A mysterious interest envelopes the "Black Maria;" every feature about her receives its comment--she has not a lineament which is not honored by a daily perusal from the public. She is the minister of justice--the great avenger-the receptacle into which crime is almost sure to fall, and as she conveys the prisoner to trial or bears him to the fulfilment of sentence, she is still the inspirer of terror. There may be some, no doubt-perhaps there may be many-who have forebodings at her approach, and tremble as she passes, with an anticipation of such a ride for themselves. Could upbraiding conscience come more fearfully than this "Black Maria's" shape, or could the sleeping sinner have compunctious visitings more terrible than the dream in which he imagines himself handed into this penitential omnibus, as an atonement for past offences? What, let us ask, can be more appaling than the "Black Maria" of a guilty mind?

some breathing time from judge and jury to the jailer, other quest for information. Do not be surprized, if he a space to be traversed with the chances incident to were even to "squat," and from that graceful posture the journey. Constables on foot are but flesh and glance upward to ascertain the condition of the floorblood, after all, and an adroit blow from a brawny theifing, or sidle about to note the style of the lynch-pins. has often laid them prostrate. A short quick evasion of the body has extricated the collar from many a muscular grasp, and once it was a thing of not unfrequent occurrence that the rogue flew down the street, diving into all sorts of interminable alleys, while panting tipstaves "toiled after him in vain." There were no cowardly, sneaking advantages taken then-enterprize was not cabined in a perambulating chicken-coop-valor had room to swing its elbow, and some opportunity to trip up the heels of the law. But as things are at present managed, a man is in prison as he traverses the city-in prison, with but a plank between him and the moving concourse of the free-in prison, while the horses start at the crack of the whip-in prison, as he whirls around the corner--in prison, yet moving from place to place-jolted in prison-perhaps upset in prison. He hears the voices of the people-the din of traffic-the clamors of trade-the very dogs run barking after him, and he is jarred by rough collisions; but still he is in It is a matter of regret that history must be the work prison-more painfully in prison, by the bitterness of of human hands-that the quill must be driven, to preintruding contrast, than if he were immured beyond serve a record of the past, and that inanimate objects all reach of exterior sound, and when the huge gates-cold, passionless, and impartial witnesses-are not of his place of destination creak upon their hinges, to the harsh rattling of the keeper's key, the captive, it may be, rejoices that the busy world is no longer about him, mocking his misery with its cheerful hum.

If it were in accordance with the spirit of the age to refine upon punishment and to seek aggravation for misery, the "Black Maria" would perhaps furnish a hint that the pang might be rendered sharper by secluding the felon from liberty by the most minute interval -that freedom might be heard yet not seen-as the music of the ball-room fitfully reaches the chamber of disease and suffering-that he might be in the deepest shadow yet know the light is beaming close around him; in the centre of action, yet deprived of its excitements-isolated in the midst of multitudes-almost jostled by an invisible concourse-dead yet living-a sentient corpse.

gifted with memory and speech. Much has been done
-a
a long array of successive centuries have fidgeted and
fumed; but, after all, it is little we know of the action
of those who have gone before. But if a jacket now
were capable of talk, then there would be biography in
earnest. We would all have our Boswells, better Bos-
wells than Johnson's Boswell. A dilapidated coat
might be the most venerable and impressive of moral-
ists. Much could it recount of frailty and the results
of frailty, in those who have worn it; furnishing ser-
mons more potent than the polished compositions of
the closet. Could each house narrate what it has
known of every occupant, human nature might be
more thoroughly understood than it is at present.
What beacons might not every apartment set up, to
warn us from the folly which made shipwreck of our
predecessors! Even the mirror, while flattering vanity,

how the old goblet would ring, as we drain the sparkling draught, to think of the many such scenes of roaring jollity it has witnessed, and of the multitude of just such joval fellows as are now carousing, it has sent to rest before their time, under the pretence of making them merry! Wine, ho! let the bottle speak. Your bottle has its experiences-a decanter has seen the world. Thou tattered robe-once fine, but now decayed-nobility in ruins-how sourly thou smilest to discourse of the fall from drawing-rooms to pawnbrokers' recesses. What a history is thine-feeble art thou-very thin and threadbare; still thou hast seen more of weakness, ay, in men and women too, than is now displayed in thine own ruin. Yea, cobble those boots for sooterkin-they are agape, indeed; yet were once thought fit ornaments for the foot of fashion. Leathern patch-work, thou hast been in strange places in thy time, or we are much mistaken. Come, thy many mouths are open, and thy complexion scarce admits of blushing-tell us about thy furtive wanderings.

