through which the line passes, this work presents a | pike-road and canal interests. It is not to our purpose truly glorious picture of present and past. Iê has been to enumerate the several Acts of Parliament obtained published, we are informed, at an outsay of some fifteen for forming this Railway; but it should be mentioned, hundred pounds, a large sum, if it is true ; but only that, in the early stage of the proceedings, the promoters proportionate to the vast and varied interest and attrac-of the measure did not consider it practicable to apply tion of the subject of the work, and its demand on po- to Parliament at once for an Act for the whole line. It pular encouragement. By the aid of this very complete was, likewise, at first intended to connect the line with work we shall proceed to describe that truly magnificent the London and Birmingham Railway at Kensall Green, line-the Great Western Railway.

about four miles from the Metropolis ; but the idea of “ Bristol, the capital city of the West of England, this junction was abandoned, and a separate entrance has been distinguished for its commerce from a very into London secured. early period, and was for many centuries the second Before we proceed to details, it may be as well to city in the British dominions. Its position, upon a tide notice certain circumstances in which the Great Western river, and surrounded by an extensive coal-field, appears district differs from any other. Its traffic is altogether as well fitted to secure a pre-eminence amongst the of a higher class than that in the North : for example, manufacturing interests of modern times as amongst the existence of such a city as Bath, or such a town as those of commerce in days of yore. In practice, how- Cheltenham, (to which latter the line has been extended) ever, this has not been fulfilled. The manufacturers supported entirely by persons living upon their incomes, of England, since they have attained their present im- is peculiar to the West; and the passengers, if not so mense importance, have flourished chiefly in the numerous, yet indulge in higher comforts than the ga Northern and Midland districts, and have not de neral population of such towns as Birmingham or Manscended, in any great force, into the West."

chester. The line of country westward of London, also, It was natural to expect that the Railway System differs from every other line in the number and character would be introduced at an earlier period amongst a of the towns upon the route. “Of a train-load of pas population enriched by machinery, such as that lying sengers starting from London, a considerable number, northward of Birmingham, than amongst the men of and of the highest class, might be expected to leave the commerce and agriculture who inhabit the West. Thus, Railway at Windsor, at Reading, at Oxford, at Glouthe Liverpool and Manchester Railway was completed cester, at Cheltenham, or at Bath ; comparatively few of before any of the passenger-railways about Bristol were the original passengers will leave at Bristol ; whilst, on commenced; and the Great Junction and London and the other hand, the seats of many of those who had left Birmingham Railways both obtained their Acts earlier the train would be filled by persons proceeding to than the Great Western Railway; though, when the Bristol from the place for which the others had de latter was brought forward, it received a far more cor- parted. This is wholly different from what takes place dial support from the population of its own districts either upon the Birmingham, or upon any other line of than was the case with the northern lines.

Railway proceeding out of London; and the towns that Thirteen years have now elapsed since the Great have been named are, notoriously, centres of a numerous Western Line was first proposed; mainly with the object and wealthy population.” of reviving the commerce of the ancient port of Bristol, In choosing the course of the Railway, two lines of in connecting it by this iron road with the Metropolis

. country were to be considered, between London and The enterprise was a noble one, and reminds one of the Bristol, or rather, between Reading and Bath; the one recovery of its fortunes by Cabot, some three centuries ascending the vale of the Kennet, keeping the high and a half since.

