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INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE FALL OF PART OF A MOUNTAIN.

cour. "It was above a wek af er the fall of the mountain," says a person who visited the spot, "that our rout through Switzerland led as to visit the scene of desolation: and never can I forget the succession of melancholy views which presented themselves. From various points on our passage, we had views of such a scene of destruction, as no words can describe. Picture to yourself a rude mingled mass of earth and stone, bristled with the shattered parts of wooden cottages, and with thousands of heavy trees, torn up by the root, and projecting in every direction. In one part a range of peasants' huts, which the torrent of earth had reached with force enough to overthrow and tear in pieces, but without bringing soil enough to cover them. In another were mills broken by huge rocks, transported from the top of the mountain, which fell and were carried high up the opposite side of the Rigi. Birds of prey, attracted by the smell of the dead bodies, were hovering about the valley. But the general impression made by the sight of such an extent of desolation, connected, too with the idea that hundreds of wretched creatures were at that moment alive, buried under a mass of earth, and inaccessible to the cries and labours of their friends, was too horrible to be described or understood. As we travelled along, a poor peasant, wearing a countenance ghastly with woe, came to beg a piece of money. He had three children buried in the ruins of a cottage, which he was endeavouring to clear away. As we were walking mourn fully along we met the dead body of a woman, which had been just found; two men, preced

ABOUT five o'clock in the evening of the 3d of September, 1800, a large projection of the mountain of Rossberg, Geneva, on the north east, gave away, and in less than four minutes completely overwhelmed three vil lages. The torrent of earth and stone was far more rapid than that of lava, and its effects as terrible. The mountain in its descent carried trees, rocks, houses, every thing before it Burying completely a space of charming country, more than three miles square. The force of the earth must have been prodigious, since it not only spread over the hollow of the valley but even ascended far up the opposite side of the Rigi. The quantity too was numerous, since it left a considerable hill in what was before the centre of the vale. A portion of the falling mass was rolled in to the lake of Lowertz, and filled in a fifth part; two little islands in this lake were adinired for their picturesqueness. One of them famous for the residence of two hermits, and the other for the remains of an ancient chateau, once belonging to the house of Hapsburgh. S large a body of water was raised by the falling of such a mass into the lake, that the two islands and the whole village of Seven, at the southern extremity, for a time, completely submerged by the passing of the swell. A large house in this village was lifted off its foundations and carried half a mile. The hermits were absent on a pilgrimage to the abbey of Einsideln. A fertile plain was at once converted into a barren tract of rocks and calcareous earth, and the former marks and boundaries of property obliterated. The main road from Art to Schweitz was completely filled up, the former channeled by a priest, was carrying it to more decent of a large stream choked, and its course altered. The number of inhabitants buried alive under the ruins of this mountain was scarcely less than fifteen hundred. Some estimated it as high as two thousand. Of these, a woman and two children were found alive, after hav. ing been several days under ground. They affirmed, that while they were thus entombed, they heard the cries of poor creatures who were perishing around them, for want of suc

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burial. We hoped this sight would have concluded the horrors of the day; but we continued to find relicks of ruined buildings for a league along the whole extent of the lake; and a little beyond the two islands, mentioned above, we saw, lying on the shore, the stiff body of a peasant, which had been washed up by the waves. But I will mention no more particulars."

LETTERS ON MYTHOLOGY.

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF C. A. DEMOUSTIER,

LETTER XIX.

(Continued from Page 180.)

VENUS had a long time sought to reconcile her son with Jupiter; Destiny at length presented to her an opportunity. It was the nuptials of Thetis and of Peleus, to which all the celestial court were invited, except Dis cord. Profiting by the circumstance, Venus sought Thetis, and said to her, "Jupiter has proscribed my son from his birth. To-day all things are granted you. Obtain grace for him, and reckon upon my gratitude."

to his real qualities, he had the greatest of all merits in the eyes of the Goddesses, that of novelty. Curiosity besieged him. You may divine that he was interrogated; you may divine also that he replied.-He replied in these terms:-"You know, Goddesses, that I owe my birth to Semele, daughter of Cadmus, brother of Europa, who gave her name to the most beautiful division of the globe. My mother had just entered into that age in which even ugliness has the charm of spring. Judge with what brightness her beauty adorned it. Jupiter was dazzled, and the arrow passed from her eyes into his heart. He instantly took the figure of a beautiful youth; he appeared, and was beloved. For a long time the

Thetis promised her intercession to Venus; who, to strengthen it, went to solicit the support of Juno. "Introduce my son," said she to her; “obtain his pardon; and for the recompeace of such a benefit he will throw a shaft at your husband which will render him faith-modesty of Semele resisted Love, but at length fal for eight days!"

