DEVOTED TO POLITE LITERATURE, SUCH AS MORAL AND SENTIMENTAL TALES, BIOGRAPHY, TRAVELING SKETCHES, POETRY, AMUSING MISCELLANY, ANECDOTES, &c. VOL. X.-1. NEW SERIES.] SELECT TALES. A TALE. HUDSON, N. Y. SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1833. at the house of a friend, I availed myself of 'I perceive, sir, that you are like myself, comparatively a stranger in Florence. It is a little more than three months since I left Scotland with my daughter, to try what a change in scenery, might effect in the restoration of her health. Hitherto, our tour has been productive of no benefit to her, and I am beginning to fear that the result may be fatal. The anticipation of such an event, is to me the more dreadful, for I have myself to blame as the sole cause of her present affliction. Amelia is my only child. She had the advantage of being trained under one of the best of mothers, till she was twelve years of age, when she was sent to a boarding-school in the NO. 4. visits after the death of my wife, and his interesting conversation tended much to relieve our minds of the grief consequent on such a bereavement. Amelia herself did every thing she could to comfort me, and I was thankful to heaven that I had been blessed with such a daughter. Every month she became more endeared to me by her affectionate attentions. With rapture I witnessed her rising to womanhood, acquiring those accomplishments which were fitted to adorn the situation in 'society which she appeared destined to occupy. At home or abroad, there was no one, in my estimation, superior or even equal, to Amelia; and the flattering attention every where shown her, was too much calculated to confirm a father's partiality. By the time she had reached her eighteenth year, her admirers were numerous; many of them exceedingly wealthy and of high respectability. Her own fortune left by her mother, was handsome, while the addition likely to be given by me, there for nearly four years, when the illness of rendered her not an unfit match for any genher mother rendered it necessary to recall her tleman of distinction in our neighborhood. home. This was a trying season to Amelia. I early perceived, however, that external equiShe neglected all attention to her own personal page and splendor presented few attractions comfort, watching night and day by her bed- to Amelia, unless accompanied by personal side, and administering to her wants with the worth. With just discrimination, she admitted most endearing tenderness. Never did a into her confidence only those whose correctdaughter display greater intensity of affection, ness of principle and consistency of conduct and never was there a parent who better were a sufficient guarantee for the stability of deserved it. But every effort that affection or their friendship. Of those who aspired to the medical aid could advise, was ineffectual. favor of her hand, there was one Mr. Tarnly, Disease continued to extend its ravages, till for whom I felt some partiality. He was the Amelia was rendered motherless, and I de-son of my former partner in business; he had prived of one of the most valuable of womankind. Among those who visited her during her illness, none was more unwearied in his attentions, than Mr. R, the respected tutor at Rosehall. With her; even when in health, as well as with myself, he had always been in high esteem, and it gave us great pleasure when he occasionally spent an afternoon or evening with us at Bently House. He was a young gentleman of unaffected piety and engaging manners. He had distinguished himself at the University by the extent and variety of his classical and literary acquirements Having met her father, shortly afterwards,-Unsuspicious of danger, I encouraged his In the course of a tour in the south of Europe, I remained a short time in Florence, before proceeding to Naples. It was in Autumn, the most delightful season in the Tuscan capital. The beauty of its situation, its splendid edifices, and brilliant streets are then seen to the best advantage; while the peculiarly lively, animated appearance of the inhabitants, awaken emotions of the most pleasant description. The country, not less than the city, is fitted in a high degree to excite interest; the whole vale presents the aspect of a continued grove and garden, enhanced in beauty by the graceful windings of the river Arno, which intersects it from east to west. Numerous white villas, situated along its banks, strike the eye through the extensive orchards, and romantic residences, equally neighborhood of London. She remained beautiful, stud the surrounding hills, rising in every variety of form, till the prospect is bounded by the lofty Appennines. With such inducements to perambulate, I was daily abroad. One of my favorite routs was the line of a road leading to the Abbey of Vallambrosa, a place which must be familiar to every reader of Milton's 'Paradise Lost.' In this direction I frequently met an elderly gentleman and a lady, apparently his daughter, generally riding in an open vehicle. There was something in her appearance that affected me deeply. She seemed about twenty years. Her features were of