with the
narrator of this mournful story, that mercy was mingled in his bitter
cup, and that

Society is all but rude,
To that delicious solitude.

The peasants of that valley tell, with a superstitious awe, that Alvinzi
was wont to discourse for hours together with departed spirits; and
that they have stolen near his tree at sunset, and in the gloom of the
evening, and by moonlight, and have distinctly heard him talking with
some one whom he called "Beatrice."

[The Embellishments of the _Souvenir_ are nearly on a par with
those of previous years, with a light sprinkling of originality in the
subjects.]

* * * * *

FINE ARTS.

* * * * *

CROSSES.[3]

[Illustration: (_In Devonshire_,)]

The subjoined are two specimens of rude workmanship, in comparison with
the ingenuity displayed in the Crosses already illustrated in our pages.
They are engraved from a drawing made by Mr. Britton, about thirty years
since. The first was in Devonshire, at the village of Alphington, about
one mile west of Exeter, on the side of the road leading from that city
to Plymouth. It represents the Calvary cross of heraldry, and consists
of a block of granite, which has been cut in an octagon shape, and fixed
in a large base.

[Illustration: (_In Cornwall_,)]

The second cross stood in Cornwall, on the wide waste of Caraton Down.
It consists of one block with a rounded head, bearing the couped cross.
This solitary pillar, evidently a Christian monument, is situate near a
Druidical temple called "the Hurlers." Crosses of this shape abound in
Cornwall. One has been found in Burian churchyard, and another in
Callington churchyard, bearing rude sculptures of the crucifixion;
others have been found in the county with holes perforated near the top,
and some with various ornaments on the shafts.

[3] We thank "an old Subscriber and a native of Holbeach" for his
testimony to the accuracy of our Engraving of Holbeach Cross, at
page 329 of the present volume. We shall feel further obliged to
him for the view of Holbeach Church.

We may here remark that the Cross described at page 115, at
Wheston, is now in the courtyard of Wheston Hall. Probably our
Correspondent _E.T.B.A_. will oblige us with a drawing of that
interesting structure.

* * * * *

DOMESTIC HINTS.