It is not then to be marveled at that the "Black could tell, and it would, how beauty, grown wild with Maria" causes a sensation by her ominous presence-its own excess, fell into premature decay. Ho! ho! that labor rests from toil when the sound of her wheels is heard that the youthful shrink and the old look sad, as she passes by. Nor is it strange that even when empty she is encircled by a curious but meditative crowd, scanning the horses with a degree of reverential attention which unofficial horses, even if they were Barbary coursers or Andalusian steeds, might vainly hope to excite. The very harness is regarded with trepidation, and the driver is respectfully scrutinized from head to foot, as if he were something more or less man; and if the guard does but carelessly move his foot, the throng give back lest they should unwittingly interfere with one who is looked upon as the ultimatum of criminal justice. Should the fatal entrance be left unclosed, see how the observant spectator manœuvres to obtain a knowledge of its interior, without approaching too closely, as if he labored under an apprehension that the hungry creature would yawn and swallow him, as it has swallowed so many, body, boots, and reputation. Now, he walks slowly to the left hand, that he may become acquainted with every particular of the internal economy afforded by that point of view. Again, he diverges to the right, on an

Let then this "Black Maria" wag her tongue-for tongue she has, and something of the longest-and

she would chatter fast enough, I warrant me. Let us regard her as a magazine of memoirs-a whole library of personal detail, and as her prisoners descend the steps, let us gather a leaf or two.

Here comes one-a woman-traces of comeliness still linger even amid the more enduring marks of sin, poverty, and sorrow. Her story has been told before, in thousands of instances, and it will be told again and again and again. There is not much that is new in the downward career of those who fall. It is an old routine. Giddiness, folly and deception, it may be, at the outset tears, misery, and early death, at the close. Yes, yes-the old father was humble in his ploddings -the mother had no aspirings above her sphere, but she who now is weeping bitter tears, she longed for silks and satins and gay company. It was but a cracked and crooked looking-glass that told her she was beautiful, but its pleasing tale was easily believed-for perfumed youths endorsed its truth, and whispered Fanny that she was worthy of a higher lot than that of toiling the humble wife of dingy labor. Those secret meetings-those long walks by moonlight-those stories of soft affection, and those brilliant hopes! Day by day home grew more distasteful-its recurring cares more wearying-the slightest rebuke more harsh, and Fanny fled. That home is desolate now. The old father is dead, the mother dependent upon charity, and the daughter is here, the companion of felons, if not a felon herself.

Another!-that dogged look, man, scarcely hides the wretchedness within. You may, if it seems best before these idle starers, assume the mask of sullen fierce

ness.

was a lie or the lash. Had the cords of authority been slackened a little, this man might have been saved; but while the process of whipping into goodness was going on, he paid a final visit to the treasury and disappeared. Being acquainted with no other principle of moral government than that of fear and coercion, he continues to practise upon it, and helps himself whenever the opportunity seems to present itself of doing so with no pressing danger of disagreeable consequences. Mistakes, of course, are incident to this mode of life. Blunders will occur, and, in this way, the gentleman has had the pleasure of several rides in the "Black Maria."

Here is an individual, who was a "good fellow," the prince of good fellows-a most excellent heartso much heart, indeed, that it filled not only his bosom, but his head also, leaving scant room for other furniture. He never said "no" in his life, and invariably took advice when it came from the wrong quarter. He was always so much afraid that people would be offended, if he happened not to agree with them, that he forgot all about his own individual responsibility, and seemed to think that he was an appendage and nothing more. Dicky Facile, at one time, had a faint consciousness of the fact, when he had taken wine enough, and would say, "no, I thank you," if requested to mend his draught. But if it were urged, "Pooh! nonsense! a little more won't hurt you," he would reply, "Won't it, indeed?" and recollect nothing from that time till he woke next day in a fever. Dicky lent John his employer's cash, because he loved to accommodate, and finally obliged the same John by imitating his employer's signature, because John promised to make it all right in good time; but John was oblivious.

