Julia. Never! I'm wedded to a country life.
O did you hear what Master Walter says?
Nine times in ten, the town's a hollow thing,
Where what things are is nought to what they shew-
Where merit's name laughs merit's self to scorn-
Where friendship and esteem, that ought to be
The tenants of men's hearts, lodge in their looks
And tongues alone-where little virtue, with
A costly keeper, passes for a heap ;

A heap for none that has a homely one-
Where fashion makes the law, your umpire which
You bow to, whether it has brains or not-
Where Folly taketh off his cap and bells

To clap on Wisdom, which must bear the jest-
Where to pass current you must seem the thing,
The passive thing, that others think, and not
Your simple, honest, independent self.

Helen. Ay! so says Master Walter. The next extracts we would give, will illustrate that knowledge of the heart and feelings of humanity, which their author shows himself a master of.

We

allude particularly to the glowing pictures of true love and affection, which are scattered over this play of the passions. What can be more true or beautiful than the following:

A young woman's heart, Sir,

Is not a stone to carve a posy on,

Which knows not what is writ on:-which you may buy,
Exchange, or sell, sir, keep or give away, sir:

It is a richer, yet a poorer thing;
Priceless to him that owns and prizes it;

Worthless when own'd, not prized; which makes the man
That covets it, obtains it, and discards it,
A fool, if not a villain, sir!

What would you weigh 'gainst love

That's true? Tell me with what you'd turn the scale-
Yea, make the index waver? Wealth? A feather!
Rank? Tinsel against bullion in the balance!
The love of kindred ? That to set 'gainst love,
Friendship comes nearest to't; but put it in,
Friendship will kick the beam-weigh nothing 'gainst it.
Weigh love against the world,

Yet are they happy that have nought to say to it. Upon the whole, this play will add to Mr. Knowles' fame as a dramatist, and will, we hope, moreover, in some measure, reward the unceasing labours of his literary life.

VOLTAIRE AT FERNEY.

THE following picture of Voltaire at Ferney, is taken from a delightfully gossiping publication, entitled, "Memoirs of Sir James Campbell, of Ardkinglas, written by himself: "—

During our residence at Geneva, I became intimately acquainted with M. Hubert, a man of singular but eccentric genius. He was at once a man of fashion and fortune, a decided humourist, and an amateur artist of considerable celebrity. His paintings were universally admired as efforts of genius; but his favourite amusement was to cut out scenes and figures in vellum, so as to give it the effect of a landscape, or any other style of painting. I brought many of his performances with me to England, where they did not fail to elicit the most flattering marks of admiration.

M. Hubert was a great personal friend of Voltaire, and he did me the favour to introduce me at Ferney, and to carry me frequently with him to dine at that celebrated spot. Voltaire had a noble estate, with a profusion of game, which I fear was more attractive in my eyes than all the philosophy which was to be acquired from my distinguished host. His invitations, however, if frankly given, were as frankly accepted: and I often made his permission available to shoot over his preserves, and to dine with him on my return.

It was the fashion of the period to treat Voltaire as a sort of demi-god, and to regard every thing he did as the work of a being of some superior order I had the misfortune to be exempt from this universal feeling of adoration, perhaps from national dislike; or rather, perhaps, from personal inability to place due value on the great man's merits. If the world at large were sufficiently ready to bow the knee to this divinity of their own creation, Voltaire was not less willing to

"Assume the God,

Affect to nod,

asking the reason, I told him the true one, without any circumlocution, that, in carving the patridge, he had used a fork which had just been in his own mouth. On this he observed that the English were a strange people, and had singular customs; adding a peculiar laugh of the sardonic kind, which was his custom when anything displeased him. This little scene, however, did not prevent me from occasionally dining with him, or from shooting over his estate.

