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test of the most agonizing trials. If Fiordiligi shall find consolation for my reported death before I can apprise her that I yet live, and live for her, then will her love be unworthy of mine, and the eyes of both will be opened to our mutual delusion. O, that Fortune had put me to the same test as I shall her! then, indeed, things would have turned out better than they are now likely to do!" So saying, Muzio bade adieu to his friends, who promised secrecy and assistance. He picked up the sword, which he had thrown from him. "I ought rather to shun thee," said he to the weapon, "but let us continue to be companions in misfortune, and should thy thirst again become too vehement, I may quench it in my bosom."

The news of the catastrophe was soon spread throughout the city. Fiordiligi, one moment blooming as the rose, in the next lay like a lily in her mother's arms. Her parents, by whom she was tenderly beloved, strove by all possible means to tranquillize and console her; but all the comfort which they endeavoured to pour into her wounded heart rather increased than relieved the anguish of her feelings. They told her she ought to rejoice that Ergasto, whom she disliked, would no more torment her; and as to Muzio, added they, "he was too poor for us to think of giving you to him, and therefore with so hopeless a passion, it is better for him to be dead than living." They then alternately embraced and caressed their daughter, and began to relate how poor and distressed they had themselves been in the days of their youthful love, to prove that it was out of pure affection they had refused to sanction an alliance with Muzio, lest she should be reduced to a similar situation. "All that we possess," said they, "whatever gives us the appearance of wealth and consequence, is not our own: it belongs to a creditor, after whose death or ours, it will be reunited to the treasures which he, an alchymist of Salerno, secretly opened for us at the solicitation of a friend, when we were about to marry, and your mother's covetous uncle would not give her to any suitor who expected a dowry with her during his life-time: so that it was necessary to make a show of wealth in order to obtain her hand. Her uncle was deceived, but he deceived us in his turn. We hoped that he would leave us sufficient to discharge our debt; he disinherited us, having doubtless discovered the trick we had played him.

But for the compassion of our creditor we should then have been involved in the utmost embarrassment: all Ferrara had witnessed our apparent opulence, and it would have been extremely painful to our feelings to have been suddenly torn, before the eyes of all, from this sphere of splendour, and plunged into the obscurity of indigence. The alchymist allowed us to retain the fruit of his economy; it was agreed that things should remain in this situation till his decease or mine; and I subscribed the contract with my blood, to convince him that I was anxious to satisfy him of my integrity and gratitude. Our cares were thus removed, and our joy on the occasion led us into some extravagance. We ought to have retrenched, and to have husbanded many gifts that fortune subsequently bestowed upon us, as if for the extinction of the debt that has burdened us during our whole lives; but we would not overcast the dawn of your youth, my dear, by any parsimony, and now the sense of this folly and shortsightedness fills us with the deepest concern and regret; for the longer we live, the more embarrassed we become, and we have nothing to bequeath to you after our death. How then could we have sanctioned your attachment to Muzio, and suffered matrimony to plunge you into a state equally distressing? We intreat you then, aggravate not our sorrows by your tears!"

Her parents, perceiving that all their arguments were ineffectual, determined to make a last effort to cheer Fiordiligi by presents, elegant trinkets, parties of pleasure, dancing and music, in hopes of dispelling that melancholy which preyed upon her charming person and her amiable soul. Her heart was racked, while she outwardly smiled in order to please her parents. The oratory became her favourite retreat; and thither she often repaired to pour forth her sorrows, which religion alone had power to alleviate.

Meanwhile Muzio was concealed by the dark shade which a cliff of one of the woody mountains of the Apennines threw over him. The road wound along at his feet among craggy precipices. Seated upon a fragment of rock on the desolate eminence, he indulged in gloomy reveries, which were encouraged by the dark tints of the wild scenery around him. He was now convinced that the anxiety of the eventful moment which banished him from Ferrara had misled him and his friends, and that he

could not have taken a more unfortunate course than flight under the pretext of his death; and he bitterly lamented the pain he must have given Fiordiligi by the intelligence. "Alas!" exclaimed he, had not fate been already sufficiently severe, but that I must complete the death-blow and aggravate the cruelty of that catastrophe! How blind is man, when most wise in his own conceit!" At this moment he heard the sound of mule-bells, and very soon afterwards, the clashing of weapons and an anxious cry for help. Two robbers had attacked an aged traveller, and as he and his attendant strove to defend their baggage, they had disarmed the faithful servant and bound him to a tree, while the exhausted master, mustering all his remaining strength to ward off the assailants, seemed ready to fall beneath their daggers. Muzio having, like the savage in his wilderness, little to fear, as he had little to lose, hastened down the hill, his sword glistening like the silvery mountain-stream tumbling from cliff to cliff. He was fortunate enough to rescue the old man, who had received several wounds, from the hands of the robbers. One of them lost his life, and the other, pursued by Muzio and the released attendant, saved his by plunging into the dark recesses of the forest. The traveller, leaning weak with his wounds on the arm of his deliverer, raised his eyes in gratitude towards Heaven, while his tears mingled with the blood that trickled from his hoary head: the departing sun threw his last rays over the wild scene, and tinged the solitary cross erected upon one of the crags that overlooked the abyss. A spring descended from its side; and while the servant fetched water from it to refresh his fainting master, Muzio was engaged in binding up his wounds, and rendering him other assistance. It was as though the radiance which at this moment embellished the awful aspect of nature, had dispelled in some measure the gloom that pervaded his soul, and diffused over it a new dawn of love and hope; as though he had saved himself from destruction, as well as the stranger; and he paused some time to survey the solitude, which was again involved in shade, and where the cross alone still reflected the rays of the declining luminary.

