J. Horner.

Wilsill, near Pateley Bridge, Sept. 1829.

[Footnote 3:  Yorkshire.  This wonderful assemblage lies scattered in groups, covering a surface of nearly forty acres of heathy moor.  The numerous rocking-stones, rock-idols, altars, cannon rocks, &c. evidently point out this spot as having been used by the Druids in their horrid and mysterious ceremonies.  The position of some of these rocks is truly astonishing; one in particular resting upon a base of a few inches, overhangs on all sides many feet; while others seem suspended and balanced as if they hung in air.]

[Footnote 4:  Human sacrifices formed part of the religious rites of the Druids.]

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MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS.

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PLEDGING HEALTHS.

The origin of the very common expression, to pledge one drinking, is curious:  it is thus related by a very celebrated antiquarian of the fifteenth century.  “When the Danes bore sway in this land, if a native did drink, they would sometimes stab him with a dagger or knife; hereupon people would not drink in company unless some one present would be their pledge or surety, that they should receive no hurt, whilst they were in their draught; hence that usual phrase, I’ll pledge you, or be a pledge for you.”  Others affirm the true sense of the word was, that if the party drank to, were not disposed to drink himself, he would put another for a pledge to do it for him, else the party who began would take it ill.

J.W.

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RUSSIAN SUPERSTITION.

The extreme superstition of the Greek church, the national one of Russia, seems to exceed that of the Roman Catholic devotees, even in Spain and Portugal.  The following instance will show the absurdity of it even among the higher classes:—­

A Russian princess, some few years since, had always a large silver crucifix following her in a separate carriage, and which was placed in her chamber.  When any thing fortunate happened to her in the course of the day, and she was satisfied with all that had occurred, she had lighted tapers placed around the crucifix, and said to it in a familiar style, “See, now, as you have been very good to me to-day, you shall be treated well; you shall have candles all night; I will love you; I will pray to you.”  If on the contrary, any thing happened to vex the lady, she had the candles put out, ordered her servants not to pay any homage to the poor image, and loaded it herself with the bitterest reproaches.

INA.

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THE SELECTOR;

AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.

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