Alexandrina, adorned in bridal pomp, stood at her side: all was in readiness; but the royal bridegroom appeared not; they waited-there was a chill and ominous silence-the courtiers looked upon each other.

The articles of marriage had been carried to the young king, for his signature. Perhaps Catherine supposed, that in the hurry of the moment, he would not pay particular attention to their tenor. She was mistaken the chancellor read them over quickly, as if a mere matter of form; but the king, who listened, became aware that certain articles were introduced, which had not been previously agreed upon. By a fundamental law of Sweden, the queen of that country must profess the faith of the nation, and Alexandrina, therefore, ought to have exchanged the Greek for the Lutheran church. The Empress, not from principle, but from pride and arbitrary power, was resolved that her imperial grand-daughter should be made an exception to this law; and had introduced into the marriage treaty a clause to that purport. The king expressed his disapprobation, and refused to sign the contract. The ministers of Catherine, thunderstruck by this resistance to the will of their despotic sovereign, under such circumstances, and on the part of a mere boy, knew not what course to take; they flattered, they implored him only to sign the paper, and leave

the matter to be arranged afterwards, promising that his wishes should be acceded to in every thing. But Gustavus was immoveable; and enraged at the attempt to deceive him, he at length flung from them, repeating, “Non-je ne veux pas ! Je ne le puis pas ! Je ne signerai point!" and shut himself up in his own apartment. It was some time before any one dared to tell the empress of this unexpected contretems: at length, one of the courtiers approached, and whispered it to her. She had sufficient power over herself to utter a few words, dismissing her court, and then retired to her cabinet. The King of Sweden returned to his own country, a few days after.

FREDERICK THE GREAT AND HIS NEPHEW.

REDERICK the Great was very fond of child

FRE

ren, and his little nephews had free access to him. The eldest, one day, playing at ball in the cabinet where the king was writing, let the ball fall upon the table; the king threw it upon the floor, and wrote on; presently the ball again fell upon the table, and Frederick threw it down once more, casting a serious look upon the prince, who promised to be more careful. But at last, the ball fell upon the very paper upon

which the king was writing, and he, now rather angry, put it into his pocket. The little prince begged pardon, and entreated to have his ball returned, but was refused. He continued praying for it in a very piteous manner, but to no purpose. At length, tired of asking, he placed himself before his majesty, and putting his little hands to his sides, said in a menacing tone, "Do you choose, sire, to restore the ball or not?" The king laughed, took the ball from his pocket, and gave it to the prince, saying, "Thou art a brave fellow

Silesia will not be retaken whilst thou art alive."

A

HENRY, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, SON OF
CHARLES THE FIRST.

FTER sentence had been pronounced upon Charles the First, such of his family as remained in England were allowed access to him. They were only the Princess Elizabeth, and Henry Duke of Gloucester, the latter of whom was but seven years of age: the princess, only a few years older, shewed an advanced judgment, and that the calamities of her family had made a deep impression upon her.

The king first gave his blessing to the princess, and begged her not to forget to tell her brother James, whenever she should see him again, that the last will