press, where it remains subjected to a pressure of extend 1230 miles, the quantity printed on both sides 200 tons for twelve hours. It should then wait per week would form a path of the same breadth of about two days before it is used for printing, yet, if 263 miles in length. In the course of a year Messrs. the weather be not too hot, it will, for nearly a fort- Clowes consume, therefore, white paper enough to night, remain sufficiently damp to imbibe the ink make petticoats of the usual dimensions (ten demys from the type. per petticoat) for three hundred and fifty thousand ladies! The ink used in the same space of time amounts to about 12,000 lbs. the ink exceeding 1500l. We have already stated, that, as fast as the sheets printed on both sides are abstracted by the boys who sit at the bottoms of the nineteen steam-presses, they are piled in a heap by their sides. As soon as these piles reach a certain height, they are carried off, in of wet bundles of about one thousand sheets, to the two drying-rooms, which are heated by steam to a tem- In one of the compartments of Messrs. Clowes's perature of about 90° of Fahrenheit. These bundles establishment, a few men are employed in fixing meare there subdivided into lifts,' or quires, containing tal type into wooden blocks of a most valuable and from fourteen to sixteen sheets; seven of these lifts, simple machine for impressing coloured maps, for one after another, are rapidly placed upon the trans- which the inventor has lately taken out a patent. verse end of a long-handled peel,' by which they The tedious process of drawing maps by hand has are raised nearly to the ceiling, to be deposited across long been superseded by copper engravings; but besmall wooden bars ready fixed to receive them, in sides the great expense attendant upon these impreswhich situation it is necessary they should remain sions, there has also been added that of colouring, at least twelve hours, in order that not only the which it has hitherto been deemed impossible to perpaper, but the ink, should be dried. In looking upform but by the brush. The cost of maps, therefore, wards, therefore, the whole ceiling of the room has not only operated to a considerable degree as a appears as if an immense shower of snow had just prohibition of their use among the poor, but in genesuddenly been arrested in its descent from heaven. In ral literature it has very materially checked many the two rooms about four hundred reams can be dried geographical elucidations, which, though highly in twenty-four hours. desirable, would have been too expensive to be inserted. When the operation of drying is completed, the lifts' are rapidly pushed by the 'peel' one above By his beautiful invention, the new artist has not another (like cards which have overlapped) into a only imparted to woodcut blocks the advantages of pack, and in these masses they are then lowered; impressing, by little metallic circles, and by actual and again placed in piles, each of which contains type, the positions, as well as the various names of the same signature,' or, in other words, is formed of cities, towns, rivers, &c., which it would be difficult duplicates of the same sheet. A work, therefore, as well as expensive to delineate in wood, but he has containing twenty-four sheets-marked or signed A, also, as we will endeavour to explain, succeeded in B, C, and so on, to Z-stands in twenty-four piles, giving, by machinery, that bloom, or in other words, all touching each other, and of which the height of those colours to his maps, which had hitherto been course depends upon the number of copies composing laboriously painted on by human hands. the edition. A gang of sharp little boys of about On entering the small rooms of the house in which twelve years of age, with naked arms, termed gather- the inventor has placed his machine, the attention of ers, following each other as closely as soldiers in file, the stranger is at once violently excited by seeing march past these heaps, from every one of which several printer's rollers, which, though hitherto they each abstract, in regular order for publication, a deemed to be as black and unchangeable as an single sheet, which they deliver as the complete work Ethiopian's skin, appear before him bright yellow, to a collator,' whose duty it is rapidly to glance bright red, and beautiful blue! "Tempora mutanover the printed signature letters of each sheet, in tur," they exultingly seem to say, "nos et mutamur order to satisfy himself that they follow each other in illis!" In the middle of the chamber stands the in regular succession; and as soon as the signature machine, consisting of a sort of open box, which, inletters have either by one or by repeated gatherings stead