Why should we faint and fear to live alone, Since all alone, so Heaven has willed, we die;

And not the tend'rest heart, and next our own, Knows half the reasons why we smile or sigh?

There may be and is more loneliness in feeling how little of each other we really know, when we are closest to each other, than in calmly realizing what oneself really is without the sting of this silent reproach. Solitude is often less solitary than society, - where solitude is calm and clear, while society only brings home to one one's own isolation. At all events, the evidence of a hundred death-beds, of the utmost diversity as regards theological belief, entirely goes to prove, that among sincere and high-minded men and women, death appears to be rather a process of coming to oneself, of entering into a certain (at least temporary) calm and self-possession, than one of pain, of alarm, or even of surprise.

rience of the dying can be gathered, this | for business, they were perpetually quarloneliness seems to be least felt when it relling among themselves. Their accumubegins. Loneliness, after all, is a relative lations were naturally the objects of coveterm. Keble very justly said that no one tousness to neighboring nobles who had ever really lives anything like his whole their strongholds and rock-girt fastnesses life within another's reach. in situations where the surroundings were as picturesque as they were barren. These robber potentates acted on the old principle of sic vos non vobis, and raised their revenues, when they could find them, by the right of the strongest. So the well-todo citizens, in order to guard themselves against loss, hired warriors from the North to do the hard fighting. When Italians met Italians in the field the list of casualties was often marvellously small; but it became a different business altogether when German or French mercenaries min. gled in the fray. Thus one band of foreigners came to be pitted against another, and a dashing leader might make sure of wealth, with the chances of winning a commanding position. Nerve and muscle were his stock in trade, and with audacity and skill in military tactics he was likely to rise to a most lucrative renown. His fame was bruited abroad beyond the Alps, and recruits from all poverty-stricken countries flocked eagerly to his standard. He became virtually master of the State or the tyrant that paid him, for he changed sides as he pleased, and a quarrel with him was to be avoided at any price. Sometimes he settled down in the state of his adoption, and lived and died in the dignified and lucrative position of commander-in-chief of its forces. Now and then, if his ambition was not to be satisfied even on these liberal terms, he gathered one of those hosts of condottieri that made peace and war on their own account, levying contributions everywhere by the mere menace of their presence. This irregular warfare more than supported itself, and the chiefs carried their chests of treasure about with them.

From The Saturday Review.
SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE.

NOTWITHSTANDING peace congresses and that diffusion of wealth which gives so many people a concern in general tranquillity, we seem to be rapidly reverting to that condition of society when there were openings everywhere for soldiers of fortune. They may, indeed, have to go further from home than formerly to find engagements; but then in these days of steam the journey from England to Asia Minor is far more easy than the journey used to be from Paris to Florence, when Italy was the paradise of the armed adventurer. For the Middle Ages were, beyond a doubt, the golden ages of the profession. Not to speak of crusading princes who picked up crowns in the Orient, the wealthjest nations were in those days the least disposed to fight in defence of their possessions. The fairest plains of Italy were partitioned among an infinite number of petty republics and principalities, whose citizens throve by trade and commerce. With little territorial elbow-room, and rivalling each other in a keen competition

Their encampments showed the most luxurious magnificence of the age, with their silken pavilions and splendid camp furniture, and their endless round of feasting and debauchery. They fared no less cheaply than sumptuously, for the food and wines were lightly come by; and, though they kept their horses in wind and their arms in order by the chivalrous exercises in which they delighted, the discipline can scarcely have been of the strictest. But audacity and impunity bred recklessness; and the discipline, such as it was, was good in comparison with that of any enemies they were likely to encounter.

