thought the white-faced stranger was sending a blessing to his country and friends. They were indeed the strains of his native land, which helped to soothe many an anxious passing hour; whilst, like the apples of the Dead Sea coast, hope gilded to the sight those to succeed, which were to prove ashes and death to the taste.

There are few more delightful feelings than those experienced by a keen sportsman in returning home after a successful day's angling with his basket loaded with fish. Though a tale now which has long been told, we well remember the delight, scarcely short of extacy, which we and a school-boy party experienced upon our first occasion of killing a salmon. The nervous agitation which shook us like electricity when the first plunge threw the foaming water off his silvery shoulders, followed by the lightning submersion of the tail! The breathless shout of boys! boys! we have him!-The race to be first at the spot. The eager directions-"hold up the top of the rod-play him against the stream! give him line!—give him line!" whilst all the while, to the music of the reel, he was playing a thousand vagaries—throwing himself here and there fairly out of the water; and coursing alike through the current and the calm. Then, after long a struggle, when we had him at length fairly flapping upon the sand, never was scene of American " Jumpers" better personified; a regular dancingmatch of joy, for several minutes, ensued; after which, followed a general strike: we, especially, too overjoyed to delay for a moment the honours of our ovation, the others to lose, by remaining behind, their due share of merit for assisting in the capture by their presence and advice. The wheels were then wound up, the rods unscrewed, and the spolia opima stuffed into a basket in such a partial way that the tail, like that of the ram of Derby, was allowed to protrude as far as possible behind that all who passed us on our way might have ocular demonstration of our mighty feat! We were, as Byron says, "a boy in those days"but few of the weightier uphill achievements of later years have surpassed in gratification that happy moment. It was with some such feelings of complacency, doubtless, that we well remember Clapperton sounding a reveillée at our father's door, as a summons to the family one and all to turn out and behold the contents of his basket, upon a day when he had been more than ordinarily successful. He had no such monster of the vasty deep to exhibit as the one we have alluded to-but the tails of above a dozen of the finest yellow trout had

been so arranged as to display themselves with striking effect from his jacket pockets, and the loop-holes of his basket. Whether the latter was really choke full, or the terra incognita made up with less edible material, we pretend not to say. The secrets of the angling art, like that of the poulterer's, but too often require stuffing. But this is a matter which it would be quite unhandsome to sift into narrowly.

And whilst, upon the topic of " Truta-ná,” we must not overlook an incident which raised a good laugh at the time against the hero of our narrative, though, in reality, it was anything but a matter of joke to himself. In the immediate neighbourhood of the old Burgh which was his residence, a beautiful sheet of water surrounds a peninsula, upon which, embowered amid stately trees, stands the ruins of the ancient castle of King Robert Bruce, formerly the strongest fortress of the West Border, though now but the monument of a thousand spirit-stirring recollections of an iron age. The adjoining districts had been parcelled out among the king's retainers, and the descendants of these "kindly tenants" still inhabit the soil, intermarrying with each other, and preserving characteristics not less distinctive than peculiarly their own. But the immediate territory called the Mains of the Castle, together with some adjoining estates, had long formed the possessions of a family from whom Clapperton, and an exChancellor of the Exchequer, were maternally sprung. In this lake there is a little fish peculiar to itself; and, indeed, with only one other exception, in Switzerland, it is not elsewhere found in Europe. It is called the Vendance. How it got located there, no one can distinctly tell. Report says that it was transplanted from some sunnier clime by the orders of the beautiful Mary; over the tender recollections of which favourite spot, Scott feigns her to weep, whilst pent up in her dreary confinement in the towers of Lochleven. Whilst, on the other hand, tradition, which makes this delicate little fish bear upon its head the bleeding heart of the Bruce, seems to point to its having had existence in the lake from a much remoter period. This, however, may be pure fancy-the pretended heart being nothing more than the transparent brain arising from that national veneration which has stamped the clarum et venerabile nomen of The Bruce upon so many tablets living and inanimate on his native shore. The ven

