of respectability; all foreigners of respectable introduction and appearance are admitted into this club on a yearly subscription of about two pounds English. The newspapers, monthly journals, and a library, are attached to this club. mcets with some striking object of art or industry. Such elegant streets are perhaps not to be seen in Europe as are on both sides of the Neva. The Panorama exhibited not long since in London, gave a very fine sketch of this promenade. The marble Palace, the Castle, and numerous other public buildings, are visible from this pro The Noble club is so called because of noble institution; every one, however, is admitted into this club who is of respect-menade, which, as a public walk, is eertainly unrivalled in the world; the Prado at Madrid will not bear a comparison with it. able manners and appearance; there is no exclusion, as is usual in Germany. Cards, billiards, and conversation are the main objects; there are frequently balls and dinners. The Burghers' club is particularly framed for the entertainment of the general population, and from the intermixture of its company is the most entertaining of the whole. Here may be seen every class of society mingled together, and each social and considerate of the amusement of the other. Cards, and gaming of all kinds, are carried in this club to a very high point. The wines are of the first quality, and the supper is of the first magnificence; the court is very frequently of the Burghers' party. The Russians are likewise peculiarly attached to their public walks, or promenades; the summer garden is constantly attended by all ranks of people; its walks are shaded by lime-trees, which have now become venerable by age. The prospect from hence on the Neva is delightful beyond description; here in the fine evenings in spring the whole population of Petersburgh, the rich, the poor, the tradesman, and the noble assemble, and here each displays what constitutes the pride of each. Here likewise, at one and the same time, may be seen an assemblage of individuals of all the numerous kingdoms and provinces which compose the Russian empire, each habited in his respective costume. The promenade on the Neva Quay is another favourite resort of the Russians of all classes. It is decorated on one side with a series of the most elegant edifices in Petersburgh; the Neva likewise is in itself a grand object; the bustle of commerce, the vessels moving to and fro, cutting the waves in full sail, create an agreeable contrast with the lively scene of business on the shore. Wherever the eye turus it This Quay is the favourite resort both in winter and spring; in the fine days of winter it serves as a terrace, from which the spectators may view the animating scene on the Neva. The rich and fashionable throng it by thousands for their better accommodation the footpath is during the whole winter swept of snow, and strewed with fine sand to prevent it from being slippery. The icy surface of the Neva, as viewed from this terrace, presents a most picturesque prospect; it is divided and intersected, like a spacious plain, into a thousand roads, and every road has its different object. When to this you add the perpetual throng of sledges and other vehicles passing and repassing on these singular highways, the sports of the icehills, and the noise, the merriment, the ludicrous falls of some, and the happiness of all, an Englishman may easily form a just idea of the winter amusements of the Russians. There is another public walk termed the Fontanka, which is likewise a very fashionable resort; it is chiefly conspicuous for the noble public buildings which are daily increasing. The Russian nobility have adopted a taste which at least promises to adorn their country; every nobleman now vies with another in his splendid palace; every part of the empire is already assuming a new face under this fashionable rage. Another favourite and, as it were, national amusement amongst the Russians is their processions on certain festal days. The first of May is one of these days; on this day there is always a grand procession of all the people of fashion in their most splendid equipages to the wood of Kathsrinenhof. Innumerable new carriages are launched, and new liveries displayed on Pa || have instituted one or more of these coffee- this day. The fashion of the year is deter- Driving in sledges is another leading The manners of the lower orders are unfortunately not in that state of refinement which has been described in many authors who have written on the state of Russia. Notwithstanding all the efforts of Catharine, who certainly promoted the growth of Russia upwards of a century, and pushed it forwards from barbarism into civilization, the Russians of the lower order still remain in the lowest possible condi tion of barbarism. An eminent instance of this is related