utter one word good or bad, he hung them round her neck; saying, with a smile, he had obtained many more for her of superior value at the court of Alexander, which he hoped soon to have the happiness of presenting to her on their wedding-day. No sooner was the weight of them felt on her bosom, than the whole economy of her love for Aristus was annihilated, and the half-forgotten plan of improvements rushed back on her imagination with tenfold impetuosity. It would only insult the penetration of mankind to suppose it necessary to add, that they were married next day, and that a few weeks thereafter, the lady commenced a fiend's life of remorse and melancholy. Aristus bore this reverse with less patience than might have been imagined. He eat little for several days, and spoke still less. At length he declared himself a man unfit for this world, and retired from his native city to spend the remainder of his life in the philosophic groves of the Academy. Here his mind soon recovered its natural serenity, retaining few visible marks of the rude points of society by which it had been lacerated, though he sometimes remarked, that a man should conceal all his good qualities from his mistress, observing, at the same time, that her own equivocal ones afford the best handles for securing her. F. ON THE RESEARCHES AT POMPEII. MR EDITOR, I OBSERVED, with much satisfaction, in the "Literary and Scientific Intelligence" of your Second Number, p. 192, some account of the researches now making among the ruins of Pompeii. Regarding this as one of the most interesting scientific proceedings of the present age, I cannot avoid expressing my hopes, that you will devote future columns of your journal to similar accounts of the progress of this vast undertaking; and I am hence encouraged to suggest, how greatly it would tend to enliven the interest of such notices, if you were to give a preparatory general sketch of the history of these extraorlinary relics of former splendour, and, in particular, of the progress that has been already made in the exhumation of a city, that, after having been buried for so many centuries, has arisen unchanged from the ashes that originally overwhelmed it. As a testimony of the general interest excited by the grand survey now pursuing for the restoration of this place to its primitive state of existence, and of the instructive results that may be expected from its accomplishment, as conducive to the illucidation of ancient customs and habits of society, I beg to cite a passage from a highly interesting memoir on the subject, commenced (though I believe never completed) in a very ably conducted Italian journal. circa diciassette secoli nascosta sorge intera sotto i facili sforzi della vanga; che tali offre monumenti da non lasciare alcun dubbio, nè sull' epoca in cui fù da vulcanica eruzione sepolta, nè sul grado alto di splendore a cui era a quell' epoca giunta, è certamente un oggetto straordinario di stupore, riserbuto soltanto alle classiche sponde dell' antica Partenope. In Ercolano e Pompei veggonsi due intere città fuggite dalle revoluzioni degli anni e degli uomini, e rimeste tutte ad un tratto, come per una specie di magico sonno, nello stato medesimo in cui furono sorprese, in mezzo a tutti i moti della vita; l'ultimo giorno di queste città infelici, ci si presenta di nuovo, e quale già fu per gli sventurati loro abitànti. Non avvi spettacolo più di questo atto a eccitare con forza l'immaginazione, e senza dubbio, le ricerche che hanno per oggetto di farci conoscere dei dettagli a ciò appartenenti saranno accolte con il più vero interesse."* "Una città che da The valuable report from which this extract is drawn, contains some hints towards forming an estimate of the probable extent and disposition of this city, calculated from the dimensions of its existing walls and situation of its gates, with various particulars relative to the edifices and other relics remaining, as far as yet discovered, in a great degree, in their original magnificence and grandeur. May 11, 1817. SIMPLEX. * V. L'Italico, tom. 3tio, p. 60. MEMORANDUMS OF A VIEW-HUNTER. No II. Shakespeare's Cliff. SALLIED forth at seven in the morning, without giving any warning to my indolent companions, who seemed to feel none of the inspiration of the viewhunting power. After looking round the harbour, part of which they were busy in repairing, pushed on towards Shakespeare's Cliff. Found the people of all classes frank, civil, and willing to give information. I attributed this partly to their incomes depending much on strangers, and partly to the manners on the other side. I had not yet been across. Passed the fortifications, which are extensive and strong; but they have lost much of their interest, as they now seem useless. Under the alarm of invasion, their importance would even have added to their picturesqueness. The highest part of the Cliff, which has been named after a dramatist, the first of modern, and superior to any of the ancient times, must be, I should think, four or five hundred feet above the beach. The sea view from hence is truly magnificent. The morning was clear and calm, and the silver sea almost as motionless as a lake. Several vessels were passing lazily along both ways. The coast