J. C. asks for a small treatise on Light and Shade, chiefly for shading illuminations.

M. S. wishes to know where these lines occur :

Oh, think that while you're weeping here,
His joyous

without a tear

His Saviour's praise is singing.'

M. G. would be much obliged if the Editor of The Monthly Packet, or any of his Correspondents, would give her any information about the Seal of David. It is mentioned in The Olive Leaf, by the Rev. W. W. Malet, and the design of it is given there; but M. G. much wishes for some account of its history, &c.

Helen ought to write to Queen's College, Harley Street, for a full prospectus. There is no Training School connected with that Institution; and board and lodging for college pupils are not included in the terms. It would save trouble if some of our Correspondents would make their different applications at the Institutions themselves.

E. D. R.-Address to Sister Monica, St. Michael's Sisterhood of the Poor, Luke Street, Paul Street, Finsbury, E. C., who acknowledges the further receipt of 5s. in stamps.

L. B. is thanked for 5s. in stamps for this Sisterhood; L., for 5s. for The Parochial Mission Women Association.

St. Andrew's Waterside Mission, Gravesend.-The following sums have been received with grateful thanks, together with several parcels of books :

s. d.

CHARLES E. R. ROBINSON, M. A., Treasurer. Contributors should send their name and address, not for publication, but to enable the Treasurer to send them news from time to time of the Mission they have generously helped.

E. A. Freeman desires to thank Mrs. A. L. E., Shropshire, for the Parcel sent to The Home for Invalid Children, 70, Montpelier Road, Brighton.

The following donations for the Convalescent Home at Scarborough for Poor Gentlewomen are acknowledged by Miss Nevile :-E. C. P., 5s. ; G. C., 5s. ; Anon., 1s. 8d.

St. Luke's Mission, Burdett Road, Stepney.-The Rev. William Wallace gratefully acknowledges the following donations:-L. H., 10s.; R. M., (annually) £5; C. F., £2 for the Church, £2 for the Poor; L. E. S., £3 12s. for the Mission; A. C., 2s. 6d. ; F. M. L., a Parcel. Donations promised: towards a Font-towards a Window. Post-office Orders may be made payable at the Office, Bow Road, E.

John and Charles Mozley, Printers, Derby.

IN the second Canto, Dante begins to feel his courage unequal to the task, and asks his guide whether he has really strength to undertake the proposed journey, whereupon Virgil, to reassure him, relates the circumstances which led to his own intervention. For Beatrice had herself descended from Paradise to entreat him to go to Dante's succour in his present dangers: and on Virgil's asking how it was she could bear for one moment to leave the joys of heaven, she replied that when sitting with Rachel (the type of the contemplative life) she had received a message from the divine mercy by the hands of Lucia, (the type of illuminating grace,) announcing that he who had loved her so much on earth was then in deadly peril, and bidding her go to his assistance, On this Beatrice had descended to ask Virgil's help, who as we have seen arrived in time to save Dante from the attacks of the wolf. The latter on hearing this, feels his courage revive, and the two poets together begin their journey through the dark wood.

The third Canto, one of the most celebrated of the whole poem, needs little explanation. The 59th line must be understood to refer to Celestine V., who was induced to abdicate the Papacy, and afterwards imprisoned by order of Boniface, his successor. His subsequent canonization proves that Dante's opinion of him was not confirmed by later generations. Our readers should notice the art with which, in this and future cantos, the whole apparatus, so to speak, of the pagan Tartarus is employed, without the slightest injury to the religious feeling which throughout underlies the narrative. Charon, Minos, Cerberus, and the like, are (what they could not be in Virgil) devils, clothed for convenience' sake in the garb and office familiar to those conversant with classical mythology; so that we have no mere colourless reproduction of other poets' imaginations, but a terrible reality imparted to each character, and enforced on the reader's mind by some or other diabolic trait appropriate to each. Our readers should compare the Charon of the sixth book of the Æneid with Dante's conception, and they will see that there is nothing in the VOL. 7.

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PART 38.

heathen poet to match the ideas contained in such passages as line 84-87, and 109-111 of this third Canto. And the same is the case in other instances also.

THE INFERNO.-CANTO III.

Through me the road lies unto sorrow's city,
Through me the road lies unto gloom infernal,
Through me among the nation reft of pity.
'Twas justice moved my Maker's mind supernal:
Me God did fashion, power and virtue's centre,
Highest intelligence, and love eternal.

Before me nought created my Inventor,

Save things that die not, and I live immortal;
All hope abandon, ye who here do enter.
Engraven on the summit of a portal

These words of dull dark colour I discerned:
Then I, 'O Master, sad to eyes of mortal
Their meaning is.' But he, in answer learned,
'Here needs must be abandoned all suspicion,
Here must all cowardice away be spurned.

