bright mist still lay slumbering. As the sun rose higher, the vapour gradually floated up to Heaven; and before we had reached the lynn of Langolme, the sun was high above the clear blue air of noon, and the landscape on every side spread out to the eye many a long line of wild moss and bright heath flowers, sleeping as silently and as festally beneath the radiant heaven as on a Sabbath of summer. All that day we roamed up and down in the romantic dells; and the aslant beams of the evening sun were lightly twinkling through the leaves of the woods, ere we ever once thought of returning to the cottage of our friend. It was on our return that we had the melancholy satisfaction of rescuing the heroine of this tale from an unseen death. We found her lying under a rugged hedge, verging fast to dissolution-sheltered by two lonely sycamores, which seemed also to be far advanced in the winter of their existence. Exhausted with fatigue, it appeared that she had sat down under their branches, and had fallen insensibly asleep; and the dampness of her clothes, which were removed from the influence of the spring sun by the boughs, had contributed, along with the coldness of the night, to accelerate the fatal effects of a malady which had been for a long period gradually, though imperceptibly, undermining her health. In that dead sleep we bore her to the cottage of our friend, which fortunately was at no great distance. It was not till almost every restorative that could be suggested was employed, that she shewed the slightest signs of returning animation. Young as I then was, I yet remember the pale young woman, evidently in the agony of death, casting her mild blue eyes wildly around the room, and on the countenances watching her. Her countenance, though deadly pale, was singularly expressive and touching; and it was lighted up, every now and then, by a passing hectic flush, which seemed to impart a momentary warmth and animation to features now verging fast towards settled iciness. It was evident to all that the hand of death was on her; and I could see, from the mournful and resinged countenances of my friends, who hung over the bed, as if she had been an only daughter of their own, that no hope was entertained of her recovery. "Carry me to my William," muttered the hapless Mary, in a wild, faint tone; and as she spoke, I fancied I could mark a faint sign of reviving animation flitting across her white features. Carry me to my William," she repeated. "Poor innocent!" said Mrs Laidlaw; "you will never be carried again but to the kirk-yard!" The hectic flush, which animated Mary's sallow countenance, was only the bright gleam that presages total extinction. Before we had time to note it, it was gone; and the spirit that produced it was gone along with it! The third day after, which was the Sabbath, was the day of Mary's funeral. Not a relative came to assist in conveying her remains to the burying-ground. Unknown and strange hands were to let down her coffin into the dust: and she, whom, in the bloom of her maidenhood, all the young and the sprightly thought themselves honoured in attending, could not obtain one beloved hand to perform this last office to her memory. But, Mary! thy sleep is not less peaceful, though no company of relatives bore thee to thy lowly dwelling; and the wild-flowers shall spring as sweetly, and the summer sun shall shine as brightly, on the green turf that wraps thy grave, as though a flood of conjugal tears had been shed on it! Never was there a sweeter Sabbath! The sun was beaming with all its brilliancy on the green pastoral hills over which we bore her to the place of her final rest; and the sweet and simple beauty of the wild-flowers that decked the solitude, shed over the scene a peacefulness, that imparted much of its character to the mind. I know nothing more touching than carrying a young beautiful female, to her everlasting rest, in the green smiling beauty of springtime. The festal descriptions, which poets have interwoven with their immortal hymns, of scattering flowers on the green graves of infancy and beauty, are all completely realized in imagination; and the thoughts that arise in the calm and mellowed spirit are so holy, and yet so solemnso mournful, and yet so full of calm joy, that they seem given us as foretastes of the happiness of the spirit that has burst its clayey casement! On such a day were the remains of Mary Allan committed to the dust. Every spring, for several years afterwards, I visited the place of her repose; and the last time I was there, green was the church-yard, beautiful and green"-and the flowers were springing in beauty all around her grave! C. L. 66 "The London Coffee-houses." A STRANGER in London, Mr Editor" aut quocunque nomine gaudes," will find ample employment for all his senses, even allowing him, as in the present instance, according to the immemorial belief of his countrymen, to be endowed with " seven." He will at least see and hear as much within the limits of one short month, as a regular fed citizen, a full-fledged Cockney, will in twelve. Passing over, for the present, that vast influx of information which cometh by hearing, his eyes alone cannot fail to admit an interminable flood;-for, in addition to all that rast, and indescribable, and inconceivable originality, and extent, and intricacy, and confusion, and bewilderment, and stupefaction, with which his first entrance into the "mighty City" will be met and overwhelmed as the haze and smoke begin to clear off, he will find the *God bless your "seven senses!" don't you see the thing as plain as a pike-staff? The Complaynt of Scotland. 