has executed the only copy from DeHooge’s fine picture—­A Dutch Family preparing for a Walk; and Messrs. Foster and Earl display considerable talent in their copies from the Landscape and Cattle, by Cuyp.  Other admirable works by Guido, Rubens, Bassan, Ruysdael, Vanderneer, and Canaletta, have met with a host of imitators, from whose talents we may anticipate, at no distant period, pictorial excellency of the first order.  I should discover a want of gallantry, and, indeed, be most unjust, were I not to say that the ladies, in nearly all their undertakings, have exerted their utmost to excel; those especially, who have executed copies in water colours deserve the highest recommendation.

G.W.N.

* * * * *

THE ANECDOTE GALLERY.

THAXTED HIGHWAYMEN.

(For the Mirror.)

The following incident led to the breaking up and dispersion of a gang of desperate highwaymen, denominated the Thaxted gang, who about sixty years ago used to infest the roads in the neighbourhood of Dunmow, Thaxted, and the adjacent towns and villages:—­

An opulent farmer of Thaxted, being one day at Dunmow market, received a considerable sum of money, the produce of grain and other marketable articles, which he had that day disposed of; and going to the inn where he had left his horse, he ordered it to be saddled directly for the purpose of returning home.  In those times every tradesman, salesman and a greater part of the publicans and innkeepers knew what money each other received on a market day.  The innkeeper at whose house the farmer was in the habit of putting up at, said to him, “Why you are not going home to-night, are you, with all that money about you?  You will stand a chance of getting a knock on the head.”—­“Let them knock away,” answered the farmer.  “I have never yet been robbed, nor do I think it likely I shall be to-night; so, Robert, get my horse ready,” calling to the hostler.  “Well, but have you any weapons of defence?” inquired the publican.—­“No, nor none I want,” responded the farmer.  The innkeeper pressed him to take a pair of holster pistols; saying, “he might find them handy;” and after a great deal of persuasion, he agreed to take one, the publican first loading and charging it with ball.  The farmer put the pistol in his great coat pocket, and was on the point of departure when he recollected that he had to get a pound of tea at a grocer’s shop in the town, a few doors from the inn.  He instantly ran to the shop for the tea, and while the grocer was serving him he made the same remark as the innkeeper had done respecting his going home with so considerable a sum as he knew the farmer had about him.  The farmer made answer, “I am going home to-night, but our friend the publican, has lent me a pistol; and if any one interrupts me, I intend to blow his brains out.”—­“Do you know,” said the grocer, “I do not