first couplet: what I then wrote was easily obliterated; my ragged jacket cuff was the willing critic that passed lightly over my transgressions, and shone all the brighter after the deed. I knew not that such men as au thors lived: every book was taken up without a suspicion of its lacking truth, and strange as they might seem, I felt proud in the wisdom I gathered from their pages. I could point out to my playmates the green rings which the fairies had made on the grass, tell them the very colours which the elfins wore, or show them a valley which resembled that wherein then bliss indeed! Beside the slate hung the Sinbad gathered his diamonds. Ignorance was old valentine which had been addressed to my mother when a girl; my glance shifted from the picture to herself, and I tried in vain to features mocked every effort of my fancy, nor could I imagine that there ever was a time when she ran laughing to her gay companions to show her new valentine. Her venerable grey hairs, her deeply-furrowed brows, over which many a sorrow had trod, seemed too solemn ever to have unbended over those THE LUCKY BAG. T Just Published, price One Penny each, HREE SERMONS, delivered by the Rev. J. R. STEPHENS, on Sunday, May 12, in lhe Shepherd-and-Shepherdess Fields, Islington; on Primrose-hill; and on Kennington-common, forming Nos. 6, 7, and 8 of THE POLITICAL PULPIT, an uniform series of Sermons preached at various places by this eminent Minister of the Truth. Re vised and Corrected by the Rev. Gentleman himself, Then there was the "lucky bag," held by a grim-looking fellow, whose very looks would have hanged him before any discriminating jury; or perchance it was a tall woman, wearing a man's great coat and heavy-laced boots; she had also a velvet bonnet, one which had once been black, but was then as many colours as the coping-stone of a castle wall, green and grey, mottled and weather-beaten, with the melancholy adornment of a faded feather.ING POPULOUSNESS; to which is added the sweet promises, not that they came forth with ing the iniquity and horrible tendency of the MalThen she would endeavour to seduce us by Theory of Painless Extinction. This edition contains a powerful Preface, expos honeyed utterance," for her voice was strong thusian Doctrines. Price 3d. and deep as the roar of the ocean, as she exclaimed (shaking up the mysterious little bits 66 Also, W. Dugdale, S7, Holywell-street, Strand. To THE "FLY" in MANCHESTER AND ITS | VICINITY. little darlings, all prizes and no blankshere's the shop to make your fortune at once, and all for the risking of a penny; and should you not like the prize, by putting it back you can try your luck again." Then we used to lay our little heads together, and wonder if prizes for all the things which were displayed hearts and flowers, and that curious scissor- on that stall were in the "lucky bag." Then work, which must have been the labour of some little urchin, who had been hovering many a long hour. The very writing had be- round all day, would blithely tell us how he come yellow. I wondered if she ever thought had seen a tall man in a velvet coat, with a of her "Old Sweetheart" when she rubbed off black eye, a pipe in his hat, and a bull-dog at the dust from the glass on a Saturday-a task his heels, and how the said gentleman came which she had done regularly for above forty up and paid his penny, and dipped his hand in years. Then there was that old tea-board, the lucky bag. How, strange to tell, the first with the stately lady in a garden on the centre, time he put in he won that rosewood workherself overtopping every tree. But that tray box (the only one on the stall), and, which was only used on rare occasions, real "white-seemed more marvellous, how the woman gave cake days," when some cousin or aunt came him five shillings to leave it behind, and to tea; and the mended china was handed thanked him kindly for so doing, declaring carefully from the corner cupboard, and the also to the crowd around her that should any blue glass sugar basin, which I hoped some other gentleman or lady win it, she would give day to see broken, that I might have the bits them the choice between that or five shillings, to spy through. The old white table was still and that-wonderful to relate-although upin the same place; and its long drawer seemed wards of thirty had tried their luck, and one at last to have found rest-tops, marbles, and persevering fellow had spent half-a-crown, no fishing tackle, which it was opened a score of one had gained a higher prize than a penny times a day to rummage for, were all gone; trumpet. Then we would try our fortune, big there is no danger now of running fish-hooks with hope, that the rosewood work-box would into their fingers when they open it. "Robin- be ours, and the deep-voiced woman made our son Crusoe" and "Robin Hood's Garland" hearts quake as she ran her eye over the ticket are gone. That old drawer was a true index and exclaimed aloud, "A