by a recent traveller.The Russian peasantry who have sons, marry them at an early age to some blooming girl of the same village, then dispatch them to Petersburgh to make their fortune; during this absence they live with the wives of their sons, and beget children by them. The son, returning in a few years, finds a progeny by his own parent, whom he very patiently educates as his own. In his turn he follows the same example. The promiscuous bathing which we have mentioned is another proof of the same kind of barbarism. The Empress Cathain-rine prohibited this at Petersburgh, but it still remains at Moscow. The Russians are the most hospitable people in the world; to be a stranger is to be entitled to every act of kindness; hence a stranger well recommended in Petersburgh has very little need of the expences of the table; he is immediately admitted from one to every successive party, and may pass his life in an unintermitting round of visits. The Russians indeed of all classes, and more particularly perhaps the great and fashionable, are peculiarly fond of water parties. On the shores of the Neva numerable boats are always plying; they are infinitely more elegant than those we are accustomed to see in London; every nobleman and gentleman, moreover, has his own barge, which is carved and gilded with the greatest possible magnificence. The rowers are all dressed in an elegant uniform; they are celebrated for their dexterity in the use and practise of their oars. The rowers, moreover, usually sing a song in chorus, and as the tunes are gay and simple, nothing can add more to the general tone of the animation which characterises the scene. This hospitality, in fact, characterises the Russians, as much as the general polite. ness pervading every rank characterises the French. The Russians of all classes hail the visit of a friend as a holiday; cer We have already had occasion to mention that the Russians are not fond of pub-tain days of the year are set aside for this interchange of hospitality, and the welcome of the old feudal times is renewed in the hall of a Russian Count. lic assemblies; Petersburgh, therefore, has Though many of the splendours of fa shionable life have obtained admittance in the Russian empire, nothing of what may be termed fashionable foppery, fashionable frivolity, has as yet contaminated the original purity of Russian manners. They still retain all the hardihood of the north; they still retain their characteristic virtues and vices. A concert of the French or English stamp would be a phenomenon in a Russian assembly. The ladies are as far, on their part, from those fashionable extravagancies which characterize the belles of England and France; unfortunately it cannot be said that they are equally far from a fashionable profligacy of manners. MADAME CATALANI'S SINGING. MR. EDITOR, As by the name of your Magazine you ought to have a good acquaintance with the fashionable world, and with the changes which it undergoes, I wish you briefly to answer me some short questions; but which you will better understand when I lay some circumstances before you. me, and tells others, that if I were to hear Catalani I should never attempt to sing again. She passed the room the other day whilst I was singing her former favourite song, "'Twas within a mile of Edinborough town," and I heard her say to my brother who was with her, " Will that Phill never have done squalling." If in the midst of my work I insensibly slip into a tune, she I am naturally, Sir, a girl of very ani- stops her ears without ceremony, and asks mated spirits, of a disposition always gay, me crossly if I mean to murder her. She and therefore undoubtedly sometimes in has got, moreover, several outlandish want of a check. I have, moreover, a very words which she occasionally throws in good natural voice, and have hitherto been my face to jeer me; the other night I hapmuch admired in the narrow circle of our pened to cough so as to drown my tune, village. When my mother and sisters when she clapped her hands, and cried were at work they would desire me to sing, Bravo! Encora! Now, Sir, though these and in obeying them I would partly forget may seem trifles to you, it is not so to me my own labour, and perhaps render theirs or my family; it has much disquieted the the easier. When any party of friends, harmless satisfaction which I used to feel moreover, made us a friendly visit, one por- at contributing so much to the pleasure of tion of their entertainment was to hear me my father and mother; it has likewise sing. In this harmless amusement of my-much disturbed our general good temper and family union, for my mother has two or three times turned my sister out of the 100m, and my father always takes my part and d-ns Catalani with some bitterness. Now, Sir, as your Magazine is taken in our family, I wish you briefly to inform