speaking, and from thenceforth a whole run of merry days, till and
beyond Twelfth Day.

Soon after Christmas Day we are apprized of Twelfth Day (which keeps us
from dulness) by the icy cakes which everywhere appear in the
pastrycook's windows. And now I think I have as far as I am able
fulfilled my promise, and I may perhaps conclude this article with
wishing you and _all_ your readers and correspondents a merry
Christmas and a happy new year.

W.H.H.

[9] See MIRROR, p. 330.

* * * * *


RECOLLECTIONS OF MELROSE ABBEY.

(_For the Mirror._)

"I do love these ancient ruins;
We never tread upon them, but we set
Our foot upon some reverend history."


This fine ruin has a double interest attached to it, for, independent of
that which is created by the antiquity and splendour of the edifice, the
visiter should bear in mind that it is the _Kennaquhair_ of the
northern magician; and here the scenes so finely depicted in the