quantities of domestic cottons were not only sent to Canton, but that in spite of the protection which British manufactures received at Calcutta, of ten per cent, the Americans were found formidable rivals in that city.”— The truth is, the English, while crying free trade with all their might, have made their trade so exclusive, that other nations have been compelled, in self-defence, to commence manufacturing; and, in spite of her efforts, she will find in the spindles of the United States and the continent, an enemy of her own creating, more formidable than the legions of Napoleon at the zenith of

The Dighton Rock. Much has been said within a few years about this curious relic of antiquity, which lies on the left bank of the Taunton river, in the town of Berkley, opposite Dighton, and which was formerly a part of the town of Dighton, from which circumstance it received its name. correspondent of the Norfolk Democrat gives the following interesting account of the characters rudely cut upon this rock.

A

its origin, I shall not, of course, enlarge. The latest is
that of the Danish Society already alluded to, which
attributes it to the Northmen who visited some parts of
the coast in the eleventh century, and probably came at
least as far as Massachusetts and Rhode Island. De-
tailed and authentic accounts of their voyages have re-
cently been published, for the first time, by the Danish
Antiquarian Society, which places these facts beyond
dispute. It also appears that the leader of the most im-
portant of these expeditions was named Thorfin; that
he was accompanied by his wife, who gave birth to a
son during their stay on the continent; and that the
number of his company was a hundred and thirty-one.
These particulars coincide remarkably with the supposed
import of the letters, the numerals, and the figure of a
female with her infant, which appear upon the rock.—
Whether this interpretation is a true one, or, after all,
nothing more than a mere figure of antiquarian fancy,
is a point which must be left for future inquirers to de-
cide."

A shoemaker having an empty cask, which he wishDEVOTION TO STUDY.-One of the Gottingen profes-ed to dispose of, placed it before his door, and with chalk sors, having full use of his limbs, assured me that he wrote upon it, "For sail." A waggish schoolboy taking had not left his house for thirteen years. The longest that way shortly after, and perceiving the mistake of the walk he took was from his sleeping apartment to his ob"vender of wares," immediately wrote underneath," For The inscription corresponded, on the whole, very servatory, both under the same roof;" all his adventures freight or passage apply at the bung-hole." well with the expectations which I had formed of it from were by the fire-side, and all his migrations from the blue the drawings and accounts. The face of the rock is bed to the brown." Another was pointed out to me, not perpendicular, but slanting at an angle of perhaps who, in addition to his public duties, had read fourteen 45 degrees. Its color on the outside is reddish or pur-hours a day from the time he was nine years old. On ple; on the inside grey,-its geological character being, his wedding day he had only eleven; but to make up in the scientific dialect, grey wacke. The face is cross- for such truancy, he rose next morning three hours eared transversely by several seams or fissures; and the sur-lier than usual. Now all this is absolute folly. "In vain face shows in some places, an apparent disposition to do ye rise so early and so late take rest." Ten or twelve scale off, and looks as if it had been artificially coated, hours of actual intellectual exertions in the course of the but this appearance is no doubt deceptive. The height twenty-four, are enough for any one who wishes to keep of the rock is about six feet. It is, as I said before, en- the mental sap circulating through his brains. Deprived

"I suppose,” said a quack, while feeling the pulse of
Sir," replied
his patient, "that you think me a fool."
the sick man, "I perceive you can discover a man's
thought's by his pulse."

CRITICISM. In criticising a book you are at liberty to
remark upon every page. In criticising a newspaper you
must look only to its general character. An author may
write only when the spirit moves.
whether the spirit moves him or not. Pennsylvanian.
The odious practice of duelling is properly apprecia-

An editor must write

tirely submerged at high tide, and the inscription is much of that wholesome circulation the brain turns mouldy, ted in Pennsylvania. The new constitution of that

more legible at the top than the bottom, where indeed it
is almost entirely effaced,-
,—no doubt by the stronger ac-
tion of the water.

and mouldy brains breed maggots.

