nel,' said he-and in came the sentinel; when the following conversation ensued:

says; Débout: aux champs, aux ateliers! | meant to shave. In vain, all in vain! At Can I have you sit here, droning old metre length, Francia lost patience with them. through your nose; your heart asleep in "Thou wretched Fraction, wilt thou be the mere gluttony, the while; and all Paraguay ninth part even of a tailor? Does it bea wilderness, or nearly so-the Heaven's seem thee to weave cloth of devil's-dust blessed sunshine growing mere tangles, li-instead of true wool; and cut and sew it anas, yellow-fevers, rattlesnakes, and ja- as if thou wert not a tailor, but the fraction. guars on it? Up, swift, to work-or mark of a very tailor! I cannot endure every this governmental horse whip, what the crack thing!" Francia, in despair erected his of it is, what the cut of it is like to be!" Workman's Gallows." Yes, that instituIncurable, for one class, seemed archbish- tion of the country did actually exist in ops, bishops, and such like; given merely Paraguay; men and workmen saw it with to a sham-warfare against extinct devils. eyes. A most remarkable, and, on the At the crack of Francia's terrible whip they whole, not unbeneficial institution of sociwent, dreading what the cut of it might be. ety there. Robertson gives us the followA cheap worship in Paraguay, according to ing scene with the Belt-maker of Assumpthe humor of the people, Francia left; on cion; which, be it literal, or in part poetic, condition that it did no mischief. Wood- does, no doubt of it, hold the mirror up to en saints and the like ware, he also left sit- Nature in an altogether true, and surely in ting in their niches: no new ones, even on a very surprising manner: solicitation, would he give a doit to buy. Being petitioned to provide a new patron with a couple of grenadiers' belts, neither ac"In came, one afternoon, a poor shoemaker, saint for one of his new fortifications once, he made this answer: O people of Paracording to the fancy of the Dictator. Sentiguay, how long will you continue idiots? While I was a Catholic I thought as you "Dictator: Take this bribonazo' (a very do but I now see there are no saints but favorite word of the Dictator's, and which being good cannons that will guard our fron- interpreted means most impertinent scoundrel') tiers!"* This also is noteworthy. He in-take this bribonazo to the gibbet over the quired of the two Swiss surgeons, what their religion was; and then added, "Be of what religion you like, here: Christians, Jews, Mussulmans-but don't be Atheists." Equal trouble had Francia with his laic workers, and indeed with all manner of workers; for it is in Paraguay as elsewhere, like priest like people. Francia had extensive barrack-buildings, nay city-build-are of no use to me; but they will do very well ings (as we have seen), arm-furnishings; immensities of work going on, and his workmen had in general a tendency to be "Shoemaker:-"God bless your excellency, imaginary. He could get no work out of the Lord forbid! I am your vassal, your slave: them; only a more or less deceptive simili- day and night have I served, and will serve my tude of work! Masons so called, builders the belts; y por el alma de un triste zapatero lord; only give me two days more to prepare of houses, did not build, but merely seem (by the soul of a poor shoemaker) I will make to build; their walls would not bear weath-them to your excellency's liking.' er; stand on their bases in high winds.- "Dictator:- Off with him, sentinel!' Hodge-razors, in all conceivable kinds, "Sentinel: Venga, bribon: come along, were openly marketed, "which were never you rascal.' meant to shave, but only to be sold!" For a length of time Francia's righteous soul struggled sore, yet unexplosively with the propensities of these unfortunate men. By rebuke, by remonstrance, encouragement, offers of reward, and every vigilance, and effort, he strove to convince them that it was unfortunate for a Son of Adam to be an imaginary workman; that every Son of Adam had better make razors which were

way; walk him under it half-a-dozen times: and now, ,' said he, turning to the trembling shoemaker, bring me such another pair of belts, and instead of walking under the gallows, we shall try how you can swing upon it.'

"Shoemaker:- Please your excellency, I have done my best.'

"Dictator: Well, bribon, if this be your best, I shall do my best to see that you never

again mar a bit of the state's leather. The belts

to hang you upon the little framework which the grenadier will show you.'

Shoemaker:-Senor Excelentisimo: This

very night I will make the belts according to your excellency's pattern.'

"Dictator:-"Well, you shall have till the morning; but still you must pass under the gibbet: it is a salutary process, and may at once quicken the work and improve the workmanship.'

"Sentinel:- Vamonos, bribon; the supreme commands it.'

"Off was the shoemaker marched: he was, according to orders, passed and repassed under the gibbet; and then allowed to retire to his stall."

