shameful inactivity by renewed ardour; he observes to the largest, that he must no doubt have too great a heart to allow himself to be surpassed by less vigorous horses; and he tells the youngest, that he is fortunate in being joined to steeds remarkable for the good service they have performed, and that he ought, by an exertion of zeal, to show himself worthy of so honourable an association. Such is the exact meaning of the conversation which the Russian coachman carries on with his horses; his words, sometimes kind and encouraging, and sometimes reproachful, exercise a great influence on these intelligent animals; and when he is perfectly satisfied with them he rewards them by calling them his little pigeons. This is the most flattering mark of approbation that he can give them, the pigeon being an object of love and admiration to the Russian people. The most affectionate care is taken of these birds, and to kill or eat them is considered a

culpable action. The intrepidity of the Russian coachmen, and their contempt of danger, sometimes puts to a rude proof the courage of the travellers and the solidity of his carriage. To get over the ground as rapidly as possible, is considered by them their first duty; driving at full stretch, they trouble themselves but little with what takes place behind them, all they care for being to arrive at the next stage. There is a story told of a Russian coachman driving up to the posthouse with only one-half of the carriage; the other half, with the travellers, having been left a league behind in the middle of the road, the rapid rate at which he drove, and his incessant cries and singing, having prevented him from perceiving the accident. Full of confidence in their address, the Russian coachmen habitually neglect those precautions so often necessary in travelling, and yet it seldom happens that they are at a loss to repair an accident. Their industrious hands turn everything to account. They quickly transform a branch into an axletree, and make a strong rope out of some shreds of beech bark. No matter how serious the accident may be of which you have to complain, the first word of the Russian peasant is, nitchevau, (it is nothing;) and he adds, nebos, (don't be afraid.) In the villages, these men preserve for a long time the ingenious character of childhood; everything furnishes them an occasion for sport. On arriving at the posthouse, you see fifteen or twenty long bearded peasants assembled before it, who. leaving to chance to decide which of them shall furnish horses and drive you to the next stage, take hold of the right trace,

and then shifting their hands alternately, he whose hand first attains the extremity of the cord, is the man fixed upon by fortune, and he hastens amidst the noisy felicitations of his comrades to fulfil the task allotted to him by chance. There is no country in the world where travelling is at the same time so cheap and so rapid. In the interior of the empire, the rate is five kopecks, (one sous,) a werst for each horse, which is about seven sous for each French post, (or five and a half miles.) The pour bone to the postilion is not a right, but depends upon the generosity of the traveller, who may be magnificent at a very slender expense. By giving a piece of eighty kopecks, (sixteen sous,) for the whole stage, which is often from twenty-five to thirty wersts, you acquire a right to the most unlimited gratitude, the demonstrations of which are not spared by the postilion; and you have the pleasure of hearing him holloa out as he ap proaches the post-house, " Make haste, make haste, I bring you eagles," Should the travellers be niggardly, the driver intimates to his brethren of the whip that his fare consists of ravens. Who would refuse to pass for an eagle at so cheap a rate-Six Mois en Russie, par M. Aïcelot, translated for the Atlas.

A LUNAR GUIDE-POST WE fell in with a Bushman and his wife,

On questioning them about the probability of finding water in our route, the hunter, pointing to a certain part of the heavens, told us, that if we rode hard, we should find water by the time the moon stood there. This indicated a distance of not less than fifty miles. Yet it was a consolation to know that we should find water even within that distance. Rewarding our informant with a bit of tobacco, we pushed on with redoubled speed.

Thomson's Southern Africa.

DYING CONSOLATION. Addressed to the Rev. Steven Morell. My beloved Friend.-I really know not in what manner to address you. From the intelligence of the last two days, I am distressed to gather that your illness threatens the most fatal result, and I am compelled to fear that the scenes of this world are fast closing upon you. You will know how to pardon the selfishness of your friends, who cannot but grieve deeply at the apprehension for their own loss; although they are well assured that this, their loss, ought not to be weighed against your eternal gain.

But it is the thought of your nearness to the invisible world, which embarrasses me in writing. I feel an awe upon my mind, while I write to one who is now almost a spirit of light. It seems to ine, that this is an hour of converse with hea ven. And as to my attempting to address to you those consolations which are so often needed in the prospect of dissolution, it would be presumption. O my friend, how richly will you drink those consolations which we must be content to take sparingly in a cup of bitterness ! How fully will you know that unseen world, of which we can form so rude conceptions! And how will you see and adore that incarnate Saviour, whom we seeing not, love but so unworthily! This it is, I know, which cheers and animates your mind in your long affliction; and this it is which gives an attraction and a loveliness even to the dark shadow of death. "I will fear no evil, because thou art with me." For ever blessed be his glorious name, 1 see in your happy mind the fruit of his redemption, the faithfulness of his promises. He has been your hope, and now your hope does not disappoint you.

