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p.th of virue; the last, the most ungrateful The seraphic youth touched, as he finished, when yielding up his heart to the vain delights of the burning eye-lids of Alzadin, and the glowvice. And man sleeps, unconscious of the my-ing vision vanished from his sight; darkness riads that spread their protecting wings to guard spread her veil before him, and the divine harhis slumbers, and waft his soul to the delightful mony of the spheres expired slowly on the breeze realms of dreams and happiness. The regions of of night. air are crowded with spirits, zealous and active in his cause; and, blinded by guilt, he thinks himself a friendless unprotected being! But thou, Alzadın, who hath deserved by the purity of thy heart to contemplate the mysterious agents of heaven, fulfilling the august functions imposed upon them by the father of nature, when woes assail thee, (for thou art doomed to wander long on the wide ocean of calamity before thou canst reach the haven of rest and bliss), remember that the just is never forsaken by his heavenly guide, and that a hand mighty to save is ready to snatch thee away from the perils of the storm."

When light revisited his eyes, he found him. self in a stately rocm, supported by pillars of white marble, and decorated with all the pomp of Asiatic magnificence His heavenly guide was still at his side, but divested of all his brightness, and concealed under the dress of an officer of the palace. Alzadin soon perceived that his own person had undergone the same alteration, and was about to demand what palace contained them, and the reason of their sudden change, when Alael beckoned him to be silent,

[To be continued.]

FERDINAND DE GUIMARAENS.

A PORTUGUESE TALE OF THE THIRTEENTH CENTURY,

DURING the reign of Aliaton, Ferdinand de Guimaraens was the most courageous and most amiable of Portuguese warriors. From his earliest youth, glory had been the first wish of his heart. Although he traversed both Spains, vanquished giants, broke open castles, and delivered fair captives, still the restless warrior complained of not being sufficiently active, but love soon gave another direction to his impe. tuosity.

One day, as he was traversing the Forest of Tomar, he overtoek a knight, who followed the same route, but more slowly. Pleased at meeting a companion, he slackened his pace, and bowed to the Knight. The stranger returned his salute, but at the same time turned his horse to let him pass. Ferdinand inquired whether he was going to Lisbon ? "No," answered the stranger. "Am I far from thence," rejoined Ferdinand? "Yes," was the only answer, and the conversation would have ended here, had not our hero felt an ardent desire of continuing it, precisely because the other seemed to wish to avoid it.

After several questions, Ferdinand began to praise the beauty of the arms and the horse of the Knight, who thanked him with great mo desty, but in a very laconic manner. Ferdinand was out of temper; he spurred his horse with violence, that he might at least induce the stranger to inquire the cause of it; but the poor animal galloped to no purpose, the silent tra

veller continued to walk his beast, without even turning his head. In this manner the two warriors travelled for a league.

At last, losing all patience, Ferdinand addressed the obstinate stranger; "Sir," said he, with a tone of pique, "the coldness with which you treat me, proves that you have little esteem for me. I cannot support your contempt; and if you think me unworthy of conversing with you, you will not, perhaps, refuse to break a lance with me."

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"I cannot despise you," answered the Knight, without betraying any emotion, "since you are perfectly unknown to me; long conversations are tiresome, but a challenge never displeases Let us only make haste, for night approaches, and I intend to sleep far from hence." "I am sorry to detain you," said Ferdinand, with an air of coolness; and at the same time, preparing his lance, he withdrew to a proper distance, and rushed like lightning on the stranger.

The warriors' lances were broken; their scymetars glittered, and a thousand redoubled blows made their shields resound.

