gardening, and states, that Henry VIII. sent to the Netherlands for a gardener who understood the art of raising a salad, to which Catherine of Aragon, his queen, was particularly partial. This, no doubt, gave rise to the story that this arbitrary monarch indulged his appetite to that extent, that fancying he should like a salad, he sent couriers to the Netherlands, at an immense expense, to bring over in sealed bottles the wished-for delicacy.

The reign of Edward VI. was productive of several very salutary statutes, among others a measure was adopted to protect masters against the combination of their workmen, by which heavy penalties were enforced, even to the extent of being set in the pillory, and having one ear cut off, and being rendered infamous and incapable of giving evidence upon oath.

The much-prized school of Merchant Tailors, where so many men of fame and talent have been educated, was founded in the year 1550, by Richard Hills, a member of the Merchant Tailors' Company, he giving the munificent sum of five hundred pounds towards purchasing certain tenements, called the Manor of Rose, on the east side of Suffolk Lane, Dowgate; and also giving them a plot of ground adjoining to Crutched Friars, Tower Hill, on which to erect almshouses for the accommodation of single women. This splendid institution, the work of one citizen, has become, by subsequent endowments, in imitation of his magnificent example, one of the most celebrated seats of classic literature in the metropolis.

The commerce of England, since the time of Henry III., had been most unaccountably and blindly left in the hands of foreigners, particularly of the Hanseatic or Easterling merchants. For three centuries had the whole foreign trade of the kingdom been engrossed by those strangers, denominated, in their patents, "Merchants of the Steelyard," who, of course, employed only the shipping of their own country. The Earl of Warwick, during his vigorous administration, saw the effect of this ruinous policy, and immediately set about the remedy, by forfeiting the Hanseatic privileges, and putting on, in place of one, a duty of twenty per cent. on all their imports and exports, as on those of other aliens; by which bold step the English merchant was awakened from his lethargy, and a spirit of energy and industry was kindled throughout the kingdom.

During this reign the city obtained a confirmation of their title to the ancient borough of Southwark. Among other acquisitions made by the city in Southwark, was an hospital dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle, which had been swallowed up in the dissolution of monasteries in the last reign. It was now repaired, enlarged, and appropriated to its original charitable uses.

The kind and benevolent Edward also, in the last year of his too short reign, founded and richly endowed Christ's Hospital, as a seminary for youth, on the site of the convent of Grey Friars.*

The ancient palace, called Bridewell, was also granted, to be converted into a house of reception for poor wayfaring persons, and for the correction and employment of vagabonds, street-walkers, and

This youthful and benevolent King founded this school ten days before his death, June 26th, 1553, for pour fatherless children and foundlings, as an hospital of goodly charity. On the 23rd of November of the same year almost four hundred poor fatherless children were taken into the house, dressed in russet-brown. In the ensuing Easter they were put into the blue dress worn at the present day, by a very different class of children.

idlers! One most excellent regulation made during this reign was that respecting the prices of provisions, for it was discovered that owing to a combination between the graziers and salesmen the price of meat was much enhanced, causing great imposition on the people. By which we find that a good fat ox from Midsummer to Michaelmas only cost two pounds five, rising one shilling from Hallowmas to Christmas, and from Christmas to Shrovetide three shillings and fourpence; and a good fat wether averaging four shillings and four-pence through the year; Essex barrelled butter being at the same time but three farthings per pound, the cheese fetching the same price, all others producing a farthing less.

The reign of Mary* was less fortunate to the city and its liberties, and therefore will be but slightly touched upon in this Gossip, which does not in any way pretend to be a history, but a mere stringing together of incidents. This in a future stage will be illustrated by anecdote and amusing tales connected with the reigns herein before mentioned, and some of the worthies who shone above their brothers in their march to civilization, one mark of which was, in this reign, an Act to restrain the inordinate outlay in eating and drinking at the lord mayor's table: this praiseworthy attempt had, however, no effect, although full of threatening penalties. In one clause we find that to assist the lord mayor to bear the expence of his inauguration feast, the city made annually a free gift of one hundred pounds.

GUARDIAN ANGELS.

Of good and guardian angels, the old nurse spoke to me,
She taught me too a suppliant prayer of much simplicity;
And well I lov'd the sweet belief that angels hover'd near,

When stars were shining brightly, and nights were still and clear.