my self and friends, and in the innocent satisfaction which resulted from the praises which I received, I was as happy as the day was long. This happiness, Sir, has now passed away. About two months since an aunt whom I have at Bath invited my sister Kitty to come and pass a month || sister, that it is neither within the course with her. Kitty went, and has returned; of sense or manners to suffer her idle and here, Sir, is the cause of all my uneasi-affectation to encroach on the peace of ness. There could not possibly be a more the family; and that it is not reasonable good natured girl than sister Hetty when that every one should cease to sing, because she went to Bath; she had a good colour, they cannot sing as well as Catalani. There good health, good humour, much affection would soon be an end of all the variety in for me, and a ready obedience for her the world, and of the amusement of thouparents; she was all open, candid, and na-sands, if the greater excellence of one in tural, had nothing affected about her, and any art or accomplishment was necessarily delighted as much as the others to hear to destroy all relish for a less degree of me sing. How miserably changed is she talent or ability in another. In London since she left us; she talks about nothing you have actors and actresses of all merit, but Catalani, and if I begin a song, tell: and you very liberally hear them all, and. P give to each his due; Catalani cannot be every where, and is all amusement to cease in London because Catalani is in Bath? about two in the morning, and remember- A few words to this effect, in better language, and more like a sermon, would do much good to sister Kitty, for she has great good nature at heart when she is not possessed by Catalani and the spirit of affectation. Ah, Sir! if fathers and mothers could well understand what is the effect of a cursory visit to places of pleasure like London and Bath on young minds, they would not so easily give their consent to every foolish invitation which is given to their daughters. Sister Kitty sleeps with me,-I will say nothing more at present, than that she is not the same girl that she was; she talks sometimes very strangely, and frequently instead of reminding me of my prayers, as she used to do, falls asleep, and forgets them herself. The other night when we had been cut dancing, we both fell || might oblige more than,—Yours, asleep without saying them; I awoke I will not make my letter too long, and "My mother bids me bind my hair, "Tie up my arms with ribbous rare, I have neither been able to procure the tune or words of this song; perhaps if you were to give it in your Magazine, you HULKEM. [Concluded from Page 95.] PHILOMELA. HULKEM withdrew, and Ibrahim was owe me no obligation; for I am the happiest called in. "Ibrahim,” said the caliph sternly, || of all:" he ordered a palankiu and a horse to "the first act of injustice which you commit be got ready, and dismissed them with heartwill cost you your life. Let this be publicly felt satisfaction. proclaimed in Bagdad and without delay send Helim's wife to me." Ibrahim was struck mute, trembling like an aspen leaf; and in a few minutes Hulkem had the satisfaction of quitting Bagdad, with Helim's happy wife. After two days journey he arrived with her at his house, where Helim and Hulkem's daughter were sitting under the shade of the palm trees, enjoying the cool breezes of the evening. "The great prophet has assistance for every unfortunate sufferer!" said Hulkem, trembling with joy, then removing the veil from the face of the happy woman, speechless with rapture, he gave her to Helim's bosom. The happy couple were so overpowered with joy, || that they did not even take the least notice of || the beneficent old man, who contemplated the beautiful scene with heavenly pleasure. At length, as they were going to throw themselves at Hulkem's feet, he embraced them, while tears of sympathy gushed from his eyes, and exclaimed: "I am indebted to you; you During this recital Hassan sat mute with his eyes fixed upon the ground; he beheld with secret envy the tears of gratitude which flowed down the checks of the happy couple; he was seized with rage at the encomiums of Hulkem's generosity, which flowed from the lips of Helim and his lovely wife, Wretch that I am, thought Hassan, I shall never become renowned whilst Hulkem lives! "Is Hulkem old?" abruptly questioned he his guests. "God preserve the life of the good old man; he is already eighty years old. God bless him for his generosity and humanity." Hassan dismissed his friends coldly, almost unkindly; for they spoke of nothing but Hulkem. Perhaps, thought he, when Hulkem is by himself, a close observer may discover faults in the old man, which are overlooked by the unfortunate wretches whom he flatters and bribes by presents. Hassan had a friend, whom long