tree.

at the same time, sharing in the fate of the conducting In the creature world, the endowment of a nervous system seems to render its possessors peculiarly susceptible to the influence of atmospheric electric changes, in addition to their common physical qualities: thus a man may be "struck," because he is a conductor in common with inanimate things around, but the fluidity of his blood and the high temperature of his body, necessary for life, probably, render him a better conductor of electricity than mere dead animal matter. Hence the double source of dangers to us when we place ourselves in such circumstances, as that, around us as well as within ourselves, such favourable conducting means are brought into a fearful focus. [For more interesting particulars see Supplement.] Many valuable lives have been sacrificed to the want of knowing these simple facts of such easy recollection. The writer lost an old friend in this regretful way; and if he appear to some tedious on this subject-now, happily, commonly understood, in part at least-yet some one individual reading these pages may be cautioned off, thereby, from possible danger; and the already wellinformed reader would be selfish indeed if he begrudged a moment's patience over a passage which the author begrudged no trouble to indite-seeing that thereby, as before said, some one case may possibly occur where a party may be so exposed, and where no other means of gathering the necessary instructions, for instant adoption, may be within reach. Never, in all the course of his life, would the humble author feel more happy, than if permitted, only for once, to warn off another successfully from danger, by anticipation of the fact, in the compilation of a little manual for the purpose of pointing out to the pedestrian his wisest and best course in general, and in such special, cases; being got up as it is in

the most portable and cheapest manner. Away: then, from the possibly fatal shelter, friends; and prefer to to flee before the storm rather than to harbour in deceptive security! When you have left that tree, the next flash may prostrate both the shelter and the sheltering cattle to the ground-monuments of the scathing fury of the thunder-storm.

With no other ill effects than a good wet jacket, our friends, after some patient putting in practice the motto that "ills which can't be cured must be endured," at last emerge from their unpleasant drenching, having pushed along under as tight a reefing, and making all as snug as they can," as the sailors would term it. Perhaps there may be one mariner in the company, who has hardily just condescended to button his coat, and declares that the shower is nothing compared with a 66 sea breaking over the decks" in the midst of the tossing ocean; and so, by comparing less with greater evils, wins contentment, and practically sets forth wisdom.

Supposing that endurance wins its own reward for our heroes, the witty repartee and laughing pleasantry bear up, by their volley after volley, the spirits of the party, which otherwise would flag under the late discomfiture of pelting wet. The clouds have exhausted their "dread artillery," and the landscape again begins to smile, as the blue mountain ridges stand forth in their variously chiselled outlines; whilst the sun gathers after him his attendant retinue of fleecy clouds, and, as he sinks finally beneath the visible horizon, flings back his parting mantle of glory upon his earthborn, yet aerial servants. Our party, at length, reach the brown woodside, and, tracing its primrose borders, regale themselves with the fragrance of its flowery people, as it rises upward on the evening exhalations, and is quickened with the humid atmosphere around. The "beaming moon"

lights up the calm heaven as she ascends her nightly track, and the humble cot, on the skirt of the wood, sends upward its "gracefully curled" wreath of smoke from its low chimney top, to telegraph to our soaked travellers the welcome hospitalities which may await them within its walls.

65. Our slippers, a hasty change of all wet garments, a cheerful fire quickly kindled by eager hands, and a cup of tea as quickly prepared, all form a series of shifting scenes in our little drama of the "rural," such as all lovers of the "natural" must remember often to have seen enacted in the course of their devotional pilgrimage to the shrine of the "picturesque." If the said tea-drinking be close upon the "hours" of rest, and if the article be brewed, as frequently is the case on such occasions, into "veritable stingo"-travellers thinking they cannot have too much of a good thingthen it probably will be found to interfere with the crown of the pedestrian's labours, "balmy sleep."

66

It is not unlikely, however, that after tea an hour may be devoted to the honour of the crackling hearth, during which the scenes of the day's changeful experience may be recounted over with sundry emendations and humorous colourings; and, whilst discussing in divers tones the varied themes of general and absorbing interest, the plans for the following day must be allowed to go into committee of the whole house." Whilst some, perhaps, from a notion of warding off any chances of rheumatic twinges from the late drenching, as well as conceiving that, whilst following a comparatively Indian hunting life, the pipe of peace is requisite, somehow or other, to constitute a Council of Deliberative Proceedings, in all its unblemished integrity of forms, will dare again to light the fascinating weed of India's growth. Our friends have much endured, perhaps much