heap of manure, shaped like an ancient tumulus, and tastefully ornamented with hanging straws, &c.; on the other side appeared a stagnant pool, whose smooth surface was gently moved by a duck and drake, who muddled through it with uncommon vivacity and spirit: in perspective was seen a turf-kish, around which a pair of trowsers being carelessly thrown, gave a light and graceful finish to the whole scene. minstrel sat, the interest of whose appearance was much heightened by the loss of his left eye. Mr. Patrick O'Mullaghan, disliking the monotony of the waltz, and the vagaries of a quadrille, opened the ball by dancing a jig with Miss Judy Higgins; they were soon followed by Master Charles M Dade, who floated into a reel with Miss Nancy Fluggins. Dancing was kept up until a late hour, and the elegant revellers parted with mutual regret. We subjoin a description of some of the most admired dresses worn on the occasion, which, from their striking costume, will doubtlessly be the standard for fashionable imitation. Ladies' Dresses.-Mrs. O'Mullaghan About two o'clock, the approach of company was proclaimed by the distant clatter of wheel-cars; this deep sound, mingled with the finer tones of cur-dogs barking, whipped children crying, &c. produced a full and mellow volume of the most delightful harmony. The first arrival was that of the dow--A loose bed-gown robe of linsyager Mrs. Fluggins, an eminent accoucheure; she was soon followed by the rest of the expected company, who speedily repaired to a grand rustic saloon, the walls of which were painted a la soot-drop. Here a rich and finely-flavoured beverage was handed round in noble wooden vases, which the charming hostess, with bewitching simplicity, called broth in noggins. Dinner was shortly afterwards served up; a plateau was dispensed with, but its place was mostly supplied with a fine skate, cooked up in the Turkish fashion, with all its tails; near it a quarter of delicate veal, which had breathed its last sigh after an existence of five hours. On the central dish was placed a male bird, which, during a life of nine years, had increased to such a size as to excite the admiration of the whole company. There were many more rarities, such as are seldom to be met with at the most sumptuous tables. After dinner some original sentiments and well-selected songs were given, a few of which are the following: Mr. O'Mulligan-" A speedy rise to the price of pigs." Song-The night that I put the pig under the pot. Mr. O'Loughlin-" A merry go round to the foot organ." "* Song-The weary pound of tow. Mr. M'Dade-"The weaver's harpsichord."+, Song-A weaver boy shall be my dear. When the pleasures of the festive board were concluded, preparations were made for dancing. The orchestra, an antique of the most simple beauty, was an inverted creel, on which a single + A loom. A spinning-wheel. woolsy, petticoat to match, two-andsixpenny shawl, thrown with graceful negligence over the shoulders; pincushion and scissors suspended from the right side by red tape. Head dress, dowd and skull-cap. Miss O'Mullaghan-Round gown of striped calico, habit-shirt embroidered en gobble stitch. Head-dress, bandalettes of scarlet sixpenny riband. Miss Nancy O'Mullaghan-A superb old cotton gown, dyed blue for the occasion. Head-dress, crooked horncomb, and splendid brass bodkin. Dowager Mrs. Fluggins -Body and train of snuff-coloured stuff, petticoat of deep crimson; the brilliancy of this truly beautiful dress was increased by a pair of large ticken pockets, worn outside of the petticoat. Head-dress, a most valuable antique straw bonnet. Miss Fluggins-A light drapery of plain yellow linen over a sprigged cotton gown, petticoat gracefully sprinkled with pure coloured spots. Head-dress, large velveteen band, with a motherof-pearl button in front; black worsted stockings, a la Caraboo. Gentlemen's Dresses.-Mr. O'Mullaghan-A wallicoat of white drugget, deep blue inexpressibles-wig unpowdered. Mr. Patrick O'Mullaghan-Jacket and trowsers of blue frize-cravat a blue and white handkerchief. Mr. Gully-A brown jacket, handsomely patched at the elbows with grey cloth-waist chequer. This gentleman's declining to wear shoes, gave a peculiarly cool and easy freedom to his fine figure. CHAMOIS HUNTING. Three hunters were in pursuit of a Chamois, on a glacier which was so covered with snow, that it was impossible to see the deep chasms into which, when melting, the water precipitated itselfin torrents. The foremost of them was walking over one of these treacherous abysses, when the snow gave way, and the poor fellow disappeared. In spite of his fright, he fortunately retained sufficient presence of mind to throw out his arms and legs, when falling in such a manner as to remain suspended between two walls of ice, with a view of the torrents roaring as they fell into the horrid gulph beneath him. His comrades having lost sight of him, began to be apprehensive that he had met with some accident; and on making the signal, previously concerted among themselves, they knew that he was in danger, and required immediate assistance. They returned as speedily as possible to the nearest hamlet, (a good league distant) in quest of cords. Disappointed of finding any, they took a miserable bed quilt, cut it in strips, which they tied together, and flew to the spot where they had left their unfortunate companion, who had continued during all this time in his painful position. They let down the cord they had contrived to make, and which the poor fellow fastened round his body: but oh, horror! at the very moment they had pulled him up to the brink of the precipice, the rope broke, the wretched man fell a second time into the yawning gulph; and to add to his misfortune, broke his arm. His com rades, however, joined the rope, twisted it to make it stronger, and threw it again to their companion, who, notwithstanding the fracture of his arm, fastened it round him, and was at length extricated from his most perilous situation. Ye towers of Julius, London's lasting shame, With many a foul and midnight murder fed. VI. by the dagger of the profligate Here fell the meek usurper Henry Gloucester. Here, full of horrors the unsteady Clarence. Here the sweet died, by the hands of hired ruffians, innocents, Édward V. and his brother, perished, victims to the