564 SONNET-LORD AND LADY BYRON. if I was sure, for he was come here to dinner; and I said I was sure your Ladyship was not at home; and then he made a sort of a snuff with his nose, because he could smell dinner quite plain in the hall; however, I persisted, and so at last of all he said, says he, my Lady, that's uncommon odd,' and off out he went, like a shot.' 'Why what on earth could induce you to do such a thing, Stephen?' screamed her Ladyship. 'Why, my Lady, your orders to me, when you were in town last year were says your Ladyship to me, says you, 'If ever that Captain Sheringham calls when I am at home, say I am at out; and if he calls when I am out, and any of the young ladies are at home, say they are out; and if ever he calls about dinner-time, as he sometimes does, never let him in;' so I did as 1 was bid.' 'Bid!' exclaimed her Ladyship; 'and what on earth shall I do?' 'Eat your dinner, Lady Gorgon,' said Alouette; 'you can do no good now; never let nosing at all interfere with de gastronome; he is gone to one of his clubs to dinner: he will do very well, and it will all keep till to-morrow. It is a sad mistake, to be sure.' It was so sad a mistake that no dinner was eaten, no wine was, drunk no conversation occurred, and the ladies retired almost imemdiately after the desert was put down, each to write a note of condolence and apology. Alouette, who enjoyed the defeat of a plotter and match-patcher, kept his dull friend Doldrum drinking a great deal more than either of them liked; and when they went to the drawing-room, they found that the graces had all retired for the evening; one because she had a violent headache, the other because she had been up so late the night before, and the third because she had to get up so early the next morning. Cafe and chase were very soon despatched, and his heavyin-hand acquaintance quitted her Ladyship's mansion, more diverted with the amusement with which they had provided themselves, than any which had been furnished by their dreadfully disconcerted hostess." Written for the Casket. SONNET. To gaze upon a lovely face, The mirror of a lovelier mind, Where shines revealed with every grace, Virtue exalted and refined; Gives to my sight Than India's boasted, sparking gem, Or brilliant star, In sable night's bright diadem. Such beauty, find it where you wiil, The mind adorned, What features e'er so rich, so rare, Is not more lovely or more fair. Mere form alone, without such charms, When grace and soul combined are seen? All must obey But one as ice-berg cold, I ween. O! woman, sent by heaven to be, With man, the partner of life's cares, 'Tis then thou'rt loveliest, when in thee The mind, in lustre bright, appears We take the following lines from the New Yo Mirror. They were written, some years since, popular poet, in a lady's common place book, unds the engraved portraits of Lord and Lady By whence they were extracted for the Mirror. Th verses embody a fair history of that unfortunate coupe Lines written after the perusal of numerous essays lative to the marriage and separation of a сепаа noble lord and lady, who, once upon a time, wen paired, not matched. She said she never would forgive She vow'd a single life she'd live, She swore she never would repent, By Jove! she never could consent, Was this well done, or sensible, or witty? And, not long after, breathed away his life. Some think the lady wrong'd, and some the bard, Yet all agree, 'tis very, very odd That man and wife should cut up such a caper But one is resting 'neath the quiet sod, The other wasting silently life's taper. For, if the parson joins them, heart and head : i GENERAL WASHINGTON. GENERAL WASHINGTON. One pleasant evening in the month of June, in 565 tertainer, and therefore am entitled to no thanks. But Susan," added he, turning to the hostess, half-reproachful look, "why have you not the year 17-, a man was observed entering the with a half-r borders of a wood, near the Hudson river, his appearance that of a person above the common rank. The inhabitants of a country village would have dignified him with the title of 'squire, and from his manner, have pronounced him proud; but those more accustomed to society, would inform you, there was something like a military air about him. His horse panted as if it had been hard pushed for some miles, yet from the owner's frequent stops to caress the patient animal, he could not be charged with want of humanity; but seemed to be actuated by some urgent necessity. The rider's forsaking a good road for the by-path leading through the woods, indicated a desire to avoid the gaze of other travellers. He had not left the house where he inquired the direction of the above mentioned path more than two hours, before the quietude of the place was broken by the noise of distant thunder. He was soon after obliged to dismount, travelling becoming dangerous, as darkness concealed surrounding objects, except when the lightning's flash afforded him a momentary view of his situation. A peal, louder and of longer duration than any of the preceding, which now burst over his head, seeming as if it would rend the woods assunder, was quickly followed by a heavy fall of rain, which penetrated the clothing of the stranger ere he could obtain the shelter of a large oak which stood at a little distance. Almost exhausted with the labors of the day, he was about making such disposition of the saddle and his own coat, as would enable him to pass the night with what comfort circumstances would admit, when he espied a light glimmering through the trees. Animated with the hope of better lodgings, he determined to proceed. The