wondered at her own strength, for though the sound of voices fell at times upon her ears as the rushing of waters to the drowning man, yet was she sensible of the terror of all that was revealed. That he had indeed associated with the violent, and taken his place among the workers of iniquity, appeared too clear. But there was hope of life, for there had been provocation, and angry words had passed, amid scenes in which she once deemed that no son of hers could ever be a participator. Once only she caught his eye; but he withdrew his glance hurriedly, as from some hated and loathsome object. A keen pang shot through her heart, yet she continued to gaze upon his altered countenance with unutterable sympathy, and still he was most dear to her ;-for was he not still her son? Anon there was a thrilling pause. Deep and breathless silence hung over the multitude, and, thereat, the stubbornness of his spirit appeared to be shaken, for large drops gathered, clustering, upon his forehead, and rolled over his pallid cheek. And the mother felt as though they were drops of blood oozing from her own heart; yet was she supported to endure, and sat mute and motionless, like a sculptured statue among the tombs. And, as she listened, the silence was broken with confused sounds, which gradually died away. Then a voice spake, and, to her, seemed as a voice from heaven, for it proclaimed that the law required not the blood of her first-born. And she heard no more, for the aged man came and hurried her away, and, for a time afterwards, her spirit was wrapt in the clouds of forgetfulness. And, as she lay upon her bed, it seemed to her as though a flash of lightning startled her from a trance; and she cried out, "Where is my son ?" And, at the sound of her voice, the curtain was withdrawn by an aged female, who had been the dear friend and companion of her early youth. Mild, venerable, and compassionate was her aspect; and she spake low and soothingly, as one seeking to pour balm into a wounded spirit. But, when the mother ceased not to implore that she might behold her son, she threw herself upon her neck and wept. Then her faithful greyheaded servant drew near, bringing with hin a holy man; and they both fell upon their knees by her bedside, and the holy man prayed aloud. And, as he prayed, his voice became that of one in agony of spirit, for he prayed not only for those who were present and in affliction, but also for one, whom he named not, "whose hours were numbered." Then it was revealed to the mother that the bloodstained right hand of her son had been engaged in fraudulently simulating the handwriting of another, and that the vengeance of the law might not longer be stayed. And when the holy man essayed to comfort her, his efforts were vain, for hope had departed and the fountains of tears within her were parched. As one stricken and scorched by a bolt from heaven, she sat unmoved till the remembrance came upon her of the time when she had wept over him, her then innocent and beautiful child. And she called to mind how he had been restored 64 Save him! Save his soul!" shrieked the agonised mother, and, with the shriek it seemed to her that something had given way within, and that her heart was broken. But it was not so, Her fiery ordeal was not yet complete. Alone, in the prison-house, she saw the condemned object of her affections. Wild and haggard were his looks, and bitter curses were upon his lips. And when she besought him to make his peace with God, he mocked at her, and told her that she spake like a foolish woman, of what existed not save in her own imagination, for death was now no more than an endless sleep. Then she argued with him, according to her talent, striving earnestly to lead him into the way of truth. And, as she argued, his manner became suddenly changed towards her, and he spake kindly, as though willing to be convinced if in error; so a gleam of hope shot through the utter darkness of her spirit. But she was all unread, and unskilled in the evil springs and accursed doctrines of infidelity, of which he had taken deep and poisonous draughts. Wondrous and past belief it seemed to her that it could be so; but, as he spake, doubts, which she had never admitted before, came crowding upon her mind, and, though she shuddered at their intrusion, refused to depart. So, when he saw how it was with her, he smiled upon her, and embraced her, and, as her head lay upon his shoulder, she dared to hope that there might be no hereafter-no resurrection of the just or of the unjust. In much and earnest affection he appeared to bend over her, and low and imploring was his tone, like unto that of a young child breathing the tale of its sorrows into the ear of a beloved parent. But the words that he murmured were of such fearful import that she struggled convulsively, and would have fallen had he not supported her. Yet he ceased not to importune her, but continued, saying, "Surely my beloved mother cannot refuse me this trifling, this last request! How often when I was a child, have you given me a soothing potion that I might be spared from pain! Have you not blest yourself when you have seen its genial influence cast oblivion over my senses and beheld me sleeping? And when you have saved me from the unutterable agony of public disgrace and ignominy to which I am doomed, without hope of reprieve. Yes, you will-you will! If ever you really loved me, you will. You will, as formerly, lull your suffering child to rest, and his slumber will be sweet and sound. Rest assured that I shall be troubled with no dreams of the future or the past." 66 Oh, Henry-my son!