The old man, whose name was Bonaventura, having escaped the dangers which await the traveller in these mountain passes, and had his wounds dressed at the first inhabited place, was ex

tremely solicitous to learn something more concerning his deliverer, whose residence in so dreary a wilderness he could not account for. Muzio indeed felt some reluctance to disclose his situation to a stranger, but he dropped many expressions from which the principal circumstances of his story might be inferred. When Bonaventura found that Muzio's seclusion from the world was involuntary, and that an unfortunate accident had compelled him to quit his country and the object of his warmest attachment, he rejoiced in the opportunity thus afforded him to evince his gratitude. He insisted that Muzio should accompany him to Salerno, where he resided. "The hand of Heaven," said he, "is visible in all that has happened. I was going to Ferrara, where I have a debtor, with the intention of making myself acquainted with him, his wife and daughter; and if I should find the latter such as she has been described to me, to demand her as a nurse for my declining age, while I, in return, would cancel his bond, and thus relieve him from heavy embarrassments. After spending a long life in exploring alone the silent recesses of nature, I was desirous of dying in the arms of a faithful friend; and as my end is not far distant, it was my wish that the beauteous Fiordiligi should inherit my property as my widow, and in the full bloom of youthful charms, be rendered so much the happier after my death. But I am now convinced that this was a silly plan, and it is better for me, wounded and reduced as I am, to return without accomplishing my purpose, since I cannot think of again attempting to cross those wild and dangerous mountains. Heaven has sent me what I wanted, if you will but come and abide with me. Call me father, and be my beloved son and heir."

It was not without extreme difficulty that Muzio repressed his astonishment at all that he heard. By this extraordinary adventure he saw his love delivered from a new and unexpected danger, and could not help recognizing in the whole chain of events a higher dispensation, to which he bowed with gratitude and reviving hope. On their arrival in Salerno, Bonaventura strove, by every means in his power, to make him comfortable; and if Muzio could have been happy without Fiordiligi, he must have been so in his new abode. When the old man had at length communicated all that had passed between himself and Fiordiligi's parents, from which it ap

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1 op af love Nceive others, he felt within his bosom all the glowing impatience of youthful love, when the splendid structures of Ferrara, interspersed with gardens and groves, first met his view. It was dark when Muzio reached the city'; the notes of the nightingales from the balconies covered with flowers, were mingled with the sounds of many a song and many a guitar.

peared that, in his readiness to serve them, he had been actuated by the purest feelings of benevolence; when he stated that, at the time, he knew nothing of the artifice which they had practised upon the uncle, but that he had never repented of what he had done, since a generous action is often destined to produce results which we never contemplated, Muzio could no longer keep silence, nay, he would have deemed himself ungrateful, could he have longer concealed his secret. Bonaventura listened to him with manifest delight. "As the hand of Nature," said he, covers the most rugged rock with blooming plants, so Providence enables us to derive fresh courage from our very misfortunes and distresses: what man entangles, God alone can unravel, and he will do it too, if we but place our confidence in him."

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When Muzio the next morning entered Bonaventura's chamber, it appeared to him to be transformed into the shop of a goldsmith and jeweller. Diamonds, rubies, pearls, elegant chains of the purest gold, were spread out before him on a table of black marble, and the old man was surveying them with evident pleasure. At the foot of the table were bags of money, and letters just written lay around. "All this," said Bonaventura to Muzio, "is for you and Fiordiligi, to whom shall carry it, if you accede to my proposal. It is this you shall go disguised as an old man and bearing my name, which I have already given to you, to solicit of Fiordiligi's parents the hand of their daughter, as I had intended to do: you may thus venture to return undiscovered to Ferrara, and gain the consent of the father and mother. Reveal not yourself to your mistress; let her be united to you; bring her hither, and then we shall each of us be assured of the possession of what we love dearest-1 of you, Muzio, and you of Fiordiligi; while her parents," added he, "will retain my money, for which I now begin to feel a real esteem, since it is so serviceable to us all." Muzio acquiesced with gratitude and joy in the proposal of Bonaventura, and soon afterwards set out with the strongest hopes of success and of a speedy return to his grateful benefactor. He disguised his graceful person in wide garments of extraordinary make, contrived to change his speech; and a white flowing beard gave him completely the appearance of an aged sorcerer. However he might de

