but fuch power had the wind, that it was impoffible, by any contrivance, to prevent their lights going out. In looking towards the fea, it fometimes feemed itfelt on fire; for the lightning ran along it, and the tops of the white foaming waves appeared to be tinged with flame. Shuddering, and huddling round their mother, the three girls fat filent and pale; and, when the hour of, repofe came, entreated that they might ftill be allowed to remain where they were, Mrs. Woodpeld. And why, my dears? Are you not equally fafe in your beds? Are you not equally under the protection of Providence there as here? Elizabeth. Yes, mamma, certainly; but it is fo much better to be all together and then, let what will happen. Mrs. Woodfield. And to us what should happen? Caroline. Accidents, you know, fometimes happen by lightning. Mrs. Woodheid. I allow it; but fhould fuch a circumftance occur when we are all together, you know, there would be more chance of our all futfering. Henrietta (clinging round her mother's neck, and weeping). Oh, mamma! let me then ftay with you and my fifter and my coufin; for I had a thousand times rather be killed with you and them, than be safe, if any of you were to be hurt. Mrs. Woodfield. My dear little girl, do not let us torment ourselves with thefe (I hope) needlefs fears. We are in no danger, I trust; but what muft be the condition of thofe poor men, who, in purfuing the occupa tion on which their fubfiftence depends, are overtaken by this terrible ftorm? What the fad fituation of thofe that belong to them; of families, whofe fathers are struggling with the raging element; of wives trembling for their hufbands; of mothers, dreading left every wave that they hear thundering against the groaning cliffs, may have overwhelmed their fons, the comforts and fupports of their declining days! Henrietta. Oh, my dear mamma! pray, do not let us talk of it any more; I cannot bear to think of it; indeed I cannot." Voices were now heard, clamoroufly declaring that fome of the boats were approaching, and that the wind was abated. The rain had now ceafed; but its continuance would hardly have prevented the whole party from going out to witnefs the fcene that now prefented itself on the beach. The various expreffions in the countenances of the women, the old men, and the children from ten to thirteen years old, that were collected along the fhore; their hopes and fears, as the 'boats appeared, or were for a moment loft behind the fwelling waves, fome, flattering themfelves they diftinguished thofe who were dear to them, others ftill defpairing; would have made the fineft ftudy for a painter, who defired to ftudy the paffions. At length 'the men came on hore, though not without great risk, all but two boats' crews; and thofe to whom they were related, heard, in anfwer to their eager inquiries, that they were landed at a little creek about a mile lower down. It was with all the delight of benevolent hearts, that the fpectators of this fcene faw the content and fatisfaction which the whole village now expreffed. The dripping and fatigued fishermen returned each to his home, accompanied by their families, fome among whom were weeping for joy. The little household of Mrs. Woodfield affembled round their fire for a moment before they retired to reft, and moralifed on the fpectacle they had feen. Caroline. How little the poor women thought of themselves, while they were fo anxious! though I faw fome of them with little children in their arms, hardly able to ftand against the violence of the wind, and trembling fo, that they were obliged to hold by the rails on the beach! Mrs. Woodfield. Why we, who were much lefs interefted, my dear Caroline, were infenfible of the inconvenience of the wind, and even of fome rain that fell, while we were in anxious expectation of the arrival of the boats. How admirably Shakefpeare has described the careleffnefs of perfonal inconvenience, which is occafioned by violent grief and anxiety ! "When the mind's free, The body's delicate; the tempest in my Does from my fenfes take all feeling else, Elizabeth. I thought of Lear, fu kies Gal'ow the very wanderers of the dark, wild wing, | Loud fhrieks the foaring hern, and, with Eat into caverns by the reflefs wave, And make them keep their caves; fince I DERWENT PRIORY; was man, [thunder, Such fheets of fire, fuch bursts of horrid never Remember to have heard!" Mrs. Woodfield. A tempeft at fea, though one of the most awful and fublime fpectacles the world can fhow, has, I think, been lefs fre A NOVEL. In a Series of Letters. (Continued from p. 416.) The Manufcript inclosed in the foregoing, addrejjed to Mifs Rutland. A folicitations, I commit to paper T your frequent and earnest the following tale.