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THE LURE OF THE WOOD-NYMPH.

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A MAY MORNING'S DAY-DREAM. COME, let us trip over yonder plain, and breathe the sweetness of the morning; or shall we take this winding path ?-it will lead us by a gentle ascent to the ruined tower; or away on the other side to enter the vale? When the sun shall have reign over the summer days, we shall seek it for the shadow of its branches. The blossoms and flowers are falling from the lap of spring, like smiles of sympathy on lonely hearis, or tears of compassion on an aching brow. Come, the violets are in their prime; let us wander by the fountain. We will watch the husbandman sowing seeds, and breathe a prayer with him for the increase. Then away by the stream, widening till it becomes a river. Ambitious element! it has grown a sea. Behold it in the distance, dancing on to pour forth its waves to the ocean. Then the sun, flinging his golden arms across the blue sky, is courting us onward. Come; hills, valleys, fields, rivers, and woods, are all joyous beneath his cheering influence. The insects creep forth, enlivened by his smile, and the herbage grows stately at his wooing; he would tinge our faces with his ruddy lustre. Come; Health is calling us, and we know her adornments are most lovely. The stag is gazing at her beautiful form in the clear stream, like some fair maiden awakened from her slumbers on her bridal morn, impatient to see once more reflected from her mirror those exquisite charms, hers now, but only prized as presents to adorn the bosom and gladden the heart of one who has long sighed for them-a beautiful casket, containing a priceless jewel, a gift for the husband heaven hath chosen for her. Beautiful vision! And see, love, the eagle is on the wing; the owl and bat have hidden; all around is too bright and blessed for them. Come; true, we shall not see fields of corn laughing at the wooing wind as they wave their amber stores, or the vine laden with juicy clusters, clad in purple and gold, hanging in luxuriant festoons above our sun-decked heads; but we shall see the young grass springing up, the trees blossoming, and all nature preparing to deck the expectant earth, and warm the heart of man. All admirable! We cannot better employ our hearts than in counting the gifts of heaven, as they appear one by one in the lap of nature, like children of promise in the bosom of a sainted mother. Come; balmy sleep has long followed peace-breathing Luna; they are gone to whisper tranquillity to our antipodes, with whom we have exchanged them for the glorious sun. does bounteous heaven promote a mutual interest throughout this wondrous world; the Morning Star, first winning a smile from gallant Day, has followed in their track. Come; Time hath sown another moment in the never-yielding bed of Eternity. Why did we not enjoy it ere 'twas snatched? We lose the sweets of time; the moments fly, like departed joys, never to return. Fear not a shower; a cloud dissolved, whilst the sun strays behind, striving to peep between the crystal drops, like smiles through tears, is one of Spring's sweetest wiles. The young and sportive goddess scarcely resolved which way to rule the days till won by mortals, longing for the sunshine. She yields her season to the welcome god, and only asks to weep whene'er she pleases, and, when she does, 'tis joyous tears she sheds. The lark has taken her second flight above the emerald hill; she loves the sky, and sings most sweetly when she nearest soars to heaven. Happy bird! thou canst go with thy morning hymn even to the spirit's threshold. But come; our's, breathed as we wander, may be wafted within by those bright invisibles, whose harps are tuned to repeat each grateful thought that plays about our hearts or deck our lips, caught up by them, and sung in melting chorus from arch to arch of yonder boundless heaven. The thought should win our souls. Oh! let me win thy will. Thou hast; away, away."

"Bright dreams of never-ending spring
Dance round my heart, a rosy ring;
Give me but wings, and hail me free,
I'll soar from earth, from all, save thee."

Thus

LIGHT.-Light is the smile of virtue, as she looks down from her home on high, illumining the world; the hours of darkness are her frowns.

