The Adventures Of Don Pasquale.

brought to the gray-haired Austrian Commander a denunciation of the armistice . We believe that the gallant officer was in such a hurry to return that he declined refreshment , and never left his name , so that that is lost to history and the world . On the 18 th the Austrians commenced that remarkable flank movement on Pavia which is destined to be famous in the history of military campaigns , and to be full of interest always to the student aud the strategist . By the morning of the 20 th 60 , 000 Austrians were massed in and near Paviaand at noon the Austrians crossed the Ticino , aud after

, some most successful skirmishes at Mortara and Gambolo , moved on towards Novara . The action at Novara , Avhich began on the 23 rd , Avas during its continuance , until the evening , hotly contested and most gallantly fought . The Piedmontese army , outmanoeuvred by a great master-stroke of the art of vrav , Avere also deficient in that " elan " and " esprit de corps" which distinguished the Austrian soldiers . And though the Piedmontese soldiers fought most braveland amply maintained their high military

y , character , yet victory ere long so decidedly leant to the side of the veteran leader , that , as Ave all know , the abdication of Charles Albert took jdace , Victor Emanuel became King , and an armistice was agreed upon between the victorious Austrians and the defeated , hut not humiliated , Piedmontese .

All through that hot day Bechuer and Stanelli had greatly distinguished themselves on opposite sides . Bechner , at the head of his Tyrolese—who , as Hochlander says , "pressed forwards like demons springing from tree to tree , " —bad Avon admiration from all , and he had been more than once commended both by Beuedek and the Archduke Albert , who saw the gallant bravery of that Tyroler on his gray charger , and he had even had the high honour of a nod and a smile , and a cheery "Well done I " from

old Eadetzk y himself . Stanelli , attached to the Staff of La Marmora , had found himself nearly all the time amid the fine Piedmontese Bersaglieri , and his gallantry and exposure of himself had been noted , and he had been "highly commended . " Just before the triumphant Austrians stormed the Piedmontese position , poor Bechner fell badly wounded by a portion of a shrapnell-shell ; while , strange to say , in the last ' * melee " of all , Stanelli , badly wounded also , Avas taken prisoner by some of the " Kaiser Jagers . "

But the battle was Avon , ancl though since that eventful day changes great and many haA'e come over Italy , and the Austrian Rule has ceased , and the " Morgen Land" is " one and indivisible , " yet no loyal student of history , no soldier , no philosopher , can recall that striking chapter of the past Avithout remembering admiringly how Avell that Austrian army Avas led by that stout-hearted and true-hearted old man . Radetzky ' s March is still the favourite tune of the Austrian army , and is seldom heard without some emotion ; and the Austrian army must be greatly changed from what it ever has been if it ever forgets the name and the services of " Vater Radetzky . "

Our tAvo friends , on the morning of the 24 th , found themselves m the ' Santa Rosalia , " a large Capuchin church in Novara , and testing side by side , where they were carefully tended , amid sufferers of both armies . Bechner had had to undergo amputation of the left arm , but Avas doing Avell ; Stanelli was suffering from a bad gun-shot wound , Avhich promised to be tedious and trying . When the neAVS of the battle and of our poor friends' misfortunes reached Rome , great was the grief and the consternation in the Allegri family . Eva and Anna at once

made up their minds . They would go to Novara to nurse their Avounded Mends ; aud as Madame Allegri thought she ought to go too , Don Balthazar considered he ought to accompany Madame Allegri , aud Paesiello and Comptou considered they were bound to look after their friends , and take no end of comforts for the suffering heroes . It Avas in vain that Baron Puchner-Priessler counselled " prudence , " —it Avas useless for Madame Von Langentheiler to talk of" feminine decorum . " Eva and Anna had made up their

minds , and when our young ladies have made up their minds , you may as Avell talk , as young Ratler says , "to the Avind , " or also , John Jones adds , to . a " stone wall , sir IThey ' ve got the bit in their mouths , and go ahead they Avill !" On the whole , I am inclined to think that Eva and A-ina Avere right , for there are actually times , I venture to belie \ 'e , in this old-fashioned , humdrum world of ours , when