One day he adopted a sudden resolution. A noble | From the dark sternness of his steady eyes, in his neighborhood, his vassal, had a daughter of seventeen, beautiful, full of talent, and well educated. He asked her in marriage; in other words, he announced to his vassal that he intended to marry his daughter. A refusal was impossible; the proposition was received, as it ought to have been, with submission and respect. The young lady herself, who perhaps had already dreamed of other lovers, was not the less bound to yield to the wishes of her father and her prince. The ceremony was celebrated without delay. On leaving the church, the old Duke gallantly seized the hand of his young bride, and said: "Madame, I must have an heir before the end of twelve months. This country is too cold, and does not suit you. Your equipages are ready; you will set off instantly for Italy. My chamberlain, an amiable man, handsomely made, and full of talent, will accompany you. Let me hear from you from time to time, and do not return until you are a mother." The young Duchess once more submitted, and set off on her journey. She returned at the expiration of a year; the old Duke had an heir. That with one glance all gentle hopes could banish. They met; a sportive gale their colours fann'd; The cold sky of Russia was not probably more suited NAVARINO. BY MISS E. DRAPER. PART III. Chain'd by deep slumber, long the fierce Turk lay Of Tuba's fruit a glorious feast he made, Yet look'd it most like to that ghastly glare, Again went thundering thro' the middle air The fearful numbers of the Turks that lay, Even justice, half appeased, look'd from the skies Still roar'd the tumult of the cannon's blast, Tho' his right arm and trusty sword be gone; A generous flood of patriot tears will pour; Now closer the conflicting squadrons drew, List! there is horror hovering o'er yon wreck, But from the deep wild prayers to Alla rise, So ceased all tumult: Gentle evening threw Now flock the war-birds from their far abode; He stood sole monarch of so wild a scene- TWO VISITS IN A DAY. It was in the winter of 182-, that I happened to be a sojourner for a few days in a city of the Old Dominion. It was intensely cold, and, as I was just from the south-west, where I had been for several years, I felt it more sensibly than others around me. It seemed to me, to be the severest weather I had ever known. The clouds had a hard, sullen, relentless look, which seemed to indicate that they were resolved not to disperse, until they had given us a complete soaking. Accordingly, about an hour after breakfast was over at the hotel where I put up, a rain commenced, pretty much, I suppose, after the manner of that which ceased not for forty days and forty nights. I had nothing to do-never was I so at a loss. The few people who were in the house stalked about whistling, their hands in their pockets-now and then commenting on and cursing the weather, and occasionally a word or two was dropped on political subjects, but in such a manner as not to excite the slightest interest. This will never do, thought I-I shall have a fit of the blues if I stay here; and observing that the rain did not seem likely to abate, I determined to brave the torrent and visit a relation of mine, who, I had been told, resided in the city. My landlord gave me directions to the house, and being well equipped for such an expedition, I sallied forth. Fortunately, I had not far to go, and, in a few minutes, found myself at Mr. D's door. His wife was a cousin of mine. She brought D. a large fortune; and, as I expected, I found their residence one of the handsomest private buildings in - A servant answered my knock, and conducted me through a room handsomely, or rather showily furnished, which seemed to be used solely as a hall or entrance room. Seated on the carpet, and regarding each other with looks of fierce defiance, were two boys, apparently eight and ten years of age. They had been building houses of books, and a tremendous volume of “ Abercrombie's Scots Warriors" lay with its leaves sadly torn and crumpled beside them. As I cast a look on the insulted works of the historian, the thought occurred to me, that he could scarcely have recounted the adventures of many fiercer heroes than the lilliputian warriors before me. I passed on, and was ushered into a small parlor, where Mrs. D. was seated, reading a novel. She was much surprised to see me, but welcomed me very cordially. "Well, now, who could have thought to see you-it really has been an age since you were in Virginia; but you must be very cold; pray draw nearer to the fire"-place, she should have said, for fire there was none, except a few half dead coals, which seemed to be expiring with despair at the idea of being expected to kindle a few round pine logs laid above them, which looked as comfortless, aye, and as black too, as an Irish spinning-wheel. I took a seat, however, and, after the usual inquiries, had time to look about me. My cousin was a middlesized