GENTLE reader, were you ever at Lisbon? No.

Then get a skilful mesmerizer to put you into a clairvoyant state, and travel there instanter. After you have seen the respectable old lions of the city, the church of St. Roche, with its miraculous mosaic, the beautiful Adjuda, and the monstrous Necessidades, place yourself quietly in one of those unwieldy canvass-backed omnibuses you will see lurking about, and after a pleasant ride through a very picturesque suburb, you will find yourself at Belem, whose magnificent convent will be the first

VOL. II.-NO. I.

object which will strike your attention; and should you have the curiosity to investigate its interior, you will see a thousand or more lively, olivecolored, bugle-eyed, Spanish children--for those professors of laziness, the monks, have given place to orphans enjoying themselves in the innocent and gleeful sport of early youth.

Having fed your eye with this the most delightful sight humanity can gaze upon--for what can be more heart-thrilling, or wake up so spontaneous a glow of adoration within the soul, than to see those images of the Maker, fresh from his own

almighty hand, ere contact with this vicious world has effaced the angel impress from their features? Having, as I before observed, feasted your eyes, just cast them towards the brow of the opposite hill, and there, buried in a nest of olive groves, and jalousied like an Italian palazzo, you will perceive the splendid mansion of Senor Fernando Basta, a rich-uncommonly rich-wine merchant, who having made a large fortune by a lifetime, almost, of unmitigated business application, thought, silly mortal, the best way to enjoy the "almost" would be to get him a wife, and a country house; and retire, patriarchally, to enjoy the residue of existence under the shadow of his own fig tree.

A few moments' walk will bring you to the place, and I entreat you to take the trouble, on your own account, if not to pleasure me; for I assure you that you will enjoy a very delightful walk through those orange-hedged gardens, the ripe half of the fruit tempting you to taste-they eat only the sunny side of an orange there-the noble Tagus rolling beneath you, its waters mirroring the intensely-blue sky. You will not only view, with bounding pulse and heart of admiration, the magnificent panorama which will lie stretched before you that is to say, should you be so fortunate as to select a fair day-but let the weather be propitious or not, you will be enabled more readily to unravel the intricacies of my story, and follow its windings from chamber to terrace, from garden to balcony; having once, leisurely, and with that view steadily in your mind, thoroughly examined the establishment.

You will perceive that the house is built on the true Spanish plan, the entire of the ground floor taken up by one apartment, having windows on all sides which open upon a spacious terrace, luxuriously matted with unnumbered vines and trees, forming a leafy shade through which the prying sun-beams find it impossible to penetrate. As you enter this sumptuously-appointed room you will see-nay, do n't be frightened, it cannot be an intrusion, recollect you will be travelling mesmerically, and consequently-I presume, for I am not learned in the mystery-invisible;-you will perceive, I say, that nothing has been omitted to render it perfect in all appliances, for ministering to the case, comfort, and happiness of its occupants. There is a lavish profusion of elegant material, and yet every article is in exquisite taste, from the gorgeous mantel-clocks reflected in the vast mirrors, to the minute but expensive articles of vertu, arranged with studied negligence upon the pier tables. If your intangible feet are susceptible of pressure, just walk across the carpet; you will find the sensation will be like that produced by the deliciously-soft but springy moss one meets occasionally on rocky surfaces, and if your olfactories have their natural capabilities, you will

recognize an atmosphere of perfume wafted through the open windows, from a garden absolutely radiant with the choicest flowers of the earth.

Having closely observed all this, you will doubtlessly acknowledge, as I did, that the sunniest portion of creation could scarcely furnish a brighter spot, or the hand of art adorn it with more exquisite skill. And now for my " tale.”—Stay!

Upon recollection, I believe I said that Senor Basta was a "silly mortal," and feel bound to give something like a proof of my assertion. I'll do so, reader, by asking you one question.

Do you imagine that an irascible, jealous-tempered, rather savage-minded Spanish gentleman of fifty-five (he called it forty), could be deemed anything but one of the most foggy-brained of elderly noodles, who would, with malice aforethought, thrust his neck into the life-yoke of matrimony, with-bless the man's courage-a sprightly specimen of Andalusian vivacity, aged seventeen, and yet have the unspeakable audacity to expect ease and happiness for the approaching winter of his life?

Did he do such a foolish thing? Most assuredly, venerable sir. Was she so stupid as to marry him? Indeed she was, my dear young lady, just eight months before my story commences. Inasmuch as you concede the fact of their silliness, I shall proceed with my relation.

At one of the windows which looked cityward of the residence just described, stood the Senora Isabel Basta, wholly concealed by the closed jalousie; with an anxiously-fixed look she gazed on a receding figure,-it was her husband; no sooner did he turn the angle of the street than she bounded back into the room, and clapping her hands, exclaimed in accents of evident delight,

"Come forth, my poor prisoner!"

