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LIFE OF FRENCH MILITARY

OFFICERS.

I KNOW not, from my soul, how the officers of a French regiment contrive to kill time. They are no Mortinets, and discipline hangs as loose on them as do their uniforms. Drink they do not, and few of them know half as well as our subal

terns the difference between plain Medoc and first-rate Lafitte. They have neither race-horses, game-cocks, nor bull-dogs, on which to stake a month's pay; and save dominos, or in superlative quarters, billiards, they have games neither of skill nor chance. They are either such good canaille, or else taken for granted to be so, that chateaus and society around, empty as are the first, and scant as is the latter, are quite preserved against their admittance. And how, in short, they do contrive to live, would be quite beyond the conception of many of our military dandies. They are, however, a grown and good-natured race of schoolboys, brethren, and comrades, in every sense of the word, without any of the cat-o'-nine-tails austerity of our field-officers, when addressing an inferior in rank. Then have they no vying in coxcombry or expense, in naught, in fact, save address at their weapon, and forwardness in the field. Historiettes, or Tales of Continental Life.

AN ARCTIC WINTER.

IT was now the middle of November; the weather was delightful, and had assumed that calm and settled appearance which it generally maintains throughout the winter. It is true the snow had deserted us, but how could I regret its loss, when I considered the singular beauty of the scene its disappearance had produced? The merchants, having little to do in the winter season, are not early risers; and at ten o'clock not a soul is visible, unless by chance some solitary individual, with his hands in his deep pockets, rubbing his eyes, and shrugging up his shoulders at being obliged to quit his warm featherbed, begins his daily task of visiting his shop and the different warehouses.

The

view from the small battery at Hammerfeet, whither I usually directed my steps before breakfast, was singularly interesting at that hour, from the extraordinary variety of the tints on the horizon, caused by the progress of the sun just beneath it, and the clear light of the moon in another quarter of the firmament. There are few who can withstand the exhilarating effects of a fine frosty morning; but how greatly is the beauty of winter heightened in high northern latitudes, where the sun creeps

below the horizon only to impart an air of calmness and solemnity to every thing, from the luxuriant richness of glow which overspreads the face of the heavens!

The smallest sounds are then audible at a considerable distance; and I used to hear distinctly all that was going forward on the opposite shore at Fugleness, which, during summer, made no impression on

the ear.

As winter advanced, all appearances of the former life and bustle of the

little settlement were lost. Even the Laplanders were less frequent in their visits; and every thing seemed lying torpid, to await the return of the sun. The turf on the battery, being the only level spot free from rocks, was generally much resorted to during summer; and the view it commanded enabled the merchants to look out for vessels, and discern the state of the weather. I now had it almost entirely to myself throughout the day. Sometimes I amused myself with my rifle, in firing at the large flocks of eider ducks, which became every day more fearless. Now and then, though very rarely, a solitary seal made its appearsingle guillemot, or awk ance in the bay; and I sometimes saw a

The cold during the remainder of my stay at Hammerfest was never great upon any occasion, and the thermometer seldom many degrees below the freezing point.

As soon as evening set in, a thousand dancing lights would now play mysteriously through the sky, as if intended by Providence to cheer the hours of darkness by their mild and beautiful coruscations. Sometimes the aurora would form a splendid arch across the heavens of pale lambent flame, running with inconceivable velocity, and resembling the spiral motions of a serpent, which the eye could clearly distinguish. Then it would suddenly disappear, and the veil of night be once more diffused around; when, as quick as the flash of a star, the immense ethereal space would be overspread with fire, assuming quite a different form, and covering the heavens with sheets of thin silvery light, wafted quickly along, like thin strata of cloud before the wind. Sometimes narrow streaks of flame would shoot with inconceivable velocity, traversing in a few seconds the immense concave of the heavens, and disappearing beneath the south-eastern horizon. Occasionally a broad mass of light would suddenly be seen in the zenith, which would descend towards the earth in the form of a beautiful continuous radiated circle, and in an instant vanish.