nature's finest mould, and her whole form was elegance and grace. I could easily perceive, however, that a settled melancholy rested on her countenance-the sure indication that grief, deep and poignant, preyed upon her heart. The rose's bloom, indeed, had not left her cheek, but consumption seemed prematurely, to have begun its work, and I could not help exclaiming as she passed, My dear young lady, the destroyer has already marked you as his victim, and you are destined, ere long, to enter the gates of the city of the dead.' lately returned from the West Indies, and was sole heir to his father's fortune, which was immense. But she had discovered, on a very short acquaintance, that his morals had been corrupted during his residence abroad. Any civility she subsequently showed him was very distant and seemed rather in deference to my feelings than to her own choice. Mr. Tarnly was much piqued at her indifference, and in conversation with me, attributed it to an unworthy attachment she had been cherishing for the tutor at Rosehall, and with whom it was suspected she intended to make an early elopement. I had, indeed, observed that 'Wishing you and your amiable and accomplished daughter every temporal and spiritual blessing, I bid you farewell.' Amelia treated that gentleman with the most For obvious reasons, I decline accepting || of her heart, and it continued its power till marked respect; but this I attributed not to the very elegant gift which you have done me reason had utterly departed her throne. All any attachment she could have formed for one the honor to enclose. I could never look on was now sadness and desolation in the once so inferior in rank, but to regard for his worth, it without associating with it the letter with happy residence of Bently House.—The sun and gratitude for his attention to her mother. which it was accompanied. In so far as it rose day after day, shedding down its benigWhen I spoke to her on the subject that eve- might be a token of remembrance of the late nant rays on the surrounding landscape. All ning, she solemnly assured me, that if Mr. Mrs. B, I have only to say that no such was beauty to the eye and music to the ear, R- really entertained an affection for extraneous symbol is necessary to remind me but our dwelling contained one tenant that her, he had never avowed it, and that any of her many virtues and excellencies. They || heeded them not―one, did I say?—all seemed communications she had ever received from have made a deep impression on my heart, insensible to what was passing around. During him were merely translations of select pass- and they will ever be held by me in affectionate this my agony was intense. Conscience never ages, chiefly from German and Italian authors, remembrance. ceased to utter its reproaches-even the silent whose works he had been reading-all of which looks of my domestics spoke unutterable papers she laid before me.-On examining things;' and I viewed myself as one of the them I found many pieces of exquisite beauty, greatest monsters under heaven. In this state while every one of them seemed designed In the perusal of this letter, and the one Amelia continued for three months, when either to refine the taste or purify the heart. addressed to herself, which was designed as reason again dawned: but it brought along From the ambiguous manner in which she an answer to hers of the preceding day, with it no diminution of her sorrows. Her expressed her own feelings on the occasion, feelings of a most painful kind agitated the physicians, one and all, ascribed her illness as well as from what I witnessed shortly after- bosom of Amelia. She stood for sometime to some painful circumstance preying upon wards, not a doubt remained on my mind that struck with astonishment. She had written her mind, and declared, that till this was this intercourse, begun in friendship, had on him no letter. The villany of Tarnly at once removed, they had no hope of her recovery. her part, gradually ripened into love.-Strong flashed upon her mind, the letter she had sent I immediately wrote to Mr. R—, urgently as my affection for Amelia then was, and to him two days before was of the character desiring him to meet me at ——— but received much as I respected Mr. R,the knowledge described.-With some acid he had effaced no answer.-A tour to the continent was then of his attachment gave me great pain, and I the superscription and addressed it to Mr. recommended as the last resource, with a view resolved at once to break up a correspondence| R. Scarcely knowing what she did, she of her recovery. We have proceeded thus which threatened to bring disgrace on my returned to the house, threw both letters on far; but her mental suffering still continues. family and friends. Without communicating my table, and rushed up stairs to give vent to||Nearly two years have now elapsed since she my design to Amelia, I wrote to him that the bitterness of her sorrows. My heart smote was first taken ill, and to all appearance nature evening, forbidding any further visits at me the moment I read them, and I instantly cannot long sustain the struggle. Oh, sir, had Bently House; but