At the sequestered inn to which Muzio repaired, he began to write to his beloved Fiordiligi, but he soon tore the unfinished letter, and resolved to curb his impatience for another day, that he might convince himself how Fiordiligi mourned his supposed death, and ascertain whether it was possible that even the grave could produce any change in her love. Her parents were not a little surprised at the appearance of the pretended Bonaventura; but the anxiety which they at first felt soon subsided, when he himself came, treated them very courteously, brought with him the bond signed with blood, and informed them of the terms on which he was ready to cancel it. They were perfectly satisfied with the conditions, and promised to speak to their daughter on the subject. Muzio had the greatest difficulty to suppress his agitation, when Fiordiligi, obedient to the summons of her mother, entered the apartment, and with her own hand presented him with ices and lemonade, having previously saluted him with her accustomed gentleness, and apparently without the slightest suspicion of his errand. He thought her paler than usual, but in other respects perceived no alteration. Muzio paused for a moment to consider whether this were to be attributed to constraint imposed upon herself in the presence of her parents, or to indifference. He fancied that when he was so near to her, the glowing breath of love could not fail to reach her and tell her who he was. But when the goblet trembled in his hand, and his pallid lip seemed to quiver, these tokens of advanced age, as she considered them, excited her sympathy, and she placed an arm-chair for him in which he might conveniently repose. Muzio soon retired, that he might not betray himself, and sacrifice at the same time the happiness of his life. No sooner was he gone than Fiordiligi was apprised by her parents what good fortune awaited them, in case of her acquiescence in the proposal of the stranger. All the caresses of parental affection were lavished on the beloved child, but

these would perhaps have had but little effect, had she not perceived the repugnance of her parents to resort to compulsion, as well as their apprehensions lest she should refuse to comply with their ardent wishes. "Our fate," said they, "our peace, our future happiness, are in your hands; decide then whether your parents shall die under the pressure of indigence, or owe to you and your affection freedom from care during Do the remaining years of their lives. what your own heart tells you to be right. You have ever been a dutiful girl-cheer then the last days of Bonaventura our benefactor, who will not himself grudge you a more suitable match after his death, for he is a good and pious man, who will be to you all that we have been." Her father then told her that they would leave her alone to consider of the matter; but her mother, before she followed him into the adjoining apartment, fell upon her knees before her daughter, who raised her weeping aloud, and was near fainting in her arms. Fiordiligi, after a conflict with herself of many hours, during which she deplored Muzio's fate and her own with torrents of tears, at length promised compliance with the wishes of her parents; and it was only while they clasped her to their bosoms in the first moments of their joy that her sorrow burst forth with vehemence. From that period her countenance wore its wonted smile in the presence of her parents, and her behaviour was just the same as before.

The unexpected intelligence of Fiordiligi's consent was like a dagger to the heart of Muzio. He had not doubted that she would refuse the offer, and purposed in this case to make himself known to her. He now resolved to leave his faithless mistress to her error, avoided all familiar conversation with her; and so miserable was he rendered by the manifest indifference with which she received his presents, that he began to suspect that some other object possessed her heart, and that she reckoned upon Bonaventura's relinquishment of his claim. Her apparent tranquillity, her uninterrupted serenity, afflicted him deeply. He sought to accelerate the wedding-day, for till then he was resolved not to make himself known to her. When she is once mine, thought he, nothing can then separate us; and when I have revealed myself to her and exposed her perfidy, one death shall unite us. This sword, which has already NEW MONTHLY MAG.---No. 78.

served me on two occasions, shall per-
form the third and last service, and find
its grave in her bosom and mine, that it
may inflict no more such wounds as love
has inflicted on my heart.

The bloody bond was exchanged for
the marriage contract, and the cere-
mony performed. The entertainment
given on the occasion was over; the
musicians had retired, and Muzio was
left alone with Fiordiligi. While he
directed her with tremulous voice to
extinguish the tapers and leave but a
single lamp burning, he seized his sword
and leaned against the table on which
Fiordiligi had placed her wedding jewels,
He
which glistened by the light of the ta-
pers like dew-drops in the sun.
trembled to such a degree that he could
scarcely prevent the rattling of the sword
in his hand from betraying his agitation.
At this moment Fiordiligi approached
him; bursting into tears, and throwing
loose her hair, covered with a white
veil, she sunk at his feet, and thus ad-
dressed him: " Gladly will I be a daugh-
ter to you, Bonaventura, and pay you
obedience. My heart would have bro-
ken when I stood with you at the altar,
had not heaven inspired me with an in-
expressible, a filial confidence in you.
Do not betray it; or if you will not be a
benefactor to me as you have been to
my parents, plunge the sword which
you hold into my heart. Know then,
Bonaventura, that I am indissolubly at-
tached to a youth for whom alone is re-
served the flower of my love. Preserve
it, like a celestial guardian inviolate for
him; be a tutelar angel to us all, and I
-I will love you, as angels love!"

