Charles Veramont, Count de Charney, is young and 
possessed of boundless wealth. He outlives every enjoy¬ 
ment ; and, literally through exhaustion of feeling, plunges 
into a conspiracy against Napoleon, and is imprisoned for 
life in the small fortress of Fenestrella. Solitude nearly 
drives him mad; he curses fate, life, the world—and he 
denies God. Suddenly a small plant springs up between 
two stones of the pavement; and to this plant he gives the 
endearing name of Picciola. He actually forms a friend¬ 
ship for it; and at length loves it with all the force of 
which that tender passion is susceptible. He by degrees 
learns the value of life; is awakened to the beauty of the 
world, and learns to acknowledge and worship God with 
sincere and fervent piety .—See Mrs. Gore’s “ Picciola.” 
Dull vapors fill the joyless air, 
And cold the sunbeam falls 
Within the court-yard, paved and bare 
’Neath Fenestrella’s walls. 
