Victor felt embarrassed; yet delighted, though he knew not why: he again looked on Louisa, who no longer mistress of herself, burst into tears; they were tears of tenderness, and the impassioned Victor knelt at her feet, and pressing her hand to his heart, he said, "Heavens! am I worthy of this excess of goodness?" tremor, and the anguish depicted on her coun- that Mademoiselle ought not to wear it in a tenance, arrested his attention. "Do not be room as warm as an oven." "But I am not uneasy," said he, feebly, "I am very well." too warm, my dear friend." "That's the very "Do not speak a word, my dear Victor," in- || thing I say; do you know, sir, that ever since terrupted Madame de Gurnholm, "you want the Abbé sent that shawl home, Mademoiselle repose." She then wiped the blood from his has never left it off for a minute; and then forehead, while Louisa kneeling beside him when she is dressed for a party, she, of course, enveloped his hand in her handkerchief; and takes cold." in a few minutes he was sufficiently recovered to walk slowly to the carriage. His hand was very painful to him, and he complained that the cold sensibly affected it; Louisa instantly took off her Indian shawl, and wrapped his hand up in so tender and delicate || a manner, that he soon felt the soft warmth of the crimson cachemire; he kissed her hand, and regarded her with gratitude; her cheeks were instantly covered with blushes, and she cast down her fine blue eyes: Victor beheld her with wonder and emotion, and was astonished, for the first time, to find how very pretty she was. Whenever their eyes chanced to meet, and that was not seldom, be experienced the same sensation, and when the carriage stopped before the door, he seized the hand that had taken such care of his own, and pressed it so long to his lips, while she never thought of withdrawing it, that the Abbé was obliged to tell him, that it was too cold for him to keep any longer out of doors. As soon as the Baron was sufficiently recovered to go out, he called on Madame de Gurnholm, who was from home. He found Louisa reclining on a sopha, suffering from a slight indisposition; she assured him it was nothing, and added with a blush, how happy she felt at his recovery. Her eyes sparkled with delight, and Victor never saw her so animated; her gaiety exceeded his own, and he past the morning with her, till it was too late to call at the ambassador's as he had intended. He cast his eyes on the red shawl that was thrown over Louisa's shoulders. "Ah!" cried he, pressing it to his lips, "I know my benefactor again." The cheeks of Louisa became suffused with a lively red. "It is so warm and so comfortable," said she, "that I am never without it." "Yes, yes," muttered her old governess, who, having had the charge of Louisa from her infancy was allowed on account of her age and fidelity, to say what she pleased, "it is warm enough; and that is the very reason Louisa intreated he would rise; while she imputed what had happened to the extreme weakness of her nerves; and the serious manner in which she spoke, crushed the hopes that had arisen in the breast of Victor. He visited, however, more frequently at her mother's, but Louisa kept within the limits of quiet and common friendship; made melancholy by this conduct, and repulsed by the coquetry and caprices of Donna Anna, he lost all his gaiety: he continued to visit at the ambassador's, and one evening Anna appeared there to him with additional charms; she sang and accompanied her voice with a guittar; she looked, she played and sang, like an angel, and danced a national dance of Brasil; yet, with all these angel-like attractions, she behaved to Victor like a devil. She had entwined amongst her beautiful tresses a wreath of myrtle that Victor took notice of, and admired the elegance with which the charming dark curls were mingled with the myrtle. "This is my nuptial wreath," said she, half laughing, half serious. "Your nuptial wreath!" repeated Victor, while his heart beat violently. "Certainly, sir, do you think I cannot obtain any one to marry me?" "Who could ever doubt that, Donna Anna? but so suddenly." Victor appeared still to doubt, and the lady was offended at his incredulity. "Ask my aunt," said she, “if the Sicilian ambassador, Count Montejo, has not asked me in marriage." Victor turned pale: but the ambassadress said, "What she tells you, Baron, is very true, but you must be sensible that this requires caution and delicacy; as this little SICILY, AND THE SICILIANS. mad-cap could not hold her tongue, I beg you || tinued she, taking him by the arm, and fixing will keep what you know to yourself." on him her beautiful dark eyes in the most tender and animated manner; how could he withstand? He past his arm round her slender waist, and joined the dancers: when || the dancing was at end, she remained at his side, taken up with him alone, and Victor abandoning himself to the delight he felt in her