have waited with great patience, if I had not unluckily found directly before me an old gentleman in a brigadier's wig, whose amplitude formed before my eyes a species of screen, which totally concealed from me any thing that was going forward on the stage, and especially prevented me from seeing a young dancing girl, in whom I felt a great interest.

"After having begged and prayed the gentleman, whom I was already incommoding exceedingly, to allow me a glimpse of the stage, by a certain change of position, which he drily answered, was impossible; irritated by his coolness, and my own awkward situation, at which, to crown my misery, my neighbours, and especially my young companions, were heartily laughing, I took from my pocket-book a pair of scissors, with which I set to work, not only to prune away the superfluous branches and foliage, if I may use the expression, which annoyed me, but also the thick clubs which served to ornament its tail.

"The bursts of laughter which my vengeance excited, having awakened my gentleman from the species of apathy in which he had till then seemed buried, he perceived the state to which I had reduced his perriwig. My young friend,' said he, turning round as well as he could, I expect you will not leave the house without me.' This little civility, continued the Count d'Egmont, and especially a certain glance of the eye by which it was accompanied, by making me sensible of the whole extent of my folly, moderated, I confess, considerably the pleasure I had felt in committing it! however, the wine was poured out, and I felt that I was compelled to drink it. At the conclusion of the opera, my gentleman, without speaking, gave me a sign to follow him.

quainted with you, you are young; and I owe you a lesson, for which your late father, whom I knew better than I do you, would perhaps have thanked me: when a man gives a public insult, and especially to an old soldier, he ought at least to know how to fight. Let us see,' continued he, drawing his sword, 'how you will acquit yourself.' Enraged and humiliated by a proposition which seemed to me to border on contempt, I rushed on him with all the impetuosity of which. my youth and indignation rendered me capable; but my gentleman, without being in the least discomposed, as steady as a rock, contented himself with parrying my thrusts by the most insolent parades in the world, and at last made no other return to my attacks than by a quip, which made my y ́sword fly out of my hand to the distance, of five or six paces. Pick up your sword, Monsieur le Comte,' said he, it is. not like an opera-dancer, but like a brave cavalier, with a firm foot and a steady eye, that a man of your name ought to fight; and this is what I now invite you to do.'

666

You are most cruelly in the right,' answered I, endeavouring to stifle the feelings which were agitating me, ‘and` I hope soon to prove myself worthy of, your esteem.' Fixedly determined rather to perish, than to expose myself to fresh sarcasms from this singular enemy, I placed myself opposite to him, and attacked him with a coolness equal to that which he had displayed in defending himself. Very well, very well, indeed,' exclaimed, from time to time, this devil in human form, until the moment when, having run through the sword arm, he said, There; that's enongh for the present.' So saying, placing me against the wall, and telling me to wait till he came back, he ran to the Palais Royal, brought a coach, bound up my wound with a handkerchief, and telling the coachman to drive to the Mousquetaires de la Rue de Beaune,he delivered me into the hands of the porter and took his leave.

me

After a confinement of more than

six weeks, which were required to cure my wound, I had not rejoined the world more than a week, when one evening going into the Café de la Regence, to look for some of my companions, I recognized my gentleman, who quitted his seat, placed his finger on his mouth, and exclaiming Chut! rose, came towards me, and made me a signal to follow him. Arrived under the same archway, 'You have amused yourself a little at my expense, my dear count,' said he, in recounting our adventure, and I have too great a regard for you, not to contribute all in my power to render it still more agreeable, by furnishing a continuation, which you may add to the story, when you next relate it. Come, draw your

sword.'

"This second lesson, which was very similar to the first, was followed some months after by a third. This executioner, if I may so call him, at last became so terrible to me, that I hardly ever ventured into public without feeling a sort of shudder, lest I should encounter him, for I had forgot to mention, that the last lesson which he had condescended to give me, was on the eve of the carnival, which he had made me pass in the most melancholy manner possible in my bed.

"Judge, therefore, of my joy, as well as gratitude, when a waiter from the Café de la Regence, arrived one morning at my lodgings, and said, 'You will pardon me, Monsieur le Comte, but I thought you would not be sorry to hear that Monsieur Chut' died last. night, and my mistress hopes we shall soon see you again at our house.'

AMENDMENTS AND CRITICISM.

