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turned whilst the performer touched it with the bow; and that this instrument afterwards received the name of sambuce.

M. Chanot, officer of maritime engineers, Euphorion, in his book of Istmis, says | M. Chanot was found correct. Thus a vioand amateur of music, has discovered a there was an ancient instrument called ma- lin with a finger-board graduated after this method for determining invariably the pro-gadis, which was surrounded by strings; that method, like the finger-board of a guitar, cesses to be employed in the construction of it was placed upon a pivot upon which it would be fit to accompany all instruments stringed instruments which are played with which make no difference between the sharp bows. and flat, by the euharmonic division. But the imperfection of these instruments precisely consists in this equality: to confine the violin to the same limits, would therefore be to deprive it of its superiority over them. Your committee accordingly disapproved of this innovation, and M. Chanot renounced it with the utmost readiness.

His views on this subject are contained in the Memorial which he had the honor to address to the Academy, during its sitting of the 27th of May, 1817. This memorial was submitted to the consideration of the musical section of the Academy, to whose labours in making the investigation required by the committee, were added those of M. M. Charles and De Prony.

The object of the first experiments of M. Chanot was to bring to perfection the structure of the violin. It was natural to begin with that instrument; for, in the empire of music, the violin, both de jure and de facto, always holds the highest rank; and in the arrangement of scores, this rank has for a length of time been established.

The hieroglyphics of Peter Valerian, page 628, chap. 4, present the figure of a muse holding in her right hand a bass or contraviolin, the form of which corresponds with that of our violins or basses.

Philostratus, who taught at Athens, during the reign of Nero, gives the following description of the lyre:

"Orpheus," he says, "supported the lyre against his left leg, whilst he beat time by striking his foot upon the ground; in his right hand he held the bow, which he drew across the strings, turning his wrist slightly inwards. He touched the strings with the fingers of his left hand, keeping the knuckles perfectly straight."

Rousseau, a famous violin player in the From this description, it would appear that reign of Louis XIV. observed, that since the lyre to which Philostratus alludes is the mankind had applied themselves to imitate same instrument which the moderns call the the human voice by means of musical in-contra-violin or viola di gamba. struments, no stringed instruments, played As we have before observed, the word with the bow, had yet been discovered, which plectrum is in the dictionaries translated by effected this imitation with so much exact-bow; it remains to be ascertained whether ness as the violin. It is in fact only by the bows of the ancients were of a form cormeans of the bow, that a performer on a responding with ours, and whether they stringed instrument possesses the power of lengthening the notes, and playing crescendo and diminuendo, according to the dictates of his taste, in the same way as the sentiment of the singer leads him to vary the accents of his voice. It may therefore justly be said, that the bow is to stringed instruments what the soul is to the body.

were used in the modern way. Did the ancients strike the bow upon the strings of the instrument? or did they draw forth the sound by means of friction? These questions are still undecided.

Numberless quotations may be accumulated to prove that instruments played with bows are not of modern invention, and The present seems a favourable opportu- amidst their categories, the violin, which has nity for entering upon a few details concern- so long maintained its title of king of instruing the origin of the violin; and a short dis-ments, may justly be regarded as the chief; sertation on this subject will not, perhaps, be for the only remarkable difference among deemed irrelative to the object of this report. them consists in variety of size. They all We therefore proceed to state the opinions have a back and front, connected together of a few authors, though we by no means by sides, a handle, a finger board, a bridge, conceive that the question ought to be de-a sounding-post, and a smaller or greater cided by any thing they may say on the number of strings, wound upon pins which subject; and we resign the task of rectify-screw in at the upper end of the handle. ing their errors to any one who may feel inclined to undertake it.

In addition to this similarity of form, their nanies bear a close analogy to each other. But little is known respecting the origin It is evident that Violin, Violoncello, Viola, of the violin: it would be natural enough to Viola-d'amore, &c. &c. are but so many titles presume that it was not invented before the which serve to distinguish the members of ninth or tenth centuries, were it not distinct- one family. During the ages in which the ly mentioned in the writings of ancient au-Troubadours flourished, they were frequently thors; and in all the Latin and French dic-designated by the term Violleurs, or violintionaries, the word plectrum is translated by players. archet (bow).

We have briefly noticed these opinions, because we regard the violin as the first and most perfect of stringed instruments; and we therefore conceive that every effort which may tend to advance it to the highest degree of perfection, ought to be encouraged by the Academy.

