sensibilities while in England was the practice of forming a regular dinner party of any promiscuous company may happen at an inn on Sunday. On such occasions, it is usual to make a special lion of any genteel foreigner who may chance to form one of the party. In this manner, our friend was called upon for a sentiment; when he promptly arose, and gravely turning to the president, said, "Sir, I propose," The day we celebrate."

own sex.

"O Reputation, dearer far than life!

Thou precious essence, lovely, sweet of smell,
Whose cordial drops, once spilt by some rash hand,
Not all the owner's care, nor the repentant toil
Of the rude spiller ever can collect !"

FEMALE Slander.—We see by one of our exchange papers that a young woman in Indiana has been obliged to pay five thousand dollars for slandering one of her We quote this example for the good it may do and the evil it may prevent-as such; and also for the purpose of noticing this unaccountable anomaly, that brittle as is the tenure of female reputation, many women are strangely careless of this sort of each other's property. It is impossible to refine the nicety of a woman's conception of the slight thread which alone holds her in honorable mention; and, while we are aware of this, how must we be surprised to find an individual of the sex, in the least regardless of the claims of others!

For one-and we know we may say, one among many-we would be rejoiced if the laws involved a more ignominious forfeiture than mere money-losing, as an equivalent for despoiling "the purest treasure mortal times afford!"

We know that

"monkies at a mirror stand amazed, And fail to find what they so plainly see;" nay, we must expect them to make angry grimaces and cast fierce looks upon their own "form and feature."But if we can be the means of withering a slander that, perchance, may be ripe to fall from that ruddy source which Nature meant to stamp with the beauty of purity, we shall be well requited for our pains.

Among many ladies there is a pervading distate for gossip; and we are pleased to know that this relic of the blue-stocking genus is fast fading from this part of the world, at least. It affords us some gratification to record so amiable a trait in the progress of American manners, and although there be some to accuse us of writing this with more regard to truth than gallantry; we shall feel amply comforted with the assurance that the spirit of these lines will find itself silently reflected in the holy recesses of every heart worthy of a woman's keeping.

The tall trees whose shadowy boughs have oft sheltered | tion, ancient tactics, and the ancient method of attack-
us in life, bow their heads over us, and out-spread upon ing and defending fortified places, &c.
their arms their friendly canopies of green. Even the A knowledge of the various departments of ancient
winds will pause and moan upon the spot; and ever-in-military science is absolutely necessary to enable us to
dulgent Nature will bid the snows lay lightly where we write and read history understandingly. To the fore-
sleep. Men alone forget their departed kindred, and going should be added an extensive course of standard
the impudent world dashes on as though they had never literature, which, while it polished, would expand, liber-
existed. Their virtues are soon forgotten, or, as I opine, alize and elevate the mind.
are soon whelmed in the deeper tide of their vices, and
thus are lost beyond the ken of mortal eye or ear.

ele

Such an education would be in perfect accordance with the principles of our free institutions, and would He whom I mourn was generous to a fault. Many a prepare our youth equally well for the halls of legislalong wintry night has he slept upon the outer porch to tion, for the cabinet, or for the field. Add to these conensure his master safety in his slumbers, and silence in siderations, those habits of industry and economy, his rest. His fidelity was unpurchased and spontaneous. vated moral principles and true independence of characExemplary and abstemious in habit, frugal in all things, ter (which would teach them to rely on their own honand honest as his life was long, his endeavors were sole-est and well-directed exertions to enable them to make ly for his master, and the only boon he craved while liv- their way successfully through the world, and to render ing, was the pickings of the pan, and the sweepings of them superior to a spirit of obsequious cringeing in orthe cup-board. Brave, courageous, and untiring, he der to procure a life of indolent inertness) which are never shrunk from the post of duty or offended Heaven found to characterize the educated soldier, and I ask, with impious repinings. Thus he lived, a pattern for all would not our youth be prepared in the best possible servants, and when Death finally claimed him for his manner to discharge correctly and efficiently those duown, Nature gave him a sturdy old tree for his shelter, ties which they owe to their country as well as to themand made the tall grass to dart up around him, where he selves? fell, as if to screen his mouldering form from the rude gaze of the unconscious world.

Yours, &c.

MILITARY EDUCATION, No. 3.
Resumed from page 97.

FLORA.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW BRIGHTON MIRROR.

