from her hand; they instantly seized her person, and she was soon after confined in a monastery. Des Rochers, convicted of a thousand crimes, and an attempt against the family of Rinaldi, by the deposition even of those whom he had employed, was delivered to the executioner ; and the Prince, ashamed of having been so long guided by a man who was the most abject of created beings, begged Rinaldi would return to Court; he gave the command of his troops to Gherardini, who soon recovered of his wounds; and the beauteous Stefanina, escaped from the tempest which had lowered over the first days of her marriage, formed the supreme happiness of her husband's life, and was the admiration of all Lombardy. THE NEW SYSTEM OF BOTANY, WITH PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF FLORA, &c. &c. &c. THE next subject which we shall examine | frequent in his time; in his Merry Wives of is of a very high origin, for the WALNUT Windsor, he speaks of Ford being so jealous "that he searched a hollow walnut for bis wife's Leman;" and again in his Taming of a Shrew, Petrucio, speaking of his wife's cap, exclaims"why, this was moulded on a porringer; a velvet dish; fye! fye! 'tis lewd and filthy! Why, 'tis a cockleshell, or walnutshell, a knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap!" To consider it, however, rather more scientifically, we may say that its class is MONOECIA POLYANDRIA, and its natural order Amentaceæ. In examining its generic character too, we must divide it into male and female flowers. has been called by the Romans Juglens, or Jovis glans, the acorn of Jupiter. Its Greek name, indeed, we know not, and even by Theophrastus it has been supposed to have been called merely nux Persica, for it came from Asia into Greece, and from Greece to Italy.|| Pliny it is true expressly says, that it was brought from Persia into Greece by the kings; and it is not impossible that it was originally not a native even of Persia, for at the present day it is found wild in the northern parts of China, from whence it is more likely to have been The calyx of the former has the ament cycarried to the southward than brought there lindrical, imbricate, serrated all round, with from thence. Since its introduction into Italy one flowered scales, turned outwards. The it has spread all over Europe. Nay, it is said perianth is flat, elliptic, and six-parted; and that such pains had been formerly taken of its the bluut segments are upright and concave. cultivation in Burgundy, that no person was The male flower has no corolla, but its stamen permitted to cut down an old tree until he had bas many filaments, from twelve to twentyplanted a young one. A method of encourag-four; these are very short, and the anthers ing its increase, on a very rapid scale, was adopted in the neighbourhood of Frankfort and on the borders of the Rhine, for there no young man was allowed to marry until he had planted a stated number; of course the ladies paid great attention to its cultivation. With us it has long been domiciliated, and great numbers have been and are now culti vated on the long range of chalk hills in Surrey, and above Carshalton and Croydon, from whence indeed the London markets are principally supplied. are oval. The female flowers have the calyx with a perianth one leafed, bell shaped, four cleft, and one flowered. The corolla is one petal'ed and four cleft, and a little larger than the calyx. The pistil has an oval germ, with a very short style, while the stigmas, two iu number, are large, reflex, and jagged at top. The pericarp has a large, oval, one celled drupe. The seed has a very large roundish, netted, grooved, half four-celled nut, the nucleus of which is four lobed, and variously Our inimitable poet has shewn that it was grooved; in short, it is the Walnut. In essential character the male has a one leafed scale-form calyx, with a six-parted corolla, and eighteen filaments. The female has a superior four cleft calyx, with a f.ur parted corolla. The styles are two, and the drupe has a grooved nucleus. The name of this tree is supposed to be a corruption of Gaul nut; in France, indeed, it is simply called Noyer, by way of pre-eminence, as amongst the Romans it was called Nux. Its species are six, including the common, white or hickory, and the black; the others are merely distinguished by the shape of the fruit and leaves; indeed many, nay all of its varieties, are said to arise sometimes from the planting of the nuts, so that the only way to choose the species for plauting is to select them from the nurseries. It is unnecessary to describe this as a large and lofty tree, with spreading branches; but the foreign variety may require some elucidation. The Hickory, though not unknown here, is properly speaking a native of North America, || where it grows to a considerable height, and is much used both by the Indians