Whose bounty soothes their sorrows. Rich thou art, By name and nature, chose that golden flower, And like that flower, her eye still heavenward send !" LITERARY NOTICES. Curiosities of Modern Travel: a Year-Book of Adventure. BOGUE. 1847. THIS is a selection of some of the most striking incidents to be found in recently published books of travels. There is little in it which is not well known to those who are at all familiar with that description of reading; but to those who have not had the opportunity of reading many larger works of the class, it will no doubt be interesting, as giving a taste of almost every kind of adventure to be encountered in modern travel. We select two specimens :- THE BURIED TOWN OF PLEURS. "A SPOT, which was to me one of the most interesting in all my rambles, was where the village of Pleurs, with about twenty-five hundred inhabitants, was overwhelmed in the year 1618 by the falling of a mountain, This terrific avalanche took place in the night, and was so sudden, complete, and overwhelming, that not only every soul perished, but no trace whatever of the village or of any of the remains of the inhabitants could afterwards be discovered. The mountain must have buried the town to the depth of several hundred feet. Though the all-veiling gentleness of nature has covered both the mountain that stood and that which fell with luxuriant vegetation, and even a forest of chestnuts has grown amidst the wilderness of the rocks, yet the vastness and the wreck of the avalanche are clearly distinguishable. Enormous angular blocks of rocks are strewn and piled in the wildest confusion possible, some of them being at least sixty feet high. The soil has so accumulated in the space of two hundred years, that on the surface of these ruins there are smooth, grassy fields at intervals, and the chestnuts grow everywhere. A few clusters of miserable hamlets, like Indians' or gipsies' wigwams, are also scattered over the grave of the former village, and there is a forlorn-looking chapel that might serve as a convent for banditti. The mountains rise on either side to a great height in most picturesque peaks and outlines, and the valley is filled up with a snowy range at the north. It was a solemn thing, to stand upon the tomb of twenty-five hundred beings, all sepulchred alive. No efforts have ever discovered a trace of the inhabitants -not a bone, not a vestige. The mountain that covers them shall be thrown off at the resurrection, but never before. It was the Mount Conto that fell; the half that was left behind still rises abrupt and perpendicular over the mighty grave. It is singular enough that the town was situated itself on the tomb of another village, which had previously been overwhelmed by a similar catastrophe. For that reason it was named Pleurs, The Town of Tears. From the times of old, as often as in Italy one city has been buried, another has been built upon the very same spot, except, indeed, in the case of Pompeii, so that it is no uncommon thing for the same earth to be leased to the dead and the living. The Town of Tears was one of the gayest, richest, laughing, pleasure-loving, joyous little cities in the kingdom. It might have been named Tears because it had laughed till it cried. It had palaces and villas of rich gentlemen and nobles; for its lovely and romantic situation, and pleasant air, attracted the wealthy families to spend, especially the summer months, in so de lightful a retreat. I wonder that no poet or romancewriter has made this scene the subject of a thrilling story. The day before the lid of their vast sepulchre fell, the people were as happy and secure as those of Pompeii the night of the Vesuvian eruption-and much more innocent. There had been great rains. Vast masses of gravel were loosened from the mountains, and overwhelmed some rich vineyards. The herdsmen came hurrying in to give notice that strange movements had been taking place, with alarming symptoms of some great convulsion; that there were great fissures and rents forming in the mountain, and masses of rock falling, just as the cornice of a building might topple down in fragments before the whole wall tumbles. The cattle were seized with terror, and probably perceiving the trembling of the ground beneath their feet, fled bellowing from the region. "Nevertheless, there was no dream of what was to follow. The storm cleared brightly away, the sun rose and set on the 4th of September as a bridegroom; the people lay down securely to rest, or pursued their accustomed festivities into the bosom of the night, with the plans for to-morrow; but that night the mountain fell and destroyed them all. At midnight, a great roar was