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prise and consternation were inexpressible, and must have been observed, if, with presence of mind which far surpassed his, she bad not immediately begun the business of signature. How could Elliot act in this terrible dilemma? The subtle spirit which could confront him without shrinking, might devise falsehoods sufficient to baffle his allegations, and her willing dupe would probably sustain her. Before he had determined, the time of action was past;" the minister performed the brief cere mony of a Scotch marriage, and the unwilling witness hastened away, bitterly feeling that he might have escaped reproach himself if he had resisted the first proposal of a false precontractif, in short, he had not been tempted to abet evil by a remote hope of good, It was not too late, perhaps, to defeat this precognition, as even the courteous laws of Scotland cannot support one, if the circumstances of the parties at the period of the pretended date were such as to render a legal contract impossible. But the disgrace and misery of an investigation would fall hea

a grave. He was musing on this subject by his bed-chamber lamp, when a courier brought a special message from Cunningham of Blackire, requiring his professional aid and instant presence. He obeyed immediately, not doubting that this late summons proceeded from his death-bed, and would be followed by some decisive communication respecting his son. Elliot's amazement was extreme when he found Blackire in apparent health, and received his injunctions to fill up a stamped paper with a marriage contract, after which the kirk-minister would perform the ceremony.-"Are you not aware," said Elliot, "that such a ceremony precludes in Scotland the necessity of any written precognition, as it will invest all this woman's offspring, though of prior birth, with the rights of legitimacy?"-" She has but one," replied Cunningham, casting down his eyes; and I only wish by the terms of a settlement to bar her claims on my estate."-Elliot smiled at the evasion, rightly judging that her demands would be of little importance, to an estate which would be soon sur-viest on the innocent, and it was casy rendered to his creditors. "Then," he answered, "if you only wish to exclude her from the law's allowance of onethird of your rents and moveables, it will be sufficient to sign a settlement without any pretence of a precontract, which, however sanctioned by the courtesy of Scotland, will seem, in this instance, only a deliberate and needless falsehood.' A dark flash escaped Cunningham's eyes, but his determined aspect remained, and he replied, "My heirs at law are among my persecutors, and I have resolved to defeat them by giving my son rights beyond dispute, if enforced by an attested acknowledgment of private marriage."-Elliot was silenced, for he saw under this affectation of spleen a revival of his parental love, which sought to disguise itself even in hatred to his heirs at law. Therefore he prepared a contract, with a full and formal preamble, stating an irregular marriage twenty years antecedent to this date between the parties; and Cunningham ushered him into another apartment to witness its completion. His chosen bride, the mother of his son, awaited him there with the kirk-minister, and received Elliot as a total stranger, but the first glance at her face convinced him it was one he well remembered. His sur

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to perceive that the blandishments of a base woman had utterly bewildered and subdued Blackire's violent spirit, as a skein of thread entangles the crocodile's' teeth. He contented himself, therefore, with hoping that he knew the worst consequences: a hope always deceit ful, and a kind of knowledge never granted to those who deviate even a single step from the right path.

Another year passed, and the Sheriff was seated by his fire side, comparing the civil institutes of various coun tries, with a remorseful recollection that, by unguardedly availing himself of one, he had swept away the lineal, succession of an honourable family, established a profligate woman in its highest place, and given the rights of inheritance to a very doubtful claimant. He had once deemed the marriagelaws of England too rigid to afford refuge to early and innocent affections; and he had thought their formalities often urged imprudence into guilt; but he now gave more bitter blame to those of Scotland, which render rashness irretrievable, and artice easy. He sighed to think the medium was not yet found between statutes that make vice desperate, and those that give it a premium and a privilege and wiser casuists might have doubted whether

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moral order is most injured by laws too rigorous to be enforced, or by others whose force is a protection to offenders.

In the midst of these professional mings, Milton Cunningham was suddenly announced, and entered, after an theace of four years from his native country. There was an eager expresNOB of enquiry in his countenance, which the Sheriff understood more fully than be could answer, for he was uncertain whether Milton had yet to learn that his father was dead insolvent, and has mother a disgraced fugitive. "I Anos all," said Milton, imagining that be interpreted all his friend's embarrass meat—“ but the letter!-have you preserved the letter "The Sheriff answered by taking it from its repository: Freak the seal," added his. visitor in a faltering voice-" the time is come." Elliot instantly obeyed, and saw a promissory note of ancient date for three thousand pounds, with these words in the envelope:

The guardian of an orphan neice found this note, executed by himself to her father, in her possession. His affairs. were involved his exigencies pressing; he was under his roof, and in his power -he extorted it from her, but an unexpected witness interrupted him, and secured it. An honest and powerful advocate might give her redress-a son