The conditions of military adventure

changed with the consolidation of king- mies, on the other hand, where the milidoms and the greater centralization of mil-tary coffers were always empty or nearly itary power. The stuff that went to make so, the soldiers were encouraged to take the rank and file of armies found employ- care of themselves. Still, though the ment at home under native monarchs or burghers and peasants had to put up with feudal leaders. Yet still there were many their excesses, the means of existence excellent opportunities for the penniless must have been rather precarious. Under cadets of fighting families. A prince who the immortal Gustavus, the Lion of the was jealous of intrigues at home, or more North, matters were still worse; for he or less suspicious of his nobles, was glad insisted upon the strictest order and discito surround himself with guards who un-pline, while the pay was painfully modederstood little of the language of his sub-rate; and the only chances for a cavalier jects, and who depended absolutely on of honor lay in the pickings he might himself. The French kings set an exam- scramble for during sack or storm. To be ple in this respet. Many a poor Scotch sure, such chances were by no means rare gentleman, if he did not make his fortunes in those days; but we should imagine that by marriage like Quentin Durward, found towards the end of the Thirty Years' War himself in clover in the Scottish Guard. the miserable people must have been so If he had to submit to some restrictions closely shorn that there was very little left on his personal liberty, he surrounded him- to be stripped from them. There was inciself with all that in his esteem made life dent enough in the life, no doubt, for those worth having, and was really more to be who liked excitement; and that was the envied than the head of the family at best that could be said for it. There was home. In place of making shift for his abundance of hard fighting; there was a living in a gloomy fortalice that was occa- great deal of sharp starvation to be undersionally gutted or burned over his head, gone in the course of the obstinately prohe had snug quarters in one of the royal longed sieges; there were epidemics of palaces, with horses and attendants, and a strange and malignant kinds perpetually comfortable mess. He had pay that came decimating the troops in their campaigns; to him sooner or later, although it was very and, when a man dropped wounded, there apt to run into arrear; and he had occa- were heavy odds against his receiving any sional douceurs for deeds of special ser- decent attendance. The adventurers who vice, with the chance of loot in time of went abroad in quest of gain had to conwar or domestic trouble. We suspect that tent themselves with a moderate share of these magnificently appointed guardsmen, glory; most of them left their bones on though their nominal rank might be only forgotten battle-fields; and the few who that of full private, were more to be envied came back, like Dugald Dalgetty, might than the soldiers of fortune who took ser- think themselves lucky if they were as vice in regular armies a few generations fortunate as he was in bringing a horse later. The immortal Dugald Dalgetty, and weapons along with them. Since then after spending the best part of his life in warlike speculations of this kind have gone promiscuous foreign service, had only risen very much out of fashion. It is true that to the rank of Rittmeister. It is true that the petty German princes sold their subhe changed his allegiance repeatedly, and jects by herds like sheep for the wars of a rolling stone gathers little moss. But the last century; but, although armies then he shifted from side to side because might be partially recruited by contract he never had an opportunity of feathering from abroad, they were almost entirely his nest. The pay was no great thing at officered from home. There was little best, and, small as it was, it seldom could hope of rising for strangers in the regular be counted upon. Their High Mighti- forces of great military powers. Such nesses the States of Holland, as he tells intruders were looked upon, to say the us, were the solitary exception that proved least of it, rather coldly than otherwise; the rule. He admits that they were alto- and even in corps like the Austrian caygether unexceptionable as paymasters, and alry, which have been a good deal affected a man might grow sleek and fat in the by our countrymen, Englishmen have Dutch service. But their good qualities rarely risen beyond the rank of major. as men of business had a shadowy side, and they set their faces against any license in the way of military indiscretions. If the citizens or their wives or daughters had cause of complaint, the provost marshal promptly interfered. In the imperial ar

There have been some exceptions, no doubt. There have always been semi-barbarous States that offered a sort of market to Western intelligence, dash, and education. While we were making ourselves masters of India piecemeal, and chiefly by

dint of hard fighting, Frenchmen and Ger- tionalities, with their infinite subdivisions, mans found occasional employment in are all in a ferment, and many of them are drilling the levies that were opposing our already looking towards the Franks. One advance. Now and then some refugee or province has already been absolutely waif of society rose slowly to distinction clipped off; the throne must some day be and office among the Turks, coming out as filled by election, and the only thing that a full-blown pasha with license to make the is certain is that, thanks to the jealousies most of his pashalic. But these instances of the great powers, no scion of any of success were comparatively rare, and reigning house will be eligible. If the emthere were various disagreeables which pire goes on falling to pieces, there will be could scarcely be avoided in such a career. other bodies of electors looking out for a To recommend yourself to the favor of a head to direct and a strong hand to conMahometan power it is, or was, advisable, trol them, with no restrictions on their as a rule, to begin by turning renegade, and right of choice imposed by Europe in Christian gentlemen, however nominal their congress. Should war once break out in Christianity may be, have mostly a preju- central Asia, the prospect of free-fighting dice against conversion under such circum- there opens up brilliant possibilities. All stances. However loosely religion may preconceived combinations may be upset sit upon a man, the idea of renouncing it in the general confusion and turmoil; and for gain is generally repugnant to the feel- the present vassals of Russia or her probaings. Moreover, as the military virtues ble allies may possibly turn to her open are common enough among Mussulmans, enemies. The Chinese, who have been it was only unusual energy or genius that too much ignored of late, may very concould make sure of distancing native com- ceivably cut into the game, and may gladly petition. With the sultans and mahara- welcome Europeans from the west to lead jahs of Hindustan the state of the matter their "ever-victorious" armies on the was somewhat different. Devoted as they Kuldja frontier. So that soldiers who might be to the gods of their mythology, grumble at slack promotion, and are conthey did not insist upon foreigners profess-scious of possessing certain indispensable ing a belief in the divinity of Brahma or the incarnations of Vishnu; and, indeed, the jealous exclusiveness of the Brahminical and soldier castes would never have tolerated the profane intrusion of an infidel. But, though it was something to keep one's creed and one's honor, yet the life of the most honored adventurer was always hanging by a thread, and his prosperity was staked on the caprices of a despot. A court intrigue or a mishap in the field might plunge him irremediably into the deepest disgrace, and the man whom the prince had delighted to honor might be cast into a dungeon on the shortest notice and subjected to every refinement of torment. Confiscation was the invariable penalty of disgrace, and if he had amassed money by presents or plunder, he had all the better reason for living in mortal ap prehension. For his wealth was a standing provocation to have done with him; and if he carried it safely out of the country of his adoption, he might well take credit for unprecedented ingenuity and good luck. But now a more rosily-colored era appears to be dawning on the world, when kingdoms and principalities and posts of advantage may be seen to be literally going a-begging. If we may judge by the events of the last few months, the great empire of the Ottomans is in active course of dissolution. Its numerous na

gifts, may look for chances of dazzling brilliancy. It is true that they must carry their lives in their hands, and make up their minds to face hazards and hardships. But, after all, there are many men who would as soon play fast and loose with their lives as with their fortunes; and even the fate of the most unfortunate speculators may seem preferable to that of the shareholders in a broken bank.

