Great. Maecenas, a favourite of Octavius, used a frog as his seal, and Pompey had a lion. After the first victory which Pompey obtained in Asia, the Romans, according to Pliny, became luxurious in their habits, and inured themselves to the wearing of rings of two kinds-one for summer and one for winter; those of the first season being light and elegant, while the winter ones were large and massive. During the time in which Pliny wrote, the vulgar habit prevailed of covering the fingers with these golden ornaments, but persons of taste, then as now, never used more than one upon each hand. The Romans, however, never ornamented the middle finger, as they considered it infamous and unworthy of such an honour; and all their other rings they named after the fingers on which they were usually worn.

soothed the troubled passions and comforted the heart. The coral was prized for its power to stay bleedings, and prevent ghastly visions, and dreadful dreams, being likewise a stimulus to the heart and spirits. The rock-crystal defied the influence of evil eyes, and prevented offensive dreams. The emerald preserved the purity and peace of the wearer, and was said to break whenever placed on the finger of one who was not, like Kilmeny, as pure as pure could be.' It prevented vessels from being tempest-tossed, banished evil spirits, and cured the falling sickness. The cornelian was esteemed to moderate all inordinate desires, and was considered the best of all stones to seal with, as wax would not adhere to it; and the topaz was declared to appease the passions of the mind, to assuage the impetuous bursts of anger and phrenzy, to dispel melancholy, and to purify the blood. Such is a faint epitome of that elaborate system of superstition, of which rings and talismanic stones formed so valuable parts.

While the absurdity connected with the imaginary pro

The appearances of many minerals are certainly very wonderful and very beautiful; but correct limnings, such as those attributed to the signet of Pyrrhus, are never observable in mineralogical phenomena. More wonderful than the ring of the Epirean king, however, was that of Gyges, king of Lydia, whose history is recorded by Plato. Gyges was originally a shepherd, like many of the notables of ancient story, and he was a man of dauntless resolution. Once upon a time, during a tempest and earthquake, the ground opened before him, and a great gulph yawned with its deep black throat, into which he boldly descended. At the bottom of the gulf he found a great, hollow, brazen horse, within which lay a giant statue, on whose finger the daring shepherd found a ring, which he instantly transferred to his own, and then he found himself immediately amongst his companions and flocks. Gyges after this accidentally turned the stone of the ring into the palm of his hand, and then he heard his companions talking of him as if he were absent. This circumstance led him to a knowledge of the marvellous properties of his ring, upon which he proceeded to the court of Candaules, king of Lydia, whom he slew, and of whose queen and crown he possessed himself. Cicero, of course, was aware that this was a mere fable; but the wise old English author already alluded to, believes, with liberal credulity, the whole tale, but cannot account for it unless upon magic principles.

Our readers must not suppose that the belief in magic rings is now exploded; the superstition is only less universal. In some parts of Italy and Germany the idea yet holds a high place amongst popular delusions. The ancients who sought to account for everything, and who rather invested things with supernatural properties than acknowledge their ignorance of them, gave to certain precious stones a magical character, which enhanced the power and moral influence of those who possessed them. The diamond was said to be a safeguard against sorcery, charms, and enchantments, as it strengthened the heart by its secret properties, and fortified the mind against spirits, illusions, and phantasies. The amethyst was esteemed an antidote to poison and a defence against drunkenness. The ruby chastened the desires of the wearer, and was a sovereign preservative of physical health. The carbuncle destroyed the effects of the most pestilential airs, and dissipated the influence of the most noxious vapours.

It

certain that signets have been invested with historical interest from their connection with the fate of celebrated men. Hannibal committed suicide in Bythnia by poisoning himself with a poison which he always carried in his signet, rather than fall into the hands of his enemy, Titus Flaminius, the Roman; and Pliny says that Demosthenes destroyed himself in the same way. The voluptuary Heliogabalus usually carried poison in his rings, in order that he might anticipate the fate which he felt that he deserved; and in the time of Pliny, which was towards the end of the first century-for he was governor of Bythnia in the year of our Lord 103—the custom of wearing rings for suicidal purposes was quite common amongst the Romans.

