from a lofty mountain of one's own and native land there is in it something so thrilling and extatic, while the eye roams over the space stretching to the utmost boundary of the horrizon, on which are scattered the thatched mansions of rural innocence; traces the winding river "or burn, stealing under the lang yellow broom;" gladdens at the prospect of a thousand healthy pastures, chequered o'er with flocks and herds; and distinctly notes its own village spire, embower'd cot, and well known meads; while memory hastily recalls the days of careless childhood, its youthful compeers, and the romantic notions and feelings of youthful imagination; while again the noble landscape, the stupendous barriers, and the vast blue concave of heaven, with all its host of clouds, attract the wondrous gaze, the emotions of the mind acquire an elevation and sublimity, which no other situation can produce; and the soul dwells and expands with the grandeur of its sensations, until it again subsides in disappointment, that it cannot in words give birth to its inexpressible and unutterable impressions.

1

Although in such haste to arrive at the end of my journey, I could not forbear stopping now and then to contemplate the charming prospect, which was not, however, remarkable for fertility or luxuriant clothing, but chiefly for its bold out line, and natural, though rather naked features. The cots of the peasantry were, in general, scatter ed at a good distance from each other; each defended in some degree from the rude mountain winds by a few trees, which towered high above the humble roof of faded thatch, and was surrounded with the necessary ap pendages of a barn and a byre. I proceeded on, and soon descended the steepy hill: at the bottom was a small clachan, or hamlet, containing a pot-house, where I devoured the remaining fragments of provision, and set forward again with renewed vigour.

Crossing the narrow stone bridge at the extremity of the village, I entered a deep and romantic glen; on the edge of which, at the distance of four miles, was the humble mansion of my unele Andrew. The beforementioned stream accompanied

W

62

me on my way; sometimes gliding between green banks with an almost imperceptable motion; sometimes rattling along clear, broad and shallow, showing its round smooth pebbles; and sometimes rushing with deafening noise down its deep-worn bed, and toiling its waters to foam among the huge masses of rock, overgrown with moss, which had been severed by some convulsion of nature from the enormous cliffs that protruded from the sides of the valley: these were high and precipitous, and in most places rocky, with here and there a shrub or stunted tree; and one might now and then discern a few sheep, nibbling the scanty grass among the craggy cliffs above, which as one passed, looked down with an earnest gaze, gave a solitary baa, and then quietly resum ed their eating.94 god I'ms boob

The vale wound about in a serpentine direction; and from the rious aspects of every turning point, which when at a distance it display ed, much was given for speculation as to the course which it would take among the labyrinth of mountainbases, where other dells or glens opened from this I however gained point after point, until I saw, with mingled sensations of pleasure and pain, the stepping-stones over the brook, and the steep zig-zag path by which I must leave the valley. By taking this path, passing through the little hamlet at the top of the mountain, and descending on the other side, I came to the level, whence it was but a few fields length of gentle ascent, up to my uncle's; by which I should cut my journey shorter a few furlongs. When I arrived at the hamlet, I enquired of a shepherd the nearest way to the Flinty Knowe: "Ye maun gae back the gate ye cam again," said he; "down the brae, and over the burn, and kep the left han'; and d when ye are by th' meikle stane, gae through t wee yett, and follow the burn till ye get to the mill, and then ye'll be at the bottom o' the Flinty Knowe, "Thank ye, friend," replied 1; " but I'm nae for ganging that gate sae long as I can fin' a shorter way, ye ken there is a nearer way gify fye wad tell. Come, now, just shew me the road." "Weel," answered he, "ye may gang through the stile out o'er

the ground, an by the thorn an then ye'll see, its a thachit house amang the trees, ye canna miss't." "Thank ye," said I, and away I went; in a quarter of an hour I found myself going up the field that led to the house, and a crowd of sensations rushed into my mind.

Many years had elapsed since I had wandered about this very meadow in careless infancy; and the pretty secluded cot to which I was advancing had been my home; I looked around on the hills and dales and could easily recognize them as my old acquaintances. "Ha!" said I, "ye change not your appearance; ye grow not old in the course of time; the feebleness of age cometh not upon you; ye still smile in the brightness of summer, and frown in the lowering winter. For ages ye have reared your towering crests, and given food to the flocks and herds that have chequered your dark surface; ye have given a direction to the murmuring brook that proceeds from you, till it seeks, far distant, the mighty ocean: and while generation after generation hath passed away, ye have preserved unvaried the features ye possessed in ages gone-even now, as in years past, my eyes behold the still sunshine sleeping upon your gentle sloping declivities, interrupted only when the light cloud of spring for a moment casts over them its passing shadow."

My cogitations, were suddenly interrupted by the gate at the end of the pasture, which I opened. In another moment I was in the porch of the cottage. I lifted the latch and went in; the house appeared just the same as I had left it ten years ago. The furniture was the same, and each piece occupied the same position. The old clock stood ticking in the corner, as it had done for fourscore years; the oaken settle remained behind the door, and my uncle's antique two-armed chair by the fire-side: but I saw no living creature in the house besides the cat

on

the hearth-stone, I listened awhile, but could hear nothing. At this I rather wondered, as of yore the house was seldom, scarcely ever, totally deserted. I then went forward into the spence or country parlour, where I found several

neighbours, cousins, and the servants, all standing in deep silence around the bed of my dying uncle.

He

On entering, all eyes were turned upon me; I was a stranger to most of them. There were, however, one or two who remembered me--I advanced to the bed-side, and the countenance of my uncle for a moment brightened up at my approach, but soon subsided again into a cold tranquil indifference.toldhuit It was plain that death was rapidly approaching. He had been speechless several hours, consequently we could hold no conversation. however put out his hand, which I grasped with an affection redoubled by the prospect of soon losing him for ever. In my younger days 1 had lived with him; and he, having no children of his own, was then remarkably fond of me. Subsequently that affection was strength-ened between us, and although Providence had cast my lot in another country, yet we had kept up a friendly and affectionate intercourse; some time previous to this indispo sition I had again removed to within thirty miles of his residence, which was the place from whence I set out on this sorrowful visit.

