aunt, her father's sister; who, at intervals, attended her on visits to Frances, and also, at particular seasons, to the Abbot.

In one of these visits to her uncle, she became acquainted with Henry de Belville, between whose father and the Abbot there had long subsisted a most firm friendship. He was of good birth, though much inferior to Isabella in fortune, his father's estate having greatly suffered in the confusion of those turbulent times.

Belville was now in his twenty-ninth year; his figure was graceful, and his understanding had been improved by the most extensive education that the fashion of the age allowed. He was now on his return from a short expedition into France, and had stopped at Canterbury to pay his respects to the Abbot. Belville, on his first return to England, a few years previous to the present period, had been honoured by the patronage of Richard, Duke of Gloucester; who being now mounted on the throne of England, the whole nation was thrown into a hostile state.

Belville felt himself enamoured of his fair companion, and had the satisfaction to perceive that his attention to her was not thrown away: having reason to think he had made a favourable impression on Isabella, he did not long hesitate to propose himself to her, as one who would be happy to pass his life in the society of so engaging a woman.-His offer was not less pleasing to Isabella, than it was to her uncle and Frances; the latter of whom agreed to give up to her sister her right in the castle of Saint Clair, where it was proposed they should reside.

Every thing was preparing for their nuptials; and nothing could wear a fairer face of prosperity than did this purposed union. But the successful progress that the arms of Henry of Richmond had made in the kingdom obliged Richard to oppose them with his utmost force, and to summon all his servants to attend his camp; among whom was the intended bride-groom, who at this time would willingly have waved the service, had not his own nice sense of honour, and his zeal for his master, overcome every private motive. Belville was amongst those of the king's followers, who shared their master's fate on Bosworth field. He was near Richard in great part of the battle, and was also a witness of his death;-and his own horse being killed under him, either by the fall, or by being trampled on in the confusion, his thigh was broken; and, after Richmond's party had obtained the victory, this gallant youth was carried, with several others wounded, into Leicester, where, his rank being known, he was lodged in a monastery of Black Friars in that city. A little before he expired, he desired to be left alone with his page, that he might give him his latest orders.

Bertram,' says he,-looking wistfully on him the day that has ruined our sovereign's fortune hath blasted mine!-and that too, in the moment when it shone the fairest! Thou wilt soon render me the last of thy faithful services!-Let my body rest with the fathers of this house, and, as soon as thou hast seen its due rites performed, speed thee to Canterbury, and acquaint the holy Abbot of St. Augustin with the bloody event of yesterday. Conjure him, that he unfold it to my intended bride, in such manner as his discretion shall advise. Bear her this jewel from my finger, in token that my last thoughts dwelt on her;-and tell her, my only sigh in leaving the world was for the losing her, whose virtues so embellished it!

The faithful Bertram dropped a tear of affection and gratitude over the grave of his gallant master-and journeying to Canterbury with a bursting heart, presented himself before the Abbot, with such a countenance as hardly needed a tongue to tell his melancholy errand.

When Saint Clair was himself sufficiently composed to open the mournful business to his neice, he spared none of that ghostly comfort, which a good man would offer on such an occasion ;-though the emotions of nature must subside, before the soothing voice of reason can be heard!

Isabella, after giving way to the first transports of passion, assumed a fortitude and resignation which her piety alone could inspire: and as soon as her mind was more fortified, she communicated her final resolution to her sister.

When the Lady Abbess saw her sister, she found her still more determined to enter on a monastic life: and as soon as her affairs were properly adjusted, she took the veil in the convent where Frances resided.

Isabella found in religion the only consolation for her past misfortunes. The two sisters enjoyed all that heart-felt pleasure which arises from rooted friendship; and, as the effects of benevolent dispositions operate on all around, theirs served to communicate happiness to all the sisterhood.

After these Ladies had passed near fourteen years in this peaceful retirement, the Abbess received with an alarming fever, the effects of which hung so long upon her, that they greatly endangered her life.

During her illness she made a private vow to the Virgin Mary, that, if she recovered, she would send some costly present to a chapel, which was consecrated to her, at a little port, called Bradstow, or Broad-stairs, in the Isle of Thanet; and in which her image was esteemed to work such miracles, that pilgrims came from parts very remote to visit it; and all ships passing within sight of it are reported to have constantly lowered their top-sails, to salute it. The feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross, which was the third day of May, being to be celebrated there, with great solemnity, her gratitude for her recovery, and for the supposed intercession of the Virgin, determined the Abbess to go herself and fulfil her vow.