66 detail not less overpowering than the gross amount. St Paul's venerable. and far-seen pile will arise, in distended expansion, like the smoke of an exploded magazine, on his view; and as he advances nearer and nearer, whether by sea or land, this gigantic "NEQEλnyegeta Zevs" will gradually emerge from his robe of cloud, and assume over tower, and spire, and turret, and mast, and citadel, his undisputed and clearly-defined superiority; and, by the time he has taken up his residence at the "Bull and Mouth," or in the neighbourhood of Millar's Wharf, he will have glanced at the Monument-ascertained the bearing of the Tower-and distinguished the turrets of Westminster Abbey. To see London without seeing the river, with all its accompaniments of bridge, dock, shipping, and boating, with its toiling water-works and alternating currents, is like visiting Carltonhouse without obtaining a peep at Majesty, it is like observing the freshness and vigour of the outward frame, without feeling the pulse, and ascertaining the play of the lungs : and then, after all this, what an inexhaustible et cetera of " to be scenables" remain! The Royal Mint, with its " smelting apparatus" and stamping machinery," with its pans of liquid gold, and perennial fountains of silver coinage ;-the Museum, with its infinity of gratification and inconceivable variety of wonderment-with its original copy of Magna Charta, and its Elgin marbles; with ample employment for an age, crowded into the narrow and phantasmagoria lapse of a few hours. Chantry's too, must be seen, with the Statues that live, and walk, and converse-with the twin Babes enjoying, in more than angel innocency, the long dream of death-and the Parents bending, in an interesting variety of Christian resignation, over the lips that have just ceased to breathe. The new Roman Catholic Chapel must not be overlooked, with its altar-piece of sacred and resplendent glory, with all of striking and impressive which the pencil, guided by the most animated imagination, can pourtray. Vauxhall, too, must be surveyed, perambulated, explored, in all the unlimited and unima And then there are the Theatres, and Gog and Magog, and the IndiaHouse, and the Bank of England, and the Lord Mayor's Mansion, and the Custom-House, and Rag-Fair, and the Park, and Newgate, and the Old Bailey, and Chelsea, and Greenwich, and the Times Printing-office, and the Breweries, and Edmonton Fair, and the Booksellers' Shops, and the Auction-Mart, and the Lottery-office, and Covent-Garden Market, and Billingsgate, and Bedlam! But after all, what is mere see ing" but looking, staring, gapingunless accompanied by some operation upon the Bumps, some excitement of those little elves which have taken possession of the "Fairy Knowes" of the brain. In order to see London, as a rational being would wish to see it, one must mix in the society, participate in the whims, and join in the pursuits and amusements of the place. One must not only walk the streets, gaze at the shops, or ascend St Paul's; but he must ride in the "round-abouts," have his head turned in the "swings," visit the "Shows," be present in the marketings, and, above all, make himself acquainted with the "Coffee-houses.' "A London Coffee-house," Mr Editor, has by no means a prepossess ing appearance. There is nothing arresting or attractive in a dark and narrow entrance, with a soiled and faded "Sun," a 66 gilded Cock," or a double-breasted "Swan" stuck over it; and yet it is in these respectable and permanent abodes that freedom, and comfort, and civility, and social intercourse, have taken up their immemorial residence. It was in "Coffee-houses" that the luminarics of the Augustan age of our literature shone forth, in all the intensity of wit, and in all the playfulness of literary intercourse; that our Drydens, Popes, and Goldsmiths, acquired that knowledge of men, and that nice discrimination of character, by which their writings are distinguished, not less than by delicacy of taste, or strength, and reach of imagination. It was in " Dolly's," a name still sacred to good eating and prompt accommodation, that Addison sat in the centre of a "literary planetarium," diffusing a mild radíance around, and preserving, in their orbits, those eccentric and erring spirits who, in all their wanderings, still acknowledged the attractive