The northern lights are most frequent when the weather is calm; yet I never saw them more vivid than on one occa

sion, when there was a orisk wind from the south-east, which, though it directly met the aurora, that was running with great swiftness from the opposite quarter, did not appear in any way to affect its motions, these continuing in a narrow steady stream of light. The altitude of the aurora on this particular occasion seemed trifling, in appearance certainly not exceeding a quarter of a mile; the light it afforded, at the same time, being very considerable, and clearly illumining surrounding objects. I invariably observed that the aurora proceeded in the first instance from the north-west, and it generally disappeared in the south-east. During the opportunities 1 had of observing it while at Hammerfest, it constantly rose from the northern extremity of the island of Söroe, to which part of the horizon I was accustomed to direct my attention when I watched its appearance. This was generally that of faint irregular gleams of light, rising aloft behind the mountains, and at first frequently exhibiting an exact resemblance of the reflection of a distant fire. They generally mounted up toward the zenith, rarely keeping low in the horizon, and afterwards assuming an inconceivable variety of form and diversity of motion, of which it is too difficult for an inanimate description to convey an idea.—A Winter in Lapland.

THE SEY FISHERY.

IMMENSE Shoals of the sey, or coal-fish, having been seen in different parts of the straits chiefly about the island of Slojöen, I accompanied Mr. Ackermand and his boats for the purpose of fishing. The sey-fishery is one of the most lucrative branches of the Finmark trade, and is thus followed. A shoal having been found, to which the fishermen are easily directed by the cries of the sea-fowl hovering round, which may be heard at the distance of some miles, four boats with three men in each follow it, provided with a large square net. On approaching it, the direction in which it is moving is noticed; and rowing quickly a-head of it, the net is extended on the surface, and then let down to a certain depth, to enable the leaders of the shoal to pass with ease, and prevent their being alarmed, in which event the whole turn aside. When the nets, thus sunk, the boats row to a certain distance and lie to, as waiting the approach of the fish, they forming a complete square, each holding a long rope attached to the net. The approach of the shoal is a curious spectacle, as it extends itself frequently for a quarter of a mile, blackening the surface, and followed by

the gull tribe in numbers almost equalling their prey below. The loud deep notes of the larger fowl, joined with the shrill screams of the others, produce a very extraordinary and deafening concert. Part of these swim boldly among the fish, pecking at them; and when a small one shows itself, they strike upon it, and bear it aloft. Sometimes when on the wing they pounce suddenly upon a fish, the unexpected size of which so greatly exceeds their strength, that they are quickly compelled to let go their hold. When the shoal enters the square formed by the boats, nothing is to be seen but the heads and tails of the fish, which are forced out of the water by the great pressure of the shoal below. The capture is then pretty certain; and when the boatmen judge they are over the centre, the corner lines are quickly pulled in, and the net is drawn up. The quantity of fish sometimes taken in one haul is so great, that the whole of the boats are completely loaded, and 200 vogs (8,000 lbs.) weight are taken at one fishing. The weather should be perfectly calm and still, as, when there is any wind, the fishermen are prevented from ascertaining the direction of the sey; but when the surface is smooth, if the shoal should be suddenly alarmed, the direction it takes is readily discoverable from the transparency of the

water.

The quantity of fish is indeed almost incredible, five or six large shoals being often seen within a short distance. The time they remain at the surface is not long, suddenly descending, and reappearing in a few minutes in another direction, in pursuit of their food. In this manner they are brought continually to the surface, and enable the fishermen to avail themselves so favourably of it. The ad vantage of the sey-fishery may be conceived, when the Russians eagerly give in exchange a vog (40lbs.) of flour for five vogs of sey, in the state in which they are caught. They salt the fish themselves, and take them to the White Sea and the adjoining coasts.

The Finmarker, on the contrary, sets no value upon the sey-fish as an article of food, and never touches it except when no other fresh fish is to be had. The only part of the sey valuable to him is the liver, which is extremely rich in oil, and supplies him with a great part of what is annually exported from Finmark.

Ibid.

THE LAPLANDER AND BRUIN. IN attacking the larger animals, such as bears, the Laplander experiences consider

able difficulty and risk to himself, as it is recessary to make a very near approach to the animal, which, if not wounded in a mortal part, and at once disabled, turns immediately upon its antagonist. This, it may be conjectured, must frequently happen, the dependence being on a single ball, not much exceeding a good sized shot.

