his words, like the accompanying action, must have been indescribably significant.

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"The leering and earthly-looking appendages of Carlostein viewed the scene before them with a sardonic smile."

***Of the suite of Albert, nothing was visible but the soul-and-bodyengrossing spirit already described, which expanded into the entire occupation of its proper atmosphere, and left nothing therein visible but itself.

The spiritual Arcadian attendant on the now deeply-blushing maiden seemed for half a moment to give way, and a crowd of fluttering sprites, with gilded wings and vain and complacent countenances, started forward. At the very instant Albert's eyes were most lighted up with love, and his expressions apparently the most ardent, a single one of quite a different caste of countenance became also perceptible. I cannot describe it, Alfman, but endeavour, by metaphysical aid, to compound an immaterial expression of conscious power and beauty; an involuntary sympathy towards a handsome youth of family and consequence who so explicitly felt their sway; and the natural yielding of a plastic spirit to all overwhelming impressions, and such a creation will be the

result.

"There is no necessity for your Hungarian, Risberg, to fill the mind's eye with a vision of this description, when the materials are placed so fairly before it. But proceed.'

"How long Albert would have thus operated on the spiritualities of his fair companion, I know not; for my attention was interrupted by an appearance which extorted from me an exclamation of surprise, and almost made me dart forward upon the glass which exhibited illusions so fantastical.

What now, Risberg?"

Conceive my astonishment, when looking accidentally towards the screen, a female face protruded from behind it-the soul-informed and eloquent features of which were worked up into an expression of the most agitated despair, it was the countenance of Ida!"

“How now, Risberg?

Yes, of Ida Sternheim, whose loosened ringlets hung round her face in wild disorder, and whose dark eyes appeared half bursting from their sockets, in the conveyance of one glance of unutterable love and hopelessness on the impassioned Albert, as he kneeled at the feet of 'his mistress. One searching glance only was bestowed, and the wellknown lineaments were seen no more.

The pantomime of the scene which followed I will dismiss very briefly. On the conclusion of the homage of the knee, and the accompanying rapturous expression of fealty, Albert arose, and leading the young lady to a chair, an earnest conversation apparently followed, in which Carlostein participated. As this conference proceeded, I ob served the previous exultation of the fair damsel visibly abate; and she looked as if pleading against some proposed arrangement with timid earnestness. The effect on Albert was curious: something like á resentful blush suffused his countenance, and I observed with surprise, the cold and lofty sprite, which had since the morning wholly disappeared, started once more into visible being. Carlostein, who, even when affectedly regardless, watched the proceedings of both

3

parties with the keenest attention, seemed disconcerted, and contriving to stand behind Albert, bestowed upon the instantly-terrified girl a look of such demoniacal resentment and malignity: that a deadly paleness instantly overspread her features, and a passive acquiescence with the proposal of Albert gradually followed. At this change, the countenance of the latter resumed a portion of its complacency; but the effect of a check of feeling was still so perceptible, Carlostein seemed suddenly to perceive the propriety of departure; and with a thousand apparently passionate adieus on the part of my poor pupil, he left the room with his deceiver, and the magic mirror became once more opaque.

"I easily recognised the scite of the next scene of action; it was a spacious dining-room in a hotel famous for luxurious entertainment and ruinous high play. A large company of the most reckless bon vivans and rakes of quality in Dresden were assembled there to dine. In the midst of them appeared Albert and Carlostein, who seemed resolved not to leave the unwary youth a moment for cool reflection. I will not attempt to describe the scene which followed after dinner, when wine began to operate upon the heads of all present, but especially on that part of the company who were intended to perform the honourable part of dupes in the appeals to Fortune about to follow. Heavens! what a phantasmagoria became visible! The temptation of St. Anthony was nothing to it, and Callot himself would have been exhausted in an attempted delineation of the diablerie conjured up by the fumes of intoxication upon base and perverted associa→ tions. Every variety of latent or visible malignity borrowed a correspondent form; every fraudulent or covert design furnished a feature; and every brainless notion or drunken vanity, a suitable expression, until the whole room seemed peopled with sprawling imps and hiccuping essences. Sorrowful as I felt at this specimen of the frequent associates of Albert, I was involuntarily entertained by an inspection of their fantastical retinue. The scene, however, was soon modified, by the commencement of high play, when a great part of the spiritual assemblage evaporated into air, leaving the field to a few murky sprites of the most hateful description, which looked as if they were intent on devouring each other. Albert played, but his mind was evidently elsewhere; nor did Carlostein, who won his money, appear to invite him to persevere, but rather to take more wine, an excess of which began very sensibly to affect him. Affairs were in this train, until an apparently late hour, when suddenly Carlostein referred to his watch, and taking the arm of the flushed and now half-jovial Albert, they both left the company, as I thought, to separate for the evening; but I was egregiously mistaken.

