derator is generally appointed or nominated by the stronger party some months before the meeting of the Assembly. In our next paper, we shall advert to other peculiar features of the General Assembly. ORIGINAL POETRY. THE AULD BEGGAR MAN. THE auld cripple beggar cam' jumping, jumping, And aye he hirchelled, an' hoasted, hoasted ; Saw ye e'er sic a queer auld man? The auld wives cam' hirpling in scores frae the clachin, The young wives cam' rinnin', a' gigglin' and laughin', The bairnies cam' todlin', a' jinkin' and daffin', And poukit the tails o' the queer auld man. Out cam' the young widows, a' blinkin' fu' meekly, And gat them a smack frae the queer auld man! Out cam' the big blacksmith, a' smeekit and duddy, Out cam' the lang weaver wi' his biggest shuttle, An' swore they wad flaughter the queer auld man! The beggar he coust aff his wee wooden peg, He thumpit the blacksmith hame to his wife, He chased the wee wright wi' the butcher's sharp knife- He puffed on the weaver, he ran to his loom, The wives o' the town then a' gathered about him, O ken'd ye e'er sic a lucky auld man? A LETTER TO MY COUSIN. I WOULD write you a dozen letters, coz,- But I'm growing so old and so stupid, coz, 'Tis a long-long time since we met, dear coz, I mind when you used to tell me, coz, But, like a regiment of men in red, They have all march'd by at last ; And the sound of their music and merry tread It is very strange to consider, coz, But, oh! that I were a boy again, And do you remember the garden seat, Where we read the Arabian Nights? I am sure you remember the big kite, coz, For you know you let go the string one day, I am sure you remember the pony, too, And the pup that we thought a Newfoundland pup, I am sure you remember the dancing-school, O! what would I not give now, dear coz, I see there are squibs and crackers still, That rocket-like went forth, Have blazed for a little, and then gone out, And fallen unmark'd on the earth. Have the flowers as pleasant a smell, sweet coz, When you wander out on a summer night, Do you stand at the window to count the stars Do you pray for your father and mother now, Ah! what have we got by experience, coz, It has taught me that I am an author, coz, Then, pr'ythee, don't ask me to write to you, coz, For a feeling of sadness will haunt them still, For I'm dying to get to the country, coz, From the blue and the printers' devils. LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES. We understand that a Life of Oliver Cromwell, comprising the History of the Commonwealth, from the year 1642 to the Restoration of Charles II. in 1660, by M. Russell, LL.D., the learned author of the "Connexion of Sacred and Profane History," will form two volumes of Constable's Miscellany, which will appear in the course of the ensuing summer or autumn. A Fourth Edition of the Rev. A. Keith's (of St Cyrus) excellent work on The Evidence of the Truth of the Christian Religion, derived from the fulfilment of Prophecy, particularly as illustrated by the discoveries of recent travellers, will be ready in a few days. We understand that a volume of Sermons, by the late Rev. Dr Campbell of Edinburgh, is in the press, and will be published shortly. A Memoir of Mrs Anne H. Judson, wife of the Rev. A. Judson, Missionary to the Birman Empire, may be expected in a few days. TABLES OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.-We have received a copy of a little work of merit and very general utility, by William Elgen of Aberdeen, Teacher of the Commercial and Mathematical School in that city. It consists of Tables for converting Quantities and Prices by the old weights and measures, into the corresponding Quantities and Prices by the Imperial Standards, and conversely. It is to these accurately-constructed Tables that we are inclined to attribute the fact, that more has been already accomplished in Aberdeen and the country adjoining, in bringing the New Act of Parliament into operation, than has been yet done in any other part of Scotland, or even in England. THE COURT JOURNAL.