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broken wings within the soul. Dull and heavy thoughts like dead walls, close around the laughing flowers and fields that so enchanted us of yore; the sins, the habits, the reasonings of the world, like rank and gloomy fogs, shut out the exulting heavens from our view," &c. &c. Disowned, Vol. 1, p. 41.

class of readers is able to push Poems' into the fourteenth edition, and Prize Essays' into the ninth or tenth thousand, which are not more repulsive from the impudent extravagance of their doctrine than from the base tinsel of their style-at such a time, the man of real genius should be more than ever on his guard against sanctioning, by his negligence, the adulteration of our noble language."

ANTHONY EVERGREEN.

All this is in wretched taste, though in the rude ore we find rich materials, which well wrought would be striking and brilliant. The truth is, the first requisite of a good style is perspicuity. Language is designed to convey our thoughts, and that which conveys them most clearly is best. [We are not sure that our estimate of the following Good writers, therefore, reject as far as possible article is not unduly enhanced by the interest we take the use of uncommon words, or of common words, in the writer. We may rate her talents too highly; in a remote or radical signification. Compare the but we are satisfied that we do not give more than is simple yet beautiful diction of Goldsmith, the due, of respect for her virtues, or sympathy for her misgraceful ease of Addison, and the manly and vi- fortunes. But of these we knew nothing when we gorous, though plain and downright, style of Swift, judgment which we then formed of that work. For inpublished the " Curse," and we remember the unbiassed with the ambitious and artificial sentences I have vention, for variety of character, for distinctness in its just quoted. What a difference. We glide on development, and for truth to nature, we know no tale with the former without a pause. We drink in of the same length superior to it. We hope to see the the outpourings of their wit or of their wisdom same powers displayed in the novel from which this with ease and with delight. We converse with extract is taken. We give it to the public, not more those who speak our mother tongue. We are with a view to adorn our columns, than in the hope of puzzled with no French idioms, or foreign con- engaging the favor of our readers in its behalf. A nastructions. We have no Latin in disguise-no tive of Virginia, the authoress has strong claims on the Greek in English dress, to call for the aid of our sympathy of her countrymen. Descended from a prolexicons. All is English-downright English-scribed sect, whose virtues near two hundred years ago, not in words only, but in idiom-in constructionin forms of expression, and in the order of language. The natural order is indeed the genius of the English tongue. The requirements of rhyme and the stately march of blank verse, demand, it is true, occasional inversion. But our prose is rarely improved by a departure from the natural order. That departure always leads to obscurity, and the obscurity becomes "darkness visible," when every sentence is loaded with metaphors following each other in rapid succession, when every line presents new images, and when thought is entangled with thought, in all the mazes of parenthetical confusion.

I beg leave to conclude this protracted paper with the following extract from the Review of Mr. Bulwer's Athens, in the Edinburg Quarterly:

"The accomplished author will pardon us for closing the present paper with a protest against certain peculiarities of idiom, which we are sorry to find countenanced by so popular a pen. A few of these may plead in their behalf the rare authority of old writers in our tongue. They belong, however, in actual usage, either to the North American dialect, or to such assassins of her Majesty's English at home, as a master of compo. sition must regret to have upon his side. We complain, for instance of expressions like these:- Irregulated---in stealth --reverent for reverend...--to neighbor---to concentrate, as a verb active--to prodigalize---to border, for to border on. We think that impatient of conquest cannot mean impatient to conquer. We don't like arriving to the things we have been in the habit of arriving at. The adverbs both and only are now and then misplaced. False antithesis is too frequently admitted. Cause is once at least put for effect. A verb of one number is often forced to do duty with a nominative of another. Mr. Bulwer is not yet talented-a pseudo-participle which no one will use who is not ripe for any atrocity-but he progresses at a fearful rate. These are, it is truc, slight matters in themselves; but at a time when purity of taste is not in the ascendant--at a time when a single

found refuge from persecution in the "Ancient Dominion," the calamitous destiny of her race has pursued her, and overtaken her in the cradle. No conceited blue-stocking; no vain belle whose admirers persuade her that her flippant nonsense is worthy of the public eye, she meekly tasks her powers to aid a widowed mother in the support of a family of helpless orphans. The promptings of genius have told her that this can better be done with the pen than with the needle. We are sure she does not deceive herself in the estimate of her own talents. We trust that her confidence in the justice of the public will prove to be equally well placed.]

