has it witnessed yet this glorious spectacle. Here within thy palace-walls hast thou hitherto hidden thy wonderful prowess. Here in the shade, unapplauded, nay, unknown by thy subjects, fall, beneath thy imperial hand, giants and barbarian warriors from every corner of the globe."

"While beasts the fiercest that ever made mortals tremble," continued Lætus, "start at thy approach and sink beneath thy blow!"

"Not an Athlete can stand before thee!"

"Jove! how that last gigantic Scythian bit the dust but now ! "

"And the sable Ethiopian, too! I confess, oh Commodus, I tremble for the result."

"Drank ever blade more deeply of the crimson tide?" asked the emperor, with a savage smile. "Hermes! I scarce knew it myself ere it was twice plunged in his heart."

"In truth," said Lætus, "I think your sword, mighty Commodus, is instinct with slaughter, and has a natural thirst for the blood of these barbarians. Such amazing power never before dwelt in human arm.' ""

"I swear to ye, good Lætus and noble Eclectus," said the emperor, modestly, I would not hear these things, but that I feel there is a certain foundation for your flatteries. I ever loved, ay, in my earliest boyhood, the glow and glory of war. My father, Marcus, thrust ever on me pedagogues in what he termed 'branches of learning.' Pluto! how they wearied me!

But my

noble Moors and Parthians, who taught me to dart the glittering javelin and send the swift arrow to the mark-I know not how it was, but my very soul and nature leaped to them."

"Would to Jupiter! my noble lord," said Lætus, " you would gratify your wondering subjects with the sight of your godlike skill in all the arts that become a man, a soldier, and an emperor ! The report of it is abroad on every lip, and in the amphitheatre, when a gladiator makes a death-plunge, when the most formidable lion of the day lies at length extended on his back, the populace cry out to one another, a glorious hit!' a sweet plunge!' worthy of a man!' worthy of a god!! 'Commo dus himself could scarcely do better!'" "Ay! speak the knaves thus, my good Lætus?" demanded the emperor, with evident gratification. "I think, then, it were better to leave them in their

"And lest I be deemed a flatterer, a character I most thoroughly abhor, added the pretorian, "I must not conceal from your lordship that, although

the

mass of your subjects give full credence to every tale of your matchless might and skill, yet be there some who shake their sapient beards and cry, 'hum!' and 'ha!' and 'it is good to be an emperor!' and when we see, we will believe!

"How! friends! Be there such dull Romans!" exclaimed the monarch, a shade crossing his brow. "Were it but to still their saucy doubts, the thing you speak of might not be amiss."

"It would carry joy through all the city," replied the satellites.

"But an emperor

"Went not Nero even into Greece to wrestle at the Olympian Games?" demanded Lætus.

"He was overcome," cried Eclectus; "but surely the fear of such

"Fear! Eclectus? By the immortal Jupiter! in my objections I did but jest. Fear? The great god Hermes bear me witness, I should meet with confidence, and before the assembled world, the boldest gladiator that ever trod the arena; let them hunt the Elbe or the Danube for their brawniest giants, let them bring Arab or Moor, Briton, Greek or Numidian, I will meet the best of them, foot to foot, hand to hand, before assembled Rome, and that as soon as notice can be given to these doubting slaves of mine. Go, Eclectus, announce to the people that Commodus, their emperor, will cast aside his imperial robes and his imperial power, and challenges the universe for a match. Begone! By the thunder of Jupiter! the thought makes my lagging pulses beat anew. Sefi! loitering slave, wine!"

The tawny Parthian presented a crystal charger of Chian. The two parasites withdrew, and Sefi remained alone with his master, excepting the mute slaves who, waiting in an ante-chamber, came and went at the slightest summons, and for every idle caprice.

It was at certain times the practice of the emperor thus to feast alone, flinging off, with the cares of empire, much of its formal pomp. He had been previous to this interview engaged as usual in practising the sports in which he so much delighted, several gladiators having had the honour of dying beneath his hand to beguile the ennui of his morning hours. Nothing was more common than such events in his amusements, which he had hitherto carried on either in the school for gladiators or in the private grounds of his imperial palace. It ap. peared, too, that he every day grew more sanguinary, and on the present morning two unhappy slaves had expired beneath his knee, amid the shouts and laughter of his select auditory. Fatigued with his manly toils, he had reclined to repose himself before his daily feast, when the flatteries and artifices of his chamberlain and pretorian prefect had started this new design, which, in that insatiable yearning for excitement, the most fearful penalty of all illicit or immoderate indulgences, had at once kindled his imagination.

