A gentleman at this moment stepped from the crowd, and politely tendered to her his services.

VOL. II.

Do not come near these walls; return home,| The following beautiful and affecting lines we cut from dearest-and farewell forever." a western paper. From the signature and date, we presume they are from the pen of a highly gifted young lady of Plainfield, New Jersey. The author, whoever she may be, is imbued with the true spirit of poetry, which if carefully cherished will ere long place her in the first rank of the female authors of our country.

"Your services," exclaimed Agnes bitterly; "yes, I will accept them. Go, save him-I am free-I want no assistance. Save him, and I will bless you-thank you forever."

[WRITTEN FOR AN ORPHAN FRIEND.]

MY MOTHER.

"Blest mother! I remember thee !"

The gentleman stated to her the apparent impossibility of effecting the release of the prisoner, and pointed to the iron bars of his window, and the living coal of the whole interior of the first floor. She turned from Blest mother! I remember thee, from early childhood's him despairingly, and again called upon her lover.

"Break those hideous bars, Ratcliff." "I cannot, Agnes; they are iron; farewell."

66

Oh, no, no, no,—do not bid me farewell, but come to me—I am all alone here, Ratcliff-come to me."

Dormer seized hold of the middle bar which

hour,

When first my heart awoke to feel maternal love's deep

power;

When not a transient tear could dim the smile of infant

bliss,

That was not dried beneath the warmth of a mother's

fervent kiss.

crossed his window, and pulled with all his Is clear upon the deep-wrought page of hallowed memstrength; but did not move it. Relinquishing his hold, he darted back into his chamber, as if some new hope had crossed him, and in a

And those soft tones that rose to heaven from out thy swelling breast,

moment re-appeared, standing on the sill of They seem to sound upon my ear, though thou art gone

Dormer again caught the bar, and planting his foot firmly against the wall, pulled with the strength of a giant. The frame of the window, shrivelled and loosened by the cracked and scorching walls, presently began to yield. Another and sterner effort-a voice of encouragement from the crowd-it shook -moved, and at last fell into the cell, burying the unfortunate Ratcliff in a pile of the|| And I remember a soft hand, that smoothed my aching ruined wall, which he had dragged after him.

And 'twas thy counsel that forbade my trust in earthly

The shout of triumph which had almost A tearful, guardian eye, that watch'd beside my curescaped the lips of the spectators, died away into a moan of despair. The events we have here last recorded, occurred in less time than we have taken to detail them; and at the moment of the falling in of the wall, the mass which had moved off for implements of operation upon the first recognition of the Blest mother! I remember thee, as guide, companion, character of the prisoner, returned to the scene of danger, but it was too late.

once shared.

friend!

When years mature had taught my heart life's blessings and their end;

for thee,

In vain then were torrents of water poured into the blazing ruin; in vain were ladders When I had learn'd to share thy griefs, to shed the tear erected and screens set up, and fearless hearts and strong arms brought to the rescue. The Who in my wayward days had turn'd to pray and weep prisoner was found, and taken out a mangled corpse.

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281

Blest mother! I remember thee, (alas! how sad the spot BEAUTIES OF SALATHIEL. On memory's page which even now the tear of grief

must blot!)

When first the blight of fell disease pass'd o'er thy con

stant heart,

BY THE REV. GEORGE CROLY.
No. XVI.

While, with my head bent on my knees, I

And on thy brow, with death's pale hand, 'twas writ- hung in the misery of self abhorrence; I heard

ten-"We must part!"

But not a murmur mingled then with faith's assurance given,

And not a fear pass'd with thee through the darksome

vale to heaven;

No! God's own rod and staff were there, nor could I

wish thy stay,

When angels beckon thee from earth and all its ills
away.