"Who cares," is all well enough, indeed, but still the thought travels back to days of innocence and happiness. You set out in the pursuit of pleasure and enjoyment, but it has come to this at last; all your The "Black Maria" has a voluminous budget; she frolickings and drinklings-your feastings, your ridings, could talk all day without pausing to take breath. and your gamblings. You were trusted once, I hear She could show how one of her passengers reached his --your wife and children were happy around you. But seat by means of his vocal accomplishments, and went you were not content. There were chances to grow musically to destruction, like the swan-how another rich rapidly—to enjoy a luxurious ease all your life, and had such curly hair that admiration was the death of to compass these you were false to your trust. Shame him-how another was so fond of being jolly that he and disgrace ensued; dissipation environed your foot-never paused until he became sad-how another loved steps and more daring vice soon followed. It is a short step from the doings of the swindler to the desperate acts of the burglar or the counterfeiter. You, at least, have found it so. Well, glare sternly around you-turn upon the spectators with the bitter smile of defiance. It will be different anon, in hopeless solitude-the past strewed with the wreck of reputation-the future all sterility.

Here is one who had a golden infancy. Where was there a child more beautiful than he? No wonder his parents thought no cost too great for his adornment. Who can be surprized that caresses were lavished upon the darling, and that his tender years knew no restraint But it was a strange return in after time, that he should break his mother's heart-plunder his father, and be come an outcast in the lowest haunts of vice. Were the graces of Apollo bestowed for such a purpose?

horses until they threw him, or had a taste for elevated associations until he fell by climbing-how easily, in fact, the excess of a virtue leads into a vice, so that generosity declines into wastefulness, spirit roughens into brutality, social tendencies melt into debauchery, and complaisance opens the road to crime. We are poor creatures all, at the best, and perhaps it would not be amiss to look into ourselves a little before we entertain hard thoughts about those who chance to ride in the 'Black Maria;' for, as an ex-driver of that respectable caravan used to observe, "there are, I guess, about two sorts of people in this world-them that's found out, and them that ain't found out-them that gets into the "Black Maria," and them that don't happen to be cotch'd. People that are cotch'd, has to ketch it, of course, or else how would the 'fishal folks' -me and the judges and the lawyers-yes, and the This fellow, now, was destroyed by too much se- chaps that make the laws and sell the law booksverity. His childhood was manacled by control. In make out to get a livin'? But, on the general prinnocent pleasures were denied-his slightest faults were ciple, this argufies nothin'. Being cotch'd makes no roundly punished-there was no indulgence. He was great difference, only in the looks of things; and it to be scourged into a virtuous life, and, therefore, false- happens often enough, I guess, that the wirchis lookhood and deceit became habitual-yes, even before he ing gentleman who turns up his nose at folks, when knew they were falsehood and deceit; but that know- the constable's got 'em, is only wirchis because he ledge did not much startle him, when the alternative hasn't been found out. That's my notion."

NATURAL BRIDGE IN VIRGINIA.

And not a bad notion either, most philosophic Swizzle, only for the fault of your class-a little too much of generalization. Your theory, perhaps, is too trenchant-too horizontal in its line of division. But it too often happens that the worst of people are not those who take the air in the "Black Maria."

Still, however, you that dwell in cities, let not this moral rumble by in vain. Wisdom follows on your footsteps, drawn by horses. Experience is wagoned through the streets, and, though your temptations be many, while danger seems afar off, yet the catastrophe of your aberrations is prophetically before the eye, creaking and groaning on its four ungainly wheels. The very whip cracks a warning, and the whole vehicle displays itself as a traveling caution to all who are prone to sin. It is good for those who stand, to take heed lest they fall. But we have an addition here which should be even more impressive in these times of stirring emulation. Take heed, lest in your haste to pluck the flowers of life without due labor in the field, you chance to encounter, not a fall alone, but such a ride as it has been our endeavor to describe-a ride in the "Black Maria."

