No. 86. NEW SERIES.]

THE CHINESE COLLECTION,

HYDE PARK CORNER.

(Concluded from page 91.)

Case IX. contains, inter alia, a beautiful long tea-service of red lacquered or japanned ware; such as forms part of the outfit of a Mandarin, when on an expedition. The fine varnish used as lacquer, distils, like a gum, from a shrub, and more than fifty coats of it are sometimes put on the articles. Another article in this Case is especially worthy of notice, as its properties have posed the savans of our country. This is an ancient Metallic Mirror, such as was used in China prior to the introduction of glass. "The back is here presented to the visitor, being ornamented with numerous hieroglyphical figures. The opposite side is highly polished. In many mirrors of this description, is a property that has puzzled the wise. Holding the mirror in the hand, by a knob in the centre of the back, and reflecting the rays of the sun from the polished surface, the exact representation of the raised figures on the back of the mirror are distinctly reflected on a wall, or other level surface. The probable solution of this difficulty is, that the figures seen at the back being of a harder metal than the other plain parts, are inserted into the softer metal; and hence the figures produced in the rays of light, from the imperceptible union of the two metals to the naked eye. In this way, the union of iron and steel, as in Sheffield cutlery, will explain the enigma familiarly."-(Catalogue.)

Case X. contains several lacquered articles of fine execution; but, we were most struck with a bronzed copper hand-furnace, for keeping the fingers warm in cold weather, no gloves being ever worn. Here also is a Compass and Sun-dial combined, which reminds us that the Chinese have no clocks or watches of their own manufacture, although they use both; and a Chinese gentleman invariably wears a pair of watches of European manufacture: if questioned as to the meaning of this seeming extravagance, his reply is: " Suppose one make sick, the other walkee." However, the day, divided into twelve parts, each equal to two European hours, is accurately measured by the Chinese by means of a lighted taper, made from the pith of a tree, which burns with almost unerring regu larity; just as Alfred measured the hours in England centuries since. In this case also, is the model of a Chinese Coffin, mostly made of cedar: the planks are selected with great care, and brought home with high festivity and music during a person's life-time; and the Chinese have an idea that to do so prolongs life, which is not a whit more absurd than the vulgar English notion, that to make a will, or select a grave, shortens life.* The

In the Cemetery at Kensal Green, are several instances of persons having chosen their own graves: in some are buried their relatives or friends, but in other instances, the ground has been purchased, and possession is indicated by a stone, or a monument erected. The late Morison, the "Hygeist," for example, built himself a costly tomb-house, nearly as large as a lodge, into which he was shortly afterwards gathered. Within the last three years, death has deprived us of two friends, men of vigorous minds, who have been especially anxious in this kind of self-interment: one selected the ground, gave instructions for his funeral and

VOL. IV.

[PRICE TWOPENCE.

Chinese also prepare the garments for a corpse, in the life-time of the person for whom they are intended; and they term the grave" the eternal mansion," which is perfectly in accordance with their belief in the eternity of inatter. In this case too, we noticed a pair of scales, adjusted sufficiently to weigh a suspected half-sovereign; and a pair of white metal cuspitos, (spitoons,) vase-shaped, and worthy of imitation in our cigar-smoking community. We have often seen porcelain vessels of this shape, without knowing their use; and, doubtless, many articles for domestic use, of foreign manufacture, are frequently considered by us to be mere ornaments.

Case XI. contains an ancient beautiful yellow Vase, with a raised green dragon on it; a mythological emblem of the great dragon attempting to swallow the moon; believed by the Chinese to be the cause of the lunar eclipse: hence, when it occurs, they raise a charivari, ("rough music,") with gongs, drums, &c., to scare away the imaginary monster, more frightful than our Dragon of Wantley.

