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much desired, and to devise excuses for breaking off the match which he had nearly concluded with the Scottish lady. At that period, Isabella was fourteen years old, and Ricaredo twenty; but in that green and flowery age, their great good sense and well-known prudence gave them the steadiness of maturer years. Four days only had now to elapse before the arrival of that on which it was the pleasure of Ricaredo's parents, that their son should submit his neck to the sacred yoke of matrimony; and they esteemed themselves prudent and most happy in having chosen their prisoner to be their daughter-in-law, setting more value on the dowry which she brought in her virtues than on the great wealth that had been offered them with the Scottish heiress. The bridal decorations were already prepared; the relatives and friends invited; and nothing now remained to be done but to give the queen information of the intended alliance, as no marriage between persons of rank can take place without her express permission. But as they had no doubt whatever of obtaining her license, they were in no haste to solicit it.

Such was the state of matters, and in four days the nuptials were to be celebrated, when, one evening, all their joyfulness was disturbed by an officer of the queen's household, who delivered a message to Clotaldo, commanding him to carry before her, the next morning, his prisoner the Spanish girl from Cadiz. Clotaldo answered, that he would most willingly obey Her Majesty's command. The officer went his way, leaving every breast full of agitation and alarm.

"Ah me!" said the lady Catalina, "then the queen knows that I have brought up this girl a catholic; and so she infers that all this family are catholics too. Now, should the queen ask her what she has been learning for the eight years that she has been a prisoner, what is the poor girl to answer that will not condemn us, in spite of all her discretion ?"

Isabella, hearing this, replied, "My dear lady, do not afflict yourself with that apprehension; for I trust in heaven that, through its divine mercy, it will give me words, on that occasion, which not only will not condemn you, but will redound to your advantage.'

Ricaredo trembled, as if foreboding some untoward event.

Clotaldo was seeking in his own mind for resources wherewith to combat the great fear which had seized him; but

found none except in the firm trust which he placed in God, and in the prudence of Isabella, whom he earnestly enjoined to use every possible caution in order that they might not be condemned as catholics; since, although in spirit they were ready to receive martyrdom, yet the frail flesh shrunk from that bitter trial.

Again and again, Isabella assured them they might rest secure that nothing of what they suspected and feared should happen to them on her account; for that although she did not at that time know what answer she was to make to the questions that in such a case would be put to her, she felt the strongest and surest hope that, as she had already told them, she should answer in such a manner that in her replies they would find their safety.

That night they talked over various matters; and amongst others they canvassed this point in particular—that if the queen had known them to be catholics, she would not have sent them so gentle a message; whence it was to be inferred that she merely desired to see Isabella, whose extraordinary beauty and talents must have reached her ears, as they had those of the whole city. But then, again, they felt they were in fault for not having presented her to the queen; from which charge they decided that it would be well to exculpate themselves by saying, that from the first moment she came into their power, they had fixed upon her to become the wife of their son Ricaredo. Yet here, again, they had done wrong, in making the match without the queen's permission; although, thought they, this was an offence which could incur no very severe punishment. They consoled themselves with this reflection; agreed that Isabella should go dressed, not in humble attire like a prisoner, but as became the betrothed wife of a person of their son's consideration.

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This being determined on, they dressed Isabella the next morning in a Spanish costume-a dress and train of green satin, slashed, and lined with rich gold stuff-the slashes taken up with SS or scrolls of pearls, and the whole embroidered with pearls of the richest quality: the necklace and belt of diamonds; with a fan, after the fashion of the Spanish ladies. Her own hair, which was plentiful, fair, and long, interwoven and interspersed with pearls and diamonds, formed her head-dress. In this splendid attire, with her wonderful beauty and graceful bearing, she appeared in the

streets of London that morning in an elegant open carriage, leading captive the eyes and hearts of all who beheld her. In the same carriage with her went Clotaldo, his lady, and Ricaredo; and many distinguished relatives attended them on horseback. All this honour Clotaldo thought fit to render to his prisoner, in order that the queen might be induced to treat her as his son's consort.

Having, then, arrived at the palace, and at a grand apartment in which the queen was, Isabella entered it with the most beauteous aspect that can well be conceived. The room was lofty and spacious: they who accompanied Isabella advanced with her only two paces: she then stepped forward alone-looking even as some brilliant meteor that tracks the upper air on a calm, silent night, -or as a sunbeam between two mountain summits bursting in the dawn. All this she seemed, and more—a comet, portending the conflagration of many a heart there present, kindled by the soft radiance of Isabella's eyes; while she, with all humility and courtesy, went and knelt before the queen, to whom she said in English:

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May it please your majesty to stretch forth your hand to this your servantwho will henceforth deem herself a mistress rather, since she has been so fortunate as to come and look upon your glorious presence."

