The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-12-05 00:00:00

they fly. Votive pictures, similar to what has been de-
scribed in the church of St. Augustine, are hung about
her, even in the streets—offerings for their hair-breadth
escapes. Effigies of the Virgin appear in every church,
but some are held in higher estimation than others. Oc-
casionally extraordinary miracles are reported to have
taken place—every one of which increases her popularity.
Lately it was currently believed that she had opened her
lips and held a short conversation with an old lady who
sought her aid. Thousands flocked to the church where
this took place, and continued to do so, till another mira-
cle equally wonderful drew their attention elsewhere.
The most certain way of gaining the favour of the Virgin
is by presenting her with some article of dress. In the
chapel near the Grotto Posillippo I noticed a richly em-
broidered pocket handkerchief which she held in her hand,
and learnt from the sacristan that it had lately been pre-
sented to her. When Lady Drummond was in Naples
she was importuned by the priests for a donation towards
dressing up the Virgin for a festival. Her ladyship did
not choose to give any money, but offered an old light
blue and silver court dress, which was gladly accepted.
After this the idol was paraded through the streets, to
the admiration of the people ; decked out as it was in the
cast-off finery of a heretic. A similar request was made
to the Duke of Saxony, who had just been married. He
said, " I have no money, but I can give you my wedding
coat, which I shall not use again, if that will answer your
purpose." My friend afterwards saw it adorning a saint
in the chapel of Loretto, and noticed that they had taken
off the -jewels, and replaced them with sham ones.—
Sights in Italy.
SAGACITY OF A NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.-A few days
ago, a merchant of Newcastle-on-Tine had occasion to
send his servant on horseback to Blenheim-street, accom-
panied by his master's dog. On arriving at his destina-
tion, he dismounted ; but before going into the house
where he had been commissioned to go, he hung the bri-
dle of the horse on a small iron crook at the door. Im-
mediately after the horse shook the bridle off the crook,
and galloped away at full speed. The dog, however, fol-
lowed, and, on coming up to the animal, he seized one of
the stirrups, but being of a patent construction, it sud-
denly opened, and he lost his hold. The horse still con-
tinuing his course, the dog at length succeeded in seizing
the bridle, just as the horse reached the cattle market,
which fortunately brought him to a stand still ; and the
faithful dog could not be made to quit his hold until the
servant came to his assistance.—Newcastle Courant.

more were riding on the bluffs. The cunning savages
had cut off his retreat to his mule, which he saw in the
possession of one of the Indians. His presence of mind,
however, did not desert him ; and seeing at once that to
remain where he was would be like being caught in a trap,
(as the Indians could advance to the edge of the bluff
and shoot him from above,) he made for the open prairie,
determined at least to sell his scalp dearly, and make " a
good fight." With a yell the Indians charged, but
halted when they saw the sturdy trapper deliberately
- • ifle on the wiping-stick, take a
need. Full well the Pawnees
a mountaineer seldom pulls his
bullet to the mark ; and, certain
t must fall, they hesitated to make the
,adily the white retreated with his fade to
g the rifle to his shoulder the instant that
one advanced within shot, the Indians galloping round,
firing the few guns they had amongst them at long dis-
tances, but without effect. One young " brave," more
daring than the rest, rode out of the crowd, and dashed
at the hunter, throwing himself from the saddle, and
hanging over the opposite side of his horse,—present-
ing no other mark than his left foot, discharged
his bow from under the animal's neck, and with such
good aim, that the arrow, whizzing through the air,
struck the stock of La Bonte's rifle, which was at his
shoulder, and, glancing off, pierced his arm, inflicting,
luckily, but a slight wound. Again the Indian turned in
his course, the others encouraging him with loud war
whoops, and once more passing at still less distance, drew
his arrow to the head. This time, however, the eagle eye
of the white caught sight of the action, and suddenly
rising from his knee as the Indian was approaching, hang-
ing by his foot alone over the opposite side of the horse,
he jumped towards the animal with outstretched arms
and a loud yell, causing it to start so suddenly, and
swerve from its course, that the Indian lost his foot-hold,
and, after in vain struggling to regain his position, fell to
the ground : but instantly rose upon his feet and gallantly
confronted the mountaineer, striking his hand upon his
brawny chest and shouting a loud whoop of defiance.
In another instant the rifle of La Bonte had poured forth
its contents ; and the brave Indian, springing in to the
air, fell dead to the ground, just as the other trappers,
who bad heard the firing, galloped up to the spot, at
sight of whom the Pawnees, with yells of disappointed
i vengeance, hastily retreated.—Blackwood.

steady aim as they

know, to their
trigger without

that one at 1
onslaught.
the foe, brine