SONNET FROM THE GERMAN OF GLUCK. DOMINECHINO'S BAPTISM. Day gently dawning through a temple dim, With countenance all awful, all benign, THE BEAUTY OF THE MOUTH. The mouth has been quaintly called the throne of smiles, and smiles are said to be all sisters; yet how little do they resemble each other! Some are simple, ingenuous, modest, and innocent; others are tender, winning, voluptuous, and if we may trust report, some of them, at times, are rather more than this; others are lively, gay, petulant, or witty, and others, mischevous, satirical, or ironical. Of all these lovely companions of the lips, the half-smile is by far, the most lovely. We take the liberty of bestowing this name upon the virgin smile, which shows itslf with such timidity, which peeps forth with such grace, and which dares not completely expand itself, the smile, if we may say so, which is not so much a smile as the desire of smiling. The halfsmile is the charming symbol of innocence and candour, the emblem of virtue and of pleasure, simple, natural, and unsophisticated. The full-formed smile, however, is but little inferior to its younger sister. Somewhat less retiring and timid, it speaks with more spirit to the heart, and, the expression being more complete, tends to make it, perhaps, still dearer to the admirers of beauty; somewhat less ingenuous, it is, perhaps, something less tender, and, if it detracts a tint from native innocence, it enhances delight. The smile is, indeed, one of the most powerful charms of beauty. Its language is most expressive; mute, indeed, but eloquent. It is by a smile that a bashful beauty approves an avowal which her tongue belies, but with which her heart is flattered. How many conquests have been made by a graceful smile! May it not be is it not probable that the poets and painters of antiquity found the model of Cupid,s bow in the form of the female lip? Is not, indeed, the mouth of a handsome woman the most powerful weapon of that "mischievous boy," who, as has been observed by a lady of great wit, can subject the stronger sex to the dominion of the weaker? The lip is truly, then, the bow of Love; and, of all the arrows discharged by Cupid, the smile is, certainly, the most mischievous, and particularly the one which Milton says, "Loves to play in dimple sleek." L' Allegro. Such is the power of a smile; but we cannot forbear remarking, that every thing, and even a smile, may be abused, from art being sometimes able to counterfeit nature. Those charming smiles, which grow spontaneously with such grace on the ruby lips of a youthful beauty, very often owe their existence to the combination of artifice. But how easy it is to distinguish the one from the other; for the smile which is the offspring of art has not, and cannot have, the native, grace which can only be bestowed by the hand of nature, Take care, then, not to confound the lovely expression of feeling and of pleasure, with the mechanical and studied movements, of a counterfeit face. As the plants cultivated beneath a bell never have the free and natural attitude of those which grow in the open air, so the smile which is the child of art never possesses the graces of its amiable model; the one is ingenuous love, which appears in all its charms; and the other a dangerous net, spread by a treacherous hand. M'CARTHY'S TALE. In the summer of 18,- quitted Rome for Naples, where I arrived, after making several detours to view the country, about the noon of the third day. I retired, consequently, to enjoy my siesta, and evening was advanced before I was dressed, when a stranger was announced, and a person of gentlemanly appearance introduced himself to me as Signor Vassalli. He stated that he was brother to the lady to whom a monk, whose acquaintance I had made in Ireland, had recommended me as a lodger: his sister was delighted to accommodate one so highly praised as I was by her reverend friend. Her house was ready to receive me ; and he, the signor, was at my command, and would be proud to render me any service in his power during my sojourn at Naples. A carriage was waiting for us: my luggage was placed in the vehicle; my companion and I followed, and we drove off quickly. We traversed a considerable portion of the city, and for some time I perceived we were beyond the walls, and the regularity of the streets had been succeeded by detached vineyards and cottages. On mentioning the circumstance to Vassalli, he observed, that his sister's habitation was in the suburbs ; the air was better, and she therefore prefered a respectable retirement to a more noisy and less salubrious situation in the streets of Naples. Soon after the carriage turned to the right, and proceeded down a sort of lane, stopped at a remote villa. The house was situated in a garden, surrounded by lofty walls, Vassalli knocked