Ferdinand was vain of the beauty of his armour; his breast-plate, of the finest steel, was covered with nails of silver; his helmet was surmounted with a golden cock, that bore a superb plume; the same bird was painted on his shield, with these words, War and Love. The blows given by the stranger had already shattered the

ornaments of his helmet, when, enraged at the sight, he quitted the reins of his horse, and, seizing his sword with both his hands, he smote with all his vigour the head of his antagonist. The blow was terrible; but it slided over the steel, and only tore the vizor away; the helmet rolled in the dust. A profusion of auburn hair fell upon the shoulders of the disarmed warrior, a pair of large blue eyes were now turned upon Ferdinand, and easily regained the victory which he fancied had declared for himself. Trembling he let the sword fall from his hand; he alighted, and throwing his helmet away, remained on his knees, overcome with admiration.

Ferdinand was handsome. The fire of courage shone in his eyes; the emotion occasioned by the pleasure of having conquered, and the fear of having wounded his antagonist,-his attitude, his surprise, all conspired to render his appearance more interesting. The heroine looked at him and blushed, but immediately assumed a smile; and, presenting her hand gracefully, "Rise, Sir Knight," said she, "you are the conqueror: it is I who should ask my life of you." "Alas!" replied he, "I feel but to much that mine will henceforth depend upon you." Saying this, he returned her the helmet, and remounting his horse, they pursued their journey without speaking, but not without a conviction that this would be the last time they should fight together.

The lovely warrior was the Princess Elvira, daughter to the King of Galicia; no Knight surpassed her in courage; no female equalled her in beauty; her heart was yet untouched by love.

Ferdinand's fine features, the respect, the love she read in his eyes, occupied Elvira. For the first time she wished to please, and pretending that her broken helmet incommoded her, she hung it on the saddle, that her beauty might shine unveiled upon the enamoured Ferdinand. A thousand questions, a thousand ideas crowded on his mind, but expired unuttered on his lips. His eyes sought Elvira's, but as soon as they met, they were averted with fear and respect. How short was the road to Ferdinand, and even to Elvira! The sun had long since set; night was stealing from them the pleasure of gazing upon each other, when they arrived at the entrance of a magnificent castle.

Summer was the season of the year; the sun, since the first dawn of morn, had shone without a cloud; that day, the happiest of Ferdinand's life, had reanimated all nature; but the exhalations of the burning earth rose in vapours upon the horizon. Afar off were heard the low murmurs of thunder, the trees were gently agitated, and their rustling branches seemed to augur the

fate which threatened them. The sky, involved in darkness, lost. at every moment some star; its gloomy vault was rent by lightning: every thing announced the coming storm, and our travellers were unconscious of it, when a sudden clap of thunder illumined the dark turrets of the castle. Ferdinand proposed to seek an asylum in its walls, and Elvira consented; but the drawbridge was raised, and a moat, wide and deep, defended its entrance. Our knight sounded the horn, and immediately appeared at the top of a tower, by the light of a shining torch, not a deformed dwarf, such as at that period were kept for pages, but the most beautiful child. In one of his hands he held a lighted brand; in the other he carried a small bow."Sir Knight,” cried he, "I am the owner of this castle; I alone am sufficient to defend it against all the Kings of the earth. With this bow I could conquer the stoutest Knights of the universe. There is, however," added he, smiling, "one method of finding an asylum here.-Two lovers who, at my gates, will swear eternal love, may be secure of becoming my guests. It belongs to you to determine whether you will enter."

At these words Ferdinand looked at Elvira, who, without answering, turned her horse, and slowly re-took the path they had left. Our hero thanked the child, and sorrowful and silent followed his mistress.

The thunder still continued; the lightnings glittered, the winds roared, and the rain fell in torrents. The proud Elvira descended from her horse, and seated herself at the foot of a tree, and notwithstanding the thunder and the storm, she fell asleep, or at least pretended to dose. Ferdinand stood before her; he turned his eyes towards the sumptuous castle where they might have been sheltered from the storm, and without daring to complain, he endeavoured to devise some means of conducting Elvira thither.

While they were indulging in reveries, which perhaps were of a similar nature, the sound of a horn was heard. Elvira rose in an instant; both looked towards the place whence the sound seemed to proceed; and by the flashes of lightning they descried a knight, who blew the horn with all his might. The child soon appeared on the tower, and repeated the same words to the knight which he had addressed to Ferdinand.

