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And

And your knee's in your mouth,
your head is poked down on your breast,
And it's prest,

I protest, almost into your chest!

They have pull'd off your arms and your legs,
Bloudie Jacke!

As the naughty boys serve the blue flies;
And they 've torn from their sockets,
And put in their pockets

Your fingers and thumbs for a prize!

And your eyes

A Doctor has bottled-from Guy's.‡

Jehan de Ketche acted as Provost Marshal to the army of William the Conqueror, and received from that monarch a grant of the dignity of Hereditary Grand Functionary of England, together with a "croft or parcel of land," known by the name of the Olde Bailie, co. Middx. to be held by him, and the heirs general of his body, in Grand Serjeantry, by the yearly presentation of "ane hempen cravatte." After remaining for several generations in the same name, the office passed, by marriage of the heiress, into the ancient family of the Kirbys, and thence again to that of Callcraft, (1st Eliz. 1558.) — Abhorson Callcraft, Esq. of Saffron Hill, co. Middx. the present representative of the Ketches, exercised his "function" on a very recent occasion, and claimed, and was allowed the fee of 13 d. under the ancient grant as Hangman's Mages.

ARMS.-1st and 4th, Quarterly, Argent and Sable; in the first quarter a Gibbet of the second, noosed proper, Callcraft. 2nd, Sable, three Night-caps Argent, tufted Gules, 2 and 1, Ketche. 3rd, Or, a Nosegay fleurant, Kirby.

SUPPORTERS.-Dexter: A Sheriff in his pride, robed Gules, chained and collared Or. Sinister: An Ordinary displayed proper, wigged and banded Argent, nosed Gules.

MOTTO.-SIC ITUR AD ASTRA!

+ The American Justinian, Compiler of the "Yankee Pandects."

A similar appropriation is said to have been made, by an eminent practitioner, of those of the late Monsieur Courvoisier.

Your trunk, thus dismember'd and torn,
Bloudie Jacke!

They hew, and they hack, and they chop;
And, to finish the whole,

They stick up a pole

In the place that's still called the "Wylde Coppe," And they pop

Your grim gory head on the top!

They have buried the fingers and toes,

Bloudie Jacke!

Of the victims so lately your prey.
From those fingers and eight toes
Sprang early potatoes,

"Ladyes'-Fyngers" they 're called to this day;

-So they say,

And you usually dig them in May.

What became of the dear little Girl?

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Bloudie Jacke!

That young Ladies should draw from my pen,-
It is "Don't take these flights

With

Upon moon-shiny nights,

gay, harum-scarum young men,

Down a glen!

You really can't trust one in ten !"

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181

GASPARD DE BESSE.

BY MISS LOUISA STUART COSTELLO.

ABOUT the commencement of the eighteenth century there existed in Provence one of those remarkable characters who from time to time appear in a country, amaze and affright its inhabitants by their actions, become its hero, and leave behind them a name illustrious in popular tradition. Such was Robin Hood in England; Fra Diavolo in Italy; Rob Roy in Scotland; José in Andalusia; and, not less renowned in Provence was Gaspard de Besse. The sandy shores of the Durance, and the verdant mountains of the Var, were alike the scenes of his exploits: sometimes he was spoken of as engaged in daring adventures in the environs of Aix, and in the Venaissin: the possessions of the Holy Father were placed under contribution by him, as well as those under the jurisdiction of the Duke de Villars, then governor of Provence. He contrived to elude all pursuit; to escape all ambuscades; and, while he was sought in the deep gorges of Ollioules he was deep in his depredations in the woods of Esterel.

He is said to have carried his audacity so far as to venture even into the lion's mouth; and has been known to sign with his own hand descriptions of his person, which the local authorities had caused to be placarded on the inn-doors, and other places of public resort.

There was no want of superstitious dread attached to his name, -which circumstance, doubtless, was mainly instrumental in assisting his views; that he bore a charmed life, and, also, that he was capable of rendering himself invisible, were facts uncontested by most of the country people, to whom his deeds were familiar.

Often as the peasant's family crowded round the hearth at night wondrous tales were circulated of the famous robber, accompanied with all the exaggeration which fear suggested. Nevertheless there mingled with the awe he inspired but little detestation: it was true that he attacked and despoiled castles; but then the cottage was safe from his ravages; and, though he exacted heavy payments from the carriages of rich travellers passing through his territories, he permitted the humble cart or waggon of the poor farmer to pass unmolested. Gaspard de Besse was never known to shed blood, except in self-defence: no assassination had ever been charged against him; and frequently he abandoned an enterprise rather than become conqueror at the expense of human life.

The ladies of the higher classes of Aix were very far from looking upon this bold marauder with eyes of dislike or severity: not a few amongst them were content to pardon his thefts in consideration of his elegant manners, for

"He would talk-ye Gods! how he would talk!

Ask with such softness, steal with such a grace,
That 't was a pleasure to be robb'd by him! "

He never failed in the most gallant and complimentary manner to restore or leave some jewel when he took possession of a casket; and he pleaded with so much considerate forbearance that those fair

creatures whom his sudden appearance might have alarmed, would not oblige him to use force to open the cabinets, in which their treasures were concealed, that they never failed to present him with the keys.

