must see what he's after, and accordingly, Master stepped forward to make the discovery. When lo! and behold, this monster of terror, that was sure enough standing bolt upright on his two hind legs, fell immediately down upon all fours, to welcome the friend of the house; and proved to be nothing more than the large black Newfoundland dog, that had been trying to make his way into the house by putting up the latch of the door of the portico with his paw, a thing he was accustomed to do. But the door having been bolted in the inside, he could not accomplish his entrée, and therefore growled and howled most piteously to gain the admittance he so much desired.

"Poor Mary, the moment she saw the animal fawn upon her master, flew off full speed, rending the air with her shrieks of terror; and declaring most positively, that she saw the Devil run away with her master all in a blaze." It requires no great penetration to see, that the fears of this sim ple girl realized on her mind all her fancies.

But what can be said, when men of good sense and education grant similar licenses to their inventive faculties? "I knew a Gentleman,” continued Magdalina,“ for a church yard must naturally raise a ghost-besides 'twould be a folly to introduce a solitary hobgoblin to stalk about in melancholy mood by himself-he should, at least, have half a dozen in his train. So I must give you an account of my learned friend:

"He had had the misfortune to lose an affec

tionate and beloved parent; and, though a man of rather a superior cast of mind, was apt to indulge in romantic reveries, or what the world, perhaps, would call superstitious contemplations. He had devoutly prayed, that if earthly mortals were ever permitted to revisit this nether world, he might once again be indulged with a sight of the dear and revered author of his being. In the gloomy stillness of midnight he wandered to her grave, implored afresh the wished-for indulgence, and looked wistfully around, though, perhaps, with fearful expectation. For let the bravest among the brave say what they will, there is an awful terror connected with this subject, that might unnerve the most courageous were they put to the test. My friend neither denied nor admitted the common opinion that departed spirits, sometimes, wander in this world; his prayer, however, was not granted, and he returned home night after night without being convinced. He was a great pedestrian, and chose rather to follow the bent of his inclination, than to mount a steed, or be whirled over the surface of the earth from one place to another, without the liberty of contemplating a single object as he passed. In a melancholy mood, he set off one day, on one of these solitary rambles, to give full vent to his mournful sensations, and to contemplate, in lonely quiet, the heaviest of earthly afflictions ;-the death of a dear and affectionate friend. It is in these lonely wanderings that the mind can feast itself on

melancholy enjoyment. As he strolled leisurely, in deep meditation, across a dreary and extensive common, uninterrupted by the awful stillness that reigned for miles around, the fine blue azure of the sky began to darken the bright orb of day was occasionally dimmed by the driving cloudsthe lightning flashed-the thunder rolled over his head-in a few minutes the whole canopy of heaven was obscured-the rain fell in torrents, and our heavy-hearted traveller was obliged to seek shelter, not in a neighbouring cottage as will be expected, but under the thick umbrageous branches of stately oaks, that lay at some distance, by the way side. For neither house, nor cottage, nor village spire, nor any sign of life could he discern. All nature seemed enwrapped in gloom -he never felt so dismal-the very heavens appeared to sympathize and wept. On entering the wood he was not displeased to find a beaten track, by following which, it was but reasonable to suppose he would, sooner or later, reach some friendly habitation. But, neither sound resounding from the steeple, nor distant bark of dog, nor shrill crowing of the cock, nor any individual sign betokened village, house, or hamlet near. had not penetrated far into the wood, however, before he observed on the road side, in the hollow of a tree, a bench-evidently placed there by some considerate being, for the convenience of the way-worn traveller. Fatigued in mind and body, for his spirits were at the very lowest ebb, my

He

friend was glad to rest him awhile in this romantic solitude. He seated himself, and drawing a biscuit from his pocket and his little travelling can, which contained some drops of brandy and water, his usual refreshments on these pilgrimages, he began his frugal meal; still indulging that same pensive mood that prompted him to traverse these lonely walks. In this retreat, however, he was soon awakened from his reverie by the appearance of something that had life, though not the sound Attracted by the few

even of a rook was heard. crumbs that fell about, a bird in sable hue, as though in compliment to his sorrows, fearlessly approached, and joined him in his meal. A glow of satisfaction seemed to thrill through his veins, as the bird familiarly hopped about him. He was still sad, but less disconsolate. A thousand romantic notions flashed upon his mind; he honestly confessed his weakness, and declared they cheered him at the time. The revered object of his meditation had, in her life time, frequently descanted on the humanity likely to be produced from the adoption of the Pythagorian system; not half the cruelty that we see daily practised, would be inflicted on animals; and, I hope on my decease,' she would jokingly add, 'you will cease, my dear boy, from persecuting the feathered tribe ; for I should like of all things, when my spirit takes its flight from hence, to join the winged inhabitants of the airy regions.'

"How true it is, that the most trifling things

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relating to the dead, recur to the memory, and call forth the sympathy of the living. Pythagoras was a wise man, thought my friend; but were I to think with him, I should be pronounced a fool, a madman, or any thing but wise. Humanity is, nevertheless, commendable, take all I have sweet bird,' said he, and did I not verily believe thou art more happy in the range of this wood, than cooped up in solitary confinement with man, I would take thee home, and cherish thee with the tenderness that is due to all God's creatures.'

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The evening was rapidly advancing

my friend was eager to be gone and yet, with his eyes rivetted on his mute companion, who was still picking up the crumbs at his feet, he seemed fixed to the spot. Nor could he have mustered resolution to depart, he has since declared to me, had not the object of his retention, as it were in pity to his weakness, winged its flight, and left him once more to his lonely wanderings.

"In pensive mood, sheltered from the unpitying storm by an almost impenetrable bower of thick and lofty foliage, he journeyed on, musing on the strange doctrines of ancient sages, and the more refined opinions of modern umpires.

"There is no people, rude or learned, among whom apparitions of the dead are not related and believed,' says the learned Dr. Johnson, This opinion, which, perhaps, prevails as far as human nature is diffused, could become universal only