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have already been told, is H; by that name I have enjoyed the honour of an introduction to our respected host, and the ladies and gentlemen whose acquaintance I have this day had the pleasure of making; it may be a singular name to bear, but it is mine nevertheless, and until it can be made to appear that its owner has done something to forfeit the respect due to a gentleman, I shall be under the necessity of considering any farther remarks as an overture to a serious disagreement."

The report of this conversation was soon spread abroad, and had the effect to prevent any future allusion to the forbidden subject, in the presence of the party concerned; and in process of time, the wonder began to diminish, and Mr. H to be left in the undisputed enjoyment of his supposed incognito. In the course of a few more weeks, people even began to believe, or at least to admit, that his name might really be H, by itself H; letters came to him so directed, from various parts of the kingdom; books and parcels were brought down every week from London, for Mr. H; and all doubt was at length removed, when it was found that his drafts on a great banking-house in the metropolis, signed merely with a peculiar and difficult flourish, in the centre of which was a handsome and very distinct H, were honoured with all possible promptitude.

Spring passed away, summer came and departed, and autumn still found Mr. H the observed of all observers at M-. The village and the country around it had never been so gay as they had become under the inspiring influence of his presence. The men all swore he was the best rider, and one of the best shots they had ever seen, and gave capital dinners and wine into the bargain. The old ladies eulogized his profound skill and attention at whist; and the young ones were all in raptures with his fine voice, his exquisite taste in dress, and his delightful gallantry. Even the boys were his devoted adherents, for he allowed them to ride his horses, and shoot with his guns, and both were firstrate. He was always proposing and carrying into effect, some particularly agreeble scheme of amusement; to-day a pic-nic, on the top of one of the Malvern Hills; to-morrow a ride to the old ruined castle that frowned over the Severn; now an extemporaneous ball, and anon a fishing excursion. He introduced archery, and invented the sweetest

uniform for the ladies; had down all the new music as fast as it was published in London, and the new novels a week in advance of the circulating library. More. over, he played the church-organ on Sundays, with almost the touch and taste of a Neukomm; and there was not a gentleman in the neighbourhood that possessed such a talent at making conundrums, acting charades, and putting all sorts of people in perfect humour with themselves and everybody around them. It was very soon ascertained too, that he was not only an unmarried, but a marrying man; rich, young, handsome, accomplished, and uncommonly pleasant

there was not a young lady in M—, or its vicinity, from the retired cheesemonger's plump daughter up to the aristocratic sister of the poor, but proud baronet who represented the county in parliament, that would not have been willing, and, if the truth must be told, delighted to change her whole name for a share of his single letter; and, for a time, so general were his attentions, that an equal hope was cherished by all of a result so congenial to their wishes. It appeared, however, in time, that Mr. H had a preference; and he approved himself a man of excellent taste and judgment in making it. Isabel Hartley was a delightful creature; there can be no doubt of it, for even when I knew her four years ago, she was still almost as beautiful as either of her three charming daughters, and although not quite so sylph-like in form, looked but a very few years older. When Mr. H became the slave of her bright hazel eyes, she was but just nineteen; a lovely, innocent, guileless being, whose motions were all grace, looks gladness, and thoughts purity. I have not time to describe her at length, and the reader must be contented with learning from me that she was not tall, nor yet very short, slender in the waist, but of the most beautiful rounded proportions, with a small classical head, a sweet little mouth, exquisite hands, and a foot of surpassing loveliness. Her temper was not very gay, but always serene and cheerful; and her mind both good and well cultivated. In short, she was a girl to be loved more as a wife than a bride; and so she has been for the last twenty years of her happy innocent life. Mr. Í fell in love with this good and bewitching girl, courted her like a man of sense and a gentleman, and gained her affections. Her parents were satisfied, she was grateful and happy, and he at the summit of

rational human felicity. They were engaged, and the wedding day was appointed to be in the first week of December.

