"Manager. You know, upon our German stage, every one tries what he likes. Therefore, spare me neither scenery nor machinery upon this day. Use the greater and the lesser light of heaven; you are free to squander the stars; there is no want of water, fire, rocks, beasts and birds. So spread out, in this narrow booth, the whole circle of creation; and travel, with considerate speed, from heaven, through the world, to hell." Gocthe.-The Faust. How I became familiar, with this familiar, is, gentlest of all possible readers—without becoming too familiar-none of your business. He came to me, suffice it to know, not as visiters from the unsubstantial world usually come, reeking with smoke and stinking of antimony; there was not even a flourish of trumpets-not a breeze or breath of music-to intimate his approach. Never was coming more innocent and unimposing. I made use of no sort of incantations; none of your sculls and circles-grim, grinning jowls, skinned bats and withered frogs, encircled me; and, except the proverbial devil of the printing office, I do not remember to have ever had before the slightest communication, from or with, any of the hotlyquartered gentry. Nor did I solicit, the honor of a visit, (rhyme is a devilish propensity,) but uninvited, uncommanded-I will not say, undesiredhe stood before me; nay, there I am wrong, he stood behind me, such was the unobtrusive modesty of his approach at first; and a sound was the first notice which I had of his near neighborhood. My devil first made my acquaintance in the shape of a sound. But that, gentle reader, was no vulgar sound, though not an unfrequent one since the discovery of Maccoboy. My snuff-box lay beside me, on the table, and from its capacious treasury, I had just withdrawn, betwixt my forefinger and thumb, a generous pinch of the titillating dust. Applied to my nostril, it had promptly done its office in provoking a most relieving and liberal sneeze. What was my consternation to behold, in the next moment, another sneeze behind mea sneeze, as it were, the very fac-simile and echo of my own. Such, at first, I was almost persuaded to believe it, but a repetition of the explosion soon convinced me that it was not the sneeze of humanity, and I clearly comprehended the operation of my Maccoboy upon the sternutatory organs of an infernal. "Ha!-tshe-tshe—tshe— ha!-ha!"-was the melodious acknowledgment which my visiter gave to the potency and general excellence of my tobacconist; and the sympathy which his nostril thus seemed to exhibit with my own, half removed the feeling of disquiet and apprehension which his first annunciation had occasioned me. In an instant I turned to confront him, and a moment's glance sufficed to set my heart at ease and silence all my annoyances. On looking at him, I felt, of a sudden, all the freedom It is scarcely the best policy to begin the work of confession on one's first entry into the world, where, now-a-days, if men confesss any sins at all, it is only such as are sufficiently equivocal to pass for virtues; but as my aim is a moral one, and my hope the reformation of this very infirmity among mankind, I know no better mode of beginning, than to put myself right in court, by a frank avowal of the matter which has brought me into it. Start not, therefore, ye devoutly pious-frown not, ye saints of the tabernacle,—and wring not your hands, ye godly dames, who form societies to help unto grace and gravy, the infinite number of wise young men, who are possessed of the spirit, and lack all other possessions,-when I boldly declare unto ye, that, like Saul of old, and the Witch of Endor, John Faustus, Michael Scott, and, possibly, the Reverend Edward Irving, I have a familiar-in plain language, a devil; one of those active and intelligent spirits, who from sympathy, animal magnetism, or some other equally unintelligible cause, attach themselves to the fortunes of that grub-worm, man, for his special comfort and edification; conveying him the newscanvassing morals, (and, par parenthese, the devil has a particular interest in this department of human economy,) and, altogether, affording him a mass of information not yet attainable even by and familiarity of a long acquaintance; and this the most adroit practitioner in clair-voyancing. *And, possibly, chapter last, since I cannot be certain that the taste of the reader will so highly approve of my devil as my own does. Time will show. I will bind myself to no conditions. If the mood suits me--and the "Messenger"...there will be more words to this argument. The public shall be made wiser, if they have the wit to desire it. I shall be happy to serve and enlighten them, but I will not throw pearls away upon those who do not know how to wear them. I faith, I had nearly writ ten out the preverb in full, and there were no good policy, my gentle public, in that. feeling, the moment I had discovered his quality, ness for sarcasm, which was strongly opposed to | upon me at certain seasons. I am, like many of the general benevolence of his other features. the