Hyndham Lodge; he had some orders to give them, which he said must be performed that evening; they were seen waiting with the horse by several passers by; they further deposed, that hearing a voice crying murder in the fields, they had hastened there, and following the noise found me engaged in rifling the body. The situation— my absence from home-the pocket book, which contained most of the rent money-my bloodstained clothes-were all material evidences against me.

To all this I had only to plead my simple and artless tale, but the boldness of my accusers, who unblushingly confronted me, triumphed, and I was disregarded; my former good character was taken into consideration, but then it was well known what an unhappy train of circumstances had reduced me; that my fortunes were broken; I was looked upon as a desperate man, who had cast his all upon the stroke of a die. It is useless to say more I was found guilty.

A dead stillness now prevailed all around. My breath began to grow short. The judge slowly placed on his head his black cap-the eye of each gazer became fixed with intense emotion-he passed sentence upon me-I heard his words, but I scarcely knew their import-they sounded like the death-bell on a summer's eve-my senses became bewildered-I was cut to the brain-I endeavoured to kneel-to pray-my limbs forgot their office-every thing fled-and I was carried away fainting.

I was now in a state which it is almost impossible to describe; the worst had happened. I was sentenced-my hours were numbered-I had three days to live-horrible thought. As these and other wilder ideas flashed across my soul, my reason tottered; at one time rage and fury would almost choke me; I clashed my chains together, foamed at the mouth, and endeavoured to dash out my brains against the walls of my prison; the next moment I wept like an infant, and, falling with my face upon the ground, seemed ready to breathe out my soul in the dreadful grief which agitated me.

During all this time I had not seen my friend Howard; he advanced to me, and, taking me in his arms, shed tears of unfeigned sorrow upon my face. This I believe was what I needed most, I could not bear to see him grieving thus, and summoning up every energy, I thought that I was able to look death in the face; but I was not afraid of death; it was not death that alarmed me, it was the horrors that accompanied him; if he had come alone I would have faced him as a man, without a sigh or a murmur; but the circumstances attending it-the eternal disgrace that would be heaped on our once noble family-all combined was horrible; but then I was innocent, and there was my triumph.

I took up a bible, and composed myself; I read unceasingly, and prayed fervently; I slept soundly the two first nights, the last I was greatly disturbed by strange and confused dreams. Howard had been taken dreadfully ill, so that I had not seen him, for I was not of course allowed to visit him; and this distressed me much. I had calculated upon his assistance in this last struggle, and to be deprived of it, was a dreadful shock to me.

The last morning was now arrived; it was about four o'clock; I arose, knelt down and prayed; my soul became lighter; but I had yet much to endure. I heard the sounds of the hammers employed in preparation; they were erecting the scaffold, and every stroke told to my heart. Why should I be thus alarmed," said I, "I have nothing to fear, a few hours and all will be over with me; I will not think."

66

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I became tranquil, nay, almost happy, and I heard the entry of the jailor with pleasure; he entered, but not alone; a zealous divine came with him, and we joined together in the sincerest offerings of prayer. The jailor now struck off my irons, and with his assistance, for I was become extremely weak, I was removed to another apartment.

My mind had acquired a sublimity which raised it above the grossness of earth, and I had almost forgotten my situation. Another keeper entered, leading in Howard, who could scarcely totter along, and who fell, an almost senseless burden, into my arms. I kissed his feverish and hectic cheek, and pressed him closely to my bosom. All around were deeply affected. Howard spoke much but faintly, and demanded, with an almost intense anxiety, how I felt. I assured him I was quite prepared, and, smiling, told him, it was now my turn to play the comforter. "We shall meet again very shortly," said he, "I feel-I know I shall not live long; nay, give me no hopes, I do not wish for them; we shall meet where we shall be happy; I have no desire to live." "Do not say so Howard; you have, I trust, many many happy blessed years to enjoy, and may you ever be " Think, for heaven's sake, of yourself," said he, "recollect." "Dear Howard," said I, "you know my love for Helen P, and also her habitation; here is a lock of her hairtake it to her I did think to have died with it upon my heart, but—” "Then you do not renounce her for ever," said Howard hastily. "Oh, no, said I, "I love her yet as tenderly as ever." Howard bent anxiously forward-he whispered a word into my ear, and I became as a statue.

