A SUBALTERN IN AMERICA. FROM a series of interesting articles arranged under the above title in Blackwood's Magazine, for this month, we copy the following account of the species of feeling which animates the individuals who compose the advanced companies of an army of reserve. The Subaltern observes, that they began their march early in the morning; were in excellent spirits, and that both officers and privates seemed to catch additional energy, from the recollection that there was nothing friendly in front of them.

Charlton's company, that to which I was attached, consisted of a captain, two subalterns, three sergeants, and fifty rank and file. It was thus distributed :Along the high road moved first of all two files of men and a sergeant, one file about twenty paces ahead of the other. Parallel with the most forward file, twenty men spread themselves, by pairs, or files, each pair or file keeping about ten paces apart from the others, on each side of the way; by which means the woods or fields were swept on both flanks to the extent of two hundred paces. In rear of the last of the two files, but full twenty paces behind, moved the remainder of the company. About twenty paces, again, behind that small section, the two remain ing companies advanced, coming on in compact array, unless, indeed, some alarm chanced to be given, when they, too, instantly extended through the fields. Thus our movement resembled rather that of sportsmen, when, in large bodies, they surround a wood or draw a preserve, than that of soldiers, at least soldiers upon a parade; and perhaps, if the truth be spoken, our feelings were as much akin to those of the first named class of persons as to those of the last. For myself, I freely confess, that I brushed through the underwood, and traversed the enclosures, more in the spirit of one beating for game than looking out for opponents; and if

any judgment may be formed from the merry chat and rude repartees of those about, a similar spirit animated the men.

ductive of much merriment and very con But though our occupation was prosiderable excitement, it must be confessed, that the fatigue which accompanied it began, before many hours had expired, to counterbalance in no slight degree both the one and the other of these advantages. The woods, be it remembered, were thick and tangled, and the grass that grew under the taller trees seldom reached lower than our hips, and often passed our middles. Besides, no enemy appeared to interrupt our progress; and there was a sameness in searching continually to no purpose, and in expecting for ever, without having the expectation gratified. Under these circumstances, we were by no means displeased, when, towards noon, our bugles sounded the halt. At this particular moment, I and my section were extended on the right of the road, and occupied part of a wood, which presented every appearance of having continued unmolested since the days of Noah. But as the blast did not call us in, we were at no loss to discover that the halt was merely temporary, and that the ground of encampment for the night could not yet be in view. We lay down, however, where we were, well pleased that an opportunity of resting our weary limbs was afforded, and, unbuckling our haversacks, addressed ourselves with extreme good will to the remnants of such provisions as could still be found there.

It chanced that in scouring these forests, we had put up, among other animals, a leveret, which a poodle dog, the property of my friend Charlton, chased and caught. The reader will easily believe that poor puss was not a little baffled and confused by the shouts and cries with which our men animated the pursuer, and that nothing like fair play was granted to her in her efforts to escape. Taking advantage of this pause, a few of the sol diers set to work, skinned and cut up the hare, lighted a fire, and were preparing to dress it, when a circumstance occurred, which in an instant called off our attention to other and more important matters. "What is that ?" said a corporal, who stood beside me, whilst I was watching the progress of dissecting the leveret. "Do you not see something, sir, moving through those bushes to the right?" looked instantly in the direction towards which the soldier pointed, and beheld plainly enough a flash, like that which the sudden falling of a sunbeam on bright arms produces. There was no room to doubt from what source that flash pro

ceeded. My bugle sounded the alarm, the men stood to their arms, and we dashed forward to the copse. It was as I anticipated. A body of the enemy, perhaps a hundred and fifty in number, were there. Perceiving by our movement that they were discovered, they instantly opened their fire, and a very pretty and interesting skirmish began. It was not, however, of long continuance. We rushed on, the men firing as an opportunity offered, and covering themselves all the while, as they easily might, by the trees; whilst the Americans, not waiting for our approach, retreated with all haste through a country manifestly well known to them, and were beyond our reach in ten minutes. In this trifling affair not a single British soldier was scratched, whilst of the enemy, but one solitary dead body was discovered. Trifling as the skirmish was, it served, as the sound of the bugles in all directions told us, to put the whole army on the alert. Advance was again the order of the day, and advance we did, in higher spirits and better humour than had distinguished us from the beginning. The enemy, we trusted, would sooner or later hazard a battle; and as he had begun the system of disputing his territories with us, we doubted not that he would henceforth act up to it. But the prospect of being every moment hurried into action, even though it be accompanied in the bravest heart with sensations-not perhaps of alarm, but of something remotely akin to it,-is, upon the whole, to a soldier in full march, and surrounded by gallant comrades, one of the most animating and exquisite sensations of which human nature is susceptible. It is not then with him, as it is in the stillness of his tent or bivouac, when he knows that to-morrow's sun must light him to a field of carnage and death. Then, indeed, there is time to think; and no man can think of an impending dissolution, without at least a degree of seriousness which no other thought is capable of producing. But when he is scouring the woods, or advancing through fields and enclosures, -his men all about him, and eager and animated, like huntsmen about a foxcover, the officer must be phlegmatic indeed, whose energies are not wrought up to a degree of enthusiasm which causes all apprehension of personal risk to be forgotten, and directs his whole thoughts into one channel-namely, how he is most successfully to discharge his duty when the moment of trial shall arrive. I am not one of those who, writing in my own study, pretend to say, that I should prefer a bloody battle to a snug dinner with my friends, and a social glass of wine after