When it is further added that he had the largest, softest, and most expressive blue eyes in the world, hair waving in the richest ringlets, and the whitest hands that ever were seen, the indulgence shown towards him will not appear so extraordinary. One lady, remarkable for her beauty, related an anecdote of Gaspard, which was frequently repeated: "He seemed," she said, "infinitely more gratified in having an opportunity of kissing her beautiful hand than in taking the valuable rings from her fingers ;" and, on her entreating him to permit her to keep a favourite one, he had exclaimed, Keep it, by all means-another recollection will be attached to the jewel in future!'

It was the middle of the month of July when Madame de Servaine was on her way to a château which she possessed near the banks of the Durance. At that time of the year in Provence the heat is so violent, that, except in cases of absolute necessity, no one thinks of following the great roads during the day. Madame de Servaine had, consequently, quitted Aix in the evening, and night surprised her carriage on the narrow and secluded cross-road which led to the small village of Sainte Marie de Réparade. Aware that she could not arrive at her destination by daylight, and having some fears on account of the current reports respecting Gaspard de Besse, who was suspected to be hovering with his band in the vicinity of Aix, the Marquise had ordered her people to take every precaution. The four horses were urged forward with all the speed that the rugged road permitted by postilions armed with pistols, and the two accompanying domestics kept their place on the box, each similarly provided in case of need. Their beautiful mistress, meantime, was languidly reposing within, nearly lulled to sleep by the monotonous sound of the wheels, and the soft and perfumed air which breathed upon her; while at a distance she already hailed the bright waters of the Durance dancing in the rays of the moon. Roused by this welcome sight, she looked forth, and began to trace the windings of the sparkling river, when a woody eminence suddenly concealed it from her, and at the same moment her carriage stopped abruptly, and she found herself surrounded by a band of brigands, armed to the teeth, and presenting a most formidable aspect. It was easy to judge that resistance was useless; her servants, therefore, on seeing several carbines presented at their heads, came to the conclusion that submission was the best policy. The terrified beauty, trembling with agitation, lost no time in taking off her bracelets, rings, and other ornaments, and drawing her veil over her face, she extended her hand, filled with trinkets, to the intruders.

At this instant several pistol-shots were heard; and with the rapidity of lightning two mounted cavaliers rushed amongst the band of robbers, and began a furious attack with their sabres. Madame de Servaine uttered a cry of joy, not unmingled with alarm, and threw herself back in her carriage, covering her head with the cushions. How long she remained in this position she could not tell, but was restored to her senses by a soft voice close to her ear, which in the most re-assuring accents entreated her to dismiss all

fear, for that the band of Gaspard de Besse was dispersed, and she could pursue her way in safety.

Summoning courage, she ventured to look round her, and became aware that the broad moonlight fell only on the forms of the two friendly cavaliers, who were stationed at her carriage door, their hats in their hands, and each in an attitude of the greatest respect. Madame de Serviane then learned that one of the gentlemen was Monsieur de Prieuré, a person of condition of Avignon, who, accompanied by his servant, was on his way to a small country-house, which he had lately bought, not far from Sainte Marie de Réparade. Monsieur de Prieuré escorted the beautiful Marquise to the gates of her château of Arnajon, and did not leave her till he had obtained permission to wait on her the following day.

When the morrow arrived, the Marquise, still agitated and nervous from her recent terror, but lovely in her paleness, received with every mark of grateful acknowledgment the generous man who had thrown himself into so much danger on her account, and had rendered her so important a service. She now observed that Monsieur de Prieuré, added to a remarkably handsome exterior infinite grace and refinement of manners, much elegance of discourse, and an air of good breeding, which at once told his position in society. There was a peculiar dignity, amounting almost to pride, in his demeanour, and a scar on his forehead, the faint line of which was lost amidst the profusion of his hair, proved that his courage had been put to more than one proof.

An acquaintance began under such romantic circumstances was likely to become intimate. Monsieur de Prieuré's country-house was but at a short distance from that of Madame de Servaine; at least, two leagues to a cavalier accustomed to hunting, was but an insignificant ride: his presence, therefore, at the château was continual; no day passed without his visit; and the fair Marquise would have felt extremely disappointed if his usual hour had arrived without bringing her new and agreeable companion, whose anecdotes of the gay world, and of the best society of Aix, amused her infinitely. But, though it was evident he spoke of that which was familiar to him, he acknowledged that, in his present mood, society was distasteful to him, and that it was with the purpose of avoiding it that he had retired to that neighbourhood to bury himself in woods, and roam undisturbed amongst the scenes of nature. Whenever, therefore, any of her friends happened to arrive, Monsieur de Prieuré invariably took his leave, with entreaties for her excuse of his misanthropy.

Meantime the adventure had made a great noise in the district, and it was whispered that the pretty widow was far from insensible to the good qualities of her deliverer. What gave some colour to this rumour was, that, instead of a sojourn of a few days, according to her original intention, Madame de Servaine had allowed several weeks to elapse without announcing her purpose to return to Aix. Monsieur de Prieuré appeared equally contented in his sylvan retreat; they met daily, and all day long; both were young, both attractive, and both free to choose; what, therefore, could be more likely than that a marriage should complete the romance.

It so happened that a party of friends, who no doubt were not without a certain degree of curiosity on the subject, arrived sud

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