THE TEST OF LOVE. BY AUGUSTUS VON KOTZEBUE. WHEN girls begin to think for the first time of love, they commonly deceive their lovers and themselves; not intentionally indeed; for, on the contrary, they are thoroughly convinced of the reality and the strength of their pas

sion.

Wilhelmine, the daughter of humble parents, was beautiful, virtuous, and intelligent. Her father, a well-informed man, cultivated her understanding; her mother, who was strongly tinctured with enthusiasm, formed her heart. In the solitude of a rural life she attained the age of eighteen years. Love, then, insinuated itself into her bosom-not love for any particular person, for she had no intercourse with the other sex-but that general feeling which seeks an object out of itself to cling to. In this disposition of mind, she beheld a handsome youth, who had been placed with the ranger of a neighbouring forest to learn his profession, in the hope of obtaining an appointment in that line from the prince. Edward possessed a good heart, but an uncultivated mind. The former Wilhelmine prized very highly; the latter she never observed, for he was the first who had looked kindly at her -the first who had presented to her imagination a form to which her heart, created for love, could attach itself. His conversations were empty, but she filled

them herself with her knowledge and her feelings, and then fancied that he was a most entertaining companion. Edward was still poorer than Wilhelmine, but this circumstance was in his favour; for poverty served to win pity to its side. Wilhelmine's parents, however, thought more rationally, and forbade an intercourse which could only be productive of mischief. This influenced not the mind of their daughter, who vowed within herself never to forsake her Edward.

Count Wallenthal was one day hunting in the neighbourhood, when a violent storm compelled him to seek a shelter in the house of Wilhelmine's parents. The Count was rich, and pos sessed a highly cultivated mind, and polished manners. He beheld Wilhelmine, and was charmed with her beauty, and still more with the purity of ber heart. At length the approach of night reminded him to depart; he did not quit, till, by a flattering compliment, he obtained permission to repeat his visit. He then retired, leaving his heart behind him. As soon as decency seemed to permit, he hastened back to the forest. Every visit served to convince him more firmly, that Wilhelmine was the jewel which he had long relinquished all hopes of finding. He solicited the hand of Wilhelmine. Her parents immediately assured him of their compliance with his wish, in case he should obtain the consent of their daugh

That Wilhelmine should roundly confess that her heart had deceived her, was asking rather too much-a sigh was her only reply. The Count understood her; he clasped her in his arms, and she concealed her burning blushes on his bosom.

Edward slept for a full hour longer, and when he awoke he found himself alone. Beside him lay a paper containing his appointment to the situation to which he aspired, and near it a note written in pencil to the following effect:

"My dear young Friend,

"I rob you of your bride, because she consents to be mine. If, as I suppose, you are somewhat surprised, but not distressed, on reading these lines, I have guessed your feelings also, and I flatter myself that the accompanying appointment which I have procured for you, will make amends for your loss.

"WALLENTHAL."

THE Freshman who is ignorant of the course of study he is to pursue at the University, as he cannot be expected to devote every hour of his undergraduateship to reading, must find out amusements for his leisure moments, and a few agreeable friends to be the companions of his mirth, and his exercises, as well as his studies. To obtain companions, he must be inducted, and to pass his leisure time in conviviality and mirth, he must give or be invited to entertainments. At these entertainments he will meet with other PROMISING young men of various descriptions, and he will naturally be inducted to, and make acquaintances amongst, a portion of these young men. Now it is undeniable that a young man for his improvement, mental as well as corporeal, must see society; and he will naturally copy the manners of his College acquaintances, in order that he might not seem a different being amongst them. He will enter into their pursuits, do the same as they do, and, in short, proceed to the degree of B. A. in the regular varmint manner.

Now the varmint way to proceed to B.A. degree is this---Cut Lectures, go to Cha

283

pel as little as possible, dine in hall seldom more than once a week, give Gaudies and Spreads, keep a horse or two, go to Newmarket, attend the six-mile bottom, drive a drag, wear varmint clothes, and wellbuilt coats, be up to smoke, a rum one at Barnwell, a regular go at New Zealand, a stanch admirer of the bottle, and care a damn for no man. At lucre or renown let others aim,' for a varmint-man spurns a scholarship, would consider it a degradation to be a fellow; as for taking an honour it would be about the very last idea that could enter his head. What cares he for Tutors or Proctors, for Masters or Vice

