cliffe, then Mr. Stuart Wortley, and thus Mr. Peel followed on the same side. And how in the name of conscience, and by whom, was this reasoning met and opposed? Not by argument, nor by shewing, that the present system was not a despicably bad one, or that no better could be thought of. No, the objectors contented themselves by dark and mysterious threats of a depopulated country, gloomy hints, that the whole of the ramrod aristocracy must be driven from their estates under any other system than the present. This leading argument was followed by a host of corresponding embellishments. Harassed and opposed, the measure dragged through some of its stages, and was at last lost, we believe, with the consent of the promoters, who saw, that with such alterations as it had undergone, with so many obstructions to impede its operation, the bill in its then condition would only operate as a bar to future amendment. It was well worth observing on the occasion, that all admitted the enormous evils at present existing, and that no one dared to hint at further severity. Even Mr. Baukes, that great apostle of game pains and penalties, seemed not to wish for any other sessional sport, than that of transporting the Dorsetshire poachers.

We hear loud talking sometimes about libelling the upper classes, about demagogues and levellers attempting to bring their natural superiors into discredit and bad odor-but commend us to any libel that can come up to that which they pronounce on themselves. After the cares of parliaments and operas (which cannot last for ever), they return to their patrimonial estates, and live in princely splendor and independence on their own domains. We have always misunderstood the matter. We, in our simplicity, thought, that gentlemen living in the mansions of their ancestors, was one result of a manly and justifiable pride-that they intended to shed light and civilization among their natural dependents, by the influence of their superior refinement and cultivation-that they loved to perform the duties of active and enlightened magistrates-to superintend the comforts and condition of the poor-to take the abuse of power out of the hands of underlings by personal supervision-all these, and many other good things, we had thought of our country gentlemen.

Sir John Shelley, however, positively assures us to the contrary, it is no such thing, an ignorant and cockney delusion; it is game, and the present condition of game laws too, which is the only attraction. Take away this charm, and adieu to your noble and patriotic Squirarchy. Then would arise the lank grass in the court yards, and the owl looking out of the window!

But who ever wanted to abridge the power of the landowners over their game? They would have the same rights, with a much greater certainty of securing them. The owners of small estates, or those who resided away from their property, would very cheerfully avail themselves of the advantage of turning to account the game, which to them at present is worse than useless. But no one need sell his game that did not like it. May not every gentleman, if his taste leads him that way, keep deer in any number to hunt? and how

does it interfere with his amusement, that his neighbour sends the best of his bucks to Mr. Birch the pastry cook, with whom he has opened a profitable account? May not he dally his fly in his own trout stream, without vexing his imagination, whether trout be ten pence or a shilling a pound at the next market? It is not only no abridgment of right to legalize the sale of game, but is obviously the most effectual means of securing the pleasure to those who take pleasure in hunting, and slaying their own feathered tenantry.

Does any body believe that when a regular and allowed traffic was once opened for game, that the poacher would stand any chance of a remunerating market? No respectable victualler buys stolen goods if he knows the fact; and no respectable man, although in bondage to his succus gastricus, would eat it under any such idea. Both now do it, do it openly and advisedly, and yet not one owner of a percussion lock can be made to see, that it would be going to the root of the matter, to take away the plea for this. It is not cheapness, not a shilling or sixpence a head, that is looked to by those who eat illicitly gotten game. Have it they must and will; get game honestly if you can, if not, get it. Under a better system of things, under a system which allowed it to be legally procured, where is the man who now eats poached game with serenity, who would then dare to do it?

This measure, that of legalizing the sale of game under proper restrictions, seems to us the only proposal at all applicable, as a remedy for the present aggravated evils of the system. United with a repeal of the transportation clause, which is the sole cause of these deadly fights, we have no doubt the country would be freed in a very great degree from the present pest. Both may be effected with perfect security for the sports of gentlemen, who have a passion for such amusements; it would at once annihilate the great temptation to poaching, by taking away the best, and, in short, the only market. We hope Parliament, now about to meet, will take up this matter in a proper spirit; and that the really independent members, who value the happiness of the people more than the vanities of wild fowl, and who form the great majority, will not retire without doing something, and something effectual. We wish not to see the pastimes of any abridged; at the same time it must be allowed, viewing the matter in a national and patriotic light, that sooner than suffer the present state of things to continue, it would be better that the whole race of hares, partridges, and pheasants, their slaughterers, with their keepers, dogs, and double-barrelled Mantons, should be a thousand fathoms below the surges of the Atlantic.

Contributions by distinguished Contemporaries.

No. II.

MISS L -N.

Yes I remember when it met my eye;
And have no worse pang than that memory,
And I remember who was by my side
With eye of falcon gaze, and brow of pride;
But that so haughty brow was then subdued
To gentleness, unlike its wonted mood;

And that keen eye was softening with a look,
Which from lover's gentlest thoughts its lesson took.
I dream'd I was belov'd; and that the power
Of lasting happiness embalm'd the hour:
And I am now awake-to know the truth,
The wreck Hope's flatteries can make of youth;
To feel that Love but lends the soul his breath

Of burning life, to give a fiery death

To its earth form'd companion, whose young bloom
And hues and fragrance in the blaze consume.