-Each circumaftance is still fresh upon my memory; and never but with life can I ceafe to regret the forrows of mifs Rutland. quently defcribed in poetry than any other phænomenon of nature. But, indeed the unfortunate fufferers, in fuch a cafe, are not likely to be in condition to analyse their sensations, or to remark appearances around them. There is, however, the Shipwreck, by Falconer, which has fome fine paffages. Your mother was my most intimate friend :-on my marriage fhe accompanied me home, and conti How very correct, in all he defcribes, is that charming poet, Thom-nued with me for fourteen months; fon! If you recollect what we have remarked to day, you may obferve how clofely he has traced the progrefs of the form: "The cormorant on high Wheels from the deep, and fereams along the land; in which time my fon was born.— Shortly after that event, fhe was attacked by a nervous complaint, for which he was ordered fea-bathing. To reftore her health, her father con veyed her to Brighton.-1 foon followed them.-Mr. Merioneth was detained detained in London by particular bufinefs. Mr. Rutland foon after left us, and retired to his feat in Lancafhire. Chance, at the fame time, brought us acquainted with lord Severn. He had lodgings in the fame houfe. He frequented our parties, promoted our amufements, and health again glowed on the cheek of Ellen.-Lord Severn was formed to conciliate the affections of the fair: -he was gay to an extreme,-good without oftentation,-gallant without frivolity; and to thefe accompliffiments was added an handsome perfon, and an infinuating addrefs: -fuch, Ellen, was your father. To fay my friend was lovely, is fpeaking but of half her worth. Her mind was the feat of every virtue under heaven; diftrefs never appealed in vain to her humanity, nor fuffering merit to her heart: to the firft he would extend her purse, to the second her commiferation. During our continuance at Brigh ton, lord Severn avowed his fentiments for mifs Rutland, who received, with fimiles, his offered heart.Her father was applied to, who made no objection to the alliance, only ftipulated that the marriage fhould not take place until a law-fuit was decided, on which, in part, depended the fortune of Severn. mined, after a few weeks" unavail ing attendance in London, to return to the only perfon in the world that could tranquillife his heart.-He had frequently feen Mr. Rutland, but did not name his intended journey to him; for he obferved, with concern, that, after hearing the ftate of his fortune, that gentleman vifibly relaxed in politenefs to him.-On the morning before he left London, by accident he met Mr. Rutland, who bluntly afked him whether he was going out of town?-He perceived, by his looks, the inference which would be drawn from his anfwer, and evafively replied that he was going to visit his mother in Kent.---They parted, and he haftened to his drooping Ellen. It was late, in a dark evening, when he arrived at Rutland-houle, unexpected by any of the family. He was fhown up ftairs.-Ellen was alone, and weeping over a letter the had just before received from her father.-Severn approached, clasped her to his heart, and begged to fhare her forrows. She could not answer a word, but (leaning on his shoulder) fobbed in agony.-After a little time, he became more compofed, and difcourfed freely on the fource of her anxiety. "Read this (faid fhe, prefenting the letter); you will there find that At the approach of winter I re- my father not only commands me to turned to London, while Severn at- renounce you,-but to prepare my tended my friend to the feat of her mind to receive a husband of his father, in Lancashire, where he was recommendation; and the next received with great politenefs.-week (fhe added) will bring them Parliamentary bufinefs called Mr. both here." Rutland to London.-Lord Severn "My Ellen (faid he), prevent the reluctantly took leave of illen, and mifery which threatens us. - You departed for the fame place, to hur-honour me with your approbation, ry the fawyers, and thereby haften his marriage. you condefcend to intereft yourfelf in my happiness, you shed preOn his arrival in London, he cious tears at the idea of a feparafound things not fo favourable to tion,-you are my all of earthly his hopes as he had before expected. biifs; the utmoft malice of fortune -Vexed by the tedious prolixity of cannot deprive me of a competence: law, and mortified by the procrafti-be mine then, my love; be innation of his fondeft hopes, he deter- | ftantly mine, and put it beyond the power power of caprice to feparate us for ever." He obeyed: She rang the bell for her fervant, who had lived with her from infanand eafed her heart by disclosing her fituation. She liftened, hesitated, but, at length, confented.-Yet her under-cy, ftanding was at variance with her refolutions; but Severn, ardent in his purfuits, would not fuffer her mind to dwell on melancholy prefages-He painted the anger of her father, at most but of fhort duration. "Befides, (faid he) my family and connections will effectually fcreen you from the contempt of the world." "But they will not (faid fhe) filence my own reflections." Again he pleaded, and again the appeared fatisfied. A journey to Scotland was propofed; my friend declared fhe would not leave her father's houfe for fo long a time as would neceffarily be taken up in performing fo long a journey. "How elfe then (faid he) can we prevent the confequences of Mr. Rutland's arrival?" Mary could not advise; but she wept with her mistress.