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parlour in which they were sitting, and on Hunt opening it, two men, craped, rushed upon him, forced him down, and bound him and his wife to some drawers. The villains then ransacked the house, but not being able to get into the study, they returned to the old man and demanded the key; but not being answered quickly, the villains best him about the head with sticks until he was lifeless. The thieves took away with them property, in plate and other articles, to the amount of gol, and the poor old woman was found in the parlour the next morning insensible.

BIRTH.-The Lady of the Rev. T. Powys, of Fawley, Bucks, of three children, two boys and one girl.

MARRIED-At his house, at Wing, the Hon. and Rev. Henry Jeroine de Salis, D.D. one of his Majesty's Chaplains in Ordinary, Count of the Holy Roman Empire.

CUMBERLAND.

DEATH-At Stainton, Mr. Sander, eminent in the profession of bone-setting. His death was occasioned by his being overtaken by a thick fog, in passing over the mountains from Burrowdale to Cockermouth, where he was obliged to remain all night, and a heavy rain failing, he had so far lost the use of his limbs that he was unable to monat his horse (which stood by him the whole time), and when day-light appeared, he was under the necessity of crawling a considerable way back again upon his hands and knees.

DEVONSHIRE.

MARRIED.-John Bickford, Esq. of Bickingtou, to Fliza, daughter of Mr. John Salter, of Lower Duryard, near Exeter.

DIED. Francis St. Aubyn, Esq. one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for this county, and a partner in the Dock Bank-At Coliton, Henry Wilson, Esq. late Cominauder in the Hon. East India Company's service.

DORSETSHIRE.

which was heard with the greatest attention by the unserous andience that lined both sides of the river, and who testified their respect for the solemnity of the ordinance, by a most serious and becoming behaviour.

LONGEVITY. In the small parish of Reynoldstone, a few miles from Swansea, there are now living twelve persous, whose united ages amount

to 1008.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

DIED.-At Newham, a female of the name of Ann Robins, at the advanced age of 108 years: she retained all her faculties to the last. HAMPSHIRE,

BOXING.-1 pitched battle for one hundred guineas a side, between two athletic provincial bruisers, of the names of Pearce and Gaton, the former coachman to Colonel H. Hare, who was backed by his master, and the latter the champion of Gloucestershire, backed by Sir C. Cane, was ought ou Cogshali Heath, near Romney, on May 14th. Although the battle lasted two hours, neither ever fell without a blow, or being thrown by the iron grasp of his adversary. The features of the champions were so distorted, that their faces could not be recognized, and the body hits were such as an ordinary professor could not have endured. Gaton was ultimately beat by a crossbuttock. The winner was put to bed and remained there two days.

MARRIED.-At Southampton, Thomas Mallet, Esq. of Jersey, to Miss Saunders, daughter of James Saunders, Esq. of Southampton.

KENT.

Lately a silver eel, of a size the most remarkable that we believe has ever been recorded in the annals of Natural History, was taken by some labouring men on the muddy shores of the Medway, not far from the lime-works above Rochester. This most remarkable animal was six feet long, about 29 or 30 inches in circumference and DIED.-At Buckland, Mrs. S. Mallett, at the weighed 34lbs. When dressed, the flesh was exadvanced age of 82; and on the following dayceedingly white, and of a most delicious flavour. her husband, Mr. J. Mullett, aged ss; they were both interred in one grave. It is supposed there were upwards of five hundred persons present. ESSEX.

On the 15th ult. the venerable and handsome old mansion of Tiptree House, was destroyed by fice. It was built in 1585, by one of the D'Arcy family, from the extensive ruins of Tiptree Priory; but has of late years been occupied only as a farm-house, the property of Peter Du Cane, Esq of Braxted Lodge.

GLAMORGANSHIRE.

LANCASHIRE.

MARRIED. On the 3d of May, at Manchester, ' the Rev. William Salmon, to Eliza, third daughter of George Uppleby, Esq. of Barrow Hall, Lincolnshire.

LINCOLNSHIRE.

