Languages & literature > Athenaeum

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THE ATHENAEUM.
“ O yes,” said the executioner, “ I don’t pretend to
dispute that, but you know that there is even a choice
among beauties ; just as our brother Editor will tell us
he used to select the most beautiful rose for hem!
hem ! you know whom I mean, the Persian lady Zan-
toomara.”
“ Doubtless,” said Commercial Character, “ but
the question is, have we selected the best ? Now, for
instance, here is a tale which I hold in my hand, called
‘ The Abbey,’ which appears a genuine instance of true
pathos: indeed, I know not whether that, or the
smoke from these burning papers, has made me shed
tears.”
“ I allow,” said Hannibal Moriens, “ that that tale
is one well deserving a place, and a place it should have
had, but it came sadly too late, when we had filled up
our volume: it was with sincere regret that I exclud¬
ed it, for the author is a very clever fellow, and a
particular friend of my own, and the writer of some
capital verses in the Athenaeum.”
“ Then wre will allow that to be unavoidable,” said
the Political Economist; “ but here are some verses
which I am sure might have been inserted, and which
would have done great credit to our volume.”
“ Read awray then, and let us hear them,” shouted
the two other editors. But, alas ! another event hap¬
pened, which totally precluded either the reading or
hearing of verses for some time; for out of the very
middle of the flame arose first, a tall figure with a
most unearthly look, a long beard, (which was a little
singed) flowing robes, a fierce eye; in short, all that
man can imagine of the horrible or tremendous. No