principal design; which we have no doubt will procure it a place in the collection of the rational and liberal-minded amateur, artist, connoisseur, and dealer. And to every reader, we are equally sanguine in our hope of its being either useful, amusing, or instructive; to a few, perhaps, we may have the peculiar felicity of affording the triple advantage. CONTENTS. AN apology for the inaccuracy and omission of dates -Sketch of the origin of the subject of these Memoirs ; generally supposed to be that unique and inestimable CHAPTER II. ⚫ Some account of the Chevalier Vanderwigtie and his honourable descent-Defects in his carly habit of edu cation-He runs away from school, and enlists for a soldier, contrary to the remonstrances of his friend the CHAPTER III. Our adventurer undergoes an examination before the captain and his banditti, touching the destruction of the village-He is acquitted, and joins the partyA violent storm, and the discovery of their enemies— A dreadful battle ensues Page 24 CHAPTER IV. 'The effects of the discovery of Kruitzer's mistressHer removal to the forest-Description of the caverns belonging to the banditti-Desperate character of the captain a means of his safety-The secrecy of their retreat, and the means resorted to in order to recruit their numbers-Impunity with which they had so long continued their depredations, not more strange than the existence of other wonders-Captain Kruitzer's reflections upon the dastardly conduct of his calumniPage 37 ators CHAPTER V. The attention paid by Kruitzer's mistress, the fair Catherine, to the wounded lieutenant is productive of an amour, the completion of which is prevented by the jealousy of Kruitzer-He forms a plan to get rid of his mistress and her paramour-Accuses him of treachery-—. our young chevalier gives evidence against him-The lieutenant is convicted and sentenced to be shotEscapes in the disguise of the captain's mistress, through the generosity of that commander Page 50 CHAPTER VI. Consternation of the banditti upon discovering the escape of the lieutenant-Fear of the sentinels in consequence Their attention is diverted from this event by an engagement between a party of Hulans and Croats, and some Prussian troops-The Hulans are victorious-Kruitzer seizes their horses-A most bloody contest ensues between them--The brave Kruitzer desperately wounded in the engagement-Is assisted by the chevalier -His attention to his commander, the foundation of his future fortune-The death of the invincible KruitzerDispersion of the gang-Kindness and probity of father Bernard-Catherine retires to a convent-the chevalier is qualified for the profession of picturecraft Page 71 CHAPTER VII. Our adventurer having received recommendatory letters from father Bernard, departs for Vienna--Isemployed instate affairs, and through the interest of his patron, confessor to the empress, obtains a lucrative employment in the suite of the princess, afterwards queen of France Assumes the title of count-Practises drawing and painting, particularly portraits-Falls in |