may pursue his work at high water, although his difficulties in the way of getting the dredge to work well, are materially increased.

The kind of dredge now universally employed in scientific dredging is known by the name of " Dr. Ball's Naturalist's Dredge.' The great advantage of this dredge is its capability of adapting itself to its work in whatever position it may touch the ground. The mouth of the dredge is so placed that it is unlikely to foul, to "swallow" its net, or to become otherwise complicated, and so to destroy the dredger's pleasure and peace of mind. The mouth of this dredge is formed by two broad plates of iron, secured together by a transverse har at either end, and placed so as to open outwards, and at an angle which admits of the sea-bed being conveniently scraped. Attached to the cross or transverse bars of the mouth-piece, we find the highly-important apparatus to which the rope is attached. This latter apparatus consists of two stout iron rods, securely fixed by a moveable joint to the cross bars; and these rods meet in the middle line, where they can be fastened at will by a strong screw, which also secures the swivel-ring, to which the rope is attached. And then, lastly, to the iron scrapers of the dredge-mouth we attach the net, which may either be of stout cord or of cord and copper-wire links-a combination securing strength and stability, and largely employed in the dredging operations of oyster fisheries. The rope should be of a strong, elastic descrip tion; and as upon the quality of the rope the safety of the dredge mainly depends, the dredger will do well to see that the rope is of first-rate quality. Penuriousness in the matter of the rope, will, in ail likelihood, cost the dredger dear, by causing the loss of his dredge. Precautions are frequently taken to ensure the safety of the dredge, by placing an indiarubber or hempen joint at the point where the iron rod of the dredge joins its mouth. The object of this or similar precautions consists in the fact that, if the dredge is overladen, the indiarubber or other joint will break-its strength being less than that of the dredge-rope,-and the dredge will then tilt over, and empty itself, whilst it can be pulled up by the dredgerope, which, of course, still remains firmly attached to the frame. But I have personally found, that by using ordinary care in preventing undue strain on the dredge-rope, and by using thoroughly good hempen material, the chances of the dredge being lost are reduced to the minimum. The dredger should have in readiness additional length of rope, and also a spare net, with which to replace the net of the dredge, when it it injured or even torn away altogether.

And next, as to the fitting-out of the naturalist's department. Presuming that it is the object of the dredger to secure live-stock

for the aquarium, as well as material for museum-preservation, or for microscopic examination, he ought to provide himself with a series of bottles or jars, securely fitted, into which his treasures can be dropped, and in which they may be preserved. A very simple but convenient and efficient apparatus for this latter purpose may be constructed out of an ordinary deal box, by placing a few spars across its interior so as to make divisions or spaces for holding jars or bottles in a secure position. My readers have all seen wine merchants' boxes constructed in this way; each box divided in the inside in this fashion, being, in fact, a portable wine-bin. Such an arrangement will keep the bottles or jars from being dis placed, and a rope handle at either end of the box will enable the dredgers to transport their treasures at once conveniently and safely to any place, and almost to any distance.

The kind of bottles employed to contain the live-stock or dead specimens need cause no trouble or perplexity. All that should be attended to is the thoroughly clean character of the jars and of their corks or stoppers. Old pickle-bottles, prune. jars, or even jelly-pots with large bungs, to secure the contents, will suit. These and allied vessels will serve every purpose of the dredger, as well as more costly apparatus. Many objects (e g., crabs, sea-anemones, etc.,) will not required to be immersed in sea water for preservation; such forms may be easily carried in an uninjured and healthy condition, and for considerable distances, by being loosely packed in wet sea weeds. I have known such organisms packed in this manner, make a long journey by post or rail, and arrive at their destination safely and in good trim.

And lastly, I need hardly inculcate upon the dredger the duty of cultivating a cheerful mind, under all the mishaps which may befall his little expeditions, as well as in those undertakings involving more serious outlay and having more important objects in view. The great secret of successful dredging is the doing of everything in a quiet, orderly manner; the avoidance of all fuss and worry, and the setting of the mind upon the thorough enjoyment of a recreation, which if rightly pursued, will renovate and amuse the powers and faculties alike of the body and mind.

