astle of the Dead_. It was situated in
the Mazanderan, (the ancient Hircania), and had been the abode
of the Old Man of the Mountain, the Prince of Assassins.

[7] A king coolly ordering one of his subjects to cut off the
head of his own child, and being obeyed, is a circumstance so
monstrous, that it would appear beyond all possibility, if it
were not supported by numerous examples. But, incredible as it
may seem, it only paints the common manners of a court, where
tyranny, and the vices which it engenders, altogether extinguish
the influence of nature.

* * * * *

NOTES OF A READER.

* * * * *

MURDER

We are not accustomed to study the clap-traps of the day, but the
following observations, on our first reading of them, came so forcibly
on our imagination, that we then resolved to insert them in our columns
whenever an opportunity should offer; and as the public are now alive on
the subject, none can be better than the present. We should add, they
are taken from the third edition of a valuable work on Home, written by
a lady:--

"I think," says our authoress, "we are quite mistaken in our estimate of
the Italian character, in one respect. Murder is generally committed in
the sudden impulse of ungovernable passion, not with the slow
premeditation of deliberate revenge. That it is too common a termination
of Italian quarrels, it would be vain to deny; and it is equally true,
that however Englishmen may fall out, or however angry they may be,
drunk or sober, they never think of stabbing, but are always content
with beating each other. But in England murders are generally committed
in cold blood, and for the sake of plunder. In Italy they are more
frequently perpetrated in the moment of exasperation, and for the
gratification of the passions. An Italian will pilfer or steal, cheat or
defraud you, in any way he can. He would rob you if he had courage; but
he seldom murders for the sake of gain. In proof of this, almost all the
murders in Italy are committed amongst the lower orders. One man murders
another who is as much a beggar as himself. Whereas, our countrymen walk
about the unlighted streets of Rome or Naples, at all hours, in perfect
safety. I never heard of one having been attacked, although the riches
of _Milor' Inglese_ are proverbial. Amongst the immense number of
English who have lately travelled