-my son!"-she gasped, "would that such were my belief! But oh! Forgive me, heaven! I know not what I say. Henry, my son, believe it not! There is-there is a God-and oh!—pray-pray-pray to Him, I beseech you!" Woman" he exclaimed, "you know not what you say! Leave these foolish fancies to the priests, who are paid for upholding them, and go hence, and bring me what I have asked. They will admit you unquestioned and unsuspected, for you are my mother, my oldest and dearest, and now my only friend." And with many kind words he continued to entreat her, till she lifted up her head, and, looking mournfully upon him, murmured, with quivering lips, "I would die for thee, my son, but this I dare not-cannot do." Then his countenance fell and became darkened towards her; and it seemed to her that his eyes were of flame as he thrust her from him, and in the rage and bitterness of his despair he cursed her. And she fell upon the ground, and, for a time, life seemed to have departed from her. The door of the cell was open, and the darkness of the prison-house broken by a gleam of daylight from a distance. A deep-toned knell thrilled through her frame, and its vibrations yet played upon the air, when she felt that she was alone. Spare him!-spare him!"-she shrieked, rushing towards the light. Save him!-spare him! My son!-my son!" 66 Then with faltering aud unequal steps she hurried onward, and it seemed as though she had been supported by some supernatural agency, for she knew not whither she went, but was, as it were, borne along into the glare of day. And there appeared a great multitude assembled below her, and the faces of all were cast upward; yet all was silent, save the tolling of that deeptoned knell. Again its awful sound smote and reverberated throughout the inmost recesses of her heart. Yet she cried not out in her agony, for the power of utterance was gone from her. Neither could she move any more to approach towards her son, but she glared upon him as he stood before her. And, as she gazed, she beheld that he stood apart from the rest, and a holy man approached him and entreated him mildly: but he turned impatiently away, and refused to listen to the words of truth. So the holy man withdrew, and again he who was to suffer was alone for a brief space, until others came and gathered round him. And their intention towards him was plain, for they laid their hands upon him. Then the mother struggled to move onward, and strove to lift up her voice; but all remained without motion and silent, save the tolling of the deeptoned bell swaying heavily through the air. Then there came a low rustling sound, as of the faint and vain resistance of some weak one against the mighty. And she beheld the group before her move slowly, bearing away her son. They moved but a few steps. A film came over her eyes, and it seemed as if many fearful) things and confused noises were floating around her; and she shuddered, and, uttering one piercing shriek, was released from her inental torture. For these things which she had seen with the eye of her mind, and believed to be real, were not so. In the dead of night, when darkness brooded over the earth, and the utter forgetfulness of sleep was upon the many, a vision had passed before her, and it was given to her in mercy. As that wild piercing cry burst from her lips, she awoke, and though she trembled exceedingly, warm was the gush of gratitude which pervaded her heart, as she felt that the spirit of her young and innocent son had been snatched away from trial and temptation and the day of wrath. Then she arose from her couch and prayed, and gave thanks and praises to Him who doeth all things well, and whose Providence erreth not, though his path be hid among thick clouds and in deep waters. And as she prayed, the exceeding bitterness of her grief passed away, and her spirit became chastened within her. So she bowed her head meekly, as one who hath received instruction, and was enabled, with heart and voice, to say, Thy will be done!" Thoughts in Autumn. THE leaves from the trees Are all dropping away, Like the friends of my youth, That are gone to decay. Vain world that I dwell in, My spirit is free From thy spells, that once flung Their enchantment o'er me. We dream away life From the mind's very birth, And worship, as idols, The nothings of earth; "Till Time wings the knell Of our youth's dying years, And thought, like the sear leaf Of Autumn, appears. Reflection comes late, But it tarries full long, When Life's banquet is stript Of its garland and song: Yet wisely doth God In his mercy decree, That our feelings should change Like the leaves of the tree. As the worm that will turn To a butterfly gay, Spins its own snowy shroud; So we creatures of clay May weave such a garment Of light, for the tomb, As will lay upon the soul 'Gainst a season of bloom. The leaves from the trees Are all dropping away,' Like the friends of my youth, That are gone to decay: But Hope points to me, As to nature, a spring, When my spirit shall rise Like the bird on the wing. ORIGINAL. TALE OF THE BRIGAND. BY EDWARD MATURIN. "LET Chymists toil like Asses, Hark! I hear the sound of coaches, To your arms brave boys.