diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/65862-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/65862-0.txt | 2197 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 2197 deletions
diff --git a/old/65862-0.txt b/old/65862-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c5e8f57..0000000 --- a/old/65862-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2197 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, -Science, and Art, Fifth Series, No. 27, Vol. I, July 5, 1884, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art, - Fifth Series, No. 27, Vol. I, July 5, 1884 - -Author: Various - -Release Date: July 18, 2021 [eBook #65862] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Susan Skinner, Eric Hutton and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The Internet - Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS'S JOURNAL OF POPULAR -LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART, FIFTH SERIES, NO. 27, VOL. I, JULY 5, -1884 *** - - - - -[Illustration: - -CHAMBERS’S JOURNAL - -OF - -POPULAR - -LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART - -Fifth Series - -ESTABLISHED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS, 1832 - -CONDUCTED BY R. CHAMBERS (SECUNDUS) - -NO. 27.—VOL. I. SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1884. PRICE 1½_d._] - - - - -HOME-NURSING. - -BY A LADY. - - -FIRST ARTICLE. - -Illness in some form is so often amongst us, that it may safely be said -there is no occupation of more universal importance than the care of -the sick, and there are few women worthy of the name who at some time -or other are not called upon to minister to the needs of sufferers by -disease or accident. - -Much has been done of late years to improve the tone of nursing amongst -those who take it up as a profession, so that the ‘Sarey Gamp’ of -old times has practically given place to the skilled, conscientious -nurse, who has been trained to look upon her work as something more -than a mere means of livelihood. But whilst this is true of those -who devote their lives to nursing, there still remains a vast amount -of ignorance, even of its very elements, amongst those who are only -occasionally called upon to bedside-ministration, and it is our -object in this series of papers to give our readers such information -as may fit them to act on an emergency, if not with the skill of -the trained nurse, with at least so much knowledge and intelligence -as shall give the patient some chance of comfort and help. Not, of -course, that the practical work of nursing can be acquired by any -amount of book-knowledge alone; but for those who cannot spare time -for regular hospital training, it is of great importance to understand -at anyrate what should be aimed at in nursing; and were this more -widely understood, it would do much towards mitigating the avoidable -sufferings inflicted on unhappy patients who have to be nursed by those -who are full of love indeed, but without any idea of the work they are -undertaking. - -This brings me to a point on which I can hardly be too emphatic. In -cases of serious illness, especially where there is much acute pain, -secure, if possible, the services of a trained nurse. Apart from her -superior knowledge of means for giving relief, the patient will be -much more likely to yield to the authority of a stranger, and at the -same time the stranger being used to the sight of suffering, will have -command over her countenance, and will not show the distress which it -is hardly possible for inexperience to conceal. Indeed, patients of -self-controlled habits will sometimes put such strain upon themselves -to hide their pain from too sympathising friends, as really to increase -their sufferings; whilst with a stranger the relief of expression may -safely be indulged in. Perhaps such cases of self-repression are rare; -but at anyrate the trained nurse will often have resources at command -of which the uninitiated know nothing, and will be able to handle and -attend to the patient with the steadiness and tact only to be learned -in the school of experience. I admit the tender sound of the sentiment -which fancies that no hand is like the hand of affection; but, as a -practical matter, no love, however great, can supply the place of skill -and knowledge. - -I remember meeting with the case of a widow, whose only son was -attacked with one of the most terrible forms of disease, accompanied -with anguish that wrung cries of agony from the strong man’s lips. -Unable to help himself, yet restless to a painful degree, his case -demanded the utmost watchfulness and attention, in addition to which he -was of such an unselfish nature that his sufferings became doubled as -he saw their effect upon his mother. She, ignorant as a child, refused -to listen to any suggestion of sending for a nurse; and in answer to -the remonstrances of friends, exclaimed with indignation: ‘As though -any one could do as well for him as his mother.’ Alas! poor fellow, -it might almost have been said: ‘As though any one could do _worse_ -for him than his mother;’ and none of those who witnessed the pitiable -condition he was allowed to get into, felt any surprise at hearing him -eagerly welcome death as release from misery. I do not say that the -best of nursing would have saved his life, though it might have given -him a chance; but beyond a doubt, skilled hands could have ministered -to his wants in such a way as to have obviated a large amount of -distress and pain. - -But apart from such grave cases, there are many forms of illness which -may safely be trusted to home-care, provided there is a fair amount of -knowledge of those general rules which lie at the root of all degrees -of successful nursing. Not that every woman is fitted to undertake -the care of a sick-room. A certain, and not small amount of physical -strength is absolutely needful, as well as some special qualifications, -natural or acquired, which are equally essential. In this connection, -there is a popular fallacy which demands notice. What a common thing it -is to hear a person described as ‘a born nurse,’ with the implication -that therefore she is fitted at any time, and under all circumstances, -to take her place in the sick-room with confidence of success. Now, the -expression ‘born’ applied to any other special calling will show how -much value it possesses. Who in his senses would speak of the ‘born’ -painter or musician as thereby exempted from the necessity of further -training? And—to take a more homely example—there are few mistresses, I -fancy, who would engage a servant on the sole recommendation of being a -‘born cook!’ Yet it may easily be conceived that the rejector of such -an aspirant would consider it natural that she should undertake more -important and delicate sick-room work, on precisely those grounds which -she rightly looks upon as unsatisfactory in the matter of dinners. -The truth is, that in every department, those who have special gifts -require no small amount of thoughtful care and perseverance for the -full development of their natural abilities. In regard to nursing, -the low standard of the past has given rise to the erroneous idea of -‘birth’ qualification as supreme; but now that the standard is becoming -increasingly high, there is good reason to hope that there will be a -better general understanding of how much scope nursing affords for -intelligence and skill; with this, too, will come comprehension of the -fact that natural taste and ability are valuable only as grounds to -work upon. - -We will now proceed to the consideration of those qualifications which -are essential to the good nurse. In the first place, I would urge -every reader to cultivate _self-control_ as a habit of daily life, for -without it, there will be little power of helping in a sick-room. Not -that it is always possible to help feeling shocked and startled at the -sight of suffering, especially sudden suffering, with which there is no -familiarity; but a habit of self-control will give power to suppress -all expression of alarm, and so to keep one’s presence of mind as to be -able to consider what means of relief can be adopted. - -But there are some people able to meet sudden emergency who yet fail -to keep their self-control during the wear and tear of long illness. -The patient is irritable, seems unreasonable, and demands constant -attention; and the nurse becomes so weary as to allow herself to show -by lagging movements or vexed looks, if not by actual rebuke, that her -work is a burden she would willingly give up if she had the chance. -Need I say that such conduct is incompatible with good nursing? And -I cannot too strongly urge the necessity for keeping control over -face and tongue, as well as over actions. In home-nursing this is -one of the greatest difficulties, especially where the illness is -straining resources, and there is the additional anxiety of wondering -how both ends may be made to meet. But at any cost a nurse must keep -watch over herself, and strive after that _cheerfulness_ which is a -second element in good nursing. Perhaps only those who have grieved -over recovery retarded by the gloom and depression of attendants, can -understand the full force of the stress I would lay upon the duty of -keeping a bright face and cheerful voice. No amount of devotion in -other respects can atone for their absence. It is possible for a nurse -to spend time and strength lavishly in day and night vigils, to be the -best of poultice-makers, and the most careful administrator of food and -medicine, and yet to fail utterly in helping the patient back to health -and strength. Over and over again I have found patients sorrowful, -perhaps crying, over the sense of being ‘such a burden;’ this, too, -where there has been real affection on the part of nurses, but where -the first duties of self-control and cheerfulness have been neither -understood nor practised. - -Of a kindred nature is the third requisite, _patience_, a virtue which -is sure to be largely needed in most forms of illness. Even where a -nurse is fortunate enough to have to deal with an amiable, unexacting -spirit, the hundred-and-one details of daily nursing are apt to become -very wearisome to those unaccustomed to minute and monotonous duties, -and the temptation is strong to hurry the patient or to slur over -details. I have seen a patient’s languid appetite chased away by his -nurse’s evident anxiety to regain possession of cup or plate; and where -having the hair brushed is the one pleasure of the day, the admonition -to ‘be quick and turn your head’ does not give an added charm to the -operation. - -But, unhappily, the patience is sometimes tested in a far more trying -way. Apart from the helpless tediousness of a long illness, which -alone may affect the patient’s temper and cause varying degrees of -irritability, there is, with some diseases, an accompanying fretfulness -or moodiness most difficult to manage. So marked may this become, that -occasionally the patient seems to have changed his character, and the -most amiable and unselfish in health may become the most impatient and -exacting in illness. The trained nurse, accustomed to watch the effects -of disease, will understand and make allowance for such perversion; -but in private nursing I have known patients’ friends suffer acutely -from manifestations of ill-temper, for which they could only account on -moral grounds. To the inexperienced, I would say: remember how closely -body and soul are bound together, and believe that the _changed_ temper -is only a fresh symptom to be reported to the doctor as faithfully as -any alteration in the bodily condition. But even taking this view, -it is trying not to be able to do or say the right thing, to have -the kindest actions misconstrued, and perhaps to hear of complaints -made against you in your absence. Your best help will be to keep -constantly in mind the fact that it is your patient’s misfortune, and -not his fault, and that it causes him far more discomfort than it -does you. So, be very careful not to aggravate him by opposition or -by reference to exciting topics; answer quietly, and at once, his -most vexing speeches, but as far as possible, do not argue about even -the most irrational statements. If you are blessed with tact as well -as patience, you may be able to divert attention, and lead to happier -channels of thought, always bearing in mind that you can do no greater -kindness than to lead your patient away from his misery. This is a -point so often overlooked, that it will bear dwelling upon, for the -nurse’s own discomfort under such a dispensation is so great, that she -is very apt to forget that the patient’s impressions are as real to -him as though they were actual facts, and that he fully believes it, -when he declares that you are trying your hardest to worry and annoy -him, and not to let him get well. Think of the wretchedness of such a -belief, and spare no pains to soothe and compose the sufferer. - -At the same time, there is such a thing as spoiling a patient, even -though he be past the age we generally associate with the word ‘spoil.’ -Illness often brings back some of the wayward peevishness of childhood, -and you get such things to contend with as positive refusal to take -food or medicine, or to comply with some order of the doctor’s. How -to meet these special difficulties we will consider later on; but as -regards the question of how far to give in to a patient’s whims and -fancies, there is no better general rule than this: oppose his wishes -only on questions of right and wrong; and when opposition becomes a -necessity, use special efforts so to keep your self-control as to avoid -all expression of anger or impatience. How far you succeed in steering -your patient through such troubled waters will depend greatly upon what -measure you possess of that invaluable gift, _sympathy_—in other words, -the power of putting yourself in another’s place, seeing from his point -of view, and feeling with him in his difficulties. A hard, cold, or -even a merely narrow nature cannot be trained into a really good nurse; -and indeed, as a broad rule, lack of health and lack of sympathy are -the only two absolutely insurmountable obstacles in the way of those -who desire to be helpful in the sick-room. For observe that the other -qualities I have named—self-control, cheerfulness, and patience—though -much easier to some than to others, are within the reach of all who -earnestly strive to possess them; and moreover, each and all are -capable of being developed and cultivated to an almost unlimited -extent. Sympathy, on the other hand, though capable of development by -its fortunate possessor, is one of those natural gifts which no amount -of training can impart, and which is no more within the reach of all -than is that good health without which attempts at nursing cannot but -end in failure. Given these two special gifts of health and sympathy, -and you have the ‘born nurse,’ needing, indeed, much patient care and -training, but one who may confidently count upon success. - -Various other qualities and habits, such as humility, gentleness, -firmness, order, and accuracy, are useful in nursing, and to these we -shall refer in giving more specific details of a nurse’s work. There -are also various gifts, as good hearing and sight, cleverness of -fingers, and natural quickness of apprehension and of movement, which, -though very desirable, are not absolutely indispensable, and on these -it is not necessary to dwell. Those who have them may rejoice; and -those who have not, need not be disheartened, as they can very well be -dispensed with, provided there is thorough, conscientious effort made -to acquire those more necessary things which are to be had for the -trying. - - - - -BY MEAD AND STREAM. - -BY CHARLES GIBBON. - - -CHAPTER XXXVI.—IS IT TOO LATE? - -‘There was nobody in the house, Mr Culver; but I knew you would be -here, and so came on.—Where is Pansy?’ - -Thus Madge, as she entered the vine-house, where Sam, the Scotch -gardener, standing on steps, was busy amongst rich clusters of grapes. - -‘Oh, it’s you, Missy. Good-day to you,’ he answered, looking over his -shoulder with that serious contraction of the muscles of his thin face -which friends accepted as a smile. ‘This is washing-day; and if Pansy -is no in the house, she’ll be on the green wi’ the clothes.’ - -‘I shall find her; but I am glad to have an opportunity of speaking to -you first. Can you spare five minutes?’ - -‘Ten, or more, if it be to pleasure you, Missy,’ answered the gardener, -with as near an approach to gallantry as he had ever made. He came down -from the steps, and dusted them carefully with his apron. ‘I have no -chair to offer you; but you can take a rest here, if you’re no owre -proud.’ - -‘You will not think that of me,’ she said, smiling, ‘although I prefer -to stand.’ - -‘Please yoursel’, Missy, just please yoursel’, and you’ll no dee in the -pet. That’s what I aye say to onybody that maun hae their ain way.’ - -‘And what do you say to those who cannot have their own way?’ - -‘Oh, I say to them, you’ll just hae to do as you are bidden.’ - -‘Is that what you would say to Pansy, if she wanted very much to have -her own way about something?’ - -‘That would depend on what was the way she wanted,’ was the cautious -reply. - -‘Well, Mr Culver, I am going to do what will offend you’—— - -‘That’s no possible.’ - -‘Or what you will take as a proof of my liking for Pansy, according -to the light in which you regard it. At anyrate, I hope you won’t be -annoyed with me.’ - -‘No a bit, no a bit, whatever it be.—But what is’t?’ - -‘Pansy does not know that I am going to speak to you about it, so you -must not be displeased with her, whatever you may think of me. Philip -says there can be no harm in speaking to you, and wishes me to do it.’ - -‘Guid-sake!—is there onything wrang?’ - -‘No, no; _we_ think everything is right, and that they will be a very -happy couple. Have you never considered that Pansy will want to marry -some day?’ - -Sam was relieved. Although Madge had been speaking with a smile on her -face all the time, he had been a little puzzled, and for a second -vaguely alarmed on his daughter’s account. When he heard this question -from her, he began to understand. - -‘Ay, whiles the notion has come into my head—she’s a bonnie lass and a -guid lass, and it’s natural for women-folk to think about marriage. But -it appeared to me that there was time enough to fash about thae things, -and I just let the notion gang by.’ - -‘But you will have to consider it seriously—and soon. Suppose the man -she wanted did not please you: would you say that she must do as she is -bid, and refuse him?’ - -Sam took up the dead stem of a fern, and whilst he was breaking it into -small pieces, considered very wisely. - -‘Wha is the man?’ he asked abruptly, comprehending what Madge was -hesitating to explain, and coming to the point at once. - -‘He had the misfortune to offend some people who did not understand -him, but I hope you are not one of them: I am sure you will not be when -you know him. It is Caleb Kersey.’ - -Sam looked stolidly at the ground; no surprise, pleasure, or -displeasure expressed on his features. Madge observing him closely, was -busy collecting her arguments in favour of Caleb. - -‘Now, that’s very queer,’ he began slowly. ‘When he was coming about -the house at first, I suspected that he was hankering after my lassie, -and I’m obliged to own that it wasna exactly the kind o’ match that -I would have liked her to make; but when she was spoken to, she just -said nothing. Syne, thinking that there was nae harm in his coming, and -seeing what fine work he was making of the harvest, I took a notion o’ -the lad because he was fond o’ flowers— especially geraaniums. Do ye -know, daft-like as it was, I thought it was the geraaniums he had a -fancy for.’ - -There was a comic pathos in the air of dejection and disappointment -with which he made this confession, whilst he rubbed his soft cap -slowly over his head, as if he would rub out the stupidity which had -caused him to make such a mistake. - -‘I have no doubt that the geraniums had something to do with bringing -him here,’ was the consolatory comment of Madge. ‘You may be certain -that Caleb would never say he liked anything if he did not. His -outspoken ways are the causes of the ill-favour he has fallen into -amongst the farmers. You know as well as I do that he is a good worker; -he is steady; and Philip bids me assure you that he is now in a -position which he is exactly fitted for, and he will be able to earn a -good wage. I believe that Pansy likes him, and that they are both held -back from speaking because they are afraid of you.’ - -‘Feared for me! How can that be? I never did anything to scare them; -and I’m sure I have ta’en mair pains in letting him into a’ the secrets -of the culture of geraaniums than I ever did wi’ onybody afore. Maybe I -should have tried him wi’ the pansies.’ - -‘He has found out that secret for himself,’ said Madge merrily as Sam -chuckled at his own little joke. ‘Then I may tell them that you will -not be cruel—that you will not interfere with them?’ - -‘Oh, if the young folk have settled the matter for themsel’s, there -would be no use of me interfering; and if they ha’ena, there’ll be no -need.’ - -‘I cannot tell you how much pleasure you have given me, Mr Culver; and -Philip will be delighted, for he began to think that poor Caleb was -going to be ruined by his anxiety about this matter. I must go and find -Pansy now.’ - -‘But there is no need to be in haste about it,’ said the gardener, and -there was evidently some anxiety underneath his dry manner: ‘she is a -young thing yet, and I’m no sure that I could get on without her.’ - -‘Perhaps you would not require to be separated from her; but all that -can be arranged by-and-by.’ - -As Madge quitted the vine-house, she was aware that Sam was -meditatively rubbing his head with his cap, and she heard him -muttering: ‘Ay, ay, it wasna the geraaniums after a’. Weel, weel, weel; -I daursay it’s natural.’ He always returned to his native dialect when -speaking familiarly, or when under the influence of emotion whether of -affection or rage. - -The washing-house was a small erection jutting out from the back of -the cottage, and thither Madge hastened with the agreeable news, -which she believed was to make two young people ‘happy ever after.’ -The door stood wide open as she approached, but a mist of steam hid -everything within, and boiling water running over the floor prevented -her from entering. A figure appeared in the mist—stooped—groped for -something—and presently darted out, stumbling against Madge. - -‘Why, Pansy, what in the world is the matter?’ - -The girl was flushed and panting with excitement. - -‘I am so stupid to-day.—I hope I did not hurt you,’ she gasped. ‘The -tap of the boiler—I forgot to turn it off; and the place was full of -steam in a minute, and I’ve upset the tub on the floor, and dirtied all -the clothes. O dear!’ - -‘Never mind about the clothes. You might have been suffocated or -scalded to death. Are you burned?’ - -‘I don’t know. I think my hand was a little, when I turned off the tap -just now.... O dear! I am so stupid to-day.’ - -The left hand was already puffed up with a white swelling, which -looked more dangerous than it was in reality. Madge hurried her into -the cottage, and poured oil over the scalded hand into a bowl. When -the bowl was half-full of oil, she bade the girl keep her hand in it. -Pansy submitted with a patience that was akin to indifference; but as -she continued at intervals to utter little cries of distress, it was -some time before Madge became aware that they had nothing to do with -the injury the girl had sustained. She did not look at her hand at all, -but stared at the window, as if she saw something outside that made her -unhappy. - -‘I suppose you have not got any lint in the house. Well, you must find -a bit of soft rag; and when we have steeped it in the oil, I will -fasten it on your hand until we get Dr Joy to dress it properly. You -can walk down to the village with me.’ - -‘It’s no use—it doesn’t matter. I must finish the washing.... O dear!’ - -‘Is it paining you very much?’ - -‘O yes.—He looked so bad, that it scared me to see him; and I ran away, -and I don’t know what I was doing.’ - -‘Who are you talking about?’ asked Madge, alarmed lest the girl’s -fright was to have more serious consequences than she had anticipated. - -‘About _him_—Caleb.’ - -Her eyes were still fixed on the window; and observing this, Madge also -glanced in that direction, half expecting to see the lover outside. -Seeing no one, she became more and more uneasy about Pansy’s odd -behaviour. - -‘He will come soon,’ she said cheeringly; ‘and I have great news for -you and for him. You would never guess what it is.’ - -‘No; I never would guess. I am not able to try.’ - -‘Ah, well, you will have all the more pleasure in the surprise. I -always knew your father was a sensible and just man, who would never -allow any prejudice to affect his judgment of others; but he did -surprise me when I spoke to him about you and Caleb. He gave me leave -to tell you that he will not interfere between you. Now, is not that -great news!’ - -Madge expected to see her flush with joy and rouse from the dazed state -into which she had fallen. Instead of that, Pansy started to her feet, -pale, and all consciousness of the scalded hand had evidently vanished. - -‘I am sorry to hear that.’ - -‘Sorry!... Why?’ - -‘Because I am not going to have him,’ was the half-petulant, -half-sobbing answer. - -‘O Pansy, what is this?’ exclaimed Madge astonished, puzzled and -regretful. ‘When we last spoke about him, you made me believe that -you liked him very much, and that you only hesitated because you were -afraid your father would not be pleased.’ - -‘And I do like him—like him so much, that it upsets me to put him out -or trouble him. But I’m not going to have him, and I’ve told him so. He -was asking me just before you came, and—and I told him.’ - -There was real distress in voice and look; but there was an -under-current of sulky defiance, as if being conscious that she had not -behaved well to the man, she was eager to defend herself, and finding -no ready way of doing it, was angry with herself whilst ready to -anticipate blame. - -Madge’s expression of astonishment changed to one of grave concern, -although Pansy’s confession of anxiety to spare Caleb suggested that -there was nothing worse to apprehend than some misunderstanding between -the lovers, which would be put right as soon as the girl got over her -excitement. So she proceeded quietly to bandage the injured hand, -without speaking for several minutes. Pansy was evidently unhappy; the -silence of her friend was a more severe rebuke than any words of blame -could have been. She could endure it no longer. - -‘Oh, what shall I do?’ she burst out; ‘_you_ are vexed with me now, -like him.’ - -‘You must not think that, Pansy. I am very much grieved to see you in -such a state as this; but I am sure it only needs a little forbearance -on your part to put everything right again. There is nothing uncommon -in a little tiff between lovers, and you will soon get over it. I will -answer for Caleb that he will be ready to make it up as soon as you -speak a kind word to him.’ - -‘But I can’t speak the word he wants, for I am not to have him.’ - -That was sufficiently decisive. Then Madge examined her closely, and -became very anxious, for she perceived that Pansy’s distress had a -deeper source than ‘a little tiff.’ - -‘You do not mean to say that Caleb is not the one you care most for?’ - -There was sullen silence. - -Now, of all the feminine frailties which nature and training had taught -Madge to shun, coquetry stood foremost. An acted falsehood!—What could -be more abominable? A falsehood which, by inspiring baseless hopes, -may cause an honest heart long days and nights of pain, when the truth -becomes known? Can there be pleasure in seeing another suffer? There -are women who consider coquetting with any decent-looking fellow a -legitimate form of amusement, and avail themselves of it without a -suspicion of immodesty or a single pang of conscience; yet the same -women would scream at a mouse or at sight of a bleeding scratch. Demure -glances, soft tones, a confiding touch on the arm—meaning nothing more -than to gratify a mania for admiration at any cost—have played the -mischief in high and low life many a time. - -If anybody might claim a privilege to coquet, Pansy might, for she had -been praised and flattered by everybody, whilst she had been guarded -by her father as if she had been a flower almost too precious for the -common eye. Hitherto, she had shown few symptoms of the weakness which -too often makes such a position dangerous. Although there were many -lads in the district who would fain have been suitors, not one dare say -that she had deceived him by word or look. Caleb Kersey could say it -now. - -‘Come and sit down, Pansy, and let us talk about this; you will feel -better when you have told me all about it. Besides, it will do you good -to have a little rest before we start for the doctor’s.’ - -There was really no need to hurry to the doctor, as the wound had been -dressed so cleverly. Madge drew her gently down on the chair and, -holding her hand sympathetically, waited. Like a glow of sunlight -breaking through a rain-cloud, the sullen gloom was dispersed with a -sob and a burst of tears. Pansy’s head rested on her friend’s shoulder, -whilst she clutched her hand, as if seeking courage and support in the -assurance of her presence. The time for words had not come yet. - -By-and-by, the girl lifted her head and wiped her eyes with a corner of -the big white apron which covered her from the neck to the ankle. - -‘I’m right ashamed at myself for taking on this way—that I am,’ she -said bashfully; ‘and there ain’t no reason in it either, barring that -I’m vexed for vexing him, and that he’ll feel worse when he finds -there’s no help for it.’ - -‘Why have you not answered my question, Pansy?’ - -‘There ain’t no answer.’ - -‘Somebody else has spoken to you before Caleb, and has been luckier -than he.’ - -‘Nobody else has spoken to me—if you mean in the way of asking me.’ - -This cleared away a simoom of disagreeable speculations which had been -whirling through Madge’s brain. Caleb’s happiness was not wrecked yet. - -‘And there is nobody you expect to ask you?’ - -‘Oh, I don’t say that—I don’t know. Who can tell what may happen? But -there’s no use speaking about that. I wish things hadn’t gone so far -with Caleb.’ - -Madge agreed that there was no use speaking any more at present; but -although she did not feel quite so assured as she had done a moment -before of Caleb’s speedy restoration to favour, she was hopeful that he -would be in the end, since no one else had spoken. At the same time, -she was satisfied that there was another who had contrived to catch the -wayward fancy of the girl by touching some hidden spring of vanity. -Worst of all, there was the unpleasant probability that this ‘other’ -who disturbed the peace of two honest folk was one whose position -was so different from her own that the girl was afraid or ashamed to -confess her folly at once. But this would be transient, and Pansy would -come back to her senses in good time. Clearly, whatever silly notions -possessed her for the moment, it was Caleb she loved, or she would -never have been so much worried on his account. - -Having, however, some conception of the headstrong nature of the man, -Madge was aware of the importance of promptitude in clearing up the -misunderstanding between the lovers, and she did not see how that could -be done unless Caleb remained steady and patient. She and Philip must -persuade him to be so. For the present, nothing more could be said to -Pansy with advantage. - -The girl was glad of the excuse to go to the doctor’s, as it afforded -her time to recover self-possession before she came under the keen eyes -of her father. On their way through the forest, no further reference -was made to Caleb, although Madge talked about Philip’s work, and -the happy future which they believed was in store for every man who -laboured under him. Of course she intended her companion to understand -that Caleb would share largely in that brilliant future. Whether it -was this suggestion or the brisk exercise which had the effect, Pansy -looked sufficiently composed on their arrival in the village not to -attract the particular attention of passing acquaintances. - -The injured hand was attended to, and Dr Joy complimented Madge on her -skill as a dresser. - -‘There will be no need to ask you to come to my lecture on the art of -dressing ordinary wounds,’ said the little doctor gallantly; ‘but I -hope you will come, for I shall then feel that there will be at least -two people in the room who have some idea of the subject—you and the -lecturer. Meanwhile, you are not to go away without seeing Mrs Joy. -She has one of her patients with her—a poor woman who has got into a -dreadful muddle with her domestic economies. What a pity that we cannot -get the simple rule driven into their heads, that a penny saved is a -penny gained.—That’s her going now. Come this way; and you’ll excuse -me—I have a couple of patients to see immediately.—My dear, here is -Miss Heathcote with Pansy Culver.’ - -The doctor hurried away as Mrs Joy advanced with both hands extended to -Madge. - -‘I am so delighted to see you, dear; I have’—— She interrupted herself, -and without releasing Madge’s hands, said in parenthesis: ‘How do you -do, Pansy; and how is your father? Please sit down.’ Without waiting -for a reply, she proceeded with what she had been about to say to -Madge. ‘I have such an interesting case to report to you. Of course -you remember Edwin’s lecture last year called “Penny wise and Pound -saved”—that is his playful way of dealing with that wicked saying of -“penny wise and pound foolish,” which has done incalculable harm to -poor people—and rich people too, I am sure. You remember it?’ - -‘I am sorry to have to own that I missed the lecture.’ - -‘What a pity! However, there was a poor labourer present—Wolden is -his name—and he was so deeply impressed by what he heard, that he -determined to lay by one penny regularly every week. That is a most -gratifying proof of the benefit of real practical counsel: but what -is most gratifying is that the man actually carried out his good -resolution. Think of that! He has fourteen shillings a week, and out -of each payment he regularly put by one penny in a hole above the -fireplace, which was only known to himself and his wife. Well, he kept -to his good resolution in spite of many temptations, and he only wanted -three weeks to make out a complete year of that noble self-denial. -Think!—what a glorious proof of the value of the lessons which Edwin -and I have been teaching. This man, who never before had a shilling -he could call his own, had actually stored away in the course of -forty-nine weeks four shillings and one penny!... It is so delightfully -marvellous to observe how atoms grow and multiply into mountains!’ - -Mrs Joy was so much pleased with the idea which the last words conveyed -to herself, that she paused to repeat and admire them with a view to -their future use when she should offer herself as a candidate for the -local School-board. - -‘The doctor and you must be greatly pleased,’ said Madge, cordially -appreciating the effect of Dr Joy’s wise admonitions. - -‘We are—we were; but’—here Mrs Joy shook her head with a smiling -regretfulness at being obliged to own the existence of human -weakness—‘but to-day there came to him a friend who required him to -take a parcel into London—a parcel for a friend of yours, Mr Philip -Hadleigh. His fare there and back was to be paid, and half-a-crown for -the service. Wolden had often thought, if he were in London, he would -buy something useful with his savings. Here was the opportunity. He ran -home for his savings; and what did he find? The hole in the wall was -empty; and his wife was obliged to own that she had used the money for -a pair of boots for one of the children. Think!’ - -Madge did think; but it was not about the doctor’s lecture or the -misfortune of his convert—it was about the person who had been suddenly -employed to carry a parcel to Philip. Pansy’s thoughts jumped in the -same direction. - -‘How unfortunate,’ said Madge; ‘the poor man’s disappointment must -have been awful. But who gave him the parcel for—Mr Hadleigh?’ - -‘Most unfortunate—terribly disappointing,’ proceeded Mrs Joy, -apparently unconscious of the question which had been asked. ‘The man -became so wild, that the poor woman ran out of the house and came to me -for advice and assistance. I scolded her, I can tell you—scolded her -roundly for having deceived her husband in such a way. She was very -penitent. I always scold, and they are always penitent. She promised -never to do anything of the kind again; and I gave her the money, in -order that she might start on her new course with a clear conscience. -You should have seen how grateful she was, dear; and it is most -delicious to feel that one can save a household from destruction by -such simple means—good advice and four shillings and a penny!’ - -Mrs Joy was so lost in contemplation of the small expense at which -morals and domestic economy could be instilled into the minds of the -people, that she did not observe the anxious expression of Madge, or -the frightened look of Pansy. - -‘Forgive me, Mrs Joy, but I have a reason for again asking you who was -the sender of the parcel to Mr Hadleigh?’ said Madge. - -‘Oh, how ridiculous of me to forget. It was Caleb Kersey.—It seems that -he has some idea of emigration; and this poor fellow Wolden caught up -the notion, and threatened to leave his wife and family to the parish. -That was what put the woman in such a state; but he will stay at home -now that he has got back his four shillings and a penny.’ - -‘Caleb Kersey going to emigrate!’ - -‘That was what she said.’ - -Madge looked at Pansy. Her face was white and lips quivering. - -‘Will you excuse us, Mrs Joy? We must go now.’ - - - - -SOME LEGAL DECISIONS. - - -Theoretically, every one is supposed to be familiar with the law of the -land he lives in, and to know exactly what he may do unto others, and -what others may do unto him. Practically, lawyers themselves have too -often to acquire that knowledge at the expense of a client, the burden -of whose song might be, ‘From court to court they hurry me,’ if Law -were not much too dignified a dame to hurry herself or those having -dealings with her. - -It was not until the matter had been disputed for a couple of -centuries, that it was settled that ‘from the date’ and ‘on and -from the date’ were synonymous phrases. But for the perseverance of -a stubborn gentleman, who was not satisfied by being beaten in two -courts out of three, we should not now know wherever the words ‘value’ -or ‘annual value’ are used in a statute that they mean ‘net,’ not -‘gross’ value. It took the Canadian Court of Queen’s Bench half a year -to decide whether ‘Old Tom’ came under the definition of ‘spirits.’ -A majority of experts were of opinion that it did not, being only -a compound of spirits, sugar, and flavouring matter; but the Court -ultimately decreed that Old Tom belonged to the family of spirits, and -that to hold otherwise would be a mere trifling with words. - -The courts of the United States have found it more difficult to settle -what is and is not a ‘saloon.’ In Michigan, it may be a place for -the sale of liquors, or it may be a place for the sale of general -refreshments. In Texas, a saloon may be a room for the reception of -company, or one set apart for the exhibition of works of art. The legal -luminaries of Connecticut hold that neither an inclosed park nor an -uninclosed platform, where lager beer is retailed, can be considered -to be a saloon, house, or building, within the meaning of the statute -forbidding the sale of intoxicating liquors upon Sunday; while in -Massachusetts it has been declared that a cellar is a house, when used -for that purpose. In New Hampshire, ‘spirituous liquors’ are not to be -confounded with ‘fermented liquors.’ In Indiana, the mere opinion of a -witness that brewer’s beer is intoxicating is no sufficient proof that -it is so, unless that opinion is founded on personal experience of its -effects; but in Massachusetts, the evidence of a man who had merely -smelt some ale was accepted as proof of its overcoming quality. In -Iowa, wine is not an intoxicating drink if made from grapes, currants, -or other fruits grown within the state; while in Maine, wine and cider -of native growth are intoxicating liquors—if a jury chooses to think -them so. - -What is a date? Certain would-be voters for Marylebone sent in their -claims, properly filled up and signed, but dated merely ‘August -1883.’ After a week’s cogitation, the revising barrister came to the -conclusion that that was a sufficient date, as it showed that the -claims were made between the first and the twenty-fifth of August, -as required by the Act; the fact of their being in the hands of the -overseers proving delivery on or before the twenty-fifth day of -the month. What is a vacant and what an unoccupied house, were two -questions submitted to a court in the United States, under rather -peculiar circumstances. A gentleman owning a house in which he and his -family lived from May to November, left it for the rest of the year -to be looked after by a farmer living near, visiting it occasionally -himself to see that all was right. This house he insured under two -separate policies. It was burned down; and when called upon to pay, -the insurers repudiated all liability. By the terms of one policy they -undertook to make good the value of the house, if burned, ‘unless it -should become vacant _or_ unoccupied;’ by the terms of the other, their -liability ceased if the house ‘became vacant _and_ unoccupied.’ The -court determined that no claim could arise on the first policy, since, -to be occupied, a house must have human beings in it, using it as their -customary abode; but the Company was liable under the second policy, -as, although the house was unoccupied, it was not vacant, so long as -the furniture and cooking-utensils were in it. - -A very nice question was raised by an English Accident Insurance -Company, anxious to escape paying a thousand pounds to the -representatives of a policy-holder who was drowned in a river near -Edgbaston. It was contended that the unfortunate man fell into the -shallow stream, and was suffocated through being unable to raise his -head above the water from exhaustion caused by a fit; and that the -Company was not liable for any injury consequent upon natural disease -or exhaustion, while one of the conditions of the policy specified -that no claim should arise ‘for any injury from any accident, unless -such accident shall be caused by some outward and visible means.’ The -court held that the insured died from drowning in a brook while in an -epileptic fit, and drowning had been decided to be an injury caused -by an accident from outward and visible means. The death did not come -within the words ‘natural disease or exhaustion,’ but resulted from an -accident, which was drowning, and the Company must pay. - -Thief-catching is best left to the police, amateurs may so easily -overreach themselves. Hearing a noise outside their house, after -they had gone to rest, a worthy couple arose, and ascertaining that -a man was prowling around, came to the conclusion he was bent upon -robbery; so they unbolted the outer door, and waited. Sure enough, -the man entered, was promptly seized, handed over to the police, and -committed for trial at the Manchester assizes; but the grand-jury, -under the judge’s instructions, threw out the bill—the accused could -not be charged with breaking into a house which he had entered by -merely raising the latch. As lucky a let-off awaited the American actor -Frayne, when arraigned for the manslaughter of Miss Behren, by shooting -her upon the stage, in performing a modern version of Tell’s feat. The -defence was, that Frayne did not point his rifle at the actress, but at -an apple a few inches above her head; and the court holding that the -gun being pointed at an object, and not at the person, there could be -no charge of manslaughter, the prisoner must be discharged. - -Some recent decisions of the courts of the United States are notable -for their common-sense. In a lawsuit against a Railway Company, in -which the relatives of a young man who had been run down by a train, -sought to recover ten thousand dollars by way of compensation for their -loss, Judge Love gave judgment in favour of the Company, saying, the -young man had no business walking on other people’s property, while the -Company did have business running its trains there; a railway is not -a public highway, but private property, and people must not trespass. -In another court it was decided that a Telegraph Company could not -limit its liability by printing on its forms a notice disclaiming -responsibility for mistakes unless the message was repeated—of course, -at the customer’s cost. Any rule or regulation seeking to relieve the -Company from performing its duty with integrity, skill, and diligence, -was in contravention of public policy; and if it were necessary, in -order to secure correctness, to repeat a message, the duty of repeating -it devolved upon the Company. Per contra, a Company’s customers must -use their rights with discretion. A subscriber to the telephone in -Cincinnati was deprived of his privilege by the Company because of his -using a word—which is too frequently in the mouths of Englishmen—in -his communications. He sued to be reinstated. One judge said the -obnoxious word was not profane according either to the decalogue, -the dictionary, common law, or statute law; but the majority of the -court were of a different way of thinking, and declared the word to -be coarse, unbecoming, and profane, or if not profane, improper. The -rule prohibiting improper language was a reasonable one. The telephone -reached into all classes of society, and into many family circles. It -is possible for a communication intended for one individual to reach -another. Moreover, the operators are in many cases refined ladies, -and even beyond this, all operators are to be protected from insult. -The inventors, too, have a right to be protected, and to have the -instrument placed in a respectable light before the world, otherwise -it might go out of use. For all which reasons they concurred in -non-suiting the profane plaintiff. - - - - -TERRIBLY FULFILLED. - - -IN FOUR CHAPTERS.—CHAPTER I. - -‘I can’t stand it any longer, and I won’t! It isn’t so much that he -jeers at me and ill-treats me; perhaps I could manage to put up with -that, if he gave me a kind word now and then, and didn’t leave me so -much alone. But he is away sometimes for days and nights together; -and where he goes to I don’t know, though of course I can guess -pretty well; and he will never tell me anything except to mind my own -business. And when he _is_ at home, he never speaks except to taunt -and sneer at me because I’m not a lady, as he says. He hates me, and -I’ve come to hate him, and I’m afraid of my life with him. You can’t -imagine what he’s like when he’s in a temper. I cannot, indeed, bring -myself to tell you of all the shame and the infamy he puts upon me.’ -And the Honourable Mrs Ferrard buried her face in her hands and sobbed -despairingly. - -Mr Cross, auctioneer, rested his great square chin on his hands, and -gazed across his library table at the flushed and weeping figure before -him. ‘So it has come to this at last, Amy?’ he said. ‘You deceived and -disobeyed your old father, that loved you, and deserted him, and pretty -well broke his heart, all for the sake of this grand husband of yours; -and now you have to come to me to help you against him. Well, well; I’m -not a bit surprised, my girl. I’ve been expecting you. I wasn’t coming -to you, you know; I knew you would have to come to me, sooner or later. -Now, sit still and quiet yourself, while I think a bit.’ - -He continued to gaze across his writing-table, but with eyes that saw -nothing. This was his only child, all that was left to him of her dead -mother; and he had loved her, and still loved her, with an intensity -which her insignificant little intelligence was far from comprehending. -It had been his study from her childhood to gratify every fancy which -entered her shallow pate; all that money could buy had been lavished -upon her—except the training and education of a lady. ‘I’m not going -to have my girl,’ said he, ‘brought up so that she’ll be ashamed of -her father and her father’s friends. No; let her learn to play the -piano, if she cares to—I always liked a good tune—and to draw and paint -and talk French, so that it don’t worry her. But none of your fine -finishing schools for me, where she’ll mix with a lot of stuck-up fools -and get all sorts of notions into her head.’ - -So Amy Cross went to a very respectable establishment in North London, -where she acquired, to a limited extent, all the above accomplishments; -and was sent back to her home very pretty, vain, and vulgar, very proud -of her piano and her French, and without a single useful or graceful -idea in her head. - -This being so, it was not perhaps to be wondered at that Miss Amy Cross -should fall an easy victim to the wiles of Lord Englethorpe’s youngest -son, the Honourable James Ferrard. That gentleman was at Canterbury, -attending the races at Barham Downs with a kindred spirit of his former -regiment (then quartered in that city); his commission in which he had -been permitted—and only just permitted—to resign; and it had occurred -to him that it would be amusing to run over to Margate and contend for -a time with humbler Don Juans for the smiles of the Cockney beauties -of the place. It so happened that Amy was just then staying there -with some relations; and the two met on the jetty, and were mutually -attracted by one another’s good looks. The gallant captain found no -difficulty in introducing himself both to the girl and her friends; on -all of whom his appearance and manner—so different from those of the -gentlemen of _their_ society—made a most favourable impression. They -met frequently; and he soon succeeded in captivating the heart of poor -Amy. - -It is due to the captain’s pride of birth and ancestry to say that, -at first, flirtation and not marriage was in his thoughts. But when -he discovered that the girl’s father was a man of very great wealth, -and that she was an only child, he began to think that the game might -be worth keeping up in London, with a view to honourable matrimony, -immediate comfort, and succession in the future to the old man’s money. -For it would have been difficult for Captain Ferrard to have indicated -with any precision his present means of existence. It was notorious -that his family had long declined to hold any communication with him, -further than that the earl allowed him the sum of two hundred and fifty -pounds a year, which indeed was all that he could afford, being—for a -peer—almost penniless, with a good many children to provide for. The -sum named was about enough to keep the young gentleman in gloves and -cigars. The balance of his expenditure had to be made up by means of -credit, the turf, billiards, pigeon-shooting, and cards. But the first -was nearly at an end; the second required capital; the next two are not -improved by overmuch tobacco and brandy; and at the fifth the captain -was becoming a little too skilful. He was in a desperate state. Why -should he not betake himself to his last weapon? He was twenty-eight, -with a manly and well-made figure, smooth-faced as a boy of eighteen, -brilliant of complexion, with eyes of a peculiarly dark blue. It was -more the face of a beautiful woman than that of a man; but there was -something wrong about it. The forehead was too retreating, the mouth -too hard, and too often expanded in a smile. His manner and bearing -were extremely pleasant and ingratiatory. How should an ignorant -little girl, fresh from a North London seminary, or her auctioneering -papa, detect the festering vices and the cruel heart beneath that fair -outside? So he asked permission to call on Miss Cross in London, and -readily obtained it. - -He called accordingly, saw her alone, and made most satisfactory -progress. The second time, he was introduced to papa. Papa, in fact, -having heard of the former visit, and knowing the visitor well by -repute through certain bill-discounting acquaintances, had left -instructions with a faithful retainer—the cook—that he was to be -fetched from the City immediately on a repetition of the visit. The -result was not quite what Captain Ferrard had expected. Papa sat -glum and moody through the interview; when it was over, he attended -the visitor to the door, and with some coarseness of manner and -roughness of tone, requested him to take notice that his attentions -were not desired. Not all Captain Ferrard’s smoothest explanations and -assurances sufficed to appease the auctioneer, who simply replied that -he didn’t believe a word of them; and that, supposing them to be true, -his girl did not want any fine gentleman for a husband, least of all -of the stamp of Captain Ferrard, as to whose character and pursuits he -further expressed himself pretty roundly. The captain answered with -aristocratic contempt and insolence, applied with an ease and absence -of emotion which reduced the auctioneer to speechless fury; and so -departed. - -The only result of this was that the ill-regulated girl, whose lover -was the first toy which had been denied to her, became mutinous. She -entered, first upon a clandestine correspondence, then upon a series -of secret meetings, and ultimately left home one fine day just after -she had attained twenty-one, and was married at a suburban church by -license. Ferrard calculated that when once the irrevocable step had -been taken, a reconciliation with her father and a handsome dowry would -be a matter of only a few weeks, and that the plebeian alliance, gilded -with the auctioneer’s gold, would be condoned by his family, and would -even cause him to be received by them with open arms. But everything -went wrong. The bereaved parent, whatever may have been his sufferings -in private, did not hasten to clasp his erring daughter to his bosom. -When at last she wrote him a letter, carefully dictated by her husband, -the only reply received was from a lawyer, stating that Mr Cross -declined all communication with Mrs Ferrard or her husband; but that as -he did not desire that his daughter should starve, he proposed to make -to her exactly the same allowance as her husband received from the Earl -of Englethorpe. That nobleman, who had been waiting to see what would -happen before finally committing himself, thereupon wrapped himself -with much dignity in his family grandeur, and refused to receive either -his son or his son’s wife, or to add a farthing to the two hundred and -fifty pounds a year. - -All this was so far beneath the Honourable James’s just expectations, -that he became not a little disgusted with his bargain, with the usual -results. Indifference and neglect were speedily followed by quarrels, -upbraiding, and taunts; at last by covert, yet none the less positive, -unmanly cruelty on the part of the husband, and a return to his former -mode of life. This, indeed, he had never really abandoned, though he -had put some sort of restraint on the open indulgence of his vices so -long as it appeared that anything might be got by doing so; and even -now, having regard to what the day might bring forth, he was cunning -and cautious to the last degree. At length, Amy fled in despair to her -father, who received her coldly, but without anger, in the interview -with which this tale commences. - -Amy sat on the sofa, her wild sobs becoming less frequent, for she -saw that her father was thinking. Weak and foolish as she was, she -instinctively appreciated his strength of character enough to know -that when Mr Cross took to thinking, something generally happened in -consequence; and she hoped that he would find some means of extricating -her from the trouble which she had brought upon herself. - -Some time had gone by, and the auctioneer remained in the same vein of -thought, seemingly forgetful of his daughter’s presence. At last she -spoke to him, and he roused himself with a start. - -‘Ten o’clock,’ he said, looking at his watch; ‘time you were home.’ - -‘Home, papa? I dare not. I don’t know what he won’t do, when he finds -where I’ve been, and he’s sure to get it out of me. Oh, don’t send me -back!’ and she burst into a fresh fit of hysterical weeping. - -‘Hush, hush, my girl!’ he said soothingly. ‘Nonsense! A married woman -oughtn’t to be away from her husband. I’m going to write him a letter -for you to give him, and you’ll find he won’t be so angry as you think. -I suppose you’ll see him to-night?’ - -‘Yes. He said he should be home to-night, and he generally is when he -says so.’ - -‘That’s well,’ said the auctioneer; and sitting down, he wrote a few -lines: - - ‘SIR—I should like a word with you on family matters, and will - call on you at eleven o’clock to-morrow.—Yours faithfully, - - R. CROSS.’ - -‘There!’ he said; ‘you give him that, and it will quiet him down. Now, -get on your bonnet, and I’ll send for a cab.’ - -Captain Ferrard did come home, and in a very queer temper. Before he -could proceed to vent it, his trembling wife put the note into his -hand; and with a sharp glance at her, he opened and read it. ‘O ho!’ -cried he. ‘So,’ he said, after musing a little, ‘you have been to see -papa, eh? Singing your husband’s praises so well, that our good papa is -anxious to make his acquaintance.—Is that it, Mrs Ferrard?’ - -She did not answer, but cast down her eyes. - -He reflected again. ‘Well,’ he said at last, ‘I don’t much care what -you have been saying, or what you have not. Perhaps it may turn -out to be the best thing you could have done. Anyway, I’ll see him -to-morrow—“comes he in peace, or comes he in war”—and on his behaviour, -my pet, will depend our future happiness.—Now, get to bed!’ - -Meanwhile, Mr Cross had returned to his old position at the table and -remained deep in thought far into the night. He was a man strong in his -likes and dislikes, but his feelings towards this Ferrard surprised -himself. In the first place, the man belonged to a class which the -auctioneer, with or without reason, had come to despise or dislike. -Secondly, he possessed the three vices which are most hateful to a -steady and prosperous man of business—he was an idler, a gambler, and -a spendthrift. On the above grounds alone, the very name of Ferrard -was obnoxious to Mr Cross. But this worthless fellow, after coolly -insulting him on his own doorstep, had succeeded in robbing him of -his daughter—his daughter, as to whom the dream of his life had been, -that she would repay his tenderness and care by becoming the solace -of his age, until she should be honourably and happily married to -some prosperous young votary of commerce, and should surround him -with a troop of grandchildren, who would recall to him their mother’s -childhood. To realise such hopes, he had worked like a slave, and had -accumulated money until his name was a proverb for wealth. All over -now—he was childless and alone with his riches—a gloomy and cheerless -old age was coming fast upon him, and he owed it all to this gentleman -of long descent, at whose patrician hands ill-usage and shame were his -child’s portion. - -How should he answer her cry for aid? How rescue her? Was it in any -way—by any sacrifice—possible to undo the miserable past; to wipe -the slate clean, and to start afresh, with the hope of realising the -old dreams? This was the problem the auctioneer set himself to work -out, sitting there in the silence. And his heart sank, as he bitterly -acknowledged to himself that the chances were but of the slenderest. -Money would no doubt buy the man off, so that the father might have -his girl safe in his home once more—but not to send her from it again -as the happy wife of a husband after his own heart. Of course, legal -proceedings might be instituted; but their success might be doubtful. -The whole of Amy’s conversation with her father has not been detailed; -but it was clear from what she had said that the ill-treatment -inflicted upon her had been carefully confined to those petty and -spiteful persecutions which a cruel and cunning man is so skilful in -inflicting, which cause neither wound nor bruise, elicit no cries of -anguish, yet in their power of breaking, by constant repetition, the -proudest spirit, are like the continual dropping which wears away the -rock. - -As he thought of these things, the heart of the auctioneer swelled -within him with perplexity and rage. He was not a cruel or revengeful -man; he was a church-goer, and would have taken it extremely ill if any -one had told him that he was not a Christian. Yet he did most heartily -and fervently desire that the worthless and disreputable destroyer of -his happiness would take himself with all convenient speed out of the -world, so that the distress and difficulty which he had originated -might perish with him. ‘I wish he were dead!’ he muttered to himself—‘I -wish he were dead!’ And the wish, once formed, refused to quit his -mind, but presented itself again and again as an eminently desirable -solution of the whole question. - -But Ferrard was young and strong, and not at all likely to oblige Mr -Cross by dying for some time to come; so the auctioneer rose and paced -the room, forcing himself to regard the matter in another and more -wholesome light. He had formed no particular plan of action for the -morrow, having had in making the appointment merely a vague idea that -he would endeavour in some way to arrange matters for his daughter’s -happiness, if money could do it. He now told himself that, after -all, Ferrard might not be so black as he was painted. He had not, -perhaps, had a fair chance; he had been exposed, still young, to great -temptations, and had succumbed to them. He was without a friend—a true -friend—in the world, and might well be reckless and desperate. He, the -auctioneer, would endeavour to make his acquaintance; he would invite -him to his house; he would inquire into his affairs; he would see -whether it would be possible to take him by the hand and—as he phrased -it—‘make a man of him.’ There would be no harm, at anyrate, in trying -to make the best of a bad job—indeed, it was the one sorry resource -left. He could but fail; should he do so, then it would be time to -think of other measures. What a miserable, wearing business it all was! -If that wish would but come true, what a cutting of the knot it would -be! - - - - -PROLONGING LIFE. - - -The possibility of prolonging human life has undoubtedly, from the most -ancient times, afforded a fascinating and extensive field alike for -the visionary and the deepest thinkers. Plans for prolonging existence -have ever been amongst the principal allurements held forth by empirics -and impostors; and by thus imposing upon the credulity of the public, -many notorious charlatans have acquired rich harvests of ill-gotten -gold. Men of science have throughout all ages devoted their attention -to the subject, as one deserving of the most profound investigation. -And their researches have been attended with more or less benefit to -posterity. We find that Bacon himself attached so much importance to -the matter that he prosecuted inquiry in that direction with the utmost -assiduity. Although it would be almost impossible to review all the -schemes advanced, yet a review of the most notable theories advocated -for prolongation of life is certainly deserving of attention. At the -same time, an elucidation of their fallacies, as occasion may arise, is -of no small moment, in order to ascertain with greater certainty their -true value. It is indeed interesting to observe the various and often -opposite means advocated by enthusiasts for attaining the same end. - -Even as far back as the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman periods, we find the -idea of prolonging life prevalent. The Egyptians bestowed considerable -attention to the attainment of longevity, and they believed that life -could be prolonged through the efficacy of sudorifics and emetics -continually used. Instead of saying, ‘How do you do?’ as an ordinary -salutation, they inquired of each other, ‘How do you perspire?’ In -those days, it was a general custom to take at least two emetics during -each month. Hippocrates and his disciples recommended moderation in -diet, friction, and well-timed exercise, which was certainly a step in -the right direction. - -It was during the darkness of the middle ages, ripe with fanaticism and -superstition, that the most absurd ideas of witchcraft, horoscopes, -chiromancy, and empirical panaceas for the prolongation of life first -became disseminated. The philosopher’s stone and elixir of life were -then vaunted by the alchemists. Foremost among the prolongers of -life we find Paracelsus, an alchemist of great renown, and a man of -considerable attainments. He claimed to have discovered the elixir of -life. So great was his influence, that even the learned Erasmus did -not disdain to consult him. Patients and pupils flocked around him -from every quarter of Europe. Notwithstanding his famous ‘stone of -immortality,’ he died at the age of fifty. His vaunted elixir was a -kind of sulphur similar to compound sulphuric ether. Nevertheless, to -the researches of Paracelsus we are indebted for our primary knowledge -of mercury, which he was the first to use as a medicine. - -About this epoch, one Leonard Thurneysser attained world-wide celebrity -as an astrologer and nativity-caster. He was a physician, printer, -bookseller, and horoscopist all in one. He professed that, by the aid -of astrology, he could not only predict future events, but likewise -prolong life. He published yearly an astrological calendar, describing -the nature of the forthcoming year and its chief events. His calendar -and other quackeries enabled him to amass the sum of one thousand -florins. He declared that every man lay under the influence of a -certain star, by which his destiny was ruled. On ascertaining from what -planet a person’s misfortunes or sickness proceeded, he advised his -patient to remove his residence within the control of a more propitious -luminary. In short, to escape from the influence of a malignant to a -more friendly satellite was the basis of his theory. - -Marsilius Ficinus, in his _Treatise on the Prolongation of Life_, -recommended all prudent persons to consult an astrologer every seven -years, thereby to avoid any danger which might threaten them. During -the year 1470, an individual named Pansa dedicated to the Council of -Leipsic a book entitled _The Prolongation of Life_, in which he most -strongly urges all persons desirous of longevity to be on their guard -every seven years, because Saturn, a hostile planet, ruled at these -periods. According to the teachings of astrology, metals were believed -to be in intimate connection with the planets. Thus no doubt it was -that amulets and talismans originated, as reputed agents for prolonging -life. The disciples of this creed had amulets and talismans cast of the -proper metal, and under the influence of certain constellations, in -order to protect themselves from the evil influence of adverse planets. -These absurd conceits were at a later period revived by Cagliostro, of -whom we shall have more to say presently. It would indeed appear that -the more mysterious and ridiculous the conceptions of fanatics and -impostors were, the greater was their success. - -The example of the renowned Cornaro affords a brilliant instance of the -superiority of an abstemious life to the foolish doctrines put forth at -that period. Up to forty years of age he was excessively intemperate -both in eating and drinking, so that his health suffered considerably. -He then resolved to submit himself to a strictly temperate regimen, -and for the remaining sixty years of his life, which almost reached -one hundred years, he continued the observance of his rules, with the -result given. Although life might be prolonged by exercising greater -moderation in eating and drinking than is generally adopted, yet, -nevertheless, few persons could safely follow so strict a dietary. - -Shortly after the death of Louis XIII. of France, who was bled -forty-seven times during the last ten months of existence, a contrary -method came into fashion. Transfusion was for a time relied upon as a -means for invigorating and prolonging life. The operation was performed -by aid of a small pipe conveying blood from the artery of one person -to another. In Paris, Drs Dennis and Riva were enabled to cure a young -man who had previously been treated in vain for lethargy. Further -experiments not being so satisfactory, this device as a prolonger of -life became discarded. - -Francis Bacon held somewhat unique ideas regarding the possible -prolongation of existence. He regarded life as a flame continually -being consumed by the surrounding atmosphere, and he thence concluded -that by retarding vital waste and renewing the bodily powers from -time to time, life might be lengthened. With the object of preventing -undue external vital waste, he advised cold bathing, followed by -friction. Tranquillity of mind, cooling food, with the use of opiates, -he advocated as the most suitable measures for lessening internal -consumption. Furthermore, he proposed to renovate life periodically, -first by a spare diet combined with cathartics; subsequently, through -choice of a refreshing and succulent diet. With some degree of -modification, there seems to be much wisdom in his views, excepting as -regards the use of opiates, which are decidedly of a prejudicial nature. - -Numerous charlatans have appeared, and still appear at intervals, -loud in their asseverations of having discovered the veritable elixir -of life—gold, tinctures, and many other nostrums with which they -mendaciously promise to prolong life. The most notorious of these -empirics was the Count de St Germain, who with barefaced effrontery -protested that he had already existed for centuries by aid of his ‘Tea -of Long Life,’ which he declared would rejuvenate mankind. On close -examination, his miraculous philter was ascertained to consist of a -simple infusion of sandal-wood, fennel, and senna leaves. - -A great stir was created in 1785 by the occult pretensions of a -fanatical physician in France named Mesmer. He vaunted the possession -of extraordinary magnetic power, which enabled him forthwith, by its -agency, to remove every disease and prolong life. At the king’s desire, -a commission was instituted to report upon this phenomenon, in which -Dr Franklin took a leading part. The only practical result of this -inquiry was the discovery of animal electricity. At one time, Mesmer -refused three hundred and forty thousand livres for his secret. After -Dr Franklin’s investigations, Mesmer lapsed into obscurity. - -Last, but not least in the foremost rank of impostors was Joseph -Balsamo, alias Count de Cagliostro. This charlatan appeared just before -the first French Revolution. During his remarkable career, Cagliostro -made more than one fortune, which he subsequently lost, and died in -prison in 1795. The distinguished Cardinal de Rohan was one of his -chief dupes. Like St Germain, Balsamo boasted that he had discovered -the elixir of life, and throughout Europe, found persons of all -degrees eager to possess his panacea. This elixir was a very powerful -stomachic, possessed of great stimulating properties, tending to -augment vital sensations. It is a fixed law of nature that everything -which increases the vital forces tends to abridge their duration. -Concentrated and potent stimulants, which are usually the active -principle of most elixirs, although for the time increasing physical -strength, are in truth very prejudicial to longevity. - -We will now pass on to examine other theories more worthy of attention, -before we proceed to establish what at present appears to be the most -certain means for promoting longevity. The plan of ‘hardening’—based -upon a false supposition that by toughening the physical organs they -would wear longer—obtained at one time numerous followers. When we -reflect that the main principle of life depends upon the pliability -of every organ, combined with free circulation, it naturally follows -that rigidity must be unfriendly to longevity. Perpetual cold baths, -exposure to keen air, and exhausting exercise, were advocated by -the ‘hardening school.’ Like most enthusiasts, they carried their -ideas to excess, a limited use of which would have been beneficial. -Later on, a theory well suited to the idle and luxurious gained many -adherents, namely, to retard bodily waste by a trance-like sleep. One -enthusiast, Maupertuis, went so far as to propound the possibility of -completely suspending vital activity. Even Dr Franklin, having observed -the restoration of apparently dead flies by exposure to warmth, was -struck with the feasibility of promoting long life by the agency of -immobility. The misconception of this theory, from a physiological -point of view, is at once self-evident, as want of exercise is simply -poisonous to health. Upon a constant metamorphosis of the tissues, -physical well-being must depend to a great extent. A destructive -plethora would most certainly be induced by attempting ‘vital -suspension.’ - -That celebrated sect of mystical philosophers, the Rosicrucians—famous -for their profound acquaintance with natural phenomena, and the higher -branches of physical, chemical, and medical science—considered that -human existence might be protracted far beyond its supposed limits. -They professed to retard old age by means of certain medicaments, whose -action upon the system should curb the progress of natural decay. The -means by which they professed to check senile decrepitude, were, like -other mysteries of their fraternity, never revealed. The celebrated -English Rosicrucian Dr Fludd, whose writings became famous, is said to -have lived a century. - -The principal disadvantage of the various plans which have been set -forth for promoting longevity appears to be that they are all deficient -in this important respect—that they only regard _one object, and -neglect the rest_. However beneficial any theory may prove, it must -be materially inadequate in fulfilling its purpose, should numerous -other matters of the greatest importance bearing upon the human economy -be ignored. Hufeland, in his luminous work _The Art of Prolonging -Life_, is of opinion that the real art of longevity consists in -cultivating those agents which protract existence, and by avoiding all -circumstances tending to shorten its duration. This is undoubtedly the -most reasonable method for obtaining the end in view. Moderation in -all things (avoiding as far as possible every morbific condition), and -open air exercise, are far more reliable means of prolonging life than -any of the elixirs and panaceas ever advocated. Finally, health and -longevity can only be attained by an intimate acquaintance with and -obedience to those natural laws which govern our physical economy. - - - - -A GENTLEMAN OF THE ROAD. - - -Many years ago, or, as children’s stories say, ‘once upon a time,’ -when Bath was in all its glory, and Beau Nash reigned as its king, two -ladies were journeying towards that fashionable town in a postchaise. -Why two middle-aged ladies should in those unsafe times have undertaken -a journey without any male escort, I cannot say; the result proved that -they were very ill advised in doing so. It was broad daylight, and not -very far from Bath, when the postboy suddenly pulled up the horses, -and the chaise-door was thrown open from without with the usual stern -command: ‘Your money, or your life!’ - -I need hardly say anything as to the state of terror into which the -ladies immediately fell; no doubt they screamed, in spite of the -uselessness of such a proceeding; but it is not upon record that they -fainted. On the contrary, the one nearest to the door submissively -handed her watch, purse, trinkets, &c., to the masked highwayman; and -the other, a Mrs C., was hastily preparing to get rid of her valuables -in the same way, when the robber turned to remount his horse, as though -he had overlooked the second occupant of the carriage. - -Such an unbusiness-like proceeding certainly did not bespeak him an -accomplished ‘gentleman of the road;’ for in those days the search for -valuables was usually conducted in a thorough and energetic manner, -often accompanied with more or less violence, especially if the -searcher had reason to suspect that the notes were ‘sham Abrams,’ or -the watches from the manufactory of Mr Pinchbeck. - -By the way, do any of the present generation know the term of -‘Pinchbeck’ for sham-gold? and if any of them do, are they aware -how the term arose? To meet violence with craft, the travellers of -those days provided themselves very frequently with false bank-notes -and imitation gold watches, to be given up as booty, while the -genuine articles were carefully hidden; and a Mr Pinchbeck started a -manufactory of these watches. But the ‘gentlemen of the road’ soon -got up to this trick, and to prevent such mistakes, they insisted on -their victims taking solemn oaths as to the notes being those genuinely -signed by ‘Abraham Newland,’ the cashier of the Bank of England; and -also that the watches had not been supplied by Mr Pinchbeck. - -What passed through Mrs C.’s mind as the highwayman turned away with -only half his spoil, it is impossible to say. Perhaps it occurred to -her that he might find out his mistake, come back, and take vengeance -on them for their involuntary deception. Or perhaps she never thought -at all, but acted on a terror-struck impulse. I do not suppose that she -herself ever knew _why_ she acted as she did, but she actually called -to the highwayman to come back! - -‘Stop, stop!’ she cried; ‘you have not got my watch and purse!’ - -The ‘gentleman of the road’ came back again to the chaise-door, and -held out his hand for the watch and purse which Mrs C. seemed so -anxious to get rid of. But that watch and purse had unknowingly been -the bait of something very like a trap; at anyrate, the turning back -was a fatal move, for as the robber turned quickly to relieve Mrs C. -of her valuables, the quick movement of his head, or a passing puff of -wind, blew aside his crape-mask for a moment, and Mrs C. saw his face -distinctly. - -When the ladies arrived at Bath, they were condoled with by their -friends on their fright and their loss; and no doubt Mrs C. had to -stand a good deal of joking about her kindly calling the highwayman -back to take her own watch and purse. But such occurrences were too -common for the condolences to be deep or long continued, or to cause -interference on the part of any one whose duty it might have been to -attend to the peace and safety of the public; and the ‘nine days’ -wonder’—if it continued so long—certainly did not last any longer. - -I am inclined to think, however, that Mrs C. kept her own counsel as to -one result of that calling back, and told no one of her having seen the -robber’s face unmasked. - -Some weeks had passed away, when one evening Mrs C. was at the Assembly -Rooms, together with all ‘the rank and fashion’ of Bath. She was -talking to a friend, a gentleman named Mr M., and at the same time -surveying the ladies and gentlemen who frequented the Assembly, when -she suddenly exclaimed: ‘There’s the man who robbed me!’ - -‘Where?’ asked Mr M., in great astonishment. - -Mrs C. pointed to a fashionably dressed young man who was talking to -some of the company. - -‘My dear Mrs C.,’ said Mr M., ‘pray, be more careful. You really must -not bring such an accusation as this against that gentleman. Why, he is -young H., son of Mr H. of ——, a very wealthy and well-known man; and -young H. is in all the best company. I know him well as a friend.’ This -was said in a joking manner, as Mr M. thought that Mrs C. was making -an absurd mistake, deceived perhaps by some slight, or even fancied, -resemblance. - -But Mrs C. said seriously: ‘I do not care who he is, or what his father -is, or even as to his being a friend of yours. That is the man who -robbed me! I am quite certain about him, for when he turned back to -take my purse and watch, his crape-mask blew aside, and I distinctly -saw his face. I remember it perfectly.’ - -Mr M. again tried to persuade her that she was mistaken; but to no -purpose. Still trying to make a joke of her supposed extraordinary -delusion, he said to Mrs C.: ‘I will bring him here, and introduce him -to you, and then see if you will still assert he is a highwayman!’ -Before she could decline the introduction, Mr M. crossed the room -to where the young man was standing, and said with a smile: ‘Here’s -a joke, H. That lady over there declares you are a highwayman, and -that you are the man who robbed her a few weeks since! Come and be -introduced to her.’ - -But young H. did not take the joke as his friend meant it; on the -contrary, he answered in rather an ill-tempered manner: ‘I do not want -to be introduced to the old fool!’ - -‘Well,’ said Mr M., ‘you need not have taken it in that way, and lost -your temper about such a trifle. Of course I was only in fun. I thought -you would have enjoyed the joke, and tried to persuade her that you -were an honest man, and not a gentleman of the road. Pray, do not be -offended.’ So saying, Mr M. returned to Mrs C., and reported that the -young gentleman had taken the joke in ill part, and refused to be -introduced to her. - -Once more Mrs C. declared it was neither a joke nor a mistake, but that -in serious fact young H. was the highwayman whom she had called back -to take her watch and purse. The subject was then allowed to drop; and -after a little conversation on other matters, Mr M. took his leave of -Mrs C., with the intention of smoothing the matter over with his friend -H., as he did not want their friendship to be interrupted, and he had -clearly seen that Mr H. was much annoyed. With this friendly intention -he looked about in the Assembly Rooms for young Mr H., but without -success. He then inquired of some mutual friends, and was told that -young Mr H. had left the Rooms almost directly after he, Mr M., had -last spoken to him, and had seemed much annoyed and disturbed. - -This account made Mr M. all the more anxious to find his friend and put -the matter right with him. Leaving the Rooms, Mr M. looked in at their -club, and at two or three other places where he thought it likely he -might find Mr H. But his search was unsuccessful; and he had to go home -without seeing his friend, comforting himself with the thought that he -would next day call on Mr H. at his father’s house, where he lived. - -But next day young H. was not at his father’s; nor indeed did he -ever again appear in Bath. When he left the Assembly Rooms, he -returned home, changed his dress, and at once left Bath, and—it was -supposed—left England also at the earliest opportunity. - -Of the grief and agony of his father and of his family, I will not -speak; it can easily be imagined what distress and shame they suffered. - -Mr H., the father, was a wealthy man, of good position and family; -but the young man, an only son, brought up to no profession, but -only to inherit his father’s riches, had fallen, probably from sheer -want of employment, into bad company, had played for very high -stakes—lost—played again—exhausted his father’s patience in paying his -debts, and at last had ‘taken to the road’ to replenish his purse—a not -very uncommon proceeding in those days—while at the same time keeping -his place in society. - -From his unbusiness-like haste and want of looking after the whole of -the booty, in the case of Mrs C. and her friend, it is to be presumed -that he had only lately adopted the practice of—as it was politely -called—‘collecting his rents on the road,’ even if it was not his first -attempt. How long, however, he might have continued the ‘collection,’ -but for the accident of the mask having been blown aside, is another -question. - -If this were fiction, I might enlarge on young H.’s future career in -another land. I might, on the one hand, make him go from bad to worse, -and end his career by murder and a murderer’s death. Or, on the other -hand, I might depict him as leading a new life in a new country, and -eventually returning to England, to the joy and comfort of his family, -and worthily inheriting his father’s wealth and position. I might even -describe his penitent introduction to Mrs C., and his deep gratitude to -her for checking him in his downward career; and still further might -end the romance by his falling in love with, and marrying Mrs C.’s -daughter. But romance is denied to me, for the story is not fiction, -but fact in all its details. Mrs C. was an ancestress of the writer’s, -and the story has been handed down in the family. - -Being, therefore, obliged to keep to facts, I am compelled to admit -that I know nothing as to young H.’s after-life; so I must close my -true history by supposing that he was never again heard of in his -native country for good or evil, after his detection by Mrs C. as ‘a -gentleman of the road.’ - - - - -AN ANCIENT PEOPLE. - - -There is no lack of literature about Cornwall. Hardly any other county -in England finds so many to write about it. It is a favourite with -novelists as a place in which to give their imaginary characters -‘a local habitation and a name;’ and Tre, Pol, and Pen abound in -their pages. Every year there is a crop of articles about it in the -newspapers and magazines for the benefit of those who choose it for the -scene of their autumn rambles, or who wish to renew their recollection -of its rocky headlands, washed by the deep-blue Atlantic waves, its -sheltered coves, its glorious sunsets, and its wealth of ferns and -rare birds and flowers. In nine cases out of ten, it is of the Land’s -End and its neighbourhood that people thus write; indeed, in the minds -of many at a distance, the Land’s End _is_ Cornwall, much as the Fens -are popularly supposed to be Lincolnshire. But there is much that is -interesting about the county and its people which only those who live -in Cornwall are likely to observe. It is not as other counties, and -the Cornish are not as other folk who live ‘up the country’—the local -name for all beyond the Tamar. They have peculiarities of custom and -of speech, not to be accounted for merely by the fact that they are -far away from the great centres of national life, and are, as it were, -living in the day before yesterday. They are of a distinct race, the -kindred of the Welsh, the Irish, and the Bretons, but a race whose -language has perished, save in the names of places and people; and the -tongue they speak is not the English of to-day, but, with a mixture -of Celtic idiom, the English of two centuries ago, the English of our -translation of the Bible. Cornwall is emphatically an ancient county, -and there is an unmistakably old-world flavour about everything that -belongs to it. - -One thing which particularly strikes any one who converses much with -the labouring classes is, that they speak much more grammatically -than their compeers usually do. There are the peculiar idioms which -we have just mentioned; but apart from these, the language is rather -that of educated people than what one usually hears in other counties. -This arises from the fact that English was scarcely introduced into -Cornwall until the Elizabethan age, and that when it was introduced -it was by the upper classes. The rest, who used Cornish for their -intercourse with each other, learned English as a foreign tongue, and -learned the refined form of it. That form it still retains; and hence, -quaint and odd as it is when used in the Cornish way, from the lips -of these western folk it is never vulgar. We are not well enough read -in the mysteries of the ancient tongue to know the reason for the -singular use of the personal pronouns, but certain it is that they seem -to have a rooted antipathy to the objective case. ‘Tell it to she,’ -‘Bring he to I,’ and ‘This is for we,’ are the universal forms. Then -the preposition ‘to’ is always used instead of ‘at,’ as, ‘I live to -Bodmin.’ In Cornwall, too, people are never surprised, but ‘frightened’ -or ‘hurried;’ never in a bad temper, but in a ‘poor’ one; and the very -eggs and milk, if kept too long, go ‘poor.’ When they live beyond -their means, they ‘go scat;’ and if they are not too particular as to -honourable dealing, they ‘furneague.’ - -But in spite of these peculiarities, one hears the ring of good old -English speech, such as nowadays we may look for vainly elsewhere, save -in the pages of the Bible. Girls are spoken of as the maids or the -maidens, and when they leave the house, they ‘go forth.’ ‘Come forth, -my son,’ is an invitation one often hears, occasionally even when ‘my -son’ turns out to be a horse or a dog. And if we wish to know the name -of any little boy whom we may meet, the best chance of getting an -intelligible answer is to put the question in the form of, ‘How are you -called, my son?’ - -In things that meet the eye, too, we seem to have come into an older -world in Cornwall. There are the old-fashioned earthen or ‘clomb’ -pitchers, of exactly the pattern we see in the pictures of old Bibles -in the hands of Rebekah or Zipporah; though we cannot say we ever saw -one balanced upon the top of a woman’s head. Till very lately, oxen -were still used to draw the plough; and to this day, in the country -districts, kitchen stoves, and indeed coal-fires of any sort, are -hardly known. The fuel is commonly dried furze, which is burned either -in an earthen oven or on a wide open hearth. It is thrown on piece by -piece with a pitchfork, till the iron plate on which the baking is to -be done is considered hot enough; then the plate is swept clean, and -the cakes—biscuits, as they are termed—or pasties having been ranged -in order upon it, an iron vessel shaped somewhat like a flower-pot is -turned over them, the furze is again piled on, and a large heap of -glowing embers raked over all. No further attention is paid to the -cooking; but when the embers are cold, the things are done. And those -pasties, what wonderful productions they are to the uninitiated; there -appears to be scarcely any article of food that does not find its way -into them. Parsley pasties, turnip pasties (very good these are, too), -‘licky,’ that is, _leek_ pasties, pasties of conger-eel, of potatoes -and bacon, of all kinds of meat and of all kinds of fruit, the variety -is endless. - -In the old days, the Cornish were great smugglers. Indeed, the natural -features of the coast are such, that they would have been almost more -than human if they were not. Even when it did not pay very well, the -love of adventure enlisted the whole population in its favour. The -farmers who did not themselves help to run a cargo on a moonless night, -would, when the riders—the coastguard—were out of the way, lend their -horses to those who did, so that long before daylight the kegs were -all carried off far inland, or stowed away in the hiding-holes which -nearly every house possessed. A darker page of Cornish history is that -of the days of wrecking. Terrible sights have some of those pitiless -beaches witnessed, when the doomed vessel was lured on by false lights -to be the prey of men more pitiless still. At St Eval, between Padstow -and Newquay, a lame horse used to be led on stormy nights along the -cliffs with a lantern fixed on its head; and many a craft, supposing -it to be the light of a ship riding at anchor, was then steered by her -luckless crew straight into the very jaws of death. Wrecks were looked -upon as a legitimate harvest of the sea, even as things to be prayed -for, like a shoal of pilchards or a lode of tin. The remains of that -feeling are not extinct even yet. A few years ago, a vessel laden with -Manchester goods was wrecked on the north coast. Her name was the _Good -Samaritan_. Of course such of her cargo as was saved was supposed to -be handed over to the coastguard, according to law; but a good deal -of flotsam and jetsam was quietly appropriated notwithstanding, the -fortunate finders never dreaming that there could be anything morally -wrong in such acquisitions, though they might not be strictly legal. -Some months afterwards, a lady of the neighbourhood was visiting the -cottagers and asking them how they had got through the hard winter that -was just over; and she was told by one of the simple folk that times -had been bad indeed, that work had been slack and wages low, and that -it had been a severe struggle to keep a home together. ‘And indeed I -don’t know what we should have done, if the Lord hadn’t sent us the -_Good Samaritan_!’ - -It is reported of a worthy old parson on the west coast at the end of -the last century, when wrecks were considered as godsends, and it was -an article of faith that the owners of a ship lost all title to their -property the moment her keel touched ground, that in the long extempore -prayer which, in defiance of the rubrics, was then generally indulged -in before the sermon, he was accustomed, as the winter drew on, to -introduce a reference to this grim ocean harvest, in some such style -as this: ‘Lord, we do not pray for wrecks; but since there _must_ be -some, grant, we beseech Thee, that they may be on our beach.’ Perhaps -this was the divine who was in the middle of his sermon when the news -reached the church that a vessel had just struck and was going to -pieces in the bay, and who instantly concluded with the benediction, -and left his surplice in the pulpit, so that he and his congregation -might start fair upon the shore. Yet eager as was the rivalry for what -could be snatched from the sea, there was no pilfering from any man’s -heap. To this day, you have but to put a stone upon anything you find -upon the beach, in token that it has been ‘saved,’ and you may leave -it in perfect safety, for no Cornishman will take it then. If, on your -return, you find it gone, you may be sure that some less scrupulous -‘up-country people’ have been by that way. - -As to the ferns, every botanist knows the green treasures of this -western land. Indeed, we wish he did not know quite so well; for though -men of science may be trusted to pursue their researches without wanton -destruction of the beauties of nature, it is too often far otherwise -with the tourist. It is not only ’Arry who is to blame in this matter; -those from whom one might expect more consideration for the feelings -and the rights of others are not seldom the greatest sinners of all. -Only last summer, a young man actually stripped two large hamperfuls of -the beautiful sea-fern (_Asplenium marinum_) from the roof of a cave, -utterly ruining its beauty for several years to come. There were plenty -of specimens to be had elsewhere upon the cliffs for the climbing; -but he must needs get a ladder and take fifty times as many as he -could possibly want, just where it most grieved the inhabitants of the -neighbourhood to lose them. But we fear our righteous indignation at -the iniquities of the tourist will run away with us—how he ruthlessly -exterminates rare ferns; how he comes into churches where service is -going on, and walks about and stares around him; how he strews scenes -of natural loveliness with his sandwich papers and his broken bottles; -how he thinks to add interest to the rocks and cliffs by inscribing his -name and the date of his visit upon their face. It is his mission, we -suppose, to ‘vulgarise creation.’ But Cornwall will take a great deal -of spoiling yet, and so will its people and its language, menaced as -this last is by the penny paper and the Board School. And those who -like a peep into a world which, in spite of railways and telegraphs -and newspapers and nineteenth-century ideas, is still an old world, -and full of old and quaint and beautiful things, will find enough in -Cornwall to occupy them, as a Cornishman would say, for a ‘brave little -bit of time.’ - - - - -THE NET OF MARRIAGE. - - -The Rev. Harry Jones, writing in the _Sunday at Home_, says: ‘Some -people, especially if they marry young and on the impulse of some -taking fancy, without a due consideration of the very grave nature -of the state they are entering, discover afterwards that his or her -mate does not come up to the expectations which had been formed. The -light and laughing love of the marriage and the early periods of -married life are succeeded by a sense of disappointment. Then comes -domestic indifference, perhaps recrimination. Both man and wife are -deceived, and undeceived. Unintentionally perhaps, but really. Both -feel, as it were, entangled. They have married in haste, and repent too -often, not at leisure, but with mutual bitterness and ill-concealed -unconcern for one another. Each generally thinks the other most to -blame. And I do not believe that I am overstepping the limits of -appropriate language when I say that the idea of being caught in a net -represents their secret convictions. Here is a disastrous state of -affairs. In this country, such a net cannot be easily broken. The pair -have married for worse, in a more serious sense than these words are -intended to bear in the marriage vows. What is to be done? I should -very imperfectly express my advice if I simply said, “Make the best -of it.” For though this is a rude rendering of the advice needed, -much might be said to show how this can be done after a Christian -way.... It is a great Christian rule that, to be loved, we must show -kindness and consideration, and not expect to receive what we do not -grant ourselves. “Give,” says Christ, “and it shall be given unto you. -Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall -not be condemned.” And if this applies anywhere, it applies most in -the case of those who are in the close relationship of husband and -wife. Clouds sometimes come over the married life because too much -consideration is expected. Show it, I would say, rather than demand -it, if it has seemed to come short. Do not think to mend matters by a -half-grudging endurance, but ask God to give His sacred help to the -keeping of the rule “bear and forbear.” So may a hasty marriage, the -beauty of which has been spoilt by some misunderstandings, ripen into -the true affection which should mark this holy estate, and the cloud of -disappointment give place to a love which rests upon no passing fancy, -but upon an honest Christian observance between man and wife of the vow -betwixt them made. So may the miserable afterthought of having been -entangled in a relationship be blotted out, and succeeded, as years go -on, by a love cemented with the desire to do right before God, in whose -presence, and with prayer for whose blessing, the relationship was -begun.’ - - - - -TRIFLES. - - - An August day - Now passed away - For ever; - A sunny smile, - A little while - Together. - - Two eyes so bright, - Still by their light - I’m haunted; - A small soft hand, - A fairy wand - Enchanted. - - A mossy seat, - So cool, and sweet, - And pleasant; - Who could despond, - Or look beyond - That present? - - A river cool, - A deep, dark pool, - Still waters; - A word of love - To fairest of - Eve’s daughters. - - A shady walk, - A little talk, - And laughter; - So days may go, - But grief and woe - Come after. - - Sweet August day, - So far away - Departed; - You left me gay, - I’m now for aye - Sad-hearted. - - NORA C. USHER. - - * * * * * - -Printed and Published by W. & R. CHAMBERS, 47 Paternoster Row, LONDON, -and 339 High Street, EDINBURGH. - - * * * * * - -_All Rights Reserved._ - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS'S JOURNAL OF POPULAR -LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART, FIFTH SERIES, NO. 27, VOL. I, JULY 5, -1884 *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |