Notes of the Month. 105 



always occurred at that period of the year. It was a wonder to us at -the 

 time that we never saw these sanguinary proceedings turned to dramatic ac- 

 count by our modern authors, who, however, prefer probably " stealing their 

 brooms ready made." 



We submit, nevertheless, that a great genius, Mr. Fitzball for instance, 

 might have discovered in these veritable narratives materials for many a 

 drama of " appalling," or " exciting/' or " intense " interest. For example, 

 what can be more adaptable (to coin a word) than the following pretty horror 

 upon which our eyes lighted the other morning ? It is a perfect gem in its 

 way, and reminds us of the " old masters," who did these things for the 

 especial service of the " Morning Herald," at the time we spoke of. 



" M. B , the son of an honest and moderately rich proprietor of Hen- 

 merstoff, a village near Metz, had for some time quitted his home and com- 

 menced a dissolute mode of life. Under different pretexts he had at first 

 obtained money from home, but as his misconduct could not be long con- 

 cealed from his parents, he received from them strong letters of remonstrance, 

 which served only to excite his vengeful passions. Having been informed 

 that his sister was on the point of marriage, he returned home last week ac- 

 companied by one of his debauched companions, named Schilter. The next 



day the two companions in vice visited the assembled family, B armed 



with a pistol, which he immediately levelled at his father. The unfortunate 

 parent endeavoured to avoid the parricide's aim, but was dragged from 

 amongst the rest of the company by Schilter. The persons present speedily 

 fled, and the wretched father, seeing the fatal weapon pointed at him, made 

 a last effort at the moment of its discharge, and sheltered himself behind his 

 son's accomplice, who received the ball, and fell mortally wounded. The 

 son was immediately arrested. Galignani." 



Does the reader mark the poetical justice of the whole affair, the skilful 

 arranging of the denouement, the fine grouping in the last scene ? 



We must not omit to mention, and this we have on unquestionable au- 

 thority, that as the guilty son was being dragged from the apartment, he 

 encountered an elderly lady who was at that moment approaching with the 

 bride-cake, when stung with sudden^ remorse he fell into her arms, exclaim- 

 ing, " My Grandmother 1' , 



A BAD HAND. It is said of a certain Irish Peer that he writes so bad a 

 hand that his franks, being generally illegible, are generally mis-sent ; and 

 that if they happen to be legible they are deemed to be forgeries, and charged 

 in double or treble postage, as the case may be. Morning Paper. 



How convenient is the " it is said " of the furnishing undertaker of para- 

 graphs when an aged jest is to be told of a certain Irish lord, where certainty 

 by the bye is as sure as the truth of the anecdote. " It is said," he who runs 

 may read ; but he who reads must not run into the error of believing all he 

 reads. Truly, we should be sorry to frank the on-dits of our worthy para- 

 grapher, " but they should be deemed to be forgeries. 



MALIBRAN. Poor Malibran's remains are now in London, having been 

 brought from Manchester by Mad. Garcia her mother, accompanied by her 

 younger sister, Mile. Garcia, of whose talents report speaks highly. What a 

 world ! to see these near relatives at the Opera Buffa on Thursday evening ; 

 and think on the unburied dead ! The sense aches at it. Literary Gazette." 



It happens rather unfortunately for the writer of this brief but affecting 

 comment on the present state of the moral world, that on the Thursday 

 morning " these near relatives " sailed for Antwerp with the body of the 

 lamented vocalist. We also must indulge in a reflection, What a world ! 

 containing so many liars, and so many credulous people to print and believe 

 their fabrications. 



; GRICI'S MARRIAGE. When we first heard of the fair Grisi's application 



