fancy and puberty; lastly, wars in which a great deal less mortality is produced by actual battles, than by fatigue and distress, brought on by forced marches, and very often, too, by a faulty administration of armies.

On the other hand, the causes which tend, in places where civilization is advancing, to diminish the rate of mortality, may be briefly enumerated. They consist in

The draining of marshes, and the embankment of rivers and

streams.

The fortunate distribution of public property, which allows to each the means of labour and subsistence.

The abundance and good quality of food for the people.

The care taken of children from their infancy, and still taken when they go to school, and when employed in factories or other public establishments.

Vaccination, and such regulations regarding the public health as will prevent the breaking out of foreign contagious diseases.

The cheapness of the products of industry, which will allow the poorer classes to contract habits of prudence formerly unknown, as, indeed, they were impracticable, and which would enable them to escape the vicissitudes of seasons. In fine, these causes necessarily include such measures as are effectual for suppressing all nuisances in cities, especially those of colleges, theatres, hospitals, prisons, churches, and all other public institutions, which, in a great number of places, still stand in need of ventilation, heat, and cleanliness. In fact, we can easily estimate, in a direct manner, the results of such changes as we speak of, latterly, in contemplating the consequences of their influence on mortality during the last century in the three countries of Europe in which these improvements have been most marked. If we connect in our imagination, in one group, England, Germany, and France, we shall find, by inquiry into their domestic history, that in the vast and populous region thus created, the mean average of mortality every year was formerly 1 death to 30 inhabitants, whilst now it is no more than 1 in 48. This difference reduces the number of the deceased every year from one million nine hundred thousand, to one million twelve thousand in the above population; so that we have in every 63 individuals in England, Germany, and France, one at least who owes his continuance in life, every year, to the results of improvements effected in these countries for the preservation of health.

Thus, then, may we look upon the progress of civilization, not merely as a sort of embellishment of the life of man-it is more, for it becomes an instrument of his preservation and security. The effect of an amelioration in the social state of any people is to diminish, in proportion to the population, the number of annual births, and still more to diminish the amount of mortality. On the contrary, it is the uniform character of a barbarous nation, to have a great number of births, either equalled or surpassed by the number

of deaths. In the first case, the males attaining in large numbers, at the same time, the perfect stage of maturity of their physical and moral development, the population is characterized by strength, intelligence, and manly conduct; whilst in the other, the people remain in a permanent state of infancy, and the generations rapidly succeed each other, without any attempt at turning the experience of the past to the improvement of their condition.

ART. II.-The Black Watch.
In 3 vols.

By the Author of "The Dominie's Legacy."
London: Bentley.

1834.

THE opening scene of this national story presents to our observation a tall youthful Highlander, dressed in bonnet and trews, stealing, by the light of the first peep of day, from the straggling outskirts of the old town of Inverness, and setting hastily forward on some boyish excursion. This lad turns out to have been an apprentice to a wheelwright in the old town, and liking neither the master nor the work, he took this method of getting rid of both. Stopping on the top of a hill to take breath in his flight, he bethought himself of examining the amount of his worldly store. It was very scanty, and very easily counted. But the lad had another piece of wealth about him, the value of which was not so obvious: it was an oldfashioned gold clasp, which he obtained from the woman with whom he had lived from the time he was an infant, and had always cherished it with the utmost veneration, having some instinctive notion that it might one day prove an instrument of fortune to him. Making the best of his way across mountains, Hector (for such was the name of the hero) arrived at Perth, exhausted, without a shilling-without a friend or acquaintance. He was seen in this helpless state by a middle-aged Highland woman, who sat spinning at her door: she took him in, and treated him with kindness. She procured him a situation with a substantial burgess, by name Hugh M Vey, who, having duly examined the boy, was well pleased to employ him.

