take up a darabikah, or tambourine, and sing a to this, but only the bigotry of the population. snatch of some one of those tender love-songs on the few occasions when they ventured to face with which the Arabic language abounds. the daylight, Moslems, Greeks, and Levantines

It is the custom for the Jews in Egypt to cele- used to pelt the bier and its bearers with stones and brate very strictly the Feast of the Tabernacle. rubbish, and often to proceed to the most abomiDuring eight days they forsake their rooms, and nable excesses. No one ever felt ashamed of such sleep in little cabins made of palm-leaves on the acts ; but, on the contrary, they were considered terraces of their houses. (Is this the reason why meritorious ; for there is no object on earth which ophthalmia is frequent among them?) Those is regarded in the East as beneath a descendant who have no convenient place for so doing are of Abraham. This may be understood from the invited by their friends, so that on this occasion progression of their terms of abuse—" ass, bull the roofs of the Jewish quarters are covered with dog, pig, Jew !” a regular encampment. The streets previously Such was the state of public opinion when the are absolutely filled with camels laden with palm- death of Mercado el Ghazi, the grand rabbin, hapbranches, which fetch a handsome price, for there pened. This was thought by the Jewish commuis an eager demand for them. The Levantines nity to be a good opportunity for taking advantage used to tell me that on the first day of this festival of the growing toleration of the government; Mothe Jews go to their priest, and ask if it will be a hammed Ali was absent from the country on his good year. He oracularly and gutturally answers, celebrated visit to Constantinople : but Ibrahim “ Ch." If the year be good, he says, “ Did I Pasha was at Cairo, and to him application was not tell you ch—?” meaning (cheir) good. But made for two guards. The Sirasker had just roif it be a bad year, he says, “ Did I not tell you turned from Europe, very little improved, it is ch—?" meaning (châra) bad.

true, but with some desire to merit the approbation This reminds me that a few years ago, when of the civilized world. This was a capital opporthere was a great drought in Egypt, the inunda- tunity, because it enabled him to carry out at the tion of the Nile being unusually delayed, it struck same time his favorite system of intimidating and the pasha that it would be wise to apply to all the overawing the people who were destined by fate, religious sects in his dominions for their inter-treaty, and the right of the strongest, to be 'his cessions with Heaven. So all the heads of the most dutiful subjects. So he replied, “ Two Moslems, with all the Christian priests, and all guards ?—you ask only for two? I will send my the Jewish Rabbins, followed by their congrega- own carriage, thirty cawasses, and a battalion of tions, went down to the brink of the water to infantry; the shops on the whole line of procespray. A good deal of bigotry was exhibited on sion shall be closed ; and woe be to the man who the occasion, and it was attempted to exclude the lifts a stone that day !” What was said was Jews ; but the pasha, who was never very ortho- done ; the people murmured, but remained trandox, wisely determined that he would not throw quil, and a bright example of toleration was manaway a single chance, as the safety of the whole ifested. It is worth knowing that the greater crops of the country depended on the result. He part of the improvement which has taken place in had reason to be amply satisfied ; for the Nile, in the conduct of Egyptians to foreigners and infidels reality, rose two palms the next night, and con- is entirely attributable to similar exertions of tinued rapidly rising until there was a very good supreme power ; but it is a gross mistake to supinundation.

pose that, in as far as the government is concerned, Of late years, the treatment of the Jews in anything has been done to soften the rancor of Egypt has been gradually becoming better and Moslem prejudice. Toleration is not to be inbetter. It was not, however, until during the stilled into a people by force ; and I doubt whether early part of my stay in the country, in the year the good that might have been done by increased 1846, that toleration was extended to them suffi- | intercourse with Europeans has not been more ciently to allow of their burying their dead by than counterbalanced by the envy and indignation day. It was only by moonlight that they could excited by the marked favor with which they are hurry the remains of their departed friends stealth- treated, and the privileges and immunities they ily to the grave. No law, it is true, forced them I enjoy.