Cases XII. and XIII. much gratified our dowager penchant, being filled with China-ware; including some fine specimens, apparently cracked, (or crackeled, as the English dealers call it,) an effect produced in the burning, the art of which is believed by the Chinese to be nearly extinct. Here are also vases from 300 to 500 years old, much prized; for the Chinese believe these antiquities to have the property of preserving flowers which are placed in them, fresh and blooming, for a long time. Here are likewise several porcelain garden-seats, richly painted, and named from their form, stone drums; together with a model of the famous porcelain Pagoda at Nankin, which was merely roofed with porcelain, and not, as might be imagined, constructed entirely of it. Pagodas are supposed, by some, to have been used for religious worship; but there is nearly as much dispute about the matter as on the object of Round Towers in Ireland.

The Porcelain manufacture in China employs a million of persons. "The division of labour is carried to its acme. A tea-cup, from the time when it lies embedded in its native quarries, till it comes forth in perfection from the furnace, passes through more than fifty different hands. The painting alone is divided among half a dozen different persons, one of whom sketches the outline of a bird, another of a plant, a third of some other figure, while a fourth fills in the colours."-(Catalogue.) We had scarcely time to inspect the specimens in the Collection so closely as we wished; but, it is stated in the Catalogue, that they prove the porcelain manufacture of China to have been on the decline for the last three centuries. This deterioration is

tomb-stone, and would have paid the entire expenses with his own hands, had his relatives allowed him to do so; and, our other friend, entitled to the respect of all mankind for his enlightened efforts to improve their condition, wrote for his own tomb in Brighton (old) church-yard, an inscription, recounting the deeds of his prolonged existence; which, from its activity and duration, we have often compared to two lives rolled into one. Men of shallow minds stigmatise these matters as vulgar eccentricities; but, we have ever regarded them as ebullitions of feeling calculated to lighten grief, and to raise up cheerful hope of future happiness-and, therefore, to be encouraged rather than censured.

K

explained by the emperors of old having encouraged the manufacture by premiums and liberal orders; whereas the emperors of late have ceased such patronage, and hence the decline of competition, and consequently, of excellence. Meanwhile, European porcelain has been rapidly improved: Germany and France have produced ware of excellent design and colouring; and England must be content to follow in their wake, until her artists better understand the principles of art; though chemistry has already enabled her manufacturers to approach the continental countries in the colour and transparency of the ware. In the United States of America, too, porcelain is said to be made of almost equal fineness to that of our best manufacture.

Case XIV. is filled with Models of Chinese Boats, made by reducing the dimensions to the proper scale; and employing the same kinds of wood, the oars, sculls, rudders, setting-poles, cordage, &c. Thus, there are canal, family, and chop boats; and Mandarin boats, or revenue cutters. There are likewise numerous other representations of various boats throughout the apartment. The junks that navigate" the great sea" are "nearly in the shape of a new moon, and as clumsy a craft as could be well contrived; having sterns at least thirty feet above the water, and bows the third of that height. The emperor not only affords no encouragement to improvement, but actually discourages it, in the exaction of foreign port duties from junks constructed on improved principles:" yet, this besotted and short-sighted ruler is at this moment contending with the mightiest naval power in the world! These junks have always a great eye painted on each side of the bows, which the Chinese thus "superstitiously" explain: "Have eye, can see; can see, can saaver: no have eye, no can see, no can saaver." Nevertheless, the eye in the above places, may not be more superstitious than the figure-heads of our ships, as our tutelar god, Neptune, &c.; or, what is more to the point, the eye formerly placed upon the front of the Observer newspaper-office, implying the editor's vigilance in reporting the occurrences of the week. The inland craft of China is of great variety: there are stated to be no fewer than 40,000 family boats, or Sampans, on the Canton river near the city, and these contain 200,000 souls! The women manage these boats as dexterously as a shrew does her husband. The boats generally have bamboo sails, and the rudders are invariably bored with small holes; but for what purpose it is difficult to devise, since it must be a give-and-take affair, worthy of debate in the Mechanical Section of the British Association! These boatmen, by the way, scull in a line as direct as any wellmanaged sailing vessel could pursue; and the foreign sailors who sometimes try their skill, make a sorry business of it. There is a Chinese law, dated 1737, with respect to shipwrecked foreigners, which is truly honourable to the national character: it orders that the governors of provinces take the lead in succouring "foreign ships and people" driven on shore by gales of wind; "that they employ the public money to bestow food and raiment on the sufferers, and to refit their ships; after which, that they cause their goods to be returned, and see that they are sent home to their own country." This enjoined humanity is strangely at variance with the dishonest practices of" wreckers" elsewhere.

