the focus of revolt. In the succeeding verse, "the sons of Juda" must be supposed to mean the elder branch of the Bourbons-at least the expression was so explained to a commentator several years ago. Really, the "prophecy" must be allowed to be anything but lavish of information as to the only period which we know to have been subsequent to its utterance. We need not, therefore, follow it into what is still to us the future. The tone of its previsions is essentially religious and Catholic; and yet no allusion is made to the remarkable events which the metropolis of the Catholic world has recently witnessed, although sufficient mention has been made of the "Old man of Sion," in that part which relates to the history of Bonaparte. We think that we have said enough to justify a rational skepticism, but we have more to say. The instrument we have just been reviewing, is written in a most anomalous language, resulting, we verily believe, from an awkward attempt on the part of an ignorant writer to imitate the style of the period at which it is alleged to have been composed. We submit to any competent French scholar, whether the form and construction of its sentences in the least resemble those in use at the time of Rabelais. Besides, the expression is, in many instances, suspiciously modern; we need not go far to find examples: the very first words are anything but the style of 1544. "En ce temps la" is good French, doubtless, and may be found in the Bible, from which the prophet probably copied the expression, thinking that anything therein smacked enough of antiquity for his purpose. The corresponding expression in use at the time was "En cestuy temps. We likewise feel suspicious as to the antiquity of such words as "Les grands qu'il ombragera," and many others which it would be tedious to mention. On the other hand, the "prophecy" not unfrequently errs in the opposite extreme. For instance, it is prodigal of the word "moult," which, at the alleged date, was already obsolete. We doubt whether it can be found in the writings of Rabelais, Ronsard, or Marot-or if it be found there, it will be seen that it is used purposely as an antiquated term. In short, we verily believe that no person conversant with the French language, and acquainted with its writers of the sixteenth century, will hesitate for a moment to pronounce that the "prophecy" was never written at that time. But when was it written? Why, any being of common sense will declare at once, unless good proof to the contrary be shown, that it was composed at the time concerning which it ceases to be explicit-subsequently to the events minutely set down, and previously to those which are not so; probably during the first "lustre" of the reign of the "king of the people"-a few moons, more or less. Of all the evidence which the author of " Prophecies for the Present" adduces on his own authority, or upon reliable hearsay, there is not one that militates against our conclusion, except that he states that an old English lady worthy of belief informed him that she had the prediction in her hands as early as 1802. We have already said that, under certain restrictions, we felt disposed to admit the truth of her deposition. We will now explain our meaning. To say nothing of the different readings which we have been led to discover in comparing several versions of this famous prophecy, it seems that the "Prophétie d' Orval" has been several times disinterred, and produced at different periods, always in a different shape. It is said, that an alleged original document bearing that title was once presented to Napoleon, who was rather fond of such playthings and that at the time, it produced considerable sensation. Might not the English lady in question have had that document in her hands at the time of which she speaks. It would be a creditable effort of memory for an old lady, to remember in 1848 the precise terms of a piece of mysticism perused by her in 1802. We have in our possession two several copies of a "Prophétie d' Orval," in substance resembling each other, although they differ in many minor particulars, but both at total variance with the "prophecy" above translated. One of these copies is in a legitimist periodical of 1846; the other accompanied by comments, is inserted in a magazine of 1840. The latter comes to us recommended by a historical account, stating that it was first discovered in 1793, by François de Metz, who took a copy of it; that the original was presented to Napoleon in 1804, and that since that time nothing has been heard of it; that it was printed in 1815, and several times since. The French editor further says, that he has found the copy among the papers of François de Metz, in his own hand-writing, and dated 1793; he then concludes that there can no longer exist any doubt whatever concerning it. We also think that no doubt can exist, except as regards the authenticity of the copy which the French editor found-we are not told when. But we do not in the least question that it was extant in 1815. Indeed, from intrinsic evidence, we would wager that it was first composed at that time. It purports to have emanated in 1542, two years before the other; it is not, like the other, signed by Philippe Olivarius, a monk, but by Philippe-Dieu-DonnéOlivarius, a doctor, surgeon, and astrologer. It reads as follows: 1. Italic Gaul will behold, not far from its bosom, the birth of a supernatural being. 