appear; at one time, by the penetration of their radicles; at others, by modes we cannot detect, but which seem to loosen the fibrous adherence, or muscle of the substance, destroying all cohesion of the parts: the effectual manner in which these apparently feeble agents accomplish their destination is perfectly wonderful! What can look more harmless than the fine cotton of byssus septica, or some species of mucor? what more beautiful than stemonitis nuda, or auricularia cærulea? yet what rapid destruction ensues from their agency! and thousands more unknown Shooting and hunting are favourite diversions in this month. The lawless poacher is now on the alert, and spreads his nets and lays his snares for game-and not unfrequently commences a career of guilt, which terminates in an ignominious end. The following description of the poacher's miserable hovel, and the implements of his trade, is from the pen of SIR WALTER SCOTT: Seek wè yon glades, where the proud oak o'ertops Leaving between deserted isles of land, Where stunted heath is patched with ruddy sand; In earthly mire philosophy may `slip. Step slow and wary o'er that swampy stream, No hearth the fire, no vent the smoke receives, For, if such hut, our forest statutes say, Rise in the progress of one night and day, (Though placed where still the Conqueror's hests o'erawe, The builder claims the unenviable boon, October is the great month for brewing beer, whence the name applied to very stong beer of OLD OCTOBER. In this month also is the great potatoe harvest. The corn harvest being over, the stonepickers go out again. The sowing of wheat is generally completed in this month when the weather is too wet for this occupation, the farmer ploughs up the stubble fields for winter fallows. Acorns are sown at this season, and the planting of forest and fruit trees takes place. The vintage or harvest of grapes, almost as im 1 Such is the law in the New Forest, Hampshire, tending greatly to increase the various settlements of thieves, smugglers, and deer-stealers who infest it. In the forest courts the presiding judge wears as a badge. of office an antique stirrup, said to have been that of William Rufus, See Mr. William Rose's spirited poem, entitled "The Red King.’ A cant name for smuggled spirits. 3 Sir Walter Scott's Bridal of Triermain and other Poems, p. 163. portant to foreigners as the corn harvest is to us, takes place in October, and the vineyards of France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, &c. &c. now resound with the cheerful songs of the peasantry, at the conclusion of their labours. In many parts of France, particularly in Champagne, the men and women, each with a basket on their arm, assemble at the foot of the hill; there stopping, they arrange themselves in a circle. The chief of this band tunes up a joyous song, whose burthen is chorused: then they ascend, and, dispersed in the vineyard, they work without interrupting their tasks, while new couplets often resound from some of the vine-dressers, sometimes intermixed with a sudden jest at a traveller. In the evening, their supper scarcely over, their joy recommences; they dance in a circle, and sing some of those songs of free gaiety, which the moment excuses, known by the name of vineyard songs. The gaiety becomes general; masters, guests, friends, servants, all dance together; and in this manner a day of labour terminates, which one might mistake for a day of diversion. Turn we a moment fancy's rapid flight To vigorous soils, and climes of fair extent; THOMSON. The claret smooth, red as the lip we press In sparkling fancy, while we drain the bowl; The mellow-tasted burgundy; and quick, As is the wit it gives, the gay champagne. The 'festival of the vine-dressers,' celebrated once in five years, is thus described as it took place at Vevay, in Swisserland, on the 24th and 25th of August 1819. The concourse of spectators was extraordinary. It consisted of a kind of scenic representation, analogous to the occupation of those who offered it; a motley mixture of Bible personages, with the deities of antient mythology. Noah, for instance, was associated with Bacchus, and each had his squad of attendant Bacchantes: Ceres and Pallas also found their places, and figured in cars worthy of such goddesses, amidst a joyous crowd of vine-dressers crowned with festoons of vine-leaves and bunches of grapes, in the characters of dancing satyrs and exhilarated fauns. The dresses were rich, diversified, picturesque, and characteristic; the various actions were executed with gaiety and grace, at least, equal to their precision; and those who were not too well read in the classics might easily fancy themselves transported a couple of thousand of years backwards into the days of antiquity, when the deities really did appear on Mount Olympus, and when the shepherds of Arcadia were really those charming and simple and joyous swains, of whom we read so much, but know, alas! so little. 6 As the month of October is usually spent by the sea-side, we will complete our series of marine views with a Picture of the Ocean' by Barry Cornwall;— perhaps the most beautiful passage yet written by that author, and worthy of the highest name in the records of poetry: O thon vast OCEAN! ever sounding Sea! Z Thou thing that windest round the solid world The earth hath nought of this; no chance nor change Give answer to the tempest-waken air; Thy broad green forehead. If thy waves be driven On thee no record ever lived again To meet the hand that writ it: line nor lead |