I believe the United States is the only civilized nation, either of ancient or modern times, which has not established a system of national education in accordance with its civil institutions. How admirably were the systems of education adopted by the Greeks and the Romans adapted to sustain the republican institutions of those nations, and how soon were their liberties prostrated when the principles of their stern republican education, uniting the citizen with the soldier, were undermined and destroyed! How admirably are the present systems of education in Europe adapted to sustain its regal and aristocratic establishments! The Emperor of Austria betrayed the whole truth in a few words when he declared to the Professors of the University of Laybach that he was much less desirous they should prove learn men than that they should produce good subjects.— Education there marches hand in hand with Despotism, and each is vitally dependent on the other, in their common depredatory warfare on the great body of the people. This is a prominent feature of the European aristocracies, and we should look well to it, that our institutions be not assimilated to theirs.

DEAR SIR:-In my communication of the sixth of April I endeavored to point out some of the defects in the system of education generally adopted in the United States. These defects are necessarily manifold; for the system is neither in accordance with the principles of our free institutions, nor is it calculated to prepare the youth of our country for the correct and efficient discharge of the great and important duties which they may be called on to perform as citizens of a democratic republic.-ed These Cuties are two-fold; they are of a public and a private nature. To enable our youth to discharge their duties to their country, they should be thoroughly and correctly instructed in the true principles of the constitution of the United States, and their minds early imbued with love of national liberty-patriotic attachment to their country, and a sacred regard for its laws and I do consider that the making of Military science and institutions. They should learn to form notions of the instruction an appendage to the education of our youth, Science of Government generally, and the great objects is almost indispensible to the preservation of our liberfor which it has been instituted among men. They ties. A well regulated and disciplined militia cannot be should be early instructed in Political Economy, with li-permanently sustained without it; and unless such a beral and enlarged exhibitions of its true and fundamen-militia be sustained, a standing army is inevitable. Let tal principles, embracing the three great departments of this curse be once fixed upon us, and the military virTHAT OLD BLACK DOG.-Mr. H. all your Staten Is-industry-Agriculture, Commerce and Manufactures tues and martial energies of the people will be destroyland readers well know that venerable figure of canine with their relations to, and general effects on the wealth, longevity which has drawn the slow length of its life, prosperity and well-being of a nation. They should be for some twenty-five years past, in the village of Tomp-taught the use of Mathematics, with their application to kinsville. His grave deportment and age-furrowed form have often afforded the theme of dutiful remark, and now, sir, it becomes your "painful task" &c. to inform your "gentle readers" that "in the midst of life we are

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

in death."

For the Richmond County Mirror.

In the morning of life we tread listlessly along the blossom-scented heath, and the new-blown beauties of prolific hopes gladden our hearts. But night too often over-shadows us before our day-dream is over, and we lie down and die among the treasures we have lived for. The green-sward which we have oft trampled over, as 'twere "the very dust beneath our feet," opens to receive us in its long embrace, and closes over us its friendly pall. The flowers we have watched in tenderness, live after us and bend over our graves in smiling sadness.

ed; and with them will expire the spirit of Liberty.

Such has been the result in all the republics which have preceded us, and we have no reason to suppose Civil and Military Engineering, to Surveying, to As- that similar causes will not produce similar consequences tronomy, to the various Mechanic Arts, and the several in our republic. Considering then, the powerful infludepartments of physical Philosophy and Science. Nat- ences which Education has either to sustain or to desural and Political law, History, Rhetoric and Geogra-troy the civil institutions of a country-just in proporphy should, of course, not be neglected. tion as its principles co-incide with or are adverse to those But I would recommend as a new and important fea-institutions-it becomes a subject well worthy the seriture of mental discipline, a general course of Military ous attention of the people of the United States whethscience and reciprocal instruction. This course should er a national system of education-in every particular embrace the principles of permanent and field fortifica- adapted to our peculiar institutions-ought not to be estion-the construction of marine batteries, with the use tablished. In the further investigation of this subject it of Artillery for the attack and defence of fortified pla- will be necessary to determine whether Congress cances-grand and minum tactics, embracing the schools not constitutionally aid in establishing such a system? I of the soldier, the company and the battalion. It should will examine this proposition in my next. also embrace the evolutions of the line-guard, camp, Yours truly, and gaaison duty, in all their details―ancient fortifica

F. L. H..GADORN, Esq.

A. PARTRIDGE. Norwich, Vt. May 20, 1839.

SELECT MISCELLANY.

