resolved at all hazards to relieve his conscience from the weight of guilt. Yet how could he evade the obligations of that solemn oath, by which he had bound himself not to reveal the plot to any living soul? The way in which he endeavoured to satisfy himself in this respect is curious. Hastening to the house of one of the citizens, named John Perseveln, and not finding him at home, he asked Perseveln's son to give him a glass of beer. His request being complied with, he addressed the glass in the following terms:-" To thee, glass, I say it, and to no living soul: unless the danger which threatens this good city be promptly and prudently averted, Lübeck will be, before noon, to morrow, in the hands of its enemies, and the blood of its senators and honest citizens will flow through the streets." Having said this, he instantly mounted his horse, and galloped away with all speed. The young man immediately reported these strange words in the senate-house. The gates of the city were closed, the conspirators were discovered and apprehended, and the danger happily averted. With the decline of the Hanseatic league, the power and consequence of Lübeck also declined, though amidst the changes affecting the various parts composing this body, the head was always respected. In the sixteenth century the bright light of the doctrines of Lutheranism shone on this important city, and was gladly hailed by her citizens. The senate at first jealously opposed the principles of the Reformation, but was soon compelled to open the churches to teachers of the purer faith. What was done at first hesitatingly and unwillingly, became subsequently a matter of serious and well maintained duty, so that we find the most threatening remon strances of Roman Catholic princes unavailing to change their purpose, or to shake their growing convictions. The monasteries were dissolved, the Romish adherents left the city, and we read of a courageous member of the senate directing the new institutions with zeal and energy, though at length he ended his life upon the scaffold, far from his home. ance. The desolations of the thirty years' war, so widely felt throughout Germany, did not affect Lübeck so severely as many other countries; still we may date its gradual decline from that period. A heavy load of debt A heavy load of debt was incurred, which undermined the prosperity of the city; maritime commerce was greatly affected; the Hanseatic league was dissolved; trade was gradually turned into other channels, and Lübeck ceased to be a commercial city of the first rank, though still a place of importBut Lübeck was soon visited with all the horrors of war, and in 1806 was the scene of a sanguinary conflict between General Blucher and his corps, and the French army under Bernadotte, Soult, and Murat. After an heroic resistance Blucher was obliged to retreat, and the citizens of Lübeck were left to all the miseries of pillage, and were compelled to receive and maintain the whole hostile army of 75,000 men. Enormous contributions now exhausted its treasury, its commerce was annihilated, and in 1810 it was incorporated with the French empire, and its constitution abolished by an act of violence. The fall of Napoleon at last restored Lübeck to its rights, and it now holds the rank of one of the four free cities of Germany, though it has ceased to be a fortress. It has its ancient democratic constitution: the executive and administrative authority is vested in the senate, consisting of four burgomasters and sixteen senators. The assembly of citizens, divided into twelve colleges, forms the legislative power. Among the public buildings of Lübeck, the most remarkable is the church of St. Mary (Marienkirche,) which is considered to be the finest church in the whole of northern Germany. Like many important edifices in our own country, it is most disadvantageously situated, being in the centre of the city, and completely surrounded by houses, so that a general view of the architectural effect of the building is unattainable. This church was built at different periods: it was consecrated in 1165, but the two western towers were not erected till 1310, and the turret in the centre of the roof containing the clock and chimes, is a work of more recent date. The interior has a very rich and pleasing effect. It consists of three aisles, the centre one extremely lofty, with pillars richly adorned with foliage. The works of art in this cathedral are numerous; the most distinguished is the altar, the magnificent present of one of the senators, and executed by the celebrated artist, Thomas Quellinus of Antwerp. It is entirely of marble, of considerable height, and adorned with fine marble statues, and bas-reliefs. There are several other monuments by the same master, and by other eminent sculptors, particularly of Omacht, lately deceased. Other things worthy of notice are, two ancient altar-pieces carved in wood; a