Case XV. contains Models of Summer-houses; and here it may be remarked that the dwellings of the Chinese resemble in their plan and arrangement, the remains of the Roman habitations discovered at Pompeii.

No. XVI. is a two-storied House, as seen in the streets of Canton; the lower part a retail china-shop.

No. XVII. is a Silk-mercer's shop and house, from Canton, and is more life-like than any thing else in the

Collection. At the counter are two customers, one of whom is examining a piece of silk: the shopkeeper is casting an account on the "calculating desk," while his clerk is making an entry in a book; in doing which he shows the Chinese mode of holding a pencil, which is perpendicularly, between the thumb and all the fingers. The tradesmen take all their meals in their shops; and here a servant is setting breakfast, in a corner, upon a circular eight-legged table, like that used by our great grandfathers; and among its appointments are the ivory chop-sticks: on the visitor's left hand, sits a gentleman with a pipe, "just dropped in," about meal-time; at the door, a blind beggar stands beating two bamboo-sticks against each other, and he keeps up this importunity until he is relieved, by some trifling gratuity, usually a single cash. A small covered tub filled with tea, with a few cups near by, stands on the counter, from which customers are always invited to help themselves.

The merchants and shopkeepers of Canton are prompt, active, obliging, and able. They can do an immense deal of business in a short time, and all without noise, bustle, or disorder. Their goods are arranged in the most perfect manner, and nothing is ever out of its place; "whilst it is asserted by those who have had the best oppor tunities of judging, that as men of business, the Chinese are in advance of the Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese merchants. Their thrifty habits are denoted by the inscriptions on the scrolls hung up in some of the shops: as, " Gossiping and long sitting injure business." "Former customers have inspired caution-no credit given." "A small stream always flowing." "Goods genuine, prices true," &c.

The sight of the breakfast-table reminds us that the Chinese live well, when they can; and none but the poorest persons eat dogs, cats, rats, and mice, when their pinching poverty will allow of no choice. Beef and mutton, owing to the scarcity of pasturage, are little used: pork is the most favourite meat, and they mix it up with literature in their maxim-" the scholar forsakes not his books, nor the poor man his pig." Fish, ducks, and wild fowl, are consumed in vast numbers. Among the luxuries of the table are the larvæ of the sphinx-moth, a grub bred in the sugar-cane, shark's fins, and a rich soup made from the edible bird's nests (slime and sea-weed). At an imperial feast, given to the last British embassy, a soup concocted of blood and mares' milk was among the dishes. Rice is their favourite vegetable; and from it they distil a sort of beer, wine, and spirit: hence, they are not tee totallers. Although they have abundance of grapes, they do not make wine of them. But the national beverage is tea, which is drank in unstinted quantities by all classes of the people, from the self-styled" Son of Heaven," to the occupant of the meanest hovel or Sanpan; and some of the wealthier classes indulge in teas, the price of which would startle a Grosvenor-square housekeeper, or even the master of Her Majesty's household. The Chinese are invariably early risers: the present Viceroy of Canton may frequently be found transacting business at four o'clock in the morning; and this without reference to his present critical position. But, it must be recollected that he has no midnight legislation, or two o'clock divisions; and he keeps his head clear with tea.

