I at length found the wished-for opportunity sence there might afford me opportunities of refu of speaking to Basil. Tears streamed down the ting their calumnies, and defeating the malice face of the good old man when I disclosed to him and should any violent flame break out, Paris the secret of the casket, and repeated my mother's would brobably be the safest asylum. There, in the dying injunctions to commit it to his care. I was involution of numerous individuals as conspicuous unspeakably affected by the expression of affection, as myself, I might find security; as an oak, enfor my family, and attachment to myself, that circled by a forest, would be more likely to escape burst at intervals from his lips when tears per- the fury of the thunder-bolt, than another which mitted him to speak, with an incoherence that stood alone, and in an elevated situation." evidenced their truth and energy. I wished him My thoughts were full of my appointment with to appoint a place where I might deliver the cas- Basil, and I retired soon after supper, that I might ket to him without danger of observation; and dismiss my women at an early hour. My father mentioned to him Laporte, and his troublesome retired soon afterwards to his apartment, and at officiousness.

twelve the house seemed quiet. I took the casket "Aye," said Basil, shaking his head, I told you and throwing a scarf around me to conceal it if l long ago, Mademoiselle, what sort of a fellow that should happen to be discovered by any of the do was: and as to his over-great civility to you, mestics, I descended softly, and soon reached the

tr al

B

cannot well guess what it drives at, I great hall, from which there is a corrider that com it is nothing that's good. The Marquis, municates with the western tower. As I passed imagines he has great attachments for along my ears were stunned with confused sounds wish he could hear him sometimes." of riotous merriment, which proceeded from a room father," said I, "often commends his on the ground floor, where La Porte was enter d dispatch in business."

ad

taining his bacchanalian crew. My heart palpitadispatch," returned Basil "the fellow ted, and my knees trembled as I creeped along; lever enough, I believe, as rogues too had a stranger witnessed my extreme trepidation, but it behoves us not to let him get a he would have imagined that I had stolen the treashis casket of your's; for I promise you ure I was going to conceal. But since the death nake no scruple of pocketing its con- of my dear and lamented parent, my spirits are agbrazening it out afterwards that he had itated by the slightest alarm, and I am subject even ight to them as you have."

to visionary terrors. qualizing spirit at present so prevalent," I found Basil waiting at the door of the musicha inspired the lower order of people with room

"Come, Madamoiselle," said he, "I am afraid

and very dangerous notions they are, let you have staid too long, and that we shall be in me tell you, Mademoiselle; for if people get it danger of meeting La Porte and his drunken roarinto their heads that they are to live higgledy-ing companions on our return.-But come, let us piggledy pell mell, without any distinction or law about our business."

but their own will, what motive have they to pre- He conducted me up a narrow stone stair-case, vent them from robbing, and stripping and nurder- which led to the upper room of the tower, ing all those they find richer and weaker than which was filled with lumber, and shattered remthemselves.

nants of massite, carved and gilt furniture, which

"This man is beneath your notice or mine, had formerly ornamented the ancient building. Basil, and has already engrossed too much of our Against the wall leaned a painting of enormous attention. I wish you would consider the means magnitude, which represented the horrors of the of concealing this casket."

massacre of St. Bartholomew; the artist had re

"Oh! as to concealing the casket, I am not at corded the infamy of his country but too horribly all uneasy about that matter," returned Basil; striking; but Basil allowed me no time to consider "There are places enough about these old towers this dreadful and disguising object-he pushed it that the imp of darkness himself could not find aside with some difficulty, and, to my great surprise out, unless he was shewn them. But the point discovered behind it a small door.

to be considered is, when we can set about the "You would never have suspected this, Malambusiness without danger or suspicion. And I think,

after a pause," I think I can manage that matter

oiselle."

