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fide the cause of her sorrow to one who loved her | The wounded, the sick, and the unfortunate of with all a daughter's affection.

Miss Margaret, at last, apparently repressing her emotion, by a strong and painful effort, said in a voice, broken by frequent sobs,

his own crew, and even of the enemy, when they fell into his power, were treated as brothers. His generosity exceeded even the common measure of a British tar's; his purse was open to every man "My dear kind-hearted Maria, I cannot explain who needed or pretended to need its contents. my agitation now, or in a few words. I must re- But spite of these dazzling and endearing qualitire to my room, and there ask forgiveness and aid ties, he did not rise in the service. He scorned from a merciful God. Do not alarm the family, all flattery and intrigue, and reaped the fruit of inbut say what is true, that I hope a night's rest dependence in the neglect of those who held the will relieve me from a bad headache. Come to bed early, and you shall hear my unfortunate story, which will sufficiently account for the effect produced on me, by the tale of sorrow which I hold in my hand." Saying these words, she passed quickly into the rich prizes, that, if properly managed, would have house, and hastened to her chamber.

power of patronage. Notwithstanding the frequent and large prizes, of which he had a share, he continued poor, because he distributed his money with a reckless profusion that astonished even British sailors. He had often such a portion of

laid the foundation of a competent, if not a large fortune. But economy, as already intimated, was a virtue with which he was totally unacquainted, both in theory and practice. The money thus acquired melted away partly in personal expenditures, but far more in that thoughtless benevolence, which being governed entirely by impulse, knew neither

Miss Carew did not follow her immediately, but went first to her mother's room to inform her that Miss Margaret had retired very unwell, but desired that no trouble should be taken on her account, as she hoped that the refreshment of a night's sleep would give her entire relief. Mrs. Carew, whose kind heart was readily touched by discrimination nor bounds. Such a course brought every form of human suffering, proposed to visit its inevitable consequences, not only want, but Miss Margaret herself, and if she seemed seriously debt, and at the end of a few years, the gallant indisposed, to despatch a servant for the family Dupont found himself deeply involved. A situaphysician, who resided fifteen miles off. But tion like this, so painful and trying to all tempers, Maria, aware that the presence of even her mo- was peculiarly galling to a sensibility so acute, and ther would be distressing to her at present, assured a sense of honor so nice as his. He saw with unMrs. Carew that she was affected with nothing feigned mortification that his imprudence had not more serious than a headache, to which she was only injured himself, which he could bear, but was subject, and which would probably pass off before likely to occasion serious losses to innocent permorning. Having at last convinced her mother sons, who, trusting to his integrity, had readily that Miss Margaret did not need her attentions, given him credit. While he was annoyed by these she slipped up stairs, where she found her friend harassing reflections, an incident occurred which more composed, but still very much depressed. most unexpectedly relieved him from his embarAfter they had retired, and the light was extin-rassment. He was sailing in the Mediterranean, guished, Miss Margaret recited to her, in a broken and incoherent manner the narrative of which we shall attempt to give a distinct outline.

CHAPTER I.

Oh! if there be a human tear,

in command of a ship of 90 guns, when he one day saw two Spanish vessels, each superior to his own in force, in chase of an English merchantman, which was in vain making all sail to escape. He had never been the man to calculate odds, and the state of his mind, at this time, was peculiarly adapted to desperate enterprizes. Assembling his men hastily on deck, he thus addressed them,

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From passion's dross refined and clear, 'Tis that which pious fathers shed Upon a duteous daughter's head.-Scott. My men, you see one of our peaceful and Captain William Dupont, the father of Margaret, helpless vessels about to become the prey of Spawas an officer in the British Navy. Well-descend-nish arrogance and rapacity. Shall we permit the ed and highly connected, although poor, he had lives and property of our innocent countrymen, who procured his commission by the influence of his are toiling for England's welfare, as well as their family. But when thus introduced into the Navy, own, to be thus lost before our eyes? It is true that he had won the hearts of his brother-officers, his their force is superior to ours. But when did an men, and indeed, of all who knew him, by his bra- English seaman shrink from a conflict with these very and conduct in battle, his humanity, courtesy, proud Dons, because their men and metal doubled and intelligence in all situations. Never was there his own? The fewer we are, the greater will be the a Captain more, or more deservedly, popular in the honour of our victory; the less the injury which British fleet. He ever sought the most perilous England can sustain from our defeat and death. situations with eagerness, provided his country Will you fight like true English sailors, or shrink could be benefited, or glory won by the exposure. like cowards ?"