Madame Clairon, perhaps the most distinguished actress that ever graced the boards of the French stage, was on a visit to Geneva during my residence there; and Voltaire, having a private theatre at Ferney, expressed his desire that his play of Lusignan should be performed. Some French actors were found to fill up the dramatis persona, reserving for himself the character of Lusignan, the hero of the piece. His appearance and costume were altogether the most preposterous it is possible to conceive. think of his tall gaunt figure, with a sword of corresponding diOnly mensions, constantly getting between his legs. His coat was of the era of Louis XIV. with a tiewig to correspond, the whole surmounted by a huge paste-board helmet, in the most absurd and ridiculous taste. To resist a titter at the extreme awkwardness of his figure was beyond all power of face; and it required no small exertion to smother the tendency of a general laugh, so as to hinder it from coming to an éclat. Next day it was a point of indispensable etiquette for the invited guests to pay their compliments at Ferney, and administer a quantum sufficit of adulation on the histrionic talents of the representative of Lusignan; for that was a point on which he was much more sensitive than on the poetical merits of the drama itself.

MISCELLANEA.

PAMPHLETS.-England, from the spirit of liberty which prevails in it, has, of all countries, been the most fruitful in pamphlets; and the period of its history when they most abounded, is that when the greatest attempts were made to crush that spirit. From the grand collection of pamphlets which was made by Tomlinson the bookseller, from the latter end of the year 1640 to the beginning of the year 1660, it appears there were published in that space, nearly thirty thousand several tracts; and that these were not the complete issue of that period there is good presumption, and, I believe, proofs in being. Notwithstanding it is enriched with near a hundred manuscripts, which nobody then (being written on the side of the royalists) would venture to put into print; the whole, however, is progressionally and uniformly bound in upwards of two thousand volumes, of all sizes. The catalogue, which was taken by Marmaduke Foster, the auctioneer, consists of twelve volumes in folio; wherein every piece has such a punctual register and reference, that the smallest, even of a single leaf, may be readily repaired to thereby. They were collected no doubt with great assiduity and expense, and not preserved, in those troublesome times, without great danger and difficulty; the books being often shifted from place to place, out of the army's reach. So scarce were many of the pamphlets, even at their publication, that Charles I. is reported to have given ten pounds for only reading one over (which he could no where else procure) at the owner's house in St. Paul's Churchyard.

POETRY.

LOVE'S ISLE.

Of those green sunny isles,
Where the sky ever smiles,

And zephyrs woo softly the sea-
Where the shore is all gems,

And new verdure e'er teems;

I have found one, my fairest, for thee.

Its bosom all fertile,

Bears the vine, rose and myrtle,

With orange groves breathing perfume. While murmurs each rill,

That its grottos distil,

Thro' beds of flowers, ever in bloom.

Its fond birds warble sweet,

As the gay dawn they greet;

Fluttering joyous from each leafy spray, And sip the golden dews,

That the sunbeams diffuse,

As they hallow the birth of young day.
But sweeter, by far,

'Neath eve's gentle star,

Is the soul-breathing song of the swain; Like the hearth's flame he feels, To the maid's ear it steals;

Till she echo the notes back again.

Where I've planted a bower,

With every sweet flower,

That adorns the soft bosom of spring ;

That bower is for thee,

My bark's on the sea,

To bear us away on its wing.

GLASGOW GOSSIP.

NOTHING Connected with the philosophy of Terpsichore has given rise to more gossip among our fair citizens, than the novel cottillon which was introduced into our Assembly Rooms at Mr. Cunningham's last ball. The dramatic dance has, upon the whole, been regarded with rather favourable eyes, by our friends in their teens, and we wonder not at it, as it affords them an opportunity of making choice of their waltzing companion, in the same way that those who are out of their teens are enabled to do on the 29th of February.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

A NEW Romance, by Cooper, called "Heidemnaur," is, we understand, about to be published. The scene is laid in Germany, and one who has read the first part of it, is of opinion, that it will be every way worthy of his reputation.

"A Course of Lectures on the Coinage of the Greeks and Romans," delivered in the University of Oxford, by Dr. Cardwell is about to be published.

