most agony of rage and terror. As soon as she saw me, she redoubled her cries, but her voice was so broken, I could not understand a word she said. I was so much shocked, that it was with difficulty I forbore exclaiming against the cruelty of the captain for thus wantonly ill-treating her, and I could not forgive myself for having passively suffered the deception. I used my utmost endeavours to comfort her, assuring her of our present safety, and begging her to rise and return to the chariot. Almost bursting with passion, she pointed to her feet, and with frightful violence she actually beat the ground with her hands. I then saw that her feet were tied together with a strong rope, which was fastened to the upper branch of a tree, even with a hedge which ran along the ditch where she sat. I endeavoured to untie the knot, but soon found it was infinitely beyond my strength. I was therefore obliged to apply to the footman; but being very unwilling to add to his mirth by the sight of Madame Duval's situation, I desired him to lend me a knife. I returned with it, and cut the rope. Her feet were soon disentangled, and then, though with great difficulty, I assisted her to rise. But what was my astonishment when, the moment she was up, she hit me a violent slap on the face! I retreated from her with precipitation and dread, and she then loaded me with reproaches which, though almost unintelligible, convinced me that she imagined I had voluntarily deserted her; but she seemed not to have the slightest suspicion that she had not been attacked by real robbers. I was so much surprised and confounded at the blow, that for some time I suffered her to rave without making any answer; but her extreme agitation and real suffering soon dispelled my anger, which all turned into compassion. then told her that I had been forcibly detained from following her, and assured her of my real sorrow at her ill-usage. She began to be somewhat appeased, and I again intreated her to return to the carriage, or give me leave to order that it should draw up to the place where we stood. She made no answer, till I told her that the longer we remained still, the greater would be the danger of our ride home. Struck with this hint, she suddenly, and with hasty steps, moved forward. Her dress was in such disorder that I was quite sorry to have her figure exposed to the servants, who all of them, in imitation of their master, hold her in derision; however, the disgrace was unavoidable. The ditch, happily, was almost dry, or she must have suffered still more seriously; yet so forlorn, so miserable a figure, I never before saw. Her headdress had fallen off; her linen was torn; her negligee had not a pin left in it; her petticoats she was obliged to hold on; and her shoes were perpetually slipping off. She was covered with dirt, weeds, and filth, and her face was really horrible, for the pomatum and powder from her head, and the dust from the road, were quite pasted on her skin by her tears, which, with her rouge, made so frightful a mixture that she hardly looked human. The servants were ready to die with laughter the moment they saw her; but not all my remonstrances could prevail on her to get into the carriage till she had most vehemently reproached them both for not rescuing her. The footman, fixing his eyes on the ground, as if fearful of again trusting himself to look at her, protested that the robbers avowed they would shoot him if he moved an inch, and that one of them had stayed to watch the chariot, while the other carried her off; adding, that the reason of their behaving so barbarously, was to revenge our having secured our purses. Notwithstanding her anger, she gave immediate credit to what he said, and really imagined that her want of money had irritated the pretended robbers to treat her with such cruelty. I determined, therefore, to be carefully on my guard, not to betray the imposition, which could now answer no other purpose than occasioning an irreparable breach between her and the captain. Just as we were seated in the chariot, she discovered the loss which her head had sustained, and called out, My God! what is become of my hair? Why, the villain has stole all my curls!' She then ordered the man to run and see if he could find any of them in the ditch. He went, and presently returning, produced a great quantity of hair in such a nasty condition, that I was amazed she would take it; and the man, as he delivered it to her, found it impossible to keep his countenance; which she no sooner observed, than all her stormy passions were again raised. She flung the battered curls in his face, saying, 'Sirrah, what do you grin for? I wish you'd been served so yourself, and you wouldn't have found it no such joke; you are the impudentest fellow ever I see, and if I find you dare grin at me any more, I shall make no ceremony of boxing your ears.' Satisfied with the threat, the man hastily retired, and we drove on. [Miss Burney explains to King George III. the circum stances attending the composition of Evelina."] The king went up to the table, and looked at a book of prints, from Claude Lorraine, which had been brought down for Miss Dewes; but Mrs Delany, by mistake, told him they were for me. He turned over a leaf or two, and then said 'Pray, does Miss Burney draw too?" The too was pronounced very civilly. 