On Eliza's mind this gifted being made a strong impression; highly prepossessed before in his favour, his personal acquaintance was well calculated to render this feeling of admiration indelible. Void of all affectation, his wit and understanding charmed her: his lively fancy gave interest to every passing trifle; and when he led her attention to higher subjects, his sentiments were at once delicate and noble.

The gentleman on his part seemed equally pleased with having met with an agreeable companion, and paid her every obliging attention; seldom leaving her side, and amusing her with his animated conversation, and lively remarks. took great pains to secure her accommodation, and succeeded so well in his efforts to please, that Eliza forgot he was to her only a stranger.

He

On the evening of this day Eliza, seated on the deck, was intently survey

ing the beauties of a lovely sky. The officer stood by her; and after a long uninterrupted pause, he said,

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May I ask what it is that engrosses your attention?"

eyes

"I was admiring," said Eliza, "the glories of the setting sun. I must own to you, that the firmament is a constant source of pleasure to me. In it there is no sameness; and whenever I raise my it is to behold some new beauty, some new variety of form and shape. In a clear starlight night, 'The spangled heavens, a shining train!' strike me as among the most glorious of created objects, and raise my thoughts to the Creator.

" If you so much admire the beauties of an English evening, what would you say if you saw a West Indian one, which is so infinitely surpassing, as to admit of no comparison. I must own the many I have witnessed there have taught me to look on, almost with indifference, even

on such an evening as this, splendidly beautiful as I acknowledge it to be; but there it is inexpressibly magnificent!" "Well, but the starlight night! Do you not agree with me there?" "I think I must answer you in rhyme.

'Ye meaner beauties of the night,
Who poorly satisfy our eyes,

More by your number than your light,

Like common people of the skies,

What are ye when the moon doth rise?'

"But I see you think me almost profane; and therefore I have done.Do I offend?"

"No, certaintly not; but you will teach me to lock up my own opinions." "Do you not perceive what an inducement you hold out to me to be less candid. If my sentiments differ from your own, you threaten to withhold them, and deprive me of the pleasure of hearing you converse. Pray recal the rash determination."

I must needs do so."

"I wish," said a little weaver, who was suffering very much from sickness; "I wish we'd got to Hull."

The dark speaking eye of the officer: met the rapidly retreating glance of Eliza ; and bending his tall form, he whispered, "Do you wish so too?"

Why did Eliza blush, even to the very temples; and why did her heart beat with an unaccounted for emotion: yet so it was; and her embarrassment was so great, that the gentleman, with a delicacy, that did him honour, left his station.

May I presume to inquire," said he,. as he resumed his place by her side, " if you purpose travelling much further north, when we reach Hull?"

"I am going near Cottingwith, sir." "Indeed! my home is near Beverly. There the poor wanderer will be received back, after his long toils, with a sweet welcome. I think we poor fellows have

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some advantage over those who stay quietly at home; for when we do come, we have long arrears of kindness to receive. There is such a sweet bustle, and so much to tell, and so much to hear, that there is no time for affection to get into its usual quiet pace, till we are going again. Besides, I think we are entitled to some little additional favour from our country women."

"Entitled!" said Eliza.

"Well, then, if entitled is an objectionable word, we must substitute some other with a happier sound. I cannot forsake the meaning, although I am willing to change the expression. But the man who leaves you, willingly to fight for you-die for you-all that he canmight surely hope for more favour, than he who quietly remains at home, and indolently basks in the sunshine of your eyes."

"You grow quite figurative!"

"Do I! My inspirer then must be