fortnight, the hardships and dangers we have encountered, have been many and grievious, but to-morrow will be decisive one way or another. I have a strong prepossession that I will not survive the battle; yea so deeply is the idea impressed on my mind, that with me it amounts to an absolute certainty: therefore I must confide a secret with you, which none in the world knows of but myself and another. I was pri vately married before I left Scotland, to a young lady, lovely in her person, and amiable in her manners, but without any fortune. We resolved, for obvi ous reasons, to keep our marriage a sc cret until my return; but now (don't laugh at me my dear brother,) being convinced that I shall never return, I intreat you as a last request, to find her out, and afford her protection. It is probable that by this time she may stand in need of it more ways than one. She is called Miss Murray, and lives with her father, who has been unfortunate in trade, and a younger sister, a little angel of mercy, at the head of the Ler. Farewell my dear George: comfort our mother; and O! for my sake, cherish my dear wife, whom you will find every way worthy of it. It is most likely too, that before this reaches you, concealment of her state may be impossible, or highly inconvenient. We have an awful prospect before us George, but we are a handful of brave determined friends, and resolved to conquer or fall together." and kissed him,) By how many fatal and untoward events, all seemingly ac cidental, art thou at last, without the aid of human interference, thrown into the arms of thy natural guardian! and how firmly was my heart knit to thee from the very first moment I saw thee! But thou art now my own son; and shall no more leave me; no, nor your beautiful guardian neither, if she will accept of my hand and my heart. Indeed my dear Jeany, if you please, my home shall henceforth be your home, all my friends will be friends to you, and you shall be my own."-Here the old lady sprung forward, and gripping her son by the shoulder to pull him away, "What are you about George?" said she, "What's that you are saying man? Certainly you are raving mad! That child can no more be yours than it is mine. Will you explain yourself, or are we to believe that you have indeed lost your reason?" "I am not mad my dear mother; and indeed, as you say, the child is as much yours as he is mine; but the whole matter is very easily explained." He then left the room and all the company gazing upon one another; Jeany scarcely blushed, even on receiving the offer of George's hand and heart, for his rhapsody had thrown her into a pleasing and tender delirium of amazement, which kept every other feeling in suspense. In a few seconds George returned with an open letter in his hand. "Here is the last letter ever my brave brother wrote to me," said he, "a short extract from The old lady then snatched little which, will explain the whole of this George up in her arms, pressed him to seeming mystery," he then read as fol- her bosom, and shed abundance of tears lows: over him. "He is indeed my grandson,” "Thus, you see, that for the last said she, "there remains not a doubt of it; and I will henceforth look upon him, and nourish him as my own."“Yes, and he shall be mine too mother," said George," and heir of all the land, which is indeed his own by birthright. And my lovely and generous Miss Jeany Murray shall still be his mother, if she will accept of a heart that renders her virtues every homage short of adoration, and beats in unison with her own, to every tone of pity and benevolence." Jeany now blushed deeply; for the generous proposal was just made, while the tears of joy were still trickling over her cheeks, on account of the pleasing intelligence she had received relating to her dear sister and child. She could not- answer a word. She looked stedfastly at the carpet, to see how curious. ly it was wrought; then at a little pearl ring she wore on her finger; and latterly, fell to righting some of little George's clothes. They were all silent. It was a quaker meeting, and might have remained a pause of dumb suspense for a much longer period, had not the spirit fortunately moved the farmer's wife to deliver the following string of sensible observations. "There's nae fear o❞ her laird: od ye're as sure o' her as the weaver was o' the haggies, when he had it reekin' like a muirburn on the trencher afore him. My trouth ye hae made her a gude offer! but the young hizzies mak ay the grittest fyke about the thing they're keenest o'. I ken by mysel' when I was like her. Aye! aye! an' Jeany's to be our young lady! Weel, wha wad hae thought it no lang syne? I wat weel Jeany, I thought ye ay a gay fine lassie; but trouth I hadna muckle to lippen t'ye wi' the lads; ye had sic an e'e! Eh! ye had a d- of an e'e! but when Robin pat ye awa' I said, Hout, fy, 'fy! it's a nonsense! I canna think our laird wad fash ony lass." "Oh! for mercy's sake! good woman," said George, "leave off that subject