We quote these few illustrations of Cowley's character from Mr. Felton's very interesting volume "on the Portraits of English Authors on Gardening."--By the way, at page 100, in a Note, Mr. Felton makes a flattering reference to one of our earliest works, which we are happy to learn has not escaped his observation. * * * * * SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. * * * * * ORIGIN OF PAUL "PRY." (By the Author.) The idea of the character of Paul Pry was suggested by the following anecdote, related to me several years ago, by a beloved friend:--An idle old lady, living in a narrow street, had passed so much of her time in watching the affairs of her neighbours, that she, at length, acquired the power of distinguishing the sound of every knocker within hearing. It happened that she fell ill, and was, for several days, confined to her bed. Unable to observe in person what was going on without, she stationed her maid at the window, as a substitute for the performance of that duty. But Betty soon grew weary of the occupation: she became careless in her reports--impatient and tetchy when reprimanded for her negligence. "Betty, what _are_ you thinking about? don't you hear a double knock at No. 9? Who is it?" "The first-floor lodger, Ma'am." "Betty! Betty!--I declare I must give you warning. Why don't you tell me what that knock is at No. 54!" "Why, Lord! Ma'am, it is only the baker, with pies." "_Pies_, Betty! what _can_ they want with pies at 54?--they had pies yesterday!" Of this very point I have availed myself. Let me add that Paul Pry was never intended as the _representative of any one individual_, but a class. Like the melancholy of Jaques, he is "compounded of many _Simples_;" and I _could_ mention five or six who were unconscious contributors to the character.--That it should have been so often, though erroneously, supposed to have been drawn after some particular person, is, perhaps, complimentary to the general truth of the delineation. With respect to the play, generally, I may say that it is original: it is original in structure, plot, character, and dialogue--such as they are. The only imitation I am aware of is to be found in part of the business in which Mrs. Subtle is engaged: whilst writing those scenes I had strongly in my recollection _Le Vieux Celibataire_. But even the little I have adopted is considerably altered and modified by the necessity of adapting it to the exigencies of a different plot.--_New Monthly Magazine_. * * * * * MAUREEN. The cottage is here as of old I remember, The pathway is worn as it always hath been; On the turf-piled hearth there still lives a bright ember;-- But where is Maureen? The same pleasant prospect still lieth before me, The river--the mountain--the valley of green, And Heaven itself (a bright blessing!) is o'er me;-- But where is Maureen?