exhausted, owing to the late excitement they had undergone. When they awoke they were not much refreshed, for their sleep was feverish, and disturbed by unpleasant dreams. About nine o'clock in the morning, a soldier entered the apartment where they were confined, and desired them to prepare to accompany him to the court, and then retired. He returned in about half an hour afterwards, and, after having secured the prisoners hands behind them, and tied them both together, he led them forward into the street. There they soon recog nized Mr. Bridge, and Miss Tarvey. The former enquired where they were now being led, to which his wife gave him to understand they were to be examined before the court. Mr. Bridge and Miss Tarvey determined to accompany them, the first from the deep concern he felt for the situation of his wife and child, and the latter to give her evidence, if the court would hear it, concerning the gross aggravations the prisoners had experienced at the hands of Captain Deywood. Colonel Kirk was the man who was to be their judge; and when Mrs. Bridge saw him on the bench, she trembled from head to foot, the blood rushed to her heart, and her face turned ashy pale. The first persons who were examined were Robin,and his companion, Mr. Heines, and, doubtless, in parts of their narration they made slight exaggerations, although we have no chronicle, or memorandum, in support of such an assertion. The time was now arrived for Mrs. Bridge to make her defence, and her courage failed her for a moment, and her frame shook; she looked upon her child who stood by her side with tearless eyes, it is true, for she had wept until their fountains were exhausted, but her mind was nerved at the sight, and she addressed the court in an appeal which would have probed the feelings of any man, though he were as hardened as Timour or Zelucco. It did soften the hearts of all; even that of the presiding Colonel beat quicker in his breast. Thus was the court prepared to hear the address of little Mary. She acknowledged having committed the deed, but then it was in defence of her mother. The innocence, the artlessness of manner in which the child spoke, and more, the simple and plain unequivocating truth, which unadorned is the more impressive, bore away the palm of victory. Cries of approbation rent the air when the multitude assembled without, heard the judgment of the Colonel, in favour of the prisoners, and when they had ceased, Kirk ordered that the sword with which the deed had been committed, should be presented to Mary Bridge, her name be engraved upon it, and descend as a heirloom in her family, in honour of the courage she had exhibited, in justly punishing an individual who had disgraced his name as a soldier, and as a man. The Bridges received the congratulations of their friends, and hurried away from the court, and were no sooner arrived at their own house, than Mr. Bridge gave orders that a plentiful entertainment should be prepared by the morrow, for all comers. Never, perhaps, were human breasts filled with greater happiness, than those of the family of the Bridges, when they retired to rest on that night. "No "Lor, I can't think how he can write such a lot of trash, it must be very dull for I'm almost asleep," such were the words used by Mr. Eastman, on his wife's concluding the "Legende of the Sworde." "I think it's rather pretty, dear." doubt of that at all, my love," returned Mr. Eastman; "but, it's very late Laura," he continued, looking at his watch; 66 quite time to go to bed," and he rose from his chair, took a bed candlestick from the sideboard, lighted the candle, and retired without uttering another word." Before he had been gone five minutes, the housemaid and cook who was one and the same person, and called Charlotte, made her appearance at the door, pale and trembling with affright, and acquainted her mistress with the startling intelligence that there was "a man" in the kitchen, and in verification of the statement she appealed to the nurserymaid who stood a prey to terror and dismay, outside the door, and in support of the fact already deposed, she said, "Oh dear, yes, missus, 'tis as Charlotte says." "Is Mr. Abram in the house?" enquired Mrs. Eastman. "No ma'am, he aint; and I don't think 'tis likely he'll be here this time of night," returned Charlotte. "Hadn't I better call master, ma'am?" Mrs. Eastman considered for a few moments what course it would be the best to adopt, and then desired Charlotte to basten upstairs, and call Myron and Manchap. said "Mr. Myron - Mr. Manchap!" Charlotte, but not loud enough to awaken a sound sleeper, and putting her head into their room, for her mistress had inculcated a most praiseworthy notion into her mind, respecting the first and chief care of a female, viz., that of being ever watchful against the invidious arch-monster man. Myron was not yet asleep, for he was thinking of his lost packet, and on hearing himself called by name, he sprang up in his bed, which movement caused the chaste-hearted Charlotte to turn away her face, and after casting one little glance on Manchap, to see if he were stirring, withdrew her head entirely from a position so contaminating and dangerous to a modest female. "Well, what is it, Charlotte?" asked Myron. "Oh sir!" she returned, "there's a man in the kitchen, and Missus told me to ask you, and Mr. Manchap, to come down, and see what had better be done." "You are sure there is somebody there?" "Yes sir, he's under the new deal table, for I found out there was somebody there, by his knocking his head against the bottom of it." Myron now awoke Manchap, doubtless from an unpleasant dream, for just