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was then that I myself for the first time head, her countenance was calm, and, but heard it.

"The moon, the moon is thine, O night,
Not altogether dark art thou;
Her trembling crescent sheds its light,
Trembling and pale, upon thine ancient

brow.

"The moon is thine, and round her orb
A thousand sweet stars minister,
Whose twinkling rays dark wells absorb,
And all the wide seas drink them far and

near.

"They kiss the wide sea, and swift smiles
Of gladness o'er the waters creep;
Old hoary rocks rejoice, and isles,
And there is glory on the slumbering deep.
"Afar-Along the black hill's side,
Right blithe of heart the wanderers go.
While that soft radiance, far and wide,
Gleams on the winding streams and woods
below.

"And gaily for the fragile bark,
Through the green waves its path is shorn,
When all the murmurs of the dark
Cold sea lie calm'd beneath that gliding

horn.

"Yet hail, ye glittering streaks, that lie
The eastern mountain tops upon!
Hail, ye deep blushes of the sky,
That speak the coming of the bridegroom

sun!

"Hail to the healing beam of day,
That rouses every living thing!
The forest gulphs confess thy sway,
And upon freshening branches glad birds
sing.

"And loathsome forms, that crept unseen
Beneath the star-light faint and wan,
Cower in their brakes the thorns between,
Dreading that fervid eye, and its sure scan.
"Triumphant-Welcome life and light;
Sing rocks and mountains, plain and sea!
Fearful, though lovely, was the night,
Hail to more perfect beauty-hail to

THEE!"

We have hitherto abstained from quoting the passages in which the impression of Christianity is made on the lover's mind. The subject is too solemn for criticism; but the interview with Athanasia, then under the expectation of martyrdom, is full of fervid and hallowed dignity.

"The child led me, therefore, into the adjoining chamber, and tapped gently at a door on the other side of it. The voice of the old priest bade us come in, and Athanasia, who had been sitting by his side, arose with him to receive me. She was dressed in a simple white tunic, her hair was braided in dark folds upon her fore

for the paleness of her lips, and a certain something that was just visible in her eyes, I should have said that her gravity scarcely partook of sadness. When, how. ever, we had exchanged our salutations, it was evident that some effort had been necessary for all this appearance of serenity; for her voice trembled when she spoke to me, yes, her voice trembled in every tone, and, as she stooped to caress my young guide, who had sate down by her feet upon the ground, I saw the tear that had been gathering drop heavily, and lose itself among the bright clusters of the little damsel's hair.

nothing of Athanasia's trouble, continued “ The girl, in the meantime, perceiving to play with a linnet which sate upon her finger, and to imitate, after her childish fashion, the notes of the bird. From time to time she turned round, as if to attract the lady's notice to the beauty of her favourite, and lifted upwards her smiling eyes, the glee of innocence. But, at length, another pure azure of which reflected the careless of the damsel, and then she looked upwards and another drop fell full upon the cheeck more steadily, and, seeing that, in truth, Athanasia wept, her own eyes began immediately to overflow with the ready tears of childhood. Athanasia pressed the girl to her bosom, and made one struggle more—

but it would not do for her heart was running to the brim, and, at last, with one passionate sob, all the sluices gave way, and she was dissolved at once in a flood of weeping. I took her unresisting hand, and imitated, as best I could, the language of that consolation, which, alas! I had not to give. But it seemed as if my poor whispers only served to increase the misery they were meant to still. She stooped, and covered her face with her hands, and sobs and tears were mingled together, and the blood glowed red in her neck, in the deep agony of her lamentation.

"I looked round, and saw that the old priest was moved at first scarcely less than myself by all this sorrowful sight. Yet and after a moment there remained nothing the calmness of age deserted him not long, on his countenance, but the gravity and the tenderness of compassion. He arose from his seat, and without saying a single word either to Athanasia or to myself, walked quietly towards the end of the apartment, from which when he returned, after a brief space, there was an ancient volume held open in his hand. Still, without addressing us, the old man resumed his seat, which was right over against the disconsolate maiden, and immediately, in a voice touched and but touched-with tremour, he began to read aloud, in the Greek tongue, words which were then new, and which have ever since been in a peculiar manner dear to me. You, my friends, know them

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"God," said the old man, and his voice gained strength from every word as he uttered it,-"God is our refuge and strength: a very present help in trouble.

