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diff --git a/old/50780-0.txt b/old/50780-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a35d427..0000000 --- a/old/50780-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2235 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, -Science, and Art, No. 723, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, No. 723 - November 3, 1877 - -Author: Various - -Editor: William Chambers - Robert Chambers - -Release Date: December 28, 2015 [EBook #50780] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBER'S JOURNAL *** - - - - -Produced by Susan Skinner and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: CHAMBERS'S JOURNAL - -OF - -POPULAR - -LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART. - -FOURTH SERIES - -CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS. - -NO. 723. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1877. PRICE 1½_d._] - - - - -THE GAELIC NUISANCE. - - -It is not a very creditable fact that after centuries of national -consolidation, there should be communities within the British Islands -who use different vernacular tongues and are ignorant of English. In -other words, there are large numbers of persons who cannot in ordinary -circumstances be directly communicated with. They can neither send -nor intelligibly receive letters through the post-office. Summoned as -witnesses on civil or criminal trials, they are in the position of -foreigners, and stand in need of interpreters. Cut off from English -books and newspapers, a correct knowledge of history, of science and -art, and of passing events is scarcely possible. They necessarily -vegetate amidst vague legends and superstitions. Theirs is a life of -stagnation and impoverishment, in the spot where they were born; for -anything like voluntary emigration to improve circumstances is only -exceptional. And all this has been complacently tolerated, if not -pampered, for hundreds of years by a nation full of enterprise, and -which, with no injustice, aspires to be in the front rank of general -civilisation. - -We are quite aware that much the same thing can be said of most of -the continental nations. All are a little behind in this respect. The -ancient Breton language survives in France, as does the Basque in -Spain. Switzerland, Germany, and Russia are respectively a jumble of -spoken tongues. In Holland and Belgium, we have the Dutch, French, -Flemish, and Walloon. To accommodate the inhabitants of Brussels, the -names of the streets are stuck up in two languages. These continental -diversities do not greatly surprise us. In frequent wars, revolutions, -conquests, annexations, along with want of means, and a host of -inveterate prejudices to be encountered, we have an explanation of -the strange mixture of languages and dialects which still prevails in -continental Europe. - -The case is somewhat different in the United Kingdom, where everything -but old prejudices would seem to favour a uniform native language -which all can use and understand. Yet, as we have said, there exist -communities who are still less or more ignorant of English. Centuries -have rolled on, and notwithstanding all appliances, groups of people -are yet found speaking a language which was common a thousand years -ago, but now occupies an obscure and fragmentary position. We do not -say that matters have not been advancing towards uniformity. Little -by little, outlying communities have been satisfactorily Anglicised, -not by anything like legal compulsion, but by what might be termed a -natural process of assimilation. We may speak of two important cases. -In the Shetland and Orkney Islands the Norwegian language existed -until within the last two centuries. It is now totally gone, and the -vernacular is a pure English; vastly to the advantage of the natives, -who besides being open to common civilising influences, are prepared -for pushing their fortunes in any part of the British dominions; -some of them indeed making no mean figure in current literature. The -other case is that of Galloway, a district embracing two counties in -the south-west of Scotland, where the Gaelic prevailed longest in -any part of the Lowlands. 'The wild Scots of Galloway' was once a -well-known phrase. It has passed away along with the Gaelic speech. -The Gallowegians--abounding in men of genius--are now a lively and -prosperous English-speaking and English-writing people. For them the -change has been a very happy one. - -With a knowledge of these two instances of social improvement, there -is the more reason to regret the protracted existence of non-English -speaking races. No one will say that any good has come of the continued -prevalence of Erse, the old Irish tongue; nor of Manx in the Isle of -Man; nor of Welsh, though that, as regards literature, is considerably -ahead of any branch of the once universal Celtic tongue. Considering -what spirit is demonstrated in the way of books, newspapers, and -otherwise, Welsh rises to a comparatively prominent position; but there -always remains the unpleasant reflection, that interesting as the -Welsh tongue may be, it distinctly mars national unity, and must be a -drawback on those adhering to it alone, and reared in ignorance of -English. To this cause is doubtless attributable the lingering of many -whimsical superstitions in the Principality. - -Should any one desire to see what mischiefs are effected by adherence -to a language long since out of date, he should visit some parts of the -Highlands and the Western Islands of Scotland, where, by a well-meant -but mistaken policy, Gaelic is still perseveringly maintained. Some -years since, it was our fortune to pay a visit to Barra, one of the -Outer Hebrides; and the feeling which rose in our mind was that what we -beheld was a specimen of Scotland as it existed in the sixth century, -when St Columba spread a knowledge of Christianity in the western -Caledonian regions. We seemed to step back twelve hundred years. It -was a marvellous kind of look into antiquity. In their language, in -their rude dwellings of stone and turf, in their religious forms, and -in their dress, the people belonged to a far-back age. Their existence -was an anachronism. And the curious thing was to find this condition of -affairs within four-and-twenty hours of Glasgow, with its enterprise -and prodigiously busy population. We have seen the Micmacs living in -a way little better than dogs in the wilds of Nova Scotia, but one is -not greatly astonished to see Indians dwelling in a state of primitive -wretchedness. The sentiment of wonder is raised on finding natives -within the British Islands still living as their ancestors did at a -time coeval with Vortigern and the Saxon Heptarchy. There they are, for -anything we can see, unimprovable. Speaking Gaelic and nothing else, -they, in their dismal isolation, are left behind in all ordinary means -of advancement. Who has not heard of the institutions plausibly and -benevolently set on foot to enlighten the aborigines of the Highlands -and Islands? Well, here, after all that is done, things are much as -they were in the era of St Columba--people living almost like savages, -without the ability to hold intercourse with strangers, or the power -to improve their circumstances, in consequence of knowing no other -tongue than Gaelic. That language is their bane. It keeps them poor, it -keeps them ignorant. So far as they are concerned, the art of printing -might as well never have been invented. The intelligence communicated -by books and newspapers is for them wholly unavailing. Practically, -they are living hundreds of years before the ingenious discoveries of -Gutenberg and Coster. To think that with all the costly apparatus of -national education, such should be going on within the compass of the -British Islands! - -It is no use to mince a matter so grave in its results. The upholding -of Gaelic as a vernacular tongue is, in our opinion, an error to be -lamented and abandoned. In saying so, we are reminded that an effort -has been made by an eminently enthusiastic Professor to gather funds -for the purpose of endowing a Celtic Chair in the University of -Edinburgh. To that effort, which is likely to prove successful, we make -no special objection. Let Celtic, like any other ancient language, by -all means be cultivated among the higher aims of philology. Students -who like to pursue learned inquiries of this kind may do so. But it is -a wholly different thing to maintain a system of elementary teaching -in schools which tends to perpetuate Gaelic as a spoken tongue to the -exclusion of English. Apart from social intercommunication, there may -be a difficulty in substituting English for Gaelic. Teaching to read -English alone in Gaelic-speaking districts is said to be of little use. -The pupils learn to pronounce the words without attaching any meaning -to them. Impressed with this awkward consequence, the Society for the -support of Gaelic schools, which has been in existence upwards of -seventy years, suggests that the best way to promote a knowledge of and -taste for English is to begin by teaching pupils to read Gaelic. 'The -people,' it is represented, 'having once got a taste for learning, are -not satisfied with their children being able to read Gaelic; a number -of them pay the teacher for instructing them also in reading English -and writing at extra hours.' There may be some truth in this view of -the matter; but unfortunately we are confronted with the greater truth, -that considerable numbers in the Highlands and Islands still speak -Gaelic, and are ignorant of English to any useful purpose. - -If it be absolutely necessary that schoolmasters must begin by teaching -to read the Gaelic, they ought not to end there, but proceed to -offer, by a close translation, the requisite knowledge of English. -There are surely teachers qualified to make Gaelic-speaking children -understand the meaning of English words. The trouble to be taken -may be considerable, but there are few things either great or good -which can be effected without trouble. We cannot doubt that Highland -school-boards might find a way to make pupils understand English -provided they have the will to do so. Indifference and the grudging -of expense perhaps lie quite as much at the root of the difficulty as -traditional prejudice. It is open to conjecture that, but for undue -fostering, Gaelic would stand a fair chance of disappearing altogether -from the Highlands and Islands, as it did in Galloway and elsewhere -simply through the operation of natural causes. - -The question, Gaelic or no Gaelic, has, we fear, been too long treated -in a sentimental point of view. For example, we see it fervently -argued that Highlanders should be able to understand and relish the -ancient Gaelic poetry, as if an acquaintanceship with a few old songs -and ballads were a primary concern in life. Poor people nailed to -a sterile soil by their hereditary ignorance of English, are to be -congratulated for their knowledge of some poem which the world at large -never heard of, and does not care about! Happy people, to whom food, -clothing, and cultured intelligence are as nothing in comparison to the -enviable pleasure of singing a ditty ascribed to Fingal or some more -modern and less apocryphal Celtic bard! It is gratifying to know that -Highlanders themselves are a little scandalised by these and similarly -absurd propositions. Sensibly, they observe that it is time to get -rid of Gaelic, as being entirely out of date, and only an impediment. -Two years ago, in a Glasgow newspaper, one who subscribed himself a -'Western Highlander,' took exception to the unreasonable clamour that -had been got up for the maintenance of Gaelic as a spoken tongue. He -says very rationally: 'We Highlanders have a language that, whatever -its beauties, suffices merely for speech; a language by which we -cannot acquire knowledge in art, science, history, commerce, or--if we -exclude the Bible--even religion. With a poor and infertile soil, we -live alongside a people rich in every gift of nature, possessing every -advantage that can insure worldly prosperity. We are debarred from all -the stores of wisdom locked up in the English language. Thus heavily -weighted, we cannot hope to rival our neighbours' wealth, but we can -wish and strive to make the best of our opportunities. We intend to win -our way if industry and thrift can do it. We can endeavour to improve -our infertile soil, to attract capital to our agriculture, to establish -better communication with the rest of the world. Proud as we are of the -mountain and the glen, we know that we cannot live by scenic beauty -alone. We are tired too of kilted glory, and of dressing and acting -up to Cockney sentiment about the savage Celt. We wish to recognise -and study the conditions of existence, the methods of supporting