the town through charming woods, bordering the river; and as I stepped along in absent melancholy, musing, I felt like one moving along in a dream anxious to reassure myself of individuality, for from my very childhood the idea and name of Ristormel, and the longing to view it, had ever haunted me, occasioned by a picture I had seen illustrating the tragical story of the last lord, who murdered his brother to obtain possession of the castle, but ever haunted by the remembrance of his crime, wandered through the world a miserable, childless man; returning at length, led by some dire fatality to these walls, where, as the legend goes, his murdered brother appeared to him at the mysterious hour of midnight, and laying his icy hands on him, so chilled his very heart and curdled his blood, that he fell back a corpse.

Recalling to my mind all mysterious fears and kindling curiosity of my childhood occasioned by this tale, it seemed strange indeed that I was really to see the place I had so often mused about. I scarcely could believe it, and moved along with an odd sense of that dreamy reality. Now childhood, nay, girlhood, was gone, with all its pleasant fancies and happy anticipations, and I stood there a careworn wanderer-yet with a strange link between the happy past and the sad present in the curiosity I felt to view this ruined castle.

The walk through the woods was extremely beautiful. Below us lay the river and the well-wooded hills; opposite, surrounding the modern mansion of Ristormel, a place I quite disdained, being odious to me as a modern desecration of so mysterious a name, suggestive of dark fancies and mysterious legends. As we gradually wound round the eminence on which the castle stands, curiosity has time to increase, for from the height on which it stands and the thickness of the trees it is wholly invisible until one is close upon it. Here we are at last on the summit; the castellated walls, clothed in a dark mantle of ivy, rose before us, and we stand before the gateway. What a beautiful ruin! What a majestic pile! perfect in outline-scarcely a stone is missing. There it stands, embosomed in woods, like some costly gem encased in an emerald setting! The gateway, still perfect, is light and graceful, and through it we passed into what was once an immense court, where I found the form of the castle to have been an exact circle, surrounded by castellated walls, terminating with the keep opposite the entrance. The court in which we stood was the centre of the building, and of great size; around it the different apartments were entered by three larger and four lesser doorways; the outlines being entire, and the interior rooms still showing the remains of what once were enormous fireplaces and lofty windows. The aspect of the whole was unique, from its symmetry; the circle exact, the entrances corresponding perfectly with each other, the roof only wanting to make it habitable. On the grass overgrowing the court-yard, the marks where the Queen's tent had been pitched on the occasion of her visit were yet visible-odious revival of modern glitter within these dark, time-worn walls, whence spirits had descended, and curses had been hurled on the last of the long line of lords of Ristormel, who had ridden out in armed array from its gateway, and whose pennon had proudly floated from the lofty keep. Dark, solitary, and mysterious should all its associations be!

Proceeding along the walls at the top, we obtained a splendid view of the beautiful valley winding along the banks of the river towards Bodmin-the hills, clothed with wood, softly melting away in the distance (after varied undulations)-the rich autumnal tints contrasting with the dark green ivy covering the castle walls. To the left, on the side of a hill, lay the mines to which we were bound. On descending, we noticed a double moat running around the entire walls, marking it to have been a place of considerable strength; an old cork-tree spread its dark branches near, from which I bore away a bit in memory of my visit. As we departed from the lonely scene, no sound disturbed the silence, and there was an awful look about the place that involuntarily made the voice become low, and seemed to forbid all laughter and mirth. Five minutes' walk brought us to the mines close at hand, and here "How altered was the sprightlier scene!"—all was life and movement, noise and hubbub! A collection of dingy huts and outhouses seemed a rallying-point for the miners, who stood by in groups; strange-looking beings, in dark red dresses, their faces smeared with earth, and their bodies so scantily covered with the flannel working-dress, they looked like a troop of savage Indians. I asked for the captain of the men, and felt a little abashed at finding myself alone, only accompanied by K, in the midst of such a grotesque group. A dapper youth advanced, to whom I communicated, in as polite a manner as I was able, our wish to explore the mines. He demurred-I pressed; at length he consented to my request, promising that we should be treated just like her Majesty-ride in the iron carriage she was drawn in, covered with the identical green baize, which he displayed to us, carefully preserved in his room. All this was very flattering, and we were highly amused in watching the consequent preparations. A number of the miners appeared with bits of candle stuck in pieces of earth fixed to their hats-walking human candlesticks; others carried pounds of fresh candles round their necks, which, sticking out of their bosoms, looked novel objects to press to one's heart; another group were arranging themselves for the expedition in an adjoining hut, into which I, with undue curiosity gazing, was startled by seeing a form too nearly resembling our first parent in Paradise to be altogether agreeable. Our friend, the captain, now advanced, and all being in readiness, conveyed us up the hill to the mouth of the mine, which was low and small, situated in the side of the hill; a dense smoke issued from it. The red soil around, the strange figures of the men, their garments red, as if dipped in blood, their pale and haggard features, gave the whole scene a wonderful resemblance to one's idea of the bottomless pit, as described in "Pilgrim's Progress," and made us all feel rather queer. I wished for my smelling-bottle in case of fainting. K was silent; Hannah D.. Kwas speculating on the display of her legs before so many men on entering the carriage; her sister looked rather sulky, as if she considered she was being made a victim. The men crowded round to assist in arranging our iron van; a board was cut into seats, and spread with the royal baize, and in we bundled, attended by the gallant captain, and were drawn to the mouth of the mine by four men, "just (he observed) as her Majesty was."