66

"Thou canst not be Helen," I exclaimed. "I am-I am, my dear, my unhappy Charles." "Oh, heavens, this is too much so unexpected-" "You do not hate me Charles." "Hate thee, thou beloved girl; oh! to meet thee thus-thy sacrifice-generous self-devoted being; a life devoted to thy service could not repay thee." "Oh Charles, we must part; a little while and we shall be re-united; may God bless you and support you in your need-" and, as she spoke, she fainted with her arms twined round my neck. I gently unclasped them, and kissing her pale cheek, and exclaiming "tis better we part thus," delivered her to the weeping jailor, for all were considerably affected by the scene they had just witnessed, and he carried her away.

A torrent of new emotions now gushed to my heart, and I was bewildered by their conflicting influence. I assigned to myself different reasons for Helen's conduct, but I could not develope the mystery which seemed to enshroud it. Helen-a servant-strike her master-in S- gaol-improbable-nay impossible. Often was I tempted to doubt the reality of every thing around me, and I began to think myself the sport of some delusion.

The time slipped on, my glass was nearly run out, and the cleryman begged me to think of my hereafter state. I continued with him in prayer till the moment when I was summoned by the jailor for the dread ordeal: I cast a last glance of bitter agony on every thing around, and bade him lead on.

I passed through the door and beheld the vast assemblage before me; I shuddered dreadfully; the use of my limbs again forsook me, and had it not been for the assistance which was timely offered me, I should have fallen. I was placed in a cart, on the bottom of which was scattered a small bundle of straw, upon which I sat. The terrible equipage began to move; I gazed around; it was a beautiful morning, but all seemed black and dark to me; there was a mixed expression

sat upon the faces of the tumultuous mob; it was a stern pity, a fierce regret mingling with somewhat of horror; they seemed to loathe, and yet longed to glut themselves with the spectacle; kindly glances of pity were sometimes interchanged, and a sigh and a sorrowing exclamation were occasionally uttered in my behalf. There was a dead weight upon my heart, and I felt very sick; a thick damp sat upon my brow, and all my limbs felt nerveless; I drew my breath by gasps, and my whole frame heaved with emotion.

We had now arrived at the scaffolding, and I was assisted to mount the steps, for I was much too feeble to have attempted it alone; indeed, I expected that my heart would burst long ere the hangsman's hand should put a period to my existence. I stood upon the boards and cast my eyes around, but I could dimly see; all floated a confused mass around me; it seemed an ever-moving sea of human heads that swelled and foamed and rolled up to swallow and devour, and I shrunk in horror. The clergyman advanced-he spoke and I listened-but I knew not what he said; he kneeled and prayed; I instinctively obeyed him, but I knew not what I did; he raised me up; a hymn was chaunted; the jailor wished to bind my eyes, but this I would not suffer; the cord was fastened round my neck-the clergyman recommended my soul to heaven and departed-the jailor delivered to me a handkerchief to let fall when I was ready, and left me, and it was then, and only then, that I became alive to the terrors of my situatiou. I was like one suddenly aroused from a fit of intoxication. I had before an idea of it, but it was dim and distinctless; what did I not then undergo; if the riches of the universethe wealth, honours, and pleasures of the world, were to be the reward of it-they should not bribe me again to undergo that moment-it was an age-it was horrible-the cord of agony was screwed to its tightest-the least more would have cracked it-it was unbearable-but, oh! that moment. The handkerchief had been left me to let fall when I was prepared, and thus I was to become in a manner my own executioner; terrible thought; I half resolved to retain it, and let death come when it would, but I could not bear to wait. I mustered up all my resolution; I endeavoured to take a last look, but my sunk and hollow eyes refused their office,-all was darkness to me, my tongue was dry and clove parched to my palate,-I murmured a prayer to heaven,-I slowly raised my hand,-I trembled-my breath stopped-my grasp unclosed-the handkerchief dropped-the boards fell! I felt the dreadful jerk through all my frame-the blood rushed to my head-I felt the veins distended terribly in my temples-my eyes seemed starting out of their sockets-and there were strange shooting pains at the back of my ears-I tried to breathe-a choking sensation ensued-I became convulsedmy hands felt dreadfully painful-I clutched at the air-the convulsions increased-I thought the veins would burst in my brow-I felt that my eyes protruded dreadfully-I heaved for breath again, but the passage was completely obstructed—I shivered all over my pains became less intense, and I soon was insensible.

I now began to experience feelings of a different sort; violent throes thrilled through my frame, and I felt inexpressible tortures. I laboured to rise to breathe-and to burst the chains which seemed to hold me; painful throbbing at my breast ensued; the blood rushing through my numbed and cramped veins was horribly painful; it was like sharp needles thrust into every part, and even more painful. I could rest on nothing; I thought I was lying on a bed of thorns, and ĺ sprung up in agony.

