Reuben Percy and Sholto Percy

“ The parents had given their consent to their union, and the wedding day was soon to be fixed; when during a short absence of Giuseppe, probably brought about by artful contrivances, an intriguing friend of the family prevailed on the mother of the bride to give her daughter to a more wealthy suitor. Anna, overcome by maternal importunity, did what she had not firmness enough to refuse to do, and promised to bestow her hand on a man for whom she had no affection. Grief however soon undermined her health; and by way of amusement, she was sent into the mountains to the olive harvest. ”

“ After them, came Peter Lanaret, the baron's chief falconer, who personified Robin Hood: he was attired in a bright grass-green tunic, fringed with gold; his hood and his hose were parti-coloured, blue and white; he had a large garland of rose-buds on his head, a bow bent in his hand, a sheaf of arrows at his girdle, and a bugle horn depending from a baldrick of light blue tarantine, embroidered with silver; he had also a sword and a dagger, the hilts of both being richly embossed with gold. ”

“ She was led into society, and they tried all kinds of occupation and amusement to dis- sipate her grief, and wean her from the tragical story of her love; but it was all in vain! There are some strokes of calamity that scath and scorch the soul; that penetrate to the vital seat of happiness, and blast it never again to put forth bud or blossom. ”

“ If ever there was a valid apology for slavery, it was this; it was as much as to say, " We scorn to have one for a citizen, who makes so base a use of the power to do as he plcaseth; nor can we ever be brought to believe, that an individual can be faithful to the commonwealth, who is so treacherous in his private relations. Be still a slave, since thou knowest not how to esteem thy freedom." ”

“ A man came at full speed. In the same instant he was off his horse, on the scaffold, and in the arms of Pythias. " You are safe," he cried, " you are safe, my friend. The gods be praised, you are safe." Pale and half speechless in the arms of his Damon, Pythias replied in broken accents: " Fatal haste; cruel impatience! What envious powers have wrought impossibilities against your friend! ”

“ At break of day, he will be off with his gun, and often by breakfast time return home with a deer, turkey, or some other game. He endeavours to make it appear that it is in his power to bring provisions home when- ever he pleases; and his wife, proud of having such a good hunter for her husband, does her utmost to serve and make herself agreeable to him. The more a man does for his wife's comfort, the more he is esteemed, particularly by the women, who will say, " This man surely loves his wife." ”

“ If a warrior throws out a defiance to his enemy, it is done in a dance, in which he brandishes his spear and kris, pronouncing an emphatic challenge. If a native of the same country runs a muck, ten to one but he braves death in a dancing posture. When they swear eternal hatred to their enemies, or fidelity to their friends, the solemnity is accompanied by a dance, in which a great deal of vivacity is displayed. All orders executed in the presence of a Javanese raonarcli, on public occasions, are accompanied by a dance. ”

“ To ascertain without dispute which horse wins the race, a thread is stretched across the winning post, dipped in red lead, which the victor breaking, it leaves a red mark on his chest, and this mark is decisive. To guard the course, a great number of soldiers under arms, are ranged on each side from one end of it to the other.
In Persia, horse racing has always been deemed an amusement worthy of the particular patronage of the king; and there are annual races, not only in the Capitol, but in all the principal cities of the kingdom. ”

“ She retained only one faithful female attendant; and commanded that, when dead, she should be wrapped in the same mantle with her husband. The servant, after repeated remonstrances, finding her entreaties unsuccessful, broke into a flood of tears. Panthea, being provided with a sword, fell upon it and died. The maid-servant, setting up a most lamentable cry, covered the bodies as she had been directed. Cyrus, informed of this melancholy scene, hastened to the place, and poured forth a flood of unavailing lamentations over the hapless pair. ”

“ I have invariably maintained it; and I can say to the whole world, which I now do to you upon the honour of a gentleman, that from my arrival in India to this hour, I have never accepted for my own benefit a single pagoda, a diamond, or even a shawl, but restricted myself most scrupulously to the receipt of salary alone, and to the rigid obser- vance of all my covenants — so help me God!" Lord Macartney remained in India more than three years after this time, when he returned to England, with hands untainted. ”

