tribe amounted to forty men, besides women and children, all of whom paid to him the most unquestioning obedience, even when obedience set them in opposition to the constituted authorities. The consequence was, that avoiding the vicinity of large towns and villages, where troops might be quartered, they levied contributions whithersoever they came, not only from individual travellers, but from whole communities. One of their exploits is thus spoken of. Their chief, somehow or other, contrived to discover that the riechter of a hamlet near which they had pitched their camp, had collected from the peasants one of the taxes that chanced to be due, and was going to forward it, on the morrow, to the receiver for the district. The gipsey determined to possess himself of it, and with this view caused two of his people to engage in a quarrel with some peasants, who dragged them before the riechter, and began to accuse them. There was a great deal of altercation, of course, during which others of the gipsies dropped in, whose business it was, while appearing to take an interest in the proceeding, to ascertain where the riechter kept his treasure. They succeeded in this, and departed. By-andby up came the gipsey chief, all bedizened with gold lace, in his carriage and four, to demand his people. His lordly port, and still more, a knowledge that he had fifty men to back him, exceedingly embarrassed the riechter, whose sense of duty urged him to detain the delinquents, but whose personal fears pointed in a different direction. Of course, the issue could not long be doubtful. The two men were set at liberty, and then began a fresh altercation; for they, in their turn, insisted that the peasants should be flogged, and themselves compensated for the wrong which had been put upon them. All this, as I need scarcely remark, served but as a blind by which to divert the attention of the villagers from what was going on elsewhere. Three of the most active of the tribe, under the direction of the spies, made their way meanwhile into the back part of the house. The chest containing the treasure was seized, the robbers stole quietly away with their booty, and the chief, advertised of the fact by a signal previously agreed upon, became, all at once, more moderate in his demands. The result need hardly be told. An apology from the riechter was accepted, and the gipsy troop were far beyond the reach of pursuit, ere the unfortunate magistrate had ascertained the extent of his own loss.

So much for a gipsy tribe, with a goldlaced chief at its head; or rather, so much for one of the legends which are told of that tribe. Of other tribes, I learned, that

they are often so degraded, as to live like beasts of prey, on the veriest garbage; that when hunger presses them sore, a dead horse is a treasure to them; and that being universally distrusted, they venture as little as possible into the haunts of men. Yet when they do come, they are not entirely useless members of society. The Hungarians are fond of music, and the Cygnanis almost universally cultivate that art; and I had frequent opportunities of observing, that in the court-yards of hotels, at watering-places, and in public gardens, whatever minstrels you find are of gipsy descent.

The Mining School of Schemnitz.-Nothing can be more liberal than the footing on which the mining school or college at Schemnitz is conducted. It is a royal foundation, where every person who has obtained the sanction of the Board of Mines in Vienna, (and I believe that it has never been refused,) may have all the practical information which works so extensive can afford. A complete course of study occupies three whole years, which must be attended to by such as desire employment as officers in mines; while the examinations which occur, both during the progress, and at the termination of the course, are said to be severe; but amateurs are not thereby excluded. It is competent for them either to go forward to the end of the term, or to quit the seminary at any moment when their own convenience may require. The subjects, again, on which lectures are delivered, are chemistry, mineralogy, mathematics, mechanics, natural philosophy in most of its branches, plain drawing, mapping, the construction and use of machinery, as well as botany, and every other species of knowledge which is connected with the growth and preservation of timber. This science, which the Germans call Forstwissenschaft, is of great importance in countries which depend for their fuel entirely on the forests; and it is doubly important in the mining districts, where, in the construction of shafts, and the preservation of galleries, so much wood is consumed. Moreover, the students are admitted to the free use of the laboratory, and have constant access to all that may be in progress, both in the mines, and in the smelting and preparation of the ore. They are encouraged, likewise, in making collections of minerals for their own use, though prohibited, on pain of expulsion, from selling what they collect; and as they generally form themselves into little groups or bands for the purpose, the advantages which they derive from the practice are considerable. I made particular inquiry into the personal habits of these young men, both in their public

and private proceedings; and it is but an act of justice to record, that they were everywhere well spoken of. Concerning the exact number who belong to their body, I cannot speak; but it seemed to be considerable, and the tendency, as I was assured, is towards a constant increase.

