THIS venerable building stands at the south-west angle of the Tower of Lon. don, and forms the principal entrance to the exterior line of fortifications. It is of great strength; the Tower flanked with bastions, and the gateway originally defended by gates and a portcullis. The interior remains in great perfection, particularly an octagonal apartment about sixteen feet on each side of the gateway. That on the north side is perfect, and possesses a highly curious vaulted roof; the southern one has lost the upper part of its vaulting, and both receive light through narrow embrazures. An ancient stone fire-place is still perfect in each; and there can be little doubt but that these rooms were originally designed and used as lodges or guards of the gates. The principal part of the fortifications on the southern side of the Tower were erected in the latter part of the reign of King Henry the Third, and some of them exhibit interesting specimens of the architecture of that pe

riod. The following is an extract from a manuscript document entitled' An Abstract of certayne Reperacions done within the King's Towr of London,' preserved in the Chapter-house at Westminster. 'It'm, for clensyng and makyng clene of ij windowes in the cownseill chambre in the same Rownde Tower, and more for v fote of border in the same cownseill chambre in a chymney, and more for the mendyng of a doore comyng of the same chambre into the ledys wt a sholding amountying in stone vj fote."*

ST. GILES-IN-THE FIELDS.

THIS parish is of great antiquity, for it is expressly mentioned in the decretasentence of Stephen, Archbishop of Canterbury, anno 1222. But it was not con] verted into a parish till the twentieth of

*For interesting particulars relative to the Tower, see Allen's Hist. of London.

April, anno 1547, when William Rawlinson was instituted rector thereof. The little old church of this parish being taken down in the year 1623, the materials thereof were only sold for the sum of 91. 11s. 9d. And in the same year the foundation of a brick edifice was laid, which was finished two years after at an expence of 20681. 7s. 2d. The first stone of the present church was laid in 1730, and the entire building was finished in 1784. The whole charge amounted to the sum of 10,0261 15s. 9d.

We will here conclude by observing, that in the early part of the present year, the churchwardens, adopting the suggestions of Mr. Payne, erected a transparent dial illuminated. The effect is excellent, and at any period of the night, though the dial is situated high, yet the hour is always clearly visible. Monday, June 4, the ingenious inventor, at the meeting of the Society of Arts, was presented by H. R, H. the Duke of Sussex with a valuable silver medal.

On

pears totally renovated, and seems to bid defiance to the attacks of time; a great coat with the skirts cut short, which belonged to her poor husband,' who was 'drowned at sea,' envelopes the upper part of her body, leaving nothing visible but the remains of a well-patched black gown; a blue apron tied tightly round her waist. completes the tout ensemble of 'the oyster woman.'

Day after day does she rise with the sun, and tramp through all weathers to the Gate; after having purchased the customary bushel, she has, perhaps, miles to carry it; or if unequal to the task, must employ a porter, and requite him out of her hard got earnings; she then has the oysters to clean' and 'sort,' and to transport, together with her moveable premises, to the place of sale; after the necessary preparations of erecting her stall, and levelling it with the assistance of divers stones and brickbats, she lays them out in peun'rths,' and the tempting cry of here they are three a penny,' invites the customers to the purchase; her knife disjoins the shells, with a celerity that epicures would be glad to imitate, and after every

(For the Casket.)

+

No. IV. THE OYSTER WOMAN. 'A hard-working drudge.'

As soon as the month of August brings the oysters from their beds to our tables, and grotto boys begin to collect materials for their speculations in building, the oyster woman makes ready her tubs, and takes possession of her accustomed corner, as though it was her own indeed her stall is well washed, and the pepper-box and vinegar bottle are again called into requisition; while, as she gaily chaunts a penny a lot,' her fine fat oysters' receive their full share of washing, and are exposed in the way that seems to her best adapted to attract the notice of the passer-by.

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In her outward appearance she is extremely singular; her head is surmounted with a bonnet of a shape totally different to the many hundreds which decorate the shop-windows, or adorn the heads of our countrywomen; indeed, it is no easy task to discover what has been originally its true form, for it is, as she tells you, an auld sarvant,' and has seen its best days,' but is always a black one, and after a shower of rain ap.

is stuck in the corner of the stall board, with an air that would not disgrace a captain of cuirassiers; the first sixpence she changes' is spit upon for luck,' and her hand dives into a pocket sufficiently capacious to hold her whole stock, in search of some ha'pence,' for which if she cannot there find the right quantity, she waddles into the nearest public-house, from whence she returns at a kind of jog-trot pace to the expectant gourmand, who has indulged his appetite with her savoury ware; while she is not employed in opening,' she collects the shells and heaps them in a corner, in reserve for some young urchin who expects to obtain, by teasing the passengers into rememb'ring the grotto, the means of procuring on the morrow an extra tart or bun; or else she dips an old tin pot into some clean water, and allows it to run through a hole in the bottom over the lots which she is endeavouring to vend. From time to time, as her hunger presses, she draws out of a cloth which was once white, but has long lost its original beauty, a tolerably good portion of bread, and this with a relishing piece of fat bacon, forins her principal food; to eat it she sits down upon a small rickety

steol, which is raised to a proper height by being placed on an oyster tub turned bottom upwards, but at the first look that is by chance or design directed towards her, it is all thrust back into its original concealment, and she is again upon her legs, attempting, by all fresh and good,' fine oysters, ma'am,' and other technical phrases, to persuade the hungry lookers-on to expend their pence upon the delicate-looking fish she exhibits to their view.

