posed of in the following manner:-"The in every particular. They believe that the committee are unwilling to enter at all into Regents and Secretary have managed the the discussion of the private grievances or affairs of the Institution wisely, faithfully personal controversies or official misunder- and judiciously; that there is no necessity standings which were brought before them for further legislation on the subject; that if in the course of the investigation. They re- the Institution be allowed to continue the gard the evidence which was adduced on plan which has been adopted, and so far purthese matters as important only because it sued with unquestionable success, it will satillustrates the difficulties encountered in ad- isfy all the requirements of the law, and the ministering an institution of this sort upon purposes of Smithson's will by increasing the plan that has been attempted. They are and diffusing knowledge among men." particularly desirous to have it understood that they attach no blame to any person in any quarter; the evils are the result of the system. At the same time they do not cast blame or censure of any sort upon those who suggested and have labored to carry out that system. The design was, in itself, commendable and elevated. It has unquestionably been pursued with zeal, sincerity, integrity, and high motives and aims, but it is, we think, necessarily surrounded with very great difficulties." The report of Messrs. Witte and Taylor is more specific, and shows from what quarter the fundamental changes of office and enlargements of power, apprehended by Mr. Choate, were in reality likely to come. "All the difficulties in the Institution," they say, "which have resulted in the dismissal by the Secretary of one of his assistants and of a person temporarily employed upon the meteorological computations, seem to have arisen from the desire of independent positions, engendering rivalry and hostility, producing collisions and insubordination utterly incompatible with the proper authority of the Secretary and the harmonious action so necessary to the welfare of the Institution. One of the assistants construed the law in one way; the Secretary construed it differently. He told the Secretary, in effect, that if he attempted to make the change proposed, he would shake the Institution to its centre. It is evident that he was impatient of the restraints of a subordinate position, and entertained feelings towards the Secretary which made their harmonious cooperation impossible. The interests of the Institution, therefore, required their separation. The committee feel bound to say that they consider the Secretary as entirely relieved from the charge of maladministration EXULTEMUS IGITUR. Bacchus hail! we drink to thee, Bacchus hail! we drink to thee! By the midnight torches' glare Bacchus hail! we drink to thee! G. P. The First of the Yellow Leaves. Ere frosts and storms have come, While yet the skies are warm, And warm and bright the clouds in summer sky, So they who ere life's sky G. P. have nothing to fear. Muley, Almanzor, Buabdil, Alamar himself, all the Moorish peo ple, would respect or fear that hero. His va lor might liberate Granada, and the daughter GONSALVO OF CORDOVA; OR THE [Translated from the Spanish of Don Juan Lopez de of Muley-Hassan would be the only recom Penalve. By A. Roane.] BOOK FIFTH. pense worthy of such services. Such were the chimeras which Zulema cherished; but as the wounds of Gonsalvo would long deYe tender hearts enthralled by love, have tain him, the princess secretly sent a slave you forgotten when first you trembled in the to advise Muley-Hassan of her place of represence of the object of your affection? treat, and until the return of the faithful Have you forgotten the sweet pleasure, the messenger she employed all her time in atdelicious sensation, the fear, lest a rival tentions to her preserver. She watched the more fortunate may have anticipated you, or progress of his cure, was ever at his side lest other ties may have been formed by her and charmed him with her conversation. you desire to win. So beautiful, so amiable, While the necessary time for Gonsalvo to it seems impossible that she could be seen regain his lost strength rolled on, the Spanwithout being loved. Before daring to tell ish army before Granada lamented the ab her what your confusion had already an- sence of its hero and humiliated by the exnounced, how great your efforts to discover ploits of Alamar, burned to avenge itself. her feelings. A word alarms you, a look The young warriors, Guzman, Cortez, the makes you sad; and when at last you be- Prince of Portugal, the soldiers, the capcome assured that her free and peaceful soul tains, all loudly demanded the assault, but has known no master, and that you can as- Ferdinand was not yet ready and opposed pire to the happiness, to the supreme felicity their desires. of enjoying her first love. .. .. Ah, young Granada, defended by a thousand towers, lover, recall what you then felt and you too spacious to be besieged, communicating