was near at hand, with a great body of men. Tasso was of opinion, that they should continue their journey, and endeavour to defend themselves; but his opinion was overruled, and they threw themselves into Mola for safety. Here they remained some time, in a manner blocked up by Sciarra. At last, the outlaw, hearing that Tasso was one of the party, sent a message, assuring him he might pass in safety, and offered to conduct him wherever he pleased. Tasso returned his thanks, but declined the offer; not, perhaps, daring to rely on the word of such a man as Sciarra. The robber then sent another message, informing Tasso, that, on his account, he would withdraw his men, and leave the way open. A proof of the great reputation his works had gained him, even amongst the vilest of mankind. Sciarra did as he said, and Tasso, continuing his journey, arrived at Rome without accident.

DEATH OF TASSO.

TASSO, towards the close of his life, was enjoying that tranquillity which he so much. loved, when Cardinal Cynthio found means to

recall him from Naples to Rome, by persuading the Pope to give him the honour of being solemnly crowned with laurel in the capitol. Tasso was not desirous of this honour, but he, at last, yielded to the persuasion of Manso, and departed for Rome, although he had a secret presage it would never take place. Tasso was greatly affected at parting with Manso, and took his leave of him as with one he should never see again.

Tasso arrived at Rome 1595, where he was met by many prelates and other persons of distinction, and was afterwards introduced, by the two Cardinals, Cynthio and Pietro, to the presence of the Pope, who was pleased to tell him, "that his merit would add as much honour to the laurel he was going to receive, as that crown had added to the honour of those on whom it had formerly been conferred." Nothing was now thought of but the approaching solemnity; orders were given not only to decorate the Pope's palace, but the capitol and all principal streets through which the procession had to pass. Tasso appeared unmoved by all these preparations; and, being shown a sonnet

composed for the occasion by a relation, he made the following answer, from Seneca, descriptive of his forebodings:

Magnifica verba mors propè admota excutit."

(approaching death cuts short all praises). And it proved too true; for whilst they waited for fair weather to celebrate the ceremony, Cardinal Cynthio fell ill, and, as soon as he recovered, Tasso was seized with his last sickness; and, although he had not completed his fifty-first year, his studies and misfortunes had brought on him a premature old age.

Being persuaded that his end was approaching, he desired to spend a few days in the monastery of St. Onuphrius; to which place he was carried in Cynthio's coach, and was received and treated with the utmost tenderness by the prior and brethren. The physicians in Rome tried all their art, but Tasso, notwithstanding, grew worse; and when Rinaldini, his intimate, and the Pope's physician, told him his last hour was at hand, he thanked him for the tidings, and "acknowledged the goodness of God, who was pleased, at last, to bring him into port after so long a storm." From that time

he disengaged his thoughts from earthly things, received the sacrament in the chapel of the convent, whither he was carried by the brethren, and then brought back to his chamber. Being asked where he would be interred, he replied, in the church of St. Onuphrius. To the request, that he would leave a memorial of his will in writing, and dictate the epitaph to be engraven on his tomb, he smiled, and said, "In regard to the first, he had little worldly goods to leave; and as to the second, a plain stone would suffice over him." He left Cardinal Cynthio his heir; and desired his picture to be given to his friend, Manso; and received the Pope's benediction from the hand of Cynthio, an honour never so conferred but on Cardinals, and men of distinction. He received it with great humility, and said, "This is the crown I came to Rome to receive." On the Cardinal's desiring to know if he had any request to make, Tasso said, -"he had but one favour to desire of him, which was, that he would collect and commit his works to the flames" (particularly his "Jerusalem Delivered," the most perfect). In the middle of the next day, finding himself growing faint, he embraced the crucifix held to

him by his confessor, and expired ere he could utter the whole of the sentence, " In manus tuas, Domine !"-(Into thy hands, O Lord!) He was buried, the same evening, where he had desired, and a plain stone placed over his remains. Cardinal Cynthio intended to have placed a magnificent monument over his remains, but had been prevented by ten years' sickness, when Manso came to Rome to visit the grave of his friend, and entreated to take charge of the erection; but this the Cardinal would not permit. He prevailed so far as to have engraved on the stone :-" Hic jacet Torquatus Tasso."-"Here lies Torquato Tasso."

JAMES, DUKE OF YORK, (SECOND SON OF CHARLES I.) AND MILTON.

THE Duke of York, it is said, one day told the King, his brother, that he had heard so much of "old Milton," he had a great desire to see him. Charles told the Duke, that he had no objection to his satisfying his curiosity; and accordingly, shortly after, James, having informed himself where Milton lived, went privately to his house. Being introduced to