Case XVIII. contains opium-pipes; and a granite bridge of five arches, which are constructed without key-stones: how they manage to place vast masses of stone is extraor dinary, as no machinery for the purpose has been found: they assert that it is accomplished merely by manual

labour.

Case XVIII. A. contains a large model of a Chinese War-junk, exquisitely carved in ivory. Near it are a chair

of state, and footstool, richly carved and gilt; opposite is its fellow. Above these chairs are suspended a pair of magnificent lanterns, such as are seen only in the halls of the most wealthy: they are believed to be the largest and richest pair ever brought from China, compared with which our largest articles of the kind are mere handlanterns, such as were carried before our grandmothers. These colossal lanterns would grace the marble hall of Buckingham palace, were the ceiling lofty enough to allow them to be hung there, and were there a double staircase to light. Nearly opposite is a superb state lantern, about 10 feet in height and 4 feet in diameter, rich in carving, gilding, rich embroidery, and bead-work, hung with no fewer than 258 crimson tassels, and altogether a national affair.

We pass over three cases of Birds and Shells, and reach Case XXV., in which is a pair of elegantly chased Silver Tankards, to contain hot wine, in workmanship scarcely to be surpassed by any specimens in the plate-rooms of Rundell and Bridge. The Catalogue tells us that "Wine is said to have been introduced in the time of Yu, (perhaps the reader wishes it had been Me,) the Chinese Noah, who, after partaking of the luxury, banished the maker, and prohibited its use, remarking, that "in future ages, nations would be ruined by it ;" and the old fellow's prophecy soon came to be fulfilled. Still, his selfishness reminds one of the Norfolk farmer's grace after meat: "I've had a good dinner, and I don't care who arnt." We were also much struck with the beauty of a pair of carved pearl oyster-shells, on one of which is a bee wrought of gold wire, a novel and brilliant imitation. Here too is an ivory ball, with 17 balls within, each one being carved with a different pattern, and occupying the carver a month; almost the ne plus ultra of Chinese ingenuity.

Case XXV. we can only notice for containing two Cups of Pressed Glass, in imitation of those cut out of valuable stones. They are opaque, and such as we have often seen in London shops, without being able to learn their use. They are drinking-cups for hot wine; but the wealthy Chinese use small two-handled golden cups, which are kept constantly filled by servants, at dinner, from the silver tankards just described. The Chinese mode of pled ging nearly resembles our own. If you wish to wine with a guest, you apprise him by a servant: then taking the full cup with both hands, he lifts it to the level of his mouth, and after making a particular motion with his head, he drinks off the contents; he waits until the other party has done the same, and finally repeats the first nod of the head, holding the cup downwards before him, to show that it is quite empty. It is a compliment in China to tell a man that his ability to drink wine is great."Catalogue. We should say that with such topers every thing would find its own level.

Case XXVII. contains some very interesting tea-pots, such as would have delighted the late Princess Augusta, who made a large collection of these useful vessels at Frogmore. Some are of white copper, (German silver,) over porcelain, and bear sentences expressive of the excellencies of tea. Into another tea-pot, the tea is put at the bottom, and the orifice then stopped, to prevent the escape of the aroma. Another tea-pot, very small, and of brown porcelain, is not, as commonly supposed, a toy; but is used for making very expensive tea, such as never finds its way to this country, for it would not bear the voyage. Indeed, we hear so much of the exquisite flavour of tea in its native country, that it were almost worth while for a committee of the society of Tea-totallers to make the voyage, to enjoy the novel luxury, and report thereon; or a jury of old ladies might be selected for the mission. Here are two porcelain bowls, of vast size and matchless

beauty; the punch in which should be of light colour, so as not to conceal the figures. They contrast well with a clay kettle, for boiling water, and such as may be bought for a farthing in China! Returning to the white copper tea-pots lined with porcelain: surely, they suggested the German cast-iron saucepans, glazed inside, to prevent burning; such as are now made in England.

