the whole transaction; he being in delicate a martyr in the cause of liberty. His last health had gone out in the vessel that trans- words were "I am a true Spaniard and die ported the ammunition to act as super-cargo innocent." Old men bowed down their on her return, and was scarcely more than a heads and wept, and strong men fainted passenger. Even the Captain was ignorant when his spirit departed from earth. of the contents of the casks, as was clearly His family petitioned as vainly for his body proved by the manner in which it was dis- after death, as they did for his life; it was covered. They were invoiced as beef, and condemned to be buried without religious the Spanish admiral hearing what the cargo service, and in unconsecrated ground; his was, sent to purchase a cask which was sold friends being scrupulously kept in ignorance to him at once by the Captain. Five days of the spot where he was interred. He was before their trial took place, (for a separate universally esteemed and respected, a man trial was not granted to them,) this Captain not only of wealth and political influence, was sent out of the Island, and at the time but of great learning; he had when young he was being tried for his life was at large been in the monastery of La Trappe, an orin New York. The sentence pronounced der which is said to exclude with great care against them was death to Estrampes, four- all but men of talent and learning from its teen years imprisonment and hard labor for numbers. He was always first in every plan Felix, and transportation out of the Spanish for the advancement of Cuba, and solemnly dominions for the Captain. This proves protested he never intended to raise the their fates to have been decided on before standard of revolt against Spain while the the mockery of a trial was granted them. Cuban subjects were governed according to The death of Pinto was a terrible shock to the laws of the State; but did not deny that the Spaniards, he was one of the leading he was the head of an association which had men among them. Though some dozen or determined to resist the emancipation of the two of the volunteers did call out at a review slaves in the Island of Cuba "even unto by Gen. Concha-"Death to the traitor-death." The only evidence against him death to Ramon Pinto," public sentiment was which touched his life was that of Rodristrongly in his favour. His betrayer, Rod-quez, a miscreant who had been once in the riquez, dared not walk the streets. Appear- galleys and twice in the chain gang. ing one evening on the Plaza de Armas, he The death of Estrampes cast as deep a was hissed and obliged to seek safety in gloom over the American residents as that flight. I saw Donna Isabella when she en- of Pinta had over the Spaniards. He attered the palace of the Captain General, twelve hours before the execution of her husband, to implore his pardon. I was leaning on the arm of a Spanish officer, one who believed Pinto guilty of conspiring against the government but not against the life of persons believed, waiting for the President the Captain General. "Will she not succeed?" said I to him. "No," replied he, his eyes filling with tears as he spoke, "Concha will not even see her, much less hear her prayer." It was too true. He had already refused to receive a deputation from the old Spaniards, and the British and United States Consuls, who waited on him to petition at least a delay; and the sorrowing wife and daughter were driven from the door. The next morning at 7 o'clock, dressed in his shroud and attended by his confessor, he walked unfalteringly to the scaffold and died tempted three times to speak from the scaffold, but at a signal from the commanding officer the drums were rolled to prevent his being heard. Felix was still in prison when we left Cuba, where he was kept as most to demand him, no such demand being made he was transported to Spain to work out his sentence, but in the feeble state in which he was, it is more than probable that death will release him long before his term expires. I never saw him, but S., at his own request, conveyed through the commandant of the Punta, visited him more than once. Col. Robertson was also untiring in his kindness to him and the other prisoners, and the tears rolled down the good old man's face when he spoke of his unavailing efforts to induce the administration to move in their behalf. As I stood on the deck of the Black Warrior and watched the receding shores of Cuba, I could not but mourn that so fair a spot had been the scene of so many dark and bloody actions. Afar in the distance loomed up Atares where fifty Americans had been shot in cold blood; on the left was the Cabañas with the monument commemorative of Crittenden's defeat rising above its walls, and on the right lay the Punta, with Felix still languishing in its cell, and the plain in front watered with the blood of Lopez, Pinto and Estrampes. I breathed freer, and felt a weight loosening from my heart, at each bound of our noble ship, for it was bearing me from a land of despotism to Liberty's home," from a land where Priestcraft and Tyranny, "like heralds of hell in a paradise of innocence and beauty," darken the glorious sunlight and blast the fairest prospects, to one of liberty and equal laws. I looked to our glorious flag, floating proudly in the Cuban breeze, like a beacon of hope on the coasts of despair, and my heart swelled with gratitude to Heaven that ours was a chainless land, and I mentally exclaimed "Beneath thy waving banner, Freedom, let me live! Before thy blazing altar let me die!" NIAGARA FALLS. [Extract from an unpublished Poem.] BY OLIVER I. TAYLOR. Thou warrior of embattled waters! Of ever restless and contending man Before thy mighty, overwhelming power, With all his boasted strength, his glittering pomp Abyss he sinks, is seen and heard no more Above the shadow of thy awful brow! Eternal wail from Nature's storm-struck lyre! Where even the weeping flowers I once had twined And now stretch forth their white and bloodless arms] Ah! never Dear Nature! hast thou me deserted yet! For deeper woes Than these hast thou not ministered to me? To mortal ears, when I dared to ask What are we ?