'I believe not, sir,' answered Mrs Delany; 'at least she does not tell.' 'Oh,' cried he, laughing, that's nothing; she is not apt to tell; she never does tell, you know. Her father told me that himself, He told me the whole history of her "Evelina." And I shall never forget his face when he spoke of his feelings at first taking up the book; he looked quite frightened, just as if he was doing it that moment. I never can forget his face while I live.' Then coming up close to me, he said, 'But what! what! how was it? 'Sir,' cried I, not well understanding him. 'How came you-how happened it-what-what!' 'I-I only wrote, sir, for my own amusement-only in some odd idle hours.' 'But your publishing-your printing-how was that?' That was only, sir-only because I hesitated most abominably, not knowing how to tell him a long story, and growing terribly confused at these questions; besides, to say the truth, his own what! what?' so reminded me of those vile Probationary Odes, that, in the midst of all my flutter, I was really hardly able to keep my countenance. The what! was then repeated, with so earnest a look, that, forced to say something, I stammeringly answered, I thought, sir, it would look very well in print.' I do really flatter myself this is the silliest speech I ever made. I am quite provoked with myself for it; but a fear of laughing made me eager to utter anything, and by no means conscious, till I had spoken, of what I was saying. ་ He laughed very heartily himself-well he might— and walked away to enjoy it, crying out, Very fair indeed; that's being very fair and honest.' Then returning to me again, he said, 'But your father-how came you not to show him what you wrote?' "I was too much ashamed of it, sir, seriously.' Literal truth that, I am sure. And how did he find it out?" 'I don't know myself, sir. He never would tell me.' Literal truth again, my dear father, as you can testify. 'But how did you get it printed?' I sent it, sir, to a bookseller my father never employed, and that I never had seen myself, Mr Lowndes, in full hope that by that means he never would hear of it.' But how could you manage that?" By means of a brother, sir.' 'O, you confided in a brother then?' "Yes, sir-that is, for the publication.' What entertainment you must have had from hearing people's conjectures before you were known! Do you remember any of them?' Yes, sir, many.' "And what?' 'I heard that Mr Baretti laid a wager it was written by a man; for no woman, he said, could have kept her own counsel.' This diverted him extremely. But how was it,' he continued, 'you thought most likely for your father to discover you?' Sometimes, sir, I have supposed I must have dropt some of the manuscript; sometimes, that one of my sisters betrayed me.' O, your sister? what! not your brother?' 'No, sir, he could not, for I was going on, but he laughed so much I could not be heard, exclaiming, Vastly well! I see you are of Mr Baretti's mind, and think your brother could keep your secret and not your sister. Well, but,' cried he, presently, how was it first known to you you were betrayed?' By a letter, sir, from another sister. I was very ill, and in the country; and she wrote me word that my father had taken up a review, in which the book was mentioned, and had put his finger upon its name, and said, "Contrive to get that book for me." And when he got it,' cried the king, he told me he was afraid of looking at it, and never can I forget his face when he mentioned his first opening it. But you have not kept your pen unemployed all this time?' only as my due; but I knew not how to put him off as I would another person. SARAH HARRIET BURNEY, half-sister to Madame D'Arblay, is authoress of several novels, Geraldine, Fauconberg, Country Neighbours, &c. This lady has copied the style of her relative, but has not her raciness of humour, or power of painting the varieties of the human species. WILLIAM BECKFORD. In 1784 there appeared, originally in French, the rich oriental story entitled Vathek: an Arabian Tale. An English edition (somewhat chastened in its has passed through many editions. Byron praises colouring) was afterwards issued by the author, and the work for its correctness of costume, beauty of description, and power of imagination. As an Eastern tale,' he says, 'even Rasselas must bow before with the Hall of Eblis.' It would be difficult to it his Happy Valley will not bear a comparison institute a comparison between scenes so very dissimilar-almost as different as the garden of Eden from Pandemonium; but Vathek' seems to have powerfully impressed the youthful fancy of Byron. racters (a Giaour being of