500 Detur Amaniiori. [May, 



Eucharis here ceased. Her voice, which through all the latter part of 

 her speech had been struggling with her tears, was completely choked 

 with sobs, and she concluded abruptly. Tliis certainly diminished the 

 effect of her oration in the common acceptation of the word, but I 

 question much whether her tears, and voice broken with emotion, had 

 not more real effect upon the judges, than the most regular and euphonic 

 delivery could have produced. 



As it %vas known that there were no more candidates, the conclusion 

 of the pleading of Eucharis was the signal for the recommencement of 

 that buzz of individual conversation of which I have already spoken. It 

 was now more animated and universal than before ; both from long 

 restraint, and from the multiplicity of opinions which prevailed as to 

 who ought to have the prize. Bathyllus' claim excited the least envy — 

 for he was dead, and his wearing it would eclipse no one. Between the 

 other two, it is reported that, among the women, many of those whom 

 the beaut}'^ of Proclus would have attracted, were detached from sup- 

 porting his claims by observing the great fascination which Zoe seemed 

 to have exercised upon a great proportion of the men ; a circumstance 

 for which the ladies aforesaid declared themselves to be utterly unable 

 to account. They were less jealous of Aglae, though strictly she was 

 more handsome ; and seemed to think that one who could paint such 

 beautiful portraits, and write such flattering verses as Eumolpus, was a 

 sort of lover by no manner of means to be despised. 



But what did the judges think ? — for that is much more germane to the 

 matter. I hope (though the wish is a cruel one) that my fair readers, 

 if any such readers have deigned to follow me thus far, are on tenter- 

 hooks to know to whom the prize was adjudged. My hope is a cruel 

 one ; for if they should be on tenterhooks, there they must stay ; for I 

 have no means of information on this most interesting point. The 

 ancient manuscript contains the pleadings only. It apparently, as the 

 antiquarians report, originally consisted of four leaves ; one to each 

 oration, and one for the judgment — the latter, however, has never, in 

 modern times, formed part of this venerable relic ; and far be it from 

 me, by any interpolation, to falsify the integrity of so important a frag- 

 ment of antiquity. Perhaps it may serve to while away a vacant 

 hour, if each circle in which this story is read, should debate and de- 

 cide for themselves, the question 



CONSOLATORY REFLECTIONS UPON TIME, 



BY A RETAIL POET. 



Since beauty passes, youth decays ; 



Since cities rise and fall ; 

 Since days successive roll on daj's. 



While ruin waits on all ; 

 Since Time puts nations e'en to rout. 



Though stately once and vain ; 

 When my plush smallclothes are worn out. 



Oh, why should I complain ? 



