water, adhered so closely after he was aground, that several suffered themselves to be taken by the hand. Having satisfied our own curiosity, our next thought was to satisfy that of our friends, by towing the prize home. Transferring to our boat the two amateurs who occupied the tender, we supplied her with our anchors in addition to her own, to secure her against being drifted to sea; and saw her fairly off, impelled by sail and oar, with the devil-fish in tow. We had scarcely got everything ready for another race, when a school of fish were seen sporting in the channel abreast of us! "Have at them!" said our companions in the second boat, as their oarsmen sprang to their oars. We follow them with our eyes: the harpoon is thrown, the boat darts forward, and a black and unsightly object of immense bulk vaults into the air at the head of the boat, then plunges into the depths below, and drags the boat rapidly in its wake. There was no loitering with us, and we soon came within hail. "What cheer, comrades? do you need our help ?" "Oh! by no means! we can manage him!" "Very well, then, we look out for ourselves ;" and we dashed at a fish that was showing himself at intervals astern of the other boat. Again my foot is on the forecastle--again the harpoon is poised-and before five minutes have elapsed, the barb is planted in him, and we are drawn over the placid waters in nearly the same course with our companions. To the mere lover of the picturesque, the scene which now presented itself must have been full of interest; but to every one possessed of the true spirit of a sportsman, it must have been exciting as it was novel! The winds were hushed, and the wide expanse of water on which we floated was smooth as a mirror. The tender, with her devil-fish in tow, was before us. The flood tide was drifting her up the iver, and out of her desired course. See! he has let go her anchors, hauled her fish lose up under her stern, and the boatmen re beating off with their oars the sharks, hat, having scented the blood, as it flowed rom many a ghastly wound, can scarcely e deterred by blows from gorging themelves on the immense but lifeless mass ! urther from shore glides the "Sea Gull:" the first energies of the monster fish that impels her have been tamed down, and she tacks across the channel, like a barge beating to windward! Jests, merriment and laughter are rife on board of her; and the mirthful echoes are borne to us over the still waters. Behind her is our own boat whilome the "Cotton Plant," but baptized anew, after the capture of two hours since, the "DevilFish ;" and her crew, with less noise, but not with less zest, are enjoying the luxury of the scene. Three boats, each with a devilfish! The fish, meantime, which we had struck, was moving sluggishly through the water. He had never drawn out half the rope, and seemed as if he did not feel or disdained the harpoon which was fastened in him; when suddenly he darted off at right angles from his former course. "Hillo there! give him more rope! How furiously he goes! Surely the sharks have scented him, too, for he rushes on like a stricken buffalo chased by a gang of prairie wolves! Rope, give him more rope! Head the boat round! helm downpull, starboard oar!" All in vain. The forty fathoms are out,--she broaches-to broadside,-something must give way, or we capsize! The boat groans in every timber,-the gunwale already kisses the wave, when, shweep! the harpoon fairly bounds out of the fish and flies into the air, as if shot from some submarine swivel! The boat rocks fearfully from side to side, soon settles on an even keel, and the risk and sport are over at the same instant. One or two hours passed, and our friends had not yet captured the devil-fish. They were in truth quite at his mercy, for he was towing them about the bay wherever his fancy led. Nothing either delayed or diverted his progress. Having no banks now in his way, it was obvious that his speed was becoming greater every moment. Very little of the day, moreover, remained. Far down towards the sea, the white sails of our companion might be seen rolling and bending before the wind, as she went helplessly on towards the breakers. Yet we were several miles up the river!! Could we overtake them? was it not too late? However, not a moment was to be lost. Every hand grasped an oar, and every sinew strained to the enervating task. The 199 devil-fish after all was to be slain by us!!! We reached the spot, and a sign with the hand directed us some distance beyond, where we saw indistinctly the wings of the devil-fish shooting alternately out to the height of a foot or more. We were soon over him, but owing to the rocking of the boat we could not reach his body for some time. "Strike, sir, for the black side of his wing;" but the order was not wanted, for the harpoon was already deep in him. The devil-fish now went to the bottom, but soon re-appeared, and it was not long before we had him within six feet of the boat, when we pierced him with our lance until he was dead. A boat came to our assistance from the shore, and with the two we had already, it was thought we might tow our prize ashore. The sails were all set and we all springing