solved itself into Hampshire. The prefix South was given to Hamton, in consequence of its relative situation to Norham.

In the year 873, and again in 980, Hamton was ravaged by the Danes. When Canute ascended the throne, he appears to have established his abode at Southampton; and here, according to Henry of Huntingdon, it was, that he gave that memorable lesson to the sycophants about him, which, often as it has been told, may still be read with advantage. Hailed by flat

VOL. XLVI.

tery as one whose awful mandates all nature must obey, he caused a chair to be placed for him on the beach, and then authoritatively addressed the flowing tide to the following effect: "Oh, ye waves, know ye are under my dominion; the ground on which I sit is mine, nor did ever refractory pride disobey my commands with impunity; and I therefore now command thee not to wet the feet of thy lord and master." The historian continues: Despite of this royal order, the rude waters presently advanced, and threw themselves over the royal person; when rising from his seat, he addressed his courtiers, and said: "Let all the world know that the power of earthly monarchs is a vain and empty thing, and that no one deserves the name of king but He whose will, by an eternal decree, the heavens, the earth, and the sea, must obey." It is added, from that time forward he would never suffer the crown to be placed on his head, but caused it to be put on the great crucifix at Winchester. The coins of Canute have a mitre, a cap, or a triangular covering on his head, similar to that of St. Edward, and thus seem to confirm the tradition.

Southampton gained considerable importance before the Norman conquest. Its growing prosperity was interrupted in the time of Edward III. That monarch having laid claim to the crown of France, differences arose between the two countries, and the French, with their Spanish and Genoese allies, made a successful landing from a fleet of fifty galleys. They defeated those who opposed them in arms, but with considerable loss, and many of the principal inhabitants of Southampton were cruelly put to the sword. In the following year, 1339, an act was passed for rebuilding and fortifying the town, and the king, in a new charter, confirmed all the grants made by his predecessors, and invested the inhabitants with additional im

munities.

It was in July, 1345, that the army destined to avenge the affront England had received, on the plains of Cressy, sailed from the port of Southampton. From the same place, in 1415, those warriors took their departure who were soon to become the conquerors of Agincourt. Here, before the armament had moved, was discovered the conspiracy against the life of Henry V, in which Robert earl of Cambridge (whose grandson afterwards became king Edward IV) and Sir Thomas Grey of Northumberland, were conspicuous, with lord Scrope, the especial favourite of the king. They were brought to trial, and executed in Southampton. Scrope was hanged, drawn, and quartered; the others were beheaded. Their bodies were interred in the Domus Dei, as is recorded on

a stone erected by a predecessor of the present earl of Delawarr.

In 1522, Charles V embarked from Southampton in the fleet which conveyed him to Spain. Edward VI was a visitor thirty years afterwards. Philip II landed here when he came to marry Mary I, and queen Elizabeth kept her court in Southampton in 1569. In 1575, she granted to the corporation the arms which are now used in the crown seal.

The remainder of the history of Southampton is highly gratifying. Its prosperity has from age to age continued rapidly to increase. A railroad having been formed from London to Southampton, it can now be reached in two or three hours with ease. Though many exactions on the part of the railway company have been loudly complained of, it cannot be denied that altogether the railroad is of vast service to the town. A direct line from London has been planned, as also one from Southampton to Manchester. Southampton is equally known to those whose lives are devoted to commerce and pleasure; and enormously as it has increased of late years, its dimensions and importance are likely at no distant day to be far more considerable.

THE CELEBRATED ENGRAVER

RYLAND.

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The last century was fruitful of extraordinary speculations, though they were less numerous that those of our own times. passion to possess shares in flourishing concerns led many astray. Opulence, comfort, and character, were sacrificed in the pursuit of boundless wealth.

It would seem the engraver Ryland was one of these. His story is a melancholy one. Enjoying high celebrity, admired for his affability, and generally lauded for his good conduct, the public were astounded on the 5th April, 1783, at seeing an advertisement in all the public papers, stating him to have been charged before the Lord Mayor with falsely making, forging, and counterfeiting an acceptance to two bills of exchange for payment of £7,114, and offering a reward of three hundred pounds for his apprehension.