-BEGGAR'S OPERA. In a ravine formed by the sides of two moun- recurrence of a similar event. The apartment tains which towered above it, there stood an (if it might be termed one,) in which they sat, outlaw's hold; tangled weeds and stunted wood formed the figure of a parallelogram-damp and forming to the eye an impenetrable pass, con- dark; a solitary lamp, whose light was aided by cealed the mouth of the retreat so perfectly as a cheerful blaze from the hearth, (the outlaws to destroy suspicion that man was its tenant; and daring to kindle fire only in the night, apprehenat the same time to form a dwelling for the Ban- sive of betrayal by its smoke during the day) dit's secure as well against the pursuit of justice, flung its dim light on a licentious inebriated as the discovery of those whom chance might di- groupe; some of whose features, marked with the rect thither. The roof of the cave formed a small traces of Italian beauty, had assumed a malevolent knoll above the ground, being entirely overgrown and some, a pallid expression, as the harshness of by grass and wild flowers, while on either side the ferocity, or the pains of conscience had influencrocks of the surrounding mountains wildly scattered their different dispositions. The band, whose ed, and loosely hanging, giving majesty and bold-discipline while at the board was somewhat reness to the scene, presented a strong delineation laxed, and the authority of the commander merged of a similar image in Virgil. Desuper horren in the level of convivial fellowship, were seated tia saxa."-Nature seemed to have adapted her in a disorderly manner on the rude benches; some eccentric wildness in the present picture, to the of them engaged in games of chance, whose alterrecklessness and daring characters of its tenants; nate success or disappointment communicated few that passed the cave, were ever known to re- vivid expression to their images already much turn ransomless; even aged Monks formed no inflamed by their debauch. Their daggers were check upon the avarice or violence of the band; stuck in the table, and as the shade of the lamp and the helplessness of beauty, however strong in above fell on the faces of some who were engagits appeal to sympathy and protection, was to ed in eager dispute with their fellows, on the subthe outlaws only an additional incentive to insult ject of their different pursuits, amongst which and violation. The present band had held it for distribution of spoil held an high place; it comseveral years, and so firm was their fealty to their municated a sinister light to the agitated and fierce lord in the cause of rapine, violence and wrong, expression of the outlaws, favorable to the darkthat the present owner of the cave was the son of ness of the Italian countenance. The rude walls, its former possessor. Thus, for some years an were partially covered by pieces of mouldering hereditary line of plunder and crime had been es- and decayed tapestry, for the purpose of repelling tablished, and the day or night traveller alike felt the damp, which in the end it absorbed; and were the depredating influence of the horde, which, handsomely ornamented with weapons of assault, ere release, he was bound by oath never to discov- and articles of spoil which cheerfully reflected er; and whose number animated by a fierce cour- the blaze of the hearth. A hag, whose tottering age, and trained in the exactness of military gait, and withered frame, bore testimony to a life discipline, he found it vain to resist. In the adja- spent in this haunt of crime, and devoted to the cent fastnesses there were frequent excavations service of the outlaws, sate by the fire; her arms as well natural as artificial, formed by the industry folded on her knees, and her form bent; she of the band, in which its members alternately ob- seemed perfectly heedless of the brawl of the deserved a vigilant espionage for their unsuspecting bauched band; but her dark and sunken eye was indignant with expression, as she listened to a loose licentious tale, a Bacchanalian catch; or some miraculous exploit of blood or plunder confirmed by the fearful oath of the narrator. Grown hoary in the paths of vice, each day had increased victims. On the night of which we are about speaking, the band of outlaws were seated round their rude table of rustic board, carousing over the success of recent depredation, and drinking lustily to the her hatred of it, and though she had lived for fifty years, the life of a criminal anchorite, with no companions but the tumult of the outlaws, the groan of the captive, or the prayer for mercy; the abode of crime was still her home, and might be yet her grave. She had been mistress of the present outlaw's father, and though her lean and withered countenance exhibited boldness of outline, and the traces of early beauty; its softness had however been superseded by the habitual inpression of fierce, relentless feeling; and its expression might be said to be morose, and hard as the cheekbones which the sunken flesh but thinly covered. and on her form light and elastic as her steps, which seemed not to touch the earth-memory, mutilated, as she may be by the crime and darkness of my life, can even now dwell with a pleasure, tempered by that melancholy which enhances the contemplation of an happy past, and the hopes that lived but to be extinguished." The stern soul of the outlaw, sympathized with his tender words; and reclining his arm on the table, unmanned by the strength of memory; "he wept-he wept"-"Infant, weak infant;" he muttered to himself; as if ashamed his comrades should have seen his tear; he raised his head and proceeded: The sun had at length, upon the succeeding "Her parents were poor and humble, but mine evening, set on the outlaws hold; the ordinary was not a mercenary heart, and that which might external arrangements were formed for vigilance have suppressed the ardor of some, I