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much the characteristic of the Scotch tunes, that it is to be doubted whether even bases were set to them before the present century; whereas in the days of Rizzio, harmony was the fashionable study of the Italian composers. Palestina himself, who flourished about two hundred and fifty years ago, and who has obtained the high title of father of harmony, is by Avison ranked with those who neglected air, and were too closely attached to counterpoint; and at the time when Rizzio was a student in the art, Palestina's must have been the favourite music in Italy. Besides, though the style of the old Scotch melody has been well imitated by Mr. Oswald, and some other natives, we do not find that any foreigner has ever caught the true spirit of it. Geminiani, a great and original genius in this art, and a professed admirer of the Scotch songs, some of which he published with accompaniments, used to say that he had blotted many a quire of paper to no purpose, in attempting to set a second strain to that fine little air whien in Scotland is known by the name of the Broom of Cowdenknows. To all which we may add that Tassoni*, the author of Le Secchia Rapito, speaks of this music as well esteemed by the Italians of his time, and ascribes the invention of it to James, king of Scotland; which a foreigner might naturally do, as all the Scotch kings of that name, particularly the first, third, fourth and fifth, were skilled both in music and poetry.

But though Tassoni's testimony be admitted as a proof that the Scotch music is more ancient than Rizzio, we cannot think him right in what he says of its inventor; nor do we acquiesce in the opinion of

Tassoni was born in 1555.

those who give the honour of this invention to the monks of Melrose. It seems more probable that it took its rise among men who were real shepherds, and who actually felt the sentiments and affections of which it is so very expressive. Rizzio may have been one of the first, perhaps, who made a collection of these songs, or he may have played them with more delicate touches than the Scotch musicians of that time; or perhaps corrected the extravagance of certain passages, for one is struck with the regularity of some as well as amused with the wildness of others; and in all, or any of these cases, it might be said with truth that the Scotch music is under obligations to him. But that this style of pastoral mes lody, so unlike the Italian, and in every respect so peculiar, should have been established or invented by him is incredible; nay, if it were worth while to assert any thing so positively on such a subject, we might even say impossible.

SINGULAR INSANITY.

THE following anecdote is related on the authority of very respectable testimony, Madame De Haster, a German lady (an authoress), who resides at Paris:

The enthusiasm of a girl from Provence has lately occupied my mind. It was a singular occurrence which I shall never forget. I was present at the national museum when this girl entered the Salle D'Apollon: she was tall and elegantly formed, and in all the bloom of health. I was struck with her air, and my eyes involuntarily followed her steps. I saw her start as she cast her eyes on the statue of Apollo, and she stood before it as if struck by lightning. Gradually her eyes sparkled with sen

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sibility. She had before looked calmly around the hall. Her whole frame seemed to be electrified, as if a transformation had taken place within her and it has since appeared, that indeed a transformation had taken place, and that her youthful breast had imbibed a powerful, alas! fatal passion. I remarked, that her companion (an elder sister, it seems), could not force her to leave the stafue but with much entreaty; and she left the hall with tears in her eyes, and all the expression of tender sorrows. I set out the very same evening for Montmorency.

'I returned to Paris at the end of August, and visited immediately the magnificent collection of antiques. I recollected the girl from Provence, and thought I might perhaps meet with her again; but I never saw her afterwards, though I went frequently. At length I met with one of the attendants, who, I recollected, had observed her with the same attentive curiosity which I had felt; and I enquired after her. "Poor girl," said the old man, "that was a sad visit for her." She came after wards almost every day to look at the statue, and she would sit still, with her hands folded in her lap, staring at the image; and when her friends forced her away, it was always with tears that she left the hall. In the middle of May, she brought, whenever she came, a basket of flowers, and placed it on the Mosaic steps. One morning early she had contrived to get into the room before the usual hour of opening it, and we found her within the grate sitting on the steps, almost fainting, exhausted with weeping. The whole hall was scented with the perfume of flowers, and she had elegantly thrown over the statue a large veil of Indian muslin, with a golden fringe. We pitied the deplorable condition of the Lovely girl, and let no one into the VOL. XXXVIII.

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(A Tale, by M. Rymer.*)

IN the mean time, the unfortunate Pedrosa counted his wretched moments in anguish indescribable: about ten o'clock on the evening of the third day, as he lay prostrate on the ground, bathed in tears, which had scarcely ceased to flow since the sentence passed upon him by Don Jerome, the door of his prison opened, and the hard-hearted jailor made his appearance: this was an unusual hour for such a visit, but Pedrosa was too much absorbed in grief to express any admiration of the event. The smile of this man was scarcely less hideous than his frown, and Pedrosa as he looked up, even in the excess of his affliction, could not help being shocked at the doubtful expression of his countenance: without saying one word to his unfortunate prisoner, he took out of his pocket several tools, which irresistably attracted the attention of the latter. Mighty God!' cried Pe

*In our Magazine for January we inserted an extract from the beginning of this ingenious novel: we now give one from the conclusion.

