draped with black serge, from the midst of which | ceived a blow from behind, which felled him sensethe guillotine darkly reared itself. As they reached less to the earth. the place of execution, the huge mass of soldiery, which the policy of his murderers had placed around the guillotine, opened itself for, and closed upon the carriage, while the legion ranged itself around the infantry already assembled. Without the line of these, the horsemen and artillery were stationed, the muzzles of the guns pointing outward, in order to keep at a greater distance the populace which had now began to assemble.

At the foot of the scaffold, Louis conversed, for a few moments, with the Abbé, and then mounting the scaffold proceeded, with great composure, to divest himself of his coat and neck-cloth. Walking, with a nervous, rapid stride, to the left extremity of the platform, he looked, for a moment, upon the armed multitude around him and exclaimed, "Francois, Je meurs innocent; Je pardonne a mes ennemis; Je desire que ma mort soit"— "This must not be," muttered Robespierre, "they sympathies. But it must be done, and though we may yet relent." weep over our fate, must bow to the mandate of necessity."

better. Had he been sober, he had sent stauncher conveyance and escort he may desire. And now hands to snatch her from her father and bear her you will please give me your passport for myself hither. A single one, placed upon the box, had and suite, and a general order to all persons in the put the fair one in my arms, before she knew mis- country, to extend to me all aid or assistance I may chief was brewing. But the beast must attempt, require, under pain of death.” by force, what had been better done by stratagem, "Very well," continued De Mortier, " and now, and his ruffians were hardly a match for that young if there is any thing which a fiend like yourself sprig of nobility, De Mortier. Nobility, faugh! holds sacred, may I beg to know what it is ?" how I hate the name. We must make short work Robespierre looked for some moments doubtfully of him. True, his father saved me from starvation- at his querist and then slowly uttered, "The Rebut-but-but-the republic demands his death.public." Our agents will soon have him in their toils, and "The Republic!" retorted his tormentor--"there then 'tis easy to trump up some charge against him. thou liest, yet here, swear by thy God, the repubHe shall die. And she now, that resistance has lic and thy life, that what has, and will pass beput her out of my grasp, to cheat the dear people tween us, be never mentioned nor recalled to meI must convict her of treason, and send her to feed mory." the guillotine. Well, this time to-morrow, she will be among the dead, and I shall soon find some one to console me for her loss. I do not want you, Jean, you can retire," he continued, as a row of book-shelves behind him revolved on a pivot, and a light step was heard in the apartment.

""Tis not Jean, Citizen," responded a full, manly voice, "but one whose presence you may relish still less."

Turning his head, Robespierre beheld the long light barrel of a pistol within two inches of his face. He made a motion as if about to rise, but checked himself as the stranger continued

"Move not, Robespierre, you are in my power; a motion, a breath drawn too loud and you are a dead man-nay, glance not from that bell to the door. The sound of that bell, could easily be drowned in the pistol shot which would hurl you into eternity, and he who mounts guard at your door is not your jacobin sentry. His cup has been drugged, and he lies snoring in one corner of the hall, while a better man holds post over the closet of the butcher of France. Rouse yourself and do my bidding; and recollect, that one step too far, or one word uttered in too loud a key, and Maximilian Robespierre has signed his last death-warrant." “Would you murder me?" he exclaimed. "Who are you, and what is your purpose?"

"I am that De Mortier, whose death you so ecolly determined on but just now. I shall do you no harm if you do my bidding, if not, I shall do the world the service of sending you out of it."

"What will you," he stammered; " any thing, every thing that you require I will do, but oh spare me! I am not fit to die."

"Coward!" answered his companion. "I will spare your dog's life; but here, take this pen and write," and De Mortier pushed a rolling table to him.

"Write-write-write what?"

"As I dictate. The keeper of the Prison du Chatelet will please deliver to the bearer Anne De Reilley-write on sir, why do you stop?--now,

Robespierre took the oath, but the savage lighting of his eye warned De Mortier that little dependence was to be placed upon his promise, when the power of breaking it was placed in his hands.

"And now, most worthy Citizen, as your memory is not always the best imaginable, I have brought with me a security for your silence. You will do me the favor to open your mouth-don't be afraid, I shall not cut your tongue out."

Drawing some strong leather straps from his pocket, he passed one across the open month of the prisoner, buckling it tightly behind his head and fastening it to the high back of his chair. Securing his hands and feet with the others, he drew from underneath his coat a large package, having a long cord pendant from one end; this package he fastened to the feet of Robespierre, connecting the cord with the thongs which confined the hands and head, in such manner that the slightest motion would tighten it considerably.

