to his shipwreck grave among the roaring cavities of the frowning piles of granite-stone beneath. The shore loses its elevation at the other end of the bay, though not its rocky-bed, which, however less in magnitude, would be equally fatal to the hapless ship that adverse winds might drive upon them. The aspect of the country adjoining the coast is dreary in the extreme, as not a tree or shrub of any observation will grow near the sea. The natives attribute this arborial barrenness to the violent winds which prevail during some months in the year, blowing from the sea and bringing with them clouds of briny mist. The air is certainly for the most part of the year very humid, and with some constitutions has a strong relaxing tendency. For myself I never enjoyed perfect health there, and was always ailing.

Partook slightly of the breakfast viands which are generally profuse in quantity in that hospitable part of the world. Afterwards resumed my studies. In the course of the day, going out for another stroll on the sea-shore, which being covered with shingles, and at low water by a fine, firm, level sand (and upon which, being the only level ground in the parish, I had instituted the noble game of cricket, a science before unknown among the northern lads of the school) makes a delightful promenade, I was highly amused at seeing a large group of females, being too far off to distinguish their rank, bustling down to the water to bathe like so many Naiads of dripping Neptune's court. It is the custom there for the ladies to robe themselves in a sort of Esquimaux suit of flannel drapery, and when the tide is up to walk into the ocean. I believe my aristocratic squire-arch relative was the only person who introduced a bathing machine. I used to be surprised that some speculative capitalist never tried to establish it as a watering-place for local resort. The situation, in many respects, for two or three months in the summer is so well adapted by nature, and the bathing ground so exceed→ ingly agreeable, that I am satisfied it would answer.

دو

Dressed to pay a visit at the seat of my guardian, very pleasantly situated, as Robins, the prince of auctioneers would say, amid o'erhanging groves, and from its adjacency to the sea and the lakes, affording a most eligible summer residence for a wealthy weaver who wished to retire with his family, for the benefit of their health, from the smoke and steam of some cotton factory in one of the busy towns of Lancashire. N'importe. It is a delightful abode for those who can remove themselves at pleasure to gayer scenes and crowded cities. I found only Mrs. B. at home, and escorted her down into the hay-field, where I met with her husband, busy (for he is a mighty active personage) among the "jovial crew of merry hay-makers. The whole scene, gilded by the rays of a setting sun, called forth involuntarily my rapturous admiration. Its extreme luxuriance, and the mansion peeping out through the interstices of the rich and variegated foliage of the woods around,-truly, I had not beheld a more picturesque scene of the kind since my sojourn hereabout. Mr. B. and his wife-the host and hostess-returned soon after my arrival. I met her cold ladyship on horseback, of which exercise she is remarkably fond, and rides well, but I do not admire its unfeminine character. We merely greeted each other with the ordinary enquiry, "How d'ye do?" There is too great a want of cordiality about the woman to please my ardent temperament. It is difficult to tell whether it proceeds from a natural iciness of disposition, or from hauteur, or from feminine reserve, or from an inward repugnance to her match. It was one of those sort of marriages which

are made by families for family aggrandisement. She and her spouse were betrothed to one another when babies. I can hardly judge which were the greatest babes, they or their parents! It poignantly grieved me to learn some years afterwards that the most heart-rending and miserable consequences to one of the parties had been the result, perhaps, of this ill-assorted connubial contract. But no more! The reflection is in the highest degree painful to him who, though he could not love them, for they never tried to cultivate his affection, yet preserved, in recollection of some particular acts of kindness, a sense of gratitude. I could never comprehend her-changeable as a cameleon-sometimes very affable-redolent of sincerity-at others distant and formal. I often suspected, may she forgive me if I judged uncharitably, her demeanour so fluctuating was the impulse of temper, which the effort to screen it from vulgar eyes made her manners sometimes forbidding. I enjoyed a sweet moonlight walk home afterwards, listening to the singular chirping of the Corn-crake, or Land-rail, and ruminating upon the people I had just quitted.

June 20th.-The whole morning passed away as monotonously as usual. I relished an exquisite dip in the sea, but found the temperature of the water cooler than hitherto. Uneasy after dinner from my old intestine tormentor. If it can be called any satisfaction to one's own sufferings, all literary men, from the great Dr. Johnson downwards, have experienced the pains and torments of dyspepsia, with all its hideous train of nervous maladies. After an early dinner, which my fashionable readers in the south may denominate, a luncheon, I adonised for a tea-party at three o'clock!! You may sneer, my lady, but now suppose I alter names a little, and you will perceive what slight reasons you have for putting your lovely face out of countenance by that satirical expression of the lips, formed for every action but that of ill-nature. Fashionably speaking, you never dine till nine, but you lunch or tiffin at two. I have seen lords and ladies, and many of the leaders of haut-ton, eat at that meal what vulgar folk would call a dinner, and when their dinner appeared, was it surprising that they should afterwards be able to taste nothing, unless a trifle, or a condiment equally meagre and vapid! In my situation, without a being of my own caste, either in thought or circumstances of life, I was anxious, sojourning in a dull and comparatively solitary quarter of the world, to have some variety for my amusement, and therefore equipped myself for the party, though arranged at so unfashionable an hour. Contrary as it was, however, to all established ideas and rules of town society, I never spent so charming an afternoon the whole period of my rustication. Miss B- was very quizzical, a talent I think very unbecoming in young ladies. I played several rubbers at whist, and had her for my partner, but never held worse cards. The circumstance looked ominous, and I thought if I really entertained any serious idea on the subject, it foreboded no future good to our acquaintance. We all bade our friendly host and hostess farewell for the evening, equally delighted with their entertainment and with each other. Bending my steps homeward alone, I halted to contemplate the silent grandeur of the moon -that just emblem of calmness and solitude-rising in all her silvery lustre from the bosom of the ocean. Oh! celestial are such contemplations to a forlorn and melancholy soul like mine. Beauteous orb! thou art oft the companion of my midnight wanderings. She guided me to my couch. By the way, I must not forget to mention exerting my musical talents for the entertainment of the company during the

