306 Dona Miranda; or Love and Madness. [VOL. 2 it dangerous; and as the army would been for the unremitting attention of a move forward in a few days, promised lovely young English woman, who, I his unremitting attendance. To Alonzo's understand, is his niece and who has inquiries after Colonel V, he replied, accompanied her brother, the British that he had the most favourable hopes of secretary of legation, his recovery would his speedy recovery.-For three days have been of much slower progress: and nights of dreadful suspense, Miran- but her attentions, added to the skill of da's distracting apprehensions for the life an intimate friend of her brother, a of her husband kept her mind in constant medical man, have produced the hap agitation at length he was declared out piest effect, and his health is now nearly of danger-Alonzo reported the condi- established-But come, dear Alonzo! tion of Colonel V and Lieutenant let us not lose the precious momentsMannard, to the Commander-in-chief, I must not delay an interview which who, in consequence of the representa- will dissipate all the clouds of sorrow tion of the surgeon, ordered the sick and that have so long obscured the felicity of wounded of Colonel V's regiment those who are endeared to me by the back to Madrid, and gave Alonzo the tenderest ties."-They proceeded immecommand of the escort. They arrived in diately to the Colonel's hotel, and the that city by easy marches. On the day mother was locked in the embrace of her of their arrival, he took upon himself to child.-"O, my mother, my loved, my visit Don Fodeya-A deep melancholy honoured parent, forgive, forgive!"— had absorbed the old man's faculties from were the first accents in which the the day that the British broke up from tumultuous feelings of her daughter found their quarters; but Dona Fodeya ex- utterance-" but Charles, my poor pressed the greatest joy at again behold- Charles-Ah! he is dreadfully wounding Don Alonzo; and when she heard ed.-Come with me to his chamberthat her daughter was safe, and so near my heart is torn with fears-And shall her, her transports broke forth with the I again see my father?-Will he receive liveliest emotions of maternal recollec- me?-Will he pardon his poor daughter? tion" O, bring her to me-let me -Indeed, indeed, I have gone through again fold her in my arms-her poor many dreary scenes, many miserable father will rejoice to behold her once privations, since I left him-We will see more, if," said she pausing, "if he should my dear husband, and then we will go recognize her for alas! his intellects home-Home! and shall I be permitted have materially suffered since those par- to revisit my parental roof?"—"Yes, oxysms of rage to which you were wit- yes, my sweet child, you shall-calm ness."-Don Alonzo then imparted to yourself-all will yet be well-your her how and where the fugitives were dis- father has scarcely uttered a word but the covered, and the calamitous condition in name of his Miranda has accompanied which Colonel Vand Mr. Man- it. Have patience for a little while, and nard had returned." O, let me fly to Heaven will yet make us happy in each my beloved child," cried the afflicted other."-Dona Fodeya saw the hurried mother-"I will share with her the care- state of her daughter's mind-and subful attendance upon the unfortunate inva- dued her own agitated feelings that she lids-Let me see her instantly-My might tranquillize her's. They entered heart springs to meet her."-It was then the chamber of her son-in-law-the determinad, that Don Fodeya should not Colonel was sitting by his bed-side-be be informed until the next day of his rose to receive Dona Fodeya-but modaughter's return. tioned to them that they should be silent, "Ah!" cried Dona Fodeya, "how "Lieutenant Mannard," he whisperhappy will Mr. Mannard be to see his son but no, he returns wounded, and his recovery precarious-His own sufferings have been severe, from the consequence of my husband's infuriated attack-and I believe that, had it not ed, "is in a quiet sleep-we must not disturb him-much depends upon his being kept quiet-Allow me to attend you, ladies, to the room from which you came."-"Are you certain he only sleeps?" asked the anxious Miranda— VOL. 2.] Dona Miranda; or Love and Madness. 307 "He does, Madam; and I augur the gentleman to whose skill he had himself best result from this effort of worn-out been so much indebted--The latter ennature." They then retired with him- tered the apartment, and instantly recogand Alonzo joining them, they repaired nizing Colonel V expressed his to Don Fodeya's house. As they joyful surprise at seeing him, and his reapproached it, Dona Miranda, oppressed gret at observing his wound-" Howby the conflicting sensations of her ever," said he, "I must add you to the bosom, was not able to support herself. list of my patients, but, if I am not much They entered, and in the vestibule the mistaken, I shall have the satisfaction of father met them-He noticed them not, introducing you to a nurse whose attenbut walked with faultering step towards dance will be still more acceptable and the door." My father! shun me not efficacious than mine."