and their offers, increasing proportionably, crowd one upon another, clashing together like two cross fires disregardful of their proper turns for discharge. At last the mortar is adjudged to the ecclesiastic for the sum of five thousand piastres.

"Messere," said the first bidder, "you are very fortunate to have at your disposal the treasures of the pope; had it been otherwise, I should not have allowed you to possess that chef d'œuvre." The ecclesiastic was, in fact, the pope's legate, and it was to enrich the museum of the Vatican that he had just succeeded in obtaining such an acquisition.

Julio was burning with impatience to claim the five thousand piastres. He timidly approaches, and asserts his right by recounting the singular circumstance upon which it was founded.

"Young man, your claim is a just one," said the legate; "account shall be rendered to you of the money, if he to whom thou owest this good fortune comes forward to confirm thy tale." The man of the mortar is sought for; he had withdrawn himself, and notwithstanding a very strong resistance made on his part, he is presented to the legate, who, at the sight of him, starts back with surprise and exclaims:

"What! is it you, Messere! a fatal rencontre! it is very painful to me, but you know that a grave accusation lies upon you, and that my duty compels me to secure your person."

"Be it so," coldly replied the unknown; and to the great astonishment of the crowd, he is conducted to prison. But let us learn something more of this man. It was Raddi, who at that time enjoyed a high reputation as a sculptor. The cardinals Petrucci and Santi, had formed a conspiracy against Leo X. and Raddi, forgetful of the noble province of the artist (which is that of translating into the sublime language of genius, memorable deeds, the majesty of the passions, and the beauteous forms of nature), had imprudently thrown himself into these dark machinations. The plot was discovered; Petrucci hanged, and Raddi forced to fly, to conceal himself at Florence, and to make mortars to procure himself subsistence. Let us return to Nisida and Julio. It will, doubtless, be guessed, that the five thousand piastres very quickly cleared away the obstacles which opposed themselves to their union. They were united; but could they be completely happy whilst remembering that

the great artist to whose generosity they owed that happiness, was in fetters? Nisida, too good a girl to be an ingrate, grew miserable at the thought.

"Julio," said she one day, "let us set out for Rome; I have formed a desire to see the pope, to cast myself at his feet, and implore pardon for Raddi; let us go."

They went. Nisida is presented to Leo X; she throws herself upon her knees, palpitating with hope and fear. The sacred mission that she has come to fulfil, adds even to her beauty a softening charm; she dries a few starting tears, and the vow of gratitude exhales from her heart in broken accents.

"It is well, my daughter!" said the sovereign pontiff; "this undertaking does you honour. Gratitude is equally to be ranked amongst the christian virtues. In your favour, I pardon Raddi; but tell him to complete his work by making a pestle to the beautiful mortar of which I am now the possessor.”

Raddi had been transferred to Rome. Nisida flew to his prison. Oh what a delicious moment it was for her! She throws herself into his arms; seizes hold of, and hurries him away, and restores him back to Cortona, his native place. It was there he made the pestle they required of him, and which he crowned, not with a Ganymede, but with a grenadilla or passion-flower, sculptured with all the exquisite delicacy of his chisel and the peculiar grace of his unrivalled touch.

APHORISMS.

J. S. M.

The man that is captious, and full of punctilios upon all occasions, is like a hedgehog, which we know not where to take hold of.

Ingratitude is a great vice in society; every one is heard to complain of it. But if all those who make such complaints were free from ingratitude, no one would be subject to it.

Anger is a species of drunkenness, which attacks our mind, and troubles our reason by more dangerous fumes than those of wine; because they last longer, and are usually attended with more fatal effects.

He that publishes the favour he has done, lessens to a great degree the merit of it; because he shews by his indiscretion that he is divided between his vanity and his friend.

Let justice guide you in the pursuit of profit, and tranquillity will accompany you in its enjoyment.

LAST MOMENTS OF LUTHER.

