compelled to make a precipitate retreat. I should not omit to add, that, during the bustle of escape, O'Connell contrived to pick my pocket-a species of dishonourable treachery of which I should never have suspected him, had I not made an application to his for a similar purpose. It was at this period of my life that I paid my first visit to London, where I became acquainted with the celebrated but ill-starred Barrington. We shook hands-strange enough-in the coatpockets of an extensive alderman, who had stuck himself at the back of one of the dress-boxes in Covent Garden, and against whom our professional dexterity was at one and the same time employed. It has been said, that admiration, like love, originates at first sight. Such was my case with this great man; so much so, that when I learned his name, I thought I should never have overcome my veneration. Still, notwithstanding his unquestionable abilities, Barrington, I think, was overrated. Certes, his mode of operation was quick-intelligent-decisive; but it was monotonous, and wanted versatility. You might know him any where by his style. His friend, Major Semple, on the contrary, though undervalued by his contemporaries, possessed far superior talents. He never operated twice in the same manner; yet such was his invariable adroitness, that he could, I am persuaded, have picked the pockets of even the ghost in Hamlet. His address, too, was mild and gentlemanlike, and he had the finest conception of a burglary of any man I ever met with. To return from a digression :-I had now been some years well acquainted with a London life; was respected at the east, and was looked on as the most promising artist about town. But there are limits to human greatness: Napoleon was vanquished by destiny, and I was peached by O'Connell. In consequence of this dastard's information, I was taken up, convicted, and transferred to his Majesty's colony at New Holland, where, in the charming vicinity of Sidney Town, I fell for the first time in love. The object of my attachment was a pretty simple girl, aged sixteen, only daughter of a Scotch emigrant, under whose superintendence I was kept to hard labour-a grievance which so affected her, that, in the intervals of relaxation, she would come and sit beside me, amusing me with her sprightly prattle, and feeding me in secret with the choicest dainties from her father's table. Such conduct could not but prove highly flattering to an exile; and, accordingly, in my excess of gratitude, when from fear that my talents should rust for want of practice, I devoted a certain portion of my day to the conscientious discharge of my vocation, I invariably spared her own and her father's pockets. I cannot say much for the society of Sidney Town. It consists for the most part of pick-pockets, a class of men, to whose ungentlemanlike practices it is owing that transportation has been brought into such disrepute. I was once in this line myself, but took the earliest opportunity of quitting it; for, among the members of our fraternity, the burglar has always been looked on as of superior rank to the mere pocket operative. In fact, the one is not permitted to associate with the other. I have hinted that the inhabitants of Sidney are low-lived: not only is this the case, they are worse, they are positively barbarous. Instead of cultivating the gentilities, they cling to the vulgarities of society. The majority are red-faced, and of Hibernian extraction; but indeed Botany Bay itself, is, strictly speaking, nothing more nor less than an Irish colony, all of whose members are zealous, and, I doubt not, conscientious advocates of Emancipation. For one or two of the most eminent among these Liberators I had brought letters of introduction from England; but as I have always been particular in my company, I scorned to avail myself of them, preferring instead the society of my first and only love. This intimacy continued upwards of a year, at the end of which time, Rosasuch was my fair one's name-presented me with a thumping boy. This additional relationship sadly discomposed her father, and quarrels on the subject daily took place between them, till at last the distracted girl entreated me to take her altogether from home. At first I felt inclined to comply, but when I reflected on the clog that would be thereby thrown upon my genius, I resolved on declining the proposal. I almost regret to state the particulars of my separation from Rosa. Having decided on its necessity, I read her one evening a homily on the subject of filial duties; I told her that the claims of a father were far superior to those of a lover; and that if I deprived either herself or her boy of such protection, my conscience would never be at rest. Vain were my remonstrances; the poor girl clung to me with wild emotion, and, as a last resource, placed her child in my arms. For a while I was wholly overcome by such an appeal, till recollecting the necessity of decision, I abruptly put an end to the interview, and escaping at once from the chains of love and labour, rushed far into the woods adjoining Sidney Town. Here I remained concealed for three weeks and