-The Colonel -O turn, and take a sorrowing child to was about to ask an explanation of these thy pardoning embrace-I am Miranda mysterious words, when Mr. Mannard thy child-thine afflicted, prevented him by saying, "That he bewretched child-Wretched for ever, if lieved he had the power of explaining his her father scoros her!"-"What voice friend's meaning; and if you, Sir," was that?" exclaimed the dejected old addressing the Colonel, "will do me the man, in a tone of heedless melancholy honour to return to my house, I shall be "Dona Fodeya, I have no daughter happy to do so. Meanwhile, as we have now-thou knowest she has left me medical authority for removing my son, Who are these strangers?"—"We are not I shall make the requisite preparations strangers, my dearest father-You knew for the accommodation of all:so now : us once- know me, your child Mi- we may hope, that the storms which had randa!". 166 Who? Art thou she whom well nigh overwhelmed our family con-.3 I once doated on?-Go, go, do not trifle solations will be succeeded by a brighter with a poor old man-I have no child, sky of uninterrupted sunshine."-Dona no Miranda now!"-"Thou hast, in- Miranda and Alonzo remained, with deed thou hast, and I am she!-On my young Mannard-the rest accompanied knee I implore thy forgiveness !" his father. "Lady, kneel not to me I am but a "Colonel," said the Surgeon, as they wretch-and if thou art wretched, I can entered the house, you must prepare feel for thee-Why dost thou let thy yourself for surprise of the most agreetears fall on my shrivelled hand?able nature-let me restrain your impaDona Fodeya, thou must comfort this tience for one short minute, and your lady-she is full of sorrows.Madam, curiosity shall be gratified."-Saying what a house of woe can afford is all the this, he threw open the folding-doors of consolation we can offer thee."-Colonel the saloon, and presented Colonel VV—, shocked at the turn this inter- with the transporting sight of her to whom view had taken, prevailed upon the his vows of love and constancy had been mother and her daughter to retire awhile, pledged previous to his leaving England until he had recalled the senses of Don three years ago. The transports of two Fodeya to recollection. This he happily hearts devoted to each other, by the effected, and, by degrees, the father was liveliest sentiments of affectionate rebrought to recognize his daughter-an gard, at meeting after so long an abunreserved reconciliation followed, and sence cannot be expressed to the comfort revisited his heart-Of his reader. Own The presence of his Eliza accord he proposed that they should all amply compensated for all the pain return to his son-in-law's lodgings-they which he had suffered; and although found him sitting up in his bed, much her joy was checked in its fulness by the refreshed by the sleep which he had en- alarm she experienced at seeing him ioyed-Don Alonzo had in the mean wounded, yet to find that he had escaped while paid a visit to Mr Mannard, and made with life, and that this life was consehim acquainted with the return and situ- crated in all the faithfulness of an ardent ation of his son--He came with him to attachment to her happiness, was joy in the hotel, accompanied by the medical the extreme, and she could not avoid -- 66 308 Varieties: Critical, Literary, and Historical. [VOL. 2. yielding to the delightful impression- society which soon restored him to perand when she was assured that nothing fect health. On the part of Don Fodeya, serious was to be feared from the hurt all discomfiting recollections gradually which he had received, her joy was ceased, and in the new character of a complete. When the rush of these first grandfather he seemed to live his days emotions had subsided, she told the over again." And thus ends my tale," Colonel, that Mr. Mannard was her un- says the relator, "it has no other merit cle on her mother's side-that her bro- than that it is a plain fact, communicated ther having received an appointment to me in a letter from Charles Mannard under the legation, and a sea voyage himself, who was educated with me at having been recommended for the benefit Winchester-Yesterday, looking over of his wife's health, she had accompanied some papers, 1 found it; and although her" and," said she, "I will tell you these runaway matches, which have more truly, dear V, I did admit the hope of the madness than the morality of love into my heart, that being thus brought in them, seldom are found to end hapnear to your field of action, I should hear pily, yet this has done so-but certainly of you more certainly and more frequent- not without sufficient punishment for the ly."