to our oars, but the fish was unmanageable, and had it not been for the wind which blew against the tide we should have swept to sea, or have been compelled to cut the fish loose to save ourselves. Darkness in the mean time had set | in, and we were yet almost stationary. Our friends on shore set up lights for us, but these only had a tendency to bewilder, as they were so much scattered. The stars came out; but nothing seemed to break the general darkness excepting the agitation of the oars in the water, and the rolling of the devil-fish, as he now and then emerged on a bed of fire to the surface; and as he mounted the wave with outstretched wings, he appeared to our excited minds like the fabled vampire of the ocean, terrible in the extreme. At nine o'clock we ran aground upon Egg Bank; we could not get the fish over the bank, and reluctantly concluded to abandon him, having first pulled him into about three feet of water. There he lay, extending twenty feet by the wings, and the waves rippling in pearly heaps around his black form, which loomed above the water. We cut out our harpoon, pushed our boats through a neighboring swash, and in a few moments found ourselves surrounded by the welcoming eyes of beauty. ATHENIAN BANQUETS. THE FIRST BANQUET, IN WHICH IS A PHILOSOPHICAL DISCOURSE OF LOVE. WHEN Pericles was Archon of Athens, there lived in that city a woman named Diotima, a Lesbian, who had a gift of prophecy. Many came from all the cities. of Greece, to consult her on the success of their enterprises; but particularly those who had love suits of doubtful issue. It happened on a feast day, when the citizens of Diotima's ward were merry together at the public table, a young man named Cymon, the son of Melas, began to tell a story of a certain love suit, to which Diotima had predicted a good issue, and which fell out as she foretold. The citizens were very attentive to the young man's story, and when he had made an end, they applauded him so that he blushed, and cried out impatiently, that not he, but Diotima should be applauded. The resident of the feast, who lay next to the young man at table, presently whispered something in his ear; and receiving such an answer as he wished, spoke to the guests as follows: "As I am chosen by you, my friends. to be master of this banquet, and can use my pleasure in every particular, I sh command this young man to take a pitche of wine and a portion of viands to the prophetess, (whom he seems to admire much,) by way of a recompense to him for the pleasure he has given us by h story. What say you to this, Cymon Will it be a sufficient reward, if we mak you the bearer of our present?" The young man assented very cordially and while the rest were discoursing, h slipped from the table, and bidding a slan follow with the wine and viands, we instantly to the house of the prophetes though the evening was already far advanced. When they reached the house, he took the presents from the slave and sent him away, meaning to give them with his own hands, that the wise woman might the more favor him in a matter of his own, which he meant to advise with her about. While he waited there, calling once or twice, and knocking at the door, a person muffled in a cloak came up the street, and opening the door, bade him enter if he had business with Diotima, for that she would be there speedily. The young man took up the presents and followed the stranger through a court, into which the door opened, and thence into a great banquet room, where his conductor left him. Two torches burning in candlesticks over the door, made a murky light in the place. The floor and ceiling were of wood, rudely carved and painted with symbolic figures. On the walls were figures, very richly colored, representing the battles of the Gods and Titans, and a variety of other actions, all emblematical. At one end of the wall, about a small table set for feasting, stood three couches for as many guests. The couches were beautifully ornamented in the Tyrian fashion, with cushions of Tyrian cloth. On the table stood wine vases and cups of chased silver, such as came, at that period, from Italy and Egypt. At the other end of the hall were many vases of flowers, casting a delicious scent; and on a small altar, opposite the door, offerings of fresh flowers and incense were laid before an ivory group of the Graces, which stood in a niche of the wall. When the young man had waited some time, a slave entered and lighted a bronze cresset that hung from the ceiling over the table, and which cast an odor in burning as of aloes and frankincense. Then came the prophetess herself, in a white robe, and crowned with flowers. Two others entered after her, one the 'stranger who had admitted the young man, and the other an uncouth figure, with ragged locks and a satirical physiognomy. These too were crowned, according to custom, and took each a couch on either side of the table; Diotima reelining on the middle one, which was highest. At the sight of this woman, Cymon was struck with amazement; for in all his interviews, he had never seen her without a black veil. She seemed a century, it might be, in years, but full of life, with a countenance more