cannot do without bread and tea; Yes, madam, we fometimes buy a little meal, and make bread: but then we are forced to make it last a great while. Lord Merioneth offered ten pounds towards a fubfcription for the relief of the distress my aunt had defcribed. Lady Derwent gave two gaineas,-Mrs. Merioneth two guineas,-Mrs. Maynard, Mis Rutland, Lady Julia, and myself, one guinea each. Mrs. Merioneth was to dispose of thefe contributions as he judged beft. Thus ended the second day after our arrival. On the third day my aunt or Well, (faid my aunt) we will endeavour to think of fome means of leffening your diftrefs. I will fee you again foon. She gave them a trifling prefent, as a temporary relief. God bless you, my good ladydered her carriage, and drove to the (cried the poor old woman) I knew you would come to fee us. Mr. Dawfon told us you were come down; and our young lady too.. Ah! times are ftrangely altered! Perhaps, ladies, you will be fo good to beg for us that our poor cottage may ftand. Depend on it, we will do all we can to ferve you; and if we cannot fave this habitation, we will get you another. . We left this fcene, wondering at what we had heard, and lamenting what we had seen. About a quarter of a mile farther, we came to another groupe of tenements, nearly in the fame ftate as the former. The old inhabitants who were left, were anxioutly looking for Mrs. Merioneth's approach, and hailed her appearance as a prefage of returning profperity. At length we returned to the Priory. i thought, when my aunt related our morning's ramble, lady Derwent appeared afhamed and confufed, I hope (faid my aunt) I fhall have my fifter's influence exerted for the fafety of the cottages on the weft fide of the park, at least, for the fake of Jenkinfon and Mary. Lady Derwent replied that the would chearfully fupport any plan for the relief of their inhabitants; but he believed the cottages muft come down. nearest market-town, where she purchafed fuch neceffaries as fhe deemed would be moft acceptable to her poor old friends; and, on her return, we went to work and made linen for the poor families; my Fanny was fent to take measure of them for their gowns, which were made of green ftuff; and the following Sunday we had the plea fure of fecing thefe poor families, decently arrayed, attend divine fervice in the chapel of the Priory. My aunt was too happy to be reafonable; and, at her requeft,, lady Derwent ordered them all fome refreshment before they went home. Lord Merioneth was quite delighted: and as for me, I was almost inclined to with his father under ground, that he might poffefs the means as well as the defire of doing good. On Monday the earl arrived here. fome days earlier than was expect. ed; and he has really not brought pleafure with him. Lady Julia and mifs Rutland fcarcely breathe in his prefence. Lady Derwent herfelf appears under visible restraint, and were it not for the good humour and vivacity of his fon, I think we fhould all with ourselves at home again. Mrs. Maynard yef terday declared herfelf overpowered with ennai, because he had no beaux to talk her into fpirits Lord Merioneth begged her to b patien patient for a few days, as he ex- | pected a cargo worth her attending to. Dear confolating creature, whom do you expect? cried fhe. Lord Severn, fir John Bateman, and Charles Clifford, efq. The names struck me. Do you know them? Only lord Severn, he replied. Do you, lady Laura? Not that I know of, lord Merioneth. Well then take care of your hearts, ladies: for I am told Severn and Clifford are very handfome. I know they are very agreeable, and must be very good if they are your friends, faid Mrs. Maynard, drily. They are as good as young fellows ufually run now-a-days; but not fo good but they may be improved by the blooming graces of a captivating widow. Kahlens, who not only confumed an immoderate quantity of all kinds. of food, but feveral other substances, fuch as walnut-fhells. When at gentlemen's houses, he would frequently eat paftry, with the vessels that contained it, and would at other times fwallow the glaffes out of which he had drank. His teeth were fo ftrong and fharp, that he could fplit the thickeft deals with the greateft facility, and would often perform that fervice for the maids of the house. Rats, mice, moles, and live fowls, he looked upon as the most exquifite dainties. And at one time, unthinkingly, he is faid to have fwallowed a pewter inkftand, with the pens, fand, &c.