-what is't that we dread to be ?- In all Thy varied moods-in tempest and in calm— Of Ocean-hast thou been a faithful, high O, glorious Parent! Here where thou hast throned And yet a little while, and this frail form No friend may deck with amaranthine wreath Yet, is there something now Deep seated in my heart of hearts, that claims Companionship with all that here exalts And triumphs in its majesty and might. Does not my free soul with the chainless torrent Rush on?-my spirit mingle with the music Of these great waters, forests, winds and cloudsStrive with the dreadful storm that howls below, Blend with the rainbow hues that smile above? The deathless essence of the universe, In thy unpausing peals, or mortal touch Than thou. Ascending still from star to star, In the white radiance of Eternity, And still, with eagle eye, soar on, above The storm, the night and darkness of the grave! THE MARINER OF THE LOIRE. From "Sous Les Filets," BY EMILE SOUVÉSTRE. See you that image of a nymph leaning on a symbolic urn? Her blonde hair is crowned with a wreath of the silvery willow-her sweet blue eyes are raised to heaven-her hands laden with fruits are extended towards a group of children, and her beautiful form is softly reposing amongst the waving grass. It is the Loire, such as art has transcribed it in marble-such, after once seeing it, your own imagination would love to personify it. Elsewhere force, impetuosity, grandeur predominate; here grace and fertility. In its course of more than a hundred and eighty leagues, this river-the color of the pure green wheat-as an old chronicler expresses it, flows through smiling meadows, vineyards, parks and great cities without meeting for a single instant with solitude or sterility. From its source to the sea, on both sides, the eye rests only upon grazing herds, the smoke curling from the peaceful cottages, and laborers conducting their teams with cheerful songs. The waters flow noiselessly upon the bed of sand, and among the islets covered with alders, willows and waving poplars. Over the whole of the landscape there is spread a peaceful charm, a little monotonous indeed, but captivating, a "dolce far niente," which gives to all an indescribable attraction of opulent It is almost a corner of Arcadia with more water and less sun. ease. On this river dwells a people which participates in its character. They have neither the boisterous good humor of the boatmen on the Seine, nor the violence and turbulence of those of the Rhine. The mariner of the Loire is of a peaceable disposition, strong without brutality, and gay without turbulence. His life rolls along with its realities like the waters which bear him between their fertile borders. He has but little of intense labor to endure, compared to the boatmen of other streams, as he ascends and descends the river under sail. Standing by the enormous helm, the old patroon alone directs the barge, whilst the sailors assist in moving it along with long poles pointed with iron year!" said he with a sneer which had bewhich touch the bottom of the river. From come habitual to him, and addressing a handtime to time a few words are exchanged in some young man of twenty-five, who notthe loud tones of those accustomed to speak withstanding the cold, wore the ordinary in the open air; or a novice is heard quav-dress of mariners-a short vest, blue pantaering the famous song of the "Mariner of loons fastened at the waist by a red belt, a the Loire;" then a joyous salutation is sent cotton cravat neatly tied, a small tarpaulin to a passing barge, and thus they pass on, and slippers, adorned with knots of ribbonuntil with those boats, favored like them-"What, you here? little Andrew," added selves by the breeze and the current, they he-" you are like a new year's gift, flaming arrive at the close of the day, near the cabaret adopted by the marine of the river. new as one may say," and turning to the other side-" My respects to you, master Mem, as well as to your nephew Francis, and all others! Dieu me damne-there is not at this moment christians enough here to set an honest man at ease.” The chances of navigation have just brought together at the inn of the "Grand Turk" of Chalonnes, the men belonging to two boats newly constructed, the "Hope" and the "White Flag." It was the end of "You do not reckon yourself as one, MasJanuary, 1819, the snow had long covered terProhibited,' ,"" observed Mem with a the ground, and a large fire crackled and gaiety which imperfectly concealed his conblazed in a lower room of the inn, which tempt. served at once as a kitchen and dining room. "Wise people never count upon themThe brethren of the water awaited supper, selves, when they are in company with the whilst they sat around a large oaken table innocents," replied Lèzin with easy effronspotted with wine-drinking, engaged in so- tery, "but may the devil twist me if I did cial converse. The voices of the mariners not think master Mem's bark had discharged were sounding loud and high, mingled with and set off." laughter and oaths, when the door, which "You did not know then that I remained "No, not a distaff, but some one who knows how to make use of it." against all the customs of the country, the for freight?" rigor of the season compelled them to close, Freight," repeated the fisherman; "has was abruptly opened. A gust of cold air the lord of Chalonnes employed you to take which entered with the new-comer, caused his distaff?"