From The Athenæum. FRANCES ANN KEMBLE.*

THIS record of a girlhood has the merit of "ringing true." It is compiled from letters and journals written at the time; the phases of character gradually developing are revealed along with all the faults, mistakes, contradictions, and aspirations of the days as they passed by, and there is no attempt to extenuate immaturity or reconcile inconsistencies. Although it is an autobiography, and Mrs. Kemble in her girlhood is her own heroine, the book does not convey the impression of egotism

the proportion of things is preserved. The scenes, personages, and characters

*Records of a Girlhood. By Frances Ann Kemble. 3 vols. (Bentley & Son.)

that made up the daily life and surroundings of her childhood and youth are all vividly reproduced as they were or appeared to her, but her personal importance to any one except herself is skilfully kept at its due level. The reader hears and sees with the ears and eyes of Frances Ann Kemble, and shares the life and experiences of a little human being who, more than most children, must have been a source of perplexity and dismay to her parents. With all the faults of a passionate, proud, imperious disposition, are mingled such genuine nobleness and truthfulness, and such a strong and ever-abiding instinct of duty, that the reader becomes her partisan; but to those about her "pretty Fanny's way" must have been tormenting usually, and highly exasperat ing sometimes. She was endowed with the most perilous organization that could be bestowed on a woman. Mrs. Kemble has more than once given to the world portions of her history, and they have been more or less histories of the shipwreck of the hopes and aspirations with which her life began. The present "record" furnishes the explanation. And if enemies and detractors can ever be turned into friends and well-wishers this record of a girlhood ought to go far towards allaying a disposition to pass harsh judgment on anybody, for it shows how little people outside know of the inner life of those nearest to them, not to speak of those whom they only see and hear of at a distance. Her own words are significant:

The interest of the personal narrative is increased by the incidental notices of persons of social, literary, and political distinction, and by sketches of London society as it was in the stormy days when reform and revolution were making men's hearts fail with forebodings. The various personages are described with an ease and a force which bring them clearly before the reader. It is obvious that the writer's powers have never been developed to their full possibilities, at least, they have never borne adequate fruit. In this sense the present book is melancholy; otherwise, it is bright and many-colored. It is provoking, however, that, when most of the persons noted are dead or passed away, Mrs. Kemble should speak of them as letters of the alphabet. Convicts are numbered: she might have given names.

He

Frances Ann Kemble was born on the 27th of November, 1809, in Newman Street. She was the third child of Charles Kemble, the brother of John Kemble, and of Mrs. Siddons. Of her mother Mrs. Kemble speaks in touching and affectionate terms. Her father was Captain Decamp, a French officer, who had married the daughter of a Swiss farmer in the neighborhood of Berne. Captain Decamp, a highly accomplished man, was unfortunately induced to settle in London with the promise of much patronage and protection from influential friends. came with the first rush of the French emigrants, and found London inundated with objects of sympathy, and himself lost in the crowd. He gave lessons on the With a highly susceptible and excitable flute and in drawing, but his health failed nervous temperament and ill-regulated im- and his family increased, and, if it had not agination, I have suffered from every conceiv-been for the little Maria Theresa (named able form of terror; and though, for some inexplicable reason, I have always had the reputation of being fearless, have really, all my life, been extremely deficient in courage. Very impetuous, and liable to be carried away by any strong emotion, my entire want of selfcontrol and prudence, I suppose, conveyed the impression that I was equally without fear; but the truth is that, as a wise friend once said to me, I have always been "as rash and as cowardly as a child;" and none of my sex had a better right to apply to herself Shakespeare's line, A woman naturally born to fears.

The "Records of a Girlhood" in no respect goes back over any portions of her story already told by Mrs. Kemble, the book takes up entirely fresh ground,and the curtain drops upon the ominous words, "I was married in Philadelphia on the 7th of June, 1834, to Mr. Pierce Butler, of that city."

after the empress), they must have starved. She became an actress in a then famous troupe of children, who acted Berquin's and Madame de Genlis's plays, and her grace, beauty, and talent made her a favorite. Here is a glimpse of a royal and domestic interior into which she was introduced:

The little French fairy was eagerly seized upon by admiring fine ladies and gentlemen, and snatched up into their society, where she was fondled and petted and played with; passing whole days in Mrs. Fitzherbert's drawingroom, and many a half-hour on the knees of her royal and disloyal husband, the prince regent, one of whose favorite jokes was to place my mother under a huge glass bell, made to cover some large group of precious Dresden china, where her tiny figure and flashing face produced even a more beautiful effect than the costly work of art whose crystal