A journeyman hatter, a companion of Dr. F. on commencing business for himself, was anxious to get a handsome signboard, with a proper inscription. This he composed himself as follows: "John Thompson, hatter, makes and sells hats for ready money;" with the figure of a hat subjoined. But he thought he would submit it to his friends for their amendments. The first he showed it to, thought the word hatter tautologous, because followed by the words "makes hats," which showed

he was a hatter. It was struck out. The next observed, that the word "makes" might as well be omitted, because his customers would not care who made the hats; if good, and to their mind, they would buy, by whomsoever made. He struck that out also. A third said, he thought the words "for ready money" were useless, as it was not the custom of the place to sell on credit; every one who purchased, expected to pay. These too were parted with, and the inscription then stood, "John Thompson sells hats." "Sells hats!" says his next friend; "why, who expects you to give them away? What, then, is the use of the word ?" It was struck out, and hate was all that remained attached to the name of John Thompson. Even this inscription, brief as it was, was reduced ultimately to "John Thompson," with the figure of a hat subjoined.

BACCHANALIANS.

A publican blowing the froth from a pot of porter, which he was bringing to a customer, the gentleman struck him. Boniface eagerly asked why he struck him? "Why," replied the geotleman, "I only returned blow for blow."

At the breaking up of a tavern dinner party, two of the company fell down stairs, the one tumbling to the first landing-place, the other rolling to the bottom. It was observed that the first seemed dead drunk. Yes," said a wag, "but he's not so far gone as the gentleman below."

LEARNED LIBRARIAN.

M. Bantru, a distinguished member of the French Academy, in the 17th century, travelling in Spain, was presented to the king, Philip III. who asked him if he had seen the Escurial? Bantru answered in the affirmative. "Well, and what do you think of the library?" "I think, sire, that you should make your librarian Minister of Finances," answered Bantru. "Why," asked the king. "Because he has never touched any thing entrusted to his care."

AN EXPENSIVE JOB.

A gentleman passing a country church, white under repair, observed to

one of his workmen, that he thought it would be an expensive job. "Why, yes," replied he, "but in my opinion, we shall accomplish what our reverend

divine has endeavoured to do, for the last thirty years, in vain." "What is that?" said the gentleman. "Why, bring all the parish to repentance.'

WHA

WHAT holds the place of religion in Dabomy, is paganism of the darkest infernality. In Whydah, the favourite divinity is worshipped in the form of a particular species of snake, called Daboa, which is stated to be tameable and inoffensive. These Daboas are “taken care of in the most pious manner, and well fed on rats, mice, or birds, in their Fetish temples. In Dahomy proper, the tiger is worshipped; the skins of tigers being stuffed for the purpose of forming a safe object of adoration. An immolation of human victims for the purpose of watering the graves of the king's ancestors, and of supplying them with servants of various descriptions in the other world, takes place every year at a grand festival, which is held generally in April or May.

"On this occasion, the chief magis trates, or caboceers, of the different towns or districts; the governors of the English, French, and Portuguese setlements, are expected to attend at the capital with their respective retinues; and the captains of ships and factors trading Whydah, usually take this opportunity at of pay their respects to the king.'

The victims are generally prisoners of war reserved for the purpose, but should there be any lack of these, the number" (between 60 and 70) "is made up from the most convenient of his own subjects."

"The immolation of victims is not confined," adds our author, "to this particular period, for at any time should it be necessary to send an account to

his forefathers of any remarkable event, the king despatches a courier to the shades, by delivering his message to whoever may happen to be near him, and then ordering his head to be chopped off immediately. It is considered an hononr where his majesty personally condescends to become the executioner in these cases; an office in which the present king prides himself in being expert. The governor was present on one occasion when a poor fellow, whose fear of death, outweighing the sense of the honour conferred upon him, on being desired to carry some message to his father, humbly declared on his knees, that he was unacquainted with the way; on which the tyrant vociferated, “I'l shew you the way, and, with one blow, made his head fly many yards from his body, highly indignant that there should have been the least expression of reluctance.

THE HE town of Kenilworth is situate five miles to the south-west of the city of Coventry, and is at nearly the same distance, on the north-east, from Warwick. Previous to the conquest, Kenilworth was a member of the neighbouring parish of Stoneleigh, being the ancient demesne of the crown, "and had, within the precincts thereof, a castle, situate upon the banks of the Avon, in the woods opposite to Stonely Abbey. Which castle stood upon a place called Hom (Holme) Hill; but was demolished in those turbulent times of warr betwixt King Edmund and Canutus the Dane." At the time of the Norman Survey, Kenilworth was divided into two parts, one of which was styled Aplone, and was held of the King by Albertus Clericus, " in pure Almes." The other portion was possessed by Richard the Forester. In the reign of Henry I. the manor was bestowed by the king on Geoffrey de Clinton, who founded here a potent castle and monastery.

