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So saying, he walked out of the room. What answer could I have made to such a speech? Had he staid, I could only have answered by my tears. I inclose you a copy of the colonel's letter to my brother: you will see how desirous he is to acquit me in his eyes.-Harriet says, I must not persist any further in my intention of undeceiving our brother; and indeed, such is his obstinacy in any opinion he adopts, that I believe it would be a vain attempt. No consideration, however, can induce me to accuse the colonel.

I dread this lawyer's visit. Harriet says she has no doubt but it will be managed very well: she will inform you of all the particulars.

I now lay down my pen, with the request of a line from you as soon as convenient.-Your letters I consider as an invaluable treasure; but at this time they will be particularly acceptable to your ever obliged and grateful

MARIA VERNON.

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I FIND Maria has promised your good mother that I should inform you of all the particulars respecting this terrible law-suit about to commence against the poor colonel. I will endeavour to fulfil her promise, though it really was a scene which requires an abler pen than mine to do it justice. I believe I must give it you by way of dialogue.

About eight o'clock last night entered brother, introducing a tall thin man dressed in black, with his own black hair tied behind, a terrible black beard, and, in short, all over black excepting a white cravat.

Maria startled at his entrance, and, attempting to courtsey, was forced to lay hold on the back of the chair. Jerry looked scared, and instantly left the room; while I just nodded my head to the strange figure, and took my seat close to Maria, a little behind her, as I agreed, that I might jog her elbow when she behaved amiss; and a sad piece of work had I to keep her in order. My brother and his learned friend placed themselves in two arm-chairs opposite us. And now, after a few observations on the weather, we thus began:

Lawyer Which of the young women before me is the person who deceived by colonel Ambrose, by promise of marriage?' Brother.

is

The tallest of the two.' Harriet. Must we stand up, sir?'

Lawyer. No, I can perceive the difference. If the aforesaid colonel Ambrose has made you a promise of marriage before a witness, or has certified under his hand, either by letter or note, sealed or unsealed, such to be his intention; and whereas, he has now declared by his letter that he has altered his mind, without assigning any cause or impediment to warrant the said alteration; it is my opinion an action will lie against him, and that damages may be obtained to a large amount.'

Brother (rubbing his hands). I thought so, I thought so; I told you so. Let me shake you by the hand, neighbour Dixon. You understand the law as well as any man in England.-How much do you think these damages will amount to?'

Lawyer. Perhaps, two thousand pounds; it will depend on the gentleman's fortune. I have, during my extensive practice, been witness to several suits of this kind, and understand the matter perfectly well.'

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Sir, you will be surprised at the contents of this letter, which is to inform you that I have altered my mind with regard to marrying your sister. [Now this implies it was his intention to have married one of your sisters, but it does not specify which, or prove a promise of marriage to either of the said young women.] It is my intention to follow your example, and continue a ba chelor. Now, I hope you will not take amiss this alteration in my sentiments, and I flatter myself we shall not be worse friends than before. [This paragraph is nothing to the purpose--I have written to the

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young lady, and she declares herself perfectly satisfied in the matter.'[He does not specify what matter he wrote to the young lady about: we are to conjecture that it was to decline the marriage; but as he does not in direct terms say so, this paragraph likewise is of no importance.] As that is the case, and she is the principal person concerned, I see not why the affair should be talked of. I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you and your sisters as old friends when I come to town; in the mean time, I am, sir.'- Why, really, Mr. Vernon, this is, as I observed before, a bad business, and I fear nothing can be done in it. This letter proves, indeed, an intention to marry one of your sisters, but it by no means proves a promise. Really, sir, I fear nothing can be done; that is, I mean nothing can be id with any sertainty. If you will incur the expence of a law-suit, I will undertake to retain able counsel, and it may be brought to a favourable issue. I have no objection to undertake the cause.'

Brother. You undertake the cause! You understand not so much of the law as myself. I see, by your manner of reading the colonel's letter, you do not. I tell you, Sir, that letter is proof sufficient, if you do not purposely explain away its meaning.'