"And now, my good friend, I must bid you good morning, but before I do so, permit me to inform you, that you have for your footstool a canister of the best English gun-powder, which a very slight strain of that cord will render so lively as to send you dancing through the roof of the house-a very indecorous caper indeed to be cut by so grave a state dignitary as yourself."

The prisoner turned a look of impotent agony upon his tormentor, who, after carefully bolting all the doors of the apartment, struck a single tap upon the bell and departed by the same avenue through which he entered.

"Well done, Francois," exclaimed De Mortier, as he rejoined his accomplice in the street. "You played your part well, and I have been no less successful. I left the scoundrel in no pleasant position, and, in the next four hours, he will live a whole life of agony. Did you ticket his doors, ' not to be disturbed ?"

"Trust me for that, but did you get the order for her liberation?"

Yes, and a passport and order that will not under sentence of death, and afford him whatever only secure us from molestation, but give us relays

of horses, or guards, wherever and whenever we over a canister of gun-powder, which a motion need them."

EDITOR'S TABLE.

HISTORY OF THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO, with a prelimi-
nary view of the Ancient Mexican Civilization, and the
life of the Conqueror, Hernando Cortés. By William
H. Prescott, Author of the " History of Ferdinand and
Isabella." "Victrices aquilas alium laturus in orbem."
Lucan, Pharsalia. Lib. V., v. 238. In three volumes.
New-York, Harper and Brothers; Drinker and Morris,
Richmond, Va.

time, splendid palaces succeeded their slight fabrics of reeds and rushes. The preliminary view of the Aztec Civilization is philosophic, instructive and in parts deeply thrilling. The mixture of civilization, superstition and cruelty is almost unparallelled. The Aztecs were the ancient Mexicans; and though they had undoubtedly made considerable progress in civilization, their temples and streets were gorged with the blood of human sacrifices. The Toltecs, a still more ancient people of Anahuac, did not sacrifice human beings.

At the end of each chapter, the author gives an account of the writers upon whom he has chiefly relied. Thus, without interrupting his narrative, he has presented many beautiful and interesting passages of Literary History, that instruct the reader whilst they give evidence of the diligence and caution of the Historian. Indeed, candor and

Only the first volume of this splendid History has reached us; but the whole Work has been issued from the Press. Under the influence of its classic and romantic interest and of our delight to herald such a production from a Native pen, we could say much and with enthusiasm upon the sub-care are stamped upon every page. The author debated in ject; but our limits will necessarily restrict our notice. his own mind whether he should conclude his History with Before the appearance of the Work, every one was well the fall of Mexico, or continue the Life of Cortés. He prepared to receive a masterly History; and the universal foresaw that the life of the individual might lose in intetestimony of the press declares that none will be disap- rest when contrasted with the stirring events just related; pointed. The author of the History of Ferdinand and but he determined to continue it. With this apprehension Isabella" could not fail to captivate every reader, with the in view, that the work would decline in interest, the author story of Mexico and her renowned conqueror. Mr. Pres- had a strong incentive to exert his powers to preserve it cott's first Work not only gave assurance that the one be- and it is said that he has been entirely successful. Indeed, fore us would attain the highest rank; but the reputation the halo around the renowned conqueror would not so which it gave him made him friends of value and influence, quickly disappear; and, if any individual could prolong the and gained him easy access to the Libraries of States, intense interest, it would be Cortés. Away from Spain, in Princes, Nobles and Scholars from which alone the splendid a hostile land, with a handful of men, not seven hundred, array of authority and material, with which the work before battling with hundreds of thousands, often opposing and us is peculiarly enriched, could be derived. The American conquering hundreds to one, marching into the heart of unhistorian entered Spain with the highest passport he could known nations, subduing and subjecting them, and lastly have borne and was loaded with treasures for his contem-conquering the magnificent city of Mexico, though all the plated History. With the advantages which he enjoyed, it while violently opposed by enemies at home, what romance would have been morally impossible for such a writer not can equal it? At one time, the Indians resolved upon his to have brought forth an immortal Work. As yet, our His-destruction and it was estimated that they could afford to torians labor under serious disadvantages, which can not well lose 25,000 men to cause the death of one Spaniard. be overcome until success gives them fame and throws open to We do not observe that the press has noticed Mr. Presthem the stores of other lands and of magnates otherwise cott's handsome tribute to Mr. Irving and the generous inaccessible. Yet our native writers, like the unrivalled courtesy between them. They were both engaged upon the Franklin, with his kite and simple apparatus, often open new History of Mexico; and Mr. Prescott modestly fearing to fields of investigation and put forth efforts truly astonishing. enter into competition with Mr. Irving, proposed to relinThere is a dignity and an eminence in the fame of the Histo- quish his purpose; but Mr. Irving insisted upon yielding rian most stimulating to a noble ambition and most elevating the field and gallantly has it been occupied. Mr. Prescott's to its conscious possessor. His range of important, useful style is not very forcible, but it is clear and classic. It is knowledge is so enlarged, his thought is so strengthened, less ambitious than that of Bancroft; and far superior to his judgment so purified and balanced and his influence the stately stiffness and turgid monotony of Alison. The upon the leaders in human affairs so firmly fixed. Mr. style of the publication is highly creditable to the publishPrescott's former history has been translated into German, ers and quite delighted us, in these days of double columns, owing partly to F. Von Raumur, who also recommends to eye-sore type, and paper backs. The volumes are ornathe translator to take the present one in hand. Von Rau-mented with portraits of Cortés and Montezuma, and conmur seems to rejoice, with a truly American pride, at the tain maps, which are indispensable to a reader of History. rebuke which Mr. Prescott's Works give to the puerile and malicious sneers at American genius and Literary ambition. He very justly remarks, “certainly this second Work of Mr. Prescott will possess all the advantages of the first, and perhaps surpass it in poetic and romantic interest." Nothing can exceed in "poetic and romantic interest" the History of Mexico and the life of Cortés. In every point of view, civil, military, religious, literary, scientific it is fall of wonder and power, from the very foundation of the city. Its very foundation is fraught with Romance. A band of migratory wanderers from the North are seeking a home about the Lake of Tezcuco. "They there beheld perched on the stem of a prickly pear, which shot out of the crevice of a rock that was washed by the waves, a royal eagle of extraordinary size and beauty, with a serpent in his talons and his broad wings opened to the rising sun." This was taken as an auspicious omen and the foundations of Mexico, the Venice of the West, were forth with laid by driving piles into the lake. In the course of