The Baths of Ofen.-The Turkish baths are very curious both as monuments of a state of society different from the present, and on account of the uses to which they are still turned by the inhabitants of Ofen and its vicinity. From the sides of the hills, and particularly from the Blocksberg, on the summit of which stands the observatory, copious hot springs, strongly impregnated with sulphur, pour out, of which both the Romans and the Turks, alike addicted to the luxury of bathing, failed not-each nation in its turn-to make use. Of the Roman baths, only broken fragments remain; but of those which owe their existence to the Turks, three are in a state of high preservation, the largest of which lies under the Blocksberg, about a couple of hundred yards from the head of the bridge. It is a fine thing in its way,of thoroughly Saracenic architecture, and there is a Turkish inscription near the entrance, to mark both its uses and origin. You enter by a low door, and find yourself in an apartment so obscured by sulphureous vapours as to render the sense of sight well-nigh useless, and the respiration itself for a time uncomfortable. By-and-by, when the vision becomes accustomed to the gloom, you see that there is a huge tank in the middle of the area, in which persons of all ages and sexes are floundering about, most of them in a state of pure nature. Then, again, you have people in all the stages of preparation, dressing, undressing, and luxuriating in the steam that floats around, and which, condensing against the roof, returns in large drops to the ground, so as effectually to supply the place, on your garments, of a heavy shower of rain. The persons who frequent this bath are, as may be imagined, of the very humblest order; and the squalor of their appearance, as well as the disagreeable atmosphere of the place, render you eager to esape again into the open air with as little delay as possible.

Somewhat lower down the course of the Danube, but still sheltered by the Blocksberg, are the baths which the higher classes of society frequent. They are abundantly commodious; but being of modern construction, differ in no essential respect from similar establishments elsewhere. The charge for each ablution is moderate; and a band of music plays in the courtyard all day long, for the amusement of the bathers.

Quarantine Establishment.-Semlin is remarkable only for the quarantine establishment which is there kept up, as a protection against the plague. It consists of a certain number of cells, with their respective yards or courts pallisaded round, and resembling the cages of wild beasts in the Zoological gardens; of the lodgings of those who attended upon the inmates of these cells; of two neat little churches, one for the use of Roman Catholics, the other set apart for the Greek service; and of a detached house in which dwell the medical officers. With the exception of this last, all the other buildings are inclosed by a lofty wall, within the circuit of which is an area of perhaps three or four hundred feet square; and as the cells are ranged against the edge, and the churches occupy the centre of the space, the effect to the eye is not unpleasing. We were conducted, as strangers freely are, through this open court, and we had an opportunity of looking from afar, on the victims of the sanitory code, all of whom chanced to be arrayed in the Turkish garb, and all sat smoking within their cages, but we did not venture to approach them. I need scarcely add, that the periods of time during which the quarantine regulations continue in force, vary according to the healthy or unhealthy state of the season elsewhere; or that as the longest term of confinement does not exceed forty days, so, under the most favourable circumstances, the traveller from Turkey into Hungary must endure with patience, if he can, a ten days' imprisonment. With respect to merchandise, on the other hand, such as bales of cotton, and other articles which are supposed to convey infection, a much less rigid discipline is exercised. The authorities keep in their pay a man who thrusts his bare arm, up to his shoulder, into each bale as it arrives, and if, at the end of three days, he exhibit no sympton of illness, the goods, of whatever description they may be, are passed on into the interior.

Popular Antiquities.

OLD WESTMINSTER.

THE Gate-house, west of St. Peter's, which gave entrance into Tothill-street, consisted of two gates, the one out of Dean's-yard having on the east-side the Bishop of London's prison, the other adjoining the first-but towards the west of the prison.