princes of old, and some of the officers of penal The cheeks were full, fat and rosy, but the eyes justice in modern times, infinitely more fond of a were rather small, and the chin degenerated snug disguise, and a good humored nom de guerre, apishly. His figure was good enough-his person, than of the solemn ceremonial which follows upon though diminutive, was perfect. I cast my eyes and announces the presence of superior attributes. with some curiosity towards his feet, but they At present, sir, as I see you still somewhat at a were perfect also; and in a fashionable square-loss, you will do me the favor to recognize me toed boot seemed even handsomely formed. There under one of my many names-the most innocent was nothing like club or hoof to offend my sensi- and least imposing, perhaps, among them-and bilities or alarm my fears, and I wondered at our whenever you may deem it necessary to call me grandams who could tell, and really believe, such by a name at all, which I trust will not be often discreditable stories. My devil, on the whole, the case, to know me as Jack-O'-Lantern. I was really a comely fellow. I have seen the edi- shall certainly be willing to give you all the light tor of a ladies' gazette, a far worse looking man, I carry, should you require it. Jack-O'-Lantern and infinitely less of a gentleman. is a common acquaintance, and nobody should be seriously alarmed or annoyed at his presence. You, I know, who are a poet and philosopher, will readily show yourself above all idle superstitious fancies; and you will soon find, upon doing so, that if I have few virtues, I have many uses; and my more imposing names of sovereignty thrown out of the account, there can be no objection to the employment of my services." With that divine instinct which we have never denied to the devil, while denying him all other virtues, he readily discerned my annoyances and saw that his coming had put me out; but with that felicity of manner which it would be equal folly in us to deny to a person so proverbially persuasive, he took special care in what he said, not to suffer me to see that he ascribed my discomposure to any other cause than the natural irritability of an author at being disturbed in his daily scribblings. I was at this time busily engaged upon a new work, calling for all my taste and research, no other than a collection of the most fashionable negro melodies, such as Jim Crow, Coal Black Rose, Clare De Kitchen, and other pieces of like national and moral interest, with a copious appendix of illustrative notes, such as might well become a work of so much magnitude and interest. "I see that you are busy, Mr. Silex, and I would not willingly disturb you at this moment." "Pray, proceed, sir-I have time enough to spare, and will wait upon you." "Your services, Mr. John O'-Lantern?" I exclaimed with some wonder, in the sudden commotion of my thoughts, not exactly knowing what to make of this sort of introduction-" Your services!" "Ay, my services," he replied; "I propose to serve you, because I see that you need my help, and because I have somehow taken a liking to you. You smile, but I am above jest in this. I am serious. In my friendship for you I have sought you out, and I am resolved to become your friend, companion, assistant, anything, whether you will or no! You want an amanuensis, and considering the color of the work on which I see you busy, perhaps I am the very person of all the world whom you should soonest choose. But I insist not on this. Take me in what capacity you please. I am an actor of all work, as the comedians call themselves. I can be a boon companion, a grave counsellor, a curious penman, and a dapper valet. Make me what you please, with a will, and rely on me to be the thing which you most "That is soon told," said he in reply; "I see desire. I will take no refusal; you must emthat you know me." He drew a chair as he said these words, and with the air of a man resolved, under all circumstances, to be as good as his word, he prepared to take a quiet seat in a corner, and give himself up to meditation. "Beg pardon, sir,” said I, but you will find it tedious-may I be honored at once with the pose of your visit." pur Here I expressed a little reluctance, and prayed for more direct information. "I cannot deny," was my response," that I have a shrewd guess, but" There I paused. "Which is perfectly correct, sir; your instinct is not less good than mine in matters of this sort, and there needs no formality between those already acquainted. Besides, there is something less than civil-certainly less than social—in calling folks continually by their titles of dignity. I freely confess to you a willingness to dispense with mine. It operates against me, and sits heavily ploy me." So liberal an offer, so graciously volunteered, was not to be rejected idly. He saw me hesitate, and threw in certain additional suggestions. "My library is large and various; I see that you are busy, and sometimes at a loss, in your search after authorities. Your correspondence is extensive; let me give you a taste of my skill in assisting you to answer some of these letters." He turned over a pile, seated himself at the table, and with a pen that seemed rather to stream over the paper than to rest upon it, he wrote almost in a breath the most admirable and fitting VOL. IV.