Isabella obtained permission to accompany her sister in this devout journey; and, the roads being little frequented in that age, they put themselves, with two attendants, aboard a passage sloop; but had not been at sea above two hours, before a violent storm arose. Every one who is acquainted with the navigation of this part of the coast, quite to the mouth of the coast, knows how difficult it is rendered by the many banks of sand that obstruct it.

To pursue their course was impracticable; they therefore attempted to save themselves by running in on the shore, at a little place called Reculver, a small village of great antiquity, on the border of the isle of Thanet ;-but the advance of night, and a thick fog, prevented them from discerning exactly whereabout they were. Every endeavour to reach the shore was frustrated by the storm driving them from it; and, their sails being all shattered, a sudden swell of the sea bore them quite out of their direction, and struck the vessel on a bank of sand, called the Horse, that lies a little way off Reculver.

The surprise and confusion that must naturally rush into the minds of people who are on the point of being wrecked, can only be felt by those who have stood in so dreadful a situation. Every one recommended himself to God, or to his tutelar saint.-The mariners hoisted out their long boat, as precipitately as they could; and that which most agitated the thoughts of Frances and Isabella was the mutual preservation of each other.

Scarce was the boat on the surface of the waves, when every one was eager to rush into it; for it was certain the vessel must bulge in a few hours,-and, to add to the horror, night advanced. The captain, almost by force, dragged the Lady Abbess, and her sister, from her cabin,-and scarce had he helped the first, half dead as she was, down the side of the ship, when those already

in the boat, finding they must all perish, if more got in, pushed off instantly and rowed towards the shore.

The only faint hope which now remained to those on board was, that the vessel might possibly hold together, till some assistance could be obtained from the shore; which they still flattered themselves would come, in case the boat reached the land,-which it providentially did, though with the utmost risk.

But it was four hours after the arrival of the boat before any one durst venture out; when, the storm abating, with the departure of the tide, and the day being near dawning, a large boat put off to the wreck. When those who went to assist got into it, they found all the people on board refuged in different parts of the deck, great part of which was broken away. Isabella had remained in the cabin; one side of which was also washed off, and the room half filled with water; she was almost exhausted by the terrors and hardships she had sustained, yet life seemed to flush anew in her countenance on hearing that her sister was preserved.

As soon as they had brought her on shore, she was supported by several women, and conducted to the house where the Lady Abbess was. Frances, transported at the sight of her sister, ran out to meet Isabella, who, the moment she approached, made an effort to spring forward to her, but sunk down, overpowered, into the arms of her attendants. Frances clasped her hand in eager joy, would have uttered something, but could only faintly pronounce her name, and fell at her feet in a swoon. She received every assistance that could be procured;-but her strength and spirits were so far exhausted, that she lived but till the evening of the following day.

Frances, though still sinking from the shock and agitation of the preceding night, forgot, in her attention to her sister, her own sufferings. She accused herself, as the fatal cause of all that had befallen her, by suffering her attendance in this expedition. Isabella chid her for thinking so, declaring, it was the will of Heaven, to which she patiently submitted. Though we came into the world together,' says she, yet as we were not destined to perish together, a time must inevitably have come, when death would have dissolved our union. I rejoice that I am not the survivor. I die where I have ever wished to live, in the arms of the most beloved of sisters. Pray for the repose of my soul; and lay me in the tomb which you have allotted to be your own, that one grave may in death hold our remains, who in life had but one heart.'

The loss of Isabella plunged the Lady Abbess into that deep distress, which minds, formed like hers, with the noblest sentiments of tenderness and benevolence, must, on such a trial, inevitably feel. She caused the body of her unfortunate sister to be deposited, with every mark of respect, in a vault, on one side of the shrine of Saint Benedict,-bedewed with tears of the most heart-felt sorrow, dropped from the eyes of all the sisterhood.

When time and reflection had somewhat calmed her affliction, Frances failed not to transmit her intended offering to the Virgin of Broad-stairs, accompanied by a donation of twelve masses, to be said for the repose of Isabella's soul. And soon after, to perpetuate the memory of her sister, as well as to direct mariners in their course, she caused an ancient Church, that stood on a rising ground just above the village of Reculver, to be restored and enlarged, and erected two spiral towers at the end thereof, which she directed should be called THE SISTERS; and to this day it retains the name, and is a sea-mark of great utility.

She survived Isabella eleven years, and died most sincerely and deservedly lamented, towards the end of the year 1512.

SANGUINARY LIFE OF EZZELINO DA ROMANO, OF PADUA.