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Our lovers awaited the dawn of day in silence: it appeared at last, and scarcely had the morn tinged the east, when Elvir re-mounted, followed by Ferdinand. As they passed before the castle, the happy Abindaries and the tender Zulmina were cont nug their journey. Both, in the bloom of youth, lovely, refreshed, and charmed with the asylum they had left, bowed to Elvira, and Ferdinand, who, wet, pale, and fatigued, gravely returned their salute. "I re proach myself," said Elvira, angrily, "for not having forced my way into this castle." "If we return, rejoined Ferdinand, " I promise to spare no means of getting admittance thither "

In fact, the sole idea of conducting Elvira to the castle, occupied his mind; but the windings of the forest of Toinar were so intricate, that he despaired of mastering the labyrinth He wished to leave some mark on he ground, which could point out the trick; ba' a knight carries nothing but his ar us. Love a las' inspired him with a device for which he alterwards paid dearly.

He unscrewed all the silver nails which held the various pieces of his armour, and strewed them unperceived upon the road

Desirous to break their long silence, which she began to find fa iguing, Elvira in inated a wish of knowing his history. Ferdinand relat d it with a charming sensibility and modesty. He touched lightly o.. his exploits, and carefully avoided mentioning the fair mistress he once had

Elvira, in return, acquainted him with her bir h, and the cause of her wandering life. She had fled from her father's court, to avoid the addresses of a knight, notorious for his ferocity the renowned Rostu ald, son of Fervagus. Proud of his birth, gigantic stature, and invincible strength, he had aspired to the possession of her hand; and the King of Galicia, too timorous to offend Ros'ubald by a refusal, had promised him his daughter; but the young princess, listening only to her aversion, fled from every place where she might chance to meet her detested lover.

The Dir warrior's relation added fuel to the fire that rag.d in Ferdinand's bosom.

During their conversation, Ferdinand had unscrewed all the nails of his armour, which was now about to fall to pieces But why should he concern himself? Elvira was in every thought, and his only desire was to be able to lead her back to the castle.

They now beheld through a vista of trees a Knight mounted on a fiery courser; who, as soon as he perceived them, galloped quickly onwards. Elvira looked at him, and uttered a loud scream; it was Rostubald. Rivals know each other without having met.

The fierce Rostubald cast a furious glance upon Elvira, and advanced with his drawn sword towards Ferdinand. He was struck, and staggered under Ferdinand's heavy blows; but his arms resis'ed, while those of his antagonist were easily opened by his sword, which penetrated deep into the bosom of the unfortuna'e lover, who fell 'athed in his blood, and turned his closing eyes towards Elvira to implore vengeance. "Feeble rival," exclaimed the ferocious conqueror; you trusted to the courage of your mistress; you did not think yourself obliged to defend her. Die, coward,-but first behold her in my arms."

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He said, and alighting from his horse, advanced towards Elvira. Despair, rage, and love inflamed the heart of the heroine.

"Do not approach," exclaimed she, "but defend yourself."

Elvira was no longer a woman; it was Mars who in his rag conquered every thing that opposed him The armour of Rostubald was broken, his bloo! stained his breast-plate; he paused whether he ought to fly or to treat her as A last terror and fury prevai ed, he tracked her, and returned all her flows; and the two champions seemed so inveterate that death lone could terminate the fight.

an enemy.

Justice and love triumphed: astounded by Ferdinand's blow, and wounded by those of Elvira, Rostubald could no longer resist the valiant Amazon; he staggered at the moment she felt her vigour diminish; she perceived it, and collecting all her strength, she pressed him with more ardour He fell on his knees, and begged his life. "No, traitor!" replied the maid; aud plunged her sword in his heart.