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As soon as supper was over, Colonel Alwin withdrew, and conducted Zavala to his own apartment. He closed the door and carefully locked it—he then examined the deep recesses of the windows before he was satisfied that they were alone. Calmly drawing forward a table covered with loose papers, he placed the shaded lamp in such a position as to throw the light on the face of his companion, and seating himself opposite to him, he spoke in a quiet tone.

"Now, sir, I am ready to receive your communications."

Zavala could not refrain from admiring the selfcommand of the man; for in the situation in which he then stood, he was not certain that the tidings he was about to hear did not bring with them the destruction of all his views-nay, involve his life. Zavala drew a packet from his bosom, and presenting it to him, said: "Read those despatches, and then I will speak of my own private wishes."

Colonel Alwin took the papers, and as he broke the seals a slight tremor was perceptible in his fingers-no other sign of impatience or agitation escaped him. He shaded his face with his hand, and carefully perused the documents, and as he read, his observant companion saw that the flush of triumph mounted even to his pale temples.

More than an hour was thus spent, when slowly refolding them, and locking them in his desk, he arose and walked several times across the floor. Stopping suddenly before Zavala, he said quickly, almost sternly, "Do you know the contents of those papers ?" "I do," was the concise reply.

As he thus spoke, the brow of Zavala darkened, and it was with difficulty his impatient spirit could brook the implied impossibility of inducing any fair lady to accept his offered love.

"Allow me to try, sir: armed with your authority, she will listen differently. Let her see how much to your interest it is, to lend a favorable ear to my suit. I ask not for the rewards of ambition-I can gain them without your assistance. I seek for the hand of your ward; her heart I will win, if devoted love can win a woman.” Colonel Alwin shook his head, as he replied:

"She will not be won by you. I have reasoned with her-urged every motive that could influence or dazzle her mind, and she was still firm in her refusal. I cannot command her to marry you."

"Listen to me, Colonel Alwin," said Zavala, firmly but respectfully. "I am acquainted with the scope and bearing of all your plans--I am possessed of their most secret details, and one word from me would precipitate you into a prison, from which death might be your only release. What you are now preparing to

"And are you prepared to abide by me in life or execute, will brand your name as a traitor to your death ?"

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"Of that we will speak hereafter," said Alwin, waving his hand impatiently. "When heard you from the south? From thence I am most anxious to gain information."

"I have private letters from my uncle, who, you are aware, is an officer high in command in the Spanish army. The troops dissatisfied with their present situation, are ready for any changes: he assures me that very little will be necessary to induce them to struggle for a change of masters. The soldiers are entirely devoted to him, and will follow wherever he leads. Your object, if I understand it correctly, is to revolutionize Mexico, and wrest from the present chief magistrate the rich territory of Louisiana, which adds another gem to this fair Union. At any hour Colonel Zavala is ready to cross the Sabine, and thus give you an excuse for placing yourself at the head of an armed body of troops devoted to your interests. Nothing then will be easier than to unite your forces, and defy the laws of your own country. Zavala has constant communication with some of the most influential men in the city of Mexico, and they are ready, when the first blow is struck, to range themselves on the side of those who will free them from the Spanish yoke. There is a theatre before you worthy of your abilities, and the power refused you in your own country, courts your acceptance in another as fair. For myself, if my aid is of any worth, you know it is yours to command at all times, on one condition."

"I thank you: it is of inestimable importance to me, as no one knows better than yourself; but to gain that aid, Don Pedro, I am unwilling to force Miss De Bourg to accept you, for it seems the wayward girl will not consent to the proposal. You may think me cold, hard, and unfeeling, but I love this girl as if she were in reality my child. If you can gain her consent, as I have before told you, you have mine; but of that I am hopeless-so we will consult your ambition in offering you an adequate reward for your services, hoping your love may be more successful in another quarter."

country and her best interests. Think of the consequences to yourself, if your enterprise is discovered before it is ripe for execution, and then think how trifling in comparison are a few tears shed by a romantic girl, because you consult her interest and happiness, by commanding her to accept a man who adores her. With the hope of obtaining Miss De Bourg, I am anything you choose to make me; but, on the contrary-you know the alternative: choose between them."

