not only blacken their adversaries' reputation by private arts, but they did also openly accuse them of ignorance and rashness, of tampering with religion, and of being downright Lutherans in physic. It fell out unluckily for them that Charles III, duke of Savoy, happened to die of a pleurisy, having been bled according to the practice which Brissot had opposed. Had it not been for this, the emperor, as it is thought, would have granted every thing that Brissot's antagonists desired of him: but though that accident should have made the good cause triumph, no other good resulted from it, but that the thing remained undecided.-Art. Brissot.—Bayle's Hist. Dict.

Comenius said that the reign of a thousand years was to begin in the year 1672, or in the year 1673. So that there is scarcely any body but believes he died very seasonably, since he avoided the confusion of seeing the vanity of his prophecies. I am persuaded that he did not gain much by it. He was so used to such disappointments, and minded so little what people would say of it, that he could have borne this last check without any trouble. This class of gentlemen are of an admirable constitution; nothing puts them out of countenance: they appear as boldly in company after the expiration of the time as before; they fear neither railleries, nor the most serious complaints: they are always ready to begin again: in a word, they are proof against the Justest mortifications. We must not altogether lay the fault of it on the particular turn of their wit, and of their inclination; the public is more to be blamed for it than they are, because of its prodigious indulgence. It is a common saying, that God forgives every thing, and that men forgive nothing: but that maxim is false, with respect to the commentators on the revelation: it is very probable that God has not the same indulgence, as the public, for the boldness where with they handle his A learned divine observes, that oracles, and expose them to the contempt of infidels. Comenius lost nothing of his credit, though he had deceived the people a hundred times by his visions; he always passed for a great prophet; so true it is that men are pleased to be deceived in some things.-Art. Comenius.-Bayle's Hist. Dict.

Beauty without the charms of wit and language, is of no great force; and if it make any conquests, it is after the manner of those brave generals, who quickly subdue a province, but know not how to keep it: the empire of the fair is at least as much maintained by the charms of wit, as by those of the face. These are two sorts of graces that stand in need of one another, and mutually perform good offices to each other. Some insipid and ridiculous discourses would be extremely distasteful, if the beauty of the person did not lend to them I know not what charms to adorn them: and some beauties of the body would make no impression, if they did not borrow charms from the graces of the mind.-Art. Estampes.-Bayle's Hist. Dict.

A MORAVIAN ESTABLISHMENT.-I went to visit a Moravian establishment in the town of Sarapta. Opposite the inn formerly stood a house containing eighty bachelors, and uear it one containing eighty spinsters. The house of the former has been burnt down; that of the latter has escaped. The females divide their own dwelling with the men, till theirs is rebuilt. When a bachelor is tired of a life of celibacy, he goes next door, chooses one out of the eighty spinsters, and makes her his wife. The pair become members of the general community, and keep a house for themselves. The vacancies are filled up by the children of those who had once been inmates of these mansions of single blessedness. I was highly gratified with my visit to this buman hive. Every thing was in the neatest order; the sisters, as they are called, with their little caps, and uniform dress, reminded me of our fair Quakers. The female children were reading and writing; the young women were engaged in domestic employments. The old maids, for there were a few, were occupied in knitting and needle work. All were busy at the occupation best adapted to their peculiar habits and talents. Nor were the brothers idle; here were shoemakers, tailors, weavers, printers, and book-binders. I was shown a fine collection of the serpents and other reptiles of Southern Russia. I saw also a large collection of antiquities found in the neighbourhood, which proves the former existence of an ancient city on this spot.— Keppel's Journey from India to England.

DIFFICULTY OF NURSING A PRINCE.-The Duke of Britanny has changed his nurse, because the first bad got a cold; he is also very well, but there is everything to fear for princes, with whom so much pains are taken that they often kill them; besides, the continued agitation their nurses are in, which prevents them from having good milk.— Secret Correspondence of Madame de Maintenon with the Princess des Ursings.