On the 15th of the same month, he was apprehended at Stepney. On seeing the officers, he seized a razor, and inflicted a severe wound on his throat, which caused him to lose so much blood, that he could not be removed from the small house in which he was taken till the following morning. On the 27th July, he was tried at the Old Bailey. In his defence, he set forth that he was rich. Besides £200 per annum which he received from the king,

he was proprietor of shares in the Liverpool water-works to the amount of seven thousand pounds, his stock in trade was worth ten thousand pounds, and the profits of his business produced two thousand pounds a year. He had been a bill-dis counter, and the bill charged to have been forged he stated had come to him in the way of trade. All this had little weight with the jury, who, after deliberating on the case about thirteen minutes, brought in a verdict of guilty with intent to defraud. He suffered on Friday, the 29th of August 1783. His last moments were tranquil. An eye-witness thus describes them: "The morning this unhappy man yet great artist was to set forward towards that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller returns,' he appeared in the press-yard with the utmost composure, and took leave of a few respectable acquaintances; and after the usual ceremony of those geniuses who are properly qualified in such sort of business was over, he went towards the door, where a person with a stentorian voice called out, Ryland's coach,' with as much vociferation and self-satisfaction as if he was calling out at the playhouse. Mr. Ryland, before he went into the coach which was to convey him to his everlasting home, with the tenderness of a father took leave of a little girl who was unconscious of what was intended. Those who pretend to have any knowledge of Mr. Ryland's affairs, do not hesitate to say it was a natural daughter. Having got into the fatal vehicle, he proceeded to the place of execution amidst a crowd of spectators such as had hardly been seen before. And indeed it might

Mr.

had no friends were exposed to all the inclemency of the weather in open carts. The storm having abated, the officers of justice reassumed their business, and the unfortunate objects who were doomed to suffer were all tied up to the fatal tree, except Mr. Ryland, who yet remained in his carriage. After about half an hour spent in prayer by his fellow-sufferers, the unfortunate Mr. Ryland ascended the cart, dressed in mourning, and still preserving the utmost fortitude; taking hold of the rope himself by which he was pinioned with much composure. The executioner having finished the previous necessary business of affixing the rope, the unhappy gentleman entered into conversation with the rev. Mr. Vilette for the space of ten minutes, during which time he preserved a serenity of countenance which astonished the numerous spectators; after which he joined his fellow-sufferers in singing a loud hymn, imploring forgiveness of that Deity they had so justly offended by violating his most holy precepts; and now, having taken a most affectionate leave of each other, the caps were drawn over their faces, and the executioner had the whip in his hand, to give the fatal stroke which was to put a period to their existence, when he was stopped by the sheriff, it is presumed by the desire of Mr. Ryland, and a white handkerchief was taken from his pocket, and tied over his cap; which being done, they were instantly launched into eternity."

a similar example, where one of the first artists in the world, favoured by his sovereign, applauded by the best judges, and more particularly indulged by fortune, made so great a mistake in his understanding, and came to be hanged. Mr. Ryland at last arriving at the place of execution, though not at the desired part, waited rather longer than his fellows in sorrow wished to do. This is apprehended to be more owing to the indulgence of the sheriffs, than any superior merit in the culprit, his crime being equal to the best or the worst of them. But the horror of the scene cannot be described. The tremendous Author of all things at this awful period bade His thunders roll, His rain to descend, and His lightning to flash conviction on those who act contrary to the laws of God and man. The violence of the storm suspended the awful ceremony upwards of half an hour, during which time Mr. Ryland and his unhappy fellowsufferers remained in the coaches allotted to them; while the miserable wretches who

A TALE OF TRUTH AND FICTION.

BY EDWARD PORTWINE.

CHAPTER IV. (Continued.)

"Ah, who have we coming here? It is Bott, and all the officers of the borough at his heels."

"Have you seen Cumlin pass this way?" "Aye, aye, you will find him at the Chequers, if you have the courage to face the tiger in his den," replied Hamish.

The officials looked blank. The chief, however, attempted a smile of defiance, in order to encourage his myrmidons; but it quickly vanished into the sickly hue of abject fear.