chancellors, since his whole aim is pleasure and amusement, since a day's hard reading would drive him half mad or give him the blue-devils; since subordination is a word of the meaning of which he professes to be ignorant; and since rows is never seen in academicals till hall time, and sprees are the delight of his soul. He or towards evening, and then only puts them on for dacency's sake,' or because it is a custom throughout the varsity.' But in the day, he is seen in a Jarvey tile, or a low-crowned-broad-brim, a pair of white swell tops, varmint inexpressibles, a regular flash waistcoat, and his coat of a nameless cut; his cloth' of the most uncommon pattern, tied after his o' plant in his hand; and thus he goes out own way, and a short crookt-stick or bit riding: or he may dress differently, and lounge through the streets, always in company with a friend or two, visiting sadlers, milliners, barbers, bootmakers, and tailors; or looking in at a friend's rooms, and to arrange matters for the day or if fine, he may make up a water party, if in the summer term, and go down the Camus in a six-oar, dine at Clay-hive, or Ditton, or take a snack at Chesterton, and return in the evening; or he may walk out to Chesterton to play at billiards, and return plus or minus the sum he started with; or he may drive out in a buggy; or do fifty other things, and enter into fifty other schemes, all productive of amusement. In the evening he dines at his own rooms, or at those of a friend, and afterward blows a cloud, puffs at a segar, and drinks copiously. He then sings a song, tells a story, comments on the events of the day, talks of horses, gives his opinion on the ensuing race between Highflyer and Emilius, or makes bets on the late fight between Spring and Langan. After this the whole party sit down to unlimited loo, and half-guinea or guinea points, and here again he comes off plus or minus 40l. or 507. If he has lost, he is no way concerned at it, for he is sure of winning

as much the succeeding night; he therefore takes his glass or sits down to supper, and gets to bed about two or three in the morning. Determined to sleep a few, and after having cast off his habiliments, he hops into bed, and snores ---somno vinoque gravatus, till about six in the evening, and then gets up more sleepy than ever. He dresses; but having no appetite, eats nothing, drinks a glass of sodawater, and walks to a friend's rooms, where he relates his adventures and excites the risibility of his auditors. He then resolves on a ride, and without togging for the occasion, just puts on his tile and mounts his prad. Determining to be very steady and sober for the future, i. e. for the next twelve hours, he urges his steed along the Trumpington Road, goes out by the Shelford Common, and returns home between eight and nine. He then feels as if he could eat something, and accordingly he does, by way of supper, and retires to his rooms, with an intention of being quiet, and in order to go early to bed. But lo! he is told by his Gyp that the Master or Dean has sent a message desiring to see him the next morning. Well knowing what this is for, he goeth to bed and cons over in his own mind what to say in extenuation of his irregularities, and so falleth to sleep. Next day, he calls at the appointed time, when the M.C. with a countenance not to be surpassed in gravity, informs him for the last week he has been very irregular, and requires an account of the circumstances which occasioned the said irregularity. For the gate-bill thus standeth: Monday night, out till three o'clock; Tuesday, halfpast four; Wednesday, half-past two; Thursday, quarter-past three; Friday, halfpast four; Saturday---all night. His excuses are, that he has been at different parties, where he was detained late, and where he has found the society so agreeable, and the time fly so imperceptibly fast, that morning has broke in upon him ere he imagined it was an hour past midnight.--This draws down a very heavy invective against parties altogether, and a still longer and more tedious lecture on the dangerous tendency of such conduct, so directly opposite to the laws and discipline of the University; and a conclusive paragraph containing (amongst other things) a pardon for past offences, but with an assurance that a repetition of similar conduct cannot but meet with a concomitant check in proportion to its enormity, in either rustication or expulsion. Thus dismissed the august presence, he recounts this jobation to his friends, and enters into a discourse on masters, deans, tutors, and proctors, and votes chapel a bore, and gates a complete

