not poor women as well as poor men? And do not women have to toil and suffer as much as men? Yes, truly, and a great deal more. Now, Enrique,' said the lovely pleader, leaning with her clasped hands on her husband's shoulder, and looking fondly in his face, listen to my plan, which I have formed while you were poring over your musty papers. When we leave our dear home, which I shall regret as much as you, for I have had my day-dreams too, Enrique'-and a tear, unbidden, stood in her bright blue eye-but when we leave it, you shall hire a little hut, and a little piece of ground, such as we can find for twenty dollars a-year, like that which old Antonio lives in-the old Mulatto, who talks all the time with his Indian wife, who never says anything: just like me, you know.' 'But where are we to find our twenty dollars, you dear little St Tacita?' interrupted Enrique, smiling in spite of himself.

'Hush with your impertinent inquisitions. You are worse than a lawyer. Why, my earnings are worth more than sixty dollars; so there is three years' rent at once. You shall cultivate the ground, and raise your yams, your maize, and your pine-apples, your water-melons and your musk-melons, your sugar-cane, and, above all, your cotton; while I shall take care of the house which wont be much, you know; and then I will pick and card your cotton, and spin and weave it, and cut it, and make it up, and tambour it so, that the governor himself shall be only too happy to give a hundred dollars for a shirt from my fingers. Moreover, every Saturday I will go into the market, like the other paisanas, with my donkey, and my panniers filled with all the good fruits that you will raise, and all the nice and pretty things that I can make-my tarts and pies, my bouquets, my toys and cigarrillos!† Ah, I think I see myself in a corner of the market-house, in my white petticoat and embroidered vest, with my little rebozo on my head, seated in state on my mat, with all my wares about me. I am sure I shall draw all the custom. Buy a water-melon, senor? Buy my candles, senorita-elegant mould candles? Here's your nice new-laid eggs! Here's your beautiful onions! Here's your fine white yams-yams-yams! Ah, buy a pie, ma'am, baked this morning, I assure you; or a bunch of elegant flowers, for the dear good saint ;§ or a sweet pretty little doll for the charming little senorita; or a little whip for the dear little senorito to whip his beautiful little horse with?' The lively Rosita mimicked so admirably the tones and manner of the market-women of Assumption, that her husband shouted 'Bravo!' and clapped his hands, and laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks. It was a delightful scene; and it ended by his clasping once more his lovely wife to his bosom, and thanking Heaven that he had one treasure of which Prieto could not deprive him.

At this moment they were startled by a loud knock at the outer door. Who can it be at this hour?' said Enrique.

'Some messenger from the city perhaps,' replied his wife. Here, Rossi,' she said, opening the door of the apartment, go and see who it is that knocks.'

Rossi, their trusty Mulatto servant, who was nodding in the passage, arose, rubbed his eyes, yawned, and proceeded to obey the commands of his mistress. He returned in a minute with his eyes wide open, and every trace of drowsiness banished by consternation. Oh, senor! oh, mistress!' he stammered; it is that man, Dr Francia! Shall I let him in ?'

Rossi knew well the inveterate enmity between his master and the doctor, which was indeed notorious to

* Peasant women.

Little cigars made of tobacco, cut fine, and wrapped in a slip of paper or maize leaf.

A sort of scarf, thrown over the head or round the neck at the pleasure of the wearer.

all the city and neighbourhood. 'Dr Francia!' exclaimed Gonsalez, no less astonished, and much perplexed. 'What can he want with me?' 'Perhaps he comes from Don Manuel to propose some compromise,' suggested his wife. 'Pray see him by all means.' 'Well, Rossi, desire the doctor to enter. We shall know our fate.'

Rossi returned to the door, and shortly afterwards a hasty step was heard in the passage, and the person of whom they spoke entered the room. His tall erect form was clad from head to foot in scholastic black, with the exception of his ample cloak of crimson cloth, which was wrapped around his shoulders after the Spanish fashion. He might be above forty years of age. His face was long, with strongly-marked features; thin lips firmly closed, dark piercing eyes, and a swarthy complexion, but with that peculiar tinge of sallowness acquired by close confinement and study. His dark hair was drawn back from his capacious forehead, and fell in heavy masses on his shoulders. His whole physiognomy conveyed a strong impression of intellect and firmness. He waited for no salutation, but spoke at once. Senor Don Enrique, I know that my presence here is as unwelcome as it is unexpected.'

'I am honoured,' began Gonsalez; but the doctor interrupted him with a hasty motion of the hand.

I do not come to bandy compliments, senor; but on an errand of duty. You are now engaged in a suit with my friend Don Manuel Prieto (he pronounced the word 'friend' with a strong emphasis), by which you are about to lose this house and estate. From what I learn, it appears that his suit is an atrocious outrage on law and justice, and is likely to be gained by a violation of every legal and honest principle. Is this the truth, senor?' It is,' replied Gonsalez eagerly, as surely as that there is a just God in heaven!"