After we had once plunged into the smoke we all felt relieved; as the

reality was less disagreeable than we expected, although the passage was very low and narrow. We were preceded by some of the men, with lighted candles in their hats, the whole troop of miners following us in a kind of procession bearing lights, so that as we passed along, the appearance of ourselves seated in the van, the damp sides of the cavern sparkling in the light, the walking candlesticks, the heavy tramp of the men, and the long winding procession behind, formed a very novel and singular scene. As we proceeded, I could not help alarming my companions, suggesting, in a whisper, what would be our fate should all these men turn on us helpless women? This was an awful reflection; but their extreme respectfulness reassured us, and we gave ourselves over to our fate with philosophical calmness, and were dragged in actually 2800 feet under the earth to the iron shaft, where we descended from our van, and I was presented with a pick-axe and desired to strike some ore out of the rock, which I did so vigorously as to be highly applauded. But, joking apart, I really did begin to get a little alarm at our unprotected position, and on being asked by the captain "to pass my opinion on the place," I declare that I thought the sooner I was out of it the better I should be pleased; so, regaining our triumphal car, we were dragged back as we came. The effect of the blue twilight, as we approached the opening, was very singular, and we hailed the return of day and sunshine most cordially. We parted on friendly terms from our red-robed friends, who, could one have fancied their garments stained with blood instead of clay, exactly resembled the description of the figures of the SansCulottes hovering round the guillotine at the French revolution. Kwas so enchanted with the attentions of the captain, she declared "he was the best friend she had ever met, and that day the happiest of her life." Poor child! Here is the age of happy ignorance, when retrospect offers no melancholy forms to chill the heart and sadden the passing scene. Reaching the town, we re-entered the carriage and returned by another road, by no means so picturesque, still offering many fine views. Proceeding along Berry, down where a vast expanse of open country presents itself, we rapidly approached Polperro. At the top of the hill we were obliged to dismount and slide down quite in the dark on a perfect sea of mud. To-day was Mary's birthday, and we found her arrayed in a little paper crown anxiously waiting our return. After our dinner a little feast was spread for her, of which she and K—— sat down to partake, myself opposite; and as I gazed at those two children, Mary's little eyes sparkling with delight as she shared her treasures with her sister, I turned away in agony of spirit, in unspeakable despair, for the thought arose- -Will another birthday find their mother with them? Their childish mirth seemed to mock my bitter spirit, and I hurried them off to bed, in order to end a scene which awakened such sad and foreboding fears and melancholy anticipations.

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY:

OR ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF OUR GRAND

FATHERS.

BY ALEXANDER ANDREWS.

COSTUME IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

In the particulars of costume we have often thought that our grandfathers displayed more taste than we have been able to infuse into many of our modern fashions. There was something grand, commanding, even dignified, in the broad and embroidered coat, the long waistcoat, the full wig; the mere cock of the hat could be made to convey a dozen different impressions to the beholder; the lace ruffles were, perhaps, dandified and effeminate, but there was something rich even in them.