THE EDUCATION OF MOTHERS; OR, THE CIVILIZATION OF MANKIND BY WOMEN. By L. Aimé Martin. Being the work to which the prize of the French Academy was awarded. Translated from the French by Edwin Lee, Esq.-Author of "The Baths of Germany," &c. First American from the first London Edition, revised from the fourth French Edition, &c. Philadelphia, Lea & Blanchard, 1843. Drinker & Morris, Richmond, Va. pp. 303-8vo.

This excellent book developes and enforces the truth and wisdom of Madam Campan's celebrated reply to Napoleon, The old systems of Education," said the Emperor, are good for nothing; what is wanting to train up young people properly in France?" "Mothers," said Madam Campan. "Right," said he, "therein lies a complete system of Education, and it must be your endeavor, Madame, to form mothers who know how to educate their children." We

"Young girls, young wives, young mothers, you hold the sceptre; in your souls, much more than in the laws of legislators, now repose the futurity of Europe, (America) the world and the destinies of the human race."

THE WORKS OF MRS. HEMANS, with a Memoir by her sister, and an Essay on her genius, by Mrs. Sigourney. In seven volumes. Vol. I. Philadelphia. Lea and Blanchard, 1844. Drinker and Morris, Richmond, Va.

do not, in this country, suffer under such gross defects in | shall be ours. Education and in the habits of society as the eloquent author complains of; but to a great extent his remarks on these subjects apply with equal force to us. The remedy, however, for such evils as do exist is clearly and beautifully pointed out in this work. Educate the boy and you control and direct the man, and thus the nation; but who shall properly educate them, except their mothers. Now, for the good order of society,-the peace and happiness of communities, virtue and duty are far more important than genius and learning-the arts and the sciences. The heart is chiefly to be educated, and it is susceptible of deep and This is another of the Ladies Cabinet Series of which lasting impressions long ere the child leaves its mother's we have already spoken. The value of the works emcareas. The mother, then, may, must give the heart its braced in this Series and the neat style, in which they are first impulses and directions. Unless her own soul be pure published, must commend them especially to those for whom and lofty, what surety is there that her children will be vir- they are intended. Oh! that they had other backs-in short, tuous and honorable? Hence, educate the mothers. And were bound. It grieves us much to see their yellow brightyet this means, educate every child; for the boy, when the ness vanishing beneath our fingers. Even the fair hands of husband, will influence the wife, and the girl will become the Ladies can scarcely preserve it. In their virgin dress the mother. Most truthfully does Aimé Martin speak of they appear as inviting as a newly coined guinea. The me the noble husband forming his devoted companion to be chanique of a book is no trite affair, and, (always saving the the mother of his children. Education must be divided paper backs,) the style, form and type of Mrs. Hemans' into three branches, physical, intellectual and moral, apply-works are nicely adapted to the rare treasures which they ing respectively to the development and shaping of the contain. The Essay of Mrs. Sigourney is just and enthu powers and principles of body, mind and soul. The phy-siastic; but appears labored; and lacks that energy and sical might, with advantage, be entrusted to the bandit, or force of analysis, which the genius of the Poetess might the savage; the intellectual might advance rapidly under well call forth. The Monody, by the same authoress, loses an atheist, a debauchee, or a well-studied demon; but there some of its interest after reading the essay, because of the must be something of a divinity to preside over the training close resemblance between the two, in many of the leading of the immortal soul. There is no disparagement of the ideas. Yet, these two productions of the gifted American, first two branches of education;-they are insisted upon will justly be regarded as valuable additions to the work. as vastly important; but the last is indispensable: it The Memoir, by the sister of the Poetess, does not lay alone prepares mankind for their destiny even on earth, claim to any high literary merit; and was written to give a Maternal love and Religion, the vivyfying power which juster idea of the character of its subject, than the meagre Rousseau needed, will infuse the wholesome principles materials that had been presented to the public were calcuinto the youthful soul,-then, the more vigorous the bodylated to afford. Mrs. Hemans strongly deprecated the puband the more expanded the intellect, the higher career of lication of her letters. She might have known that it was great and good and bright will their possessor run.

