Like a river, that gathers, that refines as it runs, like a spring that takes its course through some rich vein of mineral, we improve and imperceptibly nor in the head only, but in the heart. Our prejudices leave us, one by one. Seas and mountains are no longer our boundaries. We learn to love, and esteem, and admire beyond them. Our benevolence extends itself with our knowledge. And must we not return better citizens than we went? For, the more we become acquainted with the institutions of other countries, the more highly must we value our own. I threw down my pen in triumph. "The question," said I, "is set to rest forever. And yet "And yet I must still say.278 The WISEST OF MEN seldom went out of the walls of ATHENS; and for that worst of evils, that sickness of the soul, to which we are most liable when most at our ease, is there not, after all, a surer and yet pleasanter remedy, a remedy for which we have only to cross the threshold? A PIEDMONTESE nobleman, into whose company I fell at TURIN, had not long before experienced its efficacy; and his story he told me without reserve. "I was weary of life," said he, "and, after a day such as few have known and none would wish to remember, was hurrying along the street to the river, when I felt a sudden check. I turned and beheld a little boy, who had caught the skirt of my cloak in his anxiety to solicit my notice. His look and manner were irresistible. Not less so was the lesson he had learnt. 'There are six of us, and we are dying for want of food.'-'Why should I not,' said I to myself, 'relieve this wretched family? I have the means; and it will not delay me many minutes. But what if it does ?' The scene of misery he conducted me to I cannot describe. I threw them my purse; and their burst of gratitude overcame me. It filled my eyes. . it went as a cordial to my heart. I will call again to-morrow,' I cried. 'Fool that I was, to think of leaving a world, where such pleasure was to be had, and so cheaply !'” THE FOUNTAIN. It was a well Of whitest marble, white as from the quarry; And soon was lost — stealing unseen, unheard, Footsteps; and, lo! descending by a path At length there came the loveliest of them all, Her little brother dancing down before her; And ever as he spoke, which he did ever, Turning and looking up in warmth of heart And brotherly affection. Stopping there, She joined her rosy hands, and, filling them With the pure element, gave him to drink; And, while he quenched his thirst, standing on tiptoė, Looked down upon him with a sister's smile, Nor stirred till he had done, fixed as a statue. Then hadst thou seen them as they stood, CANOVA, Thou hadst endowed them with immortal youth; And they had evermore lived undivided, Winning all hearts — of all thy works the fairest. BANDITTI. "T IS a wild life, fearful and full of change, And, when his work is done, he dares not sleep. A voice was heard, that never bade to spare, 281 Hence, nor descend till he and his are gone. And most devout, though, when they kneel and pray, As by a spell they start up in array," 282 As by a spell they vanish theirs a band, That, ere they rise to this bad eminence, Lurk, night and day, the plague-spot visible, The guilt that says, Beware; and mark we now There he broods, in spleen Gnawing his beard; his rough and sinewy frame O'erwritten with the story of his life: On his wan cheek a sabre-cut, well earned He clanked his chain, among a hundred more Stripes of the lash and honorable scars, And channels here and there worn to the bone He comes slowly forth, Unkennelling, and up that savage dell His cure, when all things fail. No noise is heard, Save when the rugged bear and the gaunt wolf Leaps in the gulf beneath. But now he kneels ; |