heard far over the country, and a shock felt as of an earthquake, and then a solemn stillness followed; in the morning, a cloud of dust and vapour hung over the valley, and the bed of the Maira was dry. The river had been stopped by the falling of the mountain across its channel, and the town of Pleurs with the village of Celano had disappeared for ever. All the excavations of all the labourers that could be collected failed to discover a single vestige of the inhabitants or of their dwelling-places. The miners could not reach the cathedral for its gold and jewels; and there they lie at rest, churches and palaces, villas and hovels, priests, peasants, and nobles, where neither gold, nor love, nor superstition, nor piety, can raise them from their graves, or have any power over them."-Cheever's "Pilgrim of the Jungfrau." BATHS OF LEUK. "IN coming from the Simplon up the Vallais to Geneva, one passed the baths of Leuk, a little removed from the Rhone. This hamlet, elevated 4500 feet above the level of the sea, is shut in by a circular precipice that surrounds it like a mighty wall, up which you are compelled to climb in steps cut in the face of the solid rock. Its hot springs are visited during the summer months by the French and Swiss for their healing effects. It is something of a task, as one can well imagine, to get an invalid up to these baths. The transportation is entirely by hand, and the terms are regulated by the director of the baths. These regulations are printed in French, and one relating to corpulent persons struck us so comically that we give a translation of it : For a person over ten years of age, four porters are necessary; if he is above the ordinary weight, six porters; but if he is of an extraordinary weight, and the commissary judges proper, two others may be added, but never more. There are some dozen springs in all, the principal one of which, the St. Lawrence, has a temperature of 124 degrees Fahrenheit. The mode of bathing is entirely unique, and makes an American open his eyes at first in unfeigned astonishment. The patient begins by remaining in the bath the short space of one hour, and goes on increasing the time till he reaches eight hours; four before breakfast and four after dinner. After each bath of four hours' duration, the doctor requires one hour to be passed in bed. This makes in all ten hours per day to the poor patient, leaving him little time for anything else. To obviate the tediousness of soaking alone four hours in a private bath, the patients all bathe together. A large shed divided into four compartments, each capable of holding about eighteen persons, constitutes the principal bath-house. A slight gallery | larged works of the same character, still its contents are well arranged, written in an agreeable style, and to those of our young friends who wish to peruse the leading events in the lives of Lord Rodney, Earl Howe, Earl St. Vincent, Lord De Saumarez, Lord Collingwood, Sir Sidney Smith, and Lord Exmouth, will form a most acceptable present. They will find much to amuse and a great deal more to instruct. A NEW ZEALAND CHIEF. is built along the partitions dividing the several baths, for visitors to occupy who wish to enjoy the company of their friends, without the inconvenience of lying in the water. This is absolutely necessary, for if eight hours are to be passed in the bath and two in bed, and the person enduring all this is to be left alone in the meantime, the life of an anchorite would be far preferable to it. It is solitary confinement in the penitentiary, with the exception that the cell is a watery one. All the bathers, of both sexes and all ages and conditions, are clothed in long woollen mantles, with a tippet around their shoulders, and sit on benches ranged "NENE, or as he is now more generally known by his round the bath, under water up to their necks. Stroll baptized name-Thomas Walker (Tamati Waka), is the into this large bathing-room awhile after dinner, the principal chief of the Ngatihao tribe; which. in comfirst thing that meets your eye is some dozen or fifteen mon with many others, is comprised in the great heads bobbing up and down, like buoys on the surface assemblage of tribes usually called Ngapuis. The of the steaming water. There, wagging backwards and residence of this celebrated man is near the Wesleyan forwards, is the shaven crown of a fat old friar. Close mission station, on the banks of the river Hokianga: beside, the glossy ringlets of a fair maiden, while be- where he fully established his character, as the friend tween, perhaps, is the moustached face of an invalid and protector of Europeans, long before the regular officer. In another