malefactors confined for every variety of crime. Among these, gambling formed the chief amusement, and refuge from their crimes; and even here the gaoler contrived to obtain some share in the game, which he turned to

account.

There were moments too, when each forgetting his individual misery, joined in the dance and the song and I have seen faces as animated, and hearts as open to empty pleasure, spite of destiny-(such is human nature !) as in other scenes.

A farther source of speculation to our gaoler was upon the interests and feelings of his wealthier prisoners. He permitted them to hold conferences with their commercial connexions, to regulate their business; and admitted their wives during the night, along with other relatives of the richer class.

Another character whom I met with in my part of the prison, was a man whose history is too curious and interesting to be passed over in silence. He was a captain of cavalry in the service of the Royalists, and upon retiring, he forged a passport, representing himself as a colonel in active service. He likewise procured a false certificate, purporting to be from the Exminister Cruz, with which he forthwith obtained from Government unlimited power over the syndics, who were bound to obey him. He had twelve cavalry soldiers in his service, the rest of his establishment consisting of a young female and two lacqueys.

Thus provided, he took the tour of Spain, calling in every district upon the parish syndic to furnish him with a list of the principal Constitutional proprietors in his commune. These he caused to be arrested, and compelled them to pay some thousand reals, upon pain of being despatched by his twelve dragoons upon the spot. This bold bad enterprise succeeded in a number of provinces through which he passed, where he raised large sums without any of the authorities questioning the validity of his mission under orders of the Ex-minister Cruz. When, however, the generality of crimes served to expose the great delinquent himself, the Spanish government, becoming aware of the heavy contributions he had levied, caused him to be arrested at Siges, near Barcelona, at the moment he was about to embark in order to enjoy the fruits of others' industry in a foreign land. He thus lost his young mistress, his troop of cavalry, his French lacqueys, and his colonel's commission, at a single tap of the shoulder from an officer of police. The plunder which he had amassed, and was now compelled to regurgitate, was immense. This was no solitary instance of the blessed fruits of a system, founded upon brute force, foreign bayonets, and a tissue of national treachery and crime.

In the same royal prisons were to be seen numbers of individuals of different nations-of French, Italians, English, Germans, &c. The greater part of these being unable to speak the Spanish tongue, the gaoler was in the habit of employing me as their interpreter in their examinations before the judges. On going one day into their chamber with this view, I beheld a most miserable object, with scarcely a rag to cover him, standing between two of the judges in a truly rueful plight. His name was Joseph Mayer, by birth an Hungarian. He had been in the Austrian service at Milan. On being disbanded, he set out to find an uncle, a professor of painting, who resided at Madrid. He embarked at Genoa, and landed at Rozes in Catalonia. But on approaching Lerida, on his way to the capital, he was attacked by three peasants, who robbed and wounded him in the most shocking manner. With difficulty reaching Lerida, he presented himself to the magistrates, who unable to understand a word of what he said, determined to arrest him, and he too was conducted to the royal prisons of San Pedro, and into that where I was confined.-But to return to myself.

After an imprisonment of four months, the same friends who had before assisted me, again visited me with the same charitable object. They assured me that a petition on my behalf, signed by the principal families in Catalonia, had been already presented to the king. It contained a full

demonstration of my innocence; and they augured a happy result, as the petition had been presented by a person who possessed the royal confidence, and enjoyed a high reputation.

My friends' hopes were not deceived. A few days afterwards an officer entered the prison, who intimated to the gaoler that it was the royal pleasure that I should be set at liberty, upon the simple condition of paying the entire expenses of my trials and of my imprisonment.

This royal act of grace was accompanied with farther orders to leave Barcelona within eight days, and to be escorted to the Spanish frontiers by the officers of police. This royal act was transmitted to the President of the Royal Hall, who gave official notice of it to the police, who were to furnish my escort to the frontiers.

It was now I began to feel very like poor Gascon; and I was somewhat uneasy until I at length formed the idea of throwing myself upon the protection of the French. The first use I made of my liberty was to hasten to the French officer upon guard: I explained my fears, and intreated him to forward my petition to the Governor of Barcelona, Count Razet, in order that I might be placed under the safeguard of his countrymen. This humane officer did not hesitate a moment; he went next morning to the governor's adjutant, who paid me a visit at the prison, from which I was released on paying the gaoler his demand, which embarrassed me not a little. I was then promised an escort of gens-d'armes in the course of a few days, until which time I could take up my quarters under their protection.

