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conduct of lord Severn may occafion her difquietude. The baronet is still here; and I am forry to add that his boisterous addreffes to me seem favoured by the family.-The earl is indifpofed with the gout, and, I think, more haughty than ever (forgive the remark,-you bid me write from my heart), and fo jealous of every attention paid me that I am mifera

impious hands against one of the facred cows who range the flowery meads of Burrampooter. But fince, in the overflo ing of your clemency, you have condefcended to limit the deferved punishment of this audacious youth to the payment of a fine, I hope you will extend the fhadow of your goodness fo far, as to accept the money from a stranger." They ftared at one another, aftonifhble in his prefence, and nothing but ed, no doubt, at the boldness of my fpeech; but, nevertheless, were fo kind as graciously to accept of the gold I offered them, and to fuffer my companion to depart with me in peace.

DERWENT PRIORY;
A NOVEL.

In a Series of Letters.

(Continued from p. 358.)

LETTER X.

Miss Rutland to Lady Laura.

The Priory, Monday, August the 26th. ONOURED by the offer of your ladyfhip's correfpondence, Ellen, doubtful of her abilities to pleafe, fearfully affumes her pen.. -Yet the well-known confideration of lady Laura induces her to lay afide her apprehenfions, and to affure her, that, though the defpairs of being an entertaining, fhe will at least endeavour to be a punctual correfpondent. Commiffioned by lady Derwent and the whole of this family, I prefent their united refpects to your ladyfhip and Mrs. Merioneth. How changed is our late cheerful fociety! We miss you every where. -Lord Severn is ftill the fhadow of Julia; but I hear of no propofals made to the earl.-Lady Derwent appears thoughtful and uneafy and I fometimes think the equivocal

the dread of offending his excellent. lady detains me in his houfe.Julia, dear girl, is all fhe dares be.

I am fummoned to attend lady Derwent, and must haften to conclude my letter,-entreating your ladyfhip to believe that you have not a more fincere friend than

Your highly honoured ELLEN RUTLAND. P. S. Your penfioners at the cottages are all well, as are the Dawfons:- -we faw them yesterday.

LETTER XI.

Lady Laura to Mifs Rutland.

Twickenham, Sept. 3, 179THANK you, my fweet girl, for your agreeable favour.-I flatter my felf our correfpondence will be happy and durable.-To nie your friendfhip is highly valuable; for I loved you from the first moment I faw you, and foon discovered what you fo carefully endeavour to conceal. -Oh, Ellen! I know the lord of all your fondett hopes:-but, have confidence in me,-I will never betray your fecret.

So you have great confidence in my confideration! Did you ever difcover any of my good qualities before I rejected Merioneth?-Ah, that confcious blufh!-Why I fee you at this very moment-But, a truce to raillery, I am feriously concerned at what you tell me of the knight.--For God's fake, rigidly and refolutely reject him,-nor be tamely facrificed to a brute, to for ward the ambitious projects of my

plotting

You will fee my affinity to lord Severn, a circumftance he is unacquainted with; as lord Derwent, on his arrival here, gave a general direction that nothing concerning me

plotting uncle, who cannot be blind to his fon's partiality for you, or unacquainted with your claims on lady Derwent.-I can advife no further; but, if you think me worthy of your confidence, I may per-fhould ever be mentioned to him.haps think of fome things which may be of fervice to you.

I have accidentally met with a clue to Severn's taciturnity.-I had ever fuppofed his fortune very good; but I am informed from undoubted authority) that it is far otherwife, that long and expenfive law-fuits have greatly impaised the estate, that the prefent lord came young into the fociety of a fet who live by the inexperience of others, and tutfered greatly, le prudently fled from the gay world; and is endeavouring, by the ftriéteft economy, to repair his fortune. His partiality for her is very obvious; and I have no doubt but he will make propofals as foon as he can do it with confiftency.

!

I am happy to inform you that Mrs. Merioneth is quite recovered from the fatigue of her journey, as is

Your affectionate LAURA MERIONETH. P. S. I am glad my poor folks are well.-Mr. Clifford' called on us yefterday. I pray, make proper compliments to the family.

LETTER XII.

Mifs Rutland to Lay Laura.

Perhaps it was intended to fave me a mortification:-for who knows but he might reject me, as the offspring of difhonour?-Ah! how different is the conduct of Merioneth!--Ever kind and attentive, he values not the misfortune of my birth.-Chance, this morning, brought him to Julia's dreffing-room.-I was there, waiting her approach.-She was not up.He eagerly feized that moment to renew a fubje& he has often before repeated. I had been weeping:-he would know what had occafioned my unealinefs:-I was at laft obliged to confefs that I was made uncomforta ble by the behaviour of the baronet.

"There is, (faid he) my dear Ellen, but one way of ending all thefe ills. Be mine, my love; give me a legal right to protect you,and refign (with the name of Rutland) every recollection of unmerited mortification.-Confent, my dear Ellen, to the ardent wifhes of your devoted Albert; and let him blefs the day which gives him unlimited permiffion to foften all your for

rows."

