A NEW ZEALAND CHIEF. is built along the partitions dividing the several baths, | larged works of the same character, still its contents for visitors to occupy who wish to enjoy the company are well arranged, written in an agreeable style, and to of their friends, without the inconvenience of lying in those of our young friends who wish to peruse the the water. This is absolutely necessary, for if eight leading events in the lives of Lord Rodney, Earl Howe, hours are to be passed in the bath and two in bed, Earl St. Vincent, Lord De Saumarez, Lord Collingand the person enduring all this is to be left alone in wood, Sir Sidney Smith, and Lord Exmouth, will form the meantime, the life of an anchorite would be far a most acceptable present. They will find much to preferable to it. It is solitary confinement in the peni- amuse and a great deal more to instruct. tentiary, with the exception that the cell is a watery one. All the bathers, of both sexes and all ages and conditions, are clothed in long woollen mantles, with a tippet around their shoulders, and sit on benches ranged "NENE, or-as he is now more generally known by his round the bath, under water up to their necks. Stroll baptized name-Thomas Walker (Tamati Waka), is the into this large bathing-room awhile after dinner, the principal chief of the Ngatihao tribe; which, in comfirst thing that meets your eye is some dozen or fifteen mon with many others, is comprised in the great heads bobbing up and down, like buoys on the surface assemblage of tribes usually called Ngapuis. The of the steaming water. There, wagging backwards and residence of this celebrated man is near the Wesleyan forwards, is the shaven crown of a fat old friar. Close mission station, on the banks of the river Hokianga; beside, the glossy ringlets of a fair maiden, while be- where he fully established his character, as the friend tween, perhaps, is the moustached face of an invalid and protector of Europeans, long before the regular officer. In another direction, grey hairs are floating colonization of the country. In common with most of on the tide,' and the withered faces of old dames peer his countrymen, Nene was, in his younger days, cele'over the flood.' But to sit and soak a whole day, even brated for his expertness in acts of petty pilfering; and in company, is no slight penalty, and so to while away he himself will now laugh heartily, if reminded of his the lazy hours, one is engaged in reading a newspaper, youthful tricks. On one occasion, when on a visit to which he holds over his head; another in discussing a one of the missionaries at Waimate, a fine gander atbit of toast on a floating table: a third, in keeping a tracted his attention, and he secretly ordered it to be withered nosegav, like a water-lily, just above the sur-seized, and prepared for his dinner in a native oven; face, while it is hard to tell which looks most dolorous, but, to prevent detection, the bird was cooked in its the withered flowers or her face. In one corner, two feathers. However, it was soon missed, and a rigorous persons are engaged playing chess; and in another, inquiry instituted by its owner, but without success; three or four more, with their chins just out of the until certain savoury steams arising from Nene's camp water, are enjoying a pleasant "tête-à-tête" about the excited suspicion. To tax him with the theft, however, delectability of being under water, seething away at a would have been contrary to all the rules of New Zeatemperature of nearly 120 degrees, eight hours per day. land etiquette; and the mystery of its disappearance Persons making their daily calls on their friends are was not unravelled until the morning after he had entering and leaving the gallery, or leaning over, en- taken his departure, when the ill-fated gander was gaged in earnest conversation with those below them. found concealed among the bushes; it having been Not much etiquette is observed in leave-taking, for if found too tough for even a New Zealander's powers of the patient should attempt a bow, he would duck his mastication. Some years after this, a chief of East head under water. Laughable as this may seem, it is Cape killed a relation of Nene's; and, according to the nevertheless a grave matter, and no one would submit customary law in New Zealand of blood for blood,' to it except for health, that boon for which the circle of Nene went in a vessel, accompanied by only one attenthe world is made, the tortures of amputation endured, dant, to seek revenge. Landing near the spot where and the wealth of the millionnaire squandered. The the chief resided, Nene entered his pah, called the strictest decorum is preserved, and every breach of pro- murderer by name, and after accusing him of the crime, priety punished by the worthy burgomaster with a fine deliberately levelled his gun and shot him dead at his of two franes or thirty-seven and a half cents. A set of