The queen gazed at her for some time without saying a word; thinking, as she afterwards told her principal attendant, that it was a starry heaven she saw before her-the stars of which shone in the many pearls and diamonds which Isabella wore, and the two greater luminaries in her lovely face and eyes, while all together shewed a perfect miracle of beauty. The ladies that were with the queen seemed to be all eyes to examine Isabella. One praised the brilliancy of her eyes; another, the freshness of her complexion; a third, the elegance of her shape; a fourth, the sweetness of her voice; and one there was that, in sheer envy, said: "The Spanish girl is not amiss, but I don't like her dress."

When the queen's wonder had a little subsided, making Isabella rise up, she said to her, "Talk to me in Spanish, damsel; for I understand it well, and it will give me pleasure." Turning to Clotaldo, she said, "Clotaldo, you have done me wrong in keeping this treasure so many years hidden from me; though its price might well tempt you to covet

it: you are bound to restore it to me; for by right it is mine."

"Your majesty says very true," answered Clotaldo: "I confess my fault, if such it be, in having kept this treasure by me until it should have come to the perfection requisite for its appearing before your majesty and now that it has so, I was intending to present it with addition, by asking your majesty's leave for Isabella to espouse my son Ricaredo, and so offering you, dread sovereign, in this pair, all that I have to offer."

"I like the name, too," said the queen. "It only remained for her to be called Isabel, that I might find her all perfection. But observe, Clotaldo, I am well aware that you had promised her to your son without waiting for my leave."

"Your majesty says true," answered Clotaldo, "but it was done in the confidence that the many important services which I and my ancestors have rendered to this crown, would be sufficient to obtain from your majesty even weightier favours than the leave in question.Besides that, my son is not yet actually married."

"Nor shall he be married to Isabella," interrupted the queen, "until he shall have merited her in his own person.— I mean to say, that I do not choose that either your services or those of his ancestors should avail him in this matter. He himself must prepare to distinguish himself in my service, and so deserve this prize, which I value as if she were my daughter."

No sooner had this last word fallen on Isabella's ear, than she once more fell on her knees before the queen, and said to her in her native Castilian,-" Misfortunes that bring with them such a counterpoise of good, most gracious sovereign, should rather be looked upon as blessings than as mischiefs. Already has your majesty called me daughter. With such a pledge as this, what evils can I fear, what good may I not hope?"

With such grace and elegance did Isabella constantly express herself, that the queen took an exceedingly great liking to her; commanded that she should remain in her service; and delivered her in charge to her first lady of the bedchamber, a woman of high rank, that she might instruct her in the routine of her new situation.

Ricaredo, who felt that he was parting with his life in parting from Isabella, was almost distracted. And so, agitated and trembling, he went and threw himself on his knees before the queen, to whom he said:

"In order to serve your majesty, I need not be allured by any other rewards than those which my parents and my forefathers have obtained for serving their sovereigns. But since it is your majesty's pleasure that I should serve you with desires and pretensions of another kind, I would fain know in what way, in what description of service, I may prove my desire to fulfil the obligation which your majesty lays upon me.'

"Two of my ships," answered the queen, are going on a cruise, under the command of my lord of Lancaster. Of one of these I make you captain; for the blood of which you come, assures me that it will make amends for your want of years. And mark well what a favour I am doing you; since I am hereby giving you an opportunity of proving yourself worthy of the name you bear, by shewing your talent and courage in the service of your queen; and of so obtaining the best reward, in my opinion, that you yourself can desire. I myself will be Isabella's guardian; although she plainly shews that she needs no better guardian than her own modesty. Go, with God's blessing; for, since I fancy you go in love, I promise myself mnch from your achievements. Happy were the warrior king who should have in his army ten thousand soldiers in love, expecting as the reward of their victories, the possession of their mistresses. Rise, Ricaredo; and consider whether there be anything you would like to say to Isabella; for to-morrow you depart."

Ricaredo kissed the queen's hands, highly valuing the favour she was doing him; then went and fell on his knees before Isabella: but on striving to speak. to her, he found himself unable, for his emotion choked his utterance, and the tears started to his eyes: he strove to repress them as much as possible: nevertheless they did not escape the queen's observation; for she said to him :

"Take no shame to yourself for weeping, Ricaredo, nor think the worse of yourself for having given, on this occasion, such tender indications of your feelings; for it is one thing to fight with the enemy, and another to part with one's true love. Isabella, embrace Ricaredo, and give him your blessing, for his affection well deserves it."