angelic than human. Her skin was of a marble paleness, furrowed with delicate lines. Her eyes cast a supernatural light, and about her lips, that trembled as if with the birth of speech, there lay an expression of pain tempered with amiable gravity, which assured an instant respect in the beholder. When the three had taken their places, they perceived Cymon standing very much embarrassed at the lower end of the hall; but at the instant, as he was coming forward to apologize, two slaves entered with another couch, which they placed by the table, and respectfully invited him to take his place upon it, the prophetess signifying the same with a cordial motion of the hand. The young man then explained himself. "I bring you," said he, "excellent Diotima, a present of some wine and conserves from the citizens of this ward. The master of the feast commanded me, and I came." "If you came willingly," said the prophetess, 66 we make you welcome; but if unwillingly, then permit us in some manner to signify our good will. Will you feast with us?" Cymon, in a confused manner, assented, and took the couch offered him, having with difficulty washed his hands in a basin which the two slaves held for him; at which the satirical guest laughed. "I perceive, friend," said he, "you are either a musician or a drunkard, by the fiddling of your hands. But be comforted; we shall find you plenty of occupation in either capacity." "You are very obliging," retorted the other; "but you mistake the cause of my trepidation. I took you for a Scythian or a Satyr by the cut of your face, but now you appear to be only some rude fellow." "Well returned," said the other guest, laughing. "Our friend here has gotten what he gave; as on other occasions." "He is unlucky, then," replied Cymon, "if he always gets what he gives. It is a poor jester that has never one triumph." "I understand our friend differently," said Diotima, in a mild manner. "He de "while I keep a promise with Lysis. When you have heard my story, we will talk of the other matter.' sires our good will, and would not feel | said the prophetess, addressing Cymon, happy to triumph over any of our distresses. He will not fail to make you love him. He is a fortunate lover, whose friends and mistresses favor him in a surprising manner." "How," said Cymon, laughing—" him? Pray, who is one of his mistresses, reverend prophetess ?" "The Graces," answered she, "are signally kind to him." Thereat the young man and the other guest laughed very heartily. "He is like," said the former, "to have full exercise of his quality, for here are three of us against him." "You mistake me," said Diotima, smiling. "I meant seriously to commend the good disposition and good fortune of our friend. It is true that he has the Graces at his bidding." If the anger of our guest against me," said Meton, "is abated, (and I confess the rudeness,) I desire you will tell him for my sake in what sense you think I am favored by the Graces; for he imagines you are satirizing me, as I did him-though, indeed, I meant only to infuse a little courage by arousing bold anger in him; and now you see he is all at once witty and companionable." Diotima then called for water, and having washed her hands, she reclined on her left arm, and gesticulating slowly and gracefully with the right, continued the story, while the three guests drank and feasted themselves in silence. "The Lesbians, who are my countrymen, claim to be the rivals of the Athenians in all matters of taste and refinement, though they confess their superiority in war, and yield them an unwilling obedience. My father exceeded all the other citizens in his cordial hatred of Athens and her democracy, and being equally rich and powerful, was regarded, while he lived, as the leader of the patriotic party. For in Lesbos to be a patriot is to favor aristocracy; but here it is otherwise. My father's taste and opinions made his house a resort of cultivated persons of both sexes, and of all who professed any liberal art or science. Every day we were entertained with music and melodious verse; the most eloquent of the rhapsodists made us familiar with Homer, and the wittiest comedians entertained us with satires on the vul The deities will think you belie them, good Diotima," said Cymon, who had now perfectly recovered himself, "if you name him as one of their favorites." Then turning to the ivory goddesses, he exclaimed, "I appeal to you, companions of the heavenly Venus, whether this fellow is indeed on the list of your favorites ?" while he spoke, between jest and earnest, raising a cup of wine to his lips, and fix-gar. Our nights were passed in banqueting his eyes upon the figures. ing, our mornings in the bath. We sat at evening under the shade of plane trees by cool rivulets, entertained with love tales, or with the sports and conversation of our friends. My early life slid away like a dream. I remember nothing remarkable until my fifteenth year; when I was made suddenly to feel the roughness of fortune. by a decree of the Demos, which banished my father from the Island for life. Taking none with him but myself, whom he tenderly loved, he sailed to Egypt in a vessel loaded with olives, with