Bernardin Maffey, a cardinal, who was born at Rome, in 1514, and who, among other works, wrote a treatise on inscriptions and medals, represents, in an antique, Orpheus surrounded by animals, playing on the violin, which was anciently played with a bow, and known by the name of lyre. Fa- M. Chanot has attempted this difficult enther Kircher says, that the instruments called terprise. His methods of amelioration are magul and minuim were in form very much detailed in his Memoirs. like the violin. Other writers assert that The object of the first part of this Memothe nublium and the psalterium of the He-rial is the division of the Monochord, so as to brews bore a close resemblance to the instru- split the interval between the key-note and ment to which the moderns have given the its octave into twelve equal semi-tones. name of violiu. The short algebraic formula employed by

The second part of the Memorial is the most important; it points out the alterations which have been made in the ordinary con struction of the grooved violin, with a view to produce more sonorous vibrations, or to multiply the vibrations in the fibres of the wood, and to obtain, as an accessary, a greater degree of solidity in the body of the instrument. Projecting edges and grooves have now been employed, and the angles are covered with hard wood, in order to resist concussions. This simple form enables the maker to employ one single piece for the side curvatures, and to dispense with the use of rivets, which diminish the elasticity of the case. This construction is therefore favourable to the production of vibrations which otherwise would not exist. But M. Chanot chiefly attributes the sonorous quality in the vibrations of his new violin to the method of cutting the sounding-board; to the form of the parallel holes on each side, which are made to approximate as closely as possible to the curvatures; to the situation of the bar in the centre of the soundingboard in the form of a splint, and likewise to the geometrical section of the instrument.

In consequence of these improvements there are, in an equal degree of thickness, many more vibrating fibres under the immediate pressure of the bridge. Confining ourselves to a single point of comparison, it is sufficient to observe, that to give to the holes of common violins the form of the letter f is generally bad. The turnings of this letter render it necessary to cut a considerable number of fibres, which no longer vibrate under the immediate pressure of the bridge; whilst in the new violin, without augmenting the mass of fibres, the parallel holes on the sides allow of the attainment of the maximum of the vibrations.

The author establishes the following simple principle, which has been confirmed by various positive experiments, namely: that the long fibres are favourable to the production of low tones, and the shorter fibres or arches to the production of high tones. This should be the guiding principle in the construction of instruments such as the violin. By fixing the sounding-post at the back of the bridge, the fibres of the sounding-board are divided into two arches instead of being cut in two, on the side of the E. string. This division is necessary, because, the high tones being produced on that side, the bridge acts on the shorter arches like a small lever, whilst on the side of the large strings the fibres are enabled to vi brate in the long arches, necessary to pro duce low tones.

This explanation of the play of the instrument is rendered probable by the experi ment of placing the sounding-post behind the foot of the bridge, on the side of the large strings: the large strings and the E. string then resound in a far slighter degree than before, and the tone of the instrument is considerably damped.

Hence the new model, with an equality of volume, and circumscribed within the same principal dimensions, must produce a more powerful tone, and be better calculated for the performance of sostenuto passages than the violin of common construction, since it possesses a greater number of long arches for producing deep tones, as well as short arches for high tones.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

THE THIRTEENTH LABOUR OF

HERCULES.

the Colonel. "So my lady," said I," they are going away." "Yes, Brigida, they are, thank Heaven, though I fear, not for good." At this moment Rosina came in, and said In times which we moderns distinguish as old, that Diego had returned. "Bring him up," Men made their own Gods, which they wor-exclaimed my lady, springing from the shipp'd and sold.

Ex quovis ligno fit Mercurius.

Some were made out of marble, and some out
wood;

Strength:

But whether his skill or the times were not
good,

bed." Into your bed-room," I observed with wonder.-" Yes," said she, "here or anywhere." Rosina now came back with Diego, But the worship of either was equally good. bringing a letter which my lady snatched An artist who wrought for the popular taste, from him, and putting her finger on her lips, But who could not afford to cut marble to waste," Remember, Diego," were her words. "I And exerted his skill on the famed God of still. I believe he was as eager as myself Had chosen a log of convenient length, will, my dear lady," replied he, but stood to know the contents of the letter; but my lady hurried out of the room. I followed her 'Twas in vain that he offer'd his godship in wood; as close as I could to the saloon, where the In vain that he gave the best place in his shop!-Colonel had been sitting. I believe it was For the sky might as soon as a customer drop. for him she was looking, but he had gone He had made a few meals on the Goddess of out soon after dinner. She paced the room Love, with great anxiety for about half an hour, and then sat down to the piano; she played a few notes of the patriotic song, then got up, stood motionless, lifted her hand above her head, and then began to walk up and down with a very quick pace. At this juncture the Colonel came in-my lady ran to him with the letter, which she had put in her bosom. The Colonel took the letter and read-" I thank you for your information, but it is quite incorrect; the enemy are retreating in every direction, and I shall follow up the advantage I have gained52000!-it is impossible,"-may God preserve you many years,-from your affectionate Uncle." B.

