murderer, who drinks to others' good health, and robs himself of his own.

REMARKABLE STORY.

A man of fashion, in one of the French provinces, paid his addresses to a young lady of beauty, rank, and distinguished merit.

As there was a parity in years, in fortune, and in situation, the lady received her gallant with the accustomary condescension females seldom withhold from those whom they are taught to pronounce upon an equality with themselves.

The parents of the young lady, however, disapproved of the match. The gentleman pleaded ---but in vain: and, finding it impossible to overcome the aged obstinacy of the parents, he resolved to solicit his charmer's consent to enter into the holy bands of matrimony, without any farther consultation with those who seemed so resolutely determined to persist in a denial.

Having fully explained himself on this head, the young lady consented to become his wife they were wedded, and the marriage kept a profound secret.

:

It happened, that after a few years had elapsed, the husband was obliged to leave his lovely bride, being called into a foreign country, in order to adjust some family affairs, which required his immediate presence. The necessity was no less urgent than dis agreeable to both parties; however, they permitted their good sense to operate, and, after vow, ing mutual affection and fidelity, they parted, in the anticipation of seeing each other, at a time when

such an alteration should take place as might afford them an opportunity of living in a manner every way becoming a happy and virtuous pair.

For some time they corresponded, but the husband, being obliged to cross several tempestuous seas, did not receive such frequent answers to his epistles, as he had reason to expect; and, as he imagined his letters had miscaried, he resolved, for the present, to desist from writing, not relishing the idea of having his sentiments canvassed over by different strangers, or, perhaps, captious enemies.

Another reason, which induced him to lay aside, for the present, all thoughts of continuing an epistolatory correspondence, was the prospect he had of shortly returning to France, where the presence of his amiable consort would infinitely exceed all ideal interviews, and make ample amends for every pang his heart had undergone.

As the lady possessed a considerable share of youth and beauty, it was not to be supposed she could long remain without a train of admirers. Her parents, who never dreamt about their daughter's previous marriage, became each day more anxious to select a person, whose mental and corporeal endowments might, in their estimation, render him worthy their daughter's hand and heart.

Several years had now rolled on, without the lady's hearing a syllable of her husband. At length, she ascertained, that he was no more she was inconsolable, but found it prudent to stifle her griefs to avoid suspicion.

When she had paid every tribute consistent with reflection to the memory of her parents for her departed lord, a Gentleman was proposed by her parents for her approbation, and the good old people were so prejudiced in favour of the person they had introduced, that they gave their daughter to understand that their happiness depended on her compliance.

The young lady, who thought herself entirely at liberty to commit a second trespass upon Hymen, after some little hesitation, consented; the nuptials were celebrated; the Lady, if not happy, was placid and serenely content; the parents were delighted, the bridegroom was enraptured, and all were jocund, all were joyous.

For four years this newly married couple lived in perfect harmony; but at length an intermitting fever seized upon the lady, the physicians were baffled, and she, to all appearance, paid the debt due to nature. She was buried with pomp, and every reverence shewn to her memory the custom of the country would admit of.

During her last illness, her former husband, whom we left abroad, had returned, and, after making the necessary inquiries, was informed of every circumstance we have related above.

As he was unwilling to surprize her whilst she combatted with sickness, he had employed a trusty person to make him acquainted with each particular of her case; and, the instant the news of her death reached his ears, a frantic wildness seized his soul, and he resolved to receive no manner of sustenance, but to bury himself

H

amongst the mould, which laid lightly on her brest, and thus pine out the short remaining period of his existence.

Full of this resolution, he repaired the night she was buried to her tomb; and, after digging up the earth, he discovered her coffin, fetched a deep sigh, and was about to stretch his wearied limbs, when, to his consternation, astonishment, and affright, he perceived signs of life---he tore open the coffin, and found it even as he suspected---his wife was almost suffocated; he snatched her up in his arms, conveyed her to the house of a neighbouring friend, had her instantly put into a warm bed, and, in a few weeks, she was perfectly restored to life and health.

sooner

As she had real affection for her first husband, she made no scruple of chusing him for her companion; but, as the affair soon made a prodigious noise throughout the country, the second husband, who also doated on her to distraction, no was informed of the particulars, than he attempted to force her to live with him; the prior claimant as resolutely persisted in keeping her to himself. In short, a law-suit was commenced; the most learned advocates in France were employed; a redundancy of erudition was displayed; and, after being litigated for a considerable length of time, a solemn decision was given in favour of the gentleman who had first married her.

