"I am sure you have air enough where you are," returned the man.

"Oh, but you may well imagine how a prisoner longs for liberty!"

"You are no more a prisoner than anybody else that is not well. I am sure, though I were to let you out, you are not fit to go about yet."

"Though you were to Oh heaven! you do not mean to detain me still! You will keep your promise with me!"

"Oh yes," said the man, with that voice of horrible soothing which made my blood run cold, "never fear, you shall get out to-morrow;" and, regardless of my endeavours to detain him, he instantly left me.

"You shall get out to-morrow," I repeated a thousand times, in distressful attempt to convince myself that a promise so explicit could not be broken. Yet the horrible doubt returned again and again. Drops of agony stood upon my forehead as I looked distractedly upon those narrow walls, and thought they might enclose me for ever. "God of mercy," I cried, casting myself wildly on my knees, "wilt thou permit this? Hast thou supported me hitherto only to forsake me in my extremity of need? Oh no! I wrong thy goodness by the very thought."

Well may our religion be called the religion of hope, for who can remember that "unspeakable gift" which every address to Heaven must recal to the Christian's view, without feeling a trust which outweighs all causes of fear? By degrees I recovered composure, then hope, then cheerfulness; and when, at the keeper's evening visit, I had extorted from him another renewal of his promise, I was so far satisfied as to prepare myself by a quiet sleep for the trials which awaited my waking.

The next morning a bright sun was gleaming through my grated window; and anxiously I watched the lingering progress of its shadow along the wall. Long, long I listened for the heavy tread of the keeper; thought myself sure that his hour of coming was past; and dreaded that his stay was ominous of evil. When at last I heard the welcome sounds of his approach, and felt that at last the moment of certainty was come, a faintness seized me, and I remained motionless, unable to inquire my doom.

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The man looked keenly at the fixed eye which wanted power to turn from him. I thought as much," said he triumphantly. "I'll lay a crown you don't wish to go out to-day."

"Oh yes, indeed!" I cried, starting up with sudden hope and animation, "I would go this instant!"

The man again examined my face inquisitively. "Eat your breakfast then," said he, "and put on these clothes I have brought you. I shall come back for you presently."

Language cannot express the rapture with which I heard this promise. Overpowered with emotions of joy and gratitude, I sunk at the

feet of the keeper, pouring forth, in the fulness of my heart, blessings made inarticulate y tears. Then recollecting how my suspicions had wronged him, "Pardon me," I cried, "oh pardon me, that ever I doubted your word. I ought to have known that you were too good to deceive me."

"Hush! quiet!" said the man, knitting his brow with a frown which forced the blood back chill upon the throbbing heart; and in a moment he was gone.

It was some time before I became composed enough to remember or to execute the command which I had received; but my mysterious appre hensions, my tumults of delight giving way to sober certainty, I changed my dress, and sat down to await the return of my liberator. Then while I recollected the horrible dread from " which I was delivered, the fate from which I' seemed to have escaped, gratitude which could not be restrained burst into a song of thanks giving.

It was interrupted by the return of the keeper," who, without speaking, threw open the door of my cell, and then proceeded to that of the one adjoining. I sprung from my prison, and burried along a passage which terminated in the open air.

I presently found myself in a small, square court, surrounded by high walls, and occupied by twenty or thirty squalid beings of both sexes. Concluding that I had mistaken my way, I returned to beg the direction of the keeper. "I am busy just now," said he," so amuse yourself there for a little; the people are all quite harm-less."

"Amuse myself!" thought I. "What strange perversion must have taken place in the mind' which could associate such a scene and such objects with any idea of amusement !" I had no choice, however, and I returned to the court. I was instantly accosted by several unfortunate beings of my own sex, all at once talking without coherence and without pause. In some alarm I was going to retreat, when a little, ugly, affected-looking man approached, and with a bow which in any other place would have provoked a smile, desired that he might be allowed the honour of attending me. Little relieved by this politeness, I was again looking towards retreat, when the party was joined by a person of very different appearance from the rest. Large waves of silver hair adorned a face of green old age, and the lines of deep thought on his brow were relieved by a smile of perfect benignity; while his air, figure, and' attire were so much those of a gentleman, that I instantly concluded he must be the visitor, not the inhabitant of such a dwelling.