"Par

POINT OF HONOUR.--One morning, while we were in Paris, our lacquey de place did not appear as usual. Breakfast passed, the carriage drove to the door, still no lacquey, and Colonel Cleveland, in a passion, had sent to engage another, when, panting with exertion, the gentleman appeared. "He was very sorry-he begged ten thousand pardons-he had hoped to have got his little affairs over sooner.'" "Your affairs, you scoundrel, what are your affairs to us? Do you think we are to sit waiting here, while you are running after your own affairs?" donnez-moi, Monsieur," said the lacquey with a low bow, and laying his hand upon his heart, "but it was an affair of honour!" and the man had actually been fighting a duel with swords, with another lacquey, in consequence of some quarrel while waiting for us at the French Opera, the night before! On inquiry, we found this was by no means extraordinary, and that two shoe-blacks have been known to fight a regular duel, with the punctilios of men of fashion.-Continental Adventures.

CURIOUS EXHIBITION.-On entering Maana, we were witnesses to rather a curious exhibition. I should first mention, that the Persians are in the habit of sleeping on the flat roofs of their houses, during the summer months. Day was just breaking when we arrived. As the houses of the poorer classes are generally not more than eight feet high, we had a full view of nearly the whole population in bed: many were asleep; some few had awoke; others were getting out of bed, to make their morning toilettes. The scene was highly entertaining, and brought to mind the story of Le Diable Boiteux, unroofing the houses for the gratification of Don Cleofas.-Keppel's Journey from India to England.

BUONAPARTE AS A LEGISLATOR.-The First Consul presided at almost all the sittings of the Council of State upon the project of the civil code, and took a very active part in the discussion. He provoked, sustained, directed, and, when it flagged, reanimated the discussion. Unlike certain orators of the council, he did not seek to shine by rounded phrases, chosen expressions, and elaborate delivery. He spoke naturally without embarrassment or pretension, and in that free and unaffected conversational tone, that became animated only according as the subject makes the force of opposing argument, or the matured stage of the discussion required. He was on no occasion inferior to any member of the Council, and he was sometimes on a par with the most skilful amongst them by the facility with which he seized the knotty points of a question, by the justnesss of his ideas, and the force of his reasoning. He surprised them frequently by the originality of his thoughts, and the energetic character of his expressions. Many persons, both in France and other parts of Europe, have affected to believe, and others have really believed, that Buonaparte's opinions upon these occasions were arranged après coup, and dressed up for the public by his flatterers. This, however, is an egregious error. Locre, the secretary of the Council of State, made a report of the deliberations in a measured, grave, cold, and uniform style; and so far from Buonaparte's language or opinions gaining by this process, they were, on the contrary, almost invariably divested, by passing through the official mind of the secretary, of all that freedom and boldness of thought, and originality and force of expression, which distinguished them. The truth of this assertion will be fully proved by comparing the opinions of Buonaparte upon some articles of the code, taken accurately down by a person present, with the official report of the same, by the secretary Locre.

Amongst the results of civil death was proposed the dissolution of the marriagecontract. The First Consul, who was hostile to this consequence, said—

Exact Words of the First Consul. "What! when a criminal has been transported, are not justice and public vengeance sufficiently satisfied? If not, better put him to death. Then his wife may raise an altar of turf in her garden, and retire there to weep. The wife may sometimes be the cause of the husband's crime. It is her duty to console him. Would you not esteem the woman who should follow him?"

Proces Verbal.

"Society is sufficiently avenged by the condemnation, when the criminal is deprived of his property, when he finds himself separated from his friends and his usual habitudes. Why should the punishment be extended to his wife? Why violently break asunder a union that identifies her existence with that of her husband? She might say to you- It would be better to take away his life. Then at least I should be permitted to cherish his memory; but you command him to live, and yet you are unwilling that I should console him.'"

Upon the question at what age marriage should be permitted.

