No. 97.]

THE RESCUE.

BESIDE a sparkling fire which shed its cheering influence through a small and neatly furnished apartment, sat an elderly couple and a maiden. The charms of the latter were yet as the bud of spring, By many she was admired as a pretty girl, while others, either from envy or want of taste, professed a contrary opinion. To which extreme she inclined, I know not; but whatever might have been the character of her person, the fire of intelligence, that ever, beamed on her blooming countenance, impressed on each observer the conviction, that she possessed somewhat more than ordinary pretensions to the possession of a beautiful mind.

There was no very prominent indication of character about her male companion. Youth had matured to manhood;-manhood had merged into old age ;-and there sat the old man seemingly as happy as ever, with no troubles save those attendant on a load of years, when the possessor can review his career with satisfaction, and cheerfully bear all his infirmities, in the hallowed remembrance that life has been happiness to him, and that his death-bed will one day exhibit scene of profound resignation to the will of his Creator. His old dame was as much the counterpart of her husband as woman could be, and seemed singularly associated with one whose sympathies existed in unison with her own.

"Uncle," cried the maiden, "how long has Fred. been away ?"

"Long enough to forget us all, my dear girl, if he should wish to prove such an ungrateful dog," was the reply.

66

Nay, interrupted the old lady. "I will not hear my Frederick traduced. Elinor, child it is natural for lovers to be suspicious at times and seasons, but what proof have you evet had from the conduct of your absent cousin, to justify the charge of apostacy."

"None whatever, my dear aunt," quickly responded Elinor, "his letters have been frequent and affectionate; but you are well aware I always doubted the necessity of his going to Italy."

"Young

"That was natural too," cried the aunt. ladies now-a-days monopolize the time of their lovers more than when I was young. For my part, 1 would never let your uncle see me more than once a week! He soon learned to set a proper value on his visits, and 1 think it is mainly owing to that judicious arrangement of mine, that we have enjoyed so much domestic felicity."

Elinor smiled at the conceits, while her uncle burst into a laugh of blended joy and humour, as he cried, "Well argued, my bonnie dame; I never heard better reason from the woolsack, ably filled as it is.

But you

seem to forget that that arrangement arose principally from-" What cause he would have assigned for his "few and far between visits, it is quite impossible to

[VOL. 9.

surmise; but fortunately for the character of both parties, the politesse of the old man on the one hand, and the veracity of the lady on the other, he was interrupted by a loud rat-tat at the street door. The occupants of the parlour put themselves "a little in order;" the fire shot up a brighter blaze beneath the influence of the poker; Betty ran to the door; a voice requested admission to Mr. Delmore in the name of his absent son; and as Elinor advanced to greet her uncle's guest, and lover's courier with becoming courtesy, a tall handsome young man enveloped in the ample folds of a Spanish cloak, and bearing on his arm the person of a lady deeply veiled, entered the room.

Some rapidly delivered common-place compliments had passed between Mr. Delmore and his guest, while Elinor was busily engaged in requesting the lady "to take her things off." The latter complied, and throwing back her impervious veil, disclosed the quick-glancing eye, the richly tinted cheek, and charming tout ensemble of an Italian. She timidly suffered Elinor to remove her superfluous clothing, and thanked her in broken English, in a voice so sweet, so bewitching, that it won in an instant, the kind heart of the English girl.

While this little interesting bye-play was proceeding, the gentleman had drawn from his pocket two letters, which he delivered to his host. Mr. Delmore recognized in the superscriptions the full flowing hand of his son; and extending one to Elinor by whom it was blushingly received, and apologising to his guests, His benevoran rapidly over the contents of his own. lent features relaxed into a smile of pleasure, as he extended the paper, blotted with the tear-drop of parental love, to his wife. Elinor meantime left the room, under the pretext of giving some orders to the servants, and soon after returned, with a rich blush yet mantled on her cheek, evidently derived from the pleasure she had experienced in the perusal of her billet doux.

"Mr. Falkinor," cried Mr. Delmore, throwing one leg over its fellow with the action of one in a good humour with himself, "let us drink to our better acquaintance. I am happy to hear that my boy is well. He gave you these letters, you say, at Leghorn ?" "He did sir," replied Falkinor, and sorry I am that he has not been his own messenger. I am so deeply indebted to him for so many services, that our parting was a bereavement, Has he touched in his letters, on the circumstances through wbich we became acquainted ?"

