make this remark.' They guessed our loss at four or five hundred;-it amounted to one hundred and seventytwo. In his private letters to the Admiralty Nelson affirmed, that had our force arrived as he intended, it was not all the chains in France which could have prevented our men from bringing off the whole of the vessels. There had been no error committed, and never did Englishmen display more courage. Upon this point Nelson was fully satisfied; but he said he should never bring himself again to allow any attack, wherein he himself was not personally concerned; and that his mind suffered more than if he had had a leg shot off in the affair. He grieved particularly for Captain Parker, an excellent officer, to whom he was greatly attached, and who had an aged father looking to him for assistance. His thigh was shattered in the action; and the wound proved mortal, after some weeks of suffering and manly resiguation." HENRY AND MARIA. A TALE OF THE PENINSULAR WAR. WE remained at Fonte Arcada nearly six months; during which vigorous preparations were made for the ensuing campaign, but little occurred interesting or worth recording while quartered in the village, with the exception of a love affair, in which my friend Henry was engaged, and which is so tinged with romance, that I could scarcely expect credence to the detail, were it not that all who were then present with the regiment can vouch for its truth. Henry, whose warm heart and romantic imagination often produced him remarkable adventures, here fell deeply in love. In fact, his head was so stuffed with the machinery and plots of novels and romances, that his heart, as Burns expresses it, "was like a piece of tinder ready to burst forth into a flame, from the first casual spark that might fall upon it." Fortune, however, had as yet guarded it from any such accident, and reserved for winter quarters and quieter times the shaft which was to destroy his knowledge of the Portuguese, and at this time he held a situation, which exempted him in a degree from military duty, and left him time to associate with some of the inhabitants who were fond of his conversation, and felt friendly towards him. It was by this means he became acquainted with the female whose charms had captivated him. She was niece to one of the principal inhabitants, and about fifteen or sixteen years of age. In her he imagined he had found the long-cherished ideal mistress of his soul on whom he had lavished more accomplishments and perfections than would have made an angel in our degenerate days. I was, of course, his confidant, and certainly, of all I had ever heard or read of love's extravagance, I witnessed it in him; he could neither eat nor sleep, every spare moment that he had was spent on a small eminence opposite the house where she lived, gazing at the windows, in hopes to catch a glance of her; here he would sit luxuriating in all the wild uncertainty of hope, anticipation, and despair, which lovers commonly indulge in; and although his familiarity with the family might have gained him access to her company at any time he pleased, he grew diffident of visiting them, and even shrunk from the idea of speaking to herself on the subject; he poured all his doubts and hopes in my ear, and he could not have found one to whom they were more interesting; of the same romantic temperament, I shared in all his sensations. Seeing the state of mind in which he was placed by his violent attachment, I recommended him strongly that he should endeavour to gain an interview, and speak to her on the subject; but he considered this impracticable, as the sight of her never failed to agitate him in such a manner, that it robbed him of all power of utterance. Thus situated, and willing to render my friend a service, through my interest with a family whom she was in the habit of visiting, I brought about an interview between the parties, and here, for the first time, I saw Maria. She was certainly a very pretty, good-humoured, lively girl, but in my opinion, very far, indeed, from the paragon of perfection which Henry was inclined to think her; but I felt not the magic influence of that power, which, like the philoshpher's stone, can transmute the fall heavier on a delicate female, who baser metals into gold; little satisfaction | had never known any thing but comfort. accrued to Henry from this meeting, No-Maria had superior expectations. but it subsequently led to others in But, supposing I considered you a fit which the parties came to a mutual ex-match for her in every other respect, planation, and he had reason to hope still your religion would be an insurthat he was not regarded by her with in- mountable barrier to enter into the difference. From this time, their inter- bonds of matrimony with a heretic, she views were more frequent and less might as well ally herself to the devil! guarded, and visiting her aunt frequently, I have no objection to your character, although he could not converse freely and feel a friendship for you, but I can with Maria, still their eyes, which never encourage you in your present de"looked unutterable things," were not signs-nor give my consent to a marsufficiently restrained, and the old lady riage that would be productive of mibegan to suspect the truth; the tattle of sery, to at least one, if not to both the village confirmed her suspicions, parties." and she forbade Henry the house. They