details of all that related to it. Even this beloved topic, the restored frame of a departed parent, could not entirely banish from the brow of Solerno the gloom which darkened it; his looks were downcast and mournful; he

that beauty which nature's hand had finished beyond further addition. All the blushes of summer were on her cheek, its fragrance in her breath, its voluptuousness in her eyes and smiles, when seen through the embellishing mist of a transparent veil which covered her || sighed often and deeply; and all his views whole person; she presented herself to Solerno || as he rose from embracing the knees of his venerable protector. Solerno turned round at her voice, its first accents had sent the blood to his heart freezing as it went. His cheek, therefore, was pale and lustreless; his eyes, dimned by frequent tears and anxious vigils while awaiting the Neapolitan decision, had not even that light in them which joy and affection can kindle in the dullest orbs; his figure, wasted by regret, offered but a graceful outline which youth, health, and peace might again fill up with beauty, but which now gave to Aldonga only the idea of sickness and feeble"I scarcely know you my Lorenzo," said ness. She started as she beheld him, and ex- Bertolini kindly," your spirits have been over. claimed involuntarily, "Santa Maria! how tasked in this arduous affair. We must try to you are altered!”—Solerno believed her bap- || revive them. Venice has still its innocent pily disgusted with him; the thought held pleasures, and we have lately got acquainted out a prospect of hope, and that hope inwith an amiable Frenchman who would anistantly spread his cheek with a bloom, and mate sorrow itself. St. Hypolite is at his lighted up his eyes with a fire which restored casino, is he not?"-Bertolini turned to his not only animation, but beauty to the most daughter as he spoke, while Solerno, with a admirable of human countenances: "Do you bright flush of pleasure and doubt exclaimed: observe this alteration?" he exclaimed. Al"St. Hypolite! what, Francois! the Chateau donga's feelings changed as rapidly; she fancied de Roussillon! is it possible?" this emotion of his proceeded from a lover-like gratification at the interest her remark expressed, and she saw that his personal graces though diminished, were not destroyed: it is true, no part of her former passion throbbed in her veins, but she could look at him without reluctance, and meditate the resolution of yielding her hand to him, for the sake of pre-loved. serving her reputation, which would be lost were she to break off the engagement and render herself accountable to so wild a lover as St. Hypolite. Her answer was gentle and conciliating, and in proportion to her appearance of constancy, fell the spirits of her betrothed husband. The aged Bertolini looked at him with the concern of a parent, frequently inveighed against that excess of anxiety which he must have yielded to, since it had altered his healthful appearance so much, and reverting to the success of his cause, led him into No. XXVIII. Vol. V.-N. S.

of the present and the future, seemed so dark and gloomy, that Aldonga contemplated with some alarm, the probable consequence of a union with a man of so melancholy a temperament. Count Bertolini knew not how to account for a melancholy so ill suited to his circumstances; this was not the period to question him, but he resolved to do it when they should be alone; and Solerno himself, occupied solely with the idea of an|| nouncing his resolve to retire into a monastery, felt the presence of Aldonga a restraint rather than an encouragement.

Mutual inquiries and explanations followed; it seemed the same, and yet it could not be; this St. Hypolite was married, his friend was not so; this gentleman was inflexibly silent upon his other connections, place of residence, &c. his friend was candour itself, and fond of discoursing upon the places and persons he

Yet still the names, the face, the figure, and the age seemed to agree. All of them were puzzled; since Salerno could not imagine, if it were he, why he should not speak of their acquaintance; and Aldonga, from Solerno's answer to her questions, learned that he had only been an acquaintance made when travelling." As I was entering the Palazzo," observed Solerno, "I recollect some one put a note into my hand, with a request that I would read it instantly. I remember the fellow added, Do you recollect me, Sir?' And I remembering the face, and thinking

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him a domestic of a lady who was formerly I very troublesome to me, answered in the affirmative, and went on. I think now the face was that of Duronce, the valet of Francois St. Hypolite."