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drosa, what new species of torture am I doomed to suffer! The jailor, without regarding his exclamation, rudely seized his legs, and began to strike out the rivets which fastened his fetters. During this operation, the wretched barber was sometimes forced to howl with pain; but he bore it with the more fortitude, as he imagined it done by order of Don Jerome, who, as he had condemned him to perpetual imprisonment, might see no reason for increasing his sufferings farther than to secure his person; and had therefore ordered him to be released from his fetters: the keeper also cut the cords which were girt round his body; he threw the hateful and unlucky garment to the farther end of the apartment, and lifting up the light which he had brought, with a stern voice commanded him to follow. Gracious God!' cried Pedrosa, to what place must I follow you?' The jailor turned round, and viewing him for a moment with a look of contemptuous cruelty, he knit his brows, and with a harsher voice, and more frowning countenance, pronounced again the word,

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Follow!' Pedrosa was too much intimidated to reply, and tremblingly, began to move forwards.

After several windings through this gloomy mansion of misery, they came to a long narrow passage, cold and damp, and which seemed not to have been trodden for years. Pedrosa again ventured, in a hesitating manner, to enquire the object of his removal, but was answered by a frown, which completely silenced him: they proceeded onwards to a narrow staircase, which after having ascended led them to a small door, fastened by iron bolts. Draw these bolts,' said the jailor: Pedrosa tremblingly endeavoured to obey, but they were to rusty to give way to strength. • Blockhead!' cried his conductor,

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in a tone of angry reproach, and sprung forward impatiently to assist him: in his hurry he let fall the lamp; it rolled to the bottom of the staircase, and left them in profound darkness: the door was now opened, and Pedrosa stepped into an apartment: his guide took hold of him by the arm, and hurried him along. Pedrosa, trembling with anxiety and terror, could hardly breathe; fearful and uncertain of the fate to which he was hastening, he almost lost the use of his senses. They at last stopped at a small door: on a signal being made, it instantly opened; but what can equal Pedrosa's astonishment, when he beheld an apartment superbly illuminated, the magnificence of which dazzled his eyes, the aperture shut behind him, and he stood for a moment in speechless amaze

ment.

The first object which fixed his attention was a handsome and well

dressed cavalier by the side of a lady of the most ravishing beauty; the former of whom instantly approached, and took him by the hand, with the most familiar and cordial expression of friendship: the lady also flew and placed herself at his side, and hoth together led the astonished barber to a table, on which was spread an elegant collation, composed of all the delicacies that luxury assisted by wealth could procure. 'Here Pedrosa,' said the cavalier, as he poured out the most delicious wine in a golden goblet, let us now drink to the continuance of our future friendship: the lady also stretched out her hand to Pedrosa, who, though he could not comprehend the meaning of all this, bowed and kissed it most respectfully. His recent misfortunes made the soothing tones of friendship come with an additional charm to his heart, and he raised the goblet cheerfully to his lips: the lady and cavalier then placed him betwixt

them, and pressed him to eat.. Pedresa is ranked amongst the number of my friends,' said the cavalier, and therefore I expect that he will lay aside all restraint in my company: this lady will also join with me in my regard to you, we have both obligations to you; and must certainly repay them.' Pedrosa was struck with astonishment, but he doubted the reality of his good fortune, and was afraid to enquire. You shall no more return to your loathsome prison,' resumed the cavalier: ' nay, do not start, my good friend Pedrosa; nothing I hope is more certain; you have suffered a great deal -you have a great debt upon fortune which she is now going to pay -to be more explicit, you now see before you Don Juan de Salvedra and Donna Lucinda de Valerda, two people who by your means have become the happiest of mortals.' Heaven bless your honours,' said Pedrosa, and render you as happy as I wish you! but all this is a riddle to me, nor can I comprehend how your honours became acquainted with my story. That is what I am going to explain to you,' returned Don Juan. You must know that the day before yesterday I was very much surprised in the morning at seeing the grand inquisitor, who is my spiritual director, enter my chamber; it being an unusual hour for him to make his appearance: but what was my joy when he informed me, that the lady for whom he knew I had conceived a passion; which he had done all in his power to persuade me to suppress, was discovered to be his near relation, and heiress of the noble house of Valerda. I have learned from her own lips,' added he, that your passion is mutual, and I give you my consent to make you mutually happy: her grand-father, with whom I beLieve you have already had an inter