had a few stolen meetings at her friend's in the village, but this also was discovered, and Maria was prohibited from leaving the house unattended. The calm and decided tone in which she spoke, convinced Henry that he had nothing to hope for from her, and his heart grew too big for utterance. He tried to suppress his feelings, but they I am almost persuaded that had affairs were too strong for him, and he was gone on smoothly, Henry would have only relieved from their suffocating effect come to his senses, and the attachment by a flood of tears. The Donna's heart would have died a natural death. But softened to see his distress. Yet she these obstacles only served to increase still remained inflexible to her purpose. his ardour and perseverance; for so well Maria, who had seen Henry enter the was Maria guarded, that there was no house, having followed him to the door possibility of seeing her. In this di- of her aunt's apartment, had overheard lemma, he determined on applying to the conversation, and now seeing her Donna Anna, the girl's aunt; from this aunt's back turned towards the door, application he had but little to hope, yet she watched him until he raised his eyes, still he could lose nothing. Having thus when giving him a sign, which infused resolved, he went boldly into the house, a new hope into his mind, she retired. and without speaking to any one, lest Henry now took his leave, without enthey might frustrate his purpose, he forcing his suit any farther. I had been traversed the passages, until he perceived waiting his return, and when he told me Donna Anna in one of the apartments the result of his visit, I encouraged him alone, employed at her distaff. He en- to hope that all might yet be well. tered, his heart fluttering with suspense: and after apologizing for his rudeness, in thus intruding upon her, he proceeded to declare his love for Maria, and to beg her acquiescence to their union. The old lady seemed thunderstruck at his presumption, yet still Henry had so qualified his address to her, that she had no good reason to be angry, and after taking a few minutes to recollect herself, she replied, "that Maria was already betrothed to a very deserving young man, a cousin of her own; but independent of this engagement, she could not give her consent. What had Maria to expect if she married a soldier of a foreign regiment. In the midst of war the soldiers themselves suffered much, but those hardships and sufferings must During the day he received a message by a Portuguese boy, who was servant with one of our officers, informing him that she was so closely watched, that there was no hope of her being able to see him, unless he could manage to get over the garden wall, which was exceedingly high; if so, that she would meet him at eleven o'clock that night. Having returned an answer that she might expect him, he called upon me; we reconnoitred the garden wall, and having noted where there was a ladder, and procured a rope which was intended for our descent, after waiting anxiously until within half an hour of the appointed time, we proceeded to the place where we intended to effect our escalade; the inhabitants having retired to rest, and the village silent, we got over with- | the house, leaving poor Henry in no out difficulty. We had waited for some enviable state; his fate hung upon her time at the head of one of the side walks decision; she had spoken with uncer(the place appointed), concealed by the tainty, and he looked forward to the bushes, when we heard the gentle sound next meeting as the die that would deof footsteps. We did not move from our termine his future happiness or misery. hiding place until the appointed signal was given, when, in an instant, they were in each others arms. Our situation was perilous, and I urged the necessity of forming some plan to bring about the desired purpose; but their hearts were too much fluttered with joy and hope, uncertainty and fear, to make the necessary arrangements, and they parted hurriedly, without doing more than appoint a second meeting. The appointed time again arrived, and we reached the garden as easily as before, but Maria did not come for nearly an hour after the time agreed on, and we were beginning to think some accident had befallen her, when we heard her steps coming up the walk. She seemed much disturbed, "You would wonder at my delay," said she, "but I am afraid they suspect me. My aunt did not retire to rest at the usual hour, and before she did, she came into my apartment and held the candle to my face, but I pretended to sleep soundly; she then retired, and I embraced the opportunity of slipping out-but I cannot stay-she may return to my apartment, and if she does, I am undone." "But can we come to no conclusion with regard to what should be done?" said I, "you have no reason to hope that your aunt will ever consent to your marriage, therefore your only plan is to escape with Henry, and get married by the chaplain of the division, before your friends can prevent it; then, when they find that no better can be done, there is every reason to believe they will be reconciled to you. "O it is impossible!" said she, know them too well." "Certainly," said I," the sacrifice is great, but the alternative is, to bid each other adieu for ever. You must now decide, or we may never have another opportunity." "I cannot make up my mind to-night," said she, "I will meet