of having as is usual, one lid only, has one fixed been all collected, they are, after being pressed, to every side, by which means the box can evidently placed in piles about eleven feet high, composed of be shut or covered by turning down either the lid on complete copies of the publication, which, having the north, on the south, on the east, or on the west. thus undergone the last process of the printing The process of impressing with this engine is thus establishment, is ready for the hands of the binder. effected: A large sheet of pure white drawing paper The group of gathering boys, whose march of in- is, by the chief superintendent, placed at the bottom tellect' we have just described, usually perform per of the box, where it lies, the emblem of innocence, day a thousand journeys, each of which is, on an perfectly unconscious of the impending fate that average, about fourteen yards. The quantity of pa- awaits it. Before, however, it has had any time for per in the two drying-rooms amounts to about 3000 reflection, the north lid, upon which is embedded a reams, each weighing about 25 lbs. The supply of metal plate, coloured blue, suddenly revolves over white paper in store, kept in piles about 20 feet high, upon the paper, when, by the turn of a press underaverages about 7000 reams; the amount of paper neath the whole apparatus, a severe pressure is inprinted every week and delivered for publication stantaneously inflicted. The north lid is no sooner amounts to about 1500 reams (of 500 sheets) each of raised than the south one, upon which is embedded which averages in size 3898 square inches. The a metal plate coloured yellow, performs the same supply, therefore, of white paper kept on hand, operation; which is immediately repeated by the would, if laid down in a path of 224 inches broad, eastern lid, the plates of which are coloured red and, lastly, by the western lid, whose plates contain Before the wooden clocks in the compositors' halls nothing but black lines, marks of cities and names. strike EIGHT-at which hour the whole establishBy these four operations, which are consecutively ment of literary labourers quietly return to their performed, quite as rapidly as we have detailed them, homes, excepting those who, for extra work, extra the sheet of white paper is seen successfully and pay, and to earn extra comforts for their families, are happily transformed into a most lovely and prolific willing to continue their toilsome occupation throughpicture, in SEVEN colours, of oceans, empires, king-out the whole night, resuming their regular work in doms, principalities, cities, flowing rivers, mountains the morning as cheerfully as if they had been at rest (the tops of which are left white,) lakes, &c., each we deem it our duty to observe that there are manot only pronouncing its own name, but declaring ny other printing establishments in London which the lines of latitude and longitude under which it would strikingly exemplify the enormous physical exists. The picture, or, as it terms itself, "The power of the British press-especially that of the Patent Illuminated Map," proclaims to the world its Times" newspaper, which, on the 28th of Novemown title: it gratefully avows the name of its inge-ber, 1814, electrified its readers by unexpectedly innious parent to be Charles Knight. forming them that the paper they held in their hands A few details are yet wanting to fill up the rapid had been printed by steam; and it is impossible for sketch or outline we have just given of the mode of im- the mind to contemplate also, for a single moment, printing these maps. On the northern block, which the moral force of the British press, without reflectimparts the first impression, the oceans and lakes ing, and without acknowledging that, under Proviare cut in wavy lines, by which means, when the dence, it is the only engine that can now save the whole block is coloured blue, the wavy parts are im- glorious institutions of the British empire from the pressed quite light, while principalities, kingdoms, impending ruin that inevitably awaits them, unless &c., are deeply designated, and thus by one process the merchants, the yeomanry, and the British people, two blues are imprinted. aroused by the loud warning of the said press, shall When the southern block, which is coloured yellow, constitutionally disarm the hand of the destroyers: descends, besides marking out the principalities, we will, however, resolutely arrest ourselves in the &c., which are to be permanently designated by that utterance of these very natural reflections, because colour, a portion of it recovers countries, which by we have determined not to pour a single bitter drop the first process had been marked blue, but which, by