life -and securing comfort. And to do all this, if our much-loved language -has become an impediment rather than a gain, why, let it go. We shall -remain good Highlanders regardless of any particular mode of speech. -At a time when the first whisperings of prosperity are beginning to -reach us, when steamers deeper and deeper laden ply to every corner of -the west, when the completion of a railway will soon make Oban a great -commercial centre, when comforts hitherto undreamt of are everywhere -obtainable--is it right at such a time of promise to intensify our -disadvantages and to make our backwardness more backward still?' Shrewd -remarks these, well worth taking to heart. - -It cannot be ascertained from any official Reports what is the exact -number of persons--men, women, and children--whose language is wholly -confined to Gaelic. In the second Report of the Education Commission -published in 1867, it is said to be 'probable that the population of -the parishes within which Gaelic continues to be the only language -which is understood by the majority of the people cannot exceed a -hundred and fifty thousand; these being chiefly the parishes of the -Hebrides, which are wholly insular, and the mainland parishes of the -west coast of the counties of Sutherland, Ross, Inverness, and Argyle.' -It is believed that since 1867, the number whose speech is limited -to Gaelic has diminished through various influences, among which -commercial intercourse by means of steam-vessels and otherwise has -been conspicuous. We should almost aver that Hutcheson's magnificent -fleet of steam-vessels, whether devoted to the carrying of goods or -passengers, had done more to introduce a knowledge of English, along -with conditions of prosperity, into the Hebrides than any other -appliance whatsoever. In the remoter or lesser islands which are little -visited by strangers, there is a corresponding backwardness. Barra we -have already spoken of as still in a singularly primitive condition. At -Coll, Tyree, and some other islands, the knowledge of English is also -unhappily deficient. In comparatively recent times, a great change in -proprietorship has come over these islands. The old families--such as -the Macneils and Macleans--have mostly disappeared, and new landlords -with the means and desire to improve the condition of the soil and the -population, find themselves obstructed by the difficulty of holding -any intelligent intercourse with the natives. The disadvantage is -mutual, for on all hands the Gaelic-speaking inhabitants are unable -to make their wants and feelings known to those who wish to be their -friends. A melancholy case of a rigid adherence to Gaelic, is that of -the extremely remote island of St Kilda. Here, as was described a few -months ago by Mr J. Sands in our pages, the natives speak Gaelic and -nothing else; in Gaelic they are preached to by a minister originally -from the mainland; he and his wife being the only individuals who know -English. Of course the natives can hold no epistolary correspondence -with the exterior world, on whose sympathy they are forced to rely. A -present of English books would be valueless, for they could not read -them. They could not emigrate unless accompanied by an interpreter, -much after the manner of a party of travellers in the East under the -guidance of a dragoman. We ask, Is that a position in which any of Her -Majesty's subjects should continue to be placed through the effect of -custom or prejudice? Such an afflicting condition of affairs is little -better than a national disgrace. - -It is hard to run counter to long-cherished and in the main amiable -feelings. It is hard to find fault with persons and institutions whose -motives in encouraging Gaelic have been alike pious and benevolent. -But circumstances oblige us to be candid in a matter so momentous to -public welfare. The Gaelic language may be as copious and energetic as -the Greek; it may be not less suitable for poetry than the Italian; it -has strong archæological claims as a relic of the tongue which in its -various forms was at one time spoken all over the British Islands, if -not over all Europe; but it has survived its usefulness, and is out -of place as a vernacular. In short, looking to the wants of modern -society, and seeing the mischief it produces, we are--however hateful -the term--warranted in characterising Gaelic as a NUISANCE, which every -one should aid in removing with all reasonable speed. - - W. C. - - - - -FROM DAWN TO SUNSET. - -BY 'ALASTER GRÆME.' - - -IN THREE PARTS.--PART II. - - -CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH. - -No one but Mistress Margaret and Marjory knew that Deborah and Kingston -Fleming were betrothed. Meantime Deborah, with her love-secret folded -like a flower within her heart, devoted herself to her father, and -Kingston remained with them. But Deborah's presence was required at -Lincoln; the tenantry were anxious to welcome the new mistress; and -like a dutiful daughter, fondly hoping that the change would restore -her father, she determined, by Kingston's advice, to go there at once, -and to leave Enderby to undergo thorough repair. So they left the dear -old place. 'What will happen,' thought Deborah Fleming, 'ere I see -Enderby again?' Mistress Margaret would not leave Enderby, for certain -private and sufficient reasons of her own; so she pleaded to be left -behind. She was in daily expectation of receiving a secret summons to -follow her husband, and her heart clung to her old father and the old -place. - -They arrived at Lincoln Castle in the late summer gloaming. Groups of -solemn cedars were just visible, and the little melancholy bats were -flitting round like spirits; the grand old ivied keep loomed darkly -before them; and beyond, under a glimmering archway, were lights and -figures. Deborah shuddered; she knew not whether to weep or pray, as -she laid her head on her father's shoulder, and thought of herself -entering in triumph as Adam Sinclair's bride. She felt a traitor, -taking Kingston there, her lover, her betrothed, even though he was -going away that night; and the grim presence of Adam Sinclair pervaded -all the place. The same in the gorgeous rooms, gloomy though full of -brilliant lights. On one side walked her tall kinsman-lover, and on the -other stalked the spectre of Adam Sinclair. Deborah shivered, and clung -to Kingston's arm. She went out with him under the stars to bid him -good-bye. Two tall cedars met overhead, and the night-wind just sighed -amongst their branches; the night-flowers were exhaling their fragrant -odours. - -'Deb,' whispered Kingston, 'I have half a mind to leave thee, love! -Men of rank and position would flock to woo my beautiful one. Thou'rt -very young. Wait; and let me come and know thy mind hereafter. _Wait_, -Deb. I speak no jest. Wert thou poor, I would make thee wed me now; but -love--as thou art--I cannot. Wait, Deb; and I will exact no promise -from thee.' - -'Thou never didst know me, King, and never will! My love was quick to -come, but it was and ever will be changeless. Dear, I have seen many -men; and more than thou wott'st of have made love to me. But what are -they all to thee? From childhood, _thou_ hast been my love; I feel no -shame to tell it thee. And wilt thou, for my poor fortune, leave me? -Why, thou dost tempt me to fling it all away as dross, rather than lose -thy love. King, if thou leavest me, I shall _die_! For old kin's sake, -thou couldst not! Remember that we are kin near and dear! Thy father -and mine were boys at Enderby, and played in the same old haunts; -companions near and dear. Ah well, King as thou lovest me, promise soon -to come back!' - -He took her face between his hands and hesitated. Perilously dear was -she to him; but oh! that golden casket in which his jewel lay--he hated -it! Kingston Fleming was proud where he loved. - -'If thou wilt not promise,' said Deborah, 'thou shalt not go! _I_ shall -do the wooing!--Oh, I am too bold! But my heart saith thou lovest me. -Then fling this pride away. King, darling, do not break my heart!' - -He was vanquished. Vows, caresses, sighs, and the lovers parted. - - -PART III.--NIGHT. - - -CHAPTER THE FIRST. - -The young and beautiful Lady of Lincoln won all hearts; not that she -visited any but the poor in those days; but the fame of her beauty and -sweetness spread abroad even so; and the 'Rose of Enderby,' though -not to be seen, was known to be brightening the stern old castle. The -tall gaunt father and the beautiful girl lived in utter seclusion, -except when amongst the poor--always together. Strangely enough, he -never tried to wander. She never had him left alone day or night; but -he never seemed happy save with Deborah. And still she watched for -and prayed for a change in him. She talked to him, waited on him, -sang to him from morning till night. Out in the broad sunny court that -lay between the door and the entrance-gates, Deborah and her father, -and often old Marjory with them, would sit and look up the long grass -avenue that stretched far away, a vista of giant trees, ever twilight, -where the antlered deer would trot past, to seek fresh shade and -pasturage, and where the far-away murmur of country life, the lowing -of cows, the tinkle of a sheep-bell, the bark of a dog, the shout -of a boy, or the cries of children at play, would be wafted to them -musically. - -One morning, left alone, Sir Vincent said to his child: 'Where are we, -Deb?' - -Often he had asked the same question before; and she answered as -before: 'At Lincoln Castle, father.' - -But he went on: 'Who lives here?' - -'You and I, father, and I hope Charlie soon. Adam Sinclair gave us this -place. Wasn't it good of him?' - -'Adam Sinclair?' He looked bewildered, and shook his head. 'I know -naught of him, Deb. Deb, little Deb, I was thinking of Kate Shaw. I saw -her yesterday.' - -'Who was she, father, dear?' - -He stared at her. 'Why, your mother!' - -Her heart fluttered. 'My mother! And did you see her yesterday?' - -'Ay; she was walking under the trees yonder. But she looked ill, sadly -ill; her hair was as white as mine. She gave me such a look!' - -Deborah went and kneeled by her father, and put her arms around him. -'Poor sweet father! This could not be. Thou knowest my mother died -long, long ago. And was her name Kate Shaw, father?' - -'Ay;' and he smiled. Wrapt and intent, his eyes seemed gazing far -through and away. 'She was Kate Shaw, Deb; a gipsy lass, and beautiful -as the dawn. No one like her! Such eyes, such feet, such grace! Sweet -Kate! sweet Kate!' - -Deborah knew that her mother's name had been Kate. She marvelled, -trembled. - -'I walked with her yesterday, Deb; didn't I? Yes; under the trees at -Enderby; and I found she loved me. Little witch! She was hard, hard to -win; so coy, so whimsical! She had a gipsy lover too. I made short work -of _him_.' - -'Didst shoot him, father?' - -Sir Vincent laughed aloud, then feigned to look greatly scandalised -amid his mirth. 'Shoot him? Fie, fie, Deb! Ask me not what I did, -child. Why, one day she cared for him, the next for me. I could not -stand it. A Fleming too! The Flemings woo maidens honourably. 'Fore -heaven, I made Kate my Lady Fleming--my sweet little wife Kate! But I -let her go no more to the camp. Sometimes I think she pines. She talks -sometimes about her mother, in her dreams--that old hag! My wife must -give up all, and cleave to me. Kate, Kate! dear love!' Then he said no -more, nor did Deborah; but she marvelled at what she had heard, and -what could have recalled her mother so vividly. - -It happened one afternoon a few days after this and their arrival at -Lincoln, Dame Marjory entered with a pale face. 'My Lady Deb, there's -a poor woman round there at the gates wantin' to see thee; she is very -ill. She lies there; 'tis like she's dyin'; so Master Coleman thinks. -She can't be moved away.' - -'I will come,' cried Deborah. 'Send Coleman to father. I will speak to -her.' Beautiful, pitiful, Deborah appeared in her long black robes to -the vision of the dying woman, bending down to her. She was an old, old -woman, with wild and wintry hair; death in her face, but life in her -great burning eyes, and those were fixed on Deborah. Deborah started -back. It was _the_ gipsy! A hundred doubts and certainties rushed -surging to her brain. The gipsy beckoned her nearer. - -'Speak to her,' whispered old Marjory emphatically. 'Go nearer.' And -then Marjory, standing by gaunt and grim, waved the other servants away. - -Deborah kneeled and bent her ear to the dying woman's lips. 'Girl,' -said the faint voice, 'I forgive and forget! Let me die like a woman, -not like a dog. I am thy mother's mother, an' I have been round day an' -night to seek thee. _She_ cast me off--Kate Shaw, thy mother. Because -she was my Lady Fleming, she forgot her old mother. I was the dirt -under her feet. Thy servants turned me off, Mistress. But take me into -your grand house an' let me die in peace.' - -Deborah rose to her feet, and turned like a ghost on Marjory. 