"Never indeed, Basil."

too; The sooner it is done the better. This night "Ah," said he, looking carefully round, and lockLa Porte treats his cronies with a grand supper; ing the door by which we had entered, "I know so that, about twelve, they will be all in high every nook and crany of these old buildings; but carousal, and as drunk as swine; so do you con- I never showed them to any one, except my wife; trive, Mademoiselle, to bring the casket to your and there is no danger of her saying any thing of music-room, in the western tower, about that time, the matter, because she has been dead these ten and leave the rest to me."

years. Indeed my reason for keeping the matter After supper, the same evening, my father to my so private was, on account of a communication extreme surprise, announced to us his intention of there is between this tower and the vaults where

returning immediately to Paris.

"Public affairs," he said, " had assumed a most critical appearance,"

* I have enemies," said he, who may avail themselves of my absence to misrepresent my principles, and asperse my conduet; and my pre

::

the wines are kept. People may be honest enough but there is no good in throwing temptations in their way, you know."

"How" said I, 'a communication between this and the wine vaults?

You shal see that soon, Madamoissile,' said Ba

P

sil, if you will but take the trouble to follow me.' time. Come Madamoiselle, do you hold the light He led the way, and I followed him with diffi- while I go to work ;-I think this is a nice spot culty, on account of the narrowness of the pas- at the foot of this great stone. Note the place =sage: the stair-case was formed in the massy well, that if I should be sent to keep these Mes wall of the tower, and wound entirely round it. I seurs company, before you come in search of your thought we should never reach the bottom of it. deposit, you may know where to find it.' We arrived, at length at a small grated door, of He struck the ground with the mattock, and

- which Basil had the key; on entering it, we found

=

ourselves in a long narrow passage.

the echo rung in long murmurs through the vaults;
he stopped.-

These vaults are very extensive,' said Basil, "No matter, said he, " there is no human being they branch out in different directions at least half within nearing: or if there were, they would a mile, nay, one of them is said to have a commu- imagine that the ghosts were amusing themselves nication with the neighbouring forests; but I nev- by flinging their old bones and skulls at one anothet er found it, because I was afraid of losing myself if He repeated his strokes, and soon made a hol I went alone, and I did not choose to take any one low sufficiently large and deep to contain the cas with me because it would have been necessary ket; having previously wrapped it in a coarse

to pass through the wine vaults.'

He stopped when we arrived at the end of the passage, and turning towards me as he prepared to

= open the gate.

cloth, he placed it in the hole.

"I am thinking," said he, smiling and casting a look towards the bones, "I am thinking, that if these old sculls had eyes and brains in them, as

You must not be frightened atany thing you they used to have, it would be a sore vexation to see here, Madamoiselle; the vault we are going see this treasure so near them, without being able to enter was formerly the cemetery of the fortifica- to get it in their gripe; they were keen enough tion; it is however consecrated ground, and lies di- in pursuit of their prey once on a time, no doubt; rectly under the place where the former chapel but now, how quietly they rest! Ah! Mada.

stood.'

moiselle, this world is a strange place, and I often

Hè produced a large rusty key as he spoke, and wonder why people should toil and moil, and make with difficulty unlocked the heavy gate, which themselves miserable, and do the worst actions opened into a wide gloomy vault, arched above, for the sake of money, when they know all the and supported by rough uncouth pillars of a black. time, that all the riches in the world cannot add ish stone. one half hour to their lives, and that though they 'See,' said Basil, pointing to a large heap of heap up the wealth of the Indies, they must come bones and skulls which lay piled up in one corner to death and judgment at last." of this melancholy receptacle, 'many brave fellows "It is indeed a miserable infatuation," said I. rest their bones here. In time of war when the "There," said Basil, as he covered the casket; castle has been beseiged, as I have heard, they used "from the earth you came, and to the earth you to dig great holes here, and toss in their dead and return; and pity it is that you ever were dug out wounded by dozens. No matter, Madamoiselle, of it, to make men, who ought to agree like brothers, I'll engage they sleep as soundly as if they had fall out, and turn against, and tear each other 'fine monuments and long inscriptions, and a dozen piece-meal, like beasts of prey."

