bis letter, to bring his grace's answer to lientenant-general De Lee's, (the gentleman whom he had pitched upon for his second, and with whom he lay that night, at his house in St. James's street,) which was done. About four in the morning his lordship waked, and got softly up, without (as he thought) being observed by his bedfellow, and dressing himself, buckled on his sword, and fixing two agate flints in his pistols, then charged them; but recollecting that his grace's seconds would probably desire to see them loaded, drew them again.

T

By this time the general was awake, and observing his lordship to take a book out of his pocket, he thought it improper to give him to know he was observed. His lordship kneeled down by a small jasper table in the lieutenant's bed-room, and seemed to pray with great devotion for a quarter of an hour, often repeating, just loud enough to be heard, the errors of his youthful days, and fervently supplicating the Almighty not to impute them; after which he arose, and bid the general awake, for he would not willingly have his grace, he said, wait a moment, as the morning was a little rainy, and cold withal. By the time they were accoutred, it wanted just half an hour of the appointed time. General De Lee desired to view his lordship's sword, and examining the point and handle very cautiously, then returned it, saying, that he heartily wished it was going to be employed in a cause more serviceable to his country. His lordship answered, it could be of little consequence in that respect, let the event be what it would.

Just as his lordship was opening the door for departure, the

lieutenant-general desired to know if there was any thing his lordship thought proper to communicate. To which he replied, it was very fortunate that he had mentioned that, and delivered a letter, directed for the Right Hon. the Countess of E~, desiring that he would give it her alone, and not upon any consideration trust it to another hand. As for his family affairs, they were already settled according to his will. On this they immedi ately left the apartment, and arrived somewhat before the appointed time, and took several turns from the lodge to the tree. His lordship several times expressed wonder at his grace's delay, though it was not two minutes, by general De Lee's watch, above the limited hour, when he arrived, attended with one second only.

He bade his lordship a good morning, and hoped they had not waited for them long; then pulled out his watch, said he had hit it to a point; adding at the same time, that he had rather die than break. his promise upon such an occasion. His lordship returned the expression with this addition, that though they had waited a little, there was sufficient time left to despatch the business they were upon. To which his grace replied, the sooner it was despatched the more leisure there will be behind. In the interim, the seconds were pairing their swords, and each one loaded his adversary's pistols; then agreed to the following terms: viz. First, That the distance of firing should not be less, at either time, than seven yards and a half. Secondly, That if either should be dangerrously wounded the first discharge the duel should cease, if the

wounded perons would own his life in the hands of his antagonist. Thirdly, That between the firing and drawing their swords, there should be no limited time, but each should endeavour to make the first thrust. Fourthly, That if either should yield, as in the second article, during the engagement with sword, whether by wound, false step, or any other means, then the engagement should cease. To which four articles they both consented. His grace stripped off his coat, which was scarlet, trimmed with broad gold lace, when my Lord B-'s second stepped in to unbutton his waistcoat, ou which, with some indignation, his grace replied, Do you take me to be a person of so little honour as to defend myself by such base means as hiding a shield under my doublet? Lieutenant-general De Lee desired his excuse, adding, he' was bound in honour to see justice to the cause he had espoused.

The same ceremony passed upon his lordship, who had already pulled off his coat, which was crimson with broad silver lace; and both the combatants being now ready, my Lord Badded, "Now, if you please your grace, come on;" when they instantly both stepped in the circle. His grace fired and missed; but my lord B, perhaps from more experience, knew that battles were seldom won by hasty measures, deliberately levelled his, and wounded his antagonist near the throat. They both discharged again, when his lordship received a slight wound in his turn, on which they instantly drew their swords, and impetuously charged each other, rather each of them meditatating the death of his adversary than his

own safety. In the first or second thrust, Lord Bentangled the toe of his pump in a tuft of grass, and in evading a push from his antagonist, fell on his right side, but supporting himself with the sword in hand, by incon ceivable dexterity, sprung backwards, and evaded the push apparently aimed at his heart.

A little pause intervening here, his grace's second proposed to his lordship a reconciliation; but the ardent thirst after each other's blood so overpowered the strongest arguments of reason, that they insisted to do each other's will, whatever might be the consequence. Nay, the anger of his grace was raised to such a pitch of revenge, that he, in that critical moment, swore if for the future either of the seconds interposed, he would run him through his body. Thus, after finding all remonstrances of saving them without effect, the seconds retired to their limited distance; and perhaps one of the most extraordinary duels ensued that the records of history can produce. The parrying brought on a close lock, which Monsieur De Barreux says, nothing but the key of the body can open. In this position they stood for I dare say a minute, striving to disengage each other by successive wrenches; in one of which his grace's swordpoint got entangled in the guard of his lordship's, which his lordship overlooked; so that this disadvantage was recovered by his grace, before the consequence which it might have brought on was executed. At last, in a very strong wrench on both sides, their swords sprung from their hands; I dare say his lordship's flew six or seven yards upright.

