and if he himself does not absolve us from it, we cannot swear fealty to any other ruler," was their constant reply to all friendly as well as threatening persuasions. Provoked at this obstinacy, and fearing the example it might give to others, the Russians cast the two stubborn brothers into prison, and threatened them with death. Their answer, in spite of the increasing severity and threats of the Russians, continued the

same.

At length the sentence of death was announced to them, and that accordingly they should be led to the gallows-hill, and there be executed like criminals, if they did not abandon their obstinacy, and take the oath of allegiance.

The brothers were immoveable.

"Rather," replied the Lagman, in the name of both, "will we die than forswear ourselves!"

Saying this, a hardy hand tapped the speaker on his shoulder. It was a Cossack, who had kept watch over the prisoners, and now exclaimed with bright sparkling eyes: "Dobra kamerad!"*

But the Russian authorities thought otherwise, and on the appointed day ordered the brothers to be led forth to the place of execution. They were sentenced to be hanged; but once more had pardon offered to them in the last hour, and for the last time, if they would but comply with what was required of them.

"No!" replied they; "hang us! hang us! We have not come here to parley but to be hanged."

This resolute spirit softened the hearts of the Russians. Admiration took the place of severity, and they

*Bravo, Comrade.

rewarded the fidelity and the courage of the brothers with magnanimity. They presented them not only with their life, but sent them also free of expense and under safe conduct to Sweden to that people and King to whom they had been faithful unto death.

The King of Sweden conferred a patent of nobility upon them, and they subsequently lived universally respected in the Swedish capital to an advanced age.

This narrative afforded much pleasure to Brenner. With a bright glance and bedewed eye he promised never to reproach me again with my "Finnish spirit."

February 9th.

"Striking intelligence" on the part of my stepmother and also myself, though not in a manner anticipated by her. For I was by no means taken by surprise when my stepmother conducted me with a mysterious air into her cabinet this morning, and appeared as envoyé extraordinaire, ministre plenipotentiaire of my uncle the Chamberlain to negotiate an alliance between him and me. But what really did surprise me was that my stepmother never said a word by way of persuading me to consent to this union. On the other hand, she said many pretty, and, to me especially, agreeable words about "this important step," and about the danger of persuading to or dissuading from it. She only desired my happiness; I myself should decide what would lead to it. On the one hand, one might be fully convinced that I should be happy with a man like the Chamberlain, and in that état in which a union with him must necessarily place me: but on the other

hand, it was also certain that I should find myself equally as comfortable unmarried, and in my present circumstances. Her home should always be mine, she would ever feel delighted and happy to see me in it, &c. She had on this occasion not taken upon herself the office to woo in behalf of the Chamberlain, but merely to ascertain beforehand whether he might present himself as a hopeful suitor. This caution on his part pleased me very much, for in this way I could reject his offer, and avoid the unpleasantness of pronouncing a word-contrary to my nature-the little vexatious word "No."

However he has been friendly towards me, has shown me kindness and confidence. I am sorry that I cannot be the author of joy, but rather, I fear, of pain to him. What poor creatures we are. I feel quite melancholy and resigned.

February 10th.

And thou, honest William Brenner, shalt hear still less of this word of refusal. I now understand thine intention well; but thou shalt not express aloud what I cannot answer according to thy wishes; thou shalt not stretch forth thy warm, true hand to see it rejected; no, I esteem thee too highly, and respect thee too much to suffer any thing of the kind. I certainly do greatly value Brenner, but not so much as I value my independence, my peace of mind, and my prospects of a quiet future life, free from all cares. I will become his friend, but nothing further. I dread marriage, I fear the oppression, the calamities, the dark, deep suf

fering, which so frequently proceed from the power of one being over another. I have seen so much of it.

I am well aware that, in pursuance of the wise laws of our evangelical church, marriage is no indissoluble bond, but may be dissolved in various ways; whence also the controversy which one hears from certain quarters against the nuptial ceremony and matrimony, is the most uncalled-for and absurd that I know of. For what pure and thinking man contracts such an alliance without an earnest desire so to regard it as in the beautiful language of our marriage ceremony, to acknowledge in the act the public declaration of the will of God, that must hence be considered as a law and rule on earth? If He, who himself but once or twice spake to the children of earth, and then left it to them to unfold the meaning of His words; if He even had not confirmed this view of the inviolable sanctity of marriage, which in the primitive ages of the world originated in the pure consciousness of the human race, yet human prudence itself would have led to the adoption of this, and to an ordinance for marriage when casting a look at the children that are the fruits of the same. The nuptial ceremony, which is to awaken in the conjugal pair the consciousness of the importance and object of such a union, raises them thereby to an elevation of moral greatness, from which they may easily conquer the accidental provocations which arise in married life. And this connection would certainly make a far greater number of people happy, if by the sacred rite of matrimony they would allow themselves to be consecrated to its high and holy object. Indeed, if ever mankind should so far advance in moral greatness as to rid marriage of all legal fetters,

M

they will assuredly, because of this very greatness, retain the marriage ritual.

I am also aware that the wife is frequently the cause of unhappiness in matrimony; I likewise know that many a wife is the husband's living torment; and as a terror and warning to all wicked wives, I will here relate to them what lately occurred in my neighbourhood.

An honest, industrious young man, in good circumstances, with a wife and three little children, poisoned himself a few days ago, by taking arsenic. During the agonising effects it produced, the wife, in her anxiety, offered him some sweet milk to drink. But he thrust her away from him, and said:

"Let me die in peace! For the last few years you have gnawed at my vitals as doth rust on iron; I cannot live any longer!

But the wife would not let him have a moment's rest, even in his last hour, but continued reproaching him, and asked:

"Do not you perceive that you have committed a horrible sin against me and my poor children?" "You have driven me to it!"

Saying this, he expired.

Listen to this, ye wives.

Nor, gentlemen, is it the less certain, that the troubles I have seen in the matrimonial state have chiefly originated with you, and therefore I never mean to take unto myself a husband, nor ever become a wife.

And shall I therefore live less for the service of my fellow-creatures? Folly, and notion of fools!—Friend, relative, fellow-citizen--noble names and duties! Oh, happy he that could satisfactorily discharge thein !