and as he silently with his finger pointed it out, a deep | opinions, was taken and kept a prisoner by king Sigissigh escaped him. Luitgarde fully understood what was mund. passing in her uncle's mind, at the sight of the well- “Ah!” said the priest, “those times, like the present, known walls; she too was silent, thus respecting his were wicked times !” and, with a sigh, looked up to sorrows; and, oppressed by gloomy thoughts and painful heaven. sentiments, she for the first time entered the castle Yes, indeed !” replied the count; and the two old which was to be her future abode.

men now got into deep conversation, upon what was the But her clear good sense soon chased away those dis- principal topic at that time, the sorrows and sufferings heartening images, and, even when, in the large and half of their fatherland, and their unhappy consequences empty halls, in the lofty chambers, where here and there upon its children and children's children. The clergydamaged furniture recalled the past devastations, a man remarked, in the first place, the brutalization of desponding tendency seemed to seize on her, she resisted the people, when pressing want stimulated to deeds of it with energy; she took heart, and found occupation violence, and men's passions were held under no restraint for herself; she solaced herself with the bright anticipa- by the fear of God. He spoke of bands of robbers tions of a happy future, when the dear playfellow of her assembled in the forests, consisting partly of deserters or youth, and her future husband, whom she had not seen discharged soldiers, that peace rendered no longer necesfor so many years, should animate by his presence this sary, assisted by impoverished and helpless peasants; deep solitude; and those wishes and hopes which often he knew a number of terrible stories of them. And the rose up in her mind would redeem and reconcile every count, in whose bleeding heart those subjects found an thing.

echo, now reverted to the past, and related the sad But Count Frederick did not make his appearance. events which had taken place in earlier years, from this Affairs detained him at Vienna, where he arrived cruel internecine war. immediately after his father's departure, and where he “One of my friends has lost his only son, the heir of proposed to arrange the important collections, the fruits great possessions, and that noble house becomes extinct. of his travels, under the inspection of learned men, Have you, sir, known Count Lansky ?" before giving himself up finally to his rural retirement. “Lansky !” exclaimed Luitgarde, who listened atten. For this Luitgarde upbraided him in her letters, but she tively. endeavoured to employ the time as well as possible; “Yes,” continued her uncle, “Count Lansky, the she undertook the management of all the household friend of my youth, who at one time was the intended affairs; gave the necessary directions for the works to be husband of your mother. Private reasons broke off that executed for the improvement of the devastated castle; plan; Lansky went to his possessions in Silesia, and I in fine weather she rode through the surrounding have scarcely ever seen him since. He married concountry, and in bad weather she was sedulously occupied formably to the wish of his father, and found his sole with her female household; and the evenings were passed consolation for that ill-sorted marriage in the birth of a at the friendly fireside, with her uncle and the clergyman. handsome, promising boy. Then the wave of devastating