Of all the petty tyrants who have rendered their names equally terrible and detestable within the sphere of their power, few can compare in point of vigour and capacity, as well as of cruelty and ferocity, with Ezzelino, surnamed da Romano, who bore a great sway in the north-eastern part of Italy about the middle of the thirteenth century. He is frequently mentioned in the histories relative to that period, but the most particular account of his life and actions is to be met with in a work entitled "Historia d'Ezzelino Terzo da Romano." As it contains many curious particulars of the events and manners of that age, we shall here give a general account of some of the most remarkable passages.

The work begins with a view of the state of that part of Italy called La Marca Trevisana, in the year 1100. This Marche of Treviso comprehended great part of the later Venetian territory on the continent, in which were the cities of Verona, Vicenza, Padua, Treviso or Trevigi, Trent, and Altino. At that period it was in profound peace and tranquillity; all its cities enjoyed a free government, paying due obedience and a decent tribute to the emperor. The people, not burdened with impositions, lived in great prosperity, every man occupied in the concerns of his own calling. Nor were they yet infected with the party animosities of the Guelfs and Gibbelins; whence every city abounded in nobility and people, in merchandize and wealth. Among the noble families of that period, there were five distinguished above the rest for antiquity, property, reputation, and powerful alliances.

When the emperor Otho III. came into Italy, among other eminent commanders, he brought with him one named Ezzelino the German, (the name is doubtless Italianized) who for his great services obtained several grants, among which was the castle of Onaro, 15 miles from Bassano, with all its possessions and jurisdictions. He was made Count of that place, and finally settled in Italy with all his family. By his address he also became lord of

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Bassano, and many other castles in Piedmont; and he frequently visited Padua, where he built a superb palace, and was held in high esteem - He died at a very advanced age, leaving two daughters honorably married in Italy, and one son named Ezzelino Balbo. This son, who married a Paduan lady, had one son, Ezzelino Monaco, and a daughter united in marriage to Tiso da Campo St. Piero, a very opulent and powerful nobleman. The death of Manfredo da Baone, accounted the richest man in the Marche Trevigi, left his only child Cecilia, a wealthy heiress. She was committed to the guardianship of one Spinabello, who offered her to Gerardo, eldest son of the above mentioned Tiso, as the most suitable match he could find for her. Tiso consulted his father-in-law Ezzelino Balbo on the proposal, who, thinking the connection a very good one for his own son Ezzelino, secretly treated with Spinabello to give him the preference to Gerardo. In fine, he prevailed with the guardian, and Cecilia was married with great pomp to Ezzelino Monaco, by whom she had a daughter. The family of Campo San Piero were highly enraged at this treachery, and resolved upon vengeance. They watched many years for an opportunity, which at length offered itself. Cecilia having obtained permission from her husband to visit her great possessions and her kindred in Padua, departed from Bassano, where she resided, with an attendance of about thirty servants. Gerardo da Campo San Piero, informed of her journey by his spies, collected a strong troop of his friends, and met her at a place on the road, pretending that his intention was to do her honour. When, however, he had got her into his power, he changed his tone, and informed her that it was his intention to put her to shame, in order to revenge the injury which he had sustained from her husband. Her most pathetic entreaties were fruitless, as well as the ties of kindred by which they were connected. He kept her with him forcibly all night, and the next morning sent her back to her husband with an insulting message.

It was impossible that such an affront could be forgiven; and the deadly feud that ensued between the two families not only involved them and all their dependencies in the calamities of fire and sword, but brought ruin upon the whole country. Ezzelino, though he acquitted his wife of blame in the affair, thought it requisite for his honour to repudiate her. He married again (as did also the lady) and becoming the head of his house by the death of his father Balbo, he studied to increase his power by alliances, and made secret augmentations of his military force. His new wife bore him several children, among whom was the principal subject of this history, Ezzelino Terzo, surnamed da Romano, from a castle of his father's in Piedmont, where he was born on April 24th, 1194. Several years passed before any remarkable hostility took place between the two houses, and the first event which happened was a sort of retaliation in kind. The castle of Campretto was possessed in common by Tiso da Campo St. Piero and his near relation Maria, a widow. This joint property was the cause of frequent dissention, and Tiso and his sons treated with little respect the rights of the unprotected Maria. She therefore made a secret application to Ezzelino Monaco, offering to give him possession of her part of the castle, and also of her own person. The offer was willingly accepted; a force was sent by night, which threw a garrison into the castle, and carried off the lady and her movables to Romano, where she passed many years as concubine to Ezzelino. Campretto was afterwards the centre of a very bloody and destructive war between the two families, which at length, through the intervention of the city of Padua, was terminated by a peace, but the hatred of the parties still rankled in their hearts.