One of those scenes which are a disgrace to the police, lately took place at Spilsby. One Thomas Sowden, of Wainfleet, publicly exposed his wife for sale in Spilsby market, and sold her for five guineas, a larger sum than we have heard a wife to bring at a public sale for some time past. One of the engagements in this disgraceful bargain, that the husband should have the liberty of

A very gratifying spectacle was lately preseuted in the neighbourhood of Swansea to a great concourse of people assembled to witness the pub-visiting her at what time he thought proper, with

lic baptism of three persons, by immersion in the river,. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. J. Harris, Minister of the Baptist Church in Swansea, who delivered a very able and animated address on the occasion, in Welch and English,

was,

out let or molestation. After the conclusion of the sale the parties retired to a public-house, where for five days and nights they feasted upon the fruits of the bargain; but at length tired out by the powerful influence of Morpheus, like pigs,

they all retifed to the same stye, certainly the fit the favour of Divine Providence, attained the test place for this unnatural trio. We are asto- 50th year of his Reign; to commemorate that nished the magistrates do not interfere upon these happy event, and in testimony of their gratitude occasions, and prevent such public insults to the for the blessings enjoyed under the mild Governmorals of the people. Surely they are punishment of the best of Kings, the loyal inhabitants able for an offence contra bonos mores, if by no other statute.

DIED.-At Holbeach, John Thomas, M.D. many years an eminent surgeon of that place, and sou of Mr. Thomas, of Howsham, near Maston. After a lingering and painful illness, Thomas Preston, Esq. one of the Aldermen of Lincoln. In 1783, he was elected one of the Sheriff's of the city; and in 1792 and 1803, he served the office of Mayor. In his first mayoralty he proposed, and happily carried into effect, the establishment of a fortnightly fat stock market, which has been of very great advantage, not only to the city, but also to the neighbouring farmers and graziers.— At Boston, Miss I. Q. Hodgson, daughter of the late George Fitzwilliam Hodgson, Esq. of Claybrook Hall, Leicestershire - -At Louth, aged 100, George Maddison, gent. father of Martin Maddison, Esq. bauker, Southampton.

NORFOLK.

A very rare and curious fish, called the Opal, ar King Fish, has been found, cast on the beach at Mundersley, Norfolk. It is of that genus which Linnæus distinguishes by the name of Chafodon, and is said to be very common on the coast of Guinea. Pennant, in his British Zoology, says, that there have been only five instances of this fish being in our seas; four were caught in the North, and a fifth at Brizham, Devonshire, in 1792.

MARRIED. Captain Ogden, of Watlington Hall, to Miss Mary Bowles, daughter of G. Bowles, Esq. of Cheswick Lodge.

DIED.-James Keer, an opulent farmer, at Denton, near Harleston, in the 54th year of his age.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE.

MARRIED. On the 7th of May, at St. Mary's, Mr. H. S. Horsley, hosier, of this town, to Miss A. James, daughter of Mr. Samuel James, of Ilkestone, Derbyshire.

DIED. On the 3d of May, at Blyth, much respected, the Rev. John Thompson, A. M. aged 76. He had been 48 years chaplain to the late Mr. Ridley, and Sir M. W. Ridley, Bart, and was esteemed one of the best Hebrew scholars in the North of England.

SOMERSETSHIRE.

A very fine statue of his Majesty has been greeted in the centre of Portland-square, Bristol, in commemoration of his having attained the 50th year of his reign, on the 25th of October, 1809: George the Third, the Father of his People, baving, on the 25th of October, 1809, through

of St. Paul's Parish erected this Statue, A. D. 1810."

A singular act of benevolence has occurred at Bristol. The Chairman of the Committee of the Infirmary received a letter, from an unknown individual, enclosing Bank Notes to the amount of 500 guineas, for the benefit of that institution. The letter was printed, probably at a private

press.

MARRIED.-May 18, at Walcot Church, Lieut. Colonel Stirke, of the 6th West India Regiment, to Mary, youngest daughter of D. Carroll, Esq. of Lambridge-place.

DIED.-At Bath, aged 65, Major-General John Parnes, of the Royal Invalid Artillery; an old and much-respected officer.-At Bath, Mr. Thomas Luke, brewer, of Exeter.—On Monday, May 14, aged 72, John Lowder, Esq. au eminent and much respected banker of Bath.

SHROPSHIRE.

DIED. —At Whitchurch, after a lingering illness, the Rev. Coventry Lichfield, D. D. late Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, Rector of Boyton, Wilts, and Vicar of Honington, Warwickshire-At Shrewsbury, Mrs. Hoskyns, widow of the late Rev. A. Hoskyns, Rector of Stockton, Worcestershire.

SUFFOLK.

