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the  narrow  chamber  was  covered  with  shelves,  which  supported
books,  in  various  languages  ;  and,  though  chiefly  on  scientific
subjects,  not  utterly  confined  to  them.  Among  the  doctrines
of  the  philosopher,  and  the  golden  rules  of  the  moralist,  were
also  seen  the  pleasant  dreams  of  poets,  the  legends  of  Spenser,
the  refining  moralities  of  Pope,  the  lofty  errors  of  Lucretius,
and  the  sublime  relics  of  our  "  dead  kings  of  melody."  *  And
over  the  hearth  was  a  picture,  taken  in  more  prosperous  days,
of  one  who  had  been,  and  was  yet,  to  the  tenant  of  that  abode,
better  than  fretted  roofs,  and  glittering  banquets,  the  objects  of
ambition,  or  even  the  immortality  of  fame.  It  was  the  face  of
one  very  young  and  beautiful,  and  the  deep,  tender  eyes  looked
down,  as  with  a  watchful  fondness,  upon  the  lucubrator  and  his
labors.  While  beneath  the  window,  which  was  left  unclosed,
for  it  was  scarcely  June,  were  simple,  yet  not  inelegant,  vases,
filled  with  flowers  ;

"  Those  lovely  leaves,  where  we
May  read  how  soon  things  have
Their  end,  though  ne'er  so  brave."  f

The  writer  was  alone,  and  had  just  paused  from  his  employ-
ment :  he  was  leaning  his  face  upon  one  hand,  in  thoughtful
and  earnest  mood,  and  the  air  which  came  chill,  but  gentle,
from  the  window,  slightly  stirred  the  locks  from  the  broad  and
marked  brow,  over  which  they  fell  in  thin  but  graceful  waves.
