Yet lovely from this summit looks

The landscape, stretching far away, While, 'mid the many-colour'd west, Lingers departing day.

Spirit of recollected joy!

I feel thy magic potence here, Thrilling my heart-strings-bringing o'er My eyes a precious tear.

In luxury of voiceless thought,

I wander onward, led by thee; And hold communion with the days Which never more can be.

LITERARY CHITCHAT AND VARIETIES.

MR R. HANWAY is preparing a History of the Representation of England, drawn from Records; and of the reform of its Abuses by the House of Commons itself, without the aid of Statute Law. Mr F. Arundel, a young architect, who has been pursuing his studies in Italy, announces a work in numbers on Palladio.

A refutation of the calumnious reports set on foot by the followers of the Rev. Edward Irving, respecting the Unknown Tongue.-[We have transcribed the above announcement verbatim from the periodicals in which it has appeared, but whether the refutation or the calumnious reports are attributed to the followers of Mr Irving, we leave to the reader to determine.E. L. J.]

"The Mother's Book," from the pen of Mrs Child, is about to issue from the Glasgow press. It contains hints to parents of every rank on the education and management of children.

THE BORDER MAGAZINE.-We seem fast verging towards that state of society in which every town shall find itself in Magazines —a sad look-out for the metropolitans. In one point of view, however, it is cheering, as a proof of the increasing diffusion of intelligence, taste, and intellectual activity. The Border Magazine, of which the first number now lies upon our table, is neat in its exterior, and clever and spirited in its literary matter. Among the contributors we recognise the names of some old and esteemed acquaintances -Gilfillan of Leith, Mackay Wilson, and Mr Campbell, the author of " Perkin Warbeck," a clever novel, which appeared about the same time as Mrs Shelley's. The sketch of "Fra Diavolo," by the last named gentleman, would do credit to any periodical:

THE WESTERN JOURNAL.-We have to acknowledge the receipt of a card from our erudite and excellent friend, the Editor of "The Western Journal," couched in his usual laconic and emphatic style. It is with pleasure that we comply with his request, to give it "a notice favourable or otherwise "--the more so, that our verdict is decidedly in its favour. "The Western Journal," then, gentle ignoramus-who livest beyond the sphere of its fame-is a monthly periodical, which first sees the light in the "little town of Ayr, as Harry Johnston once termed it-sorely to the discomfiture of some of our good friends "in those parts" We proposed at one time to be vastly witty upon the contradiction implied in a Mensal Journal-as being something akin to the announce. ment of one of our Bible Societies, "that its third biennial meeting for the year 182-," would be held-we forget when. But, on second thoughts, we recollected that a Hepdomadal Journal was not a whit better. We have been much pleased with the spirit of our western namesake-it is frank and fearless, bold and uncompromising. In particular, we have read with much interest the history of the "Ayr Drama." How many good names, and true, do we there find recorded, some making their first essays upon the boards-others decayed from their high and palmy state, picking up a precarious livelihood in the provinces-others, again, gay and glittering birds of passage, like O'Neill and Kean, starring it among the wondering provincials. 'Tis a curious fact, that the drama flourished in Ayr with more success than in any provincial town we know of, until-it got a theatre. Will our brother of the Western Journal solve this problem for us?

MUSIC.-The Atlas of last week contains the preface of a juvenile work of Weber, entitled, Zwölf Choräle von Sebastian Bach, umgearbeitet von Vogler, zergliederet von C. M. von Weber. (Twelve chorals of Sebastian Bach, re-arranged by Vogler, anatomized by C. M. von Weber.) This brief document is well worthy the attention of musical readers.-In addition to the Musical Annual noticed by us last week, in the discharge of our critical office, "The Cadean," chiefly a selection from foreign sources, and "The Musical Gem," a work already sufficiently known, have made their appeal to the public. The songs of Lacy's version of "Fra Diavolo," seem, at present, to occupy almost exclusively the attention of the musical public.