tabernacle cast in bronze by Rughesen and Gruden in 1479, and a font cast by Hans Anengeter in 1337. Another celebrated work of art is a large clock, which occupies the whole wall behind the altar. The lower division contains a moveable plate, with all the particulars of the calendar from the year 1753 to 1875, and the daily places of the sun, moon, and planets known at the time of its construction. The upper division is intended for the especial amusement of the people. With the last stroke of twelve at noon, a door on the right opens, from which issue the emperor and seven electors, accompanied by an apparitor, who pass before a figure of the Saviour in regular order. The figure gives them a benediction with the motion of its hands, for which they return thanks, bowing their heads and retiring through a door on the left hand. At this door two other apparitors appear, making likewise a profound obeisance, and at the same moment some angels from above sound their trumpets. The paintings of this church demand a brief notice. The subject of the altar-piece is the Adoration of the Infant Christ, ascribed by some to Albert Durer, by others to Holbein. It is executed with extraordinary delicacy, and attracts the attention of the visitor by its great beauty and excellence. There is likewise a fine picture by Albrecht Altdorfer, representing the Adoration of the Holy Trinity. A picture of the Crucifixion, by an unknown hand, is chiefly valued on account of its great antiquity. Two admirable Italian paintings adorn the vestry; these are ascribed to Perugino. Many fine paintings adorn the choir, chiefly of the Durer school; and in different parts of the church there are quaint subjects of an allegorical description. A remarkable production of this kind, though inferior to a similar representation at Basle, is the well known Dance of Death, consisting of a number of paintings on panel, in which Death invites men of all ranks and ages, from the pope to the infant in the cradle, to dance; and at length, forms with them a long chain, the ancient city and environs of Lübeck appearing in the background. Some ancient rhymes in Low German, were once attached to these pictures, which were unfortunately expunged in the eighteenth century, and their place supplied by others more enlightened from the pen of Nathaniel Schlott. Among the ancient ones was this artless couplet, put in the mouth of an infant - O Death! what means this strange command? There are many traditions connected with this church one of them relates to its origin, and runs thus :--Charlemagne had taken a stag in the chase, in a forest which stood on the site of the church, but he spared its life, and adorned it with a rich collar, on which he caused the date of the year to be engraved. Four hundred years after, says the fable, Henry the Lion killed at the same spot, this same stag, between whose antlers a double cross had since grown from its forehead. He SIR MATTHEW HALE. took the collar, which was of immense value, and em- IN the year 1654 Hale was elected one of the five The public schools of Lübeck are excellent, and have produced some eminent men. The gymnasium was considered by Cuvier as worthy of the highest encomiums. Other public institutions for educational purposes have been praised for their judicious arrangement and management. The city library was formed out of the ancient libraries of dissolved monasteries, and has since been increased by considerable donations. It now contains between forty and forty-five thousand volumes, and is rich in ancient divinity and old impressions, besides valuable manuscripts. There are no public collections of art in Lübeck; but many scattered articles of value in the private collections, especially a very rare collection of carvings in wood, the work of an unknown artist, some time between the years 1573 and 1583. These carvings form a singular monument of German genius, and exhibit talent and industry of no ordinary kind. This venerable Hanseatic city has produced many remarkable men, a few names will be added by way of conclusion to this brief sketch. Franke; Mosheim; Ligstorf; Barmeister; Meibom; Jung; Koppen; Von that he could no longer sit under such authority. In the same year he was returned as one of the members for the University of Oxford; and in 1660 appeared as knight of the shire for the county of Gloucester, in the parlia ment which recalled Charles II. At the Restoration, when it became necessary to remodel the bench, Clarendon resolved to fill the vacant seats with men of probity and learning. But Hale was very averse again to undertake the arduous duties of a judicial station, urging, among other reasons, the following:-"Because the smallness of my estate, the greatness of my charge, and some debts, make me unable to bear it with that decency which becomes it, unless I should ruin myself and family; my estate not above 500/. per annum; six children