— This was verified upon the oath of an eye-witness. At another time he devoured a pair of bag-pipes in the prefence of feveral people, and turning upon the piper, the man was fo terrified that he jumped out of the window. These, and other exploits of a fimilar caft, gave the common people an idea that he was affifted by an evil fpirit, in confe Go! (faid fhe) I have abfolutely a great mind to go and teafe lord Derwent, by telling him you are making love to me. How could that tease lord Der-quence of which the clergy of the went? faid I. place examined a number of witGood God! (cried fhe) Laura, do neffes: but as no conviction followyou not know that Merioneth muted, he died peaceably in the 79th not make love to any woman with year of his age. lefs than fifty thousand pounds. Ellen looked agitated, and Merioneth mortified. Lord Derwent approached, and the converfation ended; and here I will end this long, and, I fear, tirefome letter. Yours, &c. LAURA MERIONETH. (To be continued.) FASHIONS for FEBRUARY, 1796. N MORNING DRESS. TIGHT.CAP of spotted muflin, trimmed with a double border of lace in whole plaits, bound round with a narrow maroon ribband, tied into a fmall bow in front; hat covered with blue fatin, tied under the chin, and trimmed with blue ànd maroon ftriped ribbands. GERMAN Profeffor, at Wit- Round gown of falmon-colour tenburgh, has published an flowered chintz; long fleeves; gold attefted account of a gardener, late-ear-rings; blue morocco flippers; ly deceased, of the name of Jacob fur muff. UNCOMMON VORACITY. A VOL. XXVII. K AFTER AFTERNOON DRESSES. You know (faid Julia) the terms upon which you and my father I. The hair dreffed in light curls parted. It is unneceffary to fay, and ringlets. Armenian turban, how much I was interested in the made of white and York flame-co- event; and not hearing from you - loured fatin, croffed in the front for a confiderable time, caused me with two ftrings of pearls, and the much uneafinefs. My father earends trimmed with gold fringe. A neftly endeavoured to perfuade me white oftrich and a blue efprit fea- that you had forgotten your Julia; ther on the left fide. Armenian but vanity, or fome fecret monitor, robe of embroidered muflin, the whifpered the contrary, and I flattrain with a broad hem; full short tered myself that by fome accident fleeves; trimming of blond round your letters had been intercepted. the neck, and at the top of the About that time an event happened fleeves. Tucker of blond. Gold which was near feparating us for cord, with two large taffels round ever. My father was returning one the waift, tied at the left fide. Two evening from a vifit to the hermit, ftrings of pearls and a feftoon gold and was overtaken by fome of those chain, with a medallion round the banditti by whom you were fo great neck. Diamond ear-rings. White a fufferer at the time we firft befhoes and gloves. came acquainted. But by the timeII. The hair combed ftraight up-ly affiftance of a gentleman, who on the forehead, the fide hair in light curls and ringlets, plain chignon. Ruffia bonnet of blue fatin, trimmed with fable, and tied behind with gold cords and taffels. Lawn petticoat with a broad embroidered border. Ruffian robe of blue satin, trimmed with fable: fhort fleeves, trimmed with the fame. Clofe tucker of double plaited lace: Small handkerchief within the belt, drawn together in the front with a diamond flider. Collar of fable round the neck. Diamond ear-ring. White fhoes and gloves. with his fervant was riding past, they difperfed the ruffians, and my father was refcued. Gratitude to his preferver obliged my father to invite the ftranger home. Alas! it was near becoming a fatal invitation to me. He ftaid with us a week, and during that time conceived an unfortunate prepoffeffion in favour of me. I foon perceived his growing partiality; indeed, I muit have been blind had I not; his attentions were fo particular as to leave no room for doubt. The confequence was an application to my father, who readily gave his confent, provided I could confider myself as free from my engagement to yoù, He flew to me with my father's anfwer. I received his propofals with difdain, and affured him that I would never become his wife. He caft a malicious glance at me, and left the houfe that day in high difpleasure. About three days after, HE manufcript was finished; as I was taking a walk in the adjoinbut one thing ftill remained ing wood, as was ufually my cufto be cleared up, which was how tom, I was forcibly feized by two Julia and his uncle came together. men, who bound my mouth and -To her he applied for an expla-eyes. When they gave me my li nation. berty, I found myself in a carriage, DE COURVILLE CASTLE; A ROMANCE. By a YOUNG LADY. (Continued from Vol. XXVI. p. 554.) THE feated feated by that odious villain who had thus violated the laws of hofpitality. Now, madam, (faid the wretch) I think I can repay your difdain: and be affured you fhall never become my wife. mained in a mufing pofture. He was perplexed to kow how to act. He was equally with Julia convinced of the impropriety of her continuing with him; vet his uncle's corpfe could not poffibly remain at the int He thought of a plan, yet he did not like to propofe it to Julia. Her thoughts had been oc cupied by the fame fubject; and the fame thought had ftruck her. She therefore faved Alphonfo the pain of the propofal. 