LUTHER reached Eisleben on the 28th of January, and, though in bad health, he assisted at the conferences up to February 17th. During that time he preached four times, and revised the ecclesiastical regulations for the principality of Mansfield. On the 17th (February) he was so unwell that the Counts besought him not to venture out. At supper he dwelt on his approaching death some one asked him if in a future state we should recognize one another; he replied, that he thought so. Having entered his chamber with Martin Cælius and his two sons, he approached the window, and remained a considerable time in prayer. He said to Aurifaber, who had just arrived, "I am very feeble, and my pains increase!" Medicine was given to him, and attempts were made to warm him by the friction of the hands. As he laid himself down on the bed, he spoke a few words to Count Albrecht, who had also arrived, and added, "If I could doze half an hour, I think it would relieve me." He did sleep, and awoke in about an hour and a half, near eleven o'clock. Seeing that all present still remained by his side, he said, "What are you here yet? Why do ye not retire to rest?" He resumed his prayer, crying with fervour, In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum ! redemisti me, Domine, Deus veritatis! Afterwards, turning to all present, he said" pray, my friends, for the Gospel of our Lord,-that his kingdom may be enlarged! Verily the Council of Trent and the Pope threaten to injure it!" Having slept another hour, Dr. Jonas asked him how he felt. “My God," was the reply, "I am very ill! I think, my dear Jonas, I must remain at Eisleben, where I was born!" However, he walked a little about the chamber, laid down on the bed, and was covered with cushions. Two physicians, with Count Albrecht and his wife, next entered, and Luther said to them, "I am dying! I remain here at Eisleben!" Dr. Jonas having expressed a hope that perspiration would relieve him, he replied, No, dear Jonas; it is a cold, dry sweat, and my pain increases." He then betook himself to prayer-" O my Father! God of our Lord Jesus Christ, and source of all consolation! I thank thee for that thou hast revealed to me thy wellbeloved Son, in whom I believe, whom I have acknowledged and preached, whom I have loved and celebrated, whom

the Pope and the wicked persecute! To thee, Lord Jesus Christ, I commend my soul! I leave this earthly body; I am borne away from this life; but I know that I shall live eternally with thee!" He repeated three times-In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum: redemisti me, Domine veritatis! Suddenly he shut his eyes, and became insensible: Count Elbrecht and his lady assisted the physicians; all laboured to restore him, and, with great difficulty, they succeeded for a moment. "Reverend Father," said Dr. Jonas, "do you stedfastly die in the faith which you have taught? "YES!" was the distinct reply, and he fell asleep. Immediately afterwards he grew pale, became cold, breathed deeply, and expired.

LUTHER AND THE DEVIL.

The reformer believed in the actual presence of his satanic majesty, as is shewn by M. Michelet in his memoirs of that celebrated man.

"Once," said Luther, "while in the cloister at Wittemberg, I distinctly heard the noise made by the devil. I had just chanted the matin service, and was beginning to read the Psalter, which I was studying for my sermon, when the devil came behind me, and thrice made a fracas, as if he had been dragging a hogshead after him. When I found he was not disposed to be quiet, I put up my books, and went to bed. Another night, I heard him above my room in the cloister; but knowing that it was he, I paid no attention to him, and fell asleep.

"Let not the clergyman who buried the woman accused of killing herself, feel any compunction for the act. I have known many such examples of suicide, as it is called; but, in general, I conclude that the victims have been actually killed by the devil, just as a traveller is killed by a robber."

Luther thought also that suicide seldom happens, and that the act is the devil's.

which the devils bodily inhabit. Prussia has many of these devils. Not far from Lucerne, in Switzerland, and on the summit of a high mountain, there is a pond, called Pilate's pond, where the devil resides in a terrible manner. In my own country there is a pond similarly placed. If you throw a stone into it, there is a terrible storm, and the whole country around trembles. It is the prison of many devils. At Sussen, on Good Friday, the devil carried bodily away three men, who had devoted themselves to him." At Luther's table, one day, a story was told of a horseman who was riding with other horsemen, and who, as he pricked the animal he rode with his spurs, cried out, The devil take the hindmost!' Now, he led one horse by the bridle, and this he left; but he never again saw it, for the devil flew away with it. Luther observed, "We must beware of inviting Satan to our table; he is ready enough to come without invitation. The atmosphere around us is filled with devils."

"An aged ecclesiastic, while one day occupied in prayer, heard behind him the great enemy, who, in the view of obstructing his devotions, grunted as loud as a whole herd of swine. Without the least fear, the clergyman turned round, and said: Master devil, thou art justly punished! once thou wast a shining angel; now thou art a vile pig The grunting immediately ceased, for the devil cannot bear to be despised!!!" Another time, Luther related to us the story of a soldier, who had left some money in the care of his host in Brandebourg. When the money was demanded, the latter denied that any had been left with him. In a transport of fury, the soldier fell on the knave and beat him; but for this he was seized and accused before the authorities of the place, as a violator of the hausfriede, or household peace. While in prison, the devil appeared to him, and said—“ To-morrow thou wilt be condemned and executed, unless thou deliver body and soul to me. Do this, and I will save thee! " The soldier refused. The devil proceeded"If thou wilt not, hear, at least, the advice I have to give thee. To-morrow, when thou art before the judges, I shall be near thee, with a blue cap and a white feather on my head; ask the judges to allow me to plead thy cause, and I will save thee." The next day the soldier followed the advice; and as the host persisted in denying all knowledge of the money, the advocate in the blue cap said "Friend, how canst thou perjure thy

self in this way? The soldier's money is in thy bed, under the canvas. Go, officer! and you will find that I speak the truth.'