Reproving the intrusion of the rest with an authority from which they all seemed to shrink, he politely offered to attend me; and l'accepted of the escort with a feeling of perfect security." While we walked round the court, my com

panion conversed as if he believed me also to be a visitor. "I sometimes indulge a melancholy smile," said he, "on observing how well the characteristics of the sexes are preserved even here. The men, you see, are commonly silent and contemplative, the women talkative and restless. Here, just as in that larger mad-house the world, pride makes the men surly and quarrelsome, while the ladies must be indulged in a little harmless vanity. Now and then, however, we encroach on your prerogative. The little man, for instance, who spoke to you just now, fancies that every woman is in love with him, and that he is detained here by a conspiracy of jealous husbands." He proceeded to comment upon the more remarkable cases, showing such acquaintance with each, that I concluded him to be the medical attendant of the establishment. This belief inspired me with a very embarrassing desire to convince him of my sanity; and I endured the toil of being laboriously wise, while we moralised together on the various illusions which possessed the people around us, and on the curious analogy of their freaks to those of the more sober madmen who are left at large. Some strutted in mock majesty, expecting that all should do them homage. Some decked themselves with rags, and then fancied themselves fair. Some made hoards of straws and pebbles, then called the worthless mass a treasure. Some sported in unmeaning mirth; while a few ingenious spirits toiled to form baubles which the rest quickly demolished; and a few miserable beings sat apart, shrinking from companions whom they imagined only evil spirits clothed in human form. In one respect, however, all were agreed. Each scorned or pitied every form of madness but his own. "Let us then," said I, "be of those who pity; since we too have probably our points of insanity, though where they lie we may never know till we reach the land of perfection."

"Perfection!" exclaimed my companion. "Is not its dawn arisen on the earth! Are not the splendours of day at hand? That glorious light in which man shall see that his true honour is peace, his true interest benevolence! Yes! it is advancing; and though the perverseness of the ignorant and the base have for a time concealed me here, soon shall the gratitude of a regenerated world call me to rejoice in my own work."

"Sir!" said I, startled by this speech, which was pronounced with the utmost vehemence of voice and manner.

"Yes," proceeded he, "the labours of twenty years shall be repaid. Punishment and pain shall be banished from the world. A patriarchal reign of love shall assemble my renovated children around their father and their friend. All government shall cease. All" "Silence!" cried a voice of tremendous power, and immediately the keeper stood be side us. He rudely seized the old man's arm,

and the flush of animation was instantly blanched! by fear. I saw the reverend form of age thus bow before brute violence, and I forgot for a moment that I was powerless to defend. "In-* human! I'exclaimed, “will you not reverence: grey hairs and misfortune ? "

Without deigning me a look, the keeper led his captive away, while I followed him with eyes in which the tears of alarm now mingled with those of pity. He presently returned, and sternly commanded me to go with him. Eager as I was for my dismission, I yet trembled while I obeyed. We reached the door of my cell, and though I expected to pass it, I involuntarily recoiled. "Go in," said the keeper in a voice of terrible authority.

"Here!" I exclaimed with a start of agony. "Oh Heaven!-did you not say-did you not promise-"

"Aye, aye," said the man, "but I must see you a little quieter first. Get in, get in." No, no, I will not. Though I perish I will

not."

A withering smile crossing that dark countenance, he seized me with a force which reduced me to the helplessness of infancy; and regardless of the shriek wrung from me by hopeless anguish, he bore me into the cell, shook off my imploring hold, and departed. I heard the dreary creaking of the bolt, and I heard no more. I fell down senseless.

When I revived I found myself supported by the arm of a person who was administering restoratives to me. The first accents to which I was sensible were those of the keeper, who said, as if in answer to some question, "She has been almost as high this morning as ever."

"So, so," returned the other. "Well, she'll do for the present, so I must be gone. Keep an eye on her, and tell me how she comes on. And, hark ye give her a better place-If they don't pay for it, I will. I am sure she is a gentlewoman."

In the hope that I might now effectually appeal to justice or to pity, I made a strong effort to rouse myself, but my compassionate attendant was gone. The keeper, however, who perhaps was severe only from a mistaken sense of duty, had been alarmed into treating me with more caution. He watched me till I was completely revived; and, as soon as I could make the necessary exertion, removed me to a different part of the building.

My new place of confinement, though somewhat larger and better furnished than the first, was equally contrived to prevent all chance of escape. But I quickly discovered that I had, by the change, gained a treasure, which whoever would estimate, must like me be cut off from the sympathies of living beings. A swallow had built her nest in my window. I saw her feed her nurslings day by day, I watched her leaving her nest, and longed for her return. Her twittering awoke me every morning, and I

knew the chirp which invited her young to the food she had brought. Their first flight was an event in my life as well as in theirs! for the interests of kindred are scarcely stronger than those which we take in the single living thing, however mean, whose feelings we can make

our own.