"Therefore will not we fear though the earth be removed; though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; "Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled;

"Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof."

"Athanasia took her hands from her face, and gradually composing herself, looked through her tears upon the old man as he proceeded."

"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God; "The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High;

"God is in the midst of her. "She shall not be moved; "God shall help her, and that right early.

The heathen raged; the kingdoms were moved;

"He uttered his voice; the earth melted. "The Lord of Hosts is with us; "The God of Jacob is our refuge." "The blood had mounted high in the countenance of Aurelius, and his voice had become strong and full, ere he reached these last words of triumphant confidence. The tears also had been all dried up on the pale cheek of Athanasia; and although her voice was not heard, I saw that her lips moved fervently along with those of the fervent priest. Even in me, who knew not well from whence they proceeded, the words of the royal prophet produced I know not what of buoyance and of emotion, and perhaps my lips, too, had involun.. tarily essayed to follow them; for when he paused from his reading, the old man turned to me with a face full of benignity, and said, 'Yes, Valerius, it is even so; Homer, Pindar, Eschylus-these, indeed, can stir the blood; but it is such poetry as this that alone can sooth in sorrow, and strengthen in the hour of tribulation. Your vain-glorious Greeks called all men barbarians but themselves; and yet these words, and thousands not less precious than these, consoled the afflictions, and ennobled the triumphs of the chosen people of the race of Israel long, long years, ere ever the boasted me lody of Ionian or Doric verses had been heard of. From this alone, young man, you may judge what measure of candour inhabits along with the disdain of our proud enemies, how fairly, without question, or opportunity of defence, the charge of barbarity is heaped upon what they are pleased to call our superstition, how wisely

the learned and the powerful of the earth have combined in this league against the truth which they know not, of which they fear or despise the knowledge.' The old man paused for a moment, and then laying his hand upon the volume that was open before him, and casting his eyes up, wards, said, in a deep and earnest whisper, Surely the truth is mighty, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her.' "But, alas! my dear father,' said'Athanasia, I fear me this is not the place, nor the situation, in which Valerius might be most likely to listen to your words. may be that his own narrow escape, to say nothing of our present danger, has render ed him even more cautious than he was before.'

It

"And who, my dear child,' he replied hastily, and who is he that shall dare to blame caution, or to preach, above all in such things as these, the rashness that is of folly? No, no; Valerius will not believe that we, like the miserable creatures whose impious songs we heard last night together, are studious only of working upon the fears of the ignorant, and harassing, with dark and lying dreams, the imaginations of the simple. Here, (he laid his hand once more upon the sacred volume,)-Here are no wild stories of blood-thirsty deities, and self-sacrificing maniacs. Here all is plainclear-perspicuous. Here is that which Socrates vainly sought by all the ingenuity of reason. Here is that of which some faint and mysterious anticipations would appear to have been shadowed forth in the sublime obscurity of the visions of Plato. Here is that which, as that Mighty Martyr that died in this very city hath said, innumerable prophets and kings of the old time desired to see, and yet saw not. Do nothing rashly, young man ; but it is possible, as you yourself well know, that this may be the last opportunity I shall ever have of speaking with you; and therefore, before we part, I must needs charge you solemnly, that henceforth you are not one of those who are altogether ignorant; and that if your knowledge increase not, the sin shall be upon your head. I charge you, Valerius, (he rose from his seat as he spake,) I charge you, that when you return once more to your native island, you blot not out from your memory the things that you have seen and heard in this great city of light and of darkness. Examine-judge-ask aid, and aid shall not be refused you-but I charge you, as your soul is precious, I charge you once more, young man, neither to overlook in carelessness, nor to reject in rashness. I take Athanasia to witness for me, that I have given you the warning that is needful." "