"The scene changed once more, but it was back again to the abode of the lovely mistress of Albert, who appeared seated in the same mean and old-fashioned apartment, habited in a rich bridal dress of uniform white, and adorned with more than usual care, as if to disguise an irrepressible expression of fear and despondency. Her countenance was pale and even woe-begone, and terror at the consequences of something about to follow, was conspicuous in every feature. The screen occupied its former situation, and it even appeared to me that she was speaking to some one behind it, for her lips were in motion, and

she looked towards it, as if attending to answers from persons out of sight. ht. I was confirmed in this conjecture by a sudden cessation of all these appearances, on the entrance of the servant of Carlostein, in the first instance, and in a moment after of Carlostein, Albert, and a lusty son of the church.

"All was now clear to me, Alfman; my pupil was to be inveigled into an unsuitable, if not disgraceful marriage. My spirit groaned, yet I firmly kept my seat; what indeed would have been the use of leaving it?

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"If marriages are made in Heaven, Risberg, none at all.. all.bl»> "The presence of the priest prevented a repetition of the raptures of the morning, on the part of Albert, who however appeared struck with the evident misery of his intended bride. Even the wine he had taken did not prevent him from musing; and, to my infinite surprise, I thought the physiognomy of his impassioned attendant materially changed. The tendency to languor and deliquium appeared subsiding, while a trait of sentiment assumed its place; and, strange to say, there suddenly darted, like a meteor athwart his spiritual atmosphere, a shadowy redarted, like a collection of Ida Sternheim,

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You began by informing me that your pupil was capricious, Risberg; and truly, to be engrossed with the shadow of one fair lady, when about to out towed a another, looks abundantly like it.' These are points beyond my decision, Alfman, although I have heard that these contre-temps are by no means unusual. However this may be, suc such was the fact; of which Carlostein, who appeared to me to be endowed ed with the precise tact and talent of Mephistophiles, looked altogether aware, as the significant glances he bestowed on the timid victim of his machinations very clearly evinced. It was now however in vain; nothing could rally her spirits; and so despairing and apprehensive did

ceremony, that the youth suddenly resigned it, and addressed himself to Carlostein with an air with an air of dignified remonstrance.

all to that when Albert took her hand in preparation for the

"The countenance of the latter assumed a bland and fawning expression, which gradually changed to warmth, and lastly to passion, as he saw Albert first address a few words to the priest, and then prepare to depart.

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"It was in vain; Albert persevered; and, good God, Alfman, what a legion of hobgoblins instantly hovered around this man! Rage bursting through the hitherto impenetrable veil of hypocrisy is the most hysterical and demoniacal exhibition of which human nature is capable.

BRIT

Albert

appeared as if awakened from a dream, but behaved with a composure and dignity which shewed the high qualities that lay dormant in his composition.

"Infuriated with madness, Carlostein suddenly drew his sword, made, a pass at his retreating friend.

and

66 I suppose a female shriek followed, for the arm of Carlostein was suddenly arrested, and to my utter astonishment, the unwieldy screen fell down, and discovered-Guess, Alfman. dụng đụp boog wo

"And thereby disappoint you and spoil the story? Spare me, Risberg, and proceed.

"The Count Von F. on whose arm hung a beautiful youth, in the

dress of a student, while an almost equally youthful but more manly Adonis, in the habit of a substantial farmer's son,

distance behind them.

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"The intended bride rushed into the arms of the young Sylvander and fainted. It could be nothing but an oath which burst from the mouth of Carlostein as he made a furious lunge at the Count. He was disarmed the next t moment by Albert, but, alas! the student had thrown himself before the sword of the assassin, and fell covered with blood.'

"Ida, it is Ida Sternheim, exclaimed the countenance of Albert, as he gazed on the fainting form, and looked unutterable grief.

Carlostein, with a grin of diabolical satisfaction, contemplated the affecting scene before him...

The Count Von F. stamped with his foot, but it was unnecessary, a crowd of his attendants were previously rushing into the room; and such was my emotion at perceiving Carlostein in safe custody, the intensity of it awakened me, and-

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"So I have been listening to a dream all this time, Risberg."

