From an old Contributor now Abroad. "When the Lord turned our Captivity then were we like to them that dream."-Psalm cxxvi. verse 1. HOUGH from Northumbria far away Dear well known scenes I view no more- And wander hill and moorland o'er. Oft will she take me to the wood, Within its soft and verdant glade, Oh! God who never hears in vain, Oh, let me to that land again, Could I but stand dear Wansbeck by, I should be like to them that dream! ANECDOTE. THE late Mr. S of Durham, a member of the society of Friends, was once travelling by stage coach to Darlington, when a gentlemen who sat near him avowed infidel sentiments and began to ridicule the sacred volume-"Friend," said Mr. S. "what dost thee find so ridiculous in the Bible?" "Oh!" said the infidel, "what man in his senses can believe that a stone from a sling could sink into a man's head and kill him." Why," said Mr. S. "if Goliah's head was as soft as thine there could have been no difficulty about it!" 66 GIBB'S CROSS. N former times, many small crosses were erected over the wild districts of Northumberland. They were simple in structure, consisting merely of a free stone, nearly a foot square and about three feet long, set upright in another large free stone, which was hollowed out to receive it. Those in the neighbourhood of towns and villages were chiefly set up for markets to be held near them, during those periods when the plague rendered it unsafe for buyers and sellers to assemble in populous places. But the greater number were placed, where a combat or battle had occurred, to indicate the spot where some distinguished personage fell. Thus "Battle Cross," at Otterburne, before it was removed in 1776, shewed where the heroic Douglas sank beneath the Northumbrian lances; and "Percy's Cross," at Hedgeley Moor, still points out where that warrior, in 1463, yielded up his life in the cause of his sovereign. Others of less note have long been demolished; yet of these, not a few have given names to the localities amid which they were situated. Harwood Head near Elsdon, where William Winter was gibbetted, is still called "Sting Cross:" a spot of ground, between Monkridge Hall and Overacres, in Redesdale, is named "Stob Cross;" and at Hareshaw Head, between Bellingham and Otterburne, "Gibb's Cross" stood a few yards to the east of a solitary dwelling house, now in ruins. The socket or stone in which the latter pointed heaven-ward, was still in its place about twenty years ago: it was not unlike a small swinetrough, but more massive in its form, and the lower portion was sunk firmly in the earth. It is said that this rude vestige of a ruder age is connected with a tale, only a fragment of which has floated down, on the breath of time, to the present day. A few miles to the west may be seen the remains of Tarset Castle; and about a mile still farther, on the opposite side of North Tyne, appear the green mounds where Dally Castle was situated. The lords of these strongholds were men of great stature, and distinguished prowess: but no good will, apparently, existed between them; for he of Tarset Castle became enamoured of the sister of his neighbour, and made love to her privately, being aware that his suit would not receive the approval of her high-minded brother. So far, however, did the charms of the fair damsel of Dally Castle prevail over her lover, that he entertained an idea of forming a subterranean passage between the two fortresses, that he might the more frequently visit her unobserved. Whether this project was ever attempted to be carried into execution, we know not; but the stolen interviews, that Gilbert of Tarset Castle enjoyed with his lady-love, were, like all earthly pleasures, only of short duration. On one of his visits, he was detected by her brother; and a battle, furious in proportion to their strength and valour, was the consequence. He of Dally Castle, ultimately, proved the better man; and the other ignominiously endeavoured to save himself by a speedy retreat. With his enemy at his heels, he crossed the Tyne, passed his own residence, and betook himself to the wild moors of Hareshaw. When he had gained the highest point of the broken road which leads over that sable eminence, he was overtaken by his pursuer: another combat ensued, and, again, he of Dally Castle was victorious. Hence the memorial was set up on the spot where Gilbert fell; and from age to age, it was known to the people in that neighbourhood by the name of "Gibb's Cross."-R. White's MSS. Canine Sagacity. ARLY in the year 1819, the Jane of Blyth, a fine new vessel, on her first voyage, was totally lost near the Khol; the mate and four men were saved by a Norwegian vessel, and landed at Elsinore, but the master was unfortunately drowned. A dog was on board the Jane, which, with the crew, was picked up by the Norwegian vessel, as above stated. This animal called Pincher was given to the Norwegian captain by the mate of the Jane, and proceeded with the vessel to Riga, after which time nothing had been heard of this faithful animal until the evening of Monday, June 27th 1819, when he arrived at the residence of his late master in Blyth, much cut up by want and apparent long travelling. It is highly probable that the dog had got on board of some vessel coming to the north of England, and leaving her as soon as possible, had proceeded to his former abode.-Blyth Gleaner. THE BAILLIE OF BERWICK; OR, THERE WAS AN OLD MAN CAME OVER THE LEA. An Old North Country Song. COMMUNICATED BY J. H. DIXON, ESQ. HIS curious and humourous song is from a copy taken down some years since, from the singing of Mrs. Mason, an elderly lady, with whom I resided when a boy, at GawFlatt, near Skipton in Craven, and who died about two years ago, an octogenarian. She was the widow of a clergyman, and the respectability of her character, and the pleasant situation of the little farm house where she resided, induced many to place their children under her roof. The old farm house is now numbered with the things that were, and its scite occupied by a gentleman's seat. A year ago I passed the spot, and changed as it was, there was still enough remaining, to call to my remembrance "the solitary grange," the boys, the long winter nights, and the tales, the legends, the nursery rhymes, and the old songs of Mrs. Mason. In many of our ancient ditties, there are passages which in these times, are not "quite the thing!" Whenever these occurred, the good old person would alter the verse, but the alteration would be sure to be made in so unpoetical a manner, as to induce the boys to supply the hiatus, and give the true reading! This would please her amazingly; she would remove her spectacles, laugh heartily and say "But you know, young gentlemen, I did not say so!" A garbled version is to be found, in a rather scarce work called "The Sky Lark," published in London at the close of the last century, and where it is called a "Scotch song, sung at Ranelagh." Version is the proper term to apply to the four-verse song in the Sky Lark, for it cannot be called a copy, being in a different metre to the following, which I have no doubt, is the original. A version is also to be found. in "The Robin," a work published in London, in the year 1749, and commencing thus. "The auld carle cam o'er the croft Wi' his beard new shaven." The air to which Mrs. Mason gave it, is an English tune of a simple nature, but original, exceedingly characteristic, and stamped with undoubted antiquity. I have sometimes thought that this witty and quaint song suggested to Burns, the idea of his " Duncan Grey," and his "Last night a braw woer." Could this be proved, it would enhance its value, and render its publication in the Table Book doubly interesting. HERE was an old man came over the lea, Came over the lea A-courtin to me, Wi' his old grey beard just newly shaven.* My mother bid me go ask him his name, And from Berwick he came, Wi' his old grey beard just newly shaven. My mother bid me go ask him to stay, But I wished him away, Wi' his old grey beard just newly shaven. My mother bid me go fetch him a stool, I fetched him a stool, And he sat like a fool, Wi' his old grey beard just newly shaven. My mother bid me go fetch him a chair, I fetched him a chair, And he did girn and stare, Wi' his old grey beard just newly shaven. My mother bid me go spread him the cloth, • Pronounced 'Shavven.' |