It was about the eleventh hour of the night, when his thoughts were occupied by reflections on his for

to dispense with), is an admirable feature in the character of a ruler over thirty millions of men.

"For a long time the press has resounded the praises, and enlarged on the excellencies, of the new constitutions given by the nobility of Eastland and Livonia to their peasants. In this point, as far as regards the amiable disposition of the em. peror on the subject, 1 perfectly agree; but on the performance of his intentions, I believe, in the first instance at least, too much has been said. 1 will not presume to offer a decisive opinion on this matter; the constitutions are already in the hands of every one, for him to form his own judgment of themi. Thus much, however, I cannot conceal: when I left Livonia, the imperial commissioners who were empowered to make known the new regulations, had already begun the execution of this duty; but many peasants, particularly those who had good masters, shewed very little gratitude on the occasion, and begged to be left in their old state. This circumstance indeed can scarcely be held to decide the real merit of the plan in question; for an aversion to relinquish old institutions will often make us blind to our real interest. The peasants also had anticipated too much in expecting that the emperor would set them entirely free; nay, they think in fact that this is already the case; but the commissioners, in the number of whom are their masters, have hitherto preserved tranquillity among them. Hence, however, arise misunderstandings, that prove how carefully we ought to proceed in enlightening a blind and infatuated people.

"The peasants, who, under their former intolerable oppression, were allowed to lodge their complaints with the government, are in future to have for this purpose three judicial courts; the members of all of which, however, are to be taken from among the nobility alone: from the highest of these courts

Torn condition, that the entrance of Jerome was announced by a low whisper from the adjoining vault. Jerome approached with a shade of concern visibly marked on his countenance. I am sorry to be the messenger of bad news," said he; "

your fate is at last determined upon." The frame of our hero, at these words, shook with violent emotion. For some time he dared not enquire the extent of his fears; he read it too plainly in the sympathising features of

there is no appeal. However upright and noble-minded this class may be, it is surely not right for a whole division of the empire to be thus cut off, as it were, from the monarch. Every access to the throne is debarred them, and they must consequently be entirely at the mercy of their masters. ever an unjust esprit de corps should influence the possessors of this power (from the present generation indeed this is not to be feared), what would then become of the poor Eastlanders?

If

It is true, every lord has erected on his manor a court for the peasants, under the direction of a judge chosen by themselves from their own number: but he himself chooses the president of this court, which leaves his influence over his vassals unimpaired, for they will hence never venture to pronounce any sentence displeasing to him. It is exactly as if a prince should fill the benches of his tribunals with courtiers, and place one of his lords in waiting at their head. However, as I before observed, this constitution is not yet confirmed, and it would be premature now to say more upon it. Were it possible to ensure in the posterity of the present nobility-a continuation of the sentiments which now prevail, it would have been fruitless to deliver au opinion, on the subject; for, with pleasure I mention it, these are such as can lead us to apprehend very few abuses.

the faithful Jerome. At last, mustering sufficient courage to propose the question, Jerome informed him, that he had been privy to a consultation held by his companions, wherein it was determined to sacrifice him to their revenge; adding, that so long as their captain was averse, as he declared himself, to their determination, there were yet hopes of escaping the impending catastrophe. Notwithstanding, Jerome could not conceal his apprehensions of foul play from those to whom he alluded, who were inflamed against our hero for the loss of their companions. Is it not they alone who are conscious of guilt that are capable of fear? Charles, who a moment before was on the point of resigning himself to the agony of mind that the thoughts of certain destruction must inspire, felt the most grateful consolation from the assurance that there were still hopes of life from a quarter he could least expect it. Yet he could not help shuddering at a recollection of the dangers to which he was exposed; for treachery and revenge seldom stop short of their aim, when once they have entered into the thoughts of man. "You are a young man," said Jerome, "and may have a parent who vainly sorrows for your loss---" Charles sighed at the mention of the name of parent, and Jerome went on, suddenly exclaiming, as if recollecting himself, and looking in Charles's face, "Have you courage to venture into the family vault of the castle at midnight? have you also the resolution to trust yourself in any other unfrequented part of the castle?" Charles imagining that this was said with a

view to facilitate his escape by some means or other,. eagerly answered that conscious innocence had nothing to fear, and that he was ready to convince him how much it was superior to guilt in this particular; but his impatience at that moment made him forget that, however courageous human nature may be in the midst of visible danger, it always shrinks back, afrighted and appalled, at supernatural power, or that which is invisible. A pause succeeded, and Jerome seemed lost in profound reverie, as if labouring with a secret which he was unwilling to trust beyond the limits of his own bosom. Suddenly they heard a gentle noise, as if proceeding from the vault, and soon after their attention was rivetted to the spot by the clanking of chains, heard at a distance, and growing more indistinct, till the sound was lost in seeming distance. Charles, in spite of his boasted courage, felt an uncommon sensation of apprehension, and even awe, rush on his mind, and Jerome started with visible emotion. "From whence can it proceed?" said he, not daring to go in search of the cause.---" I have been often in this place, and the places adjoining, and never heard any sounds similar to these before." Charles was apprehensive of a discovery, and hinted his fears for his visitor's safety on his account. But Jerome was of opinion that this was unlikely, as he had some reasons to suppose that no one but himself was privy to the communication leading thereto.

"It is true," said he, "that there are strange appearances seen in that part of the castle, to winch

G

the direction of the sound tended, which made me ask you if you were afraid of such things, or willing to hazard your person in that wing of the building." "What appearances?" said Charles; " and what inducement is held out to such attempt?" "To explain my meaning for such a proposition," replied the friendly Jerome, endeavouring to appear tranquil in the course of his narration," it will be necessary to recount to you some particulars with which few but myself are acquainted." Charles expressed himself grateful for his confidence, and Jerome proceeded to this effect: "It was shortly after our arrival at the castle, one stormy night, (I shall never forget that night of horror, and the sensations it occasioned in my mind, and I think in the minds of the most hardened of our troop,) the wind roared among the ancient oaks that surrounded the castle; the rain fell in torrents; the lightning darted at intervals through the gloom, illuminating the woods; whilst the tremendous peals of thunder that re-echoed over our heads alarmed the consciences of the guilty, and I am afraid," said Jerome wildly, gave them but a faint idea of what they have to fear hereafter. As for myself, who was then abroad with a party of our companions, exposed to the fury of the elements, I thought all the sins which I had commited in the whole course of my life, were then present to my mind.

"In the midst of this storm, as I was afterwards informed, a gentleman and lady, who had lost their way, had arrived at the castle, drenched in the rain, in