what suggestion you may give Mrs. ******* to do.

Recalling, then, the sick-bed and the grave of an innocent infant, I shall think of the frail tenure by which the more advanced in life must hold it; and however deeply convinced (by long and frequent reviews of its nature and proofs) of the truth and value of the Christian system, I shall seek anew, in "Porteous's or Beattie's Evidences," a brief and passing glance at its foundation-in Butler's Analogy," the resistless demonstration of its credibility-and in Paley, at once the certainty of its claim to belief, and all the authority and beauty of its morals. Does not the reiterated perception of these aspects of Christianity lead to invigorate faith, and so to sanc. tify the heart and the habits of life, that one should become daily more and more fit for that heavenly kingdom, which shall consist, as the Saviour says, of little children, and of those who, in innocence, resemble them?

But, coming to the end of my second sheet, I am reminded that it is more than time to stop this unpremeditated and wandering scrawl.

You will notice that I have been moralizing as to the living, rather than discoursing as to the dead.-He is gone, without suffering the trials and sorrows inseparable from lengthened years, to taste the happiness in immortality for which survivors are yet left to struggle. The lapse of time healing the wound which his loss inflicts on affection, will teach at last, not only to be resigned, but, with a mild melancholy, to rejoice at his destiny.

May this be the effect of the lapse of time on Mrs ******* and you; and may happiness here and hereafter be the portion of both!-Confiding in your forgiveness for this grave epistolary dissertation, I remain, with great regard,

DEAR SIR,

Your's faithfully.`

Monthly Memoranda in Natural History.

WEATHER.

THIS has been the most severe

winter within our recollection.Not but that, of late years, the cold has, on certain nights, been more intense, (15° Fahr. was the lowest observation we this winter made), and snow has at particular times fallen to a greater depth; but the continuance of frosty and snowy weather, has, upon the whole, been longer, and the vicissitudes of these, with deluging rains, and violent gales of wind, have been greater. The frost and snow began early in November; and ever since, when these have intermitted, their place has been supplied by successive tempests. On the afternoon of the 24th, Edinburgh was visited by the rare phenomenon of a winter storm of thunder and lightning. The lightning was forked, of a bluish phosphoric colour, like what is called Roman fire: it was almost instantaneously followed by the noise, indicating proximity. The air was excessively cold, and the moisture suddenly produced by the electric explosions, fell in the shape of very large hailstones.

Snow-Buntings, (Emberhiza nivalis. During the whole of this winter, at least from the middle of November, a considerable flock of these birds has frequented the Calton-Hill, taking possession in particular of the rocky space inclosed around Nelson's monument. Here they have not only met with protection, but have been regularly fed with barley, by orders of the humane and patriotic individual to whom we are chiefly indebted for the embellishment of this charming spot. They have generally nestled about the monument, and in the crevices of the surrounding rocks. They have attracted a good deal of notice; and, notwithstanding the severity of the weather, many spectators have daily visited the hill, in order to have a

peep

peep at them. They still continue in great numbers (27th Feb.)

They are not, however, to be considered as an entire novelty in this neighbourhood. Several years ago, we remarked flights of the same bird, both on the Calton-Hill and on Salisbury-Craigs; and a very large flock is almost every winter to be seen on the downs and sands of Musselburgh and Fisherrow.

In the north of Scotland, and especially in Caithness and the Orkney Islands, they abound very much during winter. They are there called Snow-flecks, and often Oat - fowls, from the havock which they make in the oat stacks of the farm-yards. They are sometimes taken with gins: they are generally found to be in good condition, and are esteemed a greater delicacy than larks. The famous Ortolan of the epicure belongs to the same genus.

They commonly disappear in March, early or late, according to the kind of season. They probably retire to Norway and Lapland, to breed. ¡It appears that in search of winter-quarters they seldom migrate farther south than Scotland. In the southern counties of England, they seldom or never make their appearance. The late Colonel Montagu, the distinguished author of the Ornithological Dictionary, although he had for many winters been on the look-out for them, never saw them in Devonshire.

Intermixed with the snow-bunting on the Calton-Hill, there have been observed considerable numbers of the mountain-bunting, (Emberhiza montana,) sometimes called the cock of the worth. This last is rather smaller than the snow-bunting, and the bill is of a brighter yellow colour. Linnæus considered it as but a variety of the other; but there is no doubt that they are distinct species. A very full description of both species may be found in the Supplement to the Ornithological Dictionary already allu February 1816.