upwards, subsisting wholly upon wild fruits, and sleeping at night in the open air, till finding that pursuit had slackened, I ventured once again towards the coast, directing my steps as if by instinct towards the cottage of Rosa's father. As I approached the well-known spot, the toll of a death-bell came borne towards me, and presently appeared a funeral proces Hounslow Heath. The hour was somewhat late, just twelve o'clock, and the clouds (whose health I never omit to drink) were massive enough to disk the moon's rays, without absolutely throwing night upon the landscape. Around us on all sides Nature was fast asleep-an awkward predicament for the old lady, had she been animated and worn pockets sion winding its way towards a church--and the south wind alone was abroad, yard that skirted the cottage. My mind misgave me at this sight: nevertheless, I continued to advance, when-oh, heavens! -I beheld behind a quick-set hedge, a coffin lowered into the grave, with these words inscribed on the lid, 'Rosa M'Neil, Obit. 181-, Etat. 17. So dreadful a spectacle deprived me of all my usual caution; I rushed towards the group, gazed wildly on the descending coffin, and then, ere yet the bystanders had time for recognition, made the best of my way towards a schooner that happened to be lying at anchor in the roads, and which in a few days bore me far away from Rosa, towards my own beloved England. I now pass over a lapse of eight busy years, during which time I contrived to acquaint myself with every creditable operative about town. My feats in burglary alone were unprecedented; the watchmen especially envied them; and no wonder, they were far above the reach of their inferior capacities. Among the number of my disciples-for, like my celebrated grandfather, I was the captain of as choice a gang of spirits as ever did credit to stocks, pillory, or scaffold-was a gruff-looking fellow named Atkins. This man occasioned me a world of annoyance. He was a singular compound of the methodist and murderer, with black, matted hair, furrowed forehead, yellow, bloodless cheeks, garnished with a convulsive grin, a hump-back, and a sinister, gloomy, dull eye, whose mixed expression of cunning, penitence, and ferocity, I never yet saw equalled. This man was my lieutenant, under whose auspices I first with drew my attention from suburban to sylvan speculations; from the west end of the metropolis to the high-ways and by ways of the country: and this I take to be the perfection of a conveyancer's existence. During spring he practises his calling in town, but when fashion begins to migrate, he migrates along with it; by which means he not only improves his health, shattered by the necessity of keeping late hours, but can enjoy the pastoral beauties of the country. For myself, I was always fond of the picturesque, and shall never forget one lovely moonlight night spent professionally with Atkins on if you except six owls who went partners with as many bull-frogs in a duet by no means to be despised. As I stood beside my lieutenant, whose religious sensibilities were roused by the imposing awe of the hour, a pleasing tranquillity stole over me. The spirit of poetry permeated my mind: I became ethereal-imaginative-romantic. Just at this crisis the sound of wheels was heard: in an instant my dream was ended; from a poet I descended to a footpad, and had barely time to conceal myself behind some adjoining trees, when a post-chaise came rattling towards me. Drawing a pistol from my belt, while Atkins did the same, I rushed up to the vehicle with the usual highwayman anathema; but discovering that there were only two females inside, I modulated my voice to its most agreeable tones, and hoping that I did not intrude, requested the gentlewomen's purses and whatever other property they might have about them. My request was indulgently acceded to, upon which, wishing the ladies a good night, and cautioning them to beware of highwaymen, I contented myself with tying the post-boy with his head to the horses' tail, and set out with Atkins towards the Woodcock and Sugar-Tongs, Isleworth. Here, while we were dividing our booty, my confederate grasped me suddenly by the arm, and putting on an air of devout seriousness, "I am sorry, Wild," said he, "to find you so addicted to swearing. Had you operated on the ladies without an oath, I had said nothing, it is purely professional; but how can you expect the blessings of Heaven on your exertions if-" At this moment an uncontrollable drowsiness came over me, under the influence of which I threw myself on a bench in the tap-room, fell fast asleep, and dreamed of the devil. By day-break we set out for Bath, where we had appointed our gang to meet us. On our way we met a horse, which I forthwith appropriated, and for which I should certainly have been hanged, had not a flaw in the indictment let me loose -I quote the Judge's insulting remarkonce again on society. About six months subsequent to this accident, the good folks of Hounslow and its vicinity, which we invariably made our head-quarters, hav ing been kept in continual alarm by our depredations, began to put in force