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foot intrudes not-and the wilderness is guarded by the rattlesnake, fearsome watchman, wi' nae ither bouets1 than his ain fiery eyne?

North. For upwards of twenty years the enthusiastic Audubon lived in the remotest woods, journeying to and fro on foot thousands of miles-or sailing on great rivers, "great as any seas," with his unerring rifle, slaughtering only to embalm his prey by an art of his own, in form and hue unchanged, unchangeable — and now, for the sum of one shilling, may anybody that chooses it, behold the images of almost all the splendid and gorgeous birds of that Continent. Shepherd. Whare's the Exhibition now?

3

2

North. At Glasgow, I believe - where I have no doubt it will attract thousands of delighted spectators. I must get the friend who gave "A Glance over Selby's Ornithology," " to tell the world at large more of Audubon. He is the greatest artist in his own walk that ever lived, and cannot fail to reap the reward of his genius and perseverance and adventurous zeal in his own beautiful branch of natural history, both in fame and fortune. The Man himself—whom I have had the pleasure of frequently meeting-is just what you would expect from his works, -full of fine enthusiasm and intelligence-most interesting in looks and manners-a perfect gentleman-and esteemed by all who know him for the simplicity and frankness of his nature. I wish you had seen him, James; you would have taken to each other very kindly, for you, James, are yourself a naturalist, although sometimes, it must be confessed, you deal a little in the miraculous, when biographically inclined about sheep, dogs, eagles, and salmon.

Shepherd. The ways o' the creatures o' the inferior creation, as we choose to ca' birds and beasts, are a' miraculous thegither-nor would they be less so if we understood better than we do their several instincts. Natural History is just anither name for Natural Theology—and the sang o' the laverock, and the plumage o' the goldfinch-do they not alike remind us o' God?

1 Bouet-a hand-lanthorn.

2 In Blackwood's Magazine for November 1826, written by Professor Wilson. 3 Audubon's Ornithological Biography was reviewed by Professor Wilson in Blackwood's Magazine for July and August 1831.

ORIENTAL COSTUME.

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North. I never knew a Naturalist who was not a good man. Buffon was a strange devil, but not a bad fellow on the whole -with all his vanity and sensualism. Cuvier is a most amiable character, and we need not go far from Edinburgh to find the best of men, and of Naturalists, united in one whom it is needless to name.1

Shepherd. That's a truth-What thin Folio's yon sprawling on the side-table?

North. Scenery, costume, and architecture, chiefly on the western side of India, by Captain Robert Melville Grindlaya beautiful and a splendid work. Just look at the frontispiece, James.

Shepherd. Eh, man! but she's a bonny Frontispiece, indeed! An Indian Maiden, orientally arrayed in a flowing garment, veil, shawl, plaid, gown, and trouser-lookin petticoats, all gracefully confused into one indistinguishable drapery, from dark-haired forehead down to ringed ankles and sma' naked feet! These pure, smooth, glossy, arms o' hers-hoo saftly and hoo sweetly wad they enfauld a lover stealing into them at gloamin, below the shadow o' these lofty Palm-Trees!

North. Turn over, James, and admire the shaking Minarets at Ahmedabad. It is the great Mosque erected by Sultan Ahmed early in the fifteenth century. His remains, with those of his family, are deposited within, in a splendid Mausoleum. The tombs are still covered, Captain Grindlay tells us, with rich tissues of silk and gold, surrounded with lamps continually burning, and guarded by Mahommedans of the religious orders, aided by innumerable devotees of the fair sex. It is, like all the other mosques and religious buildings of stone in the city and environs of Ahmedabad, ornamented with the most elaborate sculpture, and evidently copied from the remains of Hindoo architecture of very remote antiquity.

Shepherd. It is a splendid structure; and can naebody tell why the Minarets shake? But I canna get the image o' that Indian maiden out o' the ee o' my mind-let me look at her again. Oh! the bonny brown cretur, but she wad mak a pleasant companion in the way o' wife!

1 James Wilson, Esq. of Woodville, near Edinburgh, brother of Professor Wilson, author of the article "Entomology" in the Encyclopædia Britannica, "Voyage Round Scotland, 1842," &c., and one of the most scientific naturalists in Europe.

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ORIENTAL ARCHITECTURE.

North. There, James, is an Ancient Temple at Malmud, on the Peninsula of Guzerat, which was the scene of the chief exploits, and finally of the death of Krishna, the Indian Apollo, and still contains architectural remains of the highest antiquity, and of extraordinary richness and beauty.

Shepherd. Od, it's sae lang sin' you were in India, I wonner hoo ye can remember so distinctly a' the architecture, and

North. Captain Grindlay's admirable Representations bring back a thousand dreams to my mind. Beautiful Peninsula of Guzerat! True indeed it is, my dear Grindlay, that every hill is consecrated by some mythological event, and every stream has its poetical Name and classical Fiction.

