at first, but coming out gradually and naturally into. strong light-which is as fine in fiction as Rembrandt was in painting, the actress, named, perhaps, from feelings inspired by a great foreign tragedian, Rachel. This woman, was known to "The Head of the Family" in her youth, before the commencement of her influence over the public. Ninian Græme (such is the uncomfortable name of the "Head" and the hero of the story) has a beloved younger brother, a youth of genius, and heir to its waywardness and weakness, who, awakened by the talent of Rachel into dramatic fervour, produces a successful drama. Perils, however, surround the boy, who, like Chatterton, scems doomed to perish in his prime, when his elder brother, whose character is one of the noblest and best sustained in modern fiction, seeks and finds him in London, and the scene we extract ensues. He has found Edmund" as a successful dramatist, surrounded by men, older men, clever men, but men incapable of understanding the enthusiasm or honour which still lingered round the boy's heart. "Edmund" owed money to a certain Lyonell, who had insulted Rachel by an offer of "love without marriage." He burns to pay his debt and win revenge: his patient, loving brother, knowing this, watches for him outside "the stores." "He followed. It was late; the theatres had disembogued their last relics of audience, and the streets were growing quiet and deserted. From lamp to lamp Ninian easily traced that tall, thin, boyish figure, with the long, light-brown curls-the same vision which Lindsay used to watch so proudly, as day by day it passed up the avenue at The Gowans.-Poor Lindsay! How foolish women are! "Edmund turned along Regent-street. All the shops and houses were shut up, except that through some second-floor windows might be seen lights-generally two high lamps, visible through the thin blinds. There were no open doors visible, but these lamps were sufficient beacon to those who knew the mysteries of the place. : "Ninian watched his brother approach one of thesepass it-return again, and examine more closely. Then Edmund went to the next street-lamp, took out his purse, and seemed to be reckoning its contents. At last, so quickly that Mr. Græme hardly perceived how he entered, the youth disappeared into the house. "It was one of those places-rightly named 'hells' a London gambling-house. "Ninian was uncertain what to do. To follow and command the boy home, was impossible; Edmund was of age, and his brother had no legal right over him. Even the thought of being watched might drive him to desperation. But to leave him was out of the question. Ninian resolved to wait, if it were the whole night, until he had seen him quit the house. "He did so before very long, rushing out half-maddened-not with ruin, but success. He staggered into the street, recklessly holding a handful of bank-notes, gazing at them with eyes that seemed positively to feast on the sight. So occupied was he, that he never looked up until he ran against some one standing in the street. "What are you doing here, Edmund ?" "The cold, clear voice was his brother's-the arm, stern and strong, that linked itself in his, was his brother's also. Edmund stood speechless. "They walked on a few paces, Ninian keeping firm hold, and then the boy rebelled. "What is this for? Have you been dogging my heels? Let me go, I say.' "I shall not tell you.' order to win the money you owe Mr. Lyonell. You are "I will tell you, then. You have been gaming, in now going to find him-pay him-then seek a quarrel with him, and have either a duel to-morrow morning or a street row to-night.' "Edmund drew back thoroughly confounded. In his face was the confession of all which Ninian's penetration had lighted upon as the truth. "But,' the other continued, I, being a good deal older, and a little wiser than you, think this proceeding would not be to my brother's credit, or that of our family. Therefore I will prevent it if I can.' "Edmund-gentle by nature, and unaccustomed to contend, especially with his elder brother-seemed desirous, not of warfare, but escape. He tried to cross the street, but the fumes of wine in his brain were too much for him. "Ninian laid on his shoulder a firm hand. 'Come home, my boy-come home.' "Quiet, even gentle, as the manner was, it contained something of command against which the weak Edmund struggled in vain. He suffered his brother to take his arm, and walk with him down the street towards home. "After a while, his frantic purpose seemed to dawn upon him again. 'Brother!-Ninian -I must go,' entreated he. I will do no harm. I only want to pay the fellow what I owe, and tell him he is a villain. I'll not fight-if you don't wish it. Only let me give him the money.' 66 6 Where is it?' 'Yes, every pound. All right-count it! Hurra! Hazard's the king of all games.' And he flourished the notes triumphantly. Ninian took them out of his hand-spread them out one over the other, doubled them, and before the youth could resist, tore them once-twice-thriceuntil they were converted into the smallest fragments. Then he threw them into the street, carelessly, as if they had been a handful of dust. "What are you doing? cried Edmund, furiously. "Just what I would always do with stolen property.' "Do you dare to call mine stolen? Am I a thief?" "Every gambler is, for the time being-I will show you that clearly to-morrow. Now, come home.' "His stern calmness, his unflinching will, positively appalled the boy. Unresisting, Edmund suffered himself to be led home. Arrived there, all his remaining faculties became numbed in the stupor of intemperance and the exhaustion of spent fury. The whole night, Ninian, fearing to leave him, remained by the poor lad's bed side. Never had he kept such a vigil since the night his father died. Little he then thought that the next watch would be beside his dead father's ruined son. Ruined!