to do with extraordinary vivacity and dramatic effect, beginning quietly and softly, and becoming more and more animated, as he drew nearer to the moment when his prisoner was safe. We will conclude this paper with an anecdote that belongs to another period. After the French Revolution of 1830, many persons were arrested under suspicion of republicanism; amongst these was Zanoff, a Swiss of humble condition. He was seized two hundred miles from Paris, whither he was forced to march, handcuffed and on foot, like a thief or an assassin, to be thrown into prison. But this was not the worst. Zanoff had a wife and child, whom he adored, and his confinement robbed them of their bread. They followed him to Paris, where both mother and infant soon fell sick. What was to be done? As soon as she was able, she sought for work; but, alas! the times were hard, and she could get no employment, except on condition that she separated herself from her child. Every day she came to the parlour where the prisoners saw their friends, and Zanoff shared his miserable pittance of food with them; but it could not support them all; she saw him wasting away daily, and preferred starving to taking it. The poor man became distracted. One day he went to M. Laplain, a Swiss gentleman also in confinement for the same offence, and asked him if their trial would soon take place. "Alas!" returned M. Laplain, "they have just deferred it for another month!" "Sir!" said Zanoff, "if one of us died, would our wives and children be deserted by the party we have suffered for?" "Fy, Zanoff!" said M. Laplain, "honest men never forsake their allies. But are you ill?" "I will," said Zanoff, in a firm voice. On the following day, Zanoff committed suicide. He was discovered before he was dead, and they tried to save him; but he tore off their bandages, and would not be saved. "Shut up here," said he, "I cannot work for my family; when I am gone, they will be provided for." Yet on Zanoff's breast was found, when he was dead, a golden fleur de lis of considerable value, which he would not sell to purchase that bread he voluntarily died to procure. He was in reality a Royalist of the ancien regime. It is better to stoop at a high doorway than run against a low one. VOL. III.A "TO ALL OUR ABSENT FRIENDS." A TOAST-BY G. D. While festive mirth reigns round the board, Endeared by memory's bond. Call up each well known spot, Though happy here, we can look back, The feelings of the dear loved isle, For home! we call it still. And whilst that word will make us look, Where friendship still is found. Then wreath the goblet, drain the bowl. And now your bumper high is raised, THE KNOWING SHOPKEEPER. Several years ago, when the north side of Edinburgh had hardly commenced either to ladies of distinction sauntering about in the be a place of residence or public resort, some High Street, one of them proposed a walk to the Meadows, being at that time the fashionable promenade. "I am very willing," answered another; "but first let us call at Milne, the silkmercer's, merely to divert ourselves by turning over his goods." They were then at some though not observed by them, happened to be little distance from the shop. Milne, however, but a little way behind, and within hearing of the conversation. Being aware of the ladies intention, he hastened to his shop, so that he might be behind the counter to receive them. The usual routine of a lady's shopping visit passed, in tumbling over the articles, and eager inquiries about prices and fashions. Mr. Milne was all civility, though he knew well that no purchases were in view. At last, after gratifying themselves with the sight of every piece of B nery worth seeing, they took their leave. “We are much obliged by your attention, Mr. Milne." Well, may I now wish you a pleasant walk to the Meadows." He whose soul does not sing need not try to de it with his throat. 434 COMMENCEMENT OF THE E. AND N. A. RAILWAY, ST. JOHN, N. B. COMMENCEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN AND JOHN, N. B. September 15, 1853. Commodore Shrubrick also replied, in a very felicitous manner, to the toast in favour of himself. He had come down here, he said, to watch the interests of American fishermen, but be There was a general holiday here yesterday to found that the steamers were not required at all, celebrate this auspicious event; the different trades, and the fishermen, both English and American, draymen, carters and freemasons, formed a pro- only wished that the steamers would keep away, cession nearly two miles long; each had its appro- and not scare the fish with their paddles (laughter.) priate dresses and emblems, among which were The gallant Commodore proceeded at considerable conspicuous a carpenter's shop in full work, a length, and went to show that, descended from printing press striking off hand-bills, and several the same stock, our interests should be identical. model ships. After walking through the princi- Mr. Jackson said, the way to get railways was pal streets, the procession reached the ground. to sink all jealousies: let each act for the interests Lady Head turned the first sod; His Excellency of all, and rest satisfied that his turn would come. the Lieut. Governor followed; appropriate ad- Conflicting interests on the Halifax and Quebec dresses were delivered by him and the President line were much less than they had been in Canada; of the Company, and a number of salutes fired.