OLD MAIDS.-We are inclined to believe that many Various copies have been taken, from time to time, of of the satirical aspersions cast upon old maids tell more this inscription, several of which are given in the late to their credit than is generally imagined. Is a woman work of the Danish Society. The latest in date, which remarkably neat in her person, she will certainly die an is the one made by a Committee of the Rhode Island old maid. Is she frugal in her expenses, and exact in Historical Society for the use of the Danes, is the most her domestic concerns, she is cut out for an old maid.— accurate, and affords a very correct idea of the original. And if she is kindly humane to the animals about her, It is not easy to describe this confused and irregular col-nothing can save her from the appellation of an old maid. lection of half-effaced lines and figures, but the follow- In short, we have always found that neatness, modesty, economy and humanity are the never-failing characterising particulars will give some notion of what it is.

On the right of the rock are two or three human fig-tics of that terrible creature, an old maid. ures, in connection with marks, of which the meaning is uncertain: among these is one, apparently intended for some large animal. Below these there appears in the older copies, the figure of a bird; but this, if it ever existed, is now effaced. Near the top of the rock, and at about the middle of its length, is a distinct figure rep resenting a shield. Towards the left are two rude human figures, evidently intended for a female and an infant; farther to the left are other lines, now nearly effaced, which have been supposed to resemble a ship At the right of the female figure, and in the centre of the inscription, are three crosses, connected with some other lines, and represented in the latest copy as the Roman numerals CXXXI. A little to the right, again, of these, are Roman letters, in parts quite clear, in others,

PATENT CORN PLANTER.-A very ingenious and yet simple contrivance for planting corn has been invented and patented by Mr. John M. Forrest of Princess Anne county. It is in the form of a plough and as the furrow is laid off by the share, the grains are dropped into it through an aperture in a round revolving box, which contains the corn; and a couple of hoes, adapted for the purpose, throw the earth from both sides of the furrows and cover them up. The operation is performed with perfect mathematical precision and certainty, and the fixtures are not liable to be thrown out of order by any common casualty or want of attention. The labor and time saved by the use of this new implement, is

immense.

Norfolk Herald.

almost effaced, which are given in the last copies as The tunnel on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal in Al-
ORIN. The Danish Antiquarians consider these let-leghany county, Md., is now half finished. It will be
ters as the remnant of a partly effaced word, which 3000 feet in length, and the highest point of the moun-
they propose to restore into THORFIN.
tain through which it passes, is 360 feet above the level of
the tunnel. The whole distance is cut through a solid
rock.

Such are the principal points in the inscription. On the various theories that have been started in regard to

State disqualifies any person for office who acts as prin-
cipal or second in a duel.

It is a singular fact, that while we are introducing in-
to our houses stoves hitherto used in Russia, the Russians
are adopting open fire places, which, according to per-
sons who have lately visited that country, are esteemed
a great luxury.

Flam thinks a thief would make a capital missionary
he would convert every thing he laid his hands on.

The New Orleans Picayune answers a correspondent,
who asks which expression is the most proper, the
"house burned up, or burned down," "That depends,
we take it, upon whether the fire originated in the cellar
or garret."

"Where are

"Our children are certainly the most dutiful in this
town, Mrs. Frimble, though I say it myself," said Mrs.
Complacency one morning to a neighbor.
the little dears?" said Mrs. Frimble. "They in the
back yard, and I will call them," replied Mrs. Compla-
cency, opening a door at the same time. "John, Wil-
liam, Samuel, dears, come here this minute."
"Go to
thunder you old fool, we guess we'em a right to climb
up this ere apple tree for all you."

Indigence and obscurity are the parents of vigilance
and economy-vigilance and economy, of riches and
honor-riches and honor, of pride and luxury—pride
and luxury, of impurity and idleness-impurity and idle-
ness, of indigence and obscurity.

THE PROSPECTIVE OF LIFE.-What has life to show but the glass door of heaven? Through this we see the highest beauty and bliss; but it is not open.

THE RICHMOND COUNTY MIRROR:

A WEEKLY PAPER PRINTED ON STATEN ISLAND, DEVOTED TO SCIENCE, LITERATURE, & NEWS.

On the summit of a craggy hill, a spur of the moun-capture him, which, in his negligent mood, promised to
tains of Ronda, stands the castle of Allora, now a mere be an easy task; rushing, therefore, from their conceal-
ruin, infested by bats and owlets, but in old times one of ment, they thought to surround and seize him. Never
strong border holds of the Christians, to the watch on
were men more mistaken. To gather up his reins, to
the frontiers of the warlike kingdom of Granada, and to wheel round his steed, brace his buckler, and couch his
hold the Moors in check. It was a post always confid-lance, was the work of an instant; and there he sat,
ed to some well-tried commander; and at the time of
which we treat, was held by Rodrigo de Narvaez, a vet-
eran, famed, both among Moors and Christians, not on-
ly for his hardy feats of arms, but also for that magnani-
mous courtesy, which should ever be entwined with the
sterner virtues of the soldier.