-43 replies to the greater number of them. To a politician wanting a vote, and giving a dinner accordingly, he wrote a brief but comprehensive eulogium upon the arts of the cuisine, and concluded with an acceptance to his invitation, premising only that my wine for the current month was Lachrymæ Christi. To a lady of fashion whose billet for the next soiree was rather a summons than a solicitation, he pleaded a rule to reject all invitations for Friday, but complimented her at the same time upon the recherche fold of her missive. To the editor of a weekly magazine who begged for contributions, for which he promised to pay in praises, he wrote an essay on independent criticism. To a tailor soliciting custom and proffering extensive credits, he penned an order for a claret colored coat, such as the man wore who seized on the New York arsenal, and kept it for the whigs against General Arcularius and his man Friday. There was one letter which he was about to open, but as if he knew the contents already, or saw from the glance of my eye that he was now on forbidden ground, he paused in his progress, and I availed myself of the interval to acknowledge his powers, and relieve him for the present from their farther exercise. “Enough, Mr. O'-Lantern, I am quite obliged to you. You are indeed a valuable acquisition, and really I know not how I shall requite you." "Requite me--I ask no requital, Mr. Silexnone. The pleasure of serving you is enough for me." "Bond! for what? speak out my dear master that is to be, and tell me your real difficulty.” "Well, in plain terms then, Mr. O'-Lantern, do you not want to bind me, body and soul, in return for these services? Do you not want a mortgage of my soul?" "Your soul, indeed, what do I want with it? Bless your stars, my dear Mr. Silex, that thing is entirely out of fashion now. I have more souls than I know what to do with-they are positively rotting on my hands. I wouldn't be burdened or bothered with an increase on any terms; and next to the mistake which you have been led into by your grandmother on the subject of my character, is that monstrous error which you men seem to entertain as to the value of the article you think I trade in. Souls, indeed! The very idea is absurd. No, sir, if I wished for anything at your hands, it should be the breeches you have worn. Now I think of it, sir, I will have pay for my services. You shall pay me in old breeches; you shall contract to give me all your breeches after a month's wearing them, and I will trust to your generosity, should you ever get married, to throw in occasionally a petticoat of your wife's. These shall be my terms. I ask for no other. Keep your soul, and do what you please with it; I would'nt have it as a gift. But your breeches, sir-your breeches; and in the event of your marriage an occasional petticoat of your wife's; these you shall give me, if anything, in return for my services. What say you to these terms?" "A bargain," I exclaimed, delighted with the humor of the fellow, not less than his generosity. "Indeed! Truly you are becoming disinterested in your old age. You have not always toiled thus unprofitably, and with so little regard to self. If "Breeches and petticoats! you shall have them report speaks truly, you have usually been a severe expectant-a rigid exacter of your dues. You have done nothing for nothing." Report has done me wrong," he said coolly. "I have always been a much scandalized person among men, I assure you." all! Why, Mr. O'-Lantern, you are the very pink of liberality, and I rejoice at your coming. Pray resume your seat, and let us talk over this matter, that it may be the better understood between us. There may be something covert and equivocal in it, after all. You gentlemen of the Never did injured mortal look more in need of lantern are apt to hang out false lights for the sympathy. I felt myself getting lachrymose. "What!" I proceeded, "and is your love in my case so great that you are willing to do for me those things for which you have exacted the eternal and unmitigated toils of other men, not to speak of their sufferings?" "I do not understand you, really," was his reply, and he certainly looked at a loss when he spoke these words. ""Pon my soul," I continued, "either you are exceedingly dull, Mr. O'-Lantern, or I have been grievously imposed upon in the histories I have heard of you. Is it really possible that you intend to serve me for nothing? Do you really want no compensation? Do you ask nothing of me in return?" temptation of the unwary, and I am resolved to see that you have no occult signification in what you say, before I sign this agreement. It may be iny soul, after all, that you're driving at, in aiming at my breeches. I know many men whose souls never go