-We have received the first Number of the Court Journal-a new periodical, which has just been started by that most enterprising of all publishers-Henry Colburn. It is the common cant, we observe, among a certain set of literati, to sneer at Mr Colburn's indefatigable exertions as a publisher; but in this cant we do not choose to join. We consider the republic of letters indebted to Mr Colburn. He publishes, no doubt, a quantum sufficit of stupid books, because there is a quantum sufficit of people who write stupid books; but he also publishes a great number of very clever books, and his whole soul is in his profession. Having no Archibald Constable now, we wish we had a few more Colburns. This is no bought puff; and if our readers will take the trouble of referring to some of our notices of Colburn's books, they will find that we praise or blame solely as our own judgment dictates; but we like to pay a compliment where it is deserved. The Court Journal is very elegantly goi up, and if exclusive sources of information be secured, will no doubt succeed. We must confess, that we scarcely see sufficient proofs of this being the case in the first number. Unquestionably the best paper it contains is, "Some leaves from the Journal of the Countess * * * We wish the Court Journal all the success it may merit. Mr Mactaggart's work on Canada will appear very shortly. It will exhibit the resources, productions, and capabilities of that interesting colony, and will contain, we are informed, much new and curious information. Mr John Gordon Smith, M.D., and M.R.S.L., has in the press Craigmillar Castle, and other Poems. A very splendid work on the Antiquities of Mexico, comprising Fac-similes of the Ancient Mexican Paintings and Hieroglyphics, preserved in the principal Libraries of Europe, is shortly to be published by Messrs Whittaker and Co. It is to extend to four volumes imperial folio, which will contain 800 Engravings,-the price, coloured, 150 Guineas, and plain, 75 Guineas. The whole is to be illustrated by most curious inedited Manuscripts from the originals. This work will be a most valuable addition to the Histories already existing of the Antiquities of the World. The author of the Opening of the Sixth Seal, is preparing for publication a Plain and Practical Guide to the Attainment of Knowledge, including a plan for a course of study, by which the acquirement of useful learning will be much simplified. It is intended that the publication shall be cheap, in order to place it within the reach of all classes. Four hundred pages of Moore's long expected Life of Lord Byron are now printed. Nearly the whole of the manuscript is in the publisher's hands, and the work, which will consist of a thick quarto, will appear, it is expected, before the conclusion of the season. It is said to be interspersed with original letters and poems, after the manner of Mason's Life of Grey, and Hayley's Life of Cowper. Moore has already left Lord Lansdown's, where he has been residing since the death of his daughter, and is now in London, superintending the progress of the work. The illustration of the recherche pursuits of fashionable life, says the Court Journal, by means of novels, is now about to re ceive its highest perfection. The class of fashionable authors has assured, that a work, to be called "The Exclusives," from the risen in rank from private gentlemen to peers; and we are now pen of an authoress of Royal blood, is actually in the press. The new novel, by the author of Pelham, is entitled Devereux, and will be published early next month. Mr Loudon is about to publish an Encyclopædia of Plants, which will contain no fewer than nearly ten thousand engravings on wood, and will be written in the popular style of his volumes on Gardening and Agriculture. peared in Paris, is a tragedy by M. Alexandre Dumas, entitled It is written completely in the style of Shakspeare's historical dramas, the unities having fortunately The most attractive dramatic novelty which has recently ap Henri III. et Sa Cour. now gone very much out of fashion in France. The play in ques tion represents the bonne compagnie of Paris, as it existed about the year 1580. Mademoiselle Mars sustains the principal female part, the Duchess de Guise; and her conception of the character is represented as very superb. "The best tragedies of Racine and Voltaire," says a writer in the New Monthly Magazine, "would appear cold next to such a piece as 'Henry III.;' but if Racine and Voltaire were now living, and would avail themselves of the freedom afforded by the imitation of Shakspeare, they would, of course, produce plays infinitely superior to that of M. Dumas." In the last No. of an interesting London Periodical, conducted by the Editor of the Amulet, and entitled, "The Spirit and Manners of the Age," we observe the following passage, which we think an exceedingly good one:-"We suppose that many of our readers are natives of the north countree. To such we would recommend the EDINBURGH LITERARY JOURNAL, a Weekly Register of Criticism and Belles Lettres, to which the greater number of distinguished Scottish writers are regular contributors." We heartily coincide in this recommendation, only we have so many readers already, that it may look greedy in us to wish for more. Theatrical Gossip.