The castle of Allora was a mere part of his command; he was Alcayde, or military governor of Antiquera, but he passed most of his time at this frontier post, because its situation on the borders gave more frequent opportunity for those adventurous exploits which were the delight of the Spanish chivalry. His garrison consisted of fifty chosen cavaliers, all well mounted and well appointed with these he kept vigilant watch upon the Moslems; patrolling the roads and paths and defiles of the mountains, so that nothing could escape his eye; and now and then signalizing himself by some dashing foray into the very Vega of Granada.

fixed like a castle in his saddle, beside the fountain.
The Christian cavaliers checked their steeds, and re-
connoitered him warily, loth to come to an encounter,
which must end in his destruction.

The Moor now held a parley: "If you be true
knights," said he, " and seek for honorable fame, come
on, singly, and I am ready to meet each in succession;
but if you be mere lurkers of the road, intent on spoil,
come all at once, and do your worst!"

The cavaliers communed for a moment apart, when one, advancing singly, exclaimed: "Although no law of chivalry obliges us to risk the loss of a prize, when so clearly in our power, yet we willingly grant, as a courtesy, what we might refuse as a right. Valiant Moor! defend thyself!"

VOLUME III.-NUMBER XX.

made a violent thrust with his lance; the Alcayde received it upon his shield, and at the same time wounded the Moor in the right arm; then closing, in the shock, he grasped him in his arms, dragged him from his saddle, and fell with him to the earth; when, putting his knee upon his breast, and his dagger to his throat, "Cavalier," exclaimed he, "render thyself my prisoner, for thy life is in my hands.”

"Kill me, rather," replied the Moor, "for death would be less grievous than liberty."

The Alcayde, however, with the clemency of the truly brave, assisted the Moor to rise, ministered to his wounds with his own hands, and had him conveyed with great care to the castle of Allora. His wounds were slight, and in a few days were nearly cured; but the deepest wound had been inflicted on his spirit. He was constantly buried in a profound melancholy.

The Alcayde, who had conceived a great regard for him, treated him more as a friend than a captive, and tried in every way to cheer him, but in vain; he was always sad and moody, and when on the battlements of the castle, would keep his eyes turned toward the north with a fixed and wistful gaze.

"How is this?" exclaimed the Alcayde, reproachfully, "that you, who were so hardy and fearless in the field, should lose all spirit in prison? If any secret grief preys on your heart, confide it to me, as a friend, and I promise you, on the faith of a cavalier, that you shall have no cause to repent the disclosure."

So saying, he wheeled, took proper distance, couched his lance, and putting spurs to his horse, made at the The Moorish knight kissed the hand of the Alcayde. stranger. The latter met him in mid career, transpierc- "Noble cavalier," said he, "that I am cast down in On a fair and beautiful night in summer, when the ed him with his lance, and threw him headlong from his spirit, is not from my wounds, which are slight, nor my freshness of the evening breeze had tempered the heat of saddle. A second and a third succeeded, but were un-captivity, for your kindness has robbed it of all gloom; day, the worthy Alcayde sallied forth, with nine of his horsed with equal facility, and thrown to the earth, se- nor from my defeat, for to be conquered by so renowned cavaliers, to patrol the neighborhood, and seek adven-verely wounded. The remaining two, seeing their com- and accomplished a cavalier is no disgrace. But to exrades thus roughly treated, forgot all compact of courte-plain to you the cause of my grief, it is necessary to sy, and charged both at once upon the Moor. He par- give you some particulars of my story; and this I am ried the thrust of one, but was wounded by the other in moved to do, by the great sympathy you have manifestthe thigh, and, in the shock and confusion, dropped his ed towards me, and the magnanimtty that shines thro' lance. Thus disarmed, and closely pressed, he preten- all your actions. ded to fly, and was hotly pursued. Having drawn the two cavaliers some distance from the spot, he suddenly wheeled short about, with one of those dexterous movements for which the Moorish horsemen were renowned, passed swiftly between them, swung himself down from his saddle, so as to catch up his lance; then, lightly replacing himself, turned to renew the combat.