A DAY'S EXCURSION.

| his own rough fashion, to people who knew how to

read the expression of his honest and intelligent One day last summer I took my place in a physiognomy. Gravesend steamer, and found considerable amuse- Little Adeline, deprived of the attraction which ment in watching the various characters. Two had fixed her attention to the inside of the boat, persons in particular attracted my notice; one was began to see amusement in watching the foaming a middle-aged gentleman, stout, rather surly, taci- water, as it rushed from the paddle wheels, and turn, who paid no attention to any living being on danced in long lines behind them. She knelt on board, except a huge Newfoundland dog, that was a shawl which a fellow-passenger had lent, as a panting or lolling out his tongue, roaming among cushion for her little knees, and leaned quietly over the passengers, shoving them out of his way, or the side, watching the roaring water ; so her frightening children, by suddenly covering their mother was for a time relieved from the thousand faces with one lick of his great tongue, and con- mosquito-winged vexations which had hitherto vincing nervous ladies that he was going mad, by beset her. the vigor with which he stuck out his legs while We were within a few miles of Gravesend. rolling upon the deck. His master eyed these The tide was just at the full, and the broad pranks with a sly smile, and seemed quietly lo expanse of the river lay around us in all its majenjoy the terrors occasioned by the antics of his esty; and to those who have never beheld the Hudburly friend. The other person whom I specially son or the Mississippi, old Father Thames is manoticed was a very pretty and well-dressed lady. jestic, ay, and if we place in the balance the Young lady she would no doubt have been called, historic, political, and commercial importance of but that she had with her a little girl, about seven the transactions of which his broad breast is and years old, who called her mamma. She was evi- has been the highway, our time-honored river will dently possessed of nerves ; indeed, she seemed to not lose in dignity even when compared with those be possessed by them, and their name was legion. giant floods of the west. Endless were the petly annoyances in which they Such thoughts as these, however, did not involved her. But her keenest sufferings in the trouble Adeline's pretty head, which began, I small way were caused by the unwieldy gambols could see, to grow giddy with the continual whirl of Lion, the Newfoundland dog ; and her inces- beneath her. A large sea-weed, that was dashed sant and puerile exclamations of terror, indigna- from the paddle-wheel, caught her attention. It tion, and spite, against the good-natured brute, kept sank, then rose, turned around in a short eddy, and up the sly, malicious smile upon the lips of his then darted out in the long wake that was left apparently unnoticing master. The little girl, on behind the steamer. She leaned forward to watch the contrary, had, to the increased alarm of the its progress further still-her neck was stretched weak mother, made friends with the monster, and she lost her balance, and tumbled over into the for a long time amused herself by throwing bits roaring flood. In a moment all was confusion of biscuit for him to catch, which feat, notwith- aboard. Men were shouting for ropes and boats, standing the incorrectness of her aim, he managed to stop the steamer ; cries of " A child overboard !" to accomplish, by making a boisterous plunge to“ Who can swim ?” and a thousand other cries and one side or the other; and when at last she tim- questionings; but, above all, were the poor mothidly offered him a piece out of her hand, and he er's heart-rending shrieks, too painfully in earnest acknowledged the compliment by licking her face now; and she alone, in the fond, instinctive devoand rubbing his side against her, until he almost tion of maternal love, heedless that even should pushed her down, the little creature fairly screamed she reach her child she could only sink with her, with delight. Her mother screamed too, but in endeavoring to leap into the water to save her. one of the small, hysterical screams in which she Suddenly, Lion, followed closely by his maswas fond of indulging, and which was followed ter, came tearing along the deck, knocking the peoby an outburst of anger at Lion's audacity. ple to the right and left like nine-pins. They

“Good gracious!" she exclaimed, “ if that hor- sprang into the boat that hung at the stern, every. rid creature should be mad, he 'll have killed my body giving way before the determined energy of child! How dirty he is, too! Look at your both man and dog. Lion looked anxiously in his pelisse, Adeline ; see what a state it is in! How master's face, and uttered a sharp, low bark. dare you play with that aniinal ?”

