The Sun.
London, England, 1823-08-05 00:00:00

POETRY.

THE DEVONSHIRE LANE.
BY MR. DIARRIOTT.
In a Devonshire lane, as I trotted along,
T'other clay much in want of a subject for sang ;
Thinks I to myself, I have hit on a strain,—
Sure marriage is much like a Devonshire lane.

In the first place 'tis longs and when once you are in it,
It holds you as fast as the cage does a linnet;
For howe'er rough and dirty the road may be found,
Drive forward you must, since there's no turning round.

But though 'tis so long, it is not very wide,
For two are the most that together can ride ;
And even there 'tis a chance but they get in a pother,
And jostle and cross, and run foul of each other.

Oft Poverty greets them with mendicant looks,
And Care pushes by them o'erladen with crooks,
And Strife's grating wheels try between them to pass,
Or Stubbomess blocks up the way on her ass.

Then the banks are so high, both to left hand and right,
That they shut up the beauties around from the eight;
And hence you'll allow, 'tis an inference plain,
That marriage is just like a Devonshire lane.

But thinks I, too, these banks, within which we are pent,
With bud, blossom, and btirry are richly besprent ;
And the.eonjugal fence which forbids us to roam,
Looks lovely when decked with the comforts of home.

In the rock's•glootny crevice the bright holly grows,
The ivy waves fresh o'er the withering rose,
And the ever-green love of a virtuous wife.
Smooths the roughness of care—cheers the winter of life.

Then long be the journey, and narrow the way ;
I'll rejoice that I've seldom a turnpike to pay ;
And whate'er others think, be the last to complain,
Though marriage is just like a Devonshire lane.

THE ROYAL ACADEMY or• Mustc is not given
up, as reported, but is limited in the admission
of pupils for want of funds, though the Institu-
tion is patronized by his MAJESTY. It is Still,
we find, the opinion of many sound and
impartial judges that this Academy will be pro-
ductive of more evil than goad. The market is
already overstocked with musicians of every de•
scription, and it is conceived that the Academy,
therefore, will only train its pupils for starva-
tion, except indeed that our streets will probably
be rendered more harmonious every day and
night, by numerous bands of wandering minstrels
thus educated for the gratification of the public
at large.

Mr. YOUNG is certainly re-engaged at Covent
Garden Theatre, and is to receive'2ol.evety night
when lie performs.
I'Ve are sorry to hear that the elder BRANDON
is not to resume his station at Covent Garden
Theatre. He has, it seems, occupied that sta-
tion upwards of fifty years, and it is said that
when the late Mr. HAtints resigned the manage-
ment of that Theatre his last request Was that
Mr. BRANDON should retain his place.
The veteran Dramatist, REYNOLDS, is ap-
pointed, at Drury-lane Theatre, Supervisor of
the new Plays that may be presented to the
Manager, and cooker-up of those old ones Which
may be deemed fit for revival. He held the
same situation at Covent-Garden, but was re-
moved by the new Managers. Besides a regular
weekly salary, it is understood that he is to be
paid additionally for modernizing former dra-
matic pieces.
I,rsToN, according to report, is to receive 504
a week during the ensuing season, at Drury-lane
Theatre. Miss STEeIIENs is to have 251. every
night that she performs.
SOCIETY OF BORDERERS.--The inhabitants of
ihe Scottish Border formed originally a race separate and dis-
tinct from the general mass of the population of Scotland. Oc-
cupying a mountainous and inaccessible district Of country, on
the confines of u hostile nation, their habits and pursuits were
chiefly those of war and the chase. Such a life naturally made
them patient of toil and danger; and ignorant of fear, they made
vigorous and successful resistance to the inroadiof their Southern
'neighbours; though sometimes lawless, their valour more
than once secured the rights of their Sovereign and the inde-
pendence of their country. Their 'manners, their customs,
ancl.-their dress, were long peculiar to themselves; though
in later times, and under happier circumstances, these
characteristic.s have .in a great measure disappeared. Yet
the. descendants of that race have, in the recent triumphs
of their country's arms, emulated and maintained the martial
faMe.of their ancestors : nor are the present- inhabitants of the
Scottish Border inferior to any in the'United Kingdom for moral
and religious principle, loyalty to their Sovereign, zeal for the
interests and welfare of their country, and devoted attachment-to
. their nativeland. During hie Majesty 's visit toScotland in August
1822, a meeting of Gentlemen connected with the Scottish bor.
der was held, with the view of instituting a Society for re-
viving and perpetuating the memory of the warlike deeds,
the manners and customs, anti the dress, games, and sports
of the ancient Borderers; and which might also be made
subservient to the valuable purposes of benevolence. A Obm-
mince was then appointed, with instructions to take such
measures us they might think proper for carrying into effect
the views of the meeung. These considerations, Joined with a
•desire to commemorate his most gracious Alajesty's late
visit to Scotland, and to prevent the name and recollec-
tion of the ancient Borderers efrom perishing among us,
gave rise to the above meeting; and it deserves the appro-
bation and support of every Borderer who cherishes the
memory of his forefathers, and whose heart has ever kindled at
the recital of their warlike deeds in the legends and songs of
the Scottish Bards ; and we have no doubt that beforo many
nionthS elapse, their ranks will be filled up with members of
the first respectability, which the border counties of Dumfries,
Roxburgh, Berwick' Selkirk, and Peebles, can produee.e--
(Dragfries Journal; Jay 29. 1
JIEREFORD.--A rircuMstance occurred in this
City on 'rhursday,n which excited a very genets' sensation
throughout the place, and shows upon what a frail tenure we
hold our mortal existence. The Rev. Air. flookins, late curate
of Byford, in this county; was to have married.a Mrs. --, a
widOw, at the cathedral church of this city. The peaks at-
tended at the customary hour, and proceeded to the altar.
The selenin service commenced, and was proceeded in, till
the bridegroom took the ring out of his pocket, to place it
on the finger of his bride ; but just at the moment woen she
extended her hand to receive the token of their union, he sod-,
denly fell back, and after a tit of convulsions, which lasted but
a moment, he lay on the ground, a corpse! .To attempt to
describe the alarm which prevailed would be only to fail. The
half-wedded bride was conveyed home in a state of grief that is
not to be expressed, and the body of the bridegroom was carried ,
ba a bier to a neighbouring tavern (the Bed Lion), where an
an inquest wait held the same night, by the Coroner; and the
Jury returned a Verdict of Died by the visitation of God."
It lean extraordinary fact that the late husband of the intended
bride dropped down dead.
'TILE FORTUNATE YOUTH IN OiIDERS.—The
young- gentleinall who some time since made so
great a noise under the above desiunation has it
, ,
seems entered into the Church, much to the an-
noyance of the
Bight Rev. Prelate who ordained
him, while utterly unconscious of his identity,
and quite satisfied with the testimonials he i,vas
.
lucky enough to. obtain. He has since, however,
.ste understand, suspended him from
.the perform-- -
ance of any ecclesiastical functious.--( Morning
Chronicle.)