"At the Chequers!" faltered the official. I must capture him; he is doomed, when I get him before Sir Michael Webb."

"Ah! ah!" shouted the vendor of soles. The constable looked daggers at the little fisherman, who laughed louder; and in rage he exclaimed, "I shall lay hands on you, master Hardy, some of these days;

and if I do, you will be transported to a dead certainty, if there is any law or justice in the country."

"Oh! oh!" replied Hardy, "the law ain't passed yet that will hurt me; no, nor is there any law to harm a man for flying up chalky cliffs, and laughing at the Lapwings and riding officers."

The constable foamed with rage at this treason against "law and justice," as he called it; while the fisherman grinned in his face, and disappeared in the direction of the pier, where we shall beg to take our reader.

CHAPTER V.

The Chequers was situated near the pier, surrounding a harbour choked with mud and shingle. The view from the front of the tavern was, therefore, not the most beautiful, but then the sea, with its deep blue waters in the distance, compensated for the filthy dock under the windows of this rendezvous for every class of the citizens of Folkstone. The Chequers was a large wooden building, and could not lay claim to any architectural beauty. The interior, however, afforded comfort, and was similar to most inns in the country. A large room, overlooking the British Channel, was the first apartment the traveller or guest entered. A large hob and chimneycorners, and a round white deal table, with wooden chairs and seats, constituted the furniture of the receiving room. There were other apartments to which company were shown if requiring privacy. These were situated behind the bar, which commanded a view of the public room.

In a large room at the extremity of the building, and at a table on which were strewed pipes and drinking utensils, was seated Cumlin, the landlady's son, young Henry Gettings, and the vendor of soles, Morphew, and five others.

The party were conversing, sipping brandy and water, aud indulging in the luxury of the fragrant weed, in utter indifference to the commotion which raged in the town. The little fisherman had just concluded a narrative of his encounter with the constables, when Gettings remarked to Cumlin, "I am certain that Macy and old Waldron suspect you of the feat performed last night with such courage and fearlessness. Indeed, I listened to the whole of their remarks, and it is my impression that it is old Waldron who has induced Peake and Higgs to procure a warrant against you this morning."

"It may be so," answered Cumlin, scornfully, "but I care not; I will dare the power these fools can bring against me. I do not mean to dispute the right the magistrates may possess to arrest any one accused of a breach of the law; but they

"I hope not," exclaimed Hardy; we have all placed confidence in you, and followed your counsel. We have found you as true as steel, and as daring as a lion, therefore I should be sorry if anything happened to injure or take you from a band who so much respect and fear

"Pooh! pooh!" interrupted Cumlin, with a meaning smile, "I dare much, because I hate these detested revenue laws; I hazard my liberty, because I abominate a government that restricts that trade and commerce on which the welfare of the country depends for happiness; and I stand in the light of first offender, because I know I am safe from prosecution, while any other member of our numerous body, if suspected, would incur lengthened incarceration and ruin. I can and will dare a prison in defence of my principles; I have done so in other climes successfully, and I have heretofore braved these accursed laws, and laughed at his majesty's bloodhounds-the officers."

The energy and rapidity, accompanied by a frown of withering contempt, with which this was delivered, electrified his companions, and assured them that the result of a seizure on their commander's person would be followed by no results of a painful nature.

"But," replied Gettings, "I think you were too imprudent last night in openly deriding the attempts of the Lapwings and their captain, and I assure you I felt some little trepidation on your account, when the reports of fire arms reverberated amongst the beetling cliffs. The freight I hauled above, absolutely terrified me. I did not suppose you would have ventured on such a hazardous experiment; but you were successful, and I am satisfied."

"My life, my friends," said Cumlin, with some emotion, “has been passed in peril and adventure on many seas and on many lands. I have braved danger in almost every shape, and dared death at the cannon's mouth. I have, standing on the deck of many a gallant vessel, with a daring crew, received the fire of the ships of all nations, whose power and calibre I have defied. I have been regardless of consequences-Iam now; and it is not very probable that the affair of last evening should be regarded by me as one of recklessness or danger, and yet it, in some measure, recalled the reminiscences of my early life. But, Gettings and Hardy, did you attend to the safety of the cargo?"