tures. They rode quietly and cautiously, lest they should be betrayed by the glitter of the full moon on their armor. Coming to where the road divided, the Alcayde directed five of his cavaliers to take one of the branches, while he, with the remaining four, would take the other. Should either party be in danger, the blast of a horn was to be the signal to bring their comrades to their aid. The party of five had not proceeded far, when, in passing through a defile, overhung with trees, they heard the voice of a man, singing. They immediately concealed themselves in a grove on the brow of a declivity, up which the stranger would have to ascend. The moon-light, which left the grove in deep shadow, lit up the whole person of the wayfarer as he advanced, and enabled them to distinguish his dress and appearance, with perfect accuracy. He was a Moorish cavalier, and his noble demeanor, graceful carriage, and splendid attire, showed him to be of lofty rank. He was superbly mounted, on a dapple-gray steed, of powerful frame and generous spirit, and magnificently caparisoned. His dress was a marlota, or tunic, and an Albernoz of crim: son damask, fringed with gold. His Tunisian turban, of many folds, was of silk and cotton striped, and bordered with golden fringe. At his girdle hung a scimetar of Damascus steel, with loops and tassels of silk and gold. On his left arm he bore an ample target, and his right hand grasped a long double-pointed lance. Thus equipped, he sat negligently on his steed, as one who dreamed of no danger, gazing on the moon and singing, with a sweet, manly voice, a Moorish love ditty.

Seeing him thus fresh for the encounter, as if just issued from his tent, one of the cavaliers put his lips to his horn, and blew a blast, that soon brought the Alcayde and his four companions to the spot.

The valiant Narvaez, seeing three of his cavaliers extended on the earth, and two others hotly engaged with the Moor, was struck with admiration, and coveted a contest with so accomplished a warrior. Interfering in the fight, he called upon his followers to desist, and addressing the Moor, with courteous words invited him to a more equal combat. The latter readily accepted the challenge. For some time their contest was fierce and doubtful, and the Alcayde had need of all his strength and skill to ward off the blows of his antagonist. The Moor, however, was exhausted by previous fighting, and by loss of blood. He no longer sat his horse firmly nor managed him with his wonted skill. Collecting all his strength for a last assault, he rose in his stirrups and

"Know, then, that my name is Abendaraez, and that I am of the noble but unfortunate line of the Abencerrages of Granada. You have doubtless heard of the destruction which fell upon our race. Charged with treasonable designs, of which they were entirely innocent, many of them were beheaded, the rest banished; so that not an Abencerrage was permitted to remain in Granada, excepting my father and my uncle, whose innocence was proved even to the satisfaction of their persccutors. It was decried, however, that, should they have children, the sons should be educated at a distance from Granada, and the daughters should marry out of the kingdom.

"Conformably to this decree, I was sent, while yet an infant, to be reared in the fortress of Cartaina, the worthy Alcayde of which was an ancient friend of my father. He had no children, and received me into his family as his own child, treating me with the kindness and affection of a father; and I grew up in the belief that he really was such. A few years afterwards, his wife gave birth to a daughter, but his tenderness toward me continued undiminished. I thus grew up with Xarissa, for so the infant daughter of the Alcayde was called, as her own brother, and thought the growing pas'sion which I felt for her was mere fraternal affection.--

I beheld her charms unfolding, as it were, leaf by leaf, like the morning rose, each moment displaying fresh beauty and sweetness.

"At this period, I overheard a conversation between the Alcayde and his confidential domestic, and found myself to be the subject. 'It is time,' said he, 'to apprise him of his parentage, that he may adopt a career in life. I have deferred the communication as long as possible, through reluctance to inform him that he is of a proscribed and unlucky race."

"This intelligence would have overwhelmed me at an early period, but the intimation that Xarissa was not my sister, operated like magic, and in an instant transferred my brotherly affection into ardent love.

"All my attempts to vindicate Xarissa and myself] were unavailing. I retired in anguish from his presence, and seeking Xarissa, told her of this blow, which was worse than death to me.

"Xarissa,' said I, 'we part forever. I shall never see thee more. Thy father will guard thee rigidly.Thy beauty and his wealth will soon attract some happier rival, and I shall be forgotten.'