into a literary cup which we have purposely concocthe admixture of the yellow, are beautifully coloured ted only for Christmas use. green. By this second process, therefore, two colours To the Governor' of the building through which are again imprinted. When the eastern lid, which we have perambulated we cordially offer, in return is coloured red, turning upon its axis, impinges upon for the courtesy with which he has displayed it, the the paper, besides stamping the districts which are compliments of the season;' and with equal gratito be designated by its own colour, it intrudes upon tude let us acknowledge the important service rena portion of the blue impression, which it instantly dered to the social family of mankind by the patient turns into purple, and upon a portion of the yellow labour of each overseer, compositor, reader, pressimpression, which it instantly changes into brown; man and type-founder in his noble establishment. and thus, by this single operation, three colours are Let us give them the praise which is due to their imprinted. art, and, to conclude, "LET US GIVE to the Devil But the three lids conjointly have performed an- HIS DUE." other very necessary operation-namely, they have moistened the paper sufficiently to enable it to receive the typographical lines of longitude and latitude, the courses of rivers, the little round marks denoting cities, and the letterpress, all of which, by the last pressure, are imparted, in common black printer's ink, to a map, distinguishing, under the beautiful process we have described, the various regions of the globe, by light blue, dark blue, yellow, green, red, brown and purple.* By Mr. Knight's patent machine maps may be thus furnished to our infant schools at the astonishing low rate of 44d. each. *We ought to observe that an analogous invention has already been brought to great perfection by Mr. Hulmandell, in the department of lithography. By using consecutively six, ten, or a dozen stones, each charged with its separate colour, the effect of a fine water-colour drawing is reproduced in most wonderful lightness and brilliancy, while (the colour used being all oil-colour) a depth is given to the shadows which the cleverest master of the water-colour school cannot reach in his own original performance. A set of views of French scenery and architecture, done in this way may now be seen in the shops: they are, in fact, beautiful pictures; and you get, we believe, twenty-six of them for eight guineas. COME AT THE HOUR. BY MRS. C. BARON-WILSON. COME at the hour when Nature, closing Come, at the hour when spirits hover From the Brittania. THE DAILY GOVERNESS. BY MRS. 8. C. HALL. her steps unless when her mother is ill-she is always in time. Perhaps, she casts a wistful eye towards the bookseller's placard, telling of her greatest luxury, a new novel, or at the linen-draper's, with an undefined hope, that by the time she receives her next month's salary she may seek a cheap Challis amongst his winter stock, now selling off, that would do very well for summer; dark colours are best for the street-ribbons do not attract her; she has trimmed her bonnet, and learnt the blessings that arise from thrift, not extravagance. The daily governess knows, if she perform this daily duty, she will lose a music pupil, to whom she gives a lesson, commencing at half-past three, for the sum of one and sixpence; but this family live in a large house, and have promised to recommend her. The daily governess must pay her usual slave-tribute for patronage. SHE passes our gate every morning at a quarter before eight. She is never a moment later. The cook knows this so well that she sets the kitchen clock by "the young laddy in the cottage bonnet." All the winter we could tell her approach by the plashing of her clogs, in the wet unrepaired piece of path at the corner, a standing disgrace to She reaches her destination, and knocks at the door, our highway inspectors-I was going to write them "high- not with a tremulous hand, for it is practised in such inwaymen," for they take our rates and do not mend our dications of her humble arrival, but with the modest cerways. And now she passes noiselessly, as our summer tainty that she will soon be admitted, because she is flowers grow; but, like them, neither unobserved nor un-wanted. The footman hears the sound, but does not remembered. Her bonnet is a coarse Dunstable; within hurry to answer the daily governess: because he knows the last week, the morone-coloured ribbands have been she is beloved by the nurse-girl, on whom she smiles, and replaced by those of vapeur; but they were both plainly to whom she speaks kindly and the girl's home and put on. The ruche beneath is ornamented with a very parents