This story has so much the air of fable and romance, that, to leave an impression of its truth on the mind of the reader, it may be proper to inform him, that the French lawyers have selected

all the famous trials, with the decisions which have been given in their Court for a series of

years.

This, which is contained in several folio volumes, is entitled Les Causes Celebres. The above very extraordinary relation is recited therein, together with all the subtle and ingenious arguments used by the advocates for the different husbands.

MILITARY TACTICS OF OLD.

Some of our military readers, we dare say, will be highly gratified to know how Sawney, the Scot, exercised his men a centuWe find the Manual ry ago. Exercises of the Scotch Officers in the Gentleman's Magazine, for June, 1746, and think it a curiosity well worth preserving.-We doubt the simple militiaman will be much puzzled with it. Tak' heed, Sawney.

Join your spoon-hand to your muckle gun, Sir.

Haud her aut before your face, Sir.
Your cogue-hand to your muckle gun, Sir.
Bring her down to your knie, Sir.
Pu' back the lug o' her, Sir.

Present at the golly wellfoots, Sir.
Fire, Sir.

Whack her o'er your right, Sir..
Your dowp to me, and your face to In-
Blaw up the muckle pipes, M‘Carter.
verness, Sir.
Now gae your gaits, Sir.

THE DANGERS OF HABIT-AN EAST

ERN ALLEGORY.

Indolence is the daughter of weakness, the sister of vice, and the mother of misfortune. When that propensity of nature collects strength from habit, the desire of becoming useful is extinguished, and no hopes are left for making a progress in any laudable pursuit. Wisdom is the fruit of reflection; it is not acquired without strenuous efforts; and whoever does not see the rays of the rising sun, will die without hearing himself spoken of.

Son of perseverance, read, and be wise! It is Salah that speaks to thee; it is the hermet of Lebanon, who, in the 57th year of his retreat, leaves this instruction to mankind.

I was formerly what thou art now, a traveller on the earth, a gazar on the stars. I trafficked and amassed great wealth; I

Pu' up the lug o' her, Sir.

Handle your kail-seed, Sir.

Cast it into the lug o' her, Sir.

Steek the lug o' her, Sir.

of love; I wore the robe of honour, and I heard the music of flattery. Ambition entered my

Cast about your muckle gun, Sir.

Pu' her into your wame, Sir.

Handle your kail-seed, Sir.
Bite off the head o' it, Sir.
Cast it into the wame o' her, Sir.
Lug out your wolly wand, Sir.
Shorten it against your wame, Sir.
Pu' it into the wame o' her, Sir.
Ram down your kail-seed, Sir.
Lug it out again, Sir.
Shorten it against your wame, Sir.
Pu' it into the place o' it again, Sir.
Cast off your muckle gun, Sir.
Your spoon-hand under the lug o' her, Sir.
Haud her out before your face again, Sir.

employments. All this fated, but did not content me. I felt myself unhappy, and I retired. I long sought what I at last found in this desert; an abode where wants cost few desires and cares, a state in which I should not be obliged to pay for the follies of men, nor purchase their assistance. Here I found fruits, herbs, and water; and here Í resolved to wait the moment of

death, of which I do not dread much the approaches.

I spent forty-eght years far from mortals, and without desire for their company. One day, as I looked at a rock suspended over my cell, I seemed to have a mind to get to the top of it. This inclination I endeavoured to suppress, not that it was criminal, but because it was new, and because a mind, informed by experience, is diffident of every change that does not evidently bring with it something better. I feared my heart might be under a deception, that my curiosity proceeded from inquietude, and that my ardour to contemplate the works of nature did contain a secret motion for returning to the world. I therefore immediately called back my thoughts to my cell; but, distraction increaing, I had some sort of remorse, and I doubted if it was not laziness that hindered my ascending to the top of Lebanon.

