their arms, hardly able to ftand against the violence of the wind, and trembling fo, that they were obliged to hold by the rails on the beach! Mrs. Woodfield. Why we, who were much lefs interested, my dear Caroline, were infenfible of the inconvenience of the wind, and even of fome rain that fell, while we were in anxious expectation of the arrival of the boats. How admirably Shakefpeare has defcribed the careleffnefs of perfonal inconvenience, which is occafioned by violent grief and anxiety! "When the mind's free, The body's delicate; the tempest in my mind Does from my fenfes take all feeling elfe, But what beats there!" Elizabeth. I thought of Lear, mamma, when the storm was most violent, and remembered thofe lines: "Things that love night, Love not fuch nights as thefe: the wrathful fkies Gallow the very wanderers of the dark, Loud fhrieks the sbaring hern, and, with wild wing, [clouds; The circling, fea-fowl cleave the flaky Ocean, unequal prefs'd with broken tide And blind commotion, heaves; while from the shore, prepare; Eat into caverns hy the restless wave, And foreft-ruftling mountain, comes a voice That, folemn-sounding, bids the world [burft, Then iffues forth the ftorm, with fudden And hurts the whole precipitated air Defcends th' etherial force, and, with Down in a torrent. On the paffive main ftrong guft, Turns from its bottom the difcolour'd deep, Through the black night that fits immenfe [brine Lafh'd into foam, the fierce-conflicting Seems o'er a thousand raging waves to burn; [clouds Meantime the mountain-billows, to the In dreadful tumult fwell'd, furge above furge, around. Burft into chaos with tremendous roar, And anchor'd navies from their stations drive, Wild as the winds, across the howling wafte Of mighty waters." And make them keep their caves; fince I DER WENT PRIORY; was man, [thunder, Such fheets of fire, fuch bursts of horrid Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I Bever. Remember to have heard!" Mrs. Woodfield. A tempeft at fea, though one of the most awful and fublime fpectacles the world can fhow, has, I think, been lefs fre A NOVEL. In a Series of Letters. (Continued from p. 416.) The Manufcript inclosed in the foregoing, addreffed to Mifs Rutland. T your frequent and earnest quently defcribed in poetry than any A folicitations, I commit to paper other phænomenon of nature. But, indeed the unfortunate fufferers, in fuch a cafe, are not likely to be in a condition to analyfe their fenfations, or to remark appearances around them. There is, however, the Shipwreck, by Falconer, which has fome fine paffages. How very correct, in all he defcribes, is that charming poet, Thomfon! If you recollect what we have remarked to day, you may obferve how clofely he has traced the progrefs of the form: The cormorant on high Wheels from the deep, and fereams along the land; the following tale. Each circumftance is ftill fresh upon my memory; and never but with life can I ceafe to regret the forrows of mifs Rutland. Your mother was my most intimate friend :-on my marriage the accompanied me home, and continued with me for fourteen months; in which time my fon was born.Shortly after that event, she was which the was ordered fea-bathing. attacked by a nervous complaint, for To reftore her health, her father conveyed her to Brighton.-1 foon followed them. Mr. Merioneth was detained mined, after a few weeks' unavailing attendance in London, to return to the only perfon in the world that could tranquillife his heart. He had frequently feen Mr. Rutland, but did not name his intended journey to him; for he obferved, with concern, that, after hearing the state of his fortune, that gentleman vifibly relaxed in politenefs to him.-On the morning before he left London, by accident he met Mr. Rutland, who detained in London by particular | bufinefs. Mr. Rutland foon after left us, and retired to his feat in Lancafhire. Chance, at the fame time, brought us acquainted with lord Severn. He had lodgings in the fame houfe. He frequented our parties, promoted our amufements, and health again glowed on the cheek of Ellen.-Lord Severn was formed to conciliate the affections of the fair: he was gay to an extreme,-good without oftentation,-gallant with-bluntly asked him whether he was out frivolity; and to thefe accomplishments was added an handfome perfon, and an infinuating addrefs: -fuch, Ellen, was your father. To fay my friend was lovely, is fpeaking but of half her worth. Her mind was the feat of every vir tue under heaven; diftrefs never appealed in vain to her humanity, nor fuffering merit to her heart:to the first he would extend her purfe, to the second her commifera tion. going out of town?-He perceived, by his looks, the inference which would be drawn from his aufwer, and evafively replied that he was going to vifit his mother in Kent.They parted, and he haftened to his drooping Ellen. It was late, in a dark evening, when he arrived at Rutland-houte, unexpected by any of the family. He was fhown up ftairs.-Ellen was alone, and weeping over a letter fhe had just before received from her her to his heart, and begged to fhare her forrows. She could not answer a word, but (leaning on his shoulder) fobbed in agony.-After a little time, he became more compofed, and difcourfed freely on the fource of her anxiety. During our continuance at Brigh-father.