SCULPTURE, PAINTING, &c.—We learn that the Scottish Academy intend opening an Exhibition shortly of Etty's great work, flanked by eight other paintings by the same artist, and their own Diploma pictures.-The sister arts have paid a tribute to the spirit of music embodied in Paganini. H. Westmacott has executed a bust of him a portrait of his mind as well as his body. There is something at once grand and tender about the expression of the broad, lofty brow and sensitive mouth, which unavoidably reminds us of our ideas of a countenance too sacred to be lightly named. Westmacott has been inspired by his enthusiasm for his subject, and has fairly outdone himself. We hear as well as see Paganini while we look at this work. The bust, we are informed, is to be published.Hardivillier snatched sketches both of Paganini and his fair associate, which show him possessed of true genius. In his picture of the landing of Charles X. we recognised the learned artist-but these sketches show that he possesses inherent fire and tact. That of the lady is conceived in a spirit of playful good-natured malice -with just enough of caricature to enforce the absurdity of some of her expressions, but still representing her as (what she really is) a woman of lady-like talented appearance. Paganini's figure is daring, beautiful, grand. In applying to this artist the attribute of genius, we have regard as much to the delicate and ready tact which he has shown, in apprehending, on the spur of the moment, the true feeling in which each character should be conceived, as to the mastery of expression which his execution evinces.-A model of Roscoe has been executed by Mr Scipio Clint, in a manner highly creditable to the artist. On the obverse is the head of the historian, with the inscription-" William Roscoe." On the reverse is a laurel-tree, with the inscription-" Stassi il lavro lieto;" and below-" Born MDCCLIII.-Died MDCCCXXXI." -Chantrey is executing some noble colossal works for the King. Wilkie is engaged upon his portrait. His Majesty has given liberal orders to Stanfield for marine subjects, for which early associations naturally give him a predilection. The Queen has purchased Parris's last picture-The Warrior's Wife, and has repeatedly visited most of the exhibitions of works of art.

AMATEURS.-The Princess Elizabeth, when young, was not only a warm patron of the Fine Arts, but a professor also. A series of engravings from beautiful drawings made by her royal Highness, were published many years ago, under the title of "Cupid turned Volunteer." To these prints were appended poetical illustrations, written by Thomas Parks, Esq. The present Duchess of Bedford has likewise infinite taste in art; many of her drawings made during her residence in Rome, where she was instructed by the younger Hayter, are absolute Gems. The Duchess has likewise received lessons in drawing from Edwin Landseer, whom the Duke of Bedford has always warmly patron. ized. The Duchess of Buccleuch, whilst in Rome, was a constant visitor at the studio of Canova and Thorwaldsen, and the paintingrooms of Camuchini, Hayter, and Eastlake. This accomplished lady, during her tour, made many drawings, which are highly appreciated by artists who have been permitted to see them.

LAW-OH LA!-Wills and testaments are a great source of fun. There is a case in 6 Vessey, p. 194, Townley v. Bedwell, in which the Lord Chancellor (Eldon) held that the trust of real and personal estate by will, for the purpose of establishing a Botanical Garden, was void, for a rather singular reason, as it appears in the report, viz. because the testator expressed that "he trusted it would be a public benefit!" The Solicitor-general (Sir William Grant) and Mr Romilly, compared it to the case of a gift of a piece of land for the purpose of erecting monuments of the naval victories of this country. The Lord Chancellor said, in that case the heir might pull them down, and in this he might destroy the garden; but his lordship thought, upon the expression of the testator, that "he trusted it would be a public benefit," he might venture to declare it void! The reason was, of course, that it was within the statutes of mortmain.-The Year Book.

THE HUNTERIAN MEDICAL SOCIETY.-The election of office-bearers for this society, for the ensuing year, took place on Wednes. day the 16th inst., when Messrs N. Rogers, G. Hamilton, Maccall, and Marr, were chosen presidents. The senior president (Mr Rogers) on taking the chair, addressed the society in an elegant and impressive speech. He adverted to the flourishing prospects of the society; dwelt at some length on the most recommendable line of conduct on the part of members towards each other in debate, and the propriety of every member exerting himself to the utmost; and wound up by alluding to an unfortunate prejudice which had gone abroad respecting the tendency of medical investigation to blight the better feelings. He concluded by an eloquent allusion to the labours and distinction of the celebrated physician from whom the society derived its name. "But I shall not attempt to enlarge on a topic, which has exhausted the eloquence of many a panegyrist. I would only ask you, for an instant, to visit in imagination that stupendous record of his fame, that monumentum ære perennius,' the Museum which bears his name; and as you gaze around on that magnificent product of his gigantic exertions; on the seventeen thousand preparations, the result of the diligent and discriminating industry of

one man-I ask you whether his most appropriate epitaph would, not be, that sublimely simple inscription to the memory of Sir Christopher Wren, in St Paul's Cathedral, 'Lector, si monumen-' tum quæris, circumspice!"