“Wait,” said the latter in reply; "where was This transition frora hydrophobia to a soiled she seen last?" dress, was too much for Lion's master, and he “There, sir," replied a sailor promptly; "there burst into a loud and long laugh.

beside that piece of plank.” “I wish, sir,” said the lady, snappishly, “ that “How often has she risen ?" you would call away thạt nasty dog, instead of " Twice." setting him on to annoy everybody who is not The gentleman drew a long breath, and said to accustomed to have such dirty animals about his dog, in a low tone, “ Look out!” them."

And Lion did look out, with wild flashing eyes, The gentleman said nothing, but bowed and and limbs that trembled with anxiety. What a walked forward ; and I soon after saw him enjoy- moment that was! Every one else was passive; iog a cigar, while Lion played the agreeable, in every other attempt was laid aside, and all stood

9

in mute expectation. Those who were near | affectionately in her arms, laid her cheeks upon enough watched the third rising of the poor child, his rough head and wept. and those who could not see the water, kept “He's a dirty animal, madam,” said the gentheir eyes fixed upon Lion.

tleman, who had not forgot her former slighting In another instant a cry was raised, as a golden- remarks ; " he'll make your pelisse in such a tressed head was seen to emerge from the water. state. Besides, he may be mad!” The noble dog had seen her first, though ; and, She cast up her eyes with an expression of ere the warning cry had reached his ears, he had meek reproach. They were very fine eyes, and I dashed from the boat with wonderful rapidity, and think he felt, for his features softened immewas swimming toward the little sufferer as though diately. he knew that life and death depended on his “Oh, pray, pray, give him to me!” she ear efforts.

nestly entreated. His master marked his progress anxiously. His “Give Lion to you!” he exclaimed, in deriface was pale as death, and it was only by rigidly sion ; “why, what would you do with him? I compressing them that he could control the ner- will tell you. You 'd pet and pamper the poor vous quivering of his lips.

beast till he was eaten up by disease, and as ner“He has her," he exclaimed, as Lion rose to vous as a fine lady. No, no ; you'd better give the surface, after a long dive, holding the little Ade- Adeline to me. Lion and I can take much better line by the hair of her head in such a manner that care of her than you can." her face was out of water. “ He has her, and “Perhaps so, sir,” she replied, with the gentle she is saved!”

manner that had come over her since the accident; Down went the steps, and on them stood a “ but still I could not spare her-she is my only couple of active sailors, encouraging the brave child, and I am a widow.” dog by shouts and gestures, and ready to receive “I must go," muttered the gentleman to himhis precious burden when he should approach self; “whew! has not the immortal Weller them.

assured us that one widow is equal to twenty-five Slowly he came on, wistfully eying the steps, ordinary women? It's not safe-morally safeand now and then looking up at his master, who to be in the same boat with her.” was leaning over the side encouraging him with

He walked away.

But who can wrestle against his well-known voice.

fate? When the boat returned to London Bridge, “Here you are !” cried the sailors, seizing the I saw him carrying Adeline ashore, and the widow little girl. She was handed from one to another, leaning on his arm. They had a long conversaand at last deposited in the arms of an active-look- tion all the way home! And, when he had put ing gentleman, whom every one seemed instinc- them into the cab, they had another chat through tively to recognize as a surgeon, and by him car- the window, terminating with a promise to ried below.

early." “Now come up, that is a brave fellow," said What could all this mean? He looked after the sailor, retreating to make way for Lion to the cab till it was out of sight. climb the steps. But the poor creature whined “I think she has got rid of her nerves,' piteously, and, after one or two fruitless attempts observed to himself; “ what a charming creature to raise himself out of the water, he remained she is without them !" quite passive. Help him-help him !-he is exhausted !”