The ancient family of Henderson of Broadholm.

dance further is, chameleon-like, fabled to live upon air, from this circumstance, that it has never been taken by any kind of bait; nor indeed has it ever been found with any food in its stomach upon which it could be ascertained to subsist. The only mode by which, therefore, it is ever taken, is by drag-nets; and, in the warm days of July and August, it is a very pleasant pastime to superintend a fishing party, and witness the draught make its little sweep, and haul out, besides the species referred to, pike, perch, roach, bream, eels, &c., often to the extent of many hundreds at a time. Clapperton, to whom the treat was new, upon witnessing quietly a haul or two, could no longer repress his aquatic propensities, but, doffing his jacket, sallied in with the rope, wading and dragging the net after him as far as the depth would permit. And so delighted was he with the amusement, that he continued it for some hours, until the sun so strongly scorched his back, that it peeled him almost as effectually as if the cat-o'-nine-tails had got acquainted with his shoulders.

The locality of which we speak, and the high recollections which have there a local habitation and a name, lead us into a digression. In ancient times, the waters of the lake washed the foundations of the fortress. But, after its hostile purposes were done, and Peace had seated herself upon its ruins, the waters, gradually receding, left a beautiful little peninsula, which is now covered with perennial verdure. Upon this spot, on the 11th July, it is usual for the gentry of the neighbouring district to celebrate the birthday of king Robert Bruce. There, amid the monuments of time, which happily have long given place to prosperity and peace, the tables are spread, and the cup drained to the imperishable names of those heroes who best defended the independence of their country throughout the different periods of its history, until the hour when the accession of the first James, to use the expression of that pacific monarch, changed the borders of the two hostile kingdoms into the heart of an united people. It was upon the close of a summer's day, that the lady of one of Clapperton's ancestors was seated upon the margin of the lake near to the spot of which we are speaking, watching perhaps the last rays of the setting sun sinking peacefully behind the Beacon Hill, and drawing to herself in the fancy's horoscope of one shortly, for the first time, to become a mother, a like unclouded termination to the long bright day of her son and heir, when her reveries were suddenly in

terrupted by a pike springing out of the water into her lap. The circumstance afforded only surprise at the moment; but it came to be regarded as prophetic, with superstitious feelings, when, at the same hour and spot, several years afterwards, the child, of whom she had then been enceinte, was drowned. The last representative of the same branch of the family died for the cause of Charles Stewart, upon the scaffold at Carlisle. Like most of the Annandale lairds, when the rebellion broke out, he was supposed to lean to the side of the Pretender. But his sole demonstration consisted in his having put a white rose into his bonnet-the emblem of attachment to that ill-fated cause. For this he was apprehended

though so well was his innocence known to the party sent to take him, that the opportunity was several times given, and pressed upon him to escape. So conscious was he however of having done nothing that could implicate him, that he refused indignantly to avail himself of the same. And such was the policy of those evil times, that to be suspected and guilty were deemed synonymous. He fell, therefore, a martyr to the ancient loyalty of his country.

The scene of Clapperton's amusement in summer was no less the field of his sport in winter. When the warlock frost has laid a crystal bridge over the face of the waters, curling, a winter game which is peculiar to Scotland, calls all its votaries to the manly contest. Of the multitudinous, multifarious pastimes of the year, asks old Kit of the North, what other can be compared with it? This sport stirs the heart of auld Scotland till you hear it beating on her broad bosom. Shepherds, ploughmen, clergy, lawyers, barons, knights, esquires, all congregate to wage friendly warfare, and toss the ponderous stone along the resounding plain. Then all parties and persons amalgamate; and that reciprocity of cordiality and good feeling prevails, by which the fellowship of the olden day has, in a great measure, been kept alive to the present hour. Clapperton might, in some respects, be considered as a hereditary curler; for his grandfather, of antiquarian memory, had long held a high name upon his native ice, and had besides left a monument of his prowess, the implement of his art, in the shape of a huge grey cairn, ylcept the "Hen," which, after having been handled by Clapperton's father and others of his family, came in course to his own forti manu; though his hand, better accustomed to wielding the sword, did not own altogether the science of his race in this respect.