BIOGRAPHY OF BERZELIUS.

A YEAR or two ago, English science had to deplore the loss of three of its most illustrious luminaries-Davy, Wollaston, and Young. Amid the regret which was universally excited by their death, some consolation was found in the reflection, that the phalanx of the continental philosphers remained unbroken; but this idea can now no longer be indulged in, the same post which brought this week intelligence of the death of Goethe, the patriarch of German literature, conveyed also the unwelcome news that Berzelius, the eminent chemist of Sweden, and, perhaps, since the loss of the three eminent Englishmen, the first scientific character of his age-was no more.

Although he had begun to complain of the advances of age, Berzelius was but a year or two over fifty at the time of his decease. In his early days, he determined to qualify himself for the medical profession, for which purpose he went to the University of Upsal. At the Swedish Universities it is the custom, in addition to the lectures, to allow the students to attend and operate at the laboratory. Berzelius was so disgusted with his first two tasks in chemical manipulation, that he vowed never to ask to have another assigned to him; yet, at the end of three weeks, he found himself in the habit of daily attendance at the laboratory (although the rules restricted him to a visit once a week,) while his instructors were annoyed that he never asked them a single question; the truth was, he preferred taking the trouble of discovering facts for himself, to hearing them from others; and to the habit thus acquired of fighting a way for himself, and of early contending with the difficulties of experimental research, may be attributed much of the high reputation to which he afterwards attained.

After leaving the university, he became assistant to Sparrman, who sailed round the world with Captain Cook ; and on his death, in 1806, succeeded him as professor of medicine, botany, and chemistry, in the school of medicine at Stockholm. He never, however, lectured on botany, and at a later period, when fresh professors were appointed, took the chair of chemical pharmacy only. At first, his medical lectures were better attended than his chemical; but when he improved the latter by the addition of experiments (of which before they were destitute,) the tables were completely turned. For the idea of this improvement, Berzelius admitted himself indebted to Dr. Marcet, of London.

When he began his labours at Upsal, the whole science of chemistry was merely a crude mass of theories, loosely banded together by a cumbrous weight of hypothesis on hypothesis. Berzelius demolished the whole, and by his exertions re-established the science on its true foundation, and gave to experiment the place of theory.

In Germany, Berzelius was better known than in England, a fact which may easily be believed when it is known that all his works have appeared, either originally or by translation, in German; he was also not without honour in his own country. Every educated man in Sweden felt proud at the mention of his name, (except, perhaps, the Professors of the rival medical school at Upsal,) and the king, (Bernadotte,) conferred upon him the cross of the Order of Vasa, and the grand cross of the Polar Star, besides placing at his disposal the patronage of the chemical and medical professorships of the kingdom-a privilege which he always exercised with a pure regard to the interests of science. Though a member of the House of Peers, he preserved himself free from the contagion of party; and never suffered his scientific pursuits to be interrupted by the "heady current" of politics.

Berzelius had nothing extraordinary in his outward appearance, not wearing even the air of a hard student; and his conduct differed little from that of ordinary men, except perhaps, in excessive amiability. He was troubled with the gout, and a complaint of the nature of tic-douloureux; but his ordinary state of

health, up, at least, to a pretty recent period, was good, and gave promise of a much longer life. He himself, however, seemed to perceive the approach of decay, and, finding that both his eyesight and his memory began to fail, he retired from the professional chair in the winter of 1830, although he continued to be secretary to the Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, an office held, we believe, for life. In the buildings belonging to this institution, Berzelius had his residence and his laboratory, and it was here that he received the visits of the scientific men of Europe, with whom, and the most distinguished men of letters, he kept up a most extensive correspondence. He was a man of incessant application, being daily engaged in study and experiment for twelve or fourteen successive hours. When occupied in writing, he would sometimes not visit his laboratory for so much as six months; yet, if he came to a subject darker than usual, his instant resource was to experiment, which he would then pursue without intermission until his object was attained. For this alternate writing and experimenting, his apartments were peculiarly adapted; his desk, his furnaces, and his retorts, were all collected within the space of a few square feet.