beyond their breeches, and though I trust that mine is not of this sort, yet I would take every precaution against involvements. I will have legal advice first in this business." "You are right, my dear sir," he replied promptly, " take what precaution you please, and be satisfied before you proceed a single step in this matter. I have no disposition to deceive you— indeed, I am not a proficient in the arts of falsehood. I know many a lawyer who would put me to the blush for incompetence, and might, if lying were a prime requisite in my dominions, usurp "What! shall there be no bond between us?" their sovereignty. Even if your soul were in Nothing." your breeches, there would be little danger of its | find me a wondrous acquisition; and will soon loss; all you have need to do is to shake them well wonder how you ever did without me before.” before giving them to me, and unless it be a very "I nothing doubt it, Mr. John O'-Lantern." sleepy or a very adhesive soul, it is physically im- "Plain Jack, if you please, Mr. Silex. John possible that it should stick there long after the O'-Lantern will do for visiters and state occashaking." sions, when we go into company. Between us, and at our own fireside, a little more familiarity is best, and plain Jack more agreeable to my ear than any other epithet. And now, sir, shall I bring in coffee? Your usual supper hour is at hand." "But the instrument, itself! how would you have it drawn up? possibly you may desire that it should be written with my blood; if you do, I must tell you.” His immoderate laughter silenced me. "Another pinch of your Maccoboy," he said, helping himself. "I see you have been among the Germans. These are diabolical fancies I confess, and to my mind, rather dirty ones. I pray you, my dear master, look on me as one having a tolerable taste, and rather delicate stomach. These blood-pudding imaginings are my abomination. I deal differently with my friends. Leave the drawing up of the instrument to me, and keep your soul and blood to yourself. I would not rob you of a particle of either. The breeches will content me,—the breeches; and, mark me! an occasional petticoat, whenever you may think it necessary to bring home Mrs. Silex." "You shall have them-that you shall," was my answer. The deed was drawn out in the twinkling of an eye, and the contract signed and delivered. Nothing could exceed the delight of Jack upon his installation into office as my servant of all work. His joy broke out into tumultuous expressions the moment the papers were completed. as well "I congratulate myself, my dear master, as you, on our mutual acquisitions. There is nothing so distressing as being out of place; I have been trying for sometime to employ a master after my own heart, and my rapture is now excessive at having found him.” "A double-edged compliment," I muttered to myself, with a slight shiver. He beheld and divined the sensation. "Ay, I see," he cried playfully, "you are still unassured. You do not conjecture my value yet. But let me convince you. Say, what shall I do for you? It is proper that I commence my duties forthwith. Let me know them. I am ready now. I have no trunks to remove. My wardrobe is already here. As for my bedding, I want none. A chink in the chimney will yield me a sufficient sleeping place, and your saving in candles, alone, will be no small item. You have only to set me above the chimney-piece when you want a light, and I will burn at both ends to please you. In food I am moderate. A fricasseed frog is the utmost that my stomach will bear, and in wine I am a single bottle man. In supplies I am a prime commissariat, and you would find me valuable for this quality, even if my consumption were greater than it is. To speak with due modesty, you will I "If you please, Jack," was my answer; and yet, had some qualms of stomach, not to say conscience, as I thought of the proverb which denounced all liquor, however pleasant, of the devil's brewing. While I thought thus, the coffee urn was hissing on the table, and to do my new retainer lean justice, I assure you, I never drank a better cup of the purple beverage in my life. As a cook alone, he deserved new breeches daily; we shall see, as we get on, that he displayed other qualities which entitled him to far higher rewards; but of these-anon. MENTAL SOLITUDE. By the author of "Atalantis." The bells are gaily pealing, and the crowd,- Each hath his own companion, and can bend, That make them happy. I, alas!-alone, Talk not to me of solitude!-Thou hast And less in thy observance. It is not I love these teeming worlds,-their voiceless words, He walked beside the shepherds, and gave ear, And mock the seeming wise. Even wintry clouds, At evening, 'mong the stars,-or, ere the dark Darting o'er ocean's blue domain, or far My prayers, and scorn the tribute which I still, THE EPHESIAN MATRON. The story of the Ephesian matron versified by La Fontaine is found in Petronius, who took it from the Greeks-they from the Arabians--they lastly from the Chinese. It is found in Du Halde. |