I feel deeply on account of your dear family, and the church over which God has placed you, in such peace and promised happiness. But I hope that those who see your heaven, having its present commencement, will be enabled to give up their own wills, with submission, and say, "Not as I will, but as Thou wilt." I trust that He who is a very present help in trouble, will comfort their minds, and strengthen them to believe and confess that He doth all things well." And the Church of God shall be fed by the great Shepherd and Bishop of Souls. Your case has been constantly and anxiously remembered in prayer by your affectionate people.

And now, my beloved friend, the time now draws near when we must part. I have to thank you for much of sweet society and friendship. And whatsoever be the troubled destiny of my life, I shall look back with pleasure on the short course of our earthly intercourse, and shall look forward with joy to the time when we may hope to renew our intercourse in that world of light whose frontier you are now gaining before me. Meanwhile, my friend, farewell-farewell-but not for ever! May the great God himself be with you, when you pass through the waters. May his Spirit give you joy in death; and if in the sabbath of the blessed you should think of a friend who once loved you as his own soul, think on him as one who does hope to be favoured

again to worship God in company with you, and with a beloved Parent, now in heaven.

[Mr. Morell was dead before the letter was received.]-From the Memoirs and Remains of John Brown Jefferson, Minister of Attercliffe.

CHARACTER OF HINDOOS.

I HAVE found a race, of gentle and temperate habits; with a natural talent and acuteness beyond the ordinary level of mankind, and with a thirst for general knowledge which even the renowned and inquisitive Athenians can hardly have surpassed or equalled. Prejudiced, indeed, they are, in favour of their ancient superstitions; nor should I think, to say the truth, more favourably of the charac ter, or augur more happily of the eventual conversion and perseverance of any man or set of men, whom a light consideration could stir from their paternal creed, or who received the word of truth without cautious and patient inquiry. But I am yet to learn, that the idolatry which surrounds us is more enthralling in its influence on the human mind than those beau

tiful phantoms and honied sorceries which lurked beneath the laurels of Delos and Daphne, and floated on the clouds of Olympus. I am not yet convinced, that the miserable bondage of castes, and the consequences of breaking that bondage, are more grievous to be endured by the modern Indian than those ghastly and countless shapes of death which beset the path of the Roman convert. And who shall make me believe, that the same word of the Most High, which consigned to the moles and the bats the idols of Chaldee and Babylon, and dragged down the lying father of Gods and men from his own Capitol, and the battlements of his "Eternal City," must yet arrest its victorious wheels on the banks of the Indus or Ganges, and admit the trident of Siva to share, with the Cross, a divided empire? [This testimony is peculiarly valuable.]-Bishop Heber's Charge to the Clergy of Calcutta.

COWARDICE OF THE LION. My friend, Diederik Muller, one of the most intrepid and successful lion-hunters in South Africa, mentioned to me the following incident:-He had been out alone hunting in the wilds, when he came suddenly upon a lion, which, instead of giving way, seemed disposed, from the angry attitude he assumed, to dispute with him the dominion of the desert. Diederik instantly alighted, and, confi

dent of his unerring aim, levelled his mighty roer at the forehead of the lion, who was couched in the act to spring, within fifteen paces of him; but at the moment the hunter fired, his horse, whose bridle was round his arm, started back, and caused him to miss. The lion bounded forward, but stopped within a few paces, confronting Diederik, who stood defenceess, his gun discharged, and his horse running off. The man and the beast stood looking each other in the face, for a short space. At length the lion moved backward, as if to go away. Diederik began to load his gun. The lion looked over his shoulder, growled, and returned. Diederik stood still. The lion again moved cautiously off; and the boor proceeded to load, and ram down his bullet. The lion again looked back, and growled angrily; and this occurred repeatedly, until the animal got off to some distance, when he took fairly to his heels, and bounded away.-Thompson's Southern Africa.

The Gatherer.

were under the awful necessity of again completing the proceeding. and as men is at this time difficult to be got we was inwolved in delemmer. Hoping that this error may not prove a criterian of intire prejudice but trusting to your future patronage and favour I remain yours to command.

SIR WILLIAM DAWS, archbishop of York, was very fond of a pun. His clergy dining with him, for the first time after he had lost his lady, he told them he feared they did not find things in so good order as they used to be in the time of poor Mary; and, looking extremely sorrowful, added, with a deep sigh," she was, indeed, Mare Pacificum !” A curate, who pretty well knew what she had been, called out, "Aye, my lord, but she was Mare Mortuum first." Sir William gave him a living of £200. per annum, within two months afterwards.

men's stuif."---Wotton

PHILOSOPHICAL NECESSITY.

(For the Mirror.)

Two young theologians were arguing very keenly on the doctrine of philosophical necessity; and when the advocate for liberty was pressed very hard by his opponent, and had nothing more to say for his own side of the question, he attempted to put an end to the discussion, by exclaiming, I tell you what; I never can be brought to admit the doctrine of necessity, for it does away with all idea of virtue." "I beg your pardon," replied the other, "it does no such thing; for what can be more common than to make a virtue of necessity."

