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IN order to bring the present Volume to a completion, two Numbers of the PORTFOLIO are issued this day: the latter Sheet containing EIGHT Engravings the TITLE and INDEX to Vol. III, and a variety of original and interesting matter

We alluded in our last to the kindness and partiality with which the activity and exertions of the present Conductors of the PORTFOLIO have been rewarded. What has been done, however, may merely be viewed "as an earnest" of our intentions to use every exertion to maintain and increase the "popular applause" we have endeavoured to merit.

Having, by the publication of No. 84, concluded the present Volume, two objects have been effected. First, we are not bound precisely to "tread in the steps" of· our predecessor. We can now adopt more energetically the improvements that our Correspondents have pointed out, and which our own experience corroborates. On this point we promise, that the pages of the PORTFOLIO shall be made as valuable and as interesting as will be commensurate with the rising SPIRIT OF THE AGE. The second object is simply this,That our additional Subscribers may commence a Fourth Volume, which will certainly be consecutive with the three preceding ones, but in no other respect connected.

Our friends Messrs. KNIGHT and LACEY announce that the third volume of the' Mechanics' Magazine will be greatly improved in its paper, printing, and embellishments; as it is unrivalled in its circulation and usefulness, so it will in future be the endeavour of the proprietors to make it in appearance; and state Dr. Birkbeck's opinion, that their work is "the most valuable gift which the hand of Science has ever yet offered to the artizan;" WE ARE DETERMINED TO IMITATE THEIR INDUSTRY. Although we are devoted more to the amusement of our readers, than the actual advance of SCIENCE, MECHANISM, and the ARTS, it will be seen that a portion of our sheets will be devoted to these subjects, and under the head of "Mechanics' Oracle," a column of such matter in the PORTFOLIO, it is hoped, will always be found valuable. For this purpose, A CELEBRATED ENGINEER AND MECHANIST has been engaged occasionally to supply the PORTFOLIO with original scientific matter. This gentleman is not limited in expence to secure such articles as his knowledge deems worthy a place in our pages; and our liberal and active Publisher has promised that suitable Engravings shall always be supplied to illustrate his articles.

An article and embellishment from this gentleman will be given in the ensuing Number: it will, we think, not disappoint our readers, but afford that gratifying pleasure which always accompanies the revelation of useful knowledge. This Number will also contain FOUR OTHER ENGRAVINGS FROM THE HAND OF THE CELEBRATED BEWICK; AND A PLENDID FULL-LENGTH ENGRAVED COPPER-PLATE PORTRAIT OF MISS M. TREE.

The other arrangements of our work, viz. I. The Flowers of Literature; II. The Spirit of the Magazines; III. The Wonders of Nature and Art; IV. The Family Physician and Domestic Guide; will be supported by all the talent that the ramification of the periodical and established literature, and our original communications, supply. We conclude these observations by repeating, that the PRINCIPAL OBJECT OF THE PORTFOLIO

IS, TO COMBINE NOVELTY WITH PERMANENCY, AND AMUSEMENT WITH EDIFICATION :-FOR THESE DESIRED ENDS, THE CHOICEST FLOWERS OF LITERATURE ARE PLUCKED FROM THEIR EVERTEEMING BEDS, THE SPIRIT OF THE MAGAZINES IS CAUGHT BEFORE IT EVAPORATES, - AND A NEVER-FAILING SUPPLY OF ORIGINAL CONTRIBU гION, — FORM A COMBINATION AT ONCE VARIED, INTERESTING, AND USEFUL.

EDITOR.

LONDON: -WILLIAM CHARLTON WRIGHT, 65, Paternoster Row, and may be had of all Booksellers and Newsmen.

[SEARS, Printer, 45, Gutter Lane.

MELCOMBE.-A SKETCH.

soon after disbanded) when my time was expired, I was not considered entitled to be placed on the half pay list.

Thus 1 laboured for some time under the accumulated miseries of poverty, despondency of mind, and what appeared to the world, designed dishonesty, all of which were produced by the most destructive of vices-gaming, whilst my health gradually decreased, and "grim despair" seemed to have enveloped me in his unrelenting arms.