before, two or three long quivering sighs had escaped him. "What's the row?" enquired the disturbed dreamer: "Aye! what is it?" "Stir yourself, Manchap," returned Myron, "Mrs. Eastman has sent Charlotte to desire us to get up, as there is a man concealed in the kitchen." "A man! and what's become of Eastman, himself?" asked Manchap, rubbing his eyes. Charlotte, who was loitering outside the door, hearing the enquiry after her master, said, "that her mistress had desired her to say, that as Mr. Eastman was already gone to bed, she did not wish to disturb him, until she was well assured that his interference was actually required; for if it should after all prove only a false alarm, he would be very angry with her for being called up" and begging them to make haste, Charlotte crept silently away down to her mistress. Myron and Manchap were dressed in a few minutes, and as silently as possible they descended the stairs to the drawing room, where they found Mrs. Eastman, and the two servant girls, anxiously awaiting their arrival. Two glasses of brandy and water were on the table, which Mrs. Eastman desired them to drink off. Manchap then armed himself with a poker, and Myron with a stout walking stick, and preceding the three females, who with trembling steps and pale countenances followed, carrying lighted candles, they proceeded down stairs. They reached the kitchen door, where they halted, as by simultaneous consent, to reconnoitre the interior of the apartment. The apprentices bent low to allow Mrs. Eastman and the servants to hold forward the candles over their heads, that the light might thereby be thrown to the more distant parts of the kitchen. All was still, save at intervals, the chirp of a cricket, and the quick run of a mouse, at which sounds, in the dead silence of the night, the females started and trembled with alarm. Mrs. Eastman was the first to speak, she addressed a whispering enquiry into Myron's ear, "Don't you think we had better call down Mr. Eastman, for if a man should be hid in any corner, his chance of escape would be less." "I think it would be advisable," was Myron's reply. Mrs. Eastman then directed the nursemaid to go upstairs, and desire her master to hasten down as quickly as possible, and to bring Mr. Abram's sword with him, Myron gave Manchap a pinch on the leg, which caused him to start; and through a sympathy of feeling, it became communicated to Mrs. Eastman and Charlotte, causing them to spring back with considerable agility, and exclaim, "Oh !" with truly dramatic effect. Several words were exchanged between the apprentices, in the lowest possible whisper, and this subdued conversation was only interrupted by the return of the nursemaid, who informed her mistress that Mr. Eastman was very cross at being disturbed, and had threatened if she did not leave him instantly, to discharge her the next morning. During the past few minutes Mrs. Eastman's fears had considerably increased, and instantly on the nursemaid's communicating her message, she herself hastened away to pump up the latent courage in her husband. Those who remained preserved a strict silence during her absence, which was nearly ten minutes. Her re-appearance was hailed with much secret delight, for she was evidently accompanied by a companion, who was no other than her husband; and it was equally certain, from a sort of military jingle which could be heard, attempting to rival the clatter of a regiment of yeomanry charging on foot, that he carried a sword and a scabbard. Mr. Eastman looked upon his apprentices with the most pompous contempt, and desired them in no conciliating or gentle tone, to advance with him abreast, one on either side, into the kitchen. They instantly fell into the order he prescribed, and were supported behind by the females, in a similar disposition. A deathlike stillness prevailed, and it was a solemn and inspiriting sight to behold the determined front of the compact little phalanx, bearing a sword, a poker, and walking-stick, move as though they stood on a platform, their countenances exhibiting the look of a forlorn hope. By almost imperceptible degrees, they reached the neighbourhood of the deal table, which occupied the centre of the kitchen. Confidence was about to dawn upon their minds, but became suddenly obscured by a heavy blow being dealt upon the said table, by some invisible means. This blow likewise disturbed the order of the company, by exciting them to a trial of their various powers of agility, and speed of foot. The whole party shortly arrived in the drawing-room, after a most spirited run. Mr. Eastman was the first to speak before he had properly regained his breath. "Manchap-you go-directly-and-make haste there may-be murder-find awatch-man-now quick-stay-bring two -watchmen - make haste." Manchap darted from the room on the conclusion of these ejaculations, and a minute after the street door was heard to open and then Islam with violence. "Lor, missus!" at length said Charlotte, "I do shake like a leaf stirred by the wind. I saw two such ugly black faces look up from under the table just when the heavy blow came, and they had such staring, rolling great eyes, that I thought they'd have jumped at me out of their sockets." "You don't say so, Charlotte? and I'm sure 'twas a man I seed behind the dresser," said the nursemaid. "Oh! mercy whatever shall we do James? do you hear what the girls say?" But Mr. Eastman seeming to pay no regard to his wife's words, only muttered to himself, "I wish that confounded Manchap would be quick." The two servants commenced whispering one to the other; Myron stood before the dying coals, which remained in the