Delivered from her foe, she ran to Ferdinand, who lay senseless on the ground; knelt by his side, and her burning tears fell upon his wound without affording any relief; his eyes were shut, his mouth half opened; he could scarcely breathe, and his blood flowed abundantly. Elvira endeavoured to stop it, and tore the veil which she wore under her armour to bind up her loyer's wound. She laid her hand upon his heart, but nothing could inspire a feeble hope. "Perhaps Ferdinand had breathed his last!" Her mouth approached his to try whether he still breathed; her lips tou hed his. "Oh! Ferdinand! that kiss restored you to existence! it awoke all your faculties which seemed frozen by the hand of death; you opened your eyes, and transported with joy, Elvira ran to the neighbouring stream and brought you the cooling liquor in her helmet; "Live for me, my friend," exclaimed she, "liv for my happiness!" These words gave fresh vigour to your exhausted limbs, you gazed with more than gratitude upon her, you pressed her

hand, and your eyes declared what your lips || placed it upon the horses of Ferdinand and lis could not pronounce!" vanquished rival; and laying the bleeding knight upon it, followed with the charge, so dear to her heart, the track of the silver nails.

Elvira was calling for assistance to convey her lover to the next village. "No, no!" said Ferdinand, in a feeble tone, "let us rather return to the castle." Elvira blushed, and declared she was ignorant of the way. "I foresaw you would forget it," replied the wounded knight; "but the shining nails of my armour will guide you thither: I strewed them on the road that I might be able to re conduct you to the Castle of Love."

Elvira, who now understood the cause of Ferdinand's defeat, shed tears of tenderness and affection. Without answering, she cut several strong boughs, with which she made a litter,

As soon as they arrived, the child appeared as before on the Tower Elvira did not allow him time to speak; "Open,” cried she, we will love for ever!" At the words, for ever, the gates flew open; Ferdinand's heart palpitated with bliss as he passed the bridge. The care bestowed upon him by the inhabitants of the Castle, and the tender and assiduous attentions of Elvira, soon restored him to health; and after a month of repose, they thanked the lovely child, and hastened to the court of Elvira's father, who united them for ever.

THE LADIES' TOILETTE, OR ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BEAUTY.
[Concluded from Page 14.]

OF THE PROPENSITY OF WOMEN TO DRESS. proposed to herself; a propensity which maniHer elegant and delicate figure charms the eye fested itself in the very origin of things, and while it awakens desire; and the bosom of this which is in itself not only innocent but likewise new Hebe, agitated by a sentiment which she praiseworthy. It is an indication in the indivicannot define, fills the soul with involuntary per-duals of both sexes, of a love of order and proturbation. Tell me, what art is capable of em-priety, of esteem of themselves and respect tobellishing this celestial perfection? Would you wards others. Those who have studied the world' cover it with gold and diamonds? Would you with attention, must have remarked, that there is load it with a parasitical luxury? O, no!-every a constant relation between the character of a ornament would conceal a grace, would rob it of person and his dress; and hence it is extremely a charm. A simple and light robe, complacently easy for an observer to form an opinion of peraccommodating itself to her ravishing form; hair, sons. May we not, even amongst men, distinturned up with taste or flowing gracefully, a guish at once the wise man by his simple, decent single rose-and you will behold one of those exterior, equally free from puerile affectation and elegant and airy nymphs with which Albano has cynical negligence? Is it not easy to discern him embellished his lovely compositions. who dresses merely to please, and presents only habits in a good taste and of an elegant form; whereas the individual, dressed to shine, seeks to obtain admiration by the extravagance of his apparel, piques himself on following the whim of the day, ridiculous or not, and on a profusion of ornaments distributed without judgment.

All that contributes to heighten the beauty of women, all that sets off to advantage the charms and gifts they have received from nature, lawfully belongs to them. Every thing that renders them more brilliant and more vain, every thing that leads them to substitute the advantages of rank and opulence in the place of those which nature Thus each bears about with him the stamp of has denied them, tends only to aggravate their his character. Is it not the same with women? defects, to cherish their self love, to excite rival- Undoubtedly it is. What a picture I could here ship, and to keep alive the prejudices of the other draw! But I have too good an opinion of the sex, by inducing it sometimes to give the pre-imagination of the ladies; they will compose ference to faded beauty tricked out in purple and this critical picture in a style far superior to what gold; while native charms, unsophisticated by I can, and they will take much more pleasure in art and the embellishments of dress, languish, the occupation. neglected and unknown.