direction. grey hairs are 'floating colonization of the country. In common with most of on the tide,' and the withered faces of old dames peer his countrymen, Nene was, in his younger days, cele'over the flood.' But to sit and soak a whole day, even brated for his expertness in acts of petty pilfering; and in company, is no slight penalty, and so to while away he himself will now laugh heartily, if reminded of his the lazy hours, one is engaged in reading a newspaper, youthful tricks. On one occasion, when on a visit to which he holds over his head; another in discussing a one of the missionaries at Waimate, a fine gander atbit of toast on a floating table: a third, in keeping a tracted his attention, and he secretly ordered it to be withered nosegay, like a water-lily, just above the sur-seized, and prepared for his dinner in a native oven; face, while it is hard to tell which looks most dolorous, but. to prevent detection, the bird was cooked in its the withered flowers or her face. In one corner, two feathers. However, it was soon missed, and a rigorous persons are engaged playing chess; and in another, inquiry instituted by its owner, but without success; three or four more, with their chins just out of the until certain savoury steams arising from Nene's camp water, are enjoying a pleasant "tête-à-tête" about the excited suspicion. To tax him with the theft, however, delectability of being under water, seething away at a would have been contrary to all the rules of New Zeatemperature of nearly 120 degrees, eight hours per day. land etiquette; and the mystery of its disappearance Persons making their daily calls on their friends are was not unravelled until the morning after he had entering and leaving the gallery, or leaning over, en- taken his departure, when the ill-fated gander was gaged in earnest conversation with those below them. found concealed among the bushes: it having been Not much etiquette is observed in leave-taking, for if found too tough for even a New Zealander's powers of the patient should attempt a bow, he would duck his mastication. Some years after this, a chief of East head under water. Laughable as this may seem, it is Cape killed a relation of Nene's; and, according to the nevertheless a grave matter, and no one would submit enstomary law in New Zealand of blood for blood,' to it except for health, that boon for which the circle of Nene went in a vessel, accompanied by only one attenthe world is made, the tortures of amputation endured, dant, to seek revenge. Landing near the spot where and the wealth of the millionnaire squandered. The the chief resided, Nene entered his pah, called the strictest decorum is preserved, and every breach of pro- murderer by name, and after accusing him of the crime, priety punished by the worthy burgomaster with a fine deliberately levelled his gun and shot him dead at his of two francs or thirty-seven and a half cents. A set of feet, and then coolly walked away. Though in the regulations is hung against the walls specifying the midst of his enemies, none dared to touch the avenger: manner in which every patient is to conduct himself all were paralyzed at his sudden appearance and deteror herself. As specimens, we give Articles 7 and 9, mined bravery. But Nene is no longer the thoughtless, which will also be found in Mr. Murray's Guide- mischievous New Zealander: for many years he has book:been playing a nobler part in the great drama of life; and his conduct has deservedly gained for him a lasting reputation. Some traits may be mentioned to his honour. About the year 1839, the body of an European was discovered on the banks of one of the tributary streams of Hokianga, under circumstances which led to the suspicion that he had been murdered by a native called Kete, one of Nene's slaves. A large meeting was convened on the subject, and, the guilt of Kete being established, Nene condemned him to die; the murderer was accordingly taken to a small island in the river called Motiti, and there shot! So rigid were Nene's ideas of justice! When Captain Hobson arrived, and assembled the chiefs at Waitangi, in order to obtain their acquiescence in the sovereignty of the Queen over the islands of New Zealand, the Governor was received with doubt, and his proposals were at first Art. 7. Personne ne peut entrer dans les bains sans être revêtue d'une chemise longue et ample, d'une étoffe grossière, sous peine de deux fr. demande. Art. 9. La même peine sera encourir par ceux qui n'en entreraient pas, ou n'en sortiraient pas d'une manière décente. Translation. Art. 7. No one is permitted to enter these baths without being clothed in a long, ample, and thick chemise," under the penalty of a fine of two francs. Art. 9. The same penalty will be incurred by those who do not enter or depart in a becoming manner. "Great care is taken that everything should be done decently and in order,' and there is nothing to prevent people from behaving themselves while sitting on benches under water as well as above water."