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self-sufficient and arrogant-don't you think so, || kindness will afford me such consolation as the my lord Duke?"

"Oh! insufferably so." "And confident."

"Oh! intolerable, madam; my dear madam, if you go on defining the animal, you positively || will throw the gout into my stomach."

Chagrined, and disgusted with what I had heard, I hastened home, out of humour with myself and the world; I grieved to find that the few advantages which I had obtained from a moral education and rational observation (by which I had hoped to become less burthensome to myself and others), was not likely to produce the salutary effects which my imagination had fondly indulged. Having heard, Sir, of your fame as well for depth of penetration as philanthropy of disposition, I determined to lay my case before you, trusting that your wonted

nature of my situation demands. For my part I see no end to my regret, no avenue which leads to that popularity I had once expected to obtain; for till dashing men become rational, and fashionable men reasonable, good sense must remain in obscurity lamenting the evils she cannot cure. If, therefore, it is not in your power to point out some plan by which she may acquire the applause and admiration of your sex, and become the ornament and pursuit of ours, 1 must ever most sincerely mourn the reputation I have acquired, as a totally unnecessary appendage, utterly disadvantageous; and, in short, Sir, I sigh incessantly for the period, circumstance, or event, that shall give me the enviable titles of a simple, innocent, weak young woman. Yours, &c.

ELIZ. CELEST. MISANTHROPIA.

GENIUS TRIUMPHANT.

AN ALLEGORY.

splendid security; my trumpet shall swell with the sound of universal applause, and gild the young laurels already bound round thy brow."

ABELLENZA was the son of Melchia, prince of || merits. Thy beloved kindred shall repose in the island of Cyrrha; he was the favourite child of Genius. She presided at his birth, animated his infancy, and attended him through every gradation, from youth to manhood. Inspired by Abellenza was a youth of graceful mien, and her precepts and practised in her various enchant- the milk of human kindness flowed in his veins; ments, the soul of the youth sprung forward, to his breast beat high with virtuous emulation, his catch the golden prize pointed out by his pre-heart panted with the rich emotions of beceptress as the reward of superior talents and nevolence, and his soul thirsted after immortaworth. lity.

Plumed with the wings of virtue, assisted by industry, and led on by love and duty, he took his flight towards the regions of glory; the trum pet of Fame arrested his progress; the sound vibrated on his ear, it reached his heart, and his soul swelled with the tumultuous transports of coming renown. The trumpet ceased as the goddess advanced; she took the hand of the youth, and smiled. Abellenza listened with eager attention as she spoke. "Stay, aspiring youth," said the goddess, "and animate for a while by thy talents and example this nether sphere; receive the suffrages of thy fellow mortals, the reward of thy eminent abilities, and the applauses of an admiring world; erect thy temple on the highest summit of Parnassus; let thy parent necessity be the whetstone of thy powers, and let thy sisters, Clio and Thalia, chronicle thy fame; but remember, genius must be accompanied by activity and patience, and be content to seek its laurels through briars and thorns; fight on, therefore, aspiring youth! so shall thy shrine be enriched with emblems of thy

Already had the public voice paid tribute to his transcendent talents, already had envy reared high her snaky crest, and darted her venomed shaft, he had paid the tax which inferiority, prosperous ignorance, and the crafty worldling exacts from the sons and daughters of genius.

Chicanery and fraud had taken advantage of his virtuous necessities; had profited by the mild ingenuousness of his nature, and the noble exercise of his talents. Love! sweet, and enchanting-love, pure and spotless, had found an entrance to his susceptible heart; alas! it was love pale and dejected-resting only on hope; but nought could shake the firm and virtuous soul of A bellenza! The arts of the unprincipled had urged, and pleasure lured, but could not tarnish the lustre of his talents, nor sully the noble qualities of his heart.

Such was Abellenza! when the rays of his genius ascended to distant regions; and the renowned prince Zonotasque, celebrated for magnanimity and valour, and for his liberal encouragement of the arts, sent emissaries with

splendid offers to the youth, and an invitation of || I will improve the gracious gift of heaven by courtesy to his palace.