and do thou dear Miss Jeany tell me whether or not you. can accept of my proposal?" Indeed, Sir, answered she, you overpower me with unmerited kindness. I am every way unworthy of the honour you propose for my acceptance; but I cannot part with my poor little George, so, with your leaves, I will stay and be my lady's servant, and wait on him." "I understand," said he, "you must be courted in form; so I consent that you shall stay with my mother as her companion; longer acquaintance, I doubt not, will confirm that estcem which a congeniallity of dispositions, and a concurrence of events, conspired so effectually to excite." It was not many months until this amiable pair were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, and they are still living beloved and respected by all their acquaintances. James, at the next term, was hired to be the laird's own shepherd; and, under the auspices of his grateful mistress, is perhaps the most happy man in the nation; and, in a few years, George intends making him overseer, and manager of all his rupal affairs.. THE SAILOR BOY. IN slumbers of midnight the sailor boy lay, He dreamt of his home, of his dear native bowers, Then fancy her magical pinions spread wide, The jessamine clambers in flowers o'er the thatch, A father bends o'er him with looks of delight; His cheeks are impearled with a mother's fond tear, With the lips of the maid whom his bosom holds dear. The heart of the sleeper beats high in his breast; Ah! whence is that flame which now bursts on his eye? He sprung from his hammock, he flies upon deck, Like mountains the billows tremendously swell, Ah! sailor boy, woe to thy dreams of delight!. O! sailor boy, sailor boy! never again, No tomb shall e'er plead to remembrance for thee, On beds of green sea-flower thy limbs shall be laid, Days, months, years, and shall circle away, ages And still the vast waters above thee shall roll, Edinburgh, 13th February 1811 B. W. This Number concludes the Second Quarter of the Spy, and they will now form a handsome half volume in boards. A second edition of the early numbers will soon be ready, and complete sets may be had at the STAR OFFICE, or of J. BALLANTYNE & Company, Hanover Street. A complete Index with the names of the Authors that are known will be given, when the volume is completed. EDINBURGH-Printed at the Star Office, (price 4d. a single Number, 48. 6d. per quarter, deliverable in town, and 59. when sent to the country), by A. & J. AIKMAN, for the PROPRIETORS ; where Subscriptions, and Communications, (post paid), will be received. 1811. The Spy. Facilis descensus Averni. SATURDAY, MARCH 2. No man can have mingled for any time in society, without perceiving that affectation and pretence are the foundation of many of those grave and querulous remarks, which in a variety of modes and shapes insinuate themselves sometimes into the conversation, and often into the writings of those who would wish to pass for men of observation and universal benevolence:Those who are actuated merely by such motives as these, whatever might be said of their understandings, are many of them, simple well meaning men, with a little harmless conceit. And so long as their zeal does not outstep their discretion, they cannot be very troublesome to their neighbours. There is another class, however, whose principles and objects are less honourable and who, as they are sometimes gifted with more talents, are for that very reason more to be suspected and guarded against. I mean men of some abilities, but possessed of a splenetic visionary turn of mind, arising sometimes from a morbid temperament, sometimes from the effects of their own imprudencies, and not unfre No. XXVII. quently from a tincture of envy at the more prosperous situation of others; which leads them to be dissatisfied with almost every thing they meet; to find no comfort but in discovering specks. and flaws, which would escape the eye of a more good natured, or perhaps better informed man; and if they cannot find such imperfections, to do the best they can to create them. If to this unhappy propensity, there should be added, if I may so say, a little want of sense, which sometimes accompanies very considerable abilities, with a desire to have it believed, that in this country there is something radically wrong in our legal establishments; all these ingredients I say, when they do meet, are sure, after a proper degree of fermentation, to produce a peevish, gloomy, discontented being; one who is surprised at not finding joy in a jail, or comfort and elegance in Bridewell. These reflections occurred to me on perusing the letter in your paper of the 2nd of this month, dated from East Lothian, and signed "An Observer." And flattering myself that I may be able to satisfy this philanthropic gentleman, or at least many of your readers, that, perhaps, with the best intentions, this observer has completely mistaken the objects of his uneasiness, I beg leave to make some observations on that performance. |