fixed upon him. Albert was now some leagues from Presburg; the wide plain seemed untenanted except by themselves, it was far out of the beaten track, this he saw at a glance, how then came she there? Her long and flowing dress of the purest white, and slight veil thrown partially over her beautiful tresses, were not such as the proud Hungarian dames were in the habit of wearing; he threw himself off his horse, and approaching towards her, said

"Maiden, I have sought thee everywhere, and until this moment, never have I been so blessed as to have it in my power to express the feelings of my heart."

"You say you sought me; yes, as such as you do seek far and wide, midst the haunts of men; think you it was there I passed, otherwise than as a flittering shadow? had you sought me here in the wide extended plains, in solitude and quiet, you would have found me, where only I could listen to you."

"Oh, maiden! be you what you may, hear me while I say I love thee, as man never loved before. It is not a passion of earth, but more approaching the nature of thyself, pure as the air which plays around us; I will worship thee, will leave all to follow thee, do but listen to me."

"Your love is like that of all earth's creatures, fickle and changing as the wind; amongst yourselves you win affections and then cast off the softer of your kind, to linger on for years in heart-broken anguish, or fall the prey of misplaced fondness. With us it is not so; the rolling course of time still finds us the same, and we know not the sorrows of blighted affection,"

"Oh do not cast me from you, fair being, for the faults of others; I swear by all I hold most sacred, by thyself, that lengthened years will find no change; ever shall I be the same, the fondest, most devoted."

"You promise bravely; but I have been warned against the promises of men, and bid to seek those amongst my own kind with whom to plight my faith; had I not seen you I might have done so, but now it is too late; I have ventured much for thee, more than thou canst ever know; should I be deceived, then farewell all-"

"Nay, maiden, speak not thus, but augur for the best."

"Dare you venture to meet me here, just as the evening star is shining forth, alone?"

""Till then, farewell!" and waving her hand towards him, her form gradually became indistinct, until not a trace remained to shew that a moment since she had been there."

Albert found his horse at some little distance from him quietly grazing, the animal allowed itself to be taken without difficulty, and was soon on the road towards Presburg. At the suburbs, they met the throng returning from the Promenade, and as Albert rode slowly on, many a fair hand was waved to him from a carriage window, and many a dashing Hungarian officer, as he proudly curveted by, made a friendly salutation; but all passed unheeded, he was counting the hours, the minutes, nay, the very seconds, until he should again behold his fair spirit.

"Are you turned exchange broker, and counting the bales of merchandize, duly consigned ?" said a gentleman on horseback, riding up to him.

"Alas, no!" sighed Albert, scarce knowing what he was saying.

"Alas, no! mercy on us, what a sigh! how much would many a fair maiden give for such an one from you, Albert!" "Did I sigh, Storwald ?"

66

'Why, something very like 1 must confess."

"I was thinking of my poor aunt, who lies buried in the church we are passing, you know she used to be very fond of me."

"Why, she has been dead these three years, and often as I have ridden by the church with you, I never heard you sigh for the poor old lady before; but it won't do, that was not a sigh for an aunt; it was too deep, too heartfelt ; I'll wager all I'm worth, it's for the sweet daughter of the Countess Eitlingen, that you waltzed with so much at the court fete."

Storwald, I pledge you my honour you are mistaken;" but he had spurred on his horse, and was out of hearing. "This is very provoking, it will be bruited about everywhere, that I am smitten with the countess's daughter, and there are people foolish enough to believe it."

Albert gave his horse to the servant, and retired to his own room, there to await in patience, until it was time to seek the plains; he attired himself in a light hunting dress, and armed only with a small sword, which he carried

more for ornament than protection, sought the appointed rendezvous. As he reached the spot the growing gloom was increasing to darkness; all around was still as death, not even the distant sound of the evening chimes was borne towards him; he looked up, and saw the evening star shining brightly, but no where through the gloom could he trace the figure of her he sought."

"Maiden, I am here alone to seek thee." As he spoke these words, he perceived an indistinct form, which, as it approached towards him, he saw was that of the spirit maiden; he flew to clasp her in his arms, but she motioned him back with an air of offended dignity. "Creature of earth, listen to me, and I will say why I have wished thee to meet me here. In my wanderings I have seen thee often-have loved thee -nay, more, would be thy bride; will you forsake the creatures of thy kind to dwell with me and mine? thou shalt have all thy fancy or imagination can paint all thy most unbounded wishes can suggest, as conducing to thy happiness. I ask in return only thine affections, pure and unalloyed."