THE NEW PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE.-Mr Low, the successor of Dr Coventry, in this important chair, commenced his lectures at the College on Monday last. We observe that Mr Low has adopted a method of enlivening and giving interest to his subject, totally overlooked by his predecessor. In order to illustrate his lectures as he goes along, he has provided himself, for the use of his class, with a large and complete assortment of models of all kinds of agricultural implements, and a most perfect herbarium of every sort of plant that may come under discussion during the course. He has also caused drawings of the different domestic animals to be prepared, by means of which the various marks of beauty or utility which distinguish each may be easily pointed out and illustrated. In this way the lectures will be rendered practically much more useful, and worthy the attention not of the farmer only, but of every man of general science. From these arrangements, and from what we have heard of Mr Low's talents and acquirements, we have no doubt that he will give a new impetus to the study of the Science of Agriculture. Those of his lectures which we heard abounded in curious and interesting matter, and were extremely elegant in style.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE SIX FEET CLUB.-This Brobdignagian festival took place on Saturday last. When we entered the room, "us seemed" we had stumbled upon some feast of the Titans. As usual the crowd was densest at the door, and a wall of gigantic forms were there congregated, over and betwixt which we in vain attempted to catch a glimpse of the interior. At dinner we were more fortunate; and although, as we looked up on either side, the curved line descending from the head of our right-hand neighbour upon our own, and thence re-ascending to that of the gentleman on our left, did somehow remind us of a boot-jack, not even this painful sense of our own ridiculous littleness could prevent us from enjoying the scene. It was a feeling of pride chastened by awe-as if we had been admitted a guest of the tall offspring of "strong Cain." Our emotions were solemn and antediluvian. We know not whether we should have been able to endure our high-wrought fantasy for a whole evening, had not the presence, at once humanizing and inspiring, of Wilson and Macdonald reconciled us to our situation. A bust of the Earl of Errol, executed by Macdonald for the Club, (which is that nobleman's body guard,) in the recess of a window at the end of the room, lent additional interest to the scene. The games of the season had been duly celebrated in the forenoon by the members,-it must have been interesting to behold their longitudes frisking about in snow deep enough to have whelmed ordinary mortals.

SHAKSPEARIAN CLUB.-This reunion of the amateurs and artists of the stage, held its first meeting for the season on Monday-Mr Gillon of Wallhouse, M.P., in the chair. There was a strong muster of both parties, and spirited, lively conversation, diversified by some excellent singing, induced some of the members to keep their seats longer than they are wont-with some of them that would be no easy matter. We trust the amateur members will not forget their duty to promote the interests of the theatre, by assisting on all occasions, to excite an interest in what is going on there each in his own circle,

CHITCHAT FROM GLASGOW,-Dr Cleland, an indefatigable and able statist, has just issued-merely for private circulation-a beautiful folio volume, containing the results of the recent census of our population, and other matters. From it Mr Prentice, of the Chronicle, has with infinite labour made up an abstract, relating to Glasgow, which abounds in curious facts, and is pregnant with matter for reflection. For example-we have no less than 1442 Bachelors who keep houses-while there are 1882 Spinsters who do the same; poor solitary things!-what a pity the two classes don't agree to live together!-We have only 552 foreigners. In professions or trades-we have the astounding number of 93 Booksellers and Stationers, while we have only 74 Barbers and Hairdressers--so much more do we attend to the inside than the outside of the caput. But this is nothing to the fact that these are but shops-as 459 pair of hands have employment in these departments, furnishing literary food to 2659 professors, teachers, students, and literary persons, aided by 573 Printers, &c.; while of Silversmiths, &c. there are but 277.-The most extraordinary example of diffusing literary intelligence, &c., is the publication here of a weekly sheet called "The Cornucopia," which is of the size of a newspaper, and sold at one penny! It is of course somewhat coarse, but is henceforward, we understand, to exhibit considerable typographical elegance. But more of this anon. Chameleon" is succeeding beyond the most sanguine expectations of its author in its sale, and it is now contemplated to originate here a Scottish annual, equal in beauty to those of the Metropolis. -Mr Wm. Reid, long a respected bookseller in Glasgow, has been called to his fathers. He was the friend of Burns, Finlay, and other bards, and himself of the number, often strangely happy in quaint impromptu, and, in his youth, in Scottish song.-Another

"The

literary bibliopole of the West has also paid the debt of nature, Mr D. Weir, the historian of Greenock, and author of many pretty songs. He loved to be called the bard of Strona, a little favourite stream, Peace to his spirit!