-Headley's Alps and the Rhine." The Wooden Walls of Old England: the Lives of rejected; but when Nene and his friends made their celebrated Admirals. By MARGARET FRASER TYTLER. by his eloquence and by the wisdom of his counsel, appearance, the aspect of affairs was changed: Nene, 1 vol. Pp. 330. With Frontispiece. Hatchard. turned the current of feeling, and the dissentients were THIS is one of that numerous class of juvenile works silenced. In short, Nene stood recognised as the prime with which the present generation abound, and al-agent in effecting the treaty of Waitangi. On another though no reason is assigned why this volume is necessary, considering the many similar and more en occasion, his intervention was of great service to the British authorities. After the flag-staff at the Bay was cut down by Heki, Governor Fitzroy proceeded to the disaffected district with a considerable body of military, thinking by a show of force to overawe the rebellious natives. A large concourse of chiefs was gathered together, and many speeches were made; but amongst them all the words of Nene were conspicuous for their energy. If,' said he, another flag-staff is cut down, I shall take up the quarrel,' and nobly has he redeemed his pledge. During the whole course of the rebellion, up to the present period, he has steadily adhered to his purpose, and has on numerous occasions rendered the most essential assistance to the military. He fought in several engagements with the rebels, and each time has proved himself as superior in courage and conduct in the field, as he is in wisdom and sagacity in the council. The settlers in the northern parts of New Zealand are under the greatest obligations to this chief. But for him and his people, many a hearth, at present the scene of peace and happiness, would have been desecrated and defiled with blood; many a family, now occupying their ancient homes, would have been driven away from their abodes, exposed to misery and privation. Those settlers who were living near the disaffected districts, but remote from the influence and out of the reach of the protecting arm of Nene, have been driven as houseless wanderers to seek safety in the town of Auckland; and such would most probably have been the universal fate of the out-settlers but for the courage and loyalty of this brave and noble chief."-From Angas's Savage Life and Scenes in Australia. Poetry. [In Original Poetry, the Name, real or assumed, of the Author, is printed in Small Capitals under the title; in Selections, it is printed in Italics at the end.] A TRUE TALE. BY S. M. WHEN, for these feeble days, we paint We dwellers in the vale below, Nor dream Man's footsteps there may go. With folded hands and drooping head, A holy child, whose few fair springs, The watchers hushed each trembling breath, A sound upon that silence fell Loved by the little slumberer well The music of the vesper bell! Soft, as the shower from autumn trees, My soul doth magnify the Lord!" Ah, weep not friends! Ye might have known The Church on earth, whose voice of love Words glad, but awful-which condemn Miscellaneous. SWEARING IN COURT. LORD Ellenborough's interruptions of counsel would sometimes assume a jocular form. When Mr. Park (the late Justice Allan Park,) had been moved in some case that appealed to the feelings to repeated exclamations, and had called heaven to witness, and so forth, while addressing the jury, "Pray, sir," said my Lord, "pray don't swear in that way here in court!" The effect of this interruption, in a grave tone, was irresistible, and Mr. Park heartily joined in laughing at this unexpected practical pleasantry.