THE BURIED TOWN OF PLEURS.

Whose bounty soothes their sorrows. Rich thou art, | lightful a retreat. I wonder that no poet or romanceYet far less precious than that pearl of price

writer has made this scene the subject of a thrilling Which that fair princess treasured in her heart,

story. The day before the lid of their vast sepulchre Who fixed upon my Whole for her device.

fell, the people were as happy and secure as those of Marguerite of Valois, sure herself a pearl By name and nature, chose that golden flower,

Pompeii the night of the Vesuvian eruption and much And sought not things below.'-LO! where unfurl

more innocent. There had been great rains. Vast ! The banners of the Gospel, to its power

masses of gravel were loosened from the mountains, and With meek humility behold her bend,

overwhelmed some rich vineyards. The herdsunen And like that flower, her eye still heavenward send !” came hurrying in to give notice that strange move

ments had been taking place, with alarming symptoms

of some great convulsion; that there were great fissaros LITERARY NOTICES. and rents forming in the mountain, and masses of rock

1 Curiosities of Modern Travel : a Year-Book of Ad- falling, just as the cornice of a building might topple venture. Bogue. 1847.

down in fragments before the whole wall tumbles. The This is a selection of some of the most striking inci- cattle were seized with terror, and probably perceiving dents to be found in recently published books of travels. the trembling of the ground beneath their feet, filed

bellowing from the region. There is little in it which is not well known to those

“ Nevertheless, there was no dream of what was to who are at all familiar with that description of reading; follow. The storm cleared brightly away, the sun rose but to those who have not had the opportunity of read and set on the 4th of September as a bridegroom ; the ing many larger works of the class, it will no doubt be people lay down securely to rest, or pursued their acinteresting, as giving a taste of almost every kind of customed festivities into the bosom of the night, with adventure to be encountered in modern travel. We the plans for to-morrow; but that night the mountain

fell and destroyed them all. At midnight, a great roar select two specimens :

was heard far over the country, and a shock felt as of

an earthquake, and then a solemn stillness followed; “ A spot, which was to me one of the most interest in the morning, a cloud of dust and vapour hung over ing in all my rambles, was where the village of Pleurs, the valley, and the bed of the Maira was dry. The river with about twenty-five hundred inhabitants, was over- had been stopped by the falling of the mountain across whelmed in the year 1618 by the falling of a mountain, its channel, and the town of Pleurs with the village of This terrific avalanche took place in the night, and was Celano had disappeared for ever. All the excavations i 80 sudden, complete, and overwhelming, that not only of all the labourers that could be collected failed to disevery soul perished, but no trace whatever of the village cover a single vestige of the inhabitants or of their or of any of the remains of the inhabitants could after: dwelling-places. The miners could not reach the cathewards be discovered. The mountain must have buried dral for its gold and jewels; and there they lie at rest, the town to the depth of several hundred feet. Though churches and palaces, villas and hovels, priests, peasants

, the all-veiling gentleness of nature has covered both the and nobles, where neither gold, nor love, nor superstimountain that stood and that which fell with luxuriant tion, nor piety, can raise them from their graves, or vegetation, and even a forest of chestnuts has grown have any power over them.”—Cheever's “ Pilgrim of amidst the wilderness of the rocks, yet the vastness the Jungfrau." and the wreck of the avalanche are clearly distinguishable. Enormous angular blocks of rocks are strewn and piled in the wildest confusion possible, some of them “In coming from the Simplon up the Vallais to being at least sixty feet high. The soil has so accumu- Geneva, one passed the baths of Leuk, a little removed lated in the space of two hundred years, that on the from the Rhone. This hamlet, elevated 4500 feet abore surface of these ruins there are smooth, grassy fields at the level of the sea, is shut in by a circular precipice intervals, and the chestnuts grow everywhere. A few that surrounds it like a mighty wall, up which you are clusters of miserable hamlets, like Indians' or gipsies' compelled to climb in steps cut in the face of the solid wigwams, are also scattered over the grave of the for- rock. Its hot springs are visited during the summer mer village, and there is a forlorn-looking cbapel that months by the French and Swiss for their healing might serve as a convent for banditti. The mountains effects. It is something of a task, as one can well rise on either side to a great height in most picturesque imagine, to get an invalid up to these baths. The transpeaks and outlines, and the valley is filled up with a portation is entirely by hand, and the terms are regtsnowy range at the north.