I had been cut down-one of the villains had confessed-they had had a quarrel over the division of the booty at an inn-the landlord had overheard them-he instantly sent for an officer, and they were taken into custody; one acknowledged his guilt, which, of course, implicated the other, who did not deny the charge, being overwhelmed with astonishment; this had not happened at S, but at a town about thirty miles distant. All had taken place in the middle of the night-the messenger had been delayed-he arrived just as I was turned off-I was cut down immediately and every effort resorted to, to restore suspended animation; it is needless to say they had succeeded.

Why was I once more brought back to be again tossed upon this sea of troubles? why was not rather suffered to die in peace? for I may truly say, that the bitterness of death was past with me-would I had been permitted to sleep for ever. I awoke to misery greater than that in which I lay down to rest-and cursed be the hand that broke me from the transient slumber that would have brought me to happiness,-would that the winds, and all the powers of heaven, had combined to stop the messenger in his mad career,had he but been a few moments later, it would have been sufficient, I should have now slept quietly in the silent tomb.

Helen had died-she died in the hope of our re-union.

I have sat beside her silent grave when the lone bleak winds have whistled through the old yew tree that overshadows it, and have heard them speak like a spirit to me. I have culled the little pansies that flourish and grow upon it's grass green sod, I have watched the moonbeam fall upon it-I have seen the first tints of the sun shine upon it for twelve years, but I have never yet been able to shed a tear: no tear has glistened in my eye since that fatal event-no smile has ever illumed my face since the moment when I learnt she was dead-but my afflictions will soon, I hope, be terminated.

Rose up before him-his heart swelled with dread
And awe, as these dark visiouings
Came thronging on his grief-oppressed soul.
And as he looked up on the orbs, that roll
Through the bright realms of space, for aye,
He deemed that his sire might floating be
In that sheening hall invisibly-
And oh! to think how that radiant spirit
(If such be the domes that souls inherit)
Might wander, and roam on the wings of air,
Flitting, at will, from sphere to sphere,
And piercing, and shooting, where
Mortal eye may never peer.

(If such be the domes, that souls inherit,)
My spirit shall float on the sun's first beam.
LINDSAY.

Of the dead and the grave

And we will talk of the famous brave,
Of the dead, and their house the grave.-
BARRY CORNWALL.

The Giraffe.The Cameleopard. I have seen them eighteen feet high.

And heard its music, like a fairy hymn.

The song of the Brecentauri is so soft when heard at a distance, that the wind easily assimilates it, to the chaunt of some viewless ærial spirits. Manchester, Sept. 18, 1822.

S. LYCETT.

ON THE DEATH OF A NIECE.

Why do I weep, as o'er the Requiem's strain,
My tongue would trace, the sad, the plaintive note,
Why swells this heart, with overwhelming pain,
As o'er my mind thy witty prattlings float.
Why do I weep thy flight, was I not kind,
In every action, aye, in every thought;
Did I not watch that fond ingenuous mind,
To see what pleasure for thee could be bought.
Art thou not gone, where virtue only reigns,
Why is this gushing weakness from my eyes-
Why this recoiling impulse in my veins,
Whilst thou art chanting praise within the skies.
Surrounded by the glory of our God,

Thou canst not surely cast a look on me
Not from the pure, the Saviour's blest abode,
Look down upon a weeping family.

Ah, no! 'tis past as pure as heaven's own light
Thy spirit ranges in the realms of bliss,
Where immortality, that meed so bright,
Is given to a world of happiness.

On Jesu's right, where all the heavenly host,
Mingle the high, the soul adoring theme,
Welcome the innocent that we have lost,

And leave us but the memory of its name.
But even that, on earth shall never fade,

Whilst pure affection centres in the core; Till envious death who this dread chasm has made, Has closed these eyes and time shall be no more, The faithful dog, once cherish'd by thy care, That watch'd thy shorten'd journey to the bier, Shall thy undying influence ever share, And its annihilation force a tear. Chorlton Row, Sept. 20th, 1822.

THE POET'S WISH.