TO OUR QUERISTS.-This department of our work involves the solution of "horary questions," so called from a figure of the heavens being erected for the hour in which the question is asked, and from the indications manifest in which the corresponding answers are derived. It will, therefore, be absolutely necessary for all correspondents to specify the exact hour and day on which they commit the question to paper for our judgment, and the replies will then be given accordingly. As this important feature of the starry science will necessarily occupy considerable time which he is willing to devote, without reward, to benefit the public, THE ASTROLOGER hopes that the liberality of his offer will protect him from the correspondence of those who desire adjudication upon frivolous subjects, or who are merely actuated thereto by motives of idle and foolish curiosity. All subjects on which they may be really anxious, can be solved with absolute certainty; and the election of favourable periods for marriage, speculation, or commencing any new undertaking with advantage, will be cheerfully and readily pointed out from week to week. All communications addressed to "THE ASTROLOGER" will be considered as strictly confidential, and the initials only given in the oracle.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

MARIA. Your generous disposition and excellence of heart should protect you from the assaults of those who make love merely as a pleasant mode of killing time, and resort to female society as they would to. a theatre, for the mere object of amusement. Thus have you been subjected to the frivolous attentions of the other sex, and it is to a feeling of this kind that you first owed the acquaintance of your present lover. He now regrets his early folly, and loves, as he believes, truly; but a little while, and the wet sand will leave impressions more permanent. Call up your woman's energy; rouse your resolution! Forgive-forget him.

A. C. (Enfield. The speculation will not fully answer your anticipa. tions, but, after a careful examination of the figure we are justified in stating that it will be attended with profit. One caution will be necessary; about the autumn of the fourth year of your possession, the house will be in danger of fire. Time would not permit an answer earlier.

W. C.-We are always gratified at finding e sympathetic correspondent echo our sentiments and coincide in our views. There is certainly something strikingly remarkable in the verbal philosophy. Accident has not contributed so much to the finding of names, as people imagine. Here we have "Angel-land," or England, the land of happy intelligence, and "Ire-land," or the land of anger and disturbance. The query shall be attended to immediately. ZELBA.-It will affect your health slightly, and your pocket materially, but fortunately other directions come up in time to prevent any great injury being done by either. If you have any undertaking in hand, now is the time to strenuously urge it forward. Honour, fame, and profit will result from its success.

H and Q.-You had better remain at present where you now are, as

affairs may become better. Endeavour to avoid the effects of bad associates; you will have great reason for so doing.

SUSAN PAYNE-You have acted very foolishly, but there is still an opportunity of retrieving your lost character. Return; and as the fatted calf was killed for the prodigal son, so shall a welcome hand and an affectionate heart still receive the erring daughter. J. R.-You will hear of some singular changes in monetary matters, which will, if wisely and judicially attended to, be of considerable benefit. The remaining question is so involved in mystery, that a solution is impossible.

CAPERN. The three questions must emanate from the querists concerned and interested in the matter. For a full exposition of the reasons why this should be the case, consult our early numbers, which may be obtained through any Bristol bookseller.

J. DOVE.-The indications are favourable for the present year, if malicious friends and designing acquaintances are avoided. Pecuniary matters are likely to thrive in the autumn.

H. L-Try Sherwood and Gilbert, or Charlton Wright, in Paternosterrow. The work abounds in all the errors of the early Arabian astrologers, but nevertheless contains much interesting matter connected with the occult and mystic sciences. The best elementary work is Zadkiel's "Grammar of Astrology," which is based on the purest Brinciples of the science.

W. H. BOARDMAN.-The answer was attended for you. You cannot be too cautious in continuing the acquaintance, as much future unhappiness would result from a hasty and unsuitable union. Seek parental advice, which, from the indications visible in the figure, you would seem to have lately most injustly neglected.

LIVERMORE.-The Astrologer judges that vacillating dispositions and disagreements between the principal parties concerned will certainly affect the stability of the establishment, which must be brought to a termination on or before the 14th of February next. The calculations are very accurately drawn out, and do the writer credit.

G. X. J.-The numbers have been sent, as requested, and the order duly entered. On erecting the horary figure for the solution of the question, we find your position will be changed for the better in the month ensuing, and a future career of prosperity is strongly indicated.

Z. A.-Through the medium of a friend, he will shortly obtain a situation in a large commercial establishment, most probably as town traveller, but marriage is not likely ever to take place. JAMES L. (Manchester).-With a profound feeling of gratitude and respect for the sentiments which actuated the writer in making the proposal, we earnestly exhort him to retain the sum he proposes sending for his own use. It cannot be spared, and shall not by lessened by us. We would rather hew our right hand from the wrist than derive aid, however kindly profferred, from the hard earnings of industry. The sweat of the brow even defied the alchymists' power to transmute to gold. Be temperate, industrious, and frugal, and go on thy way rejoicing.