marble figures weeping over them, like that in the He covered the spot, where he had laid the chapel, erected to your great grandfather, the Mare- casket, with a stone, and again pointing it out to chal. I think,' continued Basil, looking round, my particular observation, we quitted this dreary 'I think we cannot find a better place than this to abode of death, and reached the western tower by deposit your casket, Madamoiselle; for no one will the pass passages we had already trodden. Basil come rooting after hidden treasures among the cautiously closed the little, door, and replaced the old rotten bones of these poor soldiers, who. whilst picture, and we then softly descended the stairthey lived, were often without a sous in their pur-case that led to the great-hall. We advanced

вев.

through the corridor without any interruption; the

He approached the heap of bones, and I followed Bacchanals, we imagined, were still celebrating not, I confess without some reluctance, for the their orgies; for their voices seemed louder, and light he carried, faintly twinkling through the their mirth more boisterous than before, We damp vapours of the vault, seemed in danger of trod softly, and reached the door that opens to the immediate extinction, and cast a fearful gleam hall, when observing as faint light advancing which dimly revealed the horrors of this sad sep- through the opposite corridor, Basil hastily extinulchral scene.

guished his light, and would have retreated into

You seem frightened, Madamoiselle,' said Basil the passage we had just quitted; but at that as we approached the bones; "you look pale.-Ah! moment the noise becoming louder, announced the you have no reason: God knows the dead are ten approach of La Porte and his companions. We times safer company than the living!-These Mes-looked round in vain for a place of refuge; the seurs were once as fierce as lions. I warrant, but doors of the adjoining apartments were all locked; now they are as quiet as lambs. They say, indeed Basil stept hastily forward, I followed: we enthat their ghosts stalk about these subterraneous ered the hall, and concealed ourselves behind passages; but this is all nonsense." the door. A female servant, who had carried the He set down the light as hespoke, and searching light, which had at first alarmed us, crossed the around, found an old mattock. hall without perceiving us, and ascended the stairs;

'Aye I knew I should find this old fellow, said but it was too late to quite our recess, as the near he, he is an ancient inhabitant of the castle, and approach of the Bacchanals would have rendered many and many is the grave he has broken in his it impossible to retreat un cen.

"Fear nothing, Madamoiselle," said Basil, they are by this time too swinishly drunk to see any thing."

those, choppings and changing, and revolutions and counter-revolutions: why I say the King might as well have been left to reign quietly, as his successors have done before him,"

"Don't tell me of Kings and Emperors," bellowed out one of the party, who had remained behind the rest and just then came reeling through

It was in vain that Basil endeavoured to encourage me: my violent tremor obliged me to lean against a pillar for support. In this situation we over heard the following dialogue, which, as it will have at least the charm of novelty to recom- the corridor, "what is the King but a man like mend it, I will endeavour to repeat with as much ourselves, that he should think to have the impuaccuracy as possible.

Softly, softly,' cried one fellow to another, who was roaring out Ca ira, 'you will disturb the Майquis.'

"The Marquis,' returned the person to whom this caution was addressed, 'who is the Marquis?-hang all Marquises, and Dukes, aud Counts and Bar

TORS.'

...

Aye, and Chevaliers,' added another, whom, by his voice, I knew to be La Porte.

dence to maltreat and abuse, and put us to death, and shut us up in dungeons, and Bastiles, and iron cages, and the like: and exercise all manner of cruelties and despotisms on us, just to divert himself when he has nothing else to do, as one may say! What flesh and blood could endure it ?-I think, for my part, our ancesters, and predecessors and forefathers were all stocks and stones, or they would have demolished the King, and the Government, and the laws, and courts of justice a

Aye, and Chevaliers! resumed the first, 'and thousand years ago. Kings and Emperors! the Bishops, and Abbots, and Monks, and Friars, and tyrants; and robbers, and scourges of the earth! Deans, and all the rest of the hellish fry that have if one of them was to provoke me, I would cut his kept us chained to the oar like poor galley-slaves!' throat with as little compunction as I would kill a "Yes,' cried another, they have kept us long ftea, I would make him quake and tremble on his enough tied to the yoke ('That's Malout, the hus- throne; and if he was as fierce as Hannibal, and bandman,' said Basil) labouring the stubborn earth as great as Alexander, I'd knock him off it!"

like beasts of

burthen, that

they might pamper and To give energy to this elegant effusion of gorge themselves with the fat of the land. But Jacobin eloquence, the monster who pronouncod times are changed, thank Heaven!-I don't find it, violently struck the door which concealed me that Marquises are made of better stuff than other with his clenched fist, as he staggered past it. folks; and his lordship may plough his own land The impulse of sudden terror overcame my prufor Jean Malout!"