Theatrical Gossip.-At Drury Lane, Ducrow, after superin. tending the production of "Hyder Ali," has been aiding and abetting in the production of the " Days of Athens." The piece consists of a series of detached scenes or pictures exhibited on an inner stage, and described in verses of the calibre of those inflicted upon us in "Raphael's Dream." It was performed twice, and withdrawn. There is a report abroad that the management of this house is on terms with Henry Johnstou, but it wants confir mation. Templeton grows in favour-his Arbaces, in particular, is highly spoken of. The only novelty at Covent Garden, is "The Irish Ambassador," from the French Le Diplomat-an amusing bustling trifle. A young lady, of the name of Shireff, is to make her début shortly in " Mandane." She is a pupil of Tom Welsh, and report speaks highly of her powers.-Kean has performed Othello at Manchester; Mrs W. West, Desdemona; Vandenhoff, Iago. De Begnis and some other operatic performers have been exhibiting at Liverpool.-It is a black look-out for the theatrical world-we mean the little world behind the scenes that only two country companies are flourishing-Smedley's in Yorkshire, and Copeland's at Ulverston.-Our home intelligence this week is rather deficient, owing to the indisposition of one of our number. WEEKLY LIST OF PERFORMANCES.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS. SOME notices of American publications are in types, but omitted for want of room.

Omissions of Mr Southey, No. II., Crashaw; and an interesting account of the Herculanean MSS., from information collected on the spot by Dr Memes, in an early number.

When the author of "a Day at Loch Skene," recovers his temper, and employs the language of a gentleman, he shall have an explanation.

We shall be glad to hear further from Astolpho, whose alias is, we suspect, not unknown to us. We would rather thrash the laziness than the conceit out of him.

We have been so overwhelmed by volunteer poets that we know not what choice to fix. At present we are divided betwixt the claims of a heroic and a pastoral muse. Here is a sample of the latter:

My love is a fair lad

My love is a rare lad

My love is both handsome and tall: With his nobleness of face,

And his manliness of grace,

He enraptures the ladies all.

The other awakes "a loftier and a louder strain:"The Roman Legions invaded Britian's isle, Then was the Britians sold to slavery. They were no cowards-I'll not revileNought could withstand the Roman bravery. Another competitor, who has just announced himself, is perhaps entitled to rank with either.

There's a tear oft uncall'd for, that moistens the eye,

In our gayest and happiest hours,

That springs from its source, usher'd forth by a sighWe have read of " laughing eyes," ad nauseam, but "sighing eyes" certainly is a new idea. 66 My eyes! wot a blow!" The gentleman who asserts that some star or another was "As bright's the brightest sun of all the year;" and he who commences with the heart-stirring appeal, "Behold! just see!"

need entertain no hopes.

The Court of Decorum will resume its sittings next week.

THE LAST! The last echo of the last Bard's harp-the farewell prophecy of the silenced oracle-the commingling of the broad and rushing river with the "ocean stream!" And unto what shall we liken this latest work of the mighty enchanter that is to glad our eyes and cheer our hearts? To the last faint muttering of the thunderstorm-faint in comparison with those which, directly over head, caused the walls to totter, and the hair to bristle up instinct with electric life-yet soul-subduing even in distance to the clouds breaking up on the far horizon on the eve of a tempestuous day, still grim and majestic, though abated in power from their no longer being massed together: to (if repetition be allowable) one of the multitudinous arms through which some mighty river discharges itself into the sea-diminished in volume, flowing through dreary sands, but deep, impetuous, majestic still. To lay aside metaphor:-" Count Robert of Paris," and "Castle Dangerous," must rank among the least successful of Sir Walter's works, and yet they bear about them sufficient traces of his genius to redeem from absolute failure, even were they not his farewell gift to the public.

The scene of "Count Robert" is laid in Constantinople, at the time when the Crusaders were passing through that enervated city. The theme of the romance has been suggested by a conspiracy-related by Anna Comnena in her apologetic history-on the part of the Cæsar and other high household officers, to dethrone the reign ing Emperor. Count Robert and his virago of a spouse are involved in the proceedings by the headlong furor of their chivalrous daring. This, too, has historic warrant. The Emperor seeks to detain them as hostages for the good conduct of the Crusaders-the conspirators encourage the attempt, in hopes to render the indignant Franks participators of their crime. The plot is defeated by the blunt honesty of an officer in the Emperor's body-guard of Anglo- Danes, (Varangians,) and the Count and his lady happily liberated from the toils in which they were encircled.

