auditor as Sir Grose Mandible, 'outrageous to devour,' not light information, but solid comestibles, and resting his fame and his desires on the reeking glories of the rich sirloin?' or from Miss Bridgetina Tabbinet, who has fixed her affections exclusively on the appareil of dress, and the fashionable succession of silks and satins new?' or from Mrs. Cicely Fagge, || intent solely on domestic economy, or the science of saving, who does all things by substitution, and whose very silver forks are but steel sicklied o'er with the pale cast of silver? No, no! with such folks all effort would be vain pour se faire valoir." 6 The Baronet, raising a pensive brow and a disquieted shoulder at the causticity of these remarks, resorted to a change of || subject. "What a fine canopy of goodly green the foliage of these trees makes above us!" "Yes-insuperable height of loftiest shade.' What a garden of Paradise this, if one could suppose the smiles that bask and play on so many smoothed features, to have their source all in the heart." A transition to silent rapture occurred in the bosom of Sir Alured, at this little stray expression of soberer feeling. "Mais, que voulez vous? Why should one moralize and be Socratic? The smile that sits no deeper than the face laughs at us, instead of with us; et voila tout. But see now, by way of something new, our gay militaire has positively changed countenance." Sir Alured did the same, for her Ladyship's rapid passage " from grave to gay rather disconcerted him. On looking around he saw, indeed, that the Captain's habitual smile was wholly undistinguishable, and it was therefore evident that he was under the most effectual discipline of the old lady's scientific eloquence-the only thing that had yet been known to disturb his facial placidity. Pursuing the advantage which this circumstance promised, Sir Alured, not without some hesitation, proceeded towards that very bold measure for a man of modest reserve a protestation of the wish matrimonial. He had designed a written avowal, as more in accord with his habits, but sundry casual remarks of || the young lady's about quill-drawn declarations, penned raptures, and papyropathetics, had deterred him from this formal course. The assault he now ven tured to make was met with much elusive dexterity, and the retreat from the direct onset of his question was performed in that Parthian mode, so much practised by hard-driven fair ones, of wounding by a certain glancing and darting process, and so provoking the assailant to a closer eagerness of pursuit. A declaration of love, which is an affair at least as much of impulse as design, may be made wherever and whenever it can be made. It takes place, as every body knows, in a palace or a hovel, in a garden or a bassecour, under "the brave o'erhanging firmament," or in the" cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd," recesses of a ship; beneath a silken canopy, or beneath a mulberry tree. I should else be put to the inconvenience of an apology for making an English Baronet the profferer of his own heart in the midst of the motley throng at such a scene as Vauxhall. Exempt as I am, however, from this difficulty, I will have the candour to allow that the nature of the place did occasion some little awkward checks to the progress of our declarant ; or, as the Captain might have phrased it, obliged his erotic course to be somewhat erratic. I allude chiefly to what the same gentleman amused himself with designating the provisional arrangements of the concern; to wit, the rattling music of glasses, the con strepito of corks reluctant, the olfactory denotements of arrack punch, and the ocular evidences of ham and chickens, besides the various calls of hunger made articulate, the encounter with many a napkin-furnished attendant "stained in his haste," &c.-But the earnestness of purpose, and the good sense of the Baronet, overcame these petty forms of an|| noyance. He succeeded in obtaining from the young lady, ere they quitted the scene of mock enchantment, such an approach to a consent as is regarded, by all practical judges, equivalent to the thing itself. The satisfaction of the Captain (who in his heart called Mrs. Perfect perfect mistress of the art of tormenting) was nearly as great at the exoneration from his singular companion, as was that of the Baronet at the presumed success of his suit. This was discernible by the sundry glow-worm sparkles of the warrior's wit, wherewith their dark ride homewards was in a glimmering degree morally enlightened. On the following day a further effort of pleading was of course requisite. The worthy aunt was to be persuaded of the worthiness of Sir Alured's pretensions. She heard with more than usual erectness of equilibrium in her arm-chair, the story of his love, and of his hopes. She disciplined into greater formality of order the books and silver ink-stand on the drawing-room table, while she intimated to him the complicate importance of such a step, and above all, the more exact propriety there would have been in a prior address to herself, on behalf of her niece. She made further remarks, with some severity of tone, on the general expedience of system, and closed them with an assent to his proposition, just when her manner had prepared him to dread the opposite result. with the sober virtues of Sir Alured Scruple, from those hazards and temptations to which a disposition like her's is always exposed under the false excitement, and in the dizzying glare and stir of a London season. By degrees," a change came o'er the spirit of her taste," and the wonder-working power of true love affected such an assimilation of her habits and feelings to those of her husband, that when he conveyed her, some time afterwards, on a visit to her friends in the country, she entirely lost among them her former invidious designation as "the Lady Satirist.” As for Captain Nattalie, he was not very sensibly affected by the failure of his pretensions. "Light-armed with points, antitheses, and puns," he was far better fitted to combat disappointment, than some men who are heavy-armed with philosophy; and he found in the present instance a characteristic consolation in declaring that he