ground south of the Marlborough downs, and descending The Railway project was warmly taken up; for we through the Cotteswold by the valley of the Avon; the find Mr. Britton leaving his antiquarian pursuits to other following the ravine of the Thames, from Reading illustrate its advantages, in a Lecture read before the to near Wallingford, ascending the great vale of Berks, Literary and Philosophical Society of Bristol, Oct. 19, at the foot, and to the north of the Marlborough downs; 1833. “London," says the Report, “ from its greatness, and therefore intersecting the crest of the Cotteswold, is, and must long continue to be, the centre of wealth, above Box, a village a few miles east of Bath. of arts, and of commerce; but its port is not well situated Mr. Brunel, the appointed engineer to the Company, for the trade of the West : a long and dangerous pas- chose the latter line-to the north of the Marlborough sage, during the winter season, of more than one hun-downs—both as being, in an engineering point of view, dred leagues, must be made by ships coming from the the best line, and as affording, in a greater degree than West. Could vessels discharge their cargo in this port, any other, facilities of communication with Oxford, they would be in safety, and ready for another voyage; Gloucester, Cheltenham, South Wales, and the West of indeed, ships from America and the West Indies, under England generally; points of very great importance. favourable circumstances, may make two voyages in the The line, accordingly, takes the following direction season; but the fortnight that it takes longer in going through the counties of Middlesex, Bucks, Berks, Wilts, to London is often fatal to their doing so. This will and Somerset. It commences at Paddington, passes by show the advantage of a ready land communication with Acton, Ealing, Hanwell, over the Brent, to near the London, which is now afforded by the projected Western cattle-market at Southall, within two miles of Uxbridge; Railroad. By this, the cargo of a vessel discharged in through Slough, and within one mile and three-quarters Bristol, may, in six hours, be in the centre of London, of Eton and Windsor; through Salt-hill to Maidenand conveyed at a moderate price at all seasons of the head, where it crosses the Thames, and within six miles year. Bristol may become, under these views, the Great of Marlow; and thence passes within five of WokingWestern Port of London, being but six hours' distance ham and Henley, to Reading. The line next takes from her. It has been figuratively said that the Grand rather a northerly direction, ascending along the right Junction Canal may be compared to the back-bone of bank of the Thames, which it crosses and recrosses at England. Then, surely, we do not violate propriety Basildon and Moulsford, where it is four miles from by saying that the Great Western Railway may he the Wallingford; and thence passes to Staunton, where it is right arm of the Metropolis.” This anticipation was four miles from Abingdon, and ten from Oxford. Its not a mere rhetorical flourish ; but, as we have just said, course then proceeds westward, within two miles and a the promise has not been fulfilled. There were many half of Wantage, six miles of Faringdon, four of Highdifficulties at the outset: the advantages were, by no worth, and one and a half of Swindon, whence there is means, generally appreciated ; the estimated capital,- a ready communication with Marlborough, Hungerford, two and a half millions,—was large ; and the line was and the south of Berkshire, and where the line is joined to be carried through a district altogether unused to by the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway, such undertakings, and pre-occupied by powerful turn- now complete to Cirencester, and between Cheltenham

and Gloucester; the latter city being the intermediate on upon that part of the Railway of which the maximum point for future Railway communication between South gradient does not exceed four feet in the mile. Wales and the Metropolis. From the Swindon Station, From the latter advantage, the absence of objectiontaking a south-westerly course, the line passes within able curves, and the great proportion of passenger half a mile

of Wootton-Basset, six miles of Malmesbury, traffic expected upon the Great Western Railway, it was and six of Calne, through Chippenham, within five miles proposed at a very early period of the undertaking to of Melksham, and nine of Devizes, through the southern travel at a higher speed than had been attained upon suburb of Bath, where it crosses the Avon, to Bristol. other Railways. With a view to this end, the permaHere it passes close to the depôt of the Coalpit-heath nent way was peculiarly laid-principally in fixing the Railway, which brings down the coal of the Gloucester- gauge or distance between the rails at seven feet, a shire collieries, and will, when completed, form the line much greater width than had hitherto been adopted, of railway communication between Bristol and Glou- and by which it was proposed to ensure greater steadicester. The communication westward and south, from ness than was otherwise consistent with high speed. Bristol, is continued by the Bristol and Exeter Rail- The rails upon the Great Western are what is called way, now open through Bridgewater to Taunton, and in bridge-shaped, with wide wings, or flanges; they are course of construction to Exeter. This line affords an laid upon continuous bearings of wood, instead of upon easy access to Weston and the watering-places on the the interrupted support of chairs or pedestals, as usually Severn; and Exmouth, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Torquay, employed in this country; and it was proposed by this and the other places of resort in the south of Devon lie means to obtain greater steadiness of motion, with less at no great distance from its extremity.