He worked there with such an alacrity | pitcher of water; the water is made to boil and sibylline enthusiasm, all night, that his there. The Dictator then prepares, with the belts on the morrow were without parallel greatest possible care, his matè, or Paraguay in South America ;-and he is now, if still tea. Having taken this, he walks under the interior colonnade that looks upon the court; and in this life, Belt-maker general to Paraguay, smokes a cigar, which he first takes care to una prosperous man; grateful to Francia and roll, in order to ascertain that there is nothing the gallows, we may hope, for casting cer- dangerous in it, though it is his own sister who tain of the seven devils out of him! makes up his cigars for him. At six o'clock comes the barber, an ill-washed, ill-clad mulatto, given to drink, too; but the only member of the good humor, he chats with the barber; and often in this manner makes use of him to prepare the public for his projects: this barber may be said to be his Official Gazette. He then steps out, in his dressing-gown of printed calico, to the outer colonnade, an open space with pilhe walks about, receiving at the same time such lars, which ranges all round the building: here

Such an institution of society would evidently not be introduceable, under that simple form, in our old constituted Euro-faculty whom he trusts in. If the Dictator is in pean countries. Yet it may be asked of constitutional persons in these times, By what succedaneum they mean to supply the want of it, then? In a community of imaginary workmen, how can you pretend to have any government, or social thing whatever, that were real? Certain tenpersons as are admitted to an audience. Topound franchisers, with their "tremendous wards seven, he withdraws to his room, where cheers," are invited to reflect on this. he remains till nine; the officers and other funcWith a community of quack workmen, it is tionaries then come to make their reports, and by the law of Nature impossible that other receive his orders. At eleven o'clock, the fiel than a quack government can be got to ex-de fecho (principal secretary) brings the papers ist. Constitutional or other, with ballot- which are to be inspected by him, and writes from his dictation till noon. At noon all the offiboxes or with none, your society in all its cers retire, and Doctor Francia sits down to taphases, administration, legislation, teach-ble. His dinner, which is extremely frugal, he ing, preaching, praying, and writing peri- always himself orders. When the cook returns odicals per sheet, will be a quack society; from market, she deposits her provisions at the terrible to live in, disastrous to look upon. door of her master's room; the Doctor then Such an institution of society, adapted to comes out, and selects what he wishes for himself. After dinner, he takes his siesta. our European ways, seems pressingly desir awakening, he drinks his mate, and smokes a able. O Guachos, South-American and cigar, with the same precautions as in the mornEuropean, what a business is it, casting out ing. From this, till four or five, he occupies your seven devils!himself with business, when the escort to attend But perhaps the reader would like to take him on his promenade arrives. The barber a view of Dr. Francia in the concrete, there then enters, and dresses his hair, while his horse as he looks and lives; managing that thou-s getting ready. During his ride, the Doctor sand-sided business for his Paraguenos, in the time of Surgeon Rengger? It is our last extract, or last view of the Dictator, who must hang no longer on our horizon here:

a

On

inspects the public works, and the barracks, particularly those of the cavalry, where he has had set of apartments prepared for his own use. While riding, though surrounded by his escort, he is armed with a sabre, and a pair of doublebarrelled pocket-pistols. He returns home about nightfall, and sits down to study till nine; then he goes to supper, which consists of a roast pigeon and a glass of wine. If the weather be fine, he again walks in the outer colonnade, where he often remains till a very late hour. At ten o'clock he gives the watchword. On returning into the house, he fastens all the doors himself."

"I have already said that Doctor Francia, so soon as he found himself at the head of affairs, took up his residence in the habitation of the former Governors of Paraguay. This edifice, which is one of the largest in Assumpcion, was erected by the Jesuits, a short time before their expulsion, as a house of retreat for laymen, who devoted themselves to certain spiritual exercises instituted by Saint Ignatius. This structure the Dictator repaired and embellished; he has detached it from the other houses in the city, by interposing wide streets. Here he lives, with four slaves, a little negro, one male and two female mulattoes, whom he treats with great mildness. The two males perform the functions of valet-de-chambre and groom. One of the Francia's escort of cavalry used to two mulatto women is his cook, and the other" strike men with the flat of their swords," takes care of his wardrobe. He leads a very much more assault them with angry epiregular life. The first rays of the sun very thets, if they neglected to salute the Dicrarely find him in bed. So soon as he rises, the negro brings a chafing-dish, a kettle, and a

Francia's brother was already mad. Francia banished this sister by and by, because she had employed one of his grenadiers, one of the public government's soldiers, on some errand of her own.* Thou lonely Francia!