in consideration of his|| rang for Amelia. After waiting sometime I the wealth of empires, it would be instantly kind services during the illness of my wife, with impatience, I ran to her apartment. She sacrificed to procure happiness for my daughenclosed him a small present, which I begged had sank into a swoon in the arms of her ter, and to do justice to the merits of Mr. him to accept as a proof of my gratitude, and servant. On her recovering a little, I attempted George Robinson' as a memorial of her name. Little did I then to console her, and to justify the part I had know that I was inflicting a double pain on a taken, assuring her that it originated solely in heart already overcome with sorrow; and as a desire for her welfare and respectable little did I anticipate the serious consequence settlement in life. She was too well convinced which would ensue from it, to that one, whom of the sincerity of my affection to blame my I held dearest on earth. notives-still, the measure, designed though Next morning, Amelia taking a walk it was to promote her worldly interest, was before breakfast, had a packet put into her evidently one which met not the approbation hand by the footman from Rosehall, which of her heart. I then called over at Rosehall, she instantly opened, without perceiving that designing to apologize for what I had done, it was addressed to me and read as follows: bnt I found that he had left several hours 'Dear Sir-What the circumstances are to before. It appears that he had been greatly which you refer, I know not, nor is it likely beloved, for the whole family were sunk in that I ever shall, as I leave this part of the grief. The lady herself had entreated him country early to-morrow morning, never to even with tears to return as soon as he return. I had just finished perusing the conveniently could, after the mournful occamournful and unexpected intelligence of the sion was over: but he continued inexorable. death of my beloved mother, when I received His feelings had been much tried in parting your card and shortly after, one of a most with the young people to whom he was reproachful kind from Miss Amelia. The devotedly attached. On my return I wrote to contents of both astonish me; but it is almost Mr. Tarnly, upbraiding him for the baseness needless to add, that had I remained here, of his conduct in reference to Mr. R, and your commands would have been most sacred-received a reply filled only with the most ly obeyed. I am willing however to believe horrible implications. Shortly after he left|| 1826. that you have been made the dupe of some the place, but not before mournful traces of Mr. Bennet was just returning me the medal, designing villain; and with this impression I his villany had become visible. Her's was not leave you. I appeal to the Omniscient a violent paroxysm of affection which speedily Searcher of hearts before whom we must wastes itself in the violence of symptoms, and shortly appear, then disappears. It had taken entire possession George Robinson!' I exclaimed, with emotion, as the old gentleman had finished his narration, and was bathed in tears. Did he belong to— -near- ? The very same' replied Mr. Bennet, looking on me with an eye of inquiring interest, Well, then,' said I, George is my old class fellow and intimate friend. I have not heard from him, indeed, since his mother's death, which took place at the very time when I was preparing to leave the country; but his sister's address is in my possession: the last letter I received from her was dated from her aunt's; and as she understood I was then about to proceed to the Continent, it contained a handsome memento of her gratitude for a service once rendered to her brother.' Here I took from my breast an elegant silver medal, which I showed him. It bore the following inseription: Presented by Harriet Robinson to Mr. —, as a memorial of her lasting gratitude for saving her brother's life, at the imminent danger of his own, May, when he observed Amelia, coming into the garden, accompanied by the lady of the house: we soon joined them, when I was introduced to Amelia as an intimate friend of Mr. R's, A ray of hope instantaneously lighted up her neither your name nor your history is unknown | hand, said, My dear sir, I humbly crave your finely expressive and intellectual countenance, to me. Are you not Mr. - of ——— ?' On | forgiveness for the injury I formerly did you. and she received me with uncommon warmth my answering with surprise in the affirmative, I have seen enough to convince me of the and cordiality. At the father's request, I she instantly asked, Do you remember sincerity of the affection that exists between accompanied them home that evening: their George Robinson?' I do, and will to the you and my daughter; and I am now persuaded residence was a few miles from Florence, on latest hour of my life. Do you know any you richly deserve her. Rest assured, that the road where I had so frequently met them. thing about him?' I immediately rejoined with henceforth I shall be no barrier in the way of After this I visited them almost daily, and some impatience. Yes sir,'said she, blushing. your