at a small wicket, and a man immediately answered the summons: my companion directed him to bring in my trunks, and leading the way, I followed him into the villa, and was presented in form to his sister, as the Signora Farrinelli. The lady's appearance was particularly striking: though rather passée, she was still attractive; and must have been when younger, a splendid beauty. The contour of her face was exquisite; her eyes were dark and lustrous, her teeth regular and her mouth handsome. The room, though neat, was but plainly furnished; and the attendant whom I had seen before at the gate was a mean and ill-dressed man; and it struck me that there was a singular incongruity be tween the sumptuous and splendid appearance of the lovely hostess and the humble furniture of the room, and shabby air of the solitary attendant. Supper was served: it was good, and the wines excellent, Farinelli's conversation became most interest ing she spoke French fluently; and notwithstanding my numerous blunders, I perceived she was pleased with my observations. She was evidently taken with my appearance, and when her eyes met mine, I could not misunderstand their meaning, Turning to her brother, I heard her in a low voice remark to him in Italian," Caracci has only done him justice. He is particularly handsome; and so innocent too! Mother of God! would it not be a pity to injure him ?" Vassalli replied in a low tone: his words did not reach me, but I observed a sneer upon his lip, and a meaning glance of contempt directed at his sister. The wine circulated fast. Vassalli drank freely: his jests became coarse, and his remarks more vulgar. I saw that Farrinelli was displeased at his conversation, for she soon after rose from the table, and politely intimating that it was time to separate, the ill-looking servant conducted me to my apartment. I slept soundly. While still in bed, Paoli came to my room, and opening the curtains, told me it was later than I had supposed it. He added that breakfast was prepared, and the signora, his mistress, was expecting me. I declined his assistanee as my valet, and having dressed hastily, was conducted by a female servant to the dressing-room of her mistress. On inquiring for Vassalli, she told me that he had been called from the villa by some important business, but he would return in the evening. Could I reconcile myself to a day's imprisonment with her? After tomorrow her brother would be at my service. I purposed setting out for Naples, but my proposal was overruled: it was some saint's festival, and consequently I could not see the bankers: of course I remained at the villa. Vassalli returned late: our supper passed as that of the preceding evening. Farrinelli's spirits were exuberant, and the hours flew on delightfully. Her brother took little interest in our conversation, and seemed more devoted to the bottle than his sister wished. Again she gave the signal for us to separate, and I was attended by Paoli to my chamber. I threw myself, without undressing, on the couch. I could not sleep. I felt a growing passion for Farrinelli that threatened the happiness of us both. When an Italian loves, the dullest may perceive her feelings. My hostess took little pains to conceal her's. Farrinelli loved me! My apartment was in the remotest wing of the villa. Although on the upper floor, its distance from the garden was inconsiderable. A trellis rose from the ground to the casement, and supported some pensile plants and flowers. The night was sultry. I felt disinclined to sleep. I had, without perceiving it, drank more wine than I was accustomed to. I unclosed the casement, and, aided by an espalier, descended to the garden, where, beneath the calmness of an Italian sky, I endeavoured to compose my agitated spirits. The offices belonging to the villa were at a distance from the house, and the path that I had accidentally taken was the one that led to them. I was surprised to see a light gleaming from a window; and curious to know what part of the family were astir, I approached, and heard Vassalli in conversation with the servant Paoli. "Be quick," said the brother of Farrinelli ; this I should have been on the road to Naples." NO. XL.