We are told that the favourites be more than supported by all who of Heaven pass away in their were thrown with this eminent youth. It seemed so with him. young Virginian. It is rather but His life was a benefaction to those a faint expression of the truth conwho knew him, and his death a cerning him. In Virginia letters tranquil passage from earth to hea- and society, his death leaves a gap ven. We have written no mere which it will, doubtless, be difficult eulogy. What is here stated will to again fill.

But when the gradual darkness falls,

And the pulsing lights on the fields of space,
Betoken the reign of stars,-

When the awful voice of the night-wind calls
On the spirits of sin, and the fiery cars
Of the meteor-demons rush and hiss,
To sink in the gulfs of a black abyss,-
The Sylph, with her snowy wings at rest,
And safe as a bird in its quiet nest,-
Murmurs a song, by the fairies sung,
Ages agone, when the world was young;
Oh! the magic sweetness,

And rare completeness!

The even flow, as of streamlets rolled
Over sands of gold,

Which make that melody finer far

Than the lays of mortal maidens are.

V.

The strain hath a lulling sound,—

The Morphean touch of languid notes;
And my soul on the tidal music floats
Slowly, peacefully,

As barks that traverse a breezeless sea,

But conscious of life

Divorced from strife,

In the spell of a bliss profound.

VI.

A sigh! and the spell hath passed!—

I turn to meet the Orient eyes

Of her I love, with an arch surprise,

Turned full on mine;

And I thrill with the warmth of white arms cast

About shoulder and neck; I start and say,

"You are fairer, wife, than the fairest Fay.

And what are the charms

Of sylphs and sprites,

What are they all to the dear delights

Born from the touch of thy tender arms,

And the kiss of thy lips divine?

ROLLA, OR THE SIEGE OF MALTA.

NO. IV. Concluded.

We must pass over the space and the losses on both sides had of many days-eventful days in been severe, but, particularly the history of Malta and of those of the Turkish army, Christianity-days of strife and which were very considerable. struggle between the Cross and The morale of the latter was dethe Crescent, in which the hand- stroyed, and it was with the utful of heroic defenders of the most difficulty they could be preformer had resisted the utmost vailed upon to renew the comefforts of the Mehomedans to bat. Vainly had Mustapha, break their serried ranks. After Dragut, Hassan and a few more the fall of San Elmo, the Turk- of the other leaders, tried to inish commander had lost no time fuse some of their own persein investing the forts and town verance and courage into the on the other side of the narrow veins of their followers. Each bay, and in attacking them with time that they went forward, it vigour; for they were aware that was with more reluctance, and the Viceroy of Sicily was daily the time seemed near at hand expected, with powerful rein- when complete disorganization forcements to the Christians, must take place. Under these which would render fruitless circumstances, a council of war all further attempts upon the was held, in which Dragut's fortress, or, indeed, compromise genius, seconded by the Aga of their own safety upon the island. the Janisaries, prevailed over Strong batteries had been skill- more irresolute opinions; and fully erected upon commanding it was decided to give the army hills, on both sides of the bay, a respite of a few days, during which poured an incessant hail which time their slumbering of iron and marble-balls upon fanaticism would be roused by the battlements, opening wide all possible means; while, by breaches, through which the bringing more cannon from the storming-parties could gain an ships, which, since the fall of entrance. And, night and day, San Elmo, had entered the the roar of the artillery was second bay, where they lay in heard, only slackening during security, more powerful batthe battles, to re-commence teries would be erected, which, when their troops had with- in a few hours, would batter drawn. Several of these had down the strongest ramparts. already been given and repulsed, New and broad trenches were

to be opened nearer the bas- happiness that awaited Rolla, tions, to facilitate the approach at his side. The grieving soul of the assailants and offer them is like the parched earth, more protection against the fire which feedeth the withering from the forts. And, by his ad- plant, and refuseth, at first, to vice, a number of boats were receive the refreshing waters actually drawn over the tongue from above, until a drop of the of land separating the two bays, reviving liquid has gently filtered by means of which the Turkish through, when the rest is speedadmiral would send across a ily absorbed. With Blanche's strong party of seamen to divert sweet words, hope entered the the strength of the Christians fair bosom, and the drooping from the main attack. With head was again revived, and she such vast preparations, the cou- listened with eagerness to all her rage of the army had again been friend could tell her of him who partly renewed, and they seemed was all to her. Together, they eager to be led forward to what prayed his God to bless him and was now considered certain vic- to protect him in the pending tory, and the assault was ordered battles. Blanche shared the for the succeeding day. comfort she had given her friend; for, although she well knew there was no hope that her love could ever be returned, (she could no longer conceal it to herself she loved him passionately,) yet she rejoiced in Rolla's reviving happiness, and prayed that they might meet with no more disappointment, while she, poor, suffering heart, would await them in some happier world. How often, when all earthly hope has fled our bosom, heavenly comfort is there