-Matthews has been very successful in his new" At Home." It is called The Spring Meeting; and besides the usual variety of story, jest, personation, and transformation, it contains six comic songs; 1st, A coup d'œil over his preceding "At Homes;" 2d, London Newspapers; 3d, Doncaster Races; 4th, A Ship Launch; 5th, A Concert at Woolwich; and 6th, The Lord Mayor's Show. His imitations of Dr Kitchiner and De Begnis are represented as exceedingly good. Yates varies the entertainment with two monopolylogues,-Love among the Lawyers, or Courting in Court, and Harlequin and Mr Jenkins, both of which are very clever and amusing.-Sontag has returned to London, and brought with her a sister, said to be as accomplished and seduisante as herself, who will appear speedily at some of the Nobility's Concerts.-We are happy to understand that, notwithstanding the lugubrious paragraphs which have been making the round of the Newspapers, Kean is by no means so ill as has been represented. He is expected to appear soon at the Dublin Theatre.-Madame Caradori, and our townswoman Miss Isabella Paton, are both performing in Dublin at present.-Our Manager's Benefit is to take place on Tuesday, on which occasion he is to have the assistance of his friend T. P. Cooke. Every box is taken, and the house will of course be a bumper. Our theatrical friend OLD CERBERUS will, no doubt, have something to say on the subject next Saturday.-We understand that a national historical drama, on the subject of the Gowrie Conspiracy, by a gentleman residing in this city, is to be performed next Tuesday evening at the Caledonian Theatre; and, from what we know of the author's abilities, we are inclined to augur favourably of its success. TO OUR CORRESPODNENTS. WE beg to inform "Questor," that the seven Numbers of the Literary Journal, published last year, will of course be included in the first volume; and that, in future, the Journal will be made into volumes regularly every half-year; and to cach volume a title-page and Index will be given. The Verses by Dugald Moore, author of "The Africans, and other Poems," and also the Stanzas by "Siam," of Glasgow, will appear as soon as we can find room.-We regret that the Lines by M." of Glasgow, and "T. H.," will not suit us. "Letters from London, No. X." in our next. EDINBURGH LITERARY JOURNAL; OR, WEEKLY REGISTER OF CRITICISM AND BELLES LETTRES. No. 27. SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1829. LITERARY CRITICISM. PRICE 6d. Anne of Geierstein, or the Maiden of the Mist. By on Iceland; in 1819, Account of the Regalia of Scotland, the Author of Waverley. SHAKSPEARE. "What! shall the noble blood of Lancaster Sink in the ground?" Edinburgh. Cadell and Co. 3 vols. 1829. ties of Scotland and England; in 1815, Paul's Letters to his Kinsfolk,-the Field of Waterloo, and a work -and Provincial Antiquities and Picturesque Scenery of Scotland, with Historical Illustrations; in 1820, Trivial Poems and Triolets, by P. Carey, with a Preface; in 1822, Halidon Hill; in 1827, the Life of Napoleon, in 9 vols. 8vo, Memoirs of LarochejaqueTo say that Sir Walter Scott is the most extraordi- lin, with a Preface, for the first volume of Constable's nary man of his age, is merely to echo, in feeble terms, Miscellany,—and the Letters of Malachi Malagrowther the voice of all Europe. We have already shown that on the Currency; in 1828, Tales of a Grandfather, first we do not pay homage to his gigantic mind with a blind series; and in 1829, Tales of a Grandfather, second idolatry; but we are perhaps on this very account the series. Add to these, Harold the Dauntless, and the more prepared to offer sincere admiration at the altar of Bridal of Triermain, which originally appeared anonyhis genius, feeling assured that, like Arabian frank-mously; Essays on Chivalry, Romance, and the Drama, incense, it will burn the brighter because unalloyed by the base weed of fulsome flattery. Some months ago we stated boldly (many thought too boldly) our feeling of the over-cautiousness displayed by Sir Walter, in his reluctance to deliver decided opinions upon many disputed questions of much importance and interest, which in the course of his voluminous writings necessarily presented themselves to his consideration. This, if it be a fault, is no doubt only a fault of omission, and may very easily be forgiven in the presence of so much tran-burgh Annual Register, &c. &c. scendent excellence. Where is the man who has cast his mantle over so large a portion of literature, and so successfully distinguished himself in all its different walks? Let us take, for a moment, a short review of what this Leviathan of modern authors has already done, -what he may yet do, Heaven only knows. He has done so much, that no memory can recollect the titles of one half of his works; and it has cost us some trouble and research to prepare the following statement. in the