Plough his own land, exclaimed La Porte; 'it is not clear to me that, by this day twelvemonth, he will have a foot of land to plough,',:

"I wish," cried another, "I wish we could hit on some frolic before we separate that might produce us a little fun. Suppose we go up to the tower, and storm old. Basil in his citadel. I should like to see the weather-beaten visage of that formal old prig stuck up on one of those sharp battlements that he is so fond, of."

"Oh! no doubt you would do wonders, my

pot-valiant orator," said La Porto; "but as matters are not yet come to a proper crisis, you had best go and try to sleep yourself into

sober your

The family will hear us-it is time for

senses.
us to retire."

"But before we separate," cried a little pert powdered footman, who had been singing Ca aira and capering about the hall to his own music, "give me leave to ask you, Monsieur La Porte, and. I. choose to ask you, knowing you to be a man of learning and knowledge, we.l acquainted with the springs of Government, and the secrets of the Court and the ins and outs of public affairs, and all that kind of business, as one may say; I would ask you, being a man of parts and talents, as I said before, what is the National Assembly dreaming

dence-I screamed aloud.. The Bacchanals stood for a moment in silent amazement; when La Porte, who was evidently much less inebriated than the rest, from being more accustomed to drinking, probably, stept forward, and exclaimed

"Which of the dear little, creatures have we here? Theresa was this fair to watch and listen to us? This is one of your jealous freaks, I suppose."

Theresa jealous of you," cried another! 'what conceit! when every one in the family knows

that she has been dying for me this half year."

"Come, make your appearance, my little dear,' cried the wretch, seizing my hand, "and confess your passion in the presence of this good company,'

In my first surprise and terror I had hidden my face with my scarf: but this little altercation had allowed me time for reflection. I pushed Basil

back as he was rushing out to protect me, and stepping forward, suddenly threw the covering from my face; but to depict the consternation and astonishment of the Bacchanalian rout, were a task to which my powers of description are utterly inadequate; one would imagine, from the terrified amazement with which they beheld me, that some hideous spectre had presented itself to their view. La Porte, whose effrontery was not to be daunted attempted to speak; when, assuming an air of to begone; and not

authority, I commanded them to

about all this time? I am afraid there is some fou! play amongst them some aristocratic col lusion. Why, in the devil's name, don't they de. throne the King at once, and let us proceed to business?-We hear a deal of talk about our La Porte loitered after the rest, and seemed in

one, except La Porte, seemed in the least inclined to disobey the order.

linerty and our equality, and our rights and our clined to apologize. It seemed natural that I privileges; but I want to know what are we the should have immediately departed; but that would better for them if we are to be kept in servitude have subjected Basil, who stood behind me, to and poverty! Where's the liberty and equality in almost certain discovery, which I had every reason All this? If we are to be nothing the richer for all for wishing to avoid. I therefore maintained my

which I consented to visit Paris. The old castle contained a relique most dear to my soul and to which my superstitious fancy was inclined to ascribe some power of supernatural protectionthe dust of my dear lamented parent. That night (for the following day was appointed for our journey,) I determined to have a mass celebrated for the repose of her soul.

I accordingly prepared the family chapel for the ceremony, which was performed, after midnight, by two Priests; all the family assisted at it. At first I fancied that the presence of La Porte, and his reprobate companions, would have been profanation to the solenin hour, and determined to exclude them; but christian charity revoked the interdiction.