Yes; and you have been interested by it, Alfman, which would not have been the case had you known it to be one. To adhere to facts:-my coffee-house adventurer ended with the verbal skirmish I first described; and possibly in consequence of it I dreamed all the rest, having sufficient time for that purpose, in consequence of swallowing a sleeping draught, administered, I fear, by the management of Carlostein and Albert. No matter; when I awoke the next morning but one, a and visited the Hotel von F., I was closeted by the Count, who informed me that he had discovered Baron Carlostein to be an infamous impostor, the son of a decayed burgomaster whom his vices had ruined; but that in consequence of the good conduct of a pretty girl, his sister, who had sought and found the protection of Ida Sternheim, and materially aided in the defeat of his villainy, he had only been banished the electoral dominions;-that an attachment had suddenly grown to maturity between Ida Sternheim and Albert, which was to be followed by a marriage as soon as the former recovered a sudden indisposition, which would probably confine her some days to her chamber;-and that, as I was no longer wanted as a tutor, I was nominated to the genteel appointment of, &c. &c. &c. "Which you have held now about ten years, Risberg.'

"I have, Alfman; and within that time the elder son of Count Von F. has sought the world of shadows, and Albert is the father of five children by Ida Sternheim;-lda, who, loving a man of honour, has never had occasion to repent loving first and all-devotedly. I often visit them at their country house, where I meet with an ingenuous and interesting couple, the male of whom acts as a steward to the estate, while the very pretty wife is the cordial protegée and valued friend of the lady Ida. Without the aid of Artemidorus, I felt this handsome pair to be old acquaintances; and-and-thus, Alfman, ends my tale!

"I could criticise immensely, Risberg; but butterflies, you know"You need not quote the rest, Alfman.-Have the goodness to help me to a glass of wine."

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Q.

CONVERSATIONS OF THE DEAD.-No. IV.

[Continued from Page 204.]

Scene.-ELYSIUM.

Interlocutors.-OPIE, TRESHAM, West.

O. I shall not say, my friends, that we are absolutely travelling out of the record; but I fear that our original purpose is melting away before this warm play of the beams of imagination. Does it not occur to you that we are indulging our wishes and our hopes, and adopting too much of the rapt tone of poetical invocation, where we proposed to explore, and reason upon the irregular, as well as the routine patronage of modern art? Barry talked in the beginning of a divining rod, and of topographically exploring the fountains of patronage.

T. He did so; and when you, Opie, spoke of Fine Art striking its roots, like the British oak into the hardy gravel, you must have meant (apart from metaphor) that there exists a market for its commodities, independently of the patronage of the Court and of the British Institution.

O. Yes. That institution itself rests on the public. But I feel some exception to the mercantile character of your phrases.

T. O, you must not mind that. I mixed a little too much, perhaps, with shopkeepers, in the latter part of my mortal career, and am not yet thoroughly rid of their habitual phraseology; but my meaning, I hope, is clear, and you know you should look to results. Notwithstanding that my worldly necessities obliged me to seem to join in that small-minded, paltry, inefficient, Tom-thumb-scheme of Peltro Tomkins and Longmans, for converting noble collections to the tops of snuffboxes and duodecimo ballads, I have high ideas of the powers and the claims of art. I think it a species of Causation, and in its loftier and finer manifestations, more intimately related to divinity than many a divine.

O. Well then, you state my position fairly enough in substance. I think that even its superior professors may now enjoy the comfort— (you like that English word)-of knowing that there exists for them: a British public. Indeed, there appears to me always to have been a public at least, from the beginning of our time and that of the Royal Academy; a sympathy, I mean, with our professional pursuits, and a mutual action and re-action between the progress of British taste, and that of the talents of our native artists, has always existed, operating on each other in a direct reciprocal ratio. However we will not now stop to dive into the abstract question, but regard and reason from the practical results that we have witnessed. Now, Turner, as an individual artist of high claims; and the Society who paint in water-colours, and who exhibit and sell their own works for their own benefit and that of the public,—and which I shall venture te call the best constituted Society of Artists in England,-has not their honest reliance upon the public been met with corresponding sympathy, and with its necessary, concomitant remuneration? And these results, have they not been independant of Court patronage? Of that of the British Institution, and, in the latter case, of the ill-constituted Academy? In short, of middle men of every description, who are always instigated by a private and separate interest of some sort? Have not the charming engravings