The works of Berzelius are very numerous and valuable; and the more widely known, that they are written in several of the European languages. To the yearly report (Arsb erättelse) of the Swedish Academy, on the progress of science, he always contributed the article on chemistry, which would, perhaps, have remained comparatively unknown to the great mass of students, had not the whole report been regularly translated into German. In the latter language he also contributed to many of the scientific journals, scarcely a single number of which, for many years, has failed to be enriched with a communication from his hand. To Brewster's, and some other English Cyclopædias, he was likewise a contributor. His principal works, however, were his treatises on chemistry and mineralogy; of the former of these a translation was recently announced at Paris, which was to receive the benefit of the revision and correction of the author. His best known work in England was perhaps his excellent Treatise on the Blowpipe, the translation of which, by Mr. Children, has run through several editions.

ODDS AND ENDS.

PROFESSOR WARD-Concludes, that it is easier to falsify the Arabic cyphers than the Roman alphabetic numerals; when 1375 is dated in Arabic cyphers, if the 3 be only changed, three centuries are taken away; if the 3 be made into a 9 and take the I away, four hundred years are added. Such accidents have assuredly produced much inconvenience and confusion among our ancient manuscripts, and still does daily in our printed books; which is the reason that Dr. Robertson in his histories, has always preferred writing his dates in words, rather than confide them to the care of a negligent printer. Gibbon observes, that some remarkable mistakes have happened by the word Mil. in MSS. which is an abbreviation for soldiers, or thousands; and to this blunder be attributes the incredible numbers of martyrdoms, which cannot otherwise be accounted for by historical records.

METHOD OF ASCERTAINING CURRENTS AT SEA.-The currents at sea are not sensible but at a small distance from the surface of the water. This fact, which is well known to navigators, supplies them with the means of determining whether their vessel be in a current. They hoist out a boat, which proceeds to some distance from the vessel, and then let down a weight attached to a rope to the depth of 200 fathoms. This weight being thus at a great depth in calm water, observation and experience having shewn that currents are not sensible beyond the depth of ten fathoms, it produces the effect of an anchor which retains the boat: they then throw into the water a very thin board, that the wind may have no hold of it, and according to the motion of this board, if it has any, they discover whether there be a current, and determine its direction and velocity. It results from these facts, that the libration of the sea, occasioned by the moon, which produces the tides, is owing to its extent, and in no manner to its depth.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

WE are so much pestered with the lucubrations of Poetasters and vain Sonneteers, that we have determined, for the future, to answer none of their impatient demands. "Sounet to Swing" will not suit us.

PUBLISHED, every Morning, Sunday excepted, by JOHN FINLAY, at No. 9, Miller Street; and Sold by JOHN WYLIE, 97, Argyle Street; DAVID ROBERTSON, and W. R. M'PHUN, Glasgow ; THOMAS STEVENSON, and the other Booksellers, Edinburgh: DAVID DICK, and A. GARDNER, Booksellers, Paisley: A. LAING, Greenock; and J. GLASS, Bookseller, Rothsay.

PRINTED BY JOHN GRAHAM, MELVILLE PLACE.

PRICE A PENNY..

THE FORTUNE HUNTING BACHELOR.

