mended, by their birth and services, to "2d Class. I am thirty years of age, a widow, in the grocery line in London-have children; of middle stature, full made, fair complexion and hair, temper agreeable, worth 3,000l. "3d Class. I am tall and thin, a little lame in the hip, of a lively disposition, conversable, twenty years of age, live with my father, who, if I marry with his consent, will give me 1,0001. "4th the emperor Maximilian II., both courted his daughter, the fair Helene Scharfequinn, in marriage. This prince, after a long delay, one day informed them, that esteeming them equally, and not being able to bestow a preference, he should leave it to the force and address of the claimants to decide the question. He did not mean, however, to risk the loss of one or the other, or perhaps of both. He could not, therefore, permit them to encounter with offensive weapons, but had ordered a large bag to be produced. It was his decree, that whichever succeeded in putting his rival into this bag should "5th Class. I am sixty years of age; inobtain the hand of his daughter. singular encounter between the two gentlemen took place in the face of the whole court. The contest lasted for more than an hour. At length the Spaniard yielded, and the German, Ehberhard, baron de Talbert, having planted his rival in the bag, took it upon his back, and very gallantly laid it at the feet of his mistress, whom he espoused the next day. This Such is the story, as gravely told by M. de St. Foix. It is impossible to say what the feelings of a successful combatant in a duel may be, on his having passed a small sword through the body, or a bullet through the thorax, of his antagonist; but might he not feel quite as elated, and more consoled, on having put is adversary “ into a bag?" "A NEW MATRIMONIAL PLAN." This is the title of a bill printed and distributed four or five years ago, and now before me, advertising 66 an establishment where persons of all classes, who are anxious to sweeten life, by repairing to the altar of Hymen, have an opportunity of meeting with proper partners." The "plan" says, "their personal attendance is not absolutely necessary, a statement of facts is ali that is required at first." The method is simply this, for the parties to become subscribers, the amount to be regulated according to circumstances, and that they should be arranged in classes in the following order, viz. "Ladies. 1st Class. I am twenty years of age, heiress to an estate in the county of Essex of the value of 30,000l., well educated, and of domestic habits; of an agreeable, lively disposition and genteel figure. Religion that of my future husband. Class. I am twenty years of age; mild disposition and manners; allowed to be personable. come limited; active, and rather agreeable. "Gentlemen. "1st Class. A young gentleman with dark eyes and hair; stout made; well educated; have an estate of 5001. per annum in the county of Kent; besides 10,000l. in the three per cent. consolidated annuities; am of an affable disposition, and very affectionate. "2d Class. I am forty years of age, tail and slender, fair complexion and hair, well tempered and of sober habits, have a situation in the Excise of 3001. per annum, and a small estate in Wales of the annual value of 150%. "3d Class. A tradesman in the city of Bristol, in a ready-money busi.. ness, turning 150l. per week, at a profit of 10l. per cent., pretty well tempered, lively, and fond "4th of home. Class. I am fifty-eight years of age; a widower, without incumbrance; retired from business upon a small income; healthy constitution; and of domestic habits. "5th Class. I am twenty-five years of age; a mechanic, of sober habits; industrious, and of respectable connections. "It is presumed that the public will not find any difficulty in describing themselves; if they should, they will have the assistance of the managers, who will be in attendance at the office, No. 5, Great St. Helen's, Bishopgate-street, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, between the hours of eleven and three o'clock.-Please to inquire for Mr. Jameson, up one pair of stairs. All letters to be post paid. "The subscribers are to be furnished with a list of descriptions, and when one occurs likely to suit, the parties may correspond; and if mutually approved, the interview may be afterwards arranged. Further particulars may be had as above." Such a strange device in our own time, for catching would-be lovers, seems incredible, and yet here is the printed plan, with the name and address of the match-making gentleman you are to inquire for "up one pair of stairs." Topographical Memoranda. CLERICAL LONGEVITY. The following is an authentic account, from the Antiquarian Repertory," ," of the incumbents of a vicarage near Bridgenorth in Shropshire. Its annual revenue, till the death of the last incumbent here mentioned, was not more than about seventy pounds per annum, although it is a very large and populous parish, containing at least twenty hamlets or townships, and is scarcely any where less than four or five miles in diameter. By a peculiar