Furnished by Mr. G. BRODIE, 300 Canal Street, New York, and drawn by VOIGT from actual articles of Costume.

THE

HE EVENING DRESS is of white tarletan, trimmed with narrow blue ribbons. The flounces are headed; body low; round waist; berthe of two puffings, corresponding with the flounces. Sleeves are short and puffed; sash edged en suite. The coiffure is of white daisies, with blue foliage.

The WALKING ROBE, which is also adapted for a home dress, is gored. The material is a Polish green poplin. It is trimmed with ruches.

NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

No. CXLI.-FEBRUARY, 1862.-VOL. XXIV.

V.-THE LAST HUNT.

July 20, 18-. I am particular about the date. EVER shone the sun more brightly than it because this was the third day after our memor

NEVER the sun more than it because this res with the grizzly bear, and this

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, by Harper and Brothers. VOL. XXIV.-No. 141.-T

was the exact day on which occurred the last | "Tis passing sweet to wander, free as air,
and one of the most remarkable and tragic
events with which the records of our Association
have ever been darkened.

"He who has not enjoyed the inspiring influences of camp-life in California can scarcely form an idea of a fine morning in camp, when the swallows are twittering in the trees and the field-larks wooing the sleepers out of their chapadens with their merry roundelays. There is a freshness in the air, a fragrance in the dewy sod, a warmth and brilliancy in the rays of the sun as they come pouring over the hill-tops, through the glittering trees, to which the rarest beauties of nature in other lands are tame in comparison. In no part of the world is there such a climate, so bright and beautiful are the atmospheric tints; so clear, pure, and healthful is the air, whether by night or day; so exuberant is animal life under the stimulus that is absorbed from all the rich surroundings of elements, where the mere luxury of living, breathing, and seeing is a blessing enjoyed as it never can be elsewhere. It is a land of promise, of youth, vigor, and rejuvenescence, a land where men may rush for health and inspiration as well as money, where

Blithe truants in the bright and breeze-blessed day, Far from the town-where stoop the sons of careO'er plains of mischief till their souls turn gray."

Thus spoke His Honor the Judge, on the glorious morning of the 20th, as one by one we rolled out of our chapadens, exuberant with life and spirits. A crackling fire sent up wreaths of smoke from the centre of the camp; the sweet odor of stewed venison and boiling-hot coffee mingled gratefully with the charming breath of Nature so pleasantly referred to by the Judge; and when Captain Toby rolled out of his blankets, raised his pewter flask high in the air, and called around him a merry crowd, and all burst forth into that magnificent glee,

"A pie sat on a p'ar tree!
A pie sat on a p'ar tree!
A pie sat on a p'ar tree!

Heigh-ho! heigh-ho! heigh-ho!"

I am free to declare it was enough to make grave men dance like boys, and melancholy men shout for joy like little children.

"And now, gentlemen," said the Captain, "as we are soon to depart from this delightful region, where the game is abundant and the company select, I propose that we have one

grand and general deer-hunt, that every member may enjoy an opportunity of carrying home some trophy of his skill in the chase."

Cap

der were to scatter about over the hills.
tain Toby himself was to take rather a more ex-
tended range on the back of his Broncho, and
drive the game in toward the valley from the
high ridges. The whole plan was admirably
contrived, and was in every respect worthy the
genius of our excellent friend and associate.

A general shout greeted this proposition, in which all united except our esteemed friend Tom Fry, whose recollections of a recent chase were not of the most agreeable kind. The loss of his clothing had been in some measure remeWith three cheers that rang merrily through died by contributions from such of the party as the encampment, and many expressions of gratihad any extra apparel to bestow upon him, and tude toward the Captain, the whole party were at this period his costume was singularly varie- about to start off, when Mr. Wilkins stepped from gated and striking. A small smoking-cap, pre- the ranks and begged permission to say a word. sented by Mr. Phil Wilkins, barely covered the "You will bear me witness, gentlemen," said crown of his head; a red flannel shirt, the gift he, "that I am not usually mistaken in my of Captain Toby, scantily adorned his body; a views respecting the Phenomena of Nature. pair of slender-legged pantaloons, belonging to This is a very uncommon day, and likely to be "the undersigned," were fitted to his ponderous more so before night. I feel it in the atmoslimbs as beautifully as the natural skin, but utter-phere. Something remarkable is going to hap ly failed to reach more than half-way round his waist, and had to be fastened by means of various straps and leather thongs; stockings he had none, and for shoes he wore a pair of moccasins hastily constructed by the Doctor out of a raw deer-skin.