“ When we compare it with cricket, or golf, or boxing, or any of the manly pastimes of our country youth, we laugh at that revelry which accompanies it, which was originally intended to congratulate the victor, or soothe him after his toils. It is now a sort of satur- nalia, when those who have been sober and sparing all the year, indulge in licentiousness. It is to the Germans what Greenwich fair is to the citizens of London, or tlic fete of St. Cloud to the Parisians. Every body must partake of its festivities. Those who never go abroad through the rest of the year, go to this feast. ”

“ You weep, Roger; it is not tears that are wanting, but courage. Resist no longer. If you delay a moment, we are lost; the opportunity may never occur again. Either consent to be led by me, or I will dash my head against these rocks." Antonio would hear no more, but hurried Roger involuntarily along with him to the edge of the precipice, and leaped with him into the sea. Roger would even now have abandoned all hope of his own escape or preservation for the sake of his friend; and it was with the utmost diffi- culty Antonio could prevail on him to hold by his belt. ”

“ In vain the tiger attempted to turn his flanks, the stag had too much generalship; and this cautious warfare lasted until it became tedious, when his royal highness inquired, if by irritating the tiger, the catastrophe of the combat could be hastened? He was told it might be dangerous, but it was done; the keepers went to the tiger, and did as they were ordered, when immediately, instead of attacking the deer, with a furious bound he cleared the toiling that enclosed him. The confusion among the affrighted multitude may be conceived ”

“ PASTIME. 59
jungle or wild wbich entwines the lake, is full of wild elephants, rhinoceroses, deer, and every species of aerial game. This was the place destined for the grand hunt, which we were daily taught to expect with pleasing anxiety by the florid descriptions of his Excellency. On the fifth of December, early in the morning, we were summoned to the sylvan war. A line of 1200 elephants was drawn up on the north of the lake facing to the east; and we proceeded rapidly through the high grass, with minds glowing with the expectation of the grand sport we should meet. ”

“ Henry the Eighth, while pursuing his hawk on foot at Hitchin in Hertfordshire, attempted with the as- sistance of his pole to jump over a ditch that was half filled with muddy water; the pole broke, and the king fell into the mud, where he would probably have been suffocated, had not one of his footmen leaped into the ditch and rescued him from his perilous situation. It was a custom for ladies not only to accompany gentlemen in this sport, but also to practise it themselves; and they are even said to have excelled the men in the knowledge and exercise of the art of falconry. ”

“ In the most crowded circle of strangers, a Javanese chief will exhibit in the mazes of the dance with an ordinary dancing girl. The dance, at such times, is nothing more than the slow and solemn pacing exhibited on other occasions.
The professed dancers differ little but in inferiority of skill, from the common dancing girls of Hindostan. The music to which the dancing is performed, is indeed generally incomparably better than that of Western India, although the vocal part of it is equally harsh and dissonant. Now and then a single voice of great tenderness and melody may be found ”

“ Panthea, after desiring all that were present to retire, spoke as follows: " O, Abradatas! if ever there were a woman who regarded her husband more than her own soul, you know that I am she. And yet, though I stand thus affected toward you, I swear by our mutual friendship, that rather would 1 be put under ground with you, approving yourself a brave man, than live with you in disregard and shame. We both lie under great obligations to Cyrus, for when I was a captive, and chosen for himself, he kept me for you, as if I was his brother's wife." ”

“ All inquiries about the name of the suf. ferer had already ceased, when a decrepid old woman, supported on crutches, slowly advanced towards the corpse, and knew it to be that of a young man to whom she had been promised in marriage more than half a century ago. She threw herself on the corpse, which had all the appearance of a bronze statue, bathed it with her tears, and fainted with joy at once more beholding the object of her affections. ”

“ The stag is roused by hounds and by people on foot, from the woods that skirt the lake, where it runs wild, like the deer of the American forests. Horses are here made no use of, for they would be of no service. The shores of the lake are composed of immense mountains, rising abruptly from the water, and covered with thick woods. The stag rarely attempts to ascend these heights; and when driven from its sylvan covert, flies almost invariably to the lake. The plan therefore for a person to enjoy the diversion best, and with less fatigue, is in a boat on the water. ”

