rushing on board with nearly the same
eagerness that the rival passengers had
shown to get away from the ship, while
luggage is tumbled out hastily, crashed
down with all speed, for the mails are
coming in a few moments, and that train must
be out of the way. Now the bell begins to
clang out, and a fresh screaming is heard,
and a miniature train of one carriage and
two vans comes gliding up. The captain and
officers appear on deck, the sailors stand by
the ropes. The mail guards let themselves
out of the cupboards where they have been
strangely shut up with their bags and a
lantern. A huge American mail has come,
and the vast number of sacks would load
a small schooner. All the sailors go vigorously
to work, and hurry on board, bending
under their sacks like nautical millers'
men. At last they are checked off; the
bell rings for the last time, and away
steams the great ship slowly and grandly.

As we turn away from this spectacle,
sounds of music float from the far-distant
end of the pier, which, even through the
darkness, is all blackened as with flies.
Hither every one repairs for an evening
promenade, with the moon shining overhead,
or a sort of grey twilight: the fresh
ocean breeze tempered down into balmy
zephyrs, cooling and inspiriting. Backward
and forward pass and repass the Rextown
belles, chattering, laughing, flirting: the
exercise and air is good for their glowing
cheeks and violet eyes. Peculiar cadences,
that amuse and interest the stranger,
proceed from their lips; that Doric
expostulation or entreaty, " Ah, sure! now you
don't mean that?" " Ah, for shame, now!"
"Oh! I'd give my eyes to go to the
castle!" All this while there is a ring
of lights on the ground, like a circle of
illuminated Druidical stones, and in this
charmed circle a large band discourses
excellent music. On the water cluster boats,
languidly paddling, lounging, as it were,
while their occupants rest on their oars to
listen. Charming nights these, Italian
almost, that send the visitor home in a
dreamy state to the prettiest and balmiest
of chambers.

We have also the Rextown regatta,
when yachts from every port in the kingdom
come flocking in like sea-birds; when
the two clubs throw open their doors, and
crowd their roofs with the fair. Below on
the terraces the bands play, and in the
boat-houses are given balls and suppers.
In Rextown we should be unfaithful to
the immortal philosophy of Little Pedlington,
which, indeed, obtains all the world
over, if we had not some " drawing of the
line;" and, as a matter of course, one of
our club-houses is "the genteel thing,"
the other " very decent, respectable, and
all that, you know," but still hardly the
thing. The first does not even see the
other, and, calm in assured superiority,
makes no effort to hold its position: the
other trembles while it is compelled to
adore. We have, of course, the Rextown
Moderator (Liberal), and the Rextown
Conservative, who trade on these differences.
Both are occasionally hard pressed
for news, as the following extracts will testify:

ALARMING ACCIDENT.

On yesterday evening a horse and van,
belonging to Mr. Derby, the well-known
victualler of our township, took fright, and
proceeded at a rapid pace down the main
street. As that thoroughfare was thronged,
it being the busiest season of the day, it
was a merciful interposition that some
frightful catastrophe did not take place.
As it was, young Master Murphv, son of
J. Murphy, Esq., M.D., F.R.C.S.l., the
distinguished physician, at present sojourning
at Berinda-terrace, slipped, and for a
moment, was in great peril.But sub-constable
Houlahan,with great presence of mind,
rushed forward and succeeded in
arresting the further progress of the
infuriated animal. Acts such as these
require no comment.

THE MAIL SERVICE.

The Glorious Erin, Captain Codd, and the
Malachy, Captain Roe, are detailed for
the fortnight's duty, the former taking the
morning, the latter the evening service.
It is rumoured that the sister vessel will
be entirely repainted at this port, which
will give employment to a large number
of hands. This is a step in the right
direction.

GRACEFUL ACT OF FEELING.

It being known that J. Thompson
M'Curdy, Esq., agent to the Right
Honourable Earl of Mountstucco, the lord of the
soil, had returned from England with his
youthful bride, it was resolved to present the
happy pair with an address of congratulation.
The deputation bearing the address,
exquisitely emblazoned by Miss Malone,
was received at a sumptuous lunch, when
the following toasts were given and