thought by the physicians too keen for miss Meadows, and towards Au tumn they ordered her to Lisbon, or the south of France; at this period France enjoyed the blessings of peace, and the people were happy in being governed by a good king. Miss Meadows, who had ever her niece's improvement at heart, thought that a tour through this delightful country would be a source of delight to a mind fond of the charms of nature; and Maria formed in her ardent imagination her aunt's restored health, whilst travelling with her through those delightful scenes she so often read of:--she had never quitted her native shades in Somerset, and now anticipated the pleasure with ar dour natural to youth.* Shepton-Mallet. Or where the beetle winds Now teach me, maid compos'd, Silver-streaming star' poured its radiance around, and. ing lustre on the earth. Thus the pale-eyed moon shed her may we address Night when silence and serenity attend her: Whose numbers stealing thro' thy dark-Lo! where the meek-ey'd train attend! 'ning vale," COLLINS. Summer was preparing to depart, and to resign his throne to Auturon, when I began my Sep Queen of the solemn thought! descend; Crossing a field of stubble I heard the partridge's cry.Night loving bird! well may'st thou, at this season more especially, seek the gloom of midnight rather than the glare of day; instinct has taught thee to dread the hour of light, and instinct teaches truly. Soon as morning appears, the sportsman, with jocund heart, will seek thy closest haunt; there the steady pointer will show thy hiding-place-his master advances; fear seizes thee! you rise, and death almost certainly awaits thee! Here the rude clamour of the sports man's joy, Would tempt the Muse to sing the How, in his mid career, the spaniel, struck Stiff by the tainted gale, with open nose, Fearful and cautious, on the latent prey; Thro' the rough stubble turn the secret Caught in the meshy snare, in vain they beat When beasts of prey retire, that all Urg'd by necessity, had rang'd the dark, man, Who, with the thoughtless insolence of pow'r, Inflain'd beyond the most infuriate wrath Of the worst monster that e'er roam'd the waste, Amid the beamings of the gentle days. For hunger kindles you, and lawless want; But lavish fed, in Nature's bounty roll'd, I was now hastening, as the mists Hurdis calls a friendly lecture to the fair.' The truths it contains are obvious; and though it is a long quotation, still the beauty of it will amply repay those who have never before read it; and to those who have the pleasing recollections of Hurdis's poetry, will be, I am sure, a sufficient inducement for them again to peruse it. Unwedded maiden, is there yet man For wisdom eminent? Seek him betimes: He will not shun thee, tho' thy frequent foot Wear out the pavement at his door. Ye fair, Be sedulous to win the man of sense; And fly the empty fool. Shame the dull boy Who leaves at college what he learn'd at school, And whips his academic hours away, Cas'd in unwrinkled buckskin and tight boots, More studious of his hunter than his books. Oh! had ye sense to see what powder'd apes Ye of admire, the idle boy for shame Would lay his racket and his ball aside, And love his tutor and his desk. Time Be to preserve your beauty ; cur'd, Improve the judgment, that, the loving fair May have an eye to know the man of worth, And keep secure the jewel of her charms To seek for happiness; 'twas his at home. How often have I chain'd my truant tongue To hear the music of her sober words! How often have I wonder'd at the grace Instruction borrow'd from her eye and cheek! Surely that maid deserves a monarch's love Who bears such rich resources in her self. For her sweet progeny! A mother taught Entails a blessing on her infant charge Better than riches; an unfading cruse She leaves behind her, which the faster flows The more 'tis drawn ; where ev'ry soul may feed, And nought diminish of the public stock. Show me a maid so fair in all your ranks, Ye crowded boarding-schools! Are ye not apt To taint the infant mind, to point the way To fashionable folly, strew with flow'rs The path of Vice, and teach the wayward child Extravagance and pride? Who learns in you May once again restore the quiet reign Of virtue, love, and peace, and yet bring back The blush of folly, and the shame of vice!' VILLAGE CURATZ To be the prudent wife, or pious mother? SKETCHES FROM NATURE, To be her parents staff, or husband's joy? 'Tis you dissolve the links that once held A NOVEL. first wish of my heart; the comI AM now in possession of the pany of miss Lester: but, alas! five years residence in foreign countries has made a great alteration in my friend. In person she is iinproved; but in manners, in sentiment, how sadly altered! The warm, generous friendship of the blooming English girl, is changed for the studied softness of an Italian signora, or the haughty airs of a Spanish donna; though she can still assume the more pleasing manners of her own nation when she pleases, but caall she says or does. price is the magnet that influences 'I should not, my dear madam, make so free with Helen's character if she did not herself take pains to have it known; and often says that she despises the tame figure she made before her quitting England: the land of fogs, as she calls it. I am greatly disappointed, and believe she is the same; for she evidently prefers Walsingham's company to mine. She is no favourite of Mrs, Howard; indeed that lady often speaks so tart, that she astonishes me; for certainly miss Lester is still a very fascinating companion, though I should not choose her now for a friend; but as Mrs, Howard did not know her before her leaving England, I know not any reason she has to be particularly displeased. Mr. Baderly came the same evening as Helen. He is a very fine young gentleman, and has that graceful ease in his manner which denotes he has been used to the best company. He has fine spirits, and Helen rallies him from morning till night. Yesterday morning sir Harry and Mr. Linly went on the canal to fish. When they returned, they praised so much the beauty of the scenery, the coolness of the water, and the largeness and convenience of the boat, that the la dies said they would see if they had not exaggerated. Accord ingly in the evening we embarked, and found the water delightful; the conversation was sprightly, and we thought not of returning till the moon rose and cast her silvery light on the water and surrounding country, which, by the delicacy of the tints, acquired fresh beauty. Seymore, who touches the flute with great taste, played Handel's water-piece: the echo from the hills, and the dashing of the oars, formed a not unpleasing concert. The feelings of the company seem ed in unison with the calm and undisturbed scene. A pleasing melancholy pervaded me, and I gave myself wholly up to the enthusiasm of the moment, Mrs. Howard, who possesses such harmony as is in immortal souls,' sung the sweetly plaintive air of Crazy Jane' with so much pathos, and Seymour played the accompaniment with such tender energy, that the tears flowed down my cheeks unperceived till they fell on my hand. I hastily wiped my eyes, and looked around to see if my tender folly was noticed. I was rather embarrassed on observ ing Mr. Baderly's eyes fixed on my face with attention. Surely he must think me a very weak creature, surrounded with bles sings as I am, to weep at imaginary woes; and yet they are not imaginary. How many blooming daughters of innocence have given joy to the heart, and rapture to the countenance of their fond parents till The cruci spoiler came: cropt the fair bud, And rifled all its sweetness: Then cast it like a loathsome weed away.' Alas! how many doting mothers hearts have been left to break! How many grey heads brought with sorrow to the grave by the detestable arts and false blandishments of the vile se ducer! It is this peoples the streets of the metropolis with miserable and unhappy women. O Seduction! of what dreadful evils art thou not the parent? Contempt, Despair, and Suicide, are thy offspring! We passed the ruins of the castle which, at that still hour, looked |