1 ever, who was also one of the persons detained by the state of the weather, expressed an earnest desire to see the minister; and having with difficulty obtained admittance, appeared much agitated, and asked him with great eagerness, whether he knew him, or had ever seen or heard of him? On receiving assurance that he was totally unacquainted with his face, character, and history, the gentleman proceeded to state, that his sermon on the sixth commandment had reached his conscience; that he was a murderer!-that, being the second son of a Highland laird, he had some time before, from base and selfish motives, cruelly suffocated his elder brother, who slept in the same bed with him; and that now he had no peace of mind, and wished to surrender himself to justice, to suffer the punishment due to this horrid and unnatural crime. Mr. Erskine asked him if any other person knew any thing of his guilt. His answer that so far as he was aware, not a single individual had the least suspicion of it; on which the good man exhorted him to be deeply affected with a sense of his atrocious sin, to make an immediate application to the blood of sprinkling, and to bring forth fruits meet for repentance; but, at the same time, since in Providence his crime had hitherto remained a secret, not to disclose it, or give himself up to public justice. The unhappy gentleman embraced this well-intended counsel in all its parts, became truly pious, and maintained a friendly correspondence with this "servant of the Most High God" in future life. It is added, that after he withdrew, the minister had the happiness to recover the manuscript formerly missing; and, in consequence, preached in the afternoon on the topic he had originally in view. was, 66 THE SOLDIER'S WIFE. "Who comes there?" said a sentinel to a person coming near his post. A friend," softly said a timid voice. 'Advance, and give the parole." The same soft, timid voice said, "Love!"-" Love!" said the sentinel," is not the parole, and you cannot pass."-" Indeed, this is cruel, indeed, not to allow a sergeant's wife to pass, to take, perhaps, her last farewell. I beseech you to let me pass, ere the morning's battle takes place, let me spend this night in his company. I have travelled forty miles to see him.""Pass, friend, all's well!" It proved her last farewell. BREAKING THE NECK. A complete dislocation of the neck would so compress the spinal marrow, that it would produce a palsy of all the vital organs, which would be inevitably followed by A NEW POISON.-Professor Geiger, of Heidelberg, whilst recently engaged in making chemical experiments, succeeded in establishing some remarkable illustrations of the active princíple of hemlock. Its base is an organic salt, which opens an entirely novel series of these highly interesting organic substances, for it is volatile, and similar to a volatile oil. Its poison is of the deadliest description. The smallest quantity, applied inwardly, produces paralysis; and one or two grains are sufficient to kill the largest animal. Another of Professor Geiger's late discoveries is the active principle of henbane (atropin); its base is likewise an organic salt. Its poison is quite as deadly as that of the former, but exhibits dissimilar appearances, and is not so rapid in its effects. Animals, where even a minute dose is administered, become languid, cannot stand upon their legs, are attacked by convulsions, and die within six hours.-Reper. of Patents. ANECDOTE OF THE POLISH REVOLU TION.-When the people were storming the arsenal, a regiment of Polish soldiers under the command of a Russian colonel, a man who happened to be universally liked, even by the Poles themselves, arrived upon the ground. A strict sense of military duty induced the colonel immediately to draw up his men, and order them to fire upon the people. The soldiers paused, for their hearts were in the cause of their compatriots. During this critical moment a voice issued from the crowd, which was heard, even among the din of musketry and the clash of swords-" Colonel! You are known, and you are respected; we do not wish to injure you, but you must desist from your orders to the soldiers; if not your blood be upon your own head!"—The ill-fated but gallant officer could not listen to this warning; the obnoxious order was again repeated, and the soldiers still wavered between their habitual respect for their commander and their repugnance to fire upon their friends; there was a moment's pause, but it was only for a moment: fifty shots then followed each other in quick succession; the unfortunate Russian fell, and his soldiers joined the people. Illustrated Article. FITZ ARNULF. A NORTHUMBRIAN LEGEND. By William Henry Thwaits, Author of Carl Schwartzen, Gertrude Bremmel, &c. See page 85 was one of those feudal edifices, so many of which were erected during the sway of Stephen, by the turbulent barons of that period, who, actuated by the great principle of self-preservation, thought that they had a right to place themselves upon an equal footing with their neigh 1st MUR.-Tut, tut, my lord, we will not bours, who were also, in general, their stand to prate, Talkers are no good doers, be assured, I like you, lads-about your business straight- 1st MUR.