་་ mal up and down before the assembled multitude, for the double purpose of showing his beauty, and his own prowess in catching him, the cry became universal for the owner to mount him, and there was no bound to the wonder that ensued, when the most celebrated horseman of the tribe acknowledged himself incapable of backing the animal before them. Twenty living men, with forms of Apollos, and the activity of the deer, offered eagerly to do it; and one, more eager than the rest, at once approached the noble prisoner. We felt for the steed, and sympathised with the spirit that resented the mounting on his back. Held as he was, that the rider might mount him, he snorted, pawed the ground, rose into the air, and fairly yelled with rage; and if any one really succeeded in getting into the saddle, no sooner was the rider left to his own resources, than he was thrown, or dismounted by the animal's trying to crush him, by rolling on the ground. This long-continued opposition, surprising to all, by its success and endurance, heightened the wish to conquer him, and we waited with breathless impatience for the swarthy Alexander that was to conquer this modern Bucephalus. The continued trials satisfied me that the Indians were all astonished at the long resistance the horse made, for the sarcastic tone of voice ceased, as one brave after another relinquished the task, and fell back into the crowd and finally, as the last effort was made to ride the noble animal, and the usual want of success followed it, a general shout of goodnatured exultation followed it, and the horse remained quietly a prisoner unconquered among his captors. H : Had it now been in our power, we would have been proud at this moment to have stepped forward and released the noble captive; we would have been delighted to have seen his heels as he bounded off among his fellows over the wild prairie; we would have exulted in his freedom, and prayed that he might never wear the badge of laborious submission. But this pleasure was denied us. Among those associated with the Osages, was a white hunter, who, from his prowess, had gained the name of the horse tamer. » The Indians had often spoken to me about him, and as he presented himself before the camp, at this particular time, his welcome was boisterous. The unsuccessful efforts to ride the horse before him were soon detailed, and he was challenged to make a trial himself. The hunter on this occasion, was evidently fatigued, the pack of fresh skins he brought into the camp on his shoulders, was a mule's burthen; the torn moccasins and leggings, as well as the slow walk, all denoted a long and laborious chase.-Still, the hunter did not refuse the task; he bantered awhile with words, to see how much honour there would be in riding the horse, and when he once discovered that there was so much to be gained, his pride prompted him to accept the task. ་ It was with no common interest that we watched the proceedings of the horse tamer. » The Indians, who had given up the trial in despair which the jaded hunter before me so confidently accepted, were men of powerful strength, of the most astonishing activity, and the best equestrians I ever saw, or imagined; and that they could be beaten, seemed no less than a miracle. The horse tamer approached the stallion, and examined the girth of plaited hair that held the rude trapping attached to it in its place. He took hold of the pommel, which rose like a goose neck from the saddle, to see if it was firm; then with cautious and critical care, he drew gently upon the bridle reins to see if the slip nooses at the ends which encircled the horse's snout would readily tighten, for the Osage bridle has no bit. All these things being to his satisfaction, he next proceeded to roll up an Indian blanket into a hard body, which he fastened to the long pommel of the saddle in such a way that the ends of it would firmly bind upon his thighs, if once mounted; then, with a small deer-skin thong, he tied the wooden stirrups underneath the horse, so that they could not fly above the level of the animal's belly. All preparations being ended, the tamer proceeded to mount. Four of the most powerful Indians seized hold of the animal's bridle, and pulling his head down, held the poor stallion so firmly that he could only use his heels; but in spite of their flying about, the horse tamer» gained his seat, and sang out, let him go." ་་ VOL. III. 34 " The order was accompanied by a shout, that made the welkin ring. The stallion, more than ever alarmed, gave one of his most furious efforts to throw off his burthen, but this had been anticipated, for as he threw himself, into the air, the blanket bound the rider to his seat for the second effort, that of rolling on the ground, also failed; for as the horse threw himself on his side, the tamer landed gracefully on his foot, the deer-skin thong kept the stirrups in their places, and at the next instant, as the galled jade sprang to his feet, the rider went up with him. A long, hearty, and prolonged shout followed the inimitable exhibition. The wild horse for the first time felt the possibility of defeat, his proud bearing was already half gone, for all his succeeding efforts were those of despair. Vain indeed were his displays of power; the tiger with his deadly hold upon the haunch of the buffalo, could not be more securely fastened to his victim, than was the tamer to his. The rearing, pitching, shying, plunging, running and suddenly stopping, seemed all known before hand and met with a perfect guard, that displayed the most consummate judgment, and skill, in horsemanship. At last, the tamer» seemed tired of the cruel sport, and taking advantage of his infuriated victim, as he threw his fore feet in the air, he slipped off quietly behind him, and with a slight jerk, careened the horse over on his back, driving his head deeply into the soft turf. Stunned and confounded, the poor animal rolled upon his side, and the «tamer» threw his bridle over his neck and left him. The poor creature was completely conquered trembling, from head to foot, and half drowned with the profuse sweat that rolled from him like foam, he cast a look of imploring despair at the crowd, and the big tear rolled down his cheeks. His spirit was completely broken. A little coaxing brought him on his feet, the saddle was removed from his back, and the bridle from his head, and he walked slowly off, to be found by a singular law of his nature, associated with the pack-horses of the tribe, and waiting for the burthens of his master. Louisiana, March, 1842. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. A LEGEND OF ITALY. BY THOMAS INGOLDSBY, ESQ. Of the Merchant of Venice there are two 4to. editions in 1600, one by Heyes and the other by Roberts. The Duke of Devonshire and Lord Francis Egerton have copies of the edition by Heyes, and they vary importantly. It must be acknowledged that this is a very easy and happy emendation, which does not admit of a moment's doubt or dispute. Readers in general are not all aware of the nonsense they have in many cases been accustomed to receive as the genuine text of Shakspeare! Reasons for a new edition of Shakspeare's Works, by J. Payne Collier. I believe there are few But have heard of a Jew, Named Shylock, of Venice, as arrant a « Screw » In money transactions, as ever you knew; An exorbitant miser, who never yet lent A ducat at less than three hundred per cent, Who'd take no more care of his pounds than his pennies, Of his terms, would back out, and take refuge in Flight. It is not my purpose to pause and inquire If he might not, in managing thus to retire, Jump out of the frying-pan into the fire; Suffice it, that folks would have nothing to do, But, however discreetly one cuts and contrives, We've been most of us taught, in the course of our lives, In proof of this rule, A thoughtless young fool, Bassanio, a Lord of the Tom-noddy school, Who, by showing at Operas, Balls, Plays, and Court, Had shrunk his weak means,» and was «stump'd » and «hard up, » To his very good friend Antonio, a merchant whose wealth had no end, And who'd often before had the kindness to lend Him large sums, on his note, which he'd managed to spend. Antonio," said he, «Now listen to me: I've just hit on a scheme which I think you'll agree, And which, if it succeeds, will suit your book and mine. And do what you can To attend to and second it, that's a good man! There's a Lady, young, handsome beyond all compare, at Seems bursting its locks, It's stuff'd so with shares in «Grand Junctions» and « Docks,» Columbian, and Chilian, In English Exchequer-bills full half a million, Not kites, manufactured to cheat and inveigle, But the right sort of flimsy,' all sign'd by Monteagle. Then I know not how much in Canal-shares and Railways, Of vesting which, if not so safe as some think 'em, |