—yet in the latter country all difficulties and difIn one respect at least the proceedings are strikingly contrasted with what took place on the opening of the Crystal Palace, New York. There, the procession was entirely composed of militia and politicians; here, it was mainly mechanics and other workers as such. In the United States there is much talk about the “dignity of labour," but that is all; in the British Colonies they act it. Here labour is honored, for no slave polluteth the soil; there, for a contrary reason, it is degraded. After the procession was a lunch, at which over four hundred persons were present. When the routine toasts were finished, His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor proposed the health of the President of the United States, and subsequently that of Commodore Shrubrick, U. S. N., who was present. In answer to the toast of "The Sister Colonies," Mr. Johnston, of Nova Scotia, said that New Brunswick and Maine had been energetic in doing their share. Maine-having united Portland to Montreal, had now arisen like a giant refreshedbut certainly not with wine-and would put it through in another direction with like energy.structed many of the Railways of Europe, and Railways would bind the Colonies in a union much closer than one merely commercial. An inhabitant of a small isolated colony was sometimes apt to swell out considerably in order to secure respect abroad, but with an inhabitant of "The United Colonies of North America," the case would be entirely different. His country would be everywhere known and respected. A gentleman from Prince Edward Island said that there too the people wanted Railways; their products of grain had increased four-fold within a few years; that of potatoes had doubled; their exports of horses had increased from twenty-two in 1843, to eight hundred in 1852. All these products they could double in two years if facilities of transportation were provided. ferences had been overcome, and the people went as one man for the amalgamated railroads. He had seen the effects in England of every place wanting a railroad of its own; they had thus sunk seventy millions sterling. Colonists cannot afford this. It was said their firm only wanted to make money out of the Colonies: they meant to do that, but could only advance their own interests by promoting those of others: he believed he was "properly posted up," as the people of United States have it, in the resources of all parts of British America; he considered the wealth of the British Colonies inexhaustible: in Canada West they had more wealth on the surface in the shape of a rich, fat, fertile soil, than Great Britain had below it. He said that he had seen and travelled through these Colonies, from Halifax to the extremity of Upper Canada; that he had made himself fully sequainted with the value and capabilities of these Provinces; that on behalf of distinguished capitalists, in connection with himself, who had con who had undertaken great Railway operations in the British North American Colonies, he felt fully satisfied that whatever he did in connection with this great measure would be fully appreciated by the whole people of New Brunswick. He trusted to their honour in carrying forward this great object, and he felt satisfied that it would advance the interests of the North American Colonies, and connect them closer in commercial relations with the United States. Mr. Poor, of Portland, also gave an excellent speech, and referred to the unity which was to spring up between the Colonists and the United States. Mr. Thresher (formerly of Cuba, now of Louis|iana,) said that the principles of the “Young COMMENCEMENT OF THE E. AND N. A. RAILWAY, ST. JOHN, N. B. 435 American" party to which he belonged, were to whole in a stout overcoat to shut out the cold, encourage free intercourse among all nations; to women in thin silk dresses, with neck and shoulders maintain the dignity of labour and to increase its bare, or nearly so, say they are perfectly comfortable! When men wear water-proof boots over reward; to elevate mankind on the plane of an woollen hose, and incase the whole in India-rubber advancing civilization. He rejoiced, therefore, to keep them from freezing, women wear thin silk that an enterprize had been commenced here hose and cloth shoes, and pretend not to feel the which would facilitate communication between cold! When men cover their heads with furs, and then complain of the severity of the weather, British America and the United States; between women half cover their heads with straw bonnets, the United States and the mother country, and ride twenty miles in an open sleigh, facing a The South had been blamed for seeking a closer cold north-wester, and pretend not to suffer at all. alliance with England: he was not going to They can sit, too, by men who smell of rum and tobacco-smoke, enough to poison a whole house, "filibuster," but he knew that the people of and not appear more annoyed than though they Cuba were much more enterprising and intelligent were a bundle of roses. Year after year they than was generally thought; improved machinery bear abuses of all sorts from drunken husbands, as of all kinds was there in common use; they had though their strength was made of iron. And then is not woman's mental strength greater than man's? left their mark-in produce and manufactures-Can she not endure suffering that would bow the in every country in Europe, in spite of the res- stoutest man to the earth? Call not woman the traints to which they were subject; he was weaker vessel, for had she not been stronger than happy to witness the progress and union peace-Hers is a state of endurance which man could not man, the race would long since have been extinct. ably taking place here, but to obtain these ends means must be taken with reference to time and place. Mr. John Neal, of Portland, thought Com. Shru-horse happened to drop down dead. His owner brick's testimony in favor of peace principles of farrier to skin the animal. Not long after, another immediately proceeded to the town in quest of a great value. Some United States fishermen a short horse, in a