lated by the director of the baths. These regulations " It was a solemn thing, to stand upon the tomb of are printed in French, and one relating to corpulent twenty-five hundred beings, all sepulchred alive. No persons struck us so comically that we give a translaefforts have ever discovered a trace of the inhabitants tion of it :--not a bone, not a vestige. The mountain that covers For a person over ten years of age, four porters are here. them shall be thrown off at the resurrection, but never sary; if he is above the ordinary weight, six porters; but if be before. It was the Mount Conto that fell; the half that is of an extraordinary weight, and the commissary judges pro was left behind still rises abrupt and perpendicular per, two others may be added, but never more. over the mighty grave. It is singular enough that the There are some dozen springs in all, the principal town was situated itself on the tomb of another village, one of which, the St. Lawrence, has a temperature of which had previously been overwhelmed by a similar 124 degrees Fahrenheit. The mode of bathing is encatastrophe. For that reason it was named Pleurs, The tirely unique, and makes an American open his eyes at Town of Tears. From the times of old, as often as in first in unfeigned astonishment. The patient begins by Italy one city has been buried, another has been built remaining in the bath the short space of one hour, and upon the very same spot, except, indeed, in the case of goes on increasing the time till he reaches eight hours; Pompeii, so that it is no uncommon thing for the same four before breakfast and four after dinner. After each earth to be leased to the dead and the living.

bath of four hours' duration, the doctor requires one “ The Town of Tears was one of the gayest, richest, hour to be passed in bed. This makes in all ten hours laughing, pleasure-loving, joyous little cities in the per day to the poor patient, leaving him little time for kingdom. It might have been named Tears because it anything else. To obviate the tediousness of soaking had laughed till it cried. It had palaces and villas of alone four hours in a private bath, the patients all bathe rich gentlemen and nobles; for its lovely and romantic together. A large shed divided into four compartsituation, and pleasant air, attracted the wealthy fami- ments, each capable of holding about eighteen persas, lies to spend, especially the summer months, in so de constitutes the principal bath-house. A slight galiary

BATHS OP LEUK.

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is built along the partitions dividing the several baths, | larged works of the same character, still its contents for visitors to occupy who wish to enjoy the company are well arranged, written in an agreeable style, and to of their friends, without the inconvenience of lying in those of our young friends who wish to peruse the the water. This is absolutely necessary, for if eight leading events in the lives of Lord Rodney, Earl Howe, hours are to be passed in the bath and two in bed, Earl St. Vincent, Lord De Saumarez, Lord Collingand the person enduring all this is to be left alone in wood, Sir Sidney Smith, and Lord Exmouth, will form the meantime, the life of an anchorite would be far a most acceptable present. They will find much to preferable to it. It is solitary confinement in the peni- amuse and a great deal more to instruct. tentiary, with the exception that the cell is a watery

All the bathers, of both sexes and all ages and conditions, are clothed in long woollen mantles, with a

A NEW ZEALAND CHIEF. tippet around their shoulders, and sit on benches ranged “NENE, or-as he is now more generally known by his round the bath, under water up to their necks. Stroll baptized name - Thomas Walker (Tamati Waka), is the into this large bathing-room awhile after dinner, the principal chief of the Ngatihao tribe; which, in comfirst thing that meets your eye is some dozen or fifteen mon with many others, is comprised in the great heads bobbing up and down, like buoys on the surface assemblage of tribes usually called Ngapuin. The of the steaming water. There, wagging backwards and residence of this celebrated man is near the Wesleyan forwards, is the shaven crown of a fat old friar. Close mission station, on the banks of the river Hokianga; beside, the glossy ringlets of a fair maiden, while be where he fully established his character, as the friend tween, perhaps, is the moustached face of an invalid and protector of Europeans, long before the regular officer. In another direction, grey hairs are 'floating colonization of the country. In common with most of on the tide,' and the withered faces of old dames peer his countrymen, Nene was, in his younger days, cele