MARRIED. The Rev. Thomas Hartcup, son of Lieutenant-General Hartcup, to Miss Parker, daughter of J. Parker, Esq. of Bildestone.

DIED.-At Hintlesham Hall, in Suffolk, in his 80th year, Richard Savage Lloyd, Esq. He sat in two Parliaments, in 1759 and 1761, for the Borough of Totness, in Devonshire, and was son of Sir Richard Lloyd, Esq. formerly one of the Barons of the Exchequer, and Recorder of Ipswich.-Robert Field, Esq. of Gedgrave, ucar Orford.

YORKSHIRE.

MARRIEDA Hull, Mr. W. Anelay, to Mrs. C. Whiting-Mr. Melsom, to Miss Cousins. DIED.-Elizabeth Cobb, of Full Sutton, aged seventy-six, a maiden lady; and while her Trustees were consulting her brother, William Cobb, of Strensall, how she was to be buried, he died during the consultation, aged seventy-four. By their great frugality, and narrow way of living, they have scraped together about 11,000l. They have both made wills, and left 2200l, to the poor of Strensall, Full Sutton, and High Catton, and about 2000l. more in small legacies.

London: Printed by and for J. BELL, Southampton-street, Strand.

THE LADY OF THE LAKE; A POEM.

BY WALTER SCOTT, ESQ.

of Douglas and his daughter, the Lady of the Lake, was about to attack the Island -Roderick Dhu prepares for battle, and consults a Monk, something between a Wizard and a Monk.-The Monk, after making divers spells, and consultations, replies, that that party should gain the victory, who should kill the first man of the enemy

In the mean time, Sir James Fitz-James, be

THIS Poem during the short time in which it has been before the public has excited great interest; and though we must confess, even in limine, that it has some faults, we are compelled, likewise, in justice to acknowledge, that it has very considerable merit. The characteristic feature of Walter Scott is, that he possesses a great susceptibility of mind, the images of nature present themselves strongly and clearly to his imagination, he sees distinct-ing enamoured of the Lady of the Lake, and ly, he conceives with the spirit and vigour of a Poet, and he knows how to select. His fault is a namby pamby kind of versification, sometimes extended through a whole Cauto, the inanity of which is concealed from himself, and from superficial readers, by an autiquated jar- || gon, a nomenclature of words, which being out of date, and some of which, perhaps, never in use, give a seeming meaning to images which, denominated by their usual name, would be trite and familiar. This is a species of quackery which the genius of Walter Scott should have disdained; it is worthy only of a school-boy Poet, whose memory cannot divest itself of the images of the Gradus, and who strings together Arethusa, Pieria, and Arcada, according as genius and the occasion of his metre may require.

The story of the Lady of the Lake has not much variety; its main points are as follow:A Knight, Sir James Fitz-James, hunting in the vicinity of Loch Katrine is separated from his companions, his horse dies under him, and he finds himself alone in a solitude which is described in the true spirit of poetry. He sounds his horn, and a skiff immediately issues forth from under an oak tree, which branches over a lake. The boat contains a female figure, the Lady of the Lake.-The Knight is received into the boat, and conducted over the Lake to the house of her father, the Earl of Douglas, who in the civil wars of that period bad sought refuge in the small Isles of Clan Alpine-The Knight, after being hospitably entertained for the night, departs in the morning. On the day of his departure, Roderick Dhu, the friend and champion of Douglas, likewise arrives, and with him Mal colin the Græme.-Malcolm and Roderick are rivals.-lutelligence is received, that James King of Scotland, having discovered the retreat No. V. Vol. I.-N. S.

ignorant of any warlike preparations, comes back to the Island secretly, but is betrayed by his guide, Red Murdock, to Roderick Dhu.Roderick, believing him to be a spy, resolves that he shall be the victim marked out by the prediction, and accordingly plants his guards, so that in due time they might seize him.-Sir James Fitz-James, however, on his return, is met by a maniac, who, in a song, mystically forewarns him of the ambuscade, in consequence of which, and some proofs of treachery, he endeavours to seize Murdock, his guide. The latter escapes but is killed in the fight, after having killed the maniac by an arrow aimed at the Knight. Roderick then continues his progress, and proceeds only by night, He suddenly comes upon a shepherd, watching around a fire in the forest. This shepherd is Rhoderick Dhu. The two Knights fight, and Roderick falls.

