Keview.

The Falls, Lakes, and Mountains of North Wales. By Miss Louisa Stuart Costello. With Illustrations by Thomas and Edward Gilks, from Original Sketches by D. H. M'Kewan. [Longman.]

To this very pretty volume, which was slightly noticed last week, we return with pleasure. Miss Costello is a most agreeable mistress of the ceremonies in those beautiful scenes to which she invites her friends. Her book will, we think, cause North Wales to be much more generally known and visited than heretofore. No traveller, desirous of remembering what he sees, should fail to take it with him. It is exactly

what a traveller wants; while it saves him infinite trouble, by imparting what, without it, would cost him a thousand ques. tions to learn; it ever brings before him some curious and interesting legend, rendered more impressive by the elegant and striking illustrations supplied by the Gilkses and M Kewan. They are not only pleasing but they forcibly recall the places they represent. Any one who has visited St. Winefred's Well will almost "live again in the scene" he sees in the accompanying engraving, which, as well as that at the com

mencement of the present number are from the work.

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The history of it is playfully given:Margaret, the mother of Henry VII, erected the graceful chapel whose fretted roof is the boast of Holywell, but one had existed long before her time; for the mira cle of St. Winefred happened, according to the monks of Rasingwerk, to whom the world is indebted for the legend, early in the seventh century, and is thus told:

"Winefred, a beautiful and devout virgin, lived in the reign of an imaginary king, and was of noble birth, and the niece of a man whose sanctity had already made him

conspicuous, and who was known as the good Beuno. A prince of the country, whose name was Caradoc, saw the fair damsel and loved her; but his passion was not so pure as her goodness ought to have inspired. Even then there was a chapel at the foot of the hill, where, while Beuno was at the altar praying with certain of the inhabitants of the neighbouring town, amongst whom were the parents of Winefred, to the astonishment of all, a head rolled and bounded into the sacred encloBeuno sure, and stopped at the altar. stooped to raise up the head, and observed that where it had rested, instead of the pool

of blood which was there but an instant

before, a stream of crystal water had sprung up. His amazement was infeatures, and long golden hair of the head creased when he found that the beautiful he gazed upon were those of his beloved niece. He hastened from the spot, and mounting the hill, discovered her mutilated body lying prostrate, and the cruel prince hand. The truth became clear to him at Caradoc flying with a drawn sword in his once. Winefred had fled from the importunities of the prince, who, pursuing, had wreaked his vengeance on her by cutting off her head. The saint, for such Beuno afterwards became, immediately with devout prayers joined the severed head to the body, when, to the awe and delight of all the beholders, the virgin arose as if from sleep, uninjured and lovely as ever, nor was there a trace left of the accident but a slight white mark, like a thread, round her throat. Beuno cursed the caitiff prince, 'who melted away as wax melts before the fire.' Winefred lived fifteen years after this event; she founded a monastery at Gwytherin in Denbighshire, of which she became the abbess, and died there.

"Before the event of her decapitation, it seems the valley was particularly dry, so much so as to bear the name of Sychnant (Syêh, i.e. dry, and nant, a hollow, a brook), from that circumstance; therefore, it was most fortunate that the head of the pursued damsel should have rolled where it did. Not only did the spring attest the miracle, but the very moss and stones around have properties that enforce the belief. The moss emits an odoriferous smell in testimony of the saint's purity, and the stones at the bottom are stained with her blood, and keep their tint to this day. It is true that some naturalists, who had not the same motive for keeping the world in ignorance as the monks of Basingwerk had, have proclaimed that the moss is only a sweet scented plant, called Jungermannia asplenoides, and that the crimson stains on the stones are produced by a vegetable named Byssus jolithus, by no means uncommon, thus characterised by Linnæus: the Byssus easily betrays

itself, by giving the stones, to which it ad heres, an appearance of being smeared with blood. If rubbed, the plant yields a smell like violets.'

"Fortunately, all the botanical and other students of the days of St. Winefred, were monks, who knew well how to keep their own counsel, and turn their knowledge to their own advantage."