the number), uniting It contains some minute Eastern painting and chaenergy and fire with voluptuousness, such as Byron loved to draw. The Caliph Vathek, who had 'sullied himself with a thousand crimes,' like the Corsair, is a magnificent Childe Harold, and may have suggested the character. WILLIAM BECKFORD, the author of this remarkable work, still lives. He has had as great a passion for building towers as the caliph himself, and both his fortune and his genius have something of oriental splendour about them. His father, Alderman Beckford of Fonthill, was leader of the city of London opposition in the stormy times of Wilkes, Chatham, and the American discontents. He is celebrated for having bearded King George III. on his throne on the occasion of presenting a petition and remonstrance to his majesty while holding the office of lord-mayor of the city. Shortly after this memorable exploit Mr Beckford died (June 21st, 1770), and the city voted a statue to his memory in Guildhall, and ordered that the speech he had delivered to the king should be engraved on the pedestal! His only son and heir, the author of Vathek,' was then a boy, distinguished by the favour and affection of the Earl of Chatham. He succeeded to the estate of Fonthill, to a valuable West Indian property, and a fortune, it is said, of more than £100,000 per annum. At the age of eighteen he published Biographical Memoirs of Extraordinary Painters, a work satirising some English artists under feigned names. 'You have made no vow-no real resolution of that | In 1780 he made a tour to the continent, which sort?' You only wait for inclination?' formed the subject of a series of letters, picturesque and poetical, since published under the title of Italy, with Sketches of Spain and Portugal. The high-bred How admirably Mr Cambridge's speech might have ease, voluptuousness, and classic taste of some of come in here! 'No, sir.' these descriptions and personal adventures, have a striking and unique effect. On his return to EngA very civil little bow spoke him pleased with this land, Mr Beckford sat for the borough of Hindon in answer, and he went again to the middle of the room, several parliaments. He afterwards went to Porwhere he chiefly stood, and, addressing us in general, tugal, and purchasing an estate at Cintra-that talked upon the different motives of writing, conclud-glorious Eden' of the south-he built himself a ing with, I believe there is no constraint to be put palace for a residence. upon real genius; nothing but inclination can set it to work. Miss Burney, however, knows best.' And then hastily returning to me, he cried, What! what?' 'No, sir, I-I-believe not, certainly,' quoth I very awkwardly, for I seemed taking a violent compliment There thou, too, Vathek! England's wealthiest son, Meek Peace voluptuous lures was ever wont to shun. Here didst thou dwell, here schemes of pleasure plan hands, the trowel and torch being associated for that purpose. This must have had a very extraordinary appearance; and we are told that it was another of those exhibitions which Mr Beckford was fond of contemplating. He is represented as surveying the work thus expedited, the busy levy of masons, the high and giddy dancing of the lights, and the strange effects produced upon the architecture and woods below, from one of the eminences in the walks, and wasting the coldest hours of December darkness in feasting his sense with this display of almost superhuman power." These details are characteristic of the author of Vathek,' and form an interesting illustration of his peculiar taste and genius. In 1822 siring fresh excitement-Mr Beckford sold his mansion and grounds at Fonthill, and removed to Bath. To realise the dreams and fictions of his fancy,' it has been truly said, seems to have been the main purport of Mr Beckford's life; for this he commanded his fairy palace to glitter amid the orange groves, and palms, and aloes of Cintra-for this he crowned the Wiltshire hills with his rich monastic turrets-for this, in later days, he has placed his airy coronet on the turreted brow of the city of Bladud-for this he collected in his romance of Vathek every gorgeous accumulation of luxury and pleasure; and lived in idea among them, since a too cruel fate had forbidden him, even with the boundless prodigality of his wealth, to equal the son of Motassem.' The outline or plot of 'Vathek' possesses all the wildness of Arabian fiction. The hero is the grandson of Haroun al Raschid (Aaron the Just), whose dominions stretched from Africa to India. He is fearless, proud, inquisitive, a gourmand, fond of theological controversy, cruel and magnificent in his power as a caliph; in short, an Eastern Henry VIII. He dabbles, moreover, in the occult sciences, and interprets the stars and planetary influences from the top of his high tower. In these mysterious arts the caliph is assisted by his mother, Carathis, a Greek, a woman of superior genius. Their ambition and guilt render them a prey