noise, and less of that wear and tear which forms a very The Railway traverses a great variety of geological serious objection to high speeds upon ordinary Railways. formations, and terminates in the centre of a district of The longitudinal bearings are half timbers of American high geological interest. As the arrangement of the yellow pine, connected together by transverse timbers. strata is on the whole uniform, the upper and newer The whole frame is simply laid upon the road, which is formations being found at the eastern end, and the older previously covered with a bed of broken stone, burnt cropping out or rising to the surface in regular geolo- clay, or gravel, called technically “ballast.” The main gical succession as they approach the West, there is timbers are themselves canted or inclined inwards, at a little difficulty in arranging the order of their descrip- slope of one in twenty; and the rail, of sixty pounds weight tion : still, we are compelled, by want of space, to omit to the yard in length, are screwed down upon a strip of it, and summarily state that the formations intersected felt. The rails are almost wholly of Welsh iron, rolled at by the Railway extend from the London clay down to the several works of Dowlais, Ebbw-Vale, and Rhymny. the coal-measures of the Bristol basin; and within a Such are the main constructive peculiarities of the distance of thirty miles from that city, upon the rail- Great" Western Railway; by the magnitude and imways that branch from it, are found all varieties of rocks, portance of its engineering works, entitled to the chafrom chalk, to grauwacke and trap. It would be difficult racter of “Magnificent.” We now proceed to notice, in the to select a line or district possessing greater geological order in which they occur, the principal objects on the interest, and better fitted for the convenient study of line, and the picturesque country through which it passes. the science itself. Accordingly, the chapter devoted Starting from the Paddington Station, there is little to the “Geology” of the line, in the great work before to notice : the present arrangements are temporary us, is one of its most important sections.

only; a large plot of gound being set aside for the purHaving thus briefly described the general and poses of a permanent station. Nevertheless, we are geological features of the country traversed by the struck with the vast space covered by the engine and Railway, we shall next bestow a short notice upon its carriage sheds and workshops. We are struck, too, main points of construction; and, first, of the gra- with the colossal size of the engines. The carriages, also, dients.

are of excellent build and accommodation, and some of The greater part of the rise upon this line is concen- them cost 4001. each. Some are eighteen feet long and trated within a comparatively short space by means of eight feet wide, while others are twenty-one feet in two inclined planes, upon one of which assistant power length. Here, too, is kept the royal state carriage, is employed, and the remainder of the line thus left fitted up for the accommodation of Her Majesty and free to be more economically worked. There is but one Prince Albert. It is twenty-one feet in length, and nine summit level, which is 77 miles from the London end; feet in width, and the interior is divided into three and, consequently, within about 18 miles only from the compartments; the centre forming a saloon, twelve feet centre of the whole line. This summit is 270 feet above long, and six and a half high, and fitted up with crimson the London depôt, and 292 above that at Bristol. From and white silk, panelled with gilt mouldings in the style London the railway rises gradually to Maidenhead, of Louis Quatorze ; and embellished with allegories of Reading, and the Oxford Station at Steventon, by easy the four elements, painted by Parris. The furniture is gradients, nowhere exceeding four feet in the mile, or of richly carved oak; and the upper part of each end of one in 1,320, and frequently under this. This is a dis- the carriage is fitted with plate-glass, affording an untance of 56 miles, and upon it occurs the heaviest traffic. interrupted view of the railway line. We have spoken From Steventon to the Swindon summit, the line con- of the vastness of the engines : one of them, “the Great tinues to rise gradually, without undulations, at a maxi. Western," has driving-wheels eight feet in diameter, mum inclination of eight feet in the mile, or one in 600. eighteen-inch cylinders, and two-feet stroke; and, in a From the summit level, the line descends by two inclined trial made in June last, this engine drew a train one hunplanes at Wootton-Basset and Box. The intermediate | dred tons weight, at the rate of from sixty-five to seventy gradients do not exceed eight feet in the mile; the in- miles an hour; yet, with this extraordinary speed, the clinations of the two planes are one in a hundred, or 52 passengers had no feeling of uneasiness. feet in the mile. The length of the Wootton-Basset plane The Paddington depot is crossed by three large is one mile and 550 yards; it is surmounted without bridges, or viaducts, carrying roads between various parts any extraordinary assistance. The Box plane is two of the adjacent property, upon which a new town is now miles and 660 yards in length, and upon it occurs the Box building, under long leases from the See of London. tunnel, the first out of London. Upon this plane an The large size and embellished character of the mansions, assistant engine is employed. From Bath to Bristol, in a moment, impress the beholder with the gigantic the descent is one continued gradient of four feet in the spread of luxurious London, and its thousand-fold piles mile, or one in 1320. Thus, the whole line, (118 miles of patrician dwellings, more observable in this western 20 chains in length,) with the exception of the inclined suburb than in any other direction. Yet the eye soon planes, may be regarded practically as level; and it has leaves this palace-building grandeur, and returns to the been so arranged that four-fifths of the traffic are carried | Railway, which quits Paddington in cutting. On the