Whilst these events are proceeding, Douglas and his daughters resolved to spare the effusion of blood on their account, and take the resolution of throwing themselves on the mercy of King James. The Lady of the Lake goes on this errand, and employs a ring which Sir James Fitz-James had given her, and which the King had given him, to procure access to the monarch's person.-She succeeds, and on || offering the ring, recoguises Sir James FitzJames in the King of Scotland. The King having seen her father and herself under this disguise, becomes, acquainted with their innocence, pardons them, and restores them to their lands and honours. The Lady of the Lake is married to Malcolm the Græme, and all is happiness. The feast and the dance conclude the whole.

Such is the general plan of this Poem, which has certainly wildness and romance enough, and is therefore well calculated for the geniu,

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of Walter Scott. We have nothing to object to his choice of subject.

This fable is distributed through six Cantos, and the division is made with equal art and simplicity. In the first Canto, the Lady of the Lake is introduced. Nothing can be more picturesque than the description of the scenery of the place where Fitz-James loses himself, and whenc the Lady of the Lake issues. Indeed, if we were to characterize Mr. Walter Scott, we should say that he was infinitely the best descriptive Poet of his age; he evidently paints from Nature, and he paints from the feelings and with the powers of a Poet. His scenery is rich and luxuriant beyond all power of praise.

The reader, however, shall here judge for himself Fitz-James has lost his horse, and is separated from his suite.

"From the steep promontory gazed "The stranger, raptured and amazed: "And, 'What a scene were here,' he cried, "For princely pomp or churchman's pride! "On this bold brow, a lordly tower; "In that soft vale, a lady's bower; "On yonder meadow, far away, "The turrets of a cloister grey; "How blithely might the bugle horn "Chide, on the lake, the lingering morn! "How sweet, at eve, the lover's lute "Chime, when the groves were still and mute! "And, when the midnight moon did lave "Her forehead in the silver wave, "How solemn on the ear would come "The holy mattin's distant hum, "While the deep peal's commanding tone

Should wake, in yonder islet lone, "A sainted hermit from his cell, "To drop a bead with every knell"And bugle, lute, and bell, and all, "Should each bewildered stranger call "To friendly feast, and lighted hall. "Blithe were it then to wander here! "But now,-beshrew yon nimble deer,"Like that same hermit's, thin and spare, "The copse must give my evening fare; "Some mossy bank my couch must be, "Some rustling oak my canopy. "Yet pass we that;-the war and chase "Give little choice of resting-place;— "A summer night, iu green-wood spent, "Were but to morrow's merriment ;"But hosts may in these wilds abound, "Such as are better missed than found; "To meet with highland plunderers here "Were worse than loss of steed or deer."I am alone; my bugle strain "May call some straggler of the train ;

"Or, fall the worst that may betide, "Ere now this falchion has been tried."" "But scare again his horn he wound, "When lo forth starting at the sound, "From underneath an aged oak, "That slanted from the islet rock, "A damsel guider of its way, "A little skiff shot to the bay, "That round the promontory steep "Led its deep line in graceful sweep, "Eddying, in almost viewless wave, "The weeping willow twig to lave, "And kiss, with whispering sound and slow, "The beach of pebbles bright as snow. "The boat had touched this silver strand, "Just as the bunter left his stand, "And stood concealed amid the brake "To view this Lady of the Lake. "The maiden paused, as if again "She thought to catch the distant strain. "With head up-raised, and look intent, "And eye and e attentive bent, "And locks flung back, and lips apart, "Like monument of Grecian art. "In listening mood she seemed to stand, "The guardian Naiad of the strand. "And ne'er did Grecian chizzel trace "A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace, "Of finer form, or lovelier face! "What though the sun, with ardent frown, "Had slightly tinged her cheek with brown,➡ "The sportive toil, which, short and light, "Had dyed her glowing hue so bright,

"Served too in hastier swell to show "Short glimpses of a breast of snow; "What though no rule of courtly grace "To measured mood had trained her pa e,"A foot more light, a step more true, "Ne'er from the heath flower dashed the dew; "E'en the slight hare-bell raised its head, "Elastic from her airy tread:

"What though upon her speech there hung "The accents of the mountain tongue,➡ "Those silver sounds, so soft, so dear, "The listener held his breath to hear. “A chieftain's daughter seemed the maid; "Her sattin snood, her silken plaid, "Her golden brooch, such birth betray'd, "And seldom was a snood amid "Such wild luxuriant ringlets hid, "Whose glossy black to shame might bring "The plumage of the raven's wing; "And seldom o'er a breast so fair "Mantled a plaid with modest care, "And never brooch the folds combined "Above a heart more good and kind.. "Her kindness and her worth to spy, "You need but gaze on Ellen's eye;