row of pins for the to my mind in those days; they who looked gentleman to pin up his sweetheart's gown in therein might discover the true taste of its rainy weather;" or perhaps "A whistle for occupier; old and worm-eaten as it may now the young gentleman to call out his sweetheart seem, it has contained the greatest literary on a moonlight night;" or haply "A stay-lace treasures the works of Shakspeare and Mil- for the young man, that he may make a preton. How little it took to make me happy in sent to his sweetheart when he goes a-courtthose days! A dry crust from the large ing;" then we went off sneaking amid the bread crock, which yet stands under the old laughter of the bystanders, with head half table; Shakspeare, or a volume of Scott's im- averted, casting many a longing look on the mortal novels; a day of sunshine-and that a rosewood work-box. holiday-and I had but to traverse a single street, enter Foxby-lane, and bury myself in the woods, to reach my own heaven. pride, no object, no ambition-poverty was never felt, and therefore unknown; so long as the bread-crock furnished forth its crust all was pleasure, for the clear brook in the wood was never dry. Ariel passed not happier No NOTICE The subscribers to the "Fly" are informed that the Portrait of the Duke of Wellington is unavoidably postponed, in consequence of an accident which prevented the preparation of In consequence of the great demand for, and the high value set upon, the beautiful plates given with this paper, and in order to their better display and preservation, T. CARLILE begs to inform the FRAMES (1 inch), which he can offer complete, Public he has made a quantity of ROSEWOOD with glass and gilt moulding, altogether finished in a first-rate style, at the low price of 3s., being onethird less than is usually charged by frame-makers. Observe, T. Carlile, 220, Deansgate, nearly facing Peter-street, Manchester, of whom sets or odd num. bers of the "Fly" may constantly be procured. N.B.-Splendid engravings, portraits, &c., may be had (glass, &c., complete) at 4s.. 4s. 10d., and 6s. the pair! Frames made to order of any pattern, at equally low prices. THE FLY'S PICTURE-GALLERY. life than mine under "the blossomed bough." the number necessary to supply the great / Published for JAMES GLOVER, at Water-lane, THOMAS MIller. demand Fleet-street. John Cunningham, Printer, Crown-court, 72, Fleet-street. "UBI MEL, IBI MUSCA." No. 22-NEW SERIES. SATURDAY, JUNE 1. [TWOPENCE. Every purchaser of this number of "THE FLY," is entitled to an exquisitely-executed Lithographic PRINT, "So I've found you out," which is presented gratuitously.-[A similar print with every number.] RECOLLECTIONS IN THE TIME OF THE EMPIRE. (For the FLY.) (Continued from page 82.) THE DIVORCE. the decision The religious ceremonies of which the Pope had exacted a strict and solemn observance being fulfilled, and the prescribed form by the canons of the church terminated, was made known by the officiating prelate of the archbishopric of Paris: it was to this effect-that the marriage of Napoleon was dissolved, and that he himself was condemned to an amende of six francs; the said sum to be appropriated for the use of the poor. The metropolitan priest relieved his Majesty very shortly from his sentence, because, submitting to this judgment (one evidently of mere form, which made him laugh heartily), he sent on the same day 120,000 francs to the mayors of the different arrondissements, in order that each should dispense his proportion to the most needy in his district. "In my quality of Emperor," said he, gaily, "I ought upon this occasion to contribute more largely than any other." From this trait one may form a notion how submissive the Emperor was to the laws of the empire even in private life, and as it regarded himself personally. These ecclesiastical proceedings, besides this gift, had entailed upon him very considerable sums in advance, as well for presents to those concerned, as also for the Iroits of registration upon a catalogue of acts, deemed necessary, and for which like ecclesiistical dues-more spacious than requisite there was no means of escaping. Not only were these charges paid and credited to the Treasury, but it was Napoleon himself who ischarged them from the funds of his own privy purse. One circumstance in itself, not less dramatic than all the rest of this episode of "The Divorce," was, that Prince Eugene, whose tenderness for his mother was well❘ known, discharged on this day the office of Chancellor of State to the senate; that is to say, it was him that brought the message in which Napoleon explained to the first corps d'etat the motives which forced him to separate himself from his wife. "The tears of the Emperor," said the noble young man upon this trying occasion, "would alone have sufficed for the glory of my mother. And hers, alas! they were brulantes when that terrible day arrived." imperial family, with the grand dignitaries of It