grate; Mrs. Eastman sat rocking herself to and fro in an easy chair, covering her face with her hands; while her husband paced up and down the room, impatiently awaiting the arrival of Manchap with the watchmen. Two or three loud knocks at the street door now aroused the party; they left the room in a body to open the door. Manchap with two watchmen. It was Mr. Eastman acquainted the officers with his conviction, that there were burglars in the kitchen, and enquired if they wished any further addition to their force, before they commenced their search. They looked at each other, and a slight movement of the lips which indicated a smile, was perceivable, when they informed Mr. Eastman that further assistance was unnecessary. The whole party now proceeded towards the kitchen; and with only a slight hesitation, the household followed the watchmen across its threshold. In a few minutes every corner had been searched, but no burglar had been discovered, much to Mr. Eastman's disappointment, but we must not conceal the fact, that it was likewise much to his satisfaction. The house, throughout, was now carefully examined, and the result was equally satisfactory. They once more returned to the kitchen, before the officers left, and the family retired to repose. Mr. Eastman carried his sword sheathed in his hand; the apprentices had not yet laid aside their arms; and the watchmen held their staves. Mr. Eastman was loudly regretting much to the terror, yet admiration, of his better half, that the burglars should have escaped them; for he felt convinced that they had made off during the period Manchap was absent from the house, in search of the watchmen. As suddenly and more unexpectedly than on the former occasion, and when Mr. Eastman was in the midst of his regrets, a second blow on the deal table startled the whole party, calling forth screams from the females, and Mr. Eastman's sword from its scabbard, much to the personal danger of those standing near him. Instant search was made under the table, and throughout the kitchen, but still without success. One of the watchmen remarked that the table appeared new, and thought that the noise which had alarmed the ladies, might have proceeded from the starting of the flanks occasioned by their warping. His companion concurred with him, and on examining the table, the supposition proved to be correct. The officers shortly after left the house, perfectly satisfied with the liberality of Mr. Eastman, and the family retired to To be continued. repose. YAXLEY.* This is a considerable parish, in the hundred of Norman Cross, union and county court district of Peterborough, rural deanery of Yaxley, archdeaconry of Huntingdon, and diocese of Ely, 78 miles from London, and 15 from Huntingdon, on the Great North Road. The living is a vicarage, in the gift of the Lord Chancellor, valued at £177 annually, with residence; the Vicar is the Rev. Charles Lee, M.A., of Merton College, Oxford. Here is an endowed school for girls and boys. There are chapels for Wesleyans, Primitive Methodists, and Independents. There is a fair held here on Holy Thursday every year. The population in 1861 was 1,411; the acreage 4,060. THE CHURCH, "Thence to porche of Yaxley church, This is a very large and fine edifice; the greater part of which was erected towards the close of the thirteenth century. It is For this article we are under great obligations to the Author of "The History of Wellingborough," complete in all the parts usually assigned to the ancient Roman Catholic services. It consists of a nave, north and south aisles, with north and south side-chapels, proceeding so far eastward as to range handsomely with the east window, contributing a fine effect to the east end of the church; besides which, are north and south transepts; and to give as much nobleness as possible to the general outline of the structure, the belfry is so constructed, as to be, as it were, in the church-the aisles extending westward as well as eastward. In the North Chantry Chapel is a square locker, and a cinquefoil-headed piscina; also a square locker and pointed piscina. These Chantry chapels have each a pointed door on a line with an ogee one inclosing the transepts, and this ogee one is carved with an unusual sweep of the arch; and besides this ogee arch is a little pointed door opening in the respective western boundary wall, and to the north of the great arch, of both the north and south transepts: the situation of this too, is very unusual, if not unique. The architrave of the arch is supported on a cluster of three slender columns, having very large capitals, which form a sort of canopy as the arch springs from the plain masonry of the wall: such, at least, is the present state of the head of the arch. The general appearance, like the situation of the door, is quite unusual, and affords a fine light architectural scene. The idea is excellent, in piercing the blank wall to produce effect; but this, it is conceived, was not all that was intended by the architect, "utile dulci," it is very probable, was his motto; the design being, it is likely, to afford accommodation for a larger congregation than that which the transept would contain, in order that they might join in the services of the altar, which was placed in front of the single lancet, opposite this small door, through which a congregation, even at the western extremity of the aisles, might view the ceremony at the altar. The Belfry Arches are three in number: one, in the centre, before which the organ is placed; and one, north and south. The South Porch is large, and of perpendicular character, having a trefoil niche on each side, and one over the