OMEGA. You will do better by persevering in your present employment. The ingenious turn of mind so strongly manifested in your horoscope will lead to ultimate honour and profit, if opportunities, that will soon occur, are not neglected and passed over as forgotten. M. Y.-Phrenological developments are governed by exactly the same laws as the tidal influences to which we adverted in our last number, and though we grant, to a certain extent, they can be modified or enlarged by mental culture, it does not alter in the slightest degree the principles on which the deductions are made. Destructiveness and combativeness large will instigate a man to murder, but this craniological formation does not lessen his moral responsibility, for he is sup posed to have-and has-his actions under control. Both sciences show the tendency of certain causes to produce certain results, but moral restraint must be efficiently exercised, nevertheless.

-The right jovial and free-hearted spirit in which our friend "Mercury" has plumed his wings to fly into our august presence would vin a kindly tribute from the fist of a stoic. Why coul st thou not, unhappy nocturnal, defer thy visit to this sublunary world until the lordly sun had irradiated the eastern horizon, when-but no matter, there is still hope-aye, and honours too-as we will hereafter testify to thee, when the golden minutes run less speedily through our fingers. 24-Another ominous conjunction, but the ponderous Jove hath the best of it. Do not wait for legacies, but besir thyself, and good fortune will appear unsolicited.

M. P. J.-Had we observed any immediate consequences in the figure erected for our considerate querist, his epistolary request should have been complied with. We merely urged upon him the necessity of selling as soon as possible, that he might be no ultimate loser; but, of course, this must not be done at a certain loss. As soon as an opportunity occurs (which will shortly) of disposing to advantage, let it not pass by, and do not hold off in anticipation of a future rise. By thus acting, a substantial profit will accrue, and all injurious consequences be averted.

A. L. (Cripplegate).-We do not think the favour will be granted, but some advances will be made by her beneficial to your future course of life. The solution of the other questions will occupy time, as they depend upon laborious calculations consequent on the working out of the nativity.

AUDACES JURO. CLARIOR.-Your life appears to have been one remarkable series of escapes. If what you have stated in your letter be correct, a distinguishing place shall be afforded you in our "Gallery of Illustrious Nativities.'

RECEIVED.-T. S. (You will remain longer than you anticipate).L. Z. (It will not take place until your twenty-fourth year).M. C. E. H. (Not having the hour, it is impossible to say).-JANE (You will not wed bim you now receive, but another, with whom a far happier alliance will be formed).-M. A. B. and M. W. (You may safely consult your own tastes).-A. B (See our 7th No M. D. (You will soon prefer another)-MABEL VINE (You will remain in England, and wed in about two years' time).-BEATRICE (You should not have given him cause; he will, however, return).-EDITHA (You have never seen him, and never will).-X Y. Z. (Be vigilant and you will not have to wait long).-BLANCHE (Duplicity is unworthy of you). - R. GASCOYNE (We can sympathise, but not relieve your immediate anxieties. Expect, however, towards the latter end of this month, a change of circumstances).-A. P. H. (You have brought all on yourself).-J. O. E. (Not for some time).-MADORA F. (You are still remembered).-J. H. M. (In a month).-AURORA (You should know best) -CORNELIA BURTON (Hour of birth necessary) -JANE (There is time enough yet to ask such questions).-Rose (You will soon obtain what you wish through a private source).-MARY FANNY (Kindness will win him back; moderate your anxiety).-M. A. (Change for something else).-E. M. (We cannot comply with your request).E. G. W. (It will be some time before you are settled).-E. G. (You will ultimately get it, but not without considerable trouble).-E. B. (It will not be this year) -ELIZA MARY (The father, if again applied to, will make arrangements).-C. W. H. (You will have no reason to