"Oh! fair being! for thee alone I will forsake all, the most I could have wished would be to dwell with thee; I want not other aids for perfect happiness; believe me, sweet creature, for speak with all sincerity." "But one thing more: with us, whenever our faith is plighted, if by word, deed, or action, we sully those vows of faith, but for an instant, then must we for ever part. It is our law, we must obey-wilt thou bear it in thy remembrance ?"

"Dearest maiden, for ever."

“There then is my hand, look up towards the evening star, and swear that thou art mine-mine for ever-and wholly mine."

"I swear!" As soon as he had uttered these words, he perceived a dense mist gathering around them; his hand remained clasping that of his bride, but she spoke not; the mist was too thick to allow him to see her features, and he feared to question lest it should imply a want of faith.

In a few seconds a breeze came sweeping by, and quickly dispersed the mist. Albert looked up, and perceived before him a palace more magnificent than even his fancy could have imagined; lights streamed from every window of all hues and shades; whilst from out the doors burst troops of beings,

some making the air resound with most melodious music, and others singing sweet welcome to Eva the bride, and the creature of earth; on every side were bands of spirit beings seeking amusement in a thousand various ways, but joining their voices in the loud chorus of welcome; all seemed in search of pleasure and happiness, when and as they would; and the loud laugh, which, at intervals, burst forth with such hearty good will, was repeated by the echo until it died faintly away, or mingled with the music's sounds.

"This is now our home; think you it will cause you to regret the dwellings of mankind?"

"It is indeed beautiful," replied Albert; 66 imagination could not paint such; to pass my days here, and with thee, my charming bride, will be happiness such as we could not feel on earth."

"Each seeks for pleasure as the fancy prompts; our laws are so simple that we scarce know of their existence, they are only for the general good, one individual cannot oppress another, nor have we the vain ranks and shadows of authority like you on earth; we live always in one continued round of enjoyments, and the cares of old age and decrepitude are unknown-but let us onward,"

They joined the pomp which had come out to meet them, and entered together the palace; the interior of which was of corresponding magnificence with all around; one saloon was lighted with lamps, sending forth a soft blue shade, which gave the appearance of a beautiful clear moonlight night, whilst another throwing forth rays of chastened red, seemed to imitate the fiery aspect of the setting sun. The festivities were long continued, and often and loudly did the walls resound with the praises of the bride, each voice joining in the full chorus, whilst some sweet singer gently breathed forth the melody.

Time passed away unheeded; each day saw the recurrence of the joyous scene, but unlike the pleasures of earth, they never palled. Albert felt a gaiety-an elasticity of spirits, such as he had never known on earth. It seemed one continued summer season, the dull and dreary winter was unknown; day after day he wandered forth with the fair Eva, who would point out to him the various beauties of their fairy world.

"Look at that sweeping dale, and yon blue mountain rising so majestically-is there not a softened boldness which harmonizes with all around?"

"It is indeed a lovely scene, where on earth could we seek for such!"

"Look again at this vast plain so richly studded with forest beauties, and the shining river working its irregular way through the midst, and breaking out at intervals in smaller streams." ""Tis beautiful!”

"And the temple which crowns the summit of yon rising ground, and overlooks the whole;-it is a lonely spot, whose quiet is only broken by the bird's sweet warblings; I used to love it once, and past many an hour alone, when I could not join the merry throng and share their mirth-but of late the path thither has been untrodden, let us towards it now."

"Ay, and we will sit there and bring to mind the by-gone time when first we met;" saying which, they turned and sought its path.

Albert was one day sitting alone in an arbour, formed by the overhanging boughs of the willow, his gaze was fixed upon the vast expanse of the calm unruffled lake before him, whilst his thoughts wandered unheeded. A light bark had pushed off from the side of the lake, and seemed to fly along the waters, its only tenant being a fair spirit, who was evidently making towards the arbour in which Albert was reclining; as she approached, he perIceived it was one whom he had frequently before remarked, not alone for her exceeding beauty, but because often when suddenly turning, he had found her looking intently upon him, and as their eyes met, a slight blush mantled o'er her cheeks, and she would turn away with an air of confusion; she drew up the bark to the side of the arbour, which she entered.

"Why, creature of earth, have you sought this solitary spot? I had thought your kind had only loved to be in quiet and seclusion when the heart was sad, to pour out its griefs unheeded-you should be happy."

