treme terror. "The same-it is the same,
massa!-a white devil! pray against him,
pray!" he sobbed, while the Swede with some
difficulty freed himself from his clutch.
"What do you mean?" he asked. "What
harm has that poor idiot done you?"

"Oh, massa, mass' Eilhardt bad man; he kill massa mother and father, and would kill him, but negro saved his life!"

The black's teeth chattered with fear. Ericson now comprehended that the old beggar was in some mysterious manner connected with his own history. Though brought up by a Swedish sea captain, he knew well that he had not the right of a son to his protection. He had heard an incoherent account of the tragedy in which his mother's death was caused by her own father.

He went up to the beggar, who turned towards him, and looking steadily in his face, said, slowly, "Adrian von Eilhardt, where is your daughter? What have you done with her helpless children?"

But his words failed to rouse memory to do her part. The beggar's thoughts were wandering in the darkness and chaos where they usually dwelt; he only smiled feebly in answer to the question. Ericson turned away with a sigh, and gave orders to have his vessel brought up to the "Golden Anchor" dockyard.

Some days passed, during which Cornelius was too ill to attend himself to his business. The young Marianna nursed him as she had been used to do, when his “dark days," as he called them, came upon him. She, however, perceived that his present malady differed from that to which he had been subject, inasmuch as it was more of the body than the mind. He became too weak to leave his bed, but retained his reason, except at intervals.

the snow-covered streets. Hamburgh had closed its gates against the fugitives, who had now no help, but must either perish in the snow or flames, or escape by the river.

A confused multitude of the Altonese, pursued by a Swedish company of horse, ran down Elbestreet towards the dockyard. The iron door was closed, but it was soon burst open, and the frightened wretches rushed through, eager for the only way of escape open to them, across the ice-covered river, now glowing with the lurid reflection of the flames.

The door of the only dwelling within the enclosure stood open, and on the threshold, pale with terror, sat a young girl. Just then, as if carried on by an impulse beyond his own strength, the old beggar stood at her side. His eyes gleamed with a fierce light; he was evidently aroused to a terrible excitement by the wild scene around him.

"Cornelius Kerk!" cried he, almost in a shout, "your ship is at the quay, but it is frozen up; you cannot escape me! I will take my daughter back to Rotterdam!"

He grasped the arm of Marianna and dragged her forward. Her struggles, her shrieks, availed nothing, for the strength of the lunatic was unnatural, and both were swept on with the flying multitude. "Be still, my child," he would say to her, as they were hurried on, "we shall soon be at home. Your bridegroom is there; he has waited for us." And lifting the fainting girl in his arms, he bore her over the ice, that crackled and shook with the tread of so many feet.

The Swedish soldiers were already in the dockyard, but desisted from pursuit, staying only to set fire to the dwelling they found, the house of Cornelius. Ericson, with his faithful negro, came in time to save Cornelius, but too late to rescue his daughter. He supposed she Meanwhile all work in the dockyard was sus- had made her escape with the fugitive citizens, pended by the severe cold, which had locked the and hastily constructed a rough sledge of boards, river in ice. The ships lying near could not be in which he placed her father. They were the removed, and no others could approach. At last to leave the shore. Having placed the sick the same time the whole city was in confusion. man in safety on board his vessel, and left the The advance of General Steenboch with the black to watch him, Ericson went to seek the Swedish army struck dismay and terror into lost Marianna. The light of the burning city every heart. His demands exceeded the means fell far and wide over the river, flinging a wild of the inhabitants; they were not complied with, splendour on the distant country, and illuand he threatened, in the violence of his resent-minating the path of thousands flying from the ment, to lay their city in ashes.

This proved no idle menace; the ruin came. The Swedish soldiers filled the streets of Altona, plundering and spreading desolation whereever they went. The citizens fled from their dwellings, which were soon wrapped in flames. The fire rushed from street to street with frightful rapidity; the sky was crimson with lurid light, or obscured by volumes of smoke that seemed to fill the whole horizon.

Never had a day been seen that equalled in horrors the ninth of January, 1713. The night was terrific beyond imagination. The roar of the flames that enwrapped almost the whole city, was mingled with the fierce yells of the plundering soldiery, and the shrieks of affrighted men, women and children, who fled half naked through

enemy; but nowhere could the Swede find the object of his search. Through the whole of that dreadful night, so long remembered for its mul tiplied horrors, he wandered about in vain. The morning sun, that looked through a sickly atmosphere of smoke upon a desolated waste instead of a city, showed him a group of men as sembled round two dead bodies that had just been drawn from a fissure in the ice. Ericson shuddered, and a pang shot through his heart as he recognized in the dead the lunatic beggar and the unfortunate daughter of Cornelius.

