smith and Innkeeper at the Bridge of Carr, wages could have tempted to work out of parish of Duthel. The shoemaker's wife || doors, from dawn to darkness, in a season so roused the neighbours. The other Imkeeper rigorous. From all parts of Strathspey the Mr. George Ellis dispatched his younger son farmers came with their servants and horses on horseback to summon assistance; while to clear away the rubbish, to lay the founthe elder lads exerted themselves in behalf of dation and bring materials for a new building. the sufferers; but melancholy to relate, though They promised to work with unremitting dilievery possible aid was promptly afforded, a gence until the house was completed, and as son of Shaw's about six years of age; and his all could not be employed at once, they formed servant, a girl of seventeen, fell victims to the themselves into divisions, faithfully taking devouring element, and the dwelling was burnt their turn in this work of charity. The dwelto the ground. Shaw, his wife and sisterling is now habitable, and quantities of furniescaped naked, from their beds; and a poor ture, bedding, and wearing apparel, have been travelling boy forced his way out at a small supplied by all classes in the country, besides window. Many attempts were made to ex- donations in cash from gentlemen who were tricate the child and the servant maid; but uncertain if they could suit any other gift to volumes of flame repelled every effort, and the necessities of the case. Nor was the not one article within the premises could be widowed mother of the servant maid neglectsaved, the weather was intensely cold, with ed. So far as liberal benefactions could allehigh winds and frequent showers of snow; yet || viate her afflictions, the deep sympathy of the the different roads that centre at the Bridge public afforded her consolation. So true it is, of Carr, were open, and several travellers be- that, the example of benevolent proprietors, held with admiration the gratuitous labours through a succession of generations, will of assembled men, among whom there were powerfully influence the disposition and conmany individuals that no consideration of duct of a people. B. G. THE ARCH SWINDLER. we deprecate and lament the abuse of high endowments, when a man formed by nature and by education, to adorn and bless every relation in life, degrades himself, and irreparably injures a prudent and noble minded girl, He that has defrauded an individual is branded with the name of swindler, a villain, who by base arts has possessed himself of property without giving due value in exchange. But what term of opprobrium can|| sufficiently stigmatize the man who avails merely to amuse some idle hour; or in the himself of rank, figure, and accomplishments || cruel pride of achieving a different conquest. to gain the affections of a susceptible inexperienced girl, while with every resolution he guards his own heart from impressions that might involve him in the offer of his hand. We have no intention of palliating the folly of weak romantic young women, who invite unmeaning gallantries by a coquettish or sentimental deportment. Their vanity or overheated imagination alone is wounded by the defection of an admirer; his place is soon filled by another, and these triflers of both sexes being equally impenetrable to reproof or ridicule, it would be waste of time to expostulate with them. They flutter in the sunshine of youth and thoughtless inanity, to sink into contempt through a fretful old age. But If her delicacy and circumspection have shielded her character from reproach, the merit exclusively belongs to herself, and the more obdurate must be his disposition that can inflict the pangs of hopeless attachment, on a bosom where he beholds daily evidences of wisdom and virtue. Can he derive happiness from her poignant, though concealed misery ? and if her health becomes a sacrifice to those internal conflicts, he is a murderera perfidious destroyer, that with a smiling aspect of kindness, lodged the impoisoned shaft in her vitals. A marble monument covers the mouldering clay which once was the beautiful, the amiable, and embellished Theodora Shirley. The inscription records in words his ardent feelings, and Ellen bade him farewell with the tranquil warmth of sisterly affection. Her aunts carried her to London. Some months after her arrival she was introduced to Lieutenant Shirley, of the guards, by a lady of high rank, as a partner at a private ball, given by her ladyship. Lieutenant Shirley was the representative of a noble house impoverished by the civil wars, and the title lay dormant for want of means to support the necessary 'appendages. His figure and manners were formed to captivate a girl new to the world, and her fortune might remunerate the sacrifice of his liberty. The admonitions and earnest intreaties of her aunts had no influence when opposed to the persua that a pulmonary affection conducted her to a premature grave. Observe that pale and emaciated figure in military uniform, and the true cause of her mortal disease may be understood. The erect mien and martial gait no longer dignify his person. His head bends under the very pressure of dejection, and all his movements are irregular, but sad. He has reached the repository of the dead. He wrings his wasted hands, floods of tears stream over his colourless cheeks, his lips move, but no sound from them meets the ear. He is interrupted. His