"Let them come," said I; "hearts the most obdurate have been melted by devotion, and softened to contrition by its instantaneous impulse. Not the righteous, but sinners are called to repen

"You need not, however, apprehend," resumed I, "that I shall repeat to your master the ridiculous ribaldry I have this night accidentily over-tance.' heard; for once your insolence shall go unpunished."

Insolence!" repeated he, in the same tone. "This is harsh language, Mademoiselle; but lips so beautiful," continued the monster of audacity, surveying me with insulting confidence, "are licensed to use any language."

The musical parts of this holy solemnity were perforined chiefly by Saint Salaire and myself. My fancy represented the sainted spirit of my mother hovering over the solemn scene, to the requiems we chaunted with such holy fervour. When the rites were finished, the Priests with. drew, accompanied by the other persons who had

Think what I felt. But the wretch was un-assisted at the ceremony; but I had devoted the doubtedly encouraged by my standing to parley night to exercises of devotion, and determined to with him. remain in the chapel. The occupation was con"You are beneath my contempt," said I, turning genial with the present temper of my mind, and disdainfully from him; "besides you are at pre-soothing to its distressed feelings. I had continued sent intoxicated."

" Yes," he returned, with a look which alarmed me. "I am intoxicated with admiration of your beauty!"

In the moment when I felt myself glow with indignation, that denied me the power of utterance a sudden blow levelled the audacious monster to the earth, and a light he held was fortunately extinguished in his tall. I knew it had been dealt by the arm of Basıl, and the moon beaming on the opposite window, showed him ready to repeat his stroke. I caught his arm, and whilst La Porte, prostrate at our feet, called aloud for assistance, I softly conjured him to retire without speaking. Satisfied with his revenge he obeyed the order, and retired through the corridor that led to the western tower. I ascended the stair-case, and reached my apartment, leaving La Porte to the care of his companions, who were soon recalled by his outcries.

PART 11.

more than two hours at the altar, when the great
clock striking five, warned me that it was time
to retire. I arose to depart, when a low sound,
that proceeded from the opposite end of the aisle,
arrested me. I saw the figure of a man, but on
his nearer approach perceived it to be Salignac.
"Salignac!" said I, in surprise, "I thought you
had retired to rest."

"When the mind is deeply agitated," returned he, "we have as little inclination as power to rest. I have watched all night to procure a few moments private conversation with you."

At another time," said I.

"And why not now? -These moments are precious," interrupted he, eagerly.

"You love me, Mathilde?" "Love you-Oh yes, yes!-But wherefore this question that implies a doubt?-Why this emotion, said I, struck with surprise at the earnestness of his voice and gesture.

He took my hand, and led me back to the altar. At this altar, said He, " I hoped to haveateceived this hand; before I had the happiness of seeing you, I was soothed by the hope of calling you mine. The loveliness of my destined bride

Subsequent events induced my father to hasten his journey to Paris, whilst 1 shuddered at the idea of exchanging this sweet and tranquil retire- was the favourite theme of a father, whose anxiety ment for that tumultuous and factious city, which for my happiness, more perhaps than interested appeared to my terrified imagination a maze of hor- motives, first induced him to approve an alliance rors, where danger presents itself in every hideous originally proposed by Monsieur Robigne. I form; where daring outrage exults in the perpe- listened till I became enamoured of the ideal pictration of crimes the most astrocious; and con- ture; but what was my rapture on finding how cealed malevolence directs the dagger of the as- faintly it portrayed the loveliness of the original! sassin.-Merciful God! in what fatal calamities - One fear alone alloyed my transport, that of must such horrors terminate?...

I had another motive for the deep regret with

finding myself the object of your disapprobation; for whatever inconvenience such a conduct might involve, I determined never to form an union Yet let me not thus the Almighty arraign, 'against which your heart might revolt."

Who graciously gives me a balm for my pain,

"Oh! why these assurances of your honour," I feel, when our many dear ties I recall,

returned I, " of which I never entertained a doubt?
Are we not assured of each other's sentiments?-
Has not our attachment been ratified by the ap-
probation of our parents
prelude, that fills me with terror?