66

right, however, is seen the Kensal Green Cemetery, with and Greenford, are still, as when sung by Drayton, to its glittering temple, and its classic monumental memo be seen upon the banks of rials—the emblems of the sleep of death, strangely contrasting with the turmoil of the Railway progress, which

“ Brent, that pretty brook;" can scarcely indicate the rapidity of life. We have

" and the churches of these villages are bits of not un. often lingered in this Cemetery-this vast and daily picturesque antiquity.” On the the south side of the increasing assemblage of costly temple and column, Railway, the Lunatic Asylum for the County of Middlemingled with foliage of funereal hue-and there reflected

sex occupies the foreground, and rarely fails to give how the Great Town is daily contributing its dead rise to commingled feelings of pain and consolation in to this city of tombs.

the spectator; in showing a dire necessity to be met by Opposite the Cemetery, we gain an occasional view of the mildest means that humanity can dictate. the vale of the Thames, over Wandsworth and Richmond,

The Hanwell Asylum, however, merits an independent with the wood of Holland House in the foreground, and note, it being one of the noblest instances of wisdomthe Surrey chalk-hills in the extreme distance. The tempered zeal and humane skill which our age can boast line here crosses the course of the abandoned works of of. The building and its appurtenances occupy upwards the Thames Junction Railway, at about only a quarter of of fifty-three acres; the several patients, sometimes a mile from the London and Birmingham Railway; and nearly a thousand in number, are treated according to from the top of the embankment, at Old Oak Common, the intensity of their affliction; but in no case is unthere is a pleasant view of a tract of country, well stud" necessary restraint practised. Working upon the proded with villas and other indications of opulence. The verbial association of idleness and vice, in all cases where part of the line east of Acton, including the depôt and practicable, employment is resorted to as a remedy ; terminus, forms “the Paddington extension," or that and nearly all the operations of this vast establishment portion of the line formed after the plan was relin- are conducted with the utmost order by lunatics; shops quished of entering London by the Birmingham Rail- of lunatic tailors and shoemakers may be seen here at way from Kensal Green. Yet, by making private arrange- work; and the bakery, the laundry, and other domestic ments with the landowners, the works were commenced offices, are worked by the same “patient" classes. The long before the Act for the extension was obtained ; so

out-door arrangements are upon the same system of nonthat, by severe engineering exertions, this part of the restraint. The gardens and shrubberies are neatly kept line was completed at the same time with the portion by the inmates, who are allowed to enjoy their healthbetween Acton and Maidenhead, which had been com

giving air with the most indirect surveillance, and menced under the original Act, nearly a year previously various pastimes are allowed to minister to the “mind We soon reach the Ealing Station, five miles and a

diseased.” Within doors, reading of an interesting half from London, though from the line lying in cutting, and attractive, though not exciting, character, is pro we lose the picturesqueness of Ealing Common. We are vided; the tables are strewn with cheap periodicals, in now close on the northern side of the Uxbridge Road, the hope that their good seed may not invariably fall once a noted pleasure drive out of the Metropolis, but | upon the mind, as it were, lying fallow. Here, as in the now an almost deserted and silent highway. The village sane world outside of the Hanwell domain, society has of Ealing lies leftward of the road; the church fell down its pets and butts, and men are prone to sport with each in 1729, and was rebuilt in 1736, “ apparently after de other's weak nesses ; but this is no new phase of husigns by the churchwardens,” for it is a heavy, tasteless, manity. We, who remember but too distinctly the brick pile. Further on the Uxbridge Road are the old clanking fetters and the horrifying gaze of the inmates Hats taverns mentioned by Bickerstaff