The commander of the garrison also wrote to procure me a passport from the police-office, at the same time requiring the return of my letters, my wardrobe, and the rest of my equipage. The reply received was, that the passport could not be granted until the costs of the whole process against me had been defrayed, in default of which I should assuredly be arrested; and that my letters, according to royal mandate, were not to be restored. It became necessary to yield to this fresh imposition; after which the police pretended to return me my effects,-two thirds of which, however, were gone.

Besides, the passport which they at length granted was calculated to overwhelin me with disgrace, at least under any other circumstances; for it contained the description of an assassin, rather than of a good citizen, and a friend to humanity and civil rights.

In pursuance of this arrangement I presented myself to the French étatmajor resident at Barcelona, to learn the day fixed for my departure. The evening before, I took up my quarters with the gens-d'armes to be in readiness, and we next day set out. On our arrival at Guingerra on the frontiers, the Spanish police required to see whether my name was down in the list of the convoyées, and whether I answered the description of my person. I am indebted to the answer of the French officer, who said, that it was enough that I had been taken under the protection of the French, without my nanie being contained in the list, or being at all exposed to observation.

From Guingerra we hastened to Perpignan, where the Prefect of Police, after granting my passport, added an order of itinerary, which directed that, without farther delay, I should point my course to England.

Were I here to proceed with the account of my adventures after my arrival in France, I might likewise furnish matter offensive to that government. I trust my silence, however, will be interpreted as rendering the justice due to that nation.

Finally, escaping from so many disasters and sufferings, I arrived safely in England, where I at length breathed the air of liberty, and felt what it was to enjoy the condition of a freeman. This blessing, which I had learned so fully to appreciate without the aid of my Spanish confessor's sermons, was conferred upon me about the end of May 1825. However, to convince all heretics and unbelievers of the truth and candour of this my narrative, I may as well append the Royal Act of Grace, which restored me to liberty.

An Act communicated to the Cavalier Intendant of Barcelona, making known to him an Act especially decreed by his Majesty, bearing date of the 9th of this current month, which ordains that a passport be delivered to the Signor Don G. P. under condition that he depart from the Spanish dominions, both in Europe and India, within the prescribed term of eight days. Likewise that he be put at liberty, after having discharged the costs of his trials at the different tribunals of justice. That the effects belonging to the said Don G. P. now detained at the police offices be restored to him, excepting the letters found in his possession. Finally, commanding that the said Don G. P. have previous notice of this order.

(Signed) FERDINANDO VII.

Given from the Royal Palace. Articles detained at the offices.-1. Freemason's diploma. 2. Two officer's commissions of cavalry. 3. Letters from his relations. 4. Various other letters and books.

LONDON LYRICS.-THE BIRTH OF PODAGRA.

"FAIR daughter, it puzzles me much,"
Quoth Jove to Idalia's Queen,

"Why you married a God on a crutch,
Who never looks fit to be seen.

With Mars, and with Bacchus, and with
Apollo to woo you in songs,

Oh! how could you marry a smith

Who furbishes pokers and tongs?"

"Dread sire," said the Queen of the Loves,
"While Vulcan is beating hot shoes
All day, I can harness my doves

And call on what people I choose:
You made him a smith from his birth,
His forge on Mount Etna he plies:
Let him mind his shop upon earth,
And me manage mine in the skies."
The Thunderer nodded assent.

Ere long, with his vine-circled rod,
On no honest embassy bent,

Came Bacchus, the ivy-crown'd God.
He drove the dame out in his car;
Anacreon call'd up the Nine,
And thrumm'd his eternal guitar
In praise of the myrtle and vine.
With Vulcan employ'd all the day,
The lovers felt doubly secure:
We know, when Grimalkin's away,
The mice are not over-demure.
Thus flitted unclouded the scene,
Till Dian nine circuits had run:
When, lo! the parturient Queen
Of Paphos gave birth to a son.
In flannels Jove swaddled the imp,
As broad as his mother's blue zone,
And prudently gave him a limp,
To pass for lame Mulciber's own.
The Bacchus and Venus-born child
Grew, otherwise, healthy and stout.
Hippocrates nursed him, and stiled
The big-footed libertine-Gout!

DRAFTS ON LA FITTE.-NO. I.

Vevay, October 28th, 1826.

IF you the wine. What connexion is there, may I ask, between the juice of the grape and my mercantile reputation, Ashley?

have any regard for your character as a merchant, pray pass

Why, in these times of distrust, to refuse honour to a draught of La Fitte is perilous in itself; but an entire stoppage of the circulating medium is still worse. What is there in the papers, Morris ?

One would think that from the host of English, Irish, Scotch and American journals, Galignani might find the means of adequately filling his diminutive sheet; yet really, except Bolivar, Lord Cochrane, and Mrs. Coutts, the most important paragraph is that which announces the "gradual recovery of the Countess of Eldon."

