In my

which you are led astray into reflection ; and now there happened to me something which had never happened before : what, and how, you shall learn. Everything about me was completely adapted to my present form and wants : the bottles and glasses were in a fit ratio to a little toper-nay, if you will, better measure, in proportion, than with us. tiny palate, the dainty tid-bits tasted excellently; a kiss from the little mouth of my spouse was still the most charming thing in nature, and I will not deny that novelty made all these circumstances highly agreeable. Unhappily, however, I had not forgotten my former situation. I felt within me a scale of bygone greatness, and it rendered me restless and cheerless. Now, for the first time, did I understand what the philosophers might mean by their ideal, which they say so plagues the mind of man.

I had an ideal of myself, and often in dreams I appeared as a giant. In short, my wife, my ring, my dwarf figure, and so many other bonds and resirictions, made me utterly unhappy, so that I began to think seriously about obtaining my deliverance. Being persuaded that the whole magic lay in the ring, I resolved on filing this asunder. From the court-jeweller, accordingly, I borrowed some files. By good luck, I was lefthanded, as, indeed, throughout my whole life, I had never done aught in the right-handed way. I stood tightly to the work; it was not small, for the golden hoop, so thin as it appeared, had grown proportionably thicker in contracting from its former length. All vacant hours I privately applied to this task; and at last, the metal being nearly through, I was provident enough to step out of

doors. This was a wise measure, for all at once the golden hoop started sharply from my finger, and my frame shot aloft with such violence, that I actually fancied I should dash against the sky; and, at all events, I must have bolted through the dome of our palace—nay, perhaps, in my new awkwardness, have destroyed this summer-residence altogether. Here then was I standing again ; in truth, so much the larger, but also, as it seemed to me, so much the more foolish and helpless. On recovering from my stupefaction, I observed the royal strong box lying near me, which I found to be moderately heavy, as I lifted it, and carried it down the foot-path to the next stage, where 1 directly ordered horses and set forth. By the road, I soon made trial of the two side-pouches. Instead of money, which appeared to be run out, I found a little key: it belonged to the strong-box, in which I got some moderate compensation. So long as this held out, I made use of the carriage : by and by I sold it, and proceeded by the diligence. The strong-box, too, I at length cast from me, having no hope of its ever filling again. And thus, in the end, though after a considerable circuit, I again returned to the kitchen-hearth, to the land.ady, and the cook, where you were first introduced to me."

The Wanderer.

A Legendary Fragment of Supernatural Interest.

"On the evening supposed to be that preceding the dreadful event, Melmoth had thrown an unusual degree of tenderness into his manner-he gazed on her frequently with anxious and silent fondnesshe seemed to have something to communicate which he had not courage to disclose. Isidora, well versed in the language of the countenance, which is often, more than that of words, the language of the heart, intreated him to tell her what he looked. "Your father is returning,' said Melmoth, reluctantly. He will certainly be here in a few days, perhaps in a few hours.' Isidora heard him in silent horror. My father!' she cried-'I have never seen my father. Oh, how shall I meet him now! And is my mother ignorant of this?-would she not have apprised me?' She is ignorant at present, but she will not long be so.' And from whence could you have obtained intelligence that she is ignorant of?' Melmoth paused some time,-his features assumed a more contracted and gloomy character than they had done latterly-he answered with slow and stern reluctance- Never again ask me that question-the intelligence that I can give you must be of more importance to you than the means by which I obtain it-enough for you that it is true.' 'Pardon me, love,' said Isidora; it is

probable that I may never again offend you—will you not, then, forgive my last offence ?'

“Melmoth seemed too intently occupied with his own thoughts to answer even her tears. He added, after a short and sullen pause, ‘Your betrothed bridegroom is coming with your father—Montilla's father is dead the arrangements are all concluded for your nuptials—your bridegroom is coming to wed the wife of another—with him comes your fiery, foolish brother, who has set out to meet his father and his future relative. There will be a feast prepared in the house on the occasion of your future nuptials--you may hear of a strange guest appearing at your festival-I will be there!

" Isidora stood stupified with horror. “Festival!" she repeated—'a bridal festival !—and I already wedded to you, and about to become a mother !'

“At this moment the trampling of may horsemen was heard as they approached the villa—the tumult of the domestics hurrying to admit and receive them, resounded through the apartmentsand Melmoth, with a gesture that seemed to Isidora rather like a menace than a farewell, instantly disappeared ; and within an hour, Isidora knelt to the father she had never till then beheld-suffered herself to be saluted by Montilla--and accepted the embrace of her brother, who, in the petulance of nis spirit, half rejected the chill and altered form that advanced to greet him.

" Every thing at the family meeting was conjucted in the true Spanish formality. Aliaga kissed the cold hand of his withered wife-the num

domestics exhibited a grave joy at the return of their master-Fra Jose assumed increased importance, and called for dinner in a louder tone. Montilla, the lover, a cold and quiet character, took things as they occurred.

“Every thing lay hushed under a brief and treacherous calm. Isidora, who trembling at the approaching danger, felt her terrors on a sudden suspended. It was not so very near as she apprehended ; and she bore with tolerable patience the daily mention of her approaching nuptials, while she was momently harassed by her confidential servants with hints of the impossibility of the event of which they were in expectation, being much longer delayed. Isidora heard, felt, endured all with courage—the grave congratulation of her father and mother--the self-complacent attentions of Montilla, sure of the bride and of her dower—the sullen compliance of the brother, who, unable to refuse his consent, was for ever hinting that his sister might have formed a higher connexion. All these passed over her mind like a dream-the reality of her existence seemed internal, and she said to herself, Were I at the altar, were my hand locked in that of Montilla, Melmoth would rend me from him.' A wild but deeply-fixed conviction -a wandering image of preternatural power, overshadowed her mind while she thought of Melmoth; and this image, which had caused her so much terror and inquietude in her early hours of love, now formed her only resource against the hour of inconceivable suffering; as those unfortunate females in the Eastern Tales, whose beauty has attracted the fearful passion of some evil genii, are supposed to