Mr. Delmore replied in the negative.

"Ever like him,'' continued Falkinor, with animation, "all goodness, all virtue, and all absence of vanity or conceit. But those circumstances are so very extraordinary, that I must acquaint you with them in detail; and I feel fully assured that no apology will be required in troubling you with a long narrative, the main incidents of which powerfully redound to the honour of your son."

All present signifying their impatient pleasure to hear, Mr. Falkinor commenced with," I am an Englishman by birth, an artist by profession, and, until lately, depended on the latter for my support in life. Being the possessor of considerable professional talent, I attracted the notice of a gentleman of fortune, who was an ardent admirer of the Fine Arts, and who soon showered on me immense patronage. In six months we had grown so attached as to be inseparable, and I wanted not for comforts and luxuries, which, under less favourable circumstances, I could not possibly have obtained. His health about this time growing delicate, he was advised to travel beneath the warm and glowing influence of an Italian sun. Entreaty was not lost or repeated in requesting me to accompany him; and not to tire you by dwelling on matters foreign to my object, I need merely say, that we reached Italy in due course of time, and were soon temporarily located in a pleasant villa, in the vicinity of Redmont. The excitement consequent upou the change of scene, worked for a time beneficially on the health of the invalid; but it was only the last sally of nature: The fell disease soon outstripped all human art, and within three months after our arrival, I followed the remains of my patron to the lonely and sequestered grave he had, while living, chosen for his last resting place. He left me a comfortable independence, and feeling no inducement to return to England, I sought, by travelling and excitement, to dispel the gloom that had settled on my spirits.

,

"It was at a ball, given by an English countess in the city of that I first saw Francesca di Romana, the lady who is my companion and wife. She was un. der the especial protection of the count, her brother; and was undergoing a season of probation, ere her fu ture partner was chosen. Meeting following meeting in rapid succession, she soon preferred me to the crowd of butterflies who fluttered around, and we had scarcely sworn eternal fidelity ere the conquest of the city belle by a nameless Englishman, became the topic of conversation. But we were soon aroused from our dream of happiness by the intervention of her guardian, who, exercising that unlimited control ever possessed over a foreign ward, threw a barrier before our hopes by a forcible separation. No manœuvre that human ingenuity could devise, was left untried to procure an interview with Francesca, but without avail. I was shunned by the circle in which I had moved, and my pride being too high to enter one of less degree, I became an isolated being.

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Finding that all my schemes fell useless to the ground, I resolved to try one other expedient. I caused it to be rumoured that 1 intended returning to England, and departed one day in a chaise and four, taking care to pass through the grand promenade, where I could not fail being seen by many of thoes with whom I had once been associated. A scornful glance at one and all as I passed, and some large donations to the beggars, who had vainly appealed to the benevolence of the fashionable loungers, were all that marked my passage; but I knew my triumph was coming, and I dashed away towards the sea, as light of heart as though that triumph had been already secured. I dismissed the chaise at the sea-port town of, with the apparent intention of embarking instanter for the South of France; but no sooner was left alone, than I proceeded

to put my pre-arranged plans into execution. I abandoned my portmanteaus and superfluous clothing; purchased one small valise; effectually disguised my appearance; and adopting the character of an artist, travelling in pursuit of his vocation, hastened towards the home of Francesca. I entered the city as a total stranger, and established my quarters at a small inn in an obscure and unfrequented suburb. My days were passed in improving the sketches I had taken in the silence of my moonlight rambles. One month proved that my judicious plan had succeeded; Francesca was suffered to reappear in public, and the city again rang with her praises. I was forgotten by all; and none in that large community knew that the diffident and lonely artist of the western suburb, was he who had triumphed over the gayest of Italian beaux, and who was yet doomed to win their goddess from them all. Without much difficulty I got a letter conveyed to Francesca ; with little more received her answer, and the ensuing evening saw me, with a light and joyous heart, hastening to the rendezvous. The moon shone with unusual brilliancy, and as I looked upon her broad face, I fancied I discerned a mysterious indication that she smiled in token of my triumph. The thought rushed like wildfire through my veins. I bounded forward. and in another moment clasped in my arms her who was all the world to me.

"I have come alone,' she cried, when our transports had a little subsided, but not in safety. I fear I am watched, and must necessarily make this meeting brief. I am still yours as fondly as ever, and will remain so while life exists.'

