The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-31 00:00:00

Tribute to George Cruikshank,

The following beautiful and nobly well-deserved tribute
is offered to the genius of George Cruikshank, in the newly
published (August) number of Blackwood :
" Geon.e Cruikshdnk is still among us. The same hand
which, before the commencement of this century, had
twined its infant fingers round the ebony shaft of the etch-
ing-needle, claiming as its own, with the sure instinct of
genius, the sceptre of its future away, the rod which was to
bend spirits to its command, is now busily plying its skill to
reproduce on copper the greatest protest wherein its owner
has recorded his undying declaration of war against the
demon "Drink," If the title of a man to th, gratitude of
his race, to rank as a philanthropist and a benefactor, de-
pends on the amount of happiness and innocent pleasure
which he has bestowed upon others, the name of George
Cruikshank is entitled to a high place amongst the worthies
of the nineteenth century. Of the millions who, since his
labours began, have been horn into the world, fretted their
hour, and phased away, or who, like the writer of these
pages, still remain when their sun has far passed its meri-
dian—of those who, day by day, are rising into manhood,
and of the numbers greater yet who will arise when that
active brain is at rest and that busy hand is still--how
many have reason to bless the name of George Cruikshank I
How many peals of infant laughter must ring their sweet
music in his ears—how many beds of pain and sickness has
he cheered—hop many hearths has he brightened I Well
do we remember, in the days of our own boyhood, how one
gentle spirit, which has, long, long years ago, taken its
flight to heaven, would linger with delight which made it
forgetful of pain over the creations of his fancy, and trace,
with hands almost transparent in their whiteness and their
slenderness, the frolics of the elves and imps of German
fairy story. Long may George Cruikshank enjoy the well-
earned pride of looking back over half a century gladdened
by his genius, and the satisfaction which he may honestly
feel from the conviction that, no thought which the sternest
moralist could condemn has ever been awakened by his
pencil I

A RAILWAY ADVENTURE.

Some time ago a lady, while on her way from Scotland
to Dresden with her two daughters and their governess,
met with the following curious adventure :—A few hours
before reaching their destination, the train stopped to
allow passengers to partake of refreshments. At this
time the ladies, not intending to move, were politely in-
vited by a gentleman from another compartment to alight,
but declining to do so he offered to bring them something
from the refreshment -room. The lady not wishing to be
indebted to a stranger, and, besides, not liking his appear-
ance, preferred that she and her party should, like the
other travellers, go by themselves. Having ordered an
extra cup of coffee, in case any of her party should wish
it, she was a little annoyed by the stranger coming to
their table and requesting to be allowed to take the dis-
engaged cup. Of course the lady could not refuse.
The stranger walked away and drank the coffee at an-
other table. In the meantime the lady, forgetting all
about him, paid for what she had ordered. A few minutes
afterwards he again came forward, and, thanking her, laid
down the price of his coffee. As they had still some little
time to wait ere the train started, the lades, accompanied
by this officious gentleman, walked up and down the plat-
form till the bell should ring. The ladies, returning to their
seats, and being the sole occupants of a first class compart-
ment, did not well know how to get rid of their companion
without appearing rude, especially as he seemed desirous of
being invited to take his seat beside them. Fortunately
the wind solved the difficulty by slamming the door imme-
diately on their being seated, and they flattered them-
selves that they were now freed from his attentions. At
the next station, however, he again turned up, and ear-
nestly begged to be allowed to take his seat beside them, as
it was now getting dark, and he felt so lonely. Mrs
courteously consented to his wish, knowing, of
course, that she had no power to prevent his getting in.
The train had no sooner moved off than the stranger pre-
sented his card, and immediately began rattling away at a
complete history of himself and his travels, mentioning that
he had his eyes on the ladies' party for a considerable time.
We may mention that the guard had been very attentive to
Mrs. and her daughters during the lore part of the
journey, and had frequently inquired after their comfort,
but since being joined by the stranger they had not again
seen him. To their dismay, the man told them that the
cause of the guard's non• appearance for a length of time
was his having drugged him freely with strong liquor to
keep him out of the way. Mrs. —'s suspicions were
now thoroughly aroused, whilst her daughters and
their companion sat trembling, and fervently wish-
ing they were at their journey's end. Still talking inces-
santly, and the darkness increasing, ne struck a light, and,
stooping down, took from his portmanteau a six-barrelled
revolver, which he informed the ladies was his only luggage.
They were horrified; but Mrs. with admirable pre-
sence of mind, feigned a curiosity to examine the dangerous
weapon, blandly saying that she took a great interest in the
mechanism of fire-arms, and would like to look at it more
closely. Unsuspectingly he handed it to her, when she,
finding it loaded, immediately thrust it out of the window,
still holding it firmly in her right hand, indignantly telling
the fellow that he was a villain to terrify the ladies in such
a manner, and that he deserved the most severe punish-
ment. Astonished at the unexpected intrepidity of the lady
his former rattling loquacity completely forsook him, and
he sat mute till they reached the terminus, which they were
now rapidly approaching. Unfortunately their meagre ac-
quaintance with the language of the country prevented them
doing more than simply making known to the railway
officials the imminent danger they had est. aped. The cu'prit
had meanwhile v.nished in the crowd; but faithful pro-
mises were given that immediate steps should be taken to
discover and apprehend him. The reader will not be surprised
that the terrified ladies on reaching their hotel burst into
tears, and fervently thanked God for their providential
escape. it will probably be recollected that, about two
years ago, a great sensation was caused throughout Europe
by a French nobleman having been shot and robbed in a
railway carriage. These facts, which have only recently
been made known to us, occurring shortly before, lead us to
suspect that there is a close connection between the two
events.--Caledonian Mercury.