The concealments and sufferings of the early Christians, make a consider

able portion of this work. The subject, interesting as it is, has, we believe, never been touched before in novels, and the author deserves the praise of having brought forward this solemn portion of our history in its appropriate spirit-deep, reverent, and scriptural. On one of those meetings-sublime and melancholy meetings!-that gathered the persecuted people of God at midnight in caves, and tombs, and forests, to pray and read the Bible, Valerius has been an unintentional intruder, and he becomes an almost unconscious convert. But the Christian assemblies have been from time to time mingled with individuals who looked to them for the materials of future public convulsion. Cotilius, a traitor, under the disguise of a proselyte, is seized, and the Christians in1 volved with him. His execution is a powerful picture of the fierce resolution, that" dies and makes no sign." The contrast between the sleeping and innocent beauty in the chamber, and the daring villain girding up his strength for death in the square below, is admirable.

"No lamp was burning within the chamber, but through one of its two win dows, both of which stood open to receive the mild air of the evening, there entered a wavering glare of deep saffron-coloured light, which shewed me Athanasia extended on her couch, her head pillowed upon her left arm, and her right hand buried in the mazes of her dark hair, which lay loose and dishevelled upon her placid bosom. I say placid, for, fierce and unnatural as was the inconstant gleam that passed and repassed over her features, its ominous and troubled hue had no power to mar the image of her sleeping tranquillity. There lay she, her large serene eye-lids closed in their calmness upon orbs that were so soon to be awakened upon all the fierceness of peril all the gloom of terror. A smile-a sweet composed smile sate on her virgin lips, and her tunic scarce betrayed the modest heaving of her bosom. I hung over her for a moment, and was about-Oh! how unwillingly to disturb that slumber-perhaps that last slumber of peace and innocence

when the chamber-walls were visited with a broader and a yet deeper glare, and my footsteps, I know not by what instinct, were drawn half unconsciously to the window by which the light had access.

"Caius, Caius,' she whispered, as I stepped from beside the couch; why do you leave me, Valerius; stay, stay, my Valerius.'

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"I looked back, but her eye-lids were still closed; the same calm smile was upon

her dreaming lips. The light streamed redder and more red-All in an instant became as quiet without as within. I approached the open window, and saw Cotilius standing far below in the midst of the prison-court; the torches all around the horsemen drawn up in silence on either side and a single soldier close behind him, resting upon an unsheathed glittering sword, as in expectation of the signal.

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"Sabinus, meantime, who sate on horseback immediately over against the prisoner, was stooping down and speaking with Silo; but ere I had looked for another moment, he dismissed the jailor, and I saw him nod to the trumpeter, who immediately lifted his trumpet to his mouth. Cohe understood the meaning of the nod, and tilius shewed, by one rapid gesture, that seemed to plant himself with more firmness upon his feet, his eye all the while being fixed stedfastly upon the Centurion. The glare of the torches was so strong, that I saw every thing as clearly as if the scene had passed at noon-day. I saw Cotilius' keen blue eye as fierce as ever-I saw his lips pressed together steadily upon his teeth

I saw that the blood was still fervid in his cheeks, for the complexion of this man was of the same bold and florid brightness so uncommon in Italy, which you have seen represented in the pictures of Sylla, and even the blaze of the torches seemed to strive in vain to heighten its natural scarlet. The trumpet was, as I have said, at the man's lips, and the soldier had lifted his sword from the ground, and my eye was fixed, as if by fascination, upon the bare throat of the prisoner, when suddenly a deep voice was heard amidst the deadly silence, calling several times, Cotilius! Cotilius !-look up, Cotilius !'

"The eye of Cotilius obeyed the summons more slowly than that of any other person who was present there-but at last it did obey it; and he, and I, and all the rest, beheld Aurelius Felix, the Christian priest, standing at an open window, not far distant from that at which I myself was placed; and it was evident to all, that it was from the old man's lips the voice had proceeded. Cotilius regarded him stedfastly for a moment, and then resumed his former posture; but the old man called again more loudly than before Cotilius, Čotilius !' said he, and he stretched forth his fettered hand as he spake, and the sound of his voice was alike clear, earnest, and solemn-Cotilius! I charge thee, look upon the hand from which the blessed water of baptism was cast upon thy head. I charge thee, look upon me, and say truly, ere yet the blow be given, upon what hope thy thoughts are fixed ? Is this sword bared against the rebel of Cæsar, or a martyr of Jesus?—I charge thee, speak ere thy blood flows;~ and for thy soul's sake, speak truly.'