Supplement to the Encyclopædia Britannica; Lives of the Novelists; Characters of the late Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Somerville, George III., Byron, and the Duke of York; the Visionary, three periodical papers, which originally appeared in the Edinburgh Weekly Journal, on the state of the country in 1820; and innumerable anonymous contributions to different periedical works, among which we may particularly mention the Edinburgh and Quarterly Reviews, Edin Sir Walter's Novels have come out in the following order, and each has consisted of three volumes, unless in the exceptions which we particularise. In 1814, Waverley; 1815, Guy Mannering; 1816, The Antiquary, and Tales of my Landlord, first series, consisting of the Black Dwarf and Old Mortality, 4 vols.; 1818, Rob Roy,—and Tales of my Landlord, second series, consisting of the Heart of Mid-Lothian, 4 vols. ; 1819, Tales of my Landlord, third series, consisting Sir Walter, then Mr Scott, first appeared before the of the Bride of Lammermuir, and the Legend of Monpublic in 1799, (just thirty years ago,) as the translator trose, 4 vols.; 1820, Ivanhoe, the Monastery,—and of a tragedy from the German, called Goetz of Berli- the Abbot; 1821, Kenilworth; 1822, the Pirate, and chingen, with the Iron Hand. It was published in the Fortunes of Nigel; 1823, Quentin Durward; 1824, London, we believe anonymously, and has been little St Ronan's Well, and Redgauntlet; 1825, Tales of heard of since. In 1802, he published the Minstrelsy the Crusaders, 4 vols.; 1826, Wcodstock; 1827, Chroof the Scottish Border, with an Introduction and Notes, nicles of the Canongate, first series, 2 vols.; 1828, 2 vols. 8vo. In 1804, Sir Tristrem, a Romance, by Chronicles of the Canongate, second series; and now, Thomas of Ercildoune, with a Preliminary Disserta- 1829, Anne of Geierstein. It is interesting to know, as tion and Glossary; in 1805, the Lay of the Last Min- a curious literary fact, that, as stated in the "General strel; in 1806, Ballads and Lyrical Pieces; in 1808, Preface" to the cabinet edition of the novels on the eve Marmion, and the Works of John Dryden, in 18 vols. of publication, "the original manuscripts are all in exillustrated with Notes, Historical, Critical, and Expla- istence, and entirely written in the author's own hand, natory, and a Life of the Author; in 1809, the State excepting during the years 1818 and 1819, when, bePapers and Letters of Sir Ralph Sadler, with Histori-ing affected with severe illness, he was obliged to emcal Notes, and a Memoir of his Life, and Lord Somers's Collection of Tracts, in 12 vols. 4to; in 1810, the Poetical Works of Anna Seward, with Abstracts from her Literary Correspondence,and the Lady of the Lake; in 1811, the Vision of Don Roderick; in 1813, Rokeby; in 1814, the Works of Jonathan Swift, with Notes, and a Life of the Author, in 19 vols. 8vo, the Lord of the Isles, and the Border Antiqui • Pronounced Guyrstein. ploy the assistance of an amanuensis." These novels make in all sixty-six volumes, and are for the most part closely printed, and contain a much greater quantity of letter-press than is usual in similar productions. This is a stupendous catalogue; and contrasting it with that which could be presented by any other man It was in this year also that the first of the Waverley Novels came out, but we shall conclude our list of Sir Walter's miscellaneous works before speaking of them. of our age, we cannot help applying to Sir Walter what breakfast and dinner on any specified day of the week. Shakspeare has made Cassius say of Cæsar, "Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world To find ourselves dishonourable graves." Not as a mere colossus, however, in material bulk is Sir Walter to be admired. " Materiem superat opus.” "Nihil tetigit, quod non ornavit." Amazement at the hitherto incredible feats of one man, has already been exhausted, and seeing that in his person all known calculations of chances have been rendered nugatory, we can do no more than "take the goods the gods provide us," and, in their prodigality, almost forget our thankfulness. Sir Walter has not yet entirely overrun every country with his genius, but he is fast approximating to the condition of the Royal Macedonian, and, if he does not weep himself, his readers will soon weep for him, that there should not be new lands for him to conquer. Scotland, England, France, Palestine, Germany, have been all made to pour their riches at his feet; and in the novel before us, we are in Switzerland-a kindred land of four centuries ago; but in all its features of natural sublimity and beauty, Switzerland then was the same as Switzerland now; and even the character and habits of its people, a simple and hardy