Cases XXX. and XXXI. contain patterns of silk, and other manufactures, made expressly for native use, and not exported as merchandise. Here are crapes, silk, and satins for all seasons; grass cloth, as coarse as a scullerysieve, for the shirt of the labourer; or as fine as French cambric, for the chemisette of the belle; cotton checks, very like our own manufacture; and stripled buglapoore, used for gentlemen's summer dresses.

Case XXXII. Musical Instruments · - includes plates of hard wood, which beggars beat at shop-doors, until the shopkeepers give them a trifle "to get rid of them," and thus obtain " a settlement."

We pass over Carpenters' tools, natural history, specimens, &c., to Cases XL. and XLI., filled with Chinese Books, showing the titles on the ends; including a Buddhist, filled with plates, representing future punishments, which have been erroneously supposed to represent those actually inflicted upon criminals by the Chinese law. Nor can we do more than notice in two Cases of Clothes, Shoes for Ladies wich large feet, the lower part formed of dressed pigs' skin, the rest of compressed paper; the "golden lilies" shoes are tiny matters; and the gentlemen's shoes for wet weather have the upper part satin, and the lower of wood. The ladies' and gentlemen's fans, sandals, and charm-books are too numerous to mention. In Case XLVII., we can only notice a grotesque Lion of white porcelain, such as we sometimes see in old china closets; the value of which at Canton was about four pounds.

Case LIII. contains Artificial Candles, decorated with flowers made from the pith that we call rice paper. The body or stem of the candle is of wood, and at the top, instead of wick, is inserted a small brass receptacle for oil, as being more economical; and we have a similar contrivance in England. The oil is extracted from the ground nut, and is said to smoke but little: it is not only used for lamps, but instead of butter.

The Lanterns, of almost every imaginable size, form, and decoration, are made of horn, silk, glass paper, and sometimes of fine thread-net, thickly coated with varnish. A China-man and his lantern seem wedded together, for they are rarely seen apart.

On the Entablature and other parts of the Saloon are inscribed Aphorisms and Maxims, so that the Chinese must be, indeed, precept-ridden; and there is a striking similarity between these quips of wisdom and the Proverbs of Scripture.

(Here we reluctantly close our notice of this most interesting Exhibition.)

CHRISTIANITY.

WHEN I consider the source from whence Christianity has sprung,-the humility of its origin-the poverty of its disciples-the miracles of its creation-the mighty sway it has acquired, not only over the civilized world, but which Christian missions are hourly extending over lawless, mindless, and imbruted regions-I own the awful presence of the Godhead-nothing less than a Divinity could have done it! The powers, the prejudices, the superstitions of the earth were all in arms against it; it had no sword nor sceptre-its Founder was poor-its apostles were lowly fishermen-its inspired prophets, lowly and uneducated-its cradle was a manger-its home a dungeon-its earthly diadem a crown

of thorns! And yet forth it went-that lowly, humble, persecuting spirit, and the idols of the heathen fell; and the thrones of the mighty trembled; and Paganism saw her peasants and her princes kneel down, and worship the unarmed conqueror! If this be not the work of Divinity, then I yield to the reptile ambition of the atheist; I see no GodI see no government below; and I yield my consciousness of an immortal soul to his boasted fraternity with the worm that perishes!-Charles Phillips.