THERE are some people who think, that the generality of men are guided by unerring circumstances to choose that profession which is most fitted to their talents and inclinations. It has often struck me, however, that this truth is not universal, from its not being applicable to my own case. Who would have thought that a buoyant, high-spirited, open-hearted, curlyheaded, ruddy-faced boy, was destined to be tied all his life to a lady's apron string? Yet such has been my lot, and, without a blush I may own it, since it was the offspring not of choice but of necessity. My situation in life, while very young, was such, as to require some exertion on my part in the way of business, in order to secure such a competence as it is the desire of every gentleman to possess. For this reason, I was placed under the tuition-first, of a writer, then of an accountant, and, thirdly, of a merchant, in order to discover in what particular department my genius and disposition lay. But all these attempts to find a channel for my abilities were of no avail, as I abandoned my engagements, severally, from incapacity, laziness, or distaste. The fact was, that, while I was apparently occupied in attending to business, my thoughts and wishes were constantly recurring to other objects in a manner which rendered me wholly unfit for any serious labour. My natural indolence was one cause of this, but a still more influential one was, the romantic sickness which was constantly nourished in my intellect by the passion of love. It was my unhappy fate that I could not gaze upon a pretty ancle, or a handsome figure, without conjuring up to my mind dreams of tenderness, sufficient to disturb my repose for a week or fortnight; and this natural imbecility was further increased by that misfortune which has been the ruin of so many, a facility of rhyming. Somehow, my Julia's, Maria's and Fanny's, had always surnames which sounded beautifully at the close of a couplet, or furnished subjects for easy acrostics. This was my constant employment, therefore, to pillage the stores of heathen mythology and ancient allegory, to find illustrations for the charms of my temporary mistress, and to depict the effect of her eyes upon my susceptible heart. Scorning the aid of a rhyming dic. tionary, which is only serviceable to dull fools, I sup. plied all my verses from my own fertile invention, and went through the whole catalogue of "bright," "light," "breath," "death," "kiss" and "bliss," as often as the fit seized me, to record the triumphs of a haughty fair one. With these inclinations, it will readily be conceived, that I was not the fittest man in the world to make a desk slave of, and it will not be wondered at, that I resolved, after a short trial, to spend no more time in the vain attempt to acquire business habits. Still there was as great a necessity as ever, of my doing something for myself, so that there was no time to be lost in deciding upon my profession. After some consideration, the idea suggested itself to me, that I might turn my particular talents and disposition to account, by purchasing, with them, an interest with the fair. Accordingly, I devoted my whole attention to the decoration of my person, in the hope that I might prove acceptable to some rich and handsome widow, or get myself into the good graces of a kind matron, whose husband's East India

patronage, or parliamentary influence, was at her disposal. My endeavours to please, were seldom frustrated by the dread of any expense; for I am one of those who think that money should always be hazarded in the pursuit of any scheme which is likely to terminate profitably. 'Tis true, I could not drive my tandem, nor furnish my house in a fashionable style, nor give many evening parties to the young and beautiful, but the reader may judge of the means which I employed to accomplish my end, when I present him with the following list of items, copied from one of my old memorandum books.

Jan. 27, 18-. Bought two neckcloths, colour of Miss 's shawl-hope to attract her notice by brummel tie next Wednesday. Received account for confectionery of a dejeuner given on the morning when I was to have led Ann to the altar. Referred for payment of above to the cross rich uncle who prevented us.

Feb. 3, 18-. The horse dealer says he won't lend me the bay gelding till I pay for the use which I had of it when I was visiting Miss N--, at Larchgrove. Also, John, the porter, wants something for his trouble in following me as livery servant, when I was arranging with Cecilia Mem. Must try to get out of

these scrapes somehow. This day, tore a blue coat in trying to save a handsome woman's poodle from being run over by a gig. Note of thanks from the ladyshall call upon her to-morrow, if I get my drab pantaloons in time from the tailor.

next.