Shepherd. There's no sic a Buildin's that in a' Embro'. The Register Office, forsooth!

North. Like the ancients, James, you see they adorn the Approach to their Cities with monumental buildings, from the splendid pillared dome of the chieftain, to the simple slab of the vassal, on which is sculptured the figure, on a horse or camel, or on foot, according to the circumstances under which the deceased met his fate. Intermingled with these warlike memorials, on the more affecting records of devotion, are the widows who have immolated themselves on the funeral piles of their lords, distinguished by a sculptured funeral Urn, ornamented with bracelets and amulets; and the number of this latter description proves the great and extensive prevalence of a practice which all the humane efforts of the British Court have hitherto failed to suppress.

Shepherd. Isna that a lassie in the foreground?

North. Yes, James, that mass of Masonry in the foreground is a Well, to which the female is descending by a flight of steps. These subterraneous reservoirs present, throughout Guzerat, some of the most splendid specimens of architecture, combining utility with unbounded riches of sculpture, and containing, in many instances, chambers and galleries for retreat during the oppressive heat of mid-day.

Shepherd. Confound me, ye auld cunning warlock, gin ye haena been readin a' this time ower my shouther frae Captain Grindlay's ain letterpress, and passin't aff as your ain description!

North. Why, James, your imagination has been so occupied

PHRENOLOGY-JEFFREY VERSUS COMBE.

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by that Oriental Damsel, that you never observed me putting on my Specks. I have been assuredly quoting the Captain, who writes as well as he draws. Pen, pencil, or sword, come alike to the hand of an accomplished British officer.

Shepherd. There maun be thousan's o' leebraries in Britain, private and public, that ought to hae sic a wark.

North. It must succeed.-But take care, James, that you don't soil it; it shall have an article to itself soon. There, lay it down gently.

Shepherd. Whether had Mr Jeffrey or Mr Combe the best in that tussle about Phrenology, think ye, sir?1

North. Mr Jeffrey.-What a difference between the Men !— Now and then Mr Jeffrey laid himself open to knock-down blows; but Mr Combe, although he could not but see the opening and the unguarded part, knew not how to avail himself of the advantage given by his skilful, but occasionally unwary opponent. With open hand he sprawled on to the attack, administered punishment, and finally got knocked out of the ring, among acclamations justly raised to his con

queror.

Shepherd. What you say's just perfectly surprising; for the Phrenologers tell me that Combe did not leave Jeffrey a leg to stand on; and that the Science, as they ca't, noo stands like a Pyramid o' Egypt, wi' a broad base, and a apex pointing to the sky. I'm thinking ye'll be rather prejudiced,-a wee bigotted or sae,—and no a fit judge atween the twa combatants. Combe's a clever chiel-let me tell you that, sir.

North. And a very arrogant one too, else had he not flung back in Mr Jeffrey's face the compliment that gentleman rather unnecessarily paid to his talents.

Shepherd. Jeffrey was jokin!

North. Very like, James,—very like. I am a bit of a bigot, I confess. Most-indeed all men are so in one respect or another; but if Phrenology be a Fact in Nature, as Mr Combe and his adherents say-why-"Facts are chiels that wunna ding;" and, with the exception of the high authorities cited by Mr Combe, all the way up to the Philosophical Editor of the Chirurgical Journal, down to the worthy Dundee mechanic,

1 Jeffrey attacked Phrenology in a clever and humorous article in The Edinburgh Review, No. LXXXVIII., for Sept. 1826. Mr Combe published a rejoinder. 2 Wunna ding-will not yield.

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who procured, from the generosity of its author, a copy of Combe's Phrenology at the trade price, through the instrumentality of the guard of the Champion coach, mankind will look very foolish on the establishment of the Fact, and nobody will be able to hold up their heads but the Members of the various Phrenological Societies. Won't that be exceedingly hard, James?

Shepherd. Rather sae-but I'm determined to haud up my head, whether Phrenology's true or false. I ken a gude heap o' Phrenologers, but maist o' them's geyan stupid and wrangheaded;-no them a', but the greater feck o' them,—and I wadna just wish dunces to be discoverers.

North. The Phrenologers occupy a most distinguished rank as men of letters in Europe, James. I confess that to be “a Fact in Nature." Independently of their own science, they have produced many celebrated works on life, manners, morals, politics, and history.

Shepherd. What's their names ?

North. Hark! the Calabrian harpers. Ring the bell, James, and we shall have them up-stairs for half an hour.

Shepherd (rings). Awmrose-Awmrose-bring my fiddle. I'll accompany the Calawbrians wi' voice and thairm.