From the Christian Register. cried his master, fighting his way through the

WINTER SCENERY. crowd, to go to the rescue of his favorite. By Are not many of our readers insensible to the the time, however, he had reached the top of the magnificent scenery now around them, or within ladder, the sailors had perceived the condition of their easy reach? They perhaps will take long the dog, and with some difficulty dragged him from and costly summer journeys, for the mere gratifithe water. With their assistance, he crawled cation of the eye ; but have wit the present seafeebly up, and languidly licked his master's hand, son associations only of dreariness and desolation. and stretched himself on the deck.

But if winter Jacks variety, it has more of solIt would be difficult to tell which received the emn grandeur, and awful beauty, than any other most attention—the little girl under the hand of season, and abounds in the richest illustrations of the surgeon and all the women who had squeezed beneficent design on the part of the Creator. themselves into the cabin, under the firm convic- Who can sufficiently admire the divine ordinance, tion that they were exceedingly useful, or the which “sendeth snow like wool,” in view of the noble dog, from the rough but kind attentions of various purposes which the fleecy mantle serves, the steamer's men, under the superintendence of uniting repose and beauty for the eye, ease of his master.

locomotion, facilities for numerous industrial inBoth the invalids were convalescent, and Lion terests, and protection for the numberless roots was sitting up, receiving with quiet dignity the and germs, which would be destroyed by snowcaresses of his friends, when Adeline's mother less frost ? This covering of the earth is also came running up stairs, and throwing herself admirably adapted to impart additional splendor upon her knees before him, and clasping him and warmth to the oblique and diminished rays

66

come

he

of the sun, to reflect in kindred beams the frosty | mal enjoyment as intense and as vivacious as in the moonlight, and greatly to enhance the brilliancy torrid zone. Thus has God met the winter-needs of the stars in the absence of their queen. Then, of his lower creatures, while to man he has given too, the first moist fall of snow, adhering to every skill so to temper every inclement element of the bough, and bearding every leafless twig with its season, that, as climate increases in severity, its feathery fringe; descending unsuspected in the power over human comfort diminishes in the same stillness of the night, and transfiguring the yes- proportion. The maximum of general suffering terday's whole scene before sunrise, in what pure from cold is probably reached in Italy and the and shining drapery does it clothe the naked south of Spain, where frost is more feared and landscape of autumn! how gloriously does it felt in the palaces of the nobility than in the cover the retreat of vegetable life from orchard, dwellings of the northern peasantry. On the field and forest ! And when the rain-drops freeze other hand, we are told of the domestic comfort as they descend, or the snow melts and congeals enjoyed in the turf-thatched houses and around at the same moment, stalactites hang from every the turf-fires of the Icelanders, than whom no roof; when every tree-trunk becomes a transpar- people love their soil more dearly or forsake it ency, and every bough is robed in the purest with greater reluctance. If, then, the mantle of crystal; when the whole pencil of prismatic rays divine love covers man and beast in every zone flashes upon the eye wherever a sunbeam falls, and at every season, why should we not admire and the entire expanse seems the very temple of and adore when God "giveth snow like wool, primeval light; surely no aspect of external nature and scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes," as well is better suited to awaken our warmest admira- as when "he sendeth his word and melteth them, tion, or to lift our adoring thoughts to Him who causeth the wind to blow, and the waters to flow?" "has made everything beautiful in its season."

