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crash against the door in the school | situation, that no one replied. He then

room below, summoned us to realize our imaginary heroism.

We all leaped out of bed in an instant, and snatched up our weapons; but no one had the temerity to advance. Our usher, whom we expected to lead us on, terrified us as much by crying out that he could not find his weapon, and that we must advance against the foe. How faithfully can I, even now, go back to that fearful moment! It is stereotyped in my remembrance.

We stood, statue-like, until he had found his weapon, when, with much trepidation, we joined him. Another violent blow now burst open the schooldoor, with a thundering sound, and footsteps were heard advancing across the school. The bottom of the staircase was defended by a second door, which was soon burst open also, and a heavy tread began to ascend the stairs. The critical moment had arrived, and our usher led us on to the attack.

We drove the man back who, with a heavy tread, had partly ascended the stairs, and chased him across the school, but the fellow hastily shut the door, and held it on the outside that we might not pull it open, and overtake him. In vain we tried to wrench open the door, and concluded that the rogue was uncommonly strong to pull against us all. Two or three boys jumped on a desk, and opened the window, through which they plainly saw a man pulling at the latch of the door with all his might. The fellow was at length overcome, and he then loosed his hold. We followed him as he ran off with great alacrity. Some said that he went one way, and some another, but none could lay hold of him. On searching the garden, we found a large hole through the hedge of an arbour, and, as many said that they saw him run in that direction, we doubted not that he had effected his escape. Returning to our dormitory, we felt very thankful for our preservation, though I question if one among us lifted up his heart in grateful acknowledgment to Almighty God.

After a silence of some length, our usher appeared very restless and uneasy, saying that we still might be in great danger, and that he was determined to go round the premises. He asked one of us to accompany him, but this appeared so rash, and so ill-suited to our

required the biggest boy to go with him, calling him by his name, but this he absolutely refused to do, saying he had had enough of it already. Another name, and yet another, was called in vain.

Almost

One of my school-fellows leaped into my bed, and grasped me round the middle in such an agony of apprehension, that he shook as though afflicted with the palsy or the ague. every name had now been called but mine, and I lay in dreadful foreboding of an unwelcome invitation. At length our usher asked me to accompany him; and, though I felt very reluctant, being terribly afraid, yet the opportunity of making myself famous by doing what all my schoolfellows had declined, so far affected me that I consented to go. By what poor, vain motives is the human heart influenced! We put on our clothes, armed ourselves well, and then sallied forth once more in quest of the robbers.

Our usher did not fail to refresh my memory, every five minutes, by reminding me of the danger we might be in; and I really expected, at every turning, that the villains would leap upon us. He led me all round the premises, and then proposed that we should again examine the arbour in the garden. Thither we went, and surely I never shall forget my sensations when, after frightening me all he could, he burst into a loud laugh, telling me that the whole affair was nothing but a plan contrived to punish the boys for their boastful expressions of courage.

This plan had been principally concerted by our schoolmistress, and it was carried into effect by means of the servant girl, who dressed herself in the clothes of her master.

The doors had been left unfastened by our usher, that the servant girl might bang them open, and when we all were pulling at the door, with the rogue on the other side, our usher, unnoticed by us, placed his foot at the bottom of it, to prevent our wrenching it open. Though I saw not then, yet no one can see plainer than I do now, the great want of discretion on the part of my schoolmistress and usher; the one in planning, and the other in carrying on what might have produced the most fearful results. Under less alarming circumstances,

young people have lost their reason. How necessary it is that, in our most lighthearted moments, we should look at the end of our actions as well as at the beginning.

As our schoolmistress had sat up till near midnight to enjoy our terror and confusion, we thought it but fair that she and the servant should be frightened in their turn. Accordingly, we shook the outside shutters of the house violently, and made such noises, that they were firmly persuaded, believing us to be in bed, that the real robbers were come at last. Peeping through a crevice in the window-shutter, we saw mistress and maid standing together motionless with terror, when giving a parting rattle at both the back and front doors, we retired for the night, heartily enjoying the consternation we had occasioned. By this affair I acquired much more credit for courage among my schoolfellows than I deserved. My schoolmistress is long since dead, but our usher is still alive, being only a few years older than myself: much do I owe him for many acts of attention, kindness, and friendship. He would now be the first to acknowledge that the part acted by him partook far more of youthful frolic than of sound discretion.

