The child sitting on the violet bank beneath the hedge in the sixth century, all of which circumstances indicated row, and watching his elder sister turning merrily her the existence of this manufacture in India. Nor was it spinning wheel, would be amazed when told by his unknown to Europe in the middle ages, the Moors of father that such a weight, so overwhelming in its vast- Spain being celebrated for their cotton products about ness to their simple minds, was manufactured into the year 1000, and, 300 years later, Barcelona was discloth,

tinguished for similar commodities. Men, too, grave seniors, looked suspiciously toward A singular illustration of the rising of an art in two the cotton lands, and loved them not;-enough was distinct and unconnected regions, was given upon the already done in this matter, more was unsafe. Too discovery of America, when the cotton manufacture was much of such work seemed ominous; certain coming found amongst the Mexicans and Peruvians, whose events were looming through the mists of the future; priests were clothed in robes made from that substance, and somehow the whirling wheels of the mechanic which now supplies a healthy and elegant clothing to the seemed connected with those changes. Enough, there millions of Britain. This clearly proves the indepenfore : 3,000,000 lbs. wrought up, is a mighty yearly dent origin of the cotton manufacture in the two most work—England is very busy -- she will get thin and remote regions of the world - India and America. care-worn if thus she works. So thought some, gazing In England, also, the manufacture was known at at those 3,000,000 lbs.; but the numbers would, strange least 200 years ago; for we hear Lewis Roberts, in his to say, keep growing; the roar of wheels increased not Treasury of Traffic,” thus speak of the present seat only in the old places, but on the right hand and on of the iron trade : “In Birmingham cotton wool from the left; from the once quiet streams in gentle valleys the East was worked into fustians and dimities." There the strange perplexing sound perseveringly arose. The are notices 200 years before this, of cottons in England; traveller who had long left his home in some lonely and it has been supposed that the manufacture existed glen, returned, and saw the river-where he, a boy, had here in the fifteenth century, for we read that Boltonwandered the long day, catching many a stout fish, le-Moor then excelled in the making of cotton goods. and scarcely meeting with man-swarming with busy But here a singular circumstance must be noted : the mechanics, and many lights from tall factories flashing word cotton was applied to woollen stuffs in the fifteenth upon the stream, where once nought but the lights of and following centuries. When, therefore, we read of heaven played. Truly the 3,000,000lbs. had grown to the Manchester cottons of the sixteenth century, it 10,000,000; nor did the numbers yet stand still, no rest appears that we must understand woollens, the manuwas seen ; and where, indeed, could rest be? for the facture of which is of ancient date in England. That 3,000,000 rose to 20,000,000, whilst men were gazing woollen goods should be described as cottons, may seem and listening with no small wonderment. We need strange to many readers; but the wonder will vanish not trace the gradual rise of the numbers. It may if we admit, with some, that the term cotton is but a be sufficient to state that the 3,000,000 lbs. rose to corruption of the word coating, which would, of course, 280,000,000lbs. of raw cotton used yearly in the fac- apply to any material suited for clothing. tories of Britain. Such has been the rapid growth Such a use of the word was not confined to the of the cotton manufacture, affecting not only England, ignorant, but sanctioned by the style of acts of Par. its central place of growth, but the New and Old World; liament, one of which, in the time of Edward VI., the former as the field of its first production, the latter treating of “ Manchester, Lancashire, and Cheshire as the recipient of the treasured material. The down cottons," is entitled, an Act " for the true making of of a pod has now become of such importance, that woollen cloth;" and the material intended was certainly jealous and suspicious nations are kept from war by the woollen, as appears from various clauses of the statute. wants it has created, and by the readiness with which Camden uses similar language when treating of the it supplies those wants. A fact full of deep meaning trade of Manchester, and speaks of “woollen eloths, is this, for all who are engaged in studying the great which they call Manchester cottons.” One remnant of problem of human civilisation.

