THE IRON STROUD:
The castle of the Prince of Toh was built on the summit of the towering and precipitous rock of Sylla, and command ed magnificent view of Sicily in all its grandeur; and here, in dungeon, excavated deep in the solid rock, the miserable victim was immured, whom acVcnge pursued-the dark, fierce, and unpitying revenge of an Italian heart.

 Vlvensio-the nobleand the generous, the fearless in battle, and the pride of Naples in her sunny hours of peace the young, the brave, the proud, Viven- zio, fell beneath this subtle and remorse- less spirit. He was the prisoner of Tolf, and he languished in that rock-encir- csed dungeon, which stood alone, and whose portals never opened twice upon a living captive.

 It had the semblance of a vast cage, for the roof and floor, and sides, were of iron, solidly wrought, and spaciously constructed. High above there ran a rangc of seven grated windows guard ed with massy bars of the same metal. which admitted light and air. Save these, and the tall folding doors be- heath them, which occupied the centre, no chink, no chasm, or projection, broke the smooth black surface of the walls. ar iron bedstead with straw, stood in one corner; and beside it, vessel with water, and coarse dish filled with coarser food.

 Even the intrepid soul of Vivenzio snrank with dismay as he entered this abode, and heard the pondrous doors 'flple-locked by the silent rufians who conducted him to it.. Their silence seemed prophetic of h:>- late--of the