I had scarcely released her from a rapturous embrace at this avowal, when a half suppressed scream escaped her lips. Before I could discover the cause of her alarm I was felled by a violent blow. Returning consciousness showed me stretched upon the turf, mechanically receiving the assistance of a gentleman whom I could distinctly perceive had been my preserver. His horse was standing near, while a powerful dog gambolled in the vicinity. But Francesca was gone! Pursuit I knew to be useless, as I was confident the plan of surprisal had been alone concocted by her guardian; yet thinking that my preserver might throw some light upon the affair, I earnestly entreated him to acquaint me with the cause of his opportune appearance. I was taking,' said he, a moonlight ride, when I was startled by repeated screams. Spurring my horse in the direction of the sound, I soon became aware of a horseman rapidly approaching. A second glance revealed a female in his arms. I seized the rein, and demanded of the latter whether she required any assistance. Oh, no! no!' she replied in great agitation; the protection of my guardian, but fly to the assistance of yonder gentleman, or he will be murdered.' This assurance was sufficient, I instantly left them, and on arriving on the field, found it deserted by your assailants.'

66

I am under

Briefly as possible, I acquainted him with the whole affair, and begged him, as he valued honour and justice, to afford me all the assistance in his power. He took my hand in his, and baring his head in the bright moonlight, swore he would follow me to death itself. Offering me one arm, and taking Rolando's rein in the other, he accompanied me home, with Pompey leaping joyfully beside us.

Every exertion was now used to discover Francesca; but a first and second month elapsed and we were still in ignorance of her retreat. Accident at length disclosed the secret. Frederick in passing the convent of the Holy Virgin, observed a gentleman issue therefrom, whom a second glance convinced him was the brother and guardian of my beloved. One moment he watched the retreating form of the unconscious count, and in the next, acting upon a sudden impulse, entered the holy house. By dint of judicious management in bribing heavily an impoverished lay attendant, he learned that Francesca was sojourning there as a novice. The promise of a still heavier bribe induced the monk to consent to bear a letter to her, and return with a reply by sunset. Hastily writing a few appropriate words on a torn leaf of his pocket book, Frederick delivered them to the monk, and hastened home with his budget of delightful news.

"To describe how I passed the intermediate time, I will not attempt, as I was alternately the slave of fear, hope, and despair, till my companion returned from his appointment. The unequivocal look of triumph on his countenance, was a sufficient indication of success, and with more haste than delicacy, I snatched the letter from his hands, which ran thus:

"I am confined in the convent, where my guardian will ere long force me to take the veil. The law of Italy sanctions the act of tyranny, and I have no hope but from you. If you love me as fondlu as you have ever sworn, save me from a fate more horrible than death. The ceremony will be public and from the altar itself must I be rescued, as I am too closely watched to admit of the possibility of escape.-Farewell. FRANCESCA.

"Dear injured girl,' cried, I, I will rescue you or perish in the attempt. May I depend Frederick, on your assistance?—I will follow you to the last,' was the reply and the frank and hearty manner of the speaker carried conviction of his sincerity. Not a moment was lost in arranging our plans. Early next morning. Frederick again repaired to the convent, and as a religious visitor, and charitable devotee, received all the information required. The ceremonial was to take place in three days, at noon. After a little friendly controversy, we settled as the first step, that our baggage should be forwarded by a trusty messenger to Leghorn. At an early hour of the day we were to take our stations near the altar, cloaked and masked, both of which would pass unnnoticed, as being customary in Italy, and were to arm ourselves as a momentary defence, for on gaining our horses every thing depended on expedition. The latter were to be confided to the care of a boy, whose good offices I had secured by frequent favors, and await us at the convent gate. Fortune seemed to smile upon our plans, and on the evening preceding the all-important day, we retired to rest at an early hour, simultaneously offering up a prayer to God for our success. The excitement of the last few days produced a surprising effect upon my frame and nearer the hour of trial approached, the more did I feel its influence. I tossed all night upon a sleepless pillow, and when morning dawned, was ill fitted to attend a place which, for aught I then knew, might, before night, have been dyed with my heart's blood. Conscious of my weakness, I confided all to my friend, and at an early hour hastened with

him to the convent. The horses were already there Frederick's eye flashed with pleasure, as it caught sight of the noble animals proudly tossing their heads on high; while the dog, stretched on the ground, surveyed with intelligent curiosity each passer by. So complete was our disguise, that the instinct of Pompey was inadequate to the recognition of his master, and the knowledge of the fact materially strengthened our reliance on success.