feet, and then coolly walked away. Though in the regulations is hung against the walls specifying the midst of his enemies, none dared to touch the avenger: manner in which every patient is to conduct himself all were paralyzed at his sudden appearance and deteror herself. As specimens, we give Articles 7 and 9, mined bravery. But Nene is no longer the thoughtless, which will also be found in Mr. Murray's Guide- mischievous New Zealander: for many years he has been playing a nobler part in the great drama of life; and his conduct has deservedly gained for him a lasting reputation. Some traits may be mentioned to his honour. About the year 1839, the body of an European was discovered on the banks of one of the tributary streams of Hokianga, under circumstances which led to the suspicion that he had been murdered by a native called Kete, one of Nene's slaves. A large meeting was convened on the subject, and, the guilt of Kete being established, Nene condemned him to die; the murderer was accordingly taken to a small island in the river called Motiti, and there shot! So rigid were Nene's ideas of justice! When Cantain Hobson arrived, and assembled the chiefs at Waitangi, in order to obtain their acquiescence in the sovereignty of the Queen over the islands of New Zealand, the Governor was received with doubt, and his proposals were at first book: Art. 7. Personne ne peut entrer dans les bains sans être revêtue d'une chemise longue et ample, d'une étoffe grossière, sous peine de deux fr. demande. Art. 9. La même peine sera enconrir par ceux qui n'en entreraient pas, ou n'en sortiraient pas d'une manière décente. Translation. Art. 7. No one is permitted to enter these baths without being clothed in a long, ample, and thick "chemise," under the penalty of a fine of two francs. Art. 9. The same penalty will be incurred by those who do not enter or depart in a becoming manner. "Great care is taken that everything should be done 'decently and in order,' and there is nothing to prevent people from behaving themselves while sitting on benches under water as well as above water."-Headley's Alps and the Rhine." The Wooden Walls of Old England: the Lives of rejected; but when Nene and his friends made their by his eloquence and by the wisdom of his counsel, appearance, the aspect of affairs was changed: Nene, turned the current of feeling, and the dissentients were silenced. In short, Nene stood recognised as the prime agent in effecting the treaty of Waitangi. On another occasion, his intervention was of great service to the British authorities. After the flag-staff at the Bay was cut down by Heki, Governor Fitzroy proceeded to the disaffected district with a considerable body of military, thinking by a show of force to overawe the rebellious natives. A large concourse of chiefs was gathered together, and many speeches were made; but amongst them all the words of Nene were conspicuous for their energy. If,' said he, another flag-staff is cut down, I shall take up the quarrel,' and nobly has he redeemed his pledge. During the whole course of the rebellion, up to the present period, he has steadily adhered to his purpose, and has on numerous occasions rendered the most essential assistance to the military. He fought in several engagements with the rebels, and each time has proved himself as superior in courage and conduct in the field, as he is in wisdom and sagacity in the council. The settlers in the northern parts of New Zealand are under the greatest obligations to this chief. But for him and his people, many a hearth, at present the scene of peace and happiness, would have been desecrated and defiled with blood; many a family, now occupying their ancient homes, would have been driven away from their abodes, exposed to misery and privation. Those settlers who were living near the disaffected districts. but remote from the influence and out of the reach of the protecting arm of Nene, have been driven as houseless wanderers to seek safety in the town of Auckland; and such would most probably have been the universal fate of the out-settlers but for the courage and loyalty of this brave and noble chief."-From Angas's Savage Life and Scenes in Australia. Poetry. [In Original Poetry, the Name, real or assumed, of the Author, is printed in Small Capitals under the title; in Selections, it is printed in Italics at the end.] A TRUE TALE. BY S. M. WHEN, for these feeble days, we paint We dwellers in the vale below, Nor dream Man's footsteps there may go. With folded hands and drooping head, A holy child, whose few fair springs, The watchers hnshed each trembling breath, A sound upon that silence fell Loved by the little slumberer well The music of the vesper bell! Soft, as the shower from autumn trees, No dying note-no faltering word, My soul doth magnify the Lord!" Ah, weep not friends! Ye might have known The Church on earth, whose voice of love Winged by her chant-" In peace of heart Words glad, but awful-which condemn Miscellaneous. SWEARING IN COURT. LORD Ellenborough's interruptions of counsel would sometimes assume a jocular form. When Mr. Park (the late Justice Allan Park,) had been moved in some case that appealed to the feelings to repeated exclamations, and had called heaven to witness, and so forth, while addressing the jury, "Pray, sir," said my Lord, "pray don't swear in that way here in court!" The effect of this interruption, in a grave tone, was irresistible, and Mr. Park heartily joined in laughing at this unexpected practical pleasantry.