Blest mother! I remember thee, when on thy sable bier,
And follow'd by an orphan train, which stranger hands

the name of Constantius sorrowfully pronounced beside me. The state in which he must be left by my long absence flashed upon my mind; I threw back the mantle, and saw Salome. It was her voice that wept; and I then first observed the work of woe in her form and features. She was almost a shadow; her eye was lustreless, and the hands that she clasped in silent prayer were reduced to the bone.But before I could speak, Miriam made a sign of silence to me, and led the mourner away; then returning, said, "I dreaded lest you might make any inquiries before Salome for her husband. Religion alone has kept her from the grave. On our arrival here we found our noble Constantius worn out by the fatigue of the time; but he was our guardian spirit in the dreadful tumults of the city. When we were burned out of one asylum, he led us to another. It is but a week since he placed us in this melancholy spot, but yet the more secure and unknown. He himself brought And he who gives the ravens food, for us will still pro- that could be obtained by his impoverished us provisions, supplied us with every comfort

must rear;

When laid within thy narrow bed, where now the green turf grows,

While we were left alone to stem the tide of human woes.

Yet not alone, for One there is, our Father in the sky, Who stoops to make our cause his own, who listens to our cry;

Upon his arm our strength was stayed, his hand hath been our guide,

vide.

means, and saved us from want. But now,"

Blest mother! now I think of thee, as one amid that-the tears gushed from her eyes, and she could not proceed.

EARTHLY HAPPINESS. This is a phantom of which all are in pursuit, and which none have yet been able to embrace. Most people can see it, but always at a distance. It is a mere shadow, always flying but never caught. It allures but to deceive; it promises only to disappoint. It is the grand object for which most people live; but perfect happiness is what no person living ever yet found, and what none ever can find until they arrive at the exhaustless source from whence it springs-the throne of God. -Mobile Gazette.

"Yes-now," said I, "he is a sight that would shock the eye; we must keep Salome in ignorance, as long as we can."

"The unhappy girl knows his fate but too well. He left us a few days since, to obtain some intelligence of the siege. We sat during the night, listening to the frightful sounds of battle. At day-break, unable any longer to bear the suspense, or sit looking at Šalome's wretchedness, I ventured to the Fountaingate, and there heard what I so bitterly anticipated-our brave Constantius was slain!"

She wept aloud; and sobs and cries of irrepressible anguish answered her from the chamber of my unhappy child.

The danger of a too sudden discovery prevented me from drying those tears; and I could proceed only by offering conjectures on the various chances of battle, the possibility of his being made prisoner, and the general difficulty of ascertaining the fates of men in the irregular combats of a populace. But Salome sat fixed in cold incredulity. Esther sorrowfully kissed my hand for the disposition to give them a ray of comfort; Miriam gazed on me with a sad and searching look, as if she felt that I would not tamper with their distresses, yet was deeply perplexed for the issue.

At last the delay grew painful to myself

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VOL. II.

and taking Salome to my arms, and pressing me, were exiled or slain; and it was in the a kiss of parental love on her pale cheek, I midst of a fierce populace, themselves dying whispered, "he lives." of hunger, that I was to glean the daily subI was overwhelmed with transports and sistence of my wife and children. The natuthanksgivings. Precaution was at an end.—ral pride of the chieftain revolted at the idea

If battle were raging in the streets, I could of supplicating for food; but this was one of not now have restrained the generous impa- the questions that show the absurdity of pride; tience of friendship and love. We left the and I must beg, if I would not see them die. tower. There was not much to leave, besides The dwelling had belonged to one of the nothe walls; but such as it was, the first fugitive || ble families extinguished or driven out in the was welcome to the possession. Night was first commotions of the war. The factions still within the building, which had belonged which perpetually tore each other, and fought to some of the Roman officers of state, and from house to house, had stripped its lofty was massive and of great extent. But at the halls of every thing that could be plundered threshold, the grey dawn came quivering over in the hurry of civil feud; and when I took the Mount of Olives. refuge under its roof, it looked the very pal

