The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-06-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Chambers Edinburgh journal.
The MiisunnI Manuscript

briOht dave of midsummer, prime oil The
season. noon,de Of the year! The green
of our woods depends beneath your mantle,
and our hills rejoice 10 the heart o: their Ut
most solitude. There was joy al your COM
inc among the nations of old. for your power
and glory mingled with the faith OF the ell
der time. The Celt kinGled the beltane
frs on his mountains for your welcome, and
the men OF the far east spread the feast Of
roses by the lovely lakes Of Cashmere
The world has outlived the memories of her
norninc. oreeds have been forgotten; gods
have come and gone but the toiing, stir
rino multitude OF earth still rejoice as We
pladden the span of their passing existence
with The breath Of your returning roses and
The bloom ofvour eternal youth. So thought,
or so should have thought The Monsieur de
ST. Leon as he sat one long bright evening
of that rosy time, surrounded by the chos-
en- companions OF his learned labors, en-
gagged in winding UP the work of iheseason
Monsieur de ST Leon was mighty man IN
Paris the fate of authors, and the specula-
lions Of publishers. hung alike upon his pen:
his word was law al the Theatre + rancalse,
and more than law at the Opera Comique;
for Monsieur de St Leon was editor oil LIE
Voix de Paris a work whose sentences on
the volumes ofIhe period were u9GuesiIoned
rs the ukase in the dominions of the car:
in short, he was the Janin of his day but
he swayed the scepire Of criticism in more
despotic fashion, for the days of his reign
we're before the revoluiion.oW We'll ins!ruc
ted, highly connected, and blessed with
good abilities. Monsieur de ST. Leon had ear
" devoted himself TO literature, and now. in
The meridian of life. he was known as one
Of the most discerning spirits OF his age, the
associate oil sGrGn'S of The first distinction,
and grand master of the French reviewers.
We shall no. stay the current OF our tale 10
saw how much friends and fortune had to
do with building up the fabric of his fame,
but there sat the chief of critics aHId his
band. we'll pleased with both himself and
them for the last review for the season had
been written, The last opera had received lis
doom. and the latest novel was dismissed
with it's prorer share of well-;alented praise
and blame. No more was expected at least
for some lime. for The days of midsummer
are no, the DAYS of books; and Monsieur de
ST. Leon ieIiciiared himself on the promised
pleasure of Il trip TO Inc South. 10 meet the
summer amid her laden olives, and leave the
crowds of Paris and the cares Of criticism TO
less fortunate hands, ill the light OF her
presence Was passed.
Their work was done, but still his col
learues sa, in Mousieur's elegant bureau,
for they had much 10 talk Of Most OF them
were amateur assistants of St Leon some
We're yonng aud ardent, some were old and
prudent, some had grown cold and caurious
before the time; all were distinguished IN
The worlI ofetters. and many IN the world oil
fashion too; hut among them there was only
one female face, aud that belonged to Seno-
re. the orphan niece OF Monsieur de ST. Leon.
Her uncle imagined there was marked re-
semblance between himself and Fol'a:re, be-
cause he was Il bachelor, and intended &c
publish something original; so, by way o.
completing the picture, he had taken Seho
re TO manage his domestic concerns. admire
his own genius. and be IN all respects a SEC
ond Madame Denis. Little Likeness mac
poor Seupre to that immeraiized dame
the girl was poriionle>s. and hut seventeen
= small brisht-haired brunette. with fact
whose expression OF subdued intelligence told
of Io,u srbseryience TO aDufher's will. ans
time not spent for herself; but the sunshine
of the heart PLAYED over it al lines, for th'
Grbt of the clear black eye had net ye
grown dim and dreamy, as in the winter o
years.
Protects for the future, bon -InOtS at the ex
.
gossip ofall sorts. filled the bureau, whel
ST. Icons valet opened the door, and an
lnounced, with rather cpmical expression
of countenance. that there ives stranger be-
low who wished to sea Monsieur on very par
ticular business Show him up said St
Leon, TO whom The mention of busiress was
at that moment anything but agreeable; and
he added, in no very humored tone, w hal
can the fellow want that he comes at such
an hour as thisl' The words were scarcely
spoken when his servant returned. ushernS
in young man of dark pale face and 10"
stature, rendered almost dwarlSh BY a ma
biiual sioop HIS dress was poverty str'ck-
en-, and made in the fashion Of the provIn-
ces; his manner awkward aud hestatIng
like not sure OF his errand. In his hand
he held small soiled looking manuscript
which with an awkward bow. and a few halt
articu!aied words, he presented to Monsieur
de ST. Leon. 1t was accompanied by note
r. ON the manager of "A Theatre Franchise
stating that ii contained a trag edy written by
the bearer, which The manager would pur-
chase if Monsieur de St. Leon approved OF
it, and earnestly requesting that, whether ia
vorable or not, his opinion should be giver
without delay.
St. Leon had been hard at work for thu
last three weeks, and that evening was t'
him like the Jews preparation for his Sab
bath, and to be obliged 10 read over a new
play, was task he had not expected; ou
he felt it just then inexpedient to refuse IN
managers request, and therefore consented
with little. and less good temper. If there
was one thing in this world which ST. Leor
delighted TO critcise more than another, l
was the work of poet, for Monsieur hac
wooed the muse on his own account; an6
with few cold and hurried questions to thu
stranger touching his name and profession
and birthplace, which were as coldly ans
wered-for The youth had got time to collec
himself, and said his name was Joseph Fran
quet, his birthplace village in AnVergne,
and profession he had none presenting
great reviewer glanced once more at hi
shabby appearance. and proceeded TO rea1
the manuscript. Monsieur wentto work, de
ternlned not be pleased; and many and mar
veilous we've the faults he found in that un
lucky tragedy. The plot was bad; the sto
dnHa Il.