woman, and had often been called pretty. Her complexion was dark, but her features were handsome, except that her eyes had an unsettled expression, which detracted much in my opinion from her appearance. She wore a very fine cap, very much soiled, and a black satin dress, with tremendous sleeves, which fell for me; so down I sat, expecting certainly, however, we should have a fire when the dry wood came. every way but the right way. A pink gause handkerchief, much frayed and faded, with the point, which should have been on her back, over the right shoulder, But, alas! the servant returned with an armful of completed her costume. Perhaps I ought to mention wet pine split up, and I was compelled to content mythat her hair, which was naturally very dark, was self with seeing a smoke made, when I had hoped to beginning to turn grey, and was arranged in the most feel a fire. In the course of our conversation, Mr. D. disorderly set of puffs I ever remember to have seen. informed me that my friend L. the dearest and best of In one corner of the room, playing with a large wax friends, whom I was on my way to visit, had removed doll, stood a little girl six years of age, sluttishly, but from his former residence, and was engaged in the merfashionably, attired after the prevailing mode for chil-cantile business to which he had been bred, in —, not dren. Her hair was pinned up in papers all over her many doors from D.'s own house. I was delighted to head. She wore a crimson frock extremely short, with hear this, and resolved to hasten my departure in consetrowsers of most equivocal pretensions to whiteness.quence. L. had also married a relation of mine, who She held a saucer filled with an odd looking mixture, had been reared and educated by my mother, who with which she pretended to feed her doll. "Come repaid her cares with the affection of a daughter, and here, Angelica, my dear, and speak to your cousin," whom I loved as an elder sister. Her husband was said her mother-"shake hands with him," she added, many years my senior, but this had proved no bar to as the child approached me, staring, with a pair of our intimacy. great round eyes, full in my face. Accordingly, I Well, at last the dinner hour came, and on rushed reached forth my hand, and when I withdrew it from before us the three eldest children into the dininghers, found two of my benumbed fingers stuck fast room-a large, well-furnished room, but only with a together. While I sat shivering with cold by the side small attempt at a fire in the hearth. In leaving the of the chimney place, the door flew open, and a little sitting-room for this, it was (if I may use a vulgar boy, who might be three years old, gallopped in. With- expression,) like stepping out of the frying-pan into out noticing any thing else, he ran straight to his sister the fire, or, to speak more consistently, out of the refrito seize her doll; but finding she did not mean to resign gerator into the ice-house, as I dare say there had not it, he threw himself on the floor, screaming with all been even a coal in the latter since breakfast time, until his might. "Hush, hush, Alexander, said Mrs. D-; the table was set for dinner. At the foot of the table, if he don't hush, Fanny, you must take him away," which was well covered with silver and cut glass, there added she, to a little sickly looking mulatto, who stood, stood the remains of what had been a ham of bacon. the very personification of an ague, by the side of her A tureen was at the head, and that of course was gentle little master. As there was no hearing the covered, and so were the other four dishes. I had, sound of any voice but his own, master Alick's mama therefore, all the happiness of imagining I was to fare made the little girl take him up and bear him off, he sumptuously, if I could not get warm, until, as we screaming all the way, as if twenty such spirits as were about to sit down, Mr. D. observed my deplorable that of his royal namesake, of warlike memory, ani- condition (for by this time, reader, I could scarcely mated his pigmy frame. Peace having now ensued, speak), and proposed putting the table closer to the fire. my cousin proceeded to make numberless inquiries of I did not attempt to oppose them, because I saw they me; and when I could keep my teeth from chattering, were no more aware that there was not a good fire, I endeavored to answer her and sustain the conversation. than they were that I heartily wished myself back at She had informed me that Mr. D. was at home, and the hotel, or, indeed, any where to get warm. In would shortly return to the room in which we were; moving the table, only two of the dishes were overbut as he delayed coming longer than she expected, turned. Out of one rolled some shrivelled potatoes, she now went to inform him of my arrival. I took the which, to use a common culinary phrase, had sobbed opportunity which her absence afforded, to get as nearly long enough to shed tears; and out of the other poured up