literally; I mean to produce to you more than three wit nesses, who will support this assertion in its full extent. That hurricane of war passed through every part of the central provinces of the Carnatic. Six or seven districts to the north and to the south (and these not wholly untouched) escaped the general ravage. NOTES. This selection is an extract from Burke's celebrated speech in Parliament, in 1785, on the Nabob of Arcot's debts; it bore upon the maladministration of Hastings. Arcot, a district in India, had been ceded to the British on condition that they should pay the former ruler's debts. These were found to be enormous, and the creditors proved to be individuals in the East India Company's employ. The creditors, for their private gain, induced the Nabob to attempt the subjugation of other native princes, among whom was Hyder Ali. The latter at first made successful resistance, and compelled the Nabob and his allies to sign a treaty. The treaty was not kept, and the destruction above recounted took place. The Carnatic is a province in British India, on the eastern side of the peninsula; it contains about 50,000 square miles. Madras is a city, and Tanjore a town, in this province. CIX. THE RAVEN. Edgar Allan Poe, 1809-1849, was born in Boston, and died in Baltimore. He was left a destitute orphan at an early age, and was adopted by Mr. John Allan, a wealthy citizen of Richmond. He entered the University of Virginia, at Charlottesville, where he excelled in his studies, and was always at the head of his class; but he was compelled to leave on account of irregularities. He was afterwards appointed a cadet at West Point, but failed to graduate there for the same reason. Poe now quarreled with his benefactor and left his house never to return. During the rest of his melancholy career, he obtained a precarious livelihood by different literary enterprises. His ability as a writer gained him positions with various periodicals in Richmond, New York, and Philadelphia, and during this time he wrote some of his finest prose. The appearance of "The Raven" in 1845, however, at once made Poe a literary lion. He was quite successful for a time, but then fell back into his dissipated habits which finally caused his death. In his personal appearance, Poe was neat and gentlemanly; his face was expressive of intellect and sensibility; and his mental powers in some directions were of a high order. His writings show care, and a great degree of skill in their construction; but their effect is generally morbid. ONCE upon a midnight dreary, Ah, distinctly I remember, And the silken, sad, uncertain Thrilled me, Terrors, never felt before; So that now, to still the beating 66 Of my heart, I stood repeating, Entrance at my chamber door; This it is, and nothing more." Presently my soul grew stronger; Darkness there, and nothing more. Deep into that darkness peering, And the only word there spoken Was the whispered word, "Lenore!" This I whispered, and an echo Murmured back the word, "Lenore!"- Back into the chamber turning, All my soul within me burning, Soon again I heard a tapping, Something louder than before. "Surely," said I, "surely, that is "Tis the wind, and nothing more." Open here I flung the shutter, Perched upon a bust of Pallas Just above my chamber door Perched, and sat, and nothing more. Then this ebony bird beguiling "Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, Tell me what thy lordly name is Much I marveled this ungainly Fowl to hear discourse so plainly, Though its answer little meaning – Little relevancy bore; Bird above his chamber door- 66 With such name as "Nevermore." But the Raven, sitting lonely That one word he did outpour. On the morrow he will leave me, Startled at the stillness broken By reply so aptly spoken, 'Doubtless," said I, "what it utters Is its only stock and store, Caught from some unhappy master Whom unmerciful Disaster Followed fast and followed faster Till his songs one burden bore— Till the dirges of his Hope that Melancholy burden bore Of Never-nevermore.' But the Raven still beguiling |