Lawyer. Sir, my practice has been very extensive, and -'

Brother.- Don't tell me of your extensive practice: the more shame for you, then.'

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Lawyer.- Sir, I cannot stay to argue this point at present: I have business of great importance with some clients, who are now waiting for me at the City coffee-house.' Brother.

Your servant, sir: I bave business too, so we are on a par on that point.'

So saying, our wise brother took himself out at one door, while the sagacious lawyer went out at the other, without deigning to look at Maria or me, who were not a little rejoiced at their departure, and the breaking up of the court.

My brother did not return home till late, and had, he informed us, been to Doctor's-commons; but finding that no counsel could be procured under a guinea, he had wisely deter mined to drop the matter. We said little; and after listening attentively for an hour to invectives against the expences of law-suits, and the impositions of the professors of the law, we went quietly to bed.

Maria is much easier and happier, she declares, than she has been for some months. I have brought her to acquiesce in my advice to let the matter rest, and not endeavour to undeceive our brother in the strange opinion he has adopted. Were it possible to undeceive him, I am certain the consequence would be dreadful to Maria. I am sure, dear Susan, you will join me in loving and admiring our friend the colonel; and regretting that it was not in Maria's power to bestow on him that heart he was so desirous to possess, and which he so highly deserves. The probability of her ever being united to Wentworth, I think, is but little: it must be many years before he can acquire sufficient to enable him to return to his native country; to say nothing of his not being equally attached to her. I am really distressed when I reflect

on her situation. But I will not dwell on this subject; I will not accustom myself to look only on the dark side of the picture. In the present case, I will hope every thing from time; I will hope that Mr. Wentworth will return in a few years from India, possessed of wealth and a heart all Maria's; that nothing will prevent their union, and that the generous colonel will be happy in the possession of some other deserving woman, who, in his estimation, will compensate the loss he now laments. What a pleasing picture have I drawn, and what a happy person will your Harriet be if these her wishes should be realised! I cannot conclude this letter better than by transcribing the following lines to Hope, from an admired poem by miss Bowdler.

Friend to the wretch whose bosom knows no joy!

Parent of bliss beyond the reach of fate! Celestial hope! thou gift divine! When pains torment, and cares annoy, Sweet balm of grief! still be mine.

Thou only can their force abate,

And gild the gloom which shades this mortal

state.

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I was just going to seal my letter, when a knock at the door announced the arrival of a visitor. Dorcas hob. bled up stairs to me to inform me Mr. Colonel was come, and that miss Maria was in such a taking, she never saw the like.

Where is she?' said I.

O dear, lack a-day! she did but just spy him through the window, and down she ran into the kitchen, declaring she could not stay in the parlour. She told me to run up to you, though goodness knows I

can't run however, I come as fast as possible. Good lack! what is the matter?'

I cannot stay now to explain, good Dorcas.'

So saying, I hastened down to the colonel. I expressed my surprise at seeing him so unexpectedly.

'I certainly should not have waited on you so soon,' said he, but wishing to see your brother, I ventured on what I deem an impropriety.'

You cannot be guilty of an impropriety,' said I; 'nor can we, dear sir, be otherwise than glad to see you at all times.'

My visit is now meant to your brother. I have received an angry letter from him, and I am come purposely to town to remove that anger.'

Indeed, sir, I do not think it worth your while to argue a point with my brother: I am certain his anger will in time subside, for although he is unpersuadable, he is not unforgiving. I then related all that had passed between Maria and him, omitting only the lawyer scene. He was much affected with Maria's behaviour.

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Give me no more instances,' said he, of the amiable conduct of your sister; I must no longer open my eyes to her perfections.' He expressed himself much pleased with her letter, and said her resolution to acquaint her brother with the whole truth had determined him to come to town to counteract her intentions. He then enquired tenderly after her health. I informed him of her agitation, and expressed a wish that he would dispense with seeing her. He said he by no means wished an interview at that time.-' My business is now,' said he, solely with your brother. I have no doubt of leaving him quite satisfied with

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my conduct: at the same time, I own I respect him for at present condemning it.'