-VOL. IV. < ere Well, Vassalli, the morning the fool shot himself she took on wonderfully, when I told her of his death.” "He was a nobler prize," observed Vassalli. “I hope this young one will be worth our trouble, Paoli ; but we can seldom get a duke like Kreutzer. The game was admirably played. By St. Julian, the morning the German took himself off he was not worth a Roman crown;"--and the ruffian laughed hoarsely. "Come, boy, tighten that girth, and give me the pistols from the shelf. I shall be with you to-morrow night. The day does not answer for my travelling. Though it was dusk ere we left the inn last night, every passenger we met I fancied was a sbirro." As he spoke, I heard the horse's feet, and saw the shadows passing. Fearing that I might be seen, I retreated up the path, and mounting the trellis work, easily regained my chamber. My situation was critical and full of danger. Escape was difficult from my ignorance of the locality of the villa with the snrrounding country. A failure would probably cost me my life; but I determined to attempt it, and trust to fortune and a bold heart. After some consideration, I fixed on the following night to put my design into execution; and in the interim, to prevent any suspicion, I resolved to redouble my attentions to Farrinelli. I passed a miserable night, and when Paoli came to my apartment next morning, mental disquietude and loss of sleep had brought on a feverish attack that induced me to keep my bed. The attendant was but a short time gone, when I heard a gentle knock at my chamber-door, and my fair hostess entered. Anxiety was apparent in her countenance; and when she took my hand, she exclaimed to her maid, who accompanied her, with some aromatic preparation to apply to my temples-- "Jesu! how it burns! and the pulse is full and quick. Poor boy, you are no fit companion for that sot Vassalli. You must leave the wine-flask to himself to-night; but I shall be your physician. Go, Claudine;" and giving her a key, and some directions, in a whisper, her maid in a few minutes returned with a phial. Pouring a small quantity of the liquid it contained into a vase of deliciously-iced orangeade, she put the cup to my burning lips. The draught was refeshing : my thirst abated instantly: a pleasing languor insensibly came on; my eyelids became heavy. I heard the curtains softly closed. I felt a woman's lips, long and ardently, pressed to mine; and I sank into a deep and dreamless slumber. I slept for many hours, for it was twilight when I awoke. I was wonderfully recovered; my skin was cool, my pulse was regular, and the fever of the morning was removed. While I was collecting my thoughts and preparing to leave my couch, a soft sigh beside my bed told me I was not alone. I looked up: Farrinelli was bending over me and watching my sleep, with H marked solicitude. She took my hand; the fever which had left me had appareutly affected her, for her grasp was burning, As she expressed her pleasure at my recovery, her maid called her from my room. Her absence was short, but I remarked, on her return, that something had ruffled her temper. "I intended that you and I should have supped quietly together to-night; but an unwelcome visitor has arrived, and I will not expose you to late hours or dissipation. Keep your chamber, Mac Carthy. Claudine will bring your supper. To-morrow, dearest, tomorrow, none shall interrupt our conversation." Claudine's step was heard in the gallery; Farrinelli stooped over me, gave me a parting kiss, and vanished. The repast my hostess had sent to my room was light and nourishing. I ate; my strength returned; no lassitude, consequent on illness, remained. I closed my door carefully, when Claudine bade me good night, and I prepared, immediately, to leave the dwelling of this beautiful and dangerous woman. Midnight came; a distant door closed, and all was quiet. Another hour passed: the house was still as death. I opened my casement and descended to the garden. I cautiously examined the walls that enclosed me. They were unusually high, and I had no means to scale them. I spent a full hour in a hopeless research for some place of egress; and I almost despaired of escape, when suddenly, outside, the noise of a horse's feet approaching at a rapid pace, rivetted me to the spot. I was now close to the stables, which I have described as being detached from the villa. The traveller came quickly on, till I heard him dismount; and next moment Vassalli's voice, calling on Paoli for admission, informed me who the rider was. After some delay, at which the horseman betrayed evident impatience, the attendant struck a light, and unclosed the gate. "I did not expect you, Vassali: -it is two hours past midnight, and Stephano has long since departed: he waited for you till he quarrelled with Marcella. "For a kiss or another flask, Paoli?" said Vassalli. "I know not which; but, by St. Dominic, the stranger may have either! He has been ailing of a trifling head-ache, and Marcella has nursed him like a baby. Claudine says she is distracted about him; and to-night, she would have wished Stephano at the devil. I fancy his visit spoiled a tte-à-tê te." "The house is quiet?" said Vassalli, anxiously. "Yes, yes; the stripling never left his bed;-but, Mother of God!"-as he turned the lamp, and saw the situation of the horse-" at what a rate have you ridden!