The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-10 00:00:00

THE LOVER'S STONE.

" The description of this marriage naturally leads me to
make a few remarks upon the famous lover's stone,' which
maybe still seen, situated towards the south, at no great
distance from the village. The origin of this name it will
be necessary to explain. In the early ages of this little
commonwealth, when lovers were more diffident than in the
times in which we live, it was held a highly commendable
thing in a young aspirant for an island belle, to lay at her
feet, not, as in some of our English counties, his pedigree
and rent .roll, but some undoubted proof of courage and ad-
dress. With this view he assembled his friends—probably
also the young lady herself—around the inner margin of the
' lover's stone,' the outehot cornice of a frowning precipice.
With dauntless step he then advanced, and firmly planted
his left heel upon its edge, the sole of the footm
wholly unsupported. He then extended his right leg gbe-
yond the left, and firmly grasped the foot between his hands.
In this position he continued sufficiently long to impress
upon his spectators the conviction that a fair lady' would
in him gain no faint heart.' Had Newton been present
at this performance, he would have learned that, though
the force of gravitation might cause an apple to fall from a
tree, a lover can still cling to a stone—gravity yielding to
love, as the stronger force of attraction. That the exploit
I have been describing is not so simple as it appears, the
reader will understand by ascending the Duke of York's
column, getting outside the railing, and trying it for him-
self. After this heroic deed, writes Martin, the adven-
turous youth is accounted worthy of the finest woman in
the world.' He adds, that one of the islanders strongly
urged him to attempt the feat ; but I told him that it
'would have quite the contrary effect upon me, robbing me
of my life and mistress at the same moment.' Thrice
simple youth, thrice happy innocence, which would fain
read in the breast of a canny factor the impassioned ardour
of thine OWISI

"Ravenshoe" is continued. It contains several
episodes of interest which still further complicates
the plot. Marston proposes to Mary, who with
grief rejects him, having, alas ! given her heart to
the man who loves an filar, who in the end will
break with him ; for the selfish character of Ad elaide
will induce her to throw Charles over when his
good fortunes desert him. Lord Welter arrives at
Ravenshoe to the disgust of Cuthbert and many
othero. Ellen elopes no one knows where, and
nobody knows why. Charles, in company with
Welter, v isits Banford and is graciously received
by Lady flarnaLdt, but is mortified to find that
Adelaide is awLyon a visit to Lady Ascot, at least so
he is told, but in reality she had run away there for
protection. He, however, follows and has an in-
terview. " Thoughts on Beauty and Art," by the
Rev. T. Barnes, contains--Thoughts on the Defini-
tion of Beauty, Beauty of Form and Proportion.
Beauty of Colour,Landscape, 'What is Unfitting, and
Art True and False. "Tom Brown at Oxford" relates
how Captain East and Harry Winburn return in
triumph to Eaglebourne ; how Patty, having sur-
rendered to the gallant sergeant, the wedding-day
18 fixed, and the happy pair united, East pro-
Poses to go to New Zealand, and Torn thinks of
Joining him. Under the head " Indian Cities," we
have a description of Lucknow. There is a paper
On " The Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin Mission
to Central Africa, and News of the Mission of Dr.

Livingstone," and, of course, an article on " The
American Crisis."

Baily's Sporting Magazine.
This magazine has a portrait and biography of
the Eirl of Stradford as a continuation of sporting
celebrities. "The Gentleman in Black" contri-
butes his experiences of the beauties (not those to
be found in the palace but in the paddocks) of
Hampton Court. He relates that within forty
minutes of Waterloo Bridge are to be seen six and
twenty beautiful paddocks of s:)me two, three, and
four acres, occupied by the very best blood in the
world. Part No. 4of Wild Life contains interesting
experiences of Californian life and of encounters
with the grizzly bear. Fierce and dangerous as
he is, however, the value of his skin tempts the
western hunter to seek him. The following sketch
of one of_ these primitive half-civilized individuals
will give some idea that the bear meets more than
his match sometimes with Western hunters—