The annual county ball given at Bridgewater, on the second of November, 1810, was more than commonly brilliant, and was graced by the presence of all the wealth, beauty, and fashion of Somersetshire. There had been a great political struggle, or in other words, a hotly contested election; and it is always observed that in exact proportion to the heat and violence of the strife upon these occasions, are the splendour and luxury of the dejeuners, dinners and balls by which they are followed; the victors, of course, anxious to make the most of their triumph, and the vanquished to hide or forget the mortification of their defeat. The Bridgewater ball, therefore, of the particular year in question, was much talked-of beforehand, expected with vast impatience, and attended by every creature within thirty miles, who could manage the three requisites of a conveyance, a dress, and an invitation. The officers of the regiment stationed at Bristol were there to a man, from the colonel down to the cornet; both the candidates for the honour of representing the county made it a point to be present, with their wives, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters, and as many friends as they could drum up for the occasion; Taunton sent forth its belles; Bath and Cheltenham furnished their quota of yellow nabobs, dyspeptic dowagers, fortune-hunters, and young men of no particular occupation; and even the catholic peer, the right honourable baron De Clifford, emerged from his seclusion at Weston Park, and forgot for a single night his political wrongs, and the duns of his troublesome creditors. The scene was one of enchantment; look where you would, your glance was rewarded with visions of beauty: diamonds and ladies' eyes seemed to vie with each other in brilliancy; the pearly lustre of satin was eclipsed by teeth of more exquisite purity; and round, graceful arms, surpassed both in softness and hue the unsullied kid by which they were partly enveloped. Honeyed words were murmured by irresistible voices in charmed ears; many a pure and innocent heart fluttered with mingled delight and alarm, as the fair hand of its gentle mistress was clasped for a moment in that of some handsome captain or major, whose eyes spoke a language too flattering to be disbelieved; and many a vigilant mother hovered

around, to ward off the unwelcome attentions of poor younger brothers, or to encourage those of the bashful young squires whose estates were known to amount to the desirable number of thousands per annum. The band was one of the best that could be procured from London, and poured out a continual flood of the richest and most inspiriting harmony; perfumes of the most delicious fragrance floated upon the air, but so skilfully regulated as not to oppress while they delighted the sense; and in the intervals of the dance, numbers of richlydressed liveried servants wandered about the rooms, laden with welcome refreshments, in every variety that taste and luxury could devise.

Conspicuous among the throng of the refined, the elegant and the lovely who graced this splendid array, was the party from M-; and chief among these were the betrothed lovers. Mr. H and Isabel Hartley were both exquisite dancers, and the grace of their movements not less than her exquisite loveliness and his manly beauty, attracted general admiration. It was very soon known by all in the room that they were engaged, and therefore it excited no surprise, although a great deal of envy to both ladies and gentlemen, that he solicited no other hand than hers for waltz or quadrille, and that her answer to every request for the honour of being her partner, was met with a gracious and graceful denial. Isabel was delighted with all around her; with the splendour of the scene, the admiration excited by her lover, his assiduous and elegant attention, the exquisite music, the champagne, and last but not least of all, with the secret consciousness of her own irresistible and acknowledged beauty. Women always know when they are loveliest, and see the evidence of their power with a pleasant feeling, even though they care not to exert it. It is an innocent and harmless joy, and shame to him who would condemn its presence.

But never before had the M- friends of her betrothed seen him to such advantage, or shining with a brilliancy of person and mind so fascinating and sustained. His spirits, always elastic and cheerful, were now excited to the highest pitch, yet beautifully tempered with the most perfect good breeding. His discourse was a perpetual series of neat repartee, elegant compliment, bright thought and happy expression; he had a beaming smile and a pleasant word for every one that came near him; he jested with the