complain; a good business will receive you).-Rosa (No; remain out of town)-CLAUDE T. (The transgressing party is repenting, and you will soon feel the beneficial effects thereof).-M. C. (In the Lewes stage).-J. H. R. S. M. (Persevere with the school, and give up all thoughts of the other).-C. H. (Two years will elapse before your wishes are realised).-C. B. T. W. (Do not let false vows betray you into rash promises).-J. P. (We have not time for so doing).—MONEO (Reri Recturus).—EUGENE T. (You have to anticipate one moderately pretty, but unquestionably poor. Amiability will make amends for all, and leave a handsome surplus over).-CHARLES X. (You are likely to be entangled with a disadvantageous feminine connexion, of which it is necessary to beware).-J. G. -You will not complain in June). -ADELIZA (You will not wed him at all).-KATHLEEN MAV URNEEN (Be determined by circumstances).-AMELIA (You will see him and remember it).-MARY P. (He is living, but it is unlikely you will again see him).-DONNA VITTORIA (You have got two other objects of affection, young lady).-PARITOR (It will require time).- EMILY VILLIERS (Ask William).-F. T. (Yes).-W. A. (No; the hour is essen. tial).-G. R. O. (Give up all hopes of them).-O. P. Q. (The native will acquire some fame and profit by pursuing a musical avocation with industry).—J. L. (You will remain some time where you are, but a visit northward in the autumn may be anticipated).-ALLBUTT (If you remain steadily determined to follow one pursuit, you will be successful)-E. Lowe (Accept it, but do not be sanguine) -J. J. J. (His prospects are excellent, and you will soon see him-SYLVINA (Good)-T. E. A. M. (It is very probable)-HANNAH GRAY (Take your umbrella with you; you will find out its utility).-CAROLINE (The change will be considerably for the better).—WILLOUGHBY (If you do not, you ought to).-L. L. B. (The arrival of a stranger will produce a speedy change in your hopes and circumstances). E. D. G. (You should be satisfied with things as they are).- INGRAM (It shall be attended to).-L. S. (You will change for the better this summer).-C. F. (You have a deeply-rooted affection to stimulate your inquiry; let it gladden thee to know that the party thou lovest will be thine forthwith). PERPLEXITY (In February next you may anticipate the gratification).-JULIA D (not this year, but next).-HOPE | Birmingham] (The calculations are being made; his previous address had been lost).R. V., C. C.A., S. L H., VINDEX, and numerous other correspondents, must consult our succeeding Oracle.

Many letters have been received with signatures of such a complicated and carelessly-written character, that it has been found impossible to decipher them after the solution has been calculated, and consequently the querists have only themselves to blame for their want of legibility.

The great increase in the number of letters we now receive weekly, renders it imperative on the "ASTROLOGER" to remind his correspondents that real anxiety, and not frivolous curiosity, must prompt the questions. A little delay is necessarily occasioned; but all querists may rely upon being answered in their turn. The trifle charged for this work is, we need not say, wholly unremunerative, and it is only by recommending it to their friends that our querists can repay us ultimately for the time bestowed on their letters. The congratulations and good wishes we daily receive will stimulate us to increased exertions; and to the rapidly-increasing friends we are gaining throughout the country, this general acknowledgment of their kind courtesy and co-operation must be held sufficient. All subscribers should hasten to complete their sets without delay, as the great demand for back numbers will soon cause a reprint, when an extra price must be charged. Any newsvender or bookseller will obtain them, if ordered, and, should any difficulty occur in getting them, all applications to our Office, as below, will be promptly and punctually attended to. Numbers 1 to 12 are now ready.

TO OUR QUERISTS AND SUBSCRIBERS.-Many letters having been received from persons resident in remote places, complaining that, in consequence of the difficulty and expense incurred in procuring the work, they have been unable to avail themselves of the gratuitous astrological advice we proffer, the following arrangements have been made to meet the wishes of our readers and the public generally. All subscribers to the "ASTROLOGER," by payment of one twelvemonth's subscription, in advance. 8s. 6d. will be entitled to a copy, sent every Friday evening, post free, to any part of the United Kingdom, and, in additon, have priority of attention in the solution of such questions as they may feel desirous of having calculated. All who may, therefore, wish to enjoy these privileges, are recommended to send their real name and address with the post-office order for the above sum, drawn in favour of our publisher, to OUR OFFICE ONLY, and, at the same time, state the initials under which they should be answered in the "ORACLE." Strict honour and confidence will be observed, and the utmost attention may be relied upon.

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striking reflection, and one made more valuable by its strict truth, that, when looking up to the spangled Heavens on a bright night, and chronicling the brilliancy of their rays, whilst we note their present position in the firmament, we are in fact deriving our data from the remote past. The ray that meets the eye from the nearest sidereal object brings intelligence of centuries back-of the most distant past, and that past includes years in relation to the front ranks of the stellar constellations, and ages with respect to the general body. The light which now manifests their presence may have left its source when the Romans were the possessors of Britain, or the Saxon race occupied our English throne. How grand is the conception this gives us of the immensity of space, and how exalted becomes our idea of the infinity of that Being who originated the great government of which it is the scene, and now "forms, directs, and animates the whole!" Absorbed in the contemplation of such a startling manifestation of the Supreme. Intelligence, we now leave the reader. Another word of ours would only weaken its force.

