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One of these spells was taken from the neck of John Hay, a gentleman rebel, who was executed at Wexford. So universally were they adopted, that even this man, who belonged to the middle ranks of society, was not ashamed to wear so superstitious a badge. Even at the present day, if one should speak of 'the gospel' to many of our poor neighbours, they will believe that an amulet written by a priest is the object signified.

On the 28th of September, the French army surrendered, after an engagement near the iron mines in the county of Leitrim. For a few weeks longer the United Irishmen remained under arms, and retained possession of Connaught. At length their leaders were seized, their forces disbanded, and military parties scoured the country in search of the straggling members of a body so lately formidable. Owen and Cormac Dhu, with hundreds of their companions in arms, concealed themselves in mountain fastnesses and rocky caves. The government soon afterwards proclaimed a general pardon for all, excepting leaders who had been concerned in the late revolt, on condition of laying down their arms and surrendering to some royalist officer. Our rebel friends at once complied with the required terms, and were allowed to follow us in peace to Glencarra. Oh, with what joy did we again behold dark Nephin's massive form, and wander by the side of our own beautiful Lough Conn! We found that the mansion had been but little injured during the residence of the rebels. A few pistol-shots had been fired at the drawing-room ceiling; a few trifling pieces of furniture had been used for firing; a few family portraits of unpopular individuals had been piked, especially in the eyes; but that was the extent of mischief done. Our family, by repeated deeds of benevolence, had become endeared to the surrounding

peasantry, who repaid its kindness by protecting its property. Even the family plate had been carefully secured by Mabel and her children, and was now drawn uninjured from its concealment in deep bog-holes. Every thing was soon re-arranged, and again peace and comfort smiled at Glencarra.

ELIZABETH FRY.

In our next Number we hope to devote a few pages to the memory of this blessed woman, with whom we very recently held short but sweet converse in the place whence her Spirit soon after took its flight to Him whom she loved and served. A few short lines will not suffice; and at present we could not pen more; for there were touching circumstances connected with the interview; and more of excitement than is good for us still cleaves to the recollection of that bright, sweet face, so full of energy, so full of love, so full of deep humility! next month we hope to say more.

SEASONAL WILD FLOWERS.-No. VI.

THE scattered leaves which, 'sere and dead,' are strewn across our path in our rambles during the present month, forcibly remind us that Flora's beauties are diminishing, and that winter is coming, when in vain we shall look for an abundant supply of them; yet, during this and the succeeding month, there are some pretty blossoms to interest the botanist and to call forth his admiration of his Creator's works. Nor is the present season fruitless in sources of meditation to the Christian; as the leaves are scattered to the winds around him, he may recal the prophet's simile, “ We all do fade as a leaf;" and as he expects in the spring, again to behold the trees clad in verdure and beauty exceeding that they have had since their freshness in that season so may he anticipate the renewal of his faculties, after death shall have scattered his mortal body in dust, in a more perfect and enduring state; these changes in the appearance of creation, are all calculated to teach us lessons of wisdom, and we ought to 66 consider the lilies" with the references given by the Saviour. If they be instrumental in leading us to prepare for the great changes of which decaying nature is a type, how thankful should we be! how ready to ascribe praise to Him who made the summer with its sunny skies and healthful pleasures, and winter with its "winds and storms alike fulfilling his word!"

Not many novelties claim our notice at this season; one of the principal of them is the ivy (Hedera Helix) which affords food to innumerable insects. Its name

was given it by Pliny; Hedra signifying a cord, and ivo, green; it is well known, softening as it does, the features of many a rugged and ruined building, which would otherwise be unsightly, and giving it a picturesque appearance. The flowers are green, in runbels, and are succeeded by a smooth black berry resembling a currant. It is parasitical, having its root at the end of the stalks, and is applied to a variety of useful purposes. The roots are used by leather-cutters to whet their knives upon. The Highlanders of Scotland make an ointment from the leaves, which they apply to burns: horses and sheep eat it. An ivy crown was bestowed by the ancients as a reward for poetical merit.

Two species of crocus blossom during October: one, the naked flowering crocus (Crocus Undiflorus) growing on the banks of the Trent; and the other the showy autumnal crocus (Crocus Spicionsus), found at Warwick, and Halifax in Yorkshire.

Many of the plants which bloomed some months since, and have continued unnoticed on account of the variety which called for attention at the time, may now, lingering as they do still with us, be fitly introduced.

The wood cornel, or dog-wood (Corneus Sanguinea) puts forth its white flowers in June, but is particularly conspicuous now, from the foliage which, during the summer, has been green, assuming a deep red hue. It is about five feet high, and bears purple fruit. It is one of a very large tribe of plants called the dogwood tribe, which is found in all parts of Europe, Asia, and America, and in the United States is used instead of Peruvian bark in intermittent fevers. The word cornel is derived from cornu, a horn, the wood being remarkably hard.

The narrow-leaved wall mustard (Sinapis tennifolia) also blossoms during October; its bright lemon-coloured flowers making a cheerful spot of heaps of rubbish

where it generally grows; it is mixed with the better sorts and used for the table.

The devil's bit, scabious, is seen in moist pastures and sometimes in cornfields; its corolla is divided into four equal segments, its root is fleshy abrupt. "The great part of the root," says Gerarde, "seemeth to be bitten away; old fantastic charmers report that the devil did bite it for envy, because it is an herb that hath so many good vertues and is so beneficiale to mankinde." Its flowers are deep purplish blue, sometimes milk-white, and the root is said to furnish an effectual cure in cutaneous diseases.

The maiden pink (Diarithers Deltoides) is still discovered on hills. The stems are matted together on the ground, but when they flower they rise five or six inches; it has pale rose-coloured flowers, with a circle of deep coloured spots at the mouth.

The five-leaved heath and sea-tree-mallow, already described, may be occasionally met with; one, in thickets or dry pastures, and the other on the sea-shore; and a stray branch of honey-suckle, in a more sheltered situation than its neighbours that have already faded.

Our list of autumnals is short, but we are scarcely perceptible of their diminution, adorned as the decaying foliage is with a thousand hues to charm the eye.

Alas! those thousand hues declare
Corruption's work is busy there:
Forerunners they of winter's gloom,
A victim garnished for the tomb!
Too true! too true! for as we tread
The woodland path, behold, o'erspread
With leaves is all the slippery way,
Unseen consumption's early prey.

E. J. S.

[Unintentionally omitted from our last Number.]

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