I fancied that good angels came all in the pure moonlight,

To guard and bless me as I slept through dangers of the night,-
And in the summer evenings a casement open'd nigh,

Where I could watch as one by one the stars shone in the sky.
One evening on my little couch I rested quite alone,
When to this open casement there came down a shining one!
Ah! well do I remember all the feelings of that time,
The perfume of the garden flowers-the distant village chime.
And I was borne upon the air in noiseless, rapid flight,
Far, far away, 'mid worlds of space, near a broad dazzling light:
I heard the choir of seraphim-ineffable that melody,-
"Behold the gate of Heaven, my child," the angel whisper'd me.
Raised I not my hands in prayer-a child's beseeching prayer—
To the good angel, that he would gain entrance for me there :
He heeded not, but onward sped, the brilliant light soon past,
And horror fell upon my soul, for we descended fast.
Faster and faster, till a gleam of lurid flame we neared,
Coming from out a dismal gulf which far beneath appeared;
"Tremble, my child, 'tis Hades' gate," the shining spirit spake—
And calling loud on Jesus' name, they found me yet awake.
The perfume of the garden flowers the dews of eve were bringing,—
The distant sounds so clear and sad of village bells were ringing,-
The stars in myriads looking down, the tree tops waving nigh,—
I knew all this-yet-yet they urged, 'twas no reality!

Hath time not proved the solemn truth my infant days have known?
In mercy was the warning sent from the "all-glorious One;'
Still lead me to Thy blest abodes, good angels ever near-

Still, oh! my soul, to Jesus turn, in every doubt and fear. C. A. M. W.

* The Stationers' Company was incorporated May 4, 1557, by charter of Philip and Mary.

247

PARA; OR, SCENES AND ADVENTURES ON THE

BANKS OF THE AMAZON.

BY 1. E. WARREN.

CHAPTER XIX.

A Night-Scene in the Harbour of Para.- Mr. Campbell. - Cribbage. — Jenks Again. The "Una" and Taaou.-A new Acquaintance, Captain Hayden.Present of a Boa Constrictor.-A Walk to Mr. Campbell's Roscenia.-Travellers' Tales.-A Fourth of July Dinner.

THE schooner was moored about forty rods from the shore, and at this distance the appearance of the city was truly romantic, if not beautiful. The moon had not yet risen, but myriads of lustrous stars were beaming like angels' eyes upon the enchanting scenery which surrounded us. The little islands, too, which dotted here and there the lake-like expanse of the river, loomed up in the distance like the palaces of sylvan deities, while the gloomy forest, which stood in all its solemn magnificence along the Amazonian banks, seemed like. a gigantic and impenetrable wall of strange and never-fading verdure.

It was late; and the spirit of silence brooded over the slumbering city! The only sounds which came to our ears were the occasional harsh cries of the pative, the washing of the tide upon the beach, and the doleful notes of nocturnal birds. So captivating was the scene, that for hours after my arrival I thought not of repose, but paced up and down the deck like an unlaid ghost; until at last, nature becoming exhausted, I consigned myself to my hammock, to dream of the pleasures I had already experienced, and of the kind friends I expected to meet on the morrow.

Soon after sunrise Gaviono had my luggage all placed in the montaria, and accompanied me himself, not only to the shore, but even to Mr. Campbell's house. As soon as I had shaken hands with Mr. Campbell, who received me with the kindness of a father, my first inquiries were concerning my beloved companion, "Jenks," who, the reader will remember, separated from me at Jungcal.

"You will find him in his room, I think," said Mr. Campbell. "He did not retire until very late last night, and I hardly think that he has yet risen. We spent the evening together in playing cribbage."

"A delightful game it is," replied I; "and I feel under great obligations to you for the lessons you have given me. It is a game which is seldom, if ever, played in the United States, although I believe it is considered a favourite with the English aristocracy.'

"You are right," replied Mr. Campbell: "with the exception of chess, I know of no game which is better regarded in England, unless, perhaps, it may be whist. It not only surpasses in interest all other games of cards with which I am acquainted, but it also affords better exercise for the mind, calling into action as it does so many of its

faculties, memory, judgment, comparison, discrimination, and causality."

At this moment Jenks emerged from his apartment and presented himself before me.

"By the powers! I am overjoyed to see you, Jack," exclaimed he, as soon as we had embraced each other: "really I have felt just like a disconsolate widower ever since I parted from you on Marajo,— you have no idea how much anxiety your absence has given me.”

"Neither can you imagine, Jenks," answered I, "how much, indeed, I have missed you,-you have hardly been absent from my thoughts for an hour at any time, not even during my slumbers, for we have met often, and hunted together as of yore in my midnight dreams! Pray, where have you been, and what have you done since our separation?"