On one of the first days, while yet everything in the war rolled over these countries; the savage Mansfeldt, castle excited her curiosity, and neither furniture nor pursued by Wallenstein, marched with the remainder of painting attracted her observation, she discovered, in a his bandit troops, cutting his way through Silesia, in hall through which she was obliged to pass in going order to reach Bethlen Gabor, at the Siebenbürgen. All from her own apartments to those of her uncle, a portrait the horrors and devastations which accompany a flying of half-size, which strongly attracted her notice; and the army, destitute of everything for its support, visited the more she examined it, the more it fixed her attention. properties of my friend. Mansfeldt's troops carried fire It appeared to represent a subterranean prison, probably and sword into the villages; the castle was set on fire ; & dungeon of ancient times. The foreground of the the plunderers broke into it; what the flames did not painting consisted of a retiring range of lofty arcades, consume fell into their hands, or under their swords. which deepened, in the distant background, into Thus was lost the son of my friend. In the chamber he terrific darkness; to the right hand of the beholder, had occupied was found the corpse of one of his attendant still in the foreground, there was, in the highest part, maids, half consumed by the fire; no one knew what one round opening, through which the light from the became of the child. Long had the unhappy father moon fell on the person of an imprisoned knight, who, cherished the hope that the child, a lovely boy of four laden with heavy chains, sat on his bed of straw. It years old, might still be found, because his body had was not possible to see his face, from the thick black not been discovered; but more than twenty years of locks of hair that fell on it, and because his head was useless expectation and fruitless researches have at turned away from the beholder; but the mournful posi- length convinced him that his son had fallen a prey to tion of the head, supported by one hand, whilst in the the flames, and Lansky now lives without a child to feeble grasp of the other were seen some tallies, on inherit his large domains, which since then have never which notches had been made with a rusty nail that lay recovered those devastations." close by, probably the number of his days of confinement, The pastor broke out into fresh complaints and indicated too clearly the sufferings of the prison The anathemas against the war; a deep sigh rose from Luitgeneral effect of the composition, seen by the faint light of garde's breast; she raised her dark eyes with melancholy the moon's rays, produced a painful impression, and filled expression on her uncle, and said, “ Was not the lost Luitgarde with mysterious horror. Long did she stand boy's name Victorin, uncle?" before the painting, and it was with difficulty she could I believe so," replied he. tear herself away; and afterwards, as often as she passed “My beloved mother has often related to me," she through the hall, she would stop to gaze on it, and to continued, slightly blushing, “ of a betrothingreflect on the sad scene, and the feelings of the forlorn Count Martinitz took up the word, and said, “Quite captive, till at last, one evening, she ventured to question right; you were the destined bride of this Victorin. her uncle about the painting, and the history of the Since his father could not possess your mother, this imprisoned knight. Count Martinitz had little inforına ardently desired union was to bring happiness to their tion to impart on the subject; he said that very pro- children ; however you were scarcely born, when heaven, bably the whole composition was simply a fancy of the as if to destroy every possibility of a union between painter's, whose name he mentioned ;-if, however, it our houses, snatched away by death your intended bridehad a foundation in history, as in his youth he had groom." heard it related by his grand-aunt, who was the living "Providence has richly repaid me for the loss," chronicle of her house, the portrait represented one of replied Luitgarde, with a blush, whilst she placed her her noble ancestors, who lived in the times of the wars uncle's hands to her lips. of the Hussites, and who, on account of his religious Yes," said the old count,"my Frederick is a noble

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youth. I hope, with God's help, he will make you as forests, and devastated castles, and that distress and happy, dear child, as you deserve to be.”

sorrow were diffused over the whole neighbourhood. “Amen!” said the pastor, devoutly clasping both his The most frightful and strange histories were told of one hands.

of those bands, of which the chief was called “ the Luitgarde sighed, as she pressed her uncle's hand to Black Fritz," who was universally acknowledged as the her breast, “Ah, if he were but here now !”

most daring and resolute among them. By some persons With such like conversation were the long autumnal he was said to be a Mansfeldt freebooter; others represented evenings passed, not without pleasure ; but, if Luitgarde him as a swarthy-coloured Italian, who had served in related much, indeed most of what fell in her way, there the Cardinal-Infant's troops, and others asserted that he was yet one incident which she did not impart to her was the son of a charcoal manufacturer of Saxony, who uncle. Upon one of the first fine days she passed at the by courage and skill had raised himself to be an officer castle, she strolled, as was her custom, into the garden, in the Swedish troops, and that from want and discourage and from thence to the forest close by. A hillock, on ment he had taken to the forests, and become the chief which grew a clump of beautiful beech-trees, was the usual of a troop of hardy adventurers, who meant now limit of her wanderings, from which spot she commanded revenge on the unfortunate people, what fate, according a fine view of the neighbouring country, and of the river to their opinion, had inflicted on them. A crowd of that here wound round the hill. On this day curiosity anecdotes were related of this Black Fritz, and of his invited a farther walk; she descended the hillock, and troop; at one time they were terrific, at another extraexpected easily and without an obstacle to reach the ordinary, and again sanguinary; never, however, comriver ; but, after a descent of a couple of hundred steps mon-place; and all, especially those where the chief among bushes, she suddenly came on a gaping precipice, himself took a part, bore the stamp of a wild greatness, under which the Moldaw rushes furiously, with loud not without some remains of huinanity, indeed often breaking noise, hemmed in by narrow and rugged magnanimity, and a daring contempt of every danger. shores.