Lo, here the place and object of my mission,

Where thou shalt see the wretched souls abiding,
Who of the mind's true bliss have lost fruition.'
And then his hand, with countenance unchiding,
On mine he laid, whence comfort I received,
Into hell's secret place my footsteps guiding.
There sighs, complaints, and moanings unrelieved
Throughout the starless atmosphere resounding,
Drew tears thus early from mine eyes aggrieved.
In diverse language, words of woe astounding,
Speeches of grief, accents of anger, voices
Piercing and harsh, with beat of hands abounding,
Made a discordancy of blended noises,

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20

All in that air of gloom without a morrow,
As sand the whirlwind in mid heaven poises.
Then, horror's utterance for my thoughts to borrow,
'Master,' I said, 'what hear I now? what nation
Is this that seems so overcome with sorrow?'
Then he in answer, 'This sad habitation

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The souls inherit who on earth remained
Alike removed from blame and commendation.
They partnership with that vile crew have gained
Of angels who to God, though not rebelling,
Yet faithless were, and from the cause abstained.

Heaven drave them forth, its beauty's clouds dispelling,
Nor yet doth Hell receive them, for no glory
Of theirs could grace the lowest sinner's dwelling.'
Then I, 'What woe holds here its territory?

O Master, why such grievous lamentation?"
Whereat he answered, Brief shall be my story.
These wretches have of death no expectation,

And to such shame doth their blind life ally them,
They needs must envy every other station.
The world forbids its honours to come nigh them;
Mercy and Justice turn away despising;

Speak not of them; one look, and then pass by them.'

Then I beheld, and lo a banner rising,

Which onward sped, and filled my mind with wonder,
Incessant circles in its course devising:

And next a troop of spirits followed under;

So

I hardly could believe that death had ever many souls from bodies rent asunder. Then some to recognize did I endeavour,

And saw his ghost, who made, in sloth immersed,
The great refusal. More I doubted never,
But understood this was the tribe unversed

In righteous deeds, alike displeasure giving
To God and to his enemies accursed.
These wretched ones, whose life was never living,
Were naked, and beneath the torture cowered
Of stings of wasps and hornets. There arriving,
I saw the blood all down their faces showered,

Which, mingled with their tears' distressful torrent,
Was at their feet by loathsome worms devoured.
Then when I turned from visions so abhorrent,
Lo, a great concourse by a river's border;
Whereat I said, 'O Master, give me warrant
To know who these men be, and by what order
They seek a passage with such haste unfeigned,
As I can judge through the dim light's disorder.'
Then he in answer, All will be explained

6

When we with steadfast feet thereunto tending
The mournful brink of Acheron have attained.'
So I with eyes abashed and downwards bending
Until we reached the stream of melancholy,
Withheld my questions, fearful of offending.
But lo, an old man, hoar and aged, slowly
Came steering towards us o'er the tide infernal,
Exclaiming, Woe, woe to you, souls unholy:

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50

60

70

80

Ne'er hope to see the land of bliss supernal,
I come to lead you to a bourne far distant,
Midst fire and ice, in darkness sempiternal.
And thou, who standest there, soul yet existent,

Go from among the dead: why shouldst thou tarry?'—
But when he saw that I remained persistent,-

'By other ports and ways 'tis necessary

Thou shouldst pass over, who no pass hast earned;
A nimbler boat than mine such weight must carry.'

To him my guide, Charon, be not concerned;

So it is there willed where the power remaineth The will to accomplish; more may not be learned.' Then that hoar face its quietude regaineth

Of him the steersman of the leaden river,
Whose either eye a wheel of fire containeth.
But those faint naked ghosts began to quiver,

With gnash of teeth and colour changed appearing,
When him they heard the cruel taunt deliver.
God and their parents they with frenzied daring
Did curse, the human race, the time ill-fated
And place of their conception and their bearing.
Then drew they all together, congregated

At the evil strand which their deep woe enhances,
By every man who fears not God awaited.
The hellish Charon, with coal-burning glances,

Gathers them all with signs within his tether,
Strikes with his oar whoe'er too slow advances.
Then as the leaves descend in autumn weather,
One next another, till the tree bereaved
To earth surrenders all her spoils together;
So Adam's evil offspring, sorely grieved,

Drop one by one from off the shore when beckoned,
As drops the bird by charmer's voice deceived.

So o'er the wave they go with tale full reckoned,
But ere the first freight yonder bank has gained,
Already on this side gathers fast a second.
'My son,' the courteous Master then explained,
"Those who, to whatsoever land belonging,
Die 'neath God's anger, hither are arraigned;
See how they all to cross the stream are thronging:
The spur of wrath divine allows no leisure,
So that their very fear is turned to longing.
Here comes no righteous soul; if then displeasure
Did Charon move, when he thy presence viewed,
Thou well the import of his words canst measure.'