Come, Spring, and with the red-breast's note,
That tells of bridal tenderness,
Where on the breeze he'll warbling float

Afar his nesting mate to bless-
Come, whisper 'tis not always Spring!
When birds may mate on every spray-
That April boughs cease blossoming!
With love it is not always May !
Come, touch her heart with thy soft tale,
Of tears within the floweret's cup,

. Of fairest things that soonest fail,
Of hopes we vainly garner up-
And while, that gentle heart to melt,

Like mingled wreath, such tale you twine,
Whisper what lasting bliss were felt

In lot shared with her Valentine.

343

The Natural Bridge is entirely the work of God. It is of solid lime-stone, and connects two huge mountains together by a most beautiful arch, over which there is a great wagon road. Its length from one mountain to the other is nearly 80 feet, its width about 35, its thickness 45, and its perpendicular height over the water is not far from 220 feet. A few bushes grow on its top, by which the traveler may hold himself as he looks over. On each side of the stream, and near the bridge, are rocks projecting 10 or 15 feet over the water, and from 200 to 300 feet from its surface, all of limestone. The visitor cannot give so good a description of this bridge as he can of his feelings at the time. He softly creeps out on a shaggy projecting rock, and looking down a chasm of from 40 to 60 feet wide, he sees, nearly 300 feet below, a wild stream foaming and dashing against the rocks beneath, as if terrified at the rocks above. This stream is called Cedar Creek. The visitor here sees trees under the arch, whose height is 70 feet; and yet to look down upon them, they appear like small bushes of perhaps two or three feet in height. I saw several birds fly under the arch, and they looked like insects. I threw down a stone, and counted 34 before it reached the water! All hear of heights and of depths, but here they see what is high, and they tremble, and feel it to be deep. The awful rocks present their everlasting butments, the water murmurs and foams far below, and the two mountains rear their proud heads on each side, separated by a channel of sublimity. Those who view the sun, the moon, and the stars, and allow that none but God could make them, will here be impressed that none but an Almighty God could build a bridge like this.

The view of the bridge from below, is as pleasing as the top view is awful. The arch from beneath would seem to be about two feet in thickness. Some idea of the distance from the top to the bottom may be formed from the fact, that as I stood on the bridge and my companion beneath, neither of us could speak with sufficient loudness to be heard by the other. A man from either view does not appear more than four or five inches in height.

As we stood under this beautiful arch, we saw the place where visitors have often taken pains to engrave their names upon the rock. Here Washington climbed up 25 feet and carved his own name, where it still remains. Some, wishing to immortalize their names, have engraven them deep and large, while others have tried to climb up and insert them high in this book of fame.

344

EXHUMATION OF GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS.

EXHUMATION OF GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS.
A GENERAL public festival was held in Sweden on
the 6th of November, 1832, to the memory of Gusta-
vus Adolphus. That being the 200th anniversary of
his death, great preparations were made throughout
the country for its due celebration. As that renowned
Prince fell in defending the protestant cause, the fes-
tival partook of a religious character, mixed, however,
with circumstances designed to give it a military as-

A few years since, a young man, being ambitious to place his name above all others, came very near losing his life in the attempt. After much fatigue he climbed up as high as possible, but found that the person who had before occupied his place was taller than himself, and consequently had placed his name above his reach. But he was not thus to be discoouraged. He opens a lage jack-knife, and in the soft lime-stone, began to cut places for his hands and feet. With much patience and industry he worked his way upward, and suc-pect. At Upsal, a granite obelisk was erected and at ceeded in carving his name higher than the most ambitious had done before him. He could now triumph, but his triumph was short, for he was placed in such a situation that it was impossible to descend, unless he fell upon the ragged rocks beneath him. There was no house near, from whence his companions could get assistance. He could not long remain in that condition, and what was worse, his friends were too much frightened to do any thing for his relief. They looked upon him as already dead, expecting every moment to see him precipitated upon the rocks below and dashed to pieces. Not so with himself. He determined to ascend.