Miss Costello proceeds thus throughout the work-gracefully blending fact and fiction-giving the fabulous to explain the real. On mentioning Lord Newborough's estate, she says:

"This family bear in their arms, a man's leg coupé à la cuisse, sable, in memory of their ancestor, a certain Cilman Troed du, or Kilmin with the black foot, one of the Fifteen Tribes of North Wales. Those who wish to account in a natural way for the circumstance of a knight having a black leg, relate, that in a desperate encounter the limb was so much injured, as to threaten mortification, and was obliged to be amputated; but the received opinion is something less common-place.

"The fact is, that Cilmin, living in the vicinity of necromancers and demons, became the intimate friend of one of the former, who knew all the secrets of nature, except one, which he was aware was contained in a volume, written by no human hand, and guarded by a demon, whose abode was near the summit of the forked mountain of Yr Eifl (for so the Rivals were formerly called), or the Fiery. The necromancer, though potent in his art, had no power even to attempt gaining possession of this mystic book: but he pined after the knowledge it concealed, and he imparted to his friend Cilmin the trouble of his soul. The knight, who feared nothing, instantly offered to dare any adventure, in order to satisfy his longing, and set forth armed at all points to the dangerous spot. The sage informed him that he must use the utmost caution in possessing himself of the magic volume, and be particularly careful in crossing a certain brook at the foot of the mountain, where the demon's jurisdiction ended, not to wet his feet, as evil might otherwise befal him.

"Cilman departed for the mountain of the mighty Twins (another name for the Rivals), and after riding several hours, en. tered the gloomy vale called Nant-y-Gwytheryn which is crowded with ragged and lofty mountains, and opens only to the sea. He spurred his steed over the stony way, climbed the sides of a steep declivity, and arrived at Tref y Caerau, or the town of the Fortresses, which runs from one side of Yr Eifl to the other, and consists of an immense rampart of huge stones encircling the sum. mit of the mountain, and ending in a point which is almost inaccessible. These rocky

barriers are filled with cells of every form, and at the time when Cilmin ventured on his errand, they were known to be the resort of the demons who served the chief spirit, whose abode was on the highest pinnacle of the rock; there he dwelt with a hideous and terrible giantess, his companion, who executed his bidding, and caused infinite desolation in the country. Their constant study was the book, which in their hands taught only evil, but looked into by christian eyes would disclose much that would serve mankind.

"The giantess inhabited a cell on the south side of Tref y Caerau: it is called to this day Moel-carn-y-Guwch, and now rises to a cone, being crowned by a huge pile of stones like the ruins of a fortress: but at that time the stones were in the lap of the giantess; and her intention was to heat them red hot at the demon's fire, and cast them down upon the neighbouring fields to destroy them. Suddenly, she beheld Cilman riding impetuously up the steep, and, taken by surprise, she started from her seat, and let all the stones fall from her apron; whence the place is since called The Apron-full of Stones.

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Then followed a fearful combat with the giantess, the demon, and the knight, but the latter, by the help of his good sword and its cross handle, was able at length to fell the demon to the earth, and snatch from him the book, which he always held beneath his serpent wing. No sooner had the knight gained his prize, than he commenced a retreat; and spurring his horse he began to descend the mountain, with the whole city of demons howling at his heels. On he went, over rock and through valley, making the ground re-echo to his courser's hoofs, and still keeping the rabble rout at bay. At length he reached the stream of Llifon, and there, just on the edge, his gallant steed fell, exhausted and dying, and he felt that the demons were gaining upon him; he knew that they could not cross the river; but it was so wide that scarcely was it possible for him to leap it-to ford it was impossible: the current was too strong. effort, he felt, must be made, and he hesitated no longer; but, rising on the back of his fallen steed, he gave a desperate spring, and gained the opposite side; at that very moment his foot slipped, one of his legs sunk into the water, and it was with extreme difficulty he could draw it forth again, and manage to climb up the bank. He felt as if a red-hot iron grasp had seized his leg beneath the water; and he heard a low chuckling laugh as he hurried away from the stream, and sought the hermitage of his friend the necromancer to whom he gave the book which he had gained at such risk.

