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the king, would enable him to succeed against one whom he never suspected to be any thing more than a poor forester.

The moment when all parties were to meet was now arrived, and Alphonso and Almira were admitted into the royal presence. The king no sooner fixed his eyes on Alphonso than a most uncommon sensation thrilled through every vein. Without the least knowledge of the cause, he found it impossible to address him, or look towards him, without being strongly agitated.

Alphonso, having obtained permission to speak, represented Antonio's being robbed, and the laying the ring he had lost in his hut, as a vile contrivance, protesting, in the most solemn manner, that he was perfectly innocent of every thing laid to his charge. Antonio, as if insensible of shame, boldly declared that all that had been said by Alphonso was a contempt of his authority, as well as a most audacious insinuation against his honour and justice; and assured the king that the guilt of Alphonso had been fully proved and established. The king demanded of Antonio if the finding the ring in Alphonso's hut was the only evidence on which he had been convicted and being told it was, his majesty farther demanded; who the person was that had discovered it. The king no sooner spoke than the villain who had hired himself to lay the ring in Alphonso's hut suddenly presented himself, and humbly informed his majesty that he was the person who had found the ring. Antonio, not knowing whether he was a friend or foe, or from what motive he spoke, instantly cried out that he was the witness on whose testimony he had thought it just to convict Alphonso.

And by whom,' demanded the king, was you employed to find

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this ring?

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By Antonio,' replied the villain, who first hired me to hide the ring in Alphonso's hut, and afterwards engaged me, with three others, to waylay his nephew, Rinaldo, and prevent him, at the peril of his life, from seeking the king in behalf of Alphonso.' This confession, so voluntarily made, struck the king and the whole assembly with astonishment and horror. Every eye was fixed on Antonio, nor was it possible for him to conceal the perturbation of his mind, or hide the shame and confusion that flushed into his face.

Rinaldo, perceiving things sufficiently ripe for his purpose, begged patient hearing of the king; which being granted, he related his meeting with Almira, and the story of Alphonso, excepting his illustrious birth, which Rinaldo thought it most proper yet for some time to conceal : but what most astonished all who heard it was the cause of Antonio's resentment against Alphonso, and the fair Almira, to force whose love he had invented the horrid plot dis covered by one of the ruffians he had hired to assassinate him.

Notwithstanding the injustice of Antonio was so obviously clear to every one, he had, nevertheless, the effrontery to give the most direct and positive contradiction to every thing alleged against him, charging these who had accused him with conspiring against his life, and demanding of the king his royal protection against them.

His majesty, somewhat embarrassed how to act between the different parties, determined that the matter should be decided by duel between Alphonso and Antonio, to which both readily agreed; Alphonso inspired by the justice of his cause, and Antonio led on by the superior skill he flattered himself that he possessed. One thing only Alphonso

requested of the king, which was, that he might be allowed to ask a delay of the duel until the morning, in order that he might have an opportunity of sending to the but he had quitted, by his majesty's commands, for a valuable sword concealed there, without which he should have but little hopes of suc ceeding. The king appeared much surprised, and enquired what sword it was, without which Alphonso could not venture to proceed to battle. Alphonso, bowing most respectfully, humbly besought his majesty that he would be pleased to excuse his silence on the subject, until the proper time should come for obeying his royal pleasure. This request more amazed the king than ever. Indeed, every one present appeared greatly surprised at its ambiguity, and the secret it was evidently meant to conceal.

A convenient place being prepared for the purpose, the combatants met in the morning, and appeared in the ring, which was surrounded by all the nobles that had attended the king on his circuit, and the gentry residing in the neighbouring villages; his majesty being seated on a throne under the canopy of state, in the centre, with his officers and guards around him.

Never was attention more engrossed, or expectation higher raised, than on the present occasion. Every eye was rivetted on Alphonso, anxious for the success of his combat, until Almira presented herself, and interested every one in her father's behalf. The signal for the fight was now proclaimed by sound of trum pet, and the combatants advanced towards each other with sword in hand; Alphonso cool and intrepid, aad Antonio burning with rage, insomuch that, wholly under its influence, he began the combat with so furious a lunge, that every one

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expected to see Alphonso at his feet. Almira gave a violent shriek, and the whole assembly felt for her distress; but Alphonso, more discreet than his antagonist, put by Antonio's sword, and immediately run him through the body. The wound was fatal, and Antonio immediately expired, amidst a general shout of the whole assembly.

Rinaldo instantly caught Almira in his arms, and joined her in thanking Heaven for the victory her father had gained. Indeed, the whole assembly most visibly participated in their joy; nor was the good old king without his share of satisfaction, led by inspiration, as it were, to indulge a secret pleasure in the event of the day. But greater events were yet to come. Alphonso, borne triumphant in a car prepared for the conqueror, approached his majesty on his knee, and in an humble posture presented him with his sword, still reeking with Antonio's blood.

'Heavens!' cried the king, perceiving the inscription on the blade, sure this is the very sword of state, long lost with my only son?' 'It is,' exclaimed Alphonso, and a gracious Providence now returns you both for; in me you now behold your long-lost son, Alphonso,' A general surprise now suspended every tongue, and all were lost in wonder and amazement. The good old king, weeping through excess of joy, embraced first Alphonso, and then Almira, drawing tears from every beholder.

A profound silence prevailing, Alphonso, by the express command of the king, publicly gave his history, as it had been related to him by Ursula, with an account of the manner in which he became possessed of the sword of state, as a proof of his illustrious birth, whenever occasion should render it necessary to make it appear. Alphonso

also informed his royal father of the manner in which Álmira and Rialdo became acquainted, and parficularly of the part he had so generously taken to procure him an opportunity of setting forth his innocence before the king, which he was fully determined to establish, before he ventured to disclose the relationship he had the happiness to bear to so renowned and illustrious a prince.