happiness.' From that hour a load was though when Mr. R was spoken of, hope George is my brother, and you are now in removed from Amelia's spirits and she soon and fear seemed alternately to prevail in the bo- his house. The medal on your person led me regained her health and beauty. George was som of Amelia, yet it was very evident that her to suspect who you were, the moment we in transports at having an honor conferred on mind had been considerably relieved. In the found you. George was appointed, shortly him which he had never hoped to realize. meantime, I wrote to Miss Robinson, making after my mother's death to an office of con- Harriet was overjoyed at her brother's good inquiry after her brother, but week after week siderable emolument and literary distinction fortune; and my gratification was none of the was disappointed of an answer. I was much in Florence. He is at present on a visit to least, that while I had thus been the means of puzzled to account for this, and, on my Naples, but will be home in two or three bringing together two so well worthy of each return from visiting Mr. Bennet one evening, weeks. Oh how overjoyed he will be to see other, I had received such an important having carelessly thrown the reins on my you, he speaks frequently of you and wonders accession to my own happiness in securing horse's mane, was musing as to the measures that you have never written an answer to his the affection of the amniable Harriet. We I should next adopt for discovering Mr. R-, letters. But I forgot-longer conversation in were waited on, shortly afterwards, by a when on a sudden from some cause which I your present exhausted state, may expose you presbyterian clergyman from Scotland, then never knew, my horse reared, and, in a few to a relapse: I must, therefore, leave you to in the neighborhood; and the same hour that seconds, horse and rider were thrown over a repose.' Before I could recover from my united George and Amelia, made Harriet dangerous precipice of considerable depth. astonishment she had left the room. Her mine. That moment my recollection left me. On sylph-like form seemed still to move before recovering I found myself in bed, but not in me; every look, and word, and action, was my own apartment, and an elderly matron impressed upon my mind; and emotions such sitting near me reading. On attempting to as I had never before experienced, swelled rise I discovered that my head and left arm my bosom. Every day she appeared to me were bandaged. She had observed my motion,|| more interesting. I was never happy unless and rising up, to my surprise addressed me in she was with me. I seemed to live-to the language of my country, putting several breathe-only for Harriet. In a short time I kindly inquiries. Thank Heaven,' said she, was out of danger, and able to move about, young gentleman, that you have escaped. when I wrote to Mr. Bennet, informing him My mistress had been accompanying her of what had occurred, and of my intention of brother to the nearest post town on his way to remaining at Mr. R's till his return from Naples, when on her return you were found Naples, after which he might expect an early laying insensible, your head streaming with visit from us. That very evening George blood, and your horse dead by your side. returned, and our joy at meeting was unYou were immediately put into a carriage, and bounded. Among other topics of conversaconveyed hither. My young mistress has tion, my interview with Mr. and Miss Bennet been in deep concern ever since you were held a chief place, and at my request he found. Oh, the dear angel! how anxious consented to visit them the following day. she is for your recovery. I hope God will We were nearly ready for our departure when reward her. She has just gone out with a a carriage stopped at the door, and Mr. and lady who was paying her a visit, but will be Miss Bennet were immediately announced. here presently.' That instant she entered the George's bosom heaved with indescribable room, and appeared astonished to see me emotion, and he stood for a little while in engaged in conversation. Throwing aside breathless suspense. Mr. Bennet then entered her veil, and approaching me, she discovered the room, accompanied by Amelia. In a two of the finest blue eyes I had ever seen, moment the two lovers were locked in each which heightened in effect by contrast with other's arms. The father was deeply affected her lovely yellow hair, in golden ringlets and burst into tears. Harriet and I instantly adorning a countenance of exquisite beauty left the room, and were speedily followed by gave her an appearance almost angelic. She Mr. Bennet. The feelings of the lovers in expressed her sympathy for me on the unfor- the interval I shall not attempt to describe. tunate accident which had occurred and They were of too pure and etherial a kind for desired me to make their house my home till my feeble pen. Suffice it to say the interview I should be completely recovered. Her was a most endearing one. That was to manner had in it so much sweetness and George the happiest hour of his life-to feeling that I could not help being struck Amelia