An

"From that time the limb which the demon had caught became coal black, and the

knight was lame to his dying day; he always in memory of the event, wore a suit of black armour, which caused him to be called Kilman Troed, or Droed Du."

Abroad or at home this volume must prove a favourite companion.

The Gatherer.

Sorrows of High Life.-Not being able to keep a carriage, how was I to go out? If I used a hackney-coach, some spiteful person would be sure to mention it:-"Who do you think I saw yesterday in a hackney-coach? I wonder where she could be driving alone, down those narrow streets? If I walked with a footman behind me, there are so many women of the town now who flaunt about with a smart footman, that I run the hazard of being taken for one of them; and, if I went alone, either there would be some good natured friend who would hint that Lady Hester did not walk out alone for nothing; or else I should be met in the street by some gentleman of my acquaintance, who would say, "God bless me, Lady Hester! where are you going alone?-do let me accompany you:" and then it would be said, "Did you see lady Hester crossing Hanover Square with such a one? He looked monstrous foolish: I wonder where they had been." So that, from one and the other, I was obliged to stop at home entirely.-Lady H. Stanhope.

Railway through London.- A new railroad to pass from the west end of town to Fenchurch-street is in contemplation, this is to be effected by a new street nearly as wide as Regent-street, running parallel with, and between Cannon-street and Thames-street, from Blackfriars Bridge to Whitechapel. It is proposed that the railway shall be carried along the middle of this new street, upon a frame work of iron girders, eighteen feet in height, supported by columns along the side pavement, resembling in effect those of the Quadrant, and leaving beneath a roadway of corresponding width for the ordinary traffic. The object is to open building frontages throughout the whole line, of a saleable value sufficient nearly to defray the cost of purchasing the inferior property required to be removed. It is calculated that the new street will create 10,800 feet of building frontage, which if left at £2 2s. per foot, and the ground rents afterwards sold at thirty years' purchase, will produce £680,000-an amount almost equal, it is said, to the estimated outlay:-but in Moorgate street and Gresham-street, the price obtained for building plots was often, we are informed, £4 and £5 per foot, instead of £2 2s., and a larger sum than £680,000 may

therefore be realised. system is to be adopted.

The atmospheric

Discovery of an Ancient Coffin.-A stone coffin has been discovered at Islington, near White Conduit House. An immense stone being found, it was supposed the This top part of it might be removed. effected, a kind of chamber was disclosed, measuring eight feet in width by ten feet in length, and six feet in depth, the sides of which were engraven with antique figures. The cavity was found to contain another block of stone, hewn out somewhat in the form of a coffin, as also a large quantity of coins, baring date the year 110 (which was the only inscription that could then be traced), and several war instruments of a superior construction, many parts being of gold. From the fact of bones having been discovered in the supposed coffin, it is considered that some person of distinction has been entombed in this spot, together with all his wordly appurtenances.

Fire at Philadelphia.-On the 11th of last month, the Academy of Fine Arts, in Philadelphia was burnt to the ground, with a large proportion of the treasures which it contained.

A Great Fall of Rain.-It has been ascertained that "On the morning of February 3, 1842, rain was falling throughout nearly every portion of the United States, from an unknown distance in the Atlantic to far beyond the Mississippi, and from the Gulf of Mexico northward to an unknown distance beyond Lake Superior. The area upon which rain is ascertained to have been simultaneously falling was more than 1400 miles in a north and south direction."

To Read Illegible Inscriptions on Silver Coin.-If you have a silver coin, the inscription of which by much wear is become wholly obliterated, put the poker in the fire; when red-hot, place the coin upon it, when the inscription will plainly appear of a greenish hue, but will disappear as the coin cools. This method was practised at the Mint to discover the genuine coin when the silver was last called in.