men, was respectfully attentive to the dowagers, flattered the belles, amused the mothers, and even found time, now and then, for some little act of courtesy and kindness to the forsaken wall-flowers and humble companions; and yet was scarcely a moment away from the side of his mistress. He anticipated her thoughts, knew the meaning of every glance, and ministered to her every wish almost before it was formed. As the night wore on, Isabel wearied with dancing, and she and her immediate friends gathered together at one side of the room, where the sofa on which she was seated quckly became the central point of a numerous circle comprising the élite of the assembly, among whom Mr. H was the reigning star of the hour. His fund of anecdote was amazing, and of the richest quality; and he poured it forth with a profusion that made all around him delighted listeners. He was actually inspired with happiness, admiration, and just sufficient champagne to give full play to his conversational powers. Still the party increased, as one after another came up eager to know and to share the enjoyment that caused such repeated bursts of merriment and good-humour; and every one thought to himself that decidedly the most agreeable part of the night was commencing just when the dancing was over.

"H," said Isabel's father, "you are leaving the band nothing to do; they will not have a quadrille to play to, if you go on at this rate."

"The united attraction is too great to resist," said the pompous Lord Hungerford; "the amusing talents of Mr. H, and beauty like that of Miss Isabel Hartley might wile away the most devoted servitor of Terpsichore."

"En revanche," squeaked a diminutive colonel, "Miss Hartley ought to divide the attraction, and get up another set. May I solicit the honour of leading her to the floor?"

Isabel pleaded fatigue; and her mother suggested that it was time to withdraw; but a dozen voices at once were lifted up in remonstrance, and two rattling young men linked their arms in those of the irresistible H, declaring that they should keep him a fast prisoner for three hours at least.

"You remind me, gentlemen," said Mr. H, with a smile, of an adventure I had some six years ago, in Spain. I was out one day, on a stroll, with my friend, the Marquis of Larrington, among

We

the passes of the Sierra Morena. had been told that banditti were lurking among the rocks, but gave no faith to the story, and went unprovided with arms of any description. We had rambled some miles, without thinking where we were going; pursuing a mountain-path, worn, probably, by the sheep, of which large flocks are pastured among the rich valleys that lie hidden away, as it were, in those wild recesses. At length, we found ourselves in a narrow glen, completely surrounded by steep, craggy rocks, and accessible only by the narrow and difficult path by which we had reached it. I confess that the look of the place gave me some not very agreeable thoughts, and I was on the point of suggesting to Larrington the propriety of returning, when our ears were assailed by a loud, shrill whistle, apparently just over our heads. Larrington,' said I, 'did you hear that?' Before he could answer, the whistle was answered again and again, and I began to suspect that mischief was coming. Larrington's thoughts were much of the same tenor; Hogsflesh, my boy,' said he to me

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There was a general start-a shriek— a shrill cry of wretchedness and despair. Isabel Hartley fell swooning into the arms of her mother. 66 Hogsflesh! merciful heavens!" exclaimed her father -the gentlemen stared at each other, and muttered "Hogsflesh! O, horrid!" The brilliant room was in a moment a scene of wild and disastrous confusion, and when this had in some measure subsided, the unfortunate cause was no where to be seen. He had rushed from the room like a madman, and "Lodgings to let" appeared the next day in the lower-floor windows of the house occupied by the widow Johnson. J. I.

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went.

When all was ready, swift retired the maidThe watchlights burn; tucked warm in bed was laid

The hardy stranger, and attends the sprite, Till his accustomed walk at Dead of Night! Gay's Tales. WHAT a fine thing, even to imagination, is a fine old mansion, lonely, remote, and melancholy-so smothered in a beechen rookery, that its clustered chimneys can scarcely shew their dingy white cornices over the tree-tops, or the tawdry vanes glimmer murkily against the clottered blackness of the gigantic firs! See that dull moat, unwillingly reflecting the beautifully shy moon, and with reluctance still more savage, yielding to the soft caresses of

the musical night-wind, that sows his hollow murmuring flood with diamond sparks! Lo! the magnificent and crested porch, the resounding hall; the tapestried saloon, whose pompous raiment of palaces and castles, and groves and villages, and tilting knights and banquetting ladies, is enwoven with the particoloured gorgeousness of that bright

art

"Which zealous Europe learnt of Pagan hands,
While she assayed, with rage of holy war,
To desolate their fields: but old the skill:
Long were the Phrygians' picturing looms re-
nowned;