I looked on the calm and sunbright sea,

And asked of its stillness: "Is peace with thee?"
I paused awhile, and'the fierce reply,
In the storm-raised billow met my eye.

I saw a sweet cheek with a blush of rose;
It bloomed like a bower for Health's repose;
But the hollow eye told with its fearful shining,
Of the secret home that Death was mining.

Gentle words on the silence fell;

Seemed Love with his breath the sounds to swell;
But the hand was raised of him that spoke,

And the sword it grasped sunk with Hate's wild stroke.

A fair girl stood in the mirthful dance;

There were gems on her arm as bright as her glance;
She bent as to count them; they grew less bright;
The tears she was shedding had dimmed their light.

And is it not thus with our gayest dreaming?

Earth has nothing of beauty, and joy, but their seeming;
They are but pictures that Hope and Love

Paint by the light of their homes above.

I have taught my lyre's murmurings
A mournful music to awake,

My woman's heart has shown the strings
How to swell with their love and break.

There was a time I wept to see

How quickly the flowers can decay,
If I wept now, my tears would be

That love can quicker fade than they.

O give to love a lasting home,

And bind him there with chains less strong,
Yet should he from your bosom roam,
You'll always find him in my song.

I well remember when I saw it first,
'Twas in a giddy moment of brief joy,
And hope as brief--he linger'd by my side,
And his eye dwelt on my averted face;
As if he took fond pleasure in the gaze

That my eye shunn'd, while my heart sprang to meet;
And when his whisper thrill'd upon mine ear,
I started 'twas the copy of my thought,
And I shrunk from him, fearing his next words
Might be the perfect image of my soul.

Πάντα γέλως, και πάντα κόνις,---και πάντα τὸ μηδέν !!!

Αδηλ.

but

Bath, York House, Dec. 1826.

I am aware, my dear coz, that by this time you must consider me unkind and neglectful for my persevering silence. But you will abate, I hope, a little of your harshness, when you remember my innate antipathy to epistolary writing. "I love not you the less; -pooh! I was commencing a parody, where you would think the attempt almost sacrilegious: I mean, that my silence is not an intentional neglect. I am now seated before my writing desk, purposing to write you a history of myself for the last year. I know you are an imaginative being; so I will just give you a picture. Fancy me, then, in a large, handsome apartment, at the end of a

polished mahogany table some yards in length. By the fire-place a grey-haired black leg is "framing wild fancies" among the glowing coals, and bending over a stick with his crossed hands pressed on its golden nob. It is about two o'clock; day somewhat misty. There is a continual rattle of wheels before the windows; and the mingled voices of parting and meeting friends, of coachmen, patrician jehus, porters, and all the et cætera, are rather tiresome to the ear. However, I will endeavour to sit calmly to the table (although I am on the look for the Misses B. of the Royal Crescent), and deliver you an honest and goodly epistle.

Of course, you perfectly recollect the afternoon on which it was decided that I should be sent to wander awhile through the country. The accidental pressure of my shoe on my grandfather's gouty toes, occasioned words; words begat more words; and more words brought forth a quarrel. Well! I will say, that I have felt a little penitence for my unruly disposition; and on my return, I shall endeavour to pacify all parties. You can just hint this to certain persons. Previous to going to Bath, I passed a few weeks in Brighton. The season was too early for the full display of fashionable visitants; but the place itself was as charming as ever. There is a sumptuous magnificence in some of the squares and crescents of Brighton: lofty, richly varied with spacious windows, ornamented by bowery virandaux; and being built on an elegant plan, they are sure to attract the eyes of strangers. The theatre will not be insulted by my silence as regards its merits. The circulating libraries of Brighton are numerous; many of them very extensive. But the summum bonum of all connected with Brighton, is its sea view from the Steyne: it excels in its spaciousness that of Weymouth and Southampton. At this moment, I remember no watering place that presents so beautiful a view of the sea. Often, my dear coz, have I wished for your amiable society, as I have paraded the pebbly shore on the morning, bathed my brow in the breezes, and drank in their freshness. Here is a sight that will indeed suggest" sublime speculations;"-although there are few, perhaps, who, like Barry Cornwall, will be able to hear the WHITE MUSIC of the sea, or fancy its rolling billows to arise from the wriggling of that " serpent of old." You seldom see any vessel here; there being no convenient harbour. But the fishermen's boats dance merrily along the frothing waters, like "things of life;" the bathing machines crowd the strand; and if you WILL be so intruding, you may catch a glimpse of many a fair female foot dipping its alabaster into the sea on a seasonable morning. Sometimes I stood on the delvy rocks that beetle over the strand, and gazed, till I really fell in love with the scene around me. When the wind is rather tempestuous, the sea foam is borne over the roof of the neighbouring houses, and scattered over the streets. But, I must leave Brighton, and conduct you again to my present residence in Bath.

The Bathonians may justly be proud of the antiquity of their city. The reality and eminence of its ancient king, Bladud, may be