aged father, supported by a grey haired domestic, comes to intreat him to take shelter from an impending shower, and exhausted by grief he is passive to the injunc- || tions of paternal tenderness. Many have erred sive solicitations of an insinuating lover. like Major Griffiths, but few have expiated || Ellen became Mrs. Shirley, and the event the offence by remorse so piercing and perma- seemed to Giraldus a death blow to happiness. nent. Theodora Shirley was the only child Yet his just and candid soul acknowledged of an officer, who fell before Dunkirk, in 1793. || he had no cause to blame Ellen. She had not Her mother had been likewise an only child, ||jilted him, he had never told his love. His and an orphan, while yet an infant. Her last father had sent him to travel on the continent surviving parents, in excess of fondness, be- for two years. The decease of the good old queathed to her the sole disposal of her for- knight summoned him home before that period tune, and the accumulating interest when she expired. His three sisters had died of the should attain the age of fifteen; that in the same fever which proved fatal to Sir Geoffrey, most important transaction of her life, she and Sir Giraldus felt alone in the world. might have the power of choosing her bosom || Another cause of sorrow had for some months companion; but he earnestly recommended preyed on his mind, he had heard from unher to the guardianship and counsel of his questionable authority that Ellen was unhappy maiden sisters. These ladies were wealthy, in marriage. Her husband was absenting and much esteemed for good sense and worth. himself from domestic scenes, and squanderThey hoped to ensure happiness for their niece, ing her fortune in gambling houses. Sir Giand to aggrandize the family, from whom they raldus secretly procured for him a step of derived their pedigree, by forming a marriage promotion, and he sighed to think this was for her with the son of Sir Geoffrey Griffiths, all he could do for her who was still dear to of Caerphilly-vale, Monmouthshire. Giraldus him as a sister. Retirement suited his incliGriffiths and Ellen, were therefore brought nations; yet he constrained himself to fulfil up together, as much as two young persons the social claims of his station, and at the of different sexes could associate in their house of a neighbouring gentleman yielded to studies. The time arrived when a tutor and fond partiality for a beautiful young girl, ungoverness were deemed inadequate to finish spoiled by London gaieties, the intoxicating the accomplishments of debutants born to so gaieties that had cost his dear Ellen the peace high expectations. The old knight had been and independance of her future years. The extremely solicitous to have Ellen for a ways of Providence are inscrutable. Worth daughter-in-law. He rejoiced to observe his and wisdom have no exemption from the son's attachment; but exhorted him not to heaviest calamities. In giving birth to a son, be rash in declaring it, as her aunts were Lady Griffiths contracted a malady, which averse to fill her head with thoughts of matri-sent her to the tomb, thirteen months after mony, before her education was completed. she became the happiest of wives. Sir GiIn obedience to his father, Giraldus partedraldus had piety and fortitude; or this last from his beloved cousin, without expressing blow would probably have proved overwhelmNo. 161.-Vol. XXV. 2 A 138 ANNA AND LOUISA; OR MERIT OPPOSED TO FASCINATION. honoured him with many marks of confidence. It was said his R. H. condescended to repeat with great pleasure a remark of the honest hearted Welchman, when admitted to a private audience; His R. H. spoke of the duties of royalty, and deigned to ask Sir Giraldus for his opinion. The baronet expressed a deep sense of his incompetence to speak on such an exalted theme, but when urged, he said, ing, if his child had not called up every exertion of his affections and judgment. He was the preceptor, and almost the nurse of the promising Edmund; until in his sixth year, a gentleman of approved talents and character, received the charge of his education, as a resident at Caerphilly-vale. About this time the independent electors of the county sent a deputation to Sir Giraldus Griffiths, requesting him to be their representative in parlia-it seemed to him that one of the first duties ment; and so universal was the esteem for his mental and moral qualities, that, he was unanimously elected, nor did he ever disap- || point his constituents. He was respected by all parties, though his vote was sometimes contrary to their wishes. The Pr. of W-8 of a sovereign was to prove himself the king ANNA AND LOUISA; OR MERIT OPPOSED TO FASCINATION. THE Baron de Wiltck, who had long resided in a remote part of Germany, bequeathed to his son a moderate fortune; he had lived a good neighbour, was kind to his vassals, without pretending to any thing brilliant, and in this way the Barons of Wiltck had lived from father to son, for many generations. Those who were now possessors of the castle had an only son, named Victor, who having studied Plato, had imbibed some very romantic ideas, and was full of reveries, and the wish to find a congenial mind with his own. A distant relation was on a visit to the castle, accompanied by her daughter, who had just recovered from a very dangerous illness, and it was hoped that the country air would perfectly