'Nurse,' -she whispered, 'is this my grandmother?' - -'Yes, Mistress Deborah; it is true.' - -Then Deborah beckoned to the men, and bid them bear the dying woman in -and lay her on a bed. And then Deborah, with Marjory on the other side, -sat down beside her. She seemed almost gone; the breath came labouring. -But the breeze that swept in at the open windows seemed to revive her. -It blew on the long white locks straggling across the brow; on those -glazing eyes, so dark, sunken, piteous--eyes that burned up again, and -sought Deborah's face as the embers of a dying fire flicker up and -throw into the room an unexpected light. - -'My girl,' she said, 'if Kate had been like _thee_! Hark! I hated, an' -yet I always loved thee! _Thou'dst_ ne'er ha' treated me like a dog. -An', ah me! I loved her like my soul!' - -'Grandmother,' answered Deborah sweetly and with a clear utterance, -that pierced to the dying ears, 'my mother loved you. Only the other -day I heard that great as she was, she never forgot you, even in her -dreams. Day and night she thought of you; but her promise to her -husband kept her from you, though she pined to see you once again. -Oh, be merciful then! Forgive her! You are going now to meet again. O -forgive her! that God may let ye meet in heaven!' - -The great eyes stirred not from Deborah's face. 'Shall I win to -heaven, lass? Speak to me o' heaven.' And Deborah described to her -that beautiful place, that land glorious with promise and with bliss, -that 'eye hath not seen, nor heart of man conceived.' The dying gipsy -listened with her soul in her eyes. Then said she, very faintly: -'I am goin'. O Jesus, let me come! O Kate--my Kate!' Then, with -wonderful sudden life and fire: 'Hi! you, my lass! Where's the boy? the -rogue--"wild Charlie" they called him. Where's _he_?' - -'In Ireland. Gone to fight for the Irish, grandmother.' - -She laughed exultantly. 'Why, I tell thee why--_his mother_ was Irish, -an' he knew it. Mad boy, mad boy!' - -Deborah laid her white hand on the old brown trembling hand, and -smiled. She watched to see again and again a strange look of Charlie -in that faded face and those large and wistful eyes. A great new-born -love was flooding Deborah's heart for the dying vagrant. But death was -taking the wanderer away. 'O Jesus, let me come!' Deborah heard her say -again. - -The fire died out; the flame sank low; the embers of life just -smouldered, nothing more.... The fresh wind blew in vain on the wild -gipsy face. She was gone. - -Scarcely had Katharine Shaw been laid in her grave when Sir Vincent -Fleming became very ill--so ill, that Deborah despatched a letter -post-haste to Mistress Margaret Fleming, begging her to make known the -fact to Charlie at once. But Mistress Fleming had started for Dublin; -and this is how it befell. One morning a letter came to her. She often -received such; but this one had cost her a laugh and a cry of joy. Just -as she was in the perusal, old Jordan entered, and stared in wonderment -at the glorious happiness of her face. 'Why, my maid,' he said, 'what -hast got there? It's naught but paper, is it?' - -'No, dad; but something writ upon it. Father,' she said, and rose and -slid the beautiful arm around his neck, 'haven't I been a good daughter -to thee? Proud and pursed up with mine own conceit, the lads o' the -village have always called me. But, father, "Mistress Dinnage" has been -a good daughter unto thee?' - -'Ay, ay, lass, thou hast! What wouldst be comin' at? What ails thee -now, Mistress?' - -'Why, I come to ask thy blessing on me. Don't look scared, father; no -shame will ever fall on thee through Mistress Dinnage. But I will out -with it, for I can never beat about the bush. Father, I am Charles -Fleming's lawful wife!' - -Jordan seized his child by the shoulders, and his old grotesque visage -grew dignified and terribly stern in its earnestness as he almost -shrieked: 'Not--not unbeknown to the Master--an' Mistress Deborah?' - -'Unbeknown that we are wedded, but not that we love, father. Mistress -Deborah has known and wished it long; and Sir Vincent--he has seen us -twice together, father, when we were walking secretly, an' has smiled -on us. Mistress Deborah has heard him say a hundred times that he would -fain, if he had wealth, have for his daughter-in-law an "honest poor -man's child." So father, dear father, ye must not be angered.' - -'Child, child! thou'st done wrong in keepin' it hid. Married? -What--_married_? Honestly?' - -'Ay,' was the proud answer. 'Charles Fleming and Margaret Dinnage went -to Daxford Church, and were wed; we came out man and wife. Ask Master -Rawdon. Father, he's in Ireland; but it's kept secret from all but -Mistress Deborah. He's gone soldiering, father; and in this letter he -asks me to go. Father, I am his wife!' - -'Ay, an' _Jordan's daughter_, Meg,' said the old man brokenly. 'I'm -a'most dazed. And thou'rt goin' to leave the old man alone--alone!' - -'Only for a little time, father--a little, little time; for soon -Charlie, when all the trouble's over, will come home to Enderby. It's -all arranged between Lady Deb and me. A fine home-comin' it'll be, an' -it please thee, Master Dinnage! Father, I won't go for long, dear. But -o' nights, thinkin' o' Charlie, I well nigh go distraught. There is -danger, father, as thou know'st! Hundreds o' men are slain. I must be -_there_. I must go, dear; but I won't be long.' - -'Go, go!' muttered Jordan irefully. 'Thou'dst allus the bit atween thy -teeth, Mistress Dinnage; so had thy poor dear mother. Go along! I've -no need o' thee; yon brave young fellow hath. Thou'lt be killed next, -girl, killed, ay, an' wus than killed, at the hands o' the wild Irish. -But, go, go! I don't want thee here.' - -Anger, pride, and sorrow struggled fiercely in the brave old heart; -but 'Mistress Dinnage' knew how to take him. 'Father,' she said, -sorrowfully regarding him, with her head slightly on one side, and her -hands playing nervously with her apron, in her earnest pleading, 'if -thou wert newly wed, an' so parted from mother by land an' sea--an' she -in trouble, needin' thee sore--thou'dst wade through fire an' water, -only to win to _her_. My heart is broke in twain 'tween thee both--one -half is at home with thee, an' the other gone to Charlie. Though I -don't speak or cry, my heart is wounded with every man that's killed, -an' trouble wears me sore. Think of mother, my father! Think when thou -wert first wed, what it would be for one to part thee--think o' it, an' -bid me go!' - -So Mistress Margaret won the day. - - - - -OUR INDIAN PETS. - - -Among the many, many good things swept from India by the great Mutiny -storm was the time-honoured order of Griffs--that is, officers under a -year's service in the country. Every regiment owned one or two members, -and in large stations they were usually to be found by the half-dozen. -They were generally the life of the station, and in every way were -our _prime_ pets. What would Mrs General and Mrs Brigadier have done -without their griffs to patronise and make use of in various ways, -such as filling up sudden vacancies at their dinner-tables, or helping -to fill their ball-rooms? Griffs invariably started Indian life with -the three animals which are also included in the list of 'our Indian -pets'--namely the horse or his humble representative the pony, the dog, -and the monkey. No griff considered his establishment complete without -these three animals; there would be a general uniformity among the -monkeys; but a collection of griff horses, ponies, and dogs formed a -rare aggregation of screws and curs of all sorts, sizes, and colours. - -There is a peculiar charm about Indian life which is rarely seen -at home, and that is the compactness and domesticity of each -establishment. In each household the master, and if he is married, -his wife and children, is in direct contact with his servants and his -animals; all are housed near him; and the daily morning stroll leads -him from the stables to the farm-yard, then to the garden, and so -home by the tree beneath which the monkey is chained, the dogs being -in close attendance. The horses are brought up to be fed under their -master's eye, and generally receive a crust of bread, a biscuit, or a -chupátee (an unleavened wheaten cake like a pancake; the 'unleavened -bread' of Scripture) from his or his wife's hands; the dogs have the -free run of the house, and at their stated hours have their meals -under some one's eyes; while the farm-yard is under the direct charge -of the mistress, who fusses about among the cows, looks after the eggs -and chickens, and makes over the victims selected for the table. Then -on the march we are in still closer contact with our servants and -animals; for a few steps only separate us from all. Emerging from the -tent, a few paces to the rear bring us to the cook's tent, and behind -or beside it is that belonging to the servants. Behind them are our -horses and dogs, the latter generally tied up during the day and loose -at night. - -So it happens that in cantonments, and more especially on the march, -we are virtually monarchs of all we survey; and I well remember that -in the pleasant days of my griffinage, on the occasion of my first -march, I felt quite patriarchal as I sat in the tent-door with all my -earthly belongings around me; the bearer (valet) and the other servants -attending to their various duties, my dear Caboolee horse Tom dozing in -the sunshine, my faithful setter Belle lying at my feet, and my monkeys -Jacko and Moony busy with their own affairs. - -And now to 'our Indian pets;' and I purpose passing some of mine -in pleasant review; but in doing so I shall not record anything -remarkable, or what any kind observer of animals and their habits -cannot fully indorse. - -One of my first purchases was a horse we called Tom, a gray, -thoroughbred, thick-necked, and sturdy Caboolee, for whom I paid -ninety rupees (nine pounds); and right valuable did he turn out. I -bought him in 1854, rode him from one end of the presidency to the -other, through the Mutiny, and up to 1866, when I pensioned him. In -1869 he was attacked by black cancer, and at length I was sorrowfully -obliged to put an end to his existence, to save him from a cruel, -lingering death. There was nothing about him externally different -from other thoroughbred Caboolees; but being made a great pet of, -his mental abilities shone more remarkably, especially under daily -observation. For instance, he had a strong sense of the comic. If I -spoke to him when mounted, he would turn his head as much as he could -and look at me; or he would take a cake or bit of sugar-cane out of -my stretched-out hand, and munch it as he went along; or if I tickled -one ear with my cane, he would unmistakably present the other ear to -be similarly treated. He was a great thief, and I had great difficulty -in restraining him from plunder when riding through crops. He was very -fond of my wife's horse Punch, and neither would be stabled apart from -the other; and it was most amusing to watch their nose-rubbings across -the stall partition. Much, however, as he loved Punch, he would never -allow him to precede him in the walk or canter, nor would he move until -the dogs had been let loose and had jumped up to his nose. He knew his -name perfectly, and would trot up to me when called, from any part -of the field. He carried me unflinchingly through the Mutiny until -wounded, and thought nothing of our weary rides of between thirty and -forty miles a night. - -On one memorable occasion we were escaping from a threatened attack, -and I had dismounted to look at the girths; a shot from the rear -elicited the exclamation: 'I wonder where that bullet has gone to;' -and I again mounted, but had hardly gone two paces when Tom began to -limp. I got off at once, and then found that the bullet had struck him -just outside the off-knee, had run round under the skin, and lodged -in front. I tried to cut it out then and there; but the horse was too -restive, and I again mounted, but only to find the poor brute getting -more and more lame. I was now well behind, and the rest of our party -urged me to come on. As I still lagged, they cried out to abandon the -horse, as we were being pursued. This I grudgingly did, and trudged -on hurriedly to join our party; having done this, I looked back, and -saw poor old Tom hobbling after me. I could not stand this, so brought -him on at once. When we reached comparative safety some days after, I -extracted the bullet. - -I have already mentioned Punch my wife's horse. He was ridden as a -charger through the battle of Gujrát in January 1849, and with his -rider, had a remarkable escape from a shell, which exploded