When this is the case, the animal turns to the place whence the smoke proceeds; and if the ground be favourable to his pursuit, easily overtakes his adversary, who has then little chance of escape, except there should be a tree near, under which he can take refuge, and puzzle the bear by dodging behind it. The skill and address necessary in the pursuit of the bear, and its comparative scarcity in Finmark, render the killing one of these animals the most honourable exploit a Laplander can perform; and it is a constant source of triumph to the successful adventurer. The Laplanders have besides exalted ideas of the sagacity and talents of the bear, and treat him in consequence with a kind respect and deference, which they do not pay to any other animal. It is a common saying among them, that the bear has twelve men's strength, and ten men's understanding; and their superstitious ideas lead them to suppose, that it perfectly comprehends their discourse. It is a frequent custom with them to speak to the beast, when about to attack it; and one instance of this occurred during the time I was at Alten, on the mountains above Knafional. A Laplander being in pursuit of wild rein-deer with his rifle, suddenly encountered a bear; and his piece missing fire, he addressed it, as Mr. Klerck related, in these words: "You rascal, you ought to be ashamed of attacking a single man ; stop an instant till I have reloaded my rifle, and I shall be again ready to meet you." The bear, however, which was a female, thought it prudent not to wait, and made an immediate retreat with two cubs which she had with her.-Ibid.

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much better than both of you together, all muscle and bone for ten guineas."

AN ignorant young spendthrift wishing to borrow some money as privately a possible, was startled at reading the beginning of the bond, "Be it known to all men," and declared his unwillingness to sign, as it must certainly come to his father's ears

EVERYBODY knows the peculiar form and texture of the wigs worn by the late lord Stanhope. He was a long time in getting a barber to make them to his liking, but at last succeeded. It happened, however, that at a time when his stock of these "elegant imitations of nature," was unusually low, the poor barber was taken so exceedingly ill tha his life was despaired of. His lordship immediately upon hearing of the danger of his favourite artist, sent a physician to attend him, and the first desire of the barber upon his recovery was, very naturally, to assure the noble lord of his gratitude for his unexpected act of benevolence. After a few words of condolence, his lordship asked the barber whether his funds were not exhausted by his long inability to attend to his business, and whether an order in the way of trade would not be serviceable to him. Receiving an answer in the affirmative, he ordered a score of wigs, and upon bringing them home, the wig-maker began to pour forth the grateful feelings of his heart for this new kindness, in addition to having saved his life, when his lordship interrupted him by putting down the money, and calmly telling him, "that he might now die and be d-d for aught he cared, as he had got wigs enough to last him all his life."

THE late lord chancellor, in one of his shooting excursions at Wareham, in Dorsetshire, unexpectedly came across a person who was sporting over his land without leave. His lordship inquired if the stranger was aware he was trespassing, or if he knew to whom the estate belonged? "What's that to you ?" was the reply. "I suppose you are one of Old Bags' "No," replied his lordship, keepers." 66 your supposition is a wrong one, my friend, for I am Old Bags himself."

Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRI, 143, Strand, (near Somerset Houss,) and sɩld by all Newsmen and Booksellers

OF

LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 1827.

Pope's Tree, Binfield.

No. 258.]

[PRICE 2d.

[graphic]

(To the Editor of the Mirror.)

SIR,-Through the kindness of my uncle, H. W. Bull, Esq., R. N., of Binfield, Berks, I am enabled to gratify your readers with a view and description of the once celebrated Pope's Tree, which, perhaps may not be uninteresting. The village of Binfield is small, but pleasantly situated about two miles north of Cæsar's Camp, in the hundred of Cookham, and three miles north-east from Wokingham: it lies in the midst of the royal hunt in Windsor Forest, surrounded by elegant seats, the most conspicuous of which is that belonging to George Elliot, Esq.

On the side of the turnpike-road from London is a small yet neat brick house, which once was the residence of Mr. VOL. IX. 2 D

Pope's father, but now the proper y of Webb, Esq. Within half a mile of this building, in a very retired part of the common, was a spot to which the immortal Pope was particularly attached, and where the muse of Pope essayed on the strength of her scarcely fledged pinions. On a large tree (of which the above is an accurate delineation) beneath which the poet is said to have composed many of his juvenile pieces, a lady from Wokingham annually sent a person to revise the words, Here Pope sung, which were inscribed in capital letters. By whom they were originally carved I have not been able to ascertain, and had it not been for this brief memorial of the muse,

This part of the forest is called, by the inha bitants of Binfield, Pope's Wood.