Blanche had been faithful to her promise to the knight: she had met Rolla on her return from escorting him, and had never since left her side. At first the despair of the Moorish maiden-who fully believed she had parted with her lover forever had assumed that fear fully quiet stage, in which a certain wild and haggard look of the eye, and the pallid cheek, are the only signs of the ravages of anguish within. No tear could flow from the parching to fill its place. heart to give it relief; no words of comfort yet found a responding chord. As Rolla had told the knight, love upon her sunny land was a thing that consumed the heart, unless refreshed by the loved presence. But woman's endearing ways, when assisted by the soothing influence of true religion, can ever soften the harsh edges of the most poignant grief, and enlighten the darkest shades of despair. And Blanche was one of the sweetest of her sex; she spoke of the chevalier of his world-spread renown, and of the

The eve of the terrible and final assault had arrived, and rumours of its mighty preparations had reached the inmates of the garden, and had filled them with apprehensions at the fate which awaited all, should the Turks succeed, and their fair cheeks had blanched at the terrible danger which threatened the devoted Christians. Rolla's heart was divided and tortured, between the desire to go and die at the side of her lover, and her duty to her father, against whose party she could not dream of raising her hand. She had com

just."

municated her perplexity to her us: pray that the Christians may friend, who had advised her to triumph, for there the cause is remain inactive, and trust to God, when a messenger was announced from Dragut, summoning his daughter to lead her body-guard to the morrow's charge. After a moment of thought, she had replied that she would be there.

"Thou?" cried Blanche. "Didst thou say thou wouldst be there to lead thy men against the Christians?"

"Yes! my sister, I will be there: the men, thou knowest, will be there whether I lead them or not: I go, but not a drop of Christian blood shall stain my sword."

"Thou wouldst not"..... added Blanche, hesitatingly.

"Neither will I betray the trust reposed in me," continued the Moor. 66 Blanche, if the Moslem triumph to-morrow there will be a fearful massacre of the Christians. I go to save life, if I may. Perhaps the blessed Mother may lead me to where I can save him even with the last drop of my blood! Think of the happiness to die for him!"

"And, believe me, they will triumph in the end. But if thou goest and defend not thy life, thou wilt certainly be slain."

"My destiny calls me !" solemnly replied the other, "I may not avoid it."

66

Thy destiny, Rolla, is in thy God's hand: he wields it at his pleasure. By prayers and his permission it may be averted."

"Thinkest thou so?" eagerly cried Rolla. "Oh! then pray, pray for me!" and she bent her head over her hands and remained silent a while; then with a deepdrawn sigh, she added, "to-morrow decides my fate in this world."

All that night the cannon incessantly hurled their huge balls of iron and marble upon the strong walls of the different fortresses, shaking them to the very foundations. Flashes of light from the gaping muzzles illumined the lines, where lay the different batteries which surrounded them. Upon the hills, across the bay, and the arms of the bay, even from the ruins of San Elmo, all was in a blaze of fire, while the deafening roar of the ponderous basilicas were heard to the very shores of Sicily. Nor were the Christians "Poor tender blossom!" replied slow in replying to them: their arRolla, "the first blast of the storm tillery, served with energy by skill. would sweep thee from the earth, ful gunners, was pointed wherever like the mist before the Sirocco! a flash would show the presence of and thy entreaties would fall upon a battery, and did considerable their ears like the dew drops of heaven upon yon flinty rock! blows alone can rule them!"

"Oh! why may I not go with thee!" fervently exclaimed Blanche; "perhaps my entreaties, my prayers, might save a life a thousand times more valuable than mine."

"Nay! think not so, dearest Rolla, for the wildest beasts of the desert have been known to yield their prey to the Virgin's prayers! The power of God is infinite."

"Stay then here, and pray for

execution, shattering their works and silencing many of their guns. The town of Il Borgo, in the centre of which was situated the palace and head-quarters of the GrandMaster de La Valette, was almost laid in ruins by the enormous balls of the basilicas, beneath which the modest houses crumbled as though