Abellenza's heart expanded at the call of glory, and the ardour of youth and hope sprung fresh within him; but the thought of his beloved kindred, the parent who protected his infancy, his virtuous sisters pining for his loss, and the soul of the youth was sad.

He wandered towards the Lake of Arsulah; he reclined on its velvet banks, branching limes shaded his form, zephyrs wantoned in his soft brown hair, his breast responsed to the sighing foliage, for the soul of the youth was sad.

He mused on the words of Fame, and the lustre of Hope brightened the pale beam of his eye; he remembered the words of the goddess, "Genius must seek its laurels through briars and thorns." Calm flowed the Lake of Arsulah, bright glowed the sun on its light blue waves; calm was the breast of the youth, and bright were the hopes of his soul. "I will go," instinctively he repeated, "I will accept the noble offers of this illustrious prince. Dear to my soul is my native soil, fast round my heart cling the chords of nature; but the claims of duty are sacred, her reward is sure. My countrymen have forgotten to be just, they eat up the labour of my hands; I will sojourn for a while on a foreign shore;

activity and perseverance, so shall the predictions of the goddess be fulfilled; my beloved kindred shall repose in splendid security; and the maid of my love, the bright-eyed daughter of Lebnor shall glad the arms of Abellenza."

Firm were the resolves of the youth, when his soul was fired with virtuous sacrifice; prompt was his execution, for his decisions were just. He quitted the hall of his kindred, and fast flew the bark on the waves, the wind was in her sails; fast flew the bark on the waves, and fast fell the tears of Lebnor's daughter; silence reigned in the hall of his kindred, and pale was the cheek of his love!

Peace to thy soul, daughter of Lebnor! repose on thy strength virtuous kindred of Abellenza! Bright in his fame shall the youth return; enriched with imperial honours, endowed with wealth and power shall return the youth of the secret sigh; envy shall expire at his feet, injustice hide her head, and fraud sue for mercy. The virtu ous kindred of Abellenza shall repose in splendid security; the white-bosomed Zelmah shall bless the arms of the youth; Genius shall triumph in her son, and joy shall reign in the hall of

Lebnor.

THE PREDICTION.
AN AUTHENTIC TALE.

E. G. B.

AN Austrian officer, the Baron von Wwho served in the Szekler, in the last war with the Turks, lived a few years since at B. He was fond of relating the different extraordinary events of his campaigns. From the number we select the following anecdote, which is given in the Baron's own words:

In the spring of the year 1788, I set out from Miclosvar in Transylvania, to conduct a number of recruits to my regiment, which then lay in the vicinity of Orsowa. In a village near the army lived a gipsy who carried on the trade of a suttler. My new soldiers, who were extremely superstitious, asked her to tell their fortune. I laughed at them, and at the same time held my hand to the gipsy.

We joined the army, and shared its fatigues and dangers. It is well known that in this war the Turks gave no quarter. Their chiefs offered a premium of a ducat for every head that should be brought into the camp, and neither Janissaries nor Saphies neglected any opportunity of earning this reward. This arrangement was particularly fatal to our advanced posts. There was scarcely a night but what the Turks came in superior numbers to seek for heads, and at daybreak, it was often found that part of the camp had been guarded only by decapitated trunks. The prince of Coburg resolved to send every night strong piquets of cavalry beyond the chain of videts, for the purpose of protecting them; these piquets were composed of one or two "The 20th of August," said she, with a very hundred men; but the Turkish generals finding significant air, and without adding another syl- their troops disturbed in their retail trade, sent lable. I wished to obtain some explanation, but still more numerous detachments against our she repeated the same words; and as I was going piquets, which procured them a still more conaway she called out to me in the same tone,-siderable profit. The service of the piquets was "the 20th of August." It may easily be sup-consequently of such a nature, that those who posed that this date remained impressed upon were appointed to perform it, always put their my memory. affairs in order previous to their departure.