1 fhuddered at his words, yet paid no feeming attention to them. We travelled at a great rate, and I panted through fear and want of air, for the blinds had been kept clofe drawn up. When I recovered, the; windows were quite open, and the carriage ftanding ftill. A gentleman rode by. I had the prefence of mind to fcream out, and implore his affiftance. He inftantly forced the coachman from his box, and opening the coach-door, demanded why I was detained. The wretch immediately drew a piftol from his pocket, and difcharged it; but the bullet mifled your uncle, for he it was, whom Providence had fent to refcue me. Your uncle in his turn drew another pistol, which he fired with better fuccefs; his adverfary fell, uttering dreadful imprecations. He however had the malice to fire again as he fell, and the ball penetrated your uncle's fhoulder. By this time a number of people had come up to us; for the coachman had run to an inn, which providenfially was not far diftant, to procure affiftance. They conveyed us to it: your uncle was put to bed, and a furgeon was fent for, who, upon his arrival, pronounced his wound to be mortal. I know, (faid fhe) it is inconve nient for you to return with me. Suppofe you let Philip go: he will prove a fufficient protection. Will my Julia (exclaimed Alphonfo) put up with his protection? Surely, (faid he, feeing he was extremely agitated) we fhall, nicet the fooner for it. Philip will make an excellent conductor. He is a worthy fellow (replied Alphonfo), and will protect you to the laft moment of his life.. I can truft in him (returned Jufia); fo to-morrow I propofe to take leave of you. Alphonfo fighed at the mention of taking leave ;- a fatality feemed to attend them, and fill threatened to feparate them. They both retired to reft in very ill fpirits. Julia rofe early. Alphonfo was already rifen. They ate a fparing breakfast: a chaife waited to convey Julia; they took a hafty farewell; Philip mounted his horfe, and they drove off. What must have been my fitua Alphonfo feemed to have loft his tion but for your fortunate arrival? very life he remained quite inaI now intreat you to conduct me nimate. The noife the men made to my father's as foon as poffible, in bringing up his uncle's coffin as I cannot with propriety remain roufed him from his lethargy, and longer in my prefent fituation. I he bethought him of his melanchohave only to add, that your uncle, ly office; the day paffed heavily on; when he was affured of his ap-night came, a fleeplefs one to Alproaching diffolation, entreated that phonfo. The morning arrived, his remains might be conveyed to the hearfe was in readiness, and the De Courville Caftle. corpfe was deposited in it. He orJulia ceafed.-Alphonfo fill re-dered it to follow him at a flow K 2 pace; pace; he himself was to be at the caftle to prepare for the melancholy ceremony. He fettled with his hoft, mounted his horfe, and fet off for De Courville Castle. (To be continued.) The ADVENTURES of EMMA. (From the Ranger.) to open this door, or to permit my departure through that colonnade;-my intrufion here was intirely owing to madame de Chalons, who proposed to fhew me the caftle. How much indebted am I then to her, (replied the baron), for this interview, which gives me an opportunity to unfold the fentiments of a heart devoted to you alone.— No longer fhall fuch beauty, formed to fhine in palaces, be concealed in a cottage-accept my affections, and command my fortune. Indignant blushes dyed the cheeks of Emma, at a propofal, which the could not mifconceive, and all the pride of wounded delicacy rufa HE confufion and furprife of TEmma, at the humble pofture of the baron, could only being into her bofom, fufpended for heightened by his addrefs. She a moment its natural timidity, and had inftantly retreated a few paces animated her to pronounce thefe from the door which he had vainly words: That fortune, my lord, attempted to open, and fupported from which you affume the priviherfelf with difficulty against a book-lege thus to infult the daughter of cafe. Be not alarmed, charming Emma, (faid the baron, in a voice of affumed foftnefs) you fee before you a man, who, till he beheld your incomparable beauty, never completely loft his liberty. Regard me no longer as the mafter of your father, but as the flave and lover of his daughter, and who only waits her commands to flew by his obedience the truth and generofity of his fentiments. a peafant, can neither dazzle my vanity, nor tempt my ambition; my humble birth infpires in me no pride, but that of virtue, and the poffeffion of no dignity, but that of confcious innocence. Allow me to retire, my lord, my father doubtlefs wonders at my abfence. Your father, froward beauty, waits my pleafure in the caftle (returned the baron, with a look of anger): your compliance or rejection of my generous offers will deDuring this fpeech, Emma's gen- cide his future fate. Recollect, tle frame was agitated by a variety Emma, the extent of my power; of inexpreffible emotions. Amaze--dread my refentment, or deferve ment, fear, and indignation pre-my gratitude,-they each fhall be vented her interrupting the baron; 'unbounded. If you will reward but when, on his rifing and advanc- my paffion, your father fhall refide ing to her at the clofe of his in this caftle, freed from the toils of fpeech, he attempted to take her fervitude, the witnefs and partaker hand, of those benefits which my love fhall beap upon you. Receive this cafket of jewels, as a trifling earnest of a liberality which fhall know no li-” mits My lord, (faid he, fhrinking from his touch) you must permit me to affure you, that I have no with but to return to my father; in his cottage, all my ideas of hap pinefs are centred. Condefcend While the baron, displayed the fparkling treasure to the eyes of the |