every stratagem against us, (one gentleman in particular, named Evans, a magistrate of Twickenham, was particularly active,) the consequence of which was, that the majority of my gang, one after the other, were taken up, convicted, and executed. There is nothing more distressing to a feeling heart, than day by day to witness the dropping off of its dearest associates. This was my case: every succeeding assizes diminished the number of my confederates, until at last Atkins and myself were the only two that remained. And here I would caution my readers from running away with a notion that because I am sentimental, I am of necessity weak in action. Nothing is further from the fact. True, I have a feeling soul, but I am also a man, and one that knows how to avenge _ an insult. Acting upon this impulse, I cherished an especial recollection of Evans, and after talking the matter over from time to time with Atkins, resolved one fatal night to attack his house, and leave there a memorandum of our visit, by doing as much mischief as we could conveniently compass within the night. Punctual to the hour, we set out, our minds inflamed with brandy. It was a dark, sullen night, with just sufficient moon to do justice to my companion's countenance. As we reached the magistrate's house, I chanced to turn my eyes towards Atkins, and saw his lip convulsed with a strange Satanic smile. My blood curdled at the sight, but a spell nevertheless hurried me onwards, and together we ascended to our victim's chamber. All was silent, except now and then when the stairs creaked beneath our footsteps, or the cricket chirped from behind the kitchen fire. When we reached the first landingplace, we saw a light shining down from a balustrade above us. We hastened immediately towards it, tore it from its niche, and proceeded with it to Evans's apartment. For an instant we paused, then stood beside our victim's bed, while Atkins drew a knife from his pocket. At this awful moment Evans awoke; but what was his affright when he saw scowling full upon him the dull grey eyes of Atkins! He prayed not for pity, instinct was lost in stupefaction: but he turned imploringly to me, who did all I could to save him. Vain were my exertions: coolly and deliberately the assassin bared his victim's throat, and drew the deadly steel across it. This deed accomplished, we hastily quitted the house, overlooking, in the hurry of escape, a boy who, unseen, had watched our movements, and cutting across the high road, spent the night Lady, I must as man be free, Our country's bondage is a thrall, Let the politic spider wind Lady, Igo; and if I die, The letters of my coffin crest The Eecilians.- No. 11. This oratorio, which contains such variety of song, duet, and chorus, is a favourite with the Cecilians, inasmuch as it brings all their vocal (and Mr. Brewer's instrumental) powers into action; and these powers have been seldom presented to the ear with more pleasing zest, or more delightedly enjoyed by the audience attend ant on the "pious orgies and pious airs" sung here. While Mrs. Barton executed these and one or two other pieces in her best taste and chaste style, Miss Gray, not a whit behind, but with stronger tones, took a more difficult task, perhaps, in her ips, by warbling From mighty Kings; and uniting with Mr. Willis, in restoring to us that Sweet Peace' which is the Eden of our natural existence. The Misses Williams, we are happy to add to the choral ornaments of the so ciety; and we hope, ere long, to view all the graces of Apollo ranged in this highly and sweetly engaged exercise of this sacred and praiseworthy cause. Though every young lady might not at first be competent to issue forth a theme ad libitum, and exhibit the crescendo of her forte, yet as all must have a beginning to arrive at perfection in any art or science, so we know there are several musical young ladies attend only as auditors that should be placed in the front rank of beauty and song, as performers-Courage, Ladies, courage!" Mr. Lucas, one of the greatest supporters, in all respects, of the society, sang, 'Arm, arm, ye Brave, and The Lord worketh wonders,' in his usual creditable manner; which is always in better accordance with our ear than his violin. The trio by Messrs. Williams, Willis, and Essex, was also very neatly sung. And Mr. Raikes, who rose from amid the hosts like a giant in Judah, opened the ranks of the chorus in his best, courageous voice. Though Mr. J. Walker very well sounded An alarm, for the silver trumpet's sound,'-behold! the only echo was that of brass, from the upper nook of the orchestra, and this either wanted a shank, or, like one of our kings, was 'Longshanks; and every thing but silvery sound, being a semi-tone out of the key.t We could wish Mr. Walker not to clip his notes when he leads the altos in chorus-his voice should blend into a nellower tone, rather than 'split the ears of the groundlings. We are surprised at this from a gentleman whose solos, arias, and recitatives, are uniformly so good and in taste with melodious expression. We had nearly omitted Mr. Peck, jun. whose voice was brought severally into requisition with advantage; and, not, perhaps, for the first time, we hail the omen of hearing Miss Peck's capabilities, in, 'See the conquering Hero comes. But we must defer further remarks, by merely adding, that the 'Noble Grand,' Hallelujah chorus, one of the finest in creation, and which requires 'good fiddling, to give it proper effect, concluded the Judas Maccabæus, whose title originates from Judas Maccabees,' two Apocryphal books. MUSCULUS. Nor a block from a buttock of grease. 