The melancholy end of the Conqueror, the strange occurrences at his
interment, the violation of his grave, the dispersion of his remains, and
the demolition and final removal of his monument, are circumstances
calculated to excite melancholy emotions in the mind of every one,
whatever his condition in life. In all these events, the religious man
traces the hand of retributive justice; the philosopher regards the
nullity of sublunary grandeur; the historian finds matter for serious
reflection; the poet for affecting narrative; and the moralist for his
tale.
J.R.S.
* * * * *
THE SKETCH-BOOK.
THE PICNIC AT TEMPE.
It was the most sultry of the dog-days--Jupiter sat lolling in his arm
chair vainly endeavouring to get a quiet nap, and a little further sat
Minerva, lulling her father to sleep, as _she_ thought, and keeping him
awake, as _he_ thought, by the whirring noise of her spinning-wheel. At
length Venus entered the saloon in which they were sitting, and the noise
she made effectually aroused the Thunderer. "Venus, my darling, where's
your mother-in-law?" said Jupiter raising himself on his elbow.
"In her dressing room," replied Venus, "trying on some of my new
beautifying inventions."
"Ah," smiled Jupiter, "you women are never easy but when you're
beautifying yourselves: well, go and tell her I think we may as well take
a trip down to Tempe, by way of employment this hot day; and send Iris to
tell all the other gods to meet us there.
Pages:
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64