Yet another view, inexpressibly grand, has presented itself, as we have stood by the sea-shore on an intensely cold day, just as the severest storm of winter was giving place to sunshine. We have seen the whole eastern heavens radiant with wreaths and clouds of illuminated vapor, while the leaping, foaming waves, with their incessant spray-smoke, seemed the foam of a vast caldron upheaved from fathomless depths by subterranean furnaces. In the mountainous regions of our northern states winter assumes a yet more awful majesty. The waterfalls, which through the summer had tumbled from rock to rock, are now" motionless torrents, silent cataracts,' ""glorious as the gates of heaven," clothed with perpetual rainbows, while in height accessible only to

The eagles, playmates of the mountain blast, The signs and wonders of the elements Utter forth God, and fill the hills with praise. Still further north, we are told of the unequalled splendor of the long Polar nights-of the never-resting corruscations of the still mysterious Aurora Borealis of the meteors of every shape, size and line, that span, fill, or cross in rapid flight, the starry heavens.

From the Commercial Advertiser. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

WE have received from Cape Town files of papers to the 17th of November inclusive. The editor of the Cape Town Mail of the latter date expatiates upon the intelligence and discrimination with which the "pledge" not to supply the government with any stores has been put in operation. Some twelve or fourteen of the whole community had disregarded this pledge. An attempt at non-intercourse with the members of the government had been abandoned. The "traitors," meaning the dozen above referred to, are ostracized. It appears to be not uncommon for affidavits and other communications, like the following, to be read at the "anti-convict meetings."

I

Michell Arms, Nov. 8, 1849. SIR,-Having heard, last night, that I am charged with having sold potatoes to the government, I hasten to declare that I have not, either directly or indirectly, sold or caused to be sold potatoes to the government, or any other person or persons, which am ready to declare on oath, if required. In refthe serious loss I am sustaining through him; he erence to Captain Stanford, I have stated to him was sorry to hear it, and therefore said he would With these gorgeous sights we are prone to call no more. Sir, I hope this will satisfy the minds have cheerless, gloomy associations, which ward of the people, and allow me a share of their favors off from our souls full consciousness of their mag-as formerly. Be pleased to let me know to what nificence. But why need this be so? The win-conclusion you come, by my son, who will await ter-bound earth is not the abode of suffering, but your answer. of repose and comfort. The birds have followed retreating summer to its perennial seats. insects have closed their sunny term of being, and dropped into death, leaving only the unconacious germs of the next generation. Of other animals, some are torpid; others, safely housed, feed on the harvest which an inscrutable instinct has taught them to garner; others range the forest in storm-roof coats of mail, with which human art cannot begin to vie. Even in the region last of perpetual ice may be witnessed scenes of ani-[by two persons.)

The

I have, &c.,

G. HOLLOWAY. Certificates like the one below are found necessary for personal protection, in travelling through the country. With such a state of feeling existing we do not wonder that the home government has abandoned its purpose of making the colony a receptacle for convicts.

Certificate.

The bearer
- has resided in
for the
year, to our knowledge, (to be signed

.

to

a

The bearer has signed the Anti-Convict | were to furnish provisions for the soldiers, all the Pledge. -Secretary Anti-Convict Association. stores in the place were by previous agreement -Cape Town, 18.

closed, business was suspended, and a general air The Cape Town Mail has another letter from of gloom pervaded the town. In the neighborthe “Great Lake," a description of which by hood of a place called the Shambles, the following Mr. Moffatt is published in another part of this scene was enacted : journal. The writer dates his letter from the

A detachment of about a hundred soldiers, many “ Towerney Bank of the Great Lake, August 2, of them holding the empty meat-cans, which told 1849," and says :

their errand, were drawn up in orderly array before We have reached the great lake in lat. 19° 6', and and presented to the view nothing but a long blank

the Shambles. The butchers' shops were closed, in about long. 24°. The latter, I am sorry say, only from calculation, both the watches having before the Shambles, and under the trees of the

wall. In the street, as well as in the sidewalk stopped months ago—and I have no way of getting the time. The sun and moon are now in distance, Parade, a multitude of citizens were assembledbut I can make no use of them from the stopping --who awaited the result in anxious silence. The

at least a thousand persons, of all ranks and classes of the watches. The lake is a long one, about 75 miles long, and, the natives say, very broad. It soldiers stood for an hour in patient composure, looks like a sea, for we can perceive no land on the while the people looked quietly on, or discussed in