it was as life to the dead. By the with it, and I thanked her for the disinterested time of dinner, both had regained composure, kindness to one who was a stranger in the when Mr. Bennet, addressing himself to Mr country. Sir,' said she, if I mistake not, || Robinson, and cordially taking him by the From the Western Monthly Magazine. BY A QUONDAM SAILOR. * That strain again; it had a dying fall. February, peculiar to the West Indies, as the But though no breath raised a ripple on its surface, there was a ceaseless, but gentle swell, as if amid the coral beds beneath, some lonely water-spirit slumbered, while the waters above rose and fell with its steady breathing. Occasionally, a sorrowing sea-bird' would flit by unheeded, or descending, kiss the wave, and soar aloft again till lost in space. Then would a shining dolphin push in pursuit of the terrified flying fish; and anon, glisten in the far depths, almost shedding light through the waters with the gloss of his silvery sides. The sun was setting. How glowingly came upon me the force of these lines— 'Not, as in nor.hern climes, obscurely bright, But one unclouded blaze of living light.' The whole ocean seemed of liquid gold and the sky, far up, glowed as if some blazing spirit hovered in the void. The rays of the sun penetrating the water horizontally, looked like gilded cords, so distinct and brilliant was the refraction. It was a scene to inspire emotion of a lofty character. Before us was the glorious orb of light and life, sinking as it were, to rest in the wave-washed caverns of the deep; beneath, rolled the limitless oceanfit emblem of the eternity over which we hovered; and above, spread the viewless ether, reflecting the deep blue of the wave beneath, unmarred by a single cloud. with the boy whose features were unmarked | ||by the furrows of time and care, seemed to drink in the beautiful words as a healing draught. COMMUNICATIONS. For the Rural Repository. Claverack Falls. Oh, how magical is music at such an hour!- FEw beauties are to be found among nature's It comes to the heart like a flood of sunshine, vast cabinet of curiosities, that will excite dispelling its gathered mists, and causing high higher feelings in the human breast than a aspirations to spring into strength and beauty. waterfall. But the falls of our country are The whole man is elevated above the narrow-divided into several different classes, and the ness of earth, and he seeks in thought to com- emotions which are created are almost as mune with the intelligences of a higher world various as the different aspect of the falls and with that Being. 'Who plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm.' At this hour, a few of the officers assembled Thus were the feelings of the listening group, on the forecastle to contemplate the scene! when the performer, at the close of the first and recalling the joys of other days, to hold verse, eloquently burst forth with the words, that converse, which, in a small degree,There's no place like home! An emotion alleviates the privations of a seaman's life. was visible in all. There was a slight tremor With characteristic versatility, they passed in his voice, showing that he felt the influence from topic to topic, seldom dwelling long on of the line, and when he concluded it, his pause one, till as the shades of twilight fell around, was longer than usual, and a deep sigh escaped their feelings assumed a congenial hue, and him. graver themes were touched. The pall of night, thick set with stars, was thrown about the expiring day, and the moon, shaking off her watery panoply, rose full and clear, shedding a broad stream of silver light as far as the eye could reach. When he recommenced,- An exile from home,'-the agitation in those around, was merged in attention to the song, but his increased.-His face was slightly averted, and the rays of the moon as they fell upon it, and glistened in the tear that rested upon his cheek, gave additional effect to the expression almost of agony, stamped upon his features. was, indeed, as I know, an exile from home,' though from what cause I never could discover, and the smothered grief of years was now loosed, and flowed in unrestrained power over him. He Then it was, the remembrances of the past crowded up like odors from a bed of flowers, lulling the feelings to that delicious calmness, which pleasant memories always inspire, and which none feel more sensibly than the tempesttost mariner. The father dwelt in tenderness with his distant family; the brother recalled the unbidden assiduities of a sister's love; and the son, as he leaned against the mast, his features set in a sedateness of sober reflection, felt his heart softened by the recollection of a mother's care. But few remarks were made. All felt that the silence which reigned above, beneath and around, should not be disturbed. Each one had retired to the recess of his own heart-a sanctuary too sacred to be violated. Such was the state of feeling, when a clear melodious voice, slowly poured forth the first line of that exquisite song,- Home sweet home! As the words, Mid pleasures and palaces' swelled upon the air, a single