-Townsend's Lives of the Judges. BUCKINGHAM PALACE. A LITTLE TALK ABOUT PERCHANCE the reader is familiar with Vertue's groundplan of the Palace of Whitehall, or a well-engraved bird's-eye view of that very interesting pile, "as it appeared about the reign of James the First." In either case, he may trace that, at the period above named, in the left distance, might be seen Arlington House, the mansion of Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington, one of the famous "Cabal." This property was afterwards purchased by John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, who obtained an additional grant of land from the Crown, pulled down the old mansion, and, at a short distance from it, built, in 1703, the large red brick edifice sub-sonal superintendence of the early education of their sequently known as Buckingham House. It was in the heavy, yet ornate, style of the time, the house and offices occupying three sides of a quadrangle; the red brick and stone finishings, relieved by figures; on the entablature of the eastern front was inscribed in large gilt Roman capitals, "Sie siti lætantur lares ;" and the front to the north bore "Rus IN URBE;" with sculptural impersonations of the seasons. Pennant describes the mansion as "rebuilt in a most magnificent manner." The duke has left a curiously minute picture of his mode of living at Buckingham House, in a letter to the Duke of Shrewsbury, of which Pennant cunningly says:"He has omitted his constant visits to the noted gaming house at Marybone, the place of assemblage of all the infamous sharpers of the time." His Grace always gave them a dinner at the conclusion of the season, and his parting toast was, ' May as many of us as remain unhanged next spring, meet here again.' I remember the facetious Quin telling this story at Bath, within the hearing of the late Lord Chesterfield, when his lordship was surrounded by a crowd of worthies of the same stamp." The site of the mansion, and the grounds, was formerly the once famous Mulberry Gardens: it must have been a strange retreat. Defoe describes it, in 1714, as "one of the great beauties of London, both by reason of its situation, and its building." At the date of the old print we have spoken of, no buildings extended beyond St. James's, to the left; the north was open to Hamp stead, and the view of the Thames almost uninterrupted from the south-west corner of the park. The Duke of Buckingham died in 1720: his duchess, daughter of James II. by Catherine Sedley, lived here till her death. She was succeeded by the duke's natural son, Charles Herbert Sheffield, on whom his Grace had entailed the property, after the death of the young duke, who died a minor. It was purchased from Sir Charles by King George the Third; and, subsequently," Buckingham | House, now called the Queen's House," was, by Act of Parliament, settled on Queen Charlotte, in lieu of Somerset House, (settled in 1761 on the Queen Consort, in the event of her surviving the King,) the latter edifice being vested in the King, his heirs, and successors, children, must have formed a delightful relief to the courtly splendour of St. James's; whilst this retirement was important to the country; for, it has been well observed of the king, that "the decorum of his private conduct was of much service to him, as well as probably efficacious in no slight degree in giving a higher tone to the public manners, and in making the domestic virtues fashionable even in the circles where they are most apt to be treated with neglect." We may here mention that the wall of what were called the gardens of Buckingham House, formed one side of the main street of Pimlico: these gardens must, however, have been strangely neglected; for, in 1817, they were described as consisting merely of a gravel walk, shaded by trees, with a spacious and unadorned area in the centre. In size and splendour, Buckingham House was rivalled by Tart Hall, long the depository of the Arundelian marbles: the latter mansion faced the park, on the present site of James-street; its garden wall standing where Stafford-row is now built. We remember the dull, heavy, façade of Buckingham House in 1825; the mansion itself stripped of its statues and sculptured ornaments, the fountain removed, and the basin in the lawn filled up in the taste that rushed from one extreme to the other-from the overornate to the taste which excluded ornament altogether; if we except the four fluted pilasters of the central portion, and the semicircular colonnade connecting it with the two wings, each having pilasters and a pediment, the whole forming three sides of a quadrangle. Mr. Pyne, in his "History of the Royal Residences," has left us a description of the interior, remarkable for its plainness: the King had, however, assembled here a large collection of pictures, and among them many of the works of his pet painter, Benjamin West: for his "Regulus," the King paid one thousand guineas, a liberal commission in those days, but now sometimes paid by our gentry, for a few sittings to a portraitpainter. Of far greater consequence to the country was the collecting of a magnificent library at Buckingham House by George the Third. This collection he bequeathed to the nation, and it is now deposited in a splendid apartment, built for its reception, in the British Muscum. The public have, however, derived compara |