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other influences, they forced society into it. It never seems to have occurred to Heine that this was a subject for pride ; he invariably appears like the swell in Punch, who had a great horror of business. And he also forgets something, of which his text should have reminded him, that in Italy, especially in Venice, the noblest and most aristocratic Christian families were engaged in commerce and banking. It is not yet settled whether the three balls of the pawn- brokers were derived from the arms of the Lombards, or from the pills of the Medici. PORTIA. [THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.] " IT is probable that all art-critics are so dazzled and captured by the astonishing character of Shylock that they fail to do justice to Portia, although Shylock is not richer artistically, nor more complete in his way, than Portia in hers. The two brilliant figures are both worthy of honour, worthy to be placed in the rich realm of enchanting poetry and admirable charming forms. By the terrible, unpitying Jew, against his mighty shadow, strongly contrasted with her brilliant light, she hangs like a magnificent Titian, breath- ing beauty, near a glorious Rembrandt. "Portia has her full share of the agreeable