2. That man will issue very young from the sea; will come to take language and education among the Celto-Gauls; will open for himself, while still young, a way through a thousand obstacles, among the soldiers, and will become their first chieftain. 3. That sinuous way will give him much labor; he will come to combat near his native land, for one lustre and more. 4. Beyond the sea, he will be seen combating with much glory and valor, and will once more wage war in Italy. 5. He will give laws to the Germans, pacify troubles and terrors for the Celto-Gauls, and will be named all but a king, but soon after called Imperator, with great popular enthusiasm. 6. Will battle everywhere in the empire, expel princes, lords, kings, for two lustres and more. 7. Then will raise up new princes and lords for life, and speaking upon his platform, will cry: Nations! O Sidera! O Sacra! 8. Will be seen with an army composed of forty-nine times twenty thousand foot, armed, who will bear arms with iron tubes He will have seven times seven thousand horses, ridden by men who will wear more than the others, a large sword or a lance and brass bodies; he will have seven times seven times two thousand men, who will play terrible machines, will vomit sulphur, and fire, and death.* The whole amount of his army will be fortynine times twenty-nine thousand. 9. He will bear in his right hand an eagle sign of victory to battle. * It is incredible that an author, or even a prophet of the sixteenth century, should require all this circumlocution to describe objects perfectly known to him. It would never have entered any one's head in 1542, to call a cuirass a brass body, or artillery anything but artillery. But a writer of the nineteenth century, accustomed in the Latin exercises of his youth, to use periphrases, would naturally adopt this mode of spreading the color of antiquity over his style 10.-Will give many regions to the nations and to all peace. 11.-Will come into the great city, ordaining many great things; edifices, bridges, seaports, aqueducts, canals; will do alone, through great wealth, quite as much as any Roman, and as all within the domains of the Gauls. 12. Will have two wives and one son. 13-Will go waging war as far as where cross each other lines of latitude and longitude, fifty-five months.* There his enemies will burn by fire the great city, and he will enter it and issue from it with his people under ashes, many ruins; and his people having no longer either bread or water, through great and tenfold (décime) cold, which will be so untoward that two-thirds of his army will perish, and besides one-half of the other, he no longer being in his domination. 14. Then the greatest man, abandoned, betrayed by his friends, followed up in his turn with great loss as far as his great city, and expelled by great European population. 15.-In his stead will be placed the kings of the old blood of the Cap. 16.-He compelled to exile in the sea from which he had come so young, and near his native place, will remain there for eleven moons, with a few of his people, true friends and soldiers, who being only seven times seven times twice in number, as soon as the eleven moons are complete, he and his people will take ship and land on the Celto-Gallic soil. 17-And he to proceed towards the great city where is seated the king of the old blood of the Cap, who rises up, flees, carrying with him regal or-` naments Replaces his old dominations. Gives the nations many admirable laws. 18.-Then, again expelled by trinity of European population, after three moons, and one-third of a moon, in his stead is replaced the king of the old blood of the Cap. 19. And he believed dead by his warlike subjects, who in that time will keep household gods against their hearts. 20.-The nations and the Gauls, like tigers and wolves will devour each other. 21. The blood of the old king of Cap will be the sport of black treason. 22.-The unfortunate will be deceived, and by steel and fire destroyed, 23-The lily maintained. 24. But the last branches of the old blood will be still menaced, 25. Thus they will battle among themselves. 26.-Then a young warrior will proceed towards the great city; he will bear lion and cock upon his armor. 27.-The .ance will be given him by a great prince of the East. 23. He will be marvellously seconded by warlike people of Belgic Gaul who will join the Parisians to terminate troubles and gather soldiers and cover them all with olive branches. 29.-Battling again during seven times seven moons with such glory that a trinity of European population, through great terror and cries and tears, will offer their sons and wives as hostages, and bend under just and wholesome laws, beloved of all. 30. Then peace for twenty-five moons. * Moscow is not far from lat. 55 N. As to longitude, it depends upon the meridian. From the meridian of Paris, which an unwary French forger of the 19th century would naturally use, 55 E. is not far out of the way. But we believe that in the 16th century, a different primary meridian was in vogue. 31.