small importance took his place at table: this was no other than the celebrated Polinario, during eleven years the dread of half Spain, and now following the honest calling of guard of the Seville diligence. I never saw a finer man, or one whose appearance more clearly indicated the profession which he had abandoned. I could not help fancying that his countenance expressed a certain lawlessness of mind, and contempt of peaceable persons like myself, which an assumed suavity of manner was unable altogether to conceal: this suavity of manner is, however, very remarkable, and I believe is in perfect accordance with his conduct when a robber; for Polinario was never guilty of any act of wanton cruelty or barbarity, but along with the most fearless courage, he always evinced a certain forbearance, not uncommon among Spanish banditti; but in him, having a deeper seat than a mock civility of the Spanish thief, arising rather from a softness at heart, which afterwards led to a change in his mode of life. The history of this change is curious, and I pledge myself for its authenticity. The usual range of Polinario was the northern part of Sierra Morena and the southern parts of La Mancha; and here he remained during eleven years. A few years ago, understanding that the Archbishop of Gaen would pass the Sierra Morena in his carriage, without other attdendants than his servants, he lay in wait for the prelate, and stopped his carriage. The archbishop of course delivered his money; and Polinario having received it, asked his blessing: upon this, the archbishop began to remonstrate with the robber, setting forth the heinousness of his offences, and the wickedness of his life: but Polinario interrupted the archbishop, by telling him it was of no use remonstrating upon his manner of life, unless his Grace could obtain a pardon for the past; because, without this, it was impossible he could change his mode of living. The Archbishop of Gaen is a good man; and feeling a real desire to assist Polinario in his half-expressed desire of seeking a better way of life, he passed his word that he would obtain for him his Majesty's pardon; and Polinario came under a solemn promise to the archbishop, that he would rob no more. In this way the matter stood for eleven months; for it was eleven months before the archbishop could obtain the pardon he had promised; and during all this time Polinario was obliged to conceal himself from the pursuit which the offer of a considerable reward had long before instigated. At length, however, the pardon was obtained; and Polinario was free to lead an honest life. He admits, however, that he is not contented with the change; and makes no hesitation in saying, that the promise made to the archbishop alone prevents him from returning to his former profession; but he says the archbishop kept his word to him, and he will keep his word to the achbishop. The Emigrant Gold-digger. You can have no idea of the ferment about the golddiggings in this part of Australia, says an emigrant, in a communication on the subject. The excitement of the Mississippi and South Sea Schemes could not have been greater. The folks of Sydney, when I saw them, seemed as if bewitched-they could talk of nothing else than the great things in store for the country. I landed only a fortnight or so after the account of the gold discoveries at Bathurst had been propagated; and as my object in emigrating had been to gain a livelihood in any honest way, and as I did not mind roughing it, or undergoing a |