Exact words of the First Consul. "Is it to be desired that marriage should take place at thirteen and fifteen years of age?

The answer is, no: and the periods proposed are eighteen years for men, and fourteen for women.

Why make so great difference between men and women? Is it to obviate a few accidents? But the interest of the state is of greater importance. I should think there would be less inconvenience in fixing the age of men at fifteen years, than at thirteen for women; car que peut il sortir d'une fille de cet áge qui a neuf mois de grossesse à supporter. The Jews have been quoted. At Jerusalem a girl is marriageable at ten, old at sixteen, and not touchable at twenty years of age.

"You do not give to children of fifteen the power of making the most ordinary contracts; how then can you permit them at the same age to enter into the most solemn of contracts? It is to be desired that men should not have the power of marrying before the age of twenty, nor women before eighteen, without that we shall not have a good race."

Proces Verbal.

"Since it would not be advantageous that a whole generation should marry at thirteen and fourteen years of age, it therefore should not be authorized to do so by a general law. It would be preferable to make a law conformable to public interest, and to permit only by an exception, of which the public authorities should be judges, peculiar cases of private interest.

"That would be a strange law which should permit individuals to marry before the age when they can be called upon as witnesses, or punished for crimes, from their want of complete discernment. The wisest system would probably be that which would not authorize men to marry before twenty-one, or women before fifteen."

But the most singular instance of the emasculation which the First Consul's many original ideas and language underwent at the hands of the Secretary is the following.. Upon the nullity of marriage on account of a mistake in the person.

Exact words of the First Consul. "The error cannot be as to the physical person, but can only relate to the rank of the individual. A contract founded upon error or fraud is null, and cannot be rendered valid. I wish to marry my cousin, who arrives from India, and an adventurer is passed off on me: I have children by her; I discover that she is not my cousin; is such a marriage valid? Does not public morals require that it should be so? There has been an interchange of soul, of transpiration. There is in marriage something besides the union of names and properties. Should the legislature admit that persons marry principally for those things, or for physical forms, moral qualities, and all that give birth to sentiment and l'amitie animale? If these last qualities be the foundation of marriage, would it not be shocking to annul it, because it was afterwards discovered that the woman had not the accessory qualities?"

Proces Verbal.

"The name and civil rank are the result of social ideas; but there is something. more real in moral qualities, such as propriety of conduct, mildness, love of industry, &c. If these qualities ought to influence a man in the choice of his wife, how can the husband be said to be deceived who finds them in the woman that is united to him, though there may be some mistake in the mere accessories?"

Thibadeau's Memoires sur le Consulat.

MODE OF DISPERSING LOCUSTS.-We traversed the grand steppe or desert of Astrakhan for two days. On the evening of the 1st of August, we arrived at a Russian village, which was surrounded by a considerable tract of well-cultivated land. While changing horses, I witnessed what was to me a very curious sight-a vast flight of locusts, extending fifteen miles, suddenly made their appearance from the east, and came in a huge phalanx to attack the crops. In an instant every villager was on the road to his own field. Some took dogs, others were on horseback, and others ran shouting

and clapping their hands all the way, the inhabitants finding from experience that the locusts very much dislike noise. My fellow-traveller told me, that in the colony of Karass, when the locusts come in sight, not only all the inhabitants, but the military turn out, and endeavour to drive them off, by drums and fifes, and a perpetual discharge of musketry. The enemy, thus repulsed, make a speedy retreat, and commit their depredations on the land of those who are less on the alert to resist them.—Keppel's Journey from India to England.