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When spring is approaching, and the oysters go out,' the oyster woman seems at a loss for an occupation; she sells shrimps, red-herrings' or pennywinkles,' and as the season advances, provides a barrow, and mounts cherries upon sticks, or bawls away, green gooseberries at ten-pence a gallon;' but this is all against her inclination, and she longs for the months to roll round, that autumn may again bring with it her much-loved oysters, when she hopes to turn a penny' a little easier than she has for many a long day; but when she again appears in her original character, she still finds it a hard matter' to

'get a bit o' bread.' She is, indeed, a complete drudge, for, saving a few hours of necessary repose, she is at work her whole time; she labours harder than any colonial slave, and has not for her reward even the comforts of a captive negro; plenty of food and rest are always allowed to him, while the oyster wo. man' gets but little of either.

But after all, she is not a slave, and is, therefore, far happier than the wellfed African; the little she does get is her own, and the laws protect it equally with the wealth of the nobleman; nothing that she acquires can be taken away at the pleasure of a hard-hearted master, nor may her children be trafficked with like senseless merchandise. She leads, certainly, a hard life ;' but then she is mistress of her own actions, and a home of some sort welcomes her at the finish of her toil. She is, in society, a woman; and though the rich may turn away with a contemptuous smile, or the titled find not her ancestors in their pedigrees, she is to each a sister, and should partake their pity, if they will not allow her to share their opulence. R. J.

S. HOLLANDS.

Arabian Tales.

THE CALIPH TURNED ROBBER.

(Oontinued.)

While Lelamain was speaking, the Caliph took off his boots, his mantle, and girdle; he made them up into a parcel, into which he put his bow and arrows, and darted into the chamber like a bird. He saluted the mother with affection, and embraced the daughter with tenderness.

Notwithstanding the remonstrances of Lelamain, who in vain exhorted the Caliph to fly, he calmly sat down to supper with his spouse and her mother, who was astonished at his intrepidity. 'He is a very devil!' said she to herself; he fears three hundred men no more than I should a flea.. Notwithstanding his profession, I conceive a woman might love a robber; they are as active as goats, and as stout as lions.'

While the Caliph, after supper, was gazing on his lovely spouse, and listening to the whimsical conversation of her mother, the noise increased at the door, and the voice of the formidable Chamama became a hurricane. Well, I believe,' said Haroun to Lelamain, it is bed-time; and since the concert is not of the pleasantest kind, it will not be amiss to discharge the performers. Take this ring; tell them through the keyhole, that your son-in-law, Il Bondocani, is here, and has sent his ring to be put into the judge's own hand, that he may say what is to be done.'

'I go,' said the old woman; ' I remember there is magic in the name; it makes men immoveable like statues.'

While Lelamain was executing her commission, the Caliph mounted again on the terrace; he spoke to Youmis, who was waiting for his commands ;'Take my sabre; descend into the street by the assistance of your ladder, and if any violence is committed, strike off the head of the offender. As soon as my ring, which I have sent, shall have dispersed the crowd, displace the judge; let him be confined in your house, put Hazen in his place, and invest him with the robes of magistracy. As to Chamama, and those who have been guilty of great enormity, let them be put in irons till to-morrow, and then punished as their crimes deserve.",

After this conversation with Youmis, the Caliph returned into the chamber,

and the Chief of the Emirs hastened to execute the commands he had received.

It is easier to conceive than express the terror which seized the judge of the police when he saw the ring of Haroun: all was fear and confusion through his attendants; and Chamama himself fell prostrate in the dust, when he found that Il Bondocani and the Caliph were the saine.

The good Lelamain beheld the effects produced by her sou-in-law's name and ring, with a mixture of joy and surprise: and on her return, she recited to the Caliph the whole of the adventure, in her fantastic manner. Haroun now wished to be left alone with his charming Zutulbe. The old woman drew the curtains round them. 6 May God and his holy prophet bless you,' said she; it is a marriage, such as it is; for my part, I have nothing more to do than to put out the wax-lights.'