, in his play of of the old Bethlehem, have inspected Hanwell with very the “Hypocrite.” On the opposite side of the Railway, different feelings; and, as we walked, almost unattended, the station opens upon the road from Ealing to Twyford, through crowds of “lunatics,” were indeed gratified to and the high ground of Castle-bar, where the Duke of find them so far sane as to be sensible of their humane Kent, the father of her present Majesty, possessed a

treatment. From the wall of one of their dormitories we well-appointed mansion; though only a lodge and en copied the following lines :trance-gate remain.

“ Behold! The Railway soon enters Hanwell, upon a gravel em

No gloomy cells where sullen madness pines bankment; and the Hanwell Station, seven and a-quarter

In chains and woe, where no glad sunlight shines; miles from London, stands upon the northern side

But here kind sympathy for fallen reason reigns; of the line, upon a short viaduct; from whence a second

Our rule is gentleness, not force or galling chains." embankment leads to the Wharncliffe viaduct, the On the south side of the garden lies the burial-ground, largest piece of brickwork upon the railway, and about the wherein all patients not removed by their friends or first work completed. It is, indeed, a gigantic structure, parishes are buried; and here sleeps the individual who consisting of eight elliptical arches, each seventy feet planned the Asylum, and eventually became one of its span, and seventeen feet six inches rise ; the piers are inmates for a long period previous to his death-one composed cach of two square massive pillars of brick, of those extraordinary coincidences that belong to the slightly pyramidal, and of somewhat Egyptian cha- category of popular fatalism. racter. The base of each pier stands upon an area of

We have wandered from the Railway, but, we trust, 252 feet, the total length of the viaduct is 900 feet; the not unprofitably, if this note have the effect of drawing breadth between the parapets thirty feet. It is named attention to the frightful increase of insanity in this “the Wharncliffe Viaduct," in acknowledgment of the country, and to the best means that can be devised for services rendered by the late Lord Wharneliffe to the its remedy and prevention. In the valley wherein lies Great Western Railway Company, as Chairman of the this “ happy port and haven” for afflicted nature, is a Lords Committee upon their bill, and its principal sup- scene of serenity which should calm the angry passions porter in the Upper House. Upon the south face of the that too often chase men out of the world of reason. The parapet are set up the Wharncliffe arms, sculptured in stream of the Brent passes through a brick channel stone. The view from the Railway here is very striking ; beneath the second eastern arch ; and the absence of its the new church of Hanwell, in the early English style, waters is compensated by the slopes and undulations, and

the graceful trees, and the foliage that thickly clothes " That neighbouring hill, where

portions of the embankment. The vastness and EgypHarrow stands so high,"

tian design of the viaduct, perchance, remind us of the

lasting grandeur of some of man's labours; yet, look are the principal objects on the north ;

through one of the archways at the distant church, and “ Perivale, pranked up with

the memorials of mortality with which it is surrounded, Wreaths of wheat,"

and what a lesson—what a shock--does human pride receive in the contemplation! Turn again to the scene attracted her attention, and indicated a more elevated of pastoral beauty, and smiling nature, in the verdant station of life; a melancholy expression in those strongly valley, and what joy unspeakable is to be found there ! marked features, joined to a soft tone of voice, ex

