The Sun.
London, England, 1826-07-22 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

We do not publish the following as a paper of 44 no
use to any body but the owner," tout au contraire !
nor was it picked up, in a bottle at sea, as the title
pretends. We found it—never mind where—our
anxiety to restore it is attested by tne very act of pub-
lication

(Extract from Rawrizeworr.-4y the Author of —??)
An hour had already elapsed since the lattice had been thrown
open ; the still air of the evening had just force enough to put the
lariser vine leaves in motion ; the distant carriages were heard
retiring 'from the incomparable shores of Magellina ; the air was
fall of the living spangles of the beautiful Lucciola or fire-ily.
The boats in the hay, engaged in the fishery, displayed their cus-
tomary lamp; others were' gliding on in the silence and mystery
'of darkness. Pale gushes of uninterrupted light, anneunced from
time to time the proximity of the volcano, while the headlands
and promontories that surround the gulph, were to. be traced on
the darkling horizon from the opposite shores of Sorrento, quite
round to the city and her proud castle of St. Elmo. There was
no defined sound, yet the air was not yet wholly silent ; a remnant,
of the confused noises of a Neapolitan day still lingered on, was
growing fainter every moment. Margaret had stepped forth into
the balcony, and was inhaling the adopr of the orange flower as
she leant against the massive railing, in that state of mind and
body which,is inspired by the languor of the climate, A whisper-
ing was at this moment heard, in which two parties appeared to
be engaged, and the object--Aerse/f—indeed their forms were
easily distinguished, without the excited attention occasioned by
the occurrence itself. Presently a light prelude, on the guitar-
relieved her from the inquietude of her solitary situation, and it
was wholly dispelled by words which sufficiently announced the
character of the intruders, awl the nature of the visit.

'Tie the hour when toil ceases,
That lovers love he,A; ;
"When fade the bright fleeces
Of gold, in the west ;
When the wave the shore,
And the kit air is mute,
Save the dash of the oar,
And the sound of the lute.
Morn drops her fresh dews
On the herb and the flower,
Day the turmoil renews
In court, city, and tower ;
And lamps may blaze bright
In the gikled saloon—
Love lives in the light
Of the stars and the moon.
They shall dazzle and die,
But eve's harbinger star
That trembles on high
In the blue vault of air,
Shall to vigilant love
That day's banner is fun!,
Be a sign front above
To the end of the world !

* Licks, lanlbit, an elegant transplanted Latinism.

THE LATE EMPRESS CATHERINE.

FROM coon, sEcua's mtutuns.

" Catherine, daughter of the Prince of Anhalt Zerbst,
bore, from her infancy, the name of Sophia Augusta d'An-
halt. • She assumed that of , Catherine on embracing the
Greek religion, when she married her cousin Charles Pre-;
derick, Duke of Holstein Gottorp, whom the Empress
Elizabeth had just designed for her heir, and named Grand
Duke of Russia. Never was a match more ill-suited ;
nature, niggardly of its gifts to the young Grand Duke,.
had been prodigal :in favour. of Catherine. It seemed
that, by a strange caprice, fate wished to give pusillani-
;pity,, weakness, and the imbecility of a being destined to
serve, to the husband, and to his wife, the talents, coti •
rage, and firmness of a man horn to command. • Thus it
was, that one mounted the throne, and disappeared like a
shadow, while the other maintained herself in it with cele.
brity. The genius of Catherine was vast, and her mind
acute; you saw in her a surprising mixture of those quell-
tire which are most rarely united, Tom fond of pleasure,
and yet assidnuos in business, she was nindlected in private
Wa, .-dissimidating .politics.s her anibition knew no
bounds, .but she directed it with prudence. C.:,:onstant, not
in her passions, but in her friendships, she had adopted
fixed principles in her policy and administration; never
did she abandon a friend or a project. Dignified in pub-
lic, good and even familiar in society, her gravity was mix-
ed with cheerfulness, her gaiety with decorum. With an
elevated mind, she only displayed a moderate show of
imagination; even her conversation seemed by no means
brilliant, except: in the rare case of her indulging in the
discussion of politica or history ; her character would then
give dignity, to her-words ; she was, in fact, striking as
Queen, and amiable as * private individual.—The majesty
of her forehead, and of the bearing her head, as well as the
haughtiness of her look and dignity of her deportment,
seemed to increase her height, which was naturally trio.
derate: She had an aquiline nose and graceful mouth,
blue eyes and dark eyebrows, a very gentle look, and,
when she wished it, an engaging smile. In order to dia•
guise the corpulency of age, which effaces every charm,
she wore a loose robe with long sleeves, a dress very
much like that of the early Niuscovites. The white-
ness and beauty of her skin were the attractions which
she preserved the longest. Too much occupied with other
objects, she at least possessed the virtue of sobriety, and
some satirical travellers have committed a gross error in
affirming that she drank a great deal of wine; they
were ignorant that the •reddish colour of the beverage
which .usually' filled her glass was nothing more than
currant water. This Princess never supped : she rose
at six in the morning, and lighted her own fire. She
transacted business first with the head of the police,
and next, with her ministers. .1t was very rare to see
at her. table—which was served like that of a private
individual--more than eight guests. There, as, at the
dinners of Frederick;• etiquette was proscribed, . while
freedom was permitted.. A philosopher from opinion, shi
appeared religibuti from policy : never did any person • know
how to pass from pleasure to business with such incon-
ceivable facility ; she never allowed herself .to be carried
away from her Interests, • or beyond . her wishes, by one
party, or absorbed by another, so as to appear less amiable.
Dictating herself the most important despatches to her
Ministers, they were in reality only her secretaries while
the council wits alone directed and enlivened by her pre.
settee."

DISTRESS IN iRMAND.—The distress in !relend is not
confined to the poor weaver; the highest trees of the fo-
rest are bending to the storm: men who have passed
throagh a long life with honour to themselves, and solid
advautqe to their country, are obliged to yield to the
heavy pre.ssure of the times • names to-day an d
yesterday
are mentioned which commands every man's sympathy
and respect; we Cruet the report exaggerates, and that men
who should be happy rod comfortuble when almost about
to retire from the transitory scenes of this world, will not
be visited With the calamities to which so many hive al-
ready fallen victims.
Mr. Alexan6r, one of the most extensive millers in
lrelptd, has stoppettpayntent. This gentleman was con-
netted with a highly respectable house an Dublin, and re-
ports were current on Tuesday and yesterday with respect
to its solvency. The business of the firm, however, cow
tinned to be transacted as usual yesterday morning.
A failure was announced to the commercial world yes-
terdT which created very general surprise and, regret.—
The house had for several years ranked amongst the most
respectable in the city. We understand that the sum for
which the firm has stopped is close upon two hundred
thousand pounds.
'We rejoice to find that all Apprehensions for the safety
of the harvest, and the late potatoe crops, have no f
oished. The rains have been general in every part o th:
kingdom. They did not come in 0106 for the hay, an
that is the only short crop.—Freentan's Journal,

The new farce TIOW its rehearsal at the Dittyrnarke
Theatre, is fro the -ingenious pen of Mr. Kenny
Atitiliat 1; m f
3weethearts and Witra.