unprovided for; and a debt of 10007. lying upon me." He was, however, prevailed on to accept an office which he filled so honourably to himself, and so beneficially to the justice of his country; he was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer; and on delivering him his commission, the Chancellor, Lord Clarendon, warmly expressed the high esteem he entertained for his character, saying, "that if the King could have found an honester and fitter man for that employment, he would not have advanced him to it, but that he had preferred him, because he knew no other who deserved it so well" The modesty of the Chief Baron induced him to decline the customary honour of knighthood; but by an innocent little stratagem, it was so arranged that he should meet the King at the house of the Chancellor, where being taken by surprise, Hale submitted to the ceremony. That Hale did not accept the high office to which he was now called merely to add to his worldly wealth and dignity is perfectly clear from the resolutions which he made about this time, a copy of which we insert below*. *Things necessary to be continually had in remembrance: 1. That in the administration of justice I am intrusted for God, the king, and country; and therefore, THERE is less private and social freedom in America than 2. That it be done, 1. uprightly; 2 deliberately; 3. resolutely. 4. That in the execution of justice I carefully lay aside my own mit my liberty to be compromised for such considerations, I would rather take my chance in the bosom of a great national religion, than amidst the jealous eyes of small and contending sects. And I think it will be found that a more liberal and catholic theology has always pervaded establishments than the bodies of dissenters from them. Nay, I much doubt whether intolerance itself, in such countriesin England and Germany for instance, has ever gone to the length of Jewish and Samaritan exclusion that has been sometimes witnessed amongst us.-DEWEY's Moral Views. passions, and not give way to them however provoked. 5. That I be wholly intent upon the business I am about, remitting all other cares and thoughts as unseasonable and interruptions. 6. That I suffer not myself to be prepossessed with any judgment at 7. That I never engage myself in the beginning of any cause, but reserve myself unprejudiced till the whole be heard. 8. That in business capital, though my nature prompt me to pity, yet to consider there is a pity also due to the country. 9. That I be not too rigid in matters purely conscientious, where all the harm is diversity of judgment. 10. That I be not biassed with compassion to the poor, or favour to the rich, in point of justice. 11. That popular or court applause or distaste have no influence in any thing I do in point of distribution of justice. 12. Not to be solicitous what men will say or think, so long as I keep rayself exactly according to the rule of justice. 13. If in criminals it be a measuring cast, to incline to mercy and acquittal. His character as a judge was "splendidly pre-eminent; | nity to afford them instruction. Many anecdotes are preserved illustrative of the con- account. In his behaviour on the bench he was serious, patient and kind. He was never hasty and captious towards counsel, but when he found them wandering from the point, he led them back to it, and thus prevented many perplexities from appearing in the cases which were argued before him. In summing up to the jury at trials, he would require the bar to interrupt him if they saw any mistake or omission in his statement; "an interruption," says Mr. Roscoe, "which many judges of meaner abilities have regarded as an insult." To the younger members of the law, Hale was singularly kind, frequently encouraging them and taking every opportu14. In criminals that consist merely in words, where no more harm ensues, moderation is no injustice. 15. In criminals of blood, if the fact be evident, severity is justice. 17 To charge my servants, 1. Not to interpose in any matter whatsoever, 2. Not to take more than their known fees; 3. Not to give any undue precedence to causes; 4. Not to recommend counsel. 18. To be short and sparing at meals, that I may be the fitter for busi ness. The Hon. Roger I have known the Court of King's Bench sitting every day, from eight to twelve, and the Lord Chief Justice Hale managing matters of law to all imaginable advantage to the students, and in that he took a pleasure, or rather pride. He encouraged arguing when it was to the purpose, and used to debate with the counsel, so as the court might have been taken for an academy of sciences as well as the seat or justice. On the trial of criminals, (says Mr. Roscoe,) Hale displayed that temper and moderation so requisite to the ends of justice, when the accused and the accusers meet on unequal terms. He indulged in no levity, he exhibited no harshness or severity, but summed