well, and I augured a glorious night.

But, Oh! vain thought, who can command his fate!"

I had deposited my precious garments in a place of safety, as I thought, in the general dressing. room, and thither I repaired, 'filled with mounting hopes to array my self as the melancholy Prince. With palpitating heart I heard the buz of the audience, and on looking through a slit in our great curtain, I saw that the benches were literally crammed. The tinkling of the prompter's bell called for the first music. The King, Queen, and Courtiers, were all dressed, and Hamlet was hotly called for. I ran to the spot where I had concealed my dress, when, Oh! horrible sight! I beheld my beautiful velvet cut into a thousand shreds. My robe, tunic, and trunks, fell to pieces in my hands, and my brilliant jet ornaments, and black bugles, lay scattered on the ground in beautiful disorder. All Behind the scenes was bustle and confusion; the play had commenced and no Hamlet could be found, for I absolutely refused to play in any dress but my own. In vain did the manager intreat, threaten, and cajole: I was fixed in my purpose, and nothing could shake me. short, the finale was this, the manager came forward to throw himself, as he said, on the indulgence of the audience. The gentleman who was to have played Hamlet unfortunately broke his leg on his way. to the theatre, and he, therefore, appeared before them for the purpose of craving their permission to read the part. The thing was past enduring; groans, hisses, and orange peels, assailed him from every quarter. The part of Hamlet read! was there ever such a humbug?' The storm raged, the benches were torn, up, the lights were put out, the ladies screamed, and the gentlemen swore. It was then, that availing myself," said Dick, "of the general confusion, I hastily collected the remnant of my wardrobe, and aware of the penalty which I had incurred by my refusal to play, for I was under articles at the time, I slipped out unperceived, and leaving my

In

worthless companions to witness the result of such stormy doings, I speedily decamped from the town, to try my fortune in another quarter."

The evening was far advanced before I parted from Dick, but recollecting a pressing engagement, I was obliged reluctantly to separate from him. His unhappy situation, however, had made a deep impression on me; and, as I pressed his hand, I requested him to tell me in what way I could best serve him. He assumed a theatrical attitude, and answered me from Othello.

"I greet thy love, Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous,

And on the instant wil) I put thee to it.'

Lend me a crown," he added, in a stage whisper. "And thou shalt have it, Dick," said I, "but a crown will do thee little service;" and glancing significantly at his threadbare coat, I handed him a sum which accorded more with his necessities, and my own feelings. "I am still at my old chambers, Dick," I added, "let me see thee there betimes in the morning, and we will talk further on thy affairs. He wrung my hand in silence and we parted.

But, proceed we now to the last act of poor Dick's eventful drama. A fortnight had elapsed from the day of our accidental meeting, when I received a note, in an almost unintelligible hand, requiring my attendance at the sick bed of a friend, who was most anxious to see me. My fears but too well assured me, that I was about to witness the final exit of poor Dick; and taking a bottle of old Madeira in my pocket, I followed the messenger of death, a miserable old woman, through lanes and courts, and alleys blind,' until we reached a wretched house, in the attic of which, on the bare boards, and wrapped in a scanty blanket, I discovered all that was left of the once gay and captivating Dick Spouter. Though evidently in a dying state, and unable to articulate, he seemed quite sensible of my approach, for he welcomed me with a tight pressure of his moist

hand. A cup of cold tea lay at one side of him, and an open book at the other. Curiosity prompted me to glance at the latter; it was an old odd volume of Shakspeare. Perceiving the poor fellow's exhausted state, I speedily uncorked my never-failing medicine, and emptying the cup of its washy contents, I applied the cordial to his parched lips. The current of his life, which was ebbing fast away, returned to its former channel, and his eyes regained a little of their wonted lustre. He raised his head, smiled, and smacked his lips, and then, to my surprise and pleasure, he repeated, though in a faint and broken voice, Falstaff's encomium on his favourite sack. I was really delighted to find the almost magical effect which the wine had on him. "Cheer up, Dick," said I," and hope for better times. We must move you from this miserable room in the first plare," and when thou art thyself again, we will see what further can be done. There is an old friend, and brother collegian of mine, who has the power, and, I believe, lacks not the will, to do thee a service for my sake. In fact we have been putting our heads together since I last saw you, and I hope soon to see you quite restored, and in a comfortable birth." He pressed my hand in token of his gratitude, but seemed to think by an incredulous shake of his head, and a faint smile, that friendship could do but little for him. "I am grateful, my dear Sir," he added, after a pause, in which he endeavoured to collect his remaining .strength, "for the kind solicitude which you have always felt for me; but, I rather think, indeed I have an evidence within, which tells me that, as Hamlet says, I am about to shuffle off this mortal coil,' and to give my enemies the slip for ever. The truth is, I have been rather unhandsomely dealt with, although I begin to suspect, that acting was not altogether my province, but let that rest. I have played my little part on the great stage, and the universal manager is about to call me to account,"" Phoo, phoo," said