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ONE Evening last Winter near twelve o'clock, as I was passing through one of the small streets at the West End of the Town, I was suddenly accosted by a female figure enveloped in a long cloak who in a foreign accent and a faint and tremulous voice, said "For God's sake, Sir, follow me, and render me assistance." This was spoken in such an evidently agitated manner, that it deprived me of the power of hesitation; and I involun- As one morning, I was promenading in tarily followed her. She walked before the garden of the Tuilleries, in a melanine in the most profound silence, till we choly mood, I observed an old lady ap arrived at a neat house, the door of proach, who suddenly stopped as she which she opened, and requested me to got near me, and said in a particular enter; I did so. A candle on the stair- tone, Sir, I beg pardon, but I believe case, nearly burnt to the socket, gave your name is Melcombe?" I answered a glimmering light, which enabled me in the affirmative "and mine," says she, to see that my conductress was over"is Guichard." "Guichard," said 1, whelmed with grief, and suffused in "Madam you have a son that-" "I had tears as she said "Walk up Sir, may God one" said she, with a sigh, "but he is bless you." When we got upon the attic now in the grave, a premature death was storey, she pushed open the door of a the consequence of his excesses, would to room, which I entered, and where on a Heaven he had followed that advice, mean bed without a coverlid, lay a man, which you (tho' incapable of attending emaciated and feeble in the extreme, in to) so kindly and sincerely gave him, every feature of whose face Death was but on his death-bed he made it his last visibly pourtrayed. He endeavoured to request, that should I ever meet with raise himself as I entered, and said in a you, I would give you fifty louis'dors, low voice," This, Sir, is very good, very as a token of remembrance and gratitude kind." I no sooner heard him speak, for your friendly counsel, which though than I knew him to be an old friend of unheeded by him, he felt grateful for." the name of Melcombe, who was for- "And Sir," says she, "if no prior enmerly in the same regiment, and in the gagement prevents your dining with me same mess with myself in the Peninsu to day I shall be very happy of your lar war, but whom, I had not seen for company." I assured ber I was disensome years, and should not now have gaged, "then" says Madam G. “ as I recognized his countenance; so much dine early, we will walk to the Rue Mout had distress and illness altered him. Af- Matre immediately." We accordingly ter our mutual surprize was over at our went, and it was there that I was introvery singular as well as unexpected meet-duced to my Amelie, the ueice of Maing, especially under such inauspicious circumstances, I asked him how long he had been ill, and with the liberty of a friend, the cause of his distressed situation. He said the tale would be rather long, but if I had got patience to listen he would try and relate it, he according ly began as I drew near his bedside, "you remember after you left me at Cambray, on your return to England, that I procured leave of absence from my regiment for the purpose of returning to Paris, at which place upon a former visit, I had picked up some very fashionable acquaintances, also admirers of the very fashionable vice of gaming. But better wonld it have been for me, had I never returned to that resort of fashion and folly, for in a few weeks I was entirely bereaved of all the cash I had of my own, as also of a considerable sum that was left in my care by a brother officer. Deserted by my fashionable friends as soon as they ascertained my cash was exhausted, I was reduced to the greatest misery and distress, and having no meaus of returning to my regiment, (which was

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dame Guichard. I shall not enter into any description, before my Amelie of those personal charms, and mental acquirements, which made so great on impression on me; it will be sufficient to say, that in a short time we were to our mutual delight united by them by the most irrevocable of ties.

We passed a few months in the most perfect state of felicity that this transitory world will admit of, living with the Aunt of Amelie who had an income adequate to support us all comfortably, but not splendidly; for my Amelie had no portion (and none did I want) being dispossessed of it when young by the baseness of a relation.

At last Madame Guichard died, and so suddenly, that'she was prevented making a Will; and consequently her pioperty went to her brother, as the nearest relation; a man of most insatiable avarice, whom she had not seen for, at least twenty years before her death, and who took possssion of every thing that belonged to her without reservation. melie, and myself were therfore compel

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led to get together (for sale) those articles that we could call our own, for the purpose of reaching London, where I had determined on coming, to make an application for my half pay.

We arrived safely in London, where I had not been a week, before I was attacked with a nesvous fever, which from my want of pecuniary means to procure the advice of the Faculty, and a feeling of pride that prevented me from disclosing my situation to a Charitable Institution, has brought me to my present state of wretchedness and from which I am confident that Death only will soon relieve me."

Thus ended my friend's narrative, the last words of which were spoken in such a melancholy and emphatic tone, that I was exceedingly affected as I endeavoured to assure him (though contrary to my inward sentiments) that there was no reason for dreading such an event at present, whilst Amelie, who had hitherto sat silent, "dropping a sea of melting pearl, which some call tears," suddenly rose and exclaimed as she walked to his bedside "No my Melcombe, we must not part yet." and then kissing his pallid cheek whilst a forced smile played on her lips, said, "Live a little longer for my sake," But grim Death had seized his victim too firmly to quit his iron grasp.

Amelie's grief now became excessive and affecting as one moment she would turn her fine expressive eyes streaming with tears towards Heaven, in a supplicating manner, her graceful attitude even appearing to implore his life, and the next moment bending in the most agonized manner over her beloved husband, who regarded her in a way that plainly shewed the concern he felt for her pitiable situation.