farmer's cart, dropped down also near time since made a complaint in St. John's of the the same place; the driver, however, being sensible conduct of a (supposed) British cruiser. Com- the horse was only in a swoon, went to get some oats in his hat by way of medicine. No sooner had modore Shrubrick, making inquiries on his arrival he left his charge than the farrier made his aphere, found it was his own vessel they had com- pearance, and mistaking the living horse for the plained of. Mr. Neal severely censured the condead one-as indeed there was very little differduct of a portion of the press in fomenting dis-ence in their appearance-proceeded to the operation of flaying. After making considerable prosensions about the fishery question. gress, the animal began to revive, and, at the After addresses from the Mayor of Portland and same time, the driver returned with the oats. The others, the assembly dispersed. That portion of the road now commenced is from St. John to Shediac, on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a distance of about one hundred and twenty miles. The opening of this portion of the road will save several hundred miles travel between St. John's and Quebec, and render profitable a much larger trade between Canada West and these Provinces. Merchandise has now to go several hundred miles out of the way, or pass through the United States at great cost and annoyance. It is expected that, on the completion of this portion, steamers will run between Quebec and Shediac, and that this will be the thoroughfare from Canada to the Eastern Provinces for travel and traffic. Some cheaper and pleasanter route than by the United States, and quicker one than by sea, between Canada and these Provinces, is much required. WHICH IS THE WEAKER SEX? Females are called the weaker sex, but why? If they are not strong who is? When men wrap themselves in thick garments, and incase the bear. A SERIOUS MISTAKE. Near some little town in N. America, a carrier's consternation of all parties may be easily conceived; but how the matter ended, the American paper, from which this occurrence is copied, does not say. NECESSITY FOR VARYING INTELLECTUAL LABOR. One of the worst results of overworking the brain, in any exclusive direction, is, that it tends, when it does not absolutely break down that organ, to produce mental deformity. As with the right arm exclusively, is afflicted the nursery maid, who carries her burden with spinal curvature, so the thinking man who gives his intellectual energies to one subject, or class of subjects, gets a twist in his brain. Those, therefore, who are chained to mental labor, and cannot give the brain repose, should try to vary their labors, which is another form of repose. Intense and prolonged application to one subject is the root of all the mischief. As our body may be in activity during the whole of the day, if you vary the actions sufficiently, so may the brain work all day at varied occupations. Hold out a stick at arm's length for five minutes, and the muscles will be more fatigued than by an hour's rowing: the same principle holds good with the brain.-Literary Journal. SEDERUNT XVI. [The Major and Laird are discovered sitting at a table with books, papers, &c. before them.] LAIRD. I think, Major, in my young days, we were mair observant o' the rules o' politeness frae the young to the auld; here we've been wasting mair nor an hour for that harum scarum seamp o' a doctor. MAJOR.-Don't be impatient, Laird. Our medical friend rarely infringes on the rules of propriety, without a cause. Were you walking to-day after the rain? LAIRD.-Aye, I was up by day-break, and went oot for a walk, and maist delightfu it was. I do love the early dawn, there's something in it melts the human heart, and suggests feelings no' to be described by the pen. It has aye been my joy to hear the first whistle o' the blackbird, or the dainty love note o' the mavis. Their matin hymns aye cheer my soul with visions o' greater promise than can be found on our sphere. MAJOR.-Why, Laird, you're quite "the old man eloquent." You seem to have drunk deep this morning at the vintage of the beauty of nature; for my part, I strolled towards the market, and returned with my head occupied with nothing but women's petticoats. LAIRD. What an auld sinner! I'll tell Mrs. Grundy. MAJOR.-You are quite out, for once in your life, my old friend. I assure you my observations on this particular branch of feminine garments was anything but complimentary to the sex. LAIRD.-What do ye mean? MAJOR.-Why, that I was most particularly disgusted, as I strolled along, at observing the draggled state of the garments which swept past me. I do think that womens' dress, as at present arranged, is liable to the objections of dirt, danger, discomfort, and though it may seem a paradox, from its extreme length, indelicacy. LAIRD.-Hoo, in the name of wonder, do you mak oot that? MAJOR.-Very easily. Women who have a natural respect for common cleanliness, as naturally endeavour to preserve their skirts from contamination, and I can assure you that I beheld, this morning, ladies holding their dresses consequence, as the poor things were unproso high, that a most unseemly display was the vided with proper coverings for their legs. LAIRD.-You're vera richt, my auld freen'; it's just sickening to see hoo silks and satins are made to go aboot doing the wark o' sweepers' besoms. MAJOR.-It is a mystery to me why women do not put on proper under-garments, so as to allow them to shorten their petticoats. LAIRD.-Ye're surely no an advocate for the "Bloomers." MAJOR.