-At length my friend (who could not bring herfelf voluntarily to quit her father's | house) adopted a plan which satisfied her doubts, though it ended her existence. Early in the morning, Severn again appeared. He was conducted to the breakaft-room-Ellen foon joined him. He eagerly asked if he might prepare for their departure. "No," was the answer he receiv ed. "Good God!-you then determine to wait the arrival of Mr. Rutland, to receive the addresses of his friend!" "You wrong me, Severn; and fhould know me better." She rang the bell.-Mary appear "Even when he does arrive (faided.-"Tell father John we wait for The) that may be our last resource." He was obliged to appear fatisfied, and, foon after, took his leave.-His horfes and fervants were left at a neighbouring inn. Three days paffed in unavailing debates on different plans which were never adopted.-On the third evening, as they were fitting alone, a letter was delivered to Ellen.-It was from her father.-She opened it with trembling hands, and read as follows "To-morrow evening I fhall be with you, accompanied by my friend, whom I command you to receive as your future husband.” "Never (faid the, with fervor) will I be any other than my Harry's wite.-Lord Severn, I am from this moment yours." "Then you confent to our immediate journey," said he. "Leave me (faid fhe) for the prefent; I will determine by the morning; and be here early." him." [Your mother, Ellen, was of the catholic faith.] The priest appeared. "Now, my lord (said she) are you fatisfied?-and are you willing to receive my hand?" "Grateful for the gift (faid he), in whatever manner beftowed, I here folemnly pledge myself never to forget the confidence you are about to repofe in me,” The ceremony was performed He preffed her to his heart; and vowed never to forfake her. "Before the awful face of heaven (faid fhe) I am your wife :-to your honour, my lord, I implicitly truft for worldly forms-" "And most religiously (faid he) will I fee thofe forms obferved.-In a few weeks, my love, I hope I fhalk publicly call you lady Severn." Ellen fighed, but endeavoured to be cheerful.-In a few hours. Severn took a tender leave of her, and again fet out for London.--My friend was In the evening Mr. Rutland ar- Several weeks passed without her 'father attempting to introduce him in any other way than as a friend; and the began to hope that Mr. Monfon (that was his name) had changed his mind with refpect to her. Severn privately, returned, and had frequent interviews with her, unknown to any but Mary, who was prefent at the ceremony of their marriage. His affairs called him again to the metropolis; and Ellen remained behind, tortured with anxiety. He foon wrote to her, in great fpirits, faying it was time to acquaint Mr. Rutland of their fituation."My mother (he added) is prepared to receive you.-I will be down with you in a few days, when I intend explaining every thing to Mr. Rutland.I am unwilling to fay any thing which fhould distress you; but I am much afraid Mr. Rutland will remain inexorable, as I have frequently written to him, but can obtain no answers. Should he be deaf to our entreaties, I have provided against the worst, by having the marriage bans publifhed in a church in London, where the ceremony must be again performed." 449 don-My houfe is ready to receive you, and my mother is already here to bid you welcome.' Scarce had the read his letter, which the moistened with her tears, he was fummoned to attend her and configned to her bofom, when father. mented by Severn's applications ?— "Ellen, (faid he) why am I torYou both know I have given that affair my decided negative.- His fortune is deranged, his eftate mortgaged, and I inlift on your giving tions. You know (fternly) I never no encouragement to his folicitachange my opinion.” 66 Ellen, throwing herself before him); Forgive me, my father (cried forgive me for reminding you that you have changed your opinion,for worthy of encouragement-What you once thought lord Severn has he done to alter your opinion of him? His love for me does not depend on fortune:-he afks not wealth." "How! (faid her father,. inter- cheek. She could not affert a falfe- with more feverity than fhe had ever her fituation.-She hurried to her [My friend was under age.] He concluded by faying: "Thus day, he entered the drawing-room. On the evening of the following fee, my love, though I would have Ellen was alone.-At first her joy at you hope for the beft; I am prepared feeing him deprived her of utterance. for the worst, and entreat you to Atlength the related to him what had prepare for your departure to Lon-pailed on the preceding morning. VOL. XXVII. 3 M Sweetly |