between -his rider's foot and his own off-shoulder. The wound inflicted left a -scar, into the hollow of which you could thrust half a fist. He was a -perfect lady's horse, and quite free from vice, possessing a gentle and -affectionate disposition. He was fonder of Tom than Tom was of him, -and used to exhibit great anxiety when, in his opinion, his friend -was longer absent from his stall than usual, his return to which was -greeted by a loud neigh of welcome. I have never seen so gentle or -loving a horse. He quite understood the difference between adults and -children, and would allow the latter to take all kinds of liberties -with him, and was perfectly aware how to behave when they mounted him, -as they always did when he returned from the morning or evening ride. -He was a darling horse, and like true friends, his and Tom's best -qualities came out under trial. Both had suddenly to exhibit their best -points when the Mutiny broke out, and both behaved nobly. When Tom -was disabled, I rode Punch, and during these weary days and nights he -fully understood his position; many a time had we to snatch an hour or -two of sleep when we could on the bare road; I would lie down with the -bridle round my arm, and he would sleep standing beside me. One morning -we broke down together, and both fell asleep while progressing, being -rudely awoke by finding ourselves in a large roadside bush. Poor old -Punch was subject to a disorder which eventually carried him off in -November 1864, in the twenty-third year of his age. Unlike Tom, he was -hale and hearty to the last. Peace to the memory of these two humble -and faithful friends! Several horses have subsequently been in my -stables, and I might narrate something about each, did time and space -allow, but none of them ever took our affections so completely as did -Tom and Punch; they were our first and best equine loves. - -Let me pass some of my dogs in review; and how tender are the memories -which some of their names recall! Dear old Belle, an English brown and -white setter, leads the way: she was too old for active service, had -been left in the country by her former master, and had passed from one -hand to the other, getting thinner and thinner with each change. When -I got her she seemed to think a new master a matter of course, and -accepted the change without emotion; but when she saw that she had -really found a permanent master and a comfortable home, then all her -pent-up affection welled forth, and she seemed to feel that she could -not shew enough of it. She was my constant and faithful companion in -the early years of my service, and I felt her loss keenly when carried -off by distemper, which on that occasion killed all my dogs. Her last -acts were to lick my hand and feebly wag her tail as I bent over her -prostrate form. - -Belle number two comes on the scene: a small black and white spaniel, -which I had as a pup. She was specially noted for an intimacy she -struck up with another dog Topsy, and a cat; and the romps of the three -were most amusing, but at the same time most destructive to a bed of -melons they always selected for their invariable game of Hide-and-seek. -The gardener protested in vain against their romps, though he allowed -that Belle effectually protected the melon-bed from the jackals at -night. She accompanied me in our flight in the Mutiny; but, poor -little thing, was lost on the road. Topsy was a great pet; a very -singular-looking little animal of a mixed breed, very peppery, full -of life, and immensely affectionate. Her peculiarities were--intense -antipathy to jackals, whose howl she would at once imitate if you -called to her: 'Jackals, Tops;' and the clear manner in which she -articulated grand-mam-má-á-á, if you interrupted her growling with your -finger. She accompanied her mistress to England as a co-refugee from -the Mutiny, and was made much of in consequence, returning to this -country only to die prematurely, dear little Tops. - -Rosie! Rosie! Here is a small liver and white smooth terrier, very -affectionate, and noted for her antipathy to musk-rats and squirrels; -the former she invariably killed, and the latter she tried hard to, -but rarely succeeded, as they were too agile, and always got up the -nearest tree. I have had to drag her away from the foot of a palm-tree, -at which she had been sitting all the morning watching a squirrel. Her -first litter consisted of one pup, about which she made an immense -fuss, and was inclined to resent a great liberty I took with her. I -found one day a starving outcast kitten, and bringing it home, put -Rosie on her side, and told her to be kind to it. The kitten ravenously -seized a teat; and Rosie was very uneasy, not quite making out the -animal which was draining her, and evidently suspecting it to be a -squirrel. After a day or two she took to the stranger; and the kitten -at once made itself quite at home; rather too much so, for she would -claw at the pup most unmercifully, while it yelled complainingly, the -mother not knowing what to make of the arrangement. But the tables were -turned as soon as the pup got its teeth and legs; and then it fiercely -maintained its rights, and there used to be regular scrimmages over a -favourite teat; Rosie looking on in blank amazement, and wincing under -the scratches of her strange pup. The three pulled on together in a -way; but there was never much love lost among them. - -My monkeys Jacko and Moony I bought as a griff at Umballah for the -large sum of one rupee. They were just emerging from babyhood, and so -required some care and looking after. I never taught them anything; -for such education, as with dogs, always necessitates more or less -severity; but I carefully cultivated the talents they possessed. -The looking-glass was always a standing joke. Either monkey would -cautiously approach its image, making the usual recognition grimaces, -which of course were duly returned; then it would sit close up to the -glass, and now and then look sideways at the reflection; or it would -put a hand behind the glass, as if feeling for the other monkey. If I -seized the hand, a fight with the glass at once ensued, which I kept up -with my hand, and then suddenly dropped the glass. The amazement of the -monkey at the sudden disappearance of its adversary was most ludicrous -to behold. - -Moony was very fond of a delicacy well known in India as mango-fool. -The spirit of mischief induced me one day to add a teaspoonful of -spirits of wine to her daily saucer of mango-fool, and for the first -and last time in my life I saw an intoxicated monkey; her antics and -attempts to keep the perpendicular were most absurd. She certainly -attempted to dance and clap her hands, but ultimately was obliged -gradually to subside and yield to the soporific influence of the -spirits. As a great treat I used occasionally to loosen both monkeys -and let them scamper up a large tree. At first they appreciated my -kindness and came down at call to be tied up for the night; but the -sweets of liberty were too great, and they gradually began to be tardy -in their descent, and at last Moony preferred to spend the night in the -tree. To prevent the return of such behaviour, I bombarded Moony next -day with my goolél or pellet-bow (a weapon with which in those days I -was remarkably skilful), and soon brought her to my feet. Both monkeys -were familiar with the goolél, for I often harmlessly tested their -agility by shelling them with it; but Moony now learned for the first -time the punishment it could inflict; and ever thereafter, if I merely -called out (when she hesitated to descend) to the bearer: 'Goolél lao' -(Pellet-bow bring), she would hurry down the tree repentant. This -story savours somewhat of the American colonel and opossum; but it is -strictly true. - -Moony had her first young one when about fifteen months old; and the -fuss she made with it, and the fierce affection she exhibited, were -interesting to behold. Her babe was still at the breast when the -Mutiny broke out. Among the ruffians who burned my bungalow was one -who provoked her in some way or other. She attacked him at once, but -was killed by one blow of a láthee (stout bamboo staff), her young one -sharing her fate. Jacko escaped in the confusion, and became a vagrant. - -A native gentleman once presented me with a black gibbon (_Hylobates -agilis_), called by the natives from its yell, Hookoo or Hoolook. Its -tremendous teeth and unearthly yell impressed me unfavourably, and -I kept it in confinement, much against my will, as it always seemed -so gentle. The poor brute soon died. Some time after, when staying -with a dear and congenial friend at Alipore, near Calcutta, I became -acquainted with a second gibbon, which was quite tame, and allowed to -be at large. We at once exchanged confidences, and the poor creature's -loving affection for me became quite overpowering. So thoroughly did -I trust it, that I allowed my boy of three years of age to play with -her, and the way the two rolled over on the turf was most amusing -to behold. The agility of the animal was simply marvellous. I have -seen it go round the large house hanging by its finger-tips to the -cornice beading which went round. To run up the rain-pipes was as easy -to it as a ladder would be to a man; in fact, it could go anywhere -and everywhere, and so often vexed us by its depredations. It found -out where my boy's milk was kept, and helped itself in this strange -fashion. Its great length of arm prevented it from drinking direct -from the vessel, as monkeys do, the arms always intervening between -the vessel and the animal's mouth; so she was obliged to sit at some -distance from the vessel, and scoop out its contents with her fingers, -letting the milk drop from them into her mouth. She did not drink from -the hollowed hand, but let the fingers drip the liquid into the mouth. -One day the gibbon had annoyed my friend by eating some of his papers, -and in the afternoon we were conversing together in his study, when -suddenly it appeared, and sidled up to me. With a half-angry laugh, my -friend made a gesture as if to throw a book at it, and exclaimed: 'Get -out, you mischievous brute.' She accordingly got out, in her silent -mysterious manner, and we went on talking. We then adjourned to the -roof for a view, and I drew my friend's attention to the gibbon, which -was timidly surveying us from behind a distant chimney. Playfully -shaking his fist at her, we walked together to the opposite end of the -roof and leaned over the parapet. Presently I saw the gibbon stealing -quietly towards us along the parapet. As soon as she saw that she was -observed, she boldly ran up to me, threw her long arms around me, and -nestled into my breast. Could I resist such an appeal for forgiveness -and protection? We were both much touched by it, and winked at many of -her subsequent misdoings. - -So much for our principal pets: minor ones are cats, pigeons, parrots, -cockatoos, minas, squirrels, and the mongoose. I might devote an -article to each of these animals; but time and space warn me to stop. - - - - -THE ADMIRAL'S SECOND WIFE. - - -CHAPTER X.