up with an impartiality which left even the prisoners nothing of which to complain. He would never suffer the witnesses to be intimidated or confused by the examination of counsel. When it became necessary for him to pronounce sentence of death, the solemn and earnest exhortations with which he accompanied it, so free from all affectation, so serious and so devout, are said to have attracted strangers to listen to the impressive lesson. "As a lawyer, and especially as a constitutional lawyer, Hale has perhaps, (says Mr. Roscoe,) never been equalled." As a man and a Christian he is entitled to our highest consideration. His life was spent in doing good: his feasts were given to the poor, and he himself would sit down and eat with them. He laid aside the tenth penny of all he got for the poor, and after he was a judge many of the perquisites of his office were sent to the gaols to discharge poor prisoners, who never knew from whose hands the relief came. His pity extended even to his beasts. When his horses became infirm, they were turned loose upon his grounds and used only for very easy work. His dogs were treated with similar care. Being told that a shepherd was about to get rid of a dog that had become blind, he sent for the animal and while life lasted had it fed. Never was his anger known to be so great, as towards one of his servants who had negligently starved a bird to death. d How exemplary and instructive was his observation of the Lord's Day! (says Dr. Williams.) Instead of counting the Sabbath a "weariness," or employing it as many de, in idle frivolous occupations, he attended, with pious constancy, upon public worship. There, in the exquisite language of the Litany, he "meekly" heard the word of God; "he it with pure affection, and brought forth the fruits of the before his family, often with judicious additions, an outspirit." Afterwards he watched the good seed, by repeating line of the truths taught in the pulpit; and then between the evening service and supper time, secluding himsell entirely from others, he indulged in meditation, employing his pen merely to aid the fixing of his thoughts, and to preserve them the better for future reference, and domestic instruction. It was during these hours of seclusion, that he wrote the two volumes of Meditations, which were published shortly before his death: and on such occasions he planned the scheme for a larger work, the composition of which occupied him during the leisure hours of seven years:-but these hours were few, and occurred for the most part during his circuits. The object of the work is to attack Atheism, and is divided into four parts, viz., 1. Of the origination of mankind, the creation of the world, and the truth of Mosaic history. 2. Of the nature of the soul and of a future state. 3. Of the attributes of God, both from the abstract ideas of Him and the light of nature. The evidence of Providence. Notions of morality and the voice of conscience. 4. Of the truth and authority of Scripture, with answers to objections. hand to Bishop Wilkins to desire his judgment of it. When the work was finished he sent it by an unknown The bearer would give no other account of the author than that he was not a clergyman. The bishop and his friend Dr. Tillotson, read much of the work with pleasure, but could not imagine who could be the author, and THE ROBIN REDBREAST. how a man of such exalted powers could be unknown to Sir Matthew Hale was twice married; first to the daughter of Sir Henry Moore, of Faly, in Berkshire; and secondly to the daughter of Mr. John Bishop, of Faly. He had ten children, but his sons do not seem to have inherited their father's virtue and learning. In concluding this notice of a good and eminent man, we need scarcely apologise for having omitted many things which have been recorded to his discredit. His modest and retiring disposition led him to shun society, and thus he has been most unjustly accused of admitting none but flatterers to his presence. A sufficient answer to this accusation is the simple fact that he enjoyed the love and esteem of such men as Selden, Vaughan, Ward, Barrow, Tillotson, Wilkins, Stillingfleet, and Baxter. The statements of a contemporary biographer must be received with caution, especially those of North, whose pen was guided by some feelings of malevolence. The only authentic stigma which attaches to the name of Sir Matthew Hale, is to be found in the fact of his having condemned two women for witchcraft, at the assizes at Bury St. Edmunds, in the year 1665; but here we must moderate our censure, by calling to mind the prejudices of the times in which he lived. High is his perch, but humble is his home. THE familiarity of the redbreast has already engaged our attention: we desire therefore to present to notice some other prominent features in the character of this bird, i. e., its courage, activity, and usefulness. By the courage of the