Had this tale been told by me forty years ago, many who were the playmates of my boyhood would have read it with interest, and responded to every circumstance it contains; but now, I know not if a single being is alive who will identify it as describing a scene in which he acted a part.

What is man! whose "days are swifter than a post;" whose life "fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not?" I speak of the companions of my youth, but I know that they cannot hear me; and I feel like a man walking and talking alone in the path of a deserted mansion, whose solitary walls give back only the whispering of his own voice, and the faint echo of his own foot-fall.

There is a common error among men of supposing that their own private adventures must be interesting to others, merely because they themselves derive pleasure from them. Many a time have I listened with impatience to the inflated nothings and marvellous common-place occurrences of my neighbours; many a time, I dare say, have I inflicted on them the same penance; and it may be that, in the very school fright just described,

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may have repeated the offence. If so, the best atonement I can now make is to bring my remarks to a close.

Should it happen, however, that this sketch of what occurred in my boyhood, should take back my aged readers to the days of their youth, and impress their minds with a sense of God's protecting goodness in lengthening their days in the land, it may do them good. Not only our joys, but our sorrows may be made useful, when, with thankfulness, we remember the way in which the Lord our God has led us for so many years in the wilderness, to humble us, to prove us, and to know what is in our hearts. Faithful is He who hath promised to his servants: 66 Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear even I will carry, and will deliver you,' Isa. xlvi. 4.

PRACTICAL JOKES.

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UNDER the impression that practical joking is equivalent to a display of wit or harmless humour, some persons delight themselves in circulating scandalous reports of neighbours, and keeping whole circles of friends in trouble. Such circulators of scandal, when challenged with their offence, most likely declare that they meant no harm, "it was a mere joke,' or, "they are sorry for it." But this is no proper excuse. The mischief is done, and cannot be undone. One evening, a company of ladies and gentlemen were talking on various subjects in a lively and happy mood, when a young lady, who was absent, happening to become the subject of conversation, a gentleman present observed, Oh, yes, she is a very fine girl indeed, but she drinks!" The company stared with astonishment. "Drinks! can it be possible?" uttered several voices in reply, "who would have thought such a thing!" The gentleman perceiving he had gone a little too far in his eagerness for a witticism, hastened to wipe off the false impression which had been made.. Yes, she drinks," said he; "she drinks tea!" But the antidote came too late; the explanation was generally supposed to be nothing else than a shift. Many, therefore, went home with an indefinite conviction on their minds, that the young lady in question was a secret and habitual drinker of spirituous liquors. A report to this effect was at least circu

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lated, and a thorough investigation was not long in being instituted by the friends of the injured party. Explanations and apologies followed: but the scandal was never altogether eradicated. The fatal impression had been made, and could not be unmade. The very thought that such a degrading vice had been imputed to her, drove the lady, who was naturally of susceptible feelings, into a state of deep melancholy, which no attentions could soothe; and her depression of spirits and seclusion brought on consumption, of which she ultimately died. As for the wretched young man, who had been the original cause of so much mischief, he was set down by all as one whose acquaintance was dangerous; his prospects of settling himself in the place, were blighted, and he felt himself under the necessity of betaking himself to the West Indies, where he was cut off some years after. How many similar instances could be adduced of the mischief produced by practical joking!

COURT OF RECONCILEMENT.

THE most peculiar court of justice in Norway is that named "ForligelsesCommission;" that is, Court of Reconcilement, or Arbitration. There is such a court in every parish; it consists of three persons, chosen by the parishioners, of whom the priest is almost invariably the chief, with the churchwardens or the lensman as his assessors. Every intended litigation must, in the first instance, be submitted to this commission before it can be brought into a higher court. The parties are there personally heard, no professional person being allowed to appear; their evidence is canvassed, and a statement eventually drawn up in which both parties agree, and sign. The assessors then endeavour to reconcile the parties, usually by proposing some middle course. If both submit to the arbitration, the decision is final: if one demurs, he can carry the case to the higher tribunal, but at the risk of having the expenses to pay should it be decided against him; and in no case can any fresh facts be brought forward, other than what are contained in the protocol of the Forligelses-Commission.

