papa whispered in her ear when her head lay on his shoulder in the way down stairs? Oh, he only told her that Mr. Lawrence Norton had been there every day to ask respecting her; that he thought him a fine fellow; that he wished he had a son exactly like him. That evening he came again. Why should not Mrs. Elton receive him graciously? was he not a married man? Why should not Grace frankly acknowledge that she was very glad to see him again? Why should he not stay as late as he chose, and be urged to come as often as he liked? Delightful married man! Grace had never liked anybody half so well; and she could not help thinking that nobody had ever thought so well of her. As he was taking leave, Mrs. Elton smilingly asked if his wife were in town.

"My wife, madam!" cried the poet, looking as much surprised as if he had never heard of such a thing before. "Oh, ah-I understand; she is in town!" and Lawrence Norton looked at Mr. Elton half laughing, and added, "I did not know that I had told you about my wife, or at least I had forgotten her for the moment." "Well," cried Mrs. Elton, the moment he had taken leave, "a fine husband truly! Really, he looked as much astonished as if I had asked the most ridiculous question in the world! But all men are alike, I believe. So you see, Grace, what you may expect if you are ever married."

"I don't want to be married," said Grace. "That's a good girl, and now we'll have you up stairs and to bed, poor child; you must be sadly tired! That man has asked you so many questions, and made you talk so much, I could see that you wished him out of the house all the

time!"

What could Grace say? She satisfied her conscience with a faint " Óh no, indeed,” which her mamma did not hear.

The poet came so often that Mrs. Elton began to get out of patience.

He comes at all sorts of odd hours," said she; "and what vexes me is, that he never mentions his wife, never asks us to go and see her, never brings her to see us. Poor thing! how much she is left alone!"

"My dear," answered Mr. Elton seriously, "I could give you a hint of something;" and he glanced significantly at Grace.

"Oh, I see now," said Mrs. Elton to herself. "Why didn't I think of it sooner? Of course it's not odd that she is not to be seen."

"He's going to our house, I dare say," thought Grace. Papa must needs get out of the chaise to speak to the young man. In a few minutes he returned, declared that he had business that required attention; that Norton had nothing to do, and would like to take his place if Grace were willing. Why should she not be willing? The poet, in a happy mood, exerted himself to entertain his companion, and the ride proved a delightful one.

At last there came a pause in the conversation. All pauses are awkward, and rather than say nothing Grace said something about Mrs. Norton.

he.

"You refer to my mother, I presume,” said

66

'Oh, no! to-to-you mentioned your wife some weeks ago, I think."

My wife! Oh, I remember. Is it possible that you thought me serious-that you believed that?"

"Indeed," said Grace, very much alarmed, 'my father assured me that you were married." "That is very odd. Some time ago-before I had seen you, or rather before our acquaintance had commenced, your father said to me one day, when are you to be married?' and I answered, 'Oh, for the present, poetry is my little wife.'

The young gentleman improved the opportunity of making known to Grace that he had never been in love until now, &c. &c.

And Grace had owned that she was willing to have him ask mamma a little question. Certainly when the chaise stopped at Mr. Elton's door, there were two very bright faces revealed. The poet took papa away, and Grace was glad to dance up to her own room.

"Well, my dear," said Mr. Elton, "Lawrence Norton has proposed." "Proposed what ?” "To marry Grace."

"What, our Grace? What do you mean, Mr. Elton? To take another wife?" "Yes, my dear."

"And what did you say? Did you stand still

and smile?"

"Yes, I smiled, I assure you, and told him that if Grace happened to fancy him, that I was willing."

"Why, what is the matter with mamma?" cried Grace, as she entered the room.

"Grace!" cried Mrs. Elton, "your papa has told that vile Lawrence Norton that he may have you for his other wife, if you wish it."

It became quite evident that the young gentleman "had something upon his mind," as the phrase is. Once or twice, when Grace had been Graced looked down, and smiled slightly. alone with him for a minute, he had begun to Papa thought proper to explain. Mrs. Elton say something which had never been finished. listened with a mixture of vexation and amazeGrace wondered what it could be. One morn-ment, and at last promised to think of the ing papa insisted upon taking her out for a ride. matter; and perhaps by the time Grace was It was a fine day, and there was nothing to pre- twenty-five, she might give her answer. In one vent-yet Grace seemed somewhat reluctant. year there was a wedding. She was thinking how the poet might come during her absence. Papa, however, would not allow her to decide for herself, and they set off. Presently they saw Lawrence Norton coming down the street.