That the service of God was the dearest of all.
Our way to his house on the Sabbath we took,

Wherefore then this Together we studied the truth of his book,

"Ratified! yes it has been ratified-but-"

And we owned when the paths of proud science w trod,

"But what? Be quick, I entreat you I must That all knowledge was poor to the knowledge o go!"

"You must not, Mathilde, till you kneel with me before this altar, and promise to be mine,"

"Oh! why would you exact this unnessary promise? This night I have given to devotion; I wish no world y interests to interfere with duties to holy. This is no hour-no place-"

God,

Thy faith in thy last waning moments is shown, Nor dost thou, my sister, enjoy it alone, Thy tender companion from life's early breath, May be not, alas! thy companion in death, But her spirit with thine shall still fondly unite, which the awful solemny suits the sacredness of And the glories of Heaven shall oft break on her the engagements 1 require you to form." sight.

"It is an hour-it is a place," resumed he, " of

To be continued.

The twin Sisters.

BY MRS. ABDY.

My sister, I sit in the chestnut-trees' shade,
Where often in childhood we frolicked and played,
But my spirit is heavy, and burthened with gloon,
I look through my tears at thy close-curtained room
The sound of dark meaning yet ring in my ear,
Thy sister is drooping, her summons is near;
Yes, Death, that the strong and the mighty o'er

powers,

Can even dissever a union like ours.

'Our lot was not common, our ties were above
The usual connection of sisterly love,
Together we entered this region of care,
Together we lisped our first infantine prayer;
As childhood advanced, in each study and aim,
Our hopes, our pursuits, our delights were the same,
And the thought of the one, although yet unexprest,
Oft found a reply in the other's fond breast.

No absence was suffered a chillness to bring

When her thoughts from earth's perils and sorrows arise

To her dear twin-born sister who lives in the skies

LITERARY HISTORY OF THE BIBLE.

The Editor of the Visiter being of opinion that the more that is known regarding this invaluable work the better will it be for the community at large, now bring forward the first of a series of short articles on this interesting subject, written, he would fain hope, in a style which cannot possibly offend any sect in religion, and suitable to the edification of the young, and families in all classes of society.

FIRST ARTICLE.

THE Bible of the Christians is, without excep tion, the most remarkable work now in existence. In the libraries of the learned, there are frequently seen books of an extraordinary antiquity, and curious and interesting from the nature of their contents: but none approach the Bible, taken in its complete sense, in point of age, while certainly no production whatever has any pretension to rival it in the dignity of composition, or the important nature of the subjects treated of in its pages.

O'er the radiance and joy of our girlhood's fresh The word Bible is of Greek origin, and, in signi

spring,

1

fying simply The Book, is expressive of its supe riority over all other literary productions. The origin and nature of this every way singular work, how it was preserved during the most remote ages, and how it became known to the modern world in its present shape, form a highly interesting chapter of literary history.

No rival emotions, no jealousies vain,
Our fervent affection e'er came to profane.
In person the stranger scarce knew us apart,
But the stranger could trace notour likeness of heart
None, none but ourselves the sweet fulness divined
'Of our perfect communion of temper and mind.

'Oh! how when my sister is summoned away,
Shall I pass the slow hours of the long dreaded day?
The songs we have sung will seem tnneless to me,
My walks will be sad unpartaken by thee;
I shall miss thy kind smile when my pillow I leave,
I shall miss thy soft voice in the silence of ove,
Our parents their child may in patience resign,
Thoir trial is surely less bitter than mine..한

The Bible comprehends the entire foundation of the religious belief of the Jews and Christians, and is divided into two distinct portions, entitled the Old and New Testament, the former being that which is esteemed by the Jewish nation, but both being essential in forming the faith of the Christian. The Old Testament is the largest department of the work, and appears a collection of detached histories, moral essays, and pious poetical effusions, all placed together in the order of time, or, as they may serve, for the purpose of mutual illustration.