This Gate-house (demolished in 1777, one arch, however, yet remains in the wall of the house once occupied by Edmund Burke,) was a handsome structure,

and was used as a prison for state, ecclesiastical, and parliamentary offenders, as well as for debtors and felons. The latter were brought hither through Thievinglane and Union-street, to prevent the possibility of the culprit escaping from justice by entering the hallowed liberties of the sanctuary. Prisoners from the Court of Conscience were also confined in the Gate-house; and tradition relates that gin and other spirits were allowed as freely in this prison as in public-houses, the keeper vociferating from the window to the publican opposite," Jackass! Jackass!" as a signal to come and receive orders. In this Gate-house were imprisoned the illustrious Raleigh, immediately previous to his execution in Palace-yard, by the Court of King's Bench; the Lady Purbeck for adultery, by the Ecclesiastical Court, in 1622; five "men of Kent" for a "scandalous, insolent, and seditious" petition to the House of Commons in 1701; and Thomas Harley, in 1716, for a prevaricating answer to the House of Commons, by the "honourable House."

On the south side of the Gate-house, Henry the Seventh founded an almshouse, with a hall and kitchen, for thirteen poor men. Near this almshouse, westward, was the old chapel of St. Anne, over against which the Lady Margaret built almshouses for poor women. The alms of the Abbey were distributed from adjoining buildings, and hence the name Eleemosynary, or Almonry; and here the Abbot Islip set up the first printing press in England.

The Market, called King-street or Westminster-market, was a large open place, near the site of the present Sessions-house. It had a Market-house in the midst, with stalls and shops round about-made use of by butchers, poulterers, and others, and in the early part of the last century is said to have been well served and resorted to.

In Tothill-street was the house of Lord Grey of Wilton.

In the New-way were the house and extensive gardens of Sir Robert Pye.

Upon St. Hermit's Hill, Cornelius Van Dun, Yeoman of the Guard to Henry the Eighth, and to his successors, Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth, built twenty almshouses, and near these was the chapel of St. Mary Magdelene. The monumental bust of this veteran, in the picturesque costume of the guard, which has continued but little altered to the present day, remains (coloured from the life) in St. Margaret's Church.

In King-street lived Oliver Cromwell, when a member of the House of Commons.

In 1640, a flight of steps led up from

Maiden-lane, now called Queen's-street, to Park Prospect.

In a yard in the Broad-way lived Turpin the highwayman.

The ancient surface of Thorney Island, proves that the tides in the river Thames rise much higher than in former times.

In Queen Elizabeth's time there were houses on each side of Tothill-street, some on one side of the street having large gardens stretching to the Park, and some on the other side with gardens extending to Orchard-street. Very few houses were then built in York-street; a few detached houses appear on the south-side only of Orchard-street, with a few pretty villas in Pye-street, St. Anne's-street, and in Ducklane, all surrounded with large gardens on the banks of a pleasant stream of water, but beyond these no other buildings what

ever.

In 1650, Gardener's-lane, Ship-yard, and other wretched places opening out of Yorkstreet, were then described as "pretty handsome places." And Green's, now Elliott's, brewery "pleasantly situated in an open air."

Even so late as 1763, Buckingham House enjoyed an uninterrupted prospect south and west to the river, there being only a few scattered cottages, and the Stag Brewery, between it and the Thames; at that time, also, there were but few houses in James-street, and none behind it, nor any of those filthy courts between Petty France and the Park, nor any buildings in Palmer's-village or in Tothill-fields, or on the Artillery-ground, or to the south of Market-street.--[From a Pamphlet on the Westminster Improvements, by one of the Architects of the Company.]

Varieties.

The Society of British Artists opened their sixteenth exhibition of paintings on Saturday last. In extension of the beneficial purposes of the Institution, it has been resolved to appoint Professors, to deliver lectures after the close of the exhibition; to hold eight conversazioni during the exhibition; to open the Gallery from 8 to 10 in the evening, during the first month of the exhibition, (Saturdays excepted,) for the convenience of those who are engaged during the day; to form a library and museum; and to invite schools to view the Gallery gratuitously.

Caterpillars.-In Guatemala exists a species of caterpillar, from five to six inches in length.

