as a compensation for years of discomfort and tribulation in this instance, however, it was infinitely too great, as the lady was a very amiable and accomplished woman, while Mr. Emanuel Crosby was quite the reverse. He was an obstinate, self-willed, pig-headed, and ill-tempered young man; and his silly pride had led him already into several uncomfortable scrapes. Kate Bowen did not know all this; and if she did, she would most probably have done, what many of her sex, both before and since have done-married him, for the purpose of shewing her power in reforming him! But she did not know it, and so they were married-the servants sporting whitefavours, and the very horses, as is their custom in the country, prancing and curvetting with tenfold energy under the influence of such rejoicings. It was in the winter, and the honey-moon was

spent in London.

And here, were I given to the "Ercles' vein"-which I am not,-I could descant most divinely upon the bliss of this most blissful of months. How that the bride was all blushes, and love and agitation, for the three first days at least, and how that the "groom"-even Mr. Emanuel Crosby-was all tenderness, attention, and kindness, for the same period. How that they stopped at Oxford, and saw the Bodleian, the Clarendon, the Theatre, the Museum, the Chapel of New College, and all the other Oxonian Lions. How that they left Oxford, and how that Mr. Emanuel Crosby lionized his lovely brideand Kate Bowen was, indeed, a lovely girl-all over London-the Tower, the Theatres, the Opera, Westminster Abbey, St. Pauls', even the monument was not omitted-as yet the Coloseum and the Diorama were not; and when they returned to Shrewsbury poor Mrs. Crosby began to feel, that, under some circumstances, marriage may become a very, very disagreeable affair. To do her ample justice, we must say that Mrs. Crosby's conduct was most exemplary. Throughout the whole course of her wedded life-and her path was not strewn with roses she was the prudent, affectionate and forbearing wife,the tender and careful mother, the patient, uncomplaining, enduring woman. She soon found out the disposition of her sweet Emanuel, which gathered no improvement from the bitter "uses of adversity." On the contrary, some severe losses in business imbued it with additional acrimony, and the death of a favourite child, a beautiful boy, named Emanuel Bowen, who died while yet an infant, rendered it unendurable without very skilful management. This management, however, Mrs. Bowen well knew how to administer; and she could always succeed in soothing its turbulence, and governing its obstinacy, especially, whenever she wanted to carry her own point in matters connected with her daughters, whom she, as was natural, loved very dearly; and whom he, as was not very unnatural, cared little about. Philosophers, as well as gardeners, tell us, that we shall know the excellence of the tree by the fruit that it bears; so, perhaps, shall we become better acquainted with Mrs. Crosby from a more intimate knowledge of her daughters. Catherine and Ellen were, ac

cording to the universal custom among two only sisters, the very antipodes of each other, in all those qualities, which distinguish men and women from each other. Catherine, who was two or three years older than her sister, was a grave, clever, almost a learned, girl of two-and-twenty. She delighted in quizzing, but it was with great 'good-nature; she was somewhat given to satire, but it was always well-directed; she was, in her way, a philosophe,-acquainted, in a slight degree, with chemistry, botany, zoology, geology, mineralogy, divers other ologies, not excluding that contentious,-and, shall we say, absurd?-doctrine (we cannot call it a science,) yclept Phrenology. To this, indeed, she had a very especial penchant, in consequence o fhaving her character extracted from the developement of her cerebral formation, by an intimate friend, who was a martyr to the doctrine, having already expended a considerable sum in extending its precepts, and disseminating its utility.