-your cloak is torn. Have you been attacked. "No, no," replied Vassalli, impatiently; "but I am in haste; change the saddle to another horse-the bay one, yonder-I must be off without delay. I will be here immediately." I followed him at a safe distance. He soon tapped at the casement of Marcella's dressing-room; the window opened to the garden. I heard an indistinct conversation between him and a person within. Presently the casement unclosed, and Farrinelli, with a light in her hand, and partially undressed, as if she had been disturbed from her couch, admitted this unseasonable visitor. I approached in silence, and the high tone of the voices within favoured my advance. Whatever caused Vassalli's visit, it had irritated the hostess. Through the casement I heard their conversation distinctly. "Vassalli, what means this intrusion?" "Marcella," was the reply, "I am ruined; I have been unfortunate at play, and am left without a zechino." "And why am I disturbed to hear the history of your dissipation? You presume too much signor.” "Be patient, Marcella, I am in immediate peril ;— the sbirra are in pursuit." - And you therefore come here to compromise my safety. Off! leave this;-your presence is disagreeable." The ruffian made a step or two, and laid his hand upon Marcella's arm I'm done for "Come, the worst had better be told. at Naples. Rolamo, the cardinal's favorite nephew, and I played. He won every durat I possessed; and when he refused to play on credit, I lost my temperwords ran high, and—” "You stabbed him!" said Farrinelli, ironically. "Even so ;-I struck this poinard into his bosom." "Did you not rob him next?" said Marcella, with peculiar bitterness. 66 Now, by St- Julian!" said the ruffian fiercely, "I am in ill humour to be jeered." "And what brought you here?" "I came, Marcella, for your advice. I must be off to Rome or Venice." "Vassalli, if a zechin would save you, I will not give it. Away !---leave this room, or by the Virgin! I will summon the stranger, and tell him the infernal plot formed by Carraci for his ruin. Believe me, his is a bold and daring spirit; and his strength would crush you in a second." "By the Holy Mother! I am both desperate and determined; Marcella, will you assist me ?" I heard a movement towards the door, and Marcella in a firm voice reply, "No!" Next moment there was a spring---a struggle-- a fall---and “ Murder!" was feebly uttered. In an instant the light casement and shutter gave way to my strength. I burst into Farrinelli's dressing-room; she was lying on the ground beneath Vassalli; the ruffian's knee was on her breast; with one hand he grasped her throat, and with the other he stopped her mouth, thus prevented her from calling for assistance. The crash of the broken casement, and the noise my forcible entrance made, alarmed the ruffian. Darting his hand into his breast, I saw a dagger glittering ; but my impetuous attack was irresistable: ere he gained his feet, with a tremendous blow I levelled him to the ground, His head struck against the marble tripod, and the stiletto flew from his nerveless grasp. I seized the weapon, but it was unneccessary for my defence, for Vassalli, deluged in blood, lay insensible on the floor. "Stories of Waterloo." Having at last completed my preliminary arrangements, to furnish to your elegant work all the movements and employments of the fashionable world of Paris, as well as to give the earliest and most accurate description of our reigning costumes and fashions, I lose no time in sending this, my first communication, and I will do myself the pleasure of remitting my future bulletins through a party incapable of betraying the priority of my information, the sources of which, I trust, you are now satisfied are not only exclusively mine own, but are also extensive and not likely to mislead. The same gorgeousness and splendour prevail in the materials of the dress, which were conspicuous during the Carnival, though with respect to fashion, individual taste is now especially consulted, and simplicity seems the leading motive among our "elegantes," in shaping the prevailing costume. The weather though fine, is still too cold for the lighter fabrics to appear, as the figure still seeks protection from the season in the ample cloak. Every description of brilliant and splendid fabric was to be seen in the numerous assemblies, dress and fancy balls, with which the season of last Mid-lent have been enlivened. The number of parties of the above description have been unusually numerous, and among them, juvenile balls were not the least attractive, nor the fewest. One of the latter description was very remarkable, on account of the peculiar arrangment in dividing the young dancers into classes, according to their youth, in four separate saloons. In the first, children not exceeding 2 H twelve were placed-in the second, those from twelve to fifteen-in the