This theory, which is founded on simple principles, has been confirmed by decisive experiments, which establish the superiority of the structure of the new violin over all others. The comparison was hazardous. And was making his last on the head of his Jove: M. Boucher was requested to bring to the But Fortune, who never does matters by half, sitting one of the best Staduarius. A very And leaves us no choice but to cry or to laugh: advantageous prejudice exists in favour of As the whim that prevails, she is kind or is these excellent violins; M. Boucher, to Not a stick had she left our poor artist for fuel. cruel; enable the members to judge with impar-Now, whether his thoughts turn'd his head that tiality, therefore stepped into an adjoining apartment, and played alternately the same passages on both violins.

The whole committee, during three successive experiments, thought they were listening to the Staduarius, whilst M. Boucher was playing on the new violin, and, vice versa, supposed he was playing on the Staduarius. This repeated mistake decided the question in favour of M. Chanot's violin, which, though made of new wood, partly of two years and partly of six months' cut, sustained this powerful competition without any disadvantage.

Your committee, Gentlemen, whilst they bestow on M. Chanot all the eulogium

A help from the Deity present he found.
way round,
Then, like a good heathen, he knelt on the floor,
And begg'd from his Hercules one labour more!
That, since to the end of his faggot he'd got,
The hero would help him in boiling his pot.

MORAL.

Now, brother Artists, 'tis for you
To make the application due;
Whether it might not be as well
To burn the works you cannot sell :
They'd give at least a warmth and blaze,
As good as barren public praise.
D

IMPROMPTU

-y.

On reading that the Pacha of Egypt had sent which is due to his zeal and intelligence, are several sacks of ears to Constantinople, as a of opinion, that the service which his inge-proof of his victory over the Wechabites.

nious improvement on the violin has rendered to the art of music, entitles him to the favour of the Academy; and they recommend you to be pleased to confer on him some evident mark of your approval, which may serve at once to manifest your justice and your wish to encourage those labours. which are calculated to extend the circle of the Fine Arts.

Signed, Gossce, Cherubini, Catel, Lesueur, Charles, De Prony, Berton, Reporter. The Academy approves of the report, and adopts the conclusions.

O'er Wechabites the Pacha's fame
A wondrous trophy rears :-
Tongues other conquerors proclaim;
His deeds are told by Eurs!
A paradox is his campaign:
No town does he attack,
Yet his foes' capitals are ta'en,
And all given up to sack!

"There is but one thing for it now," said the Colonel; "I have ordered all the troops from Ordunna,agreeably to my commands,but I have not given the route which was pointed out. I have sent them out of the way of the impending business, but I fear the trap is too well placed for us to break the spring of it, since your uncle will not believe that it is laid. There is now," continued he, "but one thing for it, and that is, that I go to him myself. My own company is so attached to me, I am convinced I can persuade them to join in the cause of the patriots. They are all Tyrolese, and, as such. know how sacred a thing is liberty, and how great a villain the man is who wrested it from them, and is endeavouring to tear it from the Spaniards." "May God bless you!" said my lady, as she threw herself upon his neck in tears. The Colonel took out his handkerchief to wipe them away, but could not see them for his own-thus, without a word they stood, and I believe, in innocence, tasted the most refined pleasures of Yesterday, the Principal and Professors friendship. "I will go and prepare for my of the College of Glasgow, unanimously departure," said he, collecting himself, elected Doctor Thomas Thomson, now of "and you must be so kind as to order London, Lecturer in Chemistry in the Uni-Diego to accompany me, that I may send

TEUTHA.

LEARNED SOCIETIES.

CAMBRIDGE, Aug. 28, 1817.-The Rev.
T. Stoddart, B. A. of Clare Hall, was last
week elected a Foundation Fellow of that
Society.

Certified conformably to the original.
QUATREMERE DE QUINCY,
Perpetual Secretary.
M. Berton a second time read the report
on the improvement of the violin by M.
Chanot. M. Boucher, the celebrated Violin
Professor, performed various pieces on the versity.-Glasgow, Sept. 6.
violins of Staduarius and M. Chanot; and
by this comparison the Academy was con-
vinced of the justice and truth of the report
of its committee, which was put to the vote
and adopted.

SKETCHES OF SOCIETY.