over the flood.' But to sit and soak a whole day, even brated for his expertness in acts of pettv pilfering ; and in company, is no slight penalty, and so to while away he himself will now laugh heartily, if reminded of his the lazy hours, one is engaged in reading a newspaper, youthful tricks. On one occasion, when on a visit to which he holds over his head : another in discussing a one of the missionaries at Waimate, a fine gander atbit of toast on a floating table ; a third, in keeping a tracted his attention, and he secretly ordered it to be withered nosegav, like a water-lily, just above the sur seized, and prepared for his dinner in a native oven ; face, while it is hard to tell which looks most dolorous, hut, to prevent detection, the bird was cooked in its the withered flowers or her face. In one corner, two feathers. However, it was soon missed, and a rigorous persons are engaged playing chess ; and in another, inquiry instituted by its owner, but without success ; three or four more, with their chins just out of the until certain savourv steams arising from Nene's camp water, are enjoying a pleasant “ tête--tête" about the excited suspicion. To tax him with the theft, however, delectability of being vinder water, seething away at a wonld have been contrary to all the rules of New Zeatemperature of nearly 120 degrees, eight hours per day. land etiquette; and the mystery of its disappearance Persons making their daily calls on their friends are was not unravelled until the morning after he had entering and leaving the gallery, or leaning over, en- taken his departure, when the ill-fated gander was gaged in earnest conversation with those helow them. found concealed among the bushes; it having been Not much etiquette is observed in leave-taking, for if found too tough for even a New Zealander's powers of the patient should attempt a bow, he would duck his mastication. Some years after this, a chief of East head under water. Laughable as this may seem, it is Cape killed a relation of Nene's: and, according to the nevertheless a grave matter, and no one would submit cnstomary law in New Zealand of blood for blood,' to it except for health, that boon for which the circle of Nene went in a vessel, accompanied by only one attenthe world is made, the tortures of amputation endured, dant, to seek revenge. Landing near the spot where and the wealth of the millionnaire squandered. The the chief resided, Nene entered his pah, called the strictest decorum is preserved, and every breach of pro- murderer by name, and after accusing him of the crime, priety punished by the worthy burgomaster with a fine deliberately levelled his gun and shot him dead at his of two francs or thirty-seven and a half cents. A set of feet, and then coolly walked away. Though in the regulations is hung against the walls specifying the midst of his enemies, none dared to touch the avenger: manner in which every patient is to conduct himself all were paralyzed at his sudden appearance and deteror herself. As specimens, we give Articles 7 and 9, mined bravery. But Nene is no longer the thoughtless, which will also be found in Mr. Murray's Guide- mischievous New Zealander: for many years he has

been playing a nobler part in the great drama of life; Art. 7. Personne ne peut entrer dans les bains sans être and his conduct has deservedly gained for him a lastrevêtue d'une chemise longue et ample, d'une étoffe grossière, ing reputation. Some traits may be mentioned to his sous peine de deux fr, demande.

honour. About the vear 1839, the body of an European Art. 9. La même peine sera enconrir par ceux qui n'en en- was discovered on the banks of one of the tributary treraient pas, ou n'en sortiraient pas d'une manière décente. streams of Hokianga, under circumstances which led to

Translation. Art. 7. No one is permitted to enter these the suspicion that he had been murdered by a native baths without being clothed in a long, ample, and thick called Kete, one of Nene's slaves. A large meeting was “chemise," nnder the penalty of a fine of two francs.

Art. 2. The same penalty will be incurred by those who convened on the subject, and, the guilt of Kete being do not enter or depart in a becoming manner.

established, Nene condemned him to die; the mur

derer was accordingly taken to a small island in the “Great care is taken that everything should be done river called Motiti, and there shot! So rigid were . decently and in order,' and there is nothing to prevent Nene's ideas of justice ! When Cantain Hobson arpeople from behaving themselves while sitting on

rived, and assembled the chiefs at Waitangi, in order benches under water as well as above water.”—Headley's to obtain their acquiescence in the sovereignty of the Alps and the Rhine.”

Queen over the islands of New Zealand, the Governor

was received with donht, and his proposals were at first The Wooden Walls of Old England :—the Lives of rejected; but when Nene and his friends made their celebrated Admirals. By MARGARET FRASER TYTLER. by his eloquence and by the wisdom of his counsel,

appearance, the aspect of affairs was changed: Nene, 1 vol. Pp. 330. With Frontispiece. Hatchard. turned the current of feeling, and the dissentients were This is one of that numerous class of invenile works silenced. In short, Nene stood recognised as the prime with which the present generation abound, and al. agent in effecting the treaty of Waitangi. On another though no reason is assigned why this volume is occasion, his intervention was of great service to the necessary, considering the many similar and more en- British authorities. After the flag-staff at the Bay was

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A LITTLE TALK ABOUT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. Perchance the reader is familiar with Vertue's ground- | “for the purpose of erecting and establishing certain plan of the Palace of Whitehall, or a well-engraved public offices." This purchase was made soon after tbe bird's-eye view of that very interesting pile, “as it ap. birth of the heir apparent to the throne, George Augas

tus Frederick, at Kew, Aug. 12, 1762. Thence orth peared about the reign of Jamės the First.” In either case, he may trace that, at the period above named, in until her death in 1818, Queen Charlotte resided ai