258

all recollection of his favourite haunt, so interesting to the admirers of departed genius, would have been totally lost.

I am exceedingly sorry to inform your readers, that this interesting relic was most wantonly cut down about two years ago, by order of its possessor, under the pretence of its being decayed, although I should have supposed from its appear. ance it would have survived the storm of time for at least a century to come. I am given to understand that snuff-boxes have been made from some part of it, and presented to the friends of that gentleman.

Alexander Pope was generally supposed to have been born at Binfield, but the Rev. Dr. Wilson, the late rector, ascertained that he did not come to Binfield until he was six years of age. It is certain, however, that he continued to reside at Binfield till he purchased his villa at Twickenham; and the surrounding scenery of Windsor Forest suggested some of the brightest effusions of his muse-of which the following (the opening of his poem of Windsor Forest) is beautifully descriptive.

"There interspersed in lawns, and opening glades,

There trees arise, that sbun each other's shades.
Here in full light, the sunset plains extend,
There wrapt in blue clouds, the bluish hills as-
cend.

Een the wild heath displays her purple dyes,
And 'midst the forest, fruitful fields arise,
That, crowned with tufted trees, and springing
corn,

Like verdant isles, the sable waste adorn.

The site of Pope's house is now, or was very recently, the residence of Thomas Neate, Esq.

*

The rectory of Binfield is valued in the king's books at £18. 17s. 1d. per annum." Patron, the king. The church is dedicated to All Saints, and it contains some ancient monuments of the Blount, Doncastle, and Lee families. Amongst those of more modern date, is one to the memory of Admiral Sir Edward Vernon, who commanded the British fleet at the taking of Pondicherry, and died in 1794; and another to the memory of the celebrated historian, Catharine Macauley

Graham, who died at Binfield in 1791. Binfield is about thirty miles from London. H. W. D. Carlisle's "Topographical Dictionary." MONSIEUR UDE's lamentation on the loss of his late royal highness the Duke of York, is worthy of being preserved. "Oh, mon prince !" exclaimed the cook, "my kind master! He was the besthearted of men. Oh, mon prince! He shall miss me very much where he has gone to !"

The Sketch Book.

No. XXXVIII.

MY CAT.

Mi-cat inter omnes."-HORACE. Ir is difficult to account for the sympa thies and antipathies of some folks.

By some, poor puss is caressed and nurtured with a veneration only equalled by the adoration of the ancient Egyptians, (who regarded the cat as an emblem of chastity); while others with the instinctive terror of a culprit at the sight of a cat-o'-nine-tails, avoid this innocent and inoffensive cat-o'-one-tail!

For my own part, I regard My Cat, my furry, feline favourite, as a companion sociable and domesticated; and unoffending though familiar.

There is a cozey tone of content and comfortableness in My Cat's monotonous purring, that even excels the cheering and more varied cantata of Sukey Teakettle, when, in her merriest mood, she pours forth her humble melody from the hob.

Poor Tink, I received him a mere kitten from the tender hands of a tenderhearted maiden aunt.

He was then a mere handful of playfulness and agility; skipping and bounding, and leaping about, or running round after his tail.

A ball, if worsted the better, was the greatest pleasure the globe could furnish him then; but his round of amusement is now changed, though not more circum scribed.

His early propensities have, of late, undergone a wonderful revolution, while every look and motion proclaim his kittendays have passed.

He enters the room with a sober measured stride, and a bearing and dignity that would not compromise the majesty of a royal Bengal tiger.

Our morning salutations are essentially different too. Instead of the familiar "tit-tit!" which made the little kitten run and pounce adhesively with its pinleg (by which I only came off with a like talons at the foot or calf of my nearest claw!) it is now-a-days-" Tink! how are you, Tink?" which he answers with a sonorous "mow-wow!" sometimes varied (if he should chance to be at a distance) by a shake the natural consequence of his trotting as he miaules!

A cat, according to the Naturalists, is not a ruminating animal; but from: the sedate and sober demeanour of Tink as he sits bolt upright, winking and blinking before the fire, like a matronly dame of the old school, in her holiday stiff

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