"Xarissa reproached me with my want of faith, and promised me eternal constancy. I still doubted and desponded, until, moved by my anguish and despair, she agreed to a secret union. Our espousals made, we parted, with a promise on her part to send me word from Coyn, should her father absent himself from the fort. I sought Xarissa, to impart to her the secret I had The very day after our secret nuptials, I beheld the learned. I found her in the garden, in a bower of jes-whole train of the Alcayde depart from Cartama, nor samines, arranging her beautiful hair by the mirror of a crystal fountain. The radiance of her beauty dazzled me. I ran to her with open arms, and she received me with a sitter's embrace. When we had seated ourselves beside the fountain, she began to upbraid me for leav-sa. ing her so long alone. her.

I

The shades of night had fallen, when the tramp of the dapple-gray steed resounded upon the drawbridge, and immediately after the light clatter of hoofs along the road bespoke the fleetness with which the youthful lover hastened to his bride. It was deep night when the Moor arrived at the castle of Coyn. He silently and cautiously walked his panting steed under its dark walls, and having nearly passed round them, came to the portal denoted by Xarissa. He paused and looked round to see that he was not observed, and then knocked three times with the butt of his lance. In a little while, the portal was unclosed by the duenna of Xarissa. senor!' said she, 'what has detained thee thus long? Every night have I watched for thee, and my lady is sick at heart with doubt and anxiety.'

Alas,

The Abencerrage hung his lance and shield and sciwould he admit me to his presence, or permit me to bid metar against the wall, and then followed the duenna, farewell to Xarissa. I remained at Cartama, somewhat with silent steps, up a winding stair-case, to the apartpacified by this secret bond of union; but every thing ment of Xarissa. Vain would be the attempt to desaround me fed my passion, and reminded me of Xaris-cribe the raptures of that meeting. Time flew too saw the windows at which I had so often beheld swiftly, and the Abencerrage had nearly forgotten, unI wandered through the apartinent she had inha- til too late, his promise to return as a prisoner to the Albited; the chamber in which she had slept. I visited cayde of Allora. The recollection of it came to him the bower of jessamines, and lingered beside the foun- with a pang, and suddenly awoke him from his dream of tain in which she had delighted. Every thing recalled bliss. Xarissa saw his altered looks, and heard with alher to my imagination, and filled my heart with tender arm his stifled sighs; but her countenance brightened melancholy. when she heard the cause. "Let not thy spirit be cast down," said she, throwing her white arms around him "I have the keys of my father's treasures; send ransom more than enough to satisfy the Christian, and remain with me."

"At length, a confidential servant brought me word that her father was to depart that day for Granada, on a short absence, inviting me to hasten to Coyn, describing a secret portal at which I should apply, and the signal by which I would obtain admittance.

"In fact, from that moment our intercourse took a new character. We met often at the fountain among "If ever you have loved, most valiant Alcayde, you the jessamines, but Xarissa no longer advanced with may judge of the transport of my bosom. That very open arms to meet me. She became reserved and silent, night I arrayed myself in my most gallant attire, to pay and would blush and cast down her eyes, when I seated due honor to my bride; and arming myself against any myself beside her. My heart became a prey to a thou- | casual attack, issued forth privately from Cartama. You sand doubts and fears, ever attendant upon true love. I know the rest, and by what sad fortune of war I found was restless and uneasy, and looked back with regret to myself, instead of a happy bridegroom, in the nuptial the unreserved intercourse that had existed between us, bower of Coyn, vanquished, wounded and a prisoner, when we supposed ourselves brother and sister; yet I within the walls of Allora. The term of the absence of would not have had the relationship true for the world. the father of Xarissa is nearly expired. Within three "While matters were in this state between us, an or- days he will return to Coyn, and our meeting will be der came from the King of Granada, for the Alcayde no longer possible. Judge, then, whether I grieve withto take command of the fortress of Coyn, which lies di-out cause, and whether I may not well be excused for rectly on the Christian frontier. He prepared to re- showing impatience under confinement." move with all his family, but signified that I should remain at Cartama.

Don Rodrigo de Norvaez was greatly moved by this recital; for, though more used to rugged war, than to "I exclaimed against his intention, and declared that scenes of amorous softness, he was of a kind and geneI could not be separated from Xarissa.

"That is the very cause,' said he, why I leave thee behind. It is time, Abendaraez, that thou shouldst know the secret of thy birth; thou art no son of mine, neither is Xarissa thy sister.'

