flowers can afford: and they have to return their thanks for the very
liberal supplies for this purpose which they have occasionally received
from the Horticultural Society. The resort to the garden has far
surpassed the most sanguine expectations of the Council; 112,226 persons
have visited it during the last year."

* * * * *



THE NOVELIST


* * * * *


THE SIEGE OF ABYDOS.

_A Romantic Tale._

(_For the Mirror._)


The infidel Turks, ever at variance with the Christians, were, in the
reign of king Orchanes, extremely ambitious to possess the famous Castle
of Abydos; and accordingly vast preparations were made for a close
siege. Previous to the arrival of the Turkish army before the castle,
the angelic Sophronia, daughter of the governor of Abydos, was visited
by a dream. She thought, that while walking out on a beautiful evening,
breathing the fragrant air, and gazing on the brilliant stars, she fell