My uncle was a man of sound judgment, keen observation, and cheerful, social disposition; joined to a thorough knowledge of mankind he loved a cheerful glass: he was kind to his servants and dependants:-and, though rather of frugal and saving disposition, yet he was charitable to his poor neighbours. In his friendships he was rather capricious, but firm in his attachment to the kirk and the government of his country. He was apt to be a little passionate and hasty in his temper; his resentment, however, was seldom of long duration: on the whole, he was well beloved by those among whom he dwelt; and might be pronounced a good neighbour, and an excellent subject. By a long course of industry in his profession he had amassed a pretty good property, the knowledge of which had drawn around him a host of needy relations; chiefly, however, consisting of nephews; who besieged him with flattery and professions, but whose attentions were chiefly drawn forth by their hopes of inhe

riting the old man's property; how he had willed his property was not known: he was a man of prudence, and seldom blabbed out his private affairs when there was no especial need of sneli promulgation. On my arrival Iconsequently found all the friends about him re

markably attentive, and duteous in their behaviour; though it was very evident that a good deal of their

affection was assumed for the occasion. Shortly after my arrival, he fell into a kind of doze, and all left the room, save an attendant or two.

Peggy, the servant who had lived with my uncle fourteen or fifteen years, now insisted on my taking some refreshment, and accordingly set meat before me. I was too much agitated to feel any thing like pleasure in 6 my repast, and what I ate was more to please the faithful old domestic, than from any inclination of my own accordingly, when my slight meal was over, I got up and went to the window in a serious and reflecting mood. mood. The afternoon was far advanced, and the scenery without was wrapped in tranquility. "The sunshine, cloudless, bright, and Jstill, i somalu mer

Slept on the lawn and heathy hill; And gently stole from leaf and flower The moisture of the morning shower. At times the soft and zephyry breeze Moved the light branches of the trees, Which, while they shifted to and fro, Waved as exact their shades below; de vier digan it bas-, -*[E36 397 moliodaib goizes bis ANA -dgi99 2000 aid of oldstirali asw of sqidebrort and ad

-36 eid mi ere and ou

Then taking o'er the lawn its course, The waving grass confessed its force; And every flow'ret on the mead,***** Bent while it passed a trembling head." I was soon summoned from my station to the parlour, my uncle had somewhat revived, and his speech had returned, He told us death was making rapid advances, and that we might soon expect the moment of his dissolution. He informed me where we should find his will, and gave us some excellent advice on our future conduct.

Some things he requested us to perform which I thought were a little odd:-he wished us to read his will in the room where he was, immediately after he had expired. He desired that he might not be laid out, as it is commonly called, until at least twelve hours after his departure; and that his large two-armed oaken chair might be placed in all order and solemnity at the head of the table every meal, and that it should remain unoccupied till after his funeral. He also wished to be these requests we promised faithfully interred in a very deep grave. All to observe; when after taking an affectionate farewell of each, he quietly resigned himself to his pillowhis breathing became more and faint till at last we could perceive

it no more.

(To be continued.)

t་་།

more

I.F.

all off-say I'm going to Wales stay uncertain.---Poor Fanny! think she cried at parting---may do after all-Mavor's spelling book---quite young still.

Sept. 22.---Saved an old woman from being run over; daughter fainted in my arms bewitching black

eyes---Jewess---Rachel--augh ---like to meet with my wife by accident-stage coach---play.

General observations and sentiments---begin to understand the female character-woman devoid of vanity a non-entity-expect flattery like food---few receive it gracefully --manners seldom entirely natural--different in the company of their own sex and ours---generally affect coyness---not always assumed---never could make Eleanor confess she loved me---Middleton says his wife never kissed him till she was his wife -gentle quiet demeanour preferable ---vivacity apt to degenerate into le vity---better tempers on the whole than we are---distinguished talents of kind no advantage to a woany man unless she makes money by them---rather a wife who wrote Greek than one who studied stock-jobbing --when politicians always opposition ---don't think they talk, on the whole, more than men, only longer at a time--great art, knowing when to be silent---not aware of the extent of their influence---don't use it skilfully --every one desirous of being married--never an old maid at five-andforty from choice---never met with a woman who was at once very pretty

and witty---don't like visiting where number of daughters, downright snapdragons with mothers and aunts

great many pretty portionless misses on hand at present--wonder any man should prefer a widow where money is not in the case---female youth so sweet and engaging--wonder if I could meet with a girl

who had never heard of Moore or Byron.

Lime, Dorset,Oct. 2.--Like to know who that lovely creature was that opened her pew for me on Sunday--Miss Leeson.

Oct. 19.---Lucky business brought me down to Lime---very true, "marriages made in heaven"---Miss Leeson perfect divinity---reminds me of Johnson's Fidelia, in attention to her grandfather---manners, person, mind, fortune, disposition, temper, connexions---all I could desire ---cannot suppose what fault she - surprised has-must have someshe is disengaged---many deserving girls lost in seclusion.

London, May 12.---Married at St. George's, Southwark, to Martha Leeson---happiest day of my life---bridecake flying-visitors calling-one hundred at house-warming-toldTom all bachelors should be taxed double, who said they ought among other luxuries--impertinent fellow---celibacy to matrimony like barley water to rich burgundy---caudle and crying

christening and compliments clean fire-side--gout and good din---O! rare aunt Dorothy. ARIETTA.

ners--

Eur. Mag. Vol. 82.