are far in Cumberland. The daily governess little wreath of pale primroses, the black veil is still worn; can appreciate even the nurse-girl's attention. The chilbut a parasol (not one of those fawn-coloured, baby-like dren she has to instruct in this presuming mansion are fairy mushrooms of the present season, but a large, full-wayward and rude; but they are nevertheless affectionate, grown parasol, two years old at the very least,) has re- and would be what are called "good," if they were proplaced the heavy, brown cotton umbrella, whose weight perly managed "out of school hours;" as it is, they have her thin, white wrist seemed hardly able to sustain. The too much of their own way, and their mamma "rates" broderie on her collar is coarse, but the collar sits the the daily governess before them, for their faults. smoothly, and is very white; her shawl-what a useful "Miss Grey, you must be firm and determined; Gershawl it has been! With the assistance of a boa she seemed trude complains of her eyes. So, if you could manage to to think it a sufficient protection against last winter's cold, stay and teach her lessons, after three, for about half an and yet now, thrown a little open at the throat, and with hour, to prevent her poring over her book, she could rethe relief of a white collar, how well it looks! Her dress peat them the next morning. Poor darling! we must then was merino, now it is muslin-de-laine; her boots are take care of her eyes." exchanged for strong prunella slippers, fitting nicely; and she generally rests a roll of music or one or two books in the bend of the arm, the hand of which carries the parasol. I must not forget her brown silk bag-what odds and ends peep out of it at times, when 'tis over full; shreds of German wool; paper patterns; netting, knotting, and knitting needles; half-a-dozen new pens, the nibs out, to avoid the risk of injury-or a round ruler; in short, let it be filled with what it will, the bag is never empty; and yet if you could only see the thread-bare purse within, worn out, not by money, but by time-three pennies worth of halfpence at one end, and a silver fourpence and a shilling in the other-you would understand that the Poor Miss Grey! her patience, gentleness, and all she daily governess is anything but rich. She is not, strictly has really done to improve those children, remains unapspeaking, handsome, but she would be so, if the weight proved; but the faults of her eleves rise trumpet-tongued of anxiety that presses upon her broad, polished brow were against her, when in reality she is in no way to blame; removed. That countenance (the thoughtless would say) the affections and tenderness which her gentle heart yearns wants expression-it wants variety of expression, but the to bestow, is thrown back upon her. She is a daily prevailing one is that of pallid, silent resignation; her governess! What sympathies can they have in common? eyes have an earnest, gentle look, when they raise the It was nine when she knocked at the door-it is now silken curtains that veil, not their brightness, but their three. She was asked to take something at one, and she sadness; and her smile, if a passer-by inquire the way, is had a morsel of bread and a glass of milk and water. as gentle as her eyes. She is neither short nor tall, dark She remains with Miss Gertrude until half past three, and nor fair; but her cheek is pale, not the pallor of ill-health, then walks half a mile farther to give her eighteenpenny for she is fortunate in being obliged to walk twice a-day music lesson. She is in excellent spirits when it is over, through our now green and cheerful hedge-rows; it wears for they will wait the extra time, rather than change. the hue of oppressed spirits. She is young, and might be She says, "they are very good." Why, the mother of mirthful-if she were not a DAILY GOVERNESS. the musical young lady knows she could not get such She knows enough to know, that if she had been another lesson from any other teacher for less than half-ataught a little more of all, or of every, of the accomplish- crown. This is a busy day, it is half-past six and the ments she is oblished to teach, she might command a daily governess has not yet returned. higher salary; "finish young ladies," instead of trudging She had another lesson to give in the same street-not on with little children; but her mother is an officer's a music lesson, though the echo of "one, two, three," in widow, and could not spend a great deal upon one, when her head seemed for eternity, but to read English for an she had three children to educate and send into the world. hour with a young French lady, who met her at the door, She looks neither to the right nor to the left, except per-kissed her on both cheeks, made her drink a cup of coffee haps to glance, when she gets beyond the lane, at our-real coffee-and eat a biscuit, and then sat patiently church-clock; but she finds she has no need to hasten "doing her translation" into such pretty non-descript VOL. XXXYIII.