Juno was tempted by the promise of such a wonder, and assured Venus she would assist her with all her influence.

she ceded to Vanity. Repulsed from her arms, her lover declared himself the Sovereign of the Gods. At those words a look recalled him; and Semele became a mother! I am ignorant, Oh Juno! how you became instructed of this mysterious intrigue, but terrible was thy ven geance. You sought my mother under the form of Beroe, her nurse; and, giving her a

Olympus being then assembled, Love, led by the hand of Thetis, appeared in the Temple of Hymen. His childish figure was full of that innocent candour, and that ingenuous air, which attract hearts. He smiled and was be- || tender kiss, said to her secretly, 'My beauti loved. Hymen wished to make acquaintanceful child, what hast thou done with thy roses? with this amiable stranger, and even proposed I see but lilies to day on those languishing to him a friendly league. But their commerce cheeks. What can have withered thy halfsuffered much from the opposition of their closed lips? The wretch! I swear that it is characters. The one is fire, the other ice. he.' Thus lovers tremble with reason when they see them united.

However that may be, Juno and Thetis presented Love to Jupiter, who received him graciously. The infant flew upon his knee, and embraced him. But how well we know his caresses are wounds! All the Goddesses were wounded nearly at the same time. Sighs and glances went round; and the eyes of Bacchus having encountered those of Cyprus, remained fixed upon her. This God had formerly suffered from the wrath of Juno, but they were now reconciled, and he appeared for the first time at the celestial banquet. In addition No. XXXI. Vol.V.—N. §.

"Ah, who do you mean?' replied my mother, with a blush.

"Who? that seducing young man whose eyes, whose smiles, carry a heart in two days. I will know nothing; but, if thou tellest me all, I promise thee to be silent.'

'I have nothing to confide to you,' replied Semele.'

'Nothing! Look at me well. Oh, those downcast eyes!-Nothing! My child, I am too learned in these matters. I say no more, but thy robe hardly closes, and thy zone will no longer meet.'

"At these words my mother replied, but

A a

with tears, and fell upon the neck of the false Beroe, who thus feigned to console her: 'Weep not, my poor child; when we are young we are weak; and I well know what it costs us to be wise in the bloom of youth. But who is this young unknown?'-'It is Jupiter.'-' And thou believest him? The Impostor! a Jupiter, without a beard! To prove his divinity, make him appear before thee in all the brightness of his glory.'

"This proposition flattered the vanity of Semele, and she soon after pressed her lover to yield to it. In vain did he represent to her, that by consenting, he would end her days. She replied to him, 'If by the burning lustre of thy supreme glory this frail bedy is des'royed, if I die in fire, I shall die in the arms of him I love.' Too tender to resist her desires, Jupiter appeared in a cloud of light, holding in one hand his sceptre, and in the other the thunderbolt. Intoxicated with love and glory, Semele held out her arms and precipitated herselfinto his. But hardly had her lips touched the lips of her lover, when the thunderbolt consumed her. Her shuddering soul flew towards Elysium. Juno smiled; and Jupiter, bursting into tears, sought for me amidst the ashes of my mother, and putting me into his thigh, he carried me there till the term appointed for my birth. Mercury then confided me to the nymphs of the mountain of Nysa, saying to them, Educate this child under the shade of Mystery. He was an orphan ere he saw the light. May his infancy be dear to you, and in your fond bosoms may he forget that he has lost his mother!"