Isabella, confused and astonished at beholding the humility and the grief of Ricaredo, whom she already loved as her husband, heard not the queen's command. On the contrary, she began to shed tears so unconsciously, standing so voiceless and motionless, that

she seemed a weeping alabaster statue. These fond and tender evidences of affection on the part of the two lovers, moistened the eyes of many of the by standers; and without either Ricaredo's uttering another word, or Isabella's speak. ing one to him, Clotaldo and those who accompanied him, made their obeisance to the queen, and withdrew from the apartment, full of compassion, sorrow, and tears.

Isabella was left like an orphan who has just buried her parents, and in fear lest her new mistress should seek to alter the habits in which the former one had brought her up. And in two days from that time, Ricaredo set sail. (Continued at page 219).

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The gloomy green church-yard,
Where swarthy yew trees guard
The sculptured urn, or grassy sepulchre;
Where winds, with mournful cry,
Whirl autumn's pageantry

Of painted deaths around the wailing fir:
II.

Booming and wild the bell

From the bleak Campanile;

Or sad clock, vainly preaching Time's decay; Or the swollen rivulet,

Where the tomb-weeds hang wet, Complaining as it seeks the shoreless sea: III.

'Mid sights and sounds like these, E'en the dread grave might please The soul, o'erwearied with the world's turmoil; And make us love the bed,

With thy deep curtains spread,

Oh Death! best chamberlain to mortal toil.

NOTES OF A READER.

EXTRAORDINARY ABSTINENCE FROM

FOOD.

THE more that animals enjoy the qualities of youth, strength, and activity, the greater is the increase and development of their parts, and the greater the necessity for an abundant supply of food. Of many individuals exposed to an absolute abstinence of many days, the young are always the first to perish. Of this the history of war and shipwreck offers in all ages too many frightful examples. There are several instances on record of an almost total abstinence from food for an extraordinary length of time. Captain Bligh, of the Bounty, sailed nearly four thousand miles in an open boat, with occasionally a single small bird, not many ounces in weight, for the daily sustenance of seventeen people; and it is even alleged, that fourteen men and women of the Juno, having suffered shipwreck on

the coast of Arracan, lived twenty-three days without any food. Two people first died of want on the fifth day. In the opinion of Rhedi, animals support want much longer than is generally believed. A civet cat lived ten days without food, an antelope twenty, and a very large wild cat also twenty; an eagle survived twenty-eight days, a badger one month, and several dogs thirty-six days. In the memoirs of the Academy of Sciences, there is an account of a bitch, which having been accidentally shut up alone in a country-house, existed for forty days without any other nourishment than the stuff on the wool of the mattrass which she had torn to pieces. A crocodile will live two months without food, a scorpion three, a bear six, a cameleon eight, and a viper ten. Vaillant had a spider that lived nearly a year without food, and was so far from being weakened by abstinence, that it immediately killed another large spider, equally vigor. ous, but not so hungry, which was put in along with it. John Hunter inclosed a toad between two stone flower-pots, and found it as lively as ever after fourteen months. Land-tortoises have lived without food for eighteen months; and Baker is known to have kept a beetle in a state of total abstinence for three years. It afterwards made its escape. Dr. Shaw gives an account of two serpents which lived in a bottle without any food for five years.

GHOSTS.

There is a curious case related, of a man who was a well-known character, and a man of sense--where it was said he used to see a number of people in the room with him. Now, he himself has described the whole of the phenomenon, and all the adjuncts to it. He has said, after taking a cup of coffee, or tea, or so on, they came into his room in great numbers; and as he got better, and less nervous, he has only seen the arms or legs of the persons, without seeing any other part of them. Now, this is all an irregular action of the retina of the eyes. A gentleman sitting in his library one day, reading or writing, on turning round his head, saw, sitting in a chair, a woman in a red cloak. And he said, how came you in here, good woman? The woman said nothing. What is the meaning of your being here, woman? No answer was made. You have no right to be here; go out of the room. She took no notice of him. He got up and rang the bell for the servant. The servant

came in. Turn this woman out. What woman, sir? Why, the woman in a red cloak. There's no woman, nor any red cloak, sir. Well, go and fetch the doctor for me; tell him I am ill, and wish to speak to him. The man, however, was not to be frightened by this, because he knew it was a delusion of his sight. Now, I have had it so often, that it has been a matter rather of amusement to me, than anything else. I have stood before a glass, and seen the upper part of my head and eyes, and nose very distinctly; but I never saw that I had any mouth or jaw; and I have seen my shoulders very well, but all was blank between my nose and shoulders. Why, now I say, what can you make of this but that it is errors of action, or inactivity in parts of the retina?

KRIM GHERRI KATTI GHERRI.