"I know it all,' exclaimed I, and I love her with ten fold the affection of a brother. You have brought us up together, you have made us necessary to each other's hadpiness; our hearts have entwined themselves with our growth; do not now tear them asunder. Fill up the measure of your kindness; be indeed a father to me, by giving me Xarissa for my wife.'

rous nature.

"No," said Abendaraez, "I have given my word to return in person, and like a true knight, must fulfil my promise. After that, fortune must do with me as it pleases."

"Then," said Xarissa, "I will accompany thee.-Never shall you return a prisoner, and I remain at liberty."

The Abencerrage was transported with joy at this new proof of devotion in his beautiful bride. All preparations were speedily made for their departure. Xarissa mounted behind the Moor, on his powerful steed; they left the castle walls before day-break, nor did they pause until they arrived at the gate of the castle of Allora, which was flung wide to receive them.

Alighting in the court, the Abencerrage supported the steps of his trembling bride, who remained closely veiled, into the presence of Rodrigo de Narvaez.

Behold, valiant Alcayde, said he, "the way in which an Abencerrage keeps his word. I promised to "Abendaraez," said he, "I did not seek thy confi- return to thee a prisoner, but I deliver two captives into dence to gratify an idle curiosity. It grieves me much your power. Behold Xarissa, and judge whether I that the good fortune which delivered thee into my pow-grieved without reason over the loss of such a treasure. er, should have marred so fair an enterprize. Give me thy faith, as a true knight, to return prisoner to my castle, within three days, and I will grant thee permission to accomplish thy nuptials."

turn to my castle of Allora within three days, and ren-
der yourself my prisoner ?”

The Abencerrage would have thrown himself at his feet, to pour out protestations of eternal gratitude, but the Alcayde prevented him. Calling in his cavaliers, he took the Abencerrage by the right hand, exclaiming sol"The brow of the Alcayde darkened as I spoke.-emnly, "You promise, on the faith of a cavalier, to re'Have I then been deceived?' said he; have those I nurtured in my very bosom been conspiring against me? Is this your return for my paternal tenderness ?-to beguile the affections of my child and teach her to deceive her father? It was cause enough to refuse thee the hand of my daughter, that thou wert of a proscribed race, who can never approach the walls of Granada; this, however, I might have passed over, but never will I give my daughter to a man who has endeavored to win her from me by deception."

And the Abencerrage said, "I promise."

Then said the Alcayde, "Go, and may good fortune attend you. If you require any safe-guard, I and my cavaliers are ready to be your companions."

The Abencerrage kissed the hand of the Alcayde in grateful acknowledgement. "Give me," said he, "my own armor, and my steed, and I require no guard. It is not likely I shall meet again with so valorous a foe."

Receive us as your own, for I confide my life and her honor to your hands.”

The Alcayde was lost in admiration of the beauty of the lady and the noble spirit of the Moor. "I know not," said he, "which of you surpasses the other; but I know that my castle is graced and honored by your presence. Enter into it, and consider it your own while you deign to reside with me.”

For several days the lovers remained at Allora, happy in each other's love, and in the friendship of the brave Alcayde. The latter wrote a letter, full of courtesy, to the Moorish king of Granada, relating the whole event, extolling the valor and good faith of the Abencerrage, and craving for him the royal countenance.

The king was moved by the story, and was pleased with an opportunity of showing attention to the wishes of a gallant and chivalrous enemy; for though he had often suffered from the prowess of Don Rodrigo de Narvaez, he admired the heroic character that he had gained

throughout the land. Calling the Alcayde of Coyn in-gators dwell in these waters, and are sometimes found of
to his presence, he gave him the letter to read. The Al- the enormous length of fifteen feet! Their average size,
cayde turned pale, and trembled with rage, on the peru- however, is by no means so great. During the heat of
sal.
noon in winter, and at all times in summer, they may be
"Restrain thine anger," said the king; "there is no-seen lying upon the sand-bars of the rivers and lakes
thing that the Alcayde of Allora could ask that I would
not grant, if in my power. Go thou to Allora; pardon
thy children; take them to thy home. I receive this
Abencerrage into my favor, and it will be my delight to
heap benefits upon you all."