Sir Walter, we doubt not, has been induced to attempt this subject by the dazzling splendour which surrounded the court of Byzantium, and the immense variety of characters which the congregating of the Crusaders from all quarters of Europe in the imperial city offered to his graphic pen. Among the Greeks were to be found the wily, courtier, cat-like sycophant-the magnificent but cowardly soldier-the outlaw and assassin-the halfheathenish voluptuary-the ascetic priest-the empty, boastful sophist-the wary monarch-and, strangely contrasting with all, the domiciled barbarian of the Imperial Guard. Then there were among the Crusaders the fiery

Price 6d.

The

Italian, the domineering Frank, the proud Norman--and in short, every variety of untamed European character. Guile was arrayed against violence-wealth and splendour against mailed avarice-untutored shrewdness was opposed to a formal but hollow semblance of learning— and around all there was an atmosphere of barbaric pomp, rivalling the dreams of Arabian romance. materials were promising, but it was only in outward show. In the first place, whenever Sir Walter has quitted, for a foreign field of adventure, those manners and legends of his native country, which, speaking to his national sympathies, and hoarded and turned in his imagination since boyhood, have become part and parcel of himself, he has been subjected to a comparative failure. In addition to this, his present subject, gorgeous though it show at a distance, is too unsubstantial to afford good working materials. There is a want of individual character about the Crusaders, while the hollow, pompous Greeks, tiresome in reality, become doubly so in the representation. The field is at once too vast and too deficient in palpable objects, to be a fit subject for portraiture. It is like a fog-bank at sunrise-fair to look upon at a distance, but cold, dull, and chilly, when we enter it.

This first story of the present series, therefore, we account a decided failure. There is not one of the characters so palpably and distinctly brought forward as to interest us in him. The story is never distinctly made out. Its meagre details expand over wellnigh three volumes, and might have been told in as many chapters. It is overlaid with antiquarian and historical parade. In short, it is alike deficient in character and incident-a heap of gorgeous unconnected masses-something like "Byzantium" itself, a collection of the bodily fragments of gone glory, with the spirit evaporated.

That, however, the soul of former days at times speaks out, will be anticipated by all. The graphic introduction of the young Englishman, whose fidelity preserves the Emperor, is all Sir Walter.

"This young man was about two-and-twenty years old, remarkably finely-formed and athletic — qualities well understood by the citizens of Constantinople, whose habits of frequenting the public games had taught them at least an acquaintance with the human person, and where, in the select of their own countrymen, they saw the handsomest specimens of the human race.

"These were, however, not generally so tall as the stranger at the Golden Gate, while his piercing blue eyes, and the fair hair which descended from under a light helmet gaily ornamented with silver, bearing on its summit a crest resembling a dragon in the act of expanding its terrible jaws, intimated a northern descent, to which the extreme purity of his complexion also bore witness. His beauty, however, though he was eminently distinguished both in features and in person, was not liable to the charge of effeminacy. From this it was rescued, both by his strength, and by the air of confidence and self-possession with which the youth seemed to regard the wonders around him, not indicating the stupid and helpless gaze of a mind equally inexperienced and incapable of receiving instruction, but expressing the

bold intellect which at once understands the greater part of the information which it receives, and commands the spirit to toil in search of the meaning of that which it has not comprehended, or may fear it has misinterpreted. This look of awakened attention and intelligence gave interest to the young barbarian ; and while the bystanders were amazed that a savage from some unknown or remote corner of the universe should possess a noble countenance bespeaking a mind so elevated, they respected him for the composure with which he witnessed so many things, the fashion, the splendour, nay, the very use of which, must have been recently new to him.

"The young man's personal equipments exhibited a singular mixture of splendour and effeminacy, and enabled the experienced spectators to ascertain his nation, and the capacity in which he served. We have already mentioned the fanciful and crested helmet, which was a distinction of the foreigner, to which the reader must add in his imagination a small cuirass, or breastplate of silver, so sparingly fashioned as obviously to afford little security to the broad chest, on which it rather hung like an ornament than covered as a buckler; nor, if a well-thrown dart, or strongly-shod arrow, should alight full on this rich piece of armour, was there much hope that it could protect the bosom which it partially shielded.

"From betwixt the shoulders hung down over the back what had the appearance of a bearskin; but, when more closely examined, it was only a very skilful imitation of the spoils of the chase, being in reality a surcoat composed of strong shaggy silk, so woven as to exhibit, at a little distance, no inaccurate representation of a bear's hide. A light crooked sword, or scimitar, sheathed in a scabbard of gold and ivory, hung by the left side of the stranger, the ornamented hilt of which appeared much too small for the large-jointed hand of the young Hercules who was thus gaily attired. A dress, purple in colour, and sitting close to the limbs, covered the body of the soldier to a little above the knee; from thence the knees and legs were bare to the calf, to which the reticulated strings of the sandals rose from the instep, the ligatures being there fixed by a golden coin of the reigning Emperor, converted into a species of clasp for the purpose.