The manufacture of rings was not, in old times as now, an operation of mere tasteful manufacture. They were engraven with mystic ceremony in the laboratory of the alchymist, and under the influence of astrological signs. The stone and metal in which the ring was set were united at a certain temperature and precise time; and incantations were muttered, herbs were distilled, and perfumes scattered over the magic rings in order to quicken their natural properties and strengthen their power. For instance, rings made of metal forged under the ascendant of the planet Mars, and set with stones engraved under the same horoscope, fortified the hearts of men, and enabled them to perform marvellous deeds of war; while those made under the influence of Mercury inspired their possessors with singular eloquence, and secured to them great success in commerce. Many rings were anciently engraven with the signs of the zodiac, and according to their triplicities. Those containing the characters of the first triplicity, Aries, Leo, and Sagitarius, were believed to cure cold diseases, as fever produced by phlegm and the dead palsy. The second triplicity, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, were excellent in curing corruption of the blood; and so on with the others, according to the seasons over which they presided. The belief in the influences of the zodiacal signs is of extreme antiquity, having existed amongst the Chaldeans, Egyptians, and Jews. Jarchas, the chief of ancient Indian philosophers, is recorded to have presented to Apollonius Thyanaeus, according to Philostratus, seven magic rings, one of which he had worn daily, according to the ascendant of its sympathetic planet, and by this means had preserved himself in the flower of his youth for a hundred years. The grandsire of Jarchas had lived 130 years by virtue of the same rings; and that such a power of prolonging life was believed to reside in them, may be seen from the Greek comedies of Aristophanes, who makes one of his characters defy disease because of his possessing a magic ring. Erasmus believed in the character of these magic rings, and gravely spoke of their mode of manufacture. From this mystical origin and high state of consideration, then, have the ornaments of our bucks of the pavement descended. The magical idea which invested rings with awful properties during the prevalence and ascendency of necromantic philosophy, has come down through the stream of ages to be woven into our every-day

tales by skilful novelists. The ballads of Spain, and the other romaunts which relate to the chivalric era of the Crusades, are fruitful in allusions to rings and amulets which ladies wore and knights won, and which exercised wondrous influences over the fate of valour and love. Rings still retain with us their old memorial character, and the stones yet preserve their relative values. There still resides a wonderfully attractive magic in gold and precious stones. If they cannot cure diseases, they can open hearts; and if they do not lull tempests, they unite interests. And such is their modern magic, that they inspire the most consummate fools with the most inordinate conceits of their own dignity and importance.

AMEDEE NAUMAN N.

6 AMEDEE, thou pest that thou art, hast thou been to fetch the charcoal?' shouted Nicol Fabri, the locksmith, to a little boy about eight years of age, who, clad in the rustic attire of a Saxon peasant, sat upon the door-step of the smithy, softly chanting a simple song of the country, and beating time with the hammer, with which he was straighting some nails-'I say, Amedee, hast thou brought that charcoal?'

The child, who was small, weakly, and of a pale and sad cast of countenance, started up at the authoritative cry, and, saying I am going, master,' still continued to sing. You had better answer me in another manner, you chirping cricket, said the locksmith, angrily; and look you, Mister Goldfinch, if you do not look sharp with that charcoal, I'll make you run up the gamut in another tone, and I'll strike the key-note on your shoulders with my hammer.'

Frightened at this menace, which, from sundry experiences, he knew was not altogether an empty one, the little fellow snatched up a basket in which to carry the charcoal, and was about to bound away, when a heavy hand rudely clutched him by the shoulder, and wheeled him round like a top. In an instant the child was confronted by Dame Fabri, who, with sparkling eyes, trembling lips, and upraised hand, roared at the top of her voice, What are you doing here, you precious young monkey, and why are you not rocking the cradle of my sweet little Nicol, whom it costs me a day's work to set to sleep? Ugh! these children of country clodpoles are a pack of good-for-nothings but to sing.'

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ing a look of mingled rage and contempt upon her liege lord, and at the same time grasping the arm of the boy. I. Up you go there,' she cried; and if the child gives one whinge you shall get such a drubbing as you never got in your life.'