--ONLY TWO LETTERS! - -At length the day for the party arrives. A hundred or more invitations -have been accepted, and much expectation and curiosity is evoked at -Seabright about the coming grand entertainment. Lady Dillworth's -eagerness intensifies, and doubts spring up in her mind. What if the -charade should prove a failure after all? She is nervous at having to -sing in character, and angry with herself for her trepidation. She even -tells Walter of her cowardice; and after the last rehearsal, as he goes -away, she implores him to help her as much as he possibly can. - -'Do, do come early, and manage everything, for I feel as if I -were going to break down in the very midst. Recollect, the whole -responsibility of making it a success rests on you.' - -Walter promises all she requires; but Katie is not convinced, and her -doubts increase as the time draws near. - -The morning of that day does not begin auspiciously. A fierce storm -has been raging for many hours. When the Admiral glances over the -newspapers at breakfast, his face becomes grave as he reads down the -long list of disasters and wrecks. Presently the footman hands him a -letter, and then his face becomes still graver. - -'Anything wrong, Herbert?' asks her Ladyship. - -'A ship aground on the Short Reefs,' replies he shortly. - -'O dear, how dreadful! What is the name of the ship, Sir Herbert?' asks -Liddy clasping her hands, and opening her eyes very wide. - -'The _Daring_; and unless they get her off at the top of spring-tide, I -fear she will go to pieces on the rocks.' - -The Admiral drinks his coffee quickly, and prepares to leave the room. - -'Where are you going, Herbert? You haven't taken half a breakfast.' - -'I can't stay, Kate; for I must give orders about sending off help to -the _Daring_.' - -'Are any lives lost?' - -'Not so far, I'm thankful to say. I hope we shall have her afloat -before long;' and he goes to the library with the letter in his hand. - -Lady Dillworth is very busy that morning, and not the least of her -engagements is trying on her 'Lucia' dress. Before she goes up to her -dressing-room on this important business, she runs into the library to -ask Sir Herbert what time he is to be home to dinner. But the room is -empty. The Admiral must have been called out suddenly, for a letter, -still glowing with wet ink, lies open on his desk. His wife glances at -it in passing, then pauses, and bends over it closely. The words are -few, written off in her husband's bold dashing hand, and the contents -are evidently for her father. It is an order for the _Leo_ to be -despatched at once to the assistance of the unfortunate _Daring_. - -Lady Dillworth stands aghast. How can the charade party get on without -Captain Reeves? It will be an utter disappointment, and she will be -overwhelmed with mortification and vexation in the eyes of all her -guests! - -'Why did Herbert fix on the _Leo_? There are numbers of other ships; -any one of them would do as well. The _Leoni_, for instance,' she -exclaims half aloud. - -In an instant the pen is in her hand, and with an impulse that seems -irresistible she adds two letters to the _Leo's_ name, and is surprised -to see how exactly she has imitated her husband's writing. - -'Of course I must tell Herbert, and explain why I did it. What will he -think of my daring?' she asks laughingly, as she returns the pen to its -place. - -Then she goes up-stairs, and is soon closeted with her dressmaker; and -the recollection of ships and all such matters is soon banished from -her memory; for the dress is an odious fit! The alterations required -are legion. Madame Darcy may be clever at fashionable modern dress; -but in medieval costume she has failed utterly. Katie waits patiently -while the assistant, with scissors and needle, brings the garment into -wearable shape. After the woman is gone, Lady Dillworth recollects -about the letter, and returns to the library to tell her husband of the -change she has made in it. But the letter has vanished, and the footman -meets her with a message. - -'My Lady, Sir Herbert told me to say he would not be home to dinner.' - -'Did your master say where he was going?' - -'No, my Lady; but the groom told me he was called off to Hillview, and -was to go by the twelve o'clock train; and it's half-past twelve now, -my Lady.' - -So there is no help for it; the explanation cannot be given now; and -Katie is fain to console herself by thinking that one ship is as good -as another, and it can't matter much whether the _Leo_ or the _Leoni_ -goes off to the rescue. - -The day passes quickly. When it grows dark, Katie and Liddy, still -in their morning dresses, and shivering a little from the cold, find -their way up to Lady Dillworth's 'boudoir'--a cosy retreat, with -its bright fire and closely drawn curtains. Here are Katie's books, -her writing-table, and all the odds and ends that somehow gather in -work-boxes and baskets. Here are periodicals uncut, for she has not had -much time for reading of late, and drawing materials which are rarely -touched. - -On a round table near the fire is spread a delicately pink-tinted -set of tea-things; and Dresden china baskets filled with tea-cakes -and shortbread give promise of a dainty little meal. Miss Delmere, -in a most becoming morning dress, with a warm blue shawl round her -shoulders, plunges herself into the depths of a large arm-chair, places -her feet on the fender-stool, and looks up brightly out of her merry -blue eyes. - -'How cosy this is, Kate! I'm quite enjoying it.' She pours a supply of -cream into her fragrant tea and sips with keen relish. - -'I wish Herbert were here,' sighs Katie in reply. - -'Is he dining at Hillview this evening?' - -'I hardly know, for he left no message about that; but I rather think -he will dine at Belton Park, which is only a couple of miles from -Hillview.' - -'Is Lady Ribson gone back to Scotland yet?' - -'No; she leaves Belton Park to-morrow; and I'm _so_ sorry I have never -once seen her, for Herbert is very desirous we should know each other. -I believe old Lady Ribson is his _beau idéal_ of what a woman should -be. She is his god-mother; and her niece Bessie was his first wife.' - -'You've never had time to go to Belton Park, Katie.' - -'I know that; but I'm sorry now I didn't "_make_ time," by setting -other things aside. This hateful charade business has taken up every -spare minute.' - -'Hateful!' echoes Liddy reproachfully. - -'Perhaps that is too strong a term; but the preparations have swallowed -up all my time and everything else.' - -'Don't begin to croak at the last minute. _I_ mean to enjoy myself -thoroughly!' exclaims Liddy, putting her cup down for more tea. Then -she asks confidentially: 'Do you think Sir Herbert altered? Captain -Reeves says he never saw a man aged so much in so short a time: he -thinks the Admiral looks very ill.' - -Lady Dillworth starts up impatiently: 'I don't know why Captain Reeves -should think any such thing. My husband is _not_ ill; I have never once -heard him complain.' - -'Ah! his is one of those grand reserved natures that would rather -suffer anything than make a moan,' says Liddy, stirring her tea calmly. - -'Why did you not tell me about Herbert's looking ill before, Liddy? I -declare you make me quite uneasy.' - -'Oh, I daresay it's all imagination on Walter's part. I'm sorry I ever -mentioned it,' Liddy replies quickly. - -'You needn't regret telling me; for if there _is_ anything the matter, -I ought to know it.' - -Liddy is vexed at having introduced so disquieting a subject, for Katie -remains silent and thoughtful during the rest of the repast, then goes -languidly up-stairs to dress for the party. - - -CHAPTER XI.--THE CHARADE PARTY. - -The bitter storm raging over the country, and spreading woe and terror -and desolation far out at sea, does not much affect the expected -guests. Carriage after carriage drives in at the gates of Government -House; and ere long, many eager eyes are fixed on the drop-scene, -the owners of them ready to be pleased or otherwise by the coming -performance. Curiosity and criticism are on the alert; some of the -audience are just as much inclined to find fault as to admire. When -Lady Dillworth 'comes on' she feels unaccountably agitated at seeing -her 'dear friends' sitting in solemn state on rows of chairs, all -ready to detect her slightest shortcomings. For the moment she feels -as though she would fain dart away beyond their range of vision. But -this nervousness speedily vanishes. Amidst the bursts of applause that -greet her, she begins to catch somewhat of the spirit of a successful -_débutante_, and her pulse throbs triumphantly. Her voice rings out in -strains of pathetic melody; she forgets her qualms, her trepidation, -and almost even her own identity, so carried away is she by the -intensely tragic music. - -During the first part, the singing goes on faultlessly, then a somewhat -awkward sense of failure begins to steal over the performers. Major -Dillon and Walter differ about some minor points, and the former nearly -bewilders the others with his eccentric proceedings. The chorus get -out of tune, and the Major reproves them so vigorously that he nearly -banishes all sense of harmony out of their heads. - -Liddy Delmere is much amused, and she and Walter make themselves -conspicuous with ill-timed mirth. This is unfortunate, as the irate -mother of the hapless 'Lucia' should be grave and dignified. But Liddy -forgets her part, the words and air and everything, and only remembers -Walter Reeves is beside her. Lady Dillworth calls her to order with one -of her haughtiest looks. - -'Liddy, Liddy! do be reasonable. Don't you see what wretched idiots -we are making of ourselves? We are only bringing down ridicule on our -heads.' - -Then in a pause, when she is not wanted to sing, Katie slips away to a -room adjoining, that has been fitted up temporarily for the performers. -She lifts the window-blind, and looks out on the rather grim garden, -dimly lighted up with flickering coloured lamps. Dense clumps of -evergreens glitter with raindrops, and cast deep uncertain shadows on -the grass. The bare branches of the beech-trees are swaying wildly in -the wind, and flinging themselves about like gaunt weird arms. Above in -the troubled sky, heavy masses of storm-cloud are driven rapidly past, -giving glimpses now and then of an almost full moon. - -'Oh, what a fearful night this must be at sea!' muses Katie, and -then a sudden shudder comes over her as her thoughts fly off to the -unfortunate ship _Daring_, perhaps even now wrecked and broken up on -the fatal Short Reefs. - -'What have I done? what have I done?' she exclaims wildly, as like a -lightning flash, a sudden revelation of the possible result of her act -that morning comes before her. She has prevented the _Leo_ from going -to sea by altering her husband's order; her own meddling fingers have -kept back the very aid that might have saved the ship. The _Leo_ is -at that moment safely riding at her anchor in Seabright harbour; her -captain is sporting himself in delightful ease. But what about the -_Daring_? Where is she? - -Even now the pitiless waves may be dashing over her, even now she may -be breaking up on the sharp rocks. Perhaps the storm that rages past is -bearing on its wild wings the awful death-shrieks of sailors as they go -down into the pitiless waters. - -Ah, they may be crying for help, that never comes!--help, _she_ has -kept back from them, foolishly, wickedly kept back! Souls, precious -souls, may be going to their doom, in life's full prime, with -unrepented sins on their heads; and she indirectly may be the one -who has hurled them to their end. These thoughts rush through Lady -Dillworth's mind with a crushing force, and with a vividness that makes -her heart bound, her whole frame tremble. In the howling of the wind, -as it sobs with wild violence through the trees, she fancies she hears -the cries of the sailors writhing in agony amidst the surging waves. -She thinks they are calling on _her_--accusing _her_, and her brain -whirls and her heart beats almost to madness. - -'"There is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet." O God! help these -poor men in their distress--lay not their death to my charge!' she -cries almost aloud, and then she looks up, and sees Liddy Delmere -watching her with alarm. - -'O Lady Dillworth! what _is_ the matter? How pale and ill you look! -Shall I call any one? Shall I get anything?' - -'Be quiet, Liddy; I insist. I feel faint; but you need not proclaim the -fact to the whole world.' - -Katie covers her face with her hands, and stands for a minute trying to -recover herself--trying--while the angry wind howls like an avenging -spirit in her ears. Presently she looks up: 'I feel better now. What do -you want of me, Liddy?' - -'Have you forgotten our duet comes on when this chorus is over? Are you -well enough to sing?' asks Miss Delmere, as she gazes with amazement at -Lady Dillworth's haggard face and startled eyes. - -'O yes; I will sing. Don't be uneasy; I shall not break down.' She -takes Liddy's arm, and they make their appearance on the stage just -in time. Much license has been taken with the score of _Lucia di -Lammermoor_--new songs and duets have been introduced, and it is one of -the latter in which Katie is now required to take a part. - -With a great effort she composes herself, and begins. As she goes -on, her voice regains its rich fullness; no one would suppose such a -tempest of agony had so lately swept over her. - -While she is sustaining a rather prolonged cadence, she sees the -Admiral enter the room. He stands for a minute looking at her, and -listening; then he catches a glimpse of Walter Reeves, and goes -quickly towards him. Though in the middle of her duet, Katie notices -the start her husband gives and the quick frown that gathers on his -brow. She sees him beckon Walter aside; the heads are bowed a moment as -an excited whisper passes, then they leave the room together. Ere her -part is over, she sees Walter return alone, and quietly make his way -among the groups of people till he gets near the stage again, and there -he takes up his position. The moment Lady Dillworth is free she is at -his side, questioning and eager. - -'I saw Sir Herbert here a minute ago. Where is he now?' - -'He went out to find your father, for he said he must see him at -once. I offered to go; but Sir Herbert would not hear of that.