race, detached from the rest of Europe by their barrier of hills,-have undergone far fewer changes than have taken place elsewhere. It is not our intention to attempt any regular analysis of the story, well knowing that no such analysis could do the author justice, and that, moreover, it would be high treason against all novel-readers to disclose the secrets of a tale which they anticipate so much pleasure in discovering for themselves. A few of the more striking beauties of the work, however, (and they are many,) we shall endeavour to point out, without infringing upon the interest to be derived from its entire perusal. As a poet, he is not classed with Lord Byron, the most illustrious poet of modern times-solely because their styles are so different, that it would be extremely difficult to institute a comparison between them. But shall we say that the bard of "Marmion" and the "Lady of the Lake," the restorer of all the chivalry and pageantry of the royal days of Scotland,-the poet-" mountain and of flood." The time chosen is nearly painter of past ages, he who brings before us groups of the gallant and the fair of yore, more full of individuality and life, than the breathing statues of a Buonarotti or a Canova, shall we say that he has drunk less deep of the Castalian spring, than even the glorious "Childe," walking in inspiration over the Alps and Apennines? View him also as an Essayist, a strong and comprehensive thinker upon a great variety of subjects, and possessed of the most intimate and multifarious information upon all;—as a Biographer, pointing out with admirable discrimination all the lights and shades in the character of those whose lives he undertakes to illustrate, and with nice precision, and unfaltering fidelity, nothing extenuating nor setting down aught in malice ;-as a Critic, directing his critical powers to objects worthy of his attention, and seldom erroneous in the opinions which The novel opens with a very brief historical sketch of his matured judgment dictates, whether it be in matters the state of Switzerland during the fourteenth and fifof taste, feeling, or intellect;as an Historian, upon teenth centuries, when attention first began to be atwhose merits posterity, will decide with more propriety tracted to the Swiss Cantons, by their heroic struggles than can be done by his contemporaries, but who, even for independence, and final success. It is in the year in that high and dangerous character, stands at present 1474, when Helvetia was respected by the neighbouring so unscathed amidst all the cavillings of party spirit, countries as a free state, that the tale begins. At this that it may be safely anticipated time will do for him date, its inhabitants “retained, in a great measure, the what it has done for Camden, Gibbon, Hume, and wisdom, moderation, and simplicity of their ancient Robertson; and that, long after the present generation manners; so much so, that those who were intrusted has passed away, Scott will take his station with these with the command of the troops of the Republic in magnum et venerabile nomen;-and, last of all, as a battle, were wont to resume the shepherd's staff, when Novelist, whose prolific and inexhaustible abilities be- they laid down the truncheon, and, like the Roman dicwilder the minds of common men, turning their strength tators, to retire to complete equality with their fellowinto weakness, and, like the Egyptian sphynx, or pyra- citizens, from the eminence to which their talents, and mid, standing a perpetual monument of the puny achieve the call of their country, had raised them." The first ments of those who have preceded or followed in the chapter introduces us to two travellers travelling by the same path. If, in all these capacities, we regard Sir mountainous passes of the Alps, from Lucerne to Bâle. Walter Scott, we cannot avoid being lost in wonder at They are Englishmen, and give themselves out as merthe prodigious effusion of mind-of soul of the ethe-chants; but the reader is soon led to suspect that they rial essence which has emanated from him; and we must feel painfully startled into reality, when we meet one who, like the "giant of the western wave," we probably conceived to be "looking from his throne of clouds o'er half the world," moving through the streets of his native city, encased, like ourselves, in a frail and mortal body. But mortality and Scott are as widely separated as earth from heaven. His very name is the embodyment of his country's glory; and whilst his country exists, and after she has ceased to be, that glory will remain. Worlds may be annihilated, but the dwell-length rescued, by a party of Swiss from the neighbouring-place of mind is the universe. We have partly been led into