this custom still exists in the term “Kendal cottons," But the reader may now inquire, whether this manu. which are coarde woollen cloths, chiefly manufactured facture is wholly modern; whether the earlier ages of for the negroes of America and the West Indies. the world remained ignorant of the great uses to which It must be admitted that the cotton manufacture did the down of the cotton plant might be applied. To not take deep root in England till of late years; the this we answer, that the manufacture existed in the rapid growth has, however, made ample amends for East, especially in Persia and Egypt, at the commence previous slowness. The peculiar advantages possessed ment of the Christian era, but probably on a small by the localities in which the cotton manufacture origiscale, for native use only. Neither of those countries nated, contributed to its astonishing growth, for in appears to have exported the manufactured cotton, other- South Lancashire, and the south-western parts of Yorkwise it would certainly have been found amongst the shire, are the three great elements, ---water-power, fuel, almost numberless luxuries brought to Rome, from the and iron,-all of which form the combination requisite remotest regions of the earth. No mention is made of for vast manufacturing operations. Thus the river such a commodity in the Roman lists of articles paying Irwell was so crowded with mills, that nearly 300 were custom dues.

found along the banks of that stream and its branches. The manufacture has also existed in India from a In these busy hives, plain men, of strong sense and remote period, as Herodotus, who flourished 450 years persevering character, have created fortunes from which before the Christian era, and travelled into Assyria and many a princedom might have been formed, whilst Babylonia, speaks of garments worn by the Indians, from the ever-working factories of the North, the beauwhich were made from the substance of a plant, much tiful production of almost countless spindles and one finer than sheep's wool. What could this have been hundred thousand looms have gone to the remotest but cotton ? No known plant supplies a material regions of India, the central districts of Africa, and the answering to such a description except the Gossypium. western wilds of America. But how has this result

Similar testimony is given by another ancient writer, been accomplished? Has it been effected by vast com. Nearchus, the favourite admiral of Alexander the Great, binations of human labour?-Did mere hands, bones, who is supposed to have surveyed the regions of India and muscles, raise the structure of the cotton-trade lying along the Indus. He mentions garments made Mere physical application will do much, doubtless, it from a white substance growing on trees. Was not this raised the Pyramids, founded the glories of Thebes, and cotton? He who should answer “yes,” would not be spread out over the ancient world the Cyclopean cities accused of rashness.

in ages too distant to be clearly scanned through the Cotton was certainly brought from various parts of mists of many centuries. But mere labour would never India into the eastern provinces of the Roman empire, I have worked out the results of the system we have been

THE ROMAN PATIER.

66

contemplating ; machinery has produced the marvel ; On reaching the breakfast-room my first inquiry was this has taken up the load which the physical powers of for Lawless, in reply to which I was informed, that he man would have reeled under.

had returned on the fire-engine) about half an hour (To be continued.)

after I came in; that immediately upon his arrival he had called for unlimited supplies of rum, lemons, and

other suitable ingredients, wherewith he manufactured FRANK FAIRLEGH;

a monster brewing of punch in a washing-tub, for the

benefit of the firemen, with whom he had somehow OR, OLD COMPANIONS IN NEW SCENES.

contrived to establish the most amicable relations; he By F. E. S.

then assisted in discussing the beverage he had prepared, which appeared to produce no particular effects,

until, wishing to rise to return thanks when they drank CHAP. V.

his health, he lost his balance, and being carried to bed

by the waiter and boots, had not yet re-appeared. Not Dreams, ye strange mysterious visions of the soul : liking to disturb him, I breakfasted alone, and then Ye wild and freakish gambolings of the spirit, freed in the study, busily engaged in drawing the lease he

strolled out to look after Freddy. I found him sitting from the incubus of matter, and unfettered by the con- had mentioned to us the night before. On seeing ine, trol of reason, of what fantastic caprices are ye the however, he sprang up, and shaking me by the hand, originators-what caricatures of the various features inquired how I was after all our adventures. of our waking life do ye not exhibit to us, ludicrous That's all right, so far," was his reply to my assurand distorted indeed, but still preserving through their ance that my injured arm was going on favourably, and most extravagant exaggerations, a wayward and grotell you what," he continued,“ my governor's in no