No. V. Vol. I.

LL

Things were in this state in the month of August. Several battles had not changed the position of the army. A week before the 20th, my fortune-teller, of whom I had frequently pur chased provisions, again made her appearance. She entered my tent, requested me to leave her a legacy, in case I should die on the day she had predicted, and offered, in case I did not, to make me a present of a hamper of Tokay. This wine was a rarity in the army; the gipsy appeared to me not to have common sense; in the situation in which I then was, a speedy death was not improbable, but I had no reason to expect it precisely on the 20th of August. I acceded to the proposal, staking two horses and 50 ducats against the old woman's Tokay; and the auditor of the re-passing and repassing over me, while legs, arins, giment took down our agreement in writing, but not without laughing.

Turks, intoxicated with opium, made a horrible massacre of them. Very soon not a single Austrian was left standing. The victors seized the horses that were still fit for service, first pillaged the dead and wounded, and then began to cut off their heads and to put them into sacks which they had brought expressly for the purpose.— My situation was not very enviable. In the regiment of Szekler we in general understand the Turkish language. I heard them encourage each other to finish the business before any succours should arrive, and not to leave a single ducat be| hind, adding, that there ought to be two hundred. Hence it appears that their information must have been very accurate. While they were

The 20th of August came. There was no probability of an engagement. It was indeed the turn of our regiment to furnish a piquet for the night; but two of my comrades were to go out before me. In the evening, as the hussars were preparing to set off, the surgeon of the regiment came to inform the commandant that the officer named for the piquet was taken dangerously ill. The one next to him, and who preceded me, received orders to take his place; he dressed hinself in haste and was proceeding to join his men; but his horse, a gentle, quiet creature, suddenly began to prance and caper in such a manner, that he at last threw his rider, who broke his leg in the fall. It was now my turn. I set off, but I must confess not in my ordinary humour.

I commanded eighty men, and was joined by 120 belonging to another regiment, making in the whole two hundred men. Our post was about a thousand paces in front of the line of the right wing, and we were supported by a marsh covered with very high reeds; we had no advanced sentinels; but not a man was suffered to leave the saddle; our orders were to remain with drawn sabres and loaded carbines till day-break. Every thing was quiet till a quarter before two o'clock; we then heard a noise, which was succeeded by loud shouts of Allah! and in a minute all the horses in the first rank were thrown to the ground either by the fire, or by the shock of seven or eight hundred Turks. An equal number fell on their side, from the impetuosity of their charge and the fire of our carbines. In the confusion which succeeded, I received eight sabre wounds, as well from friends as enemies; 'my horse was mortally wounded; he fell on my right leg and pinned me down to the ensanguined ground The flashes of pistols threw a light on

this scene of carnage.

I raised my eyes and saw our men defending themselves with the courage of despair; but the

and balls were flying above my head, my horse received one which caused him to make a convulsive motion. My leg was disengaged, and I instantly conceived the idea of throwing myself, if possible, among the reeds of the morass. I had observed that several of our men who had attempted it were taken; but the firing had slackened, and the darkness inspired me with hope. I had only twenty yards to go, but had reason to apprehend that I should sink in the morass. I nevertheless leaped over men and horses, knocking down more than one of the Turks, who extended their arms to catch me, and made several blows at me with their sabres; but my good for tune and my agility enabled me to reach the marsh. I sunk at first no higher than my knees; in this manner I proceeded about twenty paces among the reeds, and there stopped exhausted with fatigue. I heard a Turk exclaim, "An Infidel has escaped; let us look for him!"-" It is impossible he can be in the morass," replied others. I know not whether they continued their conversation, but I heard nothing more. I fainted away with the loss of blood, and in this state I remained several hours; for when I came to myself, the sun was already high.