THE DEVIL'S BRIDGE, SOUTH WALES.

"Enchanting spot; where rocks and hills abound,
With no great scarcity of boggy ground."

Scratched on a window at the Hafod Arms.

base of the narrow passage so formed roll the waters of the river Mynach.

By crossing the bridge from the Hafod Arms Hotel, and descending a rugged pathway on the right hand, with the assistance of some rudelypiece of rock, slippery as glass; where, occupying a position almost immediately under the arches, he will view to the best advantage this terrific chasm, and the mountain-torrent dashing below through caves and hollows in the rock, fretted and polished by the ceaseless rushing of the waters during past ages. After passing under the bridge, the river foaming along as before in its oblique narrow bed, seems to lose itself in "earth's inmost parts." A rough and very dangerous pathway leads partly down this side also; but few attempt the descent, the majority satisfying themselves with gazing down the abyss, and endeavouring to see as well as hear the river from the railings of the bridge. By throwing a stone down, and listening for the splash on its fall, a person will be enabled to form some idea of the depth of this "abode of darkness," screened from the sun's rays by the projecting rocks and overhanging foliage.

Among the many wondrous and beautiful objects in nature which greet the eyes of the traveller throughout his wanderings over the hills and dales of Cambria, the Devil's Bridge, Cardiganshire, stands pre-eminently forward; and is especially worthy of notice from its pic-formed steps, the visitor will arrive at a shelving turesque grandeur and general sublimity of scenery. This striking production of nature and art (for art, be it known, has done its part to render the place attractive) is located about twelve miles from the sea-port of Aberystwith, in the immediate neighbourhood of the wellknown mansion at Hafod, forming itself a portion of the fine estate thus designated. The spot is easily attainable; and in these days, when travelling has reached a degree of facility hitherto unequalled, it should be attained by all who have the wherewith and the leisure, and who are imbued with a love of the romantic scenery of their native island. Until within the last few years, the direct road from London to Aberystwith, as laid down in the directories, lay across this identical bridge. Now the coach track lies on the ridge of hills forming the other bank of the Rhydol; so the traveller is favoured with a glimpse of the pretty little cascade at Ponterwydd, on his way, instead of its grander neighbours at Ponterdiafol.

The Devil's Bridge consists of two arches; not placed, however, horizontally, as is usually the case, but one above the other; forming, without the concomitant falls, a structure well deserving the attention of the sight-seeker. The lower arch, which more particularly bears the name of his Satanic Majesty (none other but he, according to the legend of popular ignorance, having the power to construct such a piece of masonry in such a situation), is supposed to have been erected in the reign of William Rufus, by some monks of the Cistercian order, dwellers in a neighbouring abbey, whose crumbling remains are still to be seen. For the space of six centuries this arch was the only means of communication between the denizens on both sides the Mynach: in 1753, it beginning to evince serious symptoms of dangerous decay through the delapidating effects of time, the new arch was erected at the expense of the county; the old one being left beneath to moulder away at leisure. These two bridges, thus strangely erected, span a rent or chasm in the rocks, upwards of one hundred feet in depth, though places scarcely two yards wide; at the

in some

The Mynach, on re-appearing to the light, makes a succession of falls, which, taken altogether, give the waters a total descent of nearly two hundred and twenty perpendicular feet. The first cataract is about eighteen feet in height; the second leaps more than sixty; the third about a third of its predecessor; when the river has to force its way through immense masses of obstructing stone before it takes its fourth, and greatest downward spring. This fall, which the guide-books call "the grand cataract,' commences at the edge of a fearful cliff, the water rushing down a complete precipice to the depth of one hundred and ten feet!

دو

To see these terrific pieces of nature's handiwork the tourist can descend by some troublesome steps, just below the hotel, where a notice may be seen-"No admittance to the falls without a guide;" these, after a good deal of fatigue, will bring him to the brink of the various basins close to the spray of the rushing waters, near one sheet of silvery froth and foam. On arriving at the foot of the last fall he may admire, to his heart's content, the towering hills around, and meanwhile be well nigh stunned by the deafening roar of the vexed and fretful river. If he thinks, on re-ascending, that he has now seen the won

THE PANI C.

BY C. S. T.