This must not be, Don Enrique,' replied Dr Francia. 'I cannot allow the law, that noble science to which I have devoted my life, to be so perverted to an engine of fraud and oppression. I am the friend of Don Manuel; I am, and shall ever be, your enemy. But I am more the friend of right, and the enemy of wrong. I offer you my services. Will you trust me with your cause?'

With my life!' exclaimed Gonsalez, astonished and overjoyed. Oh, senor, under what a load of obligation do you lay me!'

Under none,' returned the lawyer hastily. "I serve the cause of justice. We are enemies now and ever!' 'Surely, senor, not now?' exclaimed Rosita. Not after this?'

Madam,' replied the doctor coldly, neither my friendships nor my enmities are like a cloak, to be put on and off at pleasure, and thrown aside when worn out. These, I perceive, are your documents,' he continued, sweeping from the table the pile of papers which lay upon it, and collecting them under his arm within his cloak. Have no further anxiety, Don Enrique; your cause is safe. I do not think that Don Pedro de Sarmiento will dare to trifle with me!' he said proudly, drawing up his stately form to its full height. 'Let him beware: if he turns to the right or left, he is lost. Judge of appeal as he is, royal auditor as he styles himself, I will drag him from his seat to ignominy and ruin. What is it come to this, that a corrupt judge and venal advocates shall twist the law with impunity to their own vile ends, and rob us of our fortunes without redress? I, José Gaspar Francia, say that this thing shall not be. Farewell, sir; I repeat it, your patrimony is safe. Adieu, madam; I kiss your feet;' and bowing with ceremonious politeness, the great lawyer abruptly turned, and departed as hastily as he had come. He left behind him glad hearts and joyous

countenances.

of the patron saint in the best room of the house, and great care is taken in dressing and adorning it with jewels and garlands.

Dr Francia seldom speaks in jest,' replied Enrique;

'but what matters his enmity after this? I defy him to do me as much harm hereafter as he now does me good!' Ill-founded confidence! Alas! there came a time when Gonsalez would have given house and land, and all his hopes of worldly prosperity, to buy even the miserable boon of eternal banishment from the country in which Dr Francia dwelt !

SCENE THE SECOND.

Twelve years have elapsed since the scene just described. We must now ask our readers to accompany us to the Casa de Gobierno, or government house, in the city of Assumption, the capital of the free and independent republic of Paraguay. It is a large low edifice of whitewashed brick, with no pretensions to elegance or state. At one extremity of it is a room of moderate size, very poorly furnished. A long table which occupied the upper end, close to the wall, supported a double row of books, and several astronomical and surveying instruments. At a small round table, in the centre of the room, was seated a youth of pleasing intelligent appearance, engaged in writing; while a tall elderly man, dressed in black, but with a crimson cloak thrown around his shoulders, walked slowly up and down the room in deep thought. It was Francia, no longer a simple doctor of laws and advocate, but, by the election of his fellow-citizens, and the force of his indomitable will, supreme dictator of Paraguay, the absolute ruler of the country. There was little change to be perceived in his appearance, except that his hair was slightly grizzled, and his countenance gloomier than ever. At length the young man ceased writing, and after glancing timidly towards the stern dictator, as if to ask permission, he said, May it please your excellency, the letter is finished.'

'Read it,' said Francia.

The young man read the document, which was a letter directed to the public authorities of Buenos Ayres, positively refusing to enter into any treaty, either of commerce or alliance, with them. When he had concluded, the dictator said, 'Very good. Transcribe it, and bring it to me for my signature. You have a good style, Villarino, and your compositions please me.'

Ah, your excellency,' stammered the youth, much gratified by a speech of commendation from his stern master, if the supremo would but allow me to speak.' Well, what is it?' inquired Francia, turning and directing a piercing gaze at his secretary.

I am proud to obey your excellency's commands, whatever they may be,' said the young man; but may I not venture to express a wish that my honoured master would regard the foreign policy of our country in a somewhat different light?'

'Well, go on!' said the dictator in a deep harsh tone, observing that the secretary hesitated.

I shall be miserable if I offend your excellency,' continued the young man; I only thought, that possibly, without perplexing ourselves by foreign alliances, we might cultivate an advantageous commerce by exchanging our surplus productions for their cheap and useful wares.'

Have you finished your lecture?' inquired Francia with a tone of bitter sarcasm, and a ferocious scowl. Ah, pardon!-pardon!' exclaimed the unhappy youth; I meant not to offend.'

"When I took you for my secretary,' continued the unrelenting dictator, and favoured you by my countenance, I trusted that you had at least the sense not to burn your fingers by thrusting them wilfully into the fire. So you are a political economist, senor! and aspire to be a partner in my government. Do you know how I treat such intermeddlers?'