-MARCH, 1840. 42 "Miss Grey, it will not do to teach dancing, without doing the figures yourself very often before the children." "Miss Grey, Alicia's shoulders are growing round." "Miss Grey, Alfred must not ink his tuckers." "Miss Grey, poor little Louisa cannot finish the Cologne stand; pray take it home and finish it for her." THE ROAD SWEEPER. English, that the daily governess chid and smiled until a peel of merry and mingled laughter rang through the room! But the laugh was succeeded, on the part of the governess, by such weariness, that the kind foreigner would have detained her longer, not to read, but to rest, THERE he stands, leaning against the palisades opposite were it not that, she told her, her mother would be uneasy; a long rambling edifice, called, time out of mind, Band then the lady, with a pretty air of mystery, opened hall. There stands Darby Moore, the legitimate sweeper her desk, and held up before her eyes a concert ticket-a of "the long crossing," his broom resting on his armreal concert ticket--for two, it was to be her's, and would for he has but one-and the corresponding sleeve of his enable her and her mother to go together the next even-coat pinned by a large corking-pin to the fold of his red ing, which they would be sure to do, for to-morrow would waistcoat; his hat is so evidently, if not of Irish manufacnot be a busy day, and they could walk there very well, ture, twisted by Irish hands, that, even if our Sweeper's and leave their bonnets at the entrance, or slide them off, name was not Darby Moore, or we had never heard his and let them hang down by their sides—“so”—no one mellifluous brogue, no doubt could be entertained as to would notice them. Oh, it would be such pleasure-such where he came from-the brim of the hat is bent over his dear pleasure! to hear sweet music, and her mother was left eye, impressed by the mark of his finger and thumb, so fond of music, her mother would enjoy it so much, she pinched in by perpetual bowing, so as to have a knowing, was very-very grateful. The French lady regretted that roguish twist; the crown has disagreed with the round, the distance was so great. The daily governess said, they or they have come to an almost separation by mutual conwould not mind that; they were only a mile and a half sent. I have seen "a handful of hay," symptoms of a from Hyde Park corner-her mother could walk that- red handkerchief, crusts of bread, and even a mutton-bone, and then an eightpenny drive would bring them to the peeping through the slit-nay, even staring out-for concert rooms. Those fly-cabs were so respectable and Darby says, “that sorra a pocket has he, but the crown convenient-it would be charming;—she did not mind of his hat; for Nelly says she can't affoord pockets to fatigue; and Miss Grey commenced her return with a his coat!" quick step and a flushed cheek. She thought, poor The weather has been so fine, that one might imagine thing, though she had been teaching since nine, and it "Othello's occupation o'er." was now nearly half-past six-she thought it had been a Not so-in winter Darby sweeps the mud from "the very happy day. As she walked rather quickly, several long crossing,” and in summer waters the dust. I found impertinent fellows-impudent Irish men-cunning Scotch he had been so liberal of the pure fluid that I said, lads, or, it might be, an English youth, intent on syste- "Darby, why you have converted the dust into mud.' matizing even his flirtations-attempted to peep under "Mud! oh, ma'am dear! do you call that 'sprinkling" her bonnet; but she poked the big parasol very low at mud! Och hone! well but my ladies is hard to plaze! that side, and walked on; if the attempt was repeated, The pleasures I takes in making the long crossing her cheek flushed, her heart beat more quickly, and her agreeable-just a little thickening, and softening, and eyes filled with tears. Then, indeed, she felt she had no cooling, and to call it mud! O my, my! Well, to be one to protect her. sure! Why, thin how would yer honour like it? Sure, She stopped at a shop at Lowndes-terrace, where black it isn't in regard of the halfpence I get-and sure enough silk and white kid gloves are only a shilling a pair. She the sight of a silver fourpence would do the sight of my looked through the window at them-hesitated, and eyes good-'tisn't in regard of the halfpence, but the walked on; perhaps she will wait till her mother is with honour of sweepin' for the best and