"The ex-queen of Sweden has had one of the gentlemen of her suite put to death in a manner equally sudden and barbarous; and what excites in me a strong personal feeling on the subject is, that Monaldeschi, the cavalier in question, dines with me the very day of his murder, as I must call it. Such a gay dinner as we had! for Monaldeschi—lively, unscrupulous, and sarcastic—was a most amusing companion. His spirits, far higher than his usual bearing, carried us all along with them: and I remember saying to him, 'I envy your gaiety: why, Monaldeschi, you are as joyous as if there were nothing but sunshine in the world.' He changed countenance, and becoming suddenly grave, exclaimed, 'Do not call me back to myself. I feel an unaccountable vivacity, which I know is the herald of disaster.' But again he became cheerful, and we rallied him on the belief, which he still gaily maintained, that great spirits were the sure forerunners of misfortune."—Francesca Carrara, vol. ii. chap. 6.
Perhaps some of your readers may be able to say whether Miss Landon had the authority of any cotemporary writer for the anecdote. Is not the warning, "Sing before noon, and you'll sigh before night," also a proof of the dread with which "coruscations of joy" were looked upon by our forefathers?
C. FORBES.
Temple.
Miscellaneous.
NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.
The very unsatisfactory condition of the present laws on the subject of international copyright has induced the eloquent author the The History of the Girondists, when giving to the world The History of the Restoration of Monarchy in France, to consent to write in English some of the most important passages of that history with the view of assisting his publishers in their endeavour to protect themselves against piracy. To this circumstance we are indebted for the appearance at the same moment of the English and French editions; and both at a much lower price than that at which we have hitherto been accustomed to receive original works. M. de Lamartine's present contribution to the modern history of France cannot fail to excite great interest—despite of the manifest prejudices of the writer; for it is written with marked earnestness—not to say bitterness, and depicts in striking colours at once the military genius and the heartless selfishness of Napoleon. The history of the murder of Duc D'Enghien is told with consummate dramatic effect; and as the reader finishes the narrative he feels, the force of the author's closing words, "The murderer has but his hour—the victim has all eternity." The book will be read and re-read for its brilliancy and interest; it can however never by quoted as an authority, for its writer has disdained to quote those on which his own statements are based. M. de Lamartine in making this omission has done injustice both to himself and to his readers.
Letters Historical and Botanical, relating chiefly to places in the Vale of Teign, &c., by Dr. Fraser Halle, is a small volume which we can conscientiously recommend as a desirable travelling companion to such of our friends as may be about to visit this beautiful district of
"Lovely Devonia, land of flowers and songs."
It is clearly the production of a thoughtful scholar; and besides its botanical notices and historical illustrations, contains many pleasant snatches of old song, and hints of by-gone legends.