With the aid of some compassionate persons, the young man had the bodies carried ashore and buried. If the suspicion that Marianna was his sister entered his heart, he communicated his mournful knowledge to no one, not even to

Weep'st thou the buds, whose glistening bloom Sped to his lady's bower his way:

THE TRIALS OF AMBITION.

(Adapted from the German of Theodore Mügge.)

BY M. A. Y.

and can now look out for a rich, lovely, and amiable bride, who will complete my establishment, and assist me to use and show off all the family plate, jewels, china, linen, &c., &c., fallen to my share."

The church clock struck the hour of nine; Dr. Stern laid aside his pen with a sigh, and, rising from his desk, walked to the window. "It is of no use," he murmured, passing his hand across his brow; "I cannot command my thoughts; my work on the diseases of children A scarcely audible sigh accompanied the docwill be written feelingly, for I am myself a child, tor's congratulations. "Would to heaven that and my mind, if not my body, is suffering. II were blessed with such an aunt," he said; a physician, and cannot cure myself! Fie upon "but if all the world were to die, I should never this weak and wavering heart!" He paced the be one penny the richer." floor with rapid and uneven steps. One moment's resolution, yes, one single moment of firm resolve, and I shall once more float upon the stream of life, and leave beneath me the shoals and quicksands of foolish feeling."

There was a knock at the door, and a young man of fashionable appearance entered. The clouded brow of the physician cleared as he saw who was his visitor, and with extended hand and a friendly "Good-morrow!" he advanced to meet him.

"Welcome, Forstberg!" he said. "Come you as friend, or enemy? for advice, or to pay a visit?"

"Why, to speak the truth, in both characters and for both purposes; and the second rather than the first."

"You are the more independent therefore; your own endeavours and talents have raised you to your present position, and procured for you a fucrative practice, far superior to any paltry gifts of fortune such as mine."

"Mock me if you will, Forstberg. I do not deny my origin; on the contrary, it is my pride to reflect that I have been the architect of my own fortune. "Tis true that my parents are poor, working people, that I received the first rudiments of education at a charity school, that my progress and diligence there procured for me a presentation to a higher academy; that much of my knowledge of science has been acquired at free lectures and classes; that my books and instruments were earned by assisting others in their studies; that oftentimes I have not had bread to eat. But notwithstanding all these disadvantages, I have now a fine practice, and keep my carriage; which last is a superfluity I would most gladly dispense with, but dare not, "What a hurry you seem to be in!" said as the world in its wisdom cannot conceive of a Forstberg with a sinile, as he watched the doc-physician without a carriage, probably deeming tor's fidgetty movements. "One would really think that your list of visits was four pages long, and that half the town were languishing for the appearance of a restoring angel in the shape of a certain fair-haired young Esculapius."

"Indeed!" observed Dr. Stern. "Well, sit down, and let's hear all about it; only be as quick as you can, for my chariot will be round to the door directly."

"Just mind your own business, Forstberg. What should a young clerk in the treasury know of business? His duties consist in cutting up a given number of pens per diem, and spoiling sundry sheets of paper; lounging from his desk to the fire-place, from thence to the window, and thence back again to his desk sundry times; glancing over the newspaper, and discussing the leading article and the last new opera with his companions in idleness; troubling his brains as little as possible with finances or

"Forgive my interrupting you, but you make a small mistake here. Just at present I am troubling my brains exceedingly about finances. My aunt is dead; I am her sole heir! Ergo, I have a handsome house and an income of between seventy and eighty thousand thalers; have a treasury and finances of my own to look after,

that his own legs would not suffice to bear about the weight of scientific lore and responsibility he ought to carry."

66

'Yes, yes; I can remember perfectly when you tramped through the mud or dust like other folks, and used to stand for half-an-hour gaping into every picture-shop or book-stall, in order to make out the time. It was not so long since. That summons to Baron von Pinzer was a lucky job for you; your successful treatment of the old privy-councillor was the stepping-stone to your present good fortune."

A slight shade of colour momentarily tinged the pale countenance of Dr. Stern, and his smile was somewhat constrained as he replied, "I do owe that gentleman much for his kindness, but in a pecuniary point of view my circumstances are but little improved. 'Tis true that I have a practice worth some thousand thalers; but then I am obliged to keep a carriage and horses, live in better style, keep a larger establishment, mix in good society, and accommodate myself to so many tempers, whims, and follies, that some

times I am weary of my life, and long for a few
moments to myself."
"And yet I have heard that, with all this
press of business, you find time to spend some
very agreeable hours occasionally."