Pardon my folly, my lord !' cried the youth, still more and more terrified. I will never offend again !' Out! away with you!' thundered Francia, stamping violently on the floor. 'Quit my presence now and for ever! Remain in your house till further orders. I will take care that you never repeat the offence.'

The unfortunate secretary slunk terror-stricken from the room, while the excited dictator paced up and down like an enraged tiger in his lair. His eyes glared, and his brow was knit. 'Shall I never find a tool,' he said, who will not erect himself into an adviser?' Suddenly the door opened. Ha! thou villain, wouldst thou assassinate me?' cried the despot, rushing to the table, on which lay two loaded pistols and a drawn sword.

Oh, Senor Excelentissimo, it is only your poor servant,' said the new-comer in a piteous tone, dropping on his knees; 'I thought I heard your lordship's excellency bid me enter.'

'Ha, Estevan! is it thou? Beware how thou rushest so hastily into my presence, or thou mayest chance to repent it with a bullet in thy fat carcase. Well, what news?'

The person addressed was a little, plump, round-faced man, with an air of good-humour and sly cunning on his oily features. He might be, from his appearance, a small shopkeeper, or perhaps a publican. Scratching his head, as if to collect his scattered senses from the shock of his first reception, he replied, 'I have not much to tell your excellency, but I learn that Don Domingo Saavedra and Don Vicente Valdez meet frequently, and in private, at the house of Don Fernando Pinto.'

'Ha! well, that corresponds!' said Francia. more?'

'What

'Manuel Artigas says, that if you compel him to pull down his house to form your new street, he shall expect compensation.'

He shall have it-free lodgings in the public prison. I will have no grumblings at my plans for the improvement of my capital. Anything more?'

'The old Pelado says that you can drive out the Franciscans to-day, but your own turn may come tomorrow.'

'He says so?-the scoundrel! I have long borne with his mutinous expressions. Good! No one suspects you of communicating with me, Estevan?' 'No, your excellency; thanks to my little office and my management.'

Well, go! Be faithful, and you shall meet with your reward.'

The spy departed, and the dictator ringing a bell, a sergeant of the guard entered. Sergeant,' said Francia, 'you will take a file of men, and arrest Manuel Artigas without delay, and commit him to the public prison. This will serve him for lodgings while his house is pulled down, and teach him discretion. Tell him so. You will then proceed to seize the old Spaniard, Ruiz Palacios, commonly called the Pelado; iron him with a double bar, and have him ready for the banquillo tomorrow morning, as a warning for all traitors.'

'Yes, your excellency. I have to report that the French merchant, Latour, is at the point of death. He is with his family at the house of his father-in-law, Don Pedro Cortina.'

'Very well. Place a guard in the dwelling, and also in his warehouse, and the moment he dies, seize his property for the use of the state. Our treasury is getting low; and whatever happens, my faithful troops, who love me like children, shall not want their pay. You may go, sergeant.'

The soldier departed on his errands of terror, enchanted with the favour shown by his master to the body to which he belonged, and by means of which the crafty despot secured his ascendancy over his fellowcitizens, and maintained his arbitrary power. A low knock was then heard; and after a reiterated command to enter, the door was gently opened, and a man appeared, dressed in the garb of a cura, or parish priest. His face was pale, and his look constrained and downcast.

*The little bench' or stool on which criminals are seated for execution.

engrossing sway of the passion for domination. It is therefore no exaggeration to say that the restraints of constitutional forms are, at least, quite as valuable to rulers as to their subjects; for if the latter have to fear the injurious effects of arbitrary power upon their external and temporal prosperity, the former have still more to dread its subtle and lasting influence upon themselves.

RISING AND SINKING OF LAND
IN NORTHERN EUROPE.

In the temperate regions of the earth, we are so accustomed to associate the idea of perfect stability with the ground on which we tread, that we are prone to incredulity when told of upheavals of the land, which cannot be immediately referred to the action of volcanoes or earthquakes. And when travellers have witnessed one of the latter convulsions for the first time, their description of their sensations presents a singular mixture of bewilderment and alarm, jostling long-settled convictions. Startling, however, as may be the phenomena of earthquakes, the subsidence or elevation of hills, draining or formation of lakes, diversion of rivers, they only represent on the sudden what has in all time been effected by the slow and silent, though not less sure, operations of nature in various parts of the world. That such changes have taken place in past ages, many persons are willing to believe; but they incline to doubt the existence of similar movements in the present period. They have heard or read of beds of marine shells being found at elevations and places far remote from the sea, or of ancient vessels dug up far below the soil; but these things have been conveniently referred to the Deluge, or some sudden inundation, under the impression that since those events no farther commotion has happened. But the observations of scientific men testify to the alterations continually going on over large portions of the earth's surface, not less remarkable than those due to the violence of earthquakes.