nuisance. But is this all? No. He bas resolved to treat the dons with contempt, and go on more gaily than ever. Accordingly he cuts chapel, and issues forth at night sine cap and gown, with a segar in his mouth. He is determined to have a lark with two or three more, and away they go. While they are pulling the girls about in the streets, up comes the Proctor: Pray, Sir, may I ask if you are a member of the University?'---' Yes, sir, I am.'--Your name and college, sir, if you please.' It is given without the least hesitation. The next morning a bull-dog calls on Mr.Varmint, to deliver a message from the Proctor, viz. :---That he is fined 6s. 8d. for being in the streets without his cap and gown, and that he would be glad to see him at twelve o'clock that day. Now he has to call on the Proctor, and in he goes with a very surly countenance. The Proctor puts on one of his most severe phizzes, and informs him that his conduct in the streets was most ungentlemanlike and improper, and against every rule and order of propriety, and in open opposition to the Academic discipline, and contempt of him and his office. That such conduct deserved much severer chastisement than he was willing to inflict, but that he should be neglecting the duty he owed to his office and the University if he overlooked it. He therefore desires him to get three hundred verses of Homer's Iliad, book 2, by heart, and requests he will by no means leave the University until it was said. After a great deal of opposition, excuses, and protestations, he finds himself not a bit better off, for the Proctor will not mitigate a syllable, and he is obliged to stomach the impos. and retire. For the first hour or two afterward he makes himself very uneasy about this, but he at length resolves not to learn it, whatever should be the consequence.--He therefore goes out to a party, makes himself very merry, and cares not a fig about the matter. Next morning he happens, unlucky wight! to meet with the Dean, who accosts him, Pray, Mr. Varmint, why have you not been to Chapel lately? I have very seriously to complain of your non-attendance. You have not attended for nearly a fortnight, excepting Sundays, and you cannot expect that I, or any man, in the capacity I hold, can overlook such gross irregularity. However, you may think what you like, but I am determined to do my duty towards the College, and to see that you attend regularly. But as that has by no means been the case, and as you have so disrespectfully absented yourself, I really must take notice of it in a severe way. I am very sorry for it, nobody more so, but it is an imperative duty

285

and thirty or forty wounded, from the falling of one of the scaffoldings for spectators.

8. Great distress at Madras, from the failure of the crops and consequent scarcity of food.

9. Execution of Thurtell---Hunt respited.

12. The Spanish Consul having left Algiers without paying a sum of money due to the Algerines by Spain, the Dey fits out vessels which cruize on the coast of Spain, and capture all Spanish ships.

15. John Hunt, a printer, found guilty. on the prosecution of the Constitutional Association, of publishing a libel on George III. contained in a poem called "The Vision of Judgment," written by Lord Byron.

19. A communication received at Hertford from the Secretary of State, respiting the execution of Joseph Hunt for another week; his sentence is subsequently commuted to transportation for life.

of a conspiracy to murder the white peo- Nine negroes found guilty at Jamaica, ple. At one of their meetings one of them bled his finger, and having mixed the

1824.

JANUARY.

2. FERDINAND, King of Spain, orders a Te Deum to be celebrated in all his dominions in South America, for his happy delivery from the Constitutionalists.

6. The Consuls and Vice Consuls appointed to the Independent States in South America leave England.

7. John Thurtell and Joseph Hunt convicted on the evidence of W. Probert, an accomplice, of the murder of Wm. Weare, at Gill's-hill-lane, a secluded spot in Hertfordshire, leading to a cottage belonging to Probert, to which place they had invited Weare on the pretence of spending a few days in shooting. The murder had excited great public sensation on account of the cool deliberation with which it appeared to have been committed, and from the circumstance of the parties being well-known characters among the fancy and black legs. It being feared from the public excitement, that the parties would not be fairly tried, the trial had been postponed for a month from the day on which it should have come on; it therefore took place on the 6th of January, and the accused were found guilty on the 7th.

drank of it, taking an oath of secrecy and fidelity. Four sentenced to be hanged.

21. The British troops on the Gold Coast, about four thousand in number, under the command of Sir Charles M'Carthy, completely defeated by the Ashantees, above ten thousand strong, and Sir Charlés with many other officers, taken prisoners, and put to death,

23. The two largest theatres in Europe, those of Naples and Milan, at this time under the direction of Mr. Glossop, formerly of the Coburg theatre, and a tallowchandler.

24. Two persons of the names of Oldfield and Bennett having been convicted of keeping common gambling-houses, at 75, St. James's Street, 71, Pall-mall, and 6, Pall-mall, were this day sentenced by the Court of King's Bench---Oldfield, for the first offence, of which he had alone been convicted, was sentenced to pay a fine of 5001.; for the next offence Oldfield to pay a fine of 15001. and Bennett 20001.; and for the third to pay each a farther sum of 15001. and give security for their good behaviour for 5 years, themselves in 10,0001. and two sureties in 20001. each, and to be imprisoned till the fines were paid, and securities found.

26. A loan of three millions of stock. for the service of the republic of Mexico, contracted by the House of Goldsmidt and Co.

29. The anniversary of the birth-day of