This accident, however, did

not retard the affair a moment, but both seizing their thistles at the same time, the duel was renewed with as much malevolence as ever. By this time his lordship had received a thrust through the inner part of his sword arm, passing right forward to the extérior part of the elbow; his at the same time, passing a little over that of his antagonist, but alertly drawing back, I think partly before his grace had recovered his push, run him through the body a little above the right pap. His lordship's sword being thus engaged, nothing was left for his defence but a naked left arm, and his grace being in this dangerous situation, yet had fair play at alnost any part of his lordship's body; yet he bravely put by several thrusts exactly levelled at his throat, till at last, having two fingers cut off by defending the pushes, and the rest mangled to a terrible degree, his grace lodg ed his sword one rib exactly below his heart, and in this affecting condition, they both stood, neither being able to make another push, and each by this time covered with blood; when both the seconds stepped in, and begged they would consider their situation, and the good of their future state; yet neither would consent to part, until, by the greater loss of blood which his lordship sustained, in being first wounded, he fell senseless, but in such a position, that he drew his sword out of his grace's body; recovering himself a little before he was down, he faltered forward and falling with his thigh across his sword, snapped it in two.

His grace observing him no longer capable of defence, or sensible of danger, immediately broke his own, and fell on his

GREAT YARMOUTH. Feb. 14.-On Monday night, seventeen persons were saved from the Brothers, a schooner, stranded near the Old Jetty, by Captain Manby's apparatus, kept at the pier, in charge of the Custom-house officers. The sea was running so high, and breaking over the vessel with such fury, that no boat could approach, and every instant it was expected the persons on board would perish from the vessel going to pieces; but by the prompt exertions of the tide waiter, his crew, and a preventive man, a communication was soon effected, and by it a warp raised to the mast head, on which, in a sling, the number above stated were all safely landed, when it was admitted by all present that no other means could possibly have rescued them from inevitable death!-Chelmsford Chro

nicle.

EASTERN TALES.

THE HISTORY OF MORADBAK.

HUDJADGE, one of the most celebrated Kings of Persia, underwent so total a loss of sleep, that it was beyond all example; it inflamed his blood to that prodigious degree, that from a gentle and humane prince, as he was before, when he enjoyed the same repose as his subjects, he became cruel and barbarous.

He had for above twenty years used all the remedies of the sages and celebrated physicians of the east; but all their advice and all their prescriptions had been useless. At length, not knowing what further method he could have recourse to, to retrieve his repose, he gave orders to his vizier, who generally watched with him, to send for a person named Fitead, who had the charge of keeping the gates of the palace, and of a private prison which joined to them: Hudjadge persuading himself, that a man so sedentary as he must be, who was at once a porter and a gaoler, might have heard several persons relate their histories and their misfortunes; and that those recitals might perhaps restore to him his rest.

When Fitead arrived in his presence, he said to him, I can take no repose; I command thee to relate some history to me.' Alas! my sovereign lord,' said Fitead prostrating himself, cannot read, and I have no memory; I have always contented myself with carefully opening and shutting the gates of you majesty's palace, and faithfully keeping the prisoners you have intrusted to me; I have never thought of any thing else.'

'I believe thou sayest the truth,' resumed Hudjadge; but if thou dost not find me some one who can relate to me histories capable of lulling me to rest, or of amusing me if I cannot sleep, I will cause thee to be put to death. Begone: I give thee three days to obey me in, if not I shall keep my promise to thee.'

Fitead, as he departed, said within himself, never shall I be able to perform what the king demands of me; I have no other way left than to abandon my country, and seck my fortune elsewhere. However, he wandered through the whole city, asking all those whom he met, if they could inform him of any person who knew histories or tales capable of lulling a man to sleep; but the whole world made a jest of his question, and left him plunged in the same perplexity as before. He returned home very melancholy, and deeply afflicted.

Fitead was a widower, and he had a daughter of about fourteen years old, who was extremely handsome, and had a great share of sense; she was named Moradbak. * She perceiving that something had happened which affected her father, inquired the cause of it in so touching a manner, that he soon satisfied her curiosity. Moradbak conjured him not to afflict himself, and to put his confidence in God, assuring him that she hoped by the next day to be able to find him what the king had not demanded till two days impatience for the execution of his after however, Fitead waited with daughter's promise.

When night approached, Moradbak passed into her own chamber, and

* The desire accomplished.