forget that strange and brilliant scene. The
banqueting-rooms were all open and illuminated, the colonnade full of
guests in gorgeous groups, some standing and conversing, some seated on
small Persian carpets smoking pipes beyond all price, and some young
grandees lounging in their crimson shawls and scarlet vests over the
white balustrade, and flinging their glowing shadow over the moonlit
water: from every quarter bursts of melody, and each moment the river
breeze brought gusts of perfume on its odorous wings.

_New Monthly Magazine_.

* * * * *

NOTES OF A READER.

* * * * *

SPANISH SUPERSTITION.

We find this spice of _the Wonderful_ in the _Cabinet Cyclopaedia_,
History of Spain and Portugal.

"The character of Alfonso must be sufficiently apparent from his
actions. It may be added, that his acquirements were of a very superior
order. The Astronomical Tables which he composed, and which are called
by his name, have been often adduced as proofs of his science. It is,
however, certain, that in their construction he was greatly indebted to
the Moorish astronomers of Granada, some of whom visited his court for
the express purpose of superintending, if not of calculating them. That
he had a hand in the composition of the Chronicle which also bears his
name, is no less undoubted; but we should vainly attempt to ascertain
the portion issuing from his own pen. In the compilation of the Laws of
the Partidas from the Justinian and Wisigothic Codes, he had also a
share,--how large a one must in like manner remain for ever unknown. On
the whole, it may be said of him, that, like our James I., he was an
extraordinary instance of weakness and learning. Of his vanity, the well
known saying has been often adduced,--that if he had been consulted at
the creation of the world, he could have advised some things for the
better. If this saying were really uttered--which there are strong
reasons to doubt--it is probable that the king had no blasphemous
intention in view, but that he was merely ridiculing the then received
system of Ptolemy."

The following curious account of Alfonso's punishment for his alleged
blasphemy has never been noticed by any writer in this country. It is a
translation of an extract made by Ortiz (Compendio Cronologica de la
Historia de Espana, tom. iv. p. 184. Madrid, 1797), from a MS. in the
Royal Library of Madrid:--

"On Satu