Dramatic Discovery.-An interesting volume found by Mr. A. Asher, of Berlin, and by him transferred to the British Museum. It consists of a series of French Farces, Bergeries, and Moralités, printed from 1542 to 1548, and even the most instructed of the bibliographers of France, England, and Germany were ignorant of the existence of about fifty-eight of these curious monuments of the manners and customs of the sixteenth century.

BURSTALL, 2, Tavistock-street, Covent-garden. LONDON: Printed and Published by AIRD and Sold by all Booksellers and Newsmen.

THE COLOSSEUM, REGENT'S PARK. Where the prodigies which modern skill can accomplish will stop, it might be hazardous to declare, but what has already been done moves astonishment and admiration in every observer. Not to-day have we to notice, for the first time, the triumphs of art associated with the Colosseum. The magnificent picture of London, such as London was in the year 1829, taught the public that the pencil could effect more than had till then been contemplated. It no more pleased the eye with merely a pretty painting, a fanciful resemblance, but it placed before the spectator the reality. The main streets of the metropolis, and all its public buildings, cannot be better known viewed from St. Paul's than they are as seen within the walls of the Colosseum.

To this distinction, long enjoyed, lavish outlay and exquisite taste have recently made enormous additions. Within its vast enclosure we find almost every noble variety that a romantic mind could hope to enjoy if provided with Aladdin's wealth and power-it suddenly found itself at home in the abodes of royalty, or gifted to bound over oceans and mountains with more than the swiftness of the eagle's wing.

The aspect of the building, and its fine approaches, prepare the mind for something extraordinary, and certainly within we experience no disappointment. All that was excellent before has been enlarged and improved, while the changes are so vast, and so numerous, that, of the whole exhibition, it may with truth be said, that those who have not seen it very recently, have not seen it at all.

The Glyptotheca, or Museum of Sculpture, which now takes the place of what was formerly the "Saloon of Arts," instead of the calico draperies, which seemed merely a tent, hastily fitted up, presents a most magnificent apartment. Its lofty dome challenges admiration, supported by numerous columns, and several thousands of feet of richly cut glass, spread from its entablature and cornice. The frieze is enriched with the whole of the Panathenaic procession from the Elgin Marbles. It occupies the entire circumference of the Hall. Twenty fresco paintings of allegories appear above. The mouldings, cornices, and capitals of columns and enrichments, are all in gold. Beyond the circle of columns is one of an equal number of pilasters, dividing and supporting arched recesses. Here we find numerous works of art, contributed by British and foreign sculptors. Looking at these alone, the visitor might pass a whole day with pleasure and advantage. But not to these will his observation be confined; as he advances he will perceive himself, now in the most gorgeous halls that architecture

could furnish, and now gazing on rocks and water and waterfalls, amazed at the rugged majesty of Nature.

That such an assemblage of beauties and wonders should have been so successfully brought before the public, is an inte resting and not unimportant feature in the history of the nineteenth century. The Gothic Aviary, of which we give a fine engraving, for profuse embellishment, may vie with anything that we could hope to find in a palace. It is superbly fitted up with gilt carved work, Such as Isabella of Castile might be supposed to have constructed amidst the relics of a Moorish palace, or Abu Abdallah, with true Arabian gallantry, to have conjured up for the solace of some fair christian captive, within the enchanted halls of his own Alhambra."

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The exterior promenade brings before us the pictureesque and memorable remains of antiquity. Of the glories of Greece and Rome, for the most part

"Gone glittering through the dream of things that were,"

we are vividly reminded, where"Cypress and ivy, weed and wallflower grow, Matted and massed together, hillocks heap'd On what were chambers, arch crush'd, column strown

In fragments, choked up vaults, and frescoes steep'd

In subterranean damps, where the owl peep'd, Deeming it midnight. Temples, baths, or halls? Pronounce who can: for all that learning reap'd From her research hath been, that these are walls."

And it is well said, in an animated description, which has been prepared:"In these days of steam navigation and