Connected with the "Hen," we cannot resist giving an anecdote, which is not altogether uncharacteristic of the man. Clapperton joined in the curling campaign, at a moment when a challenge arrived from a neighbouring party, whose prowess had long been most formidable upon ice. The President of the Society, Sir James Broun, than whom a more accomplished curler never threw a stone-never particular as to the individual skill of his own players, chose him into his rink, though but a very indifferent proficient in the art. This, as might have been expected, afforded no little dissatisfaction amongst a body of men, who, perhaps, of all others, act up most tenaciously upon such occasions, to the no-respecting principle of detur digniori,-and that too upon the eve of a contest requiring a concentration of the experience and science of the body whose laurels were at stake. Accordingly, upon the morning of the contest, the President, upon joining his party, was surprised to see Clapperton standing aloof having a raised look his hands stuck in his sailor's jacket pockets, and whistling loud. He had not time, however, to get at him to inquire what was the matter, before one of the other skips came up and explained the mystery, by saying, that understanding Clapperton, and another naval gentleman had been chosen of his party, the other curlers were determined not to run the risk of encountering their opponents; unless they were both put out. Sir James, consideriug that a "soft answer turns away wrath," said something conciliatory, and turned upon his heel. Upon this, Clapperton, in an attitude of proud contempt, and pulled up to his height, advanced with the air and gait of the quarter-deck, to a respectful distance, when, throwing up his hand à la mode naval, he demanded, in a key differing from his usual one-" Am I to play to-day, Sir, or am I not?" Certainly, Clapperton, was the reply, you shall play if I play. Upon which, making a salam with his hand, as if he had received the commands of his admiral, he strided back to where his stone (the Hen) and besom lay; and seizing upon the former with an air of triumph, he whirled her repeatedly round his head, with as much ease apparently, as if she had been nearer to seven than seventy pounds weight. He then placed her upon his shoulder, and marched off to the loch, where, taking up a position, he walked sentry upwards of an hour before being joined by the rest. The party with whom he played were most suc

cessful, beating their opponents hollow. It may appear singular, how so trivial a circumstance should so highly have excited him: a curler however can readily comprehend it. He played with his colossal granite some capital shots, and no doubt was not a little complacent that the skip, who, as the tongue of the trump, had tried to eject him, got with his rink thoroughly drubbed.

Clapperton no doubt looked upon this incident as one touching his honour, as much as if he had been ordered off the quarterdeck upon going into action. These curling battles being always waged with as much zest as if a sceptre was at stake. And there is not one of the players who engaged upon the celebrated occasion referred to, whose names have not become household words in their native district. His general temper, however, was mild and equable to a high degree; benevolence being almost the invariable character of his disposition. The scene of his traversing-cold and hungry-the dreary Canadian swamp with the poor sailor-boy frozen to death upon his back, will ever remain a most interesting memorial of his kindness of heart, and sympathy for the woes of others: and embodies, under the circumstances of the case, a picture of such genuine, unexampled humanity as well entitles it to be transferred to canvass, by some master's hand, as a public tribute to philanthropy in arms. We recollect well being present upon an occasion where his good-nature was severely tasked. It was at a meeting called together for a parochial purpose, which he lent a willing hand to forward. In the course of conversation, he, by chance, dropped an oath. A dissenting clergyman present considered the faux pas as requiring a pastoral reprimand. Accordingly, with a zeal which would have been more honoured in the breach than in the observance, he commenced a long harangue upon the sin and shame of swearing. Poor Clapperton was sadly nonplused; but at every separate division of the lecture, he only bowed low, and repeated the words "I stand corrected."