restore her. Her extreme paleness contributed perhaps to destroy the charms of a countenance otherwise faultless. To Wiltck she appeared neither plain nor pretty; her shape was elastic, her eyes blue, but not lively; she spoke little, and no one seemed occupied about her: but Madame Gurnholm, her mother, was possessed of that politeness that seems to come from the heart; an amiable vivacity, an understanding highly cultivated, an exterior formed by the graces, and which was still capable of charming: so many agrémens gained her the admiration of the whole family; for she spoke of agriculture with the old baron, conversed on the state of French literature during the reign of Louis XIV. with the Baroness, and she delighted the Abbé with her knowledge of several classic authors, and on which she conversed with so much modesty, that she gained every heart, and they did not even seem to see her daughter at all. Madame de Gurnholm had brought with her several books written by the most captivating authors, with which kind of writings Vietor had been heretofore quite unacquainted, he was much charmed with them, particularly with those of Werner, who had become, in some measure, his oracle. One evening, in a confidential conversation, the family was speaking of the influence caused on young minds by a sojournment in great cities: Madame de Gurnholm, after having observed that she thought it requisite to gain a knowledge of the human character, added, that in her opinion, such an opportunity ought to be given to a young man of Victor's birth and character. Madame de Wiltck approved this idea, but the old baron shook his head, with an air of disapprobation, while the Abbé said there was much to be argued on either side. The Baroness, however, had many conferences with the Abbé about it, and she employed every persuasion to make the Baron comply with her wishes. A few days after, Madame de Gurnholm gave notice of her intended de parture, to the great regret of all the family: she spoke very seriously on what they had conversed upon a few evenings before, and in the kindest and most graceful manner, she offered Victor and the Abbé two apartments in her house if they should pass the winter in town. Louisa became more than usually pale, and suddenly quitted the room; her mother instantly followed her, but returned alone, as the tea was being handed round, making an excuse for her daughter's absence, as she had been seized with a dizziness in her head; and she was resolved to go the next day to consult the most famous phisicians on her malady. This intelligence afflicted the whole family; and the departure of Madame Gurnholm created a void, which in the peaceful uniformity of their lives they had never before experienced: preparations, however, began to take place relative to Victor's projected journey. As the ladies who had left them were generally the subjects of their conversation, the Abbé remarked, that, certainly Mademoiselle Louisa had neither the beauty nor sprightliness of her mother, but that her heart and mind were endowed with the most estimable qualities; and that a woman of such rare talents as Madame de Guruholm, he would venture to say, she had spared no pains || in the education of her daughter. The friendship of Madame de Gurnholm introduced him into the first societies; though a stranger to modern manners, a prepossessing countenance, a natural gracefulness, joined with a certain degree of pride, gave confidence to his carriage, and preserved him from that awkwardness too often found in those, who quit, for the first time, the parental roof. He saw Louisa but seldom; her health, by no means yet established, served him for a n excuse, the Abbé visited her regularly, and conversed with his pupil on her great qualifications, and constant amiability: she became less timid, less reserved in her manners, and Victor was obliged to confess that he had been mistaken in the judgment he had at first formed of her: however, though Louisa had fine light brown hair, a faultless shape, and was but eighteen, he found he had not felt for her that love at first sight, which he was sure he must have experienced for one whom he should regard as a second self. The carnival drew nigh; tea and daneing were given at the Spanish ambassador's; and Madame de Gurnholm proposed to the young Baron that he should join her party. The day of the assembly Victor accompanied the ladies, and scarce had he paid his respects to the lady of the house, when his eyes fell on a being that appeared to him more than mor"Of that I have no doubt," said Victor, || tal. Her complexion was a beautiful brunette, "but I have no great opinion of Louisa's animated with the most lively colour; her capacity." The Abbé interrupted him by eyes large, black and full of fire; her dress saying, he had often conversed with Made- shewed her to be a foreigner, and was infimoiselle Louisa, and had found her very sen-nitely becoming: she fixed her eyes on Victor, sible, and well informed: but her feeling the most exquisite. "Oh!" said Victor, "I think she is the coldest and most inanimate creature I ever beheld.", Two months past on; and the day was fixed that Victor and the Abbé were to depart for that town which was the residence of the reigning prince; no particular event happened in that time except a letter from Madame de Gurnholm, making an apology for not receiving Victor at her house, a change having taken place