I had sunk into the morass up to the waist. My hair stood erect when I recollected the images of the night, and the 20th of August was one of my first ideas. I counted my wounds, which were eight in number, but none of them dangerous; they were given with sabres on the arms, the breast, and the back. As the nights are very cool in that country, I wore a very thick pe lisse, which had deadened the blows. I was, however, extremely weak: I listened; the Turks had been long gone. From time to time I heard the groans of wounded horses on the field of battle; as to the men, the Turks had taken pretty good care of them.

I attempted to extricate myself from the place in which I was, and this I accomplished in about an hour. The footsteps I had left behind me on

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entering guided me out again. Though a war with the Turks blunts the edge of sensibility, I felt an emotion of fear, lonely as I was, when I cast my eyes beyond the reeds. I advanced; my eyes were directed towards the scene of massacre, but words are inadequate to express my terror on feeling myself suddenly seized by the arm. turned my head and beheld an Arnaut, six feet high, who had undoubtedly come back to see if he could pick up any thing more. Never was hope more cruelly disappointed. I addressed him in the Turkish language, "Take my watch, my money, my uniform," said I," bu' spare my life!"-" All hose belong to me," said he, "and your head into the bargain." He immediately untied the string of my hussar cap, and then my cravat. I was unarmed and incapable of defend ing myself; at the slightest movement he would have plunged his large cutla s into my bosom. I threw my arms round his body, supplicating his compassion, while he endeavoured to uncover my neck. "Have compassion on me," said I: 66 my family is rich, make me your prisoner, and || you shall have a large ransom."—" It will be too long to wait for that," replied he; "only hold yourself still a moment, that I may cut-" and he was already taking out my shirt pin. Meanwhile I still clung round him; he did not prevent me, undoubtedly because he relied on his strength and his weapons, and even perhaps from a motive of compassion, which indeed was not strong enough to counterbalance the hope of a ducat. While he was disengaging my shirt pin, I felt something hard at his girdle. It was an iron hammer. He again repeated, "Hold yourself still!" and without doubt these would have been the last words I should ever have heard, had not the horror of such a death inspired me with the idea of seizing his hammer. He did not perceive what I was doing, and already held my head with one hand and his cutlass in the other, when disengaging myself by a sudden movement, 1 gave him a blow on his face with the hammer with all my strength. The hammer was heavy; the Arnaut staggered; I repeated my blow, and he fell, at the same time dropping his weapon. It is unnecessary to add that I seized it, and plunged it several times into his body. I ran towards our advanced posts, whose arms I perceived glistening in the sun, and at length reached the camp. Our people shunned me as they would a spectre. The same day I was attacked with a violent fever, and conveyed to the hospital.

In six weeks I recovered from my fever and my wounds, and rejoined the army. On my arrival the gipsy brought me her Tokay; and I was informed by others that, during my absence, different circumstances had come to pass exactly as she had foretold, and had procured many consultations and many legacies. All this was very extraordinary.

Not long afterwards two deserters from the enemy came over to us. They were two Christ| ians of Servia, who had been employed about the baggage of the Turkish army, and deserted to avoid a punishment they had incurred. They no sooner saw our prophetess than they knew her, and declared that she frequently went at night to the Turkish camp to give the enemy an account of our movements. This astonished us greatly; for the woman had performed for us various services, and we had even admired the address with which she executed the most pe rilous commissions. The deserters, however, persisted in their testimony, adding, that they had several times been present when this woman described our positions to the Turks, disclosed to them our projects, and encouraged them to make attacks which had actually taken place A Turkish cypher served for her passport. This convincing proof being found upon her, she was sentenced to suffer death as a spy. Before her execution, I again questioned her on her prediction relative to me. She acknowledged that by acting as a spy to both parties, which procured her double profit, she had often learned the designs of both; that those who secretly consulted her on their future fortune had made her acquainted with many circumstances, and that she was likewise under some obligation to accident. As to what regarded me in particular, she had selected me to make of me a great example capable of confirming her credit, by fixing so long before hand the fatal moment. At its approach she had instigated the enemy to make an attack in the night of the 20th on the post of our regiment. From the intercourse which she had with the officers, she learned that there were two to go before me; to one she sold adulterated wine, which had made him ill; and as for the other, at the moment of his departure, she went up to him, as if to sell him something, and found means, unperceived, to introduce very high into the nostrils of his horse a piece of burning tinder.