When the host heard this he swore "If I have received the money, may the devil fly away with me!" The officers found it exactly in the place indicated, and brought it before the tribunal. Then the man in the blue cap said " I knew very well that I should catch one of the two-either the soldier or the innkeeper!" So he twisted the culprit's neck, and flew away with him.

A young good-for-nothing, much addicted to brutality and drinking, was one day fuddling with his comrades in a wine-shop. When the cash was spent, he said that he would find somebody to pay another reckoning, if he sold his soul for it. Soon after a man entered the tavern, began to drink with the rake, and asked him if he was really willing to dispose of his soul. "Yes!" replied the other boldly; and the man paid for him the whole of the day. Towards night, when the fellow was drunk, the unknown addressed the other topers : "Gentlemen, what think you? when any one has bought a horse, do not the saddle and bridle go into the bargain?" They were much alarmed at the question, and for some time hesitated to reply; but being urged to speak, they allowed that the saddle and bridle did belong to the purchaser. Then the devil (for it was he) seized the poor caitiff, and sank with him; and from that day to this, nothing is known of him.

At Erfurth there were two scholars, of whom one was madly in love with a young girl. The other, who was a magician, thought his companion was ignorant of the fact, said—“ If thou wilt promise me not to kiss her, not to embrace her, I will bring her to thee." Accordingly, she was made to come. The lover, a fine youth, received her with so much affection, and spoke to her so eagerly, that the magician was in great fear lest he should embrace her. At length he could not restrain himself; he did take her in his arms, and she instantly fell dead on the floor. When they saw what had happened, they were mightily afraid; and the scorcerer observed, " We must now employ our last resource! " She was carried back to her own house, and made to discharge her domestic duties as usual; but she looked very pale, and never opened her lips. In three days, her parents went to consult some learned divines; and no

sooner did these speak to the girl, than she fell to the earth, a stinking corpse.

Luther says that the devils in Germany were in the habit of playing the same pranks as the Brownies in Scotland.

"Eight years ago," says he, "I myself when at Dessau, touched one of these changelings, which had no parents, but was the devil's brat. It was twelve years old, and was in everything like an ordinary child. It did nothing but eat; it ate as much as four ploughmen or thrashers ; and it performed the customary functions. But when any one touched it, it cried out like one possessed; if anything unfortunate happened in the house, it rejoiced and laughed aloud; but if everything went on prosperously, it continually moaned. I said to the Prince of Anhalt, Were I sovereign here, I would throw this little wretch into the Moldau, at any risk.' But the Elector of Saxony and the Prince were not of my opinion. I then advised them to pray in all the churches, that the demon might be removed. They did so during a year, when the child died. When the doctor had related this story, he was asked the reason of his advice in regard to the child and the river. He replied, Because, in my opinion, children of this description are neither more nor less than a mass of flesh without soul. The devil is very capable of such creations."

Here is another story :

"Near Halberstadt, in Saxony, there was a man who had a Kilkroff, which was so voracious at the breast, that it could drain its mother and five other women, and it devoured besides everything else offered to it. The man was advised to go on pilgrimage to Holckelstadt, to devote his child to the Virgin Mary, and to rock it there. Away he went with the child in a pannier; but in passing over a bridge, another devil in the river cried out, " Kilkroff! Kilkroff!" The child in the pannier, which had hitherto not uttered a sound, replied, "Oh! oh! oh! The river demon asked, "Where art thou going?' The child answered, To Holckelstadt, to be rocked at the shrine of our blessed Mother!' The peasant, in great fear, threw the basket and the child into the river; and the two demons flew away, crying, Oh! oh! oh!?"*

* See the Notes to Sir W. Scott's Lay of the Last Minstrel.'

One more story, and we have done with these absurdly superstitious tracts. During the night, when I happen to lie awake, the devil comes, disputes, and fills me with strange thoughts, until I grow angry, and tell him to This very morning, on my awaking, the devil came and said, Thou art a sinner!' I replied, Tell me something new, devil! I have known that long! 'What hast thou done with the cloisters?" What is that to thee, devil! enough, after all, are left for thy worship!' Sometimes, when he comes at night to tempt me, I say-'Devil, I must sleep; for God has commanded us to labour by day, and sleep by night.' If he calls me a sinner; to spite him, I say to him, Sancte Satan, ora pro me!' and sometimes, Physician, cure thyself!'"

NOTES OF A READER.

DOCTORS AND PATIENTS.

