Keepsake, by Mrs. Godwin. One sister in an attempt to carry provisions
and intelligence to her lover, is taken prisoner by the French, and
condemned to die; the other is a nun, who effects her escape by
changing dresses, and remains, and actually perishes in her stead. On
the stage, the sister is made the daughter of the Sister of Charity,
and the fruit of a secret and unhappy connexion with a French officer,
who proves to be the commander of the detachment--hence both their
lives are saved.

* * * * *



NOTES OF A READER.


MONT BLANC.


The most interesting night of the late season of the Royal Institution,
was the lecture or narrative, given by Dr. Clarke of his ascent of Mont
Blanc in 1825. Dr. Clarke led his audience from Geneva to the summit,
detailing the enterprise, which, however, he considers not by any means so
dangerous as has been represented. At 9,000 feet above the level of the
Mediterranean the air becomes extremely rarified, and the sky exhibits a
blue-black appearance. He does not consider it at all safe for persons to
attempt the ascent, having a tendency to apoplexy, for at the height of
15,000 feet above the level of the sea, the extremely rarified state of the
air, as well as the almost unbearable oppression of the sun's rays, though
surrounded with snow, would increase that tendency to an alarming extent.