Meanwhile I learned from the keeper that the person to whose humanity I owed the improvement in my situation, was the surgeon who attended the institution; and I looked forward to his next visit with all the eagerness of hope. Remembering, however, the dependence he had shown on the keeper's information, I became doubly anxious to remove the impression which I saw was entertained against the soundness of my mind. Alas! I forgot that it is not for the prejudiced eye to detect the almost imperceptible bound which separates soundness of mind from insanity.

"You assure me," said I, one day, to my inexorable jailor, "that you have no instructions to detain me here, and you promise that I shall be dismissed the moment I am well: tell me how 'you propose to ascertain my recovery." "Oh, no fear but I shall know that before you know it yourself."

"But what reason have you to doubt that I am already in perfect possession of my senses? I speak rationally enough."

"Oh, aye, I can't say but you have spoken rationally enough these three or four days. They all do that, at times."

What other proof of my recovery can you expect? Here I have no means of proving it by my actions."

Well, well. We'll see one of these days." "But if it be true that you have no wish to detain me, why must I linger on in this place of horror? Put me to any proof you will. Propose, for instance, the most complicated question in arithmetic to me, and see whether I do not answer it like a rational creature."

"I make no doubt. We have a gentleman here these fourteen years that works at the counting from morning to night."

"Fourteen years! Good Heavens! Oh try me for mercy's sake in any way you please. Think of any experiment that will satisfy yourself-let it only be made quickly."

The man promised; for he always promised. He thought it a part of his duty. It is not to be told with what horror I at last heard that "Oh yes," which always began the heart-breaking assents addressed to me as to one whom it were needless and cruel to contradict.

All my anxieties were aggravated by the dread that his promises of release were deceitful like the rest; and that even, though he had no longer doubted of my recovery, the jealousy of Mrs. Boswell might have bribed him to detain me. I balanced in my mind the improbability of so daring an outrage with the stories I had heard of elder brothers removed, and wives

concealed for ever. Where much is felt and nothing can be done, it is difficult indeed to fix the judgment.

To relieve my doubts, I inquired whether Mr. Boswell knew of my confinement. The keeper could not tell. He only knew that the petition for my admission, and the bond for my expenses, were signed by Mrs. Boswell alone. This circumstance was quite sufficient to convince me that Mr. Boswell was ignorant of my fate; and I thought if I could find means to make him acquainted with my situation, he would undoubtedly accomplish my release. I implored of the keeper to inform him where I was, and he promised, but with that ominous "Oh yes," which assured me the promise was void.

By degrees, however, I had learnt to bear my disappointments with composure. I must not venture to say that I was becoming reconciled to my condition; I must not even assert that I endured its continuance with resignation,-for how often did my impatience for release virtually retract the submissions which I breathed to Heaven! But I had experienced that there are pleasures which no walls can exclude, and hopes which no disappointments can destroy; pleasures which flourish in solitude and in adversity; hopes which fear no wreck but from the storms of passion. I had believed that religion could bring comfort to the dreariest dwelling. I now experienced that comfort. The friend whom we trust may be dear; the friend whom we have tried is inestimable. Religion, perhaps, best shows her strength when she rules the prosperous, but her value is felt by the unfortunate alone.

Among my other requests to the keeper, I had entreated that he would allow me the use of that precious book, which has diffused more wisdom, peace, and truth than all the works of men. He promised, as he was wont to prómise; but weary of a request which was repeated every time he appeared, he at last yielded to my importunity. From that hour an inexhaustible source of enjoyment was opened to me. Devotion had before sometimes gladdened my prison with the visits of a friend; now his written language spoke to my heart, answering every feeling. How different was this solitude from the self-inflicted desolation which I had once endured? Nay, did not the blank of all earthly interests leave me a blessed animation compared with that dread insensibility which had once left me without God in the world r

"This is to be alone. This, this is solitude."