"I found that mother again in each of these faithful nurses; who, as a recompence for their cares, sparkle now in the midst of the stars, under the name of the Hyades. When I quitted their arms the good Silenus became my preceptor. He was a merry old man, always mounted on his ass; and it is to him that I owe my first lessons in education. Formed by the precepts of my master, I resolved from my earliest youth to follow the steps of heroes, and to surpass the glory of the most illustrious conquerors. But the ideas of conquest, which Silenus gave me, were not in the Least sanguinary. I desired to make men happy, and not to enslave them. Thus the

nations that escaped my power, soon learned to envy the vanquished. My plan being thus conceived, I set forth at the head of a numer. ous army. The Dryades, thyrsis in hand, began the march. Instead of artillery, the Sylvans rolled along the earth thousands of tuns of wine. Gaiety and Love, crowned with grapes, replaced amongst them Fury and Glory. And when at the sound of the tambourine, our army was seen to halt, it was always for the purpose of drinking. I was mounted upon a car drawn by two tigers, a thyrsis was my sceptre, and a vine branch formed my diadem. Fame soon announced to the people of India, that a son of Jupiter was advancing to conquer them. These people believing me heir to the Thunderer, flew from my approach; but reviving from their first alarm, they came in crowds before their new master. Far from exacting from them tributes and hostages, I said to them, ⠀¦‹ Sow these uncultivated but fertile fields. Plant these young vines on the sides of your hills. Gather your scattered flocks into these smiling vallies. These are my laws, this is my worship. I exercise not the horrors of the God of Thrace, and of Bellona. Live free, I would subjugate only hearts. To your ancient princes I leave the crown, on condition that they render me a pure homage in your happiness. Go, submit yourselves, and drink to the conqueror.'

"In a short time all the neighbouring people submitted to my laws. Every city opened its gates to me, and I counted the days only by victories. Having finished the conquest of Arcadia, of Syria, and of the other provinces of India, I quitted my new subjects; I returned triumphant, and traversed all those beauti ful countries where, at every step, I saw the peaceable monuments of my victories. I be held the harvests gilding the fertile fields, the flocks sporting in the vallies, the trees and the vine crowning the hills with fruit and verdure. And comparing these scenes with those in which so many heroes have acquired a cruel glory, I joyfully said to myself I have not watered these plains with the blood of my new subjects. They will shine only with the iron of Ceres, and my nectar only shall redden their fountains.'

"At length I embarked, bearing with me

I displease thee, therefore I am guilty. Alas! if it were sufficient to love, to be amiable, ingrate, I should please you yet! Adieu! thy deserted mistress, too weak to hate thee, gives her last sigh with her last breath. 1 fly to meet death!

"At these words, with pale cheeks and scattered hair, a woman springs from the grotto, and flies towards the sea. But, swifter than the lightning, I cast myself before her, and retain her in my arms. Sadness had subdued her; terror now scized her; she uttered a piercing cry, looked at me, and fainted. I need not tell you that she was interesting, for she wept. In drying her tears I suffered my own to flow, and gradually became intoxicated with a voluptuous sadness. At length she opened her languishing eyes, and casting on me a tender and melancholy glance, she said to me:- Ah! if my fate interests you; if you know how much love makes us suffer when he betrays our tenderness, in pity leave ine to die!'

the regret of the people I had subdued. My vessels were crowned with green vine brauches; the vine herself entwined round the masts and the cordage, presenting but her vermillion elusters. As the sailors expressed their deli. cious nectar, they sung the pleasures of the vintage. The nymphs of Amphitrite, attracted by their songs, surrounded our fleet; they raised above the waves their bosoms of lily and their arms of snow. The zephyrs, wafting their wings, fondly fanned the beauties of these nymphs; and their sweet breaths, mixing together, impelled our light navy through the liquid lapse. Soon the isle of Naxos appeared like a cloud in the horizon. By degrees its rocks were seen to rise out of the depth of the waters. The ancient trees which crowned them, seemed to elevate their majestic heads as we approached the shore. I resolved to rest in that island. I found it uninhabited, and I knew not what secret charm that solitude diffused through my heart. An interior voice seemed to say to me, In the road where victory has conducted thee, even to this day thy heart has known but glory here thou shalt know love. Attracted by a sweet reverie, I wandered alone in that enchanting desart. I fancied I heard the echo of a sigh. Farther as I advanced the more tender and plaintive became the sounds which reached me. At length I arrived near a rock, at whose foot the sea broke in waves of foam. The rock half opened, presented a grotto, the || entrance of which was shaded by black At these words the blushing Hebe apcypresses. From the bottom of this wild proached, and, with downcast eyes, districavern proceeded a touching voice, which buted nectar to the heavenly circle. Bacchus, pronounced these sad words:" Ah, cruel! || confused, presented his cup, looked at her, why has thou betrayed me? I have sasighed, and stopped in the middle of his re crificed all for thee, and thou sacrificeth cital. Thou hast condemned me to death.