the chimney as I well could. Good heavens! how some gravy, or some such thing, that resembled soup strange! said I to myself, that people, who have the maigre, alias dish water, more than any thing else-so means of being comfortable, should not have a fire such my epicurean visions were put to flight. However, a day as this. My cousin entered the room so softly, we commenced our attack, and towards the conclusion, that I had no chance to resume my position on the out- I was informed by master George that there was side of the fender, before she was near the seat she had pudding for dinner. Accordingly, in due time, the said left. "Really, it is excessively cold," said she, as she pudding made its appearance. It was (to use the old gave the fire a thorough and most alarming stir—alarm-African's words) "a ting dat would not tan," but it ing, because I really feared she would put out every spark. However, she rang the bell, and my spirits began to revive when I heard her tell the servant to bring some dry wood. Mr. D. now entered. He was very polite, seemed delighted to see me, and asked me what I thought of the weather, as it had just commenced snowing along with the rain. I told him but one opinion could be entertained of it, and that was, that it was intolerable; and so, indeed, it was without a fire. When I was nearly frozen to death, I arose to return to the hotel; but this they would by no means allow-I must stay to dinner-there could be no excuse laid down lazily in the dish, and looked as if it had a great mind to break all to pieces. It was, however, extremely hot, and I determined to eat heartily of it, even should it be as tasteless as every thing which had preceded it. I therefore allowed myself to be plentifully helped to it, and felt somewhat benefitted by its scalding my stomach considerably. After dinner, we continued in the room, and I, blockhead-like, in the excess of my politeness, desired Mrs. D. to play on the piano which stood in this room, because, as she said, they "never used their drawing-room except for large parties." She complied with great alacrity; but only think, reader, what she played-actually the Battle of fine eyes, and beamed on me with such sweet compla. Prague! And there I stood, it seemed to me, one good cency, as was quite endearing-indeed, I am sure she hour and a half, keeping time with the "chatter of my felt a sister's love for me. Mary and Eleanor L. were jaws," being barbarous enough all the time to wish fourteen and fifteen years of age. They were both that my cousin would silence with the cannon she was very pretty and interesting, were dressed exactly alike, firing on the keys, the dispiriting cries of the wounded | in dark green; with capes and aprons as smooth and soldiery, which, in the course of her progress, she imitated more than once. But all trials come to a conclusion-even the Battle of Prague has an end, and my troubles were over at last. It had stopped raining and did not snow very fast, so I thought this the proper time to make my escape from the icelandic atmosphere of the house. I told Mr. and Mrs. D. in answer to their pressing request to call again, that it would be out of my power to do so, and said, if they would give me Mr. L.'s address, they would confer a favor on me. They obliged me by doing so, and I took my leave-resolving, in sober earnestness, that the next time I visited them, it should be in the summer. The first thing I did when I got into the street was to look about me for a place of public resort where I could warm myself. Fortunately, a sort of cook'sshop was at hand. Here I found a good coal fire, got a glass of wine, and after sitting half an hour in a warm corner, proceeded on my way. L.'s house was not large, and wore a very plain appearance. The little porch in front was closed at the sides and well matted, and it was neat, notwithstanding the weather. My knock was answered by a servant boy of sixteen, an old acquaintance of mine though. "How are you Ben," said I; "surely you have not forgotten me?" "Oh no, master Frederick, and it was only yestarday I heard mistress say she understood you was in Virginny; walk in, sir; she will be mighty glad to see you." So, after I had laid aside my dripping hat and cloak, I followed him into the sitting-room, but not before I heard my cousin Mary exclaim, "that must be Frederick M." In the next moment I was in the room, and received the most affectionate welcomes from Mrs. L. and her two sweet daughters. I was soon seated in one of the well cushioned chairs which were placed on each side of the fire-and there was no mistake about this; it was a real fire that roared and sparkled most charmingly, and would not have disgraced a country hearth-stone. Every thing in the little apartment looked cheerful and comfortable. The windows were shaded with snow-white curtains--the brasses of the hearth-furniture glittered and reflected brightly the blaze and curling smoke; and evidently enjoying the comforts of her