and by European settlers for various purposes. There its nuts are in such plenty, that the hogs are fattened on them; and its wood being very tough and close grained, it makes excellent hoops. The black walnut of Virginia would be a very valuable timber for ornamental purposes, from the very fine polish it takes, were it not for the mahogany which supersedes its use amongst our cabinet-makers. Both of these have been cultivated here since the middle of the seventeenth century; but the latter is not a favourite, though of very rapid growth, for it extends its numerous roots to such a distance as to check the growth of other plants; in fact, nothing willthrive under its shade, it is unfit therefore fororua mental purposes. It is unfortunate that the general use of mahogany with us should have checked the cultivation of this tree; yet there are some uses to which it is still applied, particularly for gun-stocks, and various parts of coachmaker's work. It is indeed highly valuable where there are no substitutes for its use, for it affords both food and oil. In some parts of Germany walnut oil is used instead of butter; and those acquainted with the delineative arts, know that it yields the finest oil for delicate painting, for gold size, and for ornamental varnish. Our fair readers may often have observed that there was a finer verdure under their walnut trees than under the shade of any || other. The reason of this is so well known to some gardeners, that they macerate the husks and leaves in warm water, and sprinkle it on their grass walks, by which the worms are killed without the texture of the turf being injured. Its other uses we scarcely need explain, as our fair readers who may condescend to assist in the housekeeper's room, will often get their fingers stained. It is not simply, however, as a provocative to the palate that pickled walnuts are useful, for there cannot be a finer gargle applied during the progress of a sore throat. Its uses too, improper ones, as a disguising cosmetic, are well known, particularly among Gipsies; but we need not caution our fair pupils against them, as they are sufficiently bewitching without it. ZARA; OR THE ADVENTURES OF AN ENGLISH WIFE. (Continued from Page 234.) THE Dey, seized with horror at the dan ger of his daughter, remained for a moment fixed like a statue. In the mean time Zara falling at his feet, and embracing his knees:— "Ah! my dear father," said she, "why did you prevent my finishing this wretched life? is the crime that I have committed so great that I must be punished by the most cruel tortures? Life affords me nothing but one continued scene of horror and despair, and I have not courage enough to resist the ills I suffer! My father, if you still love me, finish my torments by giving me death! You will bestow on me inexpressibly more than you did in giving me birth!" The Dey loved his daughter too tenderly to be able long to support the sight of her present lamentable condition. "Rise, Zara," said he to her; "thy lover shall not die, and I will show some favour to Elvira; but after the noise this adventure bas made, it is necessary while I preserve your lover, that I should first raise him to such rauk as may make him worthy of you. I perceive it is absolutely necessary as well for your glory as my own, that he should either marry you or die. The love which I bave for you, and which is perhaps sunk into folly, has removed my just anger and rage. Your lover's pardon is granted, but it is upon condi tion only that he becomes a Mussulman. If he loves you, and would merit a pardon for his crimes, he cannot delay a moment to quit a religion which could not have preserved him, but for you, from death and from my resent ment." << My father," said Zara," my heart acknowledges your goodness! Oh, happy day! in which I experience the tenderness of the best father in the world, and in which I shall save the life of my lover and of my faithful friend; but my father, finish what you have so generously begun for my happiness: you know the attachment Christians have for their religion, permit me that I may inform Ernestus of your pleasure; please to order him to be conducted into my apartment, that I may converse with him alone." "I consent to it," replied the Dey; "but remember, my daughter, that if he absolutely refuses to become a Mussulman, you shall no longer be able to oppose his death. I consent that he shall live to be your husband; but when he has become such, I will not even then suffer him to live to cover me with eternal shame; if he will not theu change his religion, I swear by the Alcoran he shall die!" Zara, contented with what she had now obtained, promised her father all that he desired. She did not imagine but her lover No. XXXIII. Vol. V.