and moderating influence of good sense and virtuous conduct: and more may still be learnt, in these snug and inviting retreats, of John Bull's habits, and disposition, and peculiarities, than can possibly, in the same time, be acquired any where else. If you wish to see the manners of the Great, in the only way in which they are accessible to 66 a Stranger," visit the gambling-houses, or take a stroll, of a Sunday evening, in the Park. If you have any wish to view vice in rags, drink gin twist at Miller's Wharf, or ransack the purlieus of Wapping. But, if your aim be to avoid an exhibition, which, in both extremes of society, is not a little disgusting and revolting, you cannot too frequently discuss your twelvehour's porter, enjoy your muttonchop, or stomach your beef steak, at one or other of these numerous and unpretending coffee-houses, which may be found almost in every quarter of the city. It was late in the evening when I was safely set down in the court-yard of "The Bull and Mouth :" and after a night's repose, diversified, however, and sorely marred and interrupted by the everlasting grating of carriage-wheels, which still continued to occupy my ear and almost turn my brain, I arose; dressed myself in " my best," and whilst breakfast was preparing, found amusement in peeping from my chamber window at what was passing without. I had not remained many minutes in this attitude, when my attention was arrested by a tall figure, advancing, at a slow pace, along the pavement, and ever and anon turning his eyes sidelong down over the railing, upon the kitchen areas beneath, repeating, at the same time, in a kind of soft and somewhat soothing note"Pots below, maids-pots below, maids." Immediately after breakfast, I sallied forth, like the Knight of La. Mancha, in quest of adventures; but had only advanced to the corner of the first street, and was hesitating which way to proceed, when two or three little suspicious-looking urchins at once surrounded me, and holding each up to my very throat a kind of chevaux-de-frise of knifeblades, cork-screws, lancets, and steel-pikes, accompanied this demonstration, which was any thing but agreeable, with a Dutch concert of discords, of which "only a shilling only a shilling," seemed to form the chorus-Having made my way at last into Fleet-street, I was not a little astonished at the crowd of passengers, which in two distinct currents, set on in both directions, and in the most orderly and peaceable manner imaginable. I immediately plunged into the current, and ere I had advanced two paces, had my right hand completely filled with hand-bills, which promised me a restoration to health, whatever might be the suspicious nature or inveteracy of my disease. I was immediately preceded by a boy, who carried a loaf under his arm; and, as my dress was new, I allowed him to keep in advance, though he continued to walk somewhat more slowly then I was inclined to. We had not proceeded far, when all of a sudden, and with the rapidity of thought, I discovered the loaf making a retrogade curve over my head, and descending into a pair of ragged and outstretched arms, which, at the sudden pronunciation of the watch-word "Tom," were prepared, as I observed, to receive it. I need scarcely add, that all efforts to overtake or secure the culprits were unavailing. As I advanced upon Temple Bar, I found a group of newspaper-venders surrounding the Courier Office, and vociferating upon me with great eagerness, as I advanced- Buy a paper, buy a papergreat news, great news, from Naples, Sir."-My resolution, even previous to this inviting address, had been VOL. X. taken, so pocketing what I believed to be a copy of the Courier, I prepared to navigate my way into the "Cock" Coffee-house, to which I had been recommended by a clergyman who had accompanied me from Durham in the coach. I could see, however, upon glancing over my shoulder, that the " paper boys were merry, squinting from time to time towards me with a kind of knowing whisper, which I did not half relish. But as I was a "Stranger in London," I was inclined to set this down to something of that character, which, in spite of all my tailor's efforts, still adhered to me. I entered a small and snug apartment, surrounded, like an armoury, with rows of clear and burnished tankards, suspended by the ear-and believing this to be the "Coffee-room," I proceeded forthwith to take possession of the only seat I could discover. Having thrust my hand into my pocket, in pursuit of my late purchase, I was resolved to be quite free and easy, till the waiter should arrive, to supply my porter demands. In a trice, a brisk little fellow, with a short well-brushed coat, brown cloth breeches, white stockings, and "Day and Martin" shoes, not only made his appearance, but rushed past, and, in his speed, almost upset me. Hey day thought I, this is free and easy, in all conscience; but seeing it is the fashion here, I must just put up with it; and, in order to conceal my