Naples, and drew Ferdinand King of Aragon, who is such a conspicuous character in the history of Europe, into his quarrel. Though they invaded the kingdom of Naples jointly, yet they afterward disagreed, and their disagreement caused a rupture between France and Spain, which I do not now mean to discuss.

It was during these troubles which he had fo mented, that Alexander VI. died. He may truly be said to fall into the pit which he had dug for others. He and his son Cæsar Borgia, a wicked son worthy of his wicked sire, had invited with intention to poison them, some Cardinals to a feast, on whose riches they meant to seize : but by mistake the servant gave them the empoisoned drink. His Holiness expired in violent agonies, which defied all medical aid for the space of eight days. His son survived the draught, though he never again was restored to his former health and strength,

Boast not, O man! thine arm of mighty pow'r,
Nor hope secure thy race of guilt to run;

Though great thy means to harm, aloft thy state,
Though at thy beck thy myrmidons appear

Ready to execute tby dire commands:

For when thou deem'st thy deep-laid plains are ripe,

And that thy snares shall catch thy destin'd prey,
Lo! thou art caught; and in an instant hurl'd

To stand before that awful tribunal,

Where "when the last account 'twixt heav'n and earth" "Is to be made," the record of thy crimes

Shall justify thy woeful condemnation.

CROSS-PATCH.

HAVING related several anecdotes of atrocious actions, whose dreadful consequences mark them as crimes, I shall now mention a few of those lesser evils, arising from behaviour which is productive of actions which may be denominated faults and which, although they do not bring destruction in their train, nor disturb the peace of society in the full acceptation of that expression, nevertheless destroy the comfort of individual families. I mean such as result from ill-temper.

I knew a lady once, who was in the main as good a woman as might be. She never did a dishonorable or a dishonest thing in her life. She was bounteous and charitable. If any of her poor neighbours were ill, the best-wine in her cellar was at their service; she would order her cook to make them broth, and many other things which are requisite in sickness. If they were in distress,

she would occasionally give them money, and work for them, and make her daughters work for them like so many sempstresses: and many children, who without her help, would have been in tatters, were among the tidiest who went to church on Sundays. Therefore, she was certainly goodnatured: but with that she was so ill-tempered, that she was hardly bearable. I mean that she thwarted every one's wishes, disapproved of almost every thing that was done, and contradicted almost every thing that was said.

If her husband expressed a wish for a sirloin of beef, she would be sure to provide a leg of mutton if he wished for a boiled fowl, she would be sure to have it roasted. If he said let us have a duck, she would send for a turkey. When her sons chose a green coat from the tailor's book of colours, she would say that brown was fitter for them. If they made themselves smart, she hated dandies; if they did not, she could not bear slovens. When her daughters took pains to dress and curl their hair, she would laugh at them, and say they looked as if they wore wigs: if they cut their hair short, she would tell them that they looked like parish girls. In that way she went on, til finding all endeavours to please her were ineffectual, she was at it were set at nought, and husband, sons,

and daughters, left off caring whether she were pleased or no: so that in the end her own comfort was destroyed with theirs.

I remember that once when Mr. Bartlet, her husband, in order to make a return to the kind friends who, in the Christmas holidays, had invited the children to many balls and young parties, proposed to give a ball at his own house, that she raised many objections. The great expence was one. "Nay, my dear," said the good man, "I am sure that we can afford it very well."

Then the trouble would be so great. "If we do it at all, we must do it handsomely; and who do you think can see to the preparations? I am sure I shall not fatigue myself for any such nonsense."

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'My dear," said Mr. Bartlet, "you shall have no trouble. I will order every thing from the confectioner."

A ball fixed without consulting her on the subject, and persisted in contrary to her opinion, was a great offence to Mrs. Bartlet, and every thing in the family was more found fault with than usual. However in spite of her opposition, and the unpleasant observations she made on indulging children, all went on to get ready for the gala night. The company were invited, the fiddlers were hired,