From the Boston Daily Times.
Zerah Colburn.

No phenomena in the whole history of intellectual man, have been more remarkable than those attending the life of Zerah Colburn, whose death has been recently announced. Man must pause with awe before the mystery attending the delopement of his powers of computation, their extraordinary strength and accuracy, and their total and final extinguishment, without disease or any known cause, in early life. He was born in Cabot, Vermont, on the first of September, 1804, and was the sixth child of poor but respectable parents. His father was a farmer, and he first discovered his son's peculiar faculty sometime in August, 1810, the boy being about six years old. The child had been at a district school only about six weeks, which comprised all his opportunity for education, and the first indication he gave of his uncommon command of numbers was by running through the multiplication table, while sitting on the floor of a carpenter's shop, and watching chips as they were thrown off from the tool.

He was taken to several places in Vermont, and was examined by distinguished men, who were astonished at his power, which was no less incomprehensible to them than to himself. By the advice of friends, his father was induced to take Zerah about for exhibition, though several capital offers were made (especially by Professor Adams, of Dartmouth College,) to take him in charge and give him a complete education. All the offers were refused by the mercenary spirit of the faiher.

Zerah was brought to Boston, November 25, 1810, and here, as well as in other towns in Massachusetts, he was exhibited, and visited by thousands who were astonished at a prodigy which philosophy could not account for, nor credulity itself believe, without actual observation.

In Boston the father received a munificent offer to educate the boy, which his mercenary temper induced him to refuse, as he preferred his own immediate gains, to the future welfare of his son. James Perkins, Daniel Sargent, Josia Quincy, Isaac P. Davis, Wm. Sullivan and W. S. Sbaw, agreed to contract with the father, to raise $5000 by subscription, and without exhibition, one half of which should be given to the father, and the other half applied to the educationof the child, under the direction of the Trustees, although the father should be allowed to be with and have the personal charge of on. This offer was refuaed, on the pretence that the father did not like to have his son's education under

his son.

the direction of trustees.

Zerah was soon taken to England, where he excited as much wonder as he had done here. The desultory conduct of his father, however, ruined his prospects and made enemies. After travelling through the United Kingdom, receiving much money, and borrowing more, this wicked father took the boy to France, where, in 1814, without giving any intimation of his name, person or character, he was taken to Dr. Gall the father of phrenology, who immediately remarked upon the prominence of the organs of number, and desired to take a mask of his face. Here, also, great astonishment was excited, and vast sums of money taken by the exhibition or received in loans; but it was all expended, and they returned in poverty and distress to England.

In July, 1816, the Earl of Bristol, with a princely liberality, took up the patronage of the boy, with the hope that, in the course of a good education, he might be enabled to reveal the secret of his mysterious power of computation, which he promised to do, as soon as he could comprehend it himself. He offered to pay the expenses of his education at Wesminster; and, in the mean time, to allow the father twenty-five pound per annum. At this institution they had a quarrel and left on account of the practice of fagging, and went to the Rev. Mr. Bullen, in Buckinghamshire, where the Earl of Bristol consented still to defray the expenses of private tuition.

not enabled to shine as the lights and guides of mankind.

His power of calculation, was lost some time before he left England. His friends and patrons were disappointed, and for a time, thought themselves wronged and deceived by him; but there is no reason to question his honesty or his willingness to disclose the wonderful construction of his mind, if he had been able to do it. The secret of its origin and end rests only with his Maker. And until there are further developements of our fearful and wonderful physical and mental structure, we must remain in ignorance.

We have thought fit, thus to extend this notice in detail.

The old will remember, for many have witnessed the power of this arithmetical prodigy. The young ought to thank us for putting on record such testimony to the peculiar power of the mind, almost to a miraculous extent-possessed in childhood for a few years and then lost forever.

The subject of the foregoing memoir died at Norwich in this county in March last. He had, for several years past been a professor of languages in the University in that place.

Vermont Mercury.

Monday, 12 M."

