Ellustrated Article, A LEGEND OF THE RHINE. Malorum est esca voluptas, qua homines capiuntur, ut hamo pisces. CICERO, No river in Europe can boast of more romantic beauty than the Rhine: vestiges still remain on its banks of the halls and castles of those rude barons whose deeds have furnished subjects for numberless works of fiction. Many of these places were the strongholds of men, whose swords were ever at the service of the highest bidder. In the long and devastating wars of the Low Countries, hundreds of these reckless spirits were engaged on either side. The daring conduct of the tenants of these castles was continually a subject of complaint, for they scrupled not to attack and plunder the traveller, when war did not allow them a chance of obtaining booty in another way. These outrages at length roused the indignation of the Emperor, and some of the leaders of those desperate bands paid the forfeit of their temerity with their lives. VOL. II. L See Page 148. Towards the close of the fifteenth century, there lived, near to the town of OberWessel, a German Baron, named Albert Von Stauffenburgh, who, from the part he had taken with the Duke of Alva, in the wars of Flanders, had rendered himself exceedingly obnoxious to his neighbours At the time our tale commences, he had returned home, satiated with plunder and bloodshed, and accompanied by a lady of most exquisite beauty, whom he had wedded while absent. She was the daughter of a Spanish captain of foot, and had accompanied her father into Flanders, where the Baron first saw her. Her beauty made a strong impression on the iron heart of her admirer, who demanded her hand of her father. The Spaniard considered the match as most advantageous; and, though his daughter shrunk from it, he persisted in his determination that she should become the bride of the Baron. Resistance to this mandate was vain,their nuptials were solemnized immediately, and Von Stauffenburgh returned to his castle on the Rhine. During the first few weeks, the castle was a scene of gaiety and splendour; but 38 it shortly resumed its former appearance, and its lovely mistress was often left to meditate on her lonely situation, while her stern lord was engaged in the chase, or carousing with the neighbouring barons. The castle was a stupendous and gloomy structure, and its dark shadows were reflected in the clear waters of the Rhine. It stood on an almost inaccessible rock, and was considered impregnable before the invention of artillery. Such was the place to which Von Stauffenburgh brought his beautiful bride. But the dull abode of her lord was not her only cause of sorrow. There was one to whom she had sworn eternal love and constancy,-one who had loved her with all the warmth of early passion,-whom she still hoped was ignorant of her marriage. But it was a vain hope: the news had reached the ears of Guzman di Vigliar, whose grief may be more easily imagined than described. It was on a lonely evening in the month of June, that two horsemen were observed proceeding along the banks of the Rhine, in the direction of Ober-Wessel. The rich half armour of the fore most rider, consisting of back and breast, with the pauldrons and vambraces, and the jack boots of tough and pliant leather, reaching to the middle of the thigh, shewed that the wearer was above the rank of an ordinary trooper; and the remains of a red plume, which waved in his dinted burgonet, plainly indicated that he had lately been where blows had fallen thick and fast. The second horseman had the appearance of a servant or follower, and though he appeared weary from hard travelling, his countenance partook not of that deep melancholy which was stamped upon his master's, whose hands scarce held the bridle of his jaded steed, but rested heavily on the saddle bow, while the tired animal was suffered to proceed at its own pace along the rugged road. At length a sudden turn brought them in view of the town; when the foremost rider, apparently with an effort to shake off his melancholy, plunged his spurs into his horse's flanks, and pushed forward with a rapid pace. The appearance of an armed stranger was a circumstance that attracted but little observation in those unsettled times, so that the travellers entered the town, after replying to a few questions, without difficulty, and repaired to one of the best inns it afforded, where they took up their abode. It was not long, however, before the conduct of the strangers was watched. The means they had taken to screen themselves from observation, drew the at tention of the townspeople to them, and many uncharitable hints were given to the host regarding the strangers. Their outgoings and their ingoings were narrowly watched; for it was not until the evening had advanced that they ever left the inn, and they were then not long absent. Some gossips set them down as part of a gang of banditti, while others were inclined to think them spies; but many went still farther, and judged from their swarthy complexions