gentlemen," said we, somewhat abruptly, edging towards the door, "we regret having troubled you with our affairs, as there seems to be a hesitation on your part to afford us the assistance we seek. We shall apply for it elsewhere." So saying, we bolted out of the room, rushed down stairs with the speed of lightning, threw * ourselves into our chariot, and told the postilions to drive back to London for life and death. In a day or two nothing was talked of but the mysterious visit which had [been paid to the king at Brighton, and nobody was able to give a satisfactory explanation of the story. We laughed in our sleeve. Simon Byrne being accounted one of the best men in the prize ring, we met him, one evening, at the Elephant and Castle, in Holborn, and after a good deal of chaffing, deposits were made on both sides, and an early day fixed. It was agreed that it should be a fair stand-up fight, half minute time, in a four-and-twenty feet roped ring, £500 a-side. The fight came off on Hackney marsh, within ten miles of London, Byrne attended by his seconds, Ned Neal and Tom Cribb, and we by our friends, Washington Irving and George Cruikshank. In imitation of the ancient pugilists, we wore a pair of green baize drawers, with yellow binding and strings, which gave a = peculiar interest to our appearance, being quite different from the modern costume which is used in boxing. The = fight, upon the result of which immense sums depended, was not of long continuance, but peppery enough whilst it lasted. Byrne's position was very showy at first, but a slap on the conck soon put it aside. In the seventh round, we drew claret from his muzzle, and though we got a severe fall in the ninth, we rallied admirably in the = tenth, and, by the conclusion of the twenty-first, Byrne was deaf to time. We were immediately hurried off, amidst the congratulations of our friends and the huzzaing of the multitude; and so little had we been punished, that we dined that evening with a large party at the Caion Arms, Panton Street. [The EDITOR suddenly starts up, rubs his eyes, throws open the window, and, on looking over his papers, discovers that he has written ten pages in his sleep. This is one of the most remarkable circumstances that ever occurred! For not one word of what you have just perused, beloved reader, are we accountable. The whole of it was committed to paper whilst we were in a sound sleep or trance! If Mr Macnish does not mention this in the second edition of his new book, he is no true man. We have long known that we were subject to a sort of day dreams, but we never till this moment were aware that we could actually turn them to practical account during their continuance. The whole shall go forth to the world, to put the fact at rest for ever, if indeed any one doubted it, that we possess the most extraordinary idiosyncrasy ever bestowed on mortal. But now that we are verily awake, we see that we are in our SLIPPERS, and here are mountains of papers, of all shapes and sizes, lying before and around us. we liken you unto, O! ye contributors? What shall Like unto the countless stars that glitter round the moon ;-like unto the many bleating lambs whom the shepherd congregates on the mountain side;-like unto the ever-coming and ever-changing waves that tumble round the bows of the stately ship ;-like unto the weavers of Glasgow, wea ving a fine web of thoughts with which to array our JoukNAL when she comes forth in her stately beauty, and the nations bend down before her. Ye are welcome unto us! O, ye contributors! albeit some of you glimmer with a faint light, and some of you bleat with a feeble bleat, and some of you burst into bubbles instead of a wreath of snowy foam, and some of you weave your webs with coarse and rotten threads. Nevertheless ye are welcome, and though many of you cannot be saved from the flames even by the gentle intercession-the sweet subduing voice of our SLIPPERS, ye need not droop and pine, for it is an honour to be burnt by our hands. But as the Peris, who at the gates of Eden stood disconsolate, were admitted into the brightness of paradise, when they brought with them an offering worthy of acceptance, so do we admit right gladly into our pages such of our contributors as approve themselves possessed, of genius of the right stamp. Our old friend Alexander [ Maclaggan is one of these, and though his lyre has slumbered for a month or two, its tones have lost none of their simple and natural beauty, as the following composition will attest: THE HOUR FOR SONG. By Alexander Maclaggan. Watch'd ye e'er the clouds that flew, Beautiful 'mid summer skies, Like eagle birds of golden hue, With pinions dipt in heaven's rich dies, Whereon the light of parting day Soar'd to the sunny west away, And melted like the blessed raya Of love's emotion floating through The deep, the dear bewitching blue That lives within a maiden's eyes? Watch'd ye e'er, with sight strain'd dim, The sun go down with burning rimDown 'mong the richest gems that lie Deep wrapt in ocean's mystery? And, when slow sinking from your view, Mark'd ye the lingering look he threw On glen, and hill, and lofty towerA look of glory and of power! While higher up a purer light Stood steady in the settled sky, Boldly thrusting back the night, Till west winds, floating perfumed by, The lightning of their splendid dies, |