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Louis Riccoboni, known in the annals of this theatre by the adopted name of Lelio (his favourite amoroso character), was not only an accomplished actor, but a literary man; and with his wife Flaminia, afterwards the celebrated novelist, displayed a rare union of talents and of minds.

It was suspected that they did not act all' improvista, from the facility and the elegance of their dialogue; and a clamour (1) was now raised in the literary circles, who had long been jealous of the fascination which attracted the public to the Italian theatre. It was said that the Riccobonis were imposing on (2) the public credulity, and that their pretented extempore comedies were preconcerted scenes.

To terminate this civil war between the rival theatres, La Motte offered to sketch a plot in five acts, and the Italians were challenged to perform it. This defiance was instantly accepted. On the morning of the representation, Lelio detailed the story to his troop, hung up the scenario (3) in its usual place, and the whole company was ready at the drawing up of the curtain (4). The plot (5) given in by La Motte was performed to admiration; and all Paris witnessed the triumph. La Motte afterwards composed this very comedy for the French

(1) Clamour, bruit, criaillerie.

(2) To impose on, tromper.

(3) Scenario, mot italien, décors.

(4) At the drawing up of the curtain, au lever de la toile.

(5) Plot, en sens dramatique, signifie l'intrigue de la pièce, le programme.

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theatre, l'Amante difficile; still the extempore one at the Italian theatre remained a more permanent favourite, and the public were delighted by seeing the same piece perpetually offering novelties, and changing its character at the fancy of the actors.

BUILDING OF THEBES.

The story of Amphion building Thebes with his lyre was not a fable, says Dr. Clarke. At Thebes, in the harmonious adjustment (1) of those masses which remain, belonging to the ancient walls, we saw enough to convince us that this story was no fable; for it was a very ancient custom to carry on immense labour by an accompaniment of music and singing, to encourage and give ardor to the workmen. The custom still exists both in Egypt and Greece. It might therefore be said that the walls of Thebes were built to the sound of the only musical instrument then in use; because, according to the custom of the country, the lyre was necessary for the accomplishment of a work of importance.

ASSASSINATION OF ALI PACHA.

The life and death of Ali Pacha having excited great interest, we flatter ourselves that a correct detail of the circumstances will not be unacceptable.

Ali had placed a confidential Albanian at Constanti

(1) Adjustment, arrangement.

nople, who was to give him secret information of all that was going on (1). Suspecting however that he betrayed his confidence, he resolved to get rid of (2) him. For this purpose, he employed two men, giving them letters for the Reis Effendi (3), and directing them to execute his project on the Albanian on their return.

They delivered their letters to the Reis Effendi, received the answers, mounted their horses to return, and in the way they called at the house of their intented victim, knocked at the gate and asked to see him. Having some suspicion, he did not go to the gate, but looking from a window, asked what communication they had for him. The only answer was two pistol-balls immediately fired at him: he was severely wounded, but not mortally. The assassins clapped spurs to (4) their horses, and fled at full gallop. They were shortly pursued by the Tartar cavalry, and overtaken at Rodosto, about 90 miles from Constantinople. One of them was seized, brought back and executed; the other, after a vigorous resistance, escaped.

This was the immediate cause of the deposition of Ali. The Porte expressed horror at the assassination, and immediately issued a firman (5) deposing Ali, and giving his place to his enemy. He refused however to

(1) That was going on, qui se passait.

(2) To get rid of, se débarrasser de.

(3) Reis Effendi, officier de l'État, homme de loi chez les

Turcs.

(4) To clap spurs to, piquer des deux.

(5) Firman, ordonnance, proclamation.

ASSASSINATION OF ALI PACHA.

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obey, and an army was sent against him commanded by Hourchid.

After many vicissitudes, he was so pressed that he was compelled to take refuge in a part of the citadel of Yanina with about fifty men who had remained faithful to him. The building which he had chosen for his retreat was tree stories (1) high; Ali and his suite occupied the upper one (2); in the second was deposited his immense treasures, and the lowest was filled with gunpowder, etc., ready to be blown up (5) at a moment's warning (4).

Hourchid summoned him to surrender, saying that if he did not, he would come himself and put the match to the train. This determined communication terrified the old man who had till then remained inflexible: he agreed to surrender on condition that his life should be spared. Hourchid assured him that he would do all in his power to obtain that condition, but he must not hope it unless he immediately submitted.

Lulled by these hopes and promises he surrendered, and was sent with his little troop to the island. Several Pachas visited Ali from time to time, and pretended great friendship for him, expressing their hopes to see him shortly reinstated. One particularly, MOHAMMED

(1) Three stories, trois étages.

(2) The upper one, le supérieur; les Anglais mettent souvent le mot one, un, après les adjectifs, pour éviter la répétition du

nom.

(5) To blow up, faire sauter.

(4) A moment's warning, l'avertissement d'un instant, à l'instant même.

PACHA, paid him a visit on the 5th of February 1823; they had a long conversation, and mutual confidence seemed to be established between them. Mohammed, after many protestations of attachment and good will, rose to depart; as they were both of the same rank, they both rose at the same moment from the divan where they had been sitting; the Pacha Mohammed made a very low bow (1), Ali returned it; but before he could rise again Mohammed had drawn his yatigan from his girdle and plunged it with such violence into his back that it went completely through his heart, and the point came out at his left breast. Ali fell dead at his feet; the assassin then called some of his soldiers who immediately severed the head from the body.

It was at this time rumoured at Constantinople that Ali was on his road to that city, and a superb equipage was sent out to meet him; it brought back however only his head, which was exhibited the next day in the court of the seraglio, in a sort of dish; a writing was placed over it containing a list of the crimes for which he had been punished.

(WALSH'S Journey from Constantinople, 1828.)

A SINGULAR SPECULATION.

The celebrity of Ali Pacha, and the interest that his assassination was likely to excite in England, animated the enterprising spirit of commerce and speculation for

(1) A low bow, une profonde révérence.