6

"The sacrifice of such a girl, and such a favourite as Francesca, to a cloister, had drawn all the city to the spot, and it was, with the utmost difficulty that we succeeded in attaining a desirable position. The church was fitted up with all the pomp necessary to the important ceremonial, and a preliminary mass had already commenced. During the hour of waiting, my anxiety was such that I trembled from head to foot. Be firm, for the sake of Francesca,' whispered my friend. I collected all my energies to my support, and was much relieved when the sudden swelling of the organ announced the approach of the officials, A distant door was thrown open, and a long train of veiled nuns entered; in the midst of which appeared the abbess, supporting the victim to the sacrifice. Francesca was pale and agitated, and though she seemed to strain every nerve to appear collected, the wandering and anxious gaze betrayed to us her state of mind, though it passed unnoticed to all others. The ceremony had reached its crisis, when my companion whispering Now's the time,' we threw off our cloaks and drew our swords. Frederick dashed up the steps of the altarseized the fainting girl-and waving his weapon before him, cried Back men, for the sake of god and justice!, The astonishment which universally prevailed, aided our desperate purpose, and the mass of human beings mechanically gave way, and doubtlessly interested in saving their city goddess from a living tomb, closed instantly upon us, thus placing a momentary barrier to pursuit. In another instant we reached our horses. I sprang into the saddle, and Frederick had already mounted with Francesca on his bridle arm, when our pursuers reached us. • On! on! Falkinor shouted my companion. I will cut my way after you.' I dashed my spurs into my charger; Pompey brought one assailant to the ground! Frederick cut a passage through his foes, severing the hand of one man from his body, who had attempted to seize the rein;Rolando goaded by the spur gave one terrific bound ;--Pompey released his fallen foe, and sprang forward with a joyful bark, and in another instant we were dashing onwards with the speed of a hurricane.

་

"Thirty miles of ground had been rapidly admeasured, when reigning in Rolando to a slower pace, Frederick addressed some words of consolation to Francesca, promising her rest and refreshment in an hour. But to no stoppage would she consent; representing the passions of her guardian in such deep colours as to convince us that no exertion would be abated in attempting to recover her. We accordingly struck across the open country, and staid a few minutes at a farming house, to take some hasty refreshment, and breathe the horses. A trifle procured a cloak, with which to cover Francesca's conspicuous dress, and as I was yet too weak to take her before me, she unhesitatingly consented to occupy her old position, although her nice delicacy was somewhat opposed to it. We had con

tinued our journey for some hours, and a long line of of road lay before, when a low and peculiar whine from Pompey attracted our attention. Frederick half turned in the saddle, and casting a look of deep anxiety behind, cried, By heaven! we are pursued; and as they are doubtlessly supplied with fresh horses, our danger is imminent.' A slight scream from Fransesca, was re-echoed by a groan of anguish from myself. Be firm,' cried our hero, for the sake of yourselves. If we continue along the road our fate is inevitable. Our only chance of safety lies in passing the river before we are overtaken. We must push the horses through the stream, and trust to God for the remainder.' He would hear nothing in reply, and we immediately struck off in the direction indicated. We had ridden but half the necessary distance when we felt convinced that our pursuers were rapidly gaining ground.

6

On! on!' rang cheerfully from Frederick ;-Rolando appeared to spring double his height into the air;-Pompey giving a joyous bark, bounded forward with redoubled fleetness;-I goaded my noble charger to the utmost, and the broad river of――――lay in a bright and beautiful sheet before us. The welcome sight nerved us to superhuman efforts; we gained the bank, and in another moment were stemming a strong and rapid current, 'Bravo!' shouted my companion, as he patted the neck of his panting steed, we are now comparatively safe. Your true Italian hates the water, and none will risk their lives, except, when like ours, they are in danger. He had scarcely spoken when he distinctly heard the loud curses of his pursuers, as one by one they reached the river side and perceived our advantage. The voice of the count was distintctly heard urging on his followers by promises of immense reward; but none would undergo the ordeal. At length an African of formidable appearance, and mounted on an iron-grey charger, came slowly up and horse and rider took at once to the water. My heart sank within me, and I could scarcely keep the saddle. Frederick quailed not, but urged me on, and in another instant we gained the bank. A glance behind revealed our pursuer struggling in the centre of the stream and his companions motionless on the opposite side.