Stockholm the remains of Gustavus were deposited in a splendid marble sarcophagus, in the presence of the King, Queen and Crown Princess, who also attended divine service on the occasion. The lead coffin containing the mouldering dust of him who was once a King, was removed from the mausoleum of Charles XII. where it had lain from the period of his death, and examined, externally and internally, in the presence of a few select Ministers of State. The following is an account of its condition.

On the top are several inscriptions in Latin, cut in the lead; the most prominent of which contains these words, "I have fought a good fight; I have finished Accordingly he plies himself with his knife, cut- my course; I have kept the faith: henceforth there is ting places for his hands and feet, and gradually ascen- laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the ded with incredible labor. He exerts every muscle. His Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day." life was at stake, and all the terrors of death rose be- On opening the coffin, a shell of oak, without a cover, fore him. He dared not look downward, lest his head was discovered, in which the ashes of Gustavus apshould become dizzy; and perhaps on this circum- peared. The head had fallen from its place, and was stance his life depended. His companions stood at the destitute of flesh; but a part of the hair on the skull, top of the rock exhorting and encouraging him. His and the mustachioes, remained. The hands appeared strength was almost exhausted; but a bare possibility to have been clasped over the breast; but none of the of saving his life still remained, and hope, the last fingers remained entire. The whole body was reduced friend of the distressed, had not yet forsaken him. to a skeleton, and the bones dry, and much reduced in His course upward was rather obliquely than perpen- size. Tradition had said that a gold casket would be dicularly. His most critical moment had now arrived. found containing the heart of the warrior; as his surHe had ascended considerably more than 200 feet, and from the roof at the foot of her bed: no gold casket, viving Queen had it during her life time suspended had still further to rise, when he felt himself fast grow-however, appeared; but in its place, a velvet bag lined ing weak. He thought of his friends and all his earth- with satin, containing a small quantity of mouldering ly joys, and he could not leave them. He thought of

the grave, and dared not meet it. He now made his dust, supposed to be the remains of that heart which last effort and succeeded. He had cut his way not far feared not the dangers of the bloody field. A robe of

from 250 feet from the water, in a course almost perelegant gold brocade, in which the body had been enpendicular; and in a little less than two hours, his anx-veloped, was found in excellent preservation; as also ious companions reached him a pole from the top and drew him up. They received him with shouts of joy; but he himself was completely exhausted. He immediately fainted away on reaching the spot, and it was

some time before he could be recovered!

It was interesting to see the path up these awful rocks, and to follow in imagination this bold youth as he thus saved his life. His name stands far above all the rest, a monument of hardihood, of rashness, and of folly.

the satin breeches of the order of the Seraphim, which were perfect; but the rest of the shoes, supposed to had been placed on the body. The soles of the shoes have been made of silk, could not be found. After a minute detail of the state of the body had been taken, the coffin was again closed, never to be re-opened till the trumpet shall sound, and the dead hear the cry, "Awake, and come to judgement!"

The service of the day commenced by singing the psalm, said to have been composed by Gustavus on the night before the battle of Lutzen, and sung by the We staid around this seat of grandeur about four army on the morning of that (to him) fatal day. It exhours; but from my own feelings I should not have presses the confidence of the christian warrior in the supposed it over half an hour. There is a little cot-power of the God of armies; and the assurance of tage near, lately built; here we were desired to write our names as visitors of the bridge, in a large book kept for this purpose. Two large volumes were nearly filled in this manner already. Having immortalized our names by enrolling them in this book, we slowly and silently returned to our horses, wondering at this great work of nature; and we could not but be filled with astonishment at the amazing power of Him who can clothe himself in wonder and terror, by throwing around his works the mantle of sublimity."

success, though they were but a handful in comparison with the multitude of the enemy. When the Bishop had concluded a funeral oration from the altar, eight Generals and eight Admirals conveyed the coffin up a flight of stairs to the mausoleum, where the sarcophagus had been placed, lowering it into this receptable amidst the firing of musquetry and cannon shots from all the neighboring forts.

BRAVE men die but once-cowards die many times.

WRECK OF THE HESPERUS.