that, barring that, I felt no ill effects of any kind. “I tesque likeness to the realities they shadow forth ! end of a rage about the bell-ringing affair: that old And stranger even than your most strange vagaries, fool of a mayor recognised me it seems, and vows vengeis the cool matter-of-fact way in which our sleeping ance, threatening to do all sorts of things to me, and senses calmly accept, and acquiesce in, the medley of the governor swears he'll aid and abet him in anything impossible absurdities you offer to their notice. We

he chooses to do. They had better take care what they conceive ourselves proceeding along a green lane on

are at, or they may find I'm not to be bullied with im. horseback; the animal upon which we are mounted mind facing the elders now I've got you to support me;

punity ; but come along into the drawing-room ; I don't becomes suddenly, we know not how, a copper tea and really, what between my father's accusations, and kettle; we ride quietly on without testifying, or even my mother's excuses, it's as good as a play.” feeling, the least symptom of surprise (as though the You're abominably undutiful, master Fred," replied identity of hackneys-and tea-kettles was a fact generally 1, as I turned to follow him. recognised in natural history); the kettle addresses us, On reaching the drawing-room we found Mr. Coleman it converses with us on all the subjects which interest standing with his arms folded, and with an air of digus most deeply; and we discuss our various hopes and nified severity, so exactly in the centre of the hearthfears, joys and sorrows, loves and hates, with no other rug, that he seemed to belong to the pattern. Seated sentiment, save a degree of pleasure at the very sensible in a low arm-chair on his right hand was Mrs. Coleman, and enlightened views which the utensil takes of the apparently absorbed in the manufacture of some mystematter. I might multiply examples, ad infinitum, to rious article of knitting, which constantly required proillustrate my meaning; but to those who are familiar pitiating by the repetition of a short arithmetical puzzle, with the phenomena described, one instance will suffice; without which it would by no means allow itself to be while those who have never experienced them, will created. At her feet, engaged in the Sisyphian labour probably, at all events, take refuge in disbelief, and of remedying the effects of “ a great fall” in worsteds, lainent themselves with a self-satisfying sorrow over the scissors, and other "articles for the work-table,” knelt fresh proof it adduces of the truth of the Israelitish Lucy Markham, looking so piquante and pretty, that Monarch's aphorism, that “all men are liars."

I could not help wondering how my friend Freddy conBe this as it may, my sleep (when, at length, after trived to keep himself heart-whole, if, as I imagined, the excitement I had undergone, sleep condescended to he was thrown constantly into her society. The party visit me, which was not until, contrary to all the rules was completed by a large, sicek, scrupulously white cat, of good breeding, the god had allowed me to call upon clearly a privileged individual, who sat bolt upright in him repeatedly in vain) was disturbed by all sorts and the chair opposite Mrs. Coleman, regarding the company kinds of visions. Lawlesses innumerable, attended by with an air of intense self-fatisfaction, and evidently shoals of top-booted shrimps,—the visionary shrimp, considering the whole thing got up for her express being a sort of compromise between the boy so called, delectation. Mr. Coleman received me with an air of and the real article, --drove impossible dog-carts drawn pompous civility, hoping I felt no ill effects from my by quadrupeds whose heads and necks bore a striking exertions in the earlier part of the evening-taking resemblance to the waltz-loving Diana Clapperton, up care to lay a marked emphasis on the word earlier. and down ball-rooms, to the unspeakable terror of Lucy acknowledged my presence by a smile, and a squadrons of turbaned old ladies. Deatening peals of bells, slight inclination of the head, but without altering her rung by troops of Freddy Colemex (which I take to be the position. Worthy Mrs. Coleman, however, jumped up, correct plural of Coleman) were rousing night-capped and shook hands warmly with me, thereby providing nations froin their slumbers in alarm, to whom flocks | Lucy with full employment for the next ten minutes of frightened mayors were bleating forth bewildered in picking up the whole machinery of the knitting. orders, which resulted in provoking everybody ; and * Very glad indeed to see you, Mr. Lawless," comthrough it all, mixed up and combined with every- menced Mrs. Coleman. thing, the pale interesting face of Clara Saville, charac- It's Fairlegh, mother,” interposed Freddy. terized by an expression of sadness, gazed at me YO my dear, yes, I knew it was Mr. Fairlegh, reproachfully out of its large trustful eyes, and ren-only I'm always making a mistake about names ; but dered me intensely miserable. From dreams such as I never forget a face I've once seen ; and I'm sure I'm these I was not sorry to be aroused by the sun shining not likely to forget Mr. Fairlegh's after the noble way brightly in through my window-shutter; and, on con in which he behaved last night” (here Mr. Coleman sulting my watch, I found, somewhat to my surprise, that turned away with a kind of ironical growl, and began I had slept till nearly mid-day.