A SPANISH STORY.
Concluded.

him on before occasionally; in the mean time," continued he, drawing a paper from his sleeve, "here is the little translation I promised to you; you can read it when you have nothing better to do." My lady took it from him with marked comdinner, my lady came to her plaisance and put it in her bosom; the CoSiesta. She was very thoughtful, and spar-lonel then observed there was no time to be M. Boucher in the name of all the members ing of her conversation. I attributed this lost, and that to arrive soon enough to prepresent. QUATREMERE DE QUINCY. to the departure of the French, or rather of vent the snare, he proposed setting off at 10

The President expressed to M. Chanot the satisfaction of the Academy, and thanked

After

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o'clock that night, with seventy of his de- who turning round to me, as Don Antonio claimed she," we should soon root him tachment, who had attached themselves to drank his health, said, "Farewell, Duenna;" out, even if he had fourteen crowns and his person, so that he begged a letter might then taking a gold ring from his finger, twenty horns, and every crown and every be ready at that time, for the Spanish Ge- which he gave to me, he embraced Don horn was marked Napoleon." "Heaneral her uncle. My lady took him by the Antonio, and took his leave. "Where is ven save us, my lady!" said I, crossing hand, with more pleasure in her counte- Donna Áminta," said her husband to me, myself. "I always have the horrors nance than I ever saw before in that of any as soon as the Colonel had gone down stairs. when one speaks of the devil." "Come, one, and walked down stairs with him, con- "In her chamber," I replied;" where should come, Duenna," said she, "let us talk no tinuing all the way to hold his hand,- -a she be ?" "I should like to see her then," more of him. Come away and help me to piece of impudence I should not have continued he, " for there is no knowing gather some laurel and a few roses, that tothought her capable of. Said I to myself, as what schemes there may be against me.' morrow I may have a garland ready for they passed my hiding hole, if you meet "Oh," said I, "if you suspect any thing, "For whom, my lady?" said I at Don Antonio now, what a precious explosion come along with me.' I now walked as once. "For a friend of ours, for a friend we shall have. However they encountered slowly as possible towards my lady's room, of our country." "The French Colonel, my no one, and she returned in high spirits. so that he lost all patience before we arrived life on it!" exclaimed I. "Not a word, About 10 o'clock Don Antonio came home, there; which was just what pleased me. We Brigida," said she. "But in one thing you and found my lady and myself in the saloon; found my lady sitting in the dark, but the have been mistaken. He is not a Frenchshe had been writing, but was now playing candle which I carried in my hand showed man, but a Tyrolese, forced into Napoleon's and singing. She had very handsomely her to be much engaged in thought. When service, and hating its crimes." "Oh, I told me all I knew before, but there was Don Antonio found she was there, he apo.am so glad!" said I," now I understand the still a strangeness in the matter, the drift logized by saying he only wished to know mystery of your loves." "No, Brigida," of which I could not understand. "Well, where she would desire to sup. "I am not she replied, "do not mislead yourself. If I my dear," said Don Antonio, "it gives me very well," said she, "Duenna, I would were inclined to love him I dare not, my great pleasure to see you join in the general like to go to bed." He left us, and my lady heart will never admit an unbecoming sentisensation of the day, for I was afraid that proceeded to undress, and hurried herself to ment." "But you looked at him as if you the departure of our guest might not be al-rest-but never could I imagine her reasons could love him," said I. "Perhaps I did, together agreeable to you." "He told me," for it, unless it was to get rid of me; and Brigida; but you make no distinction bereplied my lady," that he would go at 10 to-God knows there was no occasion for that, tween the action and the person. It is abunnight; I shall be glad when he is gone," as I was already in the secret: however, Idantly easy to abhor an action, and yet to love continued she;" but I am not uneasy-for I kissed her hand, and retired to bed also. In the person guilty of it. I own it to be my am sure he will keep his word." "It is just the morning she called me to matins, which case with Don Antonio. Now if I can se10 now," said Don Antonio. "And there was the reverse of our custom. She looked parate Don Antonio and his conduct, why he is," returned she, seeing him enter the as if she had slept little, although she went not Monsieur Walstein and his?" door. "Welcome, Colonel," said Don An-to bed early. "It is late, Duenna," said are perhaps right, my child," observed