Convinced that blood must be shed if the black was suffered to land, Frederick drew a pistol, and, before I could divine his object fired. The ball struck the horse in the forehead, which reared high in agony for a moment, and sank with its rider. An instant afterwards saw the discomfited slave swimming back to his companions, and all immediate danger being now over, we pursued our journey.

"Taking a circuitous route, we stopped at nightfall at a small hut, and by break of day were again in the saddle. Nothing occurred to alarm us during the journey, and we reached Leghorn, as the sun was sinking beneath the bound of the horizon. A vessel lay in the offing ready for sailing, and at Frederick's earnest request we immediately embarked.

And now

came a terrible moment. It was that which must witness our parting with the dear friend who had risked so much for us, and by whose agency alone we are united. A thousand thanks, a thousand times repeated, were all we had to give in return for his many services. He interrupted us by saying. My dear Falkinor, and you fair lady, I wish you all happiness together. Wait upon my friends with these letters, as soon as you

reach England, and when you see, Elinor, my cousin, think that I have alone been supported through our trying scenes by the remembrance of her; that she has been my spur to exertion, and that the sincerity of my own attachment has solely aided me in assisting those, who are evidently bound together by the dearest ties of reciprocal love. You say you shall be united by the Catholic church on reaching Marseilles; in three months I shall be in England, when we will bind still closer the ties of friendship, by a double union in the Protestant faith. The vessel is under weigh and I must leave you." He wrung our hands as he finished leaped into the boat, and as our vessel bowed gracefully before the influence of the rising breeze, we saw him wave his hand in one last adieu, ere the increasing darkness hid him from observation."

The speaker stopped for a moment deeply affected, and then continued, "I have only to add that on reaching France we were united by a Catholic priest, passed through the kingdom by easy stages, and have hastened to the friends of our dear preserver, to pay our grateful homage, at his own request, at the shrine of the one and only idol of his soul."

Elinor blushing covered her face with her hands; Mrs. Delmore raised her kerchief to her tearful eyes; Mr. Delmore poked the fire with one hand as he drained his glass to the bottom with the other; Falkinor and his wife exchanged an eloquent glance of meaning; and all were impressively silent in the depth and intensity of the feelings by which they were respectively agitated.

One fine morning, the bells of St. George's Hanover Square, rang a merry peal and a bridal party issued from the church. There seemed to have been more than one wedding, as two gentle and beautiful ladies were supported by as many gentlemen. An elderly couple on whose benevolent features might have been seen deep traces of satisfaction, followed by a few bridal companions, brougt up the rear. Two travelling carriages were in waiting, the party mounted, the postboys cracked their whips, and as the vehicles dashed away, the church beadle popped his head outside the porch door, and sighingly cried," Heighho for the honeymoon and Brighton!"

THE CLOUD.

I bring fresh showers for the thirsty flowers,
From the seas and the streams;

I bear light shade for the leaves when laid
In their noon-day dreams.

From my wings are shaken the dews that waken
The sweet birds every one,

When rock'd to rest on their mother's breast,
As she dances about the sun.

I wield the flail of the lashing hail,
And whiten the green plains under,
And then again I dissolve it in rain,
And laugh as I pass in thunder.

I sift the snow on the mountain below, And their great pines groan aghast; And all the night 'tis my pillow white,

While I sleep in the arms of the blast. Sublime on the towers of skiey bowers Lightning, my pilot, sits;

In a cavern under, is fettered the thunder,
It struggles and howls at fits:
Over earth and ocean, with gentle motion,

This pilot is guiding me,

Lured by the love of the genii that move

In the depths of the purple sea :

Over the rills, and the crags, and the hills,
Over the lakes and the plains,

Wherever he dreams, under mountain or stream,
The spirit he loves remain ;

And I all the while bask in heaven's blue smile, While he is dissolving in rain.

The sanguine sunrise, with his meteor eyes,
And his burning plumes outspread,
Leaps on the back of my sailing rack,

When the morning star shines dead.