This, we say, inspired Catherine Crosby with a warm attachment to Phrenology; and "Coombe's Outlines,' Spurzheim's Introduction," and a huge cast from De Ville's, were the immediate consequences. But who can describe her rapture and her joy, when she read in the Salopian Journal, that "the celebrated Phrenologist, Dr. Spurzheim," would stop at Shrewsbury, en route to Dublin, to favour the Salopians with an examination of their cerebral developement? To say that her nights were sleepless, and her days feverish, would convey but a poor description of her intense anxiety. She felt, in short, the deep and engrossing interest, which an enthusiastic disciple entertains towards some celebrated master of the art, which he follows-for instance-as a young sculptor, who had just succeeded in forming a tolerable resemblance of an eye or a nose, would contemplate an interview with Chantrey or Westmacott; or a young painter would look forward to the beholding of a Wilkie or a Turner. Well: Spurzheim came, and Catherine Crosby was amongst the first, who visited him; and who presented her beautiful head to that philosopher's examination.

The interview was sufficiently amusing; and must have proved highly interesting and satisfactory to the fair eléve. Spurzheim's grey eye sparkled with exultation as he luxuriated over the bumps. "Mine teer young lady," said the Professor,-" dis ish de finest voman's hade I ave feel-ed dis long times. Here ish de organsh of Self-esteem very fully develop-ed, and Benevolench, and Trimnesh, and Combativenesh-ah! you are fond of de quizzing!—and Philoprogenitivenesh-ah! ah! you are fond of de littel shild!—Let me see-here ish Language very plain, and Melody. Yon read books, and play de musick, and you remember what you read-very fine young lady!" And thus ended the show. But, whatever may be our own notions, as to the truth or utility of the doctrine of Phrenology--and we will confess that we really have some notions on the subject, as impartial annalists we are bound to bear witness to the correctness of the experiment in the present case: for, whether by

"art magicke," as Owen Glendower was supposed to have beaten the English, or by some abstruse knowledge of the art, the Professor most assuredly discovered all the leading traits or qualities of Catherine Crosby's disposition.* It was, in fact, the harmonious blending of these different, and, apparently, opposite qualities, and their counteracting effects, which made their possessor,—not only an entertaining companion, but a very estimable friend.

"But," it will be said-" fiddle-de-dee with your Phrenology! Was the young lady pretty?" Not very: she was rather a fine girl, than a pretty one. Her stature was tall, and her carriage statelyeven dignified. Her figure was well-proportioned, and her features regular-too regular to constitute prettiness. Her full, hazel eye had a sleepy languor in it, excepting at a time when it was brightened by mirth or emotion; for, with all her stateliness and gravity, Catherine Crosby could feel; and was considerably under the influence of the varied feelings, incident to poor mortality. Yet was she very artificially constituted, notwithstanding. Her acquaintance with the old philosophic authors-ancient as well as modern-had taught her that discipline of the heart, which has its uses, doubtless; but which, as Society is now coustituted, does not, certainly, add to the charms of a fine young woman. Too much gravity-and, especially, if it be the result of art,—cannot become one, whose existence ought to be replete with gaiety and joy; and that it tends to repress the warmer and more agreeable impulses of the hearts in others, was abundantly proved in Catherine; for, although she had many admirers, she had not one lover.

While Catherine was thus artificially accomplished, and in a great measure governed by artifical impulses, Ellen was the complete child of nature--influenced, actuated, oftentimes, even driven into extremes by the strong impulses of her sensitive spirit. She might have justly exclaimed with Sardanapalus :

"I am the very slave of circumstances,

And impulse-borne away with every breath!"

At an age when the warmest feelings of the heart—and particularly of the female heart-are predominant; when, with all the confiding eagerness of youth, and all its imprudent impetuosity-the beatings

* We have not the slightest notion of advocating Phrenology-Heaven forefend that we should dip our pen in so galling a subject. But the following circumstance occurred in our presence. When Spurzheim first came to London, he was visited by most of the leading medical men; among others, a gentleman, more remarkable for his absurd enmity to all that is excellent in the profession, as well as for the most outrageous eccentricity and conciseness, than anything else, submitted his cranium to Spurzheim's examination. The Professor smiled, looked grave, smiled again, and again looked grave. "Well, Doctor, what think you of my skull?” was the exulting query. Spurzheim politely declined to inform him. But this was far from satisfactory; aud the Professor was warmly urged to explain. The explanation followed; and offensive as it must have been to the conceited charlatan, it was acknowledged by every person present to be true au pied de la lettre. 2 N