FRUITS IN ENGLAND

IN THE THIRTEENTH AND FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

THE only kinds named are apples and pears: three hundred of the latter were purchased at Canterbury; probably from the gardens of the monks. It is believed, however, that few other sorts were generally grown in England before the latter end of the fifteenth century; although Matthew Paris, describing the bad season of 1257, observes that "apples were scarce, and pears scarcer, while quinces, vegetables, cherries, plums, and all shell-fruits were entirely destroyed." These shellfruits were probably the common hazel-nut, walnuts, and perhaps chestnuts; in 1256 the sheriffs of London were ordered to buy two thousand chestnuts for the king's use. In the Wardrobe Book of the 14th of Edward the First before quoted, we find the bill of Nicholas, the royal fruiterer, in which the only fruits mentioned are pears, apples, quinces, medlars, and nuts. The supply of these, from Whitsuntide to November, cost 217. 14s. 14d. This apparent scarcity of indigenous fruits naturally leads to the inquiry, what foreign kinds besides those included in the term spicery, such as almonds, dates, figs and raisins, were imported into England in this and the following century? In the time of John and of Henry the Third, Rochelle was celebrated for its pears and conger-eels; the sheriffs of London purchased a hundred of the former for Henry, in 1223. In the 18th of Edward the First, a large Spanish ship came to Portsmouth; out of the cargo of which the queen bought one frail of Seville figs, one frail of raisins or grapes, one bale of dates, and two hundred and thirty pomegranates, fifteen citrons, and seven ORANGES. The last item is important, as Le Grand d'Aussy could not trace the orange in France to an earlier date than 1333; here we find it known in England in 1290; and it is probable that this was not its first appearance. The marriage of Edward with Eleanor of Castile naturally lead to a greater intercourse with Spain, and consequently to the introduction of other articles of Spanish produce than the leather of Cordova, olive-oil and rice, which had previously been the principal imports from that fertile country, through the medium of the merchants of Bayonne and Bordeaux. It is to be regretted that the series of Wardrobe Books is incomplete, as much additional information on this point might have been derived from them. At all events it appears certain that Europe is indebted to the Arab conquerors of Spain for the introduction of the orange, and not to the Portuguese, who are said to have brought it from China. An English dessert in the thirteenth century must, it is clear, have been composed chiefly of dried and preserved fruits-dates, figs, apples, pears, nuts, and the still common dish of almonds and raisins.-Manners and Household Expenses in England in the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Centuries, by Mr. J. H. Turner, from Original Records.

THE PLEASURES OF VICISSITUDE.

BY THE LATE RICHARD WESTALL, R.A.
The hues of bliss more brightly glow
Chastised by sabler tints of wo;
And blended, form, with artful strife,
The strength and harmony of life.-Gray.

WHEN all the sky's serenely blue,
When roads are good, and tolls are few,
And horses safe, and chaises new,

And postboys drive us carefully;
Then all monotonous the days,
And void of interest seem the ways,
As lolling backward in the chaise
We lounge and grumble sleepily.

Then beds seem hard, and inns are cold,
And mutton tough, and chickens old,
And cheeses strong, and void of mould,
And landlords cheat prodigiously!
But when across the vault of night
Wide flame the forked bolts of light,
And horses gallop with affright,

And rear and start confusedly:
Or, when a drunken postboy drives,
Regardless of the limbs and lives
Of those by whom his master thrives,
Up starts each latent energy;
Then every steep's unguarded flank,
And every ditch profound and dank,
And e'en each gently rising bank,

Alarm the traveller horribly.

But if those ills we steer between,
How lovely looks the blue serene !
How pleasant the long level green,

Which tired us once confoundedly!
How safe a harbour seems an inn!
How honest looks old double-chin,
His thrice-dressed dinuer bringing in,
And bowing to us courteously!
Ye wretched few, deprived of bliss,
By what the world calls happiness,
I feel and pity the distress
Which makes your lives drag heavily!
Continual good is sure to cloy:
'Tis from the mixture of alloy
That ease is ease, and joy is joy,
And ecstasy is ecstasy!

Watts's Literary Souvenir, 1835.

EARTHLY HONOURS.