of France seemed not much farther off than that of Fife from Musselburgh, but none of the objects on it distinct. Examined this view in all its bearings for some time; and as I looked along the sublime winding wall of chalky cliffs, stretching to the west, which forms part of the southern boundary of the island, I felt emotions which, I trust, are natural to the British heart. After making some prudent slow advances, I brought my head to bear looking down this dizzy height for a minute. On retiring a few steps to a safer station, I thought of the minute description of this Cliff given by our dramatist, and which has been the cause of its being honoured with his Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade! Methinks he seems no bigger than his head. The fishermen, that walk upon the beach, Appear like mice; and yon tall anchoring bark Diminish'd to her cock; her cock, a buoy, Almost too small for sight. The murmuring surge, That on the unnumbered idle pebbles chafes, Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more, Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight Topple down headlong." I was informed, that there is still one man who occasionally follows the "dreadful trade" of gathering samphire by means of a ladder and a rope. Having now done as much as a view-hunter could with safety, I was satisfied. As a token of my success, and to amuse my companions, I carried off the flower of a very large thistle that was flourishing on the highest part of the Cliff, and seemed proud of the place where it grew. A Breakfast. Called at the hotel. The mistress said I had time to go up to the Castle. I took the hint. Peeped into some of the vaults or excavations in the chalk, which are deep and high, and serve for storehouses and cellars. Passed the bathing-ground. About half a dozen of machines. The descent from the shingle is very steep. The machines are let down by a rope from a windlass. Ascended the Castlehill. The road winds round, and up the hill, in a very pleasing style. As I was going to enter through a gate, about 100 feet lower than the base of the wall, where there is a battery, a little old man came up to me, and told me there was no thoroughfare there; but that he was one of the under wardens, and he would shew me the whole. I should have been happier to have followed him as a guide than he to have conducted me; but I thought I had not time; and after wavering unpleasantly for a minute or two, I forced myself to plead an excuse for the present. He saw my anxiety to enter with him, and pressed me the more. It would only take a quarter of an hour. I could not spare even that. To my great annoyance, for I had a strong desire to comply with his wishes, this little old under warden followed me with the perseverance of a French beggar. Distanced him in the ascent. My time was waning fast. Posted up the hill. Passed the turnpike gate to get a view of the contour of the eastern side of the castle. It is a very extensive old building. The view to the west quite Scottish. The Priory in the bottom seems to be of considerable extent, of the old buttress kind of architecture. The dell, looking back into the country, strongly resembles a Scottish glen. Descended, but could not possibly resist running up and passing through the northern gate. The walls of vast thickness. The hollow just by, which I took at first for the gate, is formed by a building jutting over. In the inner part of the gate-arch found a centinel's room. An old invalid civilly asked me if I wished to see the castle, and said there was a gentleman waiting to go round. I excused myself again. He was not half so pressing as the little old under warden. Took a peep of the square between the ramparts and the castle, and then descended as rapidly as I could. Some small bells ringing at the side of the road attracted my notice. I perceived they were rung all the way from the debtor's window. I attended to the charitable sound. The little old under warden made his appearance again, but I was out of his sight instantly. Reached the hotel a little past nine. Found my companions, who had breakfasted, sallying forth. They alarmed me with the information that the packet was on the very point of sailing. At the same time the mate, attending to get my luggage, confirmed my alarm. To lose a day, and such a day for crossing! The thought was not to be borne. Pressed the waiter and the rest in grand style. A city Smart of the first order, too late in setting out for a review, or to see some other spectacle, could scarcely have done it in a grander. And a dragoon, when the enemy is approaching, might swallow his breakfast more completely, but he could not more rapidly, than I swallowed mine. While I poured out one cup the waiter poured another. The first was hot water scarcely discoloured, the second was without sugar, and the third without both sugar and milk. Moses, the money-changer, who had attended this morning again, with the hope of inducing me to take gold for my paper, seeing me in such a furor of hurry, kept at a prudent distance, and then retreated. Met the waiter bringing the hot rolls for my breakfast, as I advanced to the bar to pay my bill. Had barely time to listen to the civil folk of the Paris, who