of five or six men, with whom the other villains seemed to join company, coming across the moss towards them, should abridge ceremony. He therefore mounted Dumple, _en croup_, and the little spirited nag cantered away with two men of great size and strength, as if they had been children of six years old. The rider, to whom the paths of these wilds seemed intimately known, pushed on at a rapid pace, managing with much dexterity to choose the safest route, in which he was aided by the sagacity of the Galloway, who never failed to take the difficult passes exactly at the particular spot, and in the special manner by which they could be most safely crossed. The scene of this adventure is graphically delineated in the engraving. [Illustration: 032] [Illustration: 033] In his present etching, Mr George Cruikshank is eminently characteristic. Dominie Sampson, as entreated by Mrs Bertram, had undertaken the task of watching little Harry in his rambles. The worthy Dominie was devoted to his charge, and was delighted with his success in having brought him so far in his learning as to spell words of three syllables. He dreaded the idea of the child being seized by gipsies; and though the occupation essentially differed from his former mode of life, he stalked about with young Harry, who, being only of five years, was constantly rambling into awkward situations. Twice was the Dominie pursued by a cross-grained cow, and at another time he plunged into a brook in crossing it at the stepping-stones. At length he fell into the peril depicted by the artist. In seeking to pluck a water-lily for the young laird he fell into the slough of Lochend, in which he was bogged up to the middle. In his plight he exclaimed as usual "Pro-di-gi-ous!" amidst the laughter of the village matrons, one of whom offered her hand to help him out. Another declared that "the laird might as weel trust the care of his bairn to a potato-bogle." THE ANTIQUARY. THE ANTIQUARY appeared in May 1816: it was commenced a little before the close of the previous year. By the author it was regarded as less interesting than its predecessors, but the public showed appreciation by purchasing 6000 copies within six days of its publication. Like the two former novels, it is a representation of various scenes and phases of Scottish Life as contemplated by the author himself. In our first engraving, Mr Oldbuck is on a visit at Elspeth's hut to inquire into mysteries connected with the house of Glenallan, mysteries in which she had been initiated, and crimes to which she had been accessory. He is accompanied by his nephew and Edie Ochiltree, the latter having on one occasion been dispatched by Elspeth with a message to Lord Glenallan. "No, wretched Beldam," exclaimed Oldbuck, who could keep silence no longer, "they drank the poison that you and your wretched mistress prepared for them."