it; but I confess, that during the remainder of our progress, one wish, and one only, rose into my mind; and that was, that the Americans would afford me an opportunity, with the twenty brave men whom I commanded, to make what impression I could upon any of their ambuscades, however numerous, or however judiciously disposed.

All my eager aspirations after renown were, however, doomed to suffer disappointment. The Americans would not make a stand. We saw them, indeed, again, just as we reached the skirt of the forest, and, falling in once more with the river, wheeled up towards the open country around Nottingham; but it was in full flight, and already at the farther extremity of the town. We saw, likewise, that a few of our mounted officers, Colonel Thornton, Major Brown, and, if I mistake not, the General himself, attempted, in the most dashing and gallant style, to charge their rear, and cut off their stragglers; but the charge of three or four horsemen was easily repulsed, and the stragglers, striking off towards the plantations on either flank, were soon safe from farther molestation. Somewhat vexed that they should have thus escaped us, we were accordingly obliged to halt, where we had been ordered to halt, in the village; and here the rest of the army joining us, dispositions were made to pass the night. The picquets were planted without delay; the different brigades took up their respective grounds; and Charlton, Williams, and I, not a little weary with our excursion, ensconced ourselves under the shade of a large barn, plentifully stored with tobacco.

The reader must be already well aware, that if the purport of the present debarkation really was to seize Commodore Barny's flotilla of gunboats, it completely failed of success. The boats were all gone. They set sail, as one of the few remaining inhabitants informed us, at an early hour this morning, and were now many miles nearer to the source of the Patuxent than we. But this circumstance, whatever effect it might have upon the minds of those at the head of the affairs, was the cause of no annoyance whatever to us. We were, on the whole, very well pleased with all which had yet befallen

us.

We were particularly satisfied in finding ourselves so snugly housed for the night; and it added not a little to our gratification, when we discovered that our Portuguese servant had not been remiss in providing the requisites for a sumptuous evening repast. Turkeys and geese had by some chance or another flown into their hands as they proceeded; and these

they now made ready, for their own, and their masters' suppers. And then, with respect to tobacco, that principal delicacy of soldiers upon active service, there was no reasonable cause either for scarcity or complaint. The house which sheltered us was full of it; and though the broad arrow had been impressed upon the doors, we scrupled not to appropriate to our own use, not only as much as we required at the moment, but a stock sufficient, as we guessed, to supply our wants for several days to come. To sum up all, the quarter-master arriving soon after the halt, with stores of bread and rum, an additional allowance of both was served out, as well to the men as to the officers. On the whole, therefore, a thousand situations may be conceived many degrees less enviable than ours; when, with a fire blazing before us, and the remains of our supper taken away, we reclined, pipe in hand, and drinking-cup hard by, within the porch of the hospitable barn, chatting over the occurrences of the morning, and calculating what might be the issue of to-morrow's operations.

The Selector,

AND

LITERARY NOTICES OF

NEW WORKS.

ARWED GYLLENSTERNA'S IN

TERVIEW WITH CHARLES XII. THEY proceeded in silence towards the royal apartment, the door of which was hastily thrown open, and discovered to Arwed's anxious eyes the sovereign he so much admired. He was standing before a table, upon which lay an open Bible, surrounded with heaps of papers, maps of Norway, and innumerable military plans; and from the excessive simplicity of his dress, a superficial observer might easily have mistaken him for a subaltern officer. He had on a plain blue surtout, ornamented only with large flat buttons, and surmounted by a wide leathern belt, to which his sword was suspended; this, with a pair of military boots, completed his attire. His uncombed hair strayed in thin locks over his forehead; yet, notwithstanding these disadvantages, his tall and stately figure, commanding countenance, and intelligent blue eyes, formed a tout-ensemble so indescribably majestic, that Arwed had no difficulty in recognising him as the king, although there were two other princes in the presence-chamber covered with orders, embroidery, and ribbons. Charles was pointing with his