"But a weapon which seemed more particularly adapted to the young barbarian's size, and incapable of being used by a man of less formidable limbs and sinews, was a battle-axe, the firm iron-guarded staff of which was formed of tough elm, strongly inlaid and defended with brass, while many a plate and ring were indented in the handle, to hold the wood and the steel parts together. The axe itself was composed of two blades, turning different ways, with a sharp steel spike projecting from between them. The steel part, both spike and blade, was burnished as bright as a mirror; and though its ponderous size must have been burdensome to one weaker than himself, yet the young soldier carried it as carelessly along, as if it were but a feather's weight. It was, indeed, a skilfully constructed weapon, so well balanced, that it was much lighter in striking and in recovery, than he who saw it in the hands of another could easily have believed.

"The carrying arms of itself showed that the military man was a stranger. The native Greeks had that mark of a civilized people, that they never bore weapons during the time of peace, unless the wearer chanced to be numbered among those whose military profession and employment required them to be always in arms. Such soldiers by profession were easily distinguished from the peaceful citizens; and it was with some evident show of fear as well as dislike, that the passengers observed to each other that the stranger was a Varangian, an expression which intimated a barbarian of the imperial bodyguard."

There is a wild magnificence about the following passage, which makes us the more regret that there

should intervene one or two feeble passages to mar its effect.

"The Emperor, without reply, led the way into the Hall of Judgment, where a much stronger light than usual was already shining up the stair of Acheron, from which were heard to sound, by sullen and intermitted fits, the penitential psalms which the Greek church has appointed to be sung at executions. Twenty mute slaves, the pale colour of whose turbans gave a ghastly look to the withered cast of their features, and the glaring whiteness of their eyeballs, ascended two by two, as it were from the bowels of the earth, each of them bearing in one hand a naked sabre, and in the other a lighted torch. After these came the unfortunate Nicephorus ; his looks were those of a man half-dead from the terror of immediate dissolution, and what he possessed of remaining attention, was turned alternately to two blackstoled monks, who were anxiously repeating religious passages to him alternately from the Greek scripture, and the form of devotion adopted by the court of Constantinople. The Caesar's dress also corresponded to his mournful fortunes: his legs and arms were bare, and a simple white tunic, the neck of which was already open, showed that he had assumed the garments which were to serve his last turn. A tall muscular Nubian slave, who considered himself obviously as the principal person in the procession, bore on his shoulder a large heavy headsman's axe, and, like a demon waiting on a sorcerer, stalked step for step after his victim. The rear of the procession was closed by a band of four priests, each of whom chanted from time to time the devotional psalm which was thundered forth on the occasion; and another of slaves, armed with bows and quivers, and with lances, to resist any attempt at rescue, if such should be effected. "It would have required a harder heart than that of the unlucky Princess to have resisted this gloomy apparatus of fear and sorrow, surrounding, at the same time directed against, a beloved object, the lover of her youth, and the husband of her bosom, within a few minutes of the termination of his mortal career.

"As the mournful train approached towards the altar of refuge, half-encircled as it now was by the two great and expanded arms which projected from the wall, the Emperor, who stood directly in the passage, threw upon the flame of the altar some chips of aromatic wood, steeped in spirit of wine, which, leaping at once into a blaze, illuminated the doleful procession, the figure of the principal culprit, and the slaves, who had most of them extinguished their flambeaux so soon as they had served the purpose of lighting them up the staircase.

"The sudden light spread from the altar failed not to make the Emperor and the Princesses visible to the mournful group which approached through the hall. All halted-all were silent. It was a meeting, as the Princess has expressed herself in her historical work, such as took place betwixt Ulysses and the inhabitants of the other world, who, when they tasted of the blood of his sacrifices, recognised him indeed, but with empty lamentations, and gestures feeble and shadowy. The hymn of contrition sunk also into silence; and of the whole group, the only figure rendered more distinct, was the gigantic executioner, whose high and furrowed forehead, as well as the broad steel of his axe, caught and reflected back the bright gleam from the altar. Alexius saw the necessity of breaking the silence which ensued, lest it should give the intercessors for the prisoner an opportunity of renewing their entreaties.