A smile of bitter scorn writhed the livid lips of Alwin as he listened to the words of Zavala. For an instant, his rage at being thus braved by one so much his junior in years and inferior in standing, threatened to burst forth and overwhelm the presumptuous man who thus dared to offer terms to him. A moment's reflection however, convinced him, that in giving vent to his passion, his safety would be compromised. He felt that he was in the power of one who could make his own terms, and he resolved to speak him fair.

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Certainly," ," said he slowly, and apparently with a slight effort; "certainly you speak truly. Julie should view you with different sentiments if she consults her own happiness, and though it gives me more pain than perhaps you think my stern nature is capable of feeling, I must wound her gentle heart by commanding her to accept one she has assured me she can never love: one who dares to tell the protector of the woman he professes to adore, that if she does not consent to marry him, he will denounce the friend of her orphan years, and in so doing destroy her happiness. 'Tis well, however, Don Pedro De Zavala, we understand each other. The only tie (and he laid a strong emphasis on the word only) that binds us together is interest. shall be yours, if you pledge yourself to sustain my cause. I know the influence which your connexions possess-also, that which your talents give you; and you must bind yourself to devote it all to my interests."

Julie

"Of course-but Miss De Bourg must be mine before we leave this island."

"What, sir, do you doubt my word?" said Alwin, and his eye flashed fearfully bright over the person of the other. "Do you dare to doubt the word of a man of honor!"

VOL. IV.-8

"Colonel Alwin, it is useless for us to use the lan-, tor was gay and witty in conversation, and of a temper guage of passion. You know the prize for which I contend: if you have ever loved, you can excuse my eagerness to secure her mine, before I leave her for an indefinite space of time."

"Your haste is excusable, though it has not much delicacy to commend it either to my ward or myself; but since we are making a bargain, the conditions must be

fulfilled."

None but a spirit as haughty and overbearing could measure the bitterness that filled his heart as he turned from his companion. Deeply did he resolve to avenge the implied distrust of himself, when the power to do so with impunity was his.

Who that had seen him return to the drawing-room with a smiling lip and smooth brow, could have imagined the dark tide of emotion which swelled beneath that calm exterior? His voice was as bland, his smile as frequent, as though no unpleasant occurrence had aroused his impetuous passions-as though he had not deeply implicated the happiness of one of that little circle, and that one dependant on his kindness and affection. Did not his heart shrink back as he met her deep eye fixed on him, and felt that he was then meditating the possibility of turning the benefits he had conferred on her, into the means of forcing her grateful heart to seal its own misery, in order to save him from the precipice on which he stood?

Life! thou teachest many a strange lesson of duplicity to the heart of man!

DOCTOR FAW.

Dr. Faw was considered a complete gentleman. He came a few years ago into our village, and ever since his arrival had been continually progressing in the good opinion of all. At the time when the facts, of which this is the true narrative, occurred, the Doctor had secured to himself a fine practice. It may not be amiss to let the reader be very particularly acquainted with our hero. In person, or face, the Doctor was not very prepossessing; his blue eyes and sandy hair presented a contrast far more striking than handsome: as regards dress and manners, however, he was "the very thing itself." He always wore either black, or other dark colors. You never found showered over his body that rainbow profusion and variety of hues, so revolting to the eye of genuine taste; never was he guilty of the barbarism of a blazing vest, or pantaloons like Joseph's coat of many dies. His apparel was always of a make punctiliously nice, and usually he disported a light cane with a golden head. His white 'kerchief was barely perceptible in his pocket corner, as he tripped with lightness and activity along; and as he passed you by, how delightfully you felt the air perfumed by his presence! Then the Doctor was so accommodating, so polished, so polite, so popular among the ladies. Was there a ball announced-Dr. Faw was sure to be at the head of the list of managers. Did a party of misses want an attendant to the theatre, on a sleighing in winter, or in summer on a fishing excursion-the Doctor always could spare the time to serve them. If a married lady was fond of sunshine and the footpaths, and her husband was too busy earning his bread to be at her side, the Doctor would kindly supply his place. He would gallant the wife, and if need be, he would dine and drink with the husband. Among the young gentlemen he was the arbiter of dress and the judge of style. With all these pleasant qualifications, the Doc