to a Giaour-a supernatural personage, who plays an important part in the drama, and hurries the caliph to destruction. But the character of Vathek, and the splendour of his palaces, is described with such picturesque distinctness, that we shall extract some of the opening sentences. Mr Beckford has left a literary memorial of his residence in Portugal in his Recollections of an Excursion to the Monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha, published in 1835. The excursion was made insatiated with the treasures around him, and deJune 1794, at the desire of the prince regent of Portugal. The monastery of Alcobaça was the grandest ecclesiastical edifice in that country, with paintings, antique tombs, and fountains; the noblest architecture, in the finest situation, and inhabited by monks who lived like princes. The whole of these sketches are interesting, and present a gorgeous picture of ecclesiastical pomp and wealth. Mr Beckford and his friends were conducted to the kitchen by the abbot, in his costume of High Almoner of Portugal, that they might see what preparations had been made to regale them. The kitchen was worthy of a Vathek! Through the centre of the immense and nobly-groined hall, not less than sixty feet in diameter, ran a brisk rivulet of the clearest water, containing every sort and size of the finest river fish. On one side loads of game and venison were heaped up; on the other vegetables and fruits in endless variety. Beyond a long line of stores, extended a row of ovens, and close to them hillocks of wheaten flour whiter than snow, rocks of sugar, jars of the purest oil, and pastry in vast abundance, which a numerous tribe of lay brothers and their attendants were rolling out, and puffing up into a hundred different shapes, singing all the while as blithely as larks in a corn-field.' Alas! this regal splendour is all gone. The magnificent monastery of Alcobaça was plundered and given to the flames by the French troops under Massena in 1811. After leaving Cintra, Mr Beckford took up his abode on his paternal estate in England, and for twenty years employed himself in rearing the magnificent but unsubstantial Gothic structure known as Fonthill Abbey, and in embellishing the surrounding grounds. The latter were laid out in the most exquisite style of landscapegardening, aided by the natural inequality and beauty of the ground, and enriched by a lake and fine sylvan scenery. One grand tower of the abbey (of disproportioned height, for it afterwards tumbled down a mighty ruin) occupied the owner's care and anxiety for years. The structure was like a romance. On one occasion, when this lofty tower was pushing its crest towards heaven, an elevated part of it caught fire, and was destroyed. The sight was sublime; and we have heard that it was a spectacle which the owner of the mansion enjoyed with as art and nature. Ships of pearl and seas of amber are scarce a much composure as if the flames had not been de-fable here-a nautilus's shell, surmounted with a gilt triumph vouring what it would cost a fortune to repair. of Neptune-tables of agate, cabinets of ebony, and precious The building was carried on by him with an energy stones, painted windows shedding a gaudy crimson light, and enthusiasm of which duller minds can hardly satin borders, marble floors, and lamps of solid gold-Chinese form a conception. At one period every cart and pagodas and Persian tapestry-all the splendour of Solomon's wagon in the district were pressed into the service, temple is displayed to the view in miniature-whatever is though all the agricultural labour of the country far-fetched and dear-bought, rich in the materials, or rare and stood still. At another, even the royal works of difficult in the workmanship-but scarce one genuine work of St George's chapel, Windsor, were abandoned, that art, one solid proof of taste, one lofty relic of sentiment or imagination. The collection of bijouterie and articles of vertu 460 men might be employed night and day on Fonthill Abbey. These men were made to relieve Mr Beckford disposed of Fonthill, in 1822, to Mr Farquhar, a was allowed to be almost unprecedented in extent and value. each other by regular watches; and during the gentleman who had amassed a fortune in India, for £330,000 longest and darkest nights of winter, the astonished or £350,000, the late proprietor retaining only his family pic traveller might see the tower rising under their tures and a few books.-Gentleman's Magazine, Oct. 1822. * Literary Gazette, 1822.