-N. S. would give up something on his part, as he owed to her not only his own and his sister's life, but likewise his advancement to such an exalted dignity. But alas! how circum. scribed are the views of narrow-sigh'ed mortals! we frequently think all danger over when the darkest cloud hangs over our heads ready to burst. The D-y being retired from his daughter's apartments, ordered Ernestus to be conducted thither. As soon as Zara saw him-" We are," said she to him, "happier than we could have dared to hope for. Recover from your fear; my father, moved by my tears and despair, has pardoned you and Elvira; he has done more" Here the Colonel interrupted Zara, and could not give her time to finish what she had to say. The joy he felt on finding he had nothing more to fear for the fety of his dear Elvira, so transported him that he threw himself at the feet of the beautiful African. "Ah, madam!" said he, " by what means have I been able to merit these favours with which you load me! Heaven is witness that I would have sacrificed life without regret to have delivered Elvira, that Elvira whom you so much love, from that sorrowful state to which our ill fortune has reduced her. Madam, complete my happiness, and show her to me; after so many fears and apprehensions, may I not be permitted to see her?" Zara having tendered her hand to the Colonel to assist him to rise, told him he would be soon satisfied with respect to his sister.— "You will," said Zara, "soon see your sister, so dear to you, and will henceforward be at liberty to express your friendship without the least restraint; but you do not yet know at what price you are to purchase your own and your sister's life." "Ah, what" replied the Colonel, "what is there I would not do for the preservation and happiness of Elvira! There is nothing which I would not undertake, wo terms which I would not accept." "If I ought," said Zara, "to believe my heart and your promise, that which is expected from you will not appear very difficult. It is expected that you will accept the hand Q q and the heart of that Zara who addresses you; but in order to please her father, you must become a Mussulman." This preposition of Zara threw the Colone! into an inexpressible consternation; he remained immoveable, and foreseeing the unexpected calamities which both threatened E vira and himself, he had not power to answer the beautiful African-She perceived his disorder, and attributed it to his aversion of turning Mussulman. "Listen to me, Ernestus," said Zara, with tears in her eyes; "I know the attachment which Christians have for their religion; but does that religion expect that you should sa crifice it to have, friendship, our own and our parents' lives, when, without really forsaking it, we used only feign to abjure it for a while, but return to it when prudence will admit ?Dissimulation is not a crime when it is used only to avoid evil and bring about goed.-Be a Christian, Ernestus, in the bottom of your heart, be such with Elvira, be the same with Zara; but appear as the Mussulman with others. The God of the Africans, is he not the God of the Christians; the God of the universe is the common parent of mankind in general; the virtuous Christian and the Mussulman who commits no crime, are equally his children; he hates in both of them perjury and infidelity, and condemus their false zeal when it occasions the destruction of the inno cent. If you are determined to perish through your obstinacy in a tyrannical law, draw not into that destruction the unfortunate Elvira, and the too credulous Zara.—Yes, ungrateful man, I begin to perceive that you have never loved me! What, shall the choice be left to you to accept of me for a wife, and that too by the consent of my father, and you, by 1 know not what ridiculous scruple, refuse to accept that to which you could otherwise have never dared to assume-Tell me, cruel man, had I any of those tears, that false zeal, when I consented to follow you among Christians? The law of Mussulmen affected me litt'e; the law which I intended to embrace was that of my lover; if he had been a Mussulman I should have remained what I am; if he had been a Christian, I should have become one also. When two hearts are united it is the law of love they ought to follow; it is that which the Creator of the universe has engraven in our souls: but if love has no influence over you, if you are insensible to the intreaties of a lover who hesitated not a moment to sa crifice herself to every thing that could procure your happiness, at least think of the peace and safety of the unfortunate and amiable Elvira!" "Ah, madam!" cried the Colonel, "if I was ever dear to you, grant that Elvira may not partake of that sorrowful state into which I see myse'f precipitating. I am contented to die; I shall sacrifice my life with pleasure to the vengeance of your father; but he ought to be satisfied with that sacrifice. Alas! you know that Elvira is unfortunate only from er endeavours to please you; why should you resolve to make her perish likewise?" Why then," replied Zara, “do you give the fatal stroke to her whom you wish to preserve? I know my father, I know that nothing will calm the first transports of his rage, when he shall be informed of your refusal; he will, with reason, magnify the offence, when he considers it comes from a slave.