As withereth the primrose by the river,
As fadeth summer's sun from gliding fountains,
As vanisheth the light-blown bubble ever,

As melteth snow upon the massy mountains;
So melts, so vanisheth, so fades, so withers,
The rose, the shine, the bauble, and the snow
Of praise, pomp, glory, joy, which short life gathers.
Fair praise, vain pomp, sweet glory, brittle joy,
The withered primrose by the mourning river,
The faded summer sun from weeping fountains,
The light-blown bubble vanished for ever,
The molten snow upon the naked mountains,
Are emblems-that the treasures we up-lay
Soon wither, vanish, fade, and melt away.
EDWARD BOLTON, 1610.

A CHILD'S LOVE:

A FACT OF THE GREAT FRENCH REVOLUTION.

(Concluded from page 87.)

I was about to observe, that all this mystery might create suspicion in her husband's mind, and therefore, endanger her peace; but she quickly pushed me into the closet, shut and locked the door, and almost at the same instant, I heard a person enter the room, and say in a harsh voice, with a strong accent: "Good day, my dear, good day: kiss me; this unforeseen return astonishes thee it is because our business was terminated sooner than I expected." This voice, which I heard for the first time in my life, broke upon my ear like a death-knell. Involuntarily, I remembered that I was a fugitive, at the mercy of the Terrorists. Without, therefore, seeing the man, without knowing his features, by means of his voice -that diagnostic which has never yet deceived me-I immediately said to myself, " This man is my enemy.”

At this moment, little Lucy returned from school, and having kissed her father, her first question to her mother was: "Where is my dear friend ?-has Papa seen him ?" **** And there was a moment of frightful silence, meaning, "Who is this dear friend ?" The husband put this question in a dry and imperious tone. "My dear," replied the trembling wife, "be not angry, and you shall know all. During your absence, we have received into the house a stranger: he was almost dying with fatigue, and for want of food; he asked shelter for one night; I granted it, and he went away this morning."

All this was uttered in so natural a tone, that Lucy herself was deceived by it. But her mother had not foreseen her grief, which was so violent, that she, as well as her father, in vain tried to calm her. "Gone! gone! he promised faithfully that he would wait for my return. Oh! it is very bad of him ;" and she sank in deep affliction. Suddenly, through the panes of the glass door of the closet in which I was concealed, she perceived, upon an arm chair, the bunch of white roses that she had given me. She then fell into a violent passion: "To go," said she, "without even taking the nosegay-oh! it is infamous. I will get this nosegay, and tear it to pieces. But, who shut this door? where is the key? Mamma, give it to me." "I don't know what has become of it," replied the mother, confusedly; "I think Fanchette lost it." "Let her look for it," replied Lucy, whose impatience burst forth violently-"I will have it." She grew pale, stamped on the floor, repeating loudly, "I will have it-the key! the key! Her father tried to appease her; but, seeing her melt into tears, he said to his wife, sternly: "Come, we must put an end to this: I don't like the child to be teased, it makes her ill. If the key be lost, let a locksmith be sent for, else we must break open the door. But no, I recollect-I have a second key; I'll go and fetch it."

He went immediately into his closet, and I involuntarily shuddered, on hearing the young wife exclaim several times: "Ah! the wretched man! he is lost! and it is thou, my daughter!" The husband speedily returned, holding in his hand a key, which he had already placed in the lock, when his wife stopped him. "My dear," said she to him, in a faltering voice, "my dear, do not be angry at what you are about to see. The traveller that I spoke of, and who I told you was gone," "Well ?" "He is here still." "There!" vociferated the husband furiously, "it is then a lover, since you are so interested in concealing him!"