"Cotilius kept his eye upon the old man,

while he was speaking, but I could not observe the least change in the expression of his countenance. When he was done, and even the soldiers that stood about appear ed to be expecting his answer-a single bitter motion of derision passed over his lips, and he nodded, as if impatiently, to the Prætorian whose lips were upon the end of the trumpet. The man blew, and while yet the surrounding arches were echoing the sound, the sword-bearer had executed his office, and the headless trunk fell heavily upon the pavement. Instinctively I turned me on the instant from the bloody spectacle, and my eye rested again upon the couch of Athanasia-but not upon the vision of her tranquillity. The clap with which the body of Cotilius fell upon the smooth stones of the court, had, perhaps, reached the sleeping ear, and we all know with what swiftness thoughts chase thoughts in the wilderness of dreams. So it was that she started in her sleep, at the very moment when the mortal blow was given."

Difficulties continue to crowd round the lovers, till, by the lenity of Trajan, and the persevering friendship of the Prætorian Sabinus, they leave behind them the dangerous grandeurs of the Imperial City, and embark for Britain. Sabinus marries the widow, and Sextus, made happy with a young er and more gentle bride, inhabits the Roman villa of Valerius. Before he leaves Italy for ever, the Briton is witness to the rejoicings on his friend's marriage.

"He pointed through an opening among the thick trees on the right hand, and we perceived, indeed, at some distance below us by the river side, innumerable symptoms of magnificent festivity. The great arcades of the villa were blazing from end to end with lamps and torches, displaying in distinctness that almost rivalled that of noon-day, every gilded cupola and sculptured porch, and all the long lines of marble columns that sustained the proud fabric of the Valerian mansion.

"In front of the main portico, and all along the broad steps of its ascent, stood crowds of people, as if in expectation. Before them, girls and boys all clad in white raiment, were dancing on the lawn to the sound of a joyful tabor. A confused hum of gladness ascended from every part of the illuminated pile. Come, my boy, push on cheerily,' quoth the Centurion; if you don't, we may chance after all to be too late for the great moment. The procession, it is evident, can be but a little way before us-and I, Valerius,' he added in a whisper, must not lose the benefit of the rehearsal.' VOL. XI.

"At the gate-way, which opened a little farther on into the gardens, we found the two faithful freedmen, Boto and Dromo, waiting for us with horses richly caparisoned, (for they knew not how we might travel from the city,) and with change of dress for the whole of us. We passed under the porch of a small rural chapel that stood near the gate, and there Sabinus and I exchanged our military attire for the peaceful gown, in which alone we could with propriety appear in the nuptial celebration. Athanasia, for her part, threw over all her dress a long veil of white, for she alone durst not shew her face in the precincts, where of right she was mistress. We then mounted the new steeds that had been prepared for us, and dashing through the grove that edged the lawn, joined the bridal procession just at the moment when it had come in front of the villa-and all the merry clamour of shouting, and all the bursting melody of lutes and cymbals, saluted the first appearance of the curtained litter, in which the young Sempronia was borne in the midst of her attendant pomp of horsemen and chariots.

"Conspicuous in front of all rode, in his lofty car, the Flamen of Jupiter, arrayed in his long purple robe, and wearing on his head the consecrated diadem. The priestess of Apollo, too, was there, surrounded with all her damsels, ruling, or seeming to rule with her own hand, the milk-white horses of the sun that pawed the ground before ed their steeds amidst the blaze of torches, her burnished wheels. Gay horsemen checkand the peals of music. White-robed damsels and youths, advancing from the portal, chaunted the Hymenæan. Far and wide nuts and rose-buds were scattered among the torch-bearing throng. Young Sextus leaped from his horse, and the litter touched the ground, and the bride, wrapped all over in her saffron-coloured veil, was lifted, gently struggling, over the anointed threshhold. Sabinus swelled the hymenaal chorus with his ever-cheerful voice; while poor Athanasia-my own unsaluted bride-she stood apart from all the clamour, gazing through her veil-it may be through her tears-upon the festal pageant.