-no! Edmund, the child of such pride and tenderness, should not be ruined. That tenderness must win him back still-or else, abjuring it, his elder brother must assume a father's place, and hold the rein with a tight hand. Ninian thought he could if need be make his brotherly heart as hard as adamant; but he would try gentle means first. Only, in some way or other, the boy must be saved. "The first thing was to shield him from that disgrace which in a mind like his was sure to produce utter desperation. Therefore he managed so that even Katie knew not the whole extent of his brother's shame. He at alone by the boy's bedside; until towards morning Edmund, being a little recovered, fell into a sound sleep. Then Ninian went to his own room, lay down for an hour, rose, and breakfasted-lest by his look Tinie should suspect anything wrong. When late in the forenoon Edmund awoke, he found his brother sitting beside him. Their eyes met—one was cold, the other defiant. Are you better?' "Ninian made no answer. "I will not be watched in this manner. Leave me; I want to dress and go out.' It would be better not, I think-after last night.' "What of last night? But in any case, it was no affair of yours.' "None-except that I object to see any young man, much less my own brother, ruined-if I can help it.' Well, suppose I do go to ruin-or to the devil, what will it signify? Who cares!' 'I care.' Not quite; when you have your brother and Lindsay.' "Edmund clasped his hands over his wan face, and hid it on the pillow. He did not speak another word for many minutes. Ninian asked him softly if he were asleep? "No! It would be better if I were. It would be a blessing if I never woke again. You would think so, and Lindsay too. But I don't care-whatever becomes of me, I don't care!' "He tried to assume a daring indifference, but in vain. Physical prostration, and the natural gentleness and irresolution of his character, overcame him. A prodigal he might be, but nothing would ever make Edmund a hardened sinner. My boy, whether you care or not, we care,' said Ninian, kindly. But I will talk to you another time. Now, try to rise, and come and take a walk with me. It is a lovely morning.' "I hate it! I hate the light! I hate everything! 64 6 Nay, that is wild talking. You must be reasonable. Only get a little better, and in a few days you shall come back with me to Scotland.' dence in your brother. Remember,' and Ninian smiled sorrowfully, I was a young man myself once.' "Slowly, imperceptibly, so that they seemed less confessions than exclamations of remorse and pain, the elder brother won from the younger a story which it is needless to repeat here. Enough, that it had been the story of thousands cast into the whirlpool of life, adding to all the passions of youth that keen suscepti bility to every form of pleasurable sensation, which is the peculiar characteristic of genius. Heaven have mercy on such for Heaven only knows with how much they have to struggle. And all honour be unto the noble few-not those who were never tempted, but those who, being tempted, have come out from the warfare victorious! "Edmund's heart once opened, poured itself out unrestrained. The elder brother listened, without betraying any gesture of contempt or rebuke, to this sorrowful revelation of extravagance, intemperance, degrading companionships, and unholy loves; over the long catalogue of which rested the perpetual shade of the one misery of which Edmund did not speak, though probably it was the origin of all-his hopeless passion for Rachel. 66.6 Now,' said the young man at last, with a bitter laugh now you see the consequence of my ambitious notions. Such is the end of "the Genius of the Family!"' "Not the end-God forbid !' "He cannot-or He will not,' was the reckless answer. This life is slowly killing me. Look here !' and he held up his hand, thin, withered, and shaking like that of an old man. "You might "almost see through it," as people say. No-no; a year or two more will finish me, and the sooner the better.' "Perhaps Ninian judged at their true value these ravings, always the resource of miserable youth. He only said, 'We will not talk of the future, my dear boy. The question is, what must be done at present? Again I would advise,-he laid a gentle stress on the wordthat you go home with me for a time.' "And I say again, I cannot !' "Why not?' "First, because I will not. Secondly-if you want the plain common sense of the matter-I dare not. Look in that desk, and you'll find three hundred pounds' worth of good reasons why Edmund Græme, just come of age, should, if he left London, be caught and sent to prison as a runaway debtor. There!-that would be a credit to the family-would it not?' "Ninian had not yet considered this difficulty. He looked very grave. Edmund watched closely his elder brother's face; it seemed to bring back to his variable mind old times, far more innocent and happy than these. "I wish,' he sighed I almost wish I could go back to The Gowans.' "Ninian made no answer--he was in deep thought. At last he said: 'Edmund, give me the key of your desk. You would not show me only half-confidence, would you?' "Edmund objected at first, then answered despondently: 'Do as you like. Whatever you find out, it's no matter to a poor half-dead fellow like me. I shall not trouble you long.' "Mr. Græme unlocked the desk, and passing over a farrago of papers-doubtless containing many a revelation of the poor youth's history-confined himself to the business secrets,-the numerous unpaid debts; that one to Mr. Lyonell, which the world's ironical speech would entitle a debt of honour,'-being at the head of the list. It was a list long enough to drag the young author down into a hopeless slough of despond. The like has happened to many another,--forced to work his brains with a perpetual millstone of debt around his neck, knowing that by nothing except dishonesty can he free himself from the burden. "Ninian looked over the bills; tied them up again in his business-like way, without any comment whatsoever. Edmund was silent too, either in sullen despondency, or else, exhausted and half-stupified, he had fallen into a doze. The elder brother moved away, and stood in the clear