I; tonio. "I have only come to take leave," he [she, “ although it be dark; the day is" but remember what you yourself said to replied; "I am just going." "Nay, you shall gloomy." I arose immediately, and certainly the Colonel about the danger of tempting not go before supper," said Don Antonio. we were in the church before any body. I love in any shape." Depend upon it, "I cannot stay one moment," rejoined the felt the morning very cold, and was very Duenna," she replied, "it is a mistake to Colonel. "You must stay supper," repeated glad when we returned home to our choco-say that love overcomes all things, or that Don Antonio, embracing him. "Excuse me, late; I took mine with great pleasure, but he is the tyrant of our liberty. To attribute my dear friend," rejoined the Colonel, "I my lady turned her cup round and round, all to fate and necessity, is but the weak cannot delay." "Let him go," said my and stirred it twenty times, and then after stratagem of lovers to excuse their own lady, "perhaps he cannot stay." "How do dipping the toast, she left it there, and set faults." "I cannot argue with you, my you know any thing about it," replied her down the cup. "I do not care for it, dear," said I; "but pray keep in mind the husband angrily. There it is, Colonel! Brigida," said she; "tell Senor Juan I wish fable of the moth and the taper." She made now that you are going away, you may see to speak to him." I obeyed; and in about no reply, but smiled; then taking a paper really who are your friends among us." a quarter of an hour, Senor Juan made his from her bosom, she said, "Neither you. "Then," rejoined my lady, "as you are soappearance. "I kiss your Excellency's nor Armida's bird shall have any influence very kind, let us see you produce some of hand," said he, pray command me." over my sentiments."" Pray, my lady, what your liqueur de Barbade, and drink to the "Have the goodness, then," she replied, " to says Armida's bird to the question?" She Colonel's good health before he goes." go through the town inquiring for all sorts read it as translated by the Colonel. "Well, I will," said Don Antonio, and im- of public news from Biscay." "I will do it" Well," said she, "it is very pretty," as mediately went out of the saloon into the willingly," said he, and withdrew. "Now, she finished it, and folded up the paper. study, where he kept this precious stuff Brigida," said my lady, "we will go to our "And now let us go to gather the roses locked up. The instant he turned his back, country garden, and there pass the day; I and laurels; but I will mix no myrtle with my lady drew a letter from her bosom, which will take my guitar, and you your spindle' my garland I assure you. Would to heaven she had written in the early part of the that we may amuse ourselves if we can.', that I could in reality entwine it with the evening, and put it into the Colonel's hand." That is well put in," said I. The sun olive!" I do not know how I could have They seemed to have forgotten that I was in came out as we left the house, which made made the mistake, but so it was, that I the room, for he kissed the hand that gave our walk extremely pleasant, for the morn-plucked cypress instead of laurel. She took it to him, saying, "We will meet again I ing had been dark and lowering, with a cold it from me, then looking wistfully on me, trust, under more propitious circumstances." east wind. It was 9 o'clock when we en-dropped it on the ground, and burst into May it please God," she replied, " to crown tered the garden, where we amused ourselves tears. "Blessed saints!" said I, ❝ my lady, our wishes!" They now looked at each other, counting the bunches on a muscadine vine what is the matter?" "Nothing, nothing," as if they wished to say, or do something, during the greater part of the forenoon. said she, recovering herself; " a sudden which they did not dare; but they neither" This is endless work," said my lady; "I thought occurred that had almost oversaid, nor did any thing, but continued to have no genius for counting truly, come." powered me, but it was too like a foolish hold each others hands, looking I cannot Now, I counted the bunches over and over superstition. I will think ne more of it. tell how. "Farewell," said my lady, burst- again patiently, while my lady walked up But we must gather some of this laurel," coning from him; he struck his hand upon his and down the gravel before me. "How tinued she, going to a shrub, and without forehead as she fled, and sunk upon the many do you think there are?" said I. "Per-looking at it pulling the leaves. I was surchair that stood near him. In a few minutes haps 666," said my lady. "No, indeed," prised. "What would you do with that, my Don Antonio returned with a flask, but he replied I," the good vine is not the beast in lady? it is aconite." "You know nothing solicited the Colonel in vain to taste of it, the Apocalypse." "I wish it were," ex-about these things, I see," said she, rather