-By no means. I utterly disclaim any admiration of the exaggerated and ridiculous caricatures exhibited on the stage and in our shop windows, under the head of "Bloomer costume." Such a style of dress will never be adopted by any sensible woman; but I do recommend that a modified phase of the dress should be judiciously substituted for the present inconvenient and ab- and laid before the Council, I stated that, "with surd long petticoat. LAIRD.—Why, Major, if ye dinna tak tent, ye'll be having all the thick-ankled women in the tooning the long-talked-of Esplanade, with the wharves the prospect of a considerably increased traffic, quired, and this can only be supplied by constructadditional accomodation will, of course, be re aboot your lugs! The Wharfingers and Lessees are deeply interested in the matter. The Esplanade should be at once constructed, to enable them to compete with the Railway wharves which I can tell them are about and slips attached;" also, "It is time, therefore, MAJOR.-I know it; and I know, also, that it that this subject should be seriously taken up and will be only from them that any difficulty will disposed of by the Council. A general plan suitable, and if possible, to accomodate all parties, arise. I know that their conceited prejudice will should be drawn up by an experienced engineer operate strongly against the desired reform: but and forwarded to the Governor General in Council I am also sure that you will see the same women, and conflicting interests of the several Railway to be approved. By so doing the speculations who will raise the greatest outcry about indeli-Engineers, will be set at once and forever at rest. cacy, and so forth, to be the most ready to commit what is, in my opinion, a much greater breach of delicacy-expose their necks and bosoms. Heaven forbid that I should, in the most remote manner, wish to neutralize the exquisite and charming constituents of woman's real modesty. Neither am I a raving enthusiast seeking to prove women entitled-so to speak breeches, but still I am convinced that the women might be invested with a freer, safer and cleanlier style of attire than the present, without being disqualified for her legitimate duties. to wear the LAIRD.-What wad ye recommend, then? MAJOR.-I daresay Mrs. Grundy could suggest something. I am not learned in these matters; but this I know, that I would like to see the women of the present day cover their bosoms, and wear such under-garments as would ensure them the free use of their legs. (Enter the Doctor.) DOCTOR.-What's in the wind now, Major, that you seem so excited? LAIRD.-Naething av a', but that the Major's gaun demented aboot the lassies' petticoats. DOCTOR.- Oh, never mind them for the present. I have something else to show you. (Turning to Laird.) Do you remember, Laird, what I recommended in our last Shanty, about the Esplanade? Here is a plan which embodies all my ideas on the subject, and I think it so good that I have had a plate prepared, to give our readers, generally, an idea of its nature. The plan is by Mr. Kivas Tully. Shall I read it, Major? MAJOR.-By all means. DOCTOR.-I will skip the first few paragraphs, which only go to show why the plans proposed at our last sederunt cannot be adopted, as the objections to each have turned out to be many, and shall begin with the pith of the matter. (Reads.) As the presiding officer of the City Council, and as a citizen, who I am aware has ever taken an active and practical interest in the prosperity of this City, I take the liberty of addressing you on a subject, which for sometime past has engaged the public attention, and is of the utmost importance to the citizens generally. In my communication dated 10th February last, to be constructed." As no general and comprehensive plan appears to have been prepared, I again press the matter on the attention of the Council, being fully satisfied that the longer the adoption of a general plan is deferred, the greater will be the difficulty in arranging it to accomodate all parties. Two or three plans have been suggested, but none of them have been officially recognized by the Council, and with all due respect for the authors of them, I do not think any plan that has yet been proposed can be considered satisfactory, to all parties and suitable to the general public. first commenced in the Council, as some of the It is now nearly eighteen years since I present members can testify, to press the importance of the subject on their consideration. Many are well aware, that I wished to defer the ques tion of granting a lease of the Market Block property, as a passenger station to the Northern Railway, in the hope, that some arrangement would have been made with regard to the construction of the Esplanade, which would prevent the rails from being laid on Front Street, and consequent danger to life and property. Carrying out the views which I then entertained, I claim the right of having first called the and also I claim the impartial consideration of the attention of the public to this important matter,Council, in reference to a Plan which, if adopted, I feel assured will be found to be the most economical, and at the same time the most practicable. original plan, with probably some slight modifiIn the first place, I would recommend that the cations to suit the Railway curves be adhered to, as the delay and difficulty in altering it would be a source of endless trouble and expense-whilst the Lessees and Wharfingers would suffer by the delay. In order to comprehend the question fully, I have classified the different interests in the follwing order : City generally. 2nd. The Lessees of the Water lots, who have as it were the keys of the City, and as Tenants of the Council, have a right to be protected. 3rd. The City Council as Arbitrators between all parties, and protectors of the public interest. By a late Act of the Provincial Parliament, the power to carry out this important project is placed in the City Council,-and I have no doubt the |