In this respect he differed widely from his brother Charles, who possessed all the indomitable ire and pride of the Glenlyon race. The last time we ever met the latter was in the autumn of 1827, during the race week at Dumfries, when illness had vastly sobered him down. By chance he came into the same company where we happened to be. We had not seen each other for years, and our meeting was not the less cordial. Upon congratulating him upon his looks-"My

friend," said he, "I am far from being well; but I have just been dining with Col. D. and am flushed with an extra glass." We had a long chit-chat upon various matters-and, upon parting, remarked, we will see you tomorrow evening at the Southern Meeting Ball? "No", was his reply-" A. and B. and C.will be there, naming several of the country lairds, and their names would appear before mine in the list; and I will see them all damned first!"

Upon an occasion when he went to visit his relations at Glenlyon, a feast was made in honour of his arrival to which a number of the neighbouring chiefs and gentry were invited. Charles probably had been spinning a long yarn, as the sea-phrase goes, for after the cup had freely circulated, the question, after some snorting and scratching of the head, was boldly propounded by one a little more 'for'ards' than the rest. "Auch, fat can ta Sassanach do?" "What can the Sassanach do," said Charles, rising like a whirlwind; "I'll tell you what he can do: I'll run with any of you; I'll leap with any of you; I'll box with any of you. I'll throw the stone with any of you; I'll drink with any of you; or I'll fight with any of you." Not one of them, however, durst take him up upon any one of the points proposed.

We cannot set Hugh's quiet and diffident bearing in better contrast with his brother's fanfaronnerie,than by relating a little anecdote here over which we have often laughed heartily together. Shortly after his return to Scotland, he was invited to an evening party in Edinburgh, where he was to meet some young ladies who had been expressly selected for presentation to the handsomest officers of the fleet to which he had belonged. When the hour of cause drew near, Clapperton, whose heart was moving pitty-patty, rigged himself out in his best, and fortifying himself with a bumper of brandy, he sallied forth, whistling as he went to keep his courage up. When he came, however, in sight of the house, his heart fairly failed him; and it was not until after two retreats upon his faithful ally, that he could at length muster confidence sufficient to pull the bell, and make his debût. It must have been no slight occasion which made him resort to this expedient, for perhaps there never was a sailor who left the service, who had a stronger repugnance to drink than he.

Lander, in his affecting narrative of the last illness of his "intrepid and beloved master," when mentioning his fearless and indomitable spirit, and utter contempt of

danger and death, adds, "The negro loved him because he admired the simplicity of his manners; the Arab hated him because he was overawed by his commanding presence." Clapperton was indeed brave as he was gentle, and gentle as he was brave. His temper was even and cheerful; his disposition warm and humane. As we have already noticed, generosity was no less in him a striking characteristic. Upon his leaving the service, such was the general love and regard in which he was held by his messmates, that he had literally to divide his garments amongst them, that each might have a shred in the way of keepsake. Upon one of them going into his cabin, who had been delayed after the rest, and asking "Well, Clapperton,what have you got for me?" he glanced his eye round the naked apartment, and seeing an old shoehorn that had escaped detection, presented it as the only relic he had to bestow. His friend objected to deprive him of so necessary an appendage of the adonising art, remarking that he would not be able to get on his shoes without it. "O," said he, "these I have on fit me easy, and, to tell you the truth, they are the only pair that are left to me!" His affectionate conduct towards the aged sister of his mother, whom he took to live with him during his residence at Lochmaben, and for whose comfort he provided after he left, even till her death, covers, like charity— not the multitude of his sins, for these he had not-but the errors which are inseparable from our imperfect condition here, and from which he neither was, nor claimed to be exempt.