Whether any modification of this institution could be beneficially adopted in a country like ours, I am not prepared to say; but I think there can be

no doubt, that in a country like Norway it is productive of much more good than evil, as tending to cut short a great deal of litigation. Striet legal justice is very probably not so much aimed at by a tribunal so constituted, as equity and concord. But a great deal depends upon the personal character of the assessors, and especially of the priest: if he be intelligent and painstaking, the result is highly satisfactory; but if he be old and stupid, as will sometimes be the case, material facts are frequently omitted, and the whole case is sent up in so incomplete, jumbled, and bungling a form, that I have heard Amtmen declare it is totally impossible to ascertain its real merits.-Two Summers in Norway.

THE OSPREY.

THE Osprey is every where a bird of passage. In spring, it visits the shores of the larger rivers and lakes of Russia, Germany, and the middle provinces of Europe; but on the approach of winter, they travel southwards. Along the shores of the United States, and the lakes and rivers, they show themselves in spring as they are proceeding northwards, and also in autumn, when they retire to warmer climates.

INTEGRITY.

THE acquaintance of bishop Jebb with Granville Sharp arose from his being executor to the will of his cousin, sir Richard Jebb, Bart., physician to George III. The prelate was fond of mentioning a characteristic circumstance connected with Mr. Sharp's discharge of his trust. Having handed over to the residuary legatee the personal property, he closed the transaction by presenting him with the last remnant-three pence half-penny, which he found in an old drawer.

MACHINE FOR COPYING OIL PAINTINGS. M. LIEPMANN, a painter of eminence at Berlin, is stated to have invented a mechanical process for taking, in a very short time, a copy of any painting in oil, however old, with an exactitude which cannot be attained by the brush. M. Liepmann has exhibited his machine in the galleries of the Royal Museum at Berlin, and in the presence of the directors, made one hundred and ten copies of a portrait of Rembrandt, with the greatest success.

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THE CHAPEL OF HENRY VII.

THIS chapel is a very interesting part of Westminster Abbey. Immediately behind the choir, but more elevated, is the chapel of Edward the Confessor; beyond this, that of Henry VII. rears its "fretted roof," and forms the eastern extremity of the whole fabric. It is the most florid example of the pointed style of architecture that exists in this country; it is, likewise, the most perfect example.

Leland calls this chapel "the miracle of the world;" and though his praise may well be pronounced extravagant, it is generally considered that the architectural splendour of this edifice is of the highest order. The boldness and ingenuity of the design, and the scientific principles displayed in carrying it into execution, have alike excited great admiration.

The credit of designing this chapel, and of erecting it also, has generally been given to sir Reginald Bray; but it appears to rest on no adequate authority.

OLD HUMPHREY ON DOGS.

MUCH has been written about dogs, and much more I trust will be written; for the dog is so useful an animal, so faithful a servant, and so devoted a slave to man, that any thing which extends MARCH 1841.

our knowledge of his nature and habits, and makes more prominent his good qualities, increases his claim on our kindness. See how promptly he executes our commands! how forgivingly he forgets our churlish unkindness! how gratefully he acknowledges our smallest favours, and with what fidelity, to his last gasp, he serves even a tyrannical

master!

Who would not, if he could, make a dog happy? I know it may be said of dogs that they yelp at the heels of horses, quarrel and fight one with another, run off with meat from the butchers' stalls when opportunity offers, and occasionally worry a defenceless sheep in the fields. No doubt, they do these things, for there are bad dogs as well as bad men in the world; but put their good deeds against their evil deeds, and do them justice. Take the vilest cur that ever ran on four legs, and you cannot say that he is as bad as a bad man without wilfully blackening his reputation. Dogs have been trained to thirst for human blood, and to hunt defenceless human beings; but our indignation should be turned from them to the conduct of their merciless trainers.

