firmly, prepared to rush upon the animal: it was an act of desperation, but it was better than to wait till he sprang upon me. I began to measure my distance, and scrutinize the position of my ferocious enemy. He had not moved from the spot, and appeared to be crouching on the ground at the further end of the cave. While I stood deliberating, I began to feel some surprise that he had so long refrained from attacking me. Many minutes at least had passed since I had been in his power, and as yet he had done nothing but fix his eyes fiercely upon me. How much longer might he not remain quiet? It then came upon my recollection as a notorious fact, that the wolf, savage and ferocious as he is at times, is nevertheless an arrant coward, and if once frightened, loses entirely the courage and inclination to make an attack. This thought darted a bright ray of hope into my breast. I stopped short in my meditated assault, and scanned the wolf with more coolness and confidence. He lay close to the ground, his eyes still darting gleams of fiery green through the pitchy darkness, yet in the ever-twinkling glimmer of these savage orbs I now thought I could discover signs of fear. The more I fixed my gaze upon them, the more I felt my confidence revive. I stood, however, on my guard, determined if he showed a disposition to spring upon me, to meet him at least half way.

It was as I had conjectured: the wolf was completely frightened; he was lying probably fast asleep when I burst into his den. Conceive the panic which this sudden and violent intrusion must have caused him! For aught I know, he was at that moment directly under me, and I had fallen slap upon him, as the spot where I fell was found afterwards to be the lowest part of the cavern, and covered with a bed of leaves and rubbish. I had moreover an indistinct remembrance of grappling with some moving body in the first moments after awakening from the fall. Certain it was that he immediately skulked into the further corner of the den, and there lay overcome with fright. Hour after hour I stood watching him lest he should get the better of his alarm and take vengeance on me for the disturbance: but he showed no disposition for hostilities, and when the first welcome rays of the morning shot into the cavern, I beheld my savage companion crouching and huddled up in a narrow crevice of the rock, with every mark of the most abject fear. I became released, therefore, from my apprehensions on this score; but the return of light led me to the unwelcome discovery that to escape from the cavern without assistance was impossible. To climb was out of the question; the two masses of rock closed at both extremities, leaving at one end a narrow opening near the ground, through which the wolf had squeezed himself on passing in and out. Had the animal ran to this end of the cave at the first alarm, he would have escaped immediately, instead of which he betook himself in his confusion to the innermost recess of his abode, and so great was his terror of me, that he never dared stir to leave his lurking-place.

What was now to be done? I must devise some means of extricating myself, for I could have no hope that any human being would come to my assistance in that wild and distant spot: but what means were within my reach? There was no breaking through the wall of my prison, or digging under the foundation. The rock was here, the rock was there, the rock was all around. Hunger might break through stone walls, but not walls so thick as these. A strip of the bright sky was twenty feet over May.-VOL. XLIV. NO. CLXXIII.

my head, and twenty thousand dollars would I have given (had I possessed them) for nothing but a bean-pole of that length. But wishing was in vain; I could do nothing to help myself, and the wolf seemed as much puzzled to get out of the difficulty as I. It is needless to relate what a crowd of direful forebodings now came over me. I could see no prospect but that of starving to death, unless the wolf chose to eat me as soon as his appetite overcame his terror.

It was now noon day, as I judged from the sun's rays which shot into the mouth of the cavern, and I felt a faintness coming over me from the fatigue, hunger, anxiety, and mental excitement which I had endured. I sat at the bottom of the cavern almost resigned to my fate, and thinking of the strange conjectures that would be formed when my bones should be discovered some fifty years afterwards among these rocks. Suddenly I was startled by a low and half-suppressed growl from my companion. I imagined on the instant that he was meditating to spring upon me, and at once gave myself up for lost, feeling that I was too weak to offer any resistance. The next moment the distant bark of a dog struck my ear. No words can describe the delicious sensations which this sound awoke in my breast. It denoted that assistance was at hand, and I was to be rescued from the horrible fate of being buried alive. New life sprang up within me. The sounds drew nearer, and now I could have no doubt my friends had come in search of me, and were in the right track. The wolf appeared as much alarmed as I was delighted by the approach of the visiters he crouched closer to the rock, and manifested great trepidation each time the barking of the dog was heard; his experienced ear had caught the sound before it became audible to mine.

In a few minutes the voices of men were heard above, at which I set up a loud shout that brought them speedily to the mouth of the cavern. Their astonishment may easily be imagined on finding me at the bottom of this dark abyss. Tying branches of trees together, they soon constructed a ladder, by the help of which I once more regained the upper air, and gave them the assurance that I had not been, as they at first believed, devoured by wild beasts. I then learned that the miracle of my rescue was owing to my faithful dog, who had tracked me through all my wanderings over the mountain without once losing the scent, till he brought them to the spot where I lay immured. As to my savage companion in the den, he bolted out of his hole as soon as he was fairly rid of me, but was shot by the farmer's son before he had skulked a hundred yards.