I expressed a wish to know what means he would use to accomplish this desirable end; but he would not satisfy my curiosity. He said, if it met our concurrence, he wished us to accept the invitation into Wiltshire; adding, with a sigh, that he thought it best.

My brother just then knocking at the door, he tenderly saluted me, saying- Commend me to your sister, and leave me for the present. I shall quit the house as soon as I have finished my business with your brother.'I courtesied, and withdrew, unseen by brother; I may add, on the rack of curiosity.

I found Maria had ventured vp stairs into her own room, where she sat trembling like an aspen leaf. She was highly pleased to hear of her reprieve. Congratulate yourself,' said I, our brother is not a young flashy fellow fighting a duel below. A pretty piece of work you would have made of it in that case!'

Dorcas now entered with a second glass of hartshorn and water.—' I am better now,' said Maria, faintly.

Thank God,' quoth the good woman; I was frighted out of my wits to see you so flustered. I hope as how I may be told the reason.'

Now you must know this worthy creature has one failing, I had almost said but one, which is such a propensity to talking and communicating, that Dorcas and a secret are incompatible. This being the case, it v. as impossible to tell her the particulars of the present affair; and yet we feared to hurt the good woman by doubting her secrecy.

'Good Dorcas,' said Maria, 'you know I love you, and being assured of that, I hope you will not take it amiss if I do not at present inform

you of the cause of the uneasiness you have seen me in. I am not to be married to colonel Ambrose.'

Had a loud clap of thunder broke on poor Dorcas it would hardly have taken more effect. She hopped to the opposite corner of the room in an instant, exclaiming, Then there is no faith in man!- Hold,' said Maria, 'the colonel is all honour and generosity. Take this, good Dorcas, from me upon trust, and ask no questions.'

We then left her to ponder on the affair, and very low spirited the good soul has been ever since; but she strictly obeys her young mistress, and asks no questions.

Brother and the colonel went out together, and when the former returned to dinner he was in a good humour, and after dinner ordered some wine (a thing very unusual with him), and toasted the colonel, Maria could not contain her joy, but exclaimed- What pleasure has this day afforded me! you will now, my dear brother, no longer doubt my veracity.'

Veracity!' he replied, with great sternness, I cannot be imposed on: the colonel and I understand each other very well, but your idle tales I desire I may never hear repeated.'

Fearing what might follow, I changed the conversation, and informed him of the invitation given us by our cousin, Wilson. He ordered us to accept it, and we retired to write an answer to that purpose. We are at a loss to know by what means the colonel has pacified our brother. It is very clear he has not told him the real cause; but as long as he is pacified, it is immaterial to us by what means.

As we shall be at D in a few days, I shall not write again until then. I am much pleased with the thoughts of this visit, and hope to

have it in my power to make my letters entertaining to my partial friends.-Adieu, my dear, for the present. Yours affectionately,

H. VERNON.

(To be continued.)

ON THE SCOTCH MUSIC.

THE character of the Scotch music is universally acknowledged to be very marked and peculiar. Several of the Scotch songs take their names from the rivulets, villages, and hills, adjoining to the Tweed, near Melrose, a region distinguished by many charming varieties of rural scenery, and which, whether we consider the face of the country or the genius of the people, may properly enough be called the Arcadia of Scotland. And all these songs are sweetly and powerfully expressive of love and tenderness, and other emotions suited to the tranquillity of a pastoral life.

It is a common opinion that these songs were composed by David Rizzio, a musician from Italy; the unfortunate favourite of a very unfortunate queen. But this must be a mistake: the style of the Scotch music was fixed before his time; for many of the best of these tunes are ascribed to a more remote period; and, besides, it is not to be supposed that he, a foreigner, and in the latter part of his life a man of business, could have acquired or invented a style of musical composition so different, in every respect, from that to which he had been accustomed in his own country. Melody is so

Cowdenknows, Galashiels, Galawater, Etteric Banks, Braes of Garrow, Bush above Traquair, &c.

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