could hardly be said to have lost a match which he certainly never made. Finally, Mrs. Parthenissa Perfect, whose regard and whose fears for her niece were thus happily consulted by so fortunate a settlement, had frequent opportunities of seeing her, and of insisting kindly on the manifold advantages of system. But she was chiefly content, after all, to “dwell among her own people," namely, Messrs. Say, Malthus, Ricardo, and a few others, whose society she could at all times enjoy without stint or scandal. G. D. THE FISHERMAN'S TALE. There is A self-devotedness in woman's heart, IN Scotland is a village called Gourloch. It stands upon the shore of a romantic bay, about three miles from the town of Delingburn, and is inhabited principally by fishermen. During the summer months it is visited by numerous strangers, who go thither for the purpose of sea-bathing, and who are obliged to content themselves with the accommodations afforded by the huts of the fishers. Perhaps no spot in Scotland, or even in the whole island of Britain, enjoys so beautiful a situation as Gourloch. From the crown of a hill, which lies a little to the east of the village, such a prospect is obtained as is seldom afforded by mountainous countries, where intersecting ridges forbid an entensive landscape. The view from this eminence has no resemblance to the billows of a vexed ocean suddenly rendered motionless by the rod no trace behind; not so those thoughts and of an enchanter, and gradually clothed, those feelings; they turn to realities; they during the silent lapse of ages, with velvet || become springs of momentous actions; turf and towering trees, with creeping threads in the web of mortal destiny." moss and flowers of a thousand dyes: it is not merely Alps behind Alps, but the richest vicissitude of mead and forest, of soft levels and undulating hillocks, that banquets the eye. These sentiments I was not prepared to deny altogether: my own memory suggested the testimony of more than one important event for which no other assignable cause could be discovered, than that foreboding of the heart, that indefinite search of the spirit into futurity. A particular circumstance, in short, appeared to me to corroborate the old man's remark, and I did not conceal my opinion. The first time that I sought this hill, during a visit to the western coast of Scotland, I had thrown myself, weary with climbing, on a rent block of granite, which some compassionate hand had fashioned into a seat, and on which were carved, in "You are right," returned he; even rude characters, the words, "Rest and now, while I look upon those waters be thankful!" As though Nature, in which slumber so deeply in the cove beproud consciousness of her own beauty, neath us, I am reminded of an incident had been ambitious of arresting and direct- || that befel no long time ago, and the reing the attention of the traveller, this huge collection of which lies upon my heart ruin had been hurled down to the exact with the oppression of a mill-stone." I spot whence the sight could revel uncon- eagerly requested that he would acquaint trolled on all her charms, and I was so me with all he knew of this occurrence; lost in gaze, that I was insensible of the when, without giving me the trouble to approach of an elderly man, who had fol- || repeat my wish, he readily commenced lowed, at a short distance, my ascent, his relation in the following words :and now took his seat by my side. He saluted me, however, and the sound of his voice dissipated the thick-coming fancies to which my mind was beginning to resign itself. The serious cast of his features, and the decency of his general appearance, imposed respect; the first glance showed me that he was a seaman. I set him down for one of the more substantial || fishermen of the hamlet, who had wrung out of the constant and laborious exertions of youth and manhood, repose and comfort for the evening of his days, and a brief pause to the turmoil of life, which gave him time to look around before he was surprised by nightfall. "About six months ago we had a wedding here in our village; and a handsomer couple never joined hands. Harry Douglas, was the son of poor parents, who put him, while a stripling of nine years old, on board a King's ship, where, by dint of sheer good conduct, he pushed himself up to the rank of Lieutenant. His ship had been paid off on her return from India, and he came back to us, for he was never so happy as among the scenes and the friends of his childhood. Here he was able to live very well on his half-pay, and a little prize-money that he had saved. Jeanie Stuart was the prettiest lass in the west, and as good and as mild as an angel. A tone of familiarity was soon estab- She had neither father nor mother left, so lished between us: my new friend's chat lived with her uncle, a fisherman, as we turned chiefly upon the traditions of his all are, at Gourloch. From him she renative village and its vicinity; and heceived the shelter of a roof: every thing combated with singular earnestness the else was provided by her own industry, scepticism which I betrayed on the sub- for she was a clever girl with her needle, ject of omens and presages. "Have and never failed to find employment you never experienced"-these were his among the families who, on the approach words-" how the brain is sometimes of summer, issue in swarms out of the traversed by a thought, or the bosom by corners and crevices of their smoky cities, a feeling, like the air-breath which just and come to bathe in our magnificent sea, kisses the cheeks, and of which we know She was so courteous and gentle, so gracenot whence it comes, nor whither it goeth? || ful and well bred, aye, and so lovely to The breeze, indeed, passes by, and leaves boot, that even our spinning-jenny Ba left her, leaning over a small table by the window, her head supported by her hand; she assured him, however, that she already felt much better, and that repose was unnecessary for her. Douglas did what all of us do here he donn'd his sea-jacket, spread out his nets, and made preparation for a fishing party. Tranquillized by Jeanie's assurance, on which he fully re|| lied, he informed her that he had promised to take some smart lads in his own boat to a famous fishing-ground about twelve leagues off, and that she might expect his return, at latest, on the following morning about the same hour. While he said this, she gazed upon him with a singular expression of wonder, as though his words had been unintelligible; and on his turning away to collect his gear and tackle, she watched his movements as though incapable of guessing his purpose. But no sooner did he approach her again with the intention of taking leave, than she threw her arms around his neck, held him forcibly, and could not be persuaded to release him; her bosom heaved as though her heart was about to burst its prison, yet she spoke not a word. ronets and sugar-barrel Lords did not "What ails thee, Jeanie?' inquired her wondering husband; thou art not wont to be moved by trifles.' 