which might be defined as perpetually calm. The prac tice of his profession had naturally very much extended the circle of the Doctor's acquaintance, and as his character was thus amiable, the field for its exhibition was proportionately enlarged. His younger brethren in the healing art were the only individuals who were ever heard to whisper or insinuate anything against him. They would occasionally observe that public taste was very curious-that they could see nothing so very particularly deserving in the mind or manners of the Doctor, to justify the extravagant estimate put upon them, and they would ask, who is this Dr. Faw? what is he? where did he come from?—but as the profession, whether justly or not we will not stop to inquire, have been accused of habitual unkindness and envy towards successful merit, these queries were considered as originating in this cause, and no one cared to listen to them, or gave themselves the trouble to reply. Like some noble and gallant barque, with a freshening breeze filling every sail, the blue waters swelling gently under her, and the white foam curling up against her prow-the heavens all blue and joyous above-so sped our hero propitiously onwards upon the ocean of human life.-Alas! alas! but you shall hear it all.

MISS LAVINIA LINT, &c.

Miss Lavinia Lint was a very pleasant young lady. She had a handsome fortune left to her entire control and exclusive enjoyment, by a worthy and deceased parent, and resided in the house of her father's brother. She was a plain, sensible girl, and was rather corpulent than otherwise; and as is usual with most of the human tempered. There was but one thing she needed to race blessed with pinguidity, she was very sweetly complete the happiness of her situation, and that was(but the reader anticipates me)-a husband. She was quite pretty; none of your two-volume modern novel heroines-pale, pensive and melancholy-but rosy, with round plump features and a face perpetually in smiles. Having money, of course she had suitors; none however of whom had as yet suited her. On a fine sunny day in October, Miss Lavinia sat by a blazing fire, in company with her cousin, about the same age, and if ever on earth there were two beings innocent, comfortable and happy, they were they. "Law me," said her cousin to Lavinia, "why don't you get married?"-"How you do rattle on," responded Miss Lavinia. At this point in the conversation the bell answered loudly to a rapid pull, and in a few moments Dr. Faw was shown in, and made his bow to the ladies. The conversation was briskly carried on-all parties in the highest gleethey talked of the weather, of the marriages and deaths in the vicinity, of the love matches existing or likely about to be, of the latest novels, and all the various other matters and topics which are supposed to be acceptable to the better portion of our species. The Doctor began at length to be thoughtful. Miss Lavinia and her cousin monopolized the utterance of all that was said. Mr. Faw became rather uneasy, and sat restless: he relieved his unaccustomed taciturnity by deliberately taking up the tongs and stirring the firean act of supererogation, as the room was sufficiently warm and the wood as completely in a state of combustion as could well be desired. The fire, alas, which troubled the Doctor was, as his brethren would say, internal. Mr. Faw drew his chair to the centre-table, and from beside a glass vase filled with the richly colored flowers of the autumn, he picked up a bookand very much it is to Miss Lavinia's credit that such a book was there, and very suitable likewise it was to the Doctor's purpose-it was the Holy Bible-the Doctor opened it at random, and read aloud, "It is not well for man to be alone"-a text which the fair cousin of Miss Lavinia took the liberty of interpreting, as the vulgar do dreams-by contraries; and suddenly remembering that she had left in her room a favorite piece of work which must be immediately finished, she

darted off with a bounding step and a look towards both the Doctor and Miss Lavinia, which seemed to say, "a fair field and no interruption."

piece on the mantel that he had waited longer than he saw any good reason for. He rubbed his hands briskly, but said nothing. The company became impatient. The bride's-maids sent down to know the cause of the The company became uneasy. Several gentlemen began to remember engagements elsewhere for the evening and to depart. The hours moved heavily along. The folks, at length, by degrees had all disappeared. Mr. Lint was finally left alone. He paced the well lit rooms with a quick step, and silently. He walked mechanically to the windows, and gazed out upon the snow-flakes as they drove against the panes of glass. The carriages had all rumbled off. The darkness of the night seemed doubly cheerless. "Well, this," muttered Mr. L., "is a matter which I do not, I cannot, understand." The old lady was in terrible agony-all her labor had been in vain-and then "people would talk so." "What a pity," said Mrs. L., " every thing was so well arranged," as she glanced her eyes around upon the rare and beautiful flowers, a bouquet of which was perched wherever a foundation could be made for it. "Dear me," she continued, "and poor Lavinia!" "I will see this farce out," said Mr. L. with clenched teeth and fist also clenched.

