mness of the stone, may often be construed according
to the thoughts or wishes of the inquirer. It is kept in a little
ivory box, and preserved with great care. It is said there never was a
question propounded to this oracle--if done with a proper spirit, with
a due and devout reverence, and a reliance on its wondrous
efficacy--but the ring, by its brightness or its gloom, shadowed forth
the good or evil destiny of the querent.

Mortimer recovered. In this village, many years afterwards, lived an
old man, whose daily walk was to the cliff. From that height he would
gaze until the last hue of evening died upon the waves. He then
returned, with a vacant and down-cast look, sad and solitary, to his
dwelling. He was buried there in the churchyard; and a plain-looking
stone, with the initials C. M., still marks the spot called THE
STRANGER'S GRAVE.

[16] Many a fertile acre has been covered with
sand and rendered useless which might have been preserved by
sowing on its confines the seeds of this plant. The Dutch have
profited by a knowledge of its efficacy; Queen Elizabeth
prohibited the extirpation of it. As soon as it takes root a
sandhill gathers round it; so that wherever it is planted it
gives a peculiar character to the coast. This grass or reed is
manufactured into mats, baskets, &c. A legislative enactment,
however, in 1742, was issued for its preservation. The Scottish
Parliament likewise protected it, together with _Elymus
arenarius_, or upright sea-lyme grass.

[Illustration: THE DEAD MAN'S HAND]

THE DEAD MAN'S HAND.

"Yet stay, fair lady, turn again,
And dry those pearly tears;
For see, beneath this gown of grey,
Thy own true love appears."

--PERCY'S _Reliques_.

Bryn Hall, the scene or rather the solution, of the following
tradition, is now demolished. It was the ancient seat of the
Gerards, by virtue of marriage between William Gerard, about
the year 1280, with the daughter and sole heir of Peter de
Bryn. It was built in a quadrangular form with a spacious
courtyard, to which admittance was gained by a narrow bridge
over the moat surrounding the whole fabric. The gatehouse was
secured by massy doors well studded with iron; a
curiously-carved porch led to the great hall, where, on the
chimney-piece, were displayed the arms of England, not older
than th