sian fields. A silver stream ran murmuring along the "Fairer than fam'd of old, or fabl'd since MILTON. Her shape and features were perfectly regular; her complexion clear as the light. But I might as well paint virtue or harmony, as describe the graces of her mien and aspect; in which there was nothing of that gay and thoughtless vivacity that most of her sex think so becoming; but something so serious and composed, i something that expressed a mind within conscious of its own dignity and heavenly original. She advanced till she came near the arbour that concealed me; and then, seating herself on the bank of the river, in a pensive posture, leaning her cheek on her hand, white as the new-fallen snow, with a soft and graceful accent, she repeated the following lines our of Sir Richard Blackmore's fine Poem on the Creation : "Thy force alone, Religion, death disarms, "That guides us thro' the safe, tho' gloomy way, I heard her with a very tender concern; because there appeared something in her complexion too delicate for a state of confirmed health, which was perhaps what led her to such a serious thought. While she was going on, a spruce footman came to tell her supper was ready, and her father waited for her. She rose immediately, and followed the man at some distance. When they were gone, my curiosity ventured some paces forward; and, at the end of the walk, I perceived a pretty romantic pile of building, where she entered. But the evening grew dusky, and I hasted back to the Earl's seat; and, retiring to my apartment, passed my time in writing this adventure; of which you shall hear the sequel in my next. But I am grown a lover in one fatal moment; and, in this deplorable circumstance, am Your most humble servant, LEANDER. LETTER XIII. To the same, relating the death of his mistress. My last informed you in what a serious passion I was engaged; but the tragedy is now finished, and I am past the possibility of being happy in this world. A few days after my last adventure, there came a messenger from a neighbouring gentleman, for me to attend one of the family who was ill. I followed the servant, and found, to my surprise, it was the house where all my hopes were confined. I was immediately conducted to the apartment of my patient, who proved. the lovely woman I had seen in my last ramble. She was sitting in a chair, pale and negligent, but perfectly graceful in the height of her disorder. No words can express my grief, when I found the symptoms of her distemper fatal. Indeed the distraction of my mind was so remarkable, that she could not but observe it; and, perceiving her own danger in my concern, she asked me, without the least emotion, • If I was surprised to find her mortal? but she desired me, since it was a truth of which she was entirely • convinced, to speak my opinion without the least flattery or caution? ་ This true greatness of mind confirmed my esteem, and heightened my concern for her life. But I was in the last exigence what to reply. I durst not flatter her in the common strain of my profession; nor could I imitate that insensibility which the young heroine acted,, in an event on which the future happiness of my life, depended. I was ashamed to weep; but while sorrow kept me, silent, the dying beauty told me, some intervals of disorder she lately felt, had made the darkness of the grave, and the solemnity of a death-bed, familiar scenes to her, imagination. Waiting for my last hour, (added she;) without consternation, I find this mortal structure, " sinking into the dust; but methinks I find the nobler 'powers of my soul kindling into life and immortality,' What are the laurels and trophies of conquerors compared to this scene of triumph! which now I could have envied. But my charming patient desired she might try to rest; and I retired, resolving not to go from the house till I saw the event. She lay as if she slept till the morning; when I was hastily called, and found her past all hopes, but of a few hours life. Her senses were perfect, and a sort of languishing beauty adorned her face, charming beyond all the vivacity of health. These were some of her last words, uttered with a faint but pleasing accent, the sound of which I shall never forget. O Death! how hast thou disguised thy terrors, and 'put on an angel's form to approach me! What wel-. come, what transporting tidings hast thou brought 'me! I come, thou kind messenger of my liberty and happiness; I obey thy gentle invitation. "When shall the curtain fall, and these bless'd eyes. "The dull partition of this brittle clay! "Come, heav'nly day, which ne'er shall see a cloud! Come, cheering smiles, from the bright face of God." 'I see, methinks, the glimmering of celestial light, and bless the dawning of everlasting day. The shadows are flying, and the heavens opening their inmost 'glories before me. In a few moments 1 shall enter the. blissful habitations, the dazzling recesses of the Most High; whom I shall behold in full perfection, exalted in majesty, and complete in beauty. My hopes are unbounded. I set no limits to my expectations; for, in his presence is fulness of joy, and at his right hand are pleasures for evermore. With these transporting scenes before me, what glo'rious mortal could excite my envy? What scenes of pleasure could the whole creation display to tempt me back? The dark dominions of death which I am passing through the strength of my victorious Redeemer, who has led in triumph all the powers of darkness, are stript of that gloom which formerly hung over them. • Millions of ages of happiness are before me; the prospect stretches to an unmeasurable length; my soul 'presses forward, and calls eternity itself her own.' At these words, closing her eyes, with a smile she resigned her breath, and left me Your most unhappy friend, 1 LEANDER. LETTER XIV. From Myrtilla to Hermione, giving an acccount of the fatal event of her brother's passion for her. My dear Hermione, I HOPE my last letter prepared you for the melancholy tidings, which this brings you of my brother's death. I know the relation will heighten your grief, and renew my own sorrow; but reason signifies nothing, and proves but an empty name, in the transport of such a tender passion as now possesses all my soul. After the fatal time that my father had extorted a promise from my brother, and charged him on his blessing never to see you more, I perceived an alteration in the gaiety of his temper, with a visible decay of his health; but I could hardly persuade myself love was the cause; imagining the soft passion, in a youth of eighteen, was easily diverted from one fair object to another. I was confirmed in this by his obliging and submissive behaviour to my father, whose conduct in this affair was indeed arbitrary and severe; nor could I forbear making some secret reproaches on such a rigorous imposition, where there could be no objection made but your for tune. However, filial affection was certainly my brother's governing principle; and he still found some plausible excuses for that severe command, which cut off the brightest hopes he had of any earthly happiness. His piety always silenced my resentments, and pleaded my father's absolute right to dispose of him. But as much as he endeavoured to disguise his passion from me, the inclosed will convince you of the inward anguish of his mind, which he gave me the day before he died, and charged me not to read it till his eyes were closed in death. My father, in the utmost distress, looked on the expiring youth; but durst not examine into a secret, which would have given him the extremest regret to discover. My brother perceived his concern, and gave him all the consolation he could, by owning his paternal care of his principles and actions; and returned him the most pathetic acknowledgments, for the restraint his authority had put on some of his youthful follies. My father observed the kind intention of this discourse, which still added to the anguish of his soul. Be satisfied, my dear father, (said the dying youth), 'be satisfied with the determination of Heaven. I might have dragged out a long inglorious life, loaded with infamy and guilt.' Then taking me by the hand, with a heavenly smile on his face, he said, Adieu, my dear sister; I am rather falling into a gentle sleep, than dying. I feel no pain, and all within is peaceful and calm.' And then closing his eyes, with a soft voice he repeated these words, and with them resigned his breath. The angels call, they call me from above, |