Go for the charcoal, or—' cried Nicol, his eyes glaring like his own furnace, and his face swelling with rage; but before he had time to finish the sentence, Amedee tore his arm from the grasp of his mistress, seized the charcoal- | basket, and bounded off like a young deer.

'You shall lose nothing for that,' cried Dame Margaret, clapping her hands and stamping on the ground as industriously as if Amedee had been beneath her feet.

'Come back quickly, or look out for squalls,' roared the locksmith, furiously shaking his black fist.

Although now distant a good way from this wellmatched pair, the double menace reached the dying boy, and added lightness to his heels. But all at once he re collected that he had forgotten, in his precipitation, the money with which to pay the charcoal, and this discovery immediately brought him to a dead halt, and rendered his mind full of perplexity. What shall I do?' said the poor lad, laying down the basket in the middle of the road, and looking hard at it, as if it could resolve his difficulty. "The charcoal-burner wont trust me, and if I go back without it I'll be beaten. Not knowing what else to do in his pitiable case, poor little Amedee did what anybody else would likely have done in the same circumstances-he burst into tears.

The sun was shining as brightly as ever autumn sun shone upon the green trees, fields, and flower-spangled meadows by the bright Elbe, and its rays fell also upon the uncovered head of the boy, and danced amongst his hair that shone like fillets of gold, and kissed his blue eyes, all swimming in lovely tears, as he turned them towards heaven, and said in a tone of touching sadness, ⚫ My God, have pity upon me!' The expression of the boy's face, the plaintive softness of his voice, and the despair imprinted upon each of his features, together with the meanness of his habiliments, arrested the attention of a gentleman who was passing, and he dropped a piece of money into his hand. ! 'I do not ask charity, sir,' said the child, somewhat proudly, as he offered back the stranger's gift.

'I do not offer thee this as such,' replied the unknown; 'but thou weepest, and I thought a penny rattle might frighten away thy tears, my little fellow.'

Yes, I weep,' said the boy. redoubling his sobs; 'for whatever I do, I am always sure to be beaten.'

Is it your father or mother who beats you?' said the stranger with interest.

Ah, sir!' said Amedee, with childlike simplicity, fathers and mothers never beat their children.'

، Of whom dost thou complain, then ?' said the stranger, laying his hand upon his shoulder, and looking into his eyes.

Of masters, sir-masters are such stern ones!' said the child, thankful for the freedom to recount his sorrows. Master Fabri the locksmith, who lives in the village there, is such a terrible one; and his wife-oh, his wife, sir!is worse still, I do believe.'

And what does your father do, my little friend, and where does he dwell?'

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My father is a husbandman, who lives far away here; for it takes a night with my little legs to go from the house of Master Fabri to his house, but to return, of course, it is much longer.'

That depends upon you taking the same road,' said the unknown, who could not suppress a smile at that reflection. 'I take the same road, sir, and nevertheless I assure you that it is longer to return. I shall prove to you; look here. I go away on the Saturday night at eight o'clock, in this season-for in winter I have not that bap piness-and I arrive at a quarter before five at the door of our house. To return, I leave home at eight o'clock also, and I never reach the house of Nicol Fabri before seven.

You see, sir, that the road must be longer in coming back.”

'It is possible also, my boy, that you may walk more slowly,' said the stranger, smiling.

When I have embraced my father, my mother, my sisters, and my brothers, I really do not think of the road,' said the little fellow, with much simplicity, although I call each step long in going; but in returning I am always weary, and when I reach Nicol Fabri's door I always say to myself already!''

'Poor boy! and why do you weep just now?' said the benevolent stranger. Amedee explained his present predicament, and his future expectations from the locksmith and his wife, and then looked anxiously in the face of the stranger. And why not return altogether to your good parents?' said the unknown, taking Amedee's hand.

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'My father has already so many mouths to fill that mine makes them more than he can manage,' was the child's reply.

What is your father's name?'

'John Naumann, husbandman at Blessewitz, very near to Dresden.'

