satiric poets. The floor of the temple was tessellated with alternate chequers of silver and a dull cloudy sort of marble, richly streaked with gold. To sum up my imperfect description of this place, the intermediate space between the columns was filled with a blue and pink vapour, on which all the varied beauties of Phocis were brought, as it were, to a focus, and displayed in miniature, like a painting of some fairy artist.

Readily conceiving every thing about me to be emblematical, I turned to the goddess of Wisdom for an explanation, and the blue-eyed daughter of Jove, pointing to the different objects with her spear, thus complied:-Yon pillars are emblems of a poet's mind, now teeming with the celestial light of inspira tion-then shaded with the darkness of neglect-and again struggling and bursting from their inactivity, and pouring forth their lays to the god who inspired them. They are divided into clusters, and consecrated to the different Muses. The first group belongs to Sol himself, the great author of poetry; the second to Calliope, who wields the pen of heroic poetry; the third to Clio, to whom historians dedicate their labours; the fourth to fair-haired Erato, who so sweetly touches the lute; the fifth and sixth to Thalia and Melpomene, who bid you smile and weep at will; the seventh to Terpsichore, the light-footed harpist; the eighth to Euterpe, who first taught the reed to pour forth its melody; the ninth to Polyhymnia, the muse gifted with eloquence; the tenth to Urania, the starread goddess; and the eleventh shows with what harmony the sciences may be blended. The crystal table which thou see'st is a register of those who have rendered themselves immortal by their writings. This pavement is an emblem, also, of the poet's brainhere all brightness whilst the silvery tide of prosperity flows around him-but there is his picture when sickness and poverty is his lot-misfortune, however dark, cannot repress the precious veins of talent, like these streaks of gold, from penetrating the surrounding gloom.' The goddess was proceeding to explain the

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views in the ærial mirror, when the god of light rose and addressed me. His voice was soft and melodious as his own lyre; his language flowed as smoothly as the verses of Ovid from his lips, and I stood entranced whilst he spoke. Mortal,' he said, 'it is expedient I should inform thee why thou art deemed worthy of being called to account for thine actions, any more than others who, like thyself, scribble rhyme ('twere sacrilege to call it poetry) without profit or honour. We have with pleasure observed the ardour with which thou hast endeavoured to prove thyself worthy of our favour, and however inadequate may be thy talents, yet thy efforts prompt us to approve that which, had it been penned by the mere idler, would be treated with contempt: it would appear, however, that it is thine intention to encourage others in blotting those pages with their flimsy verses, and to abandon thine own endeavours at attaining some height (however humble) of excellence.' The charge was then regularly made, but Pallas defended me against every accusation: she called the Muses to prove my devotion to Apollo; she insisted that I had not put into execution what I intended, and therefore should be treated with leniency, in which case I would return with redoubled fervour to his service, and might, in time, like Demosthenes, surmount every obstacle, and become a worthy disciple. It was at length decreed that I should suffer none but those of the fair sex who combined talent with beauty, to trace a single line in the book beside myself. It will be difficult,' said Apollo, to find such beings in thy terrestrial world, but thine enthusiasm in our cause may be proved by the diligence thou displayest in searching them out. If on the

anniversary of this day thou canst boast of meeting with nine such, we will adjudge you a draught, from the cup of inspiration, of that crystal stream which meanders down the mazes of Mount Helicon, and whose murmurs rival in melody the charmed lute of Erato.' I was then ordered to kneel and repeat the following oath that I would obey his behest :

THE OATH.

I swear by Apollo's thrice inspired pen,

And by the strains of his melodious lyre,
Which first aroused the dormant thoughts of men,
And bade them thrill with his celestial fire.
And oh! I swear by those transcendent lays
(Breathing a charm no magic can dispel)
Sung by the poets of those classic days,
When deeds of heroes did a Homer tell.
I swear by the blue and glancing beam
All conquering from a woman's eye,
And by her melting, rosy lips-a theme
Which all Anacreon's gifted powers did try.
I swear by the blush of the perfumed rose,
And I swear by the purple violet's hue,
That none shall write in this small book, save those
Who boast of loveliness and talent too.