-Townsend's Lives of the Judges. VOL. III. London Magazine: A JOURNAL OF ENTERTAINMENT AND INSTRUCTION Adelgitha. BUCKINGHAM PALACE. PERCHANCE the reader is familiar with Vertue's ground- "for the purpose of erecting and establishing certain plan of the Palace of Whitehall, or a well-engraved public offices." This purchase was made soon after the bird's-eye view of that very interesting pile, "as it ap- birth of the heir apparent to the throne, George Augustus Frederick, at Kew, Aug. 12, 1762. Thenceforth, peared about the reign of James the First." In either until her death in 1818, Queen Charlotte resided at case, he may trace that, at the period above named, in Buckingham House, alternately with Windsor and the left distance, might be seen Arlington House, the Kew; and nearly all her fourteen children were born mansion of Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington, one of the here, this being, indeed, the private town residence of the famous " Cabal." This property was afterwards pur- king and queen; whilst St. James's, "said to be the most commodious for royal parade of any in Europe," chased by John Sheffield, Duke of Buckingham, who was used for drawing-rooms, levees, and state ceremoobtained an additional grant of land from the Crown, pulled down the old mansion, and, at a short distance nies. The domestic happiness of George the Third and Queen Charlotte at Buckingham House, and their perfrom it, built, in 1703, the large red brick edifice sub-sonal superintendence of the early education of their sequently known as Buckingham House. It was in the children, must have formed a delightful relief to the heavy, yet ornate, style of the time, the house and offices courtly splendour of St. James's; whilst this retirement occupying three sides of a quadrangle; the red brick was important to the country; for, it has been well oband stone finishings, relieved by figures; on the enta- served of the king, that "the decorum of his private blature of the eastern front was inscribed in large conduct was of much service to him, as well as probably gilt Roman capitals, "Sic siti lætantur lares;" and the efficacious in no slight degree in giving a higher tone to the public manners, and in making the domestic front to the north bore "RuS IN URBE;" with sculp- virtues fashionable even in the circles where they are tural impersonations of the seasons. Pennant describes most apt to be treated with neglect." the mansion as "rebuilt in a most magnificent manner." The duke has left a curiously minute picture of his mode of living at Buckingham House, in a letter to the Duke of Shrewsbury, of which Pennant cunningly says:"He has omitted his constant visits to the noted gaming-house at Marybone, the place of assemblage of all the infamous sharpers of the time. His Grace always gave them a dinner at the conclusion of the season, and his parting toast was, May as many of us as remain unhanged next spring, meet here again.' I remember the facetious Quin telling this story at Bath, within the hearing of the late Lord Chesterfield, when his lordship was surrounded by a crowd of worthies of the same stamp." The site of the mansion, and the grounds, was formerly the once famous Mulberry Gardens: it must have been a strange retreat. Defoe describes it, in 1714, as "one of the great beauties of London, both by reason of its situation, and its building." At the date of the old print we have spoken of, no buildings extended beyond St. James's, to the left; the north was open to Hampstead, and the view of the Thames almost uninterrupted from the south-west corner of the park. The Duke of Buckingham died in 1720: his duchess, daughter of James II. by Catherine Sedley, lived here till her death. She was succeeded by the duke's natural son, Charles Herbert Sheffield, on whom his Grace had entailed the property, after the death of the young duke, who died a minor. It was purchased from Sir Charles by King George the Third; and, subsequently," Buckingham House, now called the Queen's House," was, by Act of Parliament, settled on Queen Charlotte, in lieu of Somerset House, (settled in 1761 on the Queen Consort, in the event of her surviving the King,) the latter edifice being vested in the King, his heirs, and successors, We may here mention that the wall of what were called the gardens of Buckingham