Luitgarde was never present at such conversations The wild grandeur of the prospect charmed her; she without bringing to her mind the stranger of the shore stood still, and looked down with admiration upon the of the Moldaw; the blood on the sword, the similarity alternating movement of the waters, which now bubbling of dress, the swarthy complexion, even the apprehension up cast its foam on the shore, and now flowed down over with which he flew, all appeared to point him out to her higher rocks like a polished mirror. A little boy was as a member of that terrific band, if not indeed the chief playing on the shore, with flat pebbles and all sorts of himself, the far-famed Black Fritz; and she regretted playthings, which he skilfully threw along the surface still more that she had been so little able to distinguish of the water with great delight; the light objects at one his features. Still she listened with lively interest to all moment appearing on the point of the waves, at another the conversations about him, and, if her right feeling sinking into the deep. There was a rustling in the turned aside with horror at the narrated acts of violence, thicket near the shore, and a man of tall stature, in dark she was not able to suppress a generous pity, arising from coloured dress, came out, but in such a way that Luit- the contemplation of so much courage, so much force of garde could not see his face, which was turned towards character, and daring, joined to a deep regret for the the river, and stood and looked attentively into the misuse of so much power. She could not but reflect on stream; then gently unbuckled his belt, drew with what these noble endowments might have been under violence a broad sword from a steel scabbard, and other circumstances, and what was now to be the lot of stooped down towards the water in order to wash away their possessor, in this world and in the other. from it some blood stains, which Luitgarde clearly dis- More near and more abundantly did the traces of this cerned. The stranger's dress gave no indication to band begin to show themselves in the vicinity of Luitwhat class in society he belonged; the suddenness, garde's habitation. Count Martinitz thought seriously almost wildness of his movement, his sinister exterior, on active preparations against its attacks, and, during the blood on the sword, all made a disagreeable impres- these movements and discussions, there arrived a letter sion on her mind; and she recalled all the histories of from Count Frederick, which indicated an early day for robbers and murderers which the priest had related. Still his arrival. Even at Vienna he had heard the reports she could not avoid observing the stranger's lofty, proud that were circulated of the insecurity of the neighbourair, heightened by his fantastic costume. She remarked hood; to him also Black Fritz was represented as a the nobleness of his movements, and she remained in a terrific monster, and therefore he took every precaukind of doubtful emotion between terror and admiration, tionary measure for his journey; he was accompanied by when suddenly a frightful shriek from the boy, who had many domestics, would only take short days' journeys, fallen into the water with his playthings, alarmed her. would never travel by night, and, to clear his road, Luitgarde, at the moment, cried out with anxiety; while had escorts placed from the nearest military posts on the the stranger came forward, flung away bat, sword, and most dangerous points. The old count was much mantle, sprang into the river, and drew out the terrified pleased at these prudent precautions of his son, whose child; then hastily took up his different parts of dress, journey had long disquieted him. Luitgarde was deand, wildly looking around, ran as rapidly as he was lighted at the near arrival of her early playfellow, the able into the thicket. Luitgarde stood amazed, con- true partner of her solitude, and therefore decided to fused at the scene she had witnessed; even the boy looked pay a visit which she had long promised to make to round in astonishment after his deliverer, but he had a female friend in the neighbourhood, in order afterdisappeared ; and this first impression of something wards to enjoy undisturbed the presence and society of unpleasant pressed more forcibly on her mind. Still the her intended husband. The uncle acquiesced ; the unknown had behaved in so noble and manly a way friend's house was not distant more than two hours' jourtowards the strange child, he could not be a common ney, and Luitgarde was to take with her armed domestica. person ;-then he did not wish to be seen ;--there was She was to go on the morning of one day, and to retum some mystery; and this decided her to ascertain who on the morning of the third; and, to avoid all danger, to was the chivalrous preserver of the boy. She did take the open road over the mountain. not speak of the accident at the castle, but she liked to Luitgarde adopted all these recommendations, though recall the event in her solitary hours, and to trace, as in her heart she had no fear. The journey proceeded much as was possible for her, the rapidly seen features | happily, and, having made her visit, she set out on her of the stranger, and, from all she had and had not seen, return home. She had reached a bad part of the road, to draw a whole which should explain this singular which from neglect and autumnal weather had become apparition.

quite a morass ; she had long lost sight of her friend's In the mean time the reports of the robber bands castle, when, half way up the hill, where the road inelines extended farther; that they had taken possession of towards the steep bank of a mountain stream, and when

SHARPE'S LONDON MAGAZINE.