would be willing to relinquish the remnant on the east with the Alpuxarras, a mountain of your life again to enjoy so sweet a moment! Gonsalvo enjoyed this happiness; the Moorish princess in relating her aversion to the ferocious Alamar, and in the history of her life had given evidence that she had never loved. country capable of furnishing provisions and soldiers in abundance-with Cortama towards the South, built upon inaccessible rocks and garrisoned by the Abencerragesdisquieted the Spaniards. A numerous and warlike people and brave bands of allies defended the city; the fiery courage of Alamar and the tranquil valor of Almanzor prepared a resistance which time alone could overcome. Gonsalvo opened his soul to hope and possessed with her story, had it ever in his thoughts and in the silence of the night seemed to converse with Zulema. The imThe king of Arragon, instructed by the age of the African who dared aspire to her long wars of his father against the French affections inflamed his anger and irritated sent detachments of troops to surprise and him with the desire of returning instantly to cut off their supplies from the Alpuxarras, to Granada, to see, to encounter that famous intercept their communications, and thus, it warrior, to conquer him and chastise his crim- possible, to starve the enemy. His penetra inal audacity. He was surprised to find ha- tion extended further: master of the terri tred in his heart. ble art which places the thunderbolt in the ard Other thoughts more pleasant and not less hands of men and renders skill and fortif tender agitated the young princess. Certain cations useless, Ferdinand opened narrow of the affection of the stranger, she resolved subterranean passages even to the walls to consecrate her life to him without confess- Granada; in them he placed saltpetre ing her love-formed the design of returning sulphur, which on application of the to! under his protection to the house of her father would explode and blow up the massive and seemed to think that with him she would towers and open to the besiegers wide a easy entrance. All the preparations, all the for these ancient combats. The trumpets machines which war has invented were em-sounded; the barriers were opened; the bull ployed by Ferdinand, but in order to secure rushed headlong into the circus. But frightthe result it was necessary to delay its exe-ed by the noise of the instruments, by the cution. Aguilar praised his prudence, Zel-shouts, by the sight of the spectators, he lez approved his delay, and the intrepid Lara stopped as if confused. His nostrils foamed, gave to understand by his silence that he his eyes wandered over the amphitheatre and could not conquer without his friend. he seemed a prey both to fury and surprise. In this long inaction, likely to discourage He suddenly attacked a cavalier who had the army, Isabel sought to distract the ardent goaded him and had then fled quickly across youth. The great queen knew how much the arena. The bull became irritated-purthe presence of a beloved object augments sued him, pawed the ground and rushed imthe valor of the Spaniard, and knowing that petuously upon a purple veil, which a comin her nation, love, ardent love, was the batant on foot had thrown before him. The strongest incentive to glory had commanded dexterous Spaniard leaped aside, suspended the dames of her Court to accompany her to the light veil upon his horns and transfixed the camp. The most beautiful of the Cas-him with an arrow, which drew a copious tilian ladies repaired there. Blanca de Me-stream of blood. Pierced by so many lances dina-Celli, Leonora de Cerdan, Seraphina de and wounded by so many arrows, the animal Mendoza, Leocadia de Fernan-Nunez and bounded upon the sand, lowed hideouslymany other beauties, each one the idol of a ran around the circus, loosened the arrow hero, surrounded the queen, rivalling each buried in his neck; covered with blood and other in grace and elegance. But excelling foam-exhausted by his efforts, he fell at all, was the young princess of Portugal, last and yielded his strength in anger and in daughter of Isabel, proud of her name-pain. worthy of it for her charms, and even more In one of these combats, the rash Cortez so for her virtues. Adored by the happy had nearly lost his life, destined afterwards Alfonso who had just received her plighted for the performance of such glorious deeds. faith, the chief care of the young princess Ambitious to signalize himself in presence was to restrain the imprudent valor of her spouse. Jealous of the fame of Almanzor, honor and column of Granada, Alfonso was inflamed with a desire to meet him as an adversary. His trembling wife dared not dissuade him, but a fatal presentiment took possession of her soul, and even the name of Almanzor caused her fear. of the beautiful Seraphina de Mendoza, who had long possessed his affections, Cortez mounted upon an Andalusian horse, had wounded a furious bull and then escaped. The lover took no note of the danger in which he was placed and was gazing