Buckingham House, alternately with Windsor and the left distance, might be seen Arlington House, the

Kew; and nearly all her fourteen children were bore mansion of Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington, one of the here, this being, indeed, the private town residence of it: famous “ Cabal.” This property was afterwards pur- king and queen; whilst Si. James's, " said to be the chased by John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, who most commodious for royal parade of any in Europe, obtained an additional grant of land from the Crown, nies. The domestic happiness of George the Third and

was used for drawing-roonis, levees, and state cerem? pulled down the old mansion, and, at a short distance from it, built, in 1703, the large red brick edifice sub- sonal superintendence of the early education of the

Queen Charlotte at Buckingham House, and their pr. sequently known as Buckingham House. It was in the children, must have formed a delightful relief to the heavy, yet ornate, style of the time, the house and offices courtly splendour of St. James's; whilst this retiremen: occupying three sides of a quadrangle; the red brick was important to the country; for, it has been weli and stone finishings, relieved by figures; on the enta- served of the king, that “the decorum of his pririi blature of the eastern front was inscribed in large conduct was of much service to him, as well as proballs gilt Roman capitals, “Sic siti lætantur lares;" and the efficacious in no slight degree in giving a higher toe front to the north bore “Rus IN VRBE;" with sculp- virtues fashionable even in the circles where they are

to the public manners, and in making the domesti tural impersonations of the seasons. Pennant describes most apt to be treated with neglect.” t'ie mansion as “rebuilt in a most magnificent man. We may here mention that the wall of what were ner.” The duke has left a curiously minute picture of called the gardens of Buckingham House, formed his mode of living at Buckingham House, in a letter to side of the main street of Pimlico: these gardens mes the Duke of Shrewslsury, of which Pennant cunningly however, have been strangely neglected; for, in 1817. says :—“He has omitted his constant visits to the they were described as consisting merely of a grare noted gaming-house at Marybone, the place of assemblage walk, shaded by trees, with a spacious and unadond of all the infamous sharpers of the time. His Grace area in the centre. In size and splendour, Buckinghar always gave them a dinuer at the conclusion of the sea- House was rivalled by Tart Hall, long the depository son, and his parting toast was, ' liay as many of us as of the Arundelian marbles: the latter mansion for remain unhanged next spring, meet here again.' I the park, on the present site of James-street; its garda remember the facetious Quin telling this story at wall standing where Stafford-row is now built. Bath, within the hearing of the late Lord Chesterfield, We remember the dull, heavy, façade of Buckingtas when his lordship was surrounded by a crowd of worthies House in 1825; the mansion itself stripped of 13 of the same stamp."

statues and sculptured ornaments, the fountain removed The site of the mansion, and the grounds, was for and the basin in the lawn filled up in the taste that merly the once famous Mulberry Gardens : it must have rushed from one extreme to the other—from the over been a strange retreat. Defoe describes it, in 1714, as ornate to the taste which excluded ornament altogethe: “ one of the great beauties of London, both by reason of if we except the four fluted pilasters of the eentral par its situation, and its building." At the date of the old tion, and the semicircular colonnade connecting it with print we have spoken of, no buildings extended beyond the two wings, each having pilasters and a pediment St. James's, to the left; the north was open to Hamp- the whole forming three sides of a quadrangle. Vi stead, and the view of the Thames almost uninterrupted Pyne, in his “ History of the Royal Residences," has la from the south-west corner of the park.

us a description of the interior, remarkable for la The Duke of Buckingham died in 1720 : his duchess, plainness: the King had, however, assembled bere a daughter of James II. by Catherine Sedley, lived here till large collection of pictures, and among them para her death. She was succeeded by the duke's natural son, the works of his pet painter, Benjamin West: for E Charles Herbert Sheffield, on whom his Grace had entailed Regulus,” the King paid one thousand guincas, à the property, after the deatlı of the young duke, who liberal commission in those days, but now sometna died a minor. It was purchased from Sir Charles by paid by our gentry, for a few sittings to a portrai: King George the Third; and, subsequently,“ Buckingham painter. Of far greater consequence to the onzeit Hlouse, now called the Queen's House,” was, by Act of was the collecting of a magnificent library at Bucks Parliament, settled on Queen Charlotte, in lieu of So- , ham House by George the Third. This collectica merset House, (settled in 1761 on the Queen Consort, bequeathed to the nation, and it is now deposited in a in the event of her surviving the king,) the latter edi. splendid apartment, built for its reception, in the Bras fice being vested in the King, his heirs, and successors, ' Museum. The public have, however, derived compat

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