Clapperton left Annandale in 1820, and spent the following winter in Edinburgh, where we passed many a pleasant evening with him in company with Udney, and another naval friend. A trait of the universal benevolence which marked his character, displayed itself towards ourself, upon our leaving college, upon the breaking up of the session 1820-21. On our route home, we proposed a walking excursion to the Tweed; and Clapperton, upon learning that we started on our journey early in the morning, for the pure purpose of protection, volunteered to escort us out of the environs of the town. It was certainly from no love of a walk that he got out of bed in a cold April morning before three o'clock. He accompanied us as far as the sixth mile-stone on our way. There we parted: and our paths diverged, never again to cross each other in time. Poor Clapperton! when we look back to that hour, and his athletic form, which promised such a length of

years, once more rises before us, how little did we think that so soon after, in a distant land, he should find an early tomb, but an undying fame.

Clapperton has left a son behind him at Lochmaben a fine boy, and who, like his father, will be a "man of mould” fit to do a good stroke of service either in flood or field.

Should this meet the eye of any in power, it would be but an act of justice towards the ill requited services of the man who paved with his life the way for a large extension of the wealth and commerce of Britain, to lend a helping hand to one who is left almost to nature's guardianship, and who is greatly in need of a protector and friend.

RIVER! whose waters murmuring stray,
Oh! could I by thy side,
Mark, how like joys that steal away,
Thy waves in music glide;
Oh! might I watch thee glittering by,
Without these bars that mock my eye,
As welcome, and as blest to me,
Thy cool and sparkling waves would be,
As those which lead to Aden's shore,
Where he who drinks shall thirst no more.
Thy course is onward, wide and free,
When will such course return to me!
At liberty!-how blest art thou,

Whilst I, in fetters bound,
Press 'gainst these bars my fever'd brow,
And listen for a sound

That stills one moment's space the sigh
Of hopeless, sad, captivity.

And thou fair bird, whose notes arise
Sweet as the bells of Paradiset,
That chase the slumbers of the blest,
Or soothe his soul to dreams of rest;
What art thou?-from what pleasant home
Of ceaseless music dost thou come?
Say, if amidst the Sudru's shade
Thy nest of perfumed leaves is made;
Art thou of those of spotless wing
That round the throne of glory sing.§
Or art thou come a messenger
To bear me tender news of her
Whose truth no absence can impair,
Who loves, like me, amidst despair!

• Al Aden or Jannat, the garden of Paradise. See Koran.

The trees in Paradise will be hung with bells, which will be put in motion by the wind, proceeding from the sacred throne, as often as the blessed wish for music.

The Sudru is a tree of Paradise.

The souls of the good dwell in the form of white birds under the sacred throne. See Koran.

The dew of pearl on Yemen's waves
That sparkles pure and bright,
Ere yet in fost'ring ocean's caves
Its gems are form'd of light,
Is not so pure, so fair, as she,
So precious as her heart to me.
But what am I!-my mem'ry now
Would cloud the shunshine of her brow;
My fame is past-my glory fled-
My name enroll'd among the dead-
Forgot by all I ever knew,

Why should not she forget me too!
Go, soaring bird! thy lays are vain-
They add new torture to my chain;
Attendant on thy notes appear
The shades of many a buried year,
Whose glitt'ring colours charm my sight
Then fade and leave me deeper night.
They show when from my desert home
Free as my steed, I used to roam;
How, even then, the future's dream
Made present good of no esteem;
By custom too familiar grown

I slighted joys that were my own;
Alas! since then a life of pain

Has proved their worth; but proved in vain!
Oh! that I could recall the past
Hours, days, and years, I dared to waste--
But vain repentance, vain regret,
My only task is to forget!

No more I'll seek my prison grate
With straining eye and heart elate,
To welcome stream and wood and plain,
Which never may be mine again:
I turn from scenes so bright, so dear
And find my only world is here!

L. S. C.

*The Matta es Seif is a rain which is believed in Persia to ripen the pearls in the oyster, when it descends on the waters. It falls in the month Nisán. NIEBUHR.

VOL. II.NO. III.

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