"It must be with thee quite alone, oh Commodus ! exclaimed Claudius Pompeianus the senator, the day previous to that appointed for the imperial combats in the amphitheatre.

66

Am I not alone, reverend sirs?" demanded the emperor, somewhat impatiently.

Claudius looked around upon Lætus, Eclectus, and Sefi.

"Even these," said Pertinax, prefect of the city, "even these must be no listeners to that which we have to say."

"Good Jove!" exclaimed Commodus, "knew I not your long-tried and upright characters, I might well deem it imprudence to comply with a request so strange. But, thanks be to the gods, I dare be indulgent to my servants, even when they press me beyond patience. Good Lætus, and Eclectus, your leave -Sefi, begone. Now, most learned senator, most wise and grave prefect, we wait your pleasure; but be brief, for it is almost the hour of repast, and that obstinate Scythian dog to-day has wearied me much. Come, your business?"

"Noble emperor," said Claudius, after a moment's pause, "I know not, if thy time be so short and thy body so fatigued, whether

"Nay, on, Claudius; what disturbs thy placid brow? It looks clouded as Etna. Hast thou pardon to ask for another convict? a new love-match to

"What-how-Claudius-what means this childish emotion? " "It means, said Pertinax, in the most respectful but firm tone, "that Claudius Pompeianus and myself, oh Commodus, cherish for thee a love more true and deep than words can expressa love to which our own lives would be cheerful and inadequate sacrifices; and we come before thee now to prove by our actions the fidelity of our friendship. We place ourselves in peril to do thee service."

"What service?" demanded Commodus.

"Ye are overbold, old men: age has its privileges, I know," exclaimed the emperor, "but they are not unlimited. Both of ye have served me well and my father before me, but touch me not too nearly; I ay not mar my own pleasures and the sports of a city, to please two white-bearded servants, who, because their own veins are stagnant, have no sympathy with the leaping blood of others; enough of this!"

He summoned his attendants. "And even more, Claudius Pompeianus, for thy presumption merits some penalty; thy reverend friend, Pertinax, will be present at the sports to-morrow by virtue of his office. But thou, whom no duty calls, shalt come at my command. Mark me, Claudius. Be thou not missing from my train to-morrow. If thou wilt not sanction my deeds, thou shalt at least witness them."

The haughty senator stepped forward before all the royal circle, who were astounded at his haughty bearing.

"No, ob emperor! not to save this white head from the axe, will my eyes look on the son of Marcus prostrating his dignity on the arena with common slaves and brawlers."

All present started at this unexpected burst of feeling, and the emperor again rose, with flushed face and flashing eyes. A moment he gazed on the venerable form, now high and stern as his own. All looked to see his audacious head rolling at once at the emperor's feet; for even in such sudden manner was the imperial displeasure not unfrequently expressed. To the general astonishment, however, after a few moments' indignant surprise, the tyrant's features relaxed into a smile.

"Come, old Cerberus," said he, "off with thee, then, to thy home. By the gods! I had well nigh forgotten thy ancient claims on my patience, and ordered thy headless trunk out to the dogs. And thou wilt not look on our hours of play, old man, in the name of Jupiter away from our presence, and waste thy leisure as thou wilt."

The majestic old man, with his brave and noble friend Pertinax, gravely made their obeisance and withdrew, and the

emperor with a small train passed to his banquetting-hall.

By Janus!" cried Eclectus, "was ever nature so mild as our emperor's." "Jove! he has the tender heart of a girl," added Lætus.

"I swear I thought to see the old ruffian's head three yards from his shoulders ere I had drawn another breath," cried Eclectus.

"Didst mark the slave Sefi?" asked

Lætus, "how his huge, black eyes kindled, and how he laid his hand on his cimeter?"

"For my part," said Eclectus, "I stepped back three paces. One likes not these red sprinklings on banqueting garments, and they show on these white robes most villanously."