-We will, my noble lord. Shakspeare. rivals and enemies. It has long since fallen to decay, and not the slightest vestige now appears to mark the spot where it once stood; but the following legend connected therewith, has been handed down by oral tradition. Sir Roland Fitz Arnulf, the proprietor of this structure, was among the number of those barons who had followed their sovereign, the valiant Richard, on the crusades, to seek fame and glory in the Holy Land, leaving the care of his domain, and the charge of his infant daughter, to his brother Hubert, and bearing with him the prayers and blessings of his dependants, to whom by his kind and courteous demeanour, he was particularly endeared; Hubert, on the other hand, was universally detested, on account of his savage and morose disposition. It is true his person was tall and command 288 ing; his limbs firmly set, and moulded attachment had been formed between in the most accurate proportions of herself and Edmund de Warrenne, the manly beauty; but his face, naturally son of a neighbouring, though less handsome, continually wore the same powerful, baron. On discovering their haughty, contemptuous aspect; and the love, Sir Hubert was exceedingly wroth, fiery, demoniacal glances, which his and, in the height of anger, forbad Edbright eyes shot forth from beneath their mund to approach his domains, under bushy brows, spoke that all was not at pain of subjecting, not only himself, but rest within. The long glossy beard that his whole family to the extremity of covered the lower part of his face, and his displeasure. He was too politic, the curling locks that shaded his coun- however, to inform Alice of the true tenance, vieing in colour with the racause of Edmund's absence, leaving ven's plumage, (neither of which, how her to suppose that her lover was seeking ever, were so dark as his soul), had pro- elsewhere that enjoyment which her cured for him the title of the Black society no longer afforded. Sir Hubert's Baron. motive for proceeding thus was as follows:- He had been negotiating with a kinsman, who stipulated, that should he obtain the consent of Alice to their nuptials, he would forfeit all claims to her patrimony, thereby leaving the Black Baron in undisputed possession of the estate; but Sir Hubert, judging that he should not be able conveniently to accomplish this while Edmund was in existence, dispatched a messenger to that young nobleman, expressing his deep contrition for the line of conduct he had adopted, and inviting him to attend a ban Years had rolled a way, King Richard returned from Palestine, but no tidings of Sir Roland arrived; at length, a report was spread by a wandering pilgrim, that he had fallen at the siege of Acre; and the vassals, giving up all hope of again beholding their beloved lord, sank despondingly under the tyranny of Hubert the Black Baron; not one of them but had felt the smart of his oppression. In the meantime, the Lady Alice had ripened into womanhood, and a rising quet which he had prepared for his reception, hoping that there a reconciliation would take place. To complete his design, he intended to have him waylaid and assassinated; thereby at once ridding himself of this formidable obstacle to his wishes. This brings us to the opening of our narrative. Our two worthies approached a clump of dark yew trees, beneath which they stole, and commenced a conversation in low whispers; the wide spreading foliage cast a profound shadow around ;wrapt in the impenetrable gloom of which, the persons of the speakers were effectually concealed; the thick flakes of snow were fast falling, and the chill northern blast howled drearily, as it groaned through the thick branches of the venerable yews. ""Tis hereabout Sir Hubert bade us wait his coming," said one of the men."Whew, by St. Dunstan, 'tis a bitter night; the winter's blast findeth its way through my doublet, which is none o' the thickest, and maketh me tremble, like one with the ague; an this meeting were over, and I were ensconced by the hearth side of mine host o' the Silver Flagon, I should deem myself fortunate; but, perchance, thou hast thy flask with thee, Master Maurice?" Ay, marry, have I," returned the other; 66 trust me, 'tis too pleasant a companion to be left behind; here," continued he, pulling out the flask in question," here is that will warm thy blood; beshrew me, Walter, but thou quiverest like an aspen; drink, my bully boy, for believe me, thou wilt have occasion for a firm hand and a stout heart "The knight, then, has opened his mind to thee?" said Walter, after having taken a wondrous long pull at the flask, and gulped down a large portion of its contents. "That he has not," replied Maurice, "but I shrewdly guess his purpose, an I be not marvellously out o' my reckon ing;-thou know'st Edmund de Warrenne, I trow?" "And what of him?" asked the other. Gramercy, good fellow, grant me patience, and thou shalt hear; Sir Hubert hath of late been much pestered by this same stripling, who sayeth soft things, and whispereth tales of love in the ear of the Lady Alice, his fair niece; now, mark me, Walter, it runneth in my thoughts that he would have the boy's prattle silenced-dost understand me?" "Right well," answered his companion, "in plain terms, he would have him murd "Hush, Walter, keep a guard over thy tongue, thou know'st not who may overhear us-but think," continued he, "of the rich reward that will accrue to us for this service; the job is soon over, you have nought to do but stick thy knife into his weasand, and "By cock and pye," exclaimed Walter, "tis marvellously easy to say stick thy knife into his weasand,'-but Edmund is a stout youth, and firm, and useth his weapon to some purpose ;moreover, he seldom suffereth his adversaries to depart scathless. I tell thee, Maurice, I have no stomach for this