As he thus spoke, he pushed aside his wife, and quickly turning the key, the door opened. I advanced instantly, and said: " No, Sir, it is not a lover. Had it been possible, I would long since have terminated this painful suspense this lady has nothing to reproach herself for, in concealing me: she only obeyed pity. I am a fugitive!" To completely dissipate the jealous suspicion, which I still read in his eyes, I added: "No sacrifice will be too great, on my part, to convince you of the truth: I am the Count de S**!" "You," cried he, "the Count de S***! who is sought every where ?" "I am he; and have divulged to you my secret, relying on your honour. When I entered your house, I had not tasted food for forty-eight hours; and your wife did not suppose that to give me bread was a crime." "It is always a crime to save an aristocrate," replied he, in a voice of thunder: then, forcibly pressing my hand, and looking at me fixedly, he added: "thou dost not know, then, that thou art in the house of Joseph Lebou!" "Lebou!" cried I, starting back at his dreaded name. "Yes, Lebou, who boasts never to have pardoned one like thee, and who, in a moment, will decide thy fate." In saying this, he went towards the door, and called the servant. The young

wife wept bitterly at the violence of her husband, who, at this moment was inundating his native town with blood, sporting with the anguish of his victims even to the foot of the scaffold, and with his vengeful fury striking terror into the chiefs of the Montagne, who, therefore, called him Le Sanguinaire. I beheld in him no longer a man, but the hideous and threatening phantom of death. After a few minutes' awful silence, a man-servant appeared. "Go immediately to the village," said Lebou, "and ask, in my name, for a guard to accompany a prisoner." The servant took the note, and went out.

Meanwhile, Lebou, turning towards me, continued: "Thou shalt stay in this room. It has no outlet but that which leads to my closet; but I shall be there. Thou seest these arms," (producing a brace of pistols, loaded, which he always carried about him,) "and, shouldst thou attempt to escape, I will blow thy brains out, or my name is not Lebou." "Do not apprehend any resistance from me," replied I "if you are the master of my life, it is God's will; and I shall know how to bear my fate, whatever it may be." I bowed to his wife, and went back into the closet; he shut the door, turned the key twice, took it away, and for the second time I was a prisoner. Lebou returned to his closet, which was separated from that in which I was locked, by a very thin partition. I heard him harshly chiding his wife for having wished to expose him by concealing me. The poor woman wept piteously, and then tried to soften the tiger. "Do not send him to Arras," said she: "let others spill his blood. His person is described so minutely, that he cannot escape. Having once sheltered him, let us not give him up. Oh! I beseech you," said she, falling on her knees, him." "Save him! though he were my brother, I would not save him," was the ferocious reply, with the addition, "Leave me I must make my report of him to the Committee of Public Safety." The young wife withdrew, in tears, and all again was silent.

save

In a few minutes, I heard a gentle knocking at the closet door. "Who is there?" said Lebou, angrily. "It is I, dear father." I recognised Lucy's voice. "It is thou, little dear ?" said Lebou, immediately opening the door, "come in; what dost thou want with me?" "I want to scold thee." "Me! but why ?" "Because thou hast not yet kissed me.' "That is true. As thou saidst, I deserve to be scolded." Then the blood-thirsty Terrorist took his daughter upon his knees, and kissed her. And then, wonderful to relate, the more the child spoke, the more his growling voice softened; as, on the previous day, the terrible Mouton had become gentle when the child said to him: "Kiss the gentleman, instantly, or I will." "Hast thou been a very good girl to-day, at school ?" "Oh yes, they were very well satisfied with me." "Then kiss me, to reward thee." "Oh! but," said Lucy, cunningly, "if I kiss thee, it is thou who wilt have the reward." "Thou art right, my child; thy caresses refresh me-refresh my burning blood." "But we agreed about another thing." "What was it, then ?" "Thou well knowest what thou hast promised me." "I have entirely forgotten it." "It is very pretty to forget the promises made to your daughter." "Come, help me a little: I am very willing to pay my debts." "Thou toldest me that on the day I could write, thou wouldest give me whatever I should ask." "Well! dear child ?" "Well," said Lucy, in an inexpressibly pretty whisper, "I can write.” "Thou canst write! my daughter, write! little dear! Ah! thou art an adorable child for surprising me so. Well then, show me a specimen of thy talent; and, as my name is Lebou, I will give thee whatever thou mayest ask."

There was a pause, during which Lucy wrote upon a