humourist would only have been exposing himself to fresh torments. The anxiety of the young couple daily increased, and the certainty that they should soon be blest with a pledge of their love rendered their necessities still more urgent.

submit to his pleasure, and away he drove with the sole heiress of the Paulowski to the humble retreat which he had supposed that he should never see again. "Here then," exclaimed Arthur," the wealthy, the celestial Elisca is to pass her wedding-night! Dearest Elisca," continued he, tenderly embracing her, "would to heaven that my affection for you could make you forget all that you are sacrificing for my sake!" Elisca, astounded by all that had occurred, was unable to utter a word; but her husband was at her feet, vowing by all that was most sacred to live for her alone. Forgetting her past splendour and the magnificent palace of her father, not a murmur escaped her lips. True love, thou gift of heaven, thou alone bestowest a charm on life, thou alone compensat-paper: when unfolded, it proved to est for the loss of every thing else!

On the ensuing day not the slightest explanation took place on the part of the count; he dismissed them again at night, and in this manner weeks and months passed away. This was indeed no joke. Arthur's embarrassment had soon reached the highest pitch. The count required them to attend his entertainments, and to accompany him into the most brilliant circles; but he furnished not a copeck towards the expenses which the appearance they were obliged to make on his account demanded. What must a man do without money? Run in debt. So did Arthur. But how were these debts to be paid? He had no other resource than his opulent father-in-law; but to apply to this

The memorable anniversary once more arrived. There was a grand party at the count's: the young people were as usual the crown of the feast. At night, when they were getting into the carriage to return home, the count came out after them. "Stop, children," cried he," here is something that I forgot to hand to you. There," continued he, throwing a rumpled paper to them through the window, "look at that when you get home." Accordingly, the first thing they did was to examine this

be a cheque on the count's banker for a million of rubles.

From this moment Paulowskó parted no more from his children; and Fortune smiled more and more on Arthur. The powerful influence of his father-in-law and his own ta lents raised him step by step to the rank of field-marshal. In the sequel he inherited the name and the vast property of the count: but even after he had attained the highest pinnacle of honour, he still preserved his primitive simplicity. He never blushed at the recollection of his original poverty; on the contrary, he took a pleasure in relating to his children the singular events to which be owed his prosperity.

THE RATCATCHER OF HAMELN.

only laughed at him, and sent him unrequited away. The man left the town in a rage, threatening to make it soon feel the effects of his révenge. He actually re-appeared there the following year, and again pro ceeded drumming through the streets, by which means he drew together a multitude of children, and thus en ticed them imperceptibly out of the town. He conducted them in this manner to a neighbouring hill, where they all disappeared, together with the drummer. Such was the story told by a little girl, who had gone along with them, but had sat down by the way to rest herself. The pa

JAN JANSON, the industrious Dutch geographer and engraver, who, among other things, produced in 1653 a work with the title of "Atlas Major, or an accurate Description and Delineation of the World," relates, in his account of Germany, the tradition respecting the ratcatcher of Hameln, in the principality of Calemberg, on the Weser, in the following manner: There were, about three hundred years ago, in the town of Hameln, situate in the duchy of Lüneberg, such a prodigious quantity of rats and mice, that the inhabitants were grievously plagued by them, and were quite at a loss what to do. A mountebank, hearing of their distress, ap-rents were in the utmost consterna plied to the magistrates of the town, offering to rid it of this inconvenience of course for a sum of money, which was to be paid on the perform-house of Hameln, the year, the day, ance of this service. The magistrates having agreed to his proposal,|| he fell to work. He hung a drum about him, on which he beat through the town; he kept drumming till he was beyond the gate, and behold, all the troublesome vermin followed him, but nobody knew what became of them. The mountebank himself indeed returned to demand the promised remuneration; but the magistrates

tion; but in spite of all their inqui ries, they could not gain any tidings of their lost children. In the town>

and the names of the children are specified; and it is still (in 1653) the custom there in drawing up contracts or other written documents to date them, in such or such a year, " since the going forth of our children." It is also yet strictly forbidden to beat a drum in those streets through which they were drawn by the moun tebank on that fatal day.dobrio od abmwo3

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE ABBEY OF LA TRAPPE The Order of the Carthusians, || intercourse with society; the observ founded by St. Bruno in the year ance of profound silence; the utmost 1086, is by far the most rigid of all self-denial in regard to labour, diet, the monastic Orders; and of all the clothing, and sleep; incessant mediconvents of that Order, the abbey tation on death, &c. Since the reof La Trappe is the one where its storation of this fraternity, which durrules are most scrupulously observed. ing the Revolution sought refuge in The principal of these, as it is well England and Switzerland, it has reknown, enjoin the renunciation of all assembled in France, and increased

to such a degree, that its present su-lations applicable to their case, which perior, the abbot of La Trappe, has under him sixteen communities of both sexes. As the site of the abbey has been again purchased by the Order, and appropriated to its former use; as the abhey already possesses landed property to the value of 150,000 francs, and is increasing it from time to time by fresh purchases; as it has again begun to afford relief to the poor of the environs, and to both natives and foreigners who apply for it; and is anticipating the return of those times when it had a revenue of fifty or sixty thousand francs at its command, when the number of monks amounted to about two hundred, and that of the visitors who annually received assistance exceeded six thousandthis institution seems to deserve more particular notice.