redbreast we mean that bold defence of its own rights and privileges, and that fearless attack of larger and more powerful birds, as well as of its own species, which have led a modern writer to say, "when we look to its pugnacious and relentless habits, its revengeful and vindictive propensities, one would almost feel inclined to close one's door against it in the time of need." Before we join in this harsh judgment of the temper of our little friend, it is worth while to consider the solitary habits of the family to which it belongs, and the jealousy of aggression to which such habits lead. While other small birds frequently appear in flocks, and are not only social in their own species, but mingle freely with others without the slightest appearance of hostility, the genus Sylvia is distinguished by habits entirely the reverse of these, so that even in the pairing time it is rare to see two of its members in company. The robin is by nature therefore a secluded and solitary bird; and there is no appearance of concerted movements or recognition of another bird of its kind. Shy with its fellows as it is familiar with man, yet it is by no means timid or retiring. On the contrary, its habi of self-dependence seems to be the spring whence proceeds its spirited maintenance of its own rights, and its vigorous attacks on those who are presumptuous enough to invade them. The robin is sometimes seen severely to chastise its own progeny, probably with a view to make them disperse in quest of their own livelihood; and these, as soon, as they are old enough to leave the nest, show no symptoms of family affection, but seek their own individual interests, even should it be at the expense of an obstinate battle with some near relation. The same self-dependent spirit is manifested when other birds offer to interfere with the robin in anything which he considers a peculiar privilege of his own. Has he a particular beat, where he meets with the "refuse of the good wife's churn," or any similar dainty? how valiantly does he alight in the midst of a whole troop of invading sparrows and put them to instant flight. Does he meet with molestation in the retired nook which he has selected for a nesting-place? how dearly does the rash intruder pay for his temerity, and how fierce is the conflict occasioned by such a procedure. Mr. Wood tells us, in his British Song Birds, that once he found two robins in such desperate conflict, under a laure! bush, that neither of them observed his approach, or at all events they heeded it not, so that both fell into the hands of "the prying naturalist." On putting them into a cage, capacious enough to have held a dozen birds of a more peaceable nature, he was surprised to find them renewing the combat more fiercely than ever. He now released one of his prisoners, and each of them instantly poured forth its song in defiance of the other, the one within the wires, the other at full liberty. The next day he set the other captive at liberty, and on the evening of the same day he found the champions again at their post, fighting each other "tooth and nail." The courage of the redbreast is also apparent at the time of building the nest. It generally chooses a secluded spot for this purpose, such as a hollow tree in some lonely copse or lane, or a cavity in the bank at its root. The nest is well concealed, and often evades the closest search, even when the flight of the bird has attracted attention to the place. But the behaviour of the old birds at this time, is not indicative of timidity. They are generally flitting about near the nest, and though they are careful enough to be out of the way of danger, they never become agitated, or fly off to any great distance, but merely get the screen of a tree or hedge between themselves and that by which they happen to be disturbed. The red-breast is a very early builder, and sometimes seeks concealment for its nest in cavities among grass, before the foliage is thick enough to afford shelter among trees. Mr. Rennie mentions a remarkable instance of early building. A pair of redbreasts began to build at Christmas, and seeming to be aware that the woods were not likely to afford them shelter or subsistence, they selected a hole in the corner of the ceiling of a greenhouse as a suitable place. This occurred on the property of the late Lord Monboddo, in Kincardineshire, and care being taken to feed the birds as well as to give them no molestation, they succeeded in rearing a brood of young, even at that inauspicious season of the year. The robin's nest is formed of moss and grass, with a lining of hair and feathers. The older naturalists declare that where the natural cover for the nest is not sufficient, an artificial concealment of withered leaves is adopted, which idea doubtless suggested the notion of the robin strewing leaves over "the babes in the wood." But there seems to be no foundation for the supposition, no