In a future paper we may accompany the dredger in his expedi tion, and devote a little time and space to the description of the more prominent objects which the scientific search generally yields.

ANDREW WILSON.

A MYSTERY.

I.

ALL science teaches that we never die !

We know death only as a change of Form, And not of Being; for, when at rest we lie, When we have weathered Life's uncertain storm, Then other laws shall re-assert their sway O'er the organic; and they will impel The ever-shifting particles of clay

In other beings, in other forms to dwell!

II.

We never die! but in the scented flower,

The glistening dew-drop, and the waving grain, In the fair tendrils of the summer bower,

And spring's sweet blossoms, we shall live again Through all the ages; till what we call time And space shall be forgotten; when we see Those mighty waters, fathomless, sublime, The trackless ocean of Eternity!

III.

And if this structure frail of molecules,
The Body, never dies, how fares the Soul?
Say, ye bold sceptics of our modern schools,
Where do you fix the spirit's final goal?
Brain function only, mere intelligence,

Shall with the brain itself decay and die;
But the atomic being shall vanish hence,
The inner self-the real immortal " I."

IV.

Then disembodied, and released as well,
From these imperfect senses, we shall learn
When the soul entered it's material cell,

Or if that soul was hidden in the germ;
What those germs are, and where the souls of those
That never ripened to organic life?

To eager ears Omniscience shall disclose
These mighty problems of polemic strife.

V.

The worlds above us, each mysterious star
That trembles in the firmament of night,
We do not see them as they really are,

But as they were, when first the rays of light
That show them to us, left their distant shore,
A hundred, nay, a thousand, years ago!
But science tells us some are there no more;
So we see stars that do not really glow!

VI.

The universe is boundless-so the rays
Of light reflecting every earthly scene,
That has been since creation's earliest days,
Are shot into the starry vault serene,
And there move on for ever! So, in space
Is somewhere painted every secret deed,
Each crime or virtue of the human race,
A record for Omniscience to read!

VII.

Should some pure spirit, but desire to see
Some drama of a thousand years ago,
At such a star-world must his station be,
Where light would take that term of years to flow
From this our planet; and he would behold
That drama re-enacted! Clearer far

The meaning of Omniscience will unfold,

Exeter, 1875.

As such a being would flash from star to star!

F. B. DOVETON.

THE HUNCHBACK CASIIIER:

A TALE OF THE LAST CENTURY.

CHAPTER XIV.-Continued.

THE MASQUERADE.

MRS. PURCELL's cousins had sent their chariot to take the ladies back, and it was with a feeling of exquisite relief that Rose inhaled the fresh air of a balmy summer morning, after the stifling, close atmosphere of the masquerade rooms.

Mrs. Purcell's nephew, a Mr. Darlington, was with them in the chariot, and, as they could only advance slowly in the crowd, he was leaning from the window, exchanging jokes with the masquers, when he suddenly drew back, and pushing his aunt forward, said"Look at that old fox-hunter, on the opposite side of the way; isn't it your Winchester admirer, Squire Bramber?"

"Good lack, I declare it is!" answered Mrs. Purcell; "why what has brought the Squire to London? I should never have thought he would have ventured himself in this den of thieves, as he calls it."

"In truth, he looks quite lost," replied Mr. Darlington. "Let your Oliver run across, and persuade him to exchange his seat on horseback for a place in our chariot."

Mrs. Purcell willingly assented to this proposal, and Oliver was despatched with a message to Squire Bramber, who, when he heard who were the occupants of the chariot, at once dismounted, gave his horse into the care of his own servant, and working his way through the crowd, saluted his country friends with a boisterous "Tally-ho to the great amusement of all the masks in the vicinity.

Squire Bramber was a man of middle height, with a florid, sunburnt face, and a pair of merry, twinkling blue eves. His estate joined some land owned by Mrs. Purcell, and this had been the inducement, so malicious tongues averred, which had caused him to pay his addresses to the fair widow. However, he did not employ any very great ardour in the chase, and never flattered the lady; but rather spoke his mind, in his usual blunt fashion, a little too freely sometimes.

"Whatever has brought you to London, Squire?" asked Mrs. Purcell, when the latter was seated in the chariot.

'Aye, you may well ask that," replied the Squire. "I didn't