The Castle which, when firm through all its battlements and courts, and peopled with the baronial pride of the land, formed so fine an ornament of this town, still imparts melancholy grandeur to the neighbourhood by the unusual magnificence of its ruins. These remains, have indeed, powerful claims on the feelings of the examiner. They present one of the most splendid and picturesque wrecks of castellated strength to be found in any English county, and are united with various interesting passages of history. The castle, however, shortly passed from the posterity of Geoffrey de Clinton. In the reign of Henry II. it was possess

ed by the king, who placed here a garrison when his eldest son rebelled against him. The account of the provisions taken up for the use of this garrison is curious, showing the great value of money at the period. One hundred · quarters of Bread Corn, 81. 8s. 2d. (little more than 2d. per bushel.) Twenty quarters of Barley 33s. 4d. One hundred Hogs, 7. 10s. Forty Cows, salted, 4l. One hundred and twenty Cheese, 40s. Twenty-five quarters of Salt, 30s. It is evident that the large fortified dwellings of the Barons, in these turbulent times, not only afforded a retreat to the more defenceless neighbours, but were probably made, on that account, a source of profit to their owners; for we find that the sheriff, in accounting for the emoluments derived from the ward of this castle, mentions "certain money that he received, in the nature of rent, from such as had their abode therein." King John and Henry III. expended large sums on Kenilworth; and the latter, in the 38th year of his reign, granted the castle to Simon Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and Elinor his wife, but only for their respective lives. When this Earl took arms against his Sovereign, it was for, for some time, the great place of resort for the insurgent nobles. After the discomfiture and death of the Earl of Leicester, at Evesham, Simon Montfort, his son, continued to shelter himself in this fortress, where he was joined by those friends of the baronial faction that were able to effect an escape from the field of battle. Thus aided, he exercised his power with the ferocity usual in these barbarous ages, sending abroad his bailiffs and officers with an

affectation of sovereign authority: and bands of soldiers frequently issued from the castle, on predatory excursions, during which they spread the miseries of fire and sword with unsparing hand. These scenes of violence were interrupted by the approach of the king. Simon Montfort, so arrogant while unopposed, now proved his cowardice to be equal to his cruelty, and secretly withdrew to France, naming Henry de Hastings governor. Conscious of the great strength of the place, and willing to prevent the effusion of human blood, the king sent a message of fair promise; but those within the walls not only rejected this clement overture, but basely insulted and maimed the messenger. The garrison were well provided with military engines, among which were some that cast stones to a considerable distance; and they occasionally ventured on desperate and destructive sal lies. At length, although assured that the besieged were reduced to extremity, the king granted lenient terms, after having lain before it for 6 months. He bestowed the fortress on Edmund his younger son, whom he created Earl of Leicester and Lancaster.

In the seventh year of King Edward I. a costly and gallant tournament was held at Kenilworth. The knights were one hundred in number, and many were foreigners of distinction who entered England for the purpose of displaying their chivalry on this occasion. Robert Mortimer, Earl of March, was the promoter of the festival, and was the principal challenger of the tilt-yard. The ladies were, likewise, one hundred in number; and, as an instance of the splendour with which they were attired, it is recorded that they wore silken mantles. The exercises began on the eve of Saint Matthews, and continued till the day after the feast of St. Michael. The dances were not less gallantly attended than the lists; and to avoid all painful distinctions that might arise from an attention to precedence, the whole party banqueted at a Round Tuble. On the attainder of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, son of Earl Edmund, the castle returned to the crown; and was 2L ATHENEUM VOL. 8.

by Edward II. intended as a place of retirement, when he saw danger aug menting on every side. But this ill-fated monarch was doomed to be brought hither as a prisoner. Henry, Earl of Lancaster, conveyed him to this place; and here he received intelligence of his formal deposition.

In the reign of Edward III. John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, obtained possession of Kenilworth, by his marriage with Blanch,daughter of Henry Earl of Lincoln and Duke of Lancaster. The great aim of those who had hitherto conduced to the building of this strong castle, was security; to elegance of domestic accommodation they were strangers. The reign of the third Edward produced a striking improvement in manners; and convenience and splendour of architectural arrangement were now first cultivated in England. By John of Gaunt large additions were made; and a great proportion of the present ruins consist of the buildings raised by his munificence. In the person of King Henry IV. son to this Duke, the castle again became the property of the crown; and so continued till Queen Elizabeth conferred it on Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.

This Earl expended great

sums in adorning and enlarging the structure; and here he had the honour of entertaing Queen Elizabeth, in a manner so magnificent, that a notice of the festivities has been justly said to form an almost necessary page of the national annals. Her Majesty arrived on the 9th of July, 1575, and the splendid revelry of the season has met with a curious and amusing chronicle in Laneham, an attendant on the court. From this writer we learn that the Queen, after dining at Long Itchington, and hunting by the way, 66 was met in the park, about a slight shoot from the Brayz and first gate of the castle," by a person representing 66 one of the ten sibills, cumly clad in a pall of white silk, who pronounced a proper poezie in English rime and meeter." This her "Majesty benignly accepted, and and passed foorth untoo the next gate of Brayz, which, for the length, large