Perhaps we have enjoyed a very enthusiastic, a very poetical, Christmas Day! we pretend not to deny it, though steadfastly believing it was neither an anti-Christian, nor an utterly unprofitable one; nay, we even venture to hope, that the beatitude of spirit just feebly portrayed was not unpleasing in His sight, unto whom, for His gift of immortal life, we upon Christmas Day render our peculiar thanksgivings!

M.L.B.

THE FALL OF ZARAGOZA

(For the Mirror.)

Awake, awake, the trumpet hath sung its lay to the sunny sky, And the glorious shout from Spanish lips gives forth its wild reply. Awake, awake, how the chargers foam, as to battle they dash on, Oh, Zaragoza, on this proud day, must thy walls be lost or won! His hand—the hand of the youthful chief was on his flashing sword, And his plume gleam'd white thro' the smoke and flame o'er the lofty city pour'd— And the banners around him darkly swept like the waves of a stormy sea, But Zaragoza, amid this strife, his heart was firm to thee. "Away, away, tread her walls to dust!"—the Gallic warriors cried "Defend, my bands, your hearth and home," the youthful chief replied. They caught the sound of this spirit-voice as they stay'd their foes' career, And many a thrilling cry was heard, when the bayonet met the spear In vain, ye heroes, do you breathe your latest vows to heaven, In vain is your devoted blood in the cause of Freedom given, For when the morn awakes again, your city shall not be The haunt of maids who warbled deep, their sweetest songs for ye! But the story of your hallow'd death shall not remain unsung, Oh, its record shall be glorified by many a minstrel tongue For Freedom's holy light hath touch'd each ruin'd shrine and wall, That sadly speak unto the heart of Zaragoza's fall.

Deal.

REGINALD AUGUSTINE.

THE BANQUETTING HOUSE, WHITEHALL. 1

(For the Mirror.)

Many persons who have visited this chapel may not have noticed or been aware of the splendid painted ceiling by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, which was executed by him when ambassador at the court of James I. This beautiful performance represents the apotheosis of that peaceful monarch, he being seated on his throne, and turning towards the deities of peace and commerce, having rejected the gods of war and discord. It is painted on canvass, and is in excellent preservation; the original painter had £3,000. for his labour; it has been retouched more than once, and the last time was by Cipriani, who had £2,000. for his repairs.

Ralph, in his Critical Review of Public Buildings, observes, "that this picture is not so generally known as one could wish, but needs only to be known to be esteemed according to its merits;" and he further adds, "it is but an ill decoration for a place of religious worship, for in the first place, its contents are nowise akin to devotion, and in the next, the workmanship is so very extraordinary that a man must have abundance of zeal or no taste, that can attend to anything besides."

It is almost needless to remark, that it was from a passage broken for the occasion through the wall of this building, that the unfortunate Charles was conducted by the regicides to his death; this passage still remains, and now serves as a doorway to an additional building in Scotland Yard: and nearly facing this doorway stood the ingenious Dial, engraved and described in No. 400, of the MIRROR. The next important and public event connected with this building occurred in 1811, when a very different and far more gratifying spectacle took place, being that of the ceremony of placing in the chapel, the eagles and other colours taken by our gallant troops during the war. There were six standards and the like number of regimental colours, which after having been presented at the altar were affixed to the places they now occupy. There is a singular circumstance attached to the history of one of the eagles which may be well introduced in this place; it may be distinguished from the others by its having a wreath placed round its neck, the flag itself being destroyed. It was the usual custom for the eagles to be attached to the staves on which they are borne by a screw, so that in the event of any imminent danger, they might be taken off and secured; but Napoleon on his presenting this standard to his 8th regiment, observed, it was impossible that it should be taken from so brave a body of men as they had always proved themselves to be, and desired it might be rivetted to the staff, which was accordingly done; and probably had it not been for this order the eagle might have escaped our valiant 87th, by whom it was taken on the heights of Barossa.

On Maundy Thursday another gratifying ceremony takes place, viz, the distribution of the Maundy Money to as many poor people as the years of his majesty's age. This money consists of the smaller silver coins, being each in value from 1d. to 4d.; these are enclosed in a small, white kid bag, which is again enveloped in another of crimson leather.

A.P.D.

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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 406, December 26, 1829

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THE FALL OF ZARAGOZA

THE BANQUETTING HOUSE, WHITEHALL. 1

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