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view, is now no more: come to me in the afternoon, and I will accompany you to Donna Lucinda.' Overjoyed at what I heard, and without troubling myself to enquire the manner in which he had discovered the abode of my beloved, and the illustrious dignity of her birth, to which I was certain she herself had hitherto been a stranger, I fell on my knees, and with the most passionate expressions told him he had made me the happiest of men. He had scarcely taken his leave, when one of my servants entered, with a letter which he said he believed father Jerome to have dropped in the portico of my palace; looking upon the address, I perceived that it had been directed to me, and that it was actually the last letter I had rceeived from Donna Lucinda. This billet, I knew, I had left in the pocket of the Franciscan habit, which I had worn, as a disguise, that night in which I was attacked by four armed ruthians, who, I suppose, intended to assassinate me; and which I left in the street to facilitate my escape. My curiosity, however, was not sufficiently stimulated to probe to the bottom of this affair: a new and more powerful interest had taken possession of my heart; I was on the point of obtaining all my soul held dear in this world, the adorable Lucinda: and I flew to my uncle, the chief corregidor of Madrid, to relate to him my hap piness, and sanction it by his consent. When I arrived at the palace of that respectable magistrate, I found him busily employed in the examination of an old woman and two ruffians, who had been apprehended in endeavouring to break open a house, which, from the description, I discovered to be that of Don Alphons, grandfather of my Lucinda: it appeared that the old woman had been a domestic of this gentleman, and by what she related

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concerning a person, who had come
in the disguise of a Franciscan to
attend the dying moments of her
master, and who had been afterwards
taken up by the officers of the In-
quisition, I was no longer at a less for
the source of father Jerome's intel-
ligence, nor for the manner in which
he had come to the possession of
Donna Lucinda's billet; and was
convinced that whoever was the
person whose unlucky stars had thus
involved him in so much perplexity,
he could have only procured my dis-
guise by picking it up from the spot
where I had dropped it. After obtain-
ing the consent of my uncle to my
happiness, I accompanied Don Jerome
with rapture to the house which
contained the treasure of my soul;
in his presence we exchanged mu-
tual vows of fidelity, and it was
agreed upon that after the funeral
obsequies of Don Alphonso should
be solemnised, we should be united
for ever at the altar of our holy re-
ligion; after which Donna Lucinda
should be introduced at court in a
manner suitable to her rank, and the
virtues of the noble family she was
descended from. In the mean time,
the grand inquisitor offered my in-
tended bride an apartment in his
palace, with full permission for me
to pass as great a part of my time in
her company as I pleased. I still,
however, could not fully enjoy my
happiness, without being concerned
for the fate of him to whose misfor-
tune I, in some measure, owed it. I
thought it but justice not to relax
any endeavours of mine to rescue
him from the fate which awaited
him. I therefore, by the assistance of
a bribe, tampered with the person
whom I knew to be a jailor of the
Inquisitorial prison, and soon learn
ed your name and situation. I im.
parted my scheme to Donna Lu-
cinda, who was no less zealous in it
than myself, and we agreed that this

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night, when Don Jerome should have retired to a country seat of his, at some distance from the capital, we should do every thing in our power to effectuate your deli verance: your jailor informed us of this concealed passage, which had been originally constructed for some reason or other, as a communica tion betwixt the prisons and the palace of the grand inquisitor. This man, who we make no doubt has a powerful reason for wishing to withdraw himself from Spain, readily promised for a sum of money to deliver you into our hands; he has made good his agreement, and we believe will never more be heard of. Come, Pedrosa, we give you joy of your liberty, though it must be at the expence of, perhaps, never more beholding your native country in a few hours you must set off, and I will engage that by the evening of to-mor row your wife and family will nearly overtake you: Holland or England must be the future place of your abode; andin order to place you above the necessity of secking for your food by labour, in a strange land, here is a bond, payable at an eminent banker's in Amsterdam, which shall entitle you to eight hundred ducats annually.' And let me,' interrupted Donna Lucinda, have the pleasure of presenting you with this purse, to defray the expences of your journey.' Pedrosa accepted of both the presents with tears in his eyes; a variety of emotions oppressed his agitated bosom, and only the joyful thoughts of seeing his wife and children calmed the turbulence of his feelings.

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Come,' said Don Juan, as he poured out a goblet of wine, courage, my friend Pedrosa! every country is the same to a man, who, like you, is possessed of a good conscience.' Pe drosa expressed his acquiescence to this sentiment; and endeavoured all in his power to become cheerful: melane

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