-Hazlitt, who visited the spot at the same time, says, 'Fonthill Abbey, after being enveloped in impenetrable mystery for a length of years, has been unexpectedly thrown open to the vulgar gaze, and has lost none of its reputation for magnificence-though perhaps its visionary glory, its classic renown, have vanished from the public mind for ever. It is, in a word, a desert of magnificence, a glittering waste of laborious idleness, a cathedral turned into a toy-shop, an immense museum of all that is most curious and costly, and, at the same time, most worthless, in the productions of [Description of the Caliph Vathek and his Magnificent self up to pleasure was as able to govern as one who his people, who thought that a sovereign giving him Palaces.] declared himself an enemy to it. But the unquiet and impetuous disposition of the caliph would not allow him to rest there. He had studied so much for his amusement in the lifetime of his father as to acquire a great deal of knowledge, though not a sufficiency to satisfy himself; for he wished to know everything, even sciences that did not exist. He was fond of engaging in disputes with the learned, but did not allow them to push their opposition with warmth. He Vathek, ninth caliph of the race of the Abassides, was the son of Motassem, and the grandson of Haroun al Raschid. From an early accession to the throne, and the talents he possessed to adorn it, his subjects were induced to expect that his reign would be long and happy. His figure was pleasing and majestic; but when he was angry, one of his eyes became so terrible that no person could bear to behold it; and the wretch upon whom it was fixed instantly fell back-stopped with presents the mouths of those whose ward, and sometimes expired. For fear, however, of depopulating his dominions, and making his palace desolate, he but rarely gave way to his anger. Being much addicted to women, and the pleasures of the table, he sought by his affability to procure agreeable companions; and he succeeded the better as his generosity was unbounded and his indulgences unrestrained; for he did not think, with the caliph Omar Ben Abdalaziz, that it was necessary to make a hell of this world to enjoy paradise in the next. mouths could be stopped; whilst others, whom his liberality was unable to subdue, he sent to prison to cool their blood-a remedy that often succeeded. Vathek discovered also a predilection for theological controversy; but it was not with the orthodox that he usually held. By this means he induced the zealots to oppose him, and then persecuted them in return; for he resolved, at any rate, to have reason on his side. The great prophet, Mahomet, whose vicars the caliphs are, beheld with indignation from his abode in the seventh heaven the irreligious conduct of such a vicegerent. Let us leave him to himself,' said he to the genii, who are always ready to receive his commands; let us see to what lengths his folly and impiety will carry him; if he run into excess, we shall know how to chastise him. Assist him, therefore, to complete the tower, which, in imitation of Nimrod, he hath begun; not, like that great warrior, to escape being drowned, but from the insolent curiosity of penetrating the secrets of Heaven: he will not divine the fate that awaits him.' He surpassed in magnificence all his predecessors. The palace of Alkoremi, which his father, Motassem, had erected on the hill of Pied Horses, and which commanded the whole city of Samarah, was in his idea far too scanty; he added, therefore, five wings, or rather other palaces, which he destined for the particular gratification of each of the senses. In the first of these were tables continually covered with the most exquisite dainties, which were supplied both by night and by day, according to their constant consumption; whilst the most delicious wines, and the choicest cordials, flowed forth from a hundred fountains that were never exhausted. This palace The genii obeyed; and, when the workmen had was called The Eternal, or Unsatiating Banquet. raised their structure a cubit in the day time, two The second was styled The Temple of Melody, or cubits more were added in the night. The expedition The Nectar of the Soul. It was inhabited by the most with which the fabric arose was not a little flattering skilful musicians and admired poets of the time, who to the vanity of Vathek: he fancied that even insennot only displayed their talents within, but, dispers-sible matter showed a forwardness to subserve his deing in bands without, caused every surrounding scene to reverberate their songs, which were continually varied in the most delightful succession. The palace named The Delight of the Eyes, or The Support of Memory, was one entire enchantment. Rarities, collected from every corner of the earth, were there found in such profusion as to dazzle and confound, but for the order in which they were arranged. One gallery exhibited the pictures of the celebrated Mani, and statues that seemed to be alive. Here a well managed perspective attracted the sight; there the magic of optics agreeably deceived it; whilst the naturalist, on his part, exhibited in their several classes the various gifts that Heaven had bestowed on our globe. In a word, Vathek omitted nothing in this palace that might gratify the curiosity of those who resorted to it, although he was not able to satisfy his own, for of all men he was the most curious. The Palace of