great confidence in themselves, and they possess the high spirit and attachment to their native land which universally prevail among mountain

them is regarded as inviolable. One chief accompanies him to another, and he is every where sure of a welcome. If a stranger passes the abode of a chief without entering, the latter considers it as an affront, because he looks upon the entertainment of strangers as one of his most valuable prerogatives; and were any one to attempt to harm his guest the offender would draw upon himself the most signal vengeance.

bans, must always be complete. This corps is constantly in activity and almost always fighting, being in camp and bivouack night and day, watching every motion of the Turks, cut-eers. The stranger who comes to ting off such as pass along the frontiers and repelling all attacks. A young Mainotte who enters this corps never quits it till he dies; and yet not an old man is to be seen in its ranks. In general these men fall at an early age for their country. The day on which a youth is admitted into this body is a festival for his family; and his mother rejoices that she has given life to a son who is deemed worthy to be numbered among the avengers of his native land. This glorious victim, who devotes himself to the defence of his compatriots, is carried in triumph to the camp, where his relatives take leave of him for ever. A Mainotte mother, like one of Sparta, would not survive any cowardice in her son. But this misfortune, say they, is as rare as a white crow. The Mainottes are active, indus-ther leaves no malé issue, the daughtrious, and not destitute of natural talents. Among their chiefs are men tolerably conversant in the modern Romaic literature; nay, some have such a knowledge of ancient Greek, as to be able to read Herodotus and Xenophon, and possess a tolerable acquaintance with the history of their country. Their independence and their victories have infused into them

The Mainottes are Christians and profess the Greek religion. They have numerous churches, which are kept very clean and much frequented. They are a superstitious people, and constantly carry about them a great number of amulets. Their females are not shut up like those of the other Orientals; and when a fa

ters inherit his whole property. Wives possess the confidence of their husbands, and take part in the education of the children and in all domestic concerns. In no part of Greece does the sex enjoy more liberty and abuse it less than in Maina. Infidelity in marriage is rare, and it is punished with death.

(To be concluded in our next.)

THE ISLE OF ST. BOURONDON. THE advanced brigades of the British army halted, after a long march across the Pyrenees, and took their ground eight miles to the northwest of Auch, a handsome town of France, in the department of Gers. To the south sloped a mountainous

district, comprising the Lower Pyrenees; to the north-west lay the sandy district of Landes, where, by necessity and habit, the natives have been taught to move about upon stilts, with a celerity and perseverance which ignorance would incline a

276

bane, Major Napier took a draught of the acidulated beverage, and desired him to return in an hour, after getting his own dinner. In half an hour Brisbane was again offering some fresh fruits to the invalid, who in a tone of kindness reproved him for not taking sufficient time for his own refection, when the rebuke was interrupted by Serjeant Scott, fol

stranger to regard as a peculiar en- || flowed within sight. To satisfy Brisdowment from nature. On the east might be descried, far off, the glittering spires of the magnificent cathedral of Auch; and on all sides the perspective was diversified, grand, and beautiful, with grotesque stupendous cliffs towering in rocky battlements over the green hills, and distributing foamy cascades or meandering streams to enrich the valleys, the gardens, the corn-fields, and syl-lowed by a mean-looking foreigner with a bundle in his hand. "Please your honour," said Scott, as this man has curiosities to sell, I made bold to bring him to your honour."

van scenery.

66

"You have done right, and I thank you, Scott," answered Major Napier. " Shew your wares," he continued, turning to the stranger, who, quickly bending on one knee, untied a faded silk shawl, and spreading it, displayed several rolls of ancient-looking parchments and small heaps of gold coins. In a monotonous tone, like a schoolboy rehearsing a lesson he did not understand, the Italian, in corrupt French, claimed very high antiquity for the manuscripts, which he said were found in a niche of the vault where one hundred and fifty human skeletons had been discovered, at Toulouse, un

The soldiers were appointed to their respective stations, with strict orders not to molest the people or their property. Sentinels taking their posts were reminded to have an eye to the fulfilment of this order, and to be vigilant in protecting the cottages and vineyards, while a bustle of glad activity prevailed among the individuals who were off guard. Some unpacked camp-kettles and other culinary requisites; others drew water, or hewed wood, to prepare their rations; or were occupied in waiting upon merry groups of officers at their repast, under the shade of a cork or chesnut tree. Some of these gentlemen, still suffering from the consequences of severe wounds, were more inclined for retirement and rest than for join-der a nave of the late church of the ing the desultory messes; and a recurrence of hectic fever made even the sight of food disagreeable to Major Napier, though he persisted in the discharge of his military duties. He slowly walked to an elevated spot, umbrageous with clumps of walnut, oak, and wild cherries; and his indefatigable attendant placed a camp-stool under a spreading tree, entreating his master's leave to mix a little wine, or orange or lime-juice, with a cup of the living waters that

