Even they, the dead-though dead, so dear, Fond Memory, to her duty true, Brings back their faded forms to view. COLISEUM; (pro. Col-i-se/-um,) the ruins of an ancient building at Rome. 1. On the eighth of November, from the highland, about fourteen miles distant, I first saw Rome; and although there is something very unfavorable to impression in the expectation that you are to be greatly impressed, or that you ought to be, or that such is the fashion`; yet Rome is too mighty a name to be withstood by such or any other influences. Let you come upon that hill in what mood you may`, the scene will lay hold upon you as with the hand of a giant. I scarcely know how to describe the impression, but it seemed to me, as if something strong and stately, like the slow and majestic march of a mighty whirlwind, swept around those eternal towers; the storms of time, that had prostrated the proudest monuments of the world, seemed to have left their vibrations in the still and solemn air; ages of history passed before me; the mighty procession of nations, kings, consuls, emperors, empires, and generations, had passed over that sublime theater. The fire, the storm, the earthquake, had gone by; but there was yet left the still small voice like that, at which the prophet "wrapped his face in his mantle. 2. I went to see the Coliseum by moonlight. It is the monarch, the majesty of all ruins; there is nothing like it. All the associations of the place, too, give it the most impressive character. When you enter within this stupendous circle of ruinous walls and arches, and grand terraces of masonry, rising one above another, you stand upon the arena of the old gladiatorial combats and Christian martyrdom; and as you lift your eyes to the vast amphitheater, you meet, in imagination, the eyes of a hundred thousand Romans, assembled to witness these bloody spectacles. What a multitude and mighty array of human beings; and how little do we know in modern times of great assemblies! One, two, and three, and at its last enlargement by Constantine, more than three hundred thousand persons could be seated in the Circus Maximus! 3. But to return to the Coliseum`; we went up under the conduct of a guide, upon the walls and terraces, or embankments which supported the ranges of seats. The seats have long since disappeared; and grass overgrows the spots where the pride, and power, and wealth, and beauty of Rome sat down to its barbarous entertainments. What thronging life was here then! What voices, what greetings, what hurrying footsteps upon the staircases of the eighty acres of entrance! and now, as we picked our way carefully through the decayed passages, or cautiously ascended some moldering. flight of steps, or stood by the lonely walls-ourselves silent, and, for a wonder, the guide silent too-there was no sound here but of the bat, and none came from without, but the roll of a distant carriage or the convent bell from the summit of the neighboring Esquiline. 4. It is scarcely possible to describe the effect of moonlight upon this ruin. Through a hundred lonely arches, and blackened passage-ways, it streamed in, pure, bright, soft, lambent, and yet distinct and clear, as if it came there at once to reveal, and cheer, and pity the mighty desolation. But if the Coliseum is a mournful and desolate spectacle as seen from within-without, and especially on the side which is in best preservation, it is glorious. We passed around it; and, as we looked upward, the moon shining through its arches, from the opposite side, it appeared as if it were the coronet of the heavens, so vast was it-or like a glorious crown upon the brow of night. 5. I feel that I do not and can not describe this mighty ruin. I can only say that I came away paralyzed, and as passive as a child. A soldier stretched out his hand for "un dono," as we passed the guard; and when my companion said I did wrong to give, I told him that I should have given my cloak, if the man had asked it. Would you break any spell that worldly feeling or selfish sorrow may have spread over your mind, go and see the Coliseum by moonlight. LX.-ON MODULATION. FROM LLOYD. 1. 'Tis not enough the voice` be sound and clear", 2. Some o'er the tongue the labor'd measure roll, Point every stop, mark every pause so strong, 3. All affectation but creates disgust; And e'en in speaking, we may seem too just. To make a discord in each tuneful line. 4. Some placid natures fill the allotted scene 5. He who, in earnest, studies o'er his part, In the white handerkerchief and mournful drawl: Up to the face the quick sensation flies, And darts its meaning from the speaking eyes: LXI. - COMBAT AT A TOURNAMENT. TOURNAMENT; (pro. turn-a-ment). Formerly, when the chief business of all mankind was fighting, it was customary for knights to try their courage and skill, by fighting with each other with their usual weapons, the lance and sword. This was the favorite amusement of the times, and was called a tournament. The challenge to combat was given, by touching the shield of the knight whom the challenger wished to encounter. The challenge to a contest with headless or blunt lances, was given by touching the shield gently with the reversed spear, while a blow with the point denoted a challenge to mortal conflict. List; the enclosure within which the tournaments were held. Bois Guilbert; pro. Bwah,-Guil-bare. Grammercy; Scotch for many thanks. 1. * * *THE music of the challengers breathed, from time to time, wild bursts, expressive of triumph or defiance; while the clowns grudged a holiday which seemed to pass away in inactivity; and old knights and nobles lamented the decay of martial spirit, and spoke of the triumphs of their younger days. Prince John began to talk to his attendants about making ready the banquet, and the necessity of adjudging the prize to Brian de Bois-Guilbert, who had, with a single spear, overthrown two knights, and foiled a third. 2. At length, as the music of the challengers concluded one of those long and high flourishes with which they had broken the silence of the lists, it was answered by a solitary trumpet, which breathed a note of defiance, from the northern extremity. All eyes were turned to see the new champion which these sounds announced, and no sooner were the barriers opened than he paced into the lists. 3. As far as could be judged of a man sheathed in armor, the new adventurer did not greatly exceed the middle size, and seemed to be rather slender than strongly made. His suit of armor was formed of steel, richly inlaid with gold; |