felt only as and precaution, nor with less care were those of an additional claim on sympathy and protection. revelry and pleasure completed within. Sarrano, With the usual thoughtlessness of my sex, who, in the conviviality of the table, at once forgot his when they woo a maiden, care only for the acquiown supremacy, or the discipline of the band; jest sition of an heart, without the return of one; I succeeded jest, and tale followed tale; till the wooed, and won. But if I won, I also lost-the banditti wearied by the repetition of those they conquest was mutual, and I was her slave. Heahad often heard; in the desire for that variety vens! how I loved," exclaimed Sarrano, raising which never fails successfully to sustain excite- his dark expressive eyes; and what did it ment, claimed the history of the life of their chief, bring me to? The brief and transient favors love which he had often promised to narrate, but had bestows; the smile we have often sighed for, and not yet been able to fulfil. 'Well," said Sarrano, which comes at last to the longing heart, as the as recollections swept across his mind; "the tale is shower to the earth it refreshes and fertilizes ; brief, and but for the impression which horror the whisper of acquiescence and acceptance of never fails to leave behind it, I should by this time our vow spoken in secrecy, and the sweeter from have forgotten it. My father preceded me in the the sense that we are screened by it from the cold command of this cave, and I need not inform the ears, and callous hearts of age and suspicion; its present company, at least if they hold the doctrine intoxicating pleasures which by their transciency of hereditary descent; that he was bold and li- we can scarcely call our own, its sudden breathless centious, but frequently amid the fragments of the meetings where plenitude of feeling usurps the moral ruin could be discovered the spirit of better place of speech; and we can but look on each other, feeling, bewailing its banishment, and the usurpa- the images of our own hopes and fears; Who can tion of guilt. Under his tutelage (and I could feel these fallacious pleasures that smile only to not have enjoyed a better) I was reared; this mo- pierce, and say, love is Paradise? Excuse me for ment exposed on the bleak mountain to the weap- this digression; it was my heart, not I who on of the assailed traveller, and the next, intoxi- spoke it. Love, however prospered with me, and cated in the carousal; ear and sense alike I had not only gained the heart of poor Malvina, enchained in the debauchery which surrounded but the favor and affection of her aged parents. I me. My father was desirous I should become a was wholly destitute of means to support the exdaring robber like himself; and thinking the laxi-penditure, or discharge the obligations of a married ty of moral discipline favorable to the reckless life; and while I contemplated the hideous conaudacity, and developement of an outlaw's virtues, was careful by my introduction at the midnight board to promote this branch of my education, and I need not say how much the event has answered the wish. A passion for adventure and the fair sex, of whom our examples in this hold were rare and limited, was soon conspicuous in my early years; and in search of both I often transgressed the laws of the cave as well as of my father's permission. It was my wont frequently to cross the mountains; and disguising myself in the garb of those amongst whom I mingled, seek, in the crowd of faces I passed, such an one as love might seek for its partner; and to whom my young and ardent heart, which had already conceived a dislike for the outlaw's life, might unite itself in that world of happiness and perfection which the imagination of the youthful, loves to form and inhabit. I found her; and on her features softened by that benignity and gentleness of which nature is so prodigal to the weaker sex; sequences of our union, the utter destitution into which the blindness and selfishness of passion would plunge an innocent and confiding female ; would ye believe it? Nay, I almost shudder myself at its recollection, I conceived the design of blasting the plant whose strength and beauty my own vows had not slightly contributed to support. Heavens! hardened as my life has made me, this heart often sinks within when I think what a guilty wretch I was; the mean and complicated stratagems I coolly adopted for the ruin of her I professed to love; the vanity of triumph, and the contempt of the object which follows its conquest and overthrow; the needless cruelty with which we edge the blow; rebuking our wretched victim for that weakness and folly which were but as chaff before the storm of passion and power; when I think on this, Malvina and her cottage are ever before my eyes. I said I loved her, I did, I also destroyed her, at least her happiness-and in later years I have wantonly endeavored to justify ruption, but not deigning to regard the being he addressed. "Why should I be still," retorted Armina, "when ye drag this haggard, withered frame to bear a part in your tale of crime-I was"— "We know it," rejoined Sarrano-" Be still, I say." permitted to pass free; most of the merchandise however, for which they sought so lucrative a mart, remaining in the hands of their predatory enemies. My father had not spoken to me since my mysterious absence and return, but auguring a firm and uncompromising ally from my conduct in the recent transaction, he relaxed the severity and distance of his manner; and we were reconciled. He did not, however, long enjoy the fruits of milder temper, or revived paternity: for, a large portion of the spoil, in consideration of my courage, having fallen to my share, I was anxious once more to return to that being, in the recollection of whom alone, I had found alleviation for the momentary renewal of my allegiance an act, which, honor forbade; and penury, no, not penury, passion instigated. How, can I paint the horror, when I was aware of the approaching emergency; and the miserable girl with tears in her eyes, apprized me, if I loved her, secrecy was requisite. I can never forget the peal these words rung in mine ears, and the keen sense of want and destitution, which her urgent entreaty revived. "My design," continued Sarrano, was to glean to my mind. I had now really if not nominally sufficient from the casualties of spoil and plunder entailed upon myself the arduous duties of a hus- to answer the purposes of expenditure, and acband and father; my spirit and finances equally quire the requisite comforts for her I loved, and unadapted for their performance. I stood silent destroyed. An opportunity was not long needed. and motionless, and the lovely Malvina, whom, Shortly after my return to the cave, the courage contrary to the ordinary feeling of my sex, I loved and weapons of the band were called to action, even more strongly for her misery; implored me for the purpose of securing the rich booty of to take her to any retreat, where indiscretion might some four or five Jews, who, having passed the find an asylum, and error might be secure from Mediterranean with some rarities of the east, were the malignant whisper of the world. She knew crossing the mountains to seek a market for them, little whom she entreated, or what was the home, in the northern cities of Italy. They were willing within whose walls she sought a refuge. I had to capitulate for terms of ransom, to which, I hitherto, wholly absented myself from this cave, need scarcely say the avarice of my father aland but one expedient presented itself to assuage loted no ordinary limits. The unbelievers were the sorrows of my victim, and ensure to myself the means to realize her most reasonable wish. “My love," I cried, "I will never desert thee, grant me but two days, I will return to my home, (the word trembled on my lips) where I can easily find money; hitherto my appearance had been poor,) we will together seek a lodging," I added, and the guilty wanderers may yet be happy." That night I left her and slowly bent my steps to this cave, having previously divested myself of my disguise. In the heedless ardor which uniformly characterizes love, which regards insurmountable difficulties as mole-hills, and finds them only additional incentives to the attainment of desire; I had completely disregarded my penurious, dependent condition, and had involved myself in a to the sanguinary and cruel laws of the outlaw's connection which demanded alike freedom of mind and circumstance. I felt myself virtually an husband and my passion for the object which proclaimed me as such, while it demanded sympathy and care, required no less the anticipation than the satisfaction of her wants in her helpless and precarious state. So impetuous were my feelings, and so utterly disinterested my fondness, (for she now was mine and time could not add another gem to the casket she had entrusted to my charge) I thought that no danger was too extreme, obstacle too great, or sacrifice too absolute for selfishness to accomplish, for the being I had ruined, the little happiness which life could yet afford her. I returned to the cave, and so long had been the absence in whose justification I dare not allege the true cause; that I not only excited the indignation of my father, but the enmity and jealousy of the band. My mother was already dead; and my father to whom licentiousness was the only stay and pleasure of life, had already—” "Shame," exclaimed the hag, who had hitherto listened in silent interest; "shame on ye; the curse of your father's enemy is not sufficient to make his ashes tremble in their tomb! but his son must add one more breath to the imprecation; and brand his memory with the revival of his code. In the moment of plunder there was but one image which soothed my conscience, and even justified the act which passion and memory had urged. That image was Malvina ;-I saw her each moment of my short residence in this once hateful haunt, her utter solitude and helplessness rendered still more lonely and dependant by the babe which my imagination painted on her arm. That babe I felt was mine; a new and beautiful tie to that being, of whose confidence and affection I needed no external memento. The day at length arrived; the day of liberation from the band, and of return to Malvina's arms. I still remember the fervor of delight and gratitude with which I flung off the garb of the the Brigand; and dashing it into a mountainstream, resumed the peasant costume, dear to me from the life of peace and innocence of which it spoke; and doubly enhanced from the recollection that it was that in which I had first seen Malvina, seen and won her. The morning sun had risen on me with his wonted brilliancy and cloudless joy, and while I surveyed his beams, my grateful heart hailed them as an omen of happiness and delight which awaited me in the domestic hearth. To consummate the picture which imagination painted, there was but one color needed, and Malvina's image, while I contemplated it, was, I felt, already to my heart. The humble village which adjoined the mountain burst at length on |