Year: 1867

to take it and carry it to the village.


There they deposited it by the public
stocks, and chained it, and made it fast
by a paddock to it-ftting companions.
The exhibition, and tie place in which
this horrid engine was found created
most indignant sensation against Sir Rog-
er Rockville, and his keeper. Such were
the disbolical machines that used to be
set in our game preserves half century
ago or more, almost as commonly as the
lesser trap is yet set for less animals now.
Such is the wonderful effect of custom,
and of selfish interests that these dire en-
gines Of demoniac cruelty could be plant
ed ere and there in English woods, and
which might catch and hold in their hid
eous fangs human creatures, and keep them
in inexpressible tortures for perhaps twelve
hours or more all the time the gentlemen
and the ladies on those estates were sleep
ing comfortably on their beds. Such was
the force of these man-traps, that it re-
-quired a man with an iron winch to open
them by mechanism attached for the pur-
pose.


These barbarous machines had now been
made illegal by an act of Parliament, yet
Sir Roger and others continued to use
them, as | know, for l myself had long
after this period a narrow escape, when
botaniziug, of being caught in one in the
woods of Strelly, near Nottingham and
that within few yards of foot road


There was great running from all
parts of the village to see this monument
of the tender mcrcies of Sir Roger Rock
vile, many were inverted blessings show
cred on his head Very soon, however,
the keeper cams in hot haste to reclaim
his trap, and Mr.. Deggc Immediately ap-
pretended him by warrant, and commit
ted him to the House Of Correction and
hard labor for six months" !"


While the social distinctions as they
appear in Great Britain are well develop,
ed in the work, yet, whenever the necess.
ity exists, the author shows him self full.
ly capable of vivid writing. His descrip.
tion of runaway horse is we'll worthy
of reprint


"At this moment Lefty found it rather
hard work to hold her in. She had a
short, dancing. impatient action, and
seemed to long to be off at smart rate.
All at once there was blow on the high
hawthorne hedge on the left hand of the
road, and off went the mare. She took
the bit between her teeth, stretched out
her neck as straight as dart, laid back
her ears and away F! George and Mr.. De-
gee endeavored to spring on before her,
and seize her by the bridal.rein, but this
only set her off more impetuously than
before. In vain Lettic pulled her in with
all her power, and endeavored to pluck
by a sudden jirk, the bit out of her teeth
She held it as fast as if in vice, and
went off spite of her efforts, at furious
rate. George and Mr.. Degee were in the
utmost alarm. Any attempt tc pursue
her only made the frantic animal dash on
more madly. One thing appeared in Let
ty's favor, that was long, ascending,
though not very steep hill, and her friends
trusted that the mare would wind herself
before she got to the top, and so allow
herself to be pulled in. George, without
daring to gallop after her with full speed,
yet kept on at a smart pace, taking the
srassy borders OF the road, so as not to
let the flying animal hear him more than
he could help. Mr.. Degge, who stopped
for a moment to look over the gate into
the field, to see whence the alarm had
come, was now galloping rapidly after.
Lefty kept her seat like a capital horse
woman as she was: and George felt conf
dent that, unless something caused the
mare to start aside or to fall, she would
90 on safely home with her. But there
might be people coming who might at
tempt to stop the mare, and cause her to
swcrve suddenly aside, or she might dash
suddenly against one Of the two turnpike
gates, and kill both herself and rider.
The speed at which she few on was fright.
full. Gods providence could alone pre-.
vent some fatal disaster In one place
there was broken spot in the middle oi
the road, over which she sprang with q
tremendous leap; but Lefty sat secure
ly, and away away! they went like the
wind, the two gentlemen in deathles'
terror following as near as they dare ap
proack e 4ai'a .ai Z. ti'e'l
Anon. the flying maniac steed came tt
steep and considerable descent IL


Lefty keeps her seat there" said or rath
er thought George, ''it will all be we'll.
He gazed with fixed eyes and suspended
breath as hc himself sped along, expect
, inc 10 see his sister lose. In that rapid