Chapter 4

The Rapids begin about half a mile above the cataract; and although the breadth of the river might at first make them appear of little importance, a nearer inspection will convince the stranger of their actual size, and the terrific danger of the passage. The inhabitants of the neighbourhood regard it as certain death to get once involved in them; and that, not merely because all escape from the cataract would be hopeless, but because the violent force of the water among the rocks in the channel, would instantly dash the bones of a man in pieces. Instances are on record of persons being carried down by the stream; indeed there was an instance of two men carried over in March last; but no one is known to have ever survived. Indeed, it is very rare that the bodies are found; as the depth of the gulf below the cataract, and the tumultuous agitation of the eddies, whirlpools, and counter currents, render it difficult for any thing once sunk to rise again; while the general course of the water is so rapid, that it is soon hurried far down the stream. The large logs which are brought down in great numbers during the spring, bear sufficient testimony to these remarks. Wild ducks, geese, &c. are frequently precipitated over the cataract, and generally re-appear either dead, or with their legs or wings broken. Some say that water-fowl avoid the place when able to escape, but that the ice on the shores of the river above often prevents them from obtaining food, and that they are carried down from mere inability to fly; while others assert that, they are sometimes seen voluntarily riding among the rapids, and, after descending half-way down the cataract, taking wing, and returning to repeat their dangerous amusement.--_American Work_.

* * * * *

BRIDAL, CANZONET.

Sir Knight, heed not the clarion's call, From hill, or from valley, or turretted hall; Cease, holy Friar, cease for awhile The anthem that swells through the fretted aisle; Forester bold, to the bugle's sound Listen no longer, though gaily wound, But haste to the bridal, haste away, Where love's rebeck is tuned to a sweeter lay.

Sir Knight, Sir Knight, no longer twine The laurel-leaf o'er that bold brow of thine; Friar, to-day from thy temples tear The ivy garland that sages wear; To-day, bold Forester, cast aside Thy oak-leaf crown, the woodland's pride, And bind round your brows the myrtle gay, While the rebeck resounds love's sweetest lays.

Sir Knight, urge not now the gallant steed O'er the plains that to honour and glory lead; Friar, forget thy order's vow, And pace not the gloomy cloisters now. Chase no longer with bow and with spear, Forester bold, the dappled deer, But tread me a measure as light and gay As ever kept lime to the rebeck's lay.

_Neele's Romance of History_.

* * * * *

THE GATHERER

"I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's stuff."--_Walton_.

* * * * *

TRAVELLING.

Sterne pitied the man who could travel from Dan to Beersheba, and say all "was barren:" however delighted travellers or tourists may be on their journey, it is surprising how few details are preserved in their memory. This occasioned Dr. Johnson to remark, in his "Tour to the Hebrides," how much the lapse even "of a few hours takes from the certainty of knowledge, and the distinctness of imagery;" and that "those who trust to memory what cannot be safely trusted but to the eye, must tell by guess, what a few hours before they had known with certainty." We were never more convinced of the importance of these observations than after our first visit to the dock-yard, at Portsmouth. In collating some little memoranda made on the spot, we referred to our party, (_seven_ in number) on our return to the inn, for the _extent_ of the dock-yard: not one of them could give a correct answer, though all had just heard it detailed and explained with accuracy. Dr. Kitchener may well recommend tourists to walk about with note-books in their hands! and such inadvertence as the preceding almost warrants the oddity of his suggestion.

* * * * *

MOTTOES FOR DECANTER LABELS.

Arridet PORTus? subeat non causa doloris.

SumebatiS HERI? non dolor est hodie.

Hic liquor est molLIS BONus, aptus ad omnia laeta.

Oppida ne CALCA VALLAta ad praelia, quoerens, Sisonitum capias ecce tibi est Volupe.

Dum lucet CLARE Te magis iste trahat.

_Literary Gazette_.

* * * * *

MALARIA.

Dr. Gregory, father of the late celebrated professor in Edinburgh, when a student in a part of Germany where _malaria_ prevailed, from being a philosopher and living low, _drinking only water_, was seized with intermittent fever, when his jolly companions, who ate and drank freely, escaped. If brandy or other stimulants are taken previous to exposure to malaria, intermittent fever is generally prevented. Such are the opinions of the doctor, and if Dr. Macculloch be right, we suggest the establishment of a brandy vault at each angle of the parks, that every passenger may prepare himself.

* * * * *

LORD HOWE

When the late Lord Howe was a captain, a lieutenant, not remarkable for courage or presence of mind in dangers (common fame had brought some imputation upon his character) ran to the great cabin and informed his commander that the ship was on fire near the gun-room. Soon after this he returned exclaiming, "You need not be afraid as the fire is extinguished." "_Afraid!_" replied Captain H. a little nettled, "how does a man _feel_, Sir, when he is afraid? I need not ask how he _looks_."

* * * * *

BACKGAMMON BOARDS.

We frequently find backgammon boards with backs lettered as if they were two folio volumes. The origin of it was thus; Eudes, bishop of Sully, forbade his clergy to play at chess. As they were resolved not to obey the commandment, and yet dared not have a chess-board seen in their houses or cloisters, they had them bound and lettered as books, and played at night, before they went to bed, instead of reading the New Testament or the Lives of the Saints; and the monks called the draft or chess-board their _wooden gospels_. They had also drinking vessels bound to resemble the breviary, and were found drinking, when it was supposed they were at prayer.--_Literary Gazette_.

* * * * *

LOVE OF THE COUNTRY.

Country people will tell you that they like the country, and detest the town, although their enjoyments are of a kind which may be obtained in far greater perfection in the latter than in the former. The only person I ever knew who was honest in this respect, was a gentleman, the possessor of a beautiful seat, in a beautiful country, when he avowed his opinion, that there was "no garden like Covent-garden, and no flower like a cauliflower."

C.L.

* * * * *

The _Morning Chronicle_, Nov. 20, in noticing the funeral of the late Mr. Sale, says, "At a little after three o'clock, the body of the lamented gentleman entered the church."

* * * * *

LIMBIRD'S EDITION OF THE BRITISH NOVELIST, Publishing in Monthly Parts, price 6d. each.--Each Novel will be complete in itself, and may be purchased separately.

_The following Novels are already Published:_

s. d.

Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield 0 10 The Mysteries of Udolpho 3 6 Mackenzie's Man of Feeling 0 6 Rasselas 0 8 Paul and Virginia 0 6 The Old English Baron 0 8 The Castle of Otranto 0 8 The Romance of the Forest 1 8 Almoran and Hamet 0 6 Elizabeth, or the Exiles of Siberia 0 6 Nature and Art 0 8 The Italian 2 0 A Simple Story 1 4 The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne 0 6 Sicilian Romance 1 0 The Man of the World 1 0 Zelaco, by Dr. Moore 2 0 Joseph Andrews 1 6 Humphry Clinker 1 8 Edward, by Dr. Moore 2 6

* * * * *

_Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, London, and Sold by all Booksellers and Newsmen_.