exclamation of pleasure escaped the hearers, and they again relapsed into silence. We had often heard the song, but never heard it so thrillingly as then. Had it been sung by even an ordinary performer, its effect would have been great; but breathed, as it was, with a fervor and feeling I have never known excelled, in a voice full, manly, and touching, it could not but produce a powerful impression. As No one spoke; and after a few moments, the singer proceeded, the circle was augmented. in which all else was banished in one dear The sturdy seaman seating himself with calm thought of the distant home we had exchanged gravity, by the side of the youthful mid- for our home upon the deep,' each one sought shipman, listened with enthralled attention, his pillow, I do not doubt, a purer and a The man whose locks were whitened, equally better man. C. D. D. He continued. As the song drew to a close, his emotion increased with that of every one who listened. At length, as the line-There's no place like home'-rose on the stillness of the hour the last time, a rush of feeling was evident, which, in many, showed itself in tears! The man who from childhood had braved the foaming brine, and had stood without a tear on the brink of eternity, and he, who, an outcast from society of the virtuous and good, knew no 'home,' alike with the being of turbid passions and unhallowed deeds, gave a tribute to him who had so well timed, and so feelingly executed, one of the most grateful songs that ever greets a seaman's ear. Oh! it was good to look on men I had considered hardened in iniquity, thus throwing open the floodgates of long pent affections, that they might once more gladden and purify the soul. I could not think such men entirely lost; I could now look on human nature in a fairer and more pleasing aspect. themselves. We are touched with a fearful terror, when we look down upon Niagara with its everlasting thunder roaring around us; but the beauty and sublimity that is flung around the pathway of a mountain torrent, wending its way through crags and over precipices, in the solitude of the forest, chain us to the spot by its simplicity, while its grandeur excites a feeling of wonder. Of this class Claverack Falls may be styled. Hid in the bosom of two mountains, the hum and bustle of the world intrude not, and nought is there but the echo of its own roar dying away in the dim aisles of the forest Its descent is about seventy feet, touching about midway its flight on a broad ledge of rocks, already scooped out like a cavern by its power, where it boils and curls gracefully over, gliding smoothly as oil into the crystal basin below. The whole structure is the hardest species of rocks, but eternal as they appear, the run of the ceaseless waters have steadily fritted them away, and now a chasin of fifteen feet presents itself on the brow of the hill where the flood leaps over, and where the waters have created a friction for a great length of time, the old rocks are worn away in a thousand forms. The alternate veins of hard and soft may be traced by some channels being of a greater depth than others, and many spots are exhibited, which, after the water having touched silently away for centuries, are at last deserted, and left to hang, toppling, gazing down upon the fury of the waters which foam away below. It is a beautiful sight to gaze upon a scene like this. Imagination carries the mind back, and we seem to behold the old coppered warrior as he sits stringing his bow beneath the fall of its spray, or lies closely wrapped in his blanket, hid in a labyrinth of trees, while the roar of the cataract is rocking his iron limbs to rest. But the old hunter is gone!— Time, which tore away the sinews of the rock, has long since strewed his dust to the winds, and carefully and silently laid away his unstrung bow by his side. And the lightninglike deer has passed away too. We can almost watch her in fancy, halting to snuff the freshness of the dripping rocks, after having been wearied in the chase of a summer day, and thus bestow a blessing upon the draught, by her movements, as she dashed like an arrow away into the thicket. Every thing connected with its pristine grandeur and simplicity has melted before the arm of civilization, and nought remains but the thunder of the waters themselves, and the solemn old woods that stand round to guard them in their work. For the Rural Repository. E. H. Z. word may be as fatal as a poisoned arrow,' wrench it from its place, and try the virtue of I never look into the sky on a calm summer , evening, but I think of Isabel A. She was not, as some heroines are pictured, more angelic than a form of air, nor was her person more beautiful than the Grecian Venus, perhaps her eyes would not outshine the constellations; but then earth was unworthy of a soul like Isabel's. She was too nearly allied to purity to bear a cold world's calumny, her heart was too refined, too sensitive to endure the adverse gies of passion. Her high, pale brow, the calm and sweet expression from beneath her long lashes, would have told you that she il could brook the dark designs of malice, and that she was a stranger to the intricate mean-but the notes were low and pensive, and I knew derings of art.