Hector was in every respect situated as comfortably as he could expect with the burgess, but there was something still wanted to his happiness. He had heard of the roving life of the free Highlander he had followed the gallant adventurer, in imagination, through the echoing forest, and had listened in rapture to the tale and song which depicted scenes of romantic felicity, highly calculated to excite the enthusiasm of youth. He longed, accordingly, to follow to the field, and, from the reports which he daily heard in Perth of forthcoming wars and agitations (for the period of the plot is between 1715 and 1745), his wishes were likely to be soon realized. One morning as he lay in bed, his dreams presented to him a warlike band marching forth in martial array, while the valleys

around echoed the sounds of some war-tune from the bagpipes. The tumult seemed to increase, and the bagpies became louder and louder; the tread of men was heard by him, and they seemed to come nearer; a loud shout arose, amid which the cry of "The Black Watch! the Black Watch!" was distinct. Hector jumped out of bed, and looking into the street, saw a party of the Black Watch tramping through the town. The traditions to which he had often, for hours, stood listening, had given a splendid description of this body, and he was not satisfied without knowing more about them. A fray arose in the streets between some Highlanders and the red soldiers, as they were called. Hector proceeded to the scene, and seeing the brave mountaineers hard pressed, he resolved to assist them. Their leader (Duncan M Naughton) was put into jeopardy by the enemy, and Hector, seeing his critical circumstances, was enabled to save his life. The Highlanders were defeated, many were taken prisoners, but Hector escaped in safety, and returned to his master.

On the ensuing day, M'Evan, the Laird of Glenmore, waited on the burgess to say, that should Duncan, who had been arrested, be found guilty, the deacon and the baillie must connive at his escape. The next day being the opening of the assizes, M'Naughton was tried, and, being found guilty, was condemned to death.

The deacon and baillie, in conformity with their promise, did all in their power to promote the escape of Duncan. Hector is employed for the purpose, and succeeds in gaining access to him. He then opens the whole object of his gaining admittance, explaining to the prisoner that he came to emancipate him; but the obstinate Highlander refuses to be so released, and Hector was under the necessity of retiring. He returned with the son of the Highlander to the prison, both being resolved to effect his escape. By the exhibition of the greatest courage, they succeed in bringing out old Duncan. The party proceeded immediately out of Perth, and succeeded in gaining in safety Glenmore's castle. Hector and young McNaughton enter the castle, while Duncan, fearful of being recognized, retires. The two youths are received with true hospitality by the mistress of the castle and the two daughters, Kate and Marion.

Some months passed: M'Naughton joins the Black Watch as a volunteer-Hector remains at the castle for some time, but during his stay, is induced to accompany the laird, who sets out for the residence of the Earl of Breadalbane, to pay a complimentary visit. On the road, which appears to have been a long one, they happened to pass the encampment of the regiment of the Black Watch. They had a full opportunity of observing the men, now amounting to 800, and the description of them seems to have called forth the best powers of the author. This regiment is by no means a creature of the fancy-it once existed, and, we believe, that the account which is given of it is strictly correct.

Instead of the short-tailed coat now in use, the soldiers of the Watch wore scarlet jackets and waistcoats, with buff facings and white lace; and instead of the heavy bonnet of black feathers now worn, a smaller bonnet, with the diced border, of different colours, resembling the fees cheque in the arms of the family of Stewart, and this, in some cases, set off by a plume of cock's or eagle's feathers, and in others by a small bushy piece of black bear's skin. The belted plaid, of twelve yards length, so called from being kept tight round the body by a belt, was worn in the usual manner, partly placed round the middle, and the upper part fixed on the left shoulder ready to be thrown loose, and wrapped round the shoulders and firelock in rainy weather, or to serve on the march the purposes of a blanket. Besides the belt which fixed the plaid, and in which were stuck, in most cases, pistols and a dirk, in addition to the regular arms, another broad black belt, fixed in front by a large buckle of brass or silver, served to support the basket-hilted sword, which, along with the musket and bayonet, were furnished by government; and round the middle was a third belt of black leather, which served to support the cartouch-box, then worn in front. With all this weight of arms, in the wearing of which this regiment of gentlemen were permitted a certain ad libitum irregularity, which would be surprising in the present day, when officers have a very different sort of men to deal with many were also permitted to wear targets, after the old fashion of the country, which, appearing thickly in the ranks, had a very peculiar effect. Nor did this custom, soon or easily, give way to time, and the habits of the infantry, among whom the Highland regiments mixed, any more than the other dearly-loved customs of their fathers; for, seven years after, as the celebrated Captain Grose relates, he saw them still worn by the men of this regiment, then on service in Flanders."-Vol. i. pp. 194-196.