purported that they were to conduct themselves decently and orderly; not to enter into any conversation with the brethren; not to hinder them in their occupations, and so forth. In. this apartment were several other inscriptions and passages of Scripture. About a quarter of an hour had elapsed, when two friars entered, and prostrated themselves at full length, with outstretched hands and their foreheads touching the floor. In the space of a minute they rose, recited a prayer in Latin, and motioning the strangers to be seated, silently withdrew. One of them was a ruddy young man about twenty-five years of age; the other a hearty-looking robust figure between fifty and sixty, The appearance of both seemed to prove, that hard living may prove beneficial to the body.

The visitors, to whom we are in- Their dress consists of a long debted for the following details, were coarse white woollen gown with wide enlightened Parisians, who, animated | sleeves, drawn up on each side by the best spirit, but exempt from high as the hips by means of leather bigotry, were desirous of examining | thongs passed through rings attached and forming their own judgment of to the gown. Underneath this they the institution. They found the ruins wear long wide breeches of someof the old abbey, the church, the what finer woollen, socks of the same, conventual buildings and offices, part- and immense wooden shoes stuffed ly existing as venerable ruins, and in with straw. Over the gown is a cowl part scantily replaced by modern of black woollen, from which, before structures. The abbey is situated and behind, two stripes a foot broad about two leagues from Montagne, hang down to the knees, and form, in the department of the Orne. The with the broad black leather girdle, environs are hilly and well wooded. a cross, the dark colour of which The principal entrance consists of a strongly contrasts with the white gateway and a side door. Over the gown. On the left side are suspendformer is an image of the Blesseded a rosary and a knife. This dress Virgin in a niche, and underneath it they never lay aside by day or night; the inscription, Domus Dei-the it is merely changed and washed eveHouse of God. On entering, the ry month. The friars wear neither porter silently shewed the strangers beard nor hair on the head; the latinto an apartment, where upon the ter being shaven smooth, excepting wall they found inscribed the regu- a tonsure of about a finger's breadth..

tables boiled in salt and water. The more rigid regulations adopted since 1816 have abolished all the former indulgences that were occasionally allowed, such as a little milk, cider, and the like. The hard mattresses are likewise done away with. Foru

eight o'clock, and rose at two; the present hours are seven and one. From one in the morning till seven they are engaged in prayer, and then repair to their respective occupations. The abbot of the convent is obliged to submit to the hardest and most unpleasant employments, as well as the meanest member of the Order, when it comes to his turn. If any one finds pleasure in any occupation, he must mention it in con fession, and it is taken from him. The joint labour of several is performed in silence, and is frequently interrupted by the superior, who claps his hands as a signal for prayer and singing. They must not wipe the

The steward (hôtellier), cellarer (cellerier), and physician, alone are permitted to speak to strangers. The first is also the master of the ceremonies, who conducts them about and provides for their accommodation. The chambers of the monks are unfurnished; they are even with-merly the monks retired to rest at out beds or bedsteads. Each of them sleeps in a sort of crib resembling a coffin, raised about two feet from the floor, over which is nailed a piece of coarse cloth, not so much to supply the place of a mattress as to prevent the friction of their garments on the rough wood. These cribs are all at least a foot too short, that their occupants may not enjoy the luxury of stretching themselves: the boards destined for their coffins alone are of the full length, as if to hold out to them a consolatory prospect for their long sleep. A piece of coarse cloth serves for bed-clothes, and a short bag of straw for a pillow. The refectory is not more elegant-perspiration from their faces, but may ly furnished than the chambers: here you find only the most indispensable table utensils, no napkins, and benches and tables of the most ordinary wood. Each has his water-between three and four; and if, as it jug, which, in drinking, he is obliged often happens, any person returns to grasp with both hands: if he spills too late from work, he must go to a drop, or lets fall a crumb of bread, rest with an empty stomach. Not the rules require him to kneel down the least noise must be made with· immediately, and by signs to beg the knife in eating, upon penalty of pardon of the superior, which is begging pardon as mentioned above. granted only at the intercession of a If a Trappist presumes to speak with friar, and is announced by the stroke his neighbour, to keep up any interof a hammer upon the table. The course or correspondence with his diet of a Trappist is estimated at 36 family, or to run away, the punishfrancs (30 shillings) per annum, and ments are much more severe. Such his clothing at 9 francs (78. 6d.); and offences bring upon him corporal these sums must not be exceeded. mortifications of various kinds; the The food consists of water, bread, principal instruments of which are, potatoes, apples, walnuts, and vege-1. A sort of shirt of iron wire, com- ̈ ́

merely guide it with the finger from the eyes. It was formerly customary to dine at twelve, and sup at five o'clock: now there is but one meal,

On the suppression of convents during the Revolution, this place contained fifty-three professed and thir-regulations are the same: over and ty-seven lay friars. Of the former, two had completely lost their reason, and several were idiots; and many