S. COATES.

It is a custom some years old,
(For I've both read it and been told,)
'Mongst other things which poets dish
To treat the world, to write a wish.
Indeed, for better and for worse,
This seems to be a standing course.
Thus POMFRET acted, though, alack!
I think he'd fain have call'd his back,
Because some supercilious creatures
Pretended to discover features
Which proved the author irreligious,-
But here their error was prodigious.
Besides him there were many others,
POPE, SWIFT, COWPER, WHITE, and brothers;
And as I sometimes scribble rhime,

I feel disposed with these to chime,
Lest some fastidious hyper-critic
Should say my muse is paralytic,
Except whem moping melancholy
Incites to treat of subjects holy;
Nor thus resolve because I deem
Religion a disgraceful theme;
But rather to convince the fearful,
Its votaries are not uncheerful.
Further, I'll venture the suggestion,
That leaving Swift out of the question,
Religion gained the chief attention,
Of those whom I've thought fit to mention,
And in their lighter works we find
But sportings of a noble mind.
In proof, vide "The Christiad,"-
'Twas written by the Clifton lad ;*
Pope's Dying Christian to his soul;"
"Messiah," sweeter than the whole ;-
And I must name, for 'twere improper
To miss "The Task," by charming Cowper.
But to my point-were I to have
All that my earthly wishes crave,
Herein my total wealth would rest,—
With which, I think, I could feel blest
First, a neat house of rental clear,
My own design, a garden near;
Retired a little from the strife,
Bustle and noise of city life;

One horse, a fine Newfoundland dog ;
A cow, some poultry, and a hog-
Though, by the way, pork is a dish
I like not even as well as fish,
And nearly aught I should prefer but
The genera of trout and turbot ;-
Then an annuity so large

That needful bills I could discharge
As they came in,-say something near
Hundred and fifty pounds a year,
Next, to enhance these gifts of life,
I'd have a-a-in truth, A WIFE,-
Why should one hesitate on this,
So needful to promote his bliss;
And by indulgent heaven design'd,
A legal instinct of our kind?

A partner of clear understanding,

Well taught, but plain, of mien commanding; Fair, slender, straight, of tender feeling; Neat in her dress; not fond of reeling ;†

By all means I should like her able
To manage house and sit at table,
Without perpetually grumbling

Before her maid, herself thus humbling;
And towards myself I should prefer
Such conduct as I show'd to her.
And I would like, since I've begun
To wish, a daughter and a son,
Who, as I saw them romp and thrive,
Would keep a little care alive;
For that man is not truly blest,
Who is not with some care opprest,
To give the goods of life a zest; §
And care parental seems to me,
Best with our frailties to agree.

If gracious Heaven my prayer would hear
Farther, I'd have residing near
A learned, faithful, travell'd friend,
Who now and then an hour would spend,
When nights were long, in easy chat
With wife and self around the grate,
I'd choose no adulative creature
Who loved me for my mere "good-nature,"
Nor any odious witty fellow,

Who but to gorge and make him mellow
At my expense, would crack a joke,
And scandalize in all he spoke.
By MRS. AGABUS's care

The house should have a bed to spare,
That when the evening threaten'd rain,
He need not venture forth again.
If e'er my friend should be prevented
From stepping in, I'd be contented
To have a little upper floor
Furnished with well-selected lore,
To which I might retire and study
To save myself from being moody,
Or whence some pleasing story take,
To keep my "Dearest Life" awake.
If to these clear gen'ral views,
A casual visit from the muse ;

A life from pain and sickness free,

Indulgent Heaven would grant to me,

Thrice, four times ¶ blessed should I be.

Liverpool, Sept. 20, 1822.

En passant-any fair who sees

Her qualities accord with these,

ACABUS.

And feels dispos'd-she'll know what's meant,Thro' "IRIS" please to drop a hint.

"Life's cares are comforts."

THE COMPLAINT.

O terque quaterque beati.
VIRG. ENEID. 1. I.

A notion is prevalent among the vulgar in some countries of Europe, that the wish of a person will be accomplished, if he can contrive to express it distinctly in words, during the interval between his first seeing a meteor shooting along the sky (or a falling star, as generally miscalled) and its final disappearance. The same notion is popular in India; and serves, as a learned man of that country explained it, to inculcate a lesson of constant perseverance in endeavours to accomplish any favourite object, which ought to be on all occasions permost in the mind.

.ANGLING.

Some time ago, two young gentlemen of Dumfries, while fishing at Dalswinton-loch, having expended their stock of worms, &c. had recourse to the expedient of

picking out the eyes of the dead perch, and attaching them to their hooks-a bait which the perch is known to take quite as readily as any other; one of the perch caught in this manner struggled so much when taken out

of the water, that the hook had no sooner been loosened

from its mouth, than it came in contact with one of its eyes, and actually tore it out. The pain occasioned by this accident only made the fish struggle the harder, until at last it fairly slipped through the holder's fingers and again escaped to its native element. The disappointed fisher still retaining the eye of the aquatic fugitive, adjusted it on the hook, and again committed his line to the waters. After a very short interval, on pulling up the line, he was astonished to find the identical perch that bad eluded his grasp a few minutes before, and which literally perished by swallowing its own eye!

