a story, did readily accede to his proposition.

With much facility, Aubine then procured a vessel to convey the unfortunate Almeria and her attendants from this scene of misery. On the ensuing morning, therefore, after Claude had visited the adjoining chapel, where the remains of his ill-fated master were deposited, and over his grave had breathed a prayer for his future and endless felicity, madame de Montauban, Claude, and Lauretta, embarked once again for their native country.

Before the narrative is resumed, we must beg leave to pause, and here to draw the reader's attention to the incident just recorded, which has pourtrayed the mutability of all earthly enjoyments; and by which is deeply inculcated the propriety, nay absolute necessity, of its being impressed on the mind to endea vour to meet the various events of life's

accurrences

occurrences, whether of joy or of sortow, with due composure, and with perfect resignation to the will and pleasure of Omnipotence; the extremes of either being equally detrimental to the health, as well as the content, of every individual-content is said, for real happiness ought not, must not be expected here on earth. This, a term or word, most pleasing to the ear, and flattering to the imagination, why should it be indulged, since it is but the phantom of the moment, and in existence has no reality? If any name, under misfortune-if any subject calls forth our pity more than another, it is that in which are observed the calamitous, the dire effects of a secret and powerful enemy; where, by the contrivance of one solitary person, a whole family, flourishing in the sunshine of popular favour; beloved, esteemed, respected, and adored, by all around; who, for their patriotism, well-meriting their country's gratitude,

titude, shall, from unseen means, the dark designs, and hidden machinations, of one being in human form, but in heart a demon, be levelled with the dust; cut down like the lofty beautiful tree (by the hand of the hewer), whose inviting and wide-spreading branches had oft served for grateful shelter to many a way-worn traveller, faint and weary with the mid-day sun. So fallen, then, was the once-respected, honourable house of Montauban, whose hospitable relief the distressed, of whatever denomination, received, and whose real goodness ranked it amongst the highest of the Italian realm.

In following the history of the valuable relic of that name, Providence destined that Almeria should once again be landed in safety on her native shores. For many months, however, an almost total insensibility succeeded the information of the death of her husband. She retired to a small villa near Savona, be longing

longing to her brother, St. Orvillé, who at that period held a lucrative situation under the Genoese government; and her son, having attained his sixteenth year, was soon afterwards sent by his uncle to Florence, for the purpose of completing his education.

The tranquillity of the country, aided by the comforts of religion, at length restored, in some degree, the afflicted mind of Almeria; who, in the second year of her residence in Italy, was enabled to accompany her brother to Florence, for the pleasure of seeing Albert, whose amiable disposition, and intelligence of look and manner, was all the fondest mother could have wished for, as a presage and early promise of his arriving at future wished- for excellence.

At this period, count Anselmo, being on a visit in that city to a Florentine nobleman, and having learnt by accident that madame de Montauban was likewise there, he immediately hastened to the hotel.

hotel where they resided, to pay his respects to them. Anselmo had ever since Almeria's interview with him at Turin been particular in shewing her every attention. He had written several letters of condolence to her; but on account of the profound melancholy into which she had fallen, they were always answered in the most respectful terms by St. Orvillé.

If the assertion of a celebrated English poet be true, that we shall, at one time or other, all feel the passion of love,

and that

"All once the pleasing pain must prove

The fond emotions of distracting love;"

the reader will not be surprised that Anselmo, notwithstanding his vaunted determination of for ever contemning that power, should now feel it for the beautiful Almeria, whose personal charms were indeed her least perfection. The count had arrived at the summit of his wishes,