A short time longer elapsed when a sigh from Melcombe, scarcely audible, announced that

'His spirit had to other regions fled.' Such was the unfortunate and premature death of my brave and honourable friend, whoseword had guaranteed thousands, and who had kept the honor of a soldier inviolate, whether in the field, or in the camp, in public transactions, or in private affairs; but in consequence of an unhappy predilection for play died distressed, and by half the world unpitied.

On going to the assistance of Amelie, I found that she too alas! would soon sleep with her Melcombe in the "silent tomb." As I held her drooping form in my arms, she cast her eyes upon me with a serenity of expression which appeared to say, "I am sensible of your kindness, but it is of no avail" whilst an angelic smile that played on her lips, seemed to utter in gentle accents, "Death thou art

welcome! I am going to where my Melcombe is gone, and there only shall I be happy.'

"Congenial to the soul is love,
With pure and holy flame,
It savours of the joys above,
Eternal and the same."*

In five minutes after her gentle spirit had taken its flight to another world.— Thus died a fond and devoted wife, whose pure and ardent love could not bear the loss of her only friend and consoler on earth, who to her was her only support, and without whose fostering and attentive care, she must, she did die.

by circumstances as singular, as advenIn this manner closed a night in which titious, I had seen the death of a brave, honorable, and generous man, with an amiable and lovely woman, his exact counterpart in the feminine and softer currences, of which will be present to virtues a night the heart rending ocme till the latest hour of my existence. HENRI.

THE WISH TO.

O! with thy joys may no disquiet blend, No bitter gall thy cup of bliss attend, May youth be void of anguish, void of fears,

And calm contentment smooth thy riper

years:

And when death's cruel, death's unpitying dart,

Severs each tie that's dearest to thine heart;

May friendship's balm compose thy troubled breast,

Allay thy grief and charm thy soul to
Rest!

O! may the man exalted by thy love,
A tender. constant partner ever prove,
May he possess truth, honour, virtue,
sense,

A cheerful heart a moderate competence;

May lisping Prattlers new delights create,

And all their parent's virtues emulate; May all the blessings which kind Heaven e'er grants, Prevent thy wishes and preclude thy wants ;+

May each day happier than the last ap

pear,

And peace and plenty crown each rolling year.

This quotation, as well as the preceding one, is taken from an elegant little volume of poems, lately published by Mr. A. Beckett, Student of Lincoln's Inn,

+ Anticipate Pope.

THE CUTS BY THE CELEBRATED BEWICK.

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THE example of the Jud - seems to authourize the Advocate to get himself well paid for his prevarication, and even in the presence of his poor client, whose wretched condition would raise compassion to any breast less obdurate than that of the lawyer. But Death will avenge the oppressed; he is pouring into the hands of the Advocate money in abundance, of which he will have little use, for he is at the same instant, shewing him, with an air of insult, his sand

run out,

LINES,

On seeing an Infant in its Mothers arms.
O lovely babe, how sweetly sleep
Sits on thy eyelids, and how calm
The breathing of thy coral lip:
Upon thy cheeks, how fresh and warm
The roses glow: whilst round thy brow,
Peace seems
[dreams.
To dwell, and hush thee in her silent

Sleep gently on; pillow'd on the down
Of thy young mother's beating breast;
Who looking on thy face, partly her own
And partly his, her hearts sole guest,
With fondest feeling; from her eyes
Beam forth, warm wishes, pray'rs, and
sighs
[rise.
As alt'nate hope, fear, joy or sorrows
Sleep gently on; for O! no more

Wilt thou so softly and so sweetly
sleep;

As now in childhood ere the storm
Of manhood wakes thee up to weep.

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No. XX. THE MISER.

Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast LUKE, xi. 2. hast provided a

THE character of the Miser is very forcibly expressed in this sketch. Shut up in a vault, which receives the light only through a wicket, secured with a double grate of thick iron bars, he is en tirely taken up with his beloved treasure a considerable part whereof Death is snatching up before his eyes. This loss excites in him all the symptoms of the most violent desperation, and it plainly appears that his gold is an hundred times dearer to his heart than his life.

STANZAS TO SYLVIA.

In joy and sorrow, life and death,
Thou'lt still be lov'd by me;
While that my pulse of life has breath
"Twill breath sole love for thee,
Though all the hopes that ere I drew,
The cruel Fates may crush;
Yet still the cheering smiles of you
My ruffled soul shall hush.
Dispair may banish far each joy,

And stamp each brow with gloom,
Yet never shall't my love destroy,
No that shall ever bloom.
Yea, though in gall,my heart was steep'd
Or wreck'd in sorrows seed;
Tho' woes on woes unnumber'd heap'd
Should pour their weight on me:
Yet like a meteor o'er my soul,
Still love would fondly play;
Glancing away Despair's controul,
And lighting up each day.

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