hoped I had found myself so comfortable as to recommend their house; but their civil tone somewhat cooled my fervour, and made me give them a kind answer. Unfortunately, at this moment, a lad came for the rest of my things. The fervour returned with this second alarm. I posted on to the custom-house, resolved to take a boat to pursue the packet, and there I found all things as cool and deliberate as any person could wish. I learned the vessel would be ready to sail in an hour or two. The mate advised me to send back the boy with my things to the inn, till he should tell me when it would be necessary to send them to the packet. Such was the close of this false alarm. I now, however, felt relieved. The only thing I regretted, was losing the comforts which I had anticipated from my breakfast, after my long and varied morning's hunting on Shakespeare's Cliff, and round Dover Castle. They are not very particular in examining the luggage in leaving Dover, as, of course, they don't care how many contraband articles are carried to France, with the exception of gold; and that at present, from its low price, and the demand for French gold, was a matter of very little concern; and. when people reach good sense on the subject of metal money, it will be of no concern whatever. Walked to the quay, and saw three horses, with a carriage, and one or two gigs, slung into our packet. The current of emigration seems to be still decidedly stronger towards the Continent. Saw a packet come in from Calais. Had only about twenty passengers aboard. One of the packets that sailed a few days before for Calais carried over nearly a hundred. The two currents will be more equal by-and-by. slight, with the assistance of the tide we got on at the rate of three knots an hour. Not many ships in sight, but I perceived one that looked very large coming up the Channel. I asked the captain if he thought it a ship of war. He said,-Oh! not very large. It may be a West Indiaman. As we neared each other its size became more conspicuous, and the captain said it might be a frigate. It was so evidently coming across our way, that I feared, from the slightness of the breeze, we might get foul of each other. The steersman had no such fear, for he kept steadily on his course. She was now seen to be a two-decker. Counted, I think, fifteen guns on her lower deck. The captain then pronounced her to be a 74, which was most probably working her way to Sheerness to be paid off. She passed a-head of us, within about 100 yards. Every particle of sail was set, and she presented a spectacle equally beautiful and grand. I had often wished to see a line of battle ship in full array, and now I was gratified to the utmost of my wish. As she passed we took off our hats and huzzaed. We saw the officers and men very distinctly. When she had advanced about 3 or 400 yards I heard the boatswain's whistle, and saw the men on the round top in motion. In a few seconds she was about on her tack. This gave me two or three new views of a 74 under sail. Every view was beautiful, grand, and picturesque. Not an eye upon our deck but was turned towards her, though few of the spectators seemed to share fully in my enthusiasm. The beauty of the day, and the calmness, added to the agreeableness of the sight. I said instinctively, I am satisfied. I have sometimes thought, that I am rather lucky as a view-hunter. A breeze sprung up. Got on about six knots an hour. The white cliffs of Albion began now visibly to recede, and those of France as visibly to approach. The latter also are white and chalky along the coast towards Boulogne, but not so high. We had some sickness, and the unpleasing symptoms of it; but, from the wind being fair as well as gentle, the exhibitions of the packet-picturesque were, I believe, much below par either for variety or impressiveness. We had several very fine young female islanders on board. They evidently suffered from this scourge of travellers by sea, but they exhibited their sufferings as elegantly as possible. It is dangerous, however, for a view-hunter to meddle with this species of the picturesque, and though he cannot entirely escape seeing, he can be prudent and say nothing. One accident, for the advantage of future beaux, may be recorded. A beau about sixteen, who was bound with his father and sisters from Dover, on a trip of pleasure to Calais, was very qualmish. He lay with his head upon the edge of the gunwale. This appeared to me, as well as to his father, to place his hat in rather a dangerous predicament. His father spoke to him about it, but he was so qualmish that he did not attend to the advice. At length, from some motion in the vessel, over went his hat. He contrived to raise himself, and called out to stop the vessel. This produced a laugh. Our young beau looked after his chapeau (which had lately cost twenty-five shillings), as it tilted over the waves, with a mixture of vexation and sickness; a kind of indolent regret. It was a study for a painter. There was a smile on most other countenances. He at length twisted his handkerchief round his head, and laid the said head down exactly where it was before. A memento to carelessness, as his father justly said, and a punishment for obstinacy in not taking prudent