way, which was somewhat steep, became attended with more obstacles the farther he advanced; the soil being composed of clay, which the rain had rendered so soft that his feet slipped at every step. By the utmost perseverance, this difficulty was finally overcome without any accident, and he had the pleasure of finding himself in front of a decent looking farm house. The watch dog began barking, which brought the owner of the mansion to the door. "Who is there?" said he. "A friend, who has lost his way, and in search of a place of shelter," was the answer. "Come in, sir," added the first speaker, "and whatever my house will afford, you shall have with welcome." of "I must first provide for the weary companion my journey, remarked the other. But the former undertook the task, and after conducting the new comer into a room where his wife was seated, he led the horse to a wellstored barn, and there provided for him most bountifully. On rejoining the traveller, he observed, "That is a noble animal of yours, sir." "Yes," was the reply, and I am sorry that I was obliged to misuse him so, as to make it necessary to give you so much trouble with the care of him; but I have yet to thank you for your kindness to both of us." "I did no more than my duty, sir," said the en-! given the gentleman something to eat?" Fear had prevented the good woman from exercising her well-known benevolence; for a robbery had been committed by a lawless band of depredators, but a few days before, in that neighborhood, and as report stated that the ruffians were all well dressed, her imagination suggested that this man might be one of them. At her husband's remonstrance, she now readily engaged in repairing her error, by preparing a plentiful repast. During the meal, there was much interesting conversation among the three. As soon as the worthy countryman perceived that his guest had satisfied his appetite, he informed him, that it was now the hour at which the family usually performed their evening devotions, inviting him at the same time to be present. The invitation was accepted in these words: "It would afford me the greatest pleasure to commune with my heavenly Preserver, after the events of the day; such exercises prepare us for the repose which we seek in sleep." The host now reached the Bible from the shelf, and after reading a chapter and singing, concluded the whole with a fervent prayer; then lighting a pine-knot, conducted the person he had entertained to his chamber, wished him a good night's rest, and retired to the adjoining apartment. "John," whispered the woman, "that is a good gentleman, and not one of the highwaymen, as I supposed." "Yes, Susan," said he, "I like him better for thinking of his God, than for all his kind inquiries after our welfare. I wish our Peter had been home from the army, if it was only to hear this good man talk; I am sure Washington himself could not say more for his country, nor give a better history of the hardships endured by our brave soldiers." "Who knows now," inquired the wife, "but it may be he himself, after all, my dear; for they do say he travels just so, all alone, sometimes. Hark! what's that?" The sound of a voice came from the chamber of their guest, who was now engaged in his private religious worship. After thanking the Creator for his many mercies, and asking a blessing on the inhabitants of the house, he continued, "and now, Almighty Father, if it is thy holy will, that we shall obtain a place and a name among the nations of the earth, grant that we may be enabled to show our gratitude for thy goodness, by our endeavors to fear and obey thee. Bless us with wisdom in our councils, success in battle, and let all our victories be tempered with humanity. Endow, also, our enemies with enlightened minds, that they may become sensible of their injustice, and willing to restore our liberty and peace. Grant the petition of thy servant, for the sake of him whom thou hast called thy beloved son: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done. Amen." The next morning the traveller, declining the pressing solicitations to breakfast with his host, declared it was necessary for him to cross the river immediately; at the same time offering part of his purse as a compensation for what he had received, which was refused. "Well, sir," continued he, "since you will not permit me to recompense you for your trouble, it is but just that I should inform you on whom you have conferred so many obligations, and also add to them, by requesting your assistance in crossing the river. I had been out yesterday endeavoring to obtain some information respecting our enemy, and being alone, ventured too far from the camp. On my return, I was surprised by a foraging party, and only escaped by my knowledge of the roads and the fleetness of my horse. My name is George Washington." Surprise kept the listener silent for a moment; then, after unsuccessfully repeating the invitation to partake of some refreshment, he hastened to call two negroes, with whose assistance he placed the horse on a small raft of timber that was lying in the river, near the door, and soon conveyed the general to the opposite side, where he left him to pursue his way to the camp, wishing him a safe and prosperous journey. On his return to the house, he found that while he was engaged in making preparations for conveying the horse across the river, his illustrious visitor had persuaded his wife to accept a token of remembrance, which the family are proud of exhibiting to this day. his sword snapped in twain. The enemy surrounded him, and he had no further hope of escape. He