situation, close to the fender sat a little white kitten on the rug, which protected a handsome green carpet. Mrs. L. sat on one side of the fire-her two daughters in front of it; one knittingthe other with a book still open in her hand. I glanced into it—it was Mrs. Sherwood's "Lady of the Manor." My cousin Mary was neatly attired in a dark dress, with white apron, cape and cap; the latter very pretty and becoming, and decorated with a purple and white ribbon. She was still a very lovely woman, though her daughters were almost grown. She was rather tall, was a handsome figure, had a sweet smile, a sweet voice, fine teeth, and a fine complexion; and if these advantages do not entitle a woman to be called lovely, I do not know what does. Her eyes, too, were very unsullied as their mother's, and wore their fine brown hair parted smoothly on the forehead, and confined at the back of the head with a little comb. They looked as rosy and fresh as May, and I should certainly have kissed them both, had I been rather older, or they younger than they were. "Mr. L. will be so delighted to see you, Frederick," said my cousin. "I expect he will return sooner than usual this evening from the store, on account of the weather, and really," said she, drawing aside the curtain, "it is snowing faster than ever now?" So it was; but for myself I did not regard it, but I felt sincere compassion for Mr. D. and his family on such a night as this was likely to be. After we had conversed most agreeably half an hour or so, Mary whispered something to her mother, and then with a delighted air, left the room. In a little while she returned, leading her little brother, a beautiful boy, nearly three years old. An elderly servant followed with an infant, glowing and sparkling with health and vivacity, in her arms, and altogether, I thought I had never beheld such a group for a picture. I soon formed an intimacy with Henry, the elder of the two boys (the infant being named in honor of me, as they told me), and found some odd marbles in a corner of my pocket for him. He rolled these on the carpet, much to the amusement of the little kitten, which instantly left its seat to bound after them. The child laughed till the tears rolled down his cheeks at her tricks, and finally, in the extremity of his mirth, threw himself on the floor, and concluded with a long, deep respiration. Who is there, that does not sympathize in the unfeigned merriment of childhood? We all indulged in a hearty peal of laughter at the sight of his glee; but the sound of an umbrella being let down in the passage, now warned us of L.'s approach, and after he had rubbed his feet dry on the mat, he made his appearance, and greeted me as a brother. Mrs. L. placed a chair near the fire for him; Mary assisted him in getting off his overcoat and took his gloves, while Eleanor ran to get dry shoes and stockings ready for him. When he had warmed himself and returned to the sitting-room, after changing those articles of his dress, he took both his youngest children on his knees, and sat surrounded by his family, the happiest looking man I ever beheld. The evening past cheerfully away. After the supper, which was excellent, was over, I requested my cousin Mary to favor me with some old Scotch airs which she used to play and sing for me when I was a boy; for be it known, that I was so unfashionable as to prefer them to any modern songs modern misses could sing for me. Mrs. L. played finely on the piano-forte, and was at this time the instructress of her two daughters. While Eleanor stood beside me at the instrument, holding a music-book, and her sister tried to find amidst its almost countless pages, the one which contained "Auld Lang Syne," her beauty struck me as being the most perfect at her age I ever saw. It was of the style, too, most in accordance with my taste. It was not pensive or sad, nor was it arch. It was an intelligent, cheerful countenance, beaming with hope, blooming with health, and yet indicative of deep thought and a rich store of feeling. Oh! thought I, as I looked down on that lovely face, how I wish you were three or four years older, and could fancy me, my pretty coz, for a husband. sweetest my eyes ever rested on. While I was em ployed in gazing on this fair object of my admiration, the captain introduced Mr. S. to me. We exchanged the common salutations, and he passed on to seat himself between his wife and sister: he conversed with them awhile, and the captain kept me in conversation, till I heard Mr. S. say, "Well, well, I shall at any rate give one of you a chance to catch a beau, if you do not recognize an old friend in him." The ladies looked inquiringly at each other, and then glanced their eyes towards the spot I occupied. Mr. S. then left them, and advancing towards me, begged permission to My cousin concluded her performance with several pieces of sacred music, and just before bed-time I joined with them in prayer to the Being who had supplied us with such multiplied and undeserved