-Severn approached, clasped ton, lord Severn avowed his fentiments for mifs Rutland, who received, with fmiles, his offered heart.Her father was applied to, who made no objection to the alliance, only ftipulated that the marriage fhould not take place until a law-fuit was decided, on which, in part, depended the fortune of Severn. At the approach of winter I returned to London, while Severn attended my friend to the feat of her father, in Lancashire, where he was received with great politenefs.Parliamentary bufinefs called Mr. Rutland to London.-Lord Severn reluctantly took leave of Ellen, and departed for the fame place, to hurry the lawyers, and thereby haften his marriage. "Read this (faid fhe, prefenting the letter); you will there, find that my father not only commands me to renounce you, but to prepare my mind to receive a husband of his recommendation; and the next week (fhe added) will bring them both here." "My Ellen (faid he), prevent the mifery which threatens us.-You honour me with your approbation, you condefcend to intereft your. felf in my happinefs,-you fhed preOn his arrival in London, he cious tears at the idea of a feparafound things not fo favourable to tion,--you are my all of earthly his hopes as he had before expected. blifs; the utmoft malice of fortune -Vexed by the tedious prolixity of cannot deprive me of a competence: law, and mortified by the procrafti-be mine then, my love; be innation of his fondeft hopes, he deter- ftantly mine, and put it beyond the power power of caprice to separate us for ever." He obeyed. She rang the bell for her fervant, who had lived with her from infanand eafed her heart by disclosing her fituation... Mary could not advise; but the wept with her mistress.—At length She liftened,-hefitated,-but, at length, confented.-Yet her under-cy, ftanding was at variance with her refolutions; but Severn, ardent in his purfuits, would not fuffer her mind to dwell on melancholy pre-my friend (who could not bring herfages-He painted the anger of her felf voluntarily to quit her father's father, at moft but of fhort duration. house) adopted a plan which fatisfied "Befides, (faid he) my family and her doubts, though it ended her connections will effectually fcreen exiftence. you from the contempt of the world." "But they will not (faid fhe) filence my own reflections." Again he pleaded, and again the appeared fatisfied. A journey to Scotland was propofed; my friend declared fhe would not leave her father's houfe for fo long a time as would neceffarily be taken up in performing fo long a journey. "How elfe then (faid he) can we prevent the confequences of Mr. Rutland's arrival?" "Even when he does arrive (faid fhe) that may be our laft refource." He was obliged to appear fatisfied, and, foon after, took his leave. borfes and fervants were left neighbouring inn. His at a Three days paffed in unavailing debates on different plans which were never adopted. On the third evening, as,they were fitting alone, a letter was delivered to Ellen.-It was from her father.-She opened it with trembling hands, and read 'as follows "To-morrow evening I fhall be with you, accompanied by my friend, whom I command you to receive as your future hufband.” "Never (faid the, with fervor) will I be any other than my Harry's wife.-Lord Severn, I am from this moment yours." "Then you confent to our immediate journey," faid he. Early in the morning, Severn again appeared. He was conducted to the breakaft-room-Ellen foon joined him. He eagerly afked if he might prepare for their departure. "No," was the anfwer he receiv ed. "Good God!--you then determine to wait the arrival of Mr. Rutland, to receive the addresses of his friend!" You wrong me, Severn; and fhould know me better." She rang the bell.--Mary appear. ed."Tell father John we wait for him." [Your mother, Ellen, was of the catholic faith.] The priest appeared. "Now, my lord (faid the) are you fatisfied?-and are you willing to receive my hand?" "Grateful for the gift (faid he), in whatever manner bestowed, I here folemnly pledge myself never to forget the confidence you are about to repofe in me." The ceremony was performed He preffed her to his heart; and vowed never to forfake her. "Before the awful face of heaven (faid the) I am your wife:-to your honour, my lord, I implicitly truft for worldly forms-" "And moft religiously (faid he) will I fee thofe forms obferved.-In a few weeks, my love, I hope I thall publicly call you lady Severn." Ellen fighed, but endeavoured to "Leave me (faid fhe) for the prefent; I will determine by the morn-be cheerful.-In a few hours Severn took a tender leave of her, and again ing; and be here early." fet fet out for London.—My friend was the idol of her father's fervants: therefore, at her request, lord Severn's recent vifit to Rutland-houfe was funk in filence. In the evening Mr. Rutland arrived, bringing with him an elderly. looking man, whofe appearance was not mended by a long refidence in a torrid clime.-Ellen fhuddered at the fight of him; but the certainty ́of never being his, in fome m afure gave her fpirits to receive them with propriety. Several weeks paTed without her father attempting to introduce him in any other way than as a friend; and he began to hope that Mr. Monfon (that was his name) had changed his mind with respect to her. Severn privately returned, and had frequent interviews with her, unknown to any but Mary, who was prefent at the ceremony of their marriage. His affairs called him again to the metropolis; and Ellen remained behind, tortured with anxiety. He foon wrote to her, in great fpirits, faying it was time to acquaint Mr. Rutland of their fituation."My mother (he added) is prepared to receive you.-I will be down with you in a few days, when I intend explaining every thing to Mr. Rutland. I am unwilling to fay any thing which fhould diftrefs you; but I am much afraid Mr. Rutland will remain inexorable, as I have frequently written to him, but can obtain no anfwers.