The stranger thought for a moment, and then said, 'I live at Dresden, at the school of Saint Croix Go and ask your father for permission to come and see me to-morrow morning. I am the professor John Messenius. Wilt thou recollect the name?"

Oh, you may be sure of that, sir,' was the delighted boy's answer; for, next to my father, you are the first man who ever spoke kindly to me.'

'Very well,' said the professor; and if you have the intelligence which your replies portend, your education shall not cost your family anything.'

How good you are, sir!' said Amedee, whose face became radiant with pleasure; but the basket of Master Fabri, and his charcoal, who shall look after it, and the baby when it cries?'

'The minister was right-the minister was right!' cried Amedee, as he crossed a stile, and scampered over the fields; God always sends us succour in our need.' On ran the little boy, light of heart as a young spring butterfly, and hopeful as the morning. Hurrah!' he cried, looking ever and anon around him to see that he kept the right track, and to observe that neither of his friends Fabri were on his trail. I shall see my mother right soon, and I shall go to Dresden-to the school of St Croix-Professor John Messenius.'

When Amedee arrived at his father's little cottage, a merry shout from his brothers and sisters gave him a joy. ful welcome; but his mother's eyes filled with tears, and his father looked grave, for they were poor. Oh, poverty! thou inexorable despot, who breakest up the sweetest home associations, aud exilest from hearth and home the sons and daughters of affection, when wilt thou cease to reign omnipotent on earth? And yet, thou cold and cheerless tyrant of the toiler, it is from thy yoke that the brightest and best of humanity's great ones have sprung! It was upon thy barren territory, and under thy cheerless sky, that even the scheme of man's redemption was wrought out! Noble poverty! that sittest like a heavenly glory upon the honest brow, and fallest like a golden mantle over the honest heart! The tears exhaled from the eyes of Amedee's mother in the radiance of her smiles, and his father's face relaxed with beaming hopefulness, when the child recounted his adventure with Professor John Messenius.

It is said that the Germans are musicians by nature, and that the children learn to sing as soon as to speak. It is no uncommon thing to find them singing in choir in their little cottages, and cheering the hours of relaxation from toil with the richest harmonies of melody. Every Sabbath evening fathers, mothers, and children, assemble beneath the ivy-mantled porches at their cottage-doors, and sing those splendid pieces of sacred music which have ren

dered German psalmody so celebrated, and German manners so soft and refined.

It was on a beautiful Sabbath evening in the summer of 1756, that a stranger passed through the sweet little village of Blessewitz, and as he approached a little cottage, over whose roof hung the green jessamine with its snowwhite flowers, and to whose walls clung the white roses of Florence, and from the porch of which came forth the melody of peace and love, he suddenly stood still. The stranger was young and of gallant bearing. His dress was of the most costly material, and of the most splendid fashion. His long dark hair fell in curls over his shoulders, and his dark eyes and black moustache proclaimed him a person of some consideration. Ha,' said he, as he listened with evident admiration, how beautiful!' and then, without any introduction, he opened the cottage-door, and discovered a father, mother, and children chanting praises, while a fair-haired, blue-eyed boy, about eleven years of age, touched, with the most exquisite ability, the tones of a piano. What time-what touch-what precision!' said the enraptured stranger, interrupting the family; and then, turning to the father, he exclaimed, 'Your son shall become a splendid musician, sir.'

'Alas, sir!' replied the agriculturist, I shall be happy if one day he is able to be master of a school at Blessewitz, for then the children of our village shall not need to trudge on foot daily to Dresden and back again, as our dear Amedee has done himself for three years.'

'A child like that master of a village school!' said the stranger. No, no, friend, you must not bury such a treasure in this obscure nook. It is casting a pearl on a dunghill. But tell me who is his singing master?'

'Nature, sir,' said the father, laying his hand proudly on the blushing boy's head.

And who taught him to touch the piano?'

'His mother a little and I a little, but nature chiefly still,' said the father; for the little fellow knows more about it than either his mother or I.'

Amedee looked with surprise at the young and richlyappointed stranger, and then at his father and mother, who seemed delighted to listen to the praises of their son.

That boy was not born to be a schoolmaster, sir; he was born to be an artiste-nature intended him for a musician,' continued the stranger.