VOL. III. NO. XVII.

of that heart are ungoverned by experience, and unchecked in their swiftness by the interposition of reflection-Ellen Crosby was continually exposed to all the petty evils, which such a disposition is sure to create. When she was in spirits, her glad and innocent happiness became uncontrouled in her laughing blue eye, and was perceptible in every tone of her voice,-in every graceful attitude of her buoyant and graceful form. When she was sad, the brightness of that eye was instantly clouded, and tears alone brought relief to her afflicted heart. I have seen her under very great variety of circumstances. I have seen her weeping on her mother's bosom for the loss of a pet linnet; I have seen her supporting the palsied head of age and sickness, and administering without ostentation to the wants of the needy; I have seen her pouring forth the piety of her pure spirit in grateful adoration and praise to the Giver of All Good; I have been with her to the squalid dwellings of want and misery, and watched the brightening eye of almost hopeless sorrow, as it gazed on the bending form of the lovely Samaritan. I have mingled, moreover, with her in the merry dance, and partaken of her artless glee, as she joined in the happy pastimes of girlhood; and, in all that she did, and in all that she felt, whether it was gladness or sorrow-joy or grief,-the feeling gushed warm from the heart, unrestricted and unsophisticated by any artificial admixture. She was much prettier than her sitter. Every body agreed that Ellen Crosby was a very pretty girl; and the old people said she was very like what her mother was. Her eyes were blue and bright: her hair of a rich golden colour, and in profuse luxuriance; her figure was exquisitely symmetrical, although petite, but by no means 'dumpy. -("I hate a dumpy woman") her voice was soft, sweet, and exceedingly melodious; while her fair complexion-fair almost to transparency with her pretty little Grecian mouth and nose, and her dimpled cheek, constituted a tout-ensemble, which women might well envy, and men love to look upon.

Such were the Crosby's of Crosby Villa, Severn Bank, Shrewsbury ; and what part they, and others, connected with our history, were destined to play on the troubled ocean of human existence, we shall proceed to narrate in due course and solemnity,

TRANSLATION FROM THE POLISH OF NIEMCEWITZ.

This life is but a dream at best,

Where shadows pass, but nought remains;
Some seem with wealth and honours blest,.
Some, bow'd by misery and chains.

A few there are, before whose eyes
A crown will flit, in mock'ry sent;
To others darker visions rise,

Of country lost, and banishment.

And, oh! what bitter cause to weep
The boon of life thus hardly given,

If, after all this troublous sleep,

We wake-but not to taste of Heaven.

SLAVE TO A TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.

A respectable young man, son of a wealthy farmer, married and commenced the career of life for himself under very auspicious circumstances. He was industrious and prosperous, and his affectionate wife blessed him with several fine children; but, unfortunately for him, a man came into his neighbourhood, and opened a tavern. The farmer, from the power of social feelings at first, and then from habit, and finally from appetite, visited the tavern more and more frequently, till by imperceptible degrees he became intemperate— and consequently all his property began to waste away, and in a few years he was a bankrupt and a miserable sot, and his wife and children were destitute. For several years he continued in this degraded condition, hanging about the tavern which had been the cause of his ruin, and performing the most menial offices for the sake of the liquor which he got. At length the news of the temperance movements reached the place, and the tavern keeper, of course, began to rail about them. The unfortunate farmer suffered the tavern keeper to think for him, and he too raised his voice against temperance societies. But by and by a movement was made in the place where the tavern was, and a temperance society was formed. This caused the unhappy farmer to reflect, and he began to think for himself, and very soon abandoned totally the use of all intoxicating liquors, and became a sober man, and went and desired