A. RICHMOND HARDCASTLE.

At this time he was but little more than six years old. In all respects, save this, he did not differ from other children of his age, and was in appearance, manners "Here's a fine job,” cried each," and the chance of a and playfulness, like the rest of his race at that period Zerah was taken from Mr. Bullen's in 1819, on ac- good customer." Always accommodating, and ever deof life. He was examined carefully by some of the ablest count of some freak of his father, and was taken to sirous of giving satisfaction, and of making money, mathematicians of that time, who went prepared with Edinburgh to be prepared for the stage. After studying they bustled about, and their very best journeymen difficult questions, which they had worked out with an some time with several actors, with whom it was impos- having consented to work night and day to finish the immense number of figures, after some hours labor.- sible for the father to agree, Zerah was put under the suit, they selected their richest patterns, and with rule, Being fairly stated, the little boy would think for a mo- care of Charles Kemble, and received lessons from him, tape, and scissors, they prepared to wait on the gentlement, and answer the question with a promptness and with some encouragement that he might succeed. He man. Precisely at one o'clock, No. 1 arrived at the Ciaccuracy that astounded every one who witnessed the first appeared at Margate, where he made a total failure, ty Hotel, and approeching the polite bar-keeper, begged experiments. Judge Davis of this city prepared and and received no compensation for a week's performance. with a smile, to be shown to "Mr. Hardcastle's " room. proposed several questions, and after four or five answers He was taken round to Ireland and the provincial thea-"There is no gentleman of that name here, sir," was had corresponded with those he had wrought out, one tres without success, during 1820 and 1721 ; and in 1822, the reply." differed. having been reduced to destitution, application was made "Ah! my boy," said the Judge, "I have caught you to the Earl of Bristol for further assistance. The Earl at last." very properly said he would do nothing for the father, but separate and independent of him or his control, he would assist the son, then 18 years old.

Zerah thought for a moment, and said he was right; which upon re-examination the Judge found to be the

case.

On onother ocasion, a teacher of mathematics, once associated with the celebrated Mr. Pemberton, contradicted the little wonder, who thought two or three times, insisted that he was right, and at last burst into tears. He refused at that time to answer any more questions; and it was found afterwards, that his answer was correct, though it took three men, good cypherers, too, at least two hours to find it out. It seems incredible that a child could thus, by a secret mental process, unknown, even to himself, without any marks or figures, go through a long, intricate, difficult mathematical process, with the instantaneous rapidity of thought and more accuracy than the most veteran mathematician could obtain in many cases with pen, ink and paper.

Compelled to labor by necessity, Zerah in that year took a small school in the country, which he continued until near the death of his father, which happened in February 1821; and in May, by the renewed liberality of the Earl of Bristol, he sailed for this country, and with offers of continued pecuinary assistance from that British nobleman, if it should be needed here.

There is nothing more to relate of Zerah Colburn, but that he lived in Vermont ever since, a Methodist clergyman with no distinction or celebrity of any kind, His talents were far below mediocrity as a scholar and as a thinker. He had not even the gift of clear conception or strong expression of thought, but dwindled down into one of the lower classes of those, who, though pious and useful to a certain extent in the ministry are

"You must be mistaken, please look at that note." "No such person here, I assure you; but he may be at the Exchange Hotel, as strangers sometimes call it the City Hotel."

Away trudged our friend to see Mr. Jewett. He had scarcely departed before No. 2 arrived and made the same request, and received same answer. He too started for the Exchange. No. 3 and 4 successively arrived, and propounded the same question. The bar-keeper looked vexed.

boss to himself.

travelling by sea or land, and those exposed to extraor-
dinary dangers. To announce the instances in which
Ramrod's Tincture of Gridiron has proved beneficial,
would be but to give a detail of all the diseases to which
men, women, and children, are subject. The following
are but a few out of a thousand and upwards of certifi-
cates which have been or may be procured, as a testimo-
ny of its efficacy, viz:

The subscriber has long been afflicted with the tooth

Well, sir, what color is it to be." "Who'd have thought I was so green," murmured the ache, to such a degree thatnearly all his teeth have been drawn out, and by an unjust sentence, he also, unfortu"Green, ah! green coat? very good. The waist-nately, had both his ears cut off. On applying a little coat?" of the Tincture of Gridiron to his head, his teeth were They must have thought me blue,” soliloquized the restored, and his head was instantly supplied with as mortified master.. fine a pair of ears as he could boast of the day he was JOHN EARWIG.

66

Blue waistcoat-not so good-no accounting for born. tastes."

Not long since, riding on the highway, my horse tum"If I had the scoundrel here he'd want a suit of clothes; bled and fell, and so lamed himself as to be unable to I'd strip him to the buff."