The crew, who looked on him as a brother, more set up in his imagination, a standard of female perthan as a commander, answered, with an universal

shout:

"We will fight to the death, under our noble Captain. Lead us at once against the enemy."

fection, which he could scarcely expect to realize "An amiable temper, and correct principles," argued he, "are far more important to domestic happiness, than intellectual cultivation or conventional Encouraged by these declarations, and stimu- refinement. It is certain "that this young lady poslated by his own gallant spirit, he ordered the ship sesses the former class of qualities in an eminent to be immediately cleared for action, and bore right degree, and it will be the height of folly in me to down upon the enemy, who were utterly astonished allow romantic notions, and an overstrained delicaat his temerity. The contest was long, obstinate cy to prevent me from seeking a connection which and sanguinary; but at length, British skill and is evidently necessary to my comfort and respectavalor triumphed over superior numbers. The Spa- bility." Reasoning thus, Captain Dupont was not nish vessels were compelled to shear off in a shat- slow in putting his prudent determination into exetered condition, and the English merchantman cution. He wooed and won the blushing Clarissa, joined Captain Dupont, and sailed under his con- who, although not exactly "the fruit that will fall voy to England. This vessel, which was richly without shaking," did not require any very violent freighted, belonged to Adam Brown, a wealthy concussion to overcome her adhesion to the parent merchant of London. bough. The consent of the lady being obtained, The Master on his arrival waited on the owner, it was by no means difficult to obtain that of the and represented in strong terms the disinterested father, who was rejoiced at once to discharge the gallantry with which Dupont, at his own personal obligations of gratitude, and gratify his own pride hazard, rescued the vessel and its valuable contents by a connexion with so popular and accomplished from certain capture. Brown, who was of a kind an officer. The nuptials were accordingly cele and grateful temper, invited Dupont to his house, brated with unusual splendor, the large marriage and introduced him to his family. The merchant's portion paid, Dupont's debts discharged, and he only daughter, Clarissa, was in the bloom of youth made richer than he had ever dreamed of being. and beauty. She was one of those plump, goodhumored, well-featured girls, who please all beholders, without the possession of any qualities, either external or mental, that can deeply interest the heart or imagination. This rosy light-hearted damsel, was exceedingly struck by the slender, yet graceful figure, and elegant manners of the young officer; and being of a very frank disposition, took no pains to conceal her partiality from its object. Dupont remained sometime in London, and became intimate at her father's. Meantime, the clamors of his creditors for payment marred his enjoyment Old Brown was delighted at the celebrity thus of society, in which he was an universal favorite, attained by his son-in-law, but his face began to by the fear that he might soon become the inmate look a little long when he discovered, as he soon of a jail. While his mind was weighed down from did, that the fortune which he had earned by the despondency at this unpleasant state of things, a toil and savings of years, was wasting away by friend suggested to him, that he had it in his power the thoughtless extravagance of Dupont. He c to remove his difficulties, by securing the hand, and casionally remonstrated and protested; but h rich dowery of the fair Clarissa. Dupont, who was warnings were unheeded, and he was too indul proud and fastidious, at first, rejected the idea of gent, and too sincerely attached to the young Capconnecting himself with a lady, who, although tain, to deny him money for the most profuse libe pretty and amiable, was evidently deficient in the rality. Such was the state of affairs, when De intellect, education, and refinement, which were pont was solicited to become a candidate for t indispensable to complete his beau ideal of a wife. seat in parliament. Being of a very sanguine tem But necessity, or more properly, convenience, which perament, he commenced the canvass with gesi. often reconciles us to far more disagreeable things, and the utmost confidence of success. But the soon made him look with very different eyes on opposing candidate, and his friends, were too artful the cherry-cheeked damsel, who was ready to throw and powerful; he was defeated, and what was far herself into his arms, and restore him at once to worse than mere failure, his reputation was injured comfort and independence. With the ready so- by slanderous rumors, which his enemies had pat phistry, which is always displayed in justifying con- into circulation. The means of old Mr. Brows duct, prompted by interest or inclination, he began had been seriously lessened by his expenditures to think and say that his first impressions of Miss during the canvass, and of course his willing ass Clarissa had done her injustice, and that he had to advance money for the support of Dupont's cus

At the persuasion of his father-in-law, he quitted the naval service, and commenced the life of a gen tleman in the city of London. He had a strong taste for social pleasures, for literature and politics, and knew that no residence could afford him a better opportunity of indulging all those inclinstions, than one in the modern Babylon. The handsome and accomplished sailor, mixed freely with the fashionable circles, was welcomed at the Literary clubs, and soon formed an acquaintance with the leading politicians.