caressing the cat). “I declare when I saw him setting

a

too

66

a

Miss Saville's dress on fire, so nicely made as it was exclaimed her husband, walking hurriedly across the

room,-although this time he took care to avoid the My dear aunt,” remonstrated Lucy, "it was Mr. ottoman,“ encouraging that boy of yours in such Lawless who threw down the candelabrum, and set scandalous and ungenilemanly proceedings as those Clara's frock alight.”

he was engaged in last night! No harm, indeed! Yes, my love, I know, I saw it all, my dear; and I only hope (that is, I don't hope it at all, for he very kind it was of him, I mean afterwards, in speaking deserves to be punished, and I wish he may) that the to me of it; he said he was so very sorry about it,-and laws of his country may think there's no harm in it. he called it something funny, poor young man,-'no Mr. Dullmug, the mayor, intends, very properly in my end of a something or other’

opinion, to appeal to those laws; and that is a thing, Sell," suggested Freddy.

I am proud to say, no Englishman ever does in vain. “Oh yes, that was it, no end of a sell. What did he You may smile, sir,” he continued, detecting Freddy in mean by that, my dear ?"

the act of telegraphing to me his dissent from the last .“ I strongly disapprove,” observed Mr. Coleman (who doctrine propounded. “ You may ridicule your old still continued stroking the cat as he spoke, which pro- father's opinion, but you'll find it no laughing matter cess he performed by passing his hand deliberately from to clear yourself, and justify your conduct, in a court of! her head, along her back, to the very tip of her tail, justice. They may bring it in conspiracy, for I dare say which he retained each time in his grasp for a moment, you plotted it all beforehand ; they may bring it in riot, ere he re-commenced operations), “ I highly disapprove for there were three of you engaged in it; they may of the absurd practice, so common with young men of bring it in treason, for you incited his majesty's subjects the present day, of expressing their ideas in that low to commit a breach of the peace, and interfered with and incomprehensible dialect, termed slang,' which, the proper officers in the discharge of their duty: 'pon in my opinion, has neither wit nor refinement to re- my word I believe they might bring it in murder, for commend it, and which effectually prevents their the poor child that had the measles in the town died acquiring that easy yet dignified mode of expression, between six and seven o'clock this morning, and no which should characterize the conversation of the true doubt the confusion had something to do with accelegentleman. In my younger days we took Burke for rating its death. So, sir, if you're not hanged, you're our model; the eloquence of Pitt and Fox gave the tone certain of transportation ; and don't ask me to assist to society; and during our hours of relaxation, we you; I've lived by supporting the law for fifty years, emulated the polished wit of Sheridan: but it is a and I'm not going in my old age to lend my counte symptom of that fearful levelling system which is one nance to those who break it, and set it at nought, of the most alarming features of the present age, instead though my own son be one of them. I have spoken of striving to raise and exalt

my mind plainly, Mr. Fairlegh, more so perhaps than Really, my dear Mr. Coleman, I beg your pardon I should have done before a guest in my own house, but for interrupting you,” cried Mrs. Coleman, “ but this is it is a matter upon which I feel deeply. I wish you good the second time you've lifted my poor little cat off her morning, sir.” So saying, he turned away, and stalked | hind legs by her tail; and though she's as good as majestically out of the room, closely followed, not to gold, and lets you do just what you like to her, it can't say imitated, by the cat, who held her tail erect, so s: be pleasant for her, I'm sure.