Of all passions incidental to the human mind, that of fear is the most unaccountable. Love, hatred, jealousy, have their caprices; but fear surpasses them all. The man who will unshrinkingly face danger and death on the battlefield, will start at a shadow suddenly crossing his path, or the unexpected drawing aside of his bed-curtain; and he who dauntlessly will ride the storm, or plunge into a burning house, to save a life, or even a valuable, will yet be cowed by trifles lighter than the breeze of summer.

fringed his cheek; his clustering, jetty locks curled beneath his broad iron brow; while his robust, manly figure was clothed in the picturesque costume of his country-a velvet vest, with basket-buttons; and short breeches, fastened at the knees with the same.

His companion, an immense mastiff, which was the terror of the neighbourhood, alternately filled me with admiration and alarm; but the latter feeling was unwarranted, as— -like Kathleen Anson's dun cow

"Though wicked to all, he was gentle to me."

As I paced up and down the centre walk, between two hedges of geraniums of magnificent growth, whose blossoms were of the most splendid varieties, the beautiful bay lay beneath me. The blue water trembled and sparkled in the evening sun, who was collecting his rays previous to departure. Myriads of vessels covered the surface of the bay, whose forms were as various as the nations to which they belonged: three heavy, lumbering Portuguese ships-of-war contrasted with the trim, well-rigged, well

and with two fine American line-of-battle ships; substantial-looking merchant-vessels displayed their different flags; while, close beneath the walls, the raking masts of a beautiful Algerine vessel were seen.

The evening was calm and balmy as I strolled through our delightful garden at Gibraltar. Hanging terraces climbed one above the other to a considerable extent, and were bounded by the wild and rugged rock, which rose to a lofty peak, whose summit was crowned by the tower, called "O'Hara's Folly." In front, sloping from the garden-hedge, was a diversified scene: small detached cottages lay embosomed in gardens half hid by evergreens and trees, amongst which were conspicuous some tall myrtles, almost equal in height to the Lombardy poplar; below these again barracks and batteries were seen, extending to the edge of the bay. The light trellise-ordered appearance of a first-rate English frigate, work in front of our neat white house luxuriated in the rich green leaf of the vine; its graceful and curling tendrils, and pendent, clustering fruit, whose purple ripeness contrasted with the verdure by which it was surrounded. The pink blossom of the almond had given place to the ripened nut, which, when fresh, is more delicate and delicious than a filbert. The purple fig was bursting to the view, and standard trees of the small apricot, then called "kill English," or "kill devil," (as though English and devils were synonymous) were bending with their burdens; beds glowing with many-coloured anemonies, and ranunculas of various dyes, were intermixed with the most splendid carnations. The delicate multiflora, or small cluster rose, climbed the wall of the house, and intermingled with the dark green leaf and scarlet blossom of the pomegranate; while the hedge which separated us from the road was one sheet of the pink flowers of the elegant and graceful doliches, which had artfully interlaced its clinging branches amidst the thorny fence.

Our Genoese gardener was busily engaged in touching with oil the ends of the small green figs which grew in profusion on standard treesa method there used to ripen the fruit more quickly; as the sun, attracted by the oil, strikes on it with double force.

We bad witnessed an animated combat between her and the Portuguese ships a few days before; her light manoeuvring had amused us, as evading her clumsy pursuers, she skimmed in silence round and round them, while their heavy cannonading was thundered forth with deafening fury; nor did she fire a shot, but one, which seemed to deride their impotent efforts, as she safely anchored beneath the fortifications of the port, where neutrality protected her. Here, however, she was destined to remain while her trowsered, and turbaned, and jewel-belted crew lounged idly through the streets of Gibraltar. Boats sailed about in every direction: the heavy yaul, the light gig, and the man-of-war's barge, whose crew kept true and measured strokes; and, more beautiful still, the Spanish felucca, with bending mast and picturesque white lateen sail, catching the parting beam as it leant over to kiss the rippling wave.

The opposite coast of Spain rose in a succession of beautifully-formed though not lofty hills, at the foot of which lay the town of Algeyeres, and the old Roman aqueduct. To the right, at He was a fine object, that Genoese. He was a the head of the bay, was seen the neutralremarkably handsome man. His dark, swarthy ground, the race-course, and a tract of country cheek was tinged with a rich red glow of health; stretching away to the little town of Sen Roque, his deep hazel eye shot forth the fire of intelli-and the Carle Wood; while to the left the gence from amidst the long black lashes that straits were bounded by the coast of Morocco,

Mount Abyla, anciently one of the pillars of Hercules, frowning majestically above the lesser hills by which it was surrounded; while the town of Centa was plainly distinguishable beneath them.