"We ventured not into the blazing hall, till all the rest had entered it. The symbolic fleece had already been shorn from the spotless lamb, and all were preparing to pass into the chambers beyond, where the tables appeared already covered with the wedding-feast. Every one was glad, and every one was busy, and no one regarded us as we stood beneath the pillars of the hall,-contemplating the venerable images of my ancestors, that were arranged all around us from the mouldered bust of the great Publicola, down to the last of the lineage, the princely Cneius, whose inheritance was and was not mine. There were

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moments, I cannot conceal it, in which some feelings of regret were mingled with the admiration, which I could not refuse to the spectacle of all the ancient grandeur that for the first, and for the last time, I was gazing on. But Athanasia leaned upon me as I stood there, and all things seemed well, when I felt the pressure of her bosom. "Ere long, Dromo approached us, and led us aside from the scene of all the noisy merriment into an upper chamber, where, divested of her veil, the lovely bride of Sextus stood waiting to fold Athanasia in one parting embrace to her bosom. I turned aside, and witnessed not their farewell

tears.

"Licinius, Lucius, Velius, and the Priestess, came into the bridal chamber, with the wreathed cup. It was then that, in their presence, I proclaimed Athanasia for my bride. They kissed her pale cheek once and again she returned the salute and with slow steps we took our departure. Sabinus, the good Sabinus, walked along with us down the dark alley that led to the river side. The two freedmen were already sitting at their oars-we bade adieu to the

DEAR PUBLIC,

Centurion-tenderly the kind man bade us both adieu and I lifted my Athanasia, weeping natural tears devoid of bitterness, into the little boat which had been prepared for us."

The extent of our quotations is the best evidence of our gratification in the work. It has some trivial peculiarities of style. The cadence of the prose is sometimes too measured; it has even a scriptural formality. Occasional phrases occur unusual to, at least, a Southern ear. "Of a surety-so saying a certain man-ere long-in a word-mine for my," &c.

Those blemishes are too trivial to be observed on, but as matters of simple alteration. The writer has shewn highly valuable acquirements, for the illustration of ancient times, in the most pleasing form of graceful fiction; he has the learning, the language, and the imagination. His triumph is se

cure.

NEW-YEARS'S DAY CONGRATULATIONS.

John Wilson

THERE exists in the bosom of every parent, as you well know, a bond of natural affection, which, while it acts as a corrective of all animosity towards his children, likewise operates as an incentive to a free and unreserved communication of sentiment. Therefore, as you are quite aware of our regarding you with truly fatherly affection, it is to be expected that we sometimes descend from our lofty seat of magisterial authority, unbend ourselves before you, and, forgetting the formalities of wisdom, lay open those minutiae of the heart; which, of however little importance they may be of themselves, form a great part of the happiness or misery of every human being.

Sure never Editor was more respected, or had greater cause for being contented with mankind in general than ourselves. Universally read at home, or nearly so,-translated into the continental languages-transported to America, perhaps to New South Wales-and the text book of either India—we are quite a citizen, and civilizer of the world, and perhaps a greater philanthropist than Mr Bennet himself. Contributions crowd in upon us from the four winds of heaven; and we can boast of being a favourite in almost every considerable city of the earth,-always excepting Tombuctoo; the reading public being there, we should suspect, things of futurity.

But, notwithstanding all this happiness, we have a small complaint to make, and it regards you, my dear Public. Does it never strike you (with reverence be it spoken,) that your overwhelming civility may not a little usurp the time, that would otherwise be dedicated to the promotion of science, and to the cause of loyalty and good humour? But errors, which proceed from excess of goodheartedness, we shall ever be the first to pardon, and to pass over quietly. Here are we, on the 10th January; nor, since Christmas day, have we been allowed an hour's solitude in our study, or a single meal, save breakfast, in our domicile; and, for a fortnight to come, we have partial engagements for every day,

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