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"The accents of that melodious voice diffused through all my senses inexpressible delight. My heart palpitated against that of the unfortunate, and my arms, in sustaining her trembled under their sweet burthen."

At these words, Venus, with a bitter smile, exclaimed:"The moment is critical, and I see your heart, my dear Bacchus, just ready to fall.Hebe, our amiable conqueror, re quires your assistance.”

(To be continued.)

OAKWOOD HOUSE.-AN ORIGINAL DESCRIPTIVE NOVEL.

LETTER XXIV.

(Continued from Page 134.)

TO MRS. BRUDENELL.

Oakwood, Aug. 14, 1807. HABIT, which is invincible in old persons, works wonders in the young. It has already reconciled Barbara to Oakwood. She

no longer complains of the length of the day, or wishes for evening, when we sit down to cards. She has found out an employment that never tires-teizing Millichame. The only time he can enjoy Margaret's company, with out interruption, is before breakfast. I can.

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ike your books better than me; and Margaret Freeman better than your books."

not suspect such a girl of being seriously in H were talking of you. Mrs. Oakwood says you love; but I am certain her behaviour gives him serious vexation; and I took the liberty of telling her to-day, that she did not allow him to dispose of his own time.

"I do not think,” said she, “that he could spend it better than in my company. He has hitherto only associated with people that have been dead five thousand years; it is high time somebody should bring him acquainted with the living; and, as I have nothing else to do just now, I have condescended to take him in hand myself."

"His former companions were his own choice; so, I think, should be his present." "Do you imagine it possible a man of Millichamp's age should not prefer the society of a beautiful young woman to that of an old, longbearded Grecian or Roman, if he had once experienced the difference?"

"Beauty alone will never claim the preference of Millichamp."

"My dear ma'am, do not say another word; I shall believe there is something in the air of Oakwood that inspires uncivil speeches. 1 assure you I have a great deal to teach him But peryet, before he has done with me. haps you think he would take instructions better from Margaret Freeman ?"

"Every body admires Margaret Freeman; and Millichamp, who has seen her in the bosom of her family, where every good woman appears to the greatest advantage; who has witnessed a thousand nameless virtues, which never go abroad; and the high estimation in which she is held by those who know her best; he cannot do otherwise."

"Well, it is incomprehensibe to me what you all can see in Margaret Freeman! A smattering of drawing, and a knack of cutting paper! For the one I would sooner fall in love with Angelica Kauffman, or any female dauber by profession; and the other is only fit to excite the admiration of father and mother when Miss comes home from boarding-school at the vacation. She has no animation, no spirit, no variety! If I were a man, I might like to look at her; but should be weary of her company in an hour.-Milli champ," continued she, as he entered the room, "you are come in good time. We

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"I know Mrs. Oakwood too well to believe she would tell stories," said Millichamp.

"Then I must tell them, of course,” replied Barbara. "However, I will not lead you inte temptation; so we will say no more about it.”

My brother then entered from the library, and said, "Pray who has the key of one of the bookcases? It is not in the door."

"Not I," said Millichamp; " I have missed it, and searched for it in vain." "Not I," said I; "for I did not know it was missing."

"Not I," said Barbara ; the library."

" for I never enter

"Not I," said Charles, who came in as the inquiry was made; "for I am like you, Sir, I look into no books but my own."

My brother rang the bell, and ordered the h use-maid who cleans the library, into the

room.

"Pray," said he, "have you seen the key of the bookcase on the left hand as you go into the library?"

“No, Sir,” replied the girl; “I dusted the library yesterday, and I remarked that the key was not in the door."

"I know very little of you," said my brother; " you are almost a stranger to me. There are some animals that eat iron, and you may be one. Have you eaten it?"

"No," she said, "she was not one of that sort."

"Then," said my brother, turning to me, "either you or Millichamp must have it; and I insist upon your emptying your pockets.”

"It is lucky for me that I wear pockets," replied I: "if I were a young woman I should not carry such a proof of my innocence about me." And I spread their contents on the table.

"At your command I will empty mine," said Millichamp; but I have turned them all inside out twice already."

He put his hand in his waistcoat pocket, and to his own amazement and our diver sion, instantly produced the key. The sola tion of the enigma was easy; he had only

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