report I find it couvenient to spread here, that I am a married man. What the duce need you care about my reasons; perhaps I want to cure some lady of a passion for me, by making her fancy it hopeless; perhaps I As he spoke Solerno eagerly searched in his want to save my own virtue or that of some bosom for the billet which he thought he had too yielding fair one, by presenting the ob placed there; it was not to be found. "I stacle of infringement on marriage vows; or must have dropped it by the way," he added. || perhaps I want to obtain a beauty upon easier Aldonga rose hastily; covering her burning terms than she would grant if she knew me cheeks with her veil, and trying to moderate free to make her my wife. Beware of that the tone of a voice that was ready to burst out perhaps, Solerno; by the mass you will injure into suspicious invective, she offered to send me if you believe it: fancy me entertaining her page to search for the lost note.-" Doubt-myself with a conquest I neither care for nor less it will be found," she exclaimed; and with a lapwing's speed she was along the gallery, and at the foot of the grand staircase, ere Solerno could follow.

Her eagle glance caught a glimpse of something white which lay close to the entrance; she stooped, she raised it up-it was the note directed to Solerno in the hand-writing of St. Hypolite. Quickly thrusting it into her vest, she called aloud for the domestics, and leaving them with directions to search for what she had just found, she hurried by a back way up to her own apartment, where securing herself from interruption, she opened and read the following billet:

"To the Margius Solerno.-Be not too much surprized to find me at Venice, my dear friend. I will account for my appearance at a fitter opportunity. All I request is, that you will continue to think me a tolerably honest fellow, although I intreat of you not to contradict a

mean to take the spoil of, and you will come nearer the truth. Not a word, I charge you, of my single state; not a word of former acquaintance when I meet you in public, and then you know you need not utter falsehoods.Adieu ! I rely on your discretion and friendship.

"FRANCOIS ST. HYPOLITE."

Rage was in the heart of Aldonga, shame on her cheek, and the fires of revenge in her eyes, as she held the paper in the act of tearing it, when recollecting herself, she thrust it back into her vest, exclaiming, "It may be of use, perhaps; accursed billet! dissembling villain! What, despised, cheated, sported with, No, by Heaven he shall not enjoy the triumph! I will be revenged, I will blast his vain hopes! Yes, Amalfi shall be my instrument.”—And as she spoke she rung for her page to prepare her gondola and attend her to the palace of Count Amalfi.

(To be continued.)

ANECDOTES COLLECTED FROM THE PRIVATE LIFE OF PET ER THE GREAT, EMPEROR OF RUSSIA.

JUST PUBLISHED IN FRENCH BY COUNT D'ESCHERNY.

basted with sour cream, cold roast meat and familiarity, every condition, every professsion: cucumber, salt meat, roast lamb, ham, and he despised no one; but he loved to mix old cheese. After dinner he slept for two among his subjects, and observe every station hours in his night gewu. When he awoke, he of life: he made every body feel at their ease; received the reports of such business as had they might speak to him and converse with been expedited in the morning; he took no bim free from all restraint, while he knew supper, and retired early to rest. In his regular how to render to himself what was his due; way of living, setting aside what he gave up to and he could always easily distinguish insodrinking, and those orgies where he appeared lence and blame-worthy boldness, from unto abandon himself, he took no other bever- taught vulgarity, or a defective education. As age than kisleschtchi quasse, and sometimes a it was of the utmost importance to him to little brandy. At length he quitted this kind give the greatest encourgement to maritime of drink to accustom himself to wine; at first || affairs, which increased under his dominion, he drank none other than that of Medoe; but like every thing else he undertook, he was par latterly he preferred Hérmitage wine. ticularly gratified when he was in company with merchants or dealers, whom he animated to industry; he loved to improve himself, through their means, and very often he was their instructor; for his vast genius, prompt at conception, had already acquired the most. enlarged and well connected ideas on navigation and commerce: he often went to dine with these merchants of Petersburgh, at whose houses he knew he should meet seafaring men, sailors, or masters of vessels.

When he held Court festivals, or gave them himself to mere small and select society, he wished every one to be gay and jovial; he rightly judged that wine was a proper stimulus to produce this effect, and he was not displeased to see his company rather inebriated, provided that decency was observed; when they swerved from that in the least degree, his method was to deprive them from continuing it, by plunging them, by repeated draughts, into the most stupid intoxication.

PETER THE GREAT, AND A DUTCH MAS-
TER OF A VESSEL.

