melancholy enjoyment. As he strolled leisurely, in deep meditation, across a dreary and extensive common, uninterrupted by the awful stillness that reigned for miles around, the fine blue azure of the sky began to darken the bright orb of day was occasionally dimmed by the driving cloudsthe lightning flashed the thunder rolled over his head-in a few minutes the whole canopy of heaven was obscured-the rain fell in torrents, and our heavy-hearted traveller was obliged to seek shelter, not in a neighbouring cottage as will be expected, but under the thick umbrageous branches of stately oaks, that lay at some distancé, by the way side. For neither house, nor cottage, nor village spire, nor any sign of life could he discern. All nature seemed enwrapped in gloom -he never felt so dismal the very heavens appeared to sympathize and wept. On entering the wood he was not displeased to find a beaten track, by following which, it was but reasonable to suppose he would, sooner or later, reach some friendly habitation. But, neither sound resounding from the steeple, nor distant bark of dog, nor shrill crowing of the cock, nor any individual sign betokened village, house, or hamlet near. He had not penetrated far into the wood, however, before he observed on the road side, in the hollow of a tree, a bench evidently placed there by some considerate being, for the convenience of the way-worn traveller. Fatigued in mind and body, for his spirits were at the very lowest ebb, my

friend was glad to rest him awhile in this romantic solitude. He seated himself, and drawing a biscuit from his pocket and his little travelling can, which contained some drops of brandy and water, his usual refreshments on these pilgrimages, he began his frugal meal; still indulging that same pensive mood that prompted him to traverse these lonely walks. In this retreat, however, he was soon awakened from his reverie by the appearance of something that had life,

though not the sound Attracted by the few

even of a rook was heard. crumbs that fell about, a bird in sable hue, as though in compliment to his sorrows, fearlessly approached, and joined him in his meal. A glow of satisfaction seemed to thrill through his veins, as the bird familiarly hopped about him. He was still sad, but less disconsolate. A thousand romantic notions flashed upon his mind; he honestly confessed his weakness, and declared they cheered him at the time. The revered object of his meditation had, in her life time, frequently descanted on the humanity likely to be produced from the adoption of the Pythagorian system; not half the cruelty that we see daily practised, would be inflicted on animals; and, I hope on my decease,' she would jokingly add, 'you will cease, my dear boy, from persecuting the feathered tribe; for I should like of all things, when my spirit

takes its flight from hence, to join the winged

inhabitants of the airy regions.?

How true it is, that the most trifling things

relating to the dead, recur to the memory, and call forth the sympathy of the living. Pythagoras was a wise man, thought my friend; but were I to think with him, I should be pronounced a fool, a madman, or any thing but wise. Humanity is, nevertheless, commendable, take all I have sweet bird,' said he, and did I not verily believe thou art more happy in the range of this wood, than cooped up in solitary confinement with man, I would take thee home, and cherish thee with the tenderness that is due to all God's creatures.

The evening was rapidly advancing

my friend was eager to be gone and yet, with his eyes rivetted on his mute companion, who was still picking up the crumbs at his feet, he seemed fixed to the spot. Nor could he have mustered resolution to depart, he has since declared to me, had not the object of his retention, as it were in pity to his weakness, winged its flight, and left him once more to his lonely wan+ derings...

In pensive mood, sheltered from the unpitying storm by an almost impenetrable bower of thick and lofty foliage, he journeyed on, musing on the strange doctrines of ancient sages, and the more refined opinions of modern umpires

11

b. There is no people, rude or learned, among whom apparitions of the dead are not related and believed,' says the learned Dr. Johnson. This opinion, which, perhaps, prevails as far as human nature is diffused, could become universal only

by its truth. Those who never heard of one another would not have agreed in a tale which nothing but experience can make credible. That it is doubted by single cavillers, can very little weaken the general evidence; and some who deny it with their tongues, confess it by their fears.'

"In dark and sequestered retreats, imagination feasts upon its own inventions. The gloom in which my friend was enveloped, could scarcely have been expelled by the bright radiance of a glittering sun. It became more dense by the total eclipse of that luminary, and it was only by occasional peeps, caught through the lofty avenue, that he could get a glimpse of the departing twi light.

"The nature of his reflections, the sadness of his heart, and the awful stillness, save when the rustling leaves, or sound of his own footsteps broke upon the ear, with the apprehension of being benighted e're he could reach a human habitation, wherein to rest his wearied limbs; all contributed to give vigour to his visionary flights. Night was rapidly advancing, and he in this doleful mood was thoughtfully pacing the tedious track, when the pale glimmering of the moon cast a ray of light through an opening across his path; and presented to his view a living form. He startled

but he knew not why;-for the thought of any human creature being near at hand was welcome to his heart. He looked again towards the spot,

and thought he perceived a figure in white moving at a distance. He paused for a moment, and steadily gazed upon the object-it was no superstitious wandering of the fancy-he distinctly perceived a living creature-it moved to and fro, and seemed now to be advancing towards him. If it did not create fear, it produced something very like it He has since honestly confessed that his heart beat rather quicker than usual his nerves were all in agitation, and a sensation of awe seemed to deprive him of the power of movingilul.ry mihi

"After the first moments of surprise, however, herallied his spirits, and would fain have persuaded himself that it was, in all probability, a labourer returning home from his work; and was about to proceed, when again the fleeting object caught his sight. Again he started, paused, and looked steadfastly. It is it must be !? said he with pious exultation, the spirit of my revered parent the meeting I've so long implored in vain is now at hand-heaven grant me but strength to avail myself of the indulgence; and, springing forward as he spoke, he soon reached the identical spot that was to terminate all his hopes and fears. Alas! they were quickly dispersed, but not to his satisfaction On coming up to the little gate, that was placed at the end of the walk to keep out the cattle, he beheld nothing more than an old grey horse, that was quietly grazing on the adjacent common; and which, in all probability, had been