It

impossible to deny this to the "generous public," or at The didactic character of the work is much relieved by least to rescue them from the qui vive Literary speculators its apt illustrations, its enthusiasm and its originality. and Magazine caterers. The Dublin University Magazine is a work that should be read, pondered and practised. It soon published some of them, which in part called forth the abounds with choice aphorisms and gems of ttue philoso- present Memoir. Indeed, the Poetess seems not to have phy, which should be treasured in the heart. In the rage been ambitious of Fame from her writings. "Fame," said which many have at this day for social regeneration, they she, "can afford only reflected delight to a woman." Her make a grand mistake by working with and upon masses, maiden name was Felicia Dorothea Beoune. Her father phalanxes and the like. They can not succeed. The was an eminent merchant of Liverpool, where she was born world is made of atoms; Temples are built of bricks, one on the 25 Sept., 1793. Failing in business, he moved into by one, and of plastic mortar, which must be used before Wales to Gwrych, "a large old mansion, close to the sea it hardens. Nations are formed of individuals; and to and shut in by a picturesque range of mountains." "Here operate upon the individual, you must take the twig whilst she imbibed that intense love of Nature, which ever afterit is tender. The worldly wisdom of associated man can wards 'haunted her like a passion."" The misfortunes and do little, or nothing but the influence of true religion, domestic sorrows to which she was subjected saddened her which alone is virtue, ministered by maternal love in the song; but gave to it deeper fervor and that tone of pious temple of the youthful heart, can and will regenerate the resignation, which is so elevating to the soul. Her heart world. Herein, too, is the foundation of the nation's Li- was the home of Love; though she was separated from her berty. "The mother's milk shall be the milk of Liberty." husband. Her devotion to her mother was so pure and In that cradle may lie the embryo hero of centuries; then strong, that her Fame gave her most delight because it train him for such. Whilst this thought should stimulate illumined a mother's smiles. The Memoir could not but be the education of mothers, it should incite mothers to the highly interesting-of such a child of song, inspired and education of their sons. As Mrs. Sigourney has very beau-inspiring, so proudly eminent and necessarily introduced tifully said, "when the mother is rocking the cradle she into such refined Literary associations. The lively spirit may have her hand upon the ark of a nation's safety." The of her letters and several Literary Jeux d'esprit is in biography of every great and good man abounds in exalted striking contrast with the prevailing tone of her Muse. praises of his mother, to whom his excellence is invariably And in L. E. L., whose young heart seems to have been ascribed. This sentiment a few years since sought a suita- blighted by some hidden and unblessed Love, the same conble manifestation in the erection of a monument, in the trast is remarkable. In later years, Mrs. Hemans entirely town of Fredericksburg, to "Mary, the MOTHER of Wash- discarded, even in her letters, the sprightly style, in which ington." Simple, but volumes speaking inscription! That she once excelled. Of her Poems the volume before us half risen structure stands in expressive reproach; but yet, contains only "England and Spain ;" and " Wallace's invothere are many far more enduring monuments in honor of cation to Bruce." the "Mother of Washington." The author's parting words