such method of concealment being detected by modern observers. The eggs of the robin are from four to seven in number, of a dull whitish colour, with waved lines and spots of ash and rust colours. During incubation the male sings, but not so as to be heard at any great distance from the nest, so that his sweet but subdued notes are overpowered by those of the other musicians of the grove, who are at that time pealing in full orchestra. Another peculiarity of the redbreast is its activity. This is denoted by the whole deportment of the bird. The rapid hop, the quick intelligence of the eye, the tossing back of the head, the jerking motion of the tail, all show a restless active habit. It does not appear that the robin is an emigrant in any part of Britain, neither have we reason to believe that it departs far from its winter habitation when the season arrives for building its nest, yet its activity is most remarkable, and decidedly The food of this bird consists chiefly of useful to man. insects, and in search of them it exerts itself with an assiduity which not the most zealous and persevering of the human race could possibly undergo. In summer the robin may sometimes be seen hovering round and round a leaf on which an insect has alighted, till it has got near enough to pounce suddenly upon its victim. In this way it destroys a vast number of the enemies of the vegetable creation, but not confining itself to this service, it also descends to the ground, where it captures a multitude of worms, ground larvæ, beetles, &c. The whole of the family to which the redbreast belongs may indeed be considered as great conservators of vegetation, and as such should be protected and encouraged. Those who would obtain some idea of the labour performed by the fine-billed birds, would do well to try to pluck the aphides, one by one, from an unhealthy geranium, or some other plant, infested with these insects: they will then know something of the work that is constantly going on in our gardens, shrubberies, and copses, through the agency of the redbreast and its congeners. The winter labours of the redbreast are scarcely less valuable than its summer occupations. It visits the gardens, orchards, and vineyards early in autumn, and though it does sometimes, in default of other food, take its share in the ripened grapes, it seems at all times disposed to prefer insect food, even at the expense of much greater trouble in procuring it. This industrious bird is the first to begin its work in the morning, and the last to give it up at the close of day. The cause which first attracts it to the dwellings of mankind is probably the number of insects which are kept alive by the artificial heat of such places. The young birds of the season are noted for the plaintive music they make as autumn comes on. At that time two male birds may frequently be heard answering each other from the topmost branches of different trees, with a melodious strain that speaks amid the decline of the year, of the hopes and expectations of another. Though the robin is very common in this country, the species does not so much abound in any particular spot as to make it an object of profit to the bird-catcher: bu in many parts of France, in the neighbourhood of vine yards these birds are so abundant that the catching o them is a considerable trade; and they are taken to Pari for the gratification of the epicure. But it is necessar to convey them very quickly, for in twenty-four hour they are said to lose the flavour for which they are s much esteemed. The familiarity and curiosity of t redbreast make it an easy prey for the bird-catcher. In contemplating the qualities with which this bir has been endued, and its utility to man in the exercise them, we have every reason to be grateful for the beaut and harmony of the arrangements of Providence, which seemingly insignificant creatures are made essential to the general good. Nor can we fail to struck with the fact, that those animals which do not any way work for the good of man always retire fro places as they become peopled and cultivated; while the that are eminently useful, not only stay, but increase numbers, and follow cultivation into places in which th were not to be found so long as those places we neglected. Thus, in Britain, while eagles and rave and also the wild mountain game, and the fishing scavenger birds by the waters, are all very much co fined in locality and diminished in numbers; the fi and woodland game birds have multiplied greatly; a the warblers have extended into districts where t were formerly unknown. In such instances there be little doubt but that the animals which diminish numbers or disappear, are not wanted in the state of c ture, and would be injurious if they were to remain numbers. Those again which remain where cultivat extends, always have some useful office to perfo whether we understand the nature of that office or |