(For the Mirror.)

THE following is a verbatim and literatim copy of a letter, written by a knight of the thimble to one of his employers :

Honour'd Sir-I have sent home the order according to your orders. and with regard to the misteak in master T's jacket, I am extreamly sorry that my talent should have been so beclouded as to make such a miserable specimen. but reson inculcates that we are all infalable & that in our illeterate conserns we sometimes fail. As for the delay the facs of the case is this, having completed a considerable order for a nobleman part was by some illegal measures remov'd and we

the crowd was so great that the church could not contain all the auditors. A very devout peasant, who was in the could understand the sermon better if he church-yard with his ass, thought he could see the gesticulations of the preacher. For this purpose he mounted Martin, and both of them alternately stretched out their ears. The father had not yet finished his second point, when the worthy peasant smote his breast and began to weep, Martin at the same time braying in concert. "Make that ass hold his tongue," exclaimed a lusty man, in a voice stronger than that of the Stentor of Arcadia. The preacher, who imagined that he was spoken of, exclaimed in his "Turn out that insolent fellow !" "You see, Abbé," says Favart, in commenting on this anecdote, "that there are people in the world who do themselves justice."

turn:

IN a very early part of our work, it will be remembered, we gave a design of the New London Bridge, and having subsequently collected much information in relation to this important undertaking, we have still another grand point left, on which are founded the subsequent remarks. It has been proved, that on the completion of the New Bridge, it will be impossible to effect an ascent for a heavily laden vehicle, unless a level street be formed, as represented in the above engraving. Mr. Peter Jeffery, who has projected the important alteration, has favoured us with the following observations, and first very minutely describes the illustration we give of the new street. This view represents a continuation of the new bridge, crossing Upper Thamesstreet by an archway. An approach to Fish-street-hill is also shown by a curved road leading from the north land arch of the new bridge, and passing by the front of Saint Magnus church. Owing to its curvature, this road has a longer and easier descent than can be obtained by means of a road made in a straight line from the new bridge to Fish-street-hill.

In the act of parliament for building

the new bridge, a power is given to purchase the following houses, viz. Nos. 121 to 128, in Upper Thames-street, Nos. 1 and 2, on the south side of Lower Thamesstreet, also Fresh-wharf, Nos. 119 to 127, on the north side of Lower Thames-street, Nos. 23 to 28, on the west side, and Nos. 30 to 33, on the east side, of Fish-street-hill.

Such are purchases which have been deemed necessary for raising the foot of Fish-street-hill four feet, that the ascent to the bridge may be rendered easier; yet it rests to be objected after all, that this ascent will be as much as twenty-one feet in a length of two hundred and thirty; for the centre of the new bridge is about twenty-seven feet above the level of Thames-street, whilst the land-arch of that bridge is about twenty-five feet above such level; consequently, after having raised the foot of Fish-street-hill four feet, according to the plan in progress, the ascent to the land-arch of the new bridge will become twenty-one feet.

And if all the valuable houses before mentioned should be removed, the steepness would still be such that wagons heavily laden could scarcely be able to ascend the bridge; wherefore it may prove

25

the new bridge; for to buy the property es-street to Cannonore than the cost of ring away the houses in Upper and Lower 'ish-street-hill; which oposed level street can ired thoroughfares, in nt ground, and where s are of inferior value. from the new bridge ear Miles's-lane, by treet to Cornhill, the t will pass through ice, which is crown ing a double frontage office as is not wanted >osed level street into ay neither gain nor rily. It will also be d remove two or three east corner of Great gons, as well as heavy cription, coming from and going to the Bo r to avoid the descent nd ascent of the new s Cannon-street, and Osed level street. d here, that formerly rch and church-yard reas now they become mmunication can be king an embankment the foot of the new arf. The expense of rifling, and the object mportance.

airs should be made, the east side of the place would become ing a great thorough end of Saint Magnus would be more conserve as a landingand wharf for steam

Sights of London.

THE ROYAL ACADEMY THE Exhibition of the present year displays an unusual variety of talent. In the higher walks of painting and sculpture we have some fine specimens, and in landscape, animals, and portraiture we are gratified on viewing productions honour. able to our native school. Portraits, as usual, prevail; and the worthy president, in this peculiar line of art, whom no one can surpass, stands pre-eminent and unrivalled. The Portrait of Mrs. Peel of Sir Thomas Lawrence, which particularly ranks among the happiest efforts of this great master, we especially note for our readers' attention.

It cannot be expected that within our limited number of pages we can even name a tenth part of the pictures that have won our admiration; and however much our inclination might prompt us to be elaborate in our remarks, we shall, for the same reason, abandon the suggestion of our old friend, Charles Mathews, who hints the necessity of "beginning with No. 1," and progressing gradually to "No. 1,000." It must suffice us to give an analysis of the works before us, and leave the subject-matter, like the narrative of a good novel, to the especial enjoyment of our readers. Etty, Hilton, and Hadon present us with some splendid histo