We struggled through the long and wind-ace of desolation. But it was a shelter; uning streets, which even in the fight were nearly impassable. From the inhabitants we met with no impediment; a few haggard and fierce-looking men stared at us from the ruins; but we, wrapped up in rude mantles, and hurrying along, wore too much the livery of despair, to be disturbed by our fellows in wretchedness.

disturbed by the riots of the crowd, too bare to invite the robber; and even its vast and naked chambers, its gloomy passages, and frowning casements, were congenial to the mood of my mind. With Constantius insensible and dying before me, and with my own spirit darkened by an eternal cloud, I loved the loneliness and darkness. When the echo With a trembling heart I led the way to of the winds came round me, as I sat during the chamber, where lay one, in whose life my miserable midnights watching the counour general happiness was centred. Fearful tenance of my son, and moistening his feverof the shock which our sudden appearance ish lip with water, that even then was becommight give his enfeebled frame, and not less ing a commodity of rare price in Jerusalem; of the misery with which he must be seen, II communed with memories that I would not advanced alone to the bedside. He gave no sign of recognition, though he was evidently awake; and I was about to close the curtains, and keep at least Salome from the hazardous sight of this living ruin, when I found her beside me. She took his hand, and set down on the bed with her eyes fixed on his hollow features. She spoke not a word, but sat cherishing the wasted hand in her own, and kissing it with sad fondness. Her grief was too sacred for our interference; and in sorrow scarcely less poignant than her own, I led apart Miriam and Esther, who, like me, believed that the parting day was come.

have exchanged for the brightest enjoyments of life. I welcomed the sad music, in which the beloved voices revisited my soul; what was earth now to me, but a tomb! pomp, nay, comfort would have been a mockery. I clung to the solitude and obscurity that gave me the picture of the grave.

But the presence of my family made me feel the wretchedness of my abode. And when I cast my eyes round the squallid and chilling halls, and saw wandering through them those gentle and delicate forms, and saw them trying to disguise by smiles and cheering words the depression that the whole scene must inspire, I felt a pang that might defy a firmer philosophy than mine.

Such rude help as could be found in medicine, at a time when our men of science had fled the city, and a few herbs were the only "Here," said I to Miriam, as I hastened to resource, had not been neglected even in the door, "I leave you mistress of a palace. my distraction. But life seemed retiring hour || The Asmonean blood once flourished within by hour; and if I dared to contemplate the death these walls; and why not we? I have seen of this heroic and beloved being, it was al- the nobles of the land crowded into these most with a wish that it had happened before chambers; and every spot of them echoing the arrival of those to whom it must be a re- with festivity. They are not so full now; but newal of agony. we must make the most of what we have.— Those hangings, that I remember the pride of the Sidonian who sold them, and the wonder of Jerusalem, are left to us still; if they are in fragments, they will but show' our handy-work the more. We must make our own music; and, in default of menials, serve with our own hands. The pile in that corner was once a throne sent by a Persian king

But the minor cares, which make so humble, yet so necessary a page in the history of life, were now to occupy me. Food must be provided for the increased number of my inmates; and where was that to be found in the circle of a beleaguered city? Money was useless, even if I possessed it: the friends who would once have shared their last meal with

No 12.

Beauties of Salathiel.

to the descendant of the Maccabees; it will serve at least for firing: the walls are thick; the roof may hold out a few storms more; the casements, if they keep out nothing else, keep out the day-light, an unwelcome guest, which would do anything but reconcile us to the state of the mansion: and now farewell for a few hours."

Miriam caught my arm, and said in that sweet tone, which always sank into my heart; "Salathiel, you must not leave us in this temper. I would rather hear your open com. plaints of fortune, than this affectation of scorn for our calamities. They are many, and painful, I allow; though I will not--dare not repine. They may even be such as are beyond human cure. But who shall say, that he has deserved better; or if he has, that suffering may not be the determined means of purifying and exalting his nature? Is gold the only thing that is to be tried in fire?"

She waited my answer with a look of dejected love.

