Then like soft harp sounds, melting far away, Ah! happy group! sequestered from the world, Though led by millions of his conquering host, Followed by captive slaves, the wealth of captive kings. The vesper song was sung. The virgin heard The plaintive anthem as it pierced the skies, Begging her favor for the sons of Eve, When, lo! a priestly train, with vestments blanched, With solemn step advance, and crowd around The rich majestic altar. On the ear An errant strain of star-born melody Comes with its sweetly soothing influence: Sudden it peals along the vaulted roof, Shaking the mighty minster to its base; And, gathering force with time, at length it bursts A thousand voices swell the choral song. Hail, Lamb of God! eternal Son, List to thy praises ringing out, List to our glad and fearless shout, Hosanna to thy name! There 'neath the humble form of bread, Golgotha's Victim here lies slain, O God! we bend the willing knee And beg thy friendly aid; Another and the same; List to thy praises ringing out, List to our glad and fearless shout, Thus rose the anthem, and the "amen" loud, And hushed themselves to silence. Then arose Can the bright scenes which pleasure proudly boasts Can these induce the Christian to forego One moment such as this? No! let the smile In mockery play upon the proud one's lips; GONZALEZ. MADAM CHAPTER I. The Cathedral. Translated from the French. day and the silence of this place consecrated to the Most High, the majesty which reigned throughout this vast edifice, conspired to fill her with a religious veneration. Seized with a pious and lively emotion, she hastened to make an act of adoration and to raise her soul towards that eternal, infinite Being, whose presence was recalled by every object that she here met. She knelt upon the nearest stool, and prayed for some time in the silence of profound recollection. ́ADAM DE LINDEN, a lady claiming descent from an ancient family and possessing a considerable fortune, had sought the retirement of the country since the demise of her husband; she resided at a villa situated in a mild and pleasant region. Her benevolent mind, her sincere piety, and her beneficence towards the unfortunate, had gained for her the esteem and affection of the whole neigh- She then arose from her kneeling place and borhood. advanced into the great nave, stopping almost Some urgent business requiring her pre-at every step to contemplate the objects by sence in the capital, she spent several weeks which she was surrounded. there wholly taken up with the management of her affairs. The eve of her return she wished, towards evening, to take a walk about the city; it was a Sunday, one of those balmy, vernal days, which appear so much the more agreeable as they follow the gloomy season of rain. It appeared that all the inhabitants were wending their way towards the suburbs of the town, in order to enjoy with greater advantage the gentle, healthful breezes which blew across the adjacent fields. Madam De Linden followed the crowd; she was on the way to the dwelling of a friend, whom she wished to accompany her, when, in passing ⚫ near the Cathedral, she suddenly felt a strong desire of visiting it once more before her departure. She thought that it was the most favorable moment to examine at leisure this wonderful specimen of gothic architecture: at this hour of the day there was no fear of disturbing any one in his devotions, or of being interrupted herself in her contemplation. Penetrated with a holy respect, she entered through the grand portal into that magnificent and venerable basilick. The stupendous, vaulted ceiling, the long nave adorned with several rows of magnificent columns, the grand altar appearing in the distance, the declining Truly, said she within herself, this gigantic monument is an admirable proof of the sublime piety of our forefathers, and of their high veneration for the divinity. How must these sentiments have been cherished by them, how must they have swayed their hearts since they dared to undertake, and could execute so noble and magnificent a work! How many thousands must have joined in the design! What efforts, what expense, what perseverance must have been required during a whole century, as history teaches us, before this temple was completed, and ready to receive within its enclosure the faithful who here assembled to adore, in common, their Divine Creator! She afterwards examined in detail the most remarkable parts of this magnificent building; she visited the little altars and side chapels, and considered with attention the ancient and splendid paintings full of vigor and expression, which represented the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin, the birth of the Saviour, his death, resurrection and ascension, the glorious Apostles and the martyrs firm and unchangeable in their faith, and numbers of holy women and virgins. All these pictures portrayed the principal events of the life of Jesus Christ and of his Apostles, and recalled to her mind the first years of the infant church; this meditation excited in her soul many pious sentiments and suggested to her holy and generous resolutions. may rest from their labors: for their works follow them." Madam De Linden took the resolution of bearing patiently the troubles and afflictions of life, whilst she should remain upon this She stopped also before each tomb and read earth, and of doing all the good that would lie the epitaphs, which brought back the remem-within her power. brance of illustrious men and virtuous women who had flourished in preceding ages. The hour, however, was advancing, and already she no longer beheld any living creature in the church, a profound silence reigning beneath the arched roof; she heard only the sound of her own foot-steps and the distant noise of the throng which filled the streets. 