company, returned home, at a late hour, while his bosom was actuated by turns, with despair and satisfaction. Victor bowed; his gaiety had vanished,|| and when he saw the young people stand up to dance, he tried to slip away unperceived; but Anna ran up to him. "You must dance with me this evening," said she. "What," replied he, "I dance with you, who are betrothed to another?" "To be sure," said she," and I reckon upon dancing with you very often, even after I am Countess of Montego. Come, come, my dear Wiltk," con (To be concluded in our next.) 162 SICILY, AND THE SICILIANS. THE Greeks, in founding the colonies of || Saleni, the salt-celler placed on the table is Sicily, brought thither their arts, and rendered || lofty, and of true antique form and dimenit classic ground. If the monuments of anti-sions, while the vessels for holding the wine quity, that Sicily yet possesses, are not so have two handles, and the neck is long, as we numerous, or so well preserved, it is because see depicted in ancient paintings, and often in the age of ignorance, barbarism, and super-alto-relievo on monuments of antiquity. stition were so often leagued together to destroy them. The Saracens and the Normans delighted in punishing those people whom they had conquered, and who had the spirit to resist them, by the destruction of their most beautiful edifices, the ruins of which have served for materials from whence to erect the most miserable dwellings. Under the empire of Tiberius, the inhabitants of Sigeste built a temple to Ceres. The exterior portico is composed of 36 columns, which are yet entire there is no road that leads to it; and every curious traveller is obliged to explore his way through the midst of uncultivated fields. The ideas that are inspired by the sight of these columns, are attended with deep and melancholy reflections, as they recal to the mind the grandeur of the ancient monuments of art at that epoch when men were guided solely by a regard to what was beautiful and sublime. These ruins are now surrounded by a wandering tribe, who may be styled the gipsies of Sicily, for they lead the same kind of life with those vagrants, rambling among the mountains, subsisting on what the chase procures them, and having no other roof but the heavens. Antique vases are met with every where in Sicily; in a little petty inn, at a village in Catolica is famous for a mine of sulphur; the sulphur is extracted with a pick-axe; and to purify it, it is placed in large pieces in furnaces of 15 to 20 feet in circumference, the edge of which is surrounded with glazed earth; this mass of matter is lighted with straw; the sulphur becomes inflamed, and runs underneath, leaving the black deep and and earthy materials on the surface. A small lateral opening, leading to the bottom of the furnace, is stopped up with glazed earth, during the operation; when the sulphur is liquified, this little partition of earth is pierced, and it runs into moulds of wood, which are previously wetted. In 1482 and in 1483, the Greeks, oppressed by the Turks, emigrated, and went to settle in Sicily. They came from Albania, and established themselves in Girgente, in the interior of Sicily. The women retained their ancient style of dress. A small square collar, in plaits, falls over their shoulders; their hair is confined in a silk bag, from whence hang down two very long streamers of ribbon. The sleeves of their chemises are so full and long, that they tuck them up, and tie them behind: women who are wealthy, or stinction, wear a girdle of massy silver, in open fillagree, of the most exquisite workmanship. The countenances of the women wear a remarkable appearance of care; and the jealousy of the Sicilians in Girgente is proverbial. Alicata, the ancient Gela, is a city containing about 11,000 souls. From Allicata to Terra Nuova, the great road, consists in the flat shore of the sea. Among the birds of passage that are seen flying over this shore, is the domestic swallow, the martin with its white breast, and the river swallow: these birds often remain in Sicily, instead of proceeding on towards Africa. The repeated observations made within these two last centuries by the most intelligent of our naturalists, prove, that almost every different species of birds of passage which come from both sides of the equator, are drawn together by parallel zones, that are more condensed in winter, and more dilated in the summer, without those of one hemisphere passing into the other in crossing the line. Their travels become more extended, according as they are more or less affected by the cold; according to their weight, also, which permits them to fly to a greater or lesser distance, and as their food is more or less abundant. Except in the manner of dressing their heads, the Sicilian women copy the dress of the French. At Palermo, the capital of Sicily, the veil, which they call mezaro, is very long; it serves as a kind of frame to the face, and