intimacy, habit, similarity of sentiments, and Hassan's love and generosity, had united to him by the 11 strongest bonds. Hassan requested this friend to go to Hulkem, to watch his steps, and to inform him of the result of his observations. His friend complied with his request, and wheu Hassan, after the lapse of some months, informed him by a letter that he wished for his return, his friend, in auswer, wrote him the following passage, extracted from the Koran : "Man, when you live under the roof of an bonest man, theu do not break down the protecting asylum, for thou livest in the presence of the godhead. I live with Hulkem; I love him, and shall deem myself happy, if he will cast a look of friendship on me. Hassan, 1 must cease calling thee my friend; for thou dost not love Hulkem. Thy good actions are like chaff, which is scattered by the air, but Hulkem's deeds are like pure gold. Happy the mortal who gathers it."-Hassan's friend continued with Hulkem. His gates were shut; no traveller was permitted to rest in the shade of his palm-trees;|| and Hassan's appearance was like that of a person agitated by an horrid dream. "He has robbed me of the happiness of my life; his blood shall atone for the injury. I shall not rob him of any thing but a few paltry moments, and, perhaps, again renew the source of generosity in my callous heart! Hulkem shall die!" time, plucked a flower, and scattered its leaves about, till at last he mechanically approached, by a serpentine walk, a small cottage, encircled by fragrant lime-trees. He there descried a girl sitting on the turf, not far from the cottage, with a book in her hand. He was screened from her view by lofty rose-bushes near the spot where she was sitting her face was concealed by a slight veil, whose transparency afforded him a glimpse of her lovely countenance. Hassan stood motionless as a statue, contemplating the charming maid. His wrath had subsided, and his fury was subdued. He stepped nearer; the rose-bushes rustled; the maiden raised her beautiful and sparkling eyes, and descried Hassan; she threw down the roll of parchment, and run to meet the enraptured Hassan. "You are a stranger," said she to Hassan, with a voice as sweet as the notes of a lute, and blushing with the most enchanting modesty; will you step into the cottage? You come——” 66 "From Hulkem's mansion." Whilst Hassan beld this letter in his hands, the redness of wrath suffused hs cheeks :"Shut the gates!" cried he to his slaves: "a fool only would be hospitable and generous any longer" He now shunned all society, "You are welcome," resumed the maiden, preferring the gloomy solitude of the palm-smiling, "to whatever our humble cottage grove. "The old man," exclaimed he in furious accents," has robbed me of my fame, my friend, and my happiness. He, who makes others happy, has rendered me wretched. Unhappy me!" His hand instinctively grasped the hilt of his dagger. can afford." "Your cottage contains more than all the wealth in Hulkem's possession could procure." "You are very kind. But will you not step in ?" 46 Why may we not continue on this spot, the abode of every thing that can be called amiable?" "Do as you chuse. My father is not at home; you must be my guest." The girl went into the cottage, and soon returned with dates and melons, figs and sweet oranges, milk and water, and placed her simple viands before Hassan, who could not refrain from gazing at her lovely and inuocent countenance whilst she offered him the choicest fruits. Hassau concealed a dagger in his bosom, and went in disguise to Hulkem's house. Whilst on the road, he met with none but happy people, who sang hymns in praise of Hulkem, their generous benefactor. His own name was not mentioned. Hassan's fury grew more violent every momcut: he seated himself on a bench near Hulkem's mansion: a slave offered him refreshments, but Hassan declined to accept them, enquiring of the slave where Huikem was? "He is not often here," replied the slave kindly, "but he will be here to-morrow." Hassau rose, and withdrawing into the palm-She now requested him to sing, aud he acgrove, rambled to a crystal rill absorbed in thought here he sat down on the turf, then got up, seated himself again, got up a second Hassan, seeing a late lay on the ground,` requested the maiden to play to him. She took up the lute, and played to Hassan in a style which affected the inmost fibres of his heart. His rapture was unspeakable, and he could not help exclaiming in strains of warmest enthusiam,-" Incomparable, most accomplished of women!" The maid blushed at Hassan's applause, making a shake on the lute which must have broken the string, had not Hassan reminded her of the injury the instrument might receive. companied the silver strains of her lute with a skill which drew expressions of rapture from her lips. Her hand dropped on her lap; she |