The king instantly dispatched a courier with orders for proclaiming throughout Sardinia the discovery of the heir to the throne, and proceeded with all possible expedition on his return to his palace, where the good old king introduced his son and the lovely Almira to his people, who received the long-lost prince and his beautiful daughter with every demonstration of joy.

The next day a public festival was provided by the king, at which Alphonso and Almira appeared, attired in the richest dresses that could be procured. Alphonso, being of a stature above the middle size, made a most majestic appearance, especially as he was handsomely formed, and of a countenance the most open and expressive that could possibly be imagined. As to Almira, her dress threw a lustre on her charms that captivated and enslaved, nor were her manners less endearing and engaging. The banquet was celebrated in a manner suitable to the occasion on which it was given. Happiness sat on every face, and each moment brought some new pleasure to inspire and exhilarate the soul.

After dinner, the king, agreeably to the wish of Alphonso, caused Almira to give her hand to Rinaldo in marriage, and as a mark of his royal approbation of the part he had acted towards her and her father, immediately settled on them an income suitable to their rank; after

which he caused Alphonso to be proclaimed heir to the crown.

The king soon after died, and was succeeded by Alphonso in a long and prosperous reign, full of happiness and honour.

Such are the secret workings of a gracious Providence, and such the triumphs of the good and the unfortunate, who are sure to burst, sooner or later, from the cloud of adversity, covered, like Alphonso, with glory and renown. Heaven is ever just in all its ways, and to be virtuous is the way ultimately to be happy.

THE END.

A NIGHT WALK

IN JULY.

By J. M. L.

The balmy hay around was thrown,
Far from the town, and quite alone,
And eve,' approaching, whisper'd peace:
I gave my senses soft release.'

Author's Manuscript Poems.

FOR a few days I had breathed the pure air of the sea-coast, from which my present residence was about two miles distant: my almost constant walk was to the shore, for the way thither lay over a most charming succession of corn and grass fields. It was more my walk at evening than at

• The morning-hour of life and love:” Then I generally sought a shady recess near a little rivulet, that wound its silent way to the all-devouring ocean. There, with my flute, I have passed many a very pleasant hour; and when the softened tones, that echo wafted back from the flowery banks ofthe stream, reached my ear,

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I passed on, and met the last load of hay coming from a field. Owing to the lateness of the hour, it could not be stacked till the next day; but the appearance of heavy clouds, that seemed to foretel a tempest, made the labourers determine to get it under cover that night. The top was loaded with merry haymakers, riding home as it were in triumph.

"Yon rustic throng have left the hay-field's toil;

With gladsome song they cheer the homeward way:

The youth how blest should his fair partner

smile,

Forgotten, then, the labour of the day."

Author's Manuscript Poems.

Having crossed a corn-field, where waved the full-formed wheat ear, I sat down for a few minutes upon a stile to reflect on the occurrences of the day, exclaiming with Hurdis,

Here let me pause; and ere still nigla advance

To shut the books of heav'n, look back and

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To a poetical mind there is something in the contemplation of fairies, and their employments peculiarly pleasing; and however sober reason may laugh at the poet and his fairies, yet the poet still enjoys a pleasure perhaps denied to

sober reason. They are at any rate a harmless species of immaterial beings, and would scarcely alarm an infant's mind. Such employments as the following are not only harmless, but many of them are praiseworthy; and from those that are so let reason take an example, and laugh at the fairies as much as she pleases!

Some on their Sylphid Queen attend,
Where smiles her roseate bow'r;
Around her dew-gemm'd throne they bend,
And bring each tribute flow'r.

Some glide unheard where Beauty sleeps,
And prompt her love-traught dreams;
Some seek the spot where Sorrow weeps,
And soothe witn Hope's warm beanis.

Some guard the tomb where Honour lies,
And weed the grass-grown space;
Then tid the fairest flow'rets rise
To deck the hallow'd place.

And others lighter joys pursue,
Attir'd in robes of bloom,
Whilst roses glitt'ring bright with dew
Spread round a rich perfume.

Some gather garlands from the flow'rs,
To decorate their Queen,
Who deigns to share their frolic hours,
Upon the eak-crown'd green.

Some in a water-lily glide,

Along the moon-tipt lake;
A rose-leaf sail their only guide,
Till morn begins to break:

When swift they steal to soft repose,
Within each flowery cell;
The violet, or the blushing rose,
Deep in some hidden dell.

Author's Manuscript Peemt.

Having reached the sea-side, I sat down on a large stone, and gazed over the vast expanse of waters, whose mirror-like surface was dim pled only by a distant boat seeking its way to port; whilst the stillness of the air was only disturbed by the boatman's rude song. There is a great pleasure to most minds in listening to the half-heard waves, as they tremble on the beach.

Their mildly-sciemn murmur on the shore

Is more than pleasing to the pensive soul; The soothing sound delights the bosom more Than loud-tongued Pleasure's phrenzylike controu!.'

Author's Manuscript Pomi,

Notwithstanding the calmness of the evening, there was a peculiar ap pearance in the sky, and a sensation in the air (better felt then described) that foretold a coming storm; and an immense pile of black electriclooking clouds in the south-east placed it beyond a doubt. I could also perceive a fisherman's family, whose hut was at no great distance from me, busily employed in taking every thing in that could be injured by wet; whilst the fisherman and asturdy lad where hauling a boat up the beach, high enough to be out of the reach of the waves. All this warned me; but as I did not think myself in any immediate danger, I staid to observe a little of its progress. On observing the torpid state of the immense sheet of water before me, apparently only slumbering to gather strength against the coming conflict of the elements, I could not help ejaculating,

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