Peter had a clerk of his kitchen, named Johu Velten; he was a German, and his master loved him for his fidelity. It is well known, and for what reason, Peter was so very sparing of his money; he did not, therefore, shower pecuniary benefits upon Velten; but his manner of recompensing him was indirect: I find it admirable, and I must confess I should feel an ill opinion of any one who could dis cover any thing in it either little or deserving of ridicule.

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crew.

*

He chanced one day to meet at the house of one of those merchants, a Captain of a trading vessel, a true Dutchman, of the name of Schipper, who was there, with some of his Peter had just dined; he desired that the Captain might sit down to table, and that his people should also remain in the apartment and enjoy his presence: he had them served with drink, and be amused himself with their sea phrases, as coarse as they were artless.

One of these sailors, emboldened by the in dulgence of the monarch, thought proper to drink the health of the Empress, with all the zeal of gratitude. After a moment's pause, he took up the jug, bent his head in advance, scraped his feet awkwardly behind him, and said, "My Lord, the Great Peter, long live your

turned himself round, looked at the sailor, shrugged his shoulders, and to shew the Czar

It often happened that the monarch went, accompanied by his Generals and very particular friends, to dine in pic nic at John Velten's, at a ducat a head. He found in this a three-wife, Madam, the Empress." Captain Schipper fold pleasure; he amused himself, enjoyed in these pic nics that true freedom of conversation which is the charm of life; he spared the treasures of the state, and be improved the fortune of one who had served him well, by the means of the man's situation in life. He loved, honoured, encouraged by his presence and his

* May we not presume to believe that the appellation of Skipper, given to masters of trading vessels, is derived from this circumstance?-Note by the English Translator.

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that he, for his part, understood the usages, of his projects, his affairs, and the care of his politeness, and style of the Court, rose up, empire; he shut himself up, would see no jogged the sailor with his elbow, took the jug, || one, and obstinately refused admittance to advanced towards Peter, bent his body very any body. Alone, in his apartment, he abanlow, and thus correcting the phrase of the doned himself to grief, and even Catharine mariner:-" Sir, the Great Peter, long live her herself, durst not approach him. This situaExcellency, Madam, the Empress, your spouse." tion lasted several days; Catharine was in the The Czar smiling, replied, "Schipper, that is most trying inquietude, for she had not only very well, indeed; I thank you." to support her own sorrow, but also the terrible state to which the saw the Czar reduced: she addressed herself to the senator Dolgowrouki, a steady, sensible, and worthy man, of great abilities, and much attached to the Czar and his country, and who possessed a well-merited influence over the mind of his Prince.

MIRACULOUS IMAGE OF THE VIRGIN
MARY.

Peter the Great being once at a town in Poland, heard much of a wonderful image of the Holy Virgin, which had been seen to shed tears during the celebration of mass, and he resolved to examine this extraordinary miracle. The image being highly elevated, he asked for a ladder, ascended it, and approached close to the image: he discovered two little holes near the eyes; he put his hand to the head-dress, and lifted up with the hair a portion of the skull. The monks, who stood at the foot of the ladder, quietly regarded the Czar, for they did not imagine he could so soon discover the fraud; but when he even put his finger upon it, they shuddered to behold their miraculous Virgin thus dishonoured. The Emperor discovered, within the head, a basin, whose bottom was even with the eyes; it contained a few very small fish, the motions of which agitated the water, and caused it to issue slowly, and by small quantities, from the two overtures at the corner of each eye. He descended the ladder, without seeking to undeceive the devotees, or any one; but addressing himself to the monks, he said coldly to them, "That is a very curious image, indeed!"

PETER'S GRIEF for THE DEATH OF HIS
SON.

Dolgowrouki promised to put every thing in practice to draw the Czar out of this solitary grief, and he meditated the following plan:-He assembled the Senate, put himself at their head, made them follow him, and went to the door of the Czar's chamber: they knocked, no answer; they knocked again, repeated it, and cried out, with evident terror.— Peter, struck by these cries, and feeling uneasy, presented himself, asked who dared trouble his repose, and infringe upon the order he had given of being left alone? Dolgowrouki cried out, that his empire was lost if he did not shew himself; that all business was at a stand, and that of the utmost importauce; every thing was in an unsettled state, and if he did not come and regulate his affairs, they were proceeding to the election of a new sovereign, since the state could not stand without a head.