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the horses were scarcely any longer in a state to draw I have,” answered Luitgarde.
the carriage through the deep ruts, a wheel broke, and all Really !" continued the man," and why?"
was upset. The lamentations of the maid, the impre- "It may, perhaps, äppear singular to you,” answered
cations of the domestics, attracted the attention of a Luitgarde, quietly, as she inferred from the vehemence
man, who, dressed in the guise of a quiet citizen, came of the question that he disapproved of her opinion;
down the hill out of his road; he saw the accident and

“ it may appear singular to you, but, once for all, I can-
hastened to the spot, actively laid hold of and drew out not believe all the wickedness which is related of Black
the terrified females from the upset coach, whilst the Fritz."
domestics in a state of confusion ran here and there

The stranger stood a moment, and looked at Luitincapable of assisting. The maid sprung into his arms; garde with a peculiar expression. “In truth, noble lady, he set her down on a dry spot, and hastened back to do you think so ?” the carriage. Luitgarde had risen ; she held out her Yes," replied Luitgarde," although it appears you hand to the stranger- her eye met his, and- a pur- are not of my opinion, but agree with the multitude;" ple glow stole over her cheeks. Never had she seen so and now she related to him very affably all kinds of handsome, interesting, and manly a countenance ; large, anecdotes she had heard of Black Fritz, and in all of dark, brilliant eyes shone under the handsomely arched which she imagined she could find, among wild deeds hazel-coloured eyebrows; a regularly shaped nose de- and blameable enterprises, a certain greatness of soul, scended to finely cut lips, and between dark mustachios and no common manner of thinking. Often did the appeared teeth white as ivory-whilst he gracefully and stranger contradict her ; he professed to view the robber in elegant language offered his assistance. The stranger chief in a very unfavourable light; he appeared to be even appeared confused at the aspect of the fair saved well-informed of his undertakings; he told her many one, and Luitgarde easily observed that he treated her things that were unknown to her of him, and among with more than ordinary courtesy. He offered his arm to others, assured her that he had once been a Swedish her, conducted her with care, and begged her permission officer, had served with distinction, but, at the peace, to take her in his arms over a very marshy spot, an from mortification and desperation, had taken to his offer which she had no alternative but to accept, unless present manner of life ; and ended, however, by declaring she wished to sink up to the knees. He respectfully took himself decidedly against him. her up in his arms; no intrusive forwardness, no pre- “I cannot, indeed, contradict you, since you are so wellsumptuous look, offended the unprotected position of informed,” said she at last; « but I assure you, I rethe maiden ; without raising his eyes towards her, nounce with a heavy heart my better opinion of this without proffering one word, he carried her over, placed man.” her upon the dry edge of the road, and ventured only The stranger sighed and looked sorrowfully down. to retain her until she came to herself, lest, seized by

“ Were men generally capable of so noble a confidence I giddiness, she might have fallen into the morass.

as you, young lady, probably then this wretched man
When her self-possession had returned, she thanked would not have fallen so low.”
the stranger in a very obliging manner, who accepted “Do you think so ? now you are, at bottom, even of
her acknowledgments with evident confusion, and imme- my opinion, and I can therefore tell you, that more
diately hastened to see what was to be done to the car than once I have already with warm heart prayed for
riage. By advice and assistance he did the best that him to God, that He might enlighten him, and bring
was possible; he rapidly prepared everything, observed him back from his evil ways to rectitude and virtue."
everything; he directed, he commanded the attendants ;

The stranger appeared violently affected; and Luit-
there was not one who attempted to gainsay him, to garde, as she was recalling what she said, wondered at
whom even it occurred to hold himself back at the herself, how she came then to reply with so much
stranger's commanding tone; the carriage was put toge- earnestness to a man wholly a stranger to her, whom she
ther as well as possible, and led down the hill gently to saw for the first time, whose name and position were
the house, which the stranger pointed out to them, and equally unknown to her. But there was something in
where they were to find conveniences, working imple the deportment of the man which opened her heart as if
ments, and helping hands. He now went back to the by force.
females, and asked Luitgarde whether she would not
wish to go down to the house to rest herself, and wait
there with greater convenience until the carriage could
be got ready again. The stranger conversed in polished
language, and indicated a manner of thinking and

LATE HOURS.
habits, that appeared far beyond what his dress announced.
Among other things, he asked her why she did not

“If there be one these lines may teach
prefer the convenient lower road which led through

A moral, not in vain the forest, as the road over the mountain was always at

Have I endeavoured thus to reach this time of the year very bad. Luitgarde smiled, and

A more reflective strain.”