But while I bore my disappointments with more fortitude, I did not, it will easily be imagined, relax my endeavours after liberty, On certain days, the institution was open to the inspection of strangers. On these days I was always furnished with a change of dress, and led out to make part of the show; and my spirit was for the time so thoroughly subdued, that

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I submitted to this exhibition without a murmur, almost without a pang. Circumstances had so far overcome my natural temper, that I more than once appealed to the humanity of those whom a strange curiosity led to this dreariest scene of human woe. But prejudice always confounded my story with those which most of my companions in confinement were eager to tell. I addressed it to an old man; he heard me in silence; then turning to the keeper, remarked, that it was odd that one fancy possessed us all, the desire to leave our prezent dwelling. "Aye," said the keeper, that is always the burden of the song; they turned to listen to the ravings of some other object. I told my tale to a youth, and thought I had prevailed, for tears filled his eyes. "Good God!" cried he, instantly flying from a 1 painful compassion, "to see so lovely a creature lost to herself and to the world!"

and

The ladies had courage to hear a sight which might shake the strongest nerves, but not to venture upon close conference with me. They shrunk behind their guards, whispering something about the unnatural brightness of my

eyes.

My only hope, therefore, rested upon the return of the humane surgeon, and upon the chance that he might find leisure to examine me himself, instead of trusting to the representation of the keeper. Yet, even there, might not prejudice operate against me? I had felt its effects, and had reason to tremble.

9. The day came which preceded his periodical visit to the department whither I had been Iremoved. It was a stormy one, and heavy rain sbeat against my grated window. My swallows, who had tried their first flight only the day before, cowered close in their nest, or peeped from its little round opening, as if to watch the return of their mother. They had grown so accustomed to me, that the sight of me never disturbed them. In the pride of my heart I showed them oto the keeper when he brought my morning's brepast. "Who knows," said I, "if the doctor come to-morrow, but they and I may take our departure together." As I spoke, a gust of the storm loosened the little fabric from its hold. I Esprung in consternation to the window. The ruin was complete; my treasure was dashed to the ground. Let those smile who can, when I own that I uttered a cry of sorrow; and, renouncing my unfinished meal, threw myself on my bed and wept.

"Help the girl!" exclaimed the keeper. "A woman, almost as big as I am, crying for a -swallow's nest. Well, as I shall answer, I thought you had got quite well almost."

Aware too late of the impression which my M-timed weakness had given, I did my utmost, at his subsequent visits, to repair my error; but prejudice, even in its last stage of decay, is more easily revived than destroyed, and I saw that he remained at best sceptical.

THE NOVEL NEWSPAPER.-No. 368.

The day came which was to decide my fate. No lover waiting the sentence of a cautious mistress,-no gamester pausing in dread to look at the decisive die,-no British mother trembling with the Gazette in her hand,—even felt such anxiety as I did, at the approach of my medical judge. With as much coherence, however, as I could command, I related to him the circumstances to which I attributed my confinement. He heard me with attention, questioned and cross-examined me. "Have you any objection," said he, "to my making inquiries of Mr. Boswell?"

"None, certainly," said I, "if you cannot otherwise convince yourself that I ought to be set at liberty; else I should be unwilling to add to his domestic discomfort. I am persuaded that he has no part in this cruelty."

The surgeon remained with me long, talking on various subjects, and ingeniously contriving to withdraw my attention from the ordeal which I was undergoing. The keeper, to justify his own sagacity, detailed with exaggeration every instance he had witnessed of my supposed eccentricity. "To this good day," said he," she'll be crying one minute, and singing the next."

"Mr. Smith," said the doctor, shaking his head gravely, "if you shut up all the women who change their humour every minute, who will make our shirts and puddings?"

He related the transports of my premature gratitude. "By the time you are a little older, Miss Percy," said the doctor, "you will guess better how far sympathy will go, and then you will not run the risk of being thought crazy, by showing more sensibility than other people."

Other instances of my extravagance were not more successful, for the doctor's prejudice had fortunately taken the other side. "You know, Mr. Smith," said he," that, from the beginning, I suspected this was not a case for your management." My departure was therefore authorised; and, at my earnest request, it was fixed for that day.

And who shall paint the rapture of the prisoner, who tells himself, what yet he scarcely dares believe," This day I shall be free?" Who shall utter the gratitude which swells the heart of him whom this day has made free? That I was to go I knew not whither, to subsist I knew not how,-could not damp the joys of deliverance. The wide world was indeed before me; but even that of itself was happiness. The free air, the open face of heaven,-the unfettered grace of nature,-the joyous sport of animals, the cheerful toils of man,-sounds of intelligence, and sights of bliss were there; and the wide world was to me the native land of the exile, lovely with every delightful recollection, and populous with brethren and friends.

