by a clasp.  A veil, negligently thrown over one shoulder, permitted part of her beautiful ebony tresses to be seen.  Her trousers were of an extremely fine tissue, and her socks of the most delicate workmanship.  The old man received us in a room adjoining the staircase:  he was seated on the carpet, smoking a small pipe, according to the custom of the inhabitants of the Caucasus, who cultivate tobacco.  He made repeated signs to us to sit down, that is to say, in the Asiatic manner, a posture extremely inconvenient for those who, like ourselves, wore long and tight trousers, whilst the two beautiful women on their side earnestly seconded his request.  We complied with it, though it was the first time that either of us had made the essay.  The ladies, having left the room for a moment, returned with a salver of dried fruits, and a beverage made of sugar and milk; but I was so much engaged in admiring their personal attractions, that I paid but little attention to their presents.  It appeared to me an inconceivable caprice of nature to have produced such prodigies of perfection amidst such a rude and barbarous people, who value their women less than their stirrups.  My companion, who like myself was obliged to accept of their refreshments, remarked to me, whilst the old man was conversing with them, what celebrity a woman so transcendently beautiful as the daughter was would acquire in any of the capitals of Europe, had she but received the benefits of a suitable education.—­Van Halen’s Narrative.

* * * * *

AUSTRALIAN IMPORTUNITY.

As beggars, the whole world will not produce their match.  They do not attempt to coax you, but firmly rely on incessant importunity; following you, side by side, from street to street, as constant as your shadow, pealing in your ears the never ceasing sound of “Massa, gim me a dum! massa, gim me a dum!” (dump.) If you have the fortitude to resist firmly, on two or three assaults, you may enjoy ever after a life of immunity; but by once complying, you entail yourself a plague which you will not readily throw off, every gift only serving to embolden them in making subsequent demands, and with still greater perseverance.  Neither are their wishes moderately gratified on this head—­less than a dump (fifteen pence) seldom proving satisfactory.  When walking out one morning, I accidentally met a young scion of our black tribes, on turning the corner of the house, who saluted me with “Good morning, sir, good morning;” to which I in like manner responded, and was proceeding onwards, when my dingy acquaintance arrested my attention by his loud vociferation of “Top, sir, I want to peak to you.”  “Well, what is it?” said I.  “Why, you know I am your servant, and you have never paid me yet.”  “The devil you are!” responded I “it is the first time I knew of it, for I do not recollect ever seeing your face before.”