covers the half of the figure behind. Pretty women take good care to discover their faces, as they pretend to be adjusting their veils: the eyes of the Sicilian women are beautiful; their feet small, and their manner of walking truly graceful. The women of Trapani, (a city containing about 24,000 souls) are extremely beautiful, and their complexions particularly fine. An inhabitant of this city has recovered the art of engraving cameos on shells. His children, and his countrymen, perform wonders in this way. The magnificence of the theatres belonging to the ancients was extreme; and we cannot wonder at the importance attached to these monuments, especially when we reflect that these theatres had a sacred origin, since there are in them the remains of altars, and that their hymns were sung, and that they were destined alone to the representation of dramatic pieces. The people often assembled there to deliberate on affairs of state, and on the grandest religious ceremonies. The theatre of Syracuse recalls to our minds the recollec tion of Timoleon, of that venerable sage, whose words were listened to as an oracle, in his last moments; and who, no longer able to behold the people, knew they were present by the acclamations they bestowed on him as he passed forward to the assembly. In the sixth century, botanists discovered in Sicily a rush similar to the papyrus of the Egyptians; but no one thought of making paper from it, till in 1780, a naturalist who arrived from Egypt, compared the papyrus of Syracuse with that of the Nile, and transmitted his observations to the Chevalier Landslina. M. Landslina was acquainted with all the ancient authors who had treated on the papyrus and on the manner of preparing it. He followed the process they had laid down, and after repeated essays, which were for a long time unattended with success, he finished by conquering with difficulty. After letting the plant soak for two hours in water, he had it peeled, and then cut it in blades. He placed a layer of these blades on a table; covered this layer by a second, in a transverse way; then put it in a press to strain out the water, afterwards polished the paper, and cemented it close together. Though Syracuse has changed its mode of government, yet there is still one ancient custom which has been perpetuated through every age to the present. Every year, on the first of May, which is the anniversary of the defeat of the Athenians, and consequently of the deliverance of Syracuse, they celebrate this event, by collecting sums for the release of prisoners. The lower class of females in Sicily are very harshly treated; some wives are even in want of absolute necessaries. This is particularly observable in the country; there the wife is often seen in a corner, working very hard, while the husband sits with his arms folded, in an elbow-chair. When they travel, it is she who always carries the luggage. Gesticulation seems natural to every inhabitant belonging to the different provinces in Italy. The Sicilian cannot utter a word unaccompanied by a gesture; and this habit gives them the facility of communicating their thoughts to a certain distance, without || of Syracuse, took his idea of inventing pan- The Sicilians have a peculiar manner of worshipping the deity. At the feasts of their patron saints, it seems as if they were prompted more by pleasure than religion. They utter the most joyful exclamations, and overwhelm the Blessed Virgin, or their protecting saint, with the most passionate vows of tenderness ; and to give greater force to their expressions, they accompany them with the most rapturous gestures, and attitudes of adoration. The Sicilians are passionately fond of music; and there are few among them, even the village musicians, but perform extremely well. ON SOCIETY. But whether belonging to a different nation, MANKIND were created, we may almost say constructed and organised, to live together this wise diffusion of nature is the first principle of union, and the first foundation of society. Mercury and Orpheus drew after them men and rocks by the harmony of their lyres, as we are told; and these are only in-country, or family, we belong not less to hugenious fables to paint the charms of society. manity, and general society. There are only those who are devoid of all reflection, that do not regard their fellow-creatures as brethren. The various religious opinions that divide the world, would cease to merit the name of religion, if they tended to break asunder those sacred ties, more ancient than themselves, and which are founded on the love of human nature. Man, as soon as he is born, contracts obligations towards social life, of which he is the fruit. The title of child necessarily implies that of a father and mother; and from this father and mother are derived a multitude of relatives, which form so many different ties that attach him to society. How can any one be so blinded as to imagine he can exist