-There was always a shade of her voice would soon be with angels. She pensiveness on her countenance; in childhood smiled calmly and peacefully, then raised her she was seldom seen with her gay companions, eyes to heaven-angels bore her spirit there.my hand, tearing away my thumb-nail down but would wander alone on the green bank of as if its music was the only voice she She C. L. S. Adventures in India. The following extract is from a work recently published in England, with the title of Pen and Pencil Sketches; of spirit: to the quick. In his anxiety to escape, he stumbled through the outer purdar: and the loved. And I have seen joy and sorrow altern- TRAVELING SKETCHES. much-esteemed dressing-case fell out of his ately cross her features like shade and sunshine, o'er a waving field,' as she gazed for hours into the sky and seemed to covet wings to soar to one of those bright spheres.-This earth which many deem so fair, was to Isabel a joyless, sunless, cheerless wilderness. But let not any light-hearted reader censure her with the name of MISANTHROPE, for she was not unconscious of the many valued reservoirs which contain the pure treasure of virtue. But it was the vices of the world for which she was fading, drooping, dying. Her sensibility was incapable of bearing the poison shafts of anger she had seen confidence betrayed aud professed friendship stained with perfidy. She neither smiled or wept, seemed neither blest or the reverse. Do not censure in any way the subject of this sketch. Are you possessed of a more dauntless soul, and can you live above the paltry obstacles with which the unfeeling world would impede your progress—remember you are by nature unlike the lovely, unearthly Isabel-Would you heroically have repelled the poison shafts again, remember, you may be incapable of so deep-so intense feeling. The world may be more congenial to you than to the too sensitive Isabel and you may be pleased to live on, and you can brave the frowns of life it is well to do it; but there are those who seem destined for a purer soil, and softer air. I ask you to look kindly on them-lead them gently through this life; for a rude look, or unkind word, may make you a murderer!-Yes, an unkind loosened zone. I was so close at his heels, that he could not recover it; and jumping over the tent-ropes-which, doubtless, the rogue calculated would trip me up-he ran towards the road. I was in such a fury, that, forgetting my bare feet, I gave chase, vocifeI retired to my tent this evening pretty rating lustily, 'Choor! choor!' (thief! thief!) well knocked up, and during the night had an but was soon brought up by some sharp stones, adventure, which might have terminated with just in time to see my rascal, by the faint light more loss to myself, had I slept sounder. My of the moon through the thick foliage over bed, a low charpoy, on' four feet,' was in one head, jump upon a horse standing unheld near corner of the tent, close to a door, and I woke the road, and dash down the path at full speed, several times from a feverish doze, fancying his black blanket flying in the wind. What I heard something moving in my tent; but would I have given for my double-barrelled could not discover any thing, though a cherang, Joe at that moment! As he and his steed went or little Indian lamp, was burning on the table. clattering along the rocky forest road, I I therefore again wooed the balmy power, and thought of the black huntsman of the Hartz, slept. At length, just as the iron tongue of or the erl-king! Returning to my tent, I midnight had tolled twelve' (for I had looked solaced myself by abusing my servants, who at my watch five minutes before, and replaced were just rubbing their eyes and stirring it under my pillow,) I was awakened by themselves, and by threatening the terrified rustling sound under my head; and, half sepoy sentry with a court-martial. My trunks opening my eyes, without changing my position, at night were always placed outside the tent, I saw a hideous black face within a foot of under the sentry's eye; the robber, therefore, mine, and the owner of this index of a cutmust have made his entry on the opposite side, throat, or at least cut-purse disposition, kneel- and he must have been an adept in his vocation, ing on the carpet, with one hand under my as four or five servants were sleeping between if pillow, and the other grasping-not a dagger! the khanauts. but the door-post. Still without moving my body, and with half-closed eyes, I gently stole my right hand to a boar-spear, which at night was always placed between my bed and the wall; and as soon as I had clutched it, made a rapid and violent movement, in order to a The poor devil did not get much booty for his trouble, having only secured a razor, a pot of pomatum (which will serve to lubricate his person for his next exploit,f) and *The tents in India have double flies; the outer khanant, or wall, forming a verandah, of some four feet wide, round the interior pavilion. Indian thieves oil their naked bodies to render their seizure difficulty. |