that they were no others than his Satanic Majesty and his Prime Minister; indeed so firmly persuaded were the latter that the strangers were not of this world, that as they rode down the street, suspicious glances were cast on each side of their steeds, no doubt in the hope of discovering a cloven foot, or some other devilish appendage. But these gentlemen were doomed to experience disappointment, and nothing appeared to warrant their uncharitable suspicions. Since the arrival of the strangers, they had never held communion with any of the townspeople, but appeared to shun observation as much as possible. It, therefore, occasioned some surprise, when one evening a horseman, who was known to be one of the retainers of the Baron Von Stauffenburgh, arrived at the inn, and inquired for the stranger Knight. He was immediately shewn into an apartment where the Knight sat, and after closing the door, he said, in a low gruff voice, "Bear ye the name of Guzman di Vigliar?" "I do," was the reply" What would'st thou have with me?" The grisly messenger drew from his belt a long petrionel-and with the ramrod took out the charge, from which he produced a small piece of paper, clumped up as though used for the wadding. This motion somewhat startled the Knight, whose hand was already on the hilt of his sword, when the messenger waving his hand, presented the paper. "Fear not," said he;" here is a billet from one ye have long sought-quick, read it, and let me have your answer; for my head will be forfeit if the Baron should discover my absence and suspect.' With hands that quivered with emotion, the Knight spread the paper, and as he read its contents the cold drops started Nothing less! My lady's messenger was firm, and drew upon me-but he'll tilt no more." "Hast thou killed him?" "Ay." دو "Where hast thou bestowed the body?" "In the bed of the river-a fragment of a rock sunk it deep enough.' "And the Galliard-where is he?" "At Ober-Wessel-here is his billet in reply." The Baron took the paper, and his eye glanced over the contents. ""Tis well," said he, with an air of fiendish triumph; "but how shall it be delivered ?" "Leave it to me, my Lord," said Herman; "'twill be easy to say that Leopold gave it me, with strict orders to deliver it to none but my lady.' "Good-here is something for thy faithful services," placing a purse heavily charged into Herman's hand-" Go and deliver the billet." The evening came. The Baroness Von Stauffenburgh sat in her chamber in torturing suspense : she looked from her latticed window down on the clear stream, which washed the rock on which the castle stood. The sun was descending fast, but the swallows skimmed over the surface of the waters, and the finny tribe shewed their golden scales as they jumped to seize the sportive gadfly, which danced within their reach. The stream flowed on unruffled, save when at times the coot or teal dived beneath its surface. song of the fisherman was heard as he rowed home, and the eagle winged her flight through the clear blue space, and sought her resting place among the highest rocks which bordered the Rhine. The The Baroness looked on the scenehow beautiful!-how tranquil!- But a fierce war raged in her bosom, which heaved like a billow. She wept not her hand pressed her burning brow, which throbbed wildly against her long and alabaster fingers-no tears relieved her mind's anguish. She gazed long and intently on the stream, when a small boat was seen approaching, rowed by two figures. A signal from the Baroness was answered, and the boat advanced rapidly. She sank on her seat, overpowered with contending emotions. She had planned the meeting she now dreaded, at great hazard-and little wot she of the storm that was gathering over her head. The Baron had become acquainted with the arrival of Guzman at Ober-Wesseltheir messages had been observed, and Herman was employed to intercept the letter which appointed the meeting. He had done this, though not without taking the life of the messenger; and the Baroness was deceived by the excuse which Herman made for her page's absence. In the side of the rock on which the castle stood was a cave, which communicated with a subterraneous passage, leading to the chamber of the Baroness. Guzman and his servant arrived at it, and entering the passage described in the Baroness's letter, he ascended the narrow stairs which ran between the wall, passed through the panel which she had already drawn aside, and stood before his mistress. Who shall describe their meeting? -She rose from her seat,-tottered towards him, and sank senseless into his arms. 66 Inez," said the Cavalier, in a halfstifled voice," look up, I conjure thee." She seemed to revive at the sound of his voice, and opened her eyes. A burst of bitter scalding tears came to her relief, and roused her to a state of consciousness. "Oh! Guzman," she said, "do not upbraid me,- my father!"At the same instant a sound as of cautious footsteps was heard near the panel-" Ah! we are lost," faintly shrieked the wretched Baroness," Fly, Guzman, fly!" The Cavalier flew to the door of the chamber, it was secured!