"So fair being am I." "So, too, is the gentle Eva." "Indeed I hope so, but there are times when sadness seems to weigh upon her; a sudden thought flashes on her mind, that in an instant dispels the smiles that have been playing on her countenance, often have I asked her tote! 1 met he reason, but never has she

SQ.

"Tell me, creature of earth, whether amongst your kind men love but once.

Albert looked up; the eyes of the fair creature were fixed upon him, and he slowly replied "Once only with the true fervour of love, the second time it is but”

"There is then a second time-have you loved more than once?" "But once."

"Then you may love again," and she drew towards him, "think you there are none save Eva, who have seen and loved you? have you looked with indifference on all besides? there is one who, from the moment you first entered our spirit land, has never ceased to feel for you, as for one-"

"I must not listen further," said Albert, "let me beseech you to consider-"

"I have considered, and for your sake will risk all! Oh do not cast me from you-say you will not hate me;" and she sank upon her knees before him. "I will pray for you to the evening star whom we all worship-I will watch over you-but oh, do not, do not hate me."

Albert gently raised her from the ground; his arm had encircled her waist, and her head fell upon his breast; he looked an instant at her lovely face, and in token that he felt not hatred, imprinted on her lips a chaste and gentle kiss;-a boat at that moment passed before the arbour, and to his horror he perceived it contained the gentle Eva he flew towards her.

"Eva, hear me, I have not wronged thee; but listen to me for one short instant, Eva! Eva!"

She faded from his sight, and he saw a thick mist was gathering around him, which every moment became more dense; in a short time it died away, and he perceived he was again in the plains of Hungary-it was in the open glare of broad day.

"Eva!" he faintly sighed, "I have not deserved this- -never have my thoughts an instant wronged thee;" he looked up, and saw standing a few paces before him the figure of her he called upon; her arms were folded across her breast, and her countenance seemed worn by grief; whilst burning

tears were fast chasing each other down her cheeks.

"Albert, fare thee well-for ever, fare thee well-it is our law, I must obey."

He flew towards her to clasp her in his arms, but they encircled only the thin air-she was gone for ever. His feelings overpowered him, and he sank swooning to the earth, where he lay until the cool air of the evening restored him-dejectedly he sought the road to Presburg.

Many were the enquiries as to where his months of absence had been passed, but he always maintained the strictest silence when questioned concerning it; refusing to give any account of himself during the time he had been away. It was apparent, however, to all, that he had become an altered man; the charms and pleasures of life he carefully avoided, preferring always to wander forth alone. Often was he pressed by his friends to enter into an alliance with some of the noble Hungarian families, who were desirous of the connection; it was in vain, for to the last hour of his existence, the dearest object of his heart was Eva, his Spirit Bride.

THE JOINT-GRASS. FOR THE OLIO.

bound tide

J. M. B.

Lo! where the sluggish stream its spellWinds 'neath the gloomy alder, where the

rush

Moans to the evening gale its banishment From festal halls and arras-painted bower; And the tall iris, like a sabre, cuts

QUEEN ELIZABETH.

"A pale Roman nose,' observes Horace Walpole, “a head of hair loaded with crowns and powdered with diamonds, a vast ruff, a vaster fardingale, and a bushel of pearls, are the features by which every one at once knows the pictures of Queen Elizabeth." A few instances of her taste and habits may prove entertaining; and the indications of her personal vanity and extravagance will not be thought to derogate from the policy and ability of her government.

Paul Hentzner, a German traveller in England, thus describes her maj> passing to chapel, at the royal palace of Greenwich: Next came the queen, in the sixty-fifth year of her age, as we were told, very majestic, her face oblong, fair, but wrinkled; her eyes small, yet black and pleasant; her nose a little hooked; her lips narrow, and her teeth black, (a defect the English seem subject to, from their too great use of sugar); she had in her ears two pearls, with very rich drops; she wore false hair, and that red; upon her head she had a small crown; her bosom was uncovered, as all the English ladies have it till they marry; and she had on a necklace of exceeding fine jewels; her hands were small, her fingers long, and her stature neither tall nor low; her air was stately; her manner of speaking mild and obliging. That day she was drest in white silk, bordered with pearls of the size of beans, and over it a mantle of black silk, shot with silver threads; her train was very long, borne

waves

Beauteous, in barrenness of beauty, quaint 'Mid Nature's wildness.

Pillar of the swamp!

Above thy spires coruscant-tell me, now, What fairy monarch o'er his consort dead

Built ye, like Edward's crosses, most superb Memorials? Or what victor Oberon,

From conquered kings of Fairyland,

in white."