Perfumes, which was termed likewise The Incentive to Pleasure, consisted of various halls, where the different perfumes which the earth produces were kept perpetually burning in censers of gold. Flambeaux and aromatic lamps were here lighted in open day. But the too powerful effects of this agreeable delirium might be alleviated by descending into an immense garden, where an assemblage of every fragrant flower diffused through the air the purest odours. The fifth palace, denominated The Retreat of Mirth, or The Dangerous, was frequented by troops of young females, beautiful as the Houris, and not less seducing, who never failed to receive with caresses all whom the caliph allowed to approach them, and enjoy a few hours of their company. Notwithstanding the sensuality in which Vathek indulged, he experienced no abatement in the love of signs, not considering that the successes of the foolish and wicked form the first rod of their chastisement. His pride arrived at its height when, having ascended for the first time the fifteen hundred stairs of his tower, he cast his eyes below, and beheld men not larger than pismires, mountains than shells, and cities than bee-hives. The idea which such an elevation inspired of his own grandeur completely bewildered him; he was almost ready to adore himself, till, lifting his eyes upward, he saw the stars as high above him as they appeared when he stood on the surface of the earth. He consoled himself, however, for this intruding and unwelcome perception of his littleness, with the thought of being great in the eyes of others; and flattered himself that the light of his mind would extend beyond the reach of his sight, and extort from the stars the decrees of his destiny. After some horrible sacrifices, related with great power, Carathis reads from a roll of parchment an injunction that Vathek should depart from his palace surrounded by all the pageants of majesty, and set forward on his way to Istakar. There,' added the writing of the mysterious Giaour, I await thy coming: that is the region of wonders: there shalt thou receive the diadem of Gian Ben Gian, the talismans of Soliman, and the treasures of the pre-adamite sultans: there shalt thou be solaced with all kinds of delight. But beware how thou enterest any dwelling on thy route, or thou shalt feel the effects of my anger.' The degenerate commander of the true believers sets off on his journey with much pomp. Carathis remains, but gives the caliph a series of tablets, fraught with supernatural qualities, which he is to consult on all emergencies. Vathek, to conciliate the spirits of the subterranean palace, resolved that his expedition should be uncommonly splendid. The great standard of the caliphat was displayed; twenty thousand lances shone round it; and the caliph, treading on the cloth of gold which had been spread for his feet, ascended his litter amidst the general acclamations of his subjects.' The impious enterprise is interrupted by various portentous omens-by darkness, fire, and tempest-and at length the party get bewildered among the mountains. The good Emir Fakreddin, hearing of their perplexity, sends two dwarfs laden with fruit to regale the commander of the faithful, and invites the expedition to repose in his happy valley.' Vathek consults his tablets, which forbid such a visit; but rather than perish in the deserts with thirst, he resolves to go and refresh himself in the delicious valley of melons and cucumbers. Here the caliph becomes enamoured of the emir's daughter, the lovely Nouronihar, who is betrothed to her young cousin, Gulchenrouz. His passion is returned, and, while luxuriating in the valley, screened from the eyes of intruders, listening to the voice and lute of Nouronihar, drinking the fragrant and delicious wine of Schiraz, which had been hoarded up in bottles prior to the birth of Mahomet,' or eating manchets prepared by the hands of Nouronihar, Vathek entirely forgot the object of his expedition, and his desire to visit the palace of fire. Carathis being informed of the fascination which detained him, ordered her camel and attendants, and set off for Fakreddin. There she encountered her sensual son, and prevailed upon him to continue his journey, and complete his adventure. Nouronihar accompanies the caliph in his litter. In four days they reached the spacious valley of Rocknabad, and, having devoted two days to its pleasures, proceeded towards a large plain, from whence were discernible, on the edge of the horizon, the dark summits of the mountains of Istakar. One of the beneficent genii, in the guise of a shepherd, endeavours to arrest Vathek in his mad career, and warns him, that beyond the mountains Eblis and his accursed dives hold their infernal empire. That moment, he said, was the last of grace allowed him, and as soon as the sun, then obscured by clouds, recovered his splendour, if his heart was not changed the time of mercy assigned to him would be past Vathek audaciously spurned from him the