uninteresting; haply, at
a future time, we may have an opportunity of referring to them. The
early printers, we should observe, were the first who used devices on
paper, each having a distinguishing emblem and motto, which they
displayed on the title-pages of their works. We read of only one
device worn by James; it represented the Scottish thistle united with
red and white roses, the motto, _Rosas Henricus, regna Jacobus_,
implying that as Henry united roses, James united kingdoms. Though
foreign to our subject, we may mention here, as it is not generally
known, that it was James who removed the red dragon of the Tudors from
the royal arms, placing as a supporter in its stead the unicorn of
Scotland. We meet with only one device of the unfortunate Charles. It
represented a snake that had just cast its skin, the motto, _Paratior_
(More ready.) During the civil war, many mottoes and figures were
adopted by both the royalist and parliamentary parties, but few of
them can be termed regular devices. With the Restoration, a new
description of court amusement came into fashion, and the device soon
became a prey to 'dull forgetfulness.' Many emblems, however, were
then and subsequently assumed as crests, and a great number of mottoes
were taken to point the moral, if any, of heraldic blazonry. Though
repudiated and unrecognised by the strict herald, they are now
generally considered to be the particular property and distinguishing
ensign of certain surnames and families, and as hereditary as the
quaint and fanciful charges and quarterings of coat-armour itself.

FOOTNOTES:

[4] The armorial bearings or coat-armour of his house.

A COUNTRY WEDDING IN FRANCE.

No part of France, with the exception of Brittany, has preserved its
patriarchal habits, national character, and ancient forms of language,
more than Touraine and Berry. The manners of the people there are
extremely primitive, and some of their customs curious and
interesting. The following account is from the pen of a modern French
writer of great power of observation and description.

It was in winter, near the time of the carnival, a season of the year
when it is very customary to celebrate country weddings. In the
summer, there is seldom time, and the farm-work will not allow of a
three days' holiday, to say nothing of the slackened diligence which
is the unavoidable consequence of a village festival. I was seated
under the large kitchen chimney, when t