," bristled on the Scottish border, and like them, are built to
watch and annoy an enemy from; they are about twenty feet in height,
of a circular form, and have a concealed gallery at top with loopholes,
for observation. The preventive men have a costume peculiar to them:
white trousers, bluejacket, and white hat; a pair of pistols, a cutlass,
and a sort of carbine. A well painted picture of them, when surrounding
their little castles, a fresh breeze stirring the sea into a rage, and
a horizontal sun gilding their rugged features, would fairly rival
Salvator Rosa's brigands in the Abruzzi Mountains.

S.S.

* * * * *

ONCE ANCIENT.--A FACT.

(_For the Mirror_.)

A Norwich mayor, who an uncommon thing
(Because 'twas generous) had done, was sent
With a petition to his gracious King,[9]
And reach'd St. James's wondrously content.
His Majesty found him quite eloquent,
Fond of a dinner, fonder of a joke
But, needing matter
For converse with his stranger worship, spoke
Of Norfolk hospitality, and geese;
Of turkeys, game, and fowls, that take a lease
Yearly to smoke on many a cockney platter,
Forgetting not, to please the honest _gent:_
Mention of gravy, sausage, dumpling, batter;
Till, the good man, quite in his element
'Gan prating glibly of the Norwich folk
And what fine things were doing in their city,
"An ancient place it is, sir!" said the prince,
"As its old churches, castle, gates, evince!"
"Gates!" please your highness, "there my heart is broke,
They 'as, and more's the pity,
Just pull'd the old gates down! (I may
Get i' the wrong box too, for blabbin')
Narwich an arncient city, did you say?
An' please your Majesty, not now; 't ha' been!"

[Footnote 9: George III.--This incident actually occurred.]

M. L. B.

* * * * *

PORTRAIT OF FAIR ROSAMOND.

A picture of this unfortunate woman, the mistress of Henry II., and the
victim of his queen's jealousy, supposed to have been painted in the
time of Henry VII., was, at the commencement of the last century in the
possession of Samuel Gale, Esq., the antiquary. It consisted of a
three-quarter length, painted on panel, and attired in the costume of
the period; a dress of red velvet, with a straight low body, and large
square sleeves, faced with black flowered damask, turned up above the
elbow, from which descended a close