CHARLES SWAN.
said, after some reflection, “ The lower road through the
forest must be insecure; my uncle has been afraid of my
travelling by it."

The question of late hours is, perhaps, not more a “ And you, noble lady, are you not afraid ?”

question of philanthropy, than of necessity--good men “ No," replied Luitgarde; " it is said the robber chief, begin to plead, and impatient ones to clamour, for a Black Fritz, as he is named, has always correct infor- relaxation of the present stringent system. The good mation on every matter, and so he will have known men plead ;—“Give these men time to cultivate their that a young lady, who travels to visit a friend with a minds, to prepare for a better world.” Impatient ones couple of domestics, brings no treasures with her which would be able to attract him.”

clamour;

We are men, not machines, we must have “ Very good, young lady; but Black Fritz must not rest; the orderly returns of day and night suggest it; simply be a plunderer ; he must even be audacious and our tired limbs and jaded intellects demand it. Are cruel, and often ferocious.”

we mill-horses? Were we born without, or are we to * No," answered Luitgarde with firmness," I do not quench, every spiritual craving of our nature? Did the believe this,-that, without an object, without the pro- poets of our country sing, the painters paint, and the spect of a rich booty, simply to do harm for its own sake, wise men instruct for Englishmen, leaving us out of the that man will commit any crime.”

“ Have you, then, a better opinion of him than the question? We have borne it too long; we will bear it world has?" asked the stranger, doubtingly.

no more. Oh, happy days, when old Izaak Walton,

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with his six-feet wide shop in Cheapside, could spare makers, and he will see that this is an injury crying loudly time to study the aspects of God's creation !"

for redress to a Christian people. The agitation will result in good; employers and have heard of a mercantile house in London, and

This holding human life so cheaply is a crime. ! employed will be the better for it. We see the end; shuddered to hear it, who killed off a clerk every six right must conquer, but it depends on each and all of us, months. It is unimportant how man may look upon how long first. It is a question which admits of no such inconsideration; but does the Father of masters delay; our brothers are born, and work, and die, while and servants view with indifference the supporters of we look on and say, “All will be right in time, only, the overstraining system ? Let conscience answer. patience !" Yes; to the brothers, the wives, the fami

Mental and physical strength in men go to make a lies, bereaved through this overworking system, specta- great nation; on our growing up young men we depend tors whisper “Patience." Patience is very well when tards the progress of England. But how are our young

for the next generation; each generation helps or re the stone is set rolling from the top of the hill, -we

men to acquire strength either of body or mind, when know it must reach the bottom in time; it is a different even necessary cessation from toil is denied them? An affair when the folks at the bottom start it,—they must instrument whose strings are never tightened will watch and push, and never desert their charge till it be get out of tune, but one whose strings are always subsafely fixed on the summit. This is our case; but we mitted to excessive tension will soon have none. We will not kick our stone, or be angry with the thousand plead for the middle, the reasonable, the just course: causes that give it a downward tendency; but “ Onward shall we plead in vain? No; the day will come when and Upward,” must be our motto, and you will forgive the shopmen and shopwomen in London shall have at a little earnestness in a great cause.

least an hour or two a day of leisure available for purA. keeps a linen-draper's shop in a street in the city : poses of education. The cathedrals, the picture galleries, he employs many shopmen; they open at eight, and the concert-rooms, the sources of cheap and good close at ten. One hour a day is allowed for meals; A. education-the newspapers, the magazines, shall be for is not very exacting; he is a “ moderate” master. B. is them. In the economy of the hive, the comfort and a grocer in the next street: he also employs young men, convenience of the working-bees shall be consulted. and treats them as well as he thinks he can afford to Such a day is coming, all things are tending to it; but do; keeps the same hours as A. Both A. and B. might perseverance as well as patience must chace away the sell all they sell in twelve hours as well as in fourteen. shadows till This is the secret-B.'s wife is what is called “a capital manager;" she has a large family, is always at work for