to form a right angle with the line of her back, and The only reply to this, if reply it can be called, was walked with an air of meek dignity and chastened an angry

" Psha !" and, turning on his heel, Mr. Cole- self-approval. man strode with great dignity towards the window, “That's what I call pleasant and satisfactory," er though the effect was considerably marred by his claimed Freddy, after a pause, during which each stumbling against an ottoman which stood in the way, member of the party exchanged glances of consternation and hurting his shin to an extent which entailed with somebody else. “Who would ever have imagined rubbing, albeit a sublunary and un-Spartan operation, the possibility of the governor's turning cantankeroes as a necessary consequence. A pause ensued, which -assuming the character of the Roman father upon the at length became so awkward, that I was about to shortest possible notice, and thirsting to sacrifice his son hazard some wretched commonplace or other, for the on the altar of the outraged laws of his country! What : sake of breaking the silence, when Mrs. Coleman ad- an interesting victim I shall make to be sure! Luey dressed me with

must lend me that wreath of flowers she looked så “ You'll take some luncheon, Mr. Lawless, I'm sure. pretty in last night, to wear at the fatal ceremony. And Freddy, ring the bell !”

my dear mother shall stand near, tearing out these “He'll be ready enough to do that," growled Mr. revered locks of hers by handfuls." (The reader should Coleman ; “ you could not have asked a fitter person.” perhaps be informed that Mrs. Coleman rejoiced in a false

"Of course he will, a dear fellow," replied Mrs. Cole- front of so open and ingenuous a nature, that from its man; “ he's always ready to oblige anybody."

youth upwardsit never could have been guilty of deceiving “ I disapprove greatly of such extreme facility of any one.)“May I ring and tell John to have all the disposition," observed Mr. Coleman; "it lays a young carving-knives sharpened? it would be more satisfac man open to every temptation that comes in his way; tory to my feelings not to be slaughtered with a blant for want of a proper degree of firmness and self-respect, weapon.”. he gets led into all kinds of follies and excesses."

“Don't talk in that horrid way, Frederic," cried “Now, my dear Mr. Coleman," returned his wife, Mrs. Coleman,“ I'm sure your father would never think “ I cannot bear to hear you talk in that way; you are of doing such dreadful things; but I believe you're too hard upon poor Freddy and his young friends; I'm only making fun of him, which isn't at all right of you. certain they meant no harm by it all; if they did ring I'm not a bit surprised at his being angry with you, the bells by way of a joke, I dare say they had drunk when you know how steady he always says he was as a rather more champagne than was prudent, and they young man (not that I ever quite believed it though): scarcely knew what they were about; and really all he never went ringing bells, however late he might they seem to have done was to make people get up a stay out at night, that I heard of (though I should little sooner than usual, and that is rather a good thing never have known it if he had, very likely). I don't than otherwise, for I'm sure if you did but know the myself see any great harm in it, you know, Mr. Fairlegh. trouble I have sometimes in getting the maids out of particularly after your saving poor Clara Saville, and bed in a morning, -and that fine lazy gentleman of a Freddy from drowning,-indeed I shall always bare footman too, he's just as bad.—Why, what's the matter the highest opinion of you for it, only 1 wish you bad now?”

never done it at all, either of you, because of making “ I really am astonished at you, Mrs. Coleman," | your father so angry, you I mean, Frederic."

“ Have you received any account of Miss Saville this , accompanied me into the hall; " no wonder I'm an odd morning ?" inquired I, anxious to change the conversa- fellow, for, as Pat would say, my mother was one before tion; for I could see that Freddy, despite his assumed me, and no mistake. I wish you luck with the fair indifference, was a good deal annoyed at the serious Clara,—not that you'll see her, -old Vernon will take light in which the old gentleman seemed to look upon care of that somehow or other; even if he's not at home, our escapade. “I should be glad to know that she he'll have locked her up safely before he went out, was none the worse for all the alarm she must have depend upon it.” suffered.”