A

A clever woman in her chamber with her physician, is like a minister of state in a representative assembly; when he is sure of his majority, he adroitly humours its fancies; and, while pretending to yield himself to its will, in effect bends it to his previous determination. female patient can make her medical attendant prescribe whatever she pleasesquiet or amusement; retirement in country, or winter in town; Brighton, or horse-exercise-just as her whim or caprice fluctuates, so does the complaisant doctor conform to her fancy. following is an authentic relation of what recently occurred in one of these clinical consultations, and shews pretty clearly that a doctor is very frequently but a mere plaything:

"Mrs.

sent for Dr.

The

to cure

her of a cold, attended with some symptoms of dyspepsia. He prescribed certain remedies, and on his fourth or fifth visit, said to his patient, on coming into her room :

"Well, madam, how do we get on to-day?'

"Why,' said the lady, 'I can't exactly say, but you must judge for yourself,' presenting her arm, which as it was a remarkably plump one, the doctor retained for some time while he felt her pulse.

"Ah,' said he, with apparent satisfaction, in five or six days I will answer for your thorough establishment; in the meantime, go on with my former directions: chicken-broth, light nourishment, keep yourself warm, and don't go out of doors.'

"What did you say, doctor, not go out? Why, to tell you the truth, I calculated upon going to a concert this evening where my nieces are to sing; in fact, I have promised. Of course, I shall wrap myself up well, and I shall have only one step to take from my carriage to the concert-room.'

"Well, well, if you have promised, you may just drop in-but you must not stay.'

"What may I not stop, when I am there, to see the dancing begin?'

Why, yes-you may remain five minutes but you must not be imprudent.'

"Oh! I'll take great care of myself -I shan't waltz, and will not join a gallopade-I will only just walk through one or two contre-dances.'

666

"There is something in that, certainly; but, at all events, no champagne!' "O! now, my dear Doctor, but one glass of champagne, or a wine-glass of punch to soften my cough!'

"Well, well, you may try it; but don't stop too late.'

"The lady danced all night, supped heartily, swallowed three glasses of champagne, and drove home at four o'clock in the morning. Next day, she gave the doctor a faithful account of her exploit ; he thought it an excellent joke, and they had a hearty laugh together at this novel treatment for a cold."

HE IS SO AMIABLE.

Contentment is the talisman of happiness, the spell which works more wonders than all the enchantment of all the

magicians of Arabian fiction. So happy

an illustration of the effects of this virtue is afforded in the following little narrative, and the touching reflections arising out of it, that we cannot refrain from incorporating it into our columns.

"A beautiful girl, gay, lively, and agreable, was wedded to a man of a clumsy figure, coarse features, and a stupid looking physiognomy. A kind friend said to her one day :

"My dear Julia, how came you to marry that man?'

"The question is a natural one. My husband, I confess, is not graceful in his appearance, nor attractive in his conversation. But he is so amiable. And goodness, although less fascinating than

beauty or wit, will please equally at least, and is certainly more durable. We often see objects, which appear repulsive at first, but if we see them every day we become accustomed to them, and at length not only view them without aversion, but with feelings of attachment. The impression which goodness makes on the heart is gradual; but it remains for ever. Listen, and I will tell you how I came to marry my husband.

"I was quite young when he was introduced for the first time into the house of my parents. He was awkward in his manner, uncouth in his appearance, and my companions used often to ridicule him, and I confess that I was frequently tempted to join them, but was restrained by my mother, who used to say to me in a low voice, He is so amiable,' and then it occurred to me, that he was always kind and obliging; and whenever our villagers assembled together at our fêtes and dances, he was always at the disposal of the mistress of the house, and was profuse in his attentions to those whose age or ugliness caused them to be neglected. laughed at his singularity in this respect, but I whispered to myself, He is so amiable.'

Öthers

"One morning my mother called me to her boudoir, and told me that the young man who is now my husband, had made application for my hand. I was not surprised at this, for I already suspected that he regarded me with an eye of affection. I was now placed in a dilemma, and hardly knew how to act. When I recollected his ill-favoured look and his awkwardness, I was on the point of saying, I will not wed him,' and I blushed for him, which is a strong proof that I even then felt interested in him; but when I recalled the many excellent traits in his character, and dwelt on his benevolent and good actions, I dismissed the idea of banishing him from my presence. I could not resolve to afflict him, and I whispered to myself, He is so

amiable.'

.

"He continued to visit me, encouraged by my parents, and cheered by my smiles. My other admirers, one by one, left me, but I did not regret their absence. I repeated the expression, he is so amiable,' so often, that it seemed to me to carry the same meaning as, 'he is so handsome.' I loved him, and took him as my husband. Since then I have not only been resigned to my fate, but happy. My husband loves me devotedly, and how can I help loving him?