*

Rengger.

tator as he rode out. Both he and they, the interior; root out his tea-plants; scatmoreover, kept a sharp eye for assassins; ter his four hundred Indians, and-we know but never found any, thanks perhaps to the rest! Hard-hearted Monopoly refusing their watchfulness. Had Francia been in to listen to the charmings of Public Opinion Paris! At one time, also, there arose an- or Royal-Society Presidents, charm they noyance in the Dictatorial mind from idle never so wisely! M. Bonpland, at full crowds gazing about his Government liberty some time since, resides still in House, and his proceedings there. Orders South America,-and is expected by the were given that all people were to move Robertsons, not altogether by this Editor, on, about their affairs, straight across this to publish his Narrative, with a due rungovernment esplanade; instructions to the ning shriek. sentry, that if any person paused to gaze, Francia's treatment of Artigas, his old he was to be peremptorily bidden, Move enemy, the bandit and firebrand, reduced on!-and if he still did not move, to be now to beg shelter of him, was good; shot with ball-cartridge. All Paraguay humane, even dignified. Francia refused men moved on, looking to the ground, swift to see or treat with such a person, as he as possible, straight as possible, through had ever done; but readily granted him a those precarious spaces; and the affluence place of residence in the interior, and of crowds thinned itself almost to the verge "thirty piasters a month till he died." of solitude. One day, after many weeks The bandit cultivated fields, did charitable or months, a human figure did loiter, did deeds, and passed a life of penitence, for gaze in the forbidden ground: "Move his few remaining years. His bandit folon!" cried the sentry sharply ;-no effect: lowers, who took to plundering again, says "Move on!" and again none. Alas, the M. Rengger, "were instantly seized and unfortunate human figure was an Indian, shot."

did not understand human speech, stood On the other hand, that anecdote of merely gaping interrogatively,-where-Francia's dying father-requires to be conupon a shot belches forth at him, the whew-firmed! It seems, the old man, who, as

ing of winged lead; which luckily only we saw, had long since quarrelled with his whewed, and did not hit! The astonish- son, was dying, and wished to be reconment of the Indian must have been great, ciled. Francia "was busy-what was in his retreat-pace rapid. As for Francia heit ?-could not come." A second still more summoned the sentry with hardly suppress-pressing message arrives: "The old father ed rage, "What news, Amigo?" The dare not die unless he see his son; fears sentry quoted "your Excellency's order;" he shall never enter heaven, if they be not Francia cannot recollect such an order; reconciled." "Then let him enter commands now, that at all events such order cease.

It remains still that we say a word, not in excuse, which might be difficult, but in explanation, which is possible enough, of Francia's unforgivable insult to human science in the person of M. Aimé Bonpland. M. Aimé Bonpland, friend of Humboldt, after much botanical wandering, did, as all men know, settle himself in Entre Rios, an Indian or Jesuit country close on Francia, now burnt to ashes by Artigas; and there set up a considerable establishment for the improved culture of Paraguay tea. Botany? Why, yes, and perhaps commerce still more. "Botany?" exclaims Francia: "It is shopkeeping agriculture, and tends to prove fatal to my shop! Who is this extraneous individual? Artigas could not give him right to Entre Rios; Entre Rios is at least as much mine as Arigas's! Bring him to me!" Next night, or next, Paraguay soldiers surround M. Bonpland's tea-establishment; gallop M. Bonpland over the frontiers, to his appointed village in

said Francia, "I will not come !"* If this anecdote be true, it is certainly of all that are in circulation about Dr. Francia, by far the worst. If Francia, in that death hour, could not forgive his poor old father, whatsoever he had, or could in the murkiest sultriest imagination be conceived to have done against him, then let no man forgive Dr. Francia! But the accuracy of public rumor, in regard to a Dictator who has executed forty persons, is also a thing that can be guessed at. To whom was it, by name and surname, that Francia delivered this extraordinary response? Did the man make, or can he now be got to make, affidavit of it, to credible articulate-speaking persons resident on this earth? If so let him do it-for the sake of the psychological sciences.

One last fact more. Our lonesome Dictator, living among Guachos, had the greatest pleasure, it would seem, in rational conversation,-with Robertson, with Rengger,

with any kind of intelligent human creaTHE TROUSSEAU.-The Duchess of Gloucester, ture, when such could be fallen in with, the Princess Sophia Matilda, and many of the haute which was rarely. He would question you afternoon, to see the trousseau; but, as might be noblesse, attended at Cambridge House on Tuesday with eagerness about the ways of men in expected, the favor was limited, although the asforeign places, the properties of things un-sembled visitors were so numerous that it might known to him; all human interest and in-most properly be called a reception. A spacious sight was interesting to him. Only per- display of the valuable jewels and magnificent preroom at Cambridge House was appropriated for the sons of no understanding being near himsents from the Queen, Queen Dowager, King of for most part, he had to content himself Hanover, and the other relatives of the bride and with silence, a meditative cigar and cup of bridegroom, as well as from the Duchess of Suthermatè. O Francia, though thou hadst to ex-land, the Marchioness of Londonderry, the Marchioness of Ailesbury, and many of the leading arisecute forty persons, I am not without sometocracy. In addition to the bridal dress, there were pity for thee!