NATIVITY OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. The nativity of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, born 9th of November, 1841, at forty-eight minutes past ten o'clock in the morning, as calculated by William Parker, astronomer, is as follows:-According to the estimated or given time of the royal native's birth, the constellation Sagittarius arose in the oriental horizon, giving the beautiful planet Jupiter as his ruling star. I take the configurations and stations of the firmament, with the heavenly bodies therein, to be excellent; for these bespeak the scholar and the gentleman, as far as abilities are concerned. The moon in Virgo, makes him lively, witty, agreeable, somewhat profuse or generous, yet sceptical and of considerable judgment, hasty in his temper, somewhat obstinate, somewhat aspiring; but one who is a sensible, judicious prince who will be in many things self taught, in others taking quickly. It seems likely that the native, generally speaking, will enjoy a good state of health; but there will be severe sickness in the thirty-seventh and forty-first years, and more dangerous near forty-nine and fifty three years of age. He will travel both far and near, will many times cross the aquatic elements, and have many shorter peregrinations, and many removals, short journies, or changes of residence. In all kinds of pleasures, amories, intrigues, love affairs, the royal native will be fortunate. Of marriage and herein, must be chiefly considered the position of the Moon and Venus; I think his wife will be rather tall, and well shaped, fair or sanguine, oval face, dark hair, a highly ingenious clever lady. As to the time of marriage, I judge the royal native will marry about the age of nineteen years and ten months; should it be put off at that time, he will be single till near twenty-one. From the present time up to his eighteenth year is a mixture of good and evil; but near his twentieth birthday there are prosperous, and indeed famous, directions, which will give a great increase of wealth and worldly possessions. From that time to forty-eight years of age, little seems to molest the royal native, his prosperity will be unbounded, honours and benefits will be showered upon him. To conclude this judgment, I must again affirm that it is a very propitious nativity; the native is born under fortunate stars, and indeed positive am I, that he will experience full many of fortune's favours.

PASSION.-Passion is the soul of eloquence; the marrow of poetry; the rainbow which connects the over-arching skies of fancy, feeling, and imagination; the star that flashes conviction; sprinkles the dews of heaven on the head of the thirsty traveller; refines, delights, invigorates, and entrances; gives to the scimitar of the poet its brightness; the dagger of the orator its point; the ardour of love its purple blossoms; and the fire of revenge its blushing fruits.

DIVINGS IN DEMONOLOGY.

FYTTE THE SECOND.

OF THE STRANGE AND HIDEOUS FORMS OF DEVILS, &C. N the middle ages, when conjuration was regularly practised in Europe, devils of rank were supposed to appear under decided forms, by which they were as well recognised, as the head of any ancient family would be by his crest and armorial bearings. The shapes they were accustomed to adopt were registered along with their names and characters. A devil would appear, either like an angel seated in a fiery chariot, or riding on an infernal dragon; and carrying in his right hand a viper, or assuming a lion's head, a goose's feet, and a hare's tail, or putting on a raven's head, and mounted on a strong wolf. Other forms made use of by demons, were those of a fierce warrior, or an old man riding upon a crocodile with a hawk in his hand. A human figure would arise having the wings of a griffin; or sporting three beads, two of them like those of a toad and of a cat; or defended with huge teeth and horns, and armed with a sword; or displaying a dog's teeth, and a large raven's head; or mounted upon a pale horse, and exhibiting a serpent's tail; or gloriously crowned, and riding upon a dromedary, or presenting the face of a lion; or bestriding a bear, and grasping a viper. There were also such shapes as those of an archer, or of a Zenophilus. A demoniacal king would ride upon a pale horse; or would assume a leopard's face and griffin's wings; or put on the three heads of a bull, of a man, and a ram with a serpent's tail, and the feet of a goose; and, in this attire, sit on a dragon, and bear in his hand a lance and a flag; or, instead of being thus employed, goad the flanks of a furious bear, and carry in his fist a hawk. Other forms were those of a godly knight; or of one who bore lance, ensigns, and even sceptre; or, of a soldier, either riding on a black horse, and surrounded with a flame of fire; or, wearing on his head a duke's crown, and mounted on a crocodile; or, assuming a lion's face, and with fiery eyes, spurring on a gigantic charger; or, with the same frightful aspect, appearing in all the pomp of family distinction, on a pale horse; or clad from head to foot in crimson raiment, wearing on his bold front a crown, and sallying forth on a red steed.