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The Sheriff, raising his eyes from this statement, fixed them stedfastly on Milton, and saw its truth in the noble agony his courlenince expressed. "Speak, r, I beseech you," he said, after a long pause-speak to me as a lawyer, not as a friend, and let me hear the worst. I have sinned, I know-and have beg. gured the owner of this note, perhaps. by concealing it but my father!" be stopped, and burst into tears.. The Sheriff replied with moist eyesAs a lawyer, I must tell you, the statute of Limitations has invalidated this note; and even if its date was less remote, it could give no claim on your late father's real estate, which has been surrendered to satisfy special debts. Is law, therefore, the purchaser of his land cannot be charged with this, and the unfortunate creditor will find redress dithcult: but as a friend I may aid, that there are other chances. Your father's uncle died last night unmarried and intestate-his personal propery is araple, and to that, at least,

you may lay claim in England, by virtue of your legalized birth, and atone for this transaction."- My birth!" repeated the young man, starting"it was never publicly legalized.". "It is true," said Elliot- My clerk and myself were the only witnesses, and the officiating minister is dead without registering the fact-but I possess a precognition-a contract sufficient in all its forms."-Milton seized it with flashing eyes, and read the whole eagerly"Is there no public record?-no other proof?"-" None," returned Elliot, chilled by the joy he betrayed-“ unless this can be justified, your cousin is your uncle's heiress."-" There perishes the obstacle then!" said Milton, throwing it into the fire-" she will be, indemnified fourfold for the lost note, and my father's name will be saved!". -The Sheriff laid his band on Milton's. head with an involuntary gesture of benediction-" You have atoned nobly;-but you shall not be disinherited. I am the purchaser of Blackire's estate,' and that it may satisfy every claim of honour and justice, it is your's. May his fate be a powerful example!! He was once a proud an honest man, yet he became an attester of falsehoods, a ruffian, and a robber, to enrich a rapacious courtezan and a stranger's son ... I am your father!"

V.

To the Editor of the European Magazine.

SIR.

opening a volume of your MagaTHE other day, on promiscuously zine for February 1817 (page 124), I met with a letter of "Thos. Hoppkyns's," on Mr. Kean's new reading of this line from Macbeth,

"Hang out our banners on the outward walls."

So it is in Manley Wood's edition, and not as Mr. H. has extracted it into his article.-This communication is, Sir, I admit, rather antiquated in point of time, but to that same principle or privilege which induced your notice of Mr. H. I appeal.-Mr. H. has rummaged up grist for his humour, and I hope I may be indulged in a short paragraph to show it fulse. He pertinaciously insists, that the text of the bard is mere jargon, and I as pertinaciously insist it is perfect sensepay, that if the word "out" were omitted (as he would have), I say the

line would be incorrect; and I consider Mr. H.'s emendation a mere flight of fancy." He seems to think, that if the banners were hung on the outward walls, ex necessitate they would be hung on the outer side; but that no more follows, than that Mr. H. in going to Hampstead, would, by the same necessity, be obliged to go through Tottenham-court-road. The sense, Sir, in the original reading, is, that the banners should be exhibited; and to be so, Macbeth required them to be hung with out the outer walls. The expression is an exactness of speech, and, instead of being a fault, is a beauty much to be admired. If the language were "Hang the banners on the outward walls," the direction would be without the excellent minutiæ it now possesses, and then it would be quibbled with for not expressing the position.

1 am, Sir,

Your's, &c.

24th Feb. 1818. A GENTLEMAN.

ON PUBLIC PUNISHMENT.
To the Editor of the European Magazine.

SIR,

A

seem so without reason, or probable:
cause, I propose to put my subject to the
test by a two-fold thesis-First, By sup-
posing a spectator to inquire of himself,
after witnessing these exhibitions, whe-
ther he would be sure of the same pu
nishment if he so offended; and. 2dly,
(putting aside the uncertainty of the
law), Whether these exhibitions awaken
the spectators to any sense or feeling of
moral, religious, or civil duty? Now,
Sir, as to the first test, the notorious
forbearance of the injured to prosecute