"Miriam, I need not say that I respect and honor your feelings. But no resignation can combat the substantial evils of life. Will the finest sentiments that ever came from human lips make this darkness light, turn this bitter wind into warmth, or make these hideous chambers but the dungeon?"

283

ety in solitude, and feel every comfort of life in cold, squalidness and privation." Miriam turned away with a vexed look; but soon, recovering her composure, came back to conquer with her irresistible smile.

"I can forgive your unhappiness: the spirit of man is not made to endure with the patience of woman. But, thoughts like yours are nurtured into sadness by inactivity: you must leave us for a while, and see how far our skill may not improve even this dwelling. Go into the streets, and bring us intelligence of what the Romans are doing. Try the effect of sunshine and air; and then return, and allow the wonders that can be done even by helpless woman."

I obeyed the orders of my gentle despot, and hurried through the echoing halls of this palace of the winds. As I approached the great avenues leading from the gates to the temple, unusual sounds struck my ears.Hitherto, nothing in the sadness of the besieged city was sadder than its silence.Death was lord of Jerusalem; and the numberless ways in which life was extinguished, had left but a remnant of its once proud and flourishing population.

But now shouts, and still more the deep and perpetual murmurs that bespeak the movements and gatherings of a crowded city, astonished me. My first conception was, that the enemy had advanced in force; and I was turning towards the battlements to witness or repel the general fate, when I was involved in the multitude whose voices had perplexed

me.

"Salathiel, I dread this language ;" was the answer, with more than usual solemnity. "It is, must I say it, even ungrateful and unwise: shall the creatures of the power by whom we are placed in life, either defy his wrath, or disregard his mercy? Might we not be more severely tasked than we are? Are there not It was the season of the passover; the Rothousands at this hour in the world, who,||man barrier had hitherto kept back the tribes: with at least equal claims to the divine be- but the victory that left it in embers, opened nevolence, (I tremble when I use the pre- the gates: and we once more saw the sons sumptuous phrase,) are undergoing calami- of Judea filling the courts of the city of cities to which ours are happiness? Look from ties. this very threshold: are there not thousands Nothing could be more unrestrained than within the walls of Jerusalem groaning in the public rejoicing. The bold myriads that the pangs of unhealed wounds, mad, starving, poured in hour by hour, many of them long stripped of every succor of man, dying in ho- acquainted with Roman battle, and distinvels, the last survivors of their wretched race; guished for the successful defence of their and yet we, still enjoying health, with a roof strong holds; many of them even bearing over our heads, with our children round us arms taken from the enemy, or displaysafe, when the plague of the first-born has ing honorable scars, seemed to have come, fallen upon almost every house in Judea, can sent by heaven. The enemy evidently discomplain! Be comforted, my love; I see but heartened by their late losses, and the deone actual calamity among us; and, if Con-struction of the rampart which had cost them stantius should survive, even that one would be at an end."

I tried to escape under cover of ridicule. "So, let fancy have its way; and never had it a more boundless field. Let us dream this ruin into our palace, fill its walls with imaginary opulence, and be happy in spite of chance or change. Here will I sit," said I, throwing myself on the remnant of an embroidered couch; "enjoy the delights of soci-||

The

so much labor, were collected in their camps; and access was free from every quarter. rumors of our triumph had spread with singular rapidity through the land; and even the fearful phenomenon that wrote our undoing in the skies, stimulated the national hope. No son of Abraham could believe, without the strongest repugnance, that heaven had interposed, and yet, interposed against the chosen people.

1

284

Beauties of Salathiel.

VOL. II.