We have now lying before us an old magazine in which there is a portrait of a great somebody of the time, apparently a conspicuous member of the haut ton, and as he was, no doubt, an exquisite of the first water, and followed the prevailing fashions to the very letter, the picture may be considered in a wider sense-as the portrait of the English gentleman of the eighteenth century. Mark the studied precision of his dress-mark the stiff bearing of every limb, as if each thread had given him notice that it was stretched to the utmost, and must crack on the slightest provocation. From his toes to the very extremities of his hair he is fulldressed according to the notions of the time. Under his arm is the cocked-hat which was intended to be worn, but which he cannot venture to put on lest it disturb the gravity of his wig; his head is covered with white powder, and his face with "rouge et blanc;" his cravat, "white as the driven snow" (the black stock was become obsolete by this time), is formally tied beneath his chin, and his tail hangs in solemn state from the back of his head; his embroidered coat, with its ample skirts, is thrown gracefully aside, to exhibit the gaudy waistcoat and its capacious pockets, which, in its turn, reaches just low enough to avoid concealing his glittering knee-buckles; his red plush inexpressibles, silk stockings, and highly polished shoes (which even threaten to eclipse the brilliancy of their silver or brilliant buckles)-their high red heels, which tilt him forward till he describes an acute angle with the ground; the lace ruffles that flutter at his wrists; the sword that dangles at his heels, or the stout cane that reaches almost to his head, complete his dress, and combine in giving to a form of no very exquisite proportions an air of grandeur and magnificence which the sparks of modern times severely lack.

The general costume of gentlemen in 1760 has been thus described: "Square-cut coats and long flapped waistcoats, with pockets in them, nearly meeting the stockings, which were still drawn up over the knee so high as nearly to conceal the breeches; large hanging cuffs to the coat-sleeves, and lace ruffles; the skirts of the coat distended with wire or buckram, just in the fashion of the ladies' whalebone-extended petticoats; blue or scarlet silk stockings, lace neckcloths, square-toed, short-quartered shoes, with high red heels and small buckles; riding-wigs, bag-wigs,

nightcap-wigs, tie-wigs, and bob-wigs, and small three-cornered hats, laced with gold or silver galloon, and sometimes trimmed with feathers."

But perhaps the best idea may be formed from the following description of St. John, afterwards Lord Bolingbroke:-" He was dressed in the extremity of fashion, and wore a light blue velvet coat, with immense cuffs, richly embroidered with silver; amber-coloured stockings; crimson leather shoes, fastened with diamond buckles, and a diamond-hilted sword, with a long silken tassel dangling from the handle. His cravat was of point-lace, and his hands were almost hidden by exaggerated ruffles of the same material; his hat was laced with silver, and feathered at the edges, and he wore his own brown hair in ringlets of some eighteen or twenty inches in length, tied behind with a long streaming ribbon" (" red ribbon," says Mr. Ainsworth, in his "St. James's," and adds, "a mode which he himself had introduced"); "his handkerchief, which he carried in his hand, was strongly perfumed, and he diffused an odour around him as he walked, as if he had just risen from a bath of roses."

This description must be taken, however, cum grano salis, as the reader will remember that Bolingbroke was a bit of a dandy.

A dress of George I. is thus described by Horace Walpole :-" A dark tie-wig, a plain coat, waistcoat and breeches of snuff-coloured cloth, with stockings of the same colour, and a blue ribbon over all;" and a summer visiting dress of Walpole himself was-" A lavender suit, the waistcoat embroidered with a little silver, or of white silk, worked in the tambour, partridge-silk stockings, and gold buckles, ruffles and frill, generally lace."

Goldsmith, always a showy dresser, had, according to the books of Mr. William Filby, tailor, at the sign of the Harrow, in Water-lane, a suit described as of "Tyrian bloom, satin grain, and garter-blue silk breeches, price 81. 2s. 7d.;" " a blue velvet suit, 217. 10s. 9d. ;" and, some time later, "a green, half-trimmed frock and breeches, lined with silk; a queen's-blue dress suit; a half-dress suit of ratteen, lined with satin, a pair of silk stocking-breeches, and another pair of a bloom colour."

So much for the tout ensemble. We may as well, perhaps, devote a few words to the separate details of these costumes, and more particularly the head-dress.

The cocked, or three-cornered hat, was generally lined with silk, and the flaps looped up, sometimes with gold or silver lace, to a button on the crown; it was capable of considerable compression, from the very nature of its shape, and was generally crushed under the arm when its wearer entered a house.

The wigs were of the most fickle fashion, sometimes fringed with thick curls, sometimes fluttering in ringlets, sometimes bristling with short, crisp curls-now putting forth a long pendulous tail; then cur-tailed, with a mere sprout hanging down to the collar; and finally, boasting only a large bow of black or brown silk at the back. The "campaignwig" of 1702 was very full, curled, and eighteen inches in length to the front, with deep locks. Other varieties of wigs were known by the names of "the story," "the bob," "the Busby," " "the scratch," "the bag," "the brown George," "the riding wig," "the nightcap-wig," "the periwig," "the tie," "the queue," &c. "The tie" was the wig which we described as having a bow or tie affixed to the back of it, but which