My hair did not prove to be blanched by the fright of this adventure, but the remembrance of the scene would never away from me. Many a time since, in frightful dreams, have I beheld those two fiery eyeballs glaring at me through the thick darkness, and felt a renewal of all the shuddering terrors of the night I passed in the wolf's den.

Q. Q.

THE BATTLE OF THE ELEPHANTS.

A GRAND, SPLENDID, MAGNIFICENT, Eastern, EQUESTRIAN, ELEPHAN? TINE SPECTACLE, INTERSPERSED WITH MUSIC, DANCING, EQUES TRIAN AND ELEPHANTINE EVOLUTIONS, GRAND TABLEAUX, TERRIFIC COMBATS, AWFUL ENCOUNTERS, &c. &c. &c. &c.

[Returning from our annual visit on Easter-Monday evening to Astley's, we picked up, exactly midway between that most legitimate horse-theatre and the Theatre Royal Drury-lane, the manuscript, of which we present the public with a specimen. Which of the two theatres be the rightful claimant of it, whether Drury or Ducrow's, we know not. If the former, we suppose we must content ourselves with

"The drama's laws the drama's patrons give,"

and allow the managers the benefit of the response

"And they who live to please must please to live."

The spectacle part of the entertainment must necessarily be seen in order to be appreciated: the fine writing, the wit and drollery of the dialogue, and the nice touches of character, will speak for themselves.]

CHARACTERS.

THE EMPEROR SAMA-SHAH, Usurper of the Throne of Eloris.

KASSAN-SHAH, his Nephew, the rightful Heir, supposed dead; known only as OSMAR the Arab Chief; in love with FANTULLAH. MIRZA-MHERA, Prince of Gazrat.

KHERAN, the professed friend, but secret enemy of the Emperor; and Commander of the Army of Elephants; also in love with FANTULLAH. CAZAN, a follower of KHERAN.

KHORADDIN, the Fiery Spirit of the Deserts.

JAFFNAH, a Mute in the service of OSMAR.

BOB WILKINS, an Englishman, formerly keeper of an à-la-mode beef-shop in the Old Bailey, but now the heroic friend and confidant of OSMAR. THE PRINCESS FANTULLAH, the Emperor's Daughter.

BULBUL, her favourite Attendant.

Priests, Soldiers, Horsemen, Elephant Riders, Officers of the Court, Followers of Osmar, &c. &c. &c. &c. &c.

Female Attendants on the Princess, Dancing Girls, Singing Girls, and-all sorts of Girls.

Scene lies at Eloris, and in the neighbouring Deserts.

ACT I.

-Scene I. A magnificent Apartment in the Emperor's Palace-The EMPEROR, surrounded by his Court, discovered seated on his ThroneKHERAN on one side-MIRZA-MHERA on the other-BOB WILKINS Concealed among the Courtiers.

Chorus.

HAIL to great Sama-Shah!

Long may he reign in glory,
And live renowned in story!

We may "wonder how the devil he got there;" but as he is to be the life and soul of the piece, without whom there would be no fun, let us suppose he got there -any how.

Whate'er be his will

Be it our's to fulfil2!

Hail to great Sama-Shah!

Emperor. 'Tis well! Your love and loyalty I doubt not. A reign of twenty years, -a not inglorious reign,-a reign whose every hour has been marked by external conquest and internal peace, has satisfied my heart of my loved people's loyalty.

5

Kher. Sire, the empire's foes are exterminated, your own are destroyed. Emp. To thee, brave Kheran, is the former due, the latter is mine own. And, oh! it grieves me much that, in the preservation of my rights, some native blood has left its parent veins. Yet could I otherwise? I,-by my brother's natural demise, and the mysterious disappearance of his son, now dead,-ill-fated Kassan! (Strikes his bosom, and says aside) -Down, busy conscience. I became the rightful inheritor of the sceptre which sways these realms. Yet found I oft rebellion lurking within my very palace walls, and ready, with eagle talons, to tear from my brow the glittering diadem. Tis true I struck,-but for my rights I struck;-and never did the seymitar with vengeful blow descend, but justice rode astride the blade ;-never flowed the purple flood from out a guilty traitor's veins, but the pearly drops of gentle pity bedewed these cheeks. But no more of this.-Princes and chiefs, and you, ye countless multitudes, be silent all, whilst I reveal the purpose of this solemn convocation.

Wilk. (aside.) Now to know what all this is about 8.

Emp. Let the trumpet sound for silence. (Flourish of trumpets.) You Mirza Mhera, Prince of Gazrat, stand forth.

Mir. (advancing, aside.) What can this mean?

Emp. Advance, brave Kheran.