"Buff pants, he must be a sportsman, good pay though, and no disputing the bill. What cut will he have them?"

"What are you growling about? Cut yourself, or cut me a strait jacket-for I shall go mad. To be made an April fool of!" The next was a more unjustifiable trick. A worthy disciple of Esculapius had scarcely opened his office, ere a tall, stout fellow entered, and clasping his hand upon his abdominal region, bent himself nearly double, and screwed his face into a thousand frightful contortions.

"Oh! doctor, oh!" he cried.

proceed. I soon heard of a phial of the Tincture of
Gridiron in the neighborhood, and suddenly found my-
self at the end of my journey, without further trouble.

J. SPEEDWELL.

Mildew on Grapes.

Mr. A. J. Downing of Newburg, in a communication in the April number of the Magazine of Horticulture, gives the following "novel method of preventing Mildew on foreign Grapes." The same novel method was several times recommended in the Genesse Farmer several years since.

"A person about four miles distant, who rears a considerable quantity of Sweet Water, Chasselas, and other foreign grapes, for market, and who was formerly much troubled with the attack of the mildew, was some two or three years since while reflecting on the subject, struck with the fact, that with him, young vines, when they first came into bearing, generally produced good and unblemished crops for the first one or two seasons. After this, becoming comparatively feeble, the mildew began to appear, and gradually grew worse every following season.

Reflecting upon this suggestion, thrown out by Nature in the above instance, it occurred to him, that if he could always keep his vines young and thrifty, or by some means provide himself with a succession of such vines, he might put the mildew, in a great measure, at defiance.

This he has been able to effect in the following way, the results being highly satisfactory. In the month of June, every year, he selects, on every vine, a clean shoot (left the previous summer for that purpose) some five to eight feet in length, which he buries in the earth, about eighteen inches of its middle part, in the common methHaving from my infancy had an uncommon relish for od of layering. The plants in his little vineyard are all Barbecues, I not long since attended one and notwith-planted in rows, and the layers being made in the line of standing the splendid variety which a sumptuous table the rows, between the old plants when they are rooted, afforded, I was unable to eat a mouthful. I took a spoon- which they are the next year, they are tied up to a stake ful of the Tincture of Gridiron, and felt as perfectly to receive a partial training. The next, or second seasatisfied as if I had eaten all on the whole table. son, all the old plants are dug up and thrown away, if they are not perfectly strong and vigorous. In this way he preserves a constant stock of strong new vines, that are able, by their superior vigor to resist the mildew, and which, as we can testify, bear beautiful and abundant crops of fruit, free from mildew."

S. GORMANDIZER.

Some time ago my house was very much infested with rats; and one day, while I set brooding over my misfortunes, a number of them came upon me, and eat me up.

"What is the matter, sir? sit down and tell me your I instantly took some of the Tincture of Gridiron, and
complaint."
found myself at ease, and have never been eaten up
since.
JACK RECOVER.

"Oh! oh! such a pain! I shall die, I know I shall.” "Oh no you won't; thanks to the inestimable blessings conferred on mankind by the immortal Nimrod; no man need die unless he wishes it. I'll relieve you." "D-n Nimrod-make me a blister plaster, and see that it fits."

Young man do not curse the benefactors of the human race. The revered Nim-"

"Oh! quick with the plaster!"

The doctor, finding it useless to prescribe as he wished, soon prepared a large fly blister, and made it doubly strong and particularly good and wide.

'There, sir, is a plaster, that will draw you to the top I was caught and carried between two cog-wheels, and

Loss of Muscular Power.

The following singular case is related in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.

A man has been walking the streets of Boston lately, from the eastward, who has suffered such a perfect loss of contractile muscles of his neck, that he is wholly unable to hold up his head. Such is the sensation of weight, and so inconvenient is it to have it dangling, as it were on the breast, and wholly interfering with the eyes or mouth, that a somewhat complicated machine has been invented expressly to remedy the case. An iron rod runs down the line of the spine, supported by straps from the hips upwards, encircling the body. On the top of the rod a broad band embraces the forehead, and thus the organs of vision are kept upon a horizontal line-and thus the poor fellow threads his way through the city, hooped up almost like a cask. How admirable simple and symmetrical is the apparatus nature employs snugly packed away on the back of the neck, which maintains the head in an upright condition far more perfectly than the clumsy contrivances of man, when his ingenuity has been taxed to its utmost.

