personal attractions, that I paid but little attention to their
presents. It appeared to me an inconceivable caprice of nature to have
produced such prodigies of perfection amidst such a rude and barbarous
people, who value their women less than their stirrups. My companion,
who like myself was obliged to accept of their refreshments, remarked to
me, whilst the old man was conversing with them, what celebrity a woman
so transcendently beautiful as the daughter was would acquire in any of
the capitals of Europe, had she but received the benefits of a suitable
education.--_Van Halen's Narrative._

* * * * *

AUSTRALIAN IMPORTUNITY.

As beggars, the whole world will not produce their match. They do not
attempt to _coax_ you, but firmly rely on incessant importunity;
following you, side by side, from street to street, as constant as your
shadow, pealing in your ears the never ceasing sound of "Massa, gim me a
dum! massa, gim me a dum!" (dump.) If you have the fortitude to resist
_firmly_, on two or three assaults, you may enjoy ever after a life of
immunity; but by once _complying_, you entail yourself a plague which
you will not readily throw off, every gift only serving to embolden them
in making subsequent demands, and with still greater perseverance.
Neither are their wishes moderately gratified on this head--less than a
dump (fifteen pence) seldom proving satisfactory. When walking out one
morning, I accidentally met a young scion of our black tribes, on
turning the corner of the house, who saluted me with "Good morning, sir,
good morning;" to which I in like manner responded, and was proceeding
onwards, when my dingy acquaintance arrested my attention by his loud
vociferation of "Top, sir, I want to peak to you." "Well, what is it?"
said I. "Why, you know I am your _servant_, and you have never paid me
yet." "The devil you are!" responded I "it is the first time I knew of
it, for I do not recollect ever seeing your face before." "Oh yes, I
_am_ your servant," replied he, very resolutely; "don't I top about
Massa ----'s, and boil the kettle sometimes for you in the morning?" I
forthwith put my hand in my pocket, and gave him all the halfpence I
had, which I left him carefully counting, and proceeded on my walk; but
before advancing a quarter of a mile, my ears were again assailed with
loud shouts of "Hallo! top, top!" I turned round, and observed my friend
in "the dark suit" beckoni