The kindling ire of the Alcayde was suddenly appeased. He hastened to Allora, and folded his children to his bosom, who would have fallen at his feet. The gallant Rodrigo de Narvaez gave liberty to his prisoner without ransom, demanding merely a promise of his friendship. He accompanied the youthful couple and their father to Coyn, where their nuptials were celebrated with great rejoicings. When the festivities were over, Don Rodrigo de Narvaez returned to his fortress of Allora.

After his departure, the Alcayde of Coyn addressed his children; "To your hands," said he, “I confide the disposition of my wealth. One of the first things I charge on you, is not to forget the ransom you owe to the Alcayde of Allora. His magnanimity you can never repay, but you can prevent it from wronging him of his just dues. Give him, moreover, your entire friendship, for he merits it fully, though of a different faith."

(leisure-loving monsters!) enjoying the repose of almost
perpetual silence and warmth; indifferent to all wars
and political tumults; savagely desirous of young ne-
groes; laughing at bullets, and accounting them as stub-
ble, and with "dignified disgust" turning from the crack
of a rifle as though it were but the small voice of a pop-
gun.

cypress shades and open sunshine to wander on through the chilliness and mist and sunless gloom of dank and dismal caverns.

Some of these Stygian waters rise and sink with the tide, thereby indicating their connexion with the sea.— Lakes, once wide and beautiful, have in a single night, vanished leaving their beds covered with fish. During the present winter a lake sunk thus, leaving millions of fish dancing upon the land. Cart loads of these were carried off and cured by the neighboring "crackers," (squatters and herdsmen.) The remainder, putrifying, tainted the whole atmosphere for miles around, reminding the traveller of the plague of Egypt.

They are the enemies of bathers, A boy from one of the towns lying on the Southern rivers, while bathing, I was speaking of trees. Unanimously we voted the was attacked by one of these "ugly insects," as they magnolia to be the most beautiful. The exquisite fragwere laughingly termed by an "ancient mariner" of rance of its blossoms, and the "imperial pride" and beauour acquaintance. The advances of the monster were ty of its foliage, have made it a great favorite. The live unforseen. A shout from the companions of the en- oak attains, however, to great size. We passed some dangered youth failed to warn him from the spot-and groves certainly magnificent. When growing in low -my blood freezes while I write--he rushed into the ve- grounds, they are hung with dismal festoons of moss.— ry jaws of the water-demon before him. Oh, God! what A contractor, furnishing timber for naval purposes, inan awful moment to the young spectators was that!-formed me of an enormous tree, growing on the banks They saw their companion struggling in the waves, his of a river. He measured it, and found it thirty feet to head locked in the very jaws of the enemy. The com- the first bough, and thirty-six in circumference at base. batants sank. With admirable adroitness, the youth He compared its trunk to the shot tower at New York. seized the alligator by the eyeholes, forcing the balls in- I regarded his assertions as exaggeration and extravastantly from their sockets. With a fiend-like howl, the gance of language, but was assured by the planter over monster retreated to the bottom of the river, while the whose grounds its mighty shadow moved that the stateThe Abencerrage thanked him for this generous pro- unlucky youth, blinded and drenched with blood, stag- ment was correct. position, which so truly accorded with his own wishes.gered to the shore. This is no fancy sketch. It occurHe took a large sum of gold, and enclosed it in a rich coffer; and, on his own part, sent six beautiful horses, superbly caparisoned; with six shields and lances, embossed with gold. The beautiful Xarissa, at the same time, wrote a letter to the Alcayde, filled with expres sions of gratitude and friendship, and sent him a box of fragrant cypress wood, containing linen, of the finest quality for his person. The valiant Alcayde disposed of the present in a characteristic manner. The horses and armor he shared among the cavaliers who had accompanied him on the night of the skirmish. The box of cypress wood and its contents he retained, for the sake of the beautiful Xarissa; and sent her, by the hands of the messenger, the sum of gold paid as a ransom, entreating her to receive it as a wedding present. This courtesy and magnanimity raised the character of the Alcayde Rodrigo de Narvaez still higher in the estimation of the Moors, who extolled him as a perfect mirror of chivalric virtue; and from that time forward, there was a continual exchange of good offices between them.

From the Darien Herald.