warning and the counsel. Let the sun appear, he said; let him illume my career! it matters not where it may end.' At the approach of night most of his attendants escaped; but Nouronihar, whose impatience, if possible, exceeded his own, importuned him to hasten his march, and lavished on him a thousand caresses to beguile all reflection. for ever. [The Hall of Eblis.] men, and at length arrived at the foot of the terrace of black marble. There he descended from his litter, handing down Nouronihar; both, with beating hearts, stared wildly around them, and expected, with an apprehensive shudder, the approach of the Giaour. But nothing as yet announced his appearance. A deathlike stillness reigned over the mountain and through the air. The moon dilated on a vast platform the shades of the lofty columns which reached from the terrace almost to the clouds. The gloomy watch-towers, whose number could not be counted, were covered by no roof; and their capitals, of an architecture unknown in the records of the earth, served as an asylum for the birds of night, which, alarmed at the approach of such visitants, fled away croaking. The chief of the eunuchs, trembling with fear, besought Vathek that a fire might be kindled. 'No, replied he, there is no time left to think of such trifles; abide where thou art, and expect my commands.' Having thus spoken, he presented his hand to Nouronihar, and, ascending the steps of a vast staircase, reached the terrace, which was flagged with squares of marble, and resembled a smooth expanse of water, upon whose surface not a blade of grass ever dared to vegetate. On the right rose the watchtowers, ranged before the ruins of an immense palace, whose walls were embossed with various figures. In front stood forth the colossal forms of four creatures, composed of the leopard and the griffin, and though but of stone, inspired emotions of terror. Near these were distinguished, by the splendour of the moon, which streamed full on the place, characters like those on the sabres of the Giaour, and which possessed the vacillating for some time, fixed at last in Arabic same virtue of changing every moment. These, after letters, and prescribed to the caliph the following words :- Vathek! thou hast violated the conditions of my parchment, and deserveth to be sent back; but in favour to thy companion, and, as the meed for what thou hast done to obtain it, Eblis permitteth that the portal of his palace shall be opened, and the subterranean fire will receive thee into the number of its adorers.' He scarcely had read these words before the moun tain against which the terrace was reared trembled, and the watch-towers were ready to topple headlong upon them. The rock yawned, and disclosed within it a staircase of polished marble that seemed to approach the abyss. Upon each stair were planted two large torches, like those Nouronihar had seen in her vision; the camphorated vapour of which ascended and gathered itself into a cloud under the hollow of the vault. This appearance, instead of terrifying, gave new courage to the daughter of Fakreddin. Scarcely deigning to bid adieu to the moon and the firmament, she abandoned, without hesitation, the pure atmosphere, to plunge into these infernal exhalations. In this manner they advanced by moonlight till The gait of those impious personages was haughty and they came within view of the two towering rocks that determined. As they descended by the effulgence of form a kind of portal to the valley, at the extremity the torches, they gazed on each other with mutual of which rose the vast ruins of Istakar. Aloft, on the admiration; and both appeared so resplendent, that mountain, glimmered the fronts of various royal mau- they already esteemed themselves spiritual intellisoleums, the horror of which was deepened by the gences. The only circumstance that perplexed them shadows of night. They passed through two villages, was their not arriving at the bottom of the stairs. On almost deserted; the only inhabitants remaining hastening their descent with an ardent impetuosity, being a few feeble old men, who, at the sight of they felt their steps accelerated to such a degree that horses and litters, fell upon their knees and cried out, they seemed not walking but falling from a precipice. 'O heaven! is it then by these phantoms that we have Their progress, however, was at length impeded by a been for six months tormented! Alas! it was from vast portal of ebony, which the caliph without diffithe terror of these spectres, and the noise beneath the culty recognised. Here the Giaour awaited them mountains, that our people have fled and left us at with the key in his hand. Ye are welcome!' said the mercy of the maleficent spirits!' The caliph, to he to them with a ghastly smile, in spite of Mahowhom these complaints were but unpromising au- met and all his dependents. I will now usher you guries, drove over the bodies of these wretched old | into that palace where you have so highly merited a |