Muzio dropped his sword, and raised "But are you Fiordiligi, exclaiming: certain that Muzio is dead?”—“ Muzio!" repeated Fiordiligi, throwing both her arms around him; "how came you to know his name?"" I know still more," replied Muzio; "I know that he lives, that you will see him again, and that I shall be the person who will bring you together."" He lives!" exclaimed Fiordiligi, and clasping her hands again fell upon her knees. Muzio threw himself beside her, and raising his eyes towards heaven, ejaculated: "Bless us, and be thou blest, O eternal God! O infinite love !"---He then rose, re-lighted the tapers, threw off the beard and strange garb, wiped the ashy colour from his cheeks, and Fiordiligi clasped her own Muzio, glowing in manly beauty, to her heaving bosom. What language can express their mutual feelVOL. XIV.

H

ings, or who can conceive them but those who have loved with equal warmth? Fiordiligi imagined that her heart had been broken by her sorrow; and that Heaven had once more united her to Muzio that she might share his happiness. Muzio, however, soon recalled her to herself, by acknowledging to his beloved all the doubts by which he had been tormented: he confessed the wrong he had done her, and yielded the prize to her piety and virtue.

When Fiordiligi's parents were apprised of the whole train of events, they were transported with joy, and recognized in this dispensation of Providence

T

the reward of filial affection and constancy. Muzio and Fiordiligi repaired to the benevolent Bonaventura, and remained with him till he died. Meanwhile the Duke of Ferrara, being informed of what had happened, was pleased to signify, that, as the hand of Heaven was so manifestly displayed in favour of Muzio, he should dismiss from his mind the animosity he had borne him; upon which he returned with Fiordiligi to his dear native city, where they were received with extraordinary rejoicing by her parents and the friends of both parties.

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SOME ACCOUNT OF THE COMMERCE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE DURING

THE EXISTENCE OF THE CONTINENTAL SYSTEM; PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOK TRADE.

THE efforts of Buonaparte to effect the ruin of British commerce are still fresh in our memory, and will form an important part of the history of Europe; but the nature of those exemptions, under which the produce of the British This was an idea particularly seduc Colonies was admitted into every part of tive in theory, and very congenial with the Continent, notwithstanding the ge- the character of a man who always shut neral prohibitory system, is known com- his eyes against all obstacles. He en paratively to few; although the licenses tertained the sanguine hope that all under which this partial and restricted Europe would, at his command, consent commerce was conducted, from the ex- to take succory for coffee, beet-root: for travagant absurdity of the principles on sugar-cane, and woad for indigo; he which they were framed, and the unpre- imagined that the burning fever would cedented effects which they produced enter into his views, and suffer its fury on trade, deserve a minute and elabo- to be assuaged by gentian instead of rate history. By the artificial and ano- quinquina. But he soon found that al malous transactions which arose out of though decrees may constrain, they do these arbitrary violations of every com- not persuade; and that Colonial produce, mercial principle, the trade carried on which had become an article of absolute by the French booksellers and pub- necessity, would continue to find its lishers was particularly affected. The way into the Continental nations of Eufollowing authentic details on this sub- rope-into France-into his own palace ject will, we think, be found particu-in spite of his revenue-courts, and larly interesting, not only as valuable illustrations of some leading principles of political economy, but because they exhibit the attainments of the Ex-emperor in that difficult science, as well as his natural capacity, in a point of view which his admirers on this side of the British channel may perhaps consider not the most satisfactory.

blockade, or Continental system. He flattered himself that this famous measure would exclude from the markets of the Continent all British merchandize, particularly Colonial produce.

Buonaparte having abandoned the project, or discontinued the threat, of invading this country, resolved to attempt the ruin of our commerce; in the destruction of which, he thought, our national existence would be involved, As his navy was by no means able to contend with ours, he invented what is generally known in history as the

their oppressive decrees. He therefore
relaxed the rigour of his Continental
blockade, or rather permitted it to be
partially infringed, by special licenses
for the importation of the prohibited
articles; which permission he imagined
he could narrow or extend, continue or
suppress, at his pleasure. Compelled to
acknowledge that Europe would not
submit to be deprived of these articles,
he endeavoured to monopolize the pro-
fits of their importation, not only in
France, but wherever his formidable in-
fluence extended. According to his
plans, Italy, Germany, and even the
most Northern nations, were either to
dispense altogether with the productions
of the New World, or to consume only

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