-Should he be deaf to our entreaties, I have provided against the worst, by having the marriage-bans publifhed in a church in London, where the ceremony must be again performed." [My friend was under age.] He concluded by faying: "Thus fee, my love, though I would have you hope for the beft, I am prepared for the worst, and entreat you to pre repare for your departure to Lon VOL. XXVII, don-My houfe is ready to receive you, and my mother is already here to bid you,welcome." Scarce had the read his letter, which the moistened with her tears, and configned to her bofom, when fhe was fummoned to attend her father. "Ellen, (faid he) why am I tormented by Severn's applications?You both know I have given that affair my decided negative.-His fortune is deranged, his estate mortgaged, and I infift on your giving no encouragement to his folicitations. You know (fternly) I never change my opinion." Forgive me, my father (cried Ellen, throwing herself before him); forgive me for reminding you that you have changed your opinion,— for you once thought lord Severn worthy of encouragement-What has he done to alter your opinion of him?-His love for me does not depend on fortune:-hé afks not wealth." "How! (faid her father, interrupting her) have you been privately treating with him?" The crimfon tide mounted to her check. She could not affert a falsehood,-fo remained filent. "Mifs Rutland, (faid her father, with more feverity than fhe had ever known him fpeak) I will not be trifled with:-prepare to receive Mr. Monfon for your hufband, or renounce me as a father.-Three days I give you to confider of it; and let your anfwer be decifive." So faying, he left her to reflect on her fituation.-She hurried to her chamber, and re-peruled her letter, ardently praying that her protector might arrive before the given period was expired. On the evening of the following day, he entered the drawing-room. Ellen was alone. At first her joy at feeing him deprived her of utterance. Atlength he related to him whathad palled on the preceding morning. 3 M Sweetly Sweetly foothing was his beha- | fervant, ordering him to return to viour. He entreated her to be cal n. London with the horses. "All will foon be accomplished: -I will not for a moment delay an explanation with Mr. Rutland." "Yet ftay a moment, Harry, (faid fhe) only to promife me that you will bear with the impetuofity of my father's temper. He will be greatly irritated, and his anger will be violent." "For your fake, my love, (folding her in his arms) I will bear with every thing." At this moment Mr. Rutland entered the 100m -His rage, like a torrent, bore down all before it At last, exhaufted by his own violence, he funk on a feat.-Lord Severn refpectfully addreffed him, while Ellen could only weep. "I afk not wealth (faid Severn): -keep mifs Rutland's fortune for her own ufe; and I will engage to make what other fotlements you may require, as foon as my affairs are arranged." Mr. Rutland again flew into invective. Severn vindicated himfelf with fervour. Mr. Rutland commanded him to leave his houfe inftantly, and left the room in a rage. "Rife, my love (faid Severn to Ellen, who had funk in a chair); rife, and prepare for your inftant departure. But he fpoke with difficulty, and looked wildly on her.] -I feel a tightnefs here, (faid he, putting her hand to his forehead) and am fuddenly ill.-I rode hard in the rain-But, come, let us inftantly depart." She pleaded indifpofition; and, for two days, watched his wants, and wept over his fufferings.-He grew worfe. A violent fever brought on a delirium, and concealment became dangerous.-Mary was difpatched to a phyfician, in whom Ellen had great confidence; and he was requefted to come in the morning, before Mr. Rutland was stirring.Mary told the family he came to her lady. From Mary, Mr. Wilkinfon heard the melancholy tale. "I will fetch Mr. Rutland here (faid the good man).-This fcene | would soften a heart of marble.” Severn foon after gave fome figns of recollection. Mr. Wilkinfon haftened to find Mr. Rutland, and they returned together. Aftonishment and rage were pictured ftrongly on the countenance of Mr. Rutland, while the frene before him for a time flopped his utterance. -Ellen regarded without emotion the entrance of her father:-fhe felt nothing but the danger of Severn, who recollected her father, and explained their fituation. "Procure (faid he) a fpecial li cence, that I may clear her fame, and legitimatife her child." The fcene that followed mocks defcription. Mr. Rutland vented the moft bitter imprecations on his wretched daughter, who was funk in agony by the fide of her lord, inattentive to all but him.-She knew nothing,-heard nothing,-felt no thing, but the groans of Severn.For him all affiftance was in vain :he grew worfe and worfe; and, raving on the name of Ellen, fixed his dying eyes on her pallid face, and breathed his last figh in her much-loved arms. - "Impoffible, my Harry, and you in this ftate!It still rains dreadfully, and is very dark.-Go, for this night, to my apartment.-Mary is there: you know the way. I will only stay to watch if my father returns here, and foon follow you." In a state of infenfibility they Severn was too ill to make any conveyed her from the chamber; refiftance, while Ellen, roufed by aand, for feveral days, her life was profpect of his danger, forgot her defpaired of.-Sweet fufferer!-the own.-She difpatched a note to his was reftored to all the bitterness of 7 reflection. |