the reluctance of juries to find a capital offence-and, finally, the frequent mitigations of punishments, are circumstances separately moving every iniquitous person, old and young, promptly and decidedly to answer in the negative, and each one thinks himself without the probability of sharing the same punishment for his offences; and of all the impressions that these spectacles make, I venture to say, example is the least! nay, that such a thought is so distant, that the fate of the culprit is not ascribed to legal punishment, but is adjudged the issue of "bad luck," or "bad management of his matters,” and from which scene the spectator VERY enlightened character (Sir returns unawed, and unconvinced of the S. Romilly) not long since laid certainty of the same punishment for before the public some excellent re- is transgressions. Whence, then, it marks, in a pamphlet entitled "Obser- may be inquired, is the good of this vations on the Criminal Law of Eng- exposure, considered as example?land as it relates to Capital Punish- On the second branch of my subject ments, and on the Mode in which it I am equally fearful a most unequiis administered," designedly to shew vocal negative may be given in answer. how often justice passes unheeded from I never have had resolution to witunwise classification of punishments to ness one of these appalling spectacles; offences. The pamphlet I presume to but I dare affirm, that were any of the have been universally read, so I refer to spectators to be asked “ their thoughts" it by the title only. Now, Sir, it has on the scene they bad witnessed, the often occurred to my mind question-answer would import "obdurate gratiable-whether public and formal executions of culprits is of benefit or prejudice to the community.. That public good was intended is beyond a doubt; but how far the design is effected at this day, is, I think, a question, and one of vital importance; and the more so, from the known laxity of our criminal law, or perhaps the observance of it; but either way it is of the same consequence. Public exposition of punish ment I take to have been once considered to operate on the spectators as an example or threat in terrorem, and per the force of that example a check to others against the perpetration of crime. Bot, Sir, of this effect I at this time am very suspicious; and that I may not

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fication," and unasked would follow a
narrative of the culprit's hardihood in
"giving" up the ghost. To these con-
clusions I cannot think it at all neces
sary any of us should be eye-witnesses
-the accounts of the demeanour of the
spectators at these scenes, so repeatedly
given, and the last week's papers alone,
speak volumes in proof of absent feel-
ings and pity in the spectators: for in
the latter pages it was said, the populace
gazed upon a spectacle horrible-most
horrible without betraying the slight-
est sensation of sympathy or pity:-
and as a further fact in proof that
example is disdained, I have myself
a partial instance; for on one of these
ill-fated mornings, I chanced to cress'

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Holborn early, and saw numberless To the Editor of the European Magazine. persons thronging down the street to Witness, as I learnt, the awful sacrifice

SIR,

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of their fellow-beings, which they deno-
minated a sight;" and, on their way,
they purchased provision to amuse the
Enoccupied moments. Now, Sir, if it is
ponible that people can eat and drink at
uch times, I protest they are wholly un- Eton, 10th March, 1818.
sceptible of feelings that could at all
induce them to profit by example. Here

I should be thought deserving of a
place in your intelligent Magazine, they
are very much at your service, from, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,

IF the inclosed observations on Africa

VASCO DE GAMA.

is a powerful and credible instance of MEMORIAL OF A PLAN FOR THE CONQUEST

personal observation in proof that the attraction is no other than "a gratification of profitless curiosity," which can end only in "immaterial influence." I insist, therefore, that, rather than good, evil results; and of all other evils the greatest is, that the spectators imbibe a careless, nay triumphant, feeling by thus learning he quick is the extinction of animal life, and how brief the pang of what may be said to be the greatest of human miseries, and by the further koowledge that life is as soon extinct whether the offender have been guilty of the most heinous crime or trifling transgression. I here take occasion to advert to a topic, in aid of my attempt to shew the mistake of our present system, that induces me to think with confidence, insomuch that I make sure of the unqualified concurrence of all classes of readers; and I will propound it in the following negative position, as best shewing the conclusion. Then, Sur, did any of us detect our nurse

ids with our children visiting the slaughter-houses of this metropolis, should we not severely reprimand (if not dismiss them for thus unhumanizing their infant hearts, and seasoning them to bear against the sympathies of their better natures; and Would not every one feel dread for consequences, lest such visits to these shambles should engender a hardihood and thirst for other and more awful sacrifices-the sacrifices of our fellowcreatures? And every one must admit, that when the heart is steeled against Pity, obedience of all laws buman and divine, and social and neighbourly affection, is for ever gone. I now, t, conclude this letter, not without hope that the matter and manner may be worthy a place in your Magazine; and subscribe myself,

March, 1919.

Your's, &c.

PENRUDDOCK.

OF BARBARY, AND DIFFUSION OF COM-
MERCE.

ALGIERS, and the territory belonging to it, is governed by despotic Turks, the refuse of the Ottoman troops, whe maintain their power over the Moors and Arabs of the Plains (who are the cultivators of the country), and over the Berebbers (who are the aborigines of the country), or inhabitants of the Mountains of Atlas, which terminate this sovereignty on the south, and di vide Algiers from Bled-El-jereed.

The first principle of this barbarous and sanguinary government (according to an African adage) is to "Maintain the arm of power, by making streams of blood flow, without intermission, around the Throne!"

