full Austrian livery. The moment he appeared, the aunt was struck with his resemblance to Clem. who had been a servant in her family for many years, but there was not the slightest look of recognition on his part, of course she smiled at her own fancies. When seated at table, the aunt found just such a dinner as she would have ordered for a particular friend; the roasted veal, the soup, the curried chicken, and the marsh bird, all seemed as on her own table. The con

versation at table, after the subjects of England and the Continent were exhausted, turned upon the United States of America. The master of the feast appeared well read in American history, but misunderstood some of the geography of the country. Among other things, he quoted an Italian writer, who, speaking of the rivers Merrimack, and Connecticut, in New England, says, "these rivers like twin swans from the same nest, hold their course to the ocean, and mingle their waters with those of the mother of the floods, within a few miles of each other." Miranda smiling replied, "it seems wrong to destroy the beauty of the figure by telling the truth; but they arise far from each other, and join the ocean more than an hundred and fifty miles apart." The history of the Government was another topic of discussion, and some singular points were stated by the host, for which he had day and date; but, his guests insisted were errors-now fully explained. Nothing could exceed their astonishment, when the Austrian officer mentioned Cotton Mather as among the early American novelists; one, he thought, of great learning and of a most brilliant imagination. He said that Mather was admirable in drawing characters, and that his invention was but little inferior to that of the English Shakspeare in the supernatural world. The whole machinery of the New England witchcraft, he declared to be finely conceived and admirably carried out. He how

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ever thought that burning at the stake, would have been more epic than vulgar hanging; but he supposed that hang. ing was more in keeping with the age, and that the reason that they suffered on the gallows was the same as that given by one of the great crown lawyers of England for this mode of punishment by suspension-that is, men who were not fit for this world, or another, should be suspended between heaven and earth. Miranda smiled, but her aunt a very well informed woman attempted to explain the whole matter, to which he lent the most devout attention, and seemed to enter with great pleasure into the explanation. He had be fore conceived the whole as a mass of fiction, and was sur. prized on finding it a matter of veritable history. The guests were not a little surprised that one who had lived so long in England, as this Austrian was said to have been there, should with his good sense have taken up such wild and erroneous impressions; but since she had come from America, the aunt had before found that the English people were in many errors in regard to her own country.

The conversation now turned upon the revolutionary strug. gle, on this subject the Austrian was quite at home. The matron had been the wife of an actor, and a distinguished one in that great event, and she spoke feelingly and eloquently on the subject. Miranda was silent, but was delighted to hear one so far from her native land, so deeply interested in her country's history. The character of Washington came upon the tapis, and the Austrian did ample justice to the merits of that great man; he placed his valor, his skill in military strategy, in a proper light, but above all his Fabian wisdom in the whole course of his military life. He then adverted to the American Congress, and descanted upon the abilities of the members, touching with a nice and delicate discrimination the peculiar merits of the deceased statesman

who had been the husband of the matron before him; she looked a thousand thanks, but dared not trust herself to express one of them. The manners, customs, and character of the American people, were in turn brought forward and discussed by the Austrian, with honorable feelings, and with military brevity. The guests were astonished at his general information, while they were amused at the incorrectness of some of the sources of his information.

The next day a party on horseback was proposed; Miranda rode elegantly. The Austrian asked permission to find a horse for the young lady, for he had one he knew would suit her. The aunt took a carriage. The Andalusion courser, who had bourn the gallant officer in his Spanish campaign, had been brought to Rome, and now was caparisoned with an English side-saddle, found among the English families in the city. The animal'was as gentle as spirit. ed, obedient to his master's voice in every situation. The Austrian rode a cream colored charger; they rode around the city and along the banks of the Tiber, and were the admiration of the population. The Austrian gave the whole cavalcade a minute history of the several places, both ancient and modern. They visited the tombs of the Scipios, and others of the mighty dead, who had the honor of being buried on the road side. Miranda was charmed with her ride; the Andalusian behaved with all possible spirit, gentleness, and obedience; he seemed to know that his mas ter's feeling were in the case. The rider felt no fatigue, and as she dismounted, the officer made her a proffer of his horse, whenever she might want to ride. An accident transpired which had well nigh led to a disclosure; the Major pushed his horse, then a little restive, over a fragment of a column, which was done so furiously, that his wig had near. ly fell from his head. They returned after the day's amuse

ment to an elegant supper, or rather dinner; they had partaken of light refreshments several times during the day, but had not set down to any regular meal. The banquet was in first Italian style; the covers were numerous, and shone by the lights of an hundred lamps; one would have thought that Lucullus had come back to Rome to sup with Lucullus. The light wines of Italy flowed like water, and Miranda noticed how sparingly the host drank. Oh? thought she, could the too indulgent Hampton have been so abstimeous, we should now have been a happy couple. A band of music was playing while the guests were at table; the host gave them a toast: "The United States, and its enlightened inhabitants." The music instanly struck up "Hail Columbia," and followed with the national air of “ Yankee Doodle," which the host accompanied with his voice. The unexpect. ed compliment was received with transport. Instantly a German March succeeded, not giving the guests time to reason on the subject. After his guests had retired, the Major threw himself on his bed in a paroxysm of feeling ; he had acted his part all day with the greatest effort, and when the scene was over he could not contain himself, or remain master of his feelings. At one moment he made up his mind to go and throw himself at Miranda's feet, confess all, and implore her to save him; but instantly his pride arose to condemn such a step, for he would rather have died an hundred deaths than to have a second refusal; and there were again moments when he had lashed himself to high resentment at what he thought his ill treatment! that he was not certain he would marry her if every obstacle was removed; then followed a gush of salt tears, and sleeplessness and feverish dreams. One image of despair chased another, until the day shone all lovely upon his aching head and broken heart. There is something in daylight that

soothes the wretched.

Apollo was wisely called by the sagacious ancients, the healing god, for his rays send a summer feeling to the heart, which is a wonderful medicine in the maladies of the mind, and no where is his reign so perfect as in the Italian skies. The Americans were now making ready for their departure for Venice. One of the gentlemen was a brother to Miranda, a merchant much older than herself; he had sent a ship to Smyrna and ordered her to come to Venice to take him and his party to the United States. The time had now nearly arrived when she might be expected, and they were anxious not to keep her waiting when she did arrive. The Major understanding this, provided them with suitable conveyance to that city, and proposed to accompany them himself, which proposition was hailed as a new proof of his kindness. He left his African in The journey was ta

They.

his house, and took an Italian servant. ken with leisure, as is common in that country, not as in Eng. land or the United States, with all the fury of Jehu. were beguiled of the tediousness of the way by free conversation. Still careful of speaking of French politics, for Gonsalvi intimated to the Major that every servant in Rome was a French spy. They reached Venice without accident, but the ship had not yet arrived; but within a week the Star Spangled Banner was seen floating on the breeze of Venice. On their arrival, they lost no time in examining the city. Venice offered much for curiosity, and something for instruction. The city makes a spirited appearance at a distance, it seems to have arisen from a sea of glass; the large buildings seem to have no foundation on earth. The city stands on numerous small islands, and every guide differed as to the precise number; they are said to be from sixty to one hundred and sixty eight. Some oft he numerous canals are narrow, others are of a fine width. At this time Venice

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