CHAPTER XXV.

Oh grief has changed me since you saw me last; And careful hours, and time's deforming hand, Have written strange defeatures in my face. SHAKSPEARE.

Though I resisted all idea of returning, even for an hour, to the control of Mrs. Boswell, it was thought necessary, since I had been confined upon her authority and at her expense, that, before my departure, she should be informed of my recovery, and consequent dismission. After waiting impatiently the return of a message despatched for this purpose, I learnt that Mr. Boswell's house was shut up, the whole family having removed to the country. My kind friend, Dr. however, would not permit this to retard my departure. He undertook for Mrs. Boswell's performance of her engagement, which, he said, he could easily compel, by threatening to expose her conduct. For my part, I had no doubt that she had fled from the fear of detection, and with the purpose of preventing her husband from discovering the barbarity she had practised; for I knew that it was not the love of rural life, nor even of the fashion, which could have roused Mrs. Boswell to the exertion of travelling fifty miles.

So far as I was concerned, however, her precaution was necessary, for she had injured me too seriously to have any return of injury to fear. Nothing short of necessity could have induced me to expose her, while I saw reason to dread that self-deceit might, under the name of justice, countenance the spirit of revenge. The only reason I had to regret her departure was, that I was thus prevented from receiving the money which Mr. Boswell had acknowledged to be my right. Everything else which could be called mine had been sent with me from the house, and was now faithfully restored to me. Feeble indeed must have been the honesty to which my possessions could have furnished a temptation! The whole consisted in a few shillings, and a scanty assortment of the plainest attire. And yet the heir of the noblest domain never looked around him with such elation as I did, when I once more found myself under the open canopy of heaven; nor did ever the "harp and the viol" delight the ear like the sound of the heavy gate which closed upon my departing steps. I paused for a moment, to ask myself if all was not a dream,--then leant my forehead against the threshold, and wept the thanksgiving I could not utter.

I was roused by an inquiry from the person who was carrying my portmanteau, "whither I chose to have it conveyed?" The only residence which had occurred to me, the only place with which I seemed entitled to claim acquaintance, was my old abode at Mrs. Milne's, and I desired the man to conduct me thither.

Though the gladness of my heart disposed me

to good-humour with every living thing, I could not help observing that my landlady received me coolly. To my inquiry whether my former apartment was vacant? I could scarcely obtain an intelligible reply; and when I requested that, if she could not accommodate me, she would recommend another lodging-house to me, the flame burst forth, and she told me "that she had enough of recommending people she knew nothing about. Mrs. Boswell had very near turned away her sister for recommending me already." I assured the woman that I should have sincerely regretted being the occasion of any misfortune to her sister, and declared that I was utterly unconscious of having ever done discredit to her recommendation. "It might be so," the landlady said, "but she did not know; it seemed very odd that I had been sent away in a hurry from Mr. Boswell's, and that I had never been heard of from that day to this." "To be sure," said she, "it was no wonder that Mrs. Boswell dismissed a person who had brought so much distress and trouble into the family, and almost been the death of both Mr. Boswell and little Miss."

"Mr. Boswell! did he catch the infection too?"

"To be sure he did, and so I dare say would the whole house, if you had not been sent away."

I expressed my unfeigned sorrow for the mischief which I had innocently caused; for I was at this moment less disposed to resent impertinence than to sympathise in the joys and sorrows of all human kind.

My landlady's countenance at last relaxed a little, and either won by my good-humour, or prompted by her curiosity to discover my adventures during my mysterious disappearance, or by a desire to dispose of her lodgings at a season when they were not very disposable, she told me that I might, if I chose, take possession of my former accommodation. With this ungracious permission I was obliged to comply, for the day was already closing, and my scarcely recovered strength was fast yielding to fatigue.

I was aware, however, that in those lodgings it was impossible for me, with only my present funds, to remain; for, humble as were my accommodations, they were far too costly for my means of payment. Mr. Boswell had indeed acknowledged himself my debtor for a sum, which, in my situation, appeared positive riches; but my prospect of receiving it was so small, or at least so distant, that I dared not include the disposal of it in any plan for the present. That I might not, however, lose it by my own neglect, I immediately wrote to remind Mr. Boswell of his promise, and to acquaint him whither he might transmit the money. I had no very sanguine hopes that this letter would ever reach the person for whom it was intended; and I was more sorry than surprised, when day after day passed, and brought no

answer.