you here to-morrow night at this hour, determined and ready prepared either to remain, or to make my escape. Now farewell, for I am afraid that I am discovered." So saying, she parted hastily from us, and returned into "I Oh, The time of meeting at length arrived, and Henry, trembling with suspense and apprehension, accompanied me to the garden. We were not long there, when Maria arrived with a few articles of wearing apparel, which she had hurriedly collected. "Well, Maria," said I, "have you decided-are you ready to accompany us?" "I don't know," said she, "I am so filled with apprehension, that I cannot think or speak." "Say the word," said I, "all is ready." I don't know," said she. "Either let me return into the house, or let us leave this, or I shall die with fear; I am sure I have been observed. Oh Jesu, Maria! there they come-I am lost." So saying, she fled down the opposite path, where she was immediately seized by some of the domestics, who had been mustered for the purpose of surprising us. There was no time to lose, for resistance would have been useless; and we too well knew the nature of the Portuguese, to depend much on their mercy. Hurrying, therefore, towards the wall, and having assisted Henry, who was rendered nearly powerless by the effect of his feelings, I made a spring and seized the top of the wall; Henry was ready to lend me assistance, but before I could get myself raised to the summit, a sword aimed for my body, struck the wall so close to my side, that it cut out a piece of my jacket and shirt. Ere the blow could be repeated, I had fallen over the opposite side, carrying Henry with me in my fall. I was severely hurt -but there was no time to lose, and we knew the alarm would soon be raised; therefore, having conveyed the ladder to where we had found it, we hurried to our quarters. Next day, the Portuguese boy brought information to Henry, that early that morning, two mules had been brought into the court yard; that Maria was brought out weeping, and mounted on one, her aunt on the other, and that two servants, armed, had accompanied them; he was not allowed to follow them, and therefore could not tell what direction they had taken, but Ma ria had whispered to him, to give Henry | the purpose of procuring a pass; when he communicated his intention, he not only gave him the pass, but also a letter to the gentleman of the house where Maria was, (with whom he was well acquainted,) to serve as an introduction. Thus prepared, Henry and I, in company with the boy already mentioned, set forward after it was dark, towards the place, taking a bye-road. When we reached the house, we left the boy outside, as he was known to the family, and entering, presented the letter from Colonel L We were kindly received; her last farewell, for she never expected to see him again, as she was ignorant of where they were taking her. When Henry received this information, distracted with a thousand contending emotions, among which, despair was predominant, he seized a bayonet, and rushed bare-headed from his quarters, traversed one road after another in search of her, making inquiry of every person whom he met, if they had seen her, but she had been some hours gone. After travelling about from one place to another in this distracted state, and being taken for a and as it was late, the gentleman inmadman by all who met him, worn out sisted on our stopping all night—so far by the violence of his feelings, he be- all was well. We had been about an came calm, and returned home in the hour in the house when Maria happened dusk of the evening: but it was a calm to come down stairs, she knew us immeproduced by one master feeling having diately, but concealed her emotions, and swallowed up the rest; despair had now coming near the fire, she watched an taken possession of his mind; "The opportunity until the servants were enstricken bosom that can sigh, no mortal gaged about the house, and then whisarrow bears." He walked into his apart-pering to us, asked our motive in coming ment, and having taken up a musket, there. "If they know you," said she, and loaded it, he placed the muzzle against his head, and was in the act of putting his foot on the trigger, when a soldier happened to enter, and seizing him, arrested the rash deed. Things were nearly in this state when he unexpectedly received a message from Maria, informing him that she was closely confined in the house of a gentleman, who was a relative of her aunt, about nine miles from the town; from the manner in which she was guarded, she had no hope of being able to make her escape, for there were people employed to watch the avenues to the house, with orders if he approached it to show him no mercy-that she saw little use in giving him this information, but she could not resist the opportunity which had presented itself, of letting him know where she was. Henry gave way to the most entrancing anticipations on receiving this information; but when he communicated it to me, I considered the subject in a different light; I saw that it was more likely to keep alive the commotion of a passion which there was little hope of ever arriving at its object; I knew the attempt to go to the house would be pregnant with danger, still I felt inclined to assist him in another determinate effort to carry off the prize. Henry called on Colonel L- for your lives are not safe." I told her that our motive