The Royal Society.-The Marquess of Northampton, as President of the Royal

Society, is following the example of his illustrious predecessor in the chair, in giving a series of soirées during the season. Two of these have taken place within the present month (March), at his Lordship's elegant mansion, at the west end of Piccadilly. The late Sir Joseph Banks commenced this laudable practice, which was followed by the Duke of Sussex, who opened his spacious suite of rooms at Kensington Palace, where not only the members of the Royal Society were invited to meet their royal President, but were introduced to other royal and distinguished personages of their own country, and from foreign nations. At the Marquess of Northampton's second soirée, on Saturday last, there were present the Duke of Sussex, and upwards of 450 noblemen and gentlemen, fellows of the Royal Society, and a few favoured friends. Among the novelties of the evening were a microscope of extraordinary magnifying power; the communication of a discovery by a Swedish gentleman, of a process for rendering linen fire-proof; and some Photogenic drawings, those of Mr. Havell (see Literary Gazette), being the most perfect. Comparing such re-unions as the above, with the card-parties, crowded balls, and even the music routs of the olden and present times, we may fairly congratulate ourselves on a most important change and improvement in society. The Earl de Grey, as President of the Institute of British Architects, has given similar soirées to the members, and to large parties, at his superb mansion in St. James's Square. It is stated, that the President of the Society of Antiquaries, (at the time of his being elected,) intimated his intention of being equally hospitable; but we are not aware of the fulfilment.

Literature. According to the Publishers' Circular, there appears to have been published, from September, 1837, to December, 1838, about 2500 works.

Caravan-seraïs, or inns, in Arabia, are generally divided into several small apartments, each furnished with rude wooden bedsteads, and small three-legged stools for coffee, &c. In the evening, the occupants of these several chambers have their beds carried outside into the small court

yard, which is the centre of the building, and placed in the open air, the weather being too oppressive to adinit of any one sleeping under cover. The dews at night fall like rain, but if the precaution is taken of covering the face with a light linen cloth; no evil effects result from the exposure, owing to the absence of trees; and the sensation of perfect refreshment that is expend on rising is indescribable.

66

Buckingham Palace.-Defoe (in his Journey, 1714,) describes Buckingham House as one of the great Beauties of London, both by reason of its situation and its building,"-a remark strangely at variance with the opinion of our times.

Chewing the "Kat."-The inhabitants of San'a, in Arabia Felix, are very much addicted to chewing the leaf of a tree which they call "Kat." It appears by their account to exhilarate and produce appetite; it also causes great thirst, and if taken in large quantities, will bring on spasms. It is the never-failing accompaniment to breakfast or dinner, and from fong use, appears to be indispensable. In this country too, peaches, apricots, plums, &c. are so abundant as to form the principal food of the humble classes.

Aristocracy of Complexion. The rank of the Creole is haughtily maintained, even by the poorest of the class in Mexico, who, in any dispute with the richest man of the kingdom, will demand, "Am I not as white as yourself?" thereby meaning not strictly the complexion, but the rank in society attached to it.

City Watch in 1714.-" All the streets are extremely well guarded by watches, or guards, who carry no other arms about them, than clubs, or great staffs; for, as this is a country of drinking, which often makes mankind fool-hardy, fire-arms would be of dangerous consequence, if used here, as they are in the more southern countries. The watchmen are generally so civil as to lead a strayed stranger to his lodgings with a lanthorn; and if he prove mutinous, but not outrageous, they only carry him to their round-house, where he passes the night at a small expense, till the fumes of his wine are evaporated; but for vagrant rogues they diately to prison; and thus they keep the are very useful in carrying them immepeace of the city."-Defoe's Journey.

Nests of the Baia.—This ingenious sparrow usually builds in the Tolak tree (Ficus Bengalensis) which is of a spongy nature, and grows to a large size, the stem about 2 ft. 6 in. diameter, and its great leaves of a leathery texture. Upwards of 300 nests are sometimes seen upon one tree; they like aperture at the base, and the interior are of a pear shape, having a long funneldivided into two compartments, one for the male and the other for the female and

her

progeny.

LONDON: Published by GEORGE BERGER, Holywell Street, Strand. Printed by WHITEHEAD & Co. 76, Fleet Street, where all communications for the Editor may be addressed.