House, formed one side of the main street of Pimlico: these gardens must, however, have been strangely neglected; for, in 1817, they were described as consisting merely of a gravel walk, shaded by trees, with a spacious and unadorned area in the centre. In size and splendour, Buckingham House was rivalled by Tart Hall, long the depository of the Arundelian marbles: the latter mansion faced the park, on the present site of James-street; its garden wall standing where Stafford-row is now built. We remember the dull, heavy, façade of Buckingham House in 1825; the mansion itself stripped of its statues and sculptured ornaments, the fountain removed, and the basin in the lawn filled up in the taste that rushed from one extreme to the other-from the overornate to the taste which excluded ornament altogether; if we except the four fluted pilasters of the central portion, and the semicircular colonnade connecting it with the two wings, each having pilasters and a pediment, the whole forming three sides of a quadrangle. Mr. Pyne, in his "History of the Royal Residences," has left us a description of the interior, remarkable for its plainness: the King had, however, assembled here a large collection of pictures, and among them many of the works of his pet painter, Benjamin West: for his "Regulus," the King paid one thousand guineas, a liberal commission in those days, but now sometimes paid by our gentry, for a few sittings to a portraitpainter. Of far greater consequence to the country was the collecting of a magnificent library at Buckingham House by George the Third. This collection he bequeathed to the nation, and it is now deposited in a splendid apartment, built for its reception, in the British Museum. The public have, however, derived compara tively little benefit from the royal bequest; an administration which but ill accords with the spirit of the sovereign, who was what many influential persons of his time were not-an avowed friend to the diffusion of education, and, certainly, not afraid that his subjects would be made either more difficult to govern, or worse in any other respect, by ail classes, from every individual of them, being taught to read and to write. After the death of Queen Charlotte, Buckingham House continued a solitude of dust and decay: the surviving King lived in unhappy seclusion at Windsor until his death in 1820; and soon afterwards, the royal library was removed, as we have explained. There was little or nothing in the quiet regality of " the Queen's House" to attract the garish taste of the Prince Regent in his decoration of Carlton House; and there was less to tempt George the Fourth, or to reconcile him to his palace in Pall-mall. Pictures, at once costly and portable, were, doubtless, carried off; but the old red brick mansion itself was abandoned for some five years; or, rather, it was left as a sort of "nest egg" for a more ambitious scheme. Dry rot, or, perhaps, satiety on the part of the royal occupant, led to the pulling down of Carlton House. It was then proposed to Parliament to alter Buckingham House, so as to fit it for the residence of the sovereign; the task being confided to Mr. Nash, the architect favoured by George the Fourth, and who had, unquestionably, shown great skill in carrying out the royal taste in the formation and construction of the palatial connexion of the site of Carlton House with Portland-place-now known as Waterlooplace, Regent Circus, Quadrant, and Street. The " alteration" of Buckingham House, by Nash, was commenced in 1825, and was apparently completed by 1828; when the wings were found to require raising, these alterations being estimated to cost 50,000l., and the whole palace, 432,9267. The money was, however, grudgingly voted by Parliament, a Committee of the House of Commons expressing its dissatisfaction with such alterations, "not originally contemplated, for the purpose of rectifying a defect which scarcely could have occurred, if a model of the entire edifice had previously been made, and duly examined." A more artistical critic observes: "the wings, when first built, were found too small, and, in consequence, had to be pulled down and enlarged; the attic, from a similar cause, had to be raised, and thus we have lost what would have been the one picturesque feature of the pile, the pediment of the central portico standing out strongly relieved against the story; and, it may also be added, the architect committed such a solecism as to build a dome which he afterwards acknowledged he was not at all aware would be visible from the park." We suspect this failure in remodelling "the Queen's House" was unjustifiably attributed to Mr. Nash, the architect; we believe, with more justice to be ascribed to the king, who repeatedly interposed his royal will and pleasure in matters architectural, until a design reminding one of a house built of court cards was the result. There came out a grand Government