GOETHE. But Goethe's culture as a writer is perhaps less remarkable than his culture as a man. He has learned, not in head only, but also in heart; not from art and literature, but also by action and passion in the rugged school of experience. If asked what was the grand characteristic of his writings, we should not say knowledge, but wisdom. A mind that has seen and suffered, and done, speaks to us of what it has tried and conquered. A gay delineation will give us notice of dark and toilsome experiences, of business done in the great deep of the spirit; a maxim, trivial to the careless eye, will rise with light and solution over long perplexed periods of our own history. It is thus that heart speaks to heart; that the life of one man becomes a possession to all. Here is a mind of the most subtle and tumultuous elements; but it is governed in peaceful diligence, and its impetuous and ethereal faculties work softly together for good and noble ends. Goethe may be called a philosopher; for he loves and has practised as a man the wisdom which, as a poet, he inculcates. Composure and cheerful seriousness seem to breathe over all his character. There is no whining over human woes: it is understood that we must simply all strive to alleviate or remove them. There is no noisy battling for opinions; but a persevering effort to make truth lovely, and recommend her, by a thousand avenues, to the hearts of all men. Of his personal manners, we can easily believe the universal report, as often given in the way of censure as of praise, that he is a man of consummate breeding and the stateliest presence: for an air of polished tolerance, of courtly, we might say majestic repose, and serene humanity, is visible throughout his works. In no line of them does he speak with asperity of any man; scarcely ever even of a thing. He knows the good, and loves it; he knows the bad and hateful, and rejects it; but in neither case with violence: his love is calm and active; his rejection is implied rather than pronounced; meek and gentle, though we see that it is thorough, and never to be revoked. The noblest and the basest he not only seems to comprehend, but to personate and body forth in their most secret lineaments: hence actions and opinions appear to him as they are, with all the circumstances which extenuate or endear them to the hearts where they originated and are entertained. This also is the spirit of our Shakspeare, and perhaps of every great dramatic poet. Shakspeare is no sectarian: to all he deals with equity and mercy; because he knows all, and his heart is wide enough for all. In his mind the world is a whole; he figures it as Providence governs it; and to him it is not strange that the sun should be caused to shine on the evil and the good, and the rain to fall on the just and the unjust.-Carlisle's German Romances.

A RUSSIAN AMAZON.-On dismounting at a village near Darkee, my stirrup was held by a fair and handsome-looking person, who proved to be a female. Admiration of a military life had induced her to deprive herself of her fair tresses, and to wear the dress of a man, preparatory, as she said, to offering her services to the Emperor as a soldier. Hearing I was on the way, she told me that, if she had been a little older, she would have accompanied me. I told her that she would be rejected, from her feminine appearance; but she said she would cut off her breasts, whenever they were too large for concealment. On taking leave of this little amazon, I gave her an old aiguillette, which she accepted with great delight, and strutted off with it on her shoulder, to the no small amazement of the villagers.-Keppel's Journey from India to England.

SPANISH PRIDE AND ECONOMY.-The following is what Mr. Orry has related to me during the visits he has made here, when expecting to go to Spain :-Having heard that the duke d'Alba had sent to sell plate to the amount of ten thousand crowns, he called on him, and said that he did not offer him any of the money he was taking to the king of Spain, that prince being too much in want of it; but that he begged the duke would at once accept a thousand louis d'ors, and afterwards the forty thousand crowns, which he knew how to get back from his catholic majesty. The duke replied, that he would be very sorry to ask the king his master for money, at a time like the present; and that he would most willingly give him some, if he had it: that at all eves, he felt hurt at the offer of Mr. Orry; for, as his wife had still some jewels left, when these were gone, they could live on chocolate, of which they had a stock for 70 years.-Secret Correspondence of Madame de Maintenon with the Princess des