which. added to a remnant of his property, he meant to establish himself in Egypt. where there is a great colony of the Greeks. Let me assure you, my friends. I was not then what you now see me, wrinkled old woman, but indeed, not maid in Hellas might be ashamed of bein likened to me: the marble Venus of Lesbos is a copy of my face and form, which the greatest of our artists preferred befor all others. My beauty is celebrated verse that will not perish, and I remem "I thank you, good Satyr, for the faver," said the young man; "and now, Diotima, pray explain this mystery. I am impatient to hear you speak on that matter." "If Lysis," said she, turning to the other guest, "is of your mind, I will say what I mean." "Do so," said Lysis, "by-and-by; but now I would rather hear from your own lips, what you have promised the jester and myself the story of your own life." "Have patience with me, young sir,' Athenian Banquets. ber to have heard, that even Simonides "My father was in dread lest my beauty should bring some mischief upon him during the voyage, and bade me keep a veil over my face; but one day when there was a great calm, (we were just then on the Rhodian shore,) I laid aside my veil for the sake of coolness, and commanded the female slave who attended me, to draw the curtain that concealed us from the rowers. They lay asleep on the benches-all but one, a young Athenian, who observed the movement of the curtain, and fixed his eyes upon my face. I resumed my veil, not without some apprehensions of the consequences of this imprudence, which were justified by the event; for, on the second day after, the crew rose upon my father and thrust him into the sea. Foung Athenian, after this feat, came The somewhat rudely into my recess, and inormed me that he was master of the galey, that my father had fallen overboard n the night, but that I need not suffer my apprehension on that account, as he neant to be my protector. Imagine my rief and consternation. I threw myself t his feet, and begged he would not injure y honor, or sell me into slavery, but rould rather make me his wife, for that ow I should have no other protector. The young man's soul was filled with comassion. He raised me from the ground, ad with a tender embrace swore that he ould be my friend and husband, and that e would die in my defence. I accordingly came his wife, and suffered no inconnience but sorrow for the death of my ther, which afflicted me dreadfully for a ag time. "I soon began to have confidence in my sband, and even loved him a little. He ty soon explained that he had designed, th others of the crew, of whom three or ar were free Athenians, and the rest wes, to sell me for a slave in Egypt, exeting a great price by reason of my auty; that in consideration of his sere as inventor and chief executor of the t, the ship, with its slaves and cargo, s to be his; but that he presently efted an exchange, and partly by threats, I partly by promises of I know not what 66 197 I advantages, he had got me for his own property. And as the others knew nothing of me but through his report, he had person, representing that as by no means misled them with a false account of my the prodigy he had at first conceived it. little, and through all my sorrows I perThis last confession nettled me not a ceived an uneasiness of a very different personal advantages had been underrated. kind. For the first time in my life, my This leaven worked so powerfully, I resolved at last to right myself by a public disclosure; and one morning as we were coming by the western mouth of the Nile, where the Greeks are accustomed to enter Egypt, I let my veil drop as if by accident, while standing upon the stern in sight of my husband's companions. perceived that they were astonished at my beauty, and that very night my husMy horror and remorse may be conceived band was killed and thrown overboard. when I discovered the consequences of my weakness; but there was nothing left me but to bear it in silence. I was sold soon after to a rich Egyptian, who took me to his house, and finding my person agreeable, gave me every advantage and comfort that could be desired. Egypt resemble those of Athens, but are The houses of far more elegant and convenient. Indeed, the manners of the Egyptians surpass ours in most particulars, and I must regard everything appertaining to luxury. We them as a people far in advance of us in their governors, did we but know it; and are their superiors in war, and might be for the arts, nothing can be worse than their taste in these; but they know better than any other people the way to enjoy and make life comfortable. guage and manners of my master, and my "I soon became familiar with the lanproficiency was such he made a point of conversing with me himself, displaying a in regard to religion; for I soon found vast deal of learning, and singular notions those of my father, but much more mystithat his opinions of the gods were not like master's name) had been a priest of Amcal and refined. Manes (for that was my mon, in the desert, and had there learned the greater mysteries. The Pharao respected his learning and abilities so much as to grant him a pension with an office of 1 |