finger to the map before him, and wasex. claiming at that moment, in a tone of vexation, "We ought to have gained more ground by this time, for the trenches were opened on the 4th !"-" Most un doubtedly,” replied Arwed's companion; "and this ill-timed tardiness might well give rise to a suspicion, that the inspecting officer either would not or could not advance the works. But Colonel Megnet understands his profession, to say the worst of him."-"I understand you, Ducker," said Charles, haughtily; "but remember in future never to speak ill of others in the presence of your king." Ducker drew back in evident mortification, while the elder prince gazed on him with a scornful smile, and the younger fixed his eyes on Arwed with an inquiring stare, which the young soldier felt little inclined to endure. The king, following the direction of his nephew's eyes, now for the first time perceived Arwed, and approaching a few steps nearer, inquired, with some degree of hesitation, who he was. "I am a Swedish nobleman-Gyllensterna by name," answered Arwed," and am come to serve my noviciate in arms under your majesty."-"Are you a Count Gyl. lensterna ?" inquired Charles, as he leant on his gigantic sword. Arwed answered in the affirmative; and the king, turning towards the elder prince, remarked, with a bitter smile, that the father was a determined supporter of the hat faction.and loyalty both towards his king and "Notwithstanding which he is full of zeal country," cried Arwed, "which the actions of his son shall prove, if your ma jesty will but give him the opportunity." "I am now going to storm the Danish king, smiling graciously," and you shal intrenchments at Guldenlowe," said the fight near me." 66 majesty !" exclaimed Arwed, with unMay God reward your controllable delight, as he stooped to kiss back, to avoid a species of homage he the king's hand. Charles hastily drew

disliked.

At that moment Siquier entered the apartment, to inform the king that every thing was in readiness for the Frenchman; his figure was tall and spare, projected attack. The general was a and his intelligent countenance bore traces king drew on his military gloves, and of worldliness and baleful passions. The ejaculated, "God be with us!" while Ducker observed, in a whisper, to the lost on the occasion. young duke, that many lives would be who overheard the remark, replied, careGeneral Siquier, lessly, "A great French general, under fore battle, If God will but remain neuwhom I formerly served, used to say ter to-day, we will thrash the gentlemen

6

be

well.'" Indignant at the irreverent speech, Charles, who was already at the door, turned round, and answered contemptuously," It was spoken like a great fool, and not like a great general." Mortified by the unexpected rebuke, Siquier followed in silence the king and his attendants.-Arwed Gyllensterna; a Tale of the Early Part of the Eighteenth Century.

A RUSSIAN CARRIAGE.

AT four o'clock in the afternoon, my new equipage came to the door, driven by a Kalmuck Tartar. The vehicle was an open four-wheeled carriage, without springs, called an arba. It was five feet five inches long three feet broad, and perhaps three deep, resembling a beerbarrel sawed in half. To this wretched conveyance were attached three halfstarved ponies abreast. The collars were of wood, and the reins and traces of rope. Over the collar of the centre horse were suspended three bells. Not a moment was lost in packing the baggage; a little straw was placed at the bottom, the mattress was spread on it, and the clothesbags served as pillows. We were no sooner seated, than off we went, full gallop. to the jingling of the bells; our party consisting of a master, a Christian; the valet, a Jew; and the coachman, a worshipper of the Grand Lama.-Captain Keppel's Travels.

There are two ways of managing the bergamot. Purchase at the perfumers' some of the perfumed pieces of wood, which they call bergamot fruit. Keep one such piece in your cannister, and it will flavour the tea in the same way as a tonquin bean flavours snuff. If the cannister be a small one, the flavour perhaps would be too strong; in that case you may chip the bergamot fruit in pieces, and put only a little bit among your tea. Or procure a small phial of the oil of bergamot; take some of the smallest of your tea, and add to it a few drops of the oil, till you form a sort of paste, which is to be carefully mixed with the whole tea, in proportion to its quantity, and the degree of flavour you like best. If you make the flavour too strong, you have always an easy remedy, namely, by adding more unflavoured tea. When it is thus improved, it is often sold at eighteen shillings, and a guinea a-pound. Cowslip tea has been as high as thirty-two shillings.-Scott's House Book.

RECIPE FOR THE HOOPING-COUGH.

TEN grains of scruple of tartar, ten ditto of cochineal, and a quarter of a pound of loaf sugar. Simmer the above in a pint of spring water till it is reduced to half a pint. Spread some old deer's fat on a piece of brown paper, apply it to the pit of the stomach, and give a dessert spoonful of the above whenever the cough is

TO RENDER TEA AT FIVE SHILLINGS A POUND, EQUAL то TEA AT TWELVE SHILLINGS!

