Summer Rambles.—The "Real Natives."

loaded AA'hich carry the produce to market , the happyfishermen returned home to breakfast , having done their day's Avork . So it goes on , Aveek after Aveek , all though the oyster season , and the net result is the division of a good round sum at the end of the yearamounting to as much to each

, citizen of the republic as the pay of a colonel in Her Majesty ' s Army . So it seems that after all it may not be a bad thing to be a member of a social republic formed on principles of liberty , equality , and fraternity . There is an " ancient and fish-like smell " about

the Whitstable Capitol , before which Ave are standing . The republicans Avithin are holding a Water Court , or Witenagemote , debating the important question as to the amount of tax they shall impose upon English people AA'I IO AA-ISII to enjoy " real natives . " For it must be understood

that Whitstable alone produces that luxury of luxuries , th e native oyster , the species itself as Avell as its name having been originated at this prosperous shore . There Avas once a great oyster trade between France and England , the foolish epicures of this country being under the impression

that the bivalves of Normandy Avere better than those of the Kentish coast . Against this silly prejudice the Whitstable men set themselves resolutely ; they felt sympathy for French orators , but none for French oysters . So they advertised

Avith great perseverance the " real natives" of of their own growth , and producing a very good article , carefully selected for the market , they Avere not long in gaining patriotic gourmands over to their side . At the present time all the vrorld acknowledges that the " native oyster " is the thing

which persons AA'I IO value their reputation and their digestion should take at supper . Thus merit has had its own reAvard , and the men of Whitstable are now in the happy position of being able to put their OAvn price on the article they manufacture . Last year the Witenagemote resolved , nam . con .,

to give the real natives for not less than tAvopence apiece , and anxious British oyster eaters Avere but too willing to pay the tax . This season there has been a movement among the leading men of the republic to raise the impost on the outer "b arbarians from tAvojjence to threepence ; and it was this matter which Avas under deliberation in

the congress when Ave had the honour of standing at the foot of the oyster-streAvn Capitol . What was the upshot of the solemn discussion did not become knoAvn , there being no Moniteur at Whitstable , and "our OAVII reporter" rigidly excluded from the Avell tarred house of parliament . But the

result seems little doubtful , the citizens of the social republic being men of sense , AA'I IO understand the value of pounds , shillings , and pence . Already they are great landed proprietors , and and with an improved system of taxation there is no limit to AA'hich they might not expand the confines of their commonwealth . For example , it might turn out a fine speculation to buy Canterbury

Summer Rambles.—The "Real Natives."

Cathedral , and convert it into an oyster tank . The gas works installed in Julius Caesar ' s castle are said to pay seven and a half per cent . Much pleased Avith our visit to Whitstable—and much pleased also to leave it , for the ancient fishlike smell is rather strong—Ave turn our face

eastAvard , towards Heme Bay . A feAV minutes Avalk brings us to a noble hill , crowned by a fine old castle , Avith turrets and battlements . It is true , then , that the chivalric age has not entirely fled from these shores , so famous in England historyand that the soil were Hengist and Horsa

, landed is not altogether given up to oyster breeding . The castle yonder Avas clearly built in the Middle Ages , and must belong to some old family Avell known to Dod and Sir Bernard Burke . To satisfy our curiosity , AA e inquire of the costguard , patrolling leisurely at the foot of the hill .

"What is the name of this place , and AVIIO is the , owner ?"— " Well , Sir , he replies sloAvely , the place is called Tankerton Castle , and belongs to a man as lives in London , and is a draper , but I don't knoAV his name . " —We walk on , lost in thoughts about knights and drapersabout old

, monasteries and neAV railway stations . Fancies are groAving wild at this Kentish shore , once the stronghold of monasticism , IIOAV the seat of a cooperative republic of fishermen and cherished home of Real Natives . —Spectator .

Irish Scenery—Kilkee, Co. Clare.

IRISH SCENERY—KILKEE , CO . CLARE .

( From an occasional Correspondent . ) The great variety of cliff scenery in this Avatering place , and the natural grandeur of everything that comes under observation beAvilders the minds of those AA'I IO interest themselves in the many changes

that time has developed on this iron-bound coast , the magnificence of Avhich it would take an abler pen than mine to describe . A few friends and myself determined a day or tAVO ago to visit the caves AA'hich most visitors to Kilkee must have

either seen or heard of . From the time of our departure , the scenes presented to view were of such a varied character that to describe them fully Avould take a longer time than I have at my disposal . HoAvever , I shall

mention a little that attracted my attention . The neighbourhood of the amphitheatre is about the first place of interest that meets the eye . The general aspect of this place Avould lead any one to suppose that the hand of man Avas employed at

some distant period in cutting out the various recesses , grottoes , and rows of comfortable seats Avhich the tourist avails himself of Avith much pleasure when fatigued after his rambles during the day . This place is a general resort for the romantic