FORCE OF HABIT.

Previous to the reign of Joseph the Second, ignominious punishments were unknown among the Likanians and Croatians of the mountains, and it was no small difficulty to substitute them for others of a more barbarous nature. The emperor one day reviewing the Likanians in Gospich, their principal district, he said to the colonel, "These brave fellows, I know, are beaten unmercifully; let this treatment be discontinued." "Sire," replied the colonel, "I can assure your majesty, that twenty-five strokes of a cane are nothing to a Likanian; nay, he would submit to receive them for a glass of brandy." The emperor, who was incredulous, soon had a proof of the veracity of this statement. A soldier had been sentenced to receive one hundred strokes; the emperor arrived when he had undergone half the punishment, and remitted the rest. To his extreme mortification, the culprit immediately burst into a laugh at the extravagant clemency of his sovereign.

DUTCH SETTLER.

When the ship Hercules was wrecked on the coast of Caffraria, in 1796, a party of twenty-four of the crew, who had escaped on shore, after travelling several days, and suffering great privations, reached a farm belonging to one Jan du Pliesies, who fortunately was a settler of the best order; and what was still more important, was of a humane and generous disposition.

On hearing of their disaster, and their request for relief to thirty-six of their comrades, who had been unable to keep up with them, his countenance betrayed evident marks of sensibility. He said, no time should be lost in sending to their assistance; and immediately directed two of his sons to harness eight oxen to a waggon, with injunctions to travel all night to the spot that the guides described. Twenty-three were thus rescued, who were found near a wood, and had given up all hopes of relief. The preceding day, thirteen of their companions had separated from them, and it was not then known where they had strayed, but they all got in safety to the Cape.

Du Pliesies now sent messengers to his friends, desiring their assistance in conveying the mariners to the Cape. Several immediately came, and behaved with the greatest tenderness and liberality, offering accommodation in their own houses, until the crew should be sufficiently recovered for the journey, when they would take the first opportunity of conducting them thither. The benevolent du Pliesies provided the ⚫ crew with a waggon, and two sets of oxen, eight in each set; two or three Hottentot drivers, and provisions to serve until they reached the next settlement. One of his sons, completely armed, also attended them; and he gave them a letter of recommendation to other settlers, which ensured them almost equal hospitality.

BATTLE INCIDENT.

Captain Hauffer, a Swiss officer, who was dangerously wounded in one of the actions which took place when the French entered his unfortuuate country, was left bathed in his blood on the field of battle. A French officer who happened to pass, perceived him, and observing some signs of life, assisted him, and cried out, " Courage, my dear fellow, courage!" Hauffer, at these words, like one awaking from the sleep of death, opened his eyes, and fixing them attentively on the officer, said with a feeble voice, "'Tis not courage, but strength, I want." The Frenchman, delighted and affected by this answer, gave orders immediately to have the officer's wounds dressed, and every possible care taken of him. He was in consequence carried to Wadmschwyll, and in a little time was entirely cured of his wounds.

GENEROUS VALET.

An English gentleman residing at Lyons, who seemed to be a great favourite with his companions, brought himself into sudden distress by an unlucky run at play. He was arrested while entertaining several of his countrymen at dinner. Not one of them interfered in his favour; but when he retired from the room, a valet-de-place, who had lived with him for two years, offered him a purse containing more than the debt for which he was arrested, telling him, that as he had earned that money by the English, it could not be better employed than by

saving a gentleman of that country from disgrace. The offer was accepted, and the English gentleman soon afterwards repaid the sum, with the addition of a handsome present.

MR. PITT.

Sir Walter Farquhar calling one day on Mr. Pitt, the premier observed him to be unusually ruffled, and enquired what was the matter? "Why, to tell you the truth," replied Sir Walter, "I am extremely angry with my daughter. She has permitted herself to form an attachment to a young gentleman, by no means qualified in point of rank or fortune to be my son-in-law." " Now, let me say one word in the young lady's behalf," returned the minister.

"Is the young man you mention, of a respectable family?" "He is." "Is he respectable in himself?" "He is." "Has he the manners and education of a gentleman?" "He has." "Has he an estimable character?" "He has." "" Why, then, my dear Sir Walter, hesitate no longer. You and I are well acquainted with the delusions of life. Let your daughter follow her own inclinations, since they appear to be virtuous. You have had more opportunities than I have of knowing the value of affection, and ought to respect it. Let the union take place, and I will not be unmindful that I had the pleasure of recommending it." The physician consented, the lovers were united, and the patronage of the minister soon gave old Sir Walter no cause to regret the event.

FORTUNATE WIDOW AND FAMILY.

Some years ago, a poor clergyman of the name of Parslow, died in the very act of preaching a charity sermon in Welbeck Chapel. He left a widow and eleven children behind him to lament his loss. As Mr. Parslow was a curate of the Bishop of Chichester, this worthy prelate immediately commenced a private subscription for his family. So liberal were the donations, that they not only afforded sufficient to pay off the debts of the deceased, amounting to upwards of £300, but left a surplus equal to the purchase of £6000 of stock, which was invested in the hands of trustees, for the benefit of the unhappy widow and children. Nor was this all; most of the children were placed in more or less advantageous situations; one being equipped as a writer, and sent to India; another admitted into the Charter-house; and a third, a youth of seventeen, placed as a clerk in the Navy-Office. Not long after, the late Mr. Spencer Perceval gave to the latter the appointment of Naval Officer of Barbadoes, the emoluments of which are estimated at nearly £2000 per annum.

BRITISH PRISONERS IN SPAIN.

A British officer, who went to Portugal with Sir Arthur Wellesley, received three different wounds at the battle of Talavera; and along with many other wounded soldiers, to the number of five hundred, fell into the hands of the French, and was sent off to Madrid. On their arrival at the bridge at the