ON turning to the Poetry in your

last Number, I was quite astonished to find that a gentleman, under the signature of T. M. C. and whom you are pleased to term an " old and valued correspondent," had dared to enter the lists; and having thrown down his gage, accused the whole of the "Southern Minstrelsie," as nothing better than a parcel of mere plagiarists, without one redeeming spark of innate genius to lighten the gloom of error, ignorance, and absurdity, glaringly displayed in a late conjunct publication, entitled the " Nithsdale Minstrel." I ardently hope, Sir, you will be so candid as to insert the few following remarks from one who, in the name of many old and valued correspondents, has an equal claim to publicity with Mr T. M. C.

In the first place, Sir, "The Nithsdale Minstrel," was undertaken from the purest and best of motives, to give an opportunity to "hearts pregnant with celestial fire," to pour their effusions on the public ear, and to lend a fostering hand to that beautiful, though tender blossom, too often exposed to the untimely blasts of chilling scorn and unmanly contempt. How many a flower, had it not been for means such as these, would have blushed unseen, and thrown its fragrance to the wandering winds! How many a Milton tuned the inglorious lyre, and sunk, unnoticed and unknown, to an unmerited obscurity! Even the corner of a newspaper hath brought to light souls cast in the

glorious

:

glorious mould of immortality and shall we dare to sap the foundation of any author's hopes, however fragile and transitory that foundation may appear? Perish the thought! the path of human existence is sufficiently strewn with thorns; wherefore should we endeavour to plant one more? Ideal felicity is as gratifying to the mind, for the time, as the most glorious reality can be. There are certainly poems in this "spurious pro duction" (as the gentleman would have it) fraught with all that vivida vis animi, that poetical enthusiasm, which characterize our best and most original writers. For instance, what can be more solemnly striking, than the following lines from the "Evening view amid the ruins of Lincluden Abbey?"

"BUT, as I gaze, the vision fails,

Like frost-work thaw'd by southern gales:
The altars sink, the tapers fade,
And all the splendid scenes decay'd:
The window fair, the painted pane,
No longer glows with holy stain ;
But, through the broken space, the gale
Breathes chilly from the misty vale:
'The bird of eve flits sullen by

Her home, these aisles and arches high;
The choral hymn, that erst so clear
Broke softly sweet on Fancy's ear,
Is drown'd amid the mournful scream,
That breaks the magic of my dream:
Rous'd by the sound, I start, and see
The ruin'd, sad reality."

The next poem in the collection, is one entitled The Sailor Boy's Dream, and has been read with universal interest, both from the harmony and splendour of versification, and the pathos and melancholy denouement of the whole, though printed in a mutilated and incorrect manner. following exquisite stanza has been left out altogether. After the wreck of his vessel, and having deplored the awful catastrophe, the author exclaims:

ON beds of green-sea flowers thy limbs shall be laid; Around thy white bones the red coral

shall grow;

Of thy fair yellow locks thread of amber be made,

And every part suit to the mansions bclow.

Days, months, years, and ages, shall circle away,

And still the vast waters above thee shall roll;

Earth loves thy pattern for ever and aye, Oh! sailor boy, sailor boy, peace to thy soul !

The above poem is the production of one of the first of living bards, and who has sounded deep and long the tragic and the lyric shell; and shall he be accused of plagiarism-of appearing like the moon in a mist greater than his original genius admits of? No, Sir! he would spurn at the base idea, and treat with contempt the silly, selfish surmise. His works need not the fortuitous aid of borrowed ornument; but are (like the inimitable Eve of Milton) "when unadorned, adorned the most." There are likewise several other very fine poems in this local volume, which would do honour to any work, particularly" The Auld Harper," in which are the following lines:

"Oh far ha'e I wander'd by mountain and plain;

For my cabin was burnt, and my brethren are slain;

Their swords they were drawn i' the strife o' the free,

But they set like the stars i' their ain coun

worthy of patronage; and we much doubt whether any country in Britain could have furnished a better.

Fithi!, Feb. 14, 1815.

}

A. D.

Statements of Lord Kinnaird respecting the causes which led to his removal from France.