The Wharncliffe viaduct, we should mention, was built cited in her heart the strangest feeling, by Messrs. Grissell and Peto, who were also the contractors Her attendants now came to tell her that all was for various portions of the railway between London and ready, and the carriage in a state fit to continue the Basildon. At about a quarter of a mile west of the journey. The stranger rose from his seat, and cast a viaduct, the Railway passes over, and obliquely, to two terrific glance on the entering domestic, who brought roads by an iron bridge and massive columns cast in this unwelcome message to his mistress. Luitgarde at Yorkshire. We soon reach the hamlet of Southal, nine the same time showed smyptoms of fear; the stranger miles from London, at which distance there is a station, noticed it, and again in a mild tone asked her pardon with accommodation for loading and unloading cattle; for the suddenness of his movement, and offered her his the celebrated cattle-market being held in the hamlet. In arm in order to conduct her to the carriage. She bowed the south lies the well-wooded domain of Osterley, the seat assent in a kind manner, and placed her hand on his arm.

a of the Earl of Jersey. The Railway passes through Southall He suddenly stopped, looked at her for some moments, Park, and near the mansion, a spacious brick structure, and said, after a struggle with himself

, Noble lady, belonging to the Jersey family, but now used as a permit me to have the honour of saying a few words to private lunatic asylum. Between Osterley and the you alone." Railway may be noticed Norwood church, which retains

Luitgarde made a sign to her maid to leave the room, some features of the early English and decorated styles. who left it accordingly. At Bull's bridge, within a quarter of a mile, the Railway “ You have spoken to me of Black Fritz; you do not crosses the Paddington Canal, the Yedding Brook, and indeed fear him, but his band; he has reason to avoid the Grand Junction Canal, in its way to join the Thames me; where I am, he certainly does not come ; so permit at Brentford.

me to present to you this ring, and if, by any unlucky We soon reach the West Drayton Station (for Ux- chance, you fall into his or his people's hands, show this bridge, Colnbrook, and Staines, thirteen miles from ring and you are safe.” London, and standing on the brink of the brick district, Luitgarde stood quite amazed ; a thought which like upon the eastern edge of a broad, shallow valley, along lightning shot through her soul, overwhelmed her; the which meander the streams of "the crystal Coln.” swarthy stranger of the banks of the Moldaw appeared West Drayton church, on the south of the line, is a very before her mind; she fancied she found a resemblance perfect example of the perpendicular style; and outside between him and the Budweiss merchant; she was the churchyard is a brick gateway of later date, but seized with a shuddering, and, without being able to Forth examination. Here the Railway crosses “ the speak, and without taking the ring which he held out to County Ditch," and leaving Middlesex, enters Bucking her, she looked at him with a scrutinizing and frighthamshire. This valley appears also to divide the ened air. But the nobleness of those features, the mild London from the plastic clay formation, though from expression of those eyes, checked her childish fears—she thence to Slough the latter is covered up with marl recovered herself and took the ring. It was a handsome and gravel beds. The dead flat of the view is now cornelian, richly set in gold, and on both sides ornarelieved by glimpses of Windsor Castle, Eton College, mented with three small diamonds in the form of a and St. Leonard's heights. There is little else to trefoil. attract until we reach Slough, if we except the church “ I thank you from my heart, and I know the entire of Langley Marsh, or St. Mary's, on the south, which is extent of my obligation towards you; this ring will I an architectural study, with its examples of the Pointed preserve as a precious bijou, and I shall return it with Norman, early Decorated, and Tudor styles.

the most lively thanks to its owner when I no longer (To be continued.)

require it : but now be so obliging as to tell me your name and habitation, that I may

“Does the poor present of an uncouth stranger overBLACK FRITZ.

whelm you?" asked the man, with evident emotion; " the ring is very dear to me; I give it to you ; it shall

serve you, perhaps save you, therefore must remain with They had now reached the valley; the house lay you, and youbefore them, and the inhabitants soon appeared, and

A blush diffused itself over the whole of Luitgarde's interested themselves in preparing the carriage ; and in face, and she instantly let the ring fall into her bosom,

without thinking what she was doing, for some one at putting everything in operation that was necessary for the moment entered the room. its repair.