In human life there are two things which are terrible-I mean to gentlemen who have delicate nerves-delay. The bride looked amazed, and well she might. the one is the having a tooth drawn, and the other the asking a pretty girl, abounding in charms and worldly possessions, to do you the favor of accepting you, as the partner of her person and her property, till death dissolves the connection. Does the reader suppose that I mean to lay open to his inquisitive eye, the scene that ensued between the Doctor and Miss Lavinia? If he does, he is very much mistaken; all that I shall let him know is, that the embarrassing question, just above alluded to, was put by the Doctor to Miss Lavinia, and by her answered affirmatively. Her cousin says that Miss Lavinia, when the interview was over, blamed her very much for leaving her alone with the Doctor, and that when Mr. Faw departed, he seemed in very good humor, flushed in the cheeks, smiling, and brushing the knees of his pantaloons with an elegantly bordered white muslin handkerchief.

SOMETHING OUT OF THE COMMON ORDER OF
THINGS.

But the Doctor-what did become of the Doctor?

AN UNEXPECTED PATIENT.

The evening for the wedding at length arrived. How Poor Lavinia! to her indeed this was an awful night. the Doctor's happiness and good fortune were envied! Her bride's-maids did all they could to alleviate her The world of beauty and fashion was thenceforth to sufferings. Her temples were rubbed with all manner lose its sun of light and radiance. It was a cold wintry salts was kept continually at hand. She bore it howof essences, and lest she should faint away, a bottle of night. The hospitable mansion of old Mr. Lint, Lavinia's uncle, seemed to rejoice on the occasion. The ever quite philosophically, and at a reasonable hour, large grates were brimful of coal, and each seemed one "solitary and alone," she retired to rest. Early the solid mass of intense red heat. The candles were all next morning she breakfasted in her room, and her ornamented with richly cut papers-the work of the features seemed so round and pretty, that care itself fair hands of Lavinia's cousin. The whole edifice, could not find a spot upon them rude enough to answer for a foothold. "Dear me," said Miss Lavinia, helpfrom the garret to the kitchen under ground, was illuminated. Carriages rolled up after carriages and emp- ing herself to a buckwheat cake, "now I come to think tied their loads of finery and beauty. The very servants of it, the man had red hair-what an escape!" bustled about and grinned and seemed unusually happy. I know that the reader is dying with anxiety to hear. The bride's-maids had arrived, the company had assembled-among other things, the hour for the ceremony had I must therefore be very deliberate in telling him; but arrived, so had the refreshments, so had the groom's- patience, and a few periods, will lead him to the informen, so had the priest-the bride was dressed, and her mation desired. I think when the whole truth is fairly blooming attendants were prepared to escort her; every told, that Mr. and Mrs, and even Miss Lint, will exthing was ready but the groom-where was he?"The cuse the absence of our hero, "situated as he was," as Doctor must be a very absent man," said Mr. Ruffles, Sir Patrick O'Plenipo would say. But where was the "to be absent on such an occasion." Mrs. Sneezer took Doctor? I will let you know in the course of the fola large pinch of snuff, and remarked, "that it was very lowing chapter. mysterious." Mr. Lint was in a curious predicament, and although in his own house, felt very little at home; and he walked to the passage door-opened it-looked out -the snow was whitening the tops of the thick array of carriages, the great-coats and the hats of the coachmen-the breeze was very cool; he saw no carriage in motion, nor other indication of the expected coming of the esculapian; he looked at his watch-blew his fingers-and returned to the fireside. "This is very strange," said Mr. Lint. Mrs. Lint was very busy, marshalling and drilling her servants, pouring the wine out into the glasses, mixing lemonade, splitting up the oranges, and arranging the trays and waiters of cakes and fruit; and as industry and occupation are the "sovereignest thing on earth" against the approach of ennui, she hardly knew that the time appointed had arrived. At length she drew from her girdle a gemmed repeater, which gave her the first intimation of the lateness of the hour. She called out, "Samuel!" Samuel, all neatness and apron, immediately answered, "Madam!" "Samuel," said Mrs. L., "what are we waiting for?" "The groom, madam, has not come." "The groom!" said Mrs. L., "that's very singular;" and off whisked Mrs. L. to inform Mr. L. of a truth of which he was already painfully aware. The worthy priest had exhausted interrogation itself in inquiries about the prospects of the parties about to be wed, and concerning the health of every family, a member of which happened within reach of his voice-and turning his face towards the fire-place, observed by the time