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displeased. home."

"Come along, we will go My lady raised herself on one hand, and dreadful noise in the streets. I endeavoured with the other seemed to brush away some- to collect myself, and ran from room to We arrived just time enough for dinner. thing that floated in the air before her eyes. room to find my unfortunate lady. A great But my lady sat at table, like the statue Rosina and I helped her to the bed-side. light in the street, and the sound of a vast of thought feeding upon itself. Once or But she would not lie down, continuing to tumult drew me to the balcony. I saw the twice she attempted to eat something, but look wildly round until her eyes fell on Colonel, lying in a cart, almost lifeless, and seemed to forget that she had put it to her Diego; when seeming to collect herself, she bloody, with his hands tied behind him. lips. Don Antonio took his cigar, and my said, "Where is the letter I saw just now, He was in the midst of soldiers, horse and lady and I retired to her room. "I shall Diego?" Diego stood like a statue, and knew foot. I thought that the lady Aminta might not lie down," said she, on entering it," for nothing; but put it into her hand. She read have seen the same sight, and that it had I cannot rest. But Brigida, bring me my it over and over again; every now and then driven her to despair. I looked among the father's and mother's hair from the ward- putting her hand to and from her eyes, as if crowd for her, but to no purpose. There robe, that I may employ myself in plaiting to sweep away something that interrupted was not a soul in the house. So finding it." "Dear my lady," observed I," what the sight. At last, "Oh Diego!" she ex-myself unable to remain a moment longer in puts such a fancy into your head, as to think claimed wildly, " tell me when he died."- suspense, I ran out of doors, and made my of plaiting dead people's hair? Rosina can "No one is dead, my lady," said he, scarcely way immediately towards the square. Seedo it at any time, and there is no chance of intelligibly; " but," and he paused and grew ing that I could not get through the crowd making her melancholy." "I am rather paler still; "but, they are bringing the Co-when I reached it, I went round to the Pounhappy, Duenna, though I do not know lonel,-tied with ropes, to Ordunna, where, sada, where I might overlook it from the balwhy; and I think looking at my father's and they say, he is to be shot this night." ""Mer-cony. The door was not to be passed for the mother's hair may comfort me." "If so, my ciful God!" she uttered in a low tone, fixing press of people. They were carrying in the lady, it shall be done;" and so saying, I her eyes above; " and my uncle ?"-"I saw Colonel's dead body. I now knew the meanbrought it out. "Now, Brigida, send for him last, my lady, when he gave me this ing of the musketry I had heard as I was Rosina, to settle my own hair, while I em-letter. He was then lying on the large table getting towards the square. I forced my way ploy myself with this." I called Rosina, in the Posada at Vittoria. He also gave me up after the body, into the great room. The who set about her work, but after she had his purse: there it is," continued Diego, moment they set it down, I discovered my taken out the braids, and let the hair fall, throwing it on the floor," and he said to me, lady coming towards it. She did not start she was desired to leave it, and help to ar- God bless you Diego, you are the son of an at the sight, but sat down by its side withrange the long tresses of the dead. By my honest man." out emotion; then lifting its eyelids with assistance, they were soon set in order, and her fingers; "Do not you know me?" she looked, what they were, the true and plain sighed. "You used not to look at me thus!" proofs of Iberian blood. My lady fastened Then pausing, and casting her eyes up and them together, and hung them thus round down the body, "Ah!" said she, shaking her own neck. She stood up to admire their her head, "I see it has rained blood in length; and indeed it was admirable, for Spain this day. On this she arose suddenly, they hung down to her feet, like a sable and taking him by the hand, "Come with tippet, such as you may have seen worn by me, Walstein; I have laurels for you. Buxsome beautiful maiden of England or Russia. eda sent them by Diego." Then kneeling, As she stood, her figure engaged me much, she took her uncle's letter, and tearing it but her countenance still more; I would into little stripes, stuck it in his hair, with have given the world to know what thoughts a few green sprigs which she had kept in passed in her mind, as she gazed upon the her hand. "And here are roses for you," as dark tresses of her parents, but whatever they she pulled off the leaves of a rose, and threw were, her soul seemed entirely occupied, it them on his cheek. "But they will fade was perhaps filled with a presentiment of too; I will go and bring you lilies. Stop then," wept she, "stop, and do not move until I come again."

what was so soon to come.