evening very much to my own self-satisfaction! Thus vanity closes this day's transactions.

June 21st.- Little transpired to day. I made a call to inquire after some of the party last night, and just "dropped in" time enough to have the privilege of a ramble with two of the young ladies up a very rural avenue locally called Wood-lane. Every village that I ever visited has its lover's alley, where all the tender nothings of courtship are whispered by doting swains to willing maidens. The passion of love is incontrovertibly an universal impulse whether among "Jew, Greek, or Barbarian, bond, or free, Turk, Infidel, Savage, or Heretic."

June 22nd.-Heartily wearied with my tedious progress in the labours of revision, I at last completed my orations with most buoyant pleasure. Composed a pasquinade on a certain affected daughter of Eve. Cannot bear airs, and artificial modes of any kind, either in male or female. Always a sure token of an imbecile understanding, or an uncultivated mind. Lieutenant P, R. N., rode up while I was committing direful devastation among the strawberry beds. Conveyed to my conception the most perfect idea of a fine, bluff, veteran naval officer; wholly devoid of the mawkish politeness of the studied urbanity of a civilian, and without the coarseness of the Jack Tar. Perused the "Sunday Times," latest edition from the Metropolis. It was my favourite newspaper, from its independance and impartiality. While noting remarks upon the public Journals, I cannot refrain from expressing my disgust on reading the various disclosures of venality and corruption exhibited during the present great and general election throughout Great Britain.* All the warnings of the public press will not deter such mercenary hirelings from hawking their rights and freedom to the highest bidder, and bartering the liberties of their country for a drunken carousal! Oh! the moral and political degeneracy of John Bull !

June 23rd.-Up with the lark this morning. Dreadfully annoyed with my old complaint; some say it is often hypochondriacism. A long word for want of sympathy in the infirmities of our fellow creatures. After breakfast read a chapter in Parry's last days of Lord Byron; a book that interested me exceedingly, from the apparent unartificial, frank, and sincere manner in which the author addresses his readers, and discloses to them the most absorbing particulars of that illustrious individual's life. I had hitherto been rather prejudiced, more from rumour and misrepresentation than any substantial grounds against that great man's general character. Alas! what ills and unhappiness do such unfounded reports disseminate in almost every society. But this narrative, if authentic and accurate, indubitably altered my sentiments on many points of his lordship's reputation, and convincingly demonstrates that Greece lost her very best friend when death so prematurely carried him off the scene of his active succours in her manly cause. The author seems correct in his opinion, that Byron's dissolution was hastened by extreme irritation of mind, augmented by a thousand vexatious annoyances, and especially by improper treatment in the remedies prescribed for his recovery by his inexpert physicians. His death-bed opinions and sentiments on the Christian religion, which I here extract, most satisfactorily develope his real views on that all-important topic. "Christianity," his Lordship writes, "is the purest and most liberal religion in the world; but the numerous teachers, who are continually worrying mankind with their

• That took place about five years previous to the passing of the Reform Act.-ED.

denunciations, and their doctrines are the greatest enemies of religion. I have read with more attention than half of them the Book of Christianity, and I admire the liberal and truly charitable principles which Christ has laid down. There are questions connected with this subject, which none but Almighty God can solve. Time and space who can conceive?None but God,-on Him I rely!" I never read any modern publication with more zest than this book by Mr. Parry.

June 24th.-Rose this morning not in the best spirits. This sultry weather very oppressive. It totally unfits me for any exertion mental or bodily. I amused myself the whole morning copying some of Moore's favourite and popular Melodies. O how sweet is the poesy of those ballads! Nature and heart in almost every line. Singing them recals the happiest images to one's mind. Lovely rhyme set to plaintive strains. I am seized every day after dinner with a stupifying torpor, which excessively annoys me, and to which the caloric state of the atmosphere, I suspect, greatly contributes. I detest saying any thing about one's repasts, they are so utterly void of all interest, as regards any part but the eating. Started for Whitehaven, meditating on men and things the whole perambulation, for the purpose of securing a passage to the Isle of Man. Went on board a sloop bound to Douglas Town. Saw the mate, and settled to sail next week.

