fearful. I would rather lie where flowers might bloom and birds might sing above me, or even find in the sea my“ vast and wandering grave.”

Dr. R. The burial customs of the Egyptians are very interesting and wholly unique; and as we are indebted to some of them, such as ornamenting their tombs with paintings and sculptures representing scenes in the life of the deceased, for most of our knowledge of the habits and manners of that ancient people, we cannot afford to quarrel with their taste in this matter; indeed, when I recollect all the hours spent in a study, at once so unique and fascinating, which I would have lost" (and I am only one in thousands) had their sepulchres been less imperishable, I feel like admitting that they are all “wisest, discreetest, best." You have read Gautier's "Romance of a Mummy?”

Mrs. C. Yes, indeed; it is very interesting, though it rivals Dr. Johnson with its manysyllabled long-sounding words. Poor Taboser! How vivid and fierce are the passions wbich live beneath Egypt's burning sun; vivid as the white gleaming desert, and fierce as the tiger that roams over it or hides in the tangled jungles of its oases ! Husband, read those lines you were speaking of last night.

Mr. C. (Reads]:

The lotus lolls on the water,

And opens its heart of gold,
And over its broad-leaf pavement

Never a ripple is rolled.
The twilight breeze is too lazy

Those feathery palms to wave,
And yon little cloud is as motionless

As a stone above a grave.
Ah, me! this lifeless nature

Oppresses my heart and brain,
Oh, for a storm and thunder-

For lightning, and wild fierce rain!
Fling down the lute– I hate it!

Take rather his buckler and sword, And crash them and clash them together

Till this sleeping world is stirred.

a

"There, drowsing in golden sunlight,

Loiters the slow smooth Nile,
Through slender papyri that cover

The sleeping crocodile.

Dr. R. That is beautiful. It reminds me of a sketch of Mrs. Spofford's that I once read.

Mr. and Mrs. C. [In one breath.] Indeed, doctor, you have been delightfully interesting.

Dr. R. You are too kind. Perhaps we may return to the subject at some future time. Good night.

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