heaven's own beauty crowning earth's sublimity. My steps were slow, and
I paused long at every turn of the descent, as one lingers and pauses,
who discerns a brighter and brightening excellence in what he must soon
behold no more. The solitude of the old wilderness now reigned over the
whole vicinity of the falls. My enjoyment became the more rapturous,
because no poet shared it, nor wretch devoid of poetry profaned it; but
the spot so famous through the world was all my own!






THE ANTIQUE RING.

"Yes, indeed: the gem is as bright as a star, and curiously set," said
Clara Pembertou, examining an antique ring, which her betrothed lover
had just presented to her, with a very pretty speech. "It needs only
one thing to make it perfect."

"And what is that?" asked Mr. Edward Caryl, secretly anxious for the
credit of his gift. "A modern setting, perhaps?"

"O, no! That would destroy the charm at once," replied Clara. "It
needs nothing but a story. I long to know how many times it has been
the pledge of faith between two lovers, and whether the vows, of which
it was the symbol, were always kept or often broken. Not that I should
be too scrupulous about facts. If you happen to be unacquainted with
its authentic history, so much the better. May it not have sparkled
upon a queen's finger? Or who knows but it is the very ring which