June 25th.-Sunday. Nothing exempt from the usual monotony occurring this day, except going to church, where, from the variety of gewgaws, airs, and graces manifested, the women appear to verify the motto, "spectatum veniunt, veniunt spectentur ut ipsæ." I could not help regarding two pretty girls, who appeared to possess that genuine feminine innocence of demeanour I so much admire in the female sex. After dinner sauntered out with a charming string of young ladies upon the rocks, which at low water afford an excellent route to a very romantic cove with its appropriate cavern, where many native gems or pebbles peculiar to that shore are picked up by the connoisseur in mineralogy. Some of them, when cut and polished, are of a most rare and beautifnl graining. The colours are various, but when set in gold by the art of the jeweller, they have a most delicate and elegant appearance. The stones are quite peculiar to that part of the coast, and are supposed to be washed thither from some other clime. The name by which they are designated, is moss agates, &c., and they are perfectly distinct in their nature and quality from the Scotch pebble or Highland flint. It requires some practice to discern them from the ordinary strand of shingles. It was a beautifully calm evening, and the green sea looked like a smooth mirror. I much regretted there was no boat to enjoy the pleasure of an evening row. The Isle of Man, though some considerable distance off, appeared so contiguous, and such was the exceeding thinness of the air, that we could perceive the smoke of Douglas ascending from its chimney stacks. I had the happiness of moralising before going to bed upon the relative difference in the virtue of the busy bee" and the hornet, a nest of which we discovered. I took good care to keep a respectful distance. The formation of the nest is wonderfully curious. Challenged to a game of chess, at which, woe is me from being out of practice, I was beaten. Philosophically succumbed to my ill-fortune. Before retiring to rest, I was first occupied with massacring a cock-roach, which with spiders, ear-wigs, toads, and snakes, are my abhorrence. To-morrow, if the wind be fair, I sail for Mona.

F.

BROTHER WATSON'S GREAT PICTURE OF BURNS,

IN THE CANONGATE KILWINNING LODdge.

In our last number we alluded, by report, to the progress of this Historico-Masonic painting; a personal inspection has since fully realised, and more than realised our most sanguine anticipations as to the result. We had, it must be owned, some doubts as to the capabilities of the subject in an artistic point of view; more particularly had we apprehensions that the precise and orderly attitudes of a number of Masons in a formal Lodge assembled, would prove any thing but objects favourable to that free and full development of figure, and of character, necessary to give variety and expression to the scene. We were, therefore, most agreeably disappointed in finding all our pre-conceptions entirely at fault, on beholding the varied and picturesque groups, and individuals starting forth from the canvass in all the "regular irregularity" of constellations and their several stars. Nor is the composer unauthorised in this avoidance of the more strict observance of Masonic formality; for oft have we beheld within the hall of St. John's Chapel, on occasions of far less interest and importance, the precise arrangements suddenly broken up, and the eager Brethren in various attitudes and motions pressing with anxious regard towards the dais to witness the induction of some esteemed or distinguished individual.

The assemblage of the Brotherhood exhibited in the picture would appear to have been under some such influence as this, from the varied and irregular groups into which they are for the moment thrown-the point of time chosen being that in which the poet is appointed laureate. Some are seated, others are standing, or peeping forward, all, however, under the evident influence of the great object of attraction,-Caledonia's Bard,— who is here represented in an erect attitude, the shoulders slightly inclined, with one foot raised on the steps leading to the dais, and immediately below the Master's chair. The figure is firmly and manfully set, expressive of perfect self-possession-the right hand is placed significantly yet naturally on his breast, while his large and lustrous eyes are glancing towards the Master's hand, which is stretched forth to bind the poet's brow. It is not easy to conceive how his person could have been depicted in a position more imposing or more dignified. Indeed, no other could have been so appropriate, natural, and characteristic, as the nicely balanced posture in which "the inspired ploughman" is placed. The countenance of the poet is a master-piece of the painter. His eyes appear glowing with confessed delight as he stands to receive the Masonic coronalI—a tribute paid to his poetic fame, and not the less prized by him on account of the quarter whence it emanated-his "Dear Brethren of the Mystic tie." The Master of the Lodge, at the period of this event, was Alexander Fergusson, Esq., of Craigdarroch, one of the heroes in Burns' song of the Whistle of Worth," and father of the late R. Cutlar Fergusson, M. P. All the other" dramatis persona" represented were

men and Brethren more or less connected with the Bard as his correspondents, convives, or patrons; such as Dunbar, Ainslie, Dr. Wood, Professor Stewart, Sir W. Forbes, Henry Erskine, Lord Monboddo,in all, sixty portraits. The whole form a study worthy alike of the connoisseur and the Brother Mason. Some biographical account of the characters, we understand, is in progress to illustrate the picture, which we trust will ere long be exhibited to the public at large. It would make a fine subject for an engraving. Subscribers would not be wanting either in Edinburgh or London.

VOL. IV.

G