The Saints deliver me, I did not know what to make of all this, but I plainly saw there was sorrow enough in it. Poor Rosina hung upon the lady Aminta's arm, and wept aloud. Diego did not move, but my lady looking strangely on him, took him by the neck, and kissed his forehead. Heaven deliver me, but I wondered at her; but when she turned round to me, and told me that I had married Godoi, and was a traitor, I trembled; for I saw that her wits were gone. Rosina tried to soothe her; " Do not you know your own Duenna, my dear lady?" said she. But so strange were my lady's looks, that Rosina trembled too. I took her hand, and went upon my knees. She raised me up, with a softened countenance, saying, "Come, The door of the chamber opened. I thought let us go look for him." She was leading it was accident, and went to shut it. To my me to the door, when I entreated her to stop astonishment I saw Diego, pale and covered a little; she seemed persuaded, and turned with dust; he looked like a ghost escaped towards the toilette, wreathing the hair that from a charnel house. "What ails you," still hung from her neck, round and round cried I. He spoke not a word, but opened his her arms. Catching up some of the flowers mouth as if exhausted. "Who is it?" said my and shrubs that we had brought in with us, lady." Diego," said I," and the picture of" Here," turned she to Rosina, giving her a death, Senora." She flew to the door, and put that in your bosom, and wrap catching him by the arm, looked him eagerly patience round the thorn. We will go now, in the face, and shook her head. "It is all my mother," she repeated, touching my face over then?" He made no answer, but with with some sprigs of the laurel which she a trembling hand drew a paper from his had held in her hand; then suddenly startbreast; she looked at it for a moment, and ing, she threw them down, exclaiming, "No! then dropt it from her hand, exclaiming, I will have none of you. My mother told me "Oh my God!" She sunk upon the floor. in a dream last night, that you were aconite." While Rosina ran for water, I knowing that" God save you, my lady," interrupted I; "it it was no time for ceremony, picked up the is night-pray, and go to bed."-" I am not paper; it was thus:dead yet," said she, "why bury me? I am My dear child, farewell. Before this going to a wedding. Will you go too? If reaches you, I shall be no more. My wounds not, stay here, and I will send for you."— are mortal, but that concerns me little. Your" Providence keep us all in our senses," friend is wounded, and taken. He was, alas, thought I; then looking at her, oppressed by too late. Your information was true. But it such a thought, I was overcome, and fell into is now finished. The day is lost, and with violent hysterics. it, perhaps the freedom of our country. Vive Fernando. Farewell, Farewell, my child." Vittoria, Nov. 7, 1808. BUXEDA.

rose,

66

"Alas! poor lady," continued the Duenna, "oppressed by the fate of her friend, her relation, and her country, her sole delight is now to wander about the roads and gardens, singing broken songs, and gathering shrubs and flowers. I attend close to her in all her walks, and have succeeded this morning in persuading her to come in and rest herself. For my part, I think it was Heaven's mercy that deprived her of her wits. There she lies," said the Duenna, pointing to an inner room," there she lies, poor thing, fast asleep, and may her sleep be refreshing; for she was the sweetest lady that ever eyes looked at upon Spanish ground."

ANECDOTES

OF THE COUNT DE SAXE AND MADEMOISELLE
LECOUVREUR.

We cannot insert these anecdotes so indicative of the character of the country, which thus paints depravity, without an What happened for some time, I know observation on the rank prostitution of lannot, but when I recovered, I found myself guage in which they are related. The abuse in bed, and alone. There seemed to be a of words is even more dangerous in the

moral than in the political world, and in of the door by which he had quitted his enna, appeared at the Italian Opera in our days we have seen this vice carried to its mistress's apartment. Returning in about London, and was a leading singer at acme in both. In truth it is now no easy an hour, he discovered that this frail barrier Concerts. In 1782 she made her debut matter to discover whether fidelity, dignity, had not been respected. He knocked generosity, pure attachment, &c. mean what loudly, and being admitted, commenced a at Drury Lane, in Adela in the Haunted they once did, or adultery, degradation, search, and soon found the gentleman, who Tower. She here developed the quality extravagance, and unprincipled dissolute- no doubt thought himself very happily con- in which she was to build her honours as ness; as we find liberality, honor, patriotism, cealed. One might naturally imagine that an English actress of great comic huand a love of liberty, are the phrases which this affair would have destroyed the union mour. The stage has seen no more perstand in some vocabularies for atheism, of Count Saxe and Madlle. Lecouvreur; fect representative of archness, rural perjury, rebellion, and treason. Ed. on the contrary, it rendered them more intimate than ever. The lady was as good an she appeared at the Little Theatre in the coquetry, or animated raillery. In 1793 Maurice Count Saxe was less faithful to actress in private as in public. She soon love than to glory; but even amidst his planned out her own justification, and it is Haymarket, and with increasing reputaweaknesses he never totally forgot the dig-said, that she even compelled the Count to tion. On the death of her brother in nity of his rank. His passion for Adrienne acknowledge that he was in error, and to March, 1796, she left Drury-Lane TheLecouvreur was no doubt noble and sincere. apologize to her for his conduct. atre to accompany BRAHAM to the ConIn this actress were combined superior tinent. They arrived in Paris at a memorable time, the day preceding the 18th Fructidor. Their reception was so flattering among the Parisian circles, that their stay, originally intended for three weeks, was prolonged to eight months. After this influx of popularity in din

SIGNORA STORACE.

talent, beauty, sensibility, and benevolence BIOGRAPHICAL PORTRAITS. of heart; in fine, every quality that can inspire and excuse an ardent passion. A man celebrated for his wit, on seeing her It is some years since Storace retired perform the character of Elizabeth in the Earl of Essex, said " I have seen a Queen from the stage. To all intents she had among the players." She seemed born to disappeared from before the public as a be the Mistress of a Hero; and what is still performer. Yet she still retained a por-ners and suppers, concerts and convermore, she was his friend. Though the tion of celebrity. She was visited by saziones, they set off for more classic violence of her attachment gave rise to the some of the great, and by many of the indulgences, and made a tour of Italy. most urious jealousy, it was not on that profligate; she gave an annual fete, to In 1801, they appeared at Covent Garaccount the less sincere or lasting.

