ried Hardingham with a smile, the first he had
sported that week, "I am, as you know, a man of but few words, and
straight-forward in my dealings; say that you can fancy me, and I'll
marry you tomorrow."

Mrs. Honeydew's reply will be surmised; Caroline Dalton saw who was
preferred before her, and the bachelor's revenge ruined wild Tom; for
Hardingham settled all his property upon his wife, and a pretty life the
amiable creature led him.

M.L.B.

* * * * *

RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS.

* * * * *

LETTER OF LORD STRAFFORD.

_(For the Mirror.)_

The following is literally copied from an original autograph of the
unfortunate Lord Strafford, and may prove interesting to your numerous
readers.

C.J.T.

"_Sweete Harte_.--It is _longe_ since I _writt_ unto you, for I am here
in such a _troubel_ as gives _mee_ little or _noe respett_. The
_chardge_ is now _cum in_, and I am now _abel_ I _prayse_ God, to
_telle_ you that I _conceaue_ there is nothing _capitall_, and for the
_reste_ I _knowe_ at the _worste_ his _maty_ will _pardonne_ all without
hurting my fortune, and then _wee_ shall be _happie_ by God's grace.
Therefore _comfortt_ yourself, for I trust these _cloudes_ will away and
_thate wee_ shall have _faire weathere afterwarde_.

"Fare well, your _lovinge husbande_,
"Tower of _Londonne_,

"STRAFFORDE.

"4th Feb. 1640.

"My Wife."

* * * * *

STONE PILLARS AND CROSSES.

_(For the Mirror.)_

It appears from the accounts of the earliest historians, that single
stones, or rude pillars were raised on various occasions, in the most
remote ages. Of these we have frequent notices in the Old Testament, as
of that raised by Jacob at Lug, afterwards named Bethel; a pillar was
also raised by him at the grave of Rachel. The Gentiles set up pillars
for idolatrous purposes. The Paphians worshipped their Venus under the
form of a white pyramid, and the Brachmans the great God under the
figure of a little column of stone. Many large stones are found at this
day in Wales and Cornwall, which are supposed to have been raised by the
Phoenicians and Grecians, who frequently resorted thither for tin and
other metals.

In Ireland some of these large stones have crosses cut on them, supposed
to have been sculptured by Christians, out of compliance with Druidical
prejudices, that the converts from Paganism not easi