I therefore rose, before the morning's dawn, and began to climb up this rough mountain. Loaded with years and provisions, I advanced slowly. So soon as the day permitted me to distinguish objects, I saw that the inclination of the mountain became still more steep; the sand slipped from under my feet; at length I arrived on a small plain, surrounded by rocks, and open to the East. There I sat down to breathe, and recover my strength. After resting a little, I thought to continue; but the fear of fatigue, and the branches that formed over my head a verdant shade, and the fresh gales that in this delicious spot wafted from the gayest flowers fragrant odours to my bosom, all pressing, invit

ed to make me tarry a while longer.

In this state of irresolution, struggling between the design of pursuing my route, and the fondness for remaining in this charming place, an insensible heaviness weighed down all my senses; I laid my head on the green turf, and fell into the arms of sleep. I seemed to myself to hear the noise of the flights of eagles, and believed I saw a Being more than human. "Where art thou going, Salah," said he to me, with an air and [tone inspiring confidence. I was climbing up, answered I, to the mountain's summit, there at leisure to enjoy nature's most beautiful perspective. "Go not farther," continued he, "and I will explain to you what you may see but not understand. I am one of those beneficent beings that keep a watchful eye over the children of the dust, to guard them from the calamities they have not merited. Contemplate, observe, and learn."

I looked, and descried a mountain far higher than Lebanon, the top of which lost itself in the clouds, and the foot in an abyss of darkness. Astonished to see it without a foundation, and, as it were, suspended in an immense void, my eyes wandered about— "Be not afraid," said he, "raise your eyes, and learn instruction."

I looked, and observed that the lower part of the mountain was of easy ascent, and covered with flowers; the middle, more steep, appeared rugged with cliffs, and intersected with precipices, yet planted with fruit trees and groves, and a variety of palaces built upon it; the top was barren, and its aspect had but few

attractive charms; yet, through the clefts of the rocks sprung up some ever-green shrubs, which the travellers could catch hold of, support themselves with, and sometimes sit down between them.

My attention being directed to every object that came in view, I perceived a numberless multitude of children amusing themselves by gathering flowers, under the care of a modest virgin, clad in a white robe. She suffered them to wander about freely, and without restraint, because, the ground being smooth and even, they could neither fall nor go astry. When they plucked a thorn instead of a flower, the nymph smiled at the mistake. Happy the company, said I to myself, that lives secure from harm under laws so mild and charming! But that virgin did not keep them long: she conducted them to a higher quarter, where another nymph, with more severe looks, and an air of command, came to receive them, They would have been glad not to quit one who acted by them with a mother's tenderness: some of them deserted their new mistress, who made them walk in narrow and craggy paths-but, instead of going into the road they were first shewn, they strayed about the mountain.

"Dread habit!" repeated constantly the awful nymph to her timid troop. "It is habit that makes passions dangerous-passions create crimes, and habit forms vices-its own excesses cause passion to be detested, but habit stifles remorse, and obstructs a return to virtue. Its chains lengthen out and are per

petuated, and man lives and dies in slavery-dread habit !"'

This nymph soon arrived towards the middle of the mountain, where dangerous rocks and precipices came full in view. She delivered up the care of her charge to two other nymphs of a majestic stature and venerable aspect. Both appeared to have descended from heaven. One of them commanded over the nations, but received orders from the other, and listened to her in silent respect.

The nymph that retired received no compliments of thanks from her pupils, neither were they sorry in parting with her: they even seemed to reproach her with their ignorance, and many errors they could see into in a more enlightened region.

The subordinate nymph said to them, "I have nothing but advice to give you; I am not your guide, but will lead you to your mistress." "We will have no other but you," cried the multitude.-"Be aware of what you say I am not made for a great number. How many are there whom I could not secure from the tyranny of passions? Habit, that had laid hold of them in the tumultuous region of appetites, has hurled them headlong into the cavern of despair. It is not my business to use restraint, I can only admonish; and I am sensible you stand in need of a curb. You here walk in the road of dangers, and are not all strong enough to get clear of them after me. see that thick mist yonder, terminating the sight? Beyond it are the Temples of felicity, where travellers, during eternity, rest

Do you