Upon the evening appointed for the ceremony, the Doctor repaired to his room at an early hour, to prepare for the interesting occasion. When completely dressed, he surveyed his figure fully reflected in a psyche glass. His pantaloons and vest were of white-the former of the finest cassinet, the latter of satin; his coat was black, and of the best broad-cloth, fitting without a wrinkle ; his stock and gloves, of course, corresponded in color with the vest and pantaloons; white silk stockings, and well polished pumps, covering feet unusually small, concluded his adornment. Thus to himself did his faithful mirror represent Dr. Faw, on the evening already referred to. As the Doctor stood before the glass, a rap was heard, and an individual obtruded himself upon him. "I am desired," said he, "Doctor, to request you to call immediately upon a lady who is alarmingly ill." The intrusive character then went on to describe exactly the place where the lady was to be found. "Will it not answer to-morrow?" said the Doctor. "I am particularly engaged." In this style of expression, I think that the Doctor was pretty accurate, for a wedding in which our position is that of first performer in the ceremony next the priest, might very fairly be called a particular engagement. "For the love of God, do come, Doctor; the woman may die. She cannot detain you more than a few minutes," was the further appeal addressed to our hero. The heart of Mr. Faw being just then in a condition particularly propitious to the action upon it of the

him; or like Morgan, of anti-masonic memory, he was abducted; or like Elijah, he went heavenward in a chariot of fire, the author of this narrative would not undertake to hazard a conjecture. All that he assumes to speak of, is what actually did occur; and further, as the form of the affidavits in the law run, he saith not.

TIME, TROUBLE, &c.

away for a season, like insects by the breath of a frosty house of Mr. Lint became as joyous and as gay as ever; breeze. They returned, however, eventually, and the ancients, “ubi mel, ibi apes"-where there is good enterso true is that trite maxim, handed down to us from the tainment, there will always be sufficient guests.