Tyre also, wealthy seat of arts, excelled,
And elder Sidon, in th' historic web."*

-how majestically gloomy the voluminous pictures of romance and terror and gallantry glare at you from the vast walls, their cumbrous woof overspreads!

with what appalling solemnity do they sweep and swell, when, through the clattering windows, or the groaning doors, the audacious gusts assail their inviolable pomp: some such a bridling, peacock

* Dyer.

movement as a high, stiff dowager would make, on the advance of some gay unchartered libertine-not a flutter, but a surge! On with you to the gleaming armoury, with its pavisses and spears and banners and burgonets, "e'en to horror bright;"-up the wide staircase, with its gothic window of "saint - encyphered glass," and its grim portraits and brazen effigies, and traverse the hearth-light haunted gallery, in which the puny light of your lamp is lost in gulphs of shadow and umbered flame from dying brands, as you creep shivering to the oaken chamber.

Oh friend-whoever thou art, thus situated!-would I were with thee, were it only for the sake of the apparition which will undoubtedly come to thee!

Yes! you will have stirred the logs on the hearth into a bright blaze, given one admiring look at the sublime tester and Indian draperies of the pavilionlike couch, remembering that

"Our ancestors

Selected such for hospitable beds, To rest the stranger or the gory chief, From battle or the chase of wolves returned."* -and noted, with Iachimo (though with less felonious intent, it is to be hoped) the antique phantasms of forgotten ages―

"First, the bedchamber was hanged With tapestry of silk and silver; the story Proud Cleopatra, when she met her Roman, And Cydnus swell'd above the banks, or for The press of boats, or pride: a piece of work So bravely done, so rich, that it did strive In workmanship and value. The chimney Is south the chamber; and the chimney-piece, Chaste Dian bathing: never saw I figures So likely to report themselves: the cutter Was as another nature, dumb; outwent her, Motion and breath left out. The roof o' the

chamber

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firelight, and vanishes through the window. From that window you had not long before undrawn the massive curtains of yellow Damascus brocade, flowered with scarlet poppies and white lilies, in order to admit the moonlight, whose imprint of the panes, mullions, and transomes, in black and white, on the polished wainscot and floor, you had so sleepingly admired. Well!-after a pause, during which you had hardly drawn breath from the recent horror, the same three yells are heard in the garden below, to which, balustraded steps, and terraces lined with orange trees in sculptured vases, intermingled with old white fauns and nymphs of marble, lead down from your window.

You neither see nor hear more of this phantom-but I wish you joy of the rest of your night. More than all, do I felicitate you on your feelings,-when, upon your descending to breakfast the next morning late, jaded and perplexed, you discover, beyond all possibility of doubt, in a silent, pale, nervous looking personage, attired in sable, and sitting by your noble host, who pays her the most affectionate though quiet attention—the Spectre of the Oak Chamber !

Of course you take the first opportunity of delicately cleansing your bosom of its perilous stuff, in the confidential ear of his lordship, who, in his turn administers to your mind diseased, by starting, biting his lip, changing colour, and finally apologizing for the unpleasant mistake to which the neglect of servants and the very late hour of your arrival on the preceding night had evidently led.

She

His sister, the Lady Arabella B— was incurably but harmlessly insane. had been a prisoner in the Conciergerie during the reign of terror; from a window she had been compelled to witness the murder of her husband in the street

below, together with the unutterable mutilations of his blood-streaming corpse by the pikes and sabres of the demon rabble. She herself had only escaped and his atrocious clique. the guillotine by the death of Robespierre

Her madness seldom manifested itself, and horrible mummeries during the except in a propensity to strange noises night. At most other times she was tranquil, and even occasionally mingled that morning. A remote and solitary with the family, as you had yourself seen assigned to her exclusive occupation—and suite of apartments had however been you (once more I congratulate you, Oh dear, though imaginary friend!) and you had the luck to stumble upon them!

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