Ah, well, perhaps nature did intend him for a great man, but my labour cannot purchase the means to fulfil nature's intentions; and so poverty, you see, may rob the world of many one who might become a benefactor to mankind.'

'Well, sir,' said the stranger, after a moment's reflection, I shall undertake to provide the means. I am known to Professor John Messenius, and he will inform you, as he is a friend of my father, that I am a member of the Chapel Royal at Stockholm. My name is Alberghi. I myself am a musician, on my way to Padua to receive instructions from the celebrated violinist Tartini; and if you will allow your son to accompany me, I shall undertake to give him all the benefit of my knowledge and of Tartini's priceless tuition.'

The idea of parting from their child alarmed the parents, and the thought of quitting home brought fear to the heart and tears to the eyes of Amedee; but those indefinite things called prospects' allure both rich and poor, and finally, everything being considered, it was decided in a few days that the young musician should depart for Italy with Alberghi. Professor John Messenius had amply satisfied the peasant John Naumann regarding the family of Alberghi. He bore the best of testimony to the young man's character, praised his abilities as a musician, and even assisted the family of Naumann to prepare for the departure of Amedee.

On the day appointed, Alberghi drove, with his gay barouche, into the village of Blessewitz, and drew up at the door of John Naumann, while all the villagers gathered round to look at the grand equipage, and to wonder at the fortune of Amedee.

You see, sir, that we are not rich,' said Amedee, as he

timidly approached his protector, but you also see that we are closely bound to one another by love. My mother weeps at my departure; my father does not show it, but I know that he suffers far down in the depths of his good heart: my brothers and sisters sob because I must tear myself from their arms; but you have promised to make me a man of talent, and I will go with you. In my turn I shall obey you as I would my father, and I shall love you

as a son."

And you shall always find a father in me, my young friend,' said Alberghi, shaking the hand that Amedee offered him.

As the carriage rattled away from John Naumann's cottage-door, all the villagers of Blessewitz shook their heads, and declared that some folks were very fortunate in having sons going away in carriages to make their fortunes. But the tears that were shed that night on a mother's pillow, and the sighs that came from a father's deep, heaving bosom, proved that everybody in Blessewitz was not exactly of that opinion.

Oh, what a wonderful place was Padua, with its old palaces, and towers, and university, and walls, to the wondering peasant-boy of Saxony! How delightful it was to look upon the gardens and lawns that breathed out such sweet scents and smiled up in the sun's bright face, and from which ten thousand flowers laughed into the mirror of heaven! How delightful it was to see the gay barges on the river, and to hear the sounds of voices and of guitars rising from them on the tremulous evening air! Oh, Padua was built to be the home of love and music!' cried Amedee; I shall soon be a great musician here.'

The first question that Amedee addressed to his protector every morning, after his arrival at Padua, was, 'Shall I take my lesson now?' And the answer-oh, you anticipate it, dear reader, for you heard Alberghi's promises-was, ‘Brush my coat, sir;''Polish my boots, sir;' or, ‘Prepare my breakfast.'

Alberghi would go out and return in the evening, and again the timid question was tremblingly put, with tearfilled eyes, Please, sir, shall I take my lesson?'

We shall see to-morrow,' would be the harsh response of his protector. But the morrow resembled yesterday, and yesterday foreshadowed the morrow; and Amedee saw, with intensest agony, the days glide away without Alberghi appearing to recollect the promises that he had made to his parents. I did not come to this fine country to be a valet,' he would mutter to himself, as he lay upon his little couch at night; I came to be a pupil,' and then he would weep; but still he concealed his condition from his parents, for he did not wish to afflict them, and he always hoped that better times would come of which to

write.