Some infernal duke would appear in his proper character, quietly seated on a griffin; another spirit of a similar rank wonld display the three heads of a serpent, a man, and a cat; he would also bestride a viper, and carry in his hand a firebrand; another of the same stamp, would appear like a duchess, encircled with a fiery zone, and mounted on a camel; a fourth would wear the aspect of a boy, and amuse himself on the back of a two-headed dragon. A few spirits, however, would be content with the simple garbs of a horse or leopard, a lion, an unicorn, a nightraven, a stork, a peacock, or a dromedary; the latter animal speaking fluently the Egyptian language. Others would assume the more complex forms of a lion or of a dog, with a griffin's wings attached to each of their shoulders; or of a bull equally well gifted; or of the same animal, distinguished by the singular appendage of a man's face; or of a crow clothed with human flesh; or of a hart with a fiery tail. To certain other noble devils were assigned such shapes as those of a dragon with three heads, one of these being human; of a wolf with a serpent's tail, breathing forth flames of fire; of a she wolf exhibiting the same caudal appendage, together with a griffin's wings, and ejecting hideous matter from the mouth. A lion would appear either with the head of a branded thief, or astride upon a black horse, and playing with a viper, or adorned with the tail of a snake, and grasping in his paws two hissing serpents. These were the varied shapes assumed by devils of rank. To those of an inferior order were consigned upon earth, the duty of carrying away condemned souls. These were described as blacker than pitch; as having teeth like lions, nails on their fingers like those of the wild boar, on their forehead horns, through the extremities of which poison was emitted, having wide ears flowing with corruption, and discharging serpents from their nostrils, and having cloven feet.* But this last appendage, as Sir Thomas Brown

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*This description is taken from an ancient latin poem,

has learnedly proved, is a mistake, which has arisen from the devil frequently appearing to the Jews in the shape of a rough and hairy goat, this animal being the emblem of sin-offerings*. It is worthy of farther remark, says Dr. Hibbert, that the forms of the demons described by St. Bernard, differs little from that which is no less carefully pourtrayed by Reginald Scott, 350 years later, and, perhaps, by the demonologists of the present day. "In our childhood," says he, "our mothers' maids have so terrified us with an ouglie devell having hornes on his head, fier in his mouth, and a taile in his breech, eies like a bason, fangs like a dog, clawes like a bear, a skin like a tiger, and a voice roaring like a lion, whereby we start and are afraid when we heare one cry bough."

It is still an interesting matter of speculation worth noticingwhy, after the decay of the regular systems of demonology taught in the middle ages, the same hideous form should still be attached to the devil? The learned Mede has remarked, "that the devil could not appear in human shape while man was in his integrity; because he was a spirit fallen from his first glorious perfection; and, therefore, must appear in such a shape which might argue his imperfections and abasement, which was the shape of a beast; otherwise, no reason can be given, why he should not rather have appeared to Eve in the shape of a woman than of a serpent. But since the fall of man, the case is altered; now we know he can take upon him the shape of man. He appears, it seems, in the shape of man's imperfection, either for age or deformity, as like an old man (for so the witches say); and perhaps it is not altogether false, which is vulgarly affirmed, that the devil appearing in human shape, has always a deformity of some uncouth member or other, as though he could not yet take upon him human shape entirely, for that man himself is not entirely and utterly fallen as he is." Grose, with considerable less seriousness, observes, that "although the devil can partly transform himself into a variety of shapes, he cannot change his cloven feet, which will always mark him under every appearance.