'Stay with me to day,' whispered she at length, with evident reluctance to avow her secret and obscure forebodings; 'tempt not the sea this night; only this night tempt it not. It is not often that I am urgent in request: then do not reject my entreaties now. To-morrow I will not detain thee, no, not for a moment.' Douglas questioned her in affectionate terms concerning the vehemence with which she pressed his stay; she could assign no other cause for it than an indescribable anguish amounting almost to suffocation-a gloom and heaviness of soul, such as she had never before experienced. "Her husband endeavoured, by raillery, to banish this cloudy mood, and, on her persisting with sincere eagerness in her request, was unable to conceal the displeasure which he began to feel at what he could not help thinking unreasonable caprice. Poor Jeanie was unable to endure the frown which now lowered upon her for the first time; she slowly withdrew her embracing arms; Douglas gaily cast a net over his shoulder, kissed his shrouds-these men now became fainthand in token of reconciliation, and left|| hearted, while the women expressed their her. distress in loud and shrill lamentations; for most of the poor creatures had brothers, or sweethearts, among the fine lads who had left us that morning. Influenced by congeniality of grief, they huddled together into one group, and, while they mingled sorrows, recked neither blast nor shower. But there was one, who, throughout this night of horrors, never quailed at the voice of the tempest; who never forsook her own home to ask consolation or support from man. It was "Jeanie remained for a few minutes motionless upon the spot where she had received his adieu, staring fixedly upon the door-way through which he had just passed. She trembled like a pennon in a breeze; yet, struggling against despair, she dropped upon her knees, hastily threw back the long silken locks which, in unaccustomed disorder, overhung her brow, and, with hand and eye raised to heaven, implored in fervent prayer the safe return of her husband. With a deep inclination || Jeanie. Even she, however, could not of reverence, she thus arose, impressed with devout confidence that the supplication had been heard. Peace returned to her heart, and a transient smile even shot across her features, like a ray of the setting sun that lights up for an instant the mirror of the waters. She returned at once to her ordinary household duties, and wore again the look of a sky-born creature that had never known earthly care. “The morning had been ushered in by a soft warmth, and light variable airs, which soon died away; as the day advanced the weather became sultry and hazy; and by noon it had come on to blow in such a manner, that the old fishermen unhesitatingly predicted a storm. The wind, however, had been so contrary, that we comforted ourselves with the hope that the boats outside could not have yet got so far from the coast as to have suffered from the gale, and we never doubted that they would return, as soon as they observed those portentous signs of danger. But as evening drew in, the violence of the wind increased, till such a tempest raged, as, for twenty years, had not been witnessed on this coast. The vessels that were lying in the cove broke from their moorings, and running ashore among the reefs, were torn to pieces as though they had been so much wet gingerbread. None dared to keep the sea, and while any daylight remained, you might, from this hill, have seen them racing for the nearest haven. Men who had been brought up to feel themselves more at home on the salt sea than on the firm land-who had had for their cradle the billows, for their music, the piping of the gale through the No. 40.-Vol. VII. help occasionally laying aside her work, and listening to the uproar of the waves that reached her ear, at intervals, like a tremendous summons from the spirit of the deep but then she would recollect her prayers to Him who bridles the whirlwind, and whose bidding arrests the fury of the waters. The comfort, which, in that moment of holy elevation, descended upon her heart, like heaven's dew upon a parched land, supported her in opposition to every shape of peril. I feel,' she || whispered to herself, that my prayers have been heard; my trust is firm that my husband will be restored to my arms this night.' Her sex's cowardice vanished before this meek faith; her hope anchored on heaven, no earthly tempest could displace it. "She arose from her seat, and began to put in order the little parlour. Dry clothes were placed before the fire, to be || ready on Douglas's return, and fresh billets were piled upon the hearth: she stole to the door, and held her breath while she listened for the well-known step, and then drew the huge arm-chair close to the chimney, for the reception of the drenched and exhausted sea-farer. Some neighbours, who knew that her husband was among the absent, now entered, to inform her that they were going down to the shore for the purpose of making inquiries from some boatmen who had just reached the land. She expressed her intention to accompany them, and came forth without any mark of fear, or even of hurry, except that she had neither cloak nor bonnet. She wore her usual dress of white, of such perfect neatness, that one of the party compared her to a bride going to meet Y |