It seemed that the stranger had the entire The merchant again offered his arm; they left the command here, and, as Luitgarde drew near, while he was room, he assisted her into the carriage, a slight pres. not present, to one of the workmen, she saw for the first sure which he permitted himself of her hand, was even time that they were men of immense, even terrific, slightly acknowledged-their eyes met each other's once stature. It was not without unwillingness that she more, and the horses hastened off with the carriage. spoke to one of them, and asked about the gentleman- Luitgarde proceed ; she could not deny that the appear

In deep reflection, and with contending feelings, did their master. He was a merchant from Budweiss, she ance of the Budweiss merchant had made a powerful imwas told, and the house and the implements here were pression on her as no man had yet done, and the incomhis. At these words Luitgarde became more tranquil. prehensibleness of the matter was the force by which his

These dark savage looking men were workers in mind had acted on hers, obliging her as it were to unre, iron, and it was a great satisfaction to Luitgarde to see servedness and kind feeling towards him, whom she had how ably they set about their business, so that she never seen, indeed whose exterior and “entourage" could soon hope to continue her journey. But the seemed to comprise many singular, and not agreeable stranger was still absent; at length he appeared with a mysteries. troubled expression on his countenance. He asked her Arrived at her uncle's castle—the latter came to meet pardon for having made her wait so long, begged her full of joy, and with the news that his son was exher respectfully to come into the house, and then opened pected in the evening. Luitgarde had accidentally heard a handsome room on the ground floor; a small collation that, and yet this news fell on her like a thunderbolt

. lay ready on the table, and an old woman received her She was not in a state to answer; the fatigue, the comwith many reverences. The stranger's manner of giving motion of the journey, the accident-which

her maid had her a chair, of offering to her fruit and preserves, related in all its circumstances--served her as a pretext

CHAP. II.

to withdraw to her chamber. Here she threw herself | kind of image would rise up in her mind, and seemed on a chair: a storm rose in her breast; a thousand to carry her away to a comparison which she did not thoughts, images and feelings, sorrow and shame, curio- dare permit herself to make. sity and inquietude, terror and love, opposition and In the mean time, Frederick knew how to occupy chagrin, moved in chaotic contention with each other; himself in a hundred different ways, and Luitgarde she was discontented with herself, with Frederick's strove with earnest mind to move in her old accustomed sudden arrival, with the importunate attentions of the habits without repugnance, and to look forward to : stranger, with the whole world. Then a noise was heard new and holier relation with serenity; for the old in the castle-doors were opened and shut-rapid steps count had fixed the marriage festival of his children for were heard in the passages. Frederick was come: she was the next spring. But every coming guest, every inhanow forced to collect herself and meet him in a suitable bitant of the castle or village, who by chance had been manner. She rose from her chair, she felt that she at the neighbouring town, brought fresh stories of robtrembled, and her knees tottered under her. “Heavens ! bery and murder by Black Fritz. There were also what is this?" cried she, “what is the matter with me?" comical jokes, arch tricks, or incomprehensibly hazardous In this agitated state, as she raised her hands, the enterprises narrated of him,—such as only excess of stranger's ring fell from the folds of her neck handker- daring and contempt of every danger could suggest; chief; she was alarmed as if at the appearance of a actions by which the bold robber not seldom, in order spirit; but some one was approaching her chamber, she to keep a foolish promise he had given, or to prevent rapidly seized the ring, looked on it once more, and then an injustice, had staked his life, or even his liberty, concealed it in its former place. The door of the ante which was still dearer to him, upon the die. Not withchamber was opened ; she heard her uncle and a second out a palpitating heart did Luitgarde, since the affair of male voice, which strangely affected her. She rose up, the Budweiss merchant, hear these narrations; although however, with resolution, and hastened to meet them. the ring on which was engraven a beautiful noble coat Her uncle stood before her; and a younger man, in of arms seemed to bespeak a different station. However, whose developed features she recognised the contours of it explained nothing really, and, in spite of an inward her youthful friend, saluted her with grace and respect. horror, a secret power always brought her back to the “This is my son, my Frederick-thy Frederick," said the thought, which came to her mind with terror and still count joyfully," and this is thy future bride."