I," you must give up such gloomy thoughts: you have youth at your side, and you only want a little nourishment to make you as sprightly as ever. You shall be removed immediately to a comfortable lodging, where all that friendship can do for you shall be done."—" "Tis all to no purpose, my kind Sir," be said, "but I thank you nevertheless. I feel that the hand of death is on me: its touch shoots coldly through my veins, and, should you chance to look in on me to-шiorrow, as poor Mercutio says, you will find me a very grave man.' By the by, what an admirable character," he added, "is that of Mercutio. Is it true, I wonder, that Shakspeare said of him, * if I had not killed him so soon, he would have killed me.' I think it is Malone who records the anecdote. I know I have read it somewhere. I played Mercutio once I remember, and very narrowly escaped from being killed, in consequence of the roof of the house falling in on us, just as Romeo was smashing the tomb; but I think I have told you the circumstance already.”—“ You have, my dear Dick," said I, “ andyou must not fatigue yourself by repeating it now."" Feel here," he resumed, placing my hand upon his heart, "how very faint it beats-in a few moments more it will cease for ever. How singular that a man's life should be no more, when this little oracle stops its ticking.

Out, out, brief candle, life's but a

walking shadow,

MR. EDITOR,

I USUALLY spend a few weeks each autumn at the farm steading of a friend, on the north shore of the River Forth, not far from Queen's Ferry. I am particularly attached to the scenery in the neighbourhood, which I consider little inferior to any I have seen on the south side of the Tweed. The narrowing of the river at the ferries, with the picturesque Isle of Garvie, midway over, and the high land on the north side, terminated towards the sea, with the perpendicular promontory, Carlin's nose, from the top of which you can almost touch the topmasts of the many vessels that pass to and fro close under its brow. The beautiful expansion of the river above, its sides ennobled with gentlemens seats and baronial residences; and these again surrounded with fields in the highest state of cultivation, and the whole picture, bounded by the far-off blue Ben Lomond, conveys, perhaps, one of the most picturesque ideas which imagination can form of a scene in fairy-land.

On an almost isolated point of rock, in the vicinity of my friend's house, stands Rosyth Castle, once one of the residences of the Stewart family, now a very ruin. Here, where royalty has often held its splendid court, the crows and ravens hold undisputed possession. The hall which has often resounded with mirth and with music, resounds now, alas! with the scream of the seagull, or the screech of the night owl. But a truce with wailing: such is the fate of sublunary things.

On the last evening of my stay, I took my usual ramble along the sea shore. The moon had just risen, and shed her mild lustre upon the waters and surrounding objects. The ponderous walls of the castle had their share in the picture, and cast a thick shadow upon the tide, that was swelling and swelling round its base: it was a lovely night.

As I approached towards the ruins, the sound of a musical instrument burst upon my ear, proceeding evidently from the interior. In such a sequestered place, and at Eur. Mag. Dec. 1823.

such an hour, the circumstance could not but assume a wild and wizard appearance, and mingle with associations of a romantic character. I hastened to the spot; and on reconnoitering through a window, found the large hall occupied by a party of young men, dressed in the costume of the Highlands, and seated round a table of a very rude construction, on which stood several articles of food. A stout well-made man was pacing the floor with "measured step, and slow," playing one of the most wild and mournful airs I ever heard. It was one of their national piobaircachol; a lament for the death of a chieftain, and one that is still often played at funerals in the Highlands. Notwithstanding the harshness of the instrument and the monotony of the music, the whole scene was well calculated to astonish a spectator; and the glare of a large fire, which blazed in the huge fire-place, with the light which the moon afforded, through the many apertures in the walls, served to shew by the countenances of the party, the effect upon their feelings. 'Twas a scene to which the pen of the author of Waverley, or the pencil of Wilkie could hardly do adequate justice.