--How -splendidly you sang in that duet, Lady Dillworth! Your voice came out -in perfection.' - -'Why did he want to see my father?' she asks impatiently. - -'Sir Herbert did not say; but something appears to have annoyed him -very much. I never saw him more put out, though he gave no explanation.' - -Katie changes the subject abruptly. - -'Is it very stormy at sea to-night, Captain Reeves? I mean, is there -any danger to ships?' - -'I should think there _is_. We haven't had such a storm as this since -last winter. Every roar of the wind only makes me congratulate myself -on being in such snug quarters. There's a wonderful difference between -this fairy scene, with its music and mirth and its galaxy of youth -and beauty, and what one would meet with out on the wild billows -to-night.--What a charming evening you have given us, Lady Dillworth!' - -Katie can hardly keep herself from stamping her little foot with -impatience, as she looks up at Walter's self-satisfied face, beaming -with enjoyment; and then she watches the smile with which he presently -bends down to whisper something to Miss Delmere. Liddy responds with a -flash of her bright blue eyes, and a heightened colour springs to her -cheek as she makes room for Walter beside her. Never has she looked -better than on this evening; the quaint antiquated costume contrasts -capitally with her fair laughing face. At last the charade comes to -an end; there is a subdued murmur of applause as everybody says how -cleverly it has all been done. They make wild guesses at the word, and -Walter has at last to explain the secret. Lady Dillworth listens to -the comments of her guests with an abstracted air; and when the last -carriage drives away, she summons the footman and inquires whether Sir -Herbert has returned. - -Hunter is an old servant of the Admiral's, and has followed his -master's fortunes in various places and homes, and was with him when -the first Lady Dillworth died; so he knows his ways, and sees more -than perhaps his employers give him credit for. He turns a grave face -towards his mistress, as he replies: 'Yes, my Lady. Master came in just -when the acting was over; and when he saw the company wasn't gone, he -told me to tell your Ladyship he was very tired, and would go to bed at -once, instead of going back to the drawing-room.' - -'_Very_ tired, did he say?' - -'Yes, my Lady; and he looked weary-like.' - -'That will do, Hunter. We want breakfast very early to-morrow morning, -as Miss Delmere is going away by the first train.' - -Then Katie goes up to her boudoir. The fire is still burning brightly, -and the lamp is throwing a soft light through the curtained room. -Still in her fancy dress, the stomacher flashing with jewels, she -seats herself in the arm-chair; and there, while the warmth steals -over her, she covers her face with her hands, and thinks bitterly, -confusedly--the loud shrieking of the wind and the fury of the cruel -storm keeping up a wild accompaniment to her musings. - -She wonders what she had better do. Shall she rouse her husband from -his slumbers, and tell him all, or shall she wait till events call -forth a confession? Never has she felt such a poor, mean, despicable -coward. She hates herself for her irresolution; and all the time her -fancy pictures up the surging whirlpools, the jagged rocks, the dashing -waves, the yawning gulfs, and the drowning men with their despairing -eyes, ever calling for the help that does not come! - - - - -REMINISCENCES OF QUEBEC. - - -For the following reminiscences connected with the stay of one of -the British regiments at Quebec during the winter of 1870-71, we are -indebted to an officer of the garrison. He writes as follows: - -Until the close of 1871, Quebec was a fortress occupied by British -troops; but before the winter set in, the _Orontes_ and other -store-ships carried away the troops and their possessions, and the -stronghold passed for ever away from the rule of Great Britain. - -Quebec, the principal fortress of Canada, also known as the 'Gibraltar -of the West,' is built upon the strip of land projecting into the -confluence of the St Lawrence and St Charles rivers. Originally a -French settlement, it afterwards became one of the colonies of Great -Britain, and has continued to be so until the present date. - -'There is but one Quebec, and its beautiful scenery,' remarked a valued -friend to the writer, as one autumn afternoon we scanned the view from -the Levis Cliffs, and watched the 'Fall fleet' preparing to depart for -England ere winter had closed the St Lawrence. 'The scenic beauty of -Quebec,' says an old writer, 'has been the theme of general eulogy.' -The majestic appearance of Cape Diamond, surmounted by fortifications; -the cupolas and minarets, like those of an eastern city, blazing -and sparkling in the sun; the loveliness of the panorama, the noble -river like a sheet of purest silver, in which one hundred vessels may -ride with safety; the graceful meandering of the river St Charles -before it finds its way into the St Lawrence; the numerous village -spires scattered around; the fertile fields clothed with innumerable -cottages, the abodes of a rich and moral peasantry; the distant Falls -of Montmorenci; the rich park-like scenery of Levis; the lovely Isle -of Orleans; and more distant still the frowning Cape Tourment, and -the lofty range of purple mountains of the most picturesque forms, -which bound the prospect, unite to make a _coup d'œil_ which without -exaggeration is scarcely to be surpassed in any part of the world. - -In the winter-time there is much more leisure for the merchants than -in summer, as the St Lawrence from the end of December until the end -of April is one vast ice-field, isolating Quebec from water-commerce, -but giving full employment to numbers of 'ice-men' to saw out great -oblong masses of clear bright ice to fill the ice-houses with this -much-needed summer luxury. The ice and snow are also turned to account -in the fashionable amusements of snow-shoeing, tobogganing, skating, -sleigh-driving, &c. Snow-shoeing is capital exercise, but somewhat -trying at the commencement; for with a pair of snow-shoes fastened to -the feet, the beginner is rather apt to find himself immersed in a -snow-drift, and it is a difficult matter to get upon his legs again. -This pastime, however, is so well known in theory that we pass to the -more favourite one of tobogganing. The toboggan or Indian sleigh--one -or two thin planks neatly curled round at one end--is drawn over the -snow to the top of a hill. The passengers sit down, carefully 'tucking -in' all articles of dress; a slight push is given, and away glides the -toboggan at the rate of from twenty to thirty miles an hour. Starting -is easy enough; but to descend to the desired spot is not so easy as -might appear at first sight, and requires some skill in steering; for -if that important matter be unskilfully performed, the toboggan, like -a boat, gets 'broadside on' to the hill, twists and turns, shooting -out its passengers, who rarely escape some hard knocks. If, however, -the steering is successful, the tourists have, in school-boy phrase, -a 'jolly ride,' and glide along the level ground at the foot of the -slope for a considerable distance. There is, of course, the bother of -pulling the toboggan up to the top of the hill; but such effect has the -exhilarating dryness of the atmosphere upon one's spirits, and such is -the charm of the amusement, that this labour is cheerfully undertaken. - -One favourite run was down the citadel glacis, through a gap in a fence -and into a closed yard at the base; another, also from the glacis, but -running in the direction of the Plains of Abraham. The former being -the most dangerous slide, was the favourite one, and many hard blows -were given and received. One young gentleman met his fate in the form -of a deep cut across his knee, by being tossed out of the toboggan -among some scrap-iron and old stove-pipes hidden under the snow. Much -sympathy was felt for him, for the wound took a long while to heal, and -prevented him tobogganing more that winter. Another gentleman coming -down the slide by moonlight with two young ladies in his toboggan, in -place of steering through the fence, steered into it, and his face came -in contact with a post; unluckily for him, the post was the hardest, -and he escaped with a broken jaw, and the ladies with more or less -bruises. There was a laughable upset on another occasion. A lady, -said to be at least forty (also 'fat and fair'), with a friend of the -opposite sex, tempted fortune in a toboggan; but as they approached the -gap above mentioned she lost her nerve, and threw herself out as the -toboggan was rushing down the steepest part of the slide. In less time -than the reader will take to peruse this incident, she was on her head -in the snow, and her feet, incased in very black boots, in the air; she -then tumbled across the slide; the toboggan with its remaining occupant -flew lightly over her, and then this frisky matron and her friend -rolled like a pair of frolicksome lambkins to the foot of the slope, -the toboggan of course arriving before them. - -Skating at Quebec is chiefly carried on at the Rink, a large building -about one hundred and seventy feet long and seventy wide, the -earth-floor of which is flooded. The ice is carefully swept daily; -and each evening the rink-keeper 'dusts' it with just enough water to -fill up the cuts made in it by the skaters; so that each morning finds -a fresh field of glittering smooth ice. The wooden shed does three -duties--namely, keeps out the heat of spring, keeps off the snow, and -keeps in the cold of winter; so that skating can often be had at the -Rink and nowhere else. - -The band of the Rifles often played at the Rink, which was sometimes -lighted up at night by gas; and visitors to Quebec had capital -opportunities of seeing its young ladies exhibit their skill in the -execution of sundry intricate skating-figures. Some years ago, there -was a fancy-dress ball on the Quebec rink, and we have extracted -a portion of its description from one of the local papers of that -date: 'The bugle sounded at nine o'clock, and the motley crowd of -skaters rushed on the ice, over which they dashed in high glee, -their spirits stirred to the utmost by the enlivening music and the -cheering presence of hundreds of ladies and gentlemen. Over the -glittering floor sped dozens of flying figures, circling, skimming, -wheeling, and intermingling with a new swiftness, the bright and -varied colours, the rich and grotesque costumes succeeding each other, -or combining with bewildering rapidity and effect. The gentlemen, in -addition to the usual characters, introduced some novelties: an owl, -a monkey, a monster bottle, a tailor at work, a boy on horseback--all -capital representations and by good skaters. Among the ladies were -representations of "Night" and "Morning," a vivandière, a habitant's -wife, and other characters that appeared to advantage. The skaters -presented both a varied and brilliant appearance, their parts being -well sustained as to costume and deportment, and their movements on the -ice being characterised by that grace and skill of movement bred of -long practice. The dances included quadrilles, waltzes, galops, &c.' - -That this elegant accomplishment can be turned to use is proved by a -legend of two settlers in the Far West who saved their lives by the -aid of a pair of skates. One had been captured by Indians, who did -not intend to let him live long; but amongst his baggage was a pair -of skates. The Indians' curiosity was excited, and the white man was -desired to explain their use; he led his captors to the edge of a wide -lake, where the smooth ice stretched away as far as the eye could see, -and put on the skates. Exciting the laughter of his captors by tumbling -about in a clumsy manner, he at length contrived to get a hundred yards -from them without arousing their suspicion, when he skated away as fast -as he could, and finally escaped. - -The other settler is said to have been skating alone one moonlight -night; and while contemplating the reflection of the firmament in the -clear ice, and the vast dark mass of forest surrounding the lake and -stretching away in the background, he suddenly discovered, to his -horror, that the adjacent bank was lined with a pack of wolves. He at -once 'made tracks' for home, followed by these animals; but the skater -kept ahead, and one by one the pack tailed off; two or three of the -foremost, however, kept up the chase; but when they attempted to close -with the skater, by adroitly turning aside he allowed them to pass him. -And after a few unsuccessful and vicious attempts on the part of the -wolves, he succeeded in reaching his log-hut in safety. - -The cold during the winter of 1870-71 was often extreme, the -thermometer ranging as low as forty degrees below zero. Upon two days -the writer had the pleasure of witnessing the beautiful phenomenon -called silver-thaw--that is, the trees and shrubs encircled with -ice-crystal, the glitter of which on the twigs and branches in the -sunlight is wonderfully beautiful. Occasionally the St Lawrence is -entirely frozen over opposite Quebec, and ice boats (on skates) are -popular, and the bark glides along at a pace that depends upon the -wind and quantity of sail carried. Sleighing was much in fashion; and -it is agreeable enough rushing through the extremely cold but dry -atmosphere with a pretty young lady nestling against you as you fly -along the noiseless track to the music of the sleigh bells, which the -law requires each horse to carry on its harness. - -Practical jokes are not unknown at Quebec, and several silly ones -without wit or purpose were perpetrated that winter; but one of a -special and decidedly original character played upon the Control -Department, may be worth recording. The Control Department--at the -head of which was Deputy-Controller Martindale--was intrusted with -the providing of fuel, food, ammunition, bedding, transport, &c. for -the British troops, and for some reason or another that branch of the -department at Quebec is said to have been somewhat unpopular in the -garrison. - -On the 23d and 24th February the following advertisement appeared in -the columns of the principal French paper, _l'Evénement_:[1] 'CHATS! -CHATS! CHATS! 