Have any of our readers, in turning over the pages of the Edinburgh Almanac, ever been surprised in noticing as an office-bearer in one of our pious beneficiary institutions, a person with the singular title of Krim Gherri Katti Gherri? If they have, they will most probably be glad to learn who this strange gentleman is. Mr. Krim Gherri Katti Gherri happens to be sultan of the kingdom of Caucasus in Tartary; and, what is still more curious, his wife, the sultana, is an Edinburgh lady, the daughter of Colonel The history of young

Krim may be soon told. While about fifteen years of age, he became acquainted with some missionaries who had taken up their station near the Caucasus; on which occasion he embraced the Christian religion, left his native country, and proceeded, under their protection, to St. Petersburgh, which he shortly after quitted for Scotland; and here he soon acquired the English language, habits, and manners. While resident in Edinburgh, he became acquainted with the above lady, to whom he was married, and carried her with him, though against the consent of her relations. As Krim is lineally descended from the ancient Khans of the Crimea, the throne of the present sultan, Mahmoud, will be his on the extinction of the reigning family. He has sons; and should any of them hereafter ascend to the Ottoman throne, the singular fact will be presented of a prince of a descent from an Edinburgh family, holding his court at Constantinople, and reigning over the Turkish empire.

SPANISH POLITENESS.

Near Naval-Moral, we met a Spanish family of rank travelling, a sight very uncommon. The ladies and female attendants were seated in a large, heavy, old-fashioned carriage, covered with carved work and tarnished gilding. This vehicle was drawn by eight mules, which two fine-looking men on foot guided solely by the voice, calling out their names, to which they appeared by their movements to answer with great docility. The gentlemen of the party rode with the male servants, all conversing familiarly together; and the last often put their heads into the carriage-window, and spoke to the ladies. The Spaniards, I have often observed, however exalted their rank, are exceedingly kind and affable to their servants and inferiors. And indeed the lower classes have much natural politeness; nor is there anything in their language or manner which disgusts or offends. They have no vulgarity in their freedom, nor servility in their respect. I have often sat round the fire of a Posada, amid Spaniards of all classes, whom chance had assembled together, and been quite charmed to mark the general good-humour, and the easy, unembarrassed propriety of behaviour of the common peasants.

FILIAL AFFECTION OF THE MOORS.

A Portuguese surgeon was accosted one day by a young Moor from the country, who, addressing him by the usual appellation of foreign doctors in that place, requested him to give him some drogues to kill his father, and, as an inducement, promised to pay him well. The surgeon was a little surprised at first, as might be expected, and was unable to answer immediately; but quickly recovering himself (for he knew the habits of the people well), replied with sang froid equal to the Moor's, "Then you don't live comfortable with your father, I suppose?" "O, nothing can be better," returned the Moor; "he has made much money, has married me well, and endowed me with all his possessions; but he cannot work any longer, he is so old, and he seems unwilling to die." The doctor, of course, appreciated the amiable philosophy of the Moor's reasoning, and promised to give him what he desired. He accordingly prepared a cordial potion, more calculated to restore energy to the old man than to take it away. The Moor paid him well, and departed. About eight days after he

came again, to say that his father was not dead. "Not dead!" exclaimed the apothecary, in well-feigned surprise : "he will die." He composed accordingly another draught, for which he received an equal remuneration, and assured the Moor that it would not fail in its effects. In fifteen days, however, the Moor came again, complaining that his father thrived better than ever. "Don't be discouraged," said the doctor, who doubtless found these periodical visits by no means unprofitable, "give him another potion, and I will exert all my skill in its preparation." The Moor took it, but returned no more. One day the surgeon met his young acquaint、 ance in the street, and inquired the success of the remedy. "It was of no avail," he replied mournfully; "my father is in excellent health. God has preserved him from all our efforts; there is no doubt that he is a marabout"(a saint).

THE NATURALIST.

WHITE-HEADED SEA-EAGLE.

ELEVATED on the high dead limb of some gigantic tree, that commands a wide view of the neighbouring shore and ocean, he seems calmly to contemplate the motions of the various feathered tribes that pursue their busy avocations below; the snow-white gulls slowly winnowing the air; the busy tringas, coursing along the sand; trains of ducks streaming over the surface; silent and watchful cranes, intent and wading; clamorous crows, and all the winged multitudes that subsist by the bounty of this vast liquid magazine of nature. High over all these, hovers one whose action instantly arrests his attention. By his wide curvature of wing, and sudden suspension in the air, he knows him to be the fish-hawk, settling over some devoted victim of the deep. His eye kindles at the sight; and, balancing himself with half-opened wings on the branch, he watches the result. Down, rapid as an arrow from heaven, descends the distant object of his attention, the roar of its wings reaching the ear as it disappears in the deep, making the surges foam around! At this moment the eager looks of the eagle are all ardour; and, levelling his neck for flight, he sees the fish-hawk once more emerge, struggling with his prey, and mounting in the air with screams of exultation. These are the signals for our hero, who, launch

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