Whilst the Caliph was entranced in the delights of love, Youmis was exécuting his orders with punctuality, He had invested Hazen with the robe of the deposed judge, whom, with Chamama and four of his accomplices, he confined in his court-yard till day-break. The judge was then led to prison. Chamama was conducted to the next street, and expired under the bastinado. His four companions having been treated in the same manner, were carried to a dungeon almost dead. A handbill thus expressed their crime :- Officers of justice, who have been guilty of oppression and double dealing in their department,'

The day had far advanced, when Haroun left the embraces of Zutulbe, and an elegant collation was prepared by Lelamain. 'God grant,' said the old woman, 'that our misfortunes may end here ; we are wretched and miserable, after having lived in affluence and splendor.' How!' said the Caliph, you have had wealth? and who has deprived you of it? Misfortune and injustice,' answered Lela.main.,

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And has that happened to you in Bagdad?" replied the Caliph, with much anxiety. 'Yes,' said the old woman; ' for we have never been out of it. It has not been,' answered the Caliph, under the reign of Haroun Alraschid ?'

Has he not reigned more than a month?" said Lelamain. 'Yes,' said Haroun; but it is said that he prevents every sort of injustice. True,

said Lelamain,' he punishes the crimes of others, but he winks at his own.'

• You astonish me,' said the Caliph ; 'let me know your story."

Lelamain then detailed to Haroun both the merits and misfortunes of her son Yemaleddin. He was erect,' said she,' as the reed of the Nile, and graceful as the cedar of Lebanon, which is visited by the devotee; he was meek as the lamb, and candid as the dove; he was an eagle for vigilance, and a squirrel for activity. Ah! my poor Yemaleddin! the sentence of death was pronounced against thee for a glass of water, by him who had drank thirty glas ses of wine too much.'

The Caliph now began to feel that he had committed a wrong. He endeavoured to gain the approbation of his own conscience, and to exculpate himself to his mother-in-law; but his efforts were ineffectual.

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Well, said Haroun, no essential mischief has been done; your son is still alive; I shall hasten to the palace; I have interest there; I promise you that this day you shall clasp your son within your arms.'

Lelamain gave no faith to the promise of her son-in-law. Both she and Zutulbe besought him not to expose his life by going to the palace. Leave us not, we conjure you, by the name of God, which is engraved on the plate of gold that adorns the forehead of the high priest of the jews.' Haroun assured them of his safety; he departed, and by a private way gained the palace.

The Caliph having scrutinized into his conduct found that it merited censure in the extreme. He was cloathed in his royal robes, and seated on his throne; his Viziers and nobles were prostrated before him.

'Rise,' said he, it is my command. Let the Hazeb Yemaleddin be brought from prison, let him be attired in the most sumptuous dress. I have got the fullest proofs of his innocence; he deserves honour instead of chastisement.'

The commands of Haroun were obeyed, and Yemaleddin appeared at the foot of the throne. The Caliph covered him with a cloak lined with the richest ermine, and appointed him chief of the Emirs of the Empire. Go,' said he, ' and comfort your mother.' Yemaleddin hastened to discharge so agreeable a duty.

Giafar and Mesrour re-conducted the Princess of Persia to her apartment.

Haroun had offended her too much, to appear before her. His two confidants were desired to inform her, that she recovered her liberty; that she might remain in the palace all her life, either as the wife or daughter of the Caliph, and enjoy all the honours annexed to such exalted rank.

Though the Princess of Persia had consented to give her hand to Haroun, yet her heart was at liberty. She was pleased with the proposition which had been made to her. 'You see,' said she to Giafar and Mesrour, an obedient daughter full of gratitude and respect to the Commander of the Faithful,”

Haroun was charmed with the manner in which his proposal had been received, and immediately formed a plan of marrying his adopted daughter with the new Chief of the Emirs.

Yemaleddin was received with open arms by his mother and sister; and after the first effusions of joy were over, Lelamain related to him the extraordinary adventures which had happened since his imprisonment.

The new Chief of the Emirs was astonished at the recital of his mother; but indignation was the predominant passion-that his sister should be married to a robber! to a wild Arab of the desert! I swear,' cried he' by the Cadba,* if your thief comes here, I shall treat him as he deserves.' He put his hand on the hilt of his sabre; his eyes sparkling with rage, terrified the tender and timid Zutulbe.

What a misfortune,' said the mother, that the Caliph did not do you justice a day sooner! then I should not have been compelled to marry your sister to the robber Il Bondocani.' 'What name do you say, mother?' replied Yelmaleddin, with an air of anxiety.

The name of my son-in-law,' rejoined Lelamain,' Il Bondocani; Il BondocaHave I not said it?

ni.

Is it he, mother, who has espoused my sister? If you are not satisfied, son,with what I have said, read the contracthere it is; Marriage article between Zutulbe, daughter of the widow Lelamain, and Il Bondocani. At the sight of the contract, Yemaleddin prostrated himself on the earth, and Lelamain burst into a loud fit of laughter.

Ah! ah! my hero !' said she,' you are humbled into the dust like other people! where is your sabre now! Oh! the

*The famous temple at Mecca.