-In a few days all the arrangements rashness of its imprudence, and just were fixed, and the intercourse of the enough recompense for the constancy and different parties became every day more fortitude with which the parties bore it. satisfactory, as the invalids became more Colonel V and Lieutenant Mannard convalescent. At length, both Usurpers were among our Waterloo heroes, and I being driven from the two countries understand that the latter has been prowhose thrones they had so unjustly seized moted to a company-he and Dona upon, and the lawful sovereign of each Miranda are now in Paris-with Don restored, the armies of Great Britain and Alonzo-who being of the ancient house Spain enjoyed a temporary relaxation of Velasquez, has been placed on the from their toils-when Colonel V— diplomatic list by his sovereign, and was returned, on leave, with the secretary's last winter officially employed at the party to England, and Mannard tasted Court of Vienna." all that happy repose in his Miranda's VARIETIES: CRITICAL, LITERARY, AND HISTORICAL. From the Panorama, November 1817. FEMALE INFLUENCE. W the fair German addressed him in his native language, with a most elegant compliment. Haydn, delighted, overwhelmed the enchantress with questions; his countenance recovered its animation, and Sir Joshua rapidly seized its traits. From the New Monthly Magazine, November. 1817. PARADISE; AN EASTERN LEGEND. When Alexander had conquered the world, and penetrated into the remotest regions of India, he heard of Paradise, and determined to subdue that also. He was told that the river Hithebel led to it, and immediately ordered a fleet to be equipped to carry his troops thither; but previously dispatched a few vessels to procure information. When they had reached the garden of Paradise, his people found the gate shut, and before it an VOL. 2.] Varieties: Critical, Literary, and Historical. NEGLECTED BIOGRAPHY. 309 George Wither, who wrote the "Mistress of Philarde," and other pleasing poems, is in many biographical dictionaries wholly omitted; yet his poems had a great run, and are highly praised by of poetic readers a something very fugacious, not to say capricious; how few poets delight successive generations, or even live their own lives! Criticism has not satisfactorily accounted for this phenomenon. NOVEMBER SEVEN. aged keeper of singular appearance, and come scarce, they are steeped for about with an extraordinary beard, whom they three hours in fresh water, are presented commanded to open the gate instantly at table, and form an agreeable article of for their master, as he was not far behind dessert. them. The hoary keeper smiled, and said he durst not admit him unless he could find means to weigh down a feather, which he herewith sent, when pla ced in the balance. The messenger was astonished, for he could not conceive how a small feather-since it was only a cotemporaries. There is in the affection light downy feather-could have such weight, and concluded that the old man was jeering him. He nevertheless went and delivered the message. Alexander directed a balance to be brought, and it soon appeared that all the wood and stone, and silver and gold that could be laid in the scale, was not sufficient to The 7th of November was kept as a counterpoise this little feather, which solemn anniversary by Lorenzo de' Memade every thing that was brought fly dici, at his country-house, as the birthquickly up, as though the greatest day and death-day of Plato. On that weights had been but down. Alexan- day he regularly invited Marsilio Ficino, der, astonished at this magical effect, sent and the other members of the Platonic once more to enquire what was the Academy of Florence, and a sort of hemeaning of it. The man gravely au- ro-worship was paid to the manes of the swered, that the feather signified Alex- Pagan philosopher. ander's cupidity and ambition, which were light as down, and yet so heavy that nothing could counterbalance them; but he would tell him how that feather might be out-weighed. Let," said he, "a handful of earth be laid upon it, and it will at once lose its extraordinary power." Alexander perceived the meaning, and was deeply dejected. Soon afterwards he died in Babylon, without having seen Paradise. 66 From the Monthly Magazine. LYCIDAS. The Lycidas of Milton is in some degree derived from George Turberville's elegy on the drowning of Arthur Brooke, printed in 1567. Here is a passage which has plainly been imitated by the newer poet : Ay me that time, thou crooked dolphin, where APRICOTS. At Kelat, says a recent traveller, ripe apricots are dried in the sun, and laid by. In the winter season, when fruit is be On the 7th of November also was born Sir Isaac Newton, and Frederick Leopold count Stolberg. The Ancients had their SEVEN Wonders of and the records of the press, have extended to the World--these SEVEN, time, observation, One Hundred; a popular work is therefore, about to appear, describing the Hundred Wonders of the Modern World and of the three Kingdoms of Nature; by the Rev. CHARLES CLARKE. It will be printed in a cheap forth, adapted to general circulation, and be rendered additionally attractive by nearly eighty engravings, representing the wonderful objects described. Jacques Nicholas Des Vaux, Baron d'Oinville, died at Paris on the 10th of July last, and affords one of the most remarkable instances that we know, of authorship late in life. He was 76 years of age, and it was only in 1804 that he published his first work, “A Discourse pronounced at New York on the restoration of the Bourbons, translated from the English." Though an old man, he pursued his course with all the zeal of a young author, and in 1815, produced the "Life of General Monk, Duke of Albemarle." At the time of his decease, "A new conspiracy against the Jesuits," translated by him from M. Dallas' publication, was in the hands of the printer. The contest for and against magnetism continues at Berlin; but as it has not yet led to any result, the king of Prussia bas offered a prize of 300 ducats for the essay which shall demonstrate the efficacy or futility of this new remedy. 