Kher. (advancing, aside.) What means this sudden bidding?

Emp. 'Tis now your monarch's happy task at once to gratify a father's feelings and a nation's wish. You know that-such is our country's custom my daughter, the fair Fantullah, has, from her earliest infancy, secluded from the sight of man, inhabited, surrounded by her virgin slaves, the Valley of Emeralds.

Kher. The Valley of Emeralds, situate at the western extremity of the Yellow Desert?

Emp. Aye, brave Kheran, the Yellow Desert! a perilous pass,--the haunt of innumerable hordes of Arab robbers, headed by the fierce Osmar.

Wilk. (aside.) Meaning my friend.

Emp. And the sojourn of the dread Khoraddin, the Fiery Spirit 10.
All. Khoraddin, the Fiery Spirit!

Emp. This is the fair Fantullah's fifteenth natal day;-this day must bring her thence: to-morrow sees her in a husband's arms.

Kher. (aside.) A husband's arms! What new-sprung hope is mine!

A masterly touch! finely characteristic of Eastern subserviency.

3 Plague on him if he did, after such a declaration.

A distinction without a difference, perhaps; but pardonable on the score of fine writing.

5 No doubt of it.

How adroitly is the audience led to suspect that the Emperor knows more about this "mysterious disappearance" than it may be convenient for him to declare! 7 Perhaps a lawyer might say that the Emperor is over-laying his case with protestations of tender-heartedness.

8 Presently we shall learn his motive for this curiosity.

9 This promises difficulties, dangers, charges of cavalry, horses galloping up rushing cataracts and down perpendicular mountains, with evolutions, and terrific

combats.

10 The invention of crimson fire has rendered the introduction of some such personage indispensable.

Emp. The journey is fraught with danger; but our country's safeguard, the army of elephants ", shall be her convoy.

Wilk. (aside.) So, so.

Mir. (aside.) Command is all the earthly good I covet. (To the Emperor.) Sire, by Akbar's treachery, whose death has paid the forfeit of his crimes, that army, like a rudderless bark, floats erringly, unswayed by

a commander.

Emp. I am not unmindful of it, noble Prince. People, chiefs, princes! Kheran is brave, young Mirza-Mhera valiant 12. Now hear, and then confirm your Emperor's decree, which gives to you as husband of the fair Fantullah, and future sovereign of Eloris-(A pause and silence.) Kher. (aside.) She and the crown are mine.

Emp. Mirza-Mhera, Prince of Gazrat.

Flourish of trumpets; all present bow. The Emperor places
Mirza-Mhera on the second step of the throne.

Kher. (aside.) D

-n!

Wilk, (aside.) Pretty news for my friend Osmar.

Emp. Next, in reward of his high deeds of arms, and long-tried loyalty, we name as captain of Eloris' chief defence-the Elephantine legions-the brave and faithful Kheran. [Flourish, &c.

Mir. (aside) Sure Persia's God, the ever-burning Sun, has shot into my heart his fiercest rays; else are the demons of revenge and envy tearing it piecemeal with their poisoned fangs.13

Emp. Bring forth the sacred banner of the Elephants, and deliver it to Kheran, captain of the mighty legions.

Music. A golden altar, on the back of an image of an elephant in ivory and gold, is brought forward, borne by six priests, magnificently habited, each carrying a flaming tusk in gold; six other priests bear the sacred banner, on which is embroidered the figure of an elephant. The ceremony of consecrating the banner is performed, whilst all present march in procession round the altar.

Emp. Administer the oath. Then, Kheran, to the Valley of Emeralds ; to thy charge we confide Fantullah's safety.

Kher. (aside.) Ha!-then let the dotard and his minion tremble.
Priest. Swear allegiance to the rightful sovereign of Eloris.

Kher. I swear.

Priest. And that, in safety, you will convey the Princess Fantullah to her lover's arms.

14

Kher. (emphatically.) Aye, to her lover's arms, I swear.

Music. Kheran kneels and kisses the banner, which is delivered to him. A splendid jewel, in the form of an elephant's tusk, is then slung round his neck.

Emp. 'Tis well. Kheran, present this ring to the guardians of the Valley of Emeralds; they will deliver the Princess to your care. Instantly prepare for your departure: we will, in person, attend you to the city gates. The Arab Osmar and the Fiery Spirit inspire no fears for Fantullah's safety in the soul of Sama-Shah;-Kheran is Fantullah's protector across the perilous desert.

11 An army of elephants! Surely this advance in the art and mystery of catering for the public taste is premature! Why not reserve it till the enlightened British public is heartily sick of witnessing the "extraordinary evolutions of the magnificent stud of horses" on the national stages? Then, indeed, behemoths if you please.

12 See note*.

13 If this be not fine writing, the deuce is in it.

14 We suspect this to be a piece of villanous equivocation; but we shall see.