tomary extravagance. The latter had at this time, his old habits. During his occasional visits to his five years after his marriage, begun to find home family, his good-tempered wife, unresentful of his less delightful than it appeared during the honey- desertion, received him with unabated affection, moon. Clarissa was neither a scold, nor a slat- his children welcomed him with transports of detera, nor silly, nor, what is equally bad, a fashiona- light. His gallant exploits, his beautiful presents, ble lady. But their tastes and pursuits were en- his tales of wild adventure, made him a favorite tirely uncongenial. He was very fond of books, companion to all children, more especially to those of highly educated companions, and strongly tinged who could call him father. His son, however, who with enthusiasm. She read little, except in her had inherited the matter-of-fact disposition which bible and cookery-book, of course did not relish distinguished his mother, participated less in this literary society, and was altogether as prosaic a pleasure than his sister, whose quick intellect, and personage as ever existed. As long as affairs romantic temperament, were easily kindled at his went on prosperously, he overlooked a thousand account of daring deeds, of distant lands, and the circumstances which were daily exhibiting this wonders of the deep blue sea. Never did the gendiversity. But when the disappointment of his tle Desdemona incline more seriously to hear those political aspirations, and the want of means for "moving accidents by flood and field," which fixed seeking his usual amusements abroad, compelled her young affections on the swarthy Othello, than him to look at home for comfort, he saw when too did the enthusiastic Margaret, to the glowing narlate, that pecuniary considerations should never ratives that came from the lips of her father. Dublind us to the serious discomforts which must ring his long intervals of absence, she poured inceswer follow in the train of an ill-assorted marriage. santly over every book that contained accounts of Inder the influence of these reflections, he occa- travels, more especially of distant and dangerous ionally lost his usual placidity of temper, espe- voyages. Being thus inspired with a general inally when Clarissa, although sincerely attached terest in the perils to be braved, and the glories to him, complained of his profusion. This, by be won upon the vasty deep, and in those unexeminding him of his dependence, galled him se- plored regions that were washed by its waves, she erely. He became dissatisfied, and finally deter-turned her eyes, with special fondness, towards the ined to resume his old profession, both, for the English North American Colonies, which were fast ake of employment, and as a means of indepen- rising into that vigor and opulence, which soon afterHe found little difficulty in regain-wards established their independence. Her father g admission into the Navy, and securing the com- had often described to her the bold, manly, hospiand of a ship. But when these preliminary table character of the Virginians, the fertility and eps had been taken, and everything was ready delightful climate of the Southern Colonies gener his departure, his heart was well-nigh failing rally, while he did not forget the tribute of praise in at the idea of separation from his children. which was due to the descendants of those "pillis son was a stout, well-conditioned, but ordinary grim fathers," who had preferred the barren rock of four; his daughter and only other child, and the savage wilderness, to spiritual slavery. ad a delicate beauty and sprightliness, which The noble rivers, the lofty mountains, the sea-like truck all beholders, and seemed unequalled in the lakes of America, were painted with all a poet's yes of a parent. To part with these, especially ardor, by the enthusiastic sailor. The natural cone latter, cost him a severe pang, and when the sequence, on a mind like Margaret's, was an eager me for sailing came, his heart smote him for leav- desire to accompany her father to the Western g a wife, the sincerity of whose affection, and World, to become acquainted with its hardy, virtue blamelessness of whose conduct, his conscience ous population, and revel in the beauties of its as compelled to admit. But his crew was on unequalled natural scenery. But alas! she was pard, the wind was fair, and he tore himself from never destined to enjoy that pleasure in such socieis family, once more to brave the perils of the ty. Her slight form was just budding into womanind, the wave and the battle-strife. His new hood, when the gallant captain fought the last, and areer was, like the former, marked by daring cou- most glorious of his battles. The vessel which he ge, brilliant achievements, and reckless gene- commanded, was a frigate, and that not of the lar>sity; but as before, although popular among men ad officers, he remained unpromoted. Fond of dventure, he frequently sailed to both the Indies, ad once circumnavigated the globe.

ent revenue.

gest class. In this, he encountered a line-of-battle ship, attacked it, and compelled it to surrender. But just before the flag of the enemy was struck,

a marksman from its shrouds inflicted a mortal But the rich prizes and large profits which these wound on Captain Dupont, who thus, like the galoyages sometimes brought him, vanished as uni-lant Nelson, died in the arms of victory. The ormly and rapidly as the water through the sieve announcement of this intelligence was a severe f the Danaidas. Like the Bourbons on their re-blow to his whole family; but it fell far heaviest urn to France after the revolution, he had learned on the acute sensibility and ardent affection of 10 lessons of prudence, he had forgotten none of Margaret, whose reason reeled under its effects.