LL 2

PRINCIPLE AND SENTIMENT.

T. N.'s Enquiry concerning Principle and Sentiment briefly considered.

MR. EDITOR,

THE Reply of T. N. which appeared in the last number of La Belle Assemblée, to "The Distinction between Principle and Sentiment considered," which was submitted to the eye of the public in the preceding number of the same work, demands much serious attention. And the candour, the modesty, the talents, the ingenuity, and the intention with which it is written, entitles the author to every mark of respect and attention; and strongly induces me to pursue, however feebly and unsuccessfully, the subject in question somewhat further than I originally intended to have done.

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nature and in the constitution of things; and the faculties of the mind are peculiarly adapted, nicely fitted, and pre-eminently calculated to act in exact conformity to their inquence, when by the energies of virtue, accompanied by a desire of improvement, we are wisely determined zealously and properly to apply them to the useful, the noble, and the laudable purposes of increas ing our happiness by enlarging our knowledge and redoubling our usefulness.

Principles are incapable of change or alteration, of injury or improvement. They are not founded in knowledge, but are i's basis, its support, and its perfection. They are anterior to knowledge. They are emanations of a wisdom that is supernatural. Every thing that can properly be called principle would be invariably the same was all knowledge instantaneously to cease.Truth would continue to be truth, and virtue to be virtue, although man knew neither the nature, the property, the utility, nor even the name of either. Principles may be instilled into the mind by education; but neither ignorance nor learning, neither wisdom nor folly, can alter their properties, nor disprove their existence. They are emanations of a divinity which leaves not man to the mercy of chance, nor to the dominion of opinion. To these emanations erudition must bow with respect, and philosophy must

In metaphysical disquisitions of every description, the difficulties that oppose themselves to our view, it is neither in our power accurately to enumerate, satisfactorily to explain, nor faithfully to describe. Here the nicest possible attention to a clear definition of words, and the minutest adherence to appropriate and precise application of terms, will neither prevent doubts, solve difficulties, nor establish conviction. And much of the knowledge that is to be acquired by the truly "abstruse, yet interesting study of the soul," must derive its origin more from an attentive observation of the intellectual faculties operating, by known and admitted fixed principles on all the variously combined effects of external and incidental circumstances and situations on the pas-submit without an alternative. sions, the dispositions, the affections, and the sensations to which we are subject, than by the severest process of deep and critically rigid metaphysical investigations.

Too often in the study of the mind we omit the study of the man, and represent the object of our enquiry as a being superior to himself. Too often in delineating the character of man, his endowments and his capabilities, we represent him rather as what he ought to be than what he really is; and thus foil ourselves with our own weapons.

In the pursuit of all moral and religious know ledge, whatever is not founded in principle is not necessary to the promotion of goodness and of happiness. The Christian religion is founded on the principle of love. If it can be proved that no such principle exists, the Christian system must inevitably fall to the ground. That the professors of christianity do not act in conformity to the influence of this principle does not prove that the principle itself is either false or defective. Those opinions of love which are subject and conformable to its principle are pure, sincere, just, dignified, and powerfully instrumental in promoting universal harmony and happiness; while those opinions arising from the same af

By principles, I do not mean opinions but truths. Truths are properties which invite enquiry and enforce conviction. Errors are chimeras of the imagination, which elude all pur-fection that are casually, promiscuously, mesuit and shrink from all enquiry. These have neither substance nor existence independent of what they receive from the resources of fancy, and from the indolence of opinion. Errors cannot emanate from principles. Of these there is but one description. In principles there are no deceptions. Principles are truths founded in the

thodically, or systematically imbibed by education; influenced by the habits of society, and the customs and fashions of the age; or by the zealous and persevering exertions, entreaties, and persuasions of particular sects, descriptions and denominations of Christians; although they may be productive of some good, unless they are

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