_catching_ and _taking_ nature, every now and then affectionately
hitched together in unpremeditated and close embrace. To the parties in
action, it is not difficult to suppose these combinations might prove
something short of perfectly agreeable, more especially, as on such
occasions as these, some of the fair daughters of our courtly belles
were undergoing the awful ordeal of a first ball-room appearance, on
whom these contingencies would inflict ten-fold embarrassment.--_The
Ball, or a Glance at Almack's in 1829._

* * * * *


FRENCH PAINTINGS.


General le Jeune has added a new picture to his collection of battle
paintings, exhibiting at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly. It represents
one of the general's perilous adventures in the Peninsular War, and is a
vigorous addition to these admirable productions of the French school.
The whole series will be found noticed at page 212 of our vol. xi.

* * * * *


FLOWERS ON THE ALPS.


The flowers of the mountains--they must not be forgotten. It is worth a
botanist's while to traverse all these high passes; nay, it is worth the
while of a painter, or any one who delights to look upon graceful