Would it might favour us with the news of the recovery of her lord from his doubtful malady; for instead of living here in the very Antipodes of all that is social, good, and honourable, the termination of my Chancery suit would enable me once more to enjoy the comforts of my home and native land; but so long as my funds are locked up in that infernal court-Rely upon it they do these things better in France, Morris.

Indeed, I shall do no such thing; I hate every thing French. you think they can parallel Lord Eldon in their whole empire? No, that I'll be sworn.

Do

I know the meaning of that sneer, Ashley. It is not because I was once at Encombe, I say so.

Oh! I wholly acquit you of the imputation of being influenced in your opinions by the luxuries of Encombe; why, it is said, that the bottoms of the two eternal decanters of port and sherry have not been seen for years past; that they present a perfect Mediterranean tideless state of repose; no ebb or overflowings; like the two guineas in the pockets of the Vicar of Wakefield's daughters, or the ever-enduring dessert on the table of the author, D, (which was put on regularly for six months together) they stand changeless and undiminishedthe chroniclers of times long past, when first they received the gurgling fluid.

Nonsense, Ashley! sheer calumny; his Lordship has ever been a most temperate man.

Granted, but he makes as little allowance for his guests as his suitors: and a man may be deemed capable of relishing a glass of wine without being wholly a Porson. Why Royalty itself scarcely commanded vinous consideration with him, for when arrived on a

visit at his mansion, of the half dozen ordered at the public-house at Corfe, three bottles were returned on the innkeeper's hands, after some days entertainment of the guest and a numerous suite.

Scan. Mag. Ashley; Scan. Mag. 'pon honour; there are few more liberal-minded men, I assure you. I will give you an instance. Was not Dick Wilson his secretary for many a year? although a more determined Whig never breathed; and while the master above was anathematizing Blue and buff by wholesale, Dick below was giving the

Tories in mass to Old Nick: then their tastes, in other respects, were as diametrically opposite as their politics, for while the employer declared he liked Catalani as little as he now does his Vice, there was Dick running mad to get Drury-lane ready for her reception. If you choose to believe every absurd story, there will be no end to it; why, there was the tale of the area-steps for instance.

No! no! that was old Serjeant Hill, I allow. Bosanquet, his next door neighbour, told me that himself.

What was the fact?

Why, old Hill had found that the process of rapping at his door tended to disturb the deep reflection in which, whether in court or chamber, street or field, he was continually involved; so, after much consideration, he adopted the expedient of descending by the steps of the area, and gaining, through the kitchen, his dining-room, where seating himself, dinner was regularly served without being commanded, and no unnecessary break could thus occur in his ideas. One day, however, he entered Bosanquet's house instead of his own; and although, during his progress, the servants strove to convince him of his mistake, the state of mental abstraction in which he was, his natural deafness, and the habit he had of tying the flaps of his shovel-hat with a handkerchief round his ears, rendered all their efforts unavailing. No writ of certiorari was ever more positive in establishing the seat of action elsewhere, than was the Serjeant in coolly taking his place at table. When Bosanquet learned the circumstances, he resolved to humour the joke; and, ordering dinner to be served, took his seat with Mrs. B. at table, without at all awaking their contemplative guest from his reverie. Something, however, in the quality of the meats, or, some deviation from ancient and systematic arrangement, at length awaked him, and he evinced such symptoms of surprise, as Dominie Sampson might have occasionally exhibited, at beholding those he deemed intruders; but, although he had employed much of the day in court with Bosanquet, he no farther recognized him or his lady than by muttering, in the terms of the year-book, a Gothic welcome, and, again relapsing into rumination, mechanically concluded his repast. The corporeal and moral necessities of the black-letter coif having been partially satiated, a lucid interval developed itself; when, after plea on the part of Bosanquet, answer by the Serjeant, reply, rejoinder, rebutter and surrebutter, the learned brother became convinced of his error, and with some confusion left the house to seek his den; in either case adopting the notable expedient of the areas in his way. It is said Hill was an excellent lawyer.

That he certainly was. He was the last connecting link of our own with ages long gone by; he had been formed by converse with books, not men--by books which our junior Templars dare not now wield; and by them his mind and manners had been so framed and fashioned, that had the day's usages permitted, he would have spoken in Norman French, with haply here and there some new-fangled English term of the time of Elizabeth. Yet he was a good man; of great singleness of heart and temper, and of almost infantine simplicity out of his study. Then he had a standing jest for the benchers' table during term: a famous and right marvellous history of one of his own immediate pre