ON the 30th of January, two days after the removal of the British Head-Quarters from Paris, I received an invitation from the Prefect of the Police to wait upon him. With the sanction of Sir Charles Stuart, who had received no communication on the subject, I had an interview with the Minister on the following day.

M. Anglés informed me, "that "there had been observed an ill-will "in my conversation and correspon“dence (une malveillance, soit dans "des propos, soit dans des correspon"dences) towards the Government of “Frane, which rendered my stay "in the Capital disagreeable to the "Ministers: that, moreover, I was " in the habit of seeing and of giving "protection to persons in disgrace; a practice which confirmed them in "their determination to insist upon "my departure. He then argued at "length upon the right which every "Government has to protect itself, "by sending away Foreigners, and, "quoting our Alien Bill, justified the "measure by the example of Eng"land."

In reply, I assured the Minister, that I was well aware of the manner in which I was surrounded with spies; but that, although it was difficult to guard one's self against the malice of such reporters, I could venture to deny, and did positively deny, the use of any language in conversation at which the Government could take umbrage. That, with respect to

:

Excellency's information on that point was altogether incorrect: that, with respect to the third point, I was at a loss to understand its meaning: protection I had none to give; but, if he meant, that I had not shut my door against my friends and acquaintances, on account of political opinions imputed to them, it was a charge which I was inclined neither to palliate ner deny. With respect to the right of sending me away, I assured M. Anglés, that I had no intention to dispute it, and should strictly follow the line of conduct prescribed to me by the Ambassador of my Sovereign; but I begged leave to remark, that, although our Alien Bill was, undoubtedly, liable to abuse, yet the vigilance of the Legislature rendered a wanton application of it rare and difficult: that it was peculiarly directed against Alien Enemies; and though certainly applicable to Aliens of every description, yet the curiosity of nations in amity and alliance called for a satisfactory explanation to their Ambassadors; otherwise, private pique and malice, and still meaner motives, might be enabled to prejudice the interests, convenience, and character of Foreigners on all occasions. That, although I meant to charge no such design upon the Government, yet it was natural we should be peculiarly jealous upon that point, at a time when the claimants against the French Treasury, under an article of the Treaty, might be numerous, and a

summary

summary removal of them extremely convenient. I admitted the danger of the crisis, and the justifiable alarm of the Government, which had perhaps given too easy credit to its over zealous informers. That in consequence of the Report being spread, I had purposely remained three weeks, tempting charge and inquiry, and that I now demanded the investigation, in any shape the Government might determine. Finally, I informed the Minister, that Sir Charles Stuart was to see the Duke of Richelieu on the subject that day; and, if the measure was persisted in, I requested the order in writing, and that some specific reason might be stated for the enforcement of it.

To this request I obtained no satisfactory reply; but, on the other hand, M. Anglés entered fully into details of what he called the most ex

66

66

traordinary and unjustifiable conduct of the English in all parts of France. He complained," that, almost univer"sally, they spoke in contempt of the King and of his Family; and, upon "all occasions, whether in language, or by the eagerness with which they "sought the portraits, busts, and other "memorials of Napoleon, seemed de"sirous of upholding the name of the Usurper: that, if he could show me "the proces verbaux, I should be "shocked at the reiterated proofs of "this disposition, which was carried "so far, that Englishmen, travelling "in the public carriages, frequently gave money to those who asked it, "upon condition of their crying, Vive "P'Empereur."

66

I could only assure the Prefect, that I had committed none of these extravagancies; and, as for my countrymen, he well knew the freedom with which they spoke of their own Government, and must not be surprised at the liberties they might occasionally take with the institutions of other Countries. That there was something in the circumstances, which

To the first part of this complaint I replied, that the observation 1 bad made on the liberties my countrymen might take with the dynasty they had restored, was peculiarly applicable to the Army, which had bled in its cause. That the British Officers could not but render justice to the valour of the Army they had defeated, and to the talents of the Chief, whose Empire they had overthrown. That something of this bitterness or indifference towards the Government of the King might, perhaps, be referred to the period, when his Majesty had thought fit to confer the Cross of St Louis on many Officers of the Russian Army, as a reward for their superior discipline; and that our Officers, though unambitious of the honour, might have interpreted this compliment to one Army (as indeed all France did interpret it) into a reflection upon the conduct of the other that the distinction afterwards conferred on their General* had not