in the occurrence, I shall post myself at once at the window, with the telescope in the most advantageous position imaginable.

We really congratulated ourselves on discovering how complete a view we commanded of the opposite drawing-room, from the fortunate circumstance of our own having a higher elevation. We discerned our hero at breakfast in a most decidedly proper undress. As soon as I saw it, I proclaimed my conviction of the dignity of his caste. Really his whole tournure was very imposing. The outline of his features was distinctly visible. They were not Roman or Grecian, but, as I said, they had an invincible air distingué; and his black hair, with its profuse, and, I was certain, natural curls, afforded them a very becoming shadow. I could not, though I tried hard, absolutely pronounce on the colour of his eyes, but they were dark and looked very sensible, and that was all that was requisite. His hand too,-I had always professed myself a critic on that member;-I founded my estimate of the unblemished descent of a person very much on its form;-well-his hand was inimitable. As if to gratify our curiosity he presently rose, and made the circuit of the apartment. I had an opportunity thus of seeing that his height and figure were amazingly advantageous, that he paced the room quite en prince ;-and, in short, unconsciously imbibing the prepossessions of my dreams, I unhesitatingly decided on his being a foreign minister incognito.

If I had previously entertained any doubts on this subject, they would have been removed very speedily. A servant presently dashed through the rain to the door of the house, with a note which we saw, carried to the lodger. He replied to it instantly, and the man disappeared. Now both myself and my companion were quite certain that the communication was diplomatic, inasmuch as we recognised the livery of the premier's private secretary.

Highly as we had before estimated the quality of the stranger, this occurrence raised him some degrees in our opinion. We began to scrutinize his motions with even yet more scrupulous accuracy. He re-read the note to which he had already despatched an answer, evidently pondered on every syllable, and the attention with which he folded it, and examined its foldings, was really very corroborative of our conjectures; the initiated are aware how much diplomacy may be exhibited in the foldings of a letter. At length it was laid aside, and a large volume was placed by the side of a pamphlet that had all the aspect of a political brochure. There was an apparent and attentive comparion of the two texts ;-the mind of the student was absorbed in his pursuit. We decided that his author was Vattel or Ma

chiavel or-but the memory of the reader will furnish him imme diately with a nomenclature of a politician's appropriate authors. Presently he rose, and we could discern his eyes fixed on the ceiling as he deliberately paced his apartment. I never saw a finer specimen of imperturbable calmness than that which at this instant overspread his features, they seemed subdued into the stillness of stone. His very motion was mechanical. “What self-command! what despotism in his countenance! how completely his feelings must be in his own power!" said I, in an ecstasy of admiration to my companion, suffering him to take his turn with the Telescope, whilst I referred to Lady Morgan's description of Talleyrand. When I resumed my position it was to witness a very different personage. Our neighbour's calmness had entirely disappeared; he was striding across his room with very irregular footsteps, and he was speaking with a violence of gesticulation that seemed to evince the utmost frenzy of pas sion. He tossed his arms above his head, and every limb appeared shaking beneath the agony of his sensations. The intense interest with which I regarded him, was every instant deepening into absolute pain. I felt oppressed by the weight of that crushing load of human responsibility, which thus pursued even in the most private hours, in the sanctuary of retirement, an intellect there could be no hesitation in ranking amongst the master spirits of this earth. I had yet another opportunity of witnessing the wonderful self-control of this interesting personage; a plain chariot drove to his door, and a very distinguished elderly man alighted from it, and, in a few minutes, appeared on the scene to which my attention was so exclusively directed. The blandest smile of courtesy lighted up the countenance of our neighbour as he welcomed his guest. He bowed with the grace and the ease of a man evidently accustomed to the highest circles, but his elegance had an air decidedly foreign; I scarcely ever knew an Englishman who could acquire that courtly manner which distinguishes a foreigner of the first ton. But how completely was the storm of passion hushed which had so lately almost distorted the features of this wonderful being! He and his companion were seated, and evidently engaged in discussing some light topic of ordinary occurrence, the highest interest of which probably was its being the last thing of public notoriety that had happened. They took snuff with a most sociable laugh ; the box belonged to my hero, and I could perceive that it was a very superb gold one, surrounded by precious stones, a present, I decided with natural promptitude, from a crowned head. Eve ry circumstance had confirmed our original conjecture as to the identity of this individual with some character of distinction in the political world. The daily paper was just placed on the table