advice. The whole formed a fine subject for that unrivalled painter after nature, Wilkie. At length obtained a glimpse of the steeple at Calais right a-head. The country to the west is hilly and green, but naked, being without wood and apparently houses. The atmosphere over Calais was charged with black watery-looking clouds, which shed an unpleasing gloom over the landscape, while, on turning our eyes back to Dover, we saw the sky clear and the sun shining brightly. The British landscape thus assumed a more vivid appearance of gaiety from the dark scowling scene before us. so contrary to all the fancies we have had sported about the skies and climate of the two countries, that I began to query, whether I should not find a good deal of the common ideas, as usual, drawn more from imagination or prejudice than from facts. This was The tide failed us, and we were obliged to come to anchor about half a mile to the east of the mole. We made our passage in about four hours. We had seen a number of boats pushing from the harbour, and we were told it was for us they were labouring out. We soon found the information correct. Five or six came round the vessel. All the crews seemed as if in a hostile fury, and made a hideous noise. This being my first visit to France, of course I was more attentive to making observations, and every thing impressed me more strongly from its novelty. These boats appeared old, dirty, and uncomfortable. Nor did they inspire the idea of safety at all. The men were not more prepossessing. They were stout, but not well-looking. They were all in a bustle and confusion, working, as it were, against each other, without judgment. There seemed to be no master, or rather all seemed to be masters. They were as furiously busy as angry bees; but the result did not correspond with the appearance of labour. I did not much like trusting myself with them; for though there was not much wind there was a little surf. The confusion and bustle in the boats seemed to have communicated themselves to the packet. All wanted to get their luggage at once. There was nothing for some minutes but running against each other and bawling. After having sung out till I was tired, I at length obtained my portmanteau, and got into the rickety boat with about a dozen more. We sat down, pretty closely stowed, on wet seats, with our feet on large wet stones. After a good deal of bawling and bustle, on the part of the crew, we pushed from the ship. The boatman who appeared to take the lead, if there was any master or servant among them, had a strongly marked countenance. The sentinel that appears as if hung in a chain, in Hogarth's Gate of Calais, was a beauty to him. On seeing him, I thought to myself, that those caricature prints of the French face with us are in reality not caricature. But I gradually changed my opinion the more I saw of France. I do not recollect meeting with such another countenance through the whole of my tour. Though no beauty, he seemed rather good natured. Indeed all the rest, after they had hoisted their sail and taken their places, were quiet and civil. They did not seem to be too fond of working; and the tide ebbing strongly down the inside of the mole, a number of men upon it took us in tow. This mole is of a considerable length. As we were drawn slowly up to the harbour, I took a comparing look around me; and I confess this first survey did not elevate my ideas. It might be mere fancy, but the gate of Britain, Dover, seemed to me to indicate a flourishing country, while the gate of France, Calais, appeared to foretoken a country rather in a stationary, if not a decaying, condition. On touching land we were surrounded by a host of porters, each attempting to carry off part of the luggage. I expected never to have seen a particle of mine again. This affair might easily be better managed in France. The boats should all land at one place, and an officer acquainted with the British language, with a soldier or two to keep the rabble of porters back till things were adjusted, and it was ascertained which articles were, and which were not, to be taken to the searching-house. He would also quiet the apprehensions of the passengers, by informing them how they were to proceed. But, as we found it, the whole was a mass of noise and confusion. Every one was speaking, pushing, defending his luggage against the porters, and uncertain what to do. Nor did the gendarme, who received us on the steps, show any disposition to assist us by giving us information. He confined his speaking to merely asking for our passports. I at length quitted the boat with above half a dozen of porters, one carrying my portmanteau, one my sac de nuit, a third my great coat, and a fourth my umbrella,-while three or four more followed pestering me to give them something to carry; and, as I moved onward, I still kept a sharp eye upon my French baggage-bearers. Near the searching-house I met a Britishlooking man, who asked me in English if I came from the Paris hotel at Dover. This I afterwards found to be Mr Maurice, the master of the hotel to which I was going. He sent off a young man with me, and said the baggage would be perfectly safe. I still, however, kept now and then looking behind with some apprehension. Had |