I am not about to speak of dogs generally, though the subject is a tempting one, but rather to draw a few graphic sketches of such dogs as have more

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mmediately attracted my notice. Never do I feel so much at home as when treating on a subject with which both my eye and my heart are familiar. Yes! yes ! I will treat of the dogs I have known; but as a musician, before he puts forth his powers, usually favours his auditory with a few gratuitous notes, or flourishes, by way of tuning his intrument, so I, to screw up my mind to its proper pitch of excitement, will venture on a few passing general remarks.

Had I to describe any particular kind of dog, singling him out from among his fellows, I hardly know what kind of dog I should choose. There is the thick-haired, furry-coated dog of the Esquimaux, scampering over the frozen snow, with the loaded sledge at his heels. The African dog who fearlessly keeps the lion at bay, while his master takes aim with his rifle at the king of beasts, or makes his escape. And the dog of St. Bernard's, who goes forth at the bidding of the Samaritan monks, to find out the toil-worn and bewildered traveller, half frozen to death in the snow. All these would have a claim upon me, and willingly would I give each of them a well-covered bone to pick, and an armful of clean straw to repose on; but hardly should I know which of them to select for my hero.

Then, again, there is the sagacious sheep dog, with his long, rough, thick hair, almost a shepherd in himself in his vigilance and watchfulness over the flock committed to his care; the sturdy mastiff, stiffly, and sternly defending the house and household goods left in his charge, against the midnight robber; and the persevering setter running through brake and brier, over arable and pasture land, mountain and moor, from morn to eve, to point out game for the amusement of his master. It does not signify, I could not make a choice of one; were I to do so, the speaking eyes and the wagging tails of the others would reprove me.

It is true, that the noble, shaggy, Newfoundland dog is a favourite with me; that the long-eared spaniel wriggles himself somehow into my affections; and that I have a kindly feeling for all dogs, from that model of grace and beauty, the taper-limbed greyhound, to the bow-legged turnspit or snubnosed bull dog, though I much regret the uses, or rather the abuses to which

the strength of the latter has been made accessary. Still it would puzzle one to decide what kind of dog among his tribe to select for an individual description.

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Though no sportsman, yet before now I have seen the buck hound pull down the antlered stag, who could no longer keep him at bay; the fox hound in full cry after wily renard, stretching across, far over the extended fields and the harrier pursuing the timid hare, doubling and winding in vain to escape her pursuers; and in all, I find the dog to be the same ardent helper, obedient servant, and humble slave of mankind.

In my youthful days-these grey hairs tell me that the summers and winters that have since then rolled by me are not a few-In my youthful days, the Nimrods of the neighbourhood occasionally assembled near the village school, where I was a scholar; for my schoolmaster was a sportsman and very fond of the chase. No sooner did he know that the hounds were abroad than his scholars were forgotten, his black mare, or brown gelding, was saddled in haste, and his authority delegated for the day to his milder representative, to the great delight of the whole school. He was also fond of coursing, and, not unfrequently, a friend of his called upon him with a brace of greyhounds. White Juno and black Hero were two of the first dogs in the country.

"From slip or leash there never sprang

More fleet of foot, or sure of fang."

Thus in our playhours we sometimes gazed on the exciting scene of a pack of hounds in full cry, or a brace or two of greyhounds in full chase after a hare. But it is high time that I began to speak of the particular dogs I intended to introduce to your attention.

Rover belonged to a neighbour; he was one of my early playfellows, and if ever I did love a dog I loved him. He was a fine fellow, of the Newfoundland breed, black as a sloe, with a snow-white bosom, soft as silk, nimble as an antelope, and frolicsome as a young kitten. We had our mimic battles, fighting and rolling and tumbling over one another on the ground, till we were too tired to romp, and too happy to lie still. At one moment, he lay panting, his vermilion tongue rapidly moving in and out of his mouth, his ears half

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