Feb. 10, 18-. My old flame, Maria, is married. ProWell! she would have done better to take me. posed to Charlotte this afternoon, and was rejected. I believe I shall try Miss When I first commenced business in this line, I found my amatory disposition rather a bar to my success, as it was difficult to pursue interest in preference to love. By a series of adventures, however, which I may hereafter detail, I learnt, in a few years, to separate the two objects, and became a thorough-bred fortune-hunter. My dealings in this branch, brought me acquainted with other gentlemen of the trade, whose circumstances had driven them to the same resource. This led to our forming partnerships, and, by degrees, we advanced so far in the promotion of our common design, as to establish a society in London, for the purpose of receiving and answering communications, relative to our common interests. For several years past, we have had agencies established in the principal towns of the united kingdom, through whom all business of the firm is transacted in the provinces. A number of intelligent secretaries are scattered in the principal depots of gaiety and fashion, whose business it is, to report to head-quarters whenever a fortune makes her appearance in the world. The information is furnished to these gentlemen, by travellers, who are kept constantly employed, and have their expenses paid for officiating in this capacity. I am, at present, acting as traveller for the west, in which character, I have attended all the public places in this town, and

guineas as my share of the stores and the expense. As the matter had proceeded thus far, with a smiling face and a heavy heart, I embarked, and, both wind and tide being in our favour, we quickly passed the fort and north-west buoy, and were, before night set in, a considerable distance from the land. A bright blue sky above, and calm sea beneath-for the wind had now lulled-could not fail to impress me, since it was the first time I had ever beheld them on the mighty waters, and, whilst my young companions were enjoying their social entertainment, I stood at the stern, and attempted to count the glittering hosts of heaven, that were twinkling in ether far above me, when the sails of our little yacht were suddenly taken a-back, and a blow from the main-boom sent me into the water. So much alacrity was shown by the crew of the cutter, that I had no sooner become acquainted with my situation than I was rescued from it, to the utter destruction, however, of my blue marine jacket, through which an unseemly boat-hook had been thrust, as I was withdrawn from the liquid element. In the true spirit of an amateur seaman, I did not put on dry clothes for some time, and when we turned in for the night, I could not sleep, but remained cold and shivering till the morning. My companions offered to return to Liverpool, when they saw me so much an invalid, but a vessel came along. side at the very moment-I stepped on board, and I was seized with a very severe rheumatic attack, and I was then directed by my physician to repair to the hot baths at Buxton, for relief.

The Peak is a district of Derbyshire, ten or twelve miles in extent, near the edge of which, Buxton is situated. The air is pure and salubrious in this elevated region, but the hot baths were, of course, the attraction for those who, like myself, were invalids. I resided at one of the principal hotels, and soon found the advantage of mixing indiscriminately with the society it afforded. I was soon familiar with all the visitors, and the baths proving very beneficial to me, I became the "gallant gay Lothario" of the hotel, and actually perpetrated a quadrille or two, although lame in my left knee, and my arm almost immoveable. One thing is certain, however, that I brought as much dancing material upon the floor as any of the quadrille party, which, although consisting of eight, had only twelve sound limbs in all, exclusive of disabled shoulders and arms. Indeed, when we first commenced the dance, Vestris would have sickened-such limping and irregularity never were beheld, but it was wonderful how we improved as we proceeded. To tell the truth, however, I never could dance well, and I found my time more agreeably spent in sunning myself in the smiles of a very lovely girl, whose father and mother had recently arrived. She had come hither evidently for the benefit of the waters, and was very lame, but I found her a companion so agreeable, that I was soon fascinated with her beauty and conversation, and willingly agreed with her, that dancing was not a rational employment. She generally rode with her father and mother in "the carriage," during the forenoon, but I always met her at lunch, and as the old gentleman drank wine with me regularly, and the mother smiled when I spoke to her, I perceived my attentions to their charming daughter were not unacceptable.

She and I, accordingly, promenaded before dinner, and at times left the public walk and enjoyed the sweets of retirement from the world. I knew from a thousand incidents that my love was returned, and my only regret, which I frequently expressed to her, and which she as often blushed to hear, was that the Goddess Hygeia was less willing to bestow her favours upon one so worthy of them as she was, than to one so undeserving as myself. Her lameness still continued, but it did not affect my passion, which I breathed forth in the following effusion, and presented to my enchantress, during one of our retired rambles:

Were I beneath the cork tree's shade,
In Spain's enchanting land,
I'd serenade thy placid couch,

I'd woo thy lily hand.