Ur S

་་

INFORMATION OF THE ITALIAN NOBILITY.--The intelligence and intellectual cultivation of the party, did not seem great. Of this I observed several notable instances, but one will probably suffice. Mrs. Cleveland happened to ask, "Who was Pylades?" merely meaning what performer played the part; but the Marchesa thinking her question referred to the character of Pylades in the piece, in reply asked the Count Orsini, her favourite cavalier, if he could tell who Pylades was, and if ever there was such a man? "No, never!" said the Count, with great sang froid, taking a pinch of snuff. I thought there had been in France," rejoined the Marchesa, surely I have heard the name somewhere, long ago." “I beg your pardon, Count," rejoined a little man, "the Marchesa is right, only he was not a Frenchman. Pylades was a famous old Roman." Was he not a Grecian?" said Mrs. Cleveland, with laudable innocence and gravity. "Perdoni, Signora," said the little Marquis, he was not a Greek, but he had something to do with the Greeks. But there was once a famous Greek, called Pilacles,' ("Who?" interrupted I) "Pilacles," he repeated, very distinctly(probably Pericles might be running in his head)" and the Signora has possibly confounded Pilacles with Pylades." "So then Pylades was a Roman?" said I. was,'' replied the little Marquis; "he was a great Roman philosopher; that Pylades was, in reality; but they have made a great fool of him in the Opera, with his nonsense about Orestes. They should study history more." "Did you say we should study history more?" I asked, maliciously. "O, no, Signora, no; these ignorant poets and opera people." People who attend the opera?" I persisted. "No, Signora; these ignorant people who write the operas, meant." Why they seem to understand history well enough for the generality of people who attend operas. For instance, I am sure I never knew till to night, that Pylades was a great Roman philosopher." The little Marquis bowed with a self-satisfied air, and expressed his happiness that he could afford me any information.-Continental Adventures.

He

"I should sooner

JOSEPHINE THE EX-EMPRESS OF FRANCE.-After leaving the first consul, the councillor of state, N, met Madame Buonaparte, who, as soon as she saw him, quitted Bourienne, with whom she was talking, and joined N. She led him into a retired alley in the park, and after carefully looking about on every side to see that nobody was within hearing, she said, after first enjoining him to secrecy, "You do not know what is passing. Lucien comes here very frequently, and has long conferences with Buonaparte. Yesterday he was four hours alone with him. He insists upon his making his power hereditary. He is working for that object, in conjunction with Roederer, Talleyrand, Regnault, and Fontanes." On quitting Buonaparte, Lucien said to me, "You are going to a watering place-you must get with child." "llow can you make such a proposal to the wife of your brother?" "Yes, it must be so, since you cannot have one by him. If you cannot, nor will not, Buonaparte must have one by another woman, and you must adopt it. It is for his interest, as well as your own and others, that his power should be made hereditary." earn my bread by the work of my hands, than consent to so infamous an action. Besides, do you suppose that the nation would submit to that, and let itself be governed by a bastard? You can certainly have but little respect for the nation; and as for your brother, you are urging him to his ruin." Lucien, after insisting upon his proposal, retired.* I am sure that Talleyrand has given to Buonaparte the plan of a new constitution, containing a clause for rendering his power hereditary. This morning I had a long conversation with Buonaparte on the subject. He confessed to me that Lucien had made him the same proposals. I then said to him, "But how can you place any confidence in Lucien ? Have you not yourself told me that you saw a letter that he wrote to your uncle, (Abbé Fesch,) in which he menaced your life? Have you not told me that he never should be any thing as long as you were first consul? And yet you listen to his counsels. Buonaparte acknowledged all this, and said, "I know well the characters of these personages, and all their intrigues." Yes, but if you continues to listen to them, they will drag you into their snares.' "Mind your spinning." (Mele toi de filer.)—" Yes, but when I see that they wish to ruin you, I shall not remain silent. They may plot whatever they wish against me, but when it regards you, I shall always inform you of their manoeuvres."-Thibadeau's Memoires sur le Consulat.

* Las Cases makes Napoleon say, that when Josephine gave up all hope of having issue, she often hinted to him the possibility of playing off a great political supercherie; and that she at length proposed it to him in direct terms. (Tom. iii. p. 354.)

It appears, by this conversation of Josephine, that this supercherie was, on the contrary, proposed to her, and that she indignantly repelled the idea.-ED.