Cordeliers. The bodies were preserved by the calcareous nature of the soil of the vault; and he reminded Major Napier that Toulouse had been the chief city of the Tectosages, the conquerors of Greece and of many Asiatic nations. He averred it was probable the skeletons were of that era, or at least coeval with the ravages of the Visigoths, after Toulouse became the capital of a Roman colony. Major Napier patiently examined the coins,

to ascertain by their dates the truth || with many bows, and a profusion of compliments upon the generosity of the English nation.

of this conjecture; but so far as their inscriptions were legible, they presented only the names of Philip I. of A few tents had been erected to France, and Sancho the Strong of screen invalids from the damp of Spain. The Italian, a little mortified night. Under this canvas canopy by this detection, acknowledged that || Major Napier rested while he conthe coins belonged to another per- cluded the blind bargain with the Itason, and not to his employer. He lian. By the light of a taper he narrowwas commissioned to dispose of the ly examined each roll; Brisbane also open manuscripts, and of two rolls so searched for a crevice or fold to allow carefully closed as to make it proba- the application of a small letter-folder ble the purchaser would obtain a va- to enlarge the aperture. After every luable prize; and he produced the effort had proved abortive, Brisbane rolls from a large pouch within his proposed cautiously to divide the upcoat, requesting Milor Anglais to per edge with a sharp penknife. The read an attestation from the munici- first wrapper was thus detached,withpality at Toulouse, that the closed out injury to the contents: on the rolls were found, with several vestiges second was written, in old English, of African productions, in a niche of" The Adventures of Algernon Pera vault under the church of the Cor- cy and Barbara Cyril, and the Pa deliers at Toulouse, in 1809; and rents of Algernon, named Henry that no tradition was extant to indi- Percy and Emma Mortimer, who cate the age when that vault became were separated on their bridal day, inaccessible. Major Napier knew and reunited in an island uninhabitthat the margossa oil or varnish is ed, but not desolate, 1378." employed in Asia to anoint the holays, or cadjores, on which the vedas, histories, and important records are written, and thence they acquire imperishable durability. The margossa nut might grow in the western torrid clime, and perhaps the rollslation from the Latin language, in would furnish Mauritanian registers concerning the better days of Africa. The Italian received permission to offer his employer four dollars for each roll. He returned in the evening to say, that for ten dollars Milor Anglais might have both; and the owner would not part with them for double the sum, if cruel necessity had not urged him to the deed: he must procure ten dollars, or go to prison. Major Napier paid the ten dollars, and gave the Italian two francs for his agency. He retired

Our invalid forgot pain and debility in the perusal of this singular narrative; and when the surrender of Paris afforded him leisure to take care of his health, and indulge his taste for literature, he made a trans

which the record was written. There is reason to suppose that the island it describes is St. Bourondon, so long unavailingly sought by early navigators. Juan Fernandez returned to South America after an absence of some years, and related that he had passed a considerable time at an island in forty degrees south-west, where the climate was uniformly genial and salubrious, the fecundity of the earth unparalleled, and the inhabitants tall and handsome, and their beautiful countenances expressing

have been derived from Henry Percy and Emma Mortimer.

We have already mentioned, that after cutting the first wrapper that inclosed the manuscript, Major Napier found the second to be inscribed in old English characters, "The Adventures of Algernon Percy and Barbara Cyril." On the third wrapper was written, in classical Latin," The History of Henry Percy and Emma Mortimer, recorded for the satisfaction of their descendants."