She felt that the idol of her heart was gone, and family of a country acquaintance, where Margaret that none could fill the place of that "cherished could at least temporarily support herself by teachimage." She had loved him with the romantic ing the children. This plan, although well meant admiration of a mistress, as well as the reverential and feasible, was highly distasteful to the young tenderness of a favorite daughter. Just as she lady, whose inclinations had been little consulted was beginning to recover from this shock, her in the arrangement. With all her warm feeling grandfather died, and to the astonishment of all his and excellent sense, she had one foible, which of acquaintance, died almost a bankrupt. Some re- all others, is most apt to embitter domestic intercent and large speculations in which he had been course. She was prone to suspect slights, and to engaged, failed entirely, and the poor old man lived imagine that partiality was shown to others. Her just long enough to see the hard earnings of forty natural sensitiveness and pride, the excessive inyears toil, torn from him by misfortune. Mrs. Du- dulgence, and devoted attachment of her father, pont, who had been nursed in the lap of opulence, contrasted with the coldness and insipidity of her was thus thrown upon the world, with no reliance mother, had all contributed to make Margaret love except a pension of one hundred pounds, which she received as her husband's widow, and some small fragments of her father's fortune.

CHAPTER II.

Alas! how slight a cause will move

Dissensions between hearts that love.-Moore.

her surviving parent far less than the one who was buried in his ocean-grave. The brother, who, as already mentioned, was a plain unpretending commonplace person like his mother, was very naturally her favorite. Unable to follow the romantic flights of her daughter, and to appreciate her learning and elegant accomplishments, seeking pleasure in his congenial conversation, and aid from his practical At the time of her father's death, Margaret was acquaintance with business, she became as partial completing her education at a boarding school of to her son, as was consistent with her rectitude of high reputation. While there, she had formed a character. In consequence of this, while there close intimacy with a Miss Myra Dark, a girl of was no actual dislike, there was little cordial, or the same age and tastes with herself. This young agreeable intercourse between Margaret, on the lady looked on Captain Dupont with an admiration one hand, and Thomas and their Mother on the almost equal to that of his daughter, and had the other. The death of Captain Dupont had at first same spirit of adventure. This congeniality of melted down all differences of sentiment into one feeling, made Myra a most appropriate comforter common feeling of deep affliction, and had uned of Margaret, in those days and weeks of agony which succeeded the intelligence of her father's death. Through the influence of this friend, and that of time, the great consoler, the afflicted girl began at last slowly to recover her spirits. It was just at this period, that her mother and brother began to be seriously alarmed at the state of their pecuniary affairs.

them more closely than before, by the impulsive tendency of all involved in one common sorrow to cling closer together. But when the gloom orcăsioned by that event, began to be dispelled by the conscious necessity of exertion, the want of har mony in the family, and the suspicious temper of Margaret, began to exhibit themselves in a more disagreeable manner than ever. The appropria The small pension, and the interests on the small tion of the whole fortune to the immediate pr· sum which had been collected from the wrecks of poses of her brother, while nothing but the hope Brown's estate, were evidently insufficient to sup- of contingent benefit was left to her, seemed to her port them on the most frugal scale of expenditure. prejudiced mind, unjust and unfair; and when bet It was plain, therefore, that some other means of remonstrances against the measure were entirely subsistence must be devised. The inclinations of unheeded, her suspicions of her mother's partiality both mother and son, who had been educated in were converted into certainty. Her pride, a quali his grandfather's counting-house, pointed to mer-ty of which she had a large share, was also woundchandize, as the most eligible means of effecting ed by the unceremonious manner in which ther that object. But the difficulty consisted in pro- had decided to subject her to what she regardes, curing the capital necessary for the purchase of a as the degrading drudgery of instruction, not only stock in trade. After due consideration, the only mode which suggested itself, was to sell the annuity to which Mrs. Dupont was entitled, and add the proceeds to the sum of ready money, which they had already in possession. With this capital, young Dupont was to begin business in a small way, while his mother and sister were expected to pinch them- She asked permission of her mother to pay a selves for a time, until the profits of his business visit to her friend Myra, before entering on the dashould enable him to aid them. A part of the ties of an instructress. Mrs. Dupont, perceiving scheme was, that the ladies should retire into the her dissatisfaction, which no reasoning could re

without consulting her inclination, but without evea mentioning their intention before the plan was set tled. Such was the reasoning of inexperienced rash, self-confident seventeen, and such unfore nately the conclusion which gave a dark shade 17 all her future destiny.