50 CHATS sont demandés pour donner la chasse aux Rats et -Souris qui infestent les Magasins du Gouvernement. Toute personne qui -apportera un Chat au Bureau du Député-Contrôleur Martindale, entre 11 -heures et midi un jour quelconque jusqu'au 28 du courant, recevra en -retour un Dollar (1 $) par Chat.--Par ordre, - - _D. C. MARTINDALE, Député-Contrôleur._ - _QUEBEC, 23 Fév. 1871--3f._' - -The powers of advertising were in this instance wonderfully -exemplified, for at least eight hundred cats were duly brought to the -Bureau; but the unfortunate cat-merchants did not receive a dollar. -Some, being of a speculative turn, had bought up a number of their -neighbours' cats at prices varying between ten cents and twenty-five -cents each; and what with the ire of the cat-merchants at the hoax, -the astonishment and indignation of the Control officers, and the -caterwauling of the pussies brought in boxes, baskets, bags, &c., the -scene was one which will long be remembered in Quebec. On Sunday, -26th February (according to a local custom of treating _government -advertisements_), the doors of the churches in the country districts -round Quebec had the 'cat advertisement' duly posted up, so that on -Monday the 27th a bountiful supply of mousers was brought from suburban -districts to complete the Control catastrophe. - -Of course very strict inquiries were made, with a view of ascertaining -the author of the hoax; but that individual has not yet presented -himself to public notice, and judiciously made use of the post-office -to carry the letter to the _Evénement_ respecting the insertion of the -advertisement. We also understand the editor of the _Evénement_ was -politely requested to render his account for the advertisements to the -Control Department. There is, we believe, an old proverb, 'A cat may -look at a king;' but many of the inhabitants of the Quebec suburbs did -not like to look at cats for some time afterwards. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] Cats! Cats! Cats! 50 Cats are required to capture the rats and mice -that are infesting the Government Magazines. Whoever shall bring a cat -to Deputy-Controller Martindale's office between 11 and 12 o'clock on -any day up till the 28th inst., shall receive one dollar per cat. By -order, &c. - - - - -FRENCH FISHER-FOLK. - - -They live by themselves and to themselves, these French fisher-folk; -an amphibious race, as completely cut off from the shore-staying -population as any caste of Hindustan. The quaint village that they -inhabit consists of half a score of steep and narrow lanes, and as -many airless courts or alleys, clinging to the cliff as limpets -anchor to a rock, and topped by the weather-beaten spire of a church, -dedicated of course to St Peter. Hard by there may be a town rich -and populous; but its wide streets and display of plate-glass are -not envied by the piscatorial clan outside. They have shops of their -own, where sails and shawls, ropes and ornaments, high surf-boots and -gaudy gown-pieces, jostle one another in picturesque profusion. From -the upper windows of the private dwellings project gaffs and booms, -whence dangle, for drying purposes, wet suits of dark-blue pilot cloth -and dripping pea-coats. Everywhere prevails an ancient and fish-like -smell, struggling with the wholesome scent of hot pitch simmering for -the manufacture of tarpaulins and waterproofs. Half the houses are -draped in nets, some newly tanned to toughen them, others whose long -chain of corks is still silvered with herring-scales. The very children -are carving boats out of lumps of dark wreck-wood, or holding a mock -auction for tiny crabs and spiked sea-urchins. The whole atmosphere of -the place has a briny and Neptunian savour about it, and is redolent of -the ocean. - -A word now as to the fishers themselves; as proud, self-reliant, and -independent a race as those hardy Norsemen from whom ethnologists -believe them to descend by no fictitious pedigree. Of the purity of -their blood there can be little doubt, since the fish-maiden who mates -with any but a fisherman is considered to have lost caste; precisely as -the gipsy girl who marries a Busné is deemed to be a deserter from the -tribe. Marrying among themselves then, it is not surprising that there -should be an odd sort of family likeness among them, with one marked -type of face and form, or rather two, for the men, curiously enough, -are utterly unlike the women. Your French fisher is scarcely ever above -the middle height, a compact thick-set little merman, with crisply -curling hair, gold rings in his ears, and a brown honest face, the -unfailing good-humour of which is enhanced by the gleam of the strong -white teeth between the parted lips. - -The good looks of the women of this aquatic stock have passed into -a proverb; but theirs is no buxom style of peasant comeliness. Half -the drawing-rooms of London or Paris might be ransacked before an -artist could find as worthy models of aristocratic beauty as that of -scores of these young fish-girls, reared in the midst of creels and -shrimp-nets and lobster-traps. Their tall slight figures, clear bright -complexions, and delicate clean-cut features, not seldom of the Greek -mould, contrast with the sun-burnt sturdiness of husband, brother, and -betrothed; while the small hands and small feet combine to give to -their owners an air of somewhat languid elegance, apparently quite out -of keeping with a rough life and the duties of a workaday world. - -Work, however--hard and trying work, makes up the staple existence of -French fisher-folks, as of French landsmen. In the shrimp-catching -season, it must indeed be wild weather which scares the girls who -ply this branch of industry, with bare bronzed feet and dexterously -wielded net, among the breakers. Others, a few years older, may be -seen staggering under weighty baskets of oysters, or assisting at -the trimming and sorting the many truck-loads of fish freighted for -far-away Paris. The married women have their household cares, never -shirked, for no children are better tended than these water-babies, -that are destined from the cradle to live by net and line; while the -widows--under government authority--board the English steam-packets, -and enjoy the sole right of trundling off the portmanteaus of English -travellers to their hotel. - -The men, the real bread-winners of the community, enter well provided -into the field of their hereditary labour. The big Boulogne luggers, -strongly manned, and superior in tonnage and number to those which any -other French port sends forth, are known throughout the Channel, and -beyond it. They need to be large and roomy, since they scorn to be -cooped within the contracted limits of the narrow seas, but sail away -year after year to bleak Norway and savage Iceland; and their skippers, -during the herring-fishery, are as familiar with the Scottish coast -as with that of their native Picardy. It is requisite too that they -should be strong and fit to 'keep,' in nautical parlance, the sea; -for Boulogne, lying just where the Channel broadens out to meet the -Atlantic, is exposed to the full force of the resistless south-west -gale, that once drove Philip II.'s boasted Armada northward to wreck -and ruin. - -These south-west gales, with the abrupt changes of weather due to -the neighbourhood of the fickle Atlantic, constitute the romance, or -compose the stumbling-block of the fisherman's life. His calling may -seem an easy and even an enviable one, to those who on summer mornings -watch the fishing fleet glide out of harbour; the red-brown sails -gilded by the welcome sunshine and filled by the balmy breeze, the -nets festooned, the lines on the reel; keg and bait-can and windlass, -harmonising well with the groups of seafaring men and lads lounging -about on board; too many, as the novice thinks, for the navigation of -the craft. But at any moment, with short warning, the blue sea may -become leaden-hued, and the sky ragged with torn clouds and veiled with -flying scud, and the howling storm may drive the fishers far from -home, to beat about as best they may for days and nights, and at length -to land and sell their fish (heedfully preserved in ice) at Dunkirk, -Ostend, Flushing, or even some English harbour perhaps a hundred and -fifty miles away. - -The conscription, that relentless leech which claims its tithe of the -blood and manhood of all continental nations, in due course takes toll -of the fishers. The maritime population, however, supplies the navy, -not the army with recruits. It is not until flagship and frigate are -manned, that the overplus of unlucky drawers in that state lottery -of which the prizes are exemption, get drafted into the ranks. These -young sailors find military life a bitter pill to swallow. The writer -of these lines has before his eyes a letter from a conscript to his -mother in the fishing village, and in which the young defender of his -country describes last year's autumn manœuvres in Touraine, the Little -War as he calls it, from a soldier's point of view. There is not a -spark of martial ardour or professional pride in this simple document. -All the lad knows is that he is marched and countermarched about vast -sandy plains from dawn till dark, wet, hungry, and footsore; and how -difficult it is at the halting-place to collect an armful of brushwood, -by whose cheerful blaze he may warm his stiff fingers and cook his -solitary pannikin of soldier's soup. - -As might be expected, in a community which more resembles an overgrown -family than the mere members of a trade, there exists among these -people an unusual amount of charity and rough good-nature. The -neighbourly virtues shine brightly amid their darksome lanes and -stifling courts, and a helping hand is freely held out to those whom -some disaster has crippled in the struggle for existence. Bold and -self-assertive as their bearing may be, there are no Jacobins, no -partisans of the Red faction among these French fishers. They are pious -also in their way, seldom failing to attend _en masse_ at the church of -St Nicholas or the cathedral of Notre-Dame, before they set out on a -distant cruise. - -Once and again in early summer, a fisher's picnic will be organised, -when in long carts roofed over with green boughs, Piscator and his -female relatives, from the grizzled grandmother to the lisping little -maiden, who in her lace-cap and scarlet petticoat looks scarcely larger -than a doll, go merrily jolting off to dine beneath the oaks of the -forest. In their quiet way, they are fond of pleasure, holding in -summer dancing assemblies, where all the merry-making is at an end by -half-past nine, and which are as decorous, if less ceremonious, as any -ball can be. They are patrons of the theatre too, giving a preference -to sentimental dramas, and shedding simple tears over the fictitious -sorrows of a stage heroine; while in ecclesiastical processions the -brightest patches of colour, artistically arranged, are those which are -produced by the red kirtles, the blue or yellow shawls, and the snowy -caps of the sailor-maidens. - -The gay holiday attire, frequently copied, on the occasion of a fancy -dress-ball, by Parisian ladies of the loftiest rank, with all its -adjuncts of rich colour and spotless lace; the ear-rings and cross of -yellow gold, the silver rings, trim slippers, and coquettish headgear -of these French mermaidens; no doubt lends a piquancy to their beauty -which might otherwise be lacking. Sometimes an exceptionally lovely -fisher-girl may be tempted