-he turned to the panel, and was about to enter, when the gaunt form of Albert Von Stauffenburgh barred the entrance! The Baroness threw herself at the feet of her lord, and clasped his knees, but her tongue denied its office. 66 Away, woman!" said the Baron, calmly, spurning her from him, and she fell on the floor of the chamber. "Monster!" cried the Cavalier, un sheathing his sword, but at that moment the Baron discharged a pistol full in the face of Guzman. The deadly shot passed through his brain,-the Cavalier sprung convulsively from the floor, and instantly expired. It was some moments before the smoke which filled the chamber cleared away, when the Baron strode forward and fixedly regarded, for some moments, the body of his foe. So intently was he engaged, that he forgot, for a moment, his wretched partner; when on looking round him, He atshe was no where to be seen. tempted to pass out by the door of the chamber; but it was still fastened, as he had directed, on the outside. He drew aside the tapestry which covered the walls, when, but she had not concealed herself; on a sudden, the horrid truth flashed across his brain. He flew to the window and looked down. There, on a rock, whitened with age, lay the body of the Baroness. He gazed, with fallen jaw and distended eye-balls, on the dreadful spectacle. She moved-she waved her arm-as if in token of forgiveness,-her eyes were once turned on her fierce lord, and then closed for ever. J. Y. A-N. His brow majestic naval honours graced, His purple vestments in the zephyrs swell'd: Dim faded lustre in his cheek was seen, By torturing care and disappointment torn; Superior virtue dignified his mien, But virtue, friendless, desolate, forlorn. Majestic he began, "Dost thou complain Öf unrequited worth and friends ingrate! Is not thy country that perfidious Spain. From whom Columbus met contempt and hate? At Genoa, happy then in Freedom's sway, 'Midst arts and arms, I drew my earliest breath; And soon, directed by Ambition's ray, On the proud waves I dared fatigue and death. By Genius led new climates to explore; By Science urg'd the bold design to try; The plan that Reason taught to Spain I bore, And won the crafty monarch's fav'rite eye. Fearless the undiscovered main I plough'd, My crew rebellious, thwarted each design; With hellish frenzy my destruction vow'd: Think if thou canst, how hard a task was mine? The nearest limit of the world unknown, These eyes Iberian chief did first behold; That world, whose riches now support your throne, The new world destin'd to transcend the old. The sight how rapturous! with religious awe I kissed the earth, and bless'd heav'n's guid. ing care, Here beasts and birds unknown and rare I dyed, From such barbarity these hands were clear. The law of kindness taught by God to man, In ev'ry action, charm'd my enraptur'deye: Mine was the social, the commercial plan, That land to land should mutual wants supply. Where's my reward?"-At this an airy tear Stood trembling in his visionary eye : "My restless foes obtain'd the regal ear, Prepared by sordid avarice to comply. A mean-soul'd wretch, of courts the scourge and shame, Grac'd with the royal mandate cross'd the main: Now blush Alphonso for thy country's fame, In fetters bound, I travelled back to Spain. Ungrateful Spain! for thee, though health decay'd, Thy firm adventurer stemm'd the unknown sea: Thy good the claims of nature far outweigh'd, Friends, country, kindred, I forsook for thee! Thy perjur'd king my vow'd reward denied, beloved. Let all henceforth beware, where tyrants rule, Patient for thee the skilful artists serve, To thee the sages shall their toils address; words; A casket with no key, to free its pearls: Who has not wit enough to crack it; a bell Your corkscrew, knave, is wine's expositor, His crack chirurgeon, that opens his full veins, sing Or say much in your corkscrew's praise." Merry Doings at Islington. I was created in Sheffield; my parent was an eminent cutler; but as I was only indebted to him for making me, and was no sooner made than dismissed from the home of my birth, there was no time allowed for love to grow between us, and consequently there was no love lost when we parted. Within a week after I was perfected, I was despatched away by the fully packed up, to that universal refuge Sheffield waggon, very neatly and carefor the destitute, London, the grand mart for merchandize, and the metropolis of this manufacturing world. Here I was left upon liking at an eminent retail cutler's, who, asl flattered myself, took particular notice of me, and was so proud of my shewy appearance, that I was exhibited every day in his window. I was, notwithstanding, doomed during many months to that neglect "which patient merit of the unworthy takes ;" but the time came at last when I was to have justice done to my distinguished qualities: it was on the 8th of November, 1825, that |