After leaving Dover, the scene changes very materially in its appearance; the regimental cottages have vanished, and in their places are found strong brick towers, placed at short distances from each other, containing each a little garrison, over which a lieutenant presides; from the abundance of these towers, and their proximity to each other, the men are numerously scattered over the bleak sands, and living more together, are a social set of creatures, compared with those westward of Dover. The towers very much resemble the Peel Houses which, "lang syne," bristled on the Scottish border, and like them, are built to watch and annoy an enemy from; they are about twenty feet in height, of a circular form, and have a concealed gallery at top with loopholes, for observation. The preventive men have a costume peculiar to them: white trousers, bluejacket, and white hat; a pair of pistols, a cutlass, and a sort of carbine. A well painted picture of them, when surrounding their little castles, a fresh breeze stirring the sea into a rage, and a horizontal sun gilding their rugged features, would fairly rival Salvator Rosa's brigands in the Abruzzi Mountains. S.S. * * * * * ONCE ANCIENT.--A FACT. (_For the Mirror_.) A Norwich mayor, who an uncommon thing (Because 'twas generous) had done, was sent With a petition to his gracious King,[9] And reach'd St. James's wondrously content. His Majesty found him quite eloquent, Fond of a dinner, fonder of a joke But, needing matter For converse with his stranger worship, spoke Of Norfolk hospitality, and geese; Of turkeys, game, and fowls, that take a lease Yearly to smoke on many a cockney platter, Forgetting not, to please the honest _gent:_ Mention of gravy, sausage, dumpling, batter; Till, the good man, quite in his element 'Gan prating glibly of the Norwich folk And what fine things were doing in their city, "An ancient place it is, sir!" said the prince, "As its old churches, castle, gates, evince!" "Gates!" please your highness, "there my heart is broke, They 'as, and more's the pity, Just pull'd the old gates down! (I may Get i' the wrong box too, for blabbin') Narwich an arncient city, did you say? An' please your Majesty, not now; 't ha' been!" [Footnote 9: George III.--This incident actually occurred.] M. L. B. * * * * * PORTRAIT OF FAIR ROSAMOND.