at the beauty who adored him, at the moment when a sprig of orange blossom, which adorned By command of the august queen, a spa- his breast, dropped in the sand. Cortez discious circus had been laid out in a vast plain. mounted and stooped down-the bull rushed Deeply skilled in all the artifices of gaining at him and was about to impale the impruthe affections of her people, by facilitating dent lover, when a cry from Seraphina adtheir pleasures, she invited her warriors to monished him of his danger. Cortez picked this place to the enjoyment of a spectacle up the flower, directed his lance with a dear to Spaniards. There the young chiefs, steady nerve at the shoulder of the animal clothed only in light garments of silk and and left him dying on the sand. The whole mounted upon swift horses, attacked savage army applauded; Isabel desired to place a bulls. Soldiers on foot were stationed near, chaplet upon the brow of Cortez; he refused holding in one hand a purple veil and an ar- it, showed her the precious flower which row in the other. The king and queen sur- had so nearly cost his life; he ardently kissed rounded by their court presided at these it, pressed it against his heart, broke his games; the entire army occupied the amphi-lance and left the circus. theatre, and manifested by joyful cries and Thus passed the days; as soon as night repeated acclamations, their excessive love showed forth the stars, lighted torches re VOL. XXI.-60 flected in the waters, illuminated the sump-breathless and threw herself into the arms of tuous quarter of the queen. The beauties Almanzor, pressed him against her breast of the Court glittering with gold and pre- and bathed him with tears. cious stones, their heads adorned only with Moraima," said the hero, "why this sudtheir long and flowing hair, were there as- den terror What frights you? I am at your sembled. A space was left in the centre, side-mine is the heart against which your where the warlike youth were summoned by own palpitates-it is Almanzor who speaks hautboys and timbrels. They appeared in to you-who guards, who defends you.'"' the short rich cloak peculiar to their nation, i "Ah! my beloved," responded she. gracefully sustained by a buckle of gold; "what a horrible dream has terrified me! their hats were crowned with plumes, fas- I saw-my breath fails me, my strength tened with a diamond tie; their hair fell in abandons me-I was going through the sparinglets upon their shoulders, and a light cious plain, which separates us from our enebon down permitted to grow above their emies, where both armies were in view: lips added new charms to their sweet and the Moors surrounded our walls-I saw you warlike expression. Each offered his hand resplendent in the glitter of steel armor, adto the choice of his heart. The signal was vance alone, defy and fight with Gonsalvo. given and in a noble and measured dance in I saw you the victor, but covered with a which gravity takes nothing from pleasure veil which completely enveloped you in its and propriety adds to grace, the two lovers black folds-none dared approach. I ran to excite the attention of all, but think only of meet you, I was about to throw my feethemselves. Soon quicker airs are heard ble arms around you, when the veil was exand arouse a new spirit: they mingle, join tended over my head and we both fell into hands, separate, precipitately return to the a lake of blood! Ah, my husband! my beplace they had left-again fly off to return loved, I well know that I cannot intimidate. anew, picturing in their movements, the your great soul, but I ask, I beseech you to transport, the tender surprise and the sweet remember-that in the whole universe, Molanguor of love. raima has but you. My family have all When the severe Isabel put an end to their perished; ny father and my brothers were diversions and the young beauties had re-destroyed by Boabdil, my mother died of tired to their retreats, they consecrated to grief, the remnant of the Abencerrages have tender thoughts, the hours intended for sleep; their lovers who were equally on the watch, wandered around the fortunate tent which enclosed the object of their affections. been exiled from Granada. I have suffered every thing and have survived-for Heaven has left me Almanzor. On you I have placed all the love I have lost, you possess During one of these nights when silence all the affection my heart is capable of feelreigned throughout the camp, the deep dark-ing. Would you deprive me of the only ness inviting to repose, when nothing was blessing which fate has left me? Would heard, save the lamentations of lovers, Al-you wish to condemn your Moraima?manzor fatigued by the labors and anxiety of Moraima would die on the spot-she would the day, enjoyed at the side of Moraima the die in the greatest agony. Pity me, valiant sweetness of a tranquil sleep. This hero, Almanzor, promise not to leave our walls, whose intrepid soul was influenced only by confine yourself to defend these towers, glory and love of his wife, after consuming whose only support