Her wardrobe consisted of " more than two thousand gowns, with all

their crowns

of perfumed necklaces, bracelets, and gloves. In the fifteenth year of her reign, "Edward Vere, Earl of Oxford, presented her with a pair of perfumed gloves, trimmed with four tufts of rosecoloured silk, in which she took such pleasure, that she was always painted with those gloves on her hands; and their scent was so exquisite, that it was ever after called the Earl of Oxford's perfume." At new year's day, 1589, she was presented by Sir Francis Drake with "a fanne of feathers, white and redd, the handle of golde, inamule

with a halfe moone of mother of perles; within that a halfe moone garnished with sparks of dyamonds, and a few seede perles on the one side, having her majestie's picture within it; and on the back side a device with a crowe over it."

Hentzner, in describing the splendid furniture of Queen Elizabeth's palaces, says, "At Windsor, her majesty has two bathing rooms, ceiled and wainscoted with glass;" at Hampton Court, "her closet in the chapel is most splendid, quite transparent, having its window of crystal. We were led into two chambers, called the presence, or chambers of audience, which shone with tapestry of gold and silver, and silk of different colours. Here is, besides, a small chapel richly hung with tapestry, where the queen performs her devotions. In her bed-chamber, the bed was covered with very costly coverlids of silk: in one chamber were several excessively rich tapestries, which are hung up when the queen gives audience to foreign ambassadors; there were numbers of cushions ornamented with gold and silver, many counterpanes and coverlids of beds lined with ermine; in short, all the walls of the palace shine with gold and silver. Here is, besides, a certain cabinet, called Paradise, where besides that every thing glitters so with silver, gold, and jewels, as to dazzle ones eyes, there is a musical instrument made all of glass, except the strings."

Harrington, in his "Nugæ Antiquæ," praises her for her courteous attention to the comforts of the followers and servants of her court:-"The stately palaces, goodly and many chambers, fayr gallerys, large gardens, sweet walks, that princes with magnificent cost do make (the twentyeth parte of which they use not themselves), all shew that they desire the ease, content, and pleasure of theyr followers as well as themselves." He afterwards praises her for having caused to be substituted "easye quilted and lyned forms and stools for the lords and ladys to sit on," for the former "hard plank forms and wainscot stools," which he specifically describes as having been very inconvenient.

Her majesty was very partial to and excelled in dancing, which was one of the exercises she most delighted in in her old age, as contributing to the impression of activity and juvenility she wished to produce, especially on strangers. When Sir Roger Aston was in the habit of bringing letters to her from

James I. of Scotland, "he did never come to deliver any, but he was placed in the lobby, the hangings being lifted up, where he might see the queene dancing to a little fiddle, which was to no other end, than he should tell his master by her youthful disposition, how likely he was to come to the possession of the crown he so much thirsted after."

The worst part of her character, in which she too faithfully copied her father, Henry VIII., was in giving her self up to angry and vindictive passions, to which was added a restless and impetuous jealousy.

By these combined causes fell her favourite Essex and her own relation, the unfortunate Mary. In less dangerous cases it was exercised in boxing her courtiers' ears. Harrington would not adventure her highnesse's choller leste she should collar him also:" and she used to belabour her ladies of honour "in such wise, as to make these fair maids often cry and bewail in piteous sort." That she had, however, some redeeming qualities, not only in public but private life, is known to all who are acquainted with the history of their country; and that she was a patroness of learning and religion.

A CHAPTER ON PORTRAITS.

LORD BACON has been particularly severe in divers passages in his works upon those unfortunate individuals whose souls have not been set in the most comely and beautiful frames. He contends, that there is a consent between the body and the mind; and that nature where she errs in the one, ge nerally ventures in the other," ubi peccat in uno, per clitatur in altero." He admits, however, that "whosoever hath any thing fixed in his person that doth induce contempt, hath also a perpetual spur in himself to rescue and deliver himself from scorn;" and therefore he says shortly afterwards, "It is not to be marvelled, if sometimes deformed men prove excellent characters." Now this doctrine, if it rest upon any principle at all, must rest upon the principle, that the carcase, which is the mere dress of the soul, is the best part of the man; and is about as absurd as the vulgar notion, that a wellmade coat is the principal ingredient in the formation of a gentleman. The supporters of it ought to recollect, that the finest pearls are oftentimes inclosed in the most rugged shells, and that the