The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-04-14
T II Z N e w E r A =.
From the Columbian Magazine.
The SHADE OF WANDA. a POLISH LIE
GEND--GIVEN AS CURRENT IN EUROPE.

THE SHADE OF WANDA. A POLISHLE
GEND-GIvEN AS CURRENT In EUROPE.
BY MRS. E F. ELLET.
| remember 1t was clear summer evening
that walked with Count $ along the banks
of the Vlsiua The crimson light of the setting
| sun inged the waters, and shed rich effulgence
on The old interesting city of Cracow which Law
before us.
| Count ,. was an ardent lover of his country.
Alas what remains for patriotism to cling to I?
! But his enthusiastic mind lived upon the past -
| we walked on. absorbed in nversation and en- =
J0ylng The quiet scene Ot beauty, unconscious that
The shadows OF the trees had grown longer and
had gradually faded awav and that the breeze
had treshened. Happening to look al the river
was startled by rather singular appearance -
"A strip OF cloud rose from the river. where it was
blended with the grey mist and as it shot upwards
into the clear, rosy ether, assumed the exact
slmItnde of gigantic female figure The arms
seemed extending forward, the head slightly bent
and the snowy robes floating back The re-
semblance was SO striking that | slopped, and
Selling my friends arm, pointed ont the phenom
enon to hun. He stood silent for few moments
then signing deeply said:
Wanda appears once more. bat what new
change can affect our unhappy Poland ?'
"Wh0 is Wanda ?'' | asked
You seem unversed in the ancient history of
Poland % he said, with smile. Well, if YOU
like, Will give You an episode"
thanked him, and as soud there, he re-
lated the following tradition.
s. In the earliest ages of the Christian era so
long ago that historians cannot fix the period
ms now lovely region was wild and rude and
inhabited by hardy race of men, who lived in
patrIarchal freedom. Among them the name of
one has been preserved whose bravery and other
brilliant personal qualities, rendered him eminent
from his youth. Erac was. in fact. a jndpe over
ms nrethren--ior they sought his counsel in every
emergency; and in the wolf and hear hunts he
was always their commandeF. lie has slain
with his own hand wild beast so fierce that il
was the terror of the whole country
- AS the lines changed and became turbulent
and warl!ke, the people saw the necessity of
having chief of prudence and sagaciiy as well
as OF courage in battle. The universal choice
fell on E'ac; he accepted the dignity and was
proclaimed king. He instructed his subjects in
military science and fouded city on the SPOT
where Cracow now stands. Ere long he married
and became the father of three children, two
sons, Erac & Lech, and one daughter, who was
called Wanda
Erac regned loRg, wisely and hapniiy. ITn-
der him, Poland first became an independent
government. He extended and settled the bonnds
OF his domlnlons, framed equitable laws and com
PEELED obedience TO them. In short, had Poland
possessed an unbToken succession of such mon
archS her star would never never gone dovn
in darkness. After the death of the Great king
the people chose his eldest son Erac to be his
successor.
Erac IL. was as brave a nd wise as his father
had been; ne carried out all his fathers plans
and won equal regard from his grateful country
men.
But envy and ambition start ntn life even in
me cradle OF an infant nation. Lech the YOUNGER
brother, hated the ylrtuOUs king for his superior
qualities, and for the love of his people. The
enmIty engendered by a consciousness of weak
ness grew rapidly and produced its bitter fruits at
the end 0t two years. Lech concealed bimself
IN wood where his brother was huntinp-came
behind him unseen and despatched him with bis
spear. Then he mangled the lifeIess bodv and
tore the clothes. to make it appear that Erac had
fallen the prey of some wild beast. HAVING
completed his work, he returned home secretlv
L ne king not returning at evening, the alarm
was given, the servants sought in the wood and
found his torn and bleeding corps He was
brought to the city and soemnly inferred. The
country was filled with lamentations and mourn
ing iof the youthful monarch and the people
proved their attachment to him bv bestovyincr Inc
crown on his brother Lech. Lech held the reicns
OF government with an unequal hand-now Ceebly
and again with too much rigor He was crue
and treacherOus, and ere long caused himself ia
be universally hated. His ILL concealed iov a,
his brothers. death had excited suspicion AGAINST
him; and venerable chief, who had served in
battle under Erac L., ayerred that twice in q
vision at night he had seen the murdered monarch
standing with his hand pressing on his BLEEDING
side, muTmuring:
90 Ny brother slew mel"
The general discomfort was at length moro
loudly expressed A conspiracy was formed
against the wicked king, and hearing of il 7 ecb
tormemted by the terrors of guilty conscience,
fled at night from his capital Long he wander
ed, unknowlng where 70 seek shelter-at length
he found protection at the court of Rithogar
prince Of the country afterwards called Saxoov
where he presented himself as Polish noble,
Meanwhile the Poles, convinced by the FIGHT
OF Lech. Of his guilt, declared the throne va
cant and chose for their sovereign the fair and
gentle Wanda
Wanda wore the crown with dignity corrected
many abuses Of Lech's administration. and appli-
ed herself to the duties Of her high station in such
a manner that she won the confidence and aaec
ton Of her subjects while her name was prOnounc-
ed with respect even in foreign lands.
Her fame reached the ears Of the guilty I'm oi-