business." "What! dost fear him-hast turned coward ?" "Ha!" roared Walter, starting up in a fury, and unsheathing his hanger; "coward, did'st thou say? that is a word I can ill brook; pluck out the fox that dangles at thy side; an I prove not that I bear as stout a heart as thyself, the crows shall feed on my carcase.' "Peace, Walter," said the other, in a conciliatory tone, "chafe it not man, I meant not to anger thee." "The fiend rive thee for a villanous liar," continued Walter, in high indignation, "look to thyself, thou beggarly cur, and God ha' mercy on thy soul." Nay, then, an thou needs must fight, I am not he that will disappoint thee," said Maurice, drawing his rapier, "come on." Their weapons clashed and emitted sparks of fire, but the contest seemned doubtful, as both were equally matched; when suddenly a third one entered the scene of battle, who struck up the points of their swords, exclaiming "How now, good fellows, are ye mad? Put up your weapons,-what means this idle fray?" "It means that my friend Walter here is too hasty in taking offence, Sir Knight." 66 ye are Peace, I tell thee," said Sir Hubert, "away with this foolish brawling, we have weightier matters to think on." -He then proceeded to effect a reconciliation between the combatants, who after a time shook hands, and appeared contented to forget the past. "And now to our purpose," continued he, trusty knaves I trow, and shrewd hands at the poniard; an ye please me in this matter I shall propose, ye shall not lack reward;- take this as an earnest of my intentions," at the same time plucking out a purse, and placing it in the hand of Maurice, he added, " ye can settle its contents between yourselves anon." The ruffian having weighed the purse (which was none of the lightest) for a moment, put it in his pouch, and replied, "We attend your pleasure, my lord." "Know ye, then, that the young Edmund de Warrenne has sued for the hand of the Lady Alice, and, to my displeasure, I find he has wrought upon her affections-she loves him. Now I fain would have her wed a fair cousin of mine ;this cannot be accomplished while Edmund is in being-he must be removed; to effect this, I have spoken him fair, and bid him to a wassail to-night-he needs must come-hush, what noise was that?" "I hear nought but the rustling of the wind among the branches," said Walter. "Methought I saw a figure glide past me," said the baron; "it may be that it was a phantasy of the brain. I tell ye," resumed he, apparently forgetting the circumstance, "he must pass this spot; let your daggers do their work, and then ye may dispose of him in the castle moat, with a stone about his neck to keep him down. Like ye the scheme, my masters?" 'Right well," said Maurice, " 'tis a good conceit." "Hark!" exclaimed Sir Hubert, "I hear footsteps, he comes-be firm, good fellows, and use well your weapons. I will retire behind yon clump of trees, for I must not be seen in this business, lest he escape." "Fear us not, my lord," whispered Maurice, "the light of another day shall not dawn upon him." In the meantime the youthful Edmund came gaily along. unconscious of the danger that awaited him, mounted on a large cream-coloured steed, gaily caparisoned, which snorted and pawed the ground, as if proud of its burden. The gorgeous apparel of the horseman was for the most part hidden by a large dark cloak, which he had assumed as a defence from the weather. His brow was covered by a velvet bonnet, which was surmounted by a white waving plume. Scarcely had he approached the spot where the ruffians were concealed, when they suddenly pounced upon him, and the foremost of them in an instant buried his weapon in the breast of the gallant charger, which made a furious plunge, and fell lifeless to the earth. Edmund received a violent fall, but was on his legs again in a moment. It was not long ere he received a hard thrust, which took no material effect, as he wore a shirt of fine link-mail beneath his dress. "Ha!" he exclaimed, "is this thy play?" Then stepping back a few paces, he threw off his cloak, and standing on his defence, added-"Thou hast mistaken thy man, Sir Cut-throat." He defended himself bravely from the miscreants, who attacked him with great fury. Sir Hubert, finding his minions likely to become worsted, rushed to their assistance. This unequal strife lasted not long, for a figure appeared habited in a pilgrim's dress, with the hood drawn closely over his face, armed with a sufficiently proper fox, with which he smote Maurice to the earth, and stood to face Sir Hubert; but he, finding the odds against him, for the other villain had fallen beneath the hand of De Warrenne, fled into the thicket, and was soon lost sight of in the darkness of night. "Thanks, my friend," said Edmund, addressing the stranger," for thy timely assistance, which hath saved my life.May I know to whom I am indebted for this service?" "It would boot thee little to know the name of an obscure individual," replied the pilgrim; "but danger lurks about this spot-follow me, I will lead thee to a place of security." "How now, my pretty page," said the Lady Alice Fitz-Arnulf, as a fair-haired boy entered her apartment," what wouldst thou, Edwy?" "A friar from the neighbouring monastery would hold a conference with my lady," replied the page. "Let him be admitted," said Alice. "What can he seek from me, or which of the brotherhood can it be-can'st conceive Blanch ?" continued she, addressing her hand-maiden. "Perchance 'tis Father Anslem, thy confessor, my lady," answered the attendant. |