resisted, nevertheless; for he perceived the fourth about to make a fresh charge, and he was anxious to give them time to come to his assistance. He therefore used the stump of his sword, struck, parried, and kept in check the crowd that pressed upon him. Such a struggle could not last long;-the ground was slippery, Ney's foot slid, he fell to the ground, and the Austrians succeeded in seizing him. He was thus made prisoner, and conveyed to Giessen. The fame of his capture had preceeded him thither, and every one was eager to behold a man whose deeds seemed fabulous. The women, more particularly, could not imagine how he dared to resist a whole squadron, and, for a time, with some appearance of success. As they were taking him to head quarters, through a bystreet, these fair admirers of courage begged that he might be led through the public square. Really," said an Austrian officer, annoyed at their importunity, "one would suppose that > he was some extraordinary animal." "Extraordinary, indeed!" replied one of the ladies, "since it required a whole squadron of dragoons to take him." This sally put every one in good humor, and each yielded to the admiration which Ney's heroism inspired; some among the fair Germans calling to mind his valour on one 66 The above is only one of the hazards encoun-occasion-others the humanity and disinteresttered by this truly great patriot, for the purpose edness with which he always treated the people of transmitting to posterity the treasures we now he conquered. Ney was received at the Ausenjoy. Let us acknowledge the benefits receiv-trian head-quarters in a manner worthy of his ed, by our endeavors to preserve them in their high reputation. Each condoled with him on purity; and by keeping in remembrance the his mishap, and on the vicissitudes of war. But great Source whence these blessings flow, may we be enabled to render our names worthy of being enrolled with that of the "Father of his Country."-N. Y. Mirror. MARSHAL NEY. Ney was frequently and severely wounded-a fate which gentlemen who storm redoubts by themselves are most likely to encounter. On another occasion he was taken prisoner. "The French hussars had forced an Austrian column to lay down their arms, but were still stopped by a line of sharpshooters. Anxious to disperse the latter, and drive them from the heights which they occupied, they employed a field-piece to effect this. The Blankestein hussars, perceiving this fault, hastened to take advantage of it, and returned to the charge, supported by the Coburg dragoons. The troops advanced on both sides, fought round the gun, and both parties struggled for it as the prize to be won. The ground was bad, and the numbers of the Austrians very superior; but Ney succeeded in throwing their ranks into into confusion, and they gave way. The French were now in hopes that they would be unable to return to the attack, and were congratulating themselves on their victory, when fresh squandrons came up to the assistance of the Austrians. The republicans were now broken in their turn, and it was in vain for Ney to resist the torrent which swept his forces along. His horse fell, and rolled with him into the ravine. He was covered with bruises and blood; and, to complete his disaster, the conversation soon turned on battles and military manœuvres; and the prisoner was discussing each general's share of merit, when he perceived his horse, with an Austrian upon its back. The animal seemed weak, lazy, and obstinate; in spite of the spur, it would not advance. Ney exclaimed against the awkwardness of the rider, and was answered by a joke about the worthlessness of the animal. An officer jestingly proposed to purchase it; and its points and capabilities seeming matter of doubt, Ney approached it, "I will shew you," said he, "the value of my horse." An opening was immediately made, Ney sprang upon the saddle, and taking the direction of the French army, soon left in the rear those who accompanied or followed him. The horse which had had appeare appeared SO powerless to the Austrian, carried him off like the wind, and he was near escaping; but the trumpets sounded, and the heavy and light cavalry rode off, and soon stopped up every issue. Ney then turned back, and with equal celerity reached the spot where the Austrian generals stood aghast. "Well, gentlemen," ," he said, "what think you of the animal now? Is he not worthy of his master?" Their scattered squadrons sufficiently proved the affirmative. A little confused at their mistake, they henceforth guarded their prisoner more carefully, and took good care not to jest again about his horse." "I never," said Voltaire, "was ruined but twice; once when I gained a lawsuit, and once when I lostit." decay of religious zeal, and the decline of power hastened to the scene of action, halted within sight of and wealth of the Mohammedan states; and the little town of Sarre-Louis, on the borders of Gerpartly, also, to Mecca's being subject to the in- man Lorraine, and the General who led it, pointing cursions of the Wahabees. The commerce, now felt soldier is my birth place, I am the son of with his sword, said with emotion, "Gentlemen greatly diminished, consists chiefly in the productions and manufactures of India. Notwith- a cooper, and thirteen years ago, on the spot where I now stand, I parted in tears with my father and mother standing the sacred character of the city, it has to become a soldier; I bid you welcome to my native now little reputation for learning, and Burckhard town." This leader was the celebrated Marshal Ney. found no book shops in the place. No Christian-Athenœum. |