"Ay," cried the other," thou art right enough there. It is certainly illbred to wear such beauty-spots on one; but my close attendance on the emperor of late, has made me careless. What with the slaves in the gladiator school, and the combatants here in his gardens, and the blows either he or Sefi distribute about them so generally to every attendant, may Jove forget me at need if I can keep myself decent."

"I swear! " exclaimed Eclectus, laughing, "it were better to strike out a uniform colour for our garments at once, and make scarlet the only court-wear."

"Excellent! but I was vexed to death, Lætus, at the impudence with which old Pompeianus carried it through. I could have bitten my tongue off when, instead of the thundering Sefi' which would have brought out that glittering blade, the emperor smiled, and answered so mildly. It is nothing at all to me now to see a common, vulgar slave yield his yellow-bearded pate; but Jove! such a head as Claudius Pompeianus! it would have been a perfect picture."

A page gliding softly by the two friends, thrust into the hand of Lætus a small scroll of parchment.

"Be

"Ha! my pretty Marcia!" "Silence!" said the messenger. wary, and read it together in private.'

THE ROBBERS OF THE BLACK FOREST.

In a recent tour which I made on the continent, I met with the strangest adventure that has ever befallen me; and my life has not been one of the least eventful. I was attended in my travels by only one individual; and he being a well educated young man, acted in the double capacity of companion and secretary. His mind was richly stored with the learning of Greece, from the classic fountains of which he had drank deeply; and his disposition was withal so romantic, that I looked upon him with the feelings of a brother. With him I visited the sites of all places renowned in history, either as the scene of some great achievement, as Marathon and Thermopylæ, or distinguished as the birthplace of some illustrious poet, statesman, or warrior. He never failed, when on the spot, to recite some characteristic lines from Homer, Virgil, Horace, or other favourite author.

We were pursuing our route through Germany, on our return home, and the day having been extremely sultry, our steeds were pretty nearly exhausted, and we ourselves began to feel much fatigue. Our road had hitherto been along the slope of a mountain, for a number of miles, and all of a sudden we emerged into a vast forest. The thick foliage threw a dark shadow upon our path, and, as the sun had already pretty far advanced in the west, we began to feel a degree of anxiety lest we might not be able to reach the confines of the forest ere the night set in. Having been informed at the last place at which we stopped, that this forest was infested by a gang of robbers, we drew our pistols from the holsters, and re-loaded them, and then each placed a stiletto in his girdle. In this manner we rode on in silence, ever and anon startled by the rustling of the leaves, or the hooting of the owl, that had began to leave her retreat. Our attention was suddenly arrested by the sound of a horse's hoofs approaching at a tremendously swift paće; and we drew our horses behind a clump of trees, and prepared for the attack which we anticipated. The horseman approached, and the fearful speed at which he was going, indicated that he was urged on by fear. We halloed, but that had only the effect of inducing him to proceed quicker. For a few minutes after he had passed us, we felt undetermined in what manner to act, but after

a short consultation, we agreed to proceed on our journey; and to be prepared for the worst, in case of an attack, we carried our fire-arms ready cocked. In this manner we rode on, for a short distance, when suddenly we heard a piercing shriek from a female, which seemed at no great distance, and immediately in the road we were traversing. "Save me! help me!" was ejaculated with fervency, by the same voice, and being determined to aid the female who called for assistance, we rushed forward, and saw her surrounded by three ruffians, who immediately, upon sight of us, decamped. We discharged our pistols, but the shot did not take effect, and having raised the female, and placed her before me upon the horse, we travelled on as fast as we could.

Night had set in, and but a single star glimmered in the heavens, and the light it shed but served to shew the wildness of our situation. At length we saw in the distance a faint light, to which we directed our course with all possible speed. When we arrived at the door, we called loudly, and were answered from within by a female, who speedily opened the door, and admitted us. She repeatedly urged us to take refreshment, but the female that we had just rescued, made a significant gesture, which induced us to decline the offer. I inquired for a separate apartment for the lady, but she immediately exclaimed, in a tone that alarmed me," No! no! we will remain in one apartment together." I desired our hostess to see that our horses were provided with food and shelter, and then requested to be shewn into the room where we were to abide for the night. With this she complied, and led us up stairs, into a dark and gloomy looking chamber; and seeing that we were armed, she desired to take charge of the pistols and stilettos, until the morning. To this I would have assented, but that my female companion determinedly answered, "No!" upon which the hostess put down the small lamp, and sullenly left us, fastening the door on the outside. A cold tremor ran through my whole frame as I heard her fasten the bolt, and our companion fell upon her knees, and ejaculated a fervent prayer for our safety. She then rose, and seizing the lamp, examined the door, which was entirely without fastenings inside. She next minutely examined the apartment, and turning aside a piece of tapestry, that I or a less scrutinizing observer would have overlooked, we beheld, to our astonish