third division, young ladies from fifteen to eighteen-and the fourth, was reserved for the friends and female relatives of the younger dancers. It was altogether a very interesting and delightful spectacle, to such as had the good fortune to be admitted. The severity with which the Prefect of Police has attempted to suppress public, fancy, and masked balls during Lent, has given no small impetus to similar private meetings of the same character, so useless is the power of the law in constraining the elastic fashion of the day, which like the air we breathe, though pressed in one place, will regain its elasticity in another. The shortening of the public performances has also given great offence to the Inhabitants of Paris, in the ordering the Theatres to drop the curtain precisely at eleven. The obligatory abstinence has been so little relished by the frequenters of the the temples of Thespis, that scarcely a theatre in the metropolis has obeyed the mandate. The Thespians themselves have held, with doors closed to all but themselves, several elegant and admirably conducted fancy and dress soirées, in which the most beautiful and fantastic costumes were worn by the sons and daughters of the mimic-art, and the assemblies, which did not open until midnight, were caught by the morning sun still revelling. Our neighbours, the Spaniards, have been endeavouring to re-establish, in spite of the opposition of the authorities, the exploded mysteries of the fourteenth century, when the twelve Apostles, Moses, Aaron, and even Divinity itself were exhibited under familiar and even ridiculous circumstances. We have little fear that our countrymen, M. M. Victor Hugo and M. Dumas will fall into the "grossièretés" of the olden time, but, we can hardly conceive how, sacred subjects, and characters canonized by religion and virtue, can be repre sented on the stage without desecrating the character professed to be represented, and offending alike the votaries of religion and good taste. We need hardly say more, than add, that "The Passion" is one of the projected representations of the bible history, when we express our conviction, that the Parisian public will appreciate the mis-directed talents of the dramatists. In a smilar spirit, M. Martin calls the twelve civilized young Lions, with which he is now surprising the Parisians, the Twelve Apostle. The appropriateness of the title is hardly obvious. The Chamber of Deputies has for a third time introduced a law admitting of divorces, and it is hoped, that the enlightened Chamber of Peers will see the propriety of passing a law, which shall enable two ill-assorted individuals to cease being a source of reciprocal annoyance and discomfort. The present season has been propitious to the arts, and claiming the priority for painting, I hasten to inform you, that the Museum containing the works of the Painter and the Manufacturer, were opened on the 1st of March the public was admitted from eleven until four every day of the week, excepting on Monday, which was dedicated to the more private view of the man of science and the student. The pictures are less in number than they were last year, not exceeding in the present exhibition 2000but what has been lost in numerical strength, has been more than gained in the superior character of the specimens presented to the admiring gaze of the Parisians, a people unexampled among nations for their refinement and taste, in collecting, as they have been zealous in defending, their national monuments. The power of fashion and the universality of its empire, cannot be better illustrated than in painting itself, and the rapidity with which the various schools of modern art caught and reflected as a mirror the passing fashion of the day, is as marked, as it is remarkable. In the days of David when republicanism and simplicity were dominant, the canvas of the painter bore nothing but the unclothed figure, and the struggling wrestlers at the public games of Greece-the military dynasty of Napoleon, turned the efforts of art to pourtray the marshalling of conflicting armies, with the blood, dust, and havoc of war and her attending Furies -with the devotional Bourbon a milder school succeeded, and saints and prophets glared from every corner of the Louvre-in the more enlightened and liberal present school, art is wisely left to herself, and the student following no single subject, and swayed by no influences but the internal inspirations of his genius, strikes into a wider field for their exercise, and, like the present feeling of the people, will submit to no laws but such as general opinion dictates. Among the objects most worthy of observation, are several subjects taken from English history, the Execution of Lady Jane Grey, by Paul Delaroche, in which the heroic fortitude of the unhappy and innocent