is your arm. Promise the day in reconnoitering the walls, fortify-not to abandon your wife, your Moraima. ing the barracks, encouraging the soldiers by by exposing your life in that fatal plain, in his example, returned at the shade of even-defence of a perfidious King who detests ing to the solitary Moraima, to calm her in-your virtues and perhaps will deliver you to quietude and seek in her arms that pure re-the executioner after you have preserved compense which chaste love gives to virtue. This empire." While both were reposing in a retired part Moraima," answered Almanzor unable of the palace on a bed of purple, Moraima to repress his tears-" You are dearer to me uttered a piercing cry-awoke confused and than life, but my duty is yet more dear. 1 know Boabdil well. Nor are you ignorant | ry Spaniards, who believing us to be cowthat I have always a sure means of freeing ards wait in gaieties and festivities for fammyself from his power, in a poison which this ine to make us captives. I will disturb their ring encloses—I do not fight for this mon-magnificent feasts-I will inundate in blood ster, but for my religion and my country-I those tents now dedicated to pleasures, fight to leave upon my tomb a name, which will Almanzor dare to follow me: Oh worthy will cause respect to my wife. He spoke the hero cast upon him an inand faithful spouse, attempt not to enfeeble dignant look. my virtue you alone have created it in my Be not uneasy," said he. Almanzor soul, you have cherished it, with holy ex-will precede you." amples, you have beautified it with your He immediately summoned the Zegris and pure attractions. To cease. to love it, I Alabaces to arms, demanded a horse, armed must cease to adore you. Quiet yourself, himself with a heavy mace, placed himself Moraima, I will not leave our walls, unless at the side of Alamar and like the God of the interest of our nation prohibits my re- Battles ordered the united squadron to defile maining within with you, I remain with you in silence and leave the city through the who with one look, with one word, can re-gates of Elvira. They marched through pay me for all my fatigues. Restrain your the spacious plain; before they arrived at tears. The God of Combats will give a the advanced guards, Almanzor and Alaprompt end to our miseries. Perhaps my mar consulted about the plan of attack. The efforts may obtain a happy peace. What Zegris commanded by Maaz were to attack could be greater glory, what greater happi- the centre of the camp, where Castilian ness, than for the people liberated by me, to warriors guarded the Queen; Alamar with say when they see you pass-Behold the his Africans was to attack the left wing dewife-the beloved of our deliverer." fended by Zellez and the Knights of CalaIn saying this, he embraced her and prom-trava: Almanzor and the loyal Alabaces ised not to leave the walls of the city. Mo-were to direct their movements to the right raima requested him to repeat those con-wing against King Ferdinand and the Arrasoling words. Moraima believed him-gonese. When the orders were given, they Moraima always believed the promise of Al-advanced rapidly but without confusion. manzor; but her fears were not quieted-Darkness favored the Moors, and the securher tears did not cease to flow, when sud-ity of their enemy seemed to assure success. denly the sound of trumpets was heard near The picket guards were slain; the inner the palace. Almanzor arose in astonish-guard met the same fate. They reached ment. He listened-he heard the mingled the entrenchments and the African coursers clang of arms and the loud tread of horses. leaped over them; the troops of Alamar He took his sword hastily, put on his turban uttered loud cries; those of Almanzor and helmet and no longer listening to Mo-responded and the Zegris from the centre raima, he went forth to learn the cause of repeated the clamor. The Moors attacked the movements. He had scarcely arrived the camp on three sides at the same instant. in the plaza, when he saw by the light of Like Getulian lions when they encounter a torches the ferocious Alamar at the head flock of timid lambs in the desert, they preof his blacks, mounted upon a horse from cipitated themselves upon the Spaniards. Suz, protected by a coat of mail formed of pursued them, massacred those who fled and scales made of a serpent-skin, the hideous who resisted, heaped up their dying bodies and bloody head of the monster showing in and feared that their wearied arms would his green turban. not have power to satisfy their fury. Ala Prince of Granada," said the barbarian, mar athirst for blood, alone, in advance of you may sleep, but I am going to the his troops, in the tumult and in darkness, fight-You may repose by the side of your proceeded towards the quarters of Zellez. wife, but I intend to fire the camp of Ferdi- destroying, immolating whatever presented nand. Boabdil has given me orders and I itself to his rage. The old Zellez at the alone with my soldiers will attack these fie-first noise, had sounded the trumpet: armed |