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" * Do not lie before Heaven . See ! your wives are listening at the window to what you say , and Urill betray you if you do not speak the truth . ' . " ' We speak truth !' " It is well ! ' said the leader , as he calmly approached the bed ; and seating himself on it , uncovered the two heads and placed them on his knees . ' Where did you put their bodies ? ' he asked . " < We cut them in pieces , and strewed them on the high-road . ' " . There was a short silence . Numa ' s breathing : became more and more

oppressed , and his large chest heaved convulsively . " .. ' Have you prayed yet ? ' he asked , in an altered voice . . " . f Not yet , leader . What should we pray for ? ' said Lupuj . " < Fall down on your knees and pray , for this is the last morning which will dawn on any of you again . ' " ' Are you in yeur senses , leader ? What are you going to do ?' " f I am going to purge the Roumin nation of a set of ruthless murderers and brigands . Miserable wretches ! instead of glory , you have brought dishonour

and disgrace upon our arms wherever you have appeared . While the brave fought on the field of battle , you slaughtered their wives and children ; while they risked their lives before the cannon ' s mouth , you attacked the houses of the sleepers , and robbed and massacred the helpless and the innocent . Fall down on your knees and pray for your souls , for the angel of death stands over you , to blot out your memory from among the Roumin people !'

lne last words were pronounced in a fearful tone . Numa was no longer the cold unmoved statue he had hitherto appeared ; he was like a fiery genius of wrath , whose very breath was destruction . . " The Wallachians fell upon their knees in silent awe , while the women , who had been standing outside , rushed shrieking down the rocks . The Decurio drew a pistol from his breast , and approached the cask of gunpowder . With a fearful howl they rushed upon hini-r-the shriek of despair was heard for an instant , then a terrible explosion , which caused the rocks to tremble , while the flame rose

with a momentary flash amidst clouds of smoke and dust , scaring the beasts of the forest , and scattering stones and beams , and hundreds of dismembered limbs , far through the valley and over the houses of the terrified inhabitants . When the smoke had dissipated , a heap of ruins stood in the place of Numa ' s dwelling . "

Monastic Institutions . By S . P . Day , formerly of the Order of the Presentation . Longman . — Some amusing extracts from this work will show more of the absurdities of monks and monkery than many of the supporters of such institutions would care to know of . First , we learn how the dearest and closest ties of nature may be broken to serve the Church . The author informs us

that" Being an only son , and pretty clearly anticipating the fierce opposition I should otherwise have to encounter , I entered a convent without imparting to my mother the least intimation of my purpose ; nor had she the remotest idea of where I was for some days , until I despatched from the novitiate in Dublin , through the superior-general of the Order , a letter acquainting her with the rash step I had taken . This letter , I need scarcely say , underwent a strict stvrveillance before it was suffered to pass to its destination . Of course , the heads of the convent planned and aided my escape , and warmly approved of my resolution . A dignitary of my acquaintance to whom I had , in the capacity of confessor ,

communicated my design , certainly , I must do him the justice to say , did not altogether approve of tlie idea that I should desert my widowed mother ' s house without asking at least for the maternal benediction ; but added he , that is what I would do were the case my own ; yet I should not care , under the circumstances , whether I received a blessing or a curse / ' A bishop also assured me that , having examined into the particulars of my case , I was not under any moral obligation to act otherwise than I had intended . " The next is the account of a woman who seems to be a fit accom-