310 Naturalists' Diary. THE NATURALIST'S DIARY FOR JANUARY. consulting the present volume progressively as the or cloudy, with much snow. Thro' the hushed air the whitening show'r de- At first thin-wav'ring; till, at last, the flakes Among the many speculations of modern literature, ther is either bright and dry, with frost ; we look upon the present work (Time's Telescope,) as one, both from its nature and execution, most en titled to success. It has been compiled with a judicious attention equally to avoid unsatisfying brev. ity on the one hand, and tedious proúxity on the other; and while it conveys a very considerable por tion of intelligence that may be new to many and useful to all, it is recommended no less by the neat ness of its typographical execution, than the accuraey of its literary and scientific details. Its ampie title-page will better explain, than we can do, its na ture and prospective object:but we cannot refrain Snow is formed by the freezing of from remarking that such a work, annually produeed, will really prove a valuable acquisition to the the water in clouds. It differs from the library of every individual who is at ail anxious to know any thing of the natural, moral and historical particles of hoar-frost, in being crystalfeatures of the day or month that is passing over him. This knowledge too, at once useful and interesting, lized; for, if we examine a flake of he may obtain without the labour of consecutive study, from which some minds might shrink, and to snow by a magnifying glass, the whole which others might not have time to attend, for, by of it will seem composed of fine year elapses, its appropriate information for each shining spicula, or points, diverging like particular day will be gradually and almost imper ceptibly obtained, while the aggregate mass of intel- rays from a centre. As the flakes fall ligence will be rapidly accumulating. The compiler has agreeably diversified his labours, down through the atmosphere, they are also, by interspersing apt quotations from our poets continually joined by more of these raintroducing almost every topic that the work would diated spicula: and thus increase in admit of, treated generally in an elegant and per bulk, like the drops of rain or hailstones. spicuous manner, he has presented a volume really deserving the patronage of the public. In order to Snow, although it seems to be soft, is convey some idea of the mode o: its execution, we present our readers with the following extract, be really hard, because it is true ice. It ing the Naturalist's Diary for January. Uni.Mag- seeins soft, because at the first touch of the finger, upon its sharp edges or points, they melt; or, they would pierce the finger like so many lancets. The whiteness of snow is owing to the small particles into which it is divided; for ice, when pounded, will become equally white. But snow is not to be considered applicable to the subjects he is describing and by From "Time's Telescope." Now January o'er the northern world WINTER, to an inattentive eye, merely as a curious and beautiful phe presents nothing, as it were, but nomenon. Besides defending vegetathe creation in distress: the orchards are bles from the intense cold of the air, and stripped of their golden fruit; and har piercing winds, it moistens and pulverismony is extinct in the groves, now bend- es the soil which has been bound up by ing with the snow, their beauty wither- the frost ; and, as its water has a tened, and their verdure lost.' Yet, when dency to putrefaction, it seems, on many we explore these dreary scenes, the mind accounts, to be admirably fitted to prois amply gratified in the contemplation mote vegetation. Another reason of of the various phenomena peculiar to the usefulness of snow, has been suggestthis inclement season. Winter, ushered ed by Mr. Parkes. Fur and down afinto existence by the howling of storms and the rushing of torrents, manifests, not Jess than the more pleasing seasons of the year, the wisdom and goodness of the great Creator. Were there no winter, neither the spring, nor summer, nor autumn, would display such a variety of beauties; for the earth itself would lose tose rich stores of nourishment and fertaty, to which even the winter so copiously contributes. The most intense cold is usually felt in the month of January; and the wea ford warm clothing, in consequence of the air they infold within them; atmospheric air being a non-conductor of heat. Hence it is that the carpet which covers the earth in winter, is spread out by nature with so light a hand, that it might hold an abundance of atmospheric air within its interstices, to preserve the warmth of those innumerable tribes of vegetables which it is destined to protect.' Ice is composed of a number of nee. dle-like crystals, united to each other; and, the space between these being great |