In the year of our Lord 1376, Henry Percy, sixteen years old, and Emma Mortimer, aged twelve, were

sent of their parents. In the following summer they were secretly married, according to the rites of the Christian church as reformed by John Wickliffe, the fearless cham

the most noble and amiable disposi- || whether its history and population tions. They had no distinctions of rank; for a superabundance of the necessaries, delicacies, and luxuries obtained in other countries by labour, were yielded spontaneously by the riches of nature, and a working class could have no employment. Perfect concord and kindness united the people as one vast family; and they welcomed Fernandez and his crew with fraternal cordiality. Their clothing, of the most elegant texture, was produced by a tree which increased in girth and multiplied its shoots in proportion to the frequent removal of the bark, and giving free admission to the sun and air to nourish the solid wood. No prepara-solemnly betrothed, with the full contion of the bark was requisite but soaking in water, and gently drawing it out to a great width, till it became so fine as to be almost transparent, and shining as if streaked with gold and silver, intermingled with the lus-pion of truth. To avert open feud tre of gems in every variety of colour. Juan Fernandez endeavoured to prevail with the government at Acapulco and with his private friends to equip a fleet for conveying works of art to excite the genius of the wonderful people of St. Bourondon; but his account of them gained little credit, and before he could persuade his countrymen to engage in a speculation so extraordinary, he was seized with a sudden illness and died. After his decease, the spirit of enterprise seemed to rise as a phoenix from his ashes. Adventurers mourned their own folly in delaying a voyage of such important discovery while the most able navigator and only competent pilot yet lived. Many attempts were made to find the Isle of St. Bourondon, but all proved unsuccessful. The reader will decide

with Lord Mortimer, the friend of his youth and the father of Emma, in whom his son Henry had treasured all prospects of happiness, Lord Percy sanctioned by his presence the administration of the sacrament of marriage to Emma and Henry, debased by the ceremonies of superstition. Sinful was the compromise, and signal the castigation inflicted by the avenger of unrighteous deeds. The day passed with gladsome entertainments; a nuptial couch of princely magnificence awaited the happy pair, who, regardless of pomp, loved each other with disinterested affection. As Emma was motherless, her nearest female relative had taken her hand to lead her, covered with blushes, to the bridal couch, when a message from King Richard summoned him to the royal standard he

A sea-voyage was ordered for Henry, and Lord Percy reconciled him to a temporary absence from England, by a promise that they should disembark on the shores of Northumberland. "While cruising along the south-western coast of Spain," continued the narrator, "tempestuous east winds drove the ship into a boundless ocean. The sails and cordage torn and shattered, the masts shivered and levelled on the deck, the rudder and helm broken, the ungovernable hulk was tossed in every direction as changeful fu

had sworn to defend. Loyalty and || the country hardly deterred her from honour triumphed over love: Henry undertaking a long journey to seek tore himself from his weeping bride, her own felicity-the presence of her and committing her to the guardian- heart's dear spouse. It was not till ship of Lord Percy his father, has- Henry and Emma met, when the tened to the king. He arrived in sole rational inhabitants of a remote time to perform conspicuous service isle, that he knew her perils and sufin suppressing the riot stirred up by ferings as a reformer, and that the Wat Tyler. Lord Percy arrayed Northumbrians having rescued her his brave Northumbrians to de- by force of arms, she surrendered fend King Richard; Lord Mortimer herself in duty to her expiring parent. espoused the popular cause; and the estrangement created by a difference in political views flamed even to animosity as soon as Lord Percy avowed an opposition to the errors of Popery. Lord Mortimer boasted of ancestry ennobled and renowned before the Norman conquest; but his territory was diminished, yielding a revenue hardly adequate to the support of his rank. The house of Perey had, from time immemorial, flourished in vast possessions, and thousands of warriors equipped in gleaming armour, at a moment's warning, repaired to the banners of North-rious gusts and eddying currents umbria. The pride of Mortimer rose as his fortunes declined: Henry venerated his unconquerable spirit, and still lamented that a nature so lofty was deluded and subjugated by priestcraft. Mortimer sent an envoy to Lord Percy, intimating that he disclaimed alliance with a heretic; but Lord Percy withheld the cruel message from his son, who underwent imminent danger from a wound inflicted by a battle-axe which was aimed at King Richard, when Henry, as in duty bound, interposed his own person. In the delirium of fever he lay, call-father verging upon the last decline ing incessantly for the beloved Em- of life, yet retained full possession of His lucid intervals were com- those personal and mental faculties forted by assurances that regard to that shone the glory of England. His her safety detained her in the north; skill as a mariner, his undaunted couand that even the disturbed state of rage and presence of mind, were ad

ma.

drove her through the roaring billows. Masses of vapour darkened the skies, and combustibles being rolled to and fro by the continual heaving and pitching of the dismantled bark, it was found necessary that all the fires and lights should be extinguished, except one lamp, cased in horn, which shewed the ship's compass, trembling and veering to every point. To look back on those days of horror still sickens my heart.

"My vigour of youth had been wasted by tedious indisposition; my