The influence of the good man ceases not upon his death; he, as the visible agent, is removed from earth, but the light and the influence of his example still remain; and the moral elements of this world will long show the traces of their vigor and purity; just as the western sky, after the sun has set, still betrays the glow

The new monument of Washington is to cost $5000. ing traces of the departed orb.

THE RICHMOND COUNTY MIRROR:

A WEEKLY PAPER PRINTED ON STATEN ISLAND, DEVOTED TO SCIENCE, LITERATURE, & NEWS.

THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.

SELECT TALES.

THE IDRIAN MINERS.

Alberti had indeed been brought to Vienna among the banditti of Istria; every proof was strong against him. He was condemned to be broken on the wheel, and there seemed no hope that the sentence would be mitigated. Ernest himself told an improbable story of his not being connected with the banditti; but nobody listened to it, and he mentioned it no more. Bianca and his mother did believe him. The account was perfectly true.

ment to be dissolved. It was said that the Empress had herself forbidden the Countess to think of the disgraced Alberti. Bianca was certainly commanded to appear at court, and she did not refuse. Many of the younger A TALE OF WOMAN'S LOVE AND FORTITUDE. courtiers determined to pay more than usual attention to THE palace of the Countess of Ilorenheim was filled the very beautiful and very wealthy heiress. She apwith lordly company. Every splendid saloon had been peared; but no one presumed to insult her sorrow with thrown open: but among the beauteous forms assem- their addresses; her real, artless grief invested her with bled there, the young countess herself was the most ad- a dignity that no one dared to infringe upon. She did mired. It might be that every eye looked in almost de- not attempt to conceal how severely the blow had fallen termined admiration upon one so gentle, and so distin- upon her; but her grief, though silent, and appearing to guished by birth and fortune. But the young and inno- | claim no interest, was quietly majestic. Calm and pale, cent Bianca was very lovely. The usual expression of she stood among the ladies of the court, an object of resher large hazel eyes was eloquent tenderness, her fea-pect and admiration even to the Empress herself. tures were delicate, and every movement of her tall and A year passed away. The general whom Alberti delicate form was by nature graceful; though her dress had wounded was not dead, but he had met with so mawas adorned with jewels of immense value, its appear-ny relapses that his recovery was still considered uncer-ereign wept with them; she endeavored to console them; ance was less magnificent than simple.

tain. Bianca continued a quiet mourner, but now her That day she had taken possession of her princely alliance was sought by many of the noblest houses of wealth; and for the first time she appeared as the mis- Austria: gently, but firmly, every proposal was detress of her own palace; her manner was perfectly dig-clined. For the first time, the Empress interested hernified and easy, but during the whole evening, the rich self in the suit of the Prince, one of Bianca's enthusibloom of her check was heightened by a continual blush. astic admirers. The young countess did not repel the The Empress remained some hours at the Florenheim confidence which her sovereign sought; she disclosed, palace, very much delighted with the appearance and with affecting earnestness, the feelings of her heart, and the conduct of the young and noble orphan. The pa- the principles on which she acted; and before she had rents of the Countess had deserved and enjoyed the fa- quitted the Empress, she perceived that her feelings were vor of their sovereigns, and Maria Theresa loved to dis-understood, and she guessed that her principles were aptinguish their child.

proved.

The Countess Alberti, with her young and lovely friend used every exertion to prevent his execution, but the verdict appeared irrevocable. The day, the dreadful day of death was fixed, and they implored an audience of the Empress; the aged mother, the betrothed wife, lay at her feet in speechless agony; they entreated, they clung to her in the delirium of grief. Their gentle sovbut although her whole frame trembled, and her voice faltered with agitation as she replied to their entreaties, her answer left them quite hopeless. They obtained. however, her permission to see the prisoner before his execution, and even this had been hitherto been denied to every one.

An unforseen circumstance saved the life of Alberti. The captain of the banditti, who had not been taken with his companions, had heard that Ernest was condemned to die. He had once been a man of honor himself; and he gave himself up to justice, and proved very clearly that the count had not joined his band, and had always indignantly refused when asked to join it. The sentence was therefore changed, and the noble and gallant Count Ernest was condemned in the prime of his youthful manhood to become a workman for life, in the quicksilver mines of Idria.