in her apartments during her absence; but she had found a very charming lodging for Victor, that was close to her own house: this arrangement was found agreeable, || and the young Baron awaited with a palpitating heart, his entrance into this new world of fancied pleasures. with visible admiration, and sometimes graciously smiled on him. While the elderly persons gathered round the card-tables, the younger part of the guests thronged to the ball room, Three young noblemen surrounded the beautiful foreigner, to obtain the favour of dancing with her but her eyes seemed to seek for Victor, who drew near with the same intention, she blushed with joy, and without making a single apology to the three young nobles, she turned her back on them, and gave her hand to the happy Victor. He scarce quitted her an instant the whole evening; her expressive countenance, her fine form, her vivacity, her dress, and even the singularity of her manners, completely captivated him; he returned home intoxicated 160 "ANNA AND LOUISA; OR MERIT OPPOSED TO FASCINATION. with delight, and could speak of nothing but || the idea of putting them to the proof; the the beautiful foreigner, Donna Anna del next fixed her eyes on Wiltck; "which of Alava. you, now," said she, "dare undertake this?” "I dare," exclaimed the young Baron. || Though she certainly felt a preference for Victor, yet he was the victim of her capricious character; and her whims varied with every succeeding moment; sometimes she was inconsiderate, childish, at others melancholy, then gay, even to madness: but these rapid changes instead of repulsing Victor, only attracted him the more. She perceived the empire she had over him, she saw that she was passionately beloved, and although enchanted by her conquest, she often seemed to attach no value to it; though it was confidently reported that the Baron de Wiltck was about to marry the giddy American, as they called the Spanish lady, born at Rio de "Good heavens! Mr. de Wiltck," said Madame de Gurnholm, with much emotion, who with Louisa had joined the ambassador's party, "do not make this trial; you are not sufficiently acquainted with the perfection of "Oh!" cried Louisa, in the its mechanism." most supplicating manner, “do not, do not, I intreat of you." "What noise about nothing!" said Anna, very ill-humouredly, "Oh! do not go, M. de Wiltck, you find you are forbidden." "Who shall forbid me?" said Victor reddening with vexation. "I thank my friends for the interest they take about me; but I hope they will not fetter my will for such a trifle; I shall embark, Donna Anna, be assured." Janeiro. Madame de Gurnholm cast a look on her Winter had imperceptibly passed away; the snow had disappeared, and the ice that covered the surface of the waters had melted away. One fine March morning, a foreigner || almost fainting daughter, and beckoning to conducted a vessel, by steam, not only without oars, but against a very strong current. A great multitude assembled on the shore; and the carriages of the nobility and gentry added to the throng: Madame de Gurnholm and her daughter were anxious to see this new invention; and Victor did not fail to be present, accompanied by the Abbé. Donna Anna was there beside her aunt, the ambassador's wife, and Anna kissed her hand to Victor, in the most graceful manner. A Turkish music was heard, as a signal, and the vessel, ornamented with glittering streamers crossed the river, and back again, amidst the shouts of the astonished spectators. her servants, her carriage was drawn up; seeing that the Abbé was about to hasten to that part of the shore where the vessel was to stop, she offered to conduct him; they thus seemed to follow after Victor, when a violent detonation, and a column of smoke which rose in the air with a loud explosion, announced the threatened danger: the vessel was dashed in pieces, which were scattered on the water, and were carried away by the violence of the current. The carriage stopped, and the Abbé, pale as death, got out, trembling least he should find only the lifeless remains of his beloved Victor. Madame de Gurnholm was penetrated with terror, but she owed all her cares to her daughter who had fainted in her arms. The young Baron was seen from the shore keeping firm hold of a plank that the current was rapidly carrying along: he was, at length, happily driven to land, deprived of all sensation, a wound on his forehead, and another on his arm; but he was alive. || | "Ah! how delightful it must be to glide so rapidly over the waves!" said Anna, with energy, "may not I," added she, addressing her aunt, “go on board that vessel ?" “What an idea !” replied the ambassadress, with some severity, "it would not appear very correct in a young lady." It was then argued that should the mecha-" He lives! he lives!" said Madame de nism not be quite perfect, an explosion might || Gurnholm, emphatically, and Louisa recovertake place, which would render such an at-ed: but it was impossible to keep her in the tempt extremely dangerous; but Donna Anna carriage; she ran to the 'bank, followed by interrupted this conversation by saying, that, her mother, at the moment that Victor reif a man had but a small portion of courage, stored to his senses was endeavouring to raise he might try how safe it was; she then looked himself up: he was very pale, and looking round on her numerous adorers, conceiving around him, his eyes fell on Louisa, whose |