was the 10th of December, 1809. The the crown, found themselves already assembled at the Tuileries, in the great gallery of Diana, which had been appropriated to that purpose. Napoleon took his seat in the arm-chair that was placed for him, on the right of the archchancellor. There he sat motionless as a statue, his hands crossed one over the other, and his eyes constantly fixed on the door which led to the inner apartments. On a sudden the folding-doors are thrown open; two pages arranging themselves on the instant, one on each side, while a door-keeper announced "Her Majesty the Empress and Queen." At these words there was a general movement in the hall, which was almost immediately succeeded by a solemn silence, all eyes being directe to that side. The Emperor instantly arose. Josephine appeared. She was attired in a plain muslin robe. A small motherof pearl comb had on this occasion superseded the laced drapery of the head, which usually confined her hair at the back of her neck; the whole of her toilette was remarkable for its extreme simplicity. She wore no ornaments, with the exception of a small medallion, of square form, suspended by a braid of black ribbon, which bung from her neck. It John Cunningham, Printer, Crown-court, Fleet-street. was Napoleon's portrait, when he was only General-in-chief of the army in Italy. She advanced slowly, leaning upon the arm of Hortense, Queen of Holland, the countenance of the latter being no less pallid than was that of her mother's. Eugene stood close beside the Emperor, on his right hand. He was quite lost in thought, his eyes gazing on vacancy, while at the same time he appeared to labour under a sudden sensation of tremour. Napoleon sought his hand, and drew him closer to himself, pressing it several times with evident emotion. "No weakness now, Eugene," said he in a low voice," still a little more courage." prince; and his trouble of mind went on increasing to such a degree that all who were present expected that he would go off in a fit. Meanwhile, Josephine had taken her seat at a small table, covered with green velvet, with a border of gold fringe, which was placed a little to the left of Cambacérès. Napoleon made a gracious wave of his hand on looking around him, meaning by this sign to invite the grand dignitaries assembled to seat themselves. Then the Imperial procureur, M. Reginald de Saint Jean d'Angely, read in a low tone of voice, being much moved, the act of separation. It was listened to with intense interest, amidst the most profound silence; the greatest anxiety being painted upon the countenances of all present. Josephine alone appeared calm; her arm rested upon the little table before her, her head reclining over it, whilst the round big tears from time to time rolled down her cheeks. Her daughter stood immediately behind her (Hortense), whose arms resting on the back of her mother's chair never ceased sobbing, and striving to conceal "I shall have it, sire," murmured the her face between her two hands. As to the Emperor, his looks and manner betrayed_a most unsettled mind, he appearing to suffer one thousand times more than the Empress. The reading of the act finished, Josephine rose up, wiped her eyes, and in a firm voice pronounced the few short words of adhesion, which had been prefixed in advance; then taking the pen, presented her by Cambacérès, she signed the act, which M. Reginald de St. Jean d'Angely had placed before her. Having executed it, and instantly covering her eyes with her handkerchief, she retired in silence, supported by her daughter, without turning her head to the right hand or the left, and without once looking about her. On a sign from the Emperor, Eugene had gone off to his mother's assistance, but his strength failing him, he fell without sense or motion between the great doors of the gallery. The door-keeper, with the help of the Prince's aide-de-camp, who had followed him, restored him to his feet, and led him to the saloon of service. There all the care that a position so delicate and touching could require was admiconducted with great ceremony into the inner nistered to him. Napoleon was afterwards apartments, where he continued mournful and silent the rest of that day. Cambacéres and Talleyrand were the only persons of this august assembly who remained unmoved during the time that this family scene lasted-a scene at once so poignant and so full of dignity. swered not. Then followed a distressing but tions, "What is it you do here, gentlemen? Cannot I be one minute alone, chez moi? Leave the room instantly." Every body retired, hardly daring to respire. A quarter of an hour after, Josephine left the Emperor's apartment, even more heartbroken than ever. Napoleon having neither rang nor called for any one, the aide-de-camp on duty, according to daily habit, ventured the information he had received, that nothing again to return to the chamber, in spite of more was required there. Sire," said