Mr Lyell was the first to make these phenomena popularly known in this country, in his 'Principles of Geology,' a work which we are greatly pleased to see republished in a seventh edition, abounding as it does with sound and comprehensive views likely to do good service to the cause of geological science. This writer directed attention to the gradual elevation of the land in Sweden and adjacent portions of the north of Europe; and a summary of his observations, as amplified in the new edition, will serve to convey an idea of what is known of this interesting phenomenon.

We may premise that instances of upheaval and submergence are more general than is commonly.supposed. Many changes of level are to be traced in the valley of the Rhine. In Sicily, shells, identical with those now existing in the Mediterranean, are found at a height of three thousand feet above the sea level. Calabria presents similar appearances. The latter country, it is thought, is slowly rising-a point not yet determined, owing to the comparatively short period during which observations have been made. In the bay of Baiae, fish are now caught on certain parts of the coast, which, in 1807, were dry land: the depression goes on at the rate of one inch in four years. Places on the coast of Asia Minor are slowly increasing their distance from the sea; and according to Von Hoff, a German writer, the island of Tahiti gains in height every year. Mr Darwin has shown that the bed of the Pacific Ocean has undergone frequent upheavals and depressions, the coral reefs being sometimes elevated into mountain-ranges, at others sunk fathoms below the level at which they were formed. In 1822, a portion of the South American continent, equal in extent to the British isles, was raised; and similar movements are still going on. To turn to our own country: The town of Brighton once stood, where the chain-pier is now built, on a beach which the sea had abandoned for ages. In Shetland and Cornwall great changes have occurred within the memory of man.

Evidences of upheaval are apparent on some parts bordering the estuary of the Clyde. In the Isle of Arran a circle of inland cliffs is distinctly visible. A large portion of Lincolnshire was once covered by the sea, where cattle now graze; while on the opposite coast of Yorkshire, towns which were busy ports in the fourteenth century, are now covered by the waves. At one part of the Norfolk shore there is a depth of water sufficient to float a frigate, where, fifty years ago, stood a cliff fifty feet in height.

Many other facts might be adduced, were more required, to prove the existence of constant change. The results may appear small, when compared with the agencies at work, and the long ages required to produce them; yet when looked at as the means by which nature provides for the duration of her empire, we shall find reason to estimate them at their full value. About the beginning of last century, Celsius, a celebrated Swedish naturalist, gave it as his opinion that the waters of the North and Baltic seas were slowly subsiding, the decrease amounting to nearly four feet in one hundred years. The fact he showed had been noticed by ancient writers, according to whom Scandinavia was formerly an island, but towards the ninth century had become part of the continent by the retreating of the waters. In common, however, with the early astronomers, who were deceived by apparent motions of the stars, so these writers, and Celsius himself, were deceived by the apparent subsidence of the sea. The speculations gave rise to a controversy, in which it was argued that as there was no proof of a rising of the ocean in other regions, there could be no sinking in the north. Playfair suggested that the appearances were due rather to an elevation of the land -an opinion confirmed by Von Buch, who, after exploring Sweden in 1807, expressed his conviction 'that the whole country, from Frederickshall in Norway to Abo in Finland, and perhaps as far as St Petersburg, was slowly and insensibly rising.' This declaration from so eminent an authority led to a more critical examination of the subject. Marks had been chiselled in the rocks on various parts of the Baltic shores, to serve as an index of the water-level. These were inspected by a commission in 1820-21, and a report was presented to the Royal Academy of Stockholm, in which the subsidence of the water, subsequently to the incision of the marks, was clearly demonstrated; at the same time new marks were made.

In 1834, Mr Lyell set out for Sweden, to convince himself, by actual observation, of the truth or falsehood of the theory advanced. He first visited the famous castle of Calmar: the bases of two projecting towers were once washed by the sea, but now they are above the sea-level, having risen four feet in as many centuries. He also examined the marks cut by direction of the commission in 1820-21, and found them in all cases from four to five inches above the surface of the water, which, when first cut, they exactly indicated; and after careful consideration of the facts, and inquiry among the most eminent Swedish engineers, assured himself that the evidence in favour of a rise of the land was altogether conclusive. The absence of tides in the Baltic, and the peculiar configuration of the coasts of Sweden and Norway, render the determination of the upheaval a comparatively easy task. On reference to a map of those countries, a range of small islands will be seen a short distance from the mainland, and following its indentations; these islands, locally termed skär (shair), are rocky and precipitous, and by repelling the violence of the waves, leave the space within comparatively calm. The natives take advantage of this circumstance for their short coasting voyages; and by passing frequently through the intricate channels, become perfectly acquainted with every rock. Notwithstanding the slowness of the upward movement, it is sufficient to derange the navigation: channels are narrowed, twisted, or altogether filled up. Rocks which formerly were sunken, are now several feet above the