As I bowed my head in conclusion, the scene rolled
away like a vapour, and the ticking of a small Dutch
clock reminded me that I was still seated in my own
apartment.
I, however, instantly committed my
dream to the first page of my album, hoping thereby
to prevent any one from scribbling therein, who did
not feel an entire confidence in their talents for so
doing.
EDWARD L-NC-ST―R.

LULLABY.

SLEEP on, sweet babe-and Heaven bless thee!

None shall harm thee while I'm nigh;

To my bosom will I press thee,

And with fondest love caress thee,

Softly singing' Lullaby.'

A mother's hope-her fear-her joy-
Who can paint, or who deny ?
When the cares of life annoy,
How she hugs her darling boy!

Softly singing' Lullaby.'

S. H.

RENEE CORBEAU.

In the year 1594, a young gentleman, whose family dwelt in the town of Suez, in Normandy, came to the university of Angiers in order to study the law. There he saw Renée Corbeau, the daughter of a citizen of that place. This amiable girl was young, prudent, handsome, and witty.

Though her parents were not rich, yet she inspired in the heart of the student a passion so vehement, that he was unable to enjoy a moment's ease when she was out of his sight.

He found means to introduce himself into her company, and love inspired him with such eloquence, that, in a very short time, he was no less agreeable to her than she to him; and their attachment became so fervent, that, in his transports, he offered to espouse her, and gave her a solemn promise to that purpose in writing, but not duly witnessed.

The young woman, urged on by the violence of her passion, and agreeably deluded by his putting this paper into her hands, forgot her prudence, and granted him all he desired; the consequence of which was, that she became pregnant. This constrained her to acquaint her mother with what had happened, who told it, with all the circumstances of mitigation she could devise, to her husband. The young woman was then sent for into their presence, and after her parents had reproached her in severe terms, they began to consult about the means by which her error might be repaired. The result of their deliberation was, that she should make an appointment with her lover, at their countryhouse, and thus give her parents an opportunity of surprising them together.

This scheme was effectually carried into execution, and while love alone possessed the heart of the young inamorato, fear entered suddenly, and became the stronger passion.

The sight of a father and mother enraged at the injury done to their daughter, banished for a time the VOL. II. Nov. 1830.

T

idea of his charming mistress. He thought of nothing but how to pacify them; and, in order to this, he assured them that his intention was always honourable, though he might have made use of some indirect means. The father and mother of his mistress then put on an air of satisfaction; but at the same time told him, that, in order to evince the truth of what he said, it was proper that he should give their daughter a contract of marriage.

Knowing no other way to escape, he yielded, with a seeming readiness; and a notary public being sent for, the business was immediately dispatched, and the young man bound to marry the young lady, however his sentiments might afterwards alter.

The instant he had put his hand to this instrument he was filled with disgust. Those charms, which had touched his heart a few hours before, now lost their force, and the fair one, from being the most lovely of her sex, now appeared the least agreeable.

After a few days, he left her abruptly, and returned home to his father, to whom, without the least reserve, he related the whole series of his adventures, and the unlucky event by which they were closed.

The father was a man in good circumstances, who valued riches more than the finest qualities of the mind he was, therefore, extremely chagrined at this story of his son's, and absolutely disapproved of the engagement he had made. But how to avoid it was the difficulty.

The old gentleman at last told his son there was but one way left, and that, if he would regain his favour, he must follow it immediately. The young man was all obedience; and, in pursuance of his father's directions, he entered into holy orders, and was actually ordained a priest; which rendered it impossible for him to perform his contract.

Renée Corbeau heard this news with the utmost grief, nor was it possible for her to dissemble the anger she had conceived against her lover, for committing so black an act of perfidy. It is very likely, however,