This country, the government of which reflects disgrace on Christendom, which has been, during many ages, the scourge of Christian mariners, and of all who navigate those seas, has often been conquered. The Romans reduced Numidia and Mauritania into Roman provinces.

This beautiful garden of the world was afterwards conquered by the Vandals; then by the Greeks, during the reign of Justinian, under Belisarius; and, finally, three times by the Arabs viz. in the 647th year of Christ, by Abdallah and Zobeer, in the year 667, by Ak'bah, for the Kalif Moawiah; and in the year 692, by Hassan, governor of Egypt, for the Kalif Abd Elmelik. Not one of the armies of these warriors ever exceeded 50,000 men.

After these general conquests, the partial conquests of the Portuguese and Spaniards, about the end of the fifteenth and beginning of the sixteenth century, were effected by a mere handful of men; and in 1509, the latter rendered the kingdom of Algiers tributary to them; but afterwards, they lost it by the ferocity of their chiefs, the fanaticism of their soldiers and priests, and, finally, by their perfidy and into

Ferance, they made themselves enemies to the various (Kabyles) tribes of Mauritania, and thereby lost their conquest!

The repeated and galling insults of fered by these ruffians to civilized Europe, cannot be efficiently punished by a bombardment-a cruel measure, which punishes the innocent subjects for the insults of their government. No one acquainted with the character of the natives of Barbary will maintain, that the destruction of a few thousand of the peaceable inhabitants, or the burning of many houses, is a national calamity in the eyes of a Mussulman Chief, who would himself commit the same ravage and destruction that was so gallantly effected by the British fleet, under my Lord Exmouth, for half the money it cost to accomplish it.

When my Lord St. Vincent was off Cadiz with the British fleet, and could not obtain the object which he sought of the Emperor of Marocco, his Lordship, after refusing to comply with the Emperor's request, communicated to his Lordship by the Emperor's Envoy, or Agent, Rais Ben Embark, told the Rais to inform his Emperor, that if he did not change his conduct very soon, he would begin a war with him, and such a war as he had neither seen or

read of before! When the Rais reported this to the Emperor Soliman, he inquired what kind of a war an Admiral could wage against him. Some one of the Divan observed, that he would destroy the ports on the coast; adding, that it would cost a certain large sum of money to effect that destruction: upon which the Emperor exclaimed, that, for half that amount, he would himself destroy all these ports-This affair happened in September, 1798.

There is a prevailing prophecy in Barbary, that from time immemorial has been generally credited by the inhabitants. It has been transmitted to them by some Fakeer, that the land of the Mussulmen will be wrested from them by the Christians; and there is an impression, that the period when this event will take place is not far distant. They also believe that this event will happen on a Friday (the Mussulmen Sabbath), whilst they are occupied at their devotions at the Dohor service of prayer. Accordingly at this period, viz. from twelve till half-past one 'clock, the gates of all the towns on

the coast are shut and bolted ever 'Friday. This attack, forsooth, is t happen whilst they are occupied a prayer, because they are so infatuate with an opinion of their own valou that they will not believe that Christian would presume to attack them openwhen armed and prepared for the com bat. It should seem that these peopl begin now seriously to anticipate the near approach of this predestined con quest, and have accordingly entere into a kind of Holy Alliance, offensiv and defensive, to which, it is said, th Emperor of Marocco, the Dey of Tuni and that of Tripoli, have acceded; an that this Holy Alliance is crowned b the Ottoman Emperor.

It is more than probable, that th Dey of Algiers, goaded by the blo inflicted by my Lord Exmouth, whic has increased his hatred of Christian and has inflamed his desire of revenge will not fail to seek every opportu nity (according to the known princi ples of Mohommedanism) of retaliatin and insulting the Europeans wheneve a favourable opportunity may offer even at the risk of another bombard ment. This opinion has been con firmed by his late conduct, and by th activity that has been manifested i the fortifications, in increasing thei military force, in building and equip ping new vessels to infest the Medi terranean with their abominable pira cies; all which proceedings demon strate the hostile intentions of the Dey beyond all doubt.

PLAN FOR THE CONQUEST OF ALGIERS.

The inhabitants of the plains are bi gotted to the Mohommedan tenets, bu they would readily exchange the iro rod that rules them for a more mild an beneficent form of government. A well disciplined European army of 50,000 men would assuredly effect their com plete conquest, without much diffi culty. Such an army, directed by Wellington, would perform wonders and astound the Africans. After the conquest, an energetic, decisive, bu beneficent, form of government, would be necessary, to retain the country. and to conquer and annihilate the repuguancy which these people entertain to our religious tenets. A system of rule formed upon the principles of the English constitution, directed by good policy, benevolence, and religious toleration, would not fail to reconcile these

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