Even a opposite shore. The land on the beach is white,

undertones the all-engrossing subject. and appears to be washed by heavy waves. The stranger would have seen that there was the most country around is thickly populated by a fine, heal- perfect good feeling and mutual sympathy between thy-looking race. There are three tribes here

the two parties—the colonists and their military Betuana, Bushman and Bacobo.

protectors. The latter live by fishing, and are found all along

At length an officer, who was said to have rethe river and lake. We struck the river leading paired to the commissary general for directions, from the lake, and running to the S. E., about 300 made his appearance. At his command, the solmiles back, and have followed it up to the lake. diers, carrying their empty meat-cans, took their The natives say there is a large river running from way, with apparent good humor, back to the castle : the north, which enters then at the

This

and thereupon, without a sound or sign of triumph, river, I have no oubt, comes from high mountains the crowd of spectators quietly dispersed. covered with snow, as the lake is now rising, although it is the dry season, and there was no rain

From the Louisville Courier. here last year. The crops have entirely failed for

A SCENE IN A COURT. want of it. We have encountered great difficulties in reaching here, from the want of water. Our friend, the horse-drover, has returned again oxen have been frequently three days without it, from the south, and reports the following“ incident and have even been four. Besides, a part of the of travel” which occurred in court in one of the way along the river is covered with thick thorn- counties of one of the south-western states. bush and trees, through which we had to cut our The judge took his seat on the bench, and procway with axes. The distance from the lake to the lamation was made in due form of law. There Bay Algoo is between 1500 and 1600 miles—much were twenty-two lawyers present, and twenty-one further than we expected.

suits on the docket. As the cases were reached, The plan of the inhabitants of the Cape was in obedience to orders he cried aloud," Jacob

the sheriff was directed to call the defendants, and to starve the government into sending the convicts Straws! Jacob Straws!! Jacob Straws!!! Come away by refusing to furnish the authorities with into court, Cobe, or judgment will be rendered any supplies whatever.

against you.” After waiting some time, the said A number of the most influential inhabitants Jacob Straws, a long, gangling, sallow-faced cushad presented a memorial to the governor, praying tomer, of about thirty years old, (though he looked him to do away with the present excitement by as if he might be forty,) swaggered into the bar. sending the convicts to some other place. The

He was rather jauntily dressed, in a suit that had rumors, that still further numbers were on their seemed rather dilapidated ; his long soap-locks

once been genteel, but now, like Cobe himself, way to the Cape, had tended to increase the excite- hung down to his shoulders, after the fashion of the ment, and the private letters to the middle of b’hoys. The following dialogue ensued : November state that in consequence business of Judge:-Well, Mr. Jacob Straws, what have you all kinds was completely at a stand. At one of to say why judgment should not be rendered against the meetings of the Anti-Convict Association, a letter from a district called Parl, was read, in

Cobe.—(Looking round with a confused manner.)

Say?-yes, judgment! O, yes! judge, you don't which the whole of the inhabitants save

one understand my case, I'm sure, or you would not (1,032 in number) spiritedly remonstrate against talk about judgment so soon. making the Cape a penal colony, and solemnly Judge.- Very likely, Mr. Straws, but it appears determine to resist it to the last.

to be a plain case of debt. A scene, somewhat resembling that of throwing Cobe.-—Not so plain as you might think, judge. the chests of tea overboard in Boston Harbor, has

Judge.--Mr. Straws, if you have any counsel been acted at the Cape. The inhabitants, having you had better get him to speak to your case.

Cobe.--Is a man bound to fee a lawyer, judge ? determined to place the government in a “state of

a

Judge.—No, not bound, certainly; but if you siege” until they have given up the point, on a have any defence to make, you had better get a certain day, when the contractors for government, lawyer to attend to it for you.

Our

you ?