"We did, and the property is by this time in London," replied Gettings.

"Good, this pleases me," rejoined the smuggler; "and now hand me paper and pens.'

These were laid before him. He wrote a short note, sealed and directed it. "Now, Gettings, use your best exertions to leave the town unperceived, and hasten as fast as you can, on the fleetest horse, with this note. Linger not on the road, and deliver it to no one but the person to whom it is addressed. Bring no excuse, bnt escort the worthy squire to Sir Michael Gibbs; you will meet me at this house in an hour hence."

The faithful messenger departed. Scarce ly had Gettings left the secret chamber, when a noise was heard in the public part of the house. An altercation was evident. "Ah, there are the constables in search of you," exclaimed Hardy.

"I am not yet ready for them," rejoined Cumlin, with a smile; "they must wait my leisure."

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The whole posse had indeed arrived, and finding no one in the public room, Bott demanded to search the private apartments. Certainly," said the widow Gettings. 'Gentlemen, you have a right to search even the cellar if you like; you have the power to enter my bed-room, my daughter's also, in order to satisfy the suspicions of your employers. I dare say you will condescend to taste the best in the house

free of expense. Oh yes, gentlemen, you are privileged to hunt a poor widow out of house, and drive her customers from parlour and tap."

Now, out on you, my bonny widow," rejoined Bott, "we don't want to disturb you or your house; but give up Cumlin quietly, and we depart."

"I give him up quietly," cried the landlady, with great simplicity, "I give him up! Where in the name of wonder do you suppose he is?"

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Why in this house, and we must take him," retorted the chief constable.

"I have told you to search, do so," said Mrs. Gettings, calmly. "I do not know where Mr. Cumlin is, but wherever he should be, I dare say you will capture him quietly." She placed considerable emphasis on the word quietly, which evidently made an impression on the executors of the law, for they became pale and as docile as lambs, and called for liquor which they drank to nerve themselves. At length, having screwed up their courage, the flower of the subordinates of the corporation of Folkstone proceeded in a body, and pushed each other through the various pas sages of the house, in search of the dreaded smuggler.

sion of his countenance. He seemed to be carried far back into the past, his com. panions appeared to have no desire to disturb him. They were puffing the smoke from their pipes, and quaffing grog with great gusto.

"Well, well," murmured the smuggler, "it is no matter, but I cannot entirely forget what I have been, nor reflect on what I appear now. Ah, ah, had I my once gallant crew, and were I pacing the quarter deck of my beautiful bark, I should hurl defiance at the law and its cowardly myrmidons; but I am now a citizen and must obey. Ah, ah, comrades, I must obey the laws; what say ye, you old sea dogs?"

The latter part of the speech was uttered in fierce accents, which made the band rise from their seats. These tones were deep, and their effect electrical on the men, who shouted, "No, no, captain.”

1

"Laws," continued the smuggler, "which consign you poor devils to dungeons or death. Oh, it is excellent to pass laws to starve the poor-to prevent them from obtaining food from other countries, when no longer able to procure subsistence iu their own. Say, men, are we to obey these laws or not?"

"No, no," shouted the men again,

These hearty cheers were heard by the sneaking constables, who were prowling, disappointedly, back to the public room after a fruitless search. They paused, like hounds on a fresh scent, and their leader turned in the direction from which the sounds came. By accident, Bott, who was in the van, pushed against the wainscot at the extremity of a long passage which they had explored before, without success. sharp sound was heard, and in another instant Bott tumbled headlong into the presence of the smuggler band.

A

"By St. Jago," roared the smuggler, "but here is one of the harpies of this same law."

Cumlin darted on the poor constable a look so withering, that the poor fellow trembled and stammered, without articulating a word intelligibly.

"What in the devil's name do you want, and how came you here?" demanded the smuggler, fiercely.

"I-I," faltered out Bott, "was sent, sir, to ask you, sir, to come, to see, sir—”

"Liar!" interrupted the deep voice of Cumlin. "Miserable slave of a heartless system, you lie; you were sent here to arrest me, to drag me through the streets as a felon, and you have fallen into a trap which you shall remember to your dying day. Gag him, and throw the dog into

the cellar.'