Nor sun, nor moon, nor stars, their glories shed
O'er the ineffable abode; a bloom
Of holy, roseate twilight, overspread

That sacred realm, whose delicate faint gloom
Accorded well with tide, and scene so fair,
And the repose that influenc'd Being there!
Exquisite creatures, like the lords of earth,
But lovelier, were denizens of this
Fay-land; (young powers of fair, immortal birth,
Who've never forfeited primæval bliss,
Resembling dimly!) for their textures bright,
Like clouds receiv'd, and softening, sent forth light!
Each was a shadowy intelligence,

And smil'd, as mockingly, his misty hand
Eluded fleshly grasp; yet, no pretence

Chill'd my warm welcome to the SHADES' sweet land Wherein glad eyes, soft voices, bade me taste

Fruits that ne'er blush'd on nether Life's murk waste.

Within the LAND of SHADOWS streamlets flow'd,
And woods ambiosial wav'd: but oh! the deep,
Ineffable, majestic peace, which glow'd

In all, and thro' my spirit (fair as Sleep

In sculptur'd NIGHT,*) hath ravishment e'en yet-The dream may pass,-this can I not forget! Great Marlow, Bucks.

THE LITTLE SHEPHERDESS.

Thy sports and wanderings rural child,
Are ever in the sylvan wild,

And all the beauty of the place

Is in thy heart and on thy face.

In allusion to the celebrated statue of Night, (by M. Angelo Bounaretti) on the tomb of one of the Medicis, in the chapel of Florence; under which, an Italian wit wrote:

"La Notte che tu vedi in se dolci atti
"Dormir, fu da un Angelo scolpita
"In questo sasso, &c. &c."

S PARISIAN CORRESPONDENCE! ( 9797 pout au bordering som

། Rue Saint Dominique, Faubourg St. Germain,

DEAR MELMOTH,

May 21,

You have been rightly informed, the exhibition of the Museum is really a disgrace to the French School of Painting. It does not, however, proceed so much from the want of talent among artists, as from the little encouragement given to them by the reigning monarch, who fancies himself a connoiseur. In France, artists look to the throne for that patronage which in happier England is afforded by the public. Those who think more of present profit than of future fame, strive to conform to his Majesty's taste, which in truth is not a good one; but although it is very well known that the king will only buy on condition of having a work at the lowest possible price, yet his patronage may procure better customers for the artist. A painter of eminence, who was one of the warmest supporters of the revolution, but is now a decided republican, has brought out soiae tableaux really well executed, but of the most revolting description. They represent the lower class engaged in crime, or suffering wretchedness, in a manner so terribly true to nature, that you turn from them with disgust. Not a single picture is there in which "The People," lately so idolized and eulogized, are represented under either pleasing or, respect

able forms.

The modern French are fond of copying our institutions, but they make sad work with them. Their parliamentary proceedings are really a burlesque upon order and decency. You will hardly credit it, but it is nevertheless true, that I have seen half a dozen members rise at once, run to the tribune, and even strive to pull one another back, so very cager was each to mount the rostrum; nor, in general, is their behaviour in it more consistent with parliamentary dignity. To say nothing of their extravagant gesticulation and insufferable tediousness, which are national faults, they always appear either unwilling to, or incapable of, taking a clear view of the question; and from their coarse invectives and rude personalities, you never could conceive that you

were in the legislative assembly of a nation calling itself the most polished in Europe. The debates, however, such as they are, excite a very lively interest among the Parisians. The galleries are generally crowded, particularly with ladies, who, in criticising the speeches, do sometimes shew so much political tact, that I am often inclined to think it is a pity that France is not governed by stateswomen, instead of

statesmen.

I had no opportunity of giving your message to L, for this simple reason, that he was on his return to England before it arrived. The poor fellow has narrowly escaped being ruined, like too many of his countrymen, in those dens of darkness, the gaming-houses of the Palais Royal. I heard that he frequented one of them, and taxed him with it: he denied the charge, but in such a manner as to convince me that there was some truth in it, and accordingly the following evening I went there at the hour I expected to find him.

It was my debut at a gaming-house, and despite of the good motive that brought me thither, I did not pass its unhallowed threshold without an involuntary shudder. I looked round for L, he was not yet come, and while I waited for his appearance, I stationed myself near a rouge et noir table. Never shall I forget the impression which the scene made upon me. The haggard and despairing countenances of some of the players,-the reckless air of others,the savage looks which from time to time the losers bestowed upon the winners,-and the insolent triumph with which the latter regarded them, presented altogether a spectacle that was really appalling in itself, and rendered still more so by the contrast it formed with the utter insensibility of the persons placed at the table to draw the cards, and push up to the bank the money lost. These men pursued their occupation with perfect composure, regardless of the groans and execrations of those around them.

While I was looking on, a man, whose dress exhibited a mixture of foppery and slovenliness, made some observations to me in broken English upon the game. I looked at him without a reply. Nothing daunted by my silence, he continued, This is usually regarded as a mere game of chance, but, in fact, there is no such thing as a game of chance to a

good calculator. It is true, it requires a long apprenticeship to become a perfect master of the science, and if a man is not possessed of great coolness he may lose a fortune before he acquires the art of gaining one. This is precisely what has happened to me. Ah! sir, I see you are incredulous; I have found some of your countrymen so before now, and, nevertheless," lowering his voice to a confidential whisper, "I have convinced them of the truth of my assertion by the handsome sums I have put in their pocket." I moved away without speaking, to another part of the table; my man followed me. "The fact is, sir," said he, I have a sort of predeliction for your nation which I cannot account for; I I see you are quite new to this scene; it would be a thousand pities you should fall into bad hands, and

"I am determined," cried I, sternly, "to keep out of bad hands, and, therefore, I will have nothing to do with you." At that moment I saw L-enter, and 1 hastened to meet him.

The poor fellow changed color, without appearing to per ceive his confusion: I passed my arm through his, and told him he must just step out with me for one moment. He did so; and I then, with a good deal of trouble, drew from him an acknowledgment, that he had already lost more than he could afford, and that he was determined to endeavour to regain at least a part of the sum. I shall spare you the arguments and intreaties I made use of to induce him to change his resolution; in short I succeeded in taking him home with me. The next day I never lost sight of him; the following one he was on his road for London; and he was hardly gone when a knot of gamblers, who till then had escaped all suspicion of unfair practices, were denounced to the police, and obliged to fly. L.'s antagonist was one of those most deeply implicated, and I have little doubt, that had I not providentially interfered, that night would have

witnessed his ruin.

I see by the English papers, that the matrimonial differ>>ences between Leopold and his young wife, are supposed to -"have originated in his continuing a female connection which he had before his marriage. This is far from being the * general opinion here. It is indeed said, very confidently, that the non-payment of the princess's portion is the real