project, not for what Lord Bacon calls "a brief model of a princely palace," but for a scheme of cumbrous yet petty magnificence. The proposition was somewhat cunningly linked with the relaying out of the site of Carlton House, and of the enclosure in St. James's Park, to which latter, when disposed as a landscape-garden, the public were to be admitted. Thus, a boon was given to the people with the one hand, and a largeish grant for the palace was asked on the other. There followed all sorts of patriotic grumbling at the proposed expenditure, and criticism on the plans, more especially the additional plantations and flower gardens in the palace grounds; and the dug surfaces, the basin, fountains, and lake of several acres. Meteorologists shook their heads, and grave gardeners quoted, the fragment of Baconian philosophy: "fountains that sprinkle or spout water, or convey water, as it never stays in the | bowls or the cistern, are a great beauty and refreshment; but pools mar all, and make the garden unwholesome and full of flies and frogs." The great object was to conceal the palace windows from view of the stables and the surrounding houses: and in doing this by the above plan, it was maintained, that, by thickening the marginal belts on both sides of the hollow, to shut out London, Buckingham palace would be rendered a dam to a pond of watery vapour; and that a man must be something less or more than a king to keep his health in that place for any length of time. Then the locality was otherwise beset with nuisances: the smoke of several factories in the newly-built portions of Pimlico, rolled over the palace in huge volumes, and filled its courts: the King is known to have offered many thousand pounds for the removal of an individual nuisance, yet in vain; and, to this day, its fumes continue to float over the nursery of royalty, much to the discomfiture of those who are destined hereafter to sway the sceptre of the British empire. However, the King came to the nuisance; and there was no royal road for its riddance. The grant of money was obtained, and the "remodelling" was proceeded with; it should, however, be termed rebuilding, for we believe the only portion of "the Queen's House" left standing was the ground floor, which accounts for the low-pitched and dark rooms in this portion of the present palace. George the Fourth did not live to see this pet work completed; though, at about the period that he passed from sublunary suffering, the grand arch-for the especial entrance of the sovereign and the royal family to the palace-was completed. This arch is the greatest work of mere ornament ever attempted in England. It has a centre gateway, and two side openings, and is of the size and general design of the arch of Constantine, at Rome; but is, by no means, so richly embellished, and is altogether a very blank affair compared with the Government design. The sculpture is omitted in the attic; and, in place of the reversed trusses above the columns, were to have been figures of warriors and panels of sculpture intervening; indeed, the fascia was to have been, altogether, far more highly enriched, the attic carried considerably higher, and crowned with an equestrian statue of George the Fourth, flanked with groups of military trophies, vases at the angles, &c. As it is, the sculpture is confined to a pair of figures and a key-stone on each face of the central archway, panels above the side openings, and wreaths at the ends: these are by Flaxman, Westmacott, and Rossi. The statue of George the Fourth was ordered of Sir Francis Chantrey, for 9,000 guineas; the Government put him to the expense of 100%. for parchments, and then were two years after the time agreed upon for the first payment! The statue, if we mistake not, is that which has been placed at the north-east angle of Trafalgar square. We may here complete the description of the arch. The material is white marble, now discoloured by smoke and damp, and in appearance resembling a huge sugar erection in a confectioner's shop window. Upon the attic platform of the arch is a flag-staff, the crown of which is eighty feet from the ground; and from it, during the abode of the sovereign at the palace, the royal standard floats from sunrise to sunset; the silk standard, for state occasions, is thirty feet long, and eighteen feet deep, and cost nearly 2001.: it was first hoisted at the coronation of Queen Victoria, June 28, 1838. The gates were not put up until the summer of 1837; the central gates, designed and cast by Samuel Parker, are the largest and most superb in Europe; not excepting those of the Ducal palace, at Venice; or of the Louvre, at Paris: they are of a beautiful alloy, bronzed, the base of which is refined copper. Although cast, their enriched foliage and scroll-work bear all the elaborate finish of the finest chasing; the design consists of six compartments, in each of which is a circle: in the |