the foregoing reflexions by the extremely delightful work whose title we have put at the head of this article, and with an early perusal of which we have been favoured. The day is perhaps gone by when the announcement of a new Novel by the "Author of Waverley" created a thrilling sensation of pleasure among all ranks and classes; but if this emotion has subsided, it is because the public now look upon such an announcement as a necessary, rather than a luxury, of life; and because every individual who reads at all, knows that he will read the new novel as much as a matter of course, as that he will take his are journeying incognito, and are of much higher consideration than they pretend. They are father and son, and have assumed the name of Philipson, the Christian name of the younger, who is the hero of the novel, being Arthur. A very splendid piece of descriptive writing follows, in which we have an account of the gathering and bursting of a storm among the Alps. The travellers lose their way, and are exposed to very imminent peril, the appalling nature of which is narrated with the most inimitable graphic power. Happily they are at hood of the old Castle of Geierstein, or Rock of the Vultures. This party turns out to consist of Arnold Biederman, the Landamman, or chief magistrate of the Canton of Unterwalden, and his sons, who reside upon a farm among the mountains in the neighbourhood of the Castle of Geierstein. Along with them comes another, who is mainly instrumental in saving the life of Arthur, and this is Anne of Geierstein, the Landamman's niece, a mountain maiden, but of noble birth,— the daughter of one of the best families in Switzerland, and worthy of her lineage, combining all the delicacy of a woman with all the heroic spirit of a man,—a beautiful concentration, as it were, of Flora M⭑Ívor, Diana Vernon, and Rose Bradwardine. That Arthur and she must fall in love with each other, of course, instantly flashes on the mind of the veriest tyro; and as to all novel readers the heroine is an object of paramount interest, we have much pleasure in extracting the following admirable portrait of ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN. Arthur and Rudolph at sunrise, in the court of the old Castle of Geierstein. The whole scene is so spirited, and can be read with so much interest as a detached incident, that we do not hesitate to extract it: "The young champion of Berne had hanging along his back one of those huge two-handed swords, the blade of which measured tive feet, and which were wielded with both hands. These were almost universally used by the Swiss; for, besides the impression which such weapons were calculated to make upon the array of the German men-at-arms, whose armour was impenetrable to lighter swords, they were also well calculated to defend mountain passes, where the great bodily strength and agility of those who bore them, enabled the combatants, in spite of their weight and length, to use them with much address and effect. One of these gigantic swords hung around Rudolf Donnerhugel's neck, the point rattling against his heel, and the handle extending itself over his left shoulder, considerably above his head. He carried another in his hand. "Having hastily traversed the fields and groves which separated the Landamman's residence from the old castle of Geierstein, he entered the court-yard from the side where the castle overlooked the land; and nearly in the "An upper vest, neither so close as to display the same instant his almost gigantic antagonist, who looked person, a habit forbidden by the sumptuary laws of the yet more tall and burly by the pale morning light than canton, nor so loose as to be an encumbrance in walk- he had seemed the preceding evening, appeared ascending or climbing, covered a close tunic of a different co-ing from the precarious bridge beside the torrent, having lour, and came down beneath the middle of the leg, but reached Geierstein by a different route from that pursued suffered the ancle, in all its fine proportions, to be com- by the Englishman. pletely visible. The foot was defended by a sandal, the point of which was turned upwards, and the crossings and knots of the strings, which secured it on the front of the leg, were garnished with silver rings. The upper vest was gathered round the middle by a sash of partycoloured silk, ornamented with twisted threads of gold; while the tunic, open at the throat, permitted the shape and exquisite whiteness of a well-formed neck to be visible at the collar, and for an inch or two beneath. The small portion of the throat and bosom thus exposed, was even more brilliantly fair than was promised by the countenance, which last bore some marks of having been freely exposed to