It was a fairy scene, and one to fill the mind with enjoyment; and I contemplated it till I lost all recollection that care and trouble belonged to this nether world, and that ought but happiness was the lot of mortals.

gained on me. I reached the end of the pathway, and sunk trembling against the last post. Merciful powers! the foe was upon me. Had the royal Bengal tiger held me in his grasp; had I felt his claws upon me; or had a huge boaconstrictor enfolded me in his scaly embrace, my horror could not have been greater. Never shall I forget it: nor never shall I forget the look of unutterable astonishment with which the object of my terror beheld me, as he exclaimed

I was roused from my delightful reveries by "What for you run, mish? It is only me, the approach of the servant, to inform me that Moshes. Pleash to buy some of my trinkets. my sister-who resided at the distance of nearly Here be many pretty tings," continued the man, half a mile from us-was taken ill; and that my whose well-known features brought peace to presence was immediately required. Casting my mind, like oil poured on the stormy sea. one lingering glance on the beautiful scene be-"Here are rings, and broaches, and chains." fore me, I hastened to the house, and was quickly equipped for my walk.

My way lay for some time in view of the lovely bay; till, descending a steep and stony hill, which rejoiced in the euphonious cognomen of "Tumbledown Dick" (an appellation certainly well suited to its dangerous perpendicularity), I soon turned into a more retired part of the road. It was a broad and somewhat broken road, by whose side was a row of houses. They were separate, and each enclosed in its little garden, which ran down to a narrow pathway that was divided from the road by posts and chains.

He

The sun's parting ray was just expiring, and the shades of evening beginning to descend. The evergreens in the little parterres were assuming the gloomy hue of night. The birds had ceased their songs, and sunk to their repose. I had left the busy hum of men behind me: I was alone. I looked around me; there was no one in sight. True, the guard-house was near; and the barrack, in which was quartered my father's regiment, was within call. `I had often traversed that path before, and I felt no fears. Scarcely, however, had I entered the narrow pathway-scarcely did the heavy chain bar my egress from it-when, at my elbow, appeared a man! Where he came from I knew not. might have dropped from the darkening clouds, or ascended from some deep cavern of the earth; but there he was. What, or who he was, I knew not; what he was like I paused not to consider a sudden panic seized me; I rushed forwards on the swiftest wings of terror. Horror on horror, the man pursued me! Like a frightened and imprisoned bird when his fell enemy, that miniature tiger, grimalkin, is on his cage. I plunged against the chain that barred my passage to the open road; but the struggling captive was not more fastly held than I was: the heavy chain mocked my feeble efforts. On, on, I ran, with phrensied haste; my heart beat with violence that might have burst my side; my breath had nearly deserted me; yet forward I sped: and close at my heels was my pursuer. Robberies, murders, and all the varied sorts of ruffianism crowded to my heated imagination. On, on; forward, faster and faster. One scream would have brought five hundred men to the rescue; but in my alarm I thought not of them. On, on, I continued my mad career. The enemy

And as he spoke he unslung his box from his shoulder, and displayed his treasures; his hopes of the sale of some of which had occasioned him to pursue my flying footsteps. Terror yielded to the ridicule of the scene; and Moses and I laughed in concert as we trudged on amicably, side by side, as far as our road lay, together.

I have been in earthquakes and hurricanes; in perils by land, and storm-tossed on the wide ocean; but never have I experienced such alarm as was occasioned me by the sudden appearance and pursuit of Moses, the Jew.

LINES TO A CHILD.

BY MRS. ABDY.

Oh! beauteous boy, on whose sweet face
And open brow appears

A charm of intellectual grace
Beyond thy infant years;
How joyfully a minstrel's theme
On one like thee may rest-
Thy present days so peaceful seem,
Thy future lot so blest.

Thy tender mother, kind as fair,

Guards thee with watchful eyes—
She seeks not varied scenes to share,
Rich in Affection's ties ;
Thy winning wiles her home endear,
Thy smiles her solace prove-
She shines in woman's brightest sphere,
The quiet path of love.

Thy father shall his care extend
O'er thy advancing hours,
Graceful accomplishments to blend
With Learning's highest powers:
And thou shalt share his lavish store
Of talents, raised, refined;
A gift than eastern treasures more-
The countless wealth of mind!

Thy parents, through life's early ways,
Protect thy steps from ill;
Oh! may'st thou, in maturer days,
Their warmest hopes fulfil!
Thy gentle mother's care requite

By love as fondly shown;
Thy father, and the world, delight
With talents like his own!