children around me, for whom I could never yet procure either shoe or stocking, and it is with difficulty I can supply them with food. My income is thirty-five pounds per annum, and for this I do the duty of four • parishes." This letter had a wonderful effect upon the whole committee.

Mr. Gilbert, with that benevolence which long characterised him, immediately transmitted to the poor curate, a banknote for a temporary supply; the letter was shewn to their Majesties, and enquiry made, as to the moral character of the man, and soon after a comfortable provision was made for him and his family.

SANECDOTE OF THE EARL OF CRAWFORD.

This nobleman, so remarkable for his courage and thirst of glory, exhibited a very extraordinary instance of presence of mind, on the morning that preceded the battle of Rocoux, in the Netherlands, in October 1746.

He, and some volunteers, accompanied

by his aid-de-camp, and attended only by two orderly dragoons, had rode out before day to reconnoitre the situation of the enemy; in doing which, he fell in with one of their advanced guards; the earl first perceived them, and without betraying the - least mark of disorder, rode up to the serjeant who commanded it, and assuming the character of a French general, told him in that language, (which he spoke fluently) that there was no occasion to use the ceremony of turning out his guard." Then asked him, " if he had perceived any of the enemys' parties?" and being answered in the negative; "Very well," said he, "be upon your guard; and if you should be attacked, I will take care you - shall be sustained."

So saying, he and his companions 'retired before the serjeant could recollect himself; in all probability, he was soon sensible of his mistake, for the incident was that very day mentioned in the French army. The Prince of Tingry, an officer

in the Austrian service, having been taken prisoner in the battle that ensued, dined with Marshal Count Saxe, who dismissed him on his parole, and desired he would charge himself with a facetious compliment to his old friend the Earl of Crawford.

He wished his lordship joy of being a French general, and said, " he could not help being displeased with the serjeant, as he had not procured him the honor of his lordship's company at dinner.".

ANECDOTE.

When the Rev. John Clarke, late master of the charter-house in Hull, was Curate of St. Trinity there, four couple were married by him at the same time, and the following odd circumstance attended each, -With regard to the first couple, the bridegroom had forgotten to bring a ring, in consequence of which, he was obliged to borrow one. The bride of the second, had lost that finger upon which the ring is commonly put. A man violently shaking the

iron gates leading into the choir, said aloud, that “the third bride had already a husband-and, with regard to the fourth, one of the bride's-maids begged for God's sake the parson would be quick, as the bride was in labour.

ANECDOTE.

The following is extracted from Cumberland's Anecdotes of painting in Spain, and may serve to convince us, by how weak a tenure the liberties of the subjects of a despotic government are held :

"I had in my family at Madrid a young man of exemplary character, who lived with. me in great trust and intimacy, and was a native of that city, universally known and respected in it. He had been my guest but one night, when, the next day, at the hour of dinner, the officers of justice entered my chamber, whilst a party of soldiers paraded at my gates, demanded the body of this unfortunate victim.

"It was in vain to ask to know the

charge, as it was impracicable to avoid, or

resist it.

"After conditioning for the removal of the soldiers, and some promises of humanity on the part of the judge, I surrendered to that magistrate a young man, born of Irish parents, red haired, of a fair complexion, and without impediment in his gait or person. I mention these circumstances, because this officer and his alguazil were in search of his direct opposite, (viz.) of an old felon, an Austrian, black as a Gypsy, and lame in one of his feet, by a natural defect in its formation. In spite of the evidence of his own eyes, the judge committed my guest to prison hand-cuffed, and hauled between two fiend-alike Alguazils, in sight of an hundred spectators, who followed him through the streets, silently -compassionating his ignominy and misfor

une.

"The next day his books, papers, and effects were seized and rummaged, where fortunately they found no food for the