with inexpressible pleasure, that she had been probably My fair bride !" gently whispered Frederick, while near that much dreaded man ;-near him, before whom he stretched out his arms to embrace her; but in her the all trembled ; that she had received a proof of interest, interior storm had reached its highest point, an inde indications of the tenderest respect, from that fierce and scribable sorrow agitated her breast, a deep cry escaped lawless individual. And this uncertainty, this enigmaher, and she sank powerless on Frederick's shoulder. tical obscurity, wherein her relation to the unknown

On recovering she found herself on her bed; her was enveloped, only served to awaken more frequently uncle held her in his arms, Frederick was on his knees in her mind the recollection of the mysterious unknown. before her and holding her hand—and her maid was But those casual relations and conversations were not employing essences and restoratives. She looked wildly the only things which perpetually brought that portrait round; all seemed as a dream; and now a stream of tears before her mind. For some time, she had distinctly felt broke from her eyes, and freed the oppressed heart. that she was surrounded by an unknown power, and

“How are you, dear cousin ?" asked Frederick. “Ah! observed secret influences of which she did not discover heavens, you weep!"

the author, but from the kind and natare of which she “Had I thought that you would have been so much was able to associate intentions of the tenderest respect, affected, I should have prepared you," said the old perhaps of a still softer sentiment. Many a little wish, count; “but who could have believed

which she accidentally manifested, was accomplished; Luitgarde endeavoured to contain herself. “Do not be many a care which occupied her as mistress of the house, uneasy, my dear uncle; and you, Frederick, forgive me ! appeared as if by accident taken away from her ; I had no power over myself, but now it is past, I am what she ordered for the house, or for her own use, in again easier.” She stood up, and strove to look in a provisions or other necessary matters, came to hand friendly manner on her cousin, and to speak to him of through the very middle of the most troubled locality ; his journey and residence at Vienna. It cost her un- and, whilst every place was full of deeds of robbery, at speakable pain, but she succeeded. Frederick began his the castle all was in safety; for several miles round her narrative, his father listened with inward satisfaction, residence profound tranquillity existed, and, in the most and Luitgarde's agitated feelings gradually became com- | impenetrable forests which surrounded it, one might posed. It was from that time reported in the castle travel during the night with handsfull of gold. It was that Luitgarde was deeply enamoured of her cousin, and as if a protecting divinity watched over that neighbour: Frederick sought by all kinds of tender attentions to hood, and many a little theft which had been committed make himself deserving of this passion. Luitgarde felt earlier on a tenant of her uncle, was now replaced in a this in a thousand careful attentions, in graceful efforts mysterious manner. Every such incident struck a sharp to anticipate her wishes, and to be agreeable to her. She arrow into Luitgarde's breast, and impressed a portrait had only to look, only to wish, so that whatever she now only too dear, still deeper upon her soul. required for her work, or for ornament, was instantly Some weeks before, she had accidentally at table exprocured for her; she was forced to be on her guard, and pressed a wish to possess a parrot, such as she had seen not too loudly express her wishes, if she did not desire at the house of one of her friends at Vienna. She spoke to be surrounded on all sides by attendants and obliga- in a pleasant and laughing mood of the entertainment tions, in which her intended strove to display his own the bird would afford her in her solitary hours, when taste, and his love for her. These talents extended much business or indisposition confined her uncle, and the farther; he began to undertake the setting in order the pursuits of literature her cousin. But this converwhole castle, he spoke to and contracted with the worksation about the parrot and the pleasure of possessing it men, he managed every thing himself: he ornamented had long been forgotten, when suddenly on her getting some rooms with his own drawings, he painted others,. up one morning, a singular cry struck her ear, and, he was punctual, adroit, amiable, and full of know- going to the window from whence it came, she perceived ledge and talent. Luitgarde discerned all this and with strange astonishment, a large cage attached to it, prized his worth; she honoured his good heart, was and in the cage was a handsome parrot ! How did the fully decided to give him her hand; but, in solitary cage come to her window, which, on the second floor of hours, or when a too delicate and elegant manner exhi- . a castle built on a rock, was only accessible to the bited her cousin to her as feminine or weak, she was not most daring adventurer ? She called up every one in the entirely able to keep down a rebel feeling-quite another ouse, and inquired of her cousin, who from the window