* You do not mean that in sober earnest ?" said I. No, we have not heard anything of her,” replied Perhaps not actually in fact,” replied Freddy," but Lucy. “ Should we not send to inquire after her, in effect I believe he does. Clara tells Lucy she never aunt?'

sees any one." “ Certainly, my dear Lucy; I am glad you have “She shall see me to-day, if I can possibly contrive reminded me; I always meant to send, only all this it,” said I. “Oh, for the good old days of chivalry, has put it out of my head."

when knocking the guardian on the head, and running " Now, Frank, there's a splendid chance for you,” away with the imprisoned damsel afterwards, would exclaimed Freddy ; “ nothing can be more correct than have been accounted a very moral and gentlemanlike for you to call and make the proper inquiries in person; way of spending the morning !" and then if old Stiff-back should happen not to be at “Certainly, they had a pleasant knack of simplifying home, and you can contrive to get let in, and the young matters, those knights of old,'” replied Freddy;" but lady be not actually a stone

it's not a line of business that would have suited me at “ Indeed, Frederic, she is nothing of the kind," inter- all; in balancing their accounts, the kicks always rupted Lucy, warmly; " if you only knew her, you appear to have obtained a very uncomfortable preponwould be astonished to find what deep and lively feel. derance over the halfpence; besides, when one kills a ings are concealed beneath that calm manner of hers; man, it's as well to have some slight notion why one but she has wonderful self-control. I could see last does it; and the case comes home to one still more night how much she was grieved at being obliged to closely, if it's somebody else who's going to kill you." go away without having thanked Mr. Fairlegh for “You're about right there, master Freddy,” said I, saving her.”

smiling as I shook hands with him, and quitted the “ Give her a chance to repair the error to-day, by all house. means, then,” said Freddy ; " and if you should succeed in gaining an interview, and she really is anxious to do a little bit of the grateful, and old Vernon does not

A CHRISTMAS PARTY IN THE COUNTRY.1 kick you down stairs, I shall begin to regret that I

Chap. VII. didn't extinguish her myself.” “ I really have a great mind to follow your advice,"

Miss CAMPBELL had not much difficulty in unravelling returned I; “it is only proper to inquire after the the mystery of Agnes's charade ; and Justine then asked young lady, and they need not let me in unless they why the Helleborus niger is called a rose, since it has like.

little resemblance to that flower. “ If you should see her, Mr. Lawlegh,” said Mrs. Coleman, “tell her from me, how very much vexed

“ It certainly does not resemble the various double I was about the candelabrum being thrown down and

roses of our gardens,” replied Sophia ; " yet it is not unsetting fire to her dress ; it was made of the very best like in shape to the common hedge-roses, which botanists Dresden China, and must have cost (only it was a present, regard as the original stock whence all those delightful which made it all the more valuable you know) fifteen varieties have sprung; and old Gerarde describes it as or sixteen guineas; and I'm sure I wonder, now I come bearing rose-fashioned flowers,' which is more correct to think of it, why it did not blaze up and burn her than what he says of its slender stalk, for that is, as you to death; but you were so quick and clever, and entirely see, like the leaves, thick and succulent, and very unlike spoilt that beautiful whittle of old Mrs. Trottles, with the "twisted Eglantine.'” the greatest presence of mind; and I'm sure we ought

“ There have been learned disputes," said Mr. Barlow, all to be thankful to you for it; and we shall be de

as to whether Milton meant the wild-rose or the honeylighted to see her when she has quite recovered it, tell suckle by that expression; I see, Sophia, you incline to her, particularly Lucy, who is nearest her own age, sider the slight, delicate, rambling hedge-rose as the

the opinion which assigns it to the rose. I always conyou know.”