As on the jag of a mountain crag,

Which an earthquake rocks and swings,

An eagle alit, one moment may sit

In the light of its golden wings;

And when sunset may breathe, from the sea beneath, Its ardours of rest and of love,

And the crimson pall of eve may fall

From the depth of heaven above,

With wings folded I rest, on mine airy nest,
As still as a brooding dove.

That orbed maiden with white fire laden,
Whom mortals call the moon,

Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor,
By the midnight breezes strewn ;

And wherever the beat of her unseen feet,
Which only the angels hear,

May have broken the woof of my tent's thin roof,
The stars peep behind her and peer:

And I laugh to see them whirl and flee,

Like a swarm of golden bees,

When I widen the rent in my wind-built tent,
Till the calm river, lakes, and seas,

Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high,
Are each paved with the moon and these.

I bind the sun's throne with a burning zone,
And the moon's with a girdle of pearl:

The volcanoes are dim, aud the stars reel and swim,
When the whirlwinds my banner unfurl.
From cape to cape, with a bridge-like shape,
Over a torrent sea,

Sunbeam proof, I hang like a roof,

The mountains its columns be.

The triumphal arch through which I march,
With hurricane, fire and snow,

When the powers of the air are chained to my chair,
Is the million-coloured bow;

The sphere-fire above, its soft colours wove,

While the moist earth was laughing below.

1 am the daughter of the earth and water,
And the nurseling of the sky;

I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores ;
I change but I cannot die.

For after the rain, when, with never a stain,

The pavilion of heaven is bare,

And the winds and sunbeams, with their convex gleams Build up the dome of air

I silently laugh at my own cenotaph,

And out of the caverns of rain,

Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb I rise and upbuild it again.

traction of beneficence, that drew the refugees of other countries, to their retreat and protection. Danes, Swedes, Scotch, and Irish soon augmented the primitive colony, and a few years after the first emigration all the habitable parts of the island were parceled out among the colonists. The title by which each leader, and a few followers, appropriated to themselves a tract sufficient to their subsistence, was only that of necessity. According to such a mode of occupation it was hardly possible that the greediness of human selfishness should not kindle strife and lead to mutual destruction; but the fact was otherwise. Previously to the later emigrations, some master minds, such as other times and greater occasions set up in high places, and celebrate to the ends of the earth, exerted a rare forecast, and an eminent providence in regulating the political institutions of Iceland. All that they devised was put in operation without resistance unto blood, disconcerted schemes of party aggrandizement, or murmurs of popular discontent.

Thorstein and Illugi, both chiefs of wealth and power, dwelt in the great vale of the Borgar. Fiord, in the western part of Iceland. Thorstein was the son of the celebrated poet, Egill, and Helga, his only daughter, the pride of the family, was the loveliest woman in the island. In the house of Illugi, the most remarkable person was Gunnlaug, the eldest born, and the heredi tary chief of the lordship. He was admired for his stature, and prowess; and the character of his mind threw a charm of attraction and authority over the striking grace and activity of his manly form. His vigorous and aspiring faculties, were not called into such exercise as satisfied his youthful ambiton; and though no Icelander could be idle, yet a life unknown to adventure and to fame, had few charms for a mind taught in the love of Runic poetry, and familiar with achievements of old renown.

The thirst for distinction, and the burning for bold emprise, was fostered in the imagination of Gunnlaug by the discourse of one of his compeers, who had gone out with certain Norwegians in their martiime excursions-sometimes of peaceful traffic, and sometimes of predatory violence. The spirit of the corsair was not entirely chastised by the morality of the Icelander, and the excitement of daring to the death, of bearing off the prize, of winning the meed of applause, when he listened to the tale of adventure, awakened desires and discontents in his bosom, which his father saw with pain, and reproved with severity.

The effects of repressed hopes and of parental displeasure rendered Gunnlaug sometimes unquiet and turbulent, and sometimes gloomy and sad; and the blind impulse of unsatisfied craving, "the fever of vain longing," might have driven the son of Illugi to acts of desperation, had not other influences wrought upon his impetuous nature. Besides the battle strife, and the honor, that waits upon victory, striking pic tures of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them were placed before his fancy. Scenes where "arts not arms," where wit and verse, not tumult and conflict, gained the plaudits of the sage, and the smiles. of the fair, were often delineated to the Icelandic youth, by those who had returned from foreign lands. Many of the chiefs and learned men of Iceland visited, the courts of other countries, formed connections with the