and my companion read emphatically the following paragraph; "The celebrated foreign diplomatist- landed at--three

days since. He proceeded immediately to town, where he preserves the strictest incognito. His mission, it is said, is of the highest importance to the interests of this country.". -If any doubt had previously mingled with our conjectures, it was now anihilated. The most obstinate sceptic must have yielded to such a mass of evidence ;-for, as some philosopher or other has asserted, circumstantial evidence is often surer than direct.

Our neighbour left his lodgings with his guest in the plain chariot, and we were beginning to feel symptoms of a fresh access of ennui, when we received from our friend H, the offer of his Opera box for that evening. We accepted it with great gratitude; it afforded such a relief from the dread of another tedious evening!——And then we might we thought, discover the illustrious stranger, who would hardly fail to witness Pasta's performance; in short our pleasurable anticipations were very great.

Shall I confess ?-we did discover our opposite neighbour, our polished, high bred, patrician handed, diplomatist. Wellhe was the newly imported gracioso from Vienna, now exhibiting all the attitudes of passion of which I had in the morning witnessed the rehearsal.-"A natural mistake, are not all politicians actors?" whispered my dear companion consolingly. Perhaps so, but I am quite out of love with circumstantial evidence, nevertheless.

SONNET.

The orchard smiles.-Upon the tufted top$

Of those lush cherry trees, whose bright fruits blaze

A galaxy of virgins' lips-the rays

Of moonlight fall. Amidst these climbing hops

"Tis sweet to hear the lover's merry pipe,

Or oaten reed, or gay-resounding tabor,

What time he cheers him after long day's labour,
And meets his sweetheart !-See, he plucks the ripe
And swelling cherries; and, in a rich brede,
Twines them with many a kiss and sportive prank
Amidst that milkmaid's hair! Well may she rank
Young Colin as her own! What joys proceed
From virtue and from industry! for man
Of his own happiness is artisan!

R. C. C.

HYDRABAD.

The city of Hydrabad is situated on high land and commands a wide and extensive prospect, intersected with low hills covered with verdure. It is surrounded by a low stone wall, intended to serve probably as a protection against the sudden incursion of an enemy. The River Moosa runs between the city and the Residency house, grounds, and garden, which are situated on the banks of the stream, which is very shallow. For the greater part of the year, there is so little water in it that it is fordable in almost any place; but the chief ford seems to be established a little above the Residency. During the rains, the river Moosa becomes swollen, when the current is exceedingly rapid, and as there is no ferry, the people are obliged to resort to the Bridge, built of stone and mortar for the purposes of communication between the city, the Begum Bazar and the Residency. The Moosa is a very narrow stream and at one time an attempt was made to erect a dam in a favorable part of it; but by the violence of the current, it was destroyed, leaving a portion of it standing, over which the water rushes down, when the river becomes filled by the rains.

The city is crowded with buildings of all descriptions, from the stately and stupendous palaces of the nobility and other men of rank and wealth, to the low and dirty hovels of the poor The construction of the houses of the great, is entirely native, displaying little or no taste. They are erected too closely to each other, rendering their situations unpleasantly confined and very disagreeable, if not unhealthy. The streets are narrow and in some parts paved with stone: at certain distances, bouries for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants with water, have been constructed, which make the road exceedingly filthy, in consequence of the spilling and accumulation of water.

With respect to the population, it is computed at four hundred thousand souls, inclusive of Hindoos; the proportion of whom to the Mahomedans is inconsiderable. The majority of the people are miserably poor, earning a very scanty subsistence by the sweat of their brows; while the number of those, who may be said to be raised above indigence and want, is comparatively small. Wealth seems, indeed, to be monopolized by the nobility, whether Hindoos or Moossulmauns. The latter are a proud, haughty race, while the former, unless possessing influence, are, on the other hand, distinguished by a degree of repulsive and disgusting meanness and servility. Fond of ostentation, the nobility retain large and expensive establishments, being equally