I do not understand you, Forstberg.”
“Well then, in plain terms, it is the on dit
that the grave, talented Dr. Stern, has his fits of
sentiment, is over head and ears in love, and
proposes adding a wife to his establishment."
"And who is your authority for this, Forst-
berg?"

"Oh, everybody says so; and what everybody says must be true. Besides, is it not very natural that you should wish to settle down, and become a domestic man? Let me see; you are thirty."

66

And may I inquire the name of my brideelect?" inquired Stern.

Forstberg drew his chair closer to that of the doctor, and throwing aside the light jesting tone in which he had hitherto spoken, said, "Now comes the serious part of the story. I, in common with many others, am aware of the close and tender intimacy which has existed between you and Rosalia Arnheim for so many years; how much you are indebted to her father for assistance in your studies, almost for a home; to her for consolation, support, and a thousand of those invaluable services which women alone can bestow; and of course it is but natural to suppose to what all this will lead."

luxury and indulgence, and wholly unsuited to your serious and studious character, your habits of economy, quiet, and order. She requires a rich man for her husband, one fond of society, of life and its gaieties, one in short like myself!" "How!" exclaimed the amazed doctor.

"I am now wealthy enough to gratify all the whims of the most exigéant of women; I love and admire Sidonia, and, if what I hear be mere gossip, am resolved to offer her my hand."

"And has this resolve come with your sudden accession of wealth, Forstberg?"

"The resolve, but not the love or admiration. When I was poor I could but worship at a humble distance. Sidonia's husband must be rich. In my present circumstances she is the very person to suit me; gay, handsome, and accomplished, she will shine in life; and her father's influence will enable me to attain some honorary post or title. Yes, Sidonia was as completely born for me as the amiable, domesticated, well informed Rosalia was for you. We shall be two happy fellows. So now to woo and win my lovely bride!"

"I fear you are too late in the field to meet with success," observed Stern.

"And who has anticipated me then?"
"That have I done!" was the calm response.
"Is it possible? You! you marry Sidonia!"
"Even so, Forstberg."

"And can you reconcile this proceeding with your conscience?"

"I have never made her an offer of marriage, Perfectly. I never plighted any troth to or promised, or even hinted an intention to Rosalia. I have pledged and claimed no vows. do so." Friendship, pure fraternal friendship, formed the "Your attentions in that quarter have, how-only bond of union between us. It is possible ever, plainly evidenced what your intentions were; besides, you are no weathercock, to be blown about by every change of wind; to make love, as I have done, to a fresh face every month at the least. The decision and firmness of your character are too well known to admit of the slightest misconception as to the nature of your visits and intimacy at Professor Arnheim's. Rosalia has too much faith in you, and her father has esteemed you too highly to require any promises or declaration of what was so selfevident."

66

And may I inquire whether this is the opinion of the world, or only your own?"

6

"The world, in your sense of the word, are much too great people to trouble themselves with the love affairs of a poor doctor and a third-rate Professor's daughter. No, the world' takes upon itself to observe that Dr. Stern's carriage is very often, nay, almost daily seen at Baron von Pinzer's, although all the family are in perfect health, and thence in the plenitude of its wisdom infers that the said doctor is paying his addresses to Mademoiselle Sidonia." "What gossip! what folly!" exclaimed Stern, turning to gaze out of window.

"Look me in the face then, and tell me that it is false!" observed Forstberg. "Sidonia is handsome and attractive; it is no impeachment of good taste to admire her. But she is the spoiled child of wealth, accustomed to every

that formerly I may have cherished hopes of one day being able to make her my wife, and she may have shared these. And were I now rich and independent as you now are, gratitude, if not love, would induce me to offer her my hand; but I am, unfortunately, poor, and must unite myself with a family whose influence can advance my prospects."

"Is it possible that you can be swayed by such sordid considerations, Stern?"

66

"For sordid read prudent," replied the doctor. My youth has been passed in the rough school of adversity, where man learns but little romance or fine sentiment, but rather contemplates the realities of life in their naked form, undecked with the draperies of imagination and feeling or passion. Besides, I really love Sidonia. But you will excuse me; I see it is time for me to start."

"Go!" exclaimed Forstberg scornfully. "Go, heal other people's sufferings; you will soon find that you are making for yourself some that no physician can cure. Are you yet accepted?"

"Not yet! but I have little fears on that score. The object of my visits cannot have been mistaken, and I am ever welcomed with smiles and flattering words. I am, too, about to be appointed Médicin en chef; and the Prince Gustavus is so satisfied with my treatment of him that, from some words he let drop, I am persuaded he will make me his body-physician. See, there