'Tis vain to apply, Or in any way try * It was the custom of the ancients to refer all useful inventions to the gods, and, amongst others, that of music and musical instruments, which the Egyptians ascribed to Hermes, or Thoth. + Many of us recollect how Hyde used to lip it, to the tremendous alarm which John France sounded. The" Charge, Chester, charge!" and" Abercrombie," were in similar tact. No other musical instruments besides timbrels are mentioned during the administration of Moses but trumpets, one the Jubilee trumpet, and another for assembling the people and regulating the encampments. This last was For a berth or a "barky" in peace; If young, we are told We must yield to the old, 'Till our prospects and cradles increase. Then, are we in years, With juniors appointed as "First;" + "Long-standing" is treated the worst. Although windite, Memorials, for berths by the score; Tho' noted for nought but a "bore." Should plans we invent To the board of Affectionate Friends;' made of silver, and differed only in that re- + First Lieutenant. When the Board officially announces to an officer, as it sometimes happens, that "an impress has been put against his pay," the The periodical before us is a fine specimen of the high state of perfection which the arts of England have obtained in this age, both as regards pictorial embellishment and typography; and we very much doubt whether there could be found a single being from John O'Groat's to the Rocks of Scilly, however cold and care * less his temperament, but would exclaim, upon viewing this splendid production, "This is indeed perfection!" Some of our readers may think us over warm in our praise, but we should be " mere logs in the community, and prized for nothing," did we withhold our warmest approval of this work, both in plan and execution. Having said so much of the Graphic and Typographic beauties of this bijoux, we have but little to say of the literary department, which is not a whit behind; indeed, it would be passing strange if it were, when its pages- are filled with the this day at MarlVice-Adm. of the Blue, borough Street, & Bishop of Marines. Daniel Dogberry. effusions of such well-known writers as Southey, Hook, Cunningham, Darley and Miss Landon, besides a host of other talented aspirants, who have lent their powerful aid to contribute the humour, the satire, the sentiment, the pathos, and the poetry. From the first of the Chapters-Poetry and Romance, we subjoin a portion of a diverting piece of humour by Hook, entitled The Splendid Annual, and regret that its length precludes us from giving it entire in our present number, as a sample of the clever prose articles contained in this Magazine, which is deserving of the most extensive circulation. THE SPLENDID ANNUAL. By the Author of " Sayings and Doings." Literature, even in this literary age, is not the ordinary pursuit of the citizens of London, although every merchant is necessarily a man of letters, and underNothwithstanding, however, my being a citizen, I am tempted to disclose the miseries and misfortunes of my life in these pages, because having heard "THE ANNIVERSARY" called a splendid annual, I hope for sympathy from its readers, seeing that I have been a splendid annual" myself. are as common as cucumbers. 66 My name is Scropps-I am an Alderman-I was Sheriff -I have been Lord Mayor-and the three great eras of my existence were the year of my shrievalty, the year of my mayoralty, and the year after it. Until I had passed through this ordeal, I had no conception of the extremes of happiness and wretchediness to which a human being may be carried, nor ever believed that society presented to its members an eminence so exalted as that which I once touched, or imagined a fall so great as that which I experienced. I came originally from that place to which persons of bad character are said to be sent I mean Coventry, where my father for many years contributed his share to the success of parliamentary candidates, the happiness of new married couples, and even the gratification of ambitious courtiers, by taking part in the manufacture of ribands for election cockades, wedding favours, and cordons of chivalry; but trade failed, and, like his betters, he became bankrupt, but, unlike his betters, without any consequent advantage to himself; and I, at the age of fifteen, was thrown upon the world with nothing but a strong constitution, a moderate education, and fifteen shillings shillin and eleven pence three farthings in my pocket. With these qualifications I started from N.B. The same form serves for the half paid Admiral, or quarter stipended Lieutenant. my native town on a pedestrian excursion |