One evening, whilst she was performing which the love of whim drew some, and den, in an Opera written by Prince the character of Phadra, she saw the Count the folly of fashion drew others; with an Hoare, "Chains of the Heart." STOde Saxe enter the orchestra. She had pre- independent income, luxurious, not de- RACE was now in possession of all the viously discovered an infidelity on the part stitute of intelligence, and considerably liveliest parts of English Opera, her Marof the Count: and at the moment when accomplished, first distinguished by the garetta in "No Song no Supper," and her Phedra exclaims to Hippolytus, unhappy notoriety of a guilty connec- Floretta in "The Cabinet," were among “Au défaut de ton bras, prête-moi ton épée,"tion, and finally, deriving such interest the happiest efforts in that line of the mushe rushed in a transport of jealousy towards as is to be derived from cruelty on the sical drama. She had never been handthe actor who was performing Hippolytus,

of Courland.

once

Her

seized his sword, and to the amazement of part of the man to whom she had been some, but she had a tolerable figure. the whole audience plunged it into the fame and fortune; few women came Her countenance was rudely finished, bosom of the Count. The theatrical sword more recommended to the calamitous but it looked striking when lighted up was blunt at the point, and the thrust being notice of the idle of the world. with the play of the part. Her figure aimed by an unsteady hand, the Count for- Her musical life began early. She was subsequently spread into deformity, and tunately received no injury. This proof of the daughter of Stephen Storace, an Ita- for a long period the disease of which love, it is said, did not offend the vanity of lian performer of some talent on the dou- she died, the dropsy, appeared to be the Count de Saxe, who easily obtained for- ble bass, and the sister of the celebrated making advances on what was giveness for his error. There never was an instance of more composer of the same name. According grace and symmetry. She was a clever, generous friendship than that displayed by to the custom of foreign musicians, she prosperous, and wretched woman. Mademoiselle Lecouvreur, when, without made several circuits of the little Italian concubinage with Braham, equally crithe knowledge of her lover, she sold a casket courts. Her voice under Sacchini's tui-minal in both, was to her, shame and misof jewels worth 40,000 francs, which sum tion soon acquired unusual power. She fortune. For the greater part of their she forced him to accept to assist in main- was first heard at Florence, where the intercourse, a kind of dubious acknowtaining his adventurous claims to the Duchy Dilettanti augured highly of her future ledgment of marriage was sustained, The Count de Saxe was in all respects an excellence. Her next displays were at which prevented the world from directly accomplished cavalier. Mademoiselle Le-Vienna, with an improved voice and per-pronouncing her an adulteress. But in couvreur preferred him to all the rest of her son. The Continental stage has the the connexions of the vicious there is no admirers. She sacrificed them all to him, painful pre-eminence of impurity. Sro- feeling, as there is no honour. After bewith the exception of one or two very parti- RACE as a new face attracted attention, ing the mother of Braham's children, and cular friends; of one of whom the Count and she was finally appropriated by bearing the general name of his wife, became jealous. One evening, when Count Saxe had received from the lady protestations Fisher, we believe, a celebrated hautboy that heartless paramour flung her off to of the most tender love and the most in-player. The appropriation was subse- public disgrace. This weighed upon her, violable fidelity, he took leave of her ap-quently supposed to have matured into a and her death was probably hastened by parently satisfied; but suspecting that his marriage; but higher authorities were a sensibility which she had no right to rival was waiting for his departure in order said to have interfered; and by an impu- feel, and a regret for the man who had to introduce himself, he devised a new and tation on Joseph II. which we cannot forfeited every pledge to a wretched and whimsical mode of ascertaining the truth. believe, Storace was released from affectionate woman. Desperate lovers rend their hair without mercy. The Count imitated them on a small her chains, and FISHER sent to seek scale: he plucked a single hair from his head, his bread abroad. When FISHER had and fastened it with wax across the opening fixed himself in Ireland, Storace left Vi

is

We see, from the Newspapers, that her Will advertised for; so that it is impossible to say how her considerable fortune is bequeathed.

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