:

ANECDOTE OF ALDERMAN BOYDELL.

A young engraver just entering into life, and who afterwards rose to great eminence in his profession, applied to Alderman Boydell for employment. Having never executed any considerable work he had only some trifling specimens of his ability to show. The Alderman, however, was satisfied from them that the young artist possessed abilities worthy of encouragement, and offered him a picture, if he thought himself equal to it. The young man undertook it, and agreed on 25 guineas as the remuneration. When the plate was quite finished, he waited on the Alderman, finally to deliver it with a proof. Mr. Boydell examined so long, and as it seemed so minutely, that the artist was almost apprehensive that he was not quite pleased with it, and resolved to ask bim adding, that he should be happy to make any improvement or correction that Mr. Boydell might suggest.' Oh no,' replied the Alderman, I am extremely pleased with it, and desire no alteration. It is charming; and instead of 25 guineas, I shall give you five and thirty-very charming indeed-the more I look at it the more I like it; I shall give you fifty guineas.' He went to his desk and wrote a check on his banker, which he gave to the artist, telling him to call on him in a few days, as he had further employment for him. The young man endeavoured to express his gratitude for this unexpected and munificent liberality of his new patron; but his speech utterly failed bim, when, casting his eye on the check which he held in his hands, he found it to be for One Hundred Guineas! This happy event was the foundation both of his fortune and his fame.

SCRAPIANA.—NO. IX.

From the common-place book of a Lancashire Clergyman who flourished upwards of a century ago.

I am too Catholick to be a Roman-Catholic. Immoral prayers when K. Georg is mentioned in church.

Ignorance the mother of error.

Id tantum possumus quod jure possumus,
I do not give but lend myself to my business.
Impatiens Ægrotus crudelem facit medicum.
If nature will needs have me proud of something,
I will only be proud of this yt I am proud of
nothing.

Indians thought roses had been fire when they first
came into these northern countrys.
Ignatius Loyola founder of ye order of ye Je-
suits.

Ingratitude is a monster in nature, a solœcism in maners, a paradox in divinity, and a damm to divine bounty.

In reading of ye sacred writt, beware,
Thou climb no gap, whenas a stile stands fair.
Judge not ye field because it's stubble,
Nor him that's poor and full of trouble.
Inch an hour-a foot a day.
Ignorance breeds confidence.

If one but knew how good it were
To eat a hen in Janiveer,
Had he but twenty in ye flock,
He'd leave but one to go with cock.

Ignorance in Scotland great 1544 when ye Priest thought that ye new Testamt was composed by Martin Luther.

It is written upon a wall in Rome, Ribchester ye fairest town in Christendom. Innocency cannot be retained without humility. Jews never build houses, but they have some part unfinished in memory of Jerusalem's desolation.

Infinite time never drawn out by finite motion. Imployment without inconvenience, only in heaven.

James and Jude, husbandmen.
Jacta est alea, sink or swim.

}

If youth knew what old age would crave
It would be sure to get and save.
Infirmitas corporis, sobrietas mentis.
Indigent old person ye greatest calamity in ye
world.

Image of God comandeth regard.
It's a shame for a man above 60 to put forth his
hand to a physician. Plutarch. He must then
be content to dye.

Joseph dreamed of his preferment, but not imprisonmt.

Jeptha did ill in making his vow; worse in keeping it.

In publicos hostes, omnis homo miles.
If I be bold

The anchor is my hold
Yet fear the worst,
What if ye cable burst?
Job's friends made good sermons, but mistaken
applications.

Julian Apostata comanded yt there should be no catechizing, no schools of learning. Wo to them that suppress usefull seminarys and nurserys in hoc Regno Anglicano.

In magnis voluisse sat est.
Impii faciunt bonum: non vellent.
Jealousy compounded of fear, shame, and desire
of revenge.

MATHEMATICS.

Demonstration required in Question No. 31, by O. Let P be the given point, within the given A ACE; draw BG parallel to AF, and BH parallel to CD;

E.

Then, by similar As DE; whence BG. DE BC: BG: AC: AF, like manner, AB. CD EF

=

=

H

B

BG: EF:: BP : PE :: BH: EF. BH. Now by sim. As and BC. AF BG. AC; in BH. AC; whence AB.. CD. BC. AF. DE. Q. E. D. Solutions have been received from Amicus, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. James Hulton, Jun. We must, however, remark, in justice to O, that his demonstration is far more simple and elegant than any other that we have received. We shall at all times be happy to receive his