move, did not object to the proposed excursion. | wrong, we always feel much indebted to any kind Margaret accordingly went to Portsmouth, where friend, who will give us a provocation that will Captain Dark, father of Myra, now resided. Myra serve as an apology for overleaping the moral barreceived her with open arms, and did everything riers which have hitherto restrained us. Such was which the soothings of friendship could accom- now the situation of Margaret; dissatisfied with plish, to remove the depression that preyed upon the manner in which she had been treated by her her spirits. She endeavored to revive her by a family, and eager for novelty and adventure, she continued round of fashionable amusements, and felt a presentiment, that a step thus taken without by keeping her constantly in company. Captain the sanction of parental authority, must bring down Dark, was the life of the society of Portsmouth, on her head the consequences of guilt. But when possessing qualities which fitted him to shine any- her mother in plain, but by no means harsh terms, where. To a person tall, graceful and command- censured her irritability and groundless suspicions, ing, he united manners singularly bland, and con- instead of opening her eyes to the impropriety of ciliating, a mind of considerable cultivation, and her course, it unfortunately served only to remove an acquaintance with the world, derived not only the lingering scruples which she had at first enfrom mixing with the best society at home, but tertained. She had been long unaccustomed to from frequent voyages to every part of the globe reproof, and could not bear advice from a mother, then reached by British commerce. A character from whose inferiority of genius and accomplishlike his, was peculiarly fitted to captivate the ar- ments, she had most illogically inferred a like infedent imagination of Margaret. She seemed to riority in worldly prudence. Stimulated therefore behold her lamented father again, in one who was by resentment for supposed injuries, and the imfamiliar with the same scenes, and possessed the pulses of an adventurous spirit, she consented to same happy faculty of description. Learning from accompany Captain Dark and his daughter, on their his daughter the aversion of her young friend to voyage to Virginia. When her mind was fully the occupation of teacher in England among ac- made up to the expedition, she wrote a letter to quaintances, and her willingness to gain a liveli- her mother firmly expressing her determination, hood in that way, where she was unknown, he pro- and bidding her and her brother an eternal adieu. posed that she should accompany himself and his All her sophistical reasonings, all her resentment daughter on a voyage, which they had long pro- was insufficient to prevent the yearnings of natujected to Virginia, and there become instructress ral affection, as she penned this epistle. Her tears in the family of some wealthy planter. This pro- flowed copiously over its concluding passages; and position revived the partiality for America, with her hand trembled with emotion, as she folded it which she had been inspired by her father's inte- up, and put it away to be sent only when the “last resting accounts of that region. It seemed a link" which bound her to England was broken by tempting opportunity for gratifying the curiosity, the sailing of the vessel. That trying period was with which she had long regarded the Western now approaching, being fixed on the following Continent. But, the idea of quitting friends and Wednesday. On Monday morning, Myra went to native country forever, and braving the perils and pay a parting visit to an aunt, who resided some difficulties of a new world, alone and unprotected, miles from Portsmouth, immediately on the coast. after the return of Captain Dark, presented rather It was arranged, that she should not return to Portsalarming picture even to her excited imagina-mouth, but be taken on board from her aunt's. In ton, and irritated feelings. But on the other hand, the interim, Margaret staid with a family in the she could not bear the thought of remaining, and town, to which she had become much attached since tecoming a dependent and underling in the family her arrival, and waited with impatience, not unof a person, with whom she had formerly associa- mixed with anxiety, what she felt to be the crisis ed as an equal. Captain Dark assured her that of her destiny. Wednesday came, big with the n Virginia, where he had relatives, he could pro- fate of our heroine; but "the dawn was not overure her a situation, in which, instead of being cast, nor did the morning lour:" on the contrary, ooked down upon as an inferior, she would be not a speck obscured the azure vault of Heaven, egarded with particular respect, as a native of the sun rose with unusual brilliancy, and there was he old country, and possessing a degree of infor- not an omen which could have awakened the slightnation very unusual among the colonists. The est fears of the superstitious. But a weight presslausible arguments of her entertainer, coinciding ed on the heart of Margaret, which neither cloudwith her own inclinations, made a deep impression less sky, nor favoring breeze, nor the buoyancy of n the ardent, inexperienced mind of Margaret. youthful hope, nor the soothings of her companion, But she still had great misgivings about leaving could entirely remove. In vain did she attempt to er friends and native land in this strange manner, rally her spirits; in vain did she attempt to reason when a reproachful letter from her mother fixed away her alarm: a voice seemed ever whispering er wavering resolution. When we are desirous in her ear, "Do not abandon the mother that bore o do something, which conscience whispers us is you, and cherished you with untiring kindness in

VOL. VII-58

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