was by some means to endeavour to effect her escape; she replied, it was utterly impossible, she was too well guarded. "Farewell, Henry," said she, "farewell for ever, for I believe I shall never see you again; it would have been happy for us both if we had never seen each other." At this moment, a female servant of Donna Anna's, who had accompanied Maria, came to speak to her, and recognizing Henry, she flew up stairs. Maria saw that we were discovered, and she cried to us, "Fly for your lives!" The whole family collected, were now descending the stairs, and Maria was hurried up to her room. The old lady of the house assailed us with the most abusive epithets, the men-servants gathered in, and every thing wore a hostile appearance. The gentleman, however, to whom the letter was addressed, commanded silence, and addressing us, " I do not presume to say what your intentions may be towards my ward, but being convinced of the identity of the individual who has already caused us so much trouble, I am forced, even against the laws of hospitality, to retract my request of you to remain here to-night, and for the safety of those committed to my charge, I must insist on you return ing mmediately to your quarters. If you have come here for the purpose of decoying Maria from this house, I can tell you, that whatever inclination she once might have felt for this foolish young man, she is now better advised, and does not wish to be troubled with him any more." ney; he evinced no feeling of any kind -his mind seemed to be in a state of the utmost confusion. Next morning, the Portuguese boy brought him intelligence that Maria had passed through the village very early, escorted by her relations, on her way to a nunnery, about three leagues distant, where she was destined to remain, until our army advanced. This took place in a few days after, and they never met again. Henry's mind had been strained far beyond its pitch-it was now unnerved-and he fell into a state of listless melancholy, from which he did not recover for many months.-Recollections of the Eventful Life of a Soldier. VARIETIES. LAND. "Let me hear that from her own lips," cried Henry in a frenzied tone, "and I will give my word that I will never trouble her again." A short consultation was held by the family, and after some minutes delay, Maria was brought down stairs, trembling and weeping. But all their endeavours could not force her to repeat the words which they wished her to say. At length, Henry, as if inspired with more than his natural energy, exclaimed, "I find that every fresh effort of mine only causes you additional restraint and mortifica- ANECDOTE OF THE DUKE tion. I must now cease to hope, and take a last farewell of her I value more than any being upon earth. I long cherished the idea, that we might be united-I loved her with no common love and I had the more than mortal happiness to say, that that love was returned-but adverse fortune has torn us asunder, and dooms me to wretchedness. They have cruelly parted us in this world, Maria, but we may yet meet. Suffer me," said he, "to take a last farewell, and I will trouble you no more.' This was spoken with such an impassioned voice and gesture, that it had a visible effect on those around. Maria, who had been restrained by the lady of the house, now broke from her, and fell into Henry's arms;-while he pressed her to his bosom, a new spirit seemed to animate him his eyes brightened—and putting his hand into his breast, where he had a pistol concealed, "Let us carry her off, James," (said he to me in English)" or die in the attempt." "Then you will die before you reach the door," said I; for the house was now filled with the retainers of the family; and, as if they suspected his purpose, Maria was torn shrieking from his arms. Afraid that he might be induced to commit some rash act, I hurried him out of the house, and we returned home. I endeavoured to lead him into conversation, but he appeared not to hear me, nor did he speak a word during the jour OF CUMBER AFTER the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, a number of officers of regiments were reduced. One of these gentlemen accidentally introducing himself into a subscription billiard-room, at a coffee-house near St. James's, found the Duke of Cumberland, his late Majesty's uncle, at play with a Colonel of the guards; it was a match for a considerable sum, and the termination of it was looked for with apparent eagerness by the numerous spectators. His Royal Highness lost the game, and immediately putting his hand into his pocket, discovered he had lost a gold snuff-box, on the top of which was a fine portrait of Frederick of Prussia, set round with brilliants. A general confusion ensued; the door was immediately locked, and a search called for, which was readily assented to by all present except the stranger, who declared he would lose his life before he would submit to the proposal; little doubt was then entertained but he was the pickpocket, and resistance appeared useless. The indignant soldier then requested that His Royal Highness would honour him with a private interview: to this the Duke instantly assented, and the company remained in the greatest suspense. On entering the room, the officer thus addressed the Duke-" May it please your Royal Highness, I am a soldier; but my sword is no longer of service to me or my country, and the only means I |