In this manner, all being yet dark and void for European eyes, have we to imagine that the man Rodriguez Francia passed, in a remote, but highly remarkable, not unquestionable or inquestioned manner, across the confused theatre of this world. For some thirty years, he was all the go: vernment his native Paraguay could be said to have. For some six-and-twenty years he was express Sovereign of it; for some three, or some two years, a Sovereign with bared sword, stern as Rhadamanthus: through all his years, and through all his days, since the beginning of him, a Man or Sovereign of iron energy and industry, of great and severe labor. So lived Dictator Francia, and had no rest; and only in Eternity any prospect of rest. A life of terrible labor;-but for the last twenty years the Fulgencio plot being once torn in pieces and all now quiet under him, it was a more equable labor: severe but equable, as that of a hardy draught-steed fitted in his harness; no longer plunging and champing; but pulling steadily,-till he do all his rough miles, and get to his still home.

several costumes du cour, intended to be worn by
her Royal Highness on her arrival in Germany.
Her Royal Highness's state robe is a most elegant
richest light blue satin and silver tissue, most su
and magnificent costume. The fabrique is of the
perbly brocaded over the entire surface with a
chaste but tasteful pattern of leaves. The Duchess
of Cambridge presented her daughter with a com-
rings, and other ornaments of diamonds and sap-
plete set of jewels, including tiara, necklace, ear-
phires; a most costly and splendid gift. The
Queen, the Queen Dowager, the Duchess of Kent,
the Duchess of Gloucester, and the Princess Sophia,
each made presents to their youthful relative of
every variety of jewelry Her Majesty's present
was composed of rubies and diamonds; The
Duchess of Kent's was entirely of brilliants; the
Duchess of Gloucester's of turquoises and diamonds.
Nor were the bridal gifts on the part of the Royal
family confined to jewels: other articles of rarity
and value were received by the Princess. Her
Majesty presented several magnificent oriental
shawls, one of which was particularly splendid.
The friends of the Princess, among the nobility,
showed their high estimation of her Royal High-
ness by numerous presents of various kinds. The
Marchioness of Londonderry forwarded two hand-
some caskets. The Marchioness of Ailesbury pre-
sented a handsome ring composed of a single pearl
of large size set in brilliants. The Countess of Jer-
of rank presented souvenirs of various kinds.
sey gave a splendid casket; and many other ladies

THE BRIDE-CAKE.-The bride-cake, made by her Majesty's yeoman confectioner, (Mr. Mauditt,) So dark were the Messrs. Robertson was really a most magnificent specimen of the art concerning Francia, they had not been of confectionary. Standing on a gigantic silver-gilt plateau it measured 2 feet in height, and nearly 6 able to learn in the least whether, when feet in circumference; the whole was encased in their book came out, he was living or dead. frosted sugar-work, the base being encircled by He was living then, he is dead now. He a wreath of candied white roses, while immediately is dead, this remarkable Francia; there is above were garlands of orange-flowers, and roseno doubt about it: have not we and our cake a moveable cornice was formed of hollow buds with silver leaves. Around the top of the readers heard pieces of his Funeral Ser- palms, or little tiny hands, in sugar-work, filled mon! He died on the 20th of September, with love bows, encircled with silver bracelets, 1840, as the Rev. Perez informs us; the and holding a boquet of orange-flowers, Portuguese people crowding round his Government mounted with a very beautiful representation of laurel, and myrtle buds. The whole,-being surHouse with much emotion, nay "with Aurora, "fair daughter of the dawn," stood at tears," as Perez will have it. Three Ex-least four feet high. The weight of the cake, excellencies succeeded him, as some "Di- clusive of its ornaments, was upwards of 160lbs.rectorate," "Junta Gubernativa," or whatever the name of it is, before whom this reverend Perez preaches. God preserve them many years.

The Court Journal.

the number of persons in Russia who can read is It appears from a recent statistical return that 4,167,995, or about 1 in 13 of the entire population.

They were just two-days sail from their own Am-And follows the stranger straight down the steep