"My head-quarters," replied he, "have been at Nazere, but a considerable portion of my time has been spent in the city. Last week I revisited Caripe, and succeeded in getting some new birds and shells. The recollection, however, of Mr. and Mrs. Graham, who were drowned there so recently, rendered the place more solitary and lonely than ever, and clouded the enjoyment, which I otherwise would have experienced. I made trips, moreover to Taãou, and the “Una," which were both very pleasant."

"How long did you remain at these places?" I inquired.

"I spent only an afternoon and night at the Una,'” said Jenks, and returned the following morning. The distance is not more than three or four miles, which we passed over on foot. I went down there to attend a kind of jubilee or festival, and we had a very jovial time. The evening was devoted to music, dancing, and feasting, and that, too, in the beautifully laid-out grounds of the garden. I wished heartily that you had been with me, for I know that you would have enjoyed yourself exceedingly. I was at Taaou for full three days: this is an estate, you are aware, belonging to Archibald Campbell, Esq. It is situated on a high bank, and is decidedly the most charming spot I have yet seen in Brazil. I killed several fine toucans there, and some other rare as well as handsome birds. The natives procured for me quite a number of curiosities, among which was a large sloth, two or three kinds of armadilloes, together with a miscellaneous assortment of insects and reptiles, all of which I preserved and brought with me to the city."

"You certainly have been making the most of your time," I replied; "but have you decided where we are to go next?"

"By all means," said Jenks, "provided you are willing and in readiness. We will go to Mr. Upton's rice-mills at Maguary without delay-say the day after to-morrow."

"The very place," I exclaimed with delight. "We will go thither on the morning of the fifth. Do the Americans purpose making any manifestation to-morrow, the glorious anniversary of our independence ?"

"They have made preparations for having a grand national dinner, to which we are both invited," said he. "It will, doubtless, be a very interesting affair, and there will, probably, be as many Englishmen present as Americans."

"And as many toasts, I suppose, given in honour of her Most

Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria and the worthies of England, as in favour of Washington and the heroes of the revolution. Nothing shall prevent me from attending. Will you be present?" I inquired of Mr. Campbell.

"I do not think that I shall be able to attend," said he; "but if I do not, Peter, the Dutchman, shall go as my substitute. He well deserves that privilege, for the old fellow fought bravely for the honour of the United States on board the Constitution,' during her engagement with the 'Guerrière.' Although he has a Dutch stomach, yet his heart is truly American.'

During the continuation of the foregoing conversation an important visitor arrived: it was Captain Hayden, commander of the port of Para, and, for the time being, second only in rank to the established governor of the province. He was an intimate friend of the Campbell's, and for some weeks past had been rusticating at the Roscenia of his brother, Archibald, which is delightfully located within the suburbs of the town. He had, at the moment we have introduced him to the reader, just concluded his morning's promenade, and had stopped at the Campbell's, as he was wont to do often, for the purpose of breakfasting with him. A nobler specimen of man, as regards symmetry of form and dignity of aspect, could not easily be found. He was above six feet in height, with extremely broad shoulders and a wonderfully capacious chest, which filled out to advantage his richlyworked military waistcoat, the left side of which was superbly decorated with two golden stars, pendant from gay ribbons and glittering with the richest gems. These were royal insignias, which had been presented to him by the emperor, in commemoration of certain military services which he had rendered to the country. The epaulettes with which his coat was mounted were of a prodigious size and exceedingly beautiful; and the magnificent sword, which was suspended from his waist, completed his brilliant costume. Within a few minutes after his reception, on invitation of Mr. Campbell, he doffed his cumbrous military coat, and put on in its stead a light cotton jacket or blouse, which was furnished him by his kind and accommodating host. A slave now announced to us that breakfast was ready, so we lost no time in taking our seats at the table. In five minutes we were each supplied with a steaming cup of tea-coffee, it will be borne in mind, being only served at sunrise and immediately after dinner.

"Young men," said the Captain, addressing us in the blandest manner possible, while a smile of ineffable goodness lighted up his benignant countenance, "it gives me great pleasure to have met you. Suffice it for me to say, that as you are the friends of Mr. Campbell, from this time henceforth you are my friends, and if I can do you any service whatever, it shall be cheerfully performed. I have heard Mr. Campbell and others speak of you frequently as the 'young American naturalists,' who had been so industrious in collecting the different birds and animals of this province. I suppose you must have now quite an extensive cabinet, which I must take a peep at some time. By the way, I have a rare curiosity for you out at the Roscenia, which you are at perfect liberty to take away whenever you please. It is a young boa-constrictor, about fifteen feet in length, handsomely marked, and very lively. I have kept him confined in a

VOL. XXVI.

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