idiom in that country, the inhabitants of this large district are said to live "in Worfield-home:" and the adjacent, or not far distant, parishes (each of them containing, in like manner, many townships, or hamlets) are called Claverly, or Clarely-home, Tatnall-home, Womburnhome, or, as the terminating word is every where pronounced in that neighbourhood, "whome." "A list of the vicars of Worfield in the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, and in the county of Salop, from 1564 to 1763, viz. "Demerick, vicar, last popish priest, conformed during the six first years of Elizabeth. He died 1564. Barney, vicar 44 years; died 1608. Barney, vicar 56 years; died 1664. Hancocks, vicar 42 years; died 1707. Adamson, vicar 55 years died 1763. Only 4 vicars in 199 years." SPELLING FOR A WAKE. Proclamation was made a few years ago, at Tewkesbury, from a written paper, of which the following is a copy : "HOBNAIL'S WAKE-This his to give notis on Tusday next-a Hat to be playd at bac sord fore. Two Belts to be tuseld fore. A plum cack to be gump in bags fowr. A pond of backer to be bold for, and a showl to danc lot by wimen." Weather. A NEW HYGROMETER. A new instrument to measure the degrees of moisture in the atmosphere, of which the following is a description, was invented by M. Baptist Lendi, of St. Gall: In a white flint bottle is suspended a piece of metal, about the size of a hazle nut, which not only looks extremely beautiful, and contributes to the ornament of a room, but likewise predicts every possible change of weather twelve or fourteen hours before it occurs. As soon as the metal is suspended in the bottle with water, it begins to increase in bulk, and in ten or twelve days forms an admirable pyramid, which resembles polished brass; and it undergoes several changes, till it has attained its full dimensions. In rainy weather, this pyramid is constantly covered with pearly drops of water; in case of thunder or hail, it will change to the finest red, and throw out rays; in case of wind or fog, it will appear dull and spotted; and previously to snow, it will look quite muddy. If placed in a moderate temperature, it will require no other trouble than to pour out a common tumbler full of water, and to put in the same quantity of fresh. For the first few days it must not be shaken. THE RED KITTEN. O the red red kitten is sent away, After the king of England fam'd, But as king Rufus chas'd the deer, And hunted the forest far and near, Until as he watch'd the jumpy squirrel, He was shot by Walter Tyrrel; So, if Fate shall his death ordain, Shall kitten Rufus by dogs be slain, And end his thrice three lives of woe Among the cotton and calico. The ancient custom of carrying the "holly tree" on Twelfth Night, at Brough in Westmoreland, is represented in the accompanying engraving. Formerly the "Holly-tree" at Brough was really "holly," but ash being abundant, the latter is now substituted. There are two head inns in the town, which provide for the ceremony alternately, though the good townspeople mostly lend their assistance in preparing the tree, to every branch of which they fasten a torch. About eight o'clock in the evening, it is taken to a convenient part of the town, where the torches are lighted, the town band accompanying and playing till all is completed, when it is removed to the lower end of the town; and, after divers salutes and huzzas from the spectators, is carried up and down the town, in stately procession, usually by a person of renowned strength, named Joseph Ling. The band march behind it, playing their instruments, and stopping every time they reach the town bridge, and the cross, where the "holly" is again greeted with shouts of applause. Many of the inhabitants carry lighted branches and flambeaus; and rockets, squibs, &c. are discharged on the joyful occasion. After the tree is thus carried, and the torches are sufficiently burnt, it is placed in the middle of the town, when it is again cheered by the surrounding populace, and is afterwards thrown among them. They eagerly watch for this opportunity; and, clinging to each end of the tree, endeavour to carry it away to the inn they are contending for, where they are allowed their usual quantum of 18 Carrying the "Holly Tree" at Brough, Westmoreland. To every branch a torch they tie, ale and spirits, and pass a 66 merry night," which seldom breaks up before two in the morning. Although the origin of this usage is lost, and no tradition exists by which it can be traced, yet it may not be a strained surmise to derive it from the church ceremony of the day when branches of trees were carried in procession to decorate the altars, in commemoration of the offerings of the Magi, whose names are handed down to us as Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar, the patrons of travellers. In catholic countries, flambeaus and torches always abound in their ceremonies; and persons residing in the streets through which they pass, testify their zeal and piety by providing flambeaus at their own expense, and bringing them lighted to the doors of their houses. W. H. H. |