"Ah! (faid I) Merioneth, for what would you blefs that day?For uniting your fate to a woman difliked by your father,—for alienatThe Priory, Sept. 10thing you from your family, and deftroying your fortune?"

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He replied, with an air of difappointment, "If you loved me, Ellen, you would have lefs prudence."

YOUR obliging favour, my vaJued lady Laura, merits my warmeft acknowledgments. Long before you rejected Merioneth, your many excellencies imprinted fentiments of "It is affection, my dear Merefpe&t on the heart of Ellen.-Your rioneth, which gives me forefight: defire of my confidence is highly-I tremble for the confequences flattering, and embrace it with which might refult from the union pleafure.- Much, indeed, do I want propofed." an advifer; and often have I wished to relate the particulars I now inclofe; but feared my temerity might offend you.

"I cannot (faid he) fee fo much danger as you apprehend.-My allowance is genteel; we muft live frugal; our establishment muft ac

cord

cord with our circumftances, till the earl can be prevailed on to enlarge my income."

"Ah! my lord, that is at beft but an uncertainty; for myfelf, having no pretenfions to greatnefs, I have no wish for it.-But your lordship, born in affluence, and educated in fplendor,-what a change must you experience, thould the income you now poffefs be hereafter with-held! -In that cafe, who will venture to affure me that lord Merionethy will not execrate that day which bound his fate with mine?"

He was offended at the fuppofition, and propofed (would I give him a legal right to act for me) making inftant application to my grandfather in my behalf, whofe refentment for the conduct of his daughter, he thought, muft, by this time, be foftened into pity for her child.

I hesitated:-but, let me proudly fay, it was only the hesitation of a moment; and I replied, with all the compofure I could command,that, however fafcinating his propofals, I could on no account confent to them; fince they were incompatible with my obligations to lady Derwent, and at variance with every principle of duty, every fentiment of gratitude.

Wednesday night.

DURING breakfast, there was only her ladyfhip, Julia, and myself, prefent. She defired my attention to a fubject of the utmost importance.-Almoft gafping for breath, I could only bow; and her ladyship proceeded

"You need not, my dear Ellen, be reminded that I have ever regarded you as my own child:-[ have been happy in affifting to adorn the many graces nature has bestowed on you; yet, with all your endowments, think me not fevere in obferving that your unfortunate birth, and confined fortune, are greatly difadvantageous to your future profpects.-I am not going to elucidate the cruelty or illiberality of thofe farcafins fo frequently beftowed on illegitimate birth; I will content myfelf with remarking, that, however unjuft fuch prejudices may be thought, they are generally deep and lafting."

She paufed. I entreated fhe would be explicit.

"Fortunately for you, an offer now prefents itself which nothing can justify you in refuting; as it will be the only method of introducing you to fir Felix; an object I have never loft fight of.-As the The immediate entrance of Julia daughter of lord Severn, he might prevented a reply.haftily retired, reject all offers of accommodation; and found my boafted neroifm was but, as the wife of fir John Bateman, in a moment fled From my win- he will, no doubt, receive you.dow, I foon after faw Merioneth What fays my Ellen?-Shall I on the lawn, pale and agitated.I acquaint the earl that you acquiefce burst into, tears; and they relieved in our united wishes, and introduce me. I even fuffered myself to fup-fir John as your accepted lover?" pofe that fir Felix could not fee my difinterested Albert without rewarding him for his conduct." He has it amply in his power (faid I) :-he will receive us; and we fhall yet be happy."--Julia entered, and roufed me from my reverie -I followed | her to the breakfast-room;` and was You can in no other way repay greatly relieved to find that Me-it (retorted lady Derwent), and, if rioneth breakfasted with his father in you perfift in refufing this adyan the library. I am interrupted. tageous offer, I all be inclined to 8'

No, madam, (faid I, riling from my feat) I cannot receive fir John in the manner you propole; nor is it by bearing his name that I can make any application to fir Felix, or repay the debt of gratitude I owe your ladythip."

think

think your refufal proceeds from mifplaced affection."

Ah! my friend, could I refute the charge?It was impoffible; for my rebel heart, even at that moment, told me it could only beat for Albert. I entreated her ladyfhip to acquaint fir John that I had declined his propofals.

"Hear him, at leaft, mifs Rutland; I infift on it.-Offers like his fhould not be idly fported with."

Nor meanly accepted, madam, when the heart is at variance with them.".

"Nor ridiculously thrown away, (faid her ladyfhip) for ideal expectations which can never be gratified." "Indeed, lady Derwent, I cannot receive the offers of fir John. It is not from ambitious hopes, or ideal expectations, that I reject him; but from an innate conviction that thofe fentiments which give permanence to married happiness, can never, in this cafe, goven my conduct." "Mere fubterfuge (faid fhe): but I must inform lord Derwent of your ftrange behaviour. However, take notice, Ellen, the point is not given up."