the sun and air, by no means in a degree to diminish its beauty, but just so far as to show that the maiden possessed the health which is purchased by habits of rural exercise. Her long fair hair fell down in a profusion of curls on each side of a face, whose blue eyes, lovely features, and dignified simplicity of expression, implied at once a character of gentleness, and of the self-relying resolution of a mind too virtuous to suspect evil, and too noble to fear it. Above these locks, beauty's natural and most beseeming ornament or rather, I should say, amongst them was placed the small bonnet, which, from its size, little answered the purpose of protecting the head, but served to exercise the ingenuity of the fair wearer, who had not failed, according to the prevailing custom of the mountain maidens, to decorate the tiny cap with a heron's feather, and the then unusual luxury of a small and thin chain of gold, long enough to encircle the cap four or five times, and having the ends secured under a broad medal of the same costly metal. "I have only to add, that the stature of the young person was something above the common size, and that the whole contour of her form, without being in the slightest degree masculine, resembled that of Minerva, rather than the proud beauties of Juno, or the yielding graces of Venus. The noble brow, the well-formed and active limbs, the firm and yet light step-above all, the total absence of any thing resembling the consciousness of personal beauty, and the open and candid look, which seemed desirous of knowing nothing that was hidden, and conscious that she herself had nothing to hide, were traits not unworthy of the goddess of wisdom and of chastity." Our travellers are invited to the Landamman's house, where they spend some days. Arthur becomes intimately acquainted with the sons of Arnold Biederman, joins with them in their athletic sports, and gains no small reputation for his activity and skill. A cousin of these young men, by name Rudolph of Donnerhugel, is also introduced to us, a youth of an ardent and ambitious temperament, and withal a passionate admirer of Anne of Geierstein. As might have been expected, Arthur and he are not at first disposed to regard each other with much complacency, and the consequence is, that almost at the very commencement of their acquaintance a challenge is exchanged between them. Excellent as Sir Walter's descriptions in general are of combats of this kind, we do not think he has been often more successful than in his account of the duel which took place between "Thou art punctual,' he called out to Arthur Philipson, in a voice which was distinctly heard above the roar of the waterfall, which it seemed to rival in sullen force. But I judged thou wouldst come without a twohanded sword. There is my kinsman Ernest's,' he said, throwing on the ground the weapon which he carried, with the hilt towards the young Englishman. Look, stranger, that thou disgrace it not, for my kinsman will never forgive me if thou dost. Or thou mayst have mine if thou likest it better.' "The Englishman looked at the weapon with some surprise, to the use of which he was totally unaccustomed. "The challenger,' he said, in all countries where honour is known, accepts the arms of the challenged.'. "He who fights on a Swiss mountain, fights with a Swiss brand,' answered Rudolf. Think you our hands are made to handle penknives ?' "Nor are ours made to wield scythes,' said Arthur; and muttered betwixt his teeth, as he looked at the sword, which the Swiss continued to offer him- Usum non habeo, I have not proved the weapon.' 66 6 Do you repent the bargain you have made?' said the Swiss; if so, cry craven, and return in safety. Speak plainly, instead of prattling Latin like a clerk or a sha ven monk.' "No, proud man,' replied the Englishman, 'I ask thee no forbearance. I thought but of a combat between a shepherd and a giant, in which God gave the victory to him who had worse odds of weapons than falls to my lot to-day. I will fight as I stand; my own good sword shall serve my need now, as it has done before.' "Content!-But blame not me, who offered thee equality of weapons,' said the mountaineer. And now hear me. This is a fight for life or death-yon waterfall sounds the alarum for our conflict. Yes, old bellower,' he continued, looking back, it is long since thou hast heard the noise of battle and look at it ere we begin, stranger, for if you fall, I will commit your body to its waters.' "And if thou fall'st, proud Swiss,' answered Arthur, as well I trust thy presumption leads to destruction, I will have thee buried in the church at Einsiedlen, where the priests shall sing masses for thy soulthy two-handed sword shall be displayed above thy |