Every guest had departed; and the young Countess The mother of the Count Alberti was still living, and stood alone in her spacious and magnificent saloons.- still presided over the household of her son. The CounShe pressed her hand for a moment over her eyes, for tess Bianca was now a constant visitor at the Alberti they ached with the glare of the tapers still blazing all palace; and a few days after the above-mentioned interaround her. She looked at the beautiful flowers which view with the Empress, the aged Countess and Bianca hung in fading garlands round the room, and sighed.—were conversing almost cheerfully together; they were The first surprise, which made known to the aged With a true girlish fancy, she took down a long droop- elated with hope, for the petitions which had been pre-countess her son's safety, was joyful! but her grief soon ing branch of roses from the tall candelabra beside her, sented in behalf of Ernest seemed to be successful. The returned as she thought of the dreadful termination that the blossoms were all faded-she sighed again; her heart Empress had herself written to the Countess Alberti, the awaited all her hopes for him. But Bianca was young had not been in the gaiety and splendor of the evening, letter was in Bianca's hand. Suddenly a person enter- and ardent, and the worst that would happen was a joy and now she had leisure to attend to the silent thoughts ed the saloon; it was the old and faithful servant of Al- to her. She devoted her whole heart and every energy of her bosom. She thought of her betrothed husband, berti; he told them news that almost overwhelmed them. of her mind, to a plan, which she instantly resolved to and she could hardly help reproaching herself for hav-The young Count had returned; he had been brought execute, which was to accompany her betrothed and to ing shared in the festivities around her, while Ernest share his imprisonment. Not only the mother of Count Alberti was exposed to the dangers of war. Alberti, but even the Empress herself, endeavored to dissuade the lovely Bianca from such a rash resolution. They pictured to her that she would by such an act deprive herself of her own titles and fortune-that the moment she married Alberti, her estates and title would be forfeited to the crown, and she be the simple wife of an Idrian miner; and that she would in that situation be obliged to perform the duties of a menial servant to her

As the young Countess was retiring to rest, the arrival of a person who earnestly requested to see her that very night, was announced: she hesitated at first, but *fter a few moment's consideration, she consented to appear. She returned to the deserted saloon, and there waited till the man was introduced to her presence.She recognized at once the servant of the Count Alberti, and dismissed her attendants. How often did she tremble, and how often did she turn pale with horror, during that short interview! Ernest had fought with his general officer against the express commands of the Emperor; the general had been mortally wounded, and Alberti was disgraced, a high reward was set upon his ife. He had, however, escaped, but his servant knew or whither.

In months passed away, months of doubt and 501 Je hapless Bianca. The young deserter was never heard of; and the festive magnificence that had flashed for a moment in the palace of the Countess, entirely disappeared. All Vienna talked of her engagement with Ernest, and many pronounced the

engage

to Vienna with a gang of desperate banditti, and was
said to be the captain of men who were outlaws, robbers
and murderers.

"Alas! alas!" exclaimed the old Countess, "this is
to be the end of the house of Alberti. Your only son,
my beloved Conrad,-the child of our hopes-will he
prove a shame to his father's name? It is well that you
are not here, it is enough that I survive to witness our
disgrace."

"Ernest will never disgrace you," cried Bianci, ea-husband.
gerly. "We know him much better," she added, clasp-
ing the trembling hands of the countess with tender af-
fection; "there is much to be explained in this story.
Dear, rash Ernest," she faltered, leaning her hand upon
her mother's shoulder, and bursting into tears, "We
know him better; he may be wild and faulty, but he
will never disgrace any one."

"He never will, you are right," replied the Countess.
"I spoke hastily. I ought to hope, I ought to believe
better things of my beloved son. Daughter of my love,
it was very wrong for me to doubt him for a moment;
you judge him rightly. Bless you, bless you, my sweet
Bianca."

"Countess Bianca of Florenheim," continued the Empress, "can you dare to undertake such a sacrifice? Are you aware that your mind may be upheld by an uncertain enthusiasm? Have you thought upon the drear dull calm of poverty, and decaying health? Do you feel assured that when the first tumultuous feelings have worn themselves out, when there are none around you to wonder at your extraordinary devotion to Alberti, when your name will be almost forgotten indeed, save by a few friends, whom you will never behold again, do you think you will then rejoice at the decision you have made? When perhaps your husband will be dying in the morning of life, with no attendant but a weak, help