victim of another's ambition, is forcibly and pathetically pourtrayed, is a very interesting picture. Among the other exhibitors of merit are the Brothers Johannot, In grez, Granet, &c., the comparative merits of which are warmly discussed in the gallery by their respective partizans, which in a nation so susceptible of the beauties of painting as we, are as numerous as they are zealous, and urge their respective Idols to still higher attempts of art, by the natural emulation so readily excited by applause and competition. Darting back for a moment to the other mimic art, we saw Mozart's inimitable Opera, Don Giovanni, performed with all the auxiliaries that a splendid orchestra, magnificent scenery, and great histrionic talent could command, but the splendour of the saloon, far surpassed the dreams of the most imaginative eastern poet, for the richest looms of the East, and the deepest mines of the gem-bearing Golconda, seemed to have exhausted their treasures to lavish them on the fair daughters of France; so resplendant in diamonds, magnificence, and beauty, was the the saloon of the Opera on the first representation of Mozart's inimitable production. Her Majesty the Queen, Madame Adelaide, and several other branches of her illustrious family graced the theatre with their presence. Her Majesty wore on the occasion, a cherry-coloured velvet tocque with a white waving plume; the Princesses wore their hair unadorned by artificial aid-white dresses prevailed, and were worn very low indeed, unusually so-the next prevailing colour, was rose. Artificial flowers were much worn in the coiffure instead of braids, some had a most fascinating effect. Turbans, tocques, berêts, were also to be seen, and a few satin hats resembling riding hats turned up on one side and ornamented with a plume. The gentlemen in the saloon formed a double row, allowing ample room for the ladies to pass on their leaving the saloon, and this gave a delightful delay for those who could appreciate the charms of beauty heightened by all the auxiliaries of splendid costume. Description must fall short of the reality, the power of language can never give any adequate idea of the splendour of the scene. The Mid-lent festival, was celebrated with due honors and unwearied gaiety, and the Boulevards filled with beautifully dressed company and elegant equipages. We observed a remarkable deviation from the usual weapons used by the fair bombardiers of the carnival, by a certain nobleman furnishing his friendly battery with actual Lisbon Oranges, which however, were used with considerate mercy, in return for the unceasing bombardment of Bon-Bons and Noisettes, to which he was subjected from the hands of his fair, but not inveterate antagonists. A fancy ball was given, in which the characters were dressed in the costume of Louis XIII, in which the courtiers of that day were faithfully represented, displaying some beautiful dresses, and presenting groupes of picturesque effect, and ever changing variety. At a very large brilliant assembly given by one of our Millionaires, each guest was furnished with a separate table, and at each was placed an attendant. In much better taste, a leading fashionable introduced into her ball-room, flowering shrubs and exotic plants with a profusion and grouping resembling nature, and mimicing with gemming and varied lamps the fancy gardens of the Arabian Genii. The "Coup d'Euil" was impressive in the extreme, and the whole arrangement was highly creditable to the fair projector. Ade F———. LONDON AND PARISIAN FASHIONS. FROM A VARIETY OF THE MOST AUTHENTIC SOURCES INCLUDING COPIOUS EXTRACTS FROM "Le Petit Courrier des Dames"-" Journal des Dames et des Modes, L'Observateur des Modes et L'Indiscret"- -"Le Follet Courrier des Salons"- -"Le Mercure des Salons," &c. &c. DRESSES.-Promenade redingotes have been much worn, and in a vast variety of modes. Plain velvet ones trimmed with fur have had their sway, but few cloaks are now seen. When the weather is fine, the signal is a Cashmere shawl or pelerine. Corsage form. ed into the shape of a reversed V, are pretty novelties ; they generally terminate at the extremities by a little noud of ribbon or an acorn. Plain and spangled velvet when for the promenade, redingote should be of a very simple form. For instance, golden buckles uniting short strops of velvet or satin, or gros de naples, nœuds. A plain under-dress, croisée. The flat corsage buttoned before, with the usual under-dress and large sleeves are remarkably elegant. For the theatre or evening visits, bright coloured velvet or satin is much employed. The carriage dress does not differ in shape nor material, and its only distinction is, that, the colours are more varied and contrasted. Muslin redingotes of different colors are worn for half-dress in the evening, or as |