blessings. This was the regular custom of their family, both morning and evening; and how can those expect to prosper or be happy in this world even, who scorn to ask a bless-introduce me to his wife and sister-in-law. A suspicion ing from the Giver of all good gifts. of the truth never crossed my mind, and I cannot express my surprise when he named me to Mrs. S., formerly Mary L., and her sister, the beautiful Eleanor. They received me as I wished; and when we arrived safely in a few hours at ———, I found my dear old friend and his wife in affluent circumstances; and he, L., could safely say that he was greatly blest in wife, children, and friends. Reader, in less than a year I had wooed and won the fair Eleanor for my bride, and soon found the well ordered household in which she had been raised, had given her habits invaluable in a wife; and I have learned one thing in the course of my progress, that is an excellent piece of wisdom in my opinion. It is, that though a man may, like Mr. D., make a great show in some matters, and yet increase his capital by parsimony in others, he is becoming a bankrupt in other things far more valuable than money; namely, order, good habits and home-bred enjoyments; and there is a medium which all can find between a proper expenditure and wasteful extravagance. THE POLE CAT, OR SHELL DANCE. Four years of diligent exertion had passed away, and the autumn which concluded that period, found me returning to pass the rest of my days in my dear native state, perfectly satisfied with the result of my labors. Behold me, gentle reader, gliding swiftly along a noble river, in a steamboat crowded with ladies and gentlemen. Many were returning from the springs; many from a cheaper summer residence in the upper country; and many were mere men of business, who wore the aspect of thriving citizens, plodding through every day of the year, and anxious only to arrive at the destined port as soon as possible. It was an animating scene-my own spirits rose higher than they had done for years. I hoped soon to see some dear, very dear friends, and I was gazing on scenery familiar to me since the days of my childhood, now long unseen and beautiful,—yes, more beautiful to me, than any a strange land could present. The banks of the river fringed with underwood, displayed the rich and varied tints of the season. The sun shone brightly-the sky was of that deep serene blue, which a cloudless day in October exhibits; and the water, scarcely rippled by the breeze, sparkled in the sunshine with a splendor almost dazzling. I noticed early in the day among the passengers, a handsome, pleasing looking young man, whose heart seemed devoted to a young lady, whose appearance, though she was closely veiled, was very attractive; and I soon learned from the captain, with whom I had some acquaintance, that she was his wife, that they were just married, and that she had a sister on board, who, being a little indisposed, was in the cabin. Soon after I saw Mr. S, the young husband, conduct a lady to aa first rate band, see the evolutions of the dragoons on seat by his wife; and I thought I had never seen such a figure in my life as the sister, for so I concluded this must be. The day being now almost oppressively warm, both the ladies (for I watched them with more interest than any others on board, probably because one was a young wife) doffed their scarfs, and raised their veils, giving me a fair opportunity to scan their features. They had the appearance of fashion and good breeding, indispensable in my opinion to complete beauty, and both were very lovely women; but the sister fixed my whole attention. She was so radiantly fair, her color was so pure, and her countenance the When I was in New Orleans, last May, I met with Captain Fulton and some other friends attached to the 2d Regiment U. S. Dragoons, who were temporarily stationed at the barracks, a few miles below the city, near the battle ground. The detachment of dragoons had in charge a number of Creek and Seminole prisoners or emigrants (as Mr. Cass would have it) on their way to the vast wilderness frontier of Texas and the United States. With a number of friends from Virginia, I was invited to the quarters of the dragoons on a delightful evening, to admire the excellent barracks, the lovely scenery of the lower Mississippi, to hear the music of foot, and stare at the warriors, squaws and children of our red brethren, who were being transplanted from their native hunting grounds to the far west. When we had partaken of the civilities of our military friends, talked of "old Virginia," inspected the troops, heard some fine airs executed in first rate style, and smoked our cigars, it was announced that the Indians were making preparations to commence one of their dances; and about 9 o'clock at night we were conducted through rows of sentinels to an open field, in the rear of the barracks, where, under a strong guard, land within a plank enclosure of six or eight feet height, |