he, respectfully, "I come to take the orders from your Majesty for the night." chateau. This night the palace of the Tui- These times strike monied worldlings with Even rich men, brave by nature, taint the air That virtue and the faculties within HOPE. The faster falls the April shower, That made our sky the lighter, L. E. The Emperor returned no answer; but the aide-de-camp fancied that the eider-down placed on the bed was agitated, as if the perThose persons who observe every thing re. son within might rise up unexpectedly. The marked that during this sad solemnity, and officer renewed his demand, after having apnotwithstanding the season, a horrible tempest proached nearer; but Napoleon was so envevisited Paris. Torrents of rain, accompanied loped in clothes, that his face was not even by a violent storm of wind, brought dread and visible. The orderly, therefore, retired quietly, dismay into all hearts. One would have said and did not return to the camp bed, prepared that Heaven had chose to manifest its displea- for him in the saloon of service, until he had sure and repugnance at an act which so en-made, according to custom, the round of the tirely had destroyed the happiness of Josephine. A circumstance no less extraordinary, if it be true, is, that the like phenomenon manifested itself on the same day and hour at Milan. Oppressed by the divers emotions of this cruel day, Napoleon retired early to rest. Such persons as were attached to the service He was in bed when the aide-de-camp on duty of their Majesties, whose occupations did not presented himself to receive what was called confine them to the minor apartments, were "the order." The valets-de-chambre of the met together in the vestibule of the pavilion A TRAGEDY AT A FAIR. Emperor were still occupied with some ar- de l'Horloge, to see her once more, who, for rangements in the apartment, lighted only by ten years, was their sovereign. They were Our attention was next drawn to a hole-anda single wax taper, when the door opened sud- mournfully looking upon one another, without corner sort of an establishment, which loose denly, and presented to view a figure in white, exchanging a word. At length, about eleven as if we might depend upon finding tragedi more resembling a phantom than a human o'clock, Josephine appeared leaning on the performed there upon the most primitive pri being. It was the Empress, alone-her hair arm of Madame Darberg, one of her ladies of ciples. The heavy-murderers moved along in disorder, and her features horribly contract-honour; but she was so veiled, and wrapped carefully outside, not taking too long strides, ed. At this sight Napoleon, greatly terrified, up in a cachomere shawl, that she was not for there was not room enough in their gat raised himself on his seat, while the servants casily recognised. Then, however, burst forth ments to admit of any violent exertion. I retired to the far end of the chamber. Jose- a concert of lamentations and woe, wholly inde- queens and the high-born damsels also seenel phine advanced with tottering steps Arrived scribable. She traversed the short space which to partake of the hang-dog look of the heres at the bed, she threw herself on her knees, and separated her from her carriage, and imme- and whether their head-dresses sat ill or ther without speaking a word she strained Napoleon diately ascended the steps, without casting a crowns were placed awry, we could hardy in her arms, weeping and uttering the, most look behind her at that palace she was des- make cut, but their fingers were constan heart-rending cries. Napoleon addressed her tined never more to revisit. The blinds being busy there, arranging, and shifting, and turin soothing accents, returning her caresses, lowered, and the carriage door closed upon ing over their silken ringlets, as if they we and mingling his tears with hers. The emo- her, the horses went off with the rapidity of ill at ease. We saw a plumed warrior st tion of the assistants was now at its height. the wind. For the first week the road from up to a lady fair, and bent our ears, expectity Allons! my good Josephine," said he, in Paris to Malmaison was covered with crowds that he would at least accost her in the a voice interrupted by sobs, "scis donc plus of persons, of all ranks, who thought it a duty guage of the drama-tell her that his tarte raisonable; you know I shall be always your incumbent on them again to present them-steed already neighed by the barbicar-th friend. I am more to be pitied than thee-selves before her, who, although deprived of a he should turn his head when he gained h but do leave me I have not indeed courage crown, had not in the smallest degree compro-skirts of the forest, and look for Ler vir enough for us both." mised the title of Empress. As for Napoleon, favour waving from the ivied turret. Ent who, on his part, was gone to establish himself so; he stepped up with folded arms, and d 66 Overwhelmed with grief, Josephine an |