« Jocund day them ; she snatches a few minutes, after the little ones

Stand tiptoe on the misty mountain top." are in bed, to go shopping. If only B.'s wife did this, her few minutes would be of little consequence, but Co's Let the injured be true to themselves ; let them cultiand D.'s and E.'s, and many more people's, do the same; vate, to the utmost of their opportunities, the talents the consequence is the few minutes not in every case they possess, that the cold and distrustful may be conpresenting themselves at the same time, instead of vinced, or at least silenced. There are many who have ending with minutes, the extra time comes to hours. great confidence in the persons to be benefited. I, as Perhaps A.'s wife and the rest serve B. in a similar way; one of the hopeful, say, “ We do not believe that you and so on, through the whole alphabet ; so everybody will misuse additional privileges. We do not believe keeps late hours, to oblige everybody, with the important that in supporting this movement for the relaxation of exception of everybody's “ young people."

the system pressing so heavily on you, we are diffusing The "young people” say, “Mrs. B. might come shop- principles which will encourage idleness and dissiping in the morning, and mend stockings at night, in- pation. stead of vice versa. Mrs. D. need not lounge about all We believe that Milton, Shakspeare, and Dryden, day, reading a novel, and drop in at seven or eight will be good company for many a now desolate home; o'clock, for white gloves to attend a party; Mrs. C. might we believe that men will learn to value and to love once now and then spare her servant half-an-hour in the something beyond the trade that brings them money; morning to procure herself what she requires.” The we believe that the beautiful and the good will be dis"young people” are right, but Mesdames A. B. and covered or cherished in many bosoms, where they are C. being experienced ladies do not like to be taken to now faintly existing, if existing at all. We knote task. Out of spite, or forgetfulness, or indifference, they that “wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things continue late shopping.

that may be desired are not to be compared to it;" Meantime, the "young people" come from the coun- and we believe that you will seek to obtain wisdom try, get seasoned, or fade away and die,-nobody seems when your opportunities are extended. to care which. So long as Mrs. B. gets her drapery, she

The assertion that you would abuse your rights is not does not think of the pale young man who used to wait only untrue, but insulting to our sense of justice. Am on her always at A.'s, but has not lately served her. It'I to rob my neighbour because he wastes his fortune! is not, at this stage of the affair, her business. The pale The steps by which an amelioration of the late-hour young man must make his appeal, and Mrs. B. will, per- system is to be accomplished are these : punctual and haps, allow the justice of his claim, perhaps not.' Let faithful discharge of duty; a steady united pursuance him not be discouraged ; if Mrs. B. stands out, some one

of the object in view, maintained through meetings and else will yield, and the one who yields being, (as she by the press; a conscientious discontinuance of late proves herself,) a woman of sense, will influence others. shopping by all in any degree interested in the ques. The honest, old, good managers, will become ashamed tion; and in this commercial country, who among the of overworking other people, for a supposed saving of middle classes is not interested in it? time to themselves, and will give in too. Mrs. B. will Employers will find a graceful compliance earn them be glad she yielded, when Mrs. A.'s “clever" young the thanks of their people, assiduous attention to comman, "who has become so attentive to Isabella," is en mands, and additional respect; but all this is more abled, by his superior intelligence, acquired by early than their due, for it is a question of justice, although hours, to become a partner in his house. Every one their position gives them the power to make it one of will feel the benefit resulting from the improvement, favour too. Let them remember, " Bis dat qui cito dat," those most who complain to us now. This is no fiction of social wrong, springing from the fanciful brain of an author. Let any one read the evidence given before the House of Commons, relating only to milliners and dress

a

TO OUR READERS. WHEN we made our first bow to our readers this a most enviable and delicious privilege, if we can time last year, we then told them how they might only maintain ourselves at this elevation, nor, by easily get rid of us if our presence was disagreeable, once descending, irrecoverably or felt to be unnecessary,—by simply letting us