The Czar, struck with the firmness of Dolgowrouki, and with a language so new to him, conquered his obstinacy, and suffered himself to be dragged from the abode of grief; he followed Dolgowrouki to the Senate, and soon the multiplicity of business, and the af fairs he had to examine and regulate, made him forget his grievous loss, and he thought only of occupying himself in the cares of go

Peter, after the death of his first son, had another son by Catharine, Peter Petrowitch; without any hopes of having more. On him all his hopes now rested; and if he perished,vernment. no one remained to perpetuate his memory. He lost him at the age of one year and an balf: this was a terrible stroke to him, he could not support it, his great soul was sunk, he fell into a profound melancholy, lost sight || his empire, either on account of the wars he

ORIGIN OF CZARKO-CELO; OR, THE BO-
ROUGH OF SARKA, IN RUSSIA.
Peter lived a long time at a distance from

37

had to sustain, or by his travels into different | pleasures; took her by the hand, led her to the countries. It was in one of these absences that Catharine employed herself with the pleasure of giving him an agreeable surprise.

com

At fifteen or sixteen Russian miles south of Petersburgh, she had remarked at a distance from the high road, an elevated situation which would, she thought, be very appropriate to the erecting on it a small summer residence, making it commodious, simple, co manding a fine prospect, and surrounded with smiling objects such as Peter was fond of. She had it constructed privately; it was built of wood, and she herself presided over the work she drew the plans, and ordered the laying out of the gardens, disposing every thing with that promptitude, that all was finished on the arrival of her husband.

table, and never did Peter make so agreeable aud cheerful a repast.

Elizabeth afterwards built the spacious Castle of Czarko-Celo; which is constructed of brick, and is yet in fine preservation.

MISS HAMILTON.

The Empress, wife of Peter the Great, had a maid of honour named Hamilton; she was young, pretty, and of great tenderness. Reputation and pleasure are not always compatible with female decorum. Twice already had she extinguished every maternal sentiment in her bosom, and had, by murder, deprived the fruit of her imprudence from being brought to light: two innocent victims had received Peter, on his return to Petersburgh, ever from this beauteous Hamilton life by love, active, was continually in motion; he dug and death from a sense of reputation. The canals, he formed quays, and forwarded the third pregnancy was visible; she was closely works of his new city. Catharine told him watched, and it was proved that Miss Hamilshe had made a discovery of a charming situ- ton bad, for the third time, destroyed her offtion, of which he was yet ignorant, where spring. The law condemned her to lose her he had never been, though very near to Peters-head, and the sentence was executed accordburgh.

ingly.

Peter had not beheld so many attractions unmoved; he had loved her, and she had made him happy. Miss Hamilton, in her prison, given up to the most bitter reflections, could not yet help flattering herself with escaping death, as she reckoned the Czar amongst her lovers. The day marked for her punishment arrived; she appeared upon the scaffold, habited in a robe of white satin, trimmed with black ribbands; and never had she looked so beautiful. The monarch advanced to bid her farewell; he embraced her, encouraged her, and said to her, "I cannot save thee; the law, which condemus thee, is greater than I! Trust in God, and suffer patiently." And at the very moment when the Czar, deeply affected,

Peter suffered himself to be conducted there by Catharine: they soon went out of the high road, and arrived at a height, where stood a house, concealed by a wood, so that Peter could not see it; but there a rural festival was in preparation for him; he could not, however, help admiring the place, and its situation. Catharine informed him, she had made herself happy by building on this spot an habitation according to his taste; Peter applauded the idea, and still conversing, they walked on; they approach it, and he sees, at length, before his eyes, a pleasant garden, a charming house, the chimnies smoking, and several persons in readiness to receive him he enters, and experiences all the pleasure of surprise; while he caused Catharine to enjoy one more in-pressed her hand for the last time, and walked finitely exquisite, by the extreme satisfaction he evinced at all he beheld: he praised every thing, found all in the most perfect order, embraced the lovely architect, who had so ingeniously employed herself in promoting his

:

away, that captivating head, with one blow, was separated from her beautiful body, and so terminated the life of the unfortunate Miss Hamilton!

(To be continued.)