-In Lutetia, the Seine, crimsoned with blood, from pitiless battles, will extend her bed by ruin and death. 32.-New seditions of hapless Parisians.* 33. Then they will be expelled from the palace of kings by the valorous man, and afterwards the immense Gaul will be declared among all nations great and mother-nation. 34.-And he, protecting the remnants escaped of the old blood of the Cap, rules the world's destinies, dictating sovereign counsel of every nation and every people. 35-Places the base of endless fruit, and dies. The same objections urged against the other prophecy, apply with equal force to this one, except that the latter imposture, in point of style and verisimilitude, is a great deal more creditable to its author. We have sufficient proof that it was in print in 1815; and up to that time-strange coincidence-it is a close, though concise, chronicle of French affairs. Beyond that time, of course, it accords no more with truth than it does with sense. It is true, that the French editor, commenting in 1841 upon this prophecy, asserts that it foretells "the commotions of 1827, and the revolution of 1830." We feel disposed to allow superior knowledge in prophetic matters to a gentleman well-known in the literary world as the compiler and commentator of the Predictions of Nostradamus. But since his knowledge on that curious topic enables him to discover an interpretation which no one else would ever have dreamed of, we wish he had likewise condescended to explain to us why, subsequent to the authentic date of the printing of this prophecy, the text is so dark as to require his learned expoundings, while, previous to this time, it is so clear and lucid, that a child, if at all versed in the history of the period, can at once discover its drift and meaning. Why, in all cases of prophecy, does this awkward stumbling-block, the year of publication, rise up like a wall, dividing day from night, the light of history from the darkness of unmeaning nonsense? or at least from the dim twilight of imperfect vision? In spite, however, of our declared skepticism in regard to soothsaying of all kinds, we may perhaps be permitted, in concluding this paper, to claim the attention of our readers for a genuine authentic prognostication, written, beyond a shadow of a doubt, some time previous to the year 1533. It is prophetic, every tittle of it, and although it professedly looks for its accomplishment to "the perpetual year," perhaps M. Bareste, or the author of Prophecies for the Present, may discover that it has been verified to the very letter. The prognosticator, after sundry remarks which we may not here reproduce, proceeds thus: "Desirous, therefore, to gratify the curiosity of all jovial fellows, I have revolved all the Pentarchs of the heavens, computed the quarters of the moon, hooked all that has ever been thought of by astrologers, cloud-seers, wind-prophets, sky-readers, and weather-wise folk, and conferred upon the whole with Empedocles." * Malencontreux Maillotins.-The French editor, it seems, does not know what to make of this expression. He had not read Rabelais:—“ Les Parisiens avecques leurs mailletz (dont feurent depuis surnommés maillotins) estoyent hors la ville issuz en bataille. -Pantagruel L. IV., Ch. XXXVI. Nostradamus. By Eugene Bareste. Paris: 1840. Pantagrueline Prognostication.-This little pamphlet is the more curious, that together with a production of a similar character, written or translated by Jacobus Henrichman, it may be considered as the parent of our modern Comic Almanacs. After this pompous announcement, he submits a long list of previsions, of which the following are samples : "Crabs this year will walk sideways and rope-makers backwards. Fleas will be for the most part of a dark color. Bacon will have nothing to do with peas during Lent. Dice will not always turn up to suit the players; nor will the desired throw often come. Brutes will speak in several places. The blind will scarcely see; the deaf will be hard of hearing; the dumb will hardly speak; the rich will be a little better off than the poor, and the healthy in better condition than the sick. Many sheep, beeves, hogs, geese, chickens and ducks will die; no such mortality will prevail among monkeys and dromedaries. Old age will be incurable this year on account of the years previously past. People affected with pleurisy will have the side ache." A little further on, the prognosticator, throwing off entirely the thin veil of satire which hung over his true sentiments, breaks forth in the following strain of true philosophy: "The greatest folly in the world is to think that there are stars for kings, popes, and great lords, rather than for the poor and suffering; as if new heavenly bodies had been created ever since the flood, or since Romulus or Pharamond, at the birth of kings. It is somewhat strange, that a sentence breathing such enlightened and rational views, should have been uttered at the beginning of the sixteenth century-but passing strange that it should require repeating in the nineteenth. AWAKE THEE, AWAKE. A SERENADE: AWAKE thee, awake, 'tis a fair summer night, The nightingale's song o'er the rose tree yet hovers, Earth smiles through the thin veil of darkness, that covers |