Fruits and Scenery of Florida. The general appearance of Florida is uninteresting. One half of the territory is an immense pine barren, where little is to be seen beside the palmetto, the myrtle and the pine. Here and there, however, may be found "hammocks" of live oak, post oak and hickory, and by the borders of the lakes and rivers are delightful groves of orange and figs. Our first approach to Florida was by the conveyance of a yawl boat, hired for the occasion. Though it was the depth of winter, yet the atmosphere was, as it had been for a fortnight, singularly balmy and soft. Such air we may believe the inhabitants of Elysium enjoy. Our little sail being hoisted the wind wafted us with speed across the bosom of the river.

red near Darien, in Georgia. Other encounters of this
kind were communicated to us. One more relation shall
conclude our present remarks upon this subject.

Alligator versus Steam.-This was a forced, an una-
voidable and a brief combat. The captain of a steam-
boat, while at his post, perceived one of the inhabitants
of the river pushing his way directly across before the
boat. At its approoch, the animal sank, rose immediate-
ly before the wheel. He rushed at the shaft, which
struck him with great violence, dragged him upwards
in its revolution, and flung him through the shivered
boards of the wheel-house, a mangled and quivering
victim upon the deck. This anecdote was told us by
the Captain himself, and struck us as being very horri-
ble.

We might say some things further relating to the alligator. We might tell how he swallowed pine knots previous to the lethargy of his winter life, and considereth them not inferior to pastry and pancakes, also how well his tail tasteth to the epicure, who cooketh said tail and considereth it equal to bass, furthermore how the ladies shudder at such feats and such opinion, and consider it barbarism to devour any portion of said "varmint"-with other remarks of like character. But we return from the digression to the subject of our paper.

The scenery of Florida is not all uninteresting. He who has seen from some quiet nook a graceful bend of the river bordered with orange bowers and groves of the holly and magnolia and oak, and (truly tropical and stately) the cabbage palmetto and cocoa nut, will find in his memory recollections wherewith to frame a dream of the loveliness of Mahomet's paradise. There are "sinks," too, in Florida-places where rivers suddenly vanish in the sand,—or where, they rush with abandoned plunge into dark caverns, mingling there with subterranean torrents, and gliding away through thickest gloom with The St. Johns is the most important river of this Ter- many murmurings and discordant sounds. At some furitory. Its source is among a chain of lakes in the Mid-ture time the poet, looking into these dark and misty cadle Easter District. These lakes are accessible to sloops. verns, may imagine, while he feels the inspiration of horThey are often deep, but of a living clearness and bril-ror that these melancholy and subterranean sounds are liancy. In their depths dwell unnumbered fish of va- the moans of the water genii, lamenting that the river rious kinds—the trout, the flounder, and others. Alli- amid whose spray they spread their wings, has left the

This giant of the forest was beginning to feel the inroads of decay. It was not cut, as it was found hollow in the middle. These trees are almost invariably hung with the festoonery of the grape. The vines of the grape in Florida are sometimes of great size, bearing abundantly. From the fruit good wine has been made. The acoonta or Indian bread is a vine which clambers up the forest trees. Its thorns are very sharp and malignant. From the root the Indian prepares a species of flour intas te not unlike the flour made from potatoes.The palmetto is a shrub which gives character to the scenery. Its leaf is fan shaped and beautifully green.

The pine of Florida is the long leafed kind. It grows sometimes to a great height, towering above all in lordly stateliness and strength. When the wind rages, the roar of the pine forest is indescribably grand. In Alcehua county, the soil is generally rich; there the pine is oft enormous in stature, and its roots strike deep into the fertile earth, so that the ploughman may drive his plough close to the very trunk.

The cabbage palm resembles the palmetto in its leaf, but it is a tree, and grows sometimes to the height of fifty feet. The trunk is pointed with a thousand shafts of bark, shooting out like bayonets. It resembles the cocoanut.

The orange is of three kinds-the sweet, the bittersweet, and the sour. The latter are not unlike the lemon as to flavor. The first mentioned is the delicious fruit brought to the north from the West Indies. The bitter-sweet is most abundant, and is certainly pleasant. Figs, white and purple, are found in the hammocks of middle Florida, and are as agreeable as the cultivated fruit. Peaches are also found wild, strange as it may seem. Perhaps the botanist may say that they must have been introduced by the natives-by the men who wandered through the wilds of the territory, before the savage had passed the frozen ocean in his descent to the temperate and tropical climates of America. The cocoa nut has been introduced from Cuba, as well as the plantain and banana, the myrtle or orange, the lemon and pine apple. Of the latter there are very few to be found, although the soil and climate are highly favorable,