apex of the arch. The Tower consists of four stages, and is of beautiful stone, and excellent masonry. At the west end of the tower, is a perpendicular door; above which is a window, of the same character, of three lights-large and subdivided in the centre. There are large and well-wrought buttresses, of six stages each, at the angles. The summit is embattled, having enriched pinnacles at the angles, connected with the spire by flying buttresses, pierced with quatrefoils. The tower is lofty, but the spire itself is not very elevated; it is, however, beautifully crocketed, and is altogether a fine composition. The East Window is decorated, and of large dimensions, the ramifications in the head being particularly elegant; it is, in fact, a most charming window: the eye of taste may happily rest for hours among its graceful curves; its winding mazes; its geometrical sweeps; its regular and elongated quatrefoils, trefoils, and corbel head; and its variously coloured glass. Feelings of admiration are elicited on an examination of its exterior; and its interior does not disappoint, but commands equal admiration; there, indeed, its richly coloured glass is seen to the greatest advantage; and whether viewed from within or from without, the beauty of its execution is exceedingly striking. The Windows of the Aisles are perpendicular and various. There is a single lancet window easterly of the two transepts. The South Transept is on a similar plan to the north one, excepting that the large window here is of a decorative character; it is peculiarly handsome in its ornaments, the head being composed of elongated quatrefoils; and it is grand indeed in the extent of its general outline. The Interior of the Church is extremely light and airy in its general effect, and noble in its various proportions and details, being entirely free from galleries, excepting the organ-loft at the west end. Four extremely lofty arches, rising from a perpendicular cluster of semi-cylindrical shafts, possessing the usual intervening bold hollows, divide the nave from the aisles; in front of each, a bearing shaft is carried up to sustain the wall-piece; and the whole of the clusters and arches, having been entirely freed from their repeated coats of whitewash, now effectively present the excellent masonry of the original stone, which is of a beautiful quality, to the admiration of the spectator. The whole interior has the fresh appearance of a new erection, effected through a late laudable renovation. This church is of very extended dimensions, it receives, as we have already observed, its fullest compliment of ecclesiastical accessories in its north and south transepts; north and south chantry chapels; the choir; the belfry, formerly open to the church; and the aisles, carried down to the west end, and ranging with the line of the tower. These numerous and varying portions of this fine ecclesiastical structure, present their conjoined effects when viewed from different sites of the church, in a most noble and cathedral-like manner, through the contrasted elliptical, and ogee arches; lancet windows, single and treble, decorated and perpendicular; in early English recesses; in lockers and piscinas, of which there is quite an unusual number for a single edifice, there having been no less than five altars within the church; besides which are fine and perfect sedilia; brackets; enriched canopies; lofty screenwork, and painted glass; many of these objects assimilating and harmonising, display features of symmetrical arrangement and architectural skill worthy of any of our English cathedrals. A pointed arch divides the nave from the chancel. The Choir.-Three pointed arches ranging with those of the nave, separate the choir from the lady chapel, and the south chantry chapel. On each side the east window of the choir is a large square bracket having a flat canopy, enriched with the billet and flower moulding. There is a locker on the north side. There are some fine old seats on each side of the choir. Lady Chapel.-Here are fine triplicated sedilia, gradatory in their descent of the several seats, having triangular mouldings over each, with a trefoil apex, along with which ranges a trefoil-headed piscina; all are as perfect as if fresh sculptured, and just placed there to form their respective recesses. The columns separating the sedilia, are square, relieved in front by groovings, and behind they possess a semiarch, detaching their faces from the wall, by which design they present, when viewed in an oblique direction, a fine light effect. Reliquary.-Under the north window of of the north transept, appears a stone affixed in the wall, bearing sculpture in relievo a pointed arch encloses a trefoil head, and within the trefoil arch are two arms and hands upraised, holding to view a heart. When this church underwent its renovation, an examination of this sculpture took place, and the stone being removed, it proved to be the end of a reliquary; and at the extremity was a little arched recess, in whieh was found deposited, a small circular shrine, composed of oak, having a loose cover with a knob. When the cover was first removed, a strong perfume, arising from the preservative spices, was exhaled, but the continuance of the aroma was not of long duration, as of course it speedily dissipated itself in the common air. This no doubt had been the depository for the heart, of which the outer sculpture was the indicator. It might probably be the heart of De Yakesley, Abbot of Thorney, a native of this place, who died in 1291. The bottom of the shrine is decayed, and almost all gone: the other portions arc nearly entire. This relic is in the |