-It is you, cruel man, it is you who will be the author of these woes that will bring me and Elvira to the grave. You obstinately refuse to make use of a little constraint, to put in practice a slight dissimulation which may finish all our misfortunes. Well, you shall be satisfied; you shall not be a Mussulman, but you shall be the executioner of me and Elvira." The tears which Zara shed in abundance, now interrupted her speech, while the Colonel, agitated with a thousand different thoughts, torn by the grief which the state of his Elvira caused him, and the lamentable condition of the beautiful and generous African, was wholly absorbed in thought; as he was incapable of answering, Zara, after having for some time kept silence, said to him, "You have then nothing to say to me, and I must resolve to bear the evils which you cause me." "How can I speak," replied the Colonel, "unless I could discover to you a secret which places an immoveable barrier to every thing there is another, which renders my comyou wish for." pliance with h's commands utterly impos sible." “Ah!” said Zara, "inform me of that secret; why would you conceal from me any thing which may perhaps afford a remedy? why should you distrust that Zira who adores you, who would have sacrificed to you her father and her grandeur?-What should you fear? speak, whatever that secret may be of what you fear to inform me, be assured that it shall never diminish the love I have for you. I swear to you by that tenderness with which you have inspired me; I swear to you by yourself, which I hold dearer than all my pos ses-ions, to which I have preferred you, that I wish to be acquainted with your se cret only that I may find out a remedy for the evil." 66 "Ah, cruel man!" said Zara, can you imagine that I shall live happily when you shall be no more? Are you so little sensible of my love as to suppose that I could live a moment after you?—No, my ashes shall be mixed with yours, and I will accompany you to those blessed mansions where we never more shall be parted! Oh, Ernestus! do not rack me with the torture of suspence, but clear up to me this fatal secret." Zara again dissolving into tears, would have fell at the Colonel's feet, but he caught her in his arms, and obliged her to resume her seat. "Since you insist on it," said he, "you must be satisfied; but I plainly perceive that I shall thereby incur your hatred; at least promise me that you will not extend it to Elvira." "Ah! what is that obstacle?" said Zara, in a faltering tone:-"Speak, I must absolutely have this mystery cleared up. You have reasons, independent of the charge of religion, which prevent you from being mine! Ah, deceitful man! why have you so long concealed them from me? Why did you not say to me, Zara, I cannot receive your heart; endeavour to conquer a passion which I cannot make happy; shun me, forget me?' Perhaps I should then have been able to have conquered my weakness; but alas! you have done every thing to augment my passion, and have endeavoured to deceive me! But I must know the extent of my misfortune; I must. know it, even though it be the love of a rival; for the ills which I suffer cannot be augmented. Ungrateful wretch, if you do not. in. stantly break your silence, if you do not inform me of the cause of my misfortune, I will, before your face, sheath this poignard in my bosom, and you shall be the sole cause of my death, your own, and your sister's!" "You force me, madam," said the Colonel, "to speak. Remember, however, that I alone am cuipable. Elvira” 66 Well, what of Elvira?" demanded Zara. "Heavens, to what an extremity am I educed!" said Ernestus. "Finish!" interrupted Zara. "Elvira," said Ernestus, "is my wife." "Good God!" exclaimed Zara, "is it come to this! Ungrateful and perfidious couple, how have you abused my credulity! You would have cuticed me from the highest rank to cover me with infamy and disgrace. When I should have restored you to liberty, you would undoubtedly have made me your slave. But it is now time for me to stretch forth my avenging hand: you shall both perish. What pleasure shall I not receive in beholding that Elvira, who is so dear to you, sacrificed in my "No, no," replied Zara, "fear nothing sight! I will retort on you, perfidious Erneseither for her or yousself." tus! all the cruel pains you have made me suffer, and those which I have yet to feelYes, Elvira shall die, and shall die by my hand. My greatest pleasure shall be the pain which you shall suffer on reflecting Q ૧ 2 |