66 CHAPTER II. The Orphan in Prayer. CONTINUING to examine the basilick, Madam De Linden entered a side chapel where she saw a little girl about ten years of age, kneeling upon the steps of the altar; this child was alone, and wore the garments of a mourner. With her hands joined, and her eyes fixed upon the altar, she prayed with so much fervor that she did not perceive any one passing near her; tears were rolling like so many pearls down her vermillion cheeks. As it bespoke her innocence, her beautiful figure also expressed her grief and resignation, her piety and ingenuousness. At the sight of this little girl in tears, Ma She was alone in the midst of the tombs, her feet treading upon the dust of twenty generations, and the frailty of human life struck her mind more forcibly than ever. Her heart failed her, and a sudden chillness seized upon her frame. Alas, she exclaimed with a sorrowful emotion, how empty and perishable is every thing in this world! She remembered her relations, the friends that were now no more; and the thought of her own death, which perhaps was not far distant, grieved and troubled her soul. But the consoling in-dam De Linden felt herself moved with the scriptions on the monuments of the departed, most lively compassion and the most tender sustained her tottering courage and filled her benevolence. This pious lady even felt a with the pleasing hope of immortality. She kind of awe for this child in prayer; not could not read without a religious joy, the fol- wishing to disturb her in her devotions, she lowing verses inscribed upon one of the stones: waited in silence, and it was not till the little "I am the resurrection and the life: he that child rose up that Madam De Linden apbelieveth in me, although he be dead, shall live:proached her, and said to her mildly:-" It apand every one that liveth, and believeth in me,pears you are much grieved, my little girl; for shall not die forever." A still deeper impres- I have seen you shed abundant tears. What sion was made upon her soul when she read is the matter, will you tell me the cause of this oracle of the Saviour upon another stone:your sorrow?" "The hour cometh, wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they that have done good, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judg-(eight days since my poor mother was buried!" "And what do you now request of God in The monument of a pious lady who in this praying with so much ardor?" continued the world had a great deal to suffer and had done much good, particularly affected Madam De "I beg him to take pity on me," answered the Linden. She read on it in letters of gold these child; "I have no other refuge but him. I still impressive words of the Holy Scriptures: live in the little room which my mother occu"Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord.pied, but I can remain there no longer, the From henceforth now, saith the Spirit, that they landlord told me so to-day, because I had no ment." "Alas!” replied the child, again bursting into tears, "I have great reason to mourn and be afflicted, ma'am; it is but a year since I had the misfortune to lose my father, and it is only (lady. worthy pastor who, as you told me, did so much for your mother during her sickness," means of paying the rent. What will become of me? Where shall I find an asylum !" -"You have, then, no relations who can replied Madam De Linden: "it is to him I take care of you?" -"I have some relations in this city, and I wish with all my heart that one of them would have pity on me and take me to his home, were it only to serve him and assist him in his labor. The pastor of this parish, who came frequently to see my mother during her sickness, administered to her the last sacraments, and showed much interest in her behalf, has had the kindness to seek out my uncles to induce them to give me a home, but it appears they are not able; they all have a family and say that, living by the labor of their own hands, none of them are rich enough to take upon themselves the support of another child." -"Poor thing!" cried Madam De Linden, "I no longer wonder that you should be so much afflicted." —“Indeed, ma'am, I was very sad when I came to the Church; but God has dispelled the anguish of my heart; now I feel more calm, and I have no other desire than to conduct myself always according to his will, to please him and render myself worthy of his protection; I wish to work, to be good and pious; it matters not where I am placed, whether in an hospital or not; I will not be unhappy, for I am sure that God will not abandon me." wish to take you; I intend also to advise with him on what shall be done to assist you." Having finished these words, she extended her hand to the little girl, who then followed her with joy. CHAPTER III. The good Priest. THE worthy pastor was an old man, whose venerable countenance breathed an apostolic sanctity. His zeal, his virtues, his simple manners, his extensive knowledge, but especially his inexhaustible charity, had merited for him the confidence and gained the hearts of all the faithful of his parish. He was engaged in writing a letter when he saw Madam De Linden enter, holding the little Sophia by the hand. He immediately arose and saluted the noble lady in a gentle and courteous manner. Madam De Linden related to him the manner in which she became acquainted with the child. Then, turning to the girl, she requested her to stand aside for a few moments, as she had something particular to tell the reverend pastor. "Reverend father," said the lady, when they were alone, "I have the intention of taking upon myself the care of this little girl and of becoming her mother. I am a widow: all my children died when young. My heart tells me that I will be able to watch over this child with all that tenderness which I had for my own children. However, before determining, I desire to know if you advise me to act thus: you know the little girl, you have known her parents; tell me, I beseech you, what you think of my project. I wish to mark my passage through this vale of tears with a merito The words of this poor creature, the candor and innocence which sparkled in her eyes swollen with tears, moved the heart of the generous lady. She cast upon the orphan a look of affection like that of the most tender mother, and said to her: "I believe that God has heard you, my dear. Cherish your virtuous sentiments and persevere in your good resolutions: yes, be always good and pious, and have no more uneasiness. You deserve to be assisted. Give me your handrious act of beneficence and charity. Do you and come with me." think this child worthy of what I can do for her? I leave it to you." The little girl regarded the strange lady with an air of astonishment, and hesitated for Raising towards heaven his clasped hands, a moment. "Whither do you wish to lead and his eyes glistening with tears of joy, the me?" said she. "I dare not follow you; it is pious old man exclaimed: "May Providence growing late, and I must return home." be blessed forever! Ah! madam, how happy -"I am particularly acquainted with the I am to be able to assure you that you could |