“ soil our pure ambrosial weeds alone; that no active steps to expel us would With the rank vapours of this sin-worn mould.” be required; but that, by merely abstaining from troubling themselves about us, they would very this elevated region as our proper sphere, we are

Let it not be supposed that, by laying claim to soon find themselves relieved from whatever an

confessing an unfitness for a mission of every-day noyance our periodical call at their doors might occasion. We had no intention of dragging on a

practical usefulness. The influences which descend sickly existence of a few months under the chilling the ground, are those which have their source be

with the most cheering and fertilizing effect upon breath of public neglect. We were fully resolved, if we found a frost fairly set in against us, to walk yond the edge of “this visible diurnal sphere;" it is

the desolating storm,—the blinding mist,—the poiquietly away, while we had yet toes left wherewith to perform the feat with some degree of decent their dwelling close to the earth. Neither are we

sonous miasma,—which spring from, and have dignity. A little time must of course always to be imagined so absurd as, by fixing our place so be allowed for the public to know its own mind,for the engine to arrive at its speed, so as fairly

high, to arrogate to ourselves any peculiar loftito test its powers,—but after that

, if a favourable not by power of wing, but by pure singleness of

ness of flight, or soaring sublimity of genius. It is judgment is not pronounced, the most ardent selfesteem must yield to the conviction that the field purpose in our flying, that the elevation is reached,

-by reducing our specific gravity, and by throwing which has been entered upon must be left for more

off all downward tendencies, so that “in our proskilful hands to till, and for more fortunate adven

per motion we ascend.” turers to reap its fruits.

A metaphor is sometimes a dangerous steed to A year has now elapsed, and here we are still, get astride of, and we therefore descend from ours, vigorous and hopeful,,-a circumstance from which

lest, were we to remain mounted much longer, our the reader may infer, with truth, that we have not readers should imagine we intended to represent been disappointed with the degree of patronage ourselves as always in the clouds, and should feel which we have received. The public has not inclined to institute ludicrous comparisons between thought proper to let us alone; we have not been the magnificence of our present language, and some chilled by the cold breath of neglect; the frost has not set in against us; and our toes are warm and doubt not, without much difficulty in our pages, and

paper of very simple plainness, to be found, we sound, and able to carry us forward many a long the generally unpretending character with which league, without a wish for, or thought of, retreat. it is our study to invest this Magazine. Our meanWith thankful hearts, therefore, and buoyant hopes; ing, however, cannot well be mistaken. Dealing with feelings of sincere gratitude for much favour with subjects not of local, temporary, or party and indulgence; and with a resolute purpose to interest, but of universal interest as regards deserve more, if possible, but never less, the sup- place, time, and persons, our whole aspect and port we have received; we now gird up our loins, character is necessarily peaceful. We have nothing and address ourselves for our third start.

to do with those things about which men generally It is a pleasing circumstance connected with a publication of this kind,—most pleasing to us who quarrel, and for which they call one another

If we take up an incident of history, it is conduct it,-pleasing also, we doubt not, to those partly to stimulate at once and satisfy a laudable who read it,—that, as we are under no necessity of curiosity, partly to illustrate some point in human touching upon subjects of a controversial character, character, some prevailing motive to action, -never we need never have our minds agitated, or our tem

to bring it to the support of any view of present pers disturbed, by controversial feelings. This ad- politics. If we touch upon morals, it is that we vantage we gain, not by cautiously and cannily | may enforce practically that upon which all good

, taking care to express, on all subjects which we

men are agreed in theory,-never that we may dip treat, opinions so undecided as to oppose no re

our hands into the disturbed waters of metaphysical sistance to whoever advances with a disposition to

or religious polemics. If we speak of the present contest them, but by moving entirely above the

condition of any class of the people—of its wants whole class of subjects about which men usually of its sufferings—perhaps of its crimes, it is that dispute. We (we do not mean ourselves indi.

we may call into action everywhere those feelings vidually, but our class,) have it in our power, if and principles, whose unfettered operation unfailwe adhere to our proper business, to

ingly tends, by the admission of all thinking men, to “ live insphered

the general good,—never to excite, in any single In regions mild of calm and serene air,

breast, one angry or discontented feeling. And we Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot Which men call earth :"

have, besides, a wide and fertile field into which

names.