provincial rusticity, "do as the folks do in London," whilst I remain amongst them. So I turned my tripod towards a confined fire-place, precisely in the corner of the little apartment, and spreading out my elbow, upon a small table very much stained, in a manner to shew I was under no constraint whatever, I took up the tongs, placed a foot upon each cheek of the chimney, and pushed my stool in an oblique position backwards, and without any very nice calculation of the centre of gravity, so that, ere I could recover myself, stool, table, fire, fender, tongs, poker, live-coals, and all, were scatteraround me in one promiscuous confusion worse confounded. As I lay supine upon the floor, for carpet happily there was none, a large shaggy Newfoundland dog, which seemed M but just awakened from a forenoon's nap, perceiving my plight, and misconceiving in all probability the nature of it, advanced in the most unceremonious manner possible, extending the whole length and breadth of portentous eclipse over my face and shoulders. "Bless my soul!" exclaimed the astonished man of tankards, returning upon me the second time, and finding me in such an unexplicable attitude; "is it not you, Mr Hickenbottom? I thought," continued he, to a gentleman who, in respect of an equal number of members, but in no other certainly resembled me "I thought it was you, Master, and now I find it has been some rascally fellor, come hin behind my and, to hease us of a few harticles we have more use for yet; but he as taken the vrong pig by the hear, when he thinks to himpose upon onest Neptune there, and Jeremy Bentham-Get up, fellor!" continued the loquacious man of glasses and goblets, and contrive to make yourself scarce, else you may happen to fall hin with those who will make surer work of you, and without much ceremony too. Hereupon, however, Mr Hickenbottom interfered, by withdrawing the growling tones and menacing fangs of dog Neptune, and by assisting me in resuming the use of my legs. "There is undoubtedly some mistake here, gentlemen," said I; "I only wanted a gill o' your gin, with water, for which I meant honestly to pay you; and I know not how, in a public coffee-room, I should be mistaken for an ill-doer, or a downright thief." Hereupon the matter was soon cleared up-I had mistaken the waiter's antichamber for the coffee-room, and he again, on his part, from the free and easy manner in which I had taken possession, never doubted but I was, in the person of his master and employer Hickenbottom, quite at home.-It was a good jest, the good-natured landlord observed, and if I had no objection, we should laugh it over in an adjoining box, to the tune of "Barclay's entire." Being happy to fall in with any one who might instruct me how to avoid such unhappy mistakes in future, I readily closed with the offer; and whilst the porter was under discussion, took the opportunity of our side or retired corner, to look around me, and to make such enquiries at mine Host as the place and the circumstances suggested. "And so," said I, drawing out, at the same time, my newly-purchased newspaper from my pocket, you term that tankard there a pot ?" to which having received a nod of assent, whereby my morning's "serenade" was sufficiently explained, I proceeded to unfold my Courier, as I imagined, yet wet as it was from the printing-press, with the view of ascertaining the Neapolitan intelligence, by which I had been allured into the purchase. But, instead of the comparatively limited, and unpretending pages of the Courier, I saw, extended in all the pride of paper margin and advertisement before me, not the Courier, but the Times, a paper which, from my Scottish education, I had been taught to regard as somewhat dangerous in its political bearings. "Bless me," said I to my landlord, who had just rung for a fresh supply of " the brown," "I purchased this paper for a Courier, and at the very door of the office too, and it has been metamorphosed into a Times! How has this come about, think ye?" "Oh !" replied my really intelligent informer," that is not at all wonderful-nothing is more common; you ask, in a hurried manner, for a Courier, at a place where you suppose nothing but Couriers can be disposed of, and a sly urchin slips a Times into your fingers, pockets his 74d., and is commixed with the crowd in an instant." "Precisely!" said I; "that was the very way in which I was 'done."" "And so," said mine Host, pausing after a pretty long pull on the replenished "pot," (I shall never forget the appropriate name), "and so you read the Courier in preference to the Times and the Chro nicle, do you?" "Why, to tell you the truth,” returned 1, " paper reading has been rather limited; but you surely do not mean to institute any comparison betwixt the sound constitutional views of the one, and the democratical, I had almost said radical principles of the other?" "Yes, but," rejoined my landlord, somewhat nettled, "I do, and as a proof of it, I have on my my news |