finer and kindlier sympathies, and as he supposed that it would be a charitable way of spending an hour which otherwise must move on leaden wings, he concluded that he would comply with the request. So taking his hat and cane, and hurrying on his gloves, he sallied forth. The reader now finds the Doctor on the public street in his wedding attire, hurrying to the bedside of his patient. Arrived at the passage door, he encountered an Amazonian, on her knees, laboriously busy at that work of all detestation-scrubbing-her arms bared, and her frock dies of the heart, and frequently furnishes a specific tucked up. Time is a great physician. It cures most of the malaHer ladyship looked askance very know where nothing else medicinal could be of any avail. ingly and grinned, which the Doctor supposed to be her The affections of Miss Lint, as the reader may have rude way of wishing him joy of the coming nuptials. opined, were not very deeply engaged in the affair with She instantly abandoned her occupation, and with her the Doctor, although matrimony was intended to result mop in hand accompanied the Doctor into the cham- from it. It has happened, and probably will happen ber and presence of his patient. The room, to all appearance, was that of the sick: a cheerful fire was ing sense of irresistible love. All of the sex are not blazing in the hearth, and numerous vials were ranged framed of materials of which even a Shakspeare could again, that women marry without any very overpowerupon the mantel. The bed-curtains were closely drawn. make Juliets. Nature had intended Lavinia for as The patient was bolstered upright in a sitting po-much happiness as belongs to our condition here, and sition. The Doctor took his seat by the bedside, and hence she was denied the more lively emotions out of began feeling her ladyship's pulse. The Doctor always which arise as often intense pain as the highest enjoy. was a man of feeling. The sick woman immediately ment. She was never boisterously happy, nor did her made a desperate spring, and clasped her arms around feelings ever relapse into a correspondent degree of the neck of Mr. Faw, exclaiming, "Your wife! your gloom. The groomless wedding caused much talk in wife! you traitor!" Immediately three red-haired suc- the village when it occurred, as did all the accompanying cessors to the features and name of the Doctor crawled circumstances, as we have narrated them; but other from under the bed, and clinging to his knees, cried out stories and other excitements succeeded it, and after a most lustily, like Maelzel's Androides, "Papa! papa!" Doctor Johnson observes that when we are in any emergencies of danger or perplexity, the mind acts with ex-including the metallic ones, commanded, were brushed few years, it came to be but infrequently even alluded to. The swarm of admirers which Lavinia's charms, traordinary rapidity, and that an immense number and variety of ideas are compressed into an inconceivable minute period of time. Not Laocoon, with the serpents contorting around his limbs with fatal pressure, ever felt with more intensity the horror of his situation, than did our man of medicine. He thought in an instant of the various modes of escape. high from the earth, and the pavement too hard to mediThe window was too tate a leap. The fire was too hot and dangerous for him to attempt the chimney. In his desperation, loaded MRS. AND MR. RUFFLES, AND THE CONCLUSION. as he was, he turned towards the door. It was locked, that some four or five years have elapsed since Dr. Faw Will the reader be kind enough to take it for granted, and the lady who had shown him up stood with her departed so abruptly from the bedside of the unmanageback against it, tall as a grenadier and twice as power-able patient, to whom we alluded in a preceding chapter. ful, with the dripping mop in her hands, uplifted like an On a dreary December morning, Mrs. Ruffles (formerly axe in the butcher's grasp. Reconciling himself to his Miss Lavinia Lint) was seated at the head of a neatly fate, the Doctor struggled back into the chair from which arranged breakfast table, busily engaged pouring out he had risen, and sank down upon it completely hope- coffee. less and unnerved. If ever the organ of "adhesiveness" was clearly de- was seated a curly haired young one, intent upon swalThe buckwheat cakes were sending up into the room wreaths of steam. veloped upon any cranium, it must have been upon that lowing any and every thing that might come to hand. On each side of Mrs. R. of the veritable Mrs. Faw, judging from the manner "Dear me," said Mrs. R. looking out of a window opshe adhered to her husband. Sitting on his knees, her posite, "how very like this day is to that evening on arms still around him, she continued pouring out a which it was appointed that I should be Mrs. Dr. Faw." lava flood of invective, "You wretch! you undertake to Mr. Ruffles was sitting before the grate, drying the deceive and ruin a poor innocent and confiding woman, morning's paper and looking at the coals. Mr. Ruffles and spend her money, after having a wife-and she liv-always read the newspaper whilst he breakfasted-a ing, and you run away from her." Such, and other like terms of reproach, was the poor Doctor doomed to hear rattled in his ears, and no means of escape. He was like a wretch bound to some instrument of torture and shame, and compelled to receive and bear all that might be meted out to him. Motionless he sat, unresisting and mute. At length the heart of the janitor relented. "Come," said she of the mop, roaring with laughter, "fair play is a jewel-the Doctor deserved a good deal, and he has got it--he came, at any rate, as he supposed, on an errand of mercy; let not his treatment, however he may have earned it, be merciless-he has been under the pump long enough." So saying, and tearing the husband from his wife's embrace, she raised him up aloft and bore him to the door. Like the hare, when the loud yelp of the pursuing hound breaks upon his ear, so leapt the Doctor forwards, and so he bounded along the stairs and the passage-way to the open street-the last that Mrs. Faw, or any body else, ever saw or knew of him with any absolute certainty, Whether, like Curtius, the earth gaped and swallowed

commendable custom, and a combination of luxuries.
When Mr. Ruffles was seated, he commenced reading-
"Drowned, in attempting to cross-
State of
ly arrived in the neighborhood; his name and residence
unknown; he was of middle size, well dressed, with
on Monday last week, a gentleman, late-
river, in the
sandy hair: letters were found upon him addressed to
Dr. Faw. It is hoped that this account may reach his
friends." "How strange," said Mrs. Ruffles, “that I
should just then have happened to have spoken of him."
"Very," said Mr. Ruffles" but these things, you know,
my dear, are unaccountable." "Are you ready for
your coffee, my dear." "Yes." And so this story ends.

Holstein on the North Wind; Heinsius on the Ass;
Pierius Valerianus wrote an Eulogium on Beards;
Erasmus on Folly; Sallengre on Drunkenness; Syne.
sius on Baldness. (Greek.)

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