A living torrent was swelling into the the battle is done, the eagerness for immedi gates; and the great avenues and public ate indulgence, and the rude and unhallowed places were quickly impassable with the mul-resources to while away the heavy hour of titude. Jerusalem never before contained idleness, were powerfully and repulsively such a mass of population. Wherever the prominent in the final coming up of the naeye turned were tents, fires, and feasting;||tion. still, the multitude wore an aspect not such As I struggled through the avenues in as in former days. The war had made its search of the remnant of my tribe, my ears impression on the inmost spirit of our coun- were perpetually startled by sounds of riot; try. The shepherds and tillers of the ground 1 saw, beside the spot where relations were had been forced into the habits of soldiership;|| weeping over their dead, crowds drinking, and I saw before me, for the gentle and joy-dancing, and clamoring. Songs of wild exous inhabitants of the field and garden, bands ultation over the enemy were mingled with of warriors, made fierce by the sullen neces- laments for their country; wine flowed; and sities of the time.

the concourse with supercilious dignity, canvassing for hearers in the market-places as of old, offering their wordy devotions where they might best be seen, and quarreling, with the native bitterness of religious faction. Blind guides of the blind; vipers and hypocrites; I think that I see them still with their turbans pulled down upon their scowling brows; their mantles gathered round them, that they might not be degraded by a profane touch; and every feature of their acrid and worldly physiognomies wrinkled with pride put to the torture by the assumption of humility.

the board, loaded with careless profusion, was The ruin in which they found Jerusalem, || surrounded by revelers, with whom the caincreased their gloom. Groups were seen rouse was often succeeded by the quarrel. every where climbing among the fallen build- The Pharisee and Scribe, the pests of soings to find out the dwelling of some chief of|ciety, were as busy as ever, bustling through their tribe, and venting furious indignation on the hands that had overthrown it. The work of war upon the famous defences of the city was a profanation in their eyes. Crowds rushed through the plain to trace the spot where their kindred fell, and gather their bones to the tardy sepulchre. Others were exulting over the wrecks of the Roman, and burning them in heaps, that they might not mix with the honored dead. But it was the dilapidation of the temple that struck them with the deepest wrath. The whole nervous sensibility and native reverence of the Jew were awakened by the sight of the humiliated sanctuary. They knelt and kissed the pave ments stained with the marks of civil feud. They sent forth deep lamentations for the dismantled beauty of gate and altar. They wrapped their mantles round their heads, and, covering themselves with dust and ashes, chanted hymns of funeral sorrow over the ruins. Hundreds lay embracing pillar and threshold, as they would the corpse of a parent or a child; or, starting from the ground, gathered on the heights nearest to the enemy and poured out curses upon the abomination of desolation-the idolatrous banner that flaunted over the Roman camps, and by its mere presence insulted and polluted the temple of their fathers.

the way, with sacred song to the gates of the Minstrels, far unlike those who once led holy city, flocked round the tents; and comand flute-players, the natural and fatal growth panies of Greek and Syrian mimes, dancers, of a period of military relaxation, were erecting their pavilions, as in the festivals of their own profligate cities.

Deepening the shadows of this fearful profanation, stood forth the progeny of terror; the exorcist, the soothsayer, the magician gir dled with live serpents, the pretended prophet, naked and pouring out furious rhapsodies; impostors of every color and trade; yet, some of those abhorred and frightful beings the dupes of their own imposture; some utIn the midst of this sorrow, and never wasterly frenzied; and some declaring and doing there more real sorrow, was the strange conwonders, that showed a power of evil never trast of a violent spirit of festivity. The learned from man. passover, the grand celebration of our law, In depression of heart I gave up the effort was till now marked by a grave homage.- to urge my way through scenes, that, firm as Even its recollections of triumphant deliver-I was, terrified me; and turned towards my ance and illustrious promise were but slightly home, through the steep path that passed suffered to mitigate the general awe. But along the outer court of the temple. There the character of the Jew had undergone a all was the mournful silence suited to the signal change. Desperate valor and haughty sanctuary, that was to see its altars kindled contempt of all power but that of arms, were no more. But the ruins were crowded with the impulse of the time. The habits of the kneeling and woe-begone worshipers, that, camp were transferred through every part of from morning till night, clung to the sacred life; and the reckless joy of the soldier when "soil, and wept for the departing majesty of