No arm should twine thy hallow'd zone, No flower adorn thy breast,

But what I planted there alone,

Won by my own proud crest.

Were I beneath the cork tree's shade, &c.

We had discussed several of the popular songs of the day, and one in particular, by Mr. C *** of Liverpool, was a great favourite, so much so, that I requested a copy of it, and would have got it, but for the following circumstance:-In the course of our walk we approached a little gully, the water of which was nearly dry, leaving a deposit of mud to considerable depth. I saw we must leap to get over it, and without thinking on the lameness of my friend, I caught her firmly by the hand, and exclaiming, "here we go," I sprang with her to the opposite bank. That something had gone wrong in transitu, I was heartily convinced, for not only did the lady shriek, but she had actually fallen on the top of me-but, gemini! when I looked back what did I behold? a shoe and stocking neatly gartered upon a cork leg that stuck upright in the mud, and seemed to be proclaiming its want of an owner. My fair friend could do nothing without assistance, but it required female assistance, so I impressed one kiss upon her lovely cheek, talked of the West Indies and yellow fever, hastened to the hotel, pointed out the scene of my discomfiture to the chamber maid, paid my bill, and returned to Manchester by the Peveril of the Peak new coach, which happened at the moment to be at the gate of Buxton Crescent.

ALCHYMY.

I HAVE seen an advertisement in a newspaper, from a pretenderof the hermetic art. With the assistance of "a little money," he could "positively" assure the lover of this science, that he would repay him "a thousand-fold !" This science, if it merit to be distinguished by the name, has hitherto been doubtless an imposition, which, striking on the feeblest part of the human mind, has so frequently been successful in carrying on its delusions.

As late as the days of Mrs. Manly, the authoress of the Atalantis, is there on record a most singular delusion of alchymy. From the circumstances, it is very probable the sage was not less deceived than his patroness.

An infatuated lover of this delusive art, met with one who pretended to have the power of transmuting lead to gold: that is in their language, the imperfect metals to the perfect one. This hermetic philosopher required only the materials, and time, to perform his golden operations. He was taken to the country residence of his patroness. A long laboratory was built, and, that his labours might not be impeded by any disturbance, no one was permitted to enter into it. His door was contrived to turn on a pivot; so that, unseen, and unseeing, his meals were conveyed to him, without distracting the sublime contemplations of the sage.

During a residence of two years, he never condescended to speak but two or three times in the year to his infatuated patroness. When she was admitted into the laboratory, she saw, with pleasing astonishment, stills, immense cauldrons, long flues, and three or four Vulcanian fires blazing at different corners of this magical mine; nor did she behold with less reverence the venerable figure of the dusty philosopher. Pale and emaciated with daily operations and nightly vigils, he revealed to her, in unintelligible jargon, his progresses; and, having sometimes condescended to explain the mysteries of the arcana, she beheld, or seemed to behold, streams of fluid, aud heaps of solid ore, scattered around the laboratory. Sometimes he required a new still, and sometimes vast quantities of lead. Already this unfortunate lady had expended the half of her fortune in supplying the demands of the philosopher. She began now to lower her imagination to the standard of reason. Two years had now elapsed, vast quantities of lead had gone in, and nothing but lead had come out. She disclosed her sentiments to the philosopher. He candidly confessed he was himself surprised at his tardy processes; but that now he would exert himself to the utmost, and that he would venture to perform a laborious operation, which hitherto he bad hoped not to have been necessitated to employ. His patroness retired, and the golden visions of expectation resumed all their lustre.

One day as they sat at dinner, a terrible shriek, and one crack followed by another, loud as the report of cannon, assailed their ears. They hastened to the laboratory.-Two of the greatest stills had burst; one part of the laboratory was in flames, and the deJuded philosopher scorched to death.-D'Israeli.