THE cheapest and most expensive teas are all the leaves of the same tree, at least they should be so, and if there were no sloe-leaves nor privit leaves, they would be so. The high flavour, therefore, of some of the sorts of tea, and the want of flavour in others, must arise from the manner of preparing them, and must be in some measure artificial. It follows, that if we can discover any fineflavoured substance, and add it to the tea in a proper manner, so as to make it agree and harmonize with the original flavour, we shall be able to improve lowpriced and flavourless tea, into a highpriced article of fine flavour. The flavouring substance found to agree best with the original flavour of tea, is the oil of bergamot; by the proper management of which, you may produce from the cheapest teas, the finest flavoured

A CURE FOR THE CHOLERA MORBUS. LAUDANUM, one ounce and a half; vitriolic spirits of æther, half an ounce; aromatic spirits of hartshorn, half an ounce ; compound spirits of lavender, half an ounce; tincture of columbo, three ounces; Mix all peppermint-water, ten ounces.

well together, and give two table-spoonsful at first, and one table-spoonful every half-hour afterwards, if the symptoms are urgent, or every hour if they are moderate.

ANOTHER REMEDY.

DISSOLVE two grains of opium in a teaspoonful of brandy; add twelve drops of oil of peppermint, and one table-spoonful of water. Give ten grains of calomel, and wash it down with the above.

To allay thirst, which occasionally attends this disease, prepare a bottle of aniseed-water, and when cold give it as a drink.

LEMON MINCE PIES.

B.

till tender enough to beat to a mass; add to it three large apples chopped, and four ounces of suet, half a pound of currants, and four ounces of sugar; put the juice of the lemon and candied fruits as for other pies. Make short crust, and fill the patty-pans as usual.

The Gatherer.

"m but a Gatherer and disposer cf other men's stuff."-Wotton.

SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN. DURING the building of St. Paul's church, a country carpenter applied to the overseer of the workmen for employment as a carver. The overseer smiled at the man's temerity, hearing he had never worked in London. It was observed by Sir Christopher who was present, who calling the man to him, asked him what he had chiefly worked at in the country. Pig troughs, &c. was his answer, "Well then, (says Sir Christopher) let us see a specimen of your workmanship in a sow and pigs." The man returned in a few days, having performed his part with such exquisite skill that he was immediately employed, and, in fine, executed some of the most difficult parts in the cathedral.

TAKING TOLL.

A PERSON remarkable for riding a fine horse in a nobleman's hunt, excited his lordship to inquire who he was, when being informed he was a miller, and rented a mill of his lordship, he desired his steward to raise his rent, urging, if he could afford to ride such a horse, he must have a good bargain of the mill. The miller however rode as usual, when the nobleman inquired of his steward if he had obeyed his orders, on being answered in the affirmative, he told him to double his rent; still the miller hunted, when some accidental circumstance brought the parties in conversation. His lordship mentioned he was informed he rented a mill of him, and believed his steward had raised his rent twice lately. "Yes, and please your lordship, pretty handsomely." Well, and can you afford to pay so much ?" "O yes, my lord, it makes no odds to me, it is your tenants pay for it." "How so?" "Why when your steward first raised my rent, I took a little more toll from them, and when he doubled it, I did the same.' "Oh, if that's the case, (answered his lordship,) pray take the mill at the old rent."

66

AN ODD COMPARISON. AN eccentric old man was walking with a young friend who had recently met with a tender disappointment, and was using every endeavour to console him under his misfortune, or at least to rouse him from the despondency which it had thrown over his mind. All his efforts, however, failed of success; and the disconsolate lover walked by his side in dejected silence, neither amused by the bustle of the streets through which they passed, nor by the lively sallies of his companion. At length their progress was impeded by a crowd, through which they with difficulty made their The way. object of general attention was a poor boy, who was crying bitterly. He had, it appeared, been sent to bring a large tart from the baker's, but in crossing the street with imprudent haste, he had let the dish fall from his hand; and whilst he was bewailing his misfortune, the broken pieces of his dainty load were rapidly disappearing among the compassionate group around him. The old man looked on with an air of grave humour; then turning to his friend, said, with a half serious smile-" See Tom! this is precisely your case. Be warned, I entreat you by the example of this foolish boy, and keep your own counsel. Never let it be known that your heart has been broken by a faithless woman, or, depend upon it, you will have the whole sex gather round you, affecting to offer con. solation, but, in reality, only trying they cannot pick up some of the frag

ments."