A mysterious-looking recess slowly opened, a brilliant little brunette rushed forward, and the two sisters were locked in a fond embrace. "My sweet girl, my beautiful Anita!" "My own, own Isabel!"

And now, while they are loading each other with sisterly endearments, it would be an excellent time to attempt some idea of their personal attractions, but I have not ability, neither has the language sufficient strength to do them justice. Therefore I will leave you to picture to yourself two of the very loveliest of created beings, full of the fresh joyous spirit of girlhood, sparkling with animation and--but they are about to speak, so you must fill up the description as you please.

"He's gone, Anita; my Bluebeard told me he should be away until evening, and so wo may amuse ourselves without fear."

"My dear sister," replied the other, "I am truly sorry to be the cause of so much uneasiness to you; do you know why Senor Basta has forbidden me his house?"

"From his absurd, groundless, but most annoying jealousy," answered Isabel. "You can form no idea to what an extremity he carries his folly, but he shall not hinder me from seeing you, Anita. I cannot be immured in solitude, so do promise to remain a few days longer."

"Nay, do not urge me to stay, dear sister; it would grieve me to the soul were I to be the means of producing any annoyance between you and your husband."

"Well, I shall not press you; I have only one more remark to make," continued Isabel, folding her sister in her arms, and looking with an arch expression straight into her lustrous eyes. Through some means, a certain young inamorato, by name Senor Andrea, has heard of your visit, and has been observed hovering about the neighborhood, looking as anxious as a keen sportsman in search of game. Of course,"―here the glance deepened into positive mischief,-" you knew nothing about it."

"I confess, I did," timidly replied Anita. "I have seen him, and I assure you, gave him a very severe lecture on his folly and imprudence."

"And pray, what did you say to him?"

"I told him, on pain of my displeasure, never to venture near this house again, until he was quite certain that Senor Basta was not at home."

"Thou model of prudence, sagacity, and' what more she would have added it is impossible for me to imagine, for just at that moment the sisters were startled into an attitude of pleased attention, by the sound of a very musical voice proceeding from the garden; what tender thoughts it gave breath to I know not; suffice it to say, they were rendered with sweetness, softness, and taste, and had an evident effect upon one of the listeners. Could a painter have caught the form and features of those two sisters, as entwined around each other they held their breath to catch the singer's accents, he would have immortalized his canvass, and himself.

At length the voice was hushed, and Isabel, peering under at the downcast eyes of her blushing sister, said slily,

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"And therefore I presume," laughingly suggested Isabel, "I had better see about his admittance myself."

"No, no," quickly exclaimed Anita.

"Oh! very well, just as you please," and Isabel very provokingly threw herself on the divan.

After a few moment's pause, occupied by Anita in demolishing, with curious perseverance, a very beautiful rose-bud, she ventured to say,

"And yet, dear Isabel, the sun is so warm in the garden."

"So it is, and Andrea has a most delicate complexion," replied Isabel, starting up and ringing the table bell, a signal for her own maid. "We must be merciful to the poor stricken youth."

Scarcely had the sweet silver tone of the bell ceased vibrating when Nivetta entered the apartment. NIVETTA, thou perfectest specimen of that distinct species of the human animal, the Spanish confidante, would I had the time and space to chronicle thy various excellencies; thou unapproachable compound of fidelity, intrigue, shrewdness, hypocrisy, and intuitive hatred for all jealous husbands; but inasmuch as Rossini has immortalized the characteristics of thy race very sufficiently in the ever-pleasing "Barber," my untutored learning may well be excused.

"You were astonishingly close, Nivetta," said Isabel, in a severe tone.

"Always was, madame," very piquantly replied the intriguante, "and always intend to be as close as sealing wax."

"Remember, Nivetta, you are but new to this house, and I will have no long ears straining to catch every syllable uttered."

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Law, my lady, my ears are uncommonly short," replied Nivetta, with an affectation of simplicity very artistic," and moreover, as discreet a pair as ever decorated the outside of a lady's own maid's head. They would n't hear what they ought n't if I was ever so inclined; it's quite astonishing how deaf they can be upon occasion.”

"I'm glad of it," said Isabel; but just catching an imploring look from Anita, she suddenly recollected what she summoned her attendant for, and quietly desired that she would acquaint the musician they would like to hear a specimen of his minstrelsy within the apartment.

"So, so," thought Nivetta, while her little Spanish heart beat high at the prospect of an adventure. "A musician, eh! good. This is a part of my duty I like well; it promises excitement, pays, and do n't fatigue."

"And now, Anita, I presume you will not require my presence at this interesting interview, but pray remember, that during such sweet moments, time takes a rapid flight;" so saying, Isabel

and passed out of the apartment just as Nivetta