“Let me see,” said Freddy, musing;“ Mrs. Trottles Eglantine, seeing I have my friend Gerarde's authority must be seventy-two if she is a day; 'pon my word, for doing so, and that the Honeysuckle or Woodbine Lucy, you're the youngest-looking woman of your age

has names sufficiently poetical without usurping this ; I crer met with ; if I had not heard my mother say it and, though I know some say our great poet would not myself, I'd never have believed it.”

be guilty of the tautology of putting another rose into ** Believed what, Freddy? What have I said ?" asked his picture after the sweet-briar, yet I beg to state Mrs. Coleman.

that they are distinct varieties, and differ in their habit “ That Lucy was Mrs. Trottles' most intimate friend, of growing; and, if he had meant the honeysuckle, he because she was nearest her own age," returned Freddy? might have been more correct, and found an equally “ No such thing, sir ; I said, or I meant to say,-only good rhyme, in the more generally applied name of

Woodbine." you are so tiresome with your jokes, that you puzzle one,--that Lucy being her own age, I mean Clara's,

“I should be inclined to agree with Sophia,” said Mr. Fairlegh was to tell her how very glad she would Miss Campbell,“ if the hedge-rose were “twisted,' but, be (and very natural it is for young people to like alas! it is not, and the honeysuckle is. However, I beg young people) to see her; and I hope you'll remember to retract what I said of the heather, dear as it is, being to tell her all I have said, Mr. Fairless, for I'm always our only floral beauty in Scotland, since we have wildanxious to try to please and amuse her, she's so very shire, whose delicate flowers contrast so gracefully with

roses, and none is more beautiful that the white Ayrdull and stupid, poor thing!”

To perform this utter impossibility I faithfully its rich brown stems and dark leaves.” pledged myself; and taking à hasty farewell of the

“As you advance so rapidly under my tuition in ladies, hurried out of the room to conceal a fit of German, Lucy,” said Frederic, " you ought to know that laughter, which had been gradually becoming irre- this flower is called in that language Christwortz, or pressible.

Heilich Christkrant, for the same reason that it is Laugh away, old boy,” cried Freddy, who had

(1) Continued from page 217.

called Christmas-rose here, I suppose, if that is from its How much thy presence beautifies the ground ! season of flowering."

How sweet thy modest onaffected pride I am induced," said Mr. Forster,“ to think, that the Glows on the sunny bank and wood's warm side! word 'rose,' when applied to other flowers, is used more

And, where thy fairy flowers in groups are found,

The schoolboy roams delightedly along, as an honorary title than as a descriptive appellation ;

Plucking the fairest with a rude delight: and that this mode of applying it is derived from the

While the meek shepherd stops his simple song, eastern idiom, whence so many more of our daily

To gaze a moment on the pleasing sight; phrases and ideas are derived, than those who are not O'erjoyed to see the flowers that truly bring in the habit of studying the subject would imagine. The welcome news of sweet returning Spring.' The word rose' occurs but twice in the Bible ; and in one of those places, the seventy learned men who translated • Does it not describe what we have all seen very, very the Septuagint have rendered it · Flower of the field,' often?" instead of Rose of Sharon,' which is the more generally

" I must put in my word again,” said Frederic, “ for received version. The same word, in Persian, 'gul,' a little more attention to Lucy and myself: Sophia is signifies both rose and flower; and I believe Cyril will very affronting to us; for, when talking of the general tell us that one word has both meanings in Arabic; so

voice of Europe, she did not choose to notice Germany, that Christmas-rose may not so much indicate a rose

where the primrose is not only called by the learned, like flower, as the Christmas-flower par excellence—the der Primel, from the Latin, Primula ; but by the peaflower which stands unrivalled at Christmas --as the santry, Schlupelblume." rose does in that season when so many vainly strive with

“ And pray, cousin Frederic, what the meaning of her for the pre-eminence.”

that very ugly word ? “I remember, my dear father,” said Alice Forster,

"Why, Agnes, it means Key-flower, and I think it " that you tried hard to trace to the same eastern source

very appropriate.” the monkish legend carved in the magnificent Chapter- " Well done, Frederic,” cried Charles; “even Neville house of York Minster, which you pointed out to me the Grave looks up from his book in wonder, as to how when we were there."

you will prove your assertion." “Oh!" cried Charles, “I recollect that boast- “ Neville the Grave must allow that you are all rery • Ut Rosa flos florum, sic est domus ista domorum ;'

ignorant of the deeply mystical and poetical spirit of

the German language, or you would see at once that the which I suppose I may be allowed to translate, for the primrose, as a key, unlocks the gates of spring, and benefit of little Laura : “ As the rose is the chief of flow- opens the way to the blooming train of Flora. I am ers, so is this house the chief of houses.'”

