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48 CASPAR KARLINSKI. where it is generally lower than at the sides, whatever temptations Fashion may offer to the contrary. We might multiply instances ad libitum; but the foregoing cases will, we doubt not, satisfactorily elucidate our proposition. It is our object to impress on our readers, the propriety of complying with the ordinances of Fashion, when their observance is not forbidden, by individual peculiarities; and the necessity of fearlessly setting them at defiance, or offering only a partial obedience, when a compliance with them would be positively detrimental to personal grace: by these means they may escape the imputation of resembling those pictures, in which “the face is the work of a Raphael, but the draperies are thrown out by some empty pretender, destitute of taste, and entirely unacquainted with design.”

CASPAR KARLINSKI.

In the course of the sanguinary war which was carried on between the Swedes and the Poles, in the sixteenth century, respecting the rights of Sigismund II. the King of Poland, to the throne of Sweden, the Swedish usurper prepared to invade Poland with the whole force of his kingdom. Sigismund, unable to make head in the field against the overwhelming superiority of the enemy, contented himself with reinforcing the garrisons of his frontier towns, and placing in the chief command a warrior of approved courage and fidelity.

Among others, the King selected Caspar Karlinski, as one on whom he could safely rely in the emergencies of his situation. He was a nobleman, then advanced in years, and renowned among his countrymen, not so much for his wealth or his rank, as for the dauntless valour he had displayed in the service of his native land. He willingly obeyed the commands of his sovereign, and repaired immediately to the fortress of Olftzyn, the post assigned to him.

A formidable body soon made their appearance before Olftzyn, and a threatening summons to surrender was sent to Karlinski. His answer was “I will obey no orders but those of my king, and will keep the faith I have pledged to him untarnished until death.” The enemy changed their mode of attack, and made him the most splendid offers a seat in the senate, the highest rank and boundless possessions, if he would surrender Olftzyn and embrace their party. Karlinski treated their bribes even with greater scorn than their threats. The hostile leaders set before him the disproportion of the contending forcesthe weakness of his side, and the consequent dangers to which he exposed himself by his obstinacy. Karlinski saw only the peril of his country, and remained equally inflexible. Convinced at last of his unbending integrity, and confident of victory, the enemy made a furious attack upon the castle; but through the strength of the walls, the bravery of the besieged, and still more the skill of their gallant commander, they were repulsed with immense slaughter.

The foe were discouraged by this defeat, but still determined on the attempt to gain by stratagem what negociation and force had alike failed in procuring for them. Every disposition was therefore made, as if they intended another assault. The gallant Karlinski

———on the heights arrayed

“His trusty warriors, few but undismay'd, “

and relying on his good cause, and the bravery of his followers, excited as it was by their recent victory, looked fearlessly on the result of the approaching conflict. The adversary advanced still nearer and nearer: they were already within gun shot of the castle walls, when the front rank unfolded, and an armed man, leading a woman by the hand with a child in her arms, came forward. The besieged gazed on one another in astonishment at the unexpected appearance: and Karlinski, as if spell bound, remained looking on it for sometime in mute amazement all on a sudden he uttered a loud cry, and exclaimed, Gracious heaven! it is my son! my Sigismund!” and fell motionless on the ramparts.

It was indeed his son, whom the enemy, at the instigation of a friend, had surprised with his nurse and carried away; hoping through this expedient to be able to advance to the castle walls without being exposed to the fire of the ramparts.

Their cunning was at first successful. The besieged, from the love of their adored commander, dared not discharge a single cannon, and the Swedes approached undisturbed, almost to the foot of the walls, and prepared to scale them. Karlinski at this moment recovered his senses, but it was only to suffer greater anguish. He saw the danger, but no means of averting it without a sacrifice too dreadful to think of. ”I have lost,” he cried out in a despairing voice, seven brave sons have I lost in battle for my country, and is this last sacrifice required of me?” A death like silence ensued, broken only by the cries of the child, whose features could now be distinctly traced, as he was still carried in the advance of the onward moving ranks. Karlinski at last seemed inspired with superhuman strength he snatched a lighted brand from one of the gunners “Heavens!” he cried, I was a Pole before I was a father! “ and with his own hand, discharged the gun which was to be a signal for a general volley. A tremendous fire was immediately poured from every battlement; it swept away to death Karlinski's infant, and great multitudes of the enemy; the besieged made a vigorous sally. Karlinski was completely victorious.

GROSS and vulgar minds will always pay a higher respect to wealth than to talent, for wealth, although it be a far less efficient source of power than talent, happens to be far more intelligible.