light by the half-open window, which jutted out on the leads. There was a long box of mignonette, over which the pert London sparrows came hopping and twittering. A thought, not inconsequent, nor irreverent, flitted across Ninian's mind, of those who were once bade to fear not,' being 'of more value than many sparrows.' "It touched nearly upon a plan he had in view. The sum laid up, as he deemed, for his marriage, and then vainly intended to be sacrificed for the good of Hope's father, was of course in his possession still. The first pain being conquered, he had placed it by securely; from the feeling that now, weakened as his health was, he had no certainty for the future. He found a comfort in thinking, that did anything happen, he had at least something to keep him for a time from positive depend ence on the children he had brought up. It was the only trace of pride, the only thought of self, that dwelt in the breast of the elder brother. regard her too highly to endure that she should peril her reputation by writing a single hasty or unconsidered sentence, or weaken her noble conceptions, by adding the water of mere words, or make-weight characters, for the sake of the mystic "Three Volumes," so long the object of the Publishers' idolatry. CHEPSTOW CASTLE AND BRIDGE. WHOEVER of the thousands that at certain periods of the year seek health and recreation amid the varied beauties of Old England, has failed to visit the banks of the Wye, will have omitted from his tour one of the most lovely and picturesque localities our country possesses. There is not a mile of its tortuous course, from near the foot of "huge Plinlimmon" to its junction with the Severn, that is not marked by the most "This sum would be just sufficient to shield Edmund striking and beautiful features of natural scenery. from the results of his sad career. Freed from debt-Ever varying in its aspect from the shifting of the unshamed before the world-placed for a while out of foreground and screen-like sides, the pictures, like the reach of temptation—the young man might yet be saved. forms in a kaleidoscope, assume different shapes and Nay, he must be saved-poor Lindsay's boy! "Ninian stood the bright light from the attic-win-colours, though composed of the same materials: thus dow showing every line in his worn face, every white the ruins of a castle, the spire of a church, hamlets thread-there were but too many-in his hair. But he half hidden among lofty trees, masses of rocks-somelooked at peace, even glad. Quickly in his own mind times high and bare, at other times low and covered he portioned out this money of love's heaping, of which every coin had been laid together with a quivering of with herbage-are seen, now on the right-hand of the the heart. Thus often we gather up treasures, and find traveller, and now on his left, alternately forming the them end as sacrifices; but the sacrifice is the holier fore or back ground of the picture in view. Occasionally the river runs in a continuous line for a considerable length between overhanging rocks, then sweeps along, in a serpentine direction, between rich slopes and flowery meadows; then again it is half concealed by the shadows of the thick mounds, and once more it is glittering with the brightness of a summer's sun. The broadest and the finest parts of the Wye are those separating the counties of Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire; and the most expansive and picturesque view is obtained from the distant high ground overlooking the junction of it with the after all. Mr. Græme went up to his brother once more. 'Are you awake, Edmund?' 'Ay!' "You had better rise now. Leave me these.' He glanced at the bundle of bills he held. You cannot pay them, so I will. But I think it right to tell you that I do so at a great sacrifice-of which, knowing our circumstances, you must yourself be aware. Neverthe less, I do it with full trust that the same will not happen again, and that for the future I will have no need to blush for my brother Edmund.' His voice, firm and grave as it was, trembled at the close. He held out his hand to the poor prodigal; Edmund sprung up in bed. 66 6 'You don't mean this? It is impossible! You cannot do it or if you could, I would not suffer it.' 66 6 You must! Some day, when you are a great author, and I an old man-we will have our reckoning.' "Edmund looked up into the face that wore a kind though serious smile. Oh, Ninian-oh, my brother!' he cried, and grasping the outstretched hand, sobbed over it like a child." In a dedication, somewhat overstrained, the Author of "The Head of the Family" states, that probably this may be the last novel she will write for some time. We hope it may be so-repose is necessary, both for health and fame, after such an effort, and what follows must be superior to the present, or else her reputation must suffer. In this, her "last novel" for the present, Miss Mulock has almost proved she is all, that one at least, who knew her well, believed she might be "hereafter." She has power to be more than that "all;" but she must rest. She can afford to do so now, and we Severn. The two most celebrated relics of antiquity standing on the banks of the Wye, are Chepstow Castle and Tintern Abbey: with the former of these we have alone to do at present. We confess to have almost a childish reverence for all such mementos of past ages; and though there may be nothing left but a few grey stones, or at best a few yards of wall, with no other decoration than the ivy that clings to them, they commend themselves to our thoughts as landmarks of departed time, speaking silently but impres sively of men and deeds that make up a nation's history. But we cannot now find space for mo ralizing. Chepstow Castle, of which an engraving is here presented, is of the period of the Conquest; a portion of it was erected by William Fitz-Osborn, created Earl of Hereford by the Conqueror, and who, for the dis tinguished services rendered at the Battle of Hastings, had large territories conferred upon him, and was also |