handsomest ladies, her, the following evening, and then she can choose for and the finest gentlemen in England, that's what I think her. What her mother chooses is always best. She has of; and, my lady, if ye'll plaze to bespeak the natur of passed our gate. She is evidently very much fatigued, the damp, it shall be as ye like, ma'am; good rason I her steps lag heavily; she lodges with her mother in that have, too. I always says to Judy; Judy says I, the Irish little cottage, for the benefit of the soft pure air of good lady always brings me good luck; if it's only twopence old Brompton. And now you see the widow's cap she gives me, it's the regular seed of wealth-it grows, so through the young stems and insignificant leaves of the it does. God bless her! And now, my lady, how would jessamine. The daily governess quickens her step;-she you like the long crossing' to-morrow?" pulls from her bosom the concert ticket; and after she It would be impossible to describe the shades of exhas received her mother's kiss-before her mother's hands pression that passed over Darby Moore's face during this can untie her bonnet--she holds it up before her? Oh, piece of eloquence; the merry twinkle of his keen grey how very much a little drop of innocent pleasure sweetens eye; the movement of the muscles which contract, expand, the cup of toil! Drink of it, long, and deeply, it becomes and twist his mouth; the action of his hand, which does bitter on the tongue, and evil to the heart. duty for two; the shrug of his shoulder, and the anxious A daily governess has, at least, her evenings. Some-leer from under his eye-lid, to see how the hint about the times, not often, a friend drops in. To-night our patient, twopence takes. good, industrious girl has thrust her pretty swollen feet | "Darby, I do not think I ever gave you more than a into her mother's easy shoes; and while the widow reads, penny at a time in my life.” or pours out their frugal tea, she is quilling, or snipping, "Well, the masther gives me a penny, and yer honor arranging something white-a little finery for "to- our gives me a penny, and sure that's twopence ;-bemorrow" evening. And now the work and books are dad! if yer ladyship will give me the twopence now, I'll put by the candle snuffed-they read and pray-not tell the masther next time-if yer ladyship wishes itlong, but fervently, and then to bed, despite the labour, if not, why, as the fool said, We'll let it stand a penny which, fair reader, you shudder even to think upon. The for Johnny, a penny for Jacky.'" daily governess sleeps soundly, and will awake as sweet, as patient, and as gentle-and it may be, a trifle more cheerful, to-morrow, than she was to-day. Darby, as he says himself," is not altogether beholden to sweepen;" he has been a "souldier"-talks with contempt of the "French," and declared the other day "that th' Almighty never created but one real man in the world (barrin her Majesty, for whom he had great respect,) and as the song says." "But how much is it, Darby?" pear in ever-varying succession. While travelling through the island, I, on one occasion, spent an hour in this place; and it has left on my mind a picture of horror which 1 shall never forget. I was riding alone over the desert and sandy flat, when there arose from the north, on the side nearest the sea, a storm, accompanied with thunder and lightning. The waves an high, the clouds chased each other through the firmament, the skies became dark and lowering, the sand began to give way in masses under the feet of my horse, and at last rose in whirlwinds and filled the air. The path could no longer be discerned, the horse sank deeper and deeper in the loose sand; hea "Faix! my lady, its a mere nothing, and the wife and ven, earth, and sea, seemed all mingled together in one childre' to the fore." But, how much?" "To my sorrow, my lady, I've no larning-I've no hand at the figures; and I'm thinkin' they do me out of some of it. Ye see I managed finely, until afther Miss Joy, round the corner, was married." "How was that?" wild tumult; and every object was enveloped in a cloud of sand and dust. There was no trace of life or vegetation; the tempest whistled through the air; the waves of the ocean lashed the shore; the thunder rolled in the distance; and the dull lurid lightning seemed as though it could scarcely penetrate the air, thick with particles of the flying soil. The danger was imminent; when sud"Why, ye see, her sweetheart always came to see denly a heavy thunder shower began to fall, and effectuher twice a day, and though the baste (horse) was nothing ally laid the shifting sand; enabling me, though thobut a hack, still I'd a regular sixpence to hould it. She's roughly drenched, to find my way to the