* them all to turn and they recognised "Prohibited" Anthony, this was a soubriquet given to master Lèzin, an old mariner, now a fishLèzin followed the look of the mariner, erman of the Loire, who had been condemn- which was directed towards the fire-place, ed several times for using unlawful means to and saw a young girl there spinning by the procure his livelihood. Lèzin was one of fire. "By my baptism, it is the pretty Enthose cynics of the lower story who finding tine," cried he, "how does all go with you, hypocrisy troublesome, speak of vice openly Entine?" and shamelessly. To prevent all accusations, he became his own accuser, and standing upon his bad reputation, he complacently showed himself as upon a pedestal, and by his drollery he made his immorality pass. Many good, honest people laughed; the timid from false shame, and the bold because they did not like to appear too easily frightened, and thus Lèzin found himself fortified by this desire of being amused. The mariners saluted his entrance by a rather equivocal welcome, but he seemed to take it in good part. "As fresh as the month of August, Mr. Lèzin," said the girl, whose character was betrayed in her turned up nose, smiling mouth and mischievous eyes. "And why have you left your uncle at the hermitage?" said the fisherman, "did not the pretty Entine have a taste for farming?" "No," replied the young girl, ironically. "I was annoyed because I could not conduct The sire of Chalonnes, having neglected to send help to the lord of Chantoiè when besieged by the English, was condemned every year to take to the wife of the last named nobleman a distaff resting on a silken cushion, in "Good day, children, good day and good a chariot drawn by four oxen. a plough, nor had the right to command the strongly built, ruddy complexion, and low oxen or boys about the farm." forehead. He had heard the old fisherman's Lezin winked his eye. "I rather think question and cast down his eyes blushing. "Come, Francis, answer!" again said Lezin. you regretted the city," said he with effron-] tery, "the city is the true sphere for young girls and pick-pockets. "Have you an idea of going there also, M. Lèzin?" demanded Etine, with an air of innocence, which however did not dupe the old sinner. "Since it is my cousin to whom you are speaking, tell her to answer," replied he, with awkward abruptness. Francis could do it well enough," said Mem smiling, but he has not the mis"Mischievous monkey," said he, "he must chief for it. Look, Prohibit,' the meshes be a keen man, who will sell you." of your nets must be closer than the laws allow, if you wish to catch the secrets of the girls. Is it not true Etine?" “And very fortunate I hope, will be the one who buys me," added the young spinner, "but the mass and the blessed ring are necessary for that." 'Yes, yes," replied Lèzin laughing, "you will not be a marauder upon the river of love as the old song says! so you will have permission to fish." "It will not be with forbidden nets," said the young girl gaily. "Because the fish will come of themselves then," said the fisherman; " the hon esty of girls is like that of the boys, my old fellow-it is a story of circumstance. If it was profitable for me to be a saint I should soon be canonized." "But where will you stay, at Nantes ?" "In a handsome house built upon two wheels which turn without ever advancing," said Etine. "Aunt Rinot's mill?" "Hold, you are a sorcerer for knowledge." "I am more of a sorcerer than you might suppose, my poor little minnow! and to prove it I will tell you what makes you so happy at the prospect of living at Madeline's mill." "Excuse me, uncle, I do not understand fishing terms," said the young girl, with an air of such mischievous ignorance that set every one to laughing. "If Francis is not your gallant, where will you get another?" said Lezin. Look, where could you find a more amorous sprig than your cousin ?" "Look for yourself, old man," replied the girl, with her eyes fixed on the distaff, but instinctively made a movement to the right, which the scrutinizing glance of the old fellow caught. "So, so, will it be the new patroon of the Hope?" said he in a low voice. The girl pretended not to hear and cast her eyes down. "It is he!" continued Lèzin, bursting in loud laugh, "I now understand very well why he has named his barque 'Hope.'' a "Come, come, stop all this," said the young mariner, blushing a little, but still retaining his good humor. "Decidedly, Anthony has become rector and wishes to confess "Perhaps it is because flour does not dar- all the youth of the country." ken the complexion." 66 Ah, you think you mock me," said An "I think rather it is because the miller is thony, "but do you wish me to tell you the a handsome boy." name of the flower which grows in the depths of your heart as well as pretty Etine's?" "The miller?" repeated the young girl, "does not master Lèzin know that my aunt is a widow." "But widows have sons," replied the fisherman; "and I see one within two steps who looks as if he would like a sweetheart. Look at Francis-is it not true of him ?" The young man of whom he was speaking was what is called a well looking fellow, VOL. XXI-95 "No body asks you for the name, old man," said Francis, in an abrupt tone. What, you come again my boy?" added the imperturbable sinner. "I tell you what, you had best keep silence. By being accustomed to looking in the depths of the waters, one learns to see clearly what passes in the mind, here and |