ment and horror, a secret door, upon the panels of which were stains of blood. She then informed us that when we entered the house, she saw lying upon a table a cap, which she was sure was worn by one of the ruffians from whom we had rescued her. We now saw the full extent of our danger, and resolved to sell our lives as dearly as possible, and prepared our arms for that purpose.

Another circumstance that ratified our suspicions was, that the light of the lamp began to flicker, and upon examining it, we found, to our amazement, that the oil was entirely consumed, and that in a few moments we should be in complete darkness. I remembered that we had a small phial of oil in our portmanteau, from which I instantly replenished the lamp sparingly, and prepared for our defence. My attendant watched the door by which we had entered, whilst I fixed my eyes upon the tapestry, and occasionally saw it move slightly; but as nothing succeeded, I at last conjectured that it was stirred by the wind. I was almost wearied out with fatigue, and had began to imagine that our suspicions were unfounded, when I heard a voice utter an imprecation upon the lamp for burning so long, and this was succeeded by a confused whisper. This circumstance aroused me from my stupor, and I found that my companions had fallen asleep. I leaned back upon the seat on which I was resting, and fixed my eyes intently upon the tapestry. Again it was moved, and partially displaced, which shewed a face that, after gazing earnestly round the room, was withdrawn. I instantly aroused my companions, and we agreed to feign sleep. The tapestry was again slowly removed, and a man cautiously advanced from behind it towards the lamp, for the purpose of extinguishing it; and as he approached, with a dagger in his hand, I suddenly rushed towards him, discharged my pistol, and he staggered towards the door, through which he disappeared. We now awaited our destruction with resignation, fearing that a shot from some secret panel might deprive each of us of our existence. Our first resolution was to rush down the staircase, behind the tapestry, which we raised, but found the door was fastened outside.

Shortly a noise was heard upon the stairs, and having reloaded the pistol I had fired, we prepared for death. Instantly a female was heard knocking at the door, and desiring to know if she might be admitted. We bade her come

in, which she instantly did, and, in a tone of apparent alarm, asked why we had been discharging our fire arms? To this I made no reply, but seizing her, presented a pistol to her head, and threatened instant death, if she would not remain with us until the morning, and then conduct us safely through the forest; adding, that upon the least show of violence, her life would be in jeopardy. Once, during the night, a man appeared at the top of the stairs, and, presenting a pistol at me, was upon the point of firing, when I dexterously placed the woman between myself and the threatened danger, swearing at the same time that if the pistol was fired, death should be the portion of the female; upon which he departed.

For the remainder of the night we were unmolested, and in the morning we were conducted down stairs by the female, myself and my companion holding a pistol on each side, and the lady following behind, with another in her hand, ready to fire upon the least alarm.

Our conductress led us to the confines of the wood, where we were joined by two other travellers, and imagining that with our additional force we should be able to repel an attack, we suffered our hostess to depart, and pursued the remainder of our journey without further molestation. PERCIVAL Melbourne. Manchester.

NOTES OF A READER.

MUSIC AND ITS ANALOGIES.

For

Ir is my temper, and I like it the better, to affect all harmony; and sure there is music even in beauty, and the silent note which Cupid strikes, far sweeter than the sound of an instrument. there is a music wherever there is a harmony, order, or proportion; and thus far we may maintain the music of the spheres for those well-ordered motions, and regular paces, though they give no sound unto the ear, yet to the understanding they strike a note most full of harmony. Whatsoever is harmonically composed delights in harmony, which makes me much distrust the symmetry of those heads which disclaim against church-music. For myself, not only from my obedience, but my particular genius, I do embrace it; for ever that vulgar and tavern music, which makes one man merry, another mad, strikes in me a deep fit of devotion and