Squatter sovereign., 1855-10-09
Origin of La somnamhnla.


Origin Of La Somnambula.
1t is curious to remark how drama may
travel unappropriated over the world, be-
fore it ultimately assumes the form of a
play. The plot of La Somnansbula affords
remarkable proof of this. The occur.
renee upon which it is founded took place
early in the present century in Scotland,
and was related many years ago, during
a promiscuous after-dinner conversation,
by the Ettricls Shepherd.
"The lassie," said Mr.. Hogg, "whose
nocturnal propensity to ramble had brought
her into so serious scrape. was the daugh-
ter of Scotch baillie, who carried on a
considerable traffic with mercantile house
in the west of England, through the medi-
um of travelling clerk, with whom he
was periodically accustomed to settle his
accounts. The day Of reckoning came, and
with it the bagman, and the settlement
was so satisfactory to the baillie that he
insisted on the bagman's staying all night,
as the weather threatened. To accommo-
date the guest, the young daughter, a girl
of eighteen. was sent to sleep in small
chamber which was seldom occupied, and
her room was given to the young clerk
Some time after the family had retired to
rest, he was sitting in a loose wrapper.
again inspecting his accounts and assuring
himself of their correctness, when the bed
room door was epcaed and the girl walked
in; and, going up to the table at which he
was seated, put her candlestick down.
placed the extinguisher upon the light. and
got into bed The astonishment Of the
bagman was only quelled by observing
that the fair intruder was fast asleep, and
with sense of honor and of gentlemanly
feeling which reflected the highest credit
upon him, he instantly retired, made his
way into the parlor, where he slept on a
settee till the morning, leaving his cham
ber in the occupation of his hosts daughter.
Fortunately the first person he saw in the
morning was the baillie himself, and he
explained the cause of his appearance by
relating the facts; at the same time. from
a sense of delicacy towards the young wo-
man, he desired to be allowed to depart
without recalling to her mind by his pres
ence the awkward situation in which she
had been placed. The baillie would not
suffer it; and not only insisted on his re-
manning for breakfast, but that Jeanie
should make her appearance also. Jeanie,
on waking in the morning. soon found
where she was, and very few words set
her right as to the dilemma she was placed
She was fine, wholesome-minded Young
woman; and although she felt acutely the
difficulty of her situation, she made no op-
position to her fathers wish that she should
come down to breakfast. The moment
she entered she room she walked up to the
young traveller, who was as much confused
as herself; she put her hand with ingeni-
Gus frankness into his, and said, ou
must come again soon and fetch me home,
for now I'll marry none bat you." The
clerk looked first at the blushing girl and
then at the baillie, who, though taken by
surprise, played his part in this little drama
with true poetic justice, for the marriage
took place within fortnight of that day."
nE "Ned, who is. that girl l saw you
walking with 2''
"Miss Hogg." ESQ 2
"Hogg, Hogg-well, she's to be pitied
for having such a name" ed
$50 think - rejoined Ned. 81 pitied
her so much that offered her mine. and
she is going to take it presently
~ ssWeu. AIick. hovv's yor brother