t, said he, 'you might put your
hand into his mouth.' Taking him at his word, the young middy, to the
horror of the spectators, thrust his hand into the jaws of the animal,
who, no doubt, was taken as much by surprise as the lookers-on. It was a
daring feat; but providentially he did not suffer for his
temerity."[143] This reminds the biographer of Nelson's feat with the
polar bear, and of Charles Napier's (the soldier) bold adventure with an
eagle in his boyhood, as related by Sir William Napier in the history of
his gallant brother's life.

OLD LADY AND THE BEASTS ON THE MOUND.

When the houses were cleared from the head of the Mound in Edinburgh, a
travelling menagerie had set up its caravans on that great earthen
bridge, just at the time when George Ferguson, the celebrated Scotch
advocate, better known by his justiciary title of Lord Hermand, came up,
full of Pittite triumph that the ministry of "all the talents" had
fallen. "They are out! they are all out! every mother's son of them!" he
shouted. A lady, who heard the words, and perceived his excited
condition, imagined that he referred to the wild beasts; and seizing the
judge by his arm, exclaimed, "Gude heaven! we shall a' be
devoored!"[144]

FOOTNOTES:

[136] "Physics and Physicians: a Medical Sketch-Book," vol. i. p. 174.
It was published anonymously in 1839.

[137] "Life in the Mission, the Camp, and the Zenana; or, Six Years in
India," vol. ii. p. 382.

[138] Mark Lemon, "Jest Book," p. 237.

[139] August 20, 1713. Chalmers's edition of "British Essayists," vol.
xviii. p. 85.

[140] Up for lost.

[141] August 28, 1713. Chalmers's edition of "British Essayists," vol.
xviii p. 116.

[142] "Memoirs of Antonio Canova," by J. S. Memes, A.M. 1825. Pp. 332,
334, 346.

[143] "The Life of Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B," by Major-General
Elers Napier, vol. i. p. 8.

SEALS.

A most intelligent group of creatures, some of which the compiler has
watched in Yell Sound, close to Mossbank. He has even seen them once or
twice in the Forth, close to the end of the pier. In the Zoological
Gardens a specimen of the common seal proved for months a great source
of attraction by its mild nature, and its singular form and activity. It
soon died, and, had a coroner's jury returned a verdict, it would have
been "Death from the hooks swallowed with the fish" daily provided. We
have heard seal-fishers describe the great rapidity of the growth of
seals