drilled hollow, of which the head screwed off; the whole enclosed in a neat ivory case, with a silver top. Such at least is the account I heard of them, though for the truth of the description I cannot vouch, never having seen them. But now, my dears, it is time for your evening walk, so I will not answer any more questions at present." SONG OF THE CRUSADER. THE struggle is over, the battle is won, The moon it was cloudy, and dim was the ray That woke nature from slumber to usher in day; But the hand of the Lord was extended to save, And the Turk and the Moslem soon slept in the grave. Let prayer and thanksgiving then sound through the land, For victory follows the Christian's brave band; RECOLLECTIONS OF ITALY. "WHATEVER You may be pleased to assert, George, I am most thankful for arriving here in safety. Such a whirl as my poor brain is in!—when shall I recover it? But I hope this experiment will suffice, and that you will not persevere in exasperating these Italian postmasters, and running riot to the regulations of their various states." "Oh! never fear, Frederick; we will put some new ideas into their heads; besides, it is only the paternal fears of the Grand Duke of Tuscany for the safety of his subjects; and I positively must verify the fact of the two postilions driving three horses." 66 Well, I think we have had a narrow escape of our lives; and when the boy flogged his horses into a gallop, which broke the harness, and the shafts flew up in the air, with the smooth icy road, the steep descent, and the precipices on either side, it being an even chance over which we whirled, I really felt the situation not enviable, in addition to the in L creasing darkness, and the utter impossibility of assisting ourselves in any way. Had it not been for the resistance of that slight rising ground after the swing round the turn, we must have been dashed to pieces." 66 Aye, Fred, and not a bad idea,—the composure of the boy in telling us, he had been nearly killed!" "Yes," interrupted Frederick; "and as for the burning light at Pietra Mala, I only obtained a glimpse of it, so rapid was our motion." "Well, but I can tell you," said George, "there is a small volcano, called Monte di Fo, (an abbreviation of Monte di Foco, the mount of fire,) which is always burning, and in wet and stormy weather is most vivid. Beyond and around this volcano are fallen rocks, and many appearances of volcanic earth and matter. There is also near it a cold spring, the water of which takes fire on being brought in contact with a candle. But what did you think of the scenery during the daylight?” "The Apennines strike me," replied Frederick, "as more beautiful, but less sublime than the Alps. They give the idea of a troubled sea of mountains; and as our road wound above many of the summits, the views of detached and clustered dwellings, some embosomed in wood, others surrounded by patches of cultivation, and parts again of the wildest, barren, and most forbidding aspect, kept my mind and imagination continually on the alert. The cream-coloured oxen, too, with their large white horns tipped with black, and here and there a dark shade upon the face, are remarkably handsome, and singular - shaped animals; and how powerful! dragging horses, carriage and all, up the steep pitches, and even galloping, at the command of their driver, who is frequently an old woman. Still, indeed, George, I am of opinion, it would be better to take off our shafts, and replace the pole, taking four horses and two postilions, as we do in England." 66 No, no, not yet. We must see if they really will give us three horses abreast, with a postilion right and left; it will be so absurd!" "Well, you remember, George, the last postmaster told us they dare not drive otherwise into Florence, and even here were apprehensive; but what a miserable inn this is! These cold red tiles for a floor, wooden chairs, half the window oiled-paper instead of glass, and no curtain to keep out the cutting wind!—and did you ever see such an apology by way of a fire?—it makes me shiver to look at it,—three damp sticks trying to burn! I do wonder if this house can produce anything in the shape of a bellows ?-do go and try." "You really had better travel with a real English bellows and warming-pan, Fred, the next time; but I am afraid your miseries are only now commencing. However, I will go and explore." "Well, here I am again with the Covigliayo bellows, and now you may amuse yourself, Fred, in using it." Well, "What! that thing like a pitchfork? Ah! I see now. the contrivance is primitive-a hollow tube, and between the forks which answer as legs, a hole, with one corresponding at the upper end of the tube; applying which to the mouth, and blowing, it conveys the air to the fire, and really has succeeded in making us a cheerful blaze, though the wood does not appear of the first quality. Live and learn,' says the proverb. Are our beds in that recess ?" "Yes, they are; and very lucky our having obtained them, for the house is as full as it can hold, and there seems fine confusion in all |