little town. married now; and faith I don't think he's plazed with It was on this desolate track of country, about a quarter his bargain; for when they come to see the old lady and of a mile from the shore, that the village of Norwig was gentleman in the shay-which is more responsible to situated. The sand has long since destroyed all traces of hould than the baste--I never get anything but coppers!" human dwellings; and the inhabitants, principally sailors Pray admire Darby's "tact;" it is so Irish! how well and fishermen, have long since removed to another quarhe manages to turn curiosity from his pension to Miss ter; the church alone remains, standing solitary upon a Joy that was the proprietor of "the shay" that is-and little eminence, and surrounded, on all sides, by the melanthe bridegroom's probable unhappiness, either present or choly and constantly shifting desert. It is the scene of the following most mysterious occurrence : to come. The little match-children, who made up such a piteous It was during the early part of the last century, that story to our cook, about their father having left his bones the old and venerable pastor of the village sat in his lonely at Waterloo, were Darby's offspring. I reminded cook apartment, sunk in deep meditation. It was midnight; that the battle had been fought more than twenty-three the house lay at the extremity of the village; and, as the years ago, and she was so angry that, even at the risk of simple manners of the inhabitants rendered it unneces spoiling our dinner, she pursued the urchins, and found sary to employ bolt or bar, the doors all remained open. them in the very act of dutifully sharing the pie crusts The lamp was burning dimly, and the solemn silence and meat she had bestowed, with my old friend, Darby was unbroken, save by the rippling of the sea, in which Moore. This was not to be borne; she called them little the pale moon beheld her own reflection. Suddenly the story-tellers, but not in those words-and their father took their part. "I ax yer pardon, ma'am, but here is some of what ye gave them, God bless ye!" and he held up the remains of a shoulder of mutton. "That's a bone, ma'am. Sorra a much mate on it; ye'll not say that's not a bone!" Certainly not." "Well, then, the childre' tould no lie; they said their father left his bones at Waterloo, and so I did, God help me!-the bones of my beautiful arm and my five fingers; they tould no lie, ma'am. It wasn't their fau't, ma'am, if ye couldn't understand English.” old man heard the doors beneath opening, and recognised the heavy footsteps of men upon the staircase; he now looked up, expecting to receive a summons, in all probability, to attend a dying person, and administer spiritual consolation. Two strange-looking men now entered the apartment, clad in white mantles, and approached him in the most courteous manner. "Pastor of Norwig," said the first of the intruders, "we request you to follow us; there is a wedding to be solemnized, and the bridal pair are already awaiting you in the church." He then showed the old man a heavy purse of gold, which he promised should be his, as a recompense for the trouble and annoyance such an ill-timed summons might occasion him. The pastor stared in astonisnment at the stranger; for there was something in his appearance which seemed to him awful and almost spectral; but the latter only repeated his words, and that in a more threatening and commanding tone. When the old man began to collect THE island of Zealand is joined, on the northwest, by himself, he represented to the stranger that his sacred a narrow sandy strip of land, to a beautiful and fertile office did not permit him to perform the marriage-service peninsula, thickly dotted with cottages, and forming a without some previous knowledge of the individuals, belittle district in itself. It boasts of one small town, be-sides going through the formalities which the law required. yond which the peninsula extends in a bold headland, The second stranger now stepped forward. "You have far out into the wild and stormy Cattegat, forming a the choice," said he, "of following us and receiving the landscape of the most bleak and desolate description. proffered sum of money, or of remaining here and having The shifting sand has destroyed all traces of vegetation; a bullet sent through your head." So saying, he held a moving sand hills--the play of the tempests which, un-pistol to the pastor's forehead, and awaited his answer. checked, sweep over the land from the stormy sea-are The old clergyman turned pale, and having silently and constantly changing their position, and arise and disap-hastily risen up, and put on a sort of upper garment, re From Tait's Magazine. A DANISH TRADITION. |