One evening Alberghi ordered him to follow him with his violin-case, and the boy hopefully obeyed the mandate. They repaired to a magnificent palace, where everything seemed prepared for a fete. The gardens were illuminated with variegated lamps, that hung like burning fruits from the trees, and twinkled like diamonds on the marble statues, and artificial temples, and bridges, and barges that floated on the tiny lakes. Servants flitted about in rich liveries, and the salons seemed full of lustrous rainbows. Alberghi took his violin and entered a splendid hall, while Amedee was commanded to remain in the ante-chamber. Immediately the signal for the concert seemed to be given, for the most ravishing tones of a solo floated towards the enraptured boy's ears, and made the tears start from his eyes. Oh, who played—who played?' said the child to a waiter, as the sound died away like the echo of an angel's whisper; oh, tell me who played?'

It was Tartini,' said the servant, with enthusiasm'the loveliest violinist and the most generous signor in the world. Ah, he is none of your mean, hard scrubs, that only bow and say thank you,' when you open a door to them. He has always a scudi in his hand for a poor body, although every one says he is not very rich.'

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Tartini!' cried Amedee- Tartini! I shall see him tomorrow.'

On the morrow, sure enough, the little Saxon peasant appeared at the hotel of the great musician, who has yet found a rival only in Paganini, and, with his bosom swelling with the magnitude of his purpose, he asked the porter if he could see his master. Follow the sounds of his violin, and you shall come immediately to his chamber,' said the man, who seemed to be as gentle as one of Tartini's own airs. Amedee walked rapidly forward for a few steps, and then he stopped suddenly, as if he were entranced, for the same sweet, thrilling tones of yesterday fell on his ravished ear. A woman who passed, seeing the boy, and observing his attitude, asked him, in a low voice, What do you want here, child?' but he heard nothing but the sounds of the violin, and the question passed unheeded. What ails the boy?' said the old dame, in surprise, as she touched him with her finger; but a faint cry, as if he had been awakened from a dream, was the only response to her query which Amedee vouchsafed; and then, without turning his eyes, he exclaimed, Hush! Oh, do not disturb mel That music comes from heaven.'

At these words the old dame burst into a fit of laughter when immediately the violin ceased to sound, the door opened, and Amedee found himself in the presence of an old man, whose long white hair floated round his sweet and benevolent face, and who held in his hand a violin while he smiled and said to the dame, Well, what is it now, Blanche?'

'Orpheus made trees and rocks to dance at the sound of his lyre, my husband,' said the old woman, at the same time leading Amedee into the room; but you, Tartini, have achieved as great a feat; you can change men into stones. Look at this boy!'

What do you want, my friend?' said Tartini, with much kindness.

'What I shall never be granted,' cried the boy, while the tears stood in his eyes.

'It is a pity, for your face pleases me, and I feel disposed to befriend you if I can.'

'Oh, if you would,' cried the boy, emboldened by the old musician's manner, you would give me new life, and enable me to solace my father and mother, who wept at my leaving home, and my brothers and sisters, who sighed to part with me.'

Tartini interrogated the boy concerning his past and present condition, and, being both interested and pleased with his history, assured him of his protection and instruction. But you shall require to know some of the first principles. Do you know the use of the violin bow, my child?' he said to the lad.

'I have already learned all that,' said the boy, mustering courage.

All that!' said Tartini and Blanche Cornaro, his wife, with surprise; and immediately Tartini placed his violin in the boy's hands.

The child was at first confused at the trial imposed upon him, but the hidden fire of genius shot through his whole frame like electricity and lighted up his cheeks, and he began to play so softly and so correctly that Tartini clasped him in his arms and cried, Thou shalt be the best of all my pupils, Amedee Naumann. And who composed that lovely little air?'

'I,' replied the boy, so simply that both of the old people uttered an exclamation of surprise and looked at one another.

'Confound that skulking Amedee,' muttered Alberghi, as he entered Tartini's salon, a few minutes after this scene; 'he has not half polished my boots.'

Pardon me, Alberghi,' said Tartini, with an arch smile upon his face, as he led Amedee from an ante-room; 'allow me to introduce to you the most promising of all my pupils.' Alberghi was confounded. I mean to retain him in my own dwelling,' continued the great master.

Alberghi bowed, and took his place with his violin. Amedee Naumann remained eight years in Italy, beloved, esteemed, and instructed by the old musician; and then his fame became so great that Gustavus lii. made him the most brilliant offers to induce him to play before the Swedish