in writing to the friends to whose protection he recommended her; and having secured her a passage in the first fleet that was to sail, he trusted from his knowledge of two or three respectable families that were going out in the same ship, that she would be out of harm's way during the voyage; and that on her arrival, as is usual with our fair country-women, she would enter into a matrimonial compact, and become a virtuous member of society, without exposing herself to further reproach, or bringing actual disgrace on her family. If report speak true, however, e're she reached the Cape, a gallant son of Mars became enamoured of her charms; she listened to the soft things he whispered in her ear; and to the great mortification of her fond father, he heard that she became a mother before she was a wife: commanding as little respect among strangers in a distant clime, as among her more intimate connexions at home.

"And were these improprieties of conduct to be attributed solely to the reading of novels?" inquire again some of the young votaries of fiction.

Perhaps not wholly so: but it no doubt led in a great measure to her ruin. Philomena was naturally fond of romantic adventure; and by constantly roving among the flowery productions of wild and romantic scenery in search of something new and wonderful, she proceeded without fear or caution, and met her destruction in these delusive fields of enchantment.

Though not criminal, a still more glaring instance of romantic folly may be traced in the conduct of fair Ellen, of Peckham, who fell desperately in love with a young Knight of the Brush, merely from the encomiums lavished upon him by her friend; and actually declared that no other man should ever lead her to the hymeneal altar; though she had never seen him, nor was she aware that his affections were even at his own disposal. Chance or stratagem did, however, some time after, bring about the desired meeting. The youth was smitten-the delighted Ellen readily encouraged his advances-yielded to the eloquent voice of love-and, to her sorrow, became the wife of a man who repays her affection with neglect, severity, and hard unkindness.

What can be the result of such determinations, but vexation, disappointment, and sorrow? Even Kings and Emperors are not exempt from the penalty they inflict; as the following anecdote evinces :

"Holbein, who for his extraordinary talents attracted the notice of Henry VIII. during his residence with Sir Thomas More, to whom he was recommended by the great Erasmus, was taken into the King's service, who settled on him a provision for life; although he once hazarded the severe displeasure of his royal and turbulent patron. For being despatched by Cromwell to paint the Lady Ann of Cleves, Holbein so flattered her with his pencil, that Henry, who was a

great admirer of beauty in the fair sex, fell in love with the portrait, and was induced to marry her. But when he discovered how plain she really was, his anger" says the historian, "was turned from the painter to the minister; and poor Cromwell lost his head, because the unhappy Ann was denounced by her royal husband for a Flanders Mare," and not the Venus depicted by Holbein !

NUMBER XXVII.

ON KISSING.

What is a kiss? A seal of love
Which binds the vow that's given ;

A bliss that's sent us from above,
And register'd in heaven.

For when it is in truth sincere

There's nought can give more pleasure here.

KISSING, it seems, was at one time so much in vogue in England, that it drew the following remark from the great and accomplished Erasmus, in one of his visits to this country; "who" says his commentator, "expressed himself in language sufficiently warm to prove, that he carried the feelings of a man under the cowl of a monk."

"The women in England," said this Dignitary of the Romish Church, "are divinely beautiful, affable, and good-humoured. There is a custom also here, which can never be sufficiently commended. When you go any where, you are received by all with kisses. When you depart, you are dismissed with kisses. On your return, kisses are again bestowed on you. When they visit you, kisses are presented; when they go

away, kisses also pass between you. If you meet any body, kisses are plentifully distributed. In short, whatever you do, wherever you go, you are sure of kisses in abundance."

However the gallantry of this worthy Prelate may be appreciated by the British fair, still they will, no doubt, be inclined to admit that "'tis a custom more honored in the breach than in the observance." Indeed the custom has been so long transferred to our continental neighbours, that it is barely recollected the practice ever existed in this country. Nor does it appear, from the following anecdote, to be of very ancient date with us. For in the reign of Edward IV. no less than twenty pounds were given for a salute;—but then it was a royal salute, and bestowed on an extraordinary occasion.

In the fourteenth year of this King's reign, when he was about to enter upon a war with France, he was at a loss for means to bear the charges thereof. A supply by a parliamentary course could not be obtained in time; it was devised, therefore, to procure money from the subject by way of benevolence. It is related that an old rich Widow, whom King Edward, amongst others, called before him, and merrily askedwhat she would willingly give him towards his great charges?"By my truth," said the good old Dame, "for thy lovely countenance thou shalt have twenty pounds." The King not expecting half that sum, thanked, and in his ecstacy started