"Not Katrine, in her mirror blue,
"Gives back the shaggy banks more true,
"Than every free born glance confessed
"The guileless movements of her breast;
"Whether joy danced in her dark eye,
"Or woe or pity claimed a sigh,
"Or filial love was glowing there,
"Or meek devotion poured a prayer,
"Or tale of injury called forth
"The indignant spirit of the north.
"One only passion unrevealed,
"With maiden pride the inaid concealed,
"Yet not less purely felt the flame;-
"O need I tell that passion's name!
"Impatient of the silent horn,

"Now on the gale her voice was borne:-
"Father! she cried; the rocks around
"Loved to prolong the gentle sound.
"A while she paused, no answer came,-
"Malcolm, was thine the blast?' the name
"Less resolutely uttered fell,

"The echoes could not catch the swell. "A stranger 1,' the Huntsman said, "Advancing from the hazel shade. "The maid alarmed, with hasty oar, "Pushed her light shallop from the shore, "And, when a space was gained betweeu, "Closer she drew her bosom's screen; "(So forth the startled swan would swing, "So turn to prune his ruffled wing.), "Then safe, though fluttered and amazed, "She paused, and on the stranger gazed. "Not his the form, nor his the eye, "That youthful maidens wont to fly. "On his bold visage middle age "Had slightly pressed its signet sage, "Yet had not quenched the open truth, "And fiery vehemence of youth; "Forward and frolic glee was there, "The will to do, the soul to dare, "The sparkling glance, soon blown to fire, "Of hasty love, or headlong ire. "His limbs were cast in manly mould, "For hardy sports, or contest bold; "And though in peaceful garb arrayed, "And weaponless, except his blade, "His stately mien as well implied "A high-born heart, a martial pride, "As if a baron's crest he wore,

"And sheathed in armour trod the shore. "Slighting the petty need he showed, "He told of his benighted road; "His ready speech flowed fair and free, "In phrase of gentlest courtesy ;

"Yet seemed that tone, and gesture bland, "Less used to sue than to command. "A while the maid the stranger eyed, "And, reassured, at last replied,

"That highland halls were open still "To wildered wanderers of the hill. "Nor think you anexpected come "To you lone isle, our desert home; "Before the beath had lost the dew, "This morn, a couch was pulled for you; "On yonder mountain's purple head "Have ptarmigan and heath-cock bled, "And our broad nets have swept the mere, "To furnish forth your evening cheer.' "Now, by the rood, my lovely maid, "Your courtesy has erred,' he said; "No right have I to claim, misplaced, "The welcome of expected guest. "A wanderer here, by fortune tost, "My way, my friends, my courser lost, "I ne'er before, believe me, fair, "Have ever drawn your mountain air, "Till on this lake's romantic strand, "I found a fay in fairy land.'

"I well believe,' the maid replied, "As her light skiff approached the side, I well believe, that ne'er before "Your foot has trod Loch-Katrine's shore; "But yet, as far as yesternight, "Old Alban-bane foretold your plight,"A grey-haired sire, whose eye intent "Was on the visioned future bent. "He saw your steed, a dappled grey, "Lie dead beneath the birchen way; "Painted exact your form and mien, "Your hunting suit of Lincoln green, "That tassell'd horn so gaily gilt, "That-faulchion's crooked blade and hilt, "That cap with heron's plumage trim, "And yon two hounds so dark and grim. "He bade that all should ready be, "To grace a guest of fair degree; "But light I held this prophecy, "And deemed it was my father's horn, "Whose echoes o'er the lake were born.'

"The stranger smiled:- Since to your home "A destined errant knight I come, "Announced by prophet sooth and old, "Doomed, doubtless, for achievement bold, "I'll lightly front each high emprize, "For one kind glance of those bright eyes; "Permit me, first, the task to guide "Your fairy frigate o'er the tide.' "The maid, with smile suppressed and sly, "The toil unwonted saw him try; "For seldom, sure, if e'er before, "His noble hand had grasped an oar:

"Yet with main strength his strokes he drew, "And o'er the lake the shallop flew ; "With heads erect, and whimpering cry, "The hounds behind their passage ply.

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