The trains of visitors having arrived at Balloch castle, the residence of the Earl of Breadalbane, Hector was filled with expectation, for he had been informed by the laird, whom he accompanied, that he should at least see and hear something which he should afterwards remember. His high anticipations were doomed to be disappointed, for, after the laird himself was obliged to wait for some time in the old entrance, to the great surprise of his own men, who had always thought him the greatest being in existence, he was at last admitted, and Hector was ultimately sent with the rest of the attendants to the rear of the building, where they were all indiscriminately huddled. Having remained here for some time, he passed out of the small postern at the rear of the building, and meditated on the sad fate to which he thought he was doomed. Mounting one of the knolls in the park, into which he had wandered, he viewed with delight the sylvan scene which presented itself before him. His attention was suddenly attracted by the sounds of female voices, and turning round, saw a group of ladies, with one of whom he was powerfully enchanted; he watched her as she passed, and determined upon once more seeing her. The opportunity soon offered. A ball took place at the castle of the Earl of Breadalbane, and it chanced that his curiosity led Hector to climb up into a balcony, which com

manded the dancing-room: there he saw the graceful girl who had so fascinated him before. Still waiting in the spot which he occupied, and doubtful if he should not retire, what were his feelings when the very vision of beauty which had so overpowered him, the charming girl herself, accidentally appeared on the balcony! Hector accosts her-she, nothing loath, listens; and, in reply to his inquiries, informs him that the tears, which so plentifully bedew her cheeks, arose from the rudeness of the man who was about to be forced upon her as a husband, but whom her heart abhorred. The interview was of short duration, but it was every thing to Hector, who retired to the castle, where he was surprised at the attention which was paid to him, but which was soon explained. It appeared that a dispute arose between the Laird of Glenmore and the Earl of Breadalbane, and they agreed to decide it by a combat. Crombie, the suitor of the young lady, whom Hector had accidentally met in the balcony, was appointed as his champion by the Earl, whilst Glenmore selected Hector. A long account of the combat is given, but the conclusion only offers any thing of interest.

Hector, now in earnest, sprang upon his astonished adversary. A few passes more showed the mastery our hero was obtaining, both over the weapon and the spirit of his adversary. Crombie now fought with a wild malignity that became quite reckless, but his despairing energy being still unsuccessful, he found himself, after a few vigorous efforts, obliged to assume the defensive, which was by no means his forte, and Hector now pressed him round the arena in a style which elicited loud, almost tumultuous shouts of applause. While doing this, the animated eye of Hector seemed frequently to glance to a large cockade of scarlet ribbon, which, with consistent taste, the honourable young man had stuck on the side of his bonnet, just over his right ear. While Crombie's arm was now extended in almost powerless defence, Hector, watching his opportunity, with a clean stroke, cut this ornament from its place, upon which a shout was set up that the contest was gained; but Crombie, with glaring eyes and clenched teeth, still continuing his efforts for one cut at his adversary, a cry from several voices of 'Let him have it! give him the steel!' emboldened Hector to another aim, and avoiding a blow of the exasperated young man, he returned its intention by a dexterous touch of his point at the inside joint of Crombie's shoulder. This was the last thrust he was required to make. The sword fell powerless from the hand of him of the philebag, while shouts of victory deafened the ears of the bystanders."— Vol. i. pp. 311, 312.

At the commencement of the second volume, the author finds it necessary to make a transition from the Highlands to London, for the purpose of elucidating there some corresponding events of the story. The scene accordingly opens at the residence of General Lamont, in Long-acre, and we discover the General and Mr. Hoskins engaged in earnest conversation, during which the former makes an important disclosure to his friend. The substance of the secret was, that five-and-twenty years ago, having resided in