Southern shield., 1852-05-22

HE TARTAR CAUGHT.-When, in the thirteenth century, the TartarS, led by their \ chief, Batu Khan, invaded Hungary, and King Bella was forced to flee from the dis aStrous battle at the Sajo, despair seized up- on ibe Hungarians. Many had fallen on the fled, still more were butchered by the taithless enemy; some sought escape, others apathetically awaited their fate. Amongst 1 these was nobleman, who lived retired on his property, distant from every high-road, He possessed fine herds, stately horses, rich corn fields, and weIl-stocked house, built bot recently, for the reception of his wife,, who now for two years had been it's mis- tress.
 The Gisheartening account of the general misfortune reached his secluded shelter, and it's peaceful lord has mortified. He trem- bled at every sound-at every step; he found his meals less savoury. His sleep was troub- led; ne oftened sighed, and seemed quite lost and wretched.
 Thus anxiousI y anticipating the days to come, he sat at his well-cIosed window. when suddenly Tartar on his steed, gal loPed into the court The Hungarian bounced from his seat, ran to meet his guest. and said:
 "Tartar, thou art my lord; am thy ser. want; all thou seest is thine. Take what thou iancest; do not oppose thy power; command, thy servant obeys"
 The Tartar impa tientIy sprang from his ! horse, entered the house, and cast careless glance on all the precious objects around. His eye was fascinated by the brilliant beau- ty ot the lady of the house, who appeared tastetully attred to greet him here, no less graclouoy than her consort had in the court below
 The Tartar seized her without a mo- ment's hesitation, and, unmindfuI of her shrieks, swung himself upon his saddle and spurred away, carrying off his lovely booty.
 All this was but an nStants work, the nobeman was thnnderstruck, yet he recov- cred and hastened to the gate. He could hardly still distinguished the Tartar gallop- ing in the distance, and bearing away the lady fair.
 Her consort heaved sigh, and exclaim- ed, with deep commiseration, "Alas poor Tartar P
 
 THE JOHN SMoNDs.-Tne following brief description of this new steamer is from Pittsburgh paper, where she was built The | Smonds is now at St. Louis where she has gone to be fitted out:
 Length on deck 320 feet, beam 40 feet; hold 9 feet. The tmbers are II inches square, 1 inches apart. The blanks are , inches thick, being the heaviest hull ever built on the Western waters. The number of bolts in the hull is I3,O0O no o,,Iip Io.c ,ra ;,cboc i, T with 10 feet stroke. There are 6 boilers, 42 inches in diameter and B feet in length.- The wheels are 40 feet in diameter, with fl feet buckets.
 There are two cabins, one above the other, thus making the boat a'three decker.' The first cabin forward is for the officers, the centre deck passengers, and the after cabin fora nursery connected by stairway with the ladies' cabin.
 The main cabin above is IS feet wide and 300 feet long. The interior decorations, ornaments, &c., are in the pure gothic style.
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 FRAGMENT OF A WRECK.-From Barba- does we have accounts, taken from the Gre. nada Chronicle, that on the 4th ult ships figurehead of unusual dimensions was cast ashore on the windward part of the island. It had originally been fully eight feet high, and is that of Senator in the act of speak ing; he is partially bald, and holds scroll in his right hand, the left grasping scarf, which is partially thrown over him. It is cut of white pine, and gilt, and the papers conjecture that it may be remnant of the ill-fated steamer President, though what grounds they have for such a suppoStion we do not learn.
 IT ? NJ. KosSuth, it is announced, will certainly be in Boston on Tuesday next, when there is to be a great procession, &c. Monday last, (April l9) was the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, which was fought on the 18th of April. l775; more than year before the Declaration of Indcpend- ence. It is day associated with the re- nown of Boston. The Advertiser of that city, noticing the fact that there the day was allowed to pass off without public notice, significantly says:
 "Our Legislature is preparing for cee- bration that they consider more important. While they forgot the battles of Lexington and Concord, they suffered the State House to be hung in robes for the entertainment of M. Kossuth. It would be subject worth laughing at if one might dispute about | tastes"
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 O-7 The following good hit at those who do business on the shadows of their grand fathers, we find in a toast given at the print CTS celebration at Richmond, Va, on the l7lh of January:
 "The First Families of Virginia Like | the stars seen in the ocean, they would not