his heels.

It was said by the harpooner, who first caught sight of this bear, that
he was floating on his back in the water; and Greenlanders maintain, how
truly or wrongly I know not, that bears sometimes throw themselves into
this position to avoid being seen. Another reason for this attitude they
affirm to be, a power possessed by bears of flinging themselves suddenly
forward, by a violent jerk, whilst extended on their backs, so as to
bring themselves at once into a boat; but this is a feat of which I do
not believe them capable. Whilst speaking of bears, I may mention here,
that the mate of the Dundee nearly lost his life this summer, from the
fury of a she brownie, who attacked him on the ice. After killing her
cub, he had fired at her, and struck her on the jaw, which remained
gasping, as if dislocated, and believing her _hors de combat_, he
got upon the floe, to take possession of her slain offspring. The she
bear, however, though she had fled, now returned, and rushing towards
her enemy, threw him down, but was unable to mangle him; for though her
mouth was wide open, she had lost the ability to close it. Nevertheless,
she mounted upon his prostrate body, and trampled it severely, before
the crew of his boat could come to his rescue. When they did arrive, a
sailor who brought the gun lost his presence of mind at the sight before
him, and stood staring at the scene inactive; others, more bold, thrust
the bear aside with lances; and the mate being freed from its weight,
arose, took the gun from its bearer, and shot away the unlucky lower jaw
of the beast completely. She then fell a victim to the weapons of his
men. When I received this account from him, he was nearly recovered from
the violence he had suffered from the enraged brute, but not till after
having been for some time confined to his hammock.

* * * * *

THE GATHERER.

A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.
SHAKSPEARE.

* * * * *

ANCIENT AND MODERN THEATRES.

It appears, that our ancient theatres were little better than
_barns_, while those of the present day may vie with palaces in
extent, splendour, and decoration; and nothing can more strongly exhibit
the contrast between the present age and that of Queen Elizabeth, than
the difference in the expense of a London theatre. The Rose playhouse,
which was erected about the year 1592, cost only 103l. 2s. 7d.,--a sum
w