When Captain Toby proposed a general deerhunt, therefore, it is not a matter of surprise that Mr. Fry hesitated to hail the proposition with that degree of enthusiasm with which it was greeted from other sources. He had not yet forgotten the chowder; nor were his recollections of the hazards of life and limb in this region calculated to inspire him with a desire to leave camp again upon an uncertainty.

pen. Many of you doubtless are under the impression that you are going to kill a deer; but I utterly deny the vulgar theory of extinguishing life by means of lead. The two material substances of flesh and lead may by sudden contact change their relative forms, but such casual change is no proof that the vital principle has been touched. When we satisfy the cravings of a carnal appetite by means of venison, I hold the doctrine that the venison is still alive, only the material or muscular system is deprived of motion. Hence I reverse the theory of the Banyans and other Oriental races who believe in the translation of men's souls into the bodies of animals, and candidly confess that at this moment I believe myself to be partially composed of cows, sheep, chickens, snipe, rabbits, bucks, quails, and grizzly bears, not to mention hen-eggs and the larva of fish!"

This proposition was so monstrous and astounding that the Judge could not refrain from expressing his surprise that any gentleman could be found to maintain such heathenish doctrines in an enlightened age. "Doctrines," said his Honor, with considerable asperity, "which, if generally accepted by mankind, would strike at the very foundations of society. The abominable systems of Plato and Aristotle were nothing to this. The very worst features of Paganism could not compare with it. What, Sir! do you undertake to tell me that because our friend Mr. Fry, for example, has just breakfasted on a pound of bacon, two pounds of venison, the leg of a rabbit, the breast of a quail, half a dozen mountain trout, and a can of sardines, that he is to that extent hog, deer, rabbit, quail, trout, and sardine? That the divine creature whose charms have given inspiration to the character of our noble friend the General, and rendered his life a dream of poetry and romance; of whom he so often says, with equal justice and propriety,

"Gentlemen," said Mr. Fry, as soon as the cheering had partially subsided, "you will pardon me if I suggest that it would scarcely be prudent for all of us to leave the camp at the same time on this proposed expedition. There are Indians in this vicinity, as I know by sad experience, and if they discovered our camp without a suitable guard, they would be sure to rob us of our remaining property. Since it has pleased Providence to furnish me with more flesh to carry than usually falls to the lot of one person, though I can run with considerable speed when unencumbered by clothing, it would be advisable for me perhaps to remain here with Doctor Campbell and assist in the preparation of a venison stew, for which I have no doubt you will all have acquired an excellent appetite by the time you are done killing your game." This proposition seemed so reasonable that it was at once accepted. Mr. Fry was furnished with a spare rifle with which to keep guard; and all the rest of the party forthwith set about their preparations for the chase. As soon as breakfast was over, and the rifles, powder-flasks, hunting-knives, and all necessary accoutrements in readiness, Captain Toby laid down the programme of routes. The General was to take up a certain cañon; Colonel Jack was to choose his own route, but to avoid a certain ridge upon which Mr. Phil Wilkins was to enjoy the preemption right; two of the lawyers, Messrs. Tomp--that she, one of the choicest pieces of God's kins and Podgers, were to follow the line of the handiwork that ever captivated the heart of coast, in a southerly direction, and the remain- man, is merely a broiled duck, or a squab, or

I see no fault in her whom I adore,
Or if I do her beauty makes it none.
Behold a man abandoned o'er

To an eternal lethargy of love!'