alone? The undertaking such a task is a violence committed against nature. Whatever reasons any one may fancy he has for renouncing society, he cannot bring any that are ostensible against those that bind us to it. S. G. of nation, country, and house, which express so many different orders of society, imposing particular obligations, and confining within bounds the general duties of society, without extinguishing them. The love of kindred, and the ties of blood, are stronger than those that bind us to our country. Independent of the interests that unite those of the same family, there is a kind of mechanical power which joins together those branches which proceed from the same stem, and in degree as they are nearest to each other. The reciprocal need in which we stand of The tie which attaches us to our parents is so well known and acknowledged, that there are no proofs requisite to make it respected. Nothing can equal the obligation of a child to the author of his being, because life is the greatest blessing that can be bestowed Marriage unites two persons of different families; but the tie is generally strongest of all on earth; mutual vows, plighted in the most solemn and sacred manner, and often accompanied by mutual love, render the marriage chain as silken a bond, as it is indissoluble. It is astonishing that a people so wise as the ancient Romans, should have tolerated divorces, so utterly repugnant as they are to the faith of solemn engagements, to modesty, and to the education of youth; nay, even to love itself. Whoever seriously examines the duties and claims of society, cannot but reverence marriage, which perpetuates, in an honourable manner, the human race. Many laws have been made relative to marriage, but there are few of them of an encouraging nature. The tuition of our youth also is beset with difficulties. Indigence and contempt are too often the lot of those who devote their time and talents to educating children. This profession, therefore, which ought to be the most honourable, is become mercenary, and is seldom followed except by those who have neither spirit nor valour to embark in any other calling. A parent, let him be ever so well educated, though perhaps superior in learning to the preceptor he employs, does not chuse to take the trouble of instructing his children himself. "AMONG the nations which have been reviewed, not quite enough has yet, perhaps, been told of that surprising, that selected people, who, on the first grand muster of mankind, stood foremost in the ranks of humanity. Although their history is earliest, and best authenticated, their limited geography was first ascertained, though law had not a name in other countries, when their code, yet extant, was compiled; and although commerce among them mentioned trafficking and paying, in times when they had not existed, we should have heard but little, I believe, concerning shekels of silver, current money with the merchant. STATE OF THE JEWS, BY MRS. PIOZZI. The Lacedemonians were obliged, for a certain time, to give up their children to be educated by the republic. This establishment was well supported, and the Lacedemonians were reckoned the most wise and powerful of all people. "Voltaire was strangely overseen to say, that Jewish annals must of necessity be false, because so little in their records may be read concerning monarchies of more importance: as, for example, the old Assyrian, Chinese, and other oriental states, of diguity far beyond poor Palestine. He might have seen that no state was important except as it related to that one. He might have known that the Assyrian, Babylonish, and Syrio-Macedonian empires are no more; faded like phantoms, melted like ice in summer; whilst the small No. 161. Vol. XXV. S.G. || family that they insulted, conquered, and carried away captives, still remain a people; and more numerous were they when Benjamin the traveller, of the twelfth century, journied the east in search of their remains, than when they lived under their own kings, in their own land; a people peculiarly favoured by their God, who will once more, in the latter times, re-assume his best-loved title, and be once more acknowledged of his servants,—the Holy One of Israel. That wondrous family, confounded among all nations, and yet distinct from any: which thriving in oppression now, as in the days of Pharaoh, is supposed by Bishop Law, to be even at this moment more populous than ever ;—carrying our Bibles for us, as St. Austin says, reverent, although unconscious of its wicked contents,-mysterious tenets! to them dark and cloudy, yet still confiding in its hitherto unaccomplished predictions, though unobservant that the greatest is fulfilled, and senseless to the guilt of murdering their own Messiah when he came.-Strange! preternatural infatuation! yet scarce less strange or vain the weak attempts made by some modern Christians to convert them. God, who with his own hand blinded the 2 B |