ambition of their remorseless uncle. And the empoisoning of Sir Thomas Overbury makes up the sum of the known murders, the reproaches of our ancient fortress. We have here a straightroom, or dungeon, called, from the misery which the unhappy occupier of this Ease. But this will appear a luxurious very confined place endures, the Little habitation when compared with the inFrance; with his iron cages, in which ventions of the age of Louis XI. of persons of rank lay for whole years: the form of reversed cones, concealed or his oubliettes, dungeons made in with trap-doors, down which dropped the unhappy victims of the tyrant. Sometimes their sides were plain, sometimes set with knives or sharp-edged wheels: but, in either case, the devoted were certain to fall into the land where all things bore little resemblance to that which they left behind. T. H. A. claim The benedictions that attend his name ; Nor sum the praises of the wise and just That crown his honour'd and lamented dust; Enough for her in mournful strains to tell That nature sicken'd when she heard From black contagion's most invetʼrate ill Found in his genius health and grace And comforts to alleviate their woes! And bless the sacred shade that sleeps THE HONEST ENGLISHMAN'S WISH. CHARLES THE SECOND.-Soon after the Rye-house plot was discovered, From bad health, and bad weather, and thinking to be severe on the character of his brother, he exhibited a striking party's dull strife; From an insolent miss and a trouble- feature of his own. The Duke, one day, returning from hunting with his guards, found the King in Hyde Park. He expressed his surprise how his Majesty could venture his person alone at such a perilous time. "James," replied the King, "take you care of yourself, and I am safe. No man will kill ME to make you king !" MINOR MISERIES.-Shaving after a frosty walk, (when the face is pimpled, skin tender, and hand tremulous), with cold pump water, hard brush, ropy soap, and a blunt razor. Also, shaving with a blister behind each of your ears. A lady requested her servant to call at a Library for Bracebridge-Hall and Pen Owen; the servant asked for Bracebridge-Hall, and to shew (as he said), the particularity of his mistress, informed the librarian that he had sent a pen short in the last quarter of a hundred. The lady called the next day, and was much displeased that Pen Owen was not sent; the person that attended the library, assured the lady it was not asked for, but the servant had made the mistake, in saying, that "I am but a Gatherer and disposer of there was a pen short, instead of asking other men's stuff."-Wotton. During the French Revolution, a nobleman, who was unwilling to comply with the decree for effacing his arms from his carriage, caused a painter to surround them with a light cloud, through which they still remained visible, and underneath he wrote, it will pass over ;-the Commandant of the district, however, put the carriage into the hands of another painter, who totally effaced the armorial bearings, leaving in their place this motto-it has passed over. HAYDN.--The celebrated Haydn composed, from his 18th to his 73d year, 113 overtures; 163 pieces for the viola di Gamba, 20 divertismentos for various instruments, 3 marches, 24 trios, 6 violin solos, 15 concertos for different instruments; 30 services, S3 quartetts, 66 sonatos, 42 duets, 2 German puppet-operas (a performance which the Empress Maria Theresa was much attached to), 5 oratorios, 365 Scotch airs, and 400 minuets and waltzes. He was born in 1733, and died May, 1809. for the book, Pen Owen. EPITAPH ON A WATCH-MAKER IN ABERCONWAY. CHURCHYARD. 6 Here lies, in an horizontal position, the outside case' of 'Peter Pendulum, watch-maker,' whose abilities in that line were an honour to his profession; integrity was the main spring,' and prudence the regulator' of all the actions of his life. Humane, generous, and liberal, his hand never stopped till he had relieved distress. So nicely regulated were all his 'motions,' that he never went wrong, who did not know Even then, he was easily 'set right' again. He had the art of disposing his time so well, that his hours' glided away ⚫ in one continued round' of pleasure and delight, till an unlucky minute' putting a period to his existence, he departed this life, wound up,' in hopes of being taken in hand' by his Maker,' and of being thoroughly cleaned, repaired,' and set a-going' in the world to come. EPIGRAM. Tom taken by Tim his new mansion to view, He observed 'twas a big one, with windows too few. "As for that," replied Tim, "I'm the builder's forgiver, "For taxes 'twill save, and that's good for the liver." "True," says Tom, "as you live upon farthings and mites, "For the liver 'tis good-but 'tis bad for the lights." LASTING WEAR.-A friend was complaining to Colman that he should be obliged to change his tailor, as he found that a suit of clothes would not last him above half the time it ought to do; and inquired if he could recom mend him any place where he could meet with apparel more durable.— "Yes," said Colman, "I can recommend you to Chancery, and there you may have a suit that will last you your life." TO CORRESPONDENTS. The favours of several old and some new correspondents have been received, and are under consideration. Tom Tobykin in our next. The Visit to the House of Shakspeare, sent us by a correspondent, has been anticipated in No. XIII. of the Mirror; as the inquiry of G. Hayes has been in No. IV. We can assure J. W. F. that our neglect of his pieces has been purely unintentional; we may, however, obPoetry, though one of the most numeserve that what is termed Original most acceptable. We shall turn to our rous classes of contributions, is not the portfolio, and either insert or return his pieces according to his wish. nant that we have not noticed his con"A Constant Reader" is quite indig. tribution: now as we have at least a dozen regular correspondents under that signature, we must request him to be more particular in his description. We thank R. F. for his amusing correspondence; but are not sure how far we can avail ourselves of his kindness. We shall, however, give .an answer next week. (East end of Exeter 'Change); sold also by Published by J. LIMBIRD, 355, Strand, all Newsmen and Booksellers.---Printed by T. DOLBY, 299 Strand. |