by a brilliant proposal of marriage, and -leaves her clan to become a viscountess, or it may be a marchioness, -for mercenary marriages are not universal in France. But such -incongruous unions seldom end very happily; for the mermaiden is, alas! -entirely uneducated, and proves at best too rough a diamond to appear -to advantage in a golden setting. - - - - -EMERGENCIES. - - -Accidents of various kinds are continually occurring in which the -spectator is suddenly called upon to do his best to save life or -relieve suffering without the aid of skilled advice or scientific -appliances. A body has been drawn from the water in an insensible -condition, and thus far a rescue has been effected; but the scene may -be more or less distant, not only from the residence of the nearest -doctor, but from any house; and unless the by-stander is able to apply -prompt means to restore respiration and warmth, a life may yet be lost. -Again, a lady's dress is in flames, or it may be fire has broken out in -a bedroom--accidents which, if immediate steps be not taken, may end -fatally to life and property, long before the arrival of the physician -or fire-brigade. One's own life too may be placed in such instant -jeopardy that it can only be preserved by active and intelligent -exertions on our own part. Situations of this kind attend the sailor, -soldier, and traveller as 'permanent risks;' while in the city or -field, and even in the security of home, dangers of different kinds -confront us which are best described by the word emergencies. - -The pressing question in any emergency is of course, 'What is to be -done?' Unhappily, the answer is not always at hand. We are often -altogether unprepared to act, or we act in such a way as only to -increase the danger. The most humane onlooker in a case of partial -drowning may at the same time be the most helpless. While in any of the -frequent casualties to children--such as choking, scalding, &c.--the -tenderest mother may but contribute to the calamity, either by the use -of wrong means or the inability to apply right ones. How common this -is in respect of many kinds of accidents, and how many of those cases -returned 'fatal' might have had a happier issue had the spectator but -known 'what to do.' - -The terse advice supposed to meet every species of emergency is to -'keep cool.' We admit its force, and agree that it cannot be too -frequently insisted upon. Without presence of mind, neither the zeal -of self-interest nor the solicitude of affection itself can act with -effect. In some instances even, special skill and knowledge may be -paralysed by an access of nervousness and its consequent confusion -of mind. Again there occur many grave situations in which tact and -self-possession are all that are necessary to avert serious calamity. -The following anecdote illustrative of this went the round of the -newspapers shortly after the disastrous fire in Brooklyn Theatre. Some -stage-properties suddenly took fire during a performance before a -crowded audience at a certain European theatre. The usual panic ensued. -A well-known actor aware that the danger was not serious, and dreading -the result of a sudden rush from the house, coolly stepped in front of -the curtain, and in calm tones announced that his Majesty the Emperor, -who then occupied the imperial box, had been robbed of some valuable -jewels, and that any one attempting to leave the theatre would be -immediately arrested. The threat would of itself have been useless, but -the fact and manner of its delivery conveyed an assurance of safety to -the excited people which no direct appeal to their reason could have -done. They resumed their places; the fire was subdued; and not till -next day did they learn the _real_ peril they had escaped by the timely -ruse of the great actor. How terrible a contrast that unhappy and -unchecked panic which led to the loss of life at Brooklyn! - -The effects of panic and confusion have sometimes their amusing side. -We have seen ordinarily sane people casting crockery and other brittle -ware into the street from a height of several stories--_to save it from -fire_; and there occurs a passage in one of Hood's witty ballads which -seems to prove the incident by no means a rare one: - - Only see how she throws out her _chaney_, - Her basins and tea-pots and all; - The most brittle of _her_ goods--or any; - But they all break in breaking their fall. - -But while a jest may be pardonable in such a case, this losing one's -head too often takes place in circumstances involving loss of life or -property. An excited pitying crowd, for example, is gathered round a -person struck in the street with apoplexy. An alarm has been given, -and a curious gaping group has come to witness a case of suicide by -hanging. A concourse of people stand before a house from which issue -the first symptoms of a fire. In such cases the spectators are usually -nerveless and purposeless: the danger to life or property is in the -exact ratio of the number of onlookers. How curious and instructive to -note the change which comes over the scene on the arrival of a single -sensible and self-possessed person. One of the idle sympathisers of -the apoplectic patient suddenly frees the neck and chest; a second -goes sanely in search of temporary appliances; a third runs zealously -for a doctor, and the remainder go about their business. One stroke -of a knife and the would-be suicide has been placed in the hands of a -few of the more intelligent by-standers for resuscitation. The precise -locality of the fire has been reached, and the fire either extinguished -promptly with the means at hand, or kept under until the arrival of the -fire-engines which have been at once sent for. - -Now, what is the real source of this exceptional self-possession--so -all-important in an emergency? Is it not, after all, the quiet -confidence begot of knowing what is best and proper to be done under -given circumstances? It is quite true, no doubt, that presence of mind -is a moral quality more or less independent of technical knowledge, -but in a plain practical way it is directly _its result_. To become -familiar with difficulties is to divest them of their character as -such, and to enable us to act with all the coolness and precision -exercised in ordinary events. To a surgeon, an accident is a 'case,' -not an 'emergency;' while even an abstract knowledge of 'what to do' -arms the mind of the non-professional against excitement or confusion. -The possession of one little fact, the recollection of some read or -heard of device or remedy, is often, sufficient to steady the mind and -enable it to act effectively. How frequently some half-forgotten item -of surgical knowledge, some stray prescription, or some plan casually -recommended ever so long ago, is the means, here and there, of eluding -the fatal possibilities of an emergency. - -There is really little excuse for ignorance of the means and methods -required to meet ordinary cases, seeing that information in abundance -is to be had at trifling cost and with little trouble. There are -surgical and medical works, published at almost nominal prices, the -expressed aim of which is to instruct the public what steps to take in -most kinds of accidents, in the absence of professional assistance. -There are works also which, treating mainly of household matters, -contain valuable hints to parents and others on the subject of -accidents to children, as also of fires to person and property; while -here and there in our serial literature may be found useful advice on -such special kinds of emergencies as the bolting of horses, capsizing -of boats, bites by poisonous snakes, &c. But above all, to those who -care to remember what they read, the columns of the daily newspapers -afford much sound instruction in every species of untoward event. In -spite, however, of the ease with which people might inform themselves, -and in spite of frequently bitter experience, there is a very general -apathy regarding such matters. In upper and middle class families, a -certain amount of interest is no doubt evinced, and books of reference -are found in their libraries; but the practical importance of knowing -their contents, and so forearming against contingencies, is by no means -widely recognised. It is scarcely surprising then to find the masses so -indifferent, and as a consequence so helpless to assist themselves or -each other in any unusual situation. - -The idea of giving the subject some place in the common school course -is one, we think, worthy of consideration. Physical education receives -a fair share of encouragement in the higher class of schools; and some -of the exercises enjoined, such as running, climbing, swimming, and -rowing, are direct provisions against accidents by field or water; -while all of them, by giving a degree of confidence to the mind, are -of the greatest value as a training to meet emergencies generally. -Physiology too is gradually making good its claim to the attention of -teachers; and the instruction in Domestic Economy prescribed for girls -comprises hints how to act in what may be called household emergencies. -All this is very satisfactory; and were some pains taken in addition to -point out to pupils of both sexes the commoner dangers by which life is -beset, and were they told in a plain practical way how these are best -averted, we believe the case would be very fairly met. To the skilled -teacher, a short series of lessons of this kind would not necessarily -be any great tax upon his time, but would rather form one of the most -interesting of those 'asides' to which he properly resorts as an -occasional relief to the tedium of school-routine. - -To children of a larger growth, we can only repeat that the means of -informing themselves are not beyond reach. There are, of course, now -and then such combinations of circumstances as no knowledge or training -can provide for, just as there are many accidents which no human -foresight can prevent. Leaving these out of the question, however, -few of us pass through life without having at one time or other to -exercise our intelligence and knowledge to preserve either our own life -or property, or the life or property of others in circumstances where -these may be exercised successfully. Our interest and duty alike enjoin -us to take reasonable pains to forearm ourselves, and the neglect to do -so is clearly culpable. But we may have occasion by and by to present -our readers with a few practical hints on the subject of 'What to do in -Emergencies.' - - - - -THE TRADE IN ARTIFICIAL EYES. - - -On this subject, the _New York Sun_ gives some amusing particulars: -'Between eight and ten thousand eyes are sold annually in the United -States. An eye-maker gives one in one hundred and twenty-five as the -proportion of one-eyed people. Computing the population of the country -at forty-two millions, this rate gives three hundred and thirty-six -thousand as the number of persons with only one eye in the Republic. -Consequently, while ten thousand people supply their optical deficiency -with an artificial eye, two hundred and twenty-six thousand go without. -In proportion to the population, the eye-maker said, there are more -one-eyed people in Paterson, New Jersey, than any other town in this or -any other country. All towns that have many foundries and factories, -and whose air is impregnated with soot and smoke, count their one-eyed -inhabitants by the score; but Paterson is ahead of the rest. The -eye-maker knew of the three proprietors of a single foundry there each -losing an eye. Pittsburg comes next. In this city one-eyed folks abound -in the neighbourhood of manufacturing establishments. Once he had four -patients from near a foundry in West Eleventh Street alone. Not only -the foul atmosphere destroys the sight, but flying pieces of metal burn -out the eyes of the workmen. An importer who sells one thousand five -hundred eyes annually sends one-third to Canada; Chicago takes three -hundred; and Cincinnati more than St Louis. New Orleans, Nashville, -and other towns west and south buy the remainder. The colour for eyes -most in demand is what is known as "Irish blue," a peculiarly light -azure that predominates in Ireland. The average cost of an eye is ten -dollars. He sells comparatively few eyes in this city, as New Yorkers -prefer to have their eyes made to order.' - - - - -A NOBLE OCCUPATION. - - -A newspaper records as follows: 'The Duke of Hamilton left Hamilton -Palace for the south yesterday. During his stay of six days he shot -373½ brace of grouse, 4 brace of black-game, 4 hares, and 2 snipes.' -This makes a slaughter of seven hundred and sixty-one animals in six -days, or at an average upwards of a hundred and twenty-six per diem. -Hard work! - - * * * * * - -Printed and Published by W. & R. 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