Saying this, fhe was leaving the room, when he was met at the door by Alber. She pau'ed a moment, and angrily demanded why he was not preparing for his journey.-He replied, that he had every thing, he believed, in readiness; and should fet out in a few hours.

Lady Derwent left the room. Not having heard before of any intended journey, I dare fay my looks teftified my furprife.-Julia was equally unacquainted with it.

For heaven's fake! brother, where are you going and how long fhall vou be abfent:"

"But go, it seems, I muft.-I am likewife commissioned to do business for my father in London; and of courfe fall take that opportunity of paying my refpects to our friends at Twickenham.-1 fuppofe I fall be abfent a fortnight."

"How long (faid the) have you been apprifed of this journey?" "About three quarters of an hour," he replied.

"So now, I fuppofe, you are going to give us a farewell kifs; and we are to wish you a good jour. ney."

"Oh! a kifs by all means (encircling an arm round each):—but I do not, commence my journey till the evening, if I can help it-In the mean time, my fweet Ellen, will you favour me with your company in the garden for half an hour?"

I hesitated.

"Julia, (faid he) do you walk on with mifs Rutland, and I will follow in a few minutes."

"Indeed, (faid 'I) you must excufe me; I am not well." He looked difpleafed, but made no answer.

I hastily retired here, and took up my pen.-From my window I foon after faw them alone in the garden. - From Julia he doubtlefs will learn the, converfation which paffed at breakfast.-Ah! lady Laura, there needs no great penetration to difcover why he is ordered to ****.

It draws near the hour for dining, and I muft prepare for my appear ance; but first I will end this letter, that you may, as foon as poffible, perufe the inciofed manufcript, which I, after various entreaties, procured from lady Derwent.

Continue to me, I beseech you, your friendship; and favour me, as "To your fift queftion (he an frequently as poffible, with your fwered) of where I am going?'-advice; for never was it more wantto ****, to affift at Clifford's elec-ed than at this time, by

tion."

A very unneceffary journey; for he is fure of every vote in the place."

Your devoted
E. RUTLAND

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PROVIDENCE; or, the SHIPWRECK;

A TALE.

[From Dr. Aikin's "Evenings at Home."]

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of them).

Threefcore and fifteen men, women, and children, were in the ship when the ftruck. You may think what a clamour and confufion there was: women clinging to their husbands' necks, and children hanging about their clothes, all fhricking, crying, and praying! There was no time to be loft. We got out the finall boat in a twinkling; jumped in, without ftaying,for our captain, who was fool enough.to be minding the paffengers; cut the rope, and pushed away just time enough to be clear of the fhip, as fhe went down; and here we are, allalive and merry!" An oath concluded his fpecch. The Solitary was fhocked, and could not help fecretly wifing that it had pleafed providence to have faved fome of "Mercy! mer-the innocent paffengers, rather than thefe reprobates.

T was a dreadful form. The wind blowing full on the feafhore, rolled tremendous waves on the beach, while the half-funk rocks at the entrance of the bay were enveloped in a mift of white foam. A hip appeared in the offing, driving impetuoufly under her bare poles to land,-now tilting aloft on the furging waves, now plunging into the intervening hollows. Prefently the rushed among the rocks, and there ftuck; the billows beating | over her deck, and climbing up her fhattered rigging. "Mercy! mercy!" exclaimed an ancient Solitary as he viewed from a cliff the difmal fcene. It was in vain. The fhip fell on her fide, and was feen no

more.

Soon, however, a fmall dark object appeared coming from the rocks towards the fhore; at first dimly defcried through the foam, then quite plain as it rode on the fummit of a wave, then for a time totally Joft. It approached, and fhowed itself to be a boat with men in it rowing for their lives. The Solitary haftened down to the beach, and in all the agonifing viciffitudes of hope and fear watched its advance. At length, after the moft imminent hazards, the boat was thrown violently on fhore, and the dripping half-dead mariners crawled out to the dry land.

"Heaven be praised! (cried the Solitary) what a providential efcape!" And he led the poor men to his cell, where, kindling a good fire, and bringing out his little ftore of provifion, he restored them to health and fpirits. And are you fix men the only ones faved?" faid "That we are (anfwered one VOL. XXVII.

he.

The failors, having got what they could, departed, fcarcely thanking their benefactor, and marched up the country. Night came on. They defcried a light at fome distance, and made up to it. It proceeded from the window of a good-looking houfe, furrounded with a farm-yard and garden. They knocked at the door, and in a fupplicating tone made known their diftrefs, and begged relief. They were admitted, and treated with compaffion and hofpitality. In the houfe were the mif trefs, her children and women-fervants, an old man, and a boy: the mafter was abroad. The failors, fitting round the kitchen fire, whif pered to each other that here was an opportunity of making a booty that would amply compenfate for the lofs of clothes and wages. They fettled, their plan; and on the old man's coming with logs to the fire, one of them broke his ikull with the poker, and laid him dead. Another took up a knife which had been brought with the loaf and checfe, and running, after the boy, who was m king his efcape out of the houfe, stabbed 3 H

hin

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