Some moralists have censured attention to dress; but very unjustly. It is perfectly useless to censure a propensity inherent in the nature of the fair sex, and it may even be asserted, in- | separably connected with the object which nature

The celebrated Lavater has judiciously remarked, that those who bestow particular attention to dress, shew the same love of order and regularity in their domestic affairs. Young persons who neglect their toilette, display in this very neglect, a want of order, a mind not adapted

to the management of domestic concerns, little taste, and little amiableness. The girl who does not strive to please at fifteen, will be a disagree. able and ill-tempered woman at twenty-five. What then is it that is censurable in dress? Excess, bad taste, eagerness to follow the fashion, and the propensity to run into all extravagancies of luxury.

OF THE BOSOM.-A very curious remark may be made on the opinion which is formed of beauty among different nations. In countries where the women naturally have full bosoms, they have persuaded the men that this conforma tion is the highest degree of perfection; they have at length worked themselves into a belief of the same thing, and have employed every pos

On the other hand, in countries where the female bosom is less full, beauty has been made to consist in this scantiness, which becomes more and more desirable among females who, from coquetry, would be poor in attractions, but rich in attire.

OF THE CHOICE OF COLOURS.-Women ought || sible means to increase this natural embonpoint.— not only to adopt such colours as suit their complexions, but they should likewise take care that these colours harmonize with each other. It is particularly by this that females of taste may be discovered; habituated to dress with propriety, they possess that delicacy of feeling, that exquisite sense, which admits nothing falsenothing discordant.

A Lady who yesterday thought herself charming with a hat in an elegant taste, discovers today that she is no longer the same, though she has not changed her head-dress. The metamorphosis astonishes her; she finds fault alternately with her hat and her figure. But, my dear Madam, neither your hat nor your figure is at all to blame; they have not changed in the least. But why did I look so well yesterday?-Yesterday, Madam, the colour of your dress perfectly agreed with that of your hat; to-day a new dress forms a contrast so harsh as to produce, if I may so express myself, an optical dissonance, as disagreeable to the eye as a false chord in music is grating to the ear.

OF PAINT.-If ever paint were to be proscribed, I should plead for an exception in favour of rouge, which may be rendered extremely innocen', and may be applied with such art as sometimes to give an expression to the figure which it would never have without that auxiliary. The colour of modesty has many charms; and in an age when women blush so little, ought we not to value this innocent artifice, which is capable at least of exhibiting to us thee picture of inodesty? We ought to be thankful to the sex, which, in the absence of estimable virtue, knows, at least, how to preserve its portrait.

OF THE HANDS.-Next to the charms of a handsome figure, a woman has a right to be proud of the advantage of a fine hand and a perfect arm. A handsome figure may be found with an ill-formed body; on the contrary, a fine hand and arm scarcely ever accompany any but a perfect whole. From a sight of the handsalone of a female, it is possible to judge to what class she belongs. Thick fingers, a large and broad hand, announce obscure birth. The hand is an implement bestowed on us by nature; this implement is employed in doing every thing; but, from a very singular property, this implement assumes a different form, according to the purpose to which we apply it. The fingers become thick and short in the labourer and mechanic; they grow flat, and remain straight in clerks confined to the counting-house; in the midwife they appear to become smaller; in a word, there are fingers for every condition; and the experienced observer is capable of distinguishing them. But to return to the hand of a pretty woman.-A hand loaded with jewels is no longer a hand. Let young females, in particular, shun this useless luxury. Rings are chains, and these they ought not yet to wear. Among the Romans, the female youth wore no bracelets till they were betrothed.

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