The late Dr. Ferriar took some trouble to trace to their real sources, spectral figures, which have been attributed to demoniacal visits. In his observations on the works of Remy, the commissioner in Lorraine, for the trial of witches, he makes the following remark :-"My edition of this book was printed by Vincente, at Lyons, in 1595; it is entitled "Dæmonolatria." The trials appeared to have begun in 1583. Mr. Remy seems to have felt great anxiety to ascertain the exact features and dress of the demons, with whom many people supposed themselves to be familiar. Yet nothing transpired in his examination, which varied from the usual figures exhibited by the gross sculptures and paintings of the middle age. They are said to be black faced, with sunk but fiery eyes, their mouths wide and swelling of sulphur, their hands hairy, with claws, their feet horny and cloven." In another part of Dr. Ferriar's, the following account is also given of a case which passed under his own observation:-"I had occasion," he observes, "to see a young married woman, whose first indication of illness was a spectral delusion. She told me that her apartment appeared to be suddenly filled with devils, and that her terror impelled her to quit the house with great precipitation. When she was brought back, she saw the whole staircase filled with diabolical forms, and was in agonies of fear for several days. After the first impression wore off, she heard a voice tempting her to self destruction, and prohibiting her from all exercises of piety. Such was the account given by her when she was sensible of the delusion, yet unable to resist the horror of the impression. When she was newly recovered I had the curiosity to question her, as I have interrogated others, respecting the forms of the demons with describing the lamentable vision of a devoted hermit, and supposed to have been written by St. Bernard, in the year 1238; a translation of which was printed for private distribution by William Yates, Esq., of Manchester.

* Sir Thomas Brown, who thinks that this view may be confirmed by expositions of Holy Scripture, remarks, that," whereas it is said, thou shalt not offer unto devils (the original word is seghuirim), that is, rough and hairy goats, because in that shape the devil must have often appeared, as is expounded by the Rabin; as Tremellius hath also explained; and as the word Ascemah, the god of Emath, is by some conceived."

which she had been claimed; but I never could obtain any other account, than that they were very small, very much deformed, and had horns and claws like the imps of our terrific modern romances." To this illustration of the general origin of the figures of demoniacal illusions, I might observe, that in the case of a patient suffering under delirium tremens, which came under my notice, the devils who flitted around his bed were described to me as exactly like the forms that he had recently seen exhibited on the stage in the popular drama of Don Giovanni.

SONGS OF THE STARS.

NOCTURNAL FANCIES.

[From the Portfolio of a deceased Poet.]
The Night, robed in a glow of beauty, comes
From the dim west, sprinkling the effulgent stars
Upon the face of heaven. The noisy hum
Of Labour dieth into silence, and the wind,
Fresh from its home of clouds, through the fair grove
Speaks with a spirit voice. The light-winged bird
Hath poured its last sweet carol to the day:
Its song is heard no more! The wavy hills
And forests, and the plains, sleep in a glow
Of silvery brightness, while the toiling herd
Rest in their fitful slumber; and o'er man
Falls like a spirit-robe a calm repose;
And hut and palace, with their rags and gold,
The beggar and the lordling, are alike
Wrapped in a deep forgetfulness; while come
To each, unlike the blessings of the day,
Fair hopes in fairy visions, and instil
Their glowing words of promise, but with tongues
As noiseless as bright moon-beams wandering o'er
The fragments of old halls and temples, till
The sadness of reality hath changed to joy,
And sorrow is a pleasure! Then too, upon
The restless come the rushing spirit-bands
Of long-gone days, and from the cloudy past
Flies, shooting upward, the pale weeping star
Of a lost hope; until a life intense,
With beings from the trinity of worlds,
The Past, the Present, and the Future, fills
The soul with an unearthly sadness!

Dark mother of the universe! Thou wert
Ere the round world and all the starry hosts
Burst smiling into loveliness and light,
And filled the boundless heavens with harmony;
And shall be yet again, when Chaos strikes
With a strong arm the glory and the fame
Of Time into a shivering wreck! To thee
I cry! Here, in the silence of thy noon,

I pour my heart to thee! The calms, and storms,
And whirlwinds of my life, are thine, and they
Claim kindred with thee; for, like thee, they are
Eternal, and do shun the sickening glare
Of light, and hum and press of men.

PROSPECTION AND RETROSPECTION.-If we look back for only a few centuries, and ponder on the miracles which, so to speak, have been wrought in our own country, and then look forward to all the marvels whose exposition we may contemplate as hereafter to take place, as man advances in intelligence, and as his knowledge becomes more universal, not only in the beaten tracks and familiar paths of perception, but in the yet unexplored regions of philosophy, of science, and of art, we cannot but applaud the patient industry and the exerted intellect which have combined, and which shall yet unite, in unfolding wonder upon wonder, and which, as they have proved, so shall continue to verify, "What a piece of work is man!-how noble in reason!-how infinite in faculties !-in form and moving how express and admirable !-in action how like an angel!-in apprehension how like a god !— the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!"

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