sure Rosaline will be able to find, in some corner of her • More than Laura are obliged you, Mr. Charles,” | memory, a quotation to suit with this idea." said Miss Campbell; “but pray, Alice, will not these Rosaline murmured over Milton's “ Now the bright observations apply to your favourite primrose, whose morning star, day's harbinger," and Gray's “ Lo! where name you heard censured so much to your amusement the rosy-bosomed hours, fair Venus' train appear," – by somebody, who said they could not see why it was but soon shook her head in despair, and her father comcalled a prime rose, since for their parts they did not plimented Frederic on having got pretty well over his think it was a rose at all, and if it was, it was a very difficulty. “Though I think," added he, “there is no shabby one?”

a little mist, as well as mystical poetry, in your expis“ Poor old lady, she was quite right; for it has not nation : I had thought the cowslip was the flower meant the slightest resemblance or relationship to a rose, but byóschlupelblume.' takes its name from the Latin word 'primus,' first- “The cowslip is one of the primrose tribe,” said Luer; the first flower of the spring ; the word 'rose' here again " and the varieties of this tribe-the cowslip, oklip. meaning flower, and agreeing with my father's theory. polyanthus, auricula, &c.—are all so very nearly alize, Is it not so, Sophia ?"

that they are often confounded one with the other bs Yes; and its botanical name, Primula, has the old writers. I half fancy the cowslip still more rural same derivation."

than the primrose, and I think aunt Martha will agre “ And is it not called Primvère, in French, Justine?" | with me, since she is always delighted to receive the asked Agnes; "and that has very much the same very first which is found in the meadows." sound.”

Indeed I am, Lucy; and I quite agree with you, “ It is so," replied her cousin ; "and I dare say it has that the cowslip is more rural than the rest of the tribe the same meaning.”

Is it not the chosen of all the village children! One “ Yes," continued Sophia ; “ the French Primvère, of the first pleasures of the spring is to see the lite the Italian Primavera, and the Spanish Prima veris, all creatures wandering into the fields, rushing upon the signify the first of the spring : indeed, in Italian, Pri- flowers as upon a newly discovered treasure,- loitering mavèra stands for spring itself; and the primrose, with homewards laden with them,--their hands, their hats, its name at full length, is Fior di primavera-so, you and their pinafores full; and then sitting down in s see, the general voice of Europe pronounces Alice's pet circle under the sunny hedgerows, and making of the first flower of the year.”

their spoils into huge round cowslip-balls, as round. “ O Primavera," quoted Cyril

though not so rosy, as their own merry faces. O Primavera, gioventù dell'anno,

can be so rural as a cowslip-ball? -- Nothing but a Bella madre di fiori,

May garland, and that is often half-composed of cof D'erbe novelle e di novelli amori;

slips.” Tu torni ben, ma teco

“I dare hardly combat with Mrs. Martha's enthe Non tornano i sereni

siasm,” said Alice; “ yet I would still venture a word E fortunati di delle mie gioie.'”

for my poor primrose, which is very, very lovely, Det

ling under some bank as if listening to the murinu u “In spite of Cyril's sentimental Italian quotation," the running stream below, or looking up with its qui said Rosaline, “I will venture to give you one in plain eyes froin the shady woodside, as if each flower wert: English, from the peasant poet, John Clare, who has banished star, and pale with pining for its native skia described the primrose very beautifully in one of his Do they not spring up sometimes in the mild Hai sonnets :

mornings, as if ihe bright silvery orbs we had looked vi * Welcome, pale Primrose! starting up between

the night before had grown tired of shining, and drop Dead matted leaves of ash and oak, that strew

ped down into the green sward to rest, and the sweet The every lawn, the wood, and spinny through,

blue hyacinths bend over them as if they were sing. 'Mid creeping moss and ivy's darker green:

and soothing the weary strangers to sleep?"