When the tune was finished, I was on the point of retreating, but the eye of the musician caught me, and a hint to the rest brought the whole in a moment to the spot I was about to forsake. An invitation to join them was warmly pressed on their side, and accepted on mine without much hesitation.

I found the table pretty well furnished with sundry of the good things of this life, of which we all heartily partook; after this meal, a punch bowl, of no mean dimensions, was produced, and filled to the brim with famous punch. We did it justice, and required it accordingly to be replenished oftener than once. Dancing commenced, and I spent in their society the two happiest hours I have ever enjoyed.

All of these young men appeared, from their manners and conversations, to be above the lower class of society; they were part of a society 3 R

BEFORE I commence the following seemingly improbable narra, tive, it may not be amiss to state in what manner I became possessed of it. It was in the winter of the year 178-, that I was invited to spend the Christmas at a friend's house in Argyleshire, where among other friends of my host, I met the celebrated Mr. the Eastern travel ler. Our mornings were employed in the sports of the season, each following his own inclination till the evening, when we all assembled round the blazing hearth, our conviviality heightened by our separation. Christmas feitivities and conversation closed a most idly spent day, but such is the desire of man after novelty, that these amusements began to fade on our taste, and the winter night to pass heavily. It was upon one of these occasions our host proposed resorting to the old country practise of each person contributing, in turn, to the amusement of the whole, by relating some "wonderment" or marvellous adventure that had fallen under his observation.

Many were told, of which some assisted the amusement, and others contributed to the astonishment of the company. At length Mr. spoke in the following words-but I must premise that his manner of telling the tale materially assisted its effect. His singularly swarthy countenance, discoloured by burning suns, agreed well with the foreign air of the American robe, which he had brought from Aleppo, and worn as a morning gown; and at each striking part of his narrative, his jet black eyes shone with a brilliancy that was remarked by the whole company, and, indeed, his whole appearance was that of a man who firmly believed what he was relating.

"It was whilst waiting for letters from England prior to my departure into the interior of that I determined to inspect the Pyramids, those celebrated monuments of gigantic tyranny and kingly oppression, whose origin, and whose use seem equally unfathomable. I de

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parted, accompanied by my English domestic and several Arabs, whom I had hired to assist me in my undertaking. The morning being the most pleasant for travelling, I set out before the sun had poured its meridian heat on the thirsty earth, and arrived at my destination in the evening, having rested during the heat of the day. The moon had already risen, and I took a dim view of those enormous whose effect is surprisingly magni. ficent in the paly beam. I wander ed solitarily round their bases, while thoughts crossed my mind that renewed the ghosts, or embodied forms of ideal being, which my imagination had so frequently created in my youthful days. The visions of infancy hovered darkly around me, the spirits of the mighty dead, though now forgotten, seemed to ride on the night breeze, whose feeble memories whispered to my soul, all is vanity.' The stillness of the scene was only interrupted by the snarling bark of the hyenas, who lurked in the neighbouring cemetery. Sometimes their hateful forms would be seen to glance from behind the dark shadow of a ruined tomb, and as suddenly lost in obscurity. The antiquity of the piles around me, the novelty of the scene, all combined to throw a sadly pleasing gloom over my mind, and I retired to my tent with feelings which I attempted to analyse in vain.

"The brightness of the morning sun dissipated the visions of the night, and I rose with renewed spirit to perform my undertaking. How different was the picture! the the things of night' had faded away, and in their place all around seemed to rejoice.

The trampling of steeds, the mingled voices of the many in various languages, announced the departure of the caravan. The camels were receiving their final burthen of water, and they drank deep and long, as if indued with a sense of the distance they were to proceed ere they should taste again. At another watering place, a party of female Arabs, like the shepherdesses of old, were watering