“ He gave Abassa to Giafar in marriage, but strictly enjoined him never to approach her but in his presence. Under this painful restraint they for some time lived. But nature at length proved too powerful for the caliph's commands. They deceived his vigilance, and Abassa became a mother. A female slave betrayed the secret, and Abassa was driven with ignominy from the royal palace, reduced to wander in the most wretched attire, and to beg charity of the meanest subject of her unrelenting brother. Giafar was beheaded. ”

“ I will never," said Crillon, "be the accuser of any besides myself; but the fear of exposing the innocent to your majesty's resentment, obliges me to give up the guilty. Yes, sire, see before 30U the man you ought to punish; one who would have considered himself as the assassin of Fervaques, had he concealed from him a secret on
80 PERCY ANECDOTES,
which his life depended; mine is at your disposal; but it is less dear to me than the honour of saving a friend, whose blood may one day again, as it has often been, shed in the service of your majesty." ”

“ How shall I appear among Spartan ladies, after my inability to inspire my husband with compassion for my father; or to soften my father with pity for my husband? What indeed shall I appear to them, but a daughter and a wife always afflicted and contemned by her nearest relatives?"
Chelonida, at the conclusion of these words, reclined her cheek on that of Cleombrutus, while with her eyes, that spoke sorrow in her tears, she cast a languid look on those who were present. Leonidas, after a few moments' consultation with his friends, ordered Cleombrutus to rise, and immediately to quit Sparta ”

“ As soon as a bear is killed, a hunter puts into his mouth a lighted pipe of tobacco, and blowing into it, fills the throat with the smoke, conjuring the spirit of the animal not to resent what they are going to do to its body, nor to render their future chases unsuccessful. ”

“ The Germans have a national pastime called Scheiben Schiessen, shooting at a mark, or Frey Schiessen, free shooting, which most generally takes place about the months of June or July, and is at- tended with much carousing. The people collect in bodies, and march in military and triumphant array, to some particular spot at a distance from the town or village; and every man who chooses to buy the privilege with a florin, lays his rifle on a rest, fixed for that purpose, and shoots at a mark. ”

“ The golf is an amusement said to be peculiar to Scotland. Here it is very ancient. By a statute of James II. in 1547, it is prohibited, that it may not interfere with the weapon shawings, that is, with the military exercise of archery. It is commonly played on rugged ground covered with bents, or short grass, upon the sea shore, called in Scotland, Links. The game is usually played by parties of one or two on each side. Each person provides himself with balls and a set of clubs. The ball is extremely liard, and about the size of a tennis ball. ”

“ The game is one of extraordinary complication and difficulty. It has been generally practised by the greatest warriors and generals; and some have even supposed that it was necessary for a military man to be a perfect master of it. The interest which it excites, is such as usually to engross the attention of those who engage in it, to the exclusion of all other objects, even of the most pressing moment. We read that Tamelane, who was a great chess-player, was engaged in a gam.e during the very time of the decisive battle with Bajazet, the Turkish emperor, who was defeated and taken prisoner. ”

“ The eagerness of the Spaniards to witness this sanguinary amusement, may be judged of from the circumstance, that the produce of the seats will some- times produce upwards of 120,000 rials in the course of a single day j the profits on which are singularly enough applied to support the public hospitals in Madrid.
In Portugal, where bull fights are not unfrequent, the principal cavalier, or hero of this barbarous sport, rashes between the horns of the bull; an act that requires considerable agility, great presence of mind, and an uncommon share of muscular strength. ”

“ At the battle of Philippi, when Brutus, after the rout of his army, was in hazard of falling into the hands of his enemies, his bosom friend Lucilius gave him an opportunity to escape, calling out, " I am Brutus; lead me to Antony." Being conducted to Antony, he spoke with great resolution. " 1 have employed this artifice," said he, " that Brutus might not fall alive into the hands of his enemies. The gods will never permit that fortune shall triumph so far over virtue. In spite of fortune, Brutus will always be found, dead or alive, in a situation worthy of his courage." ”