at the best, imprison them, and separate her from me until it had subsided. The inhabitants who had escaped from the shops and lower floors of the houses between where I was and the river, were all crowded in the upper flats, whose windows, crammed with a terrified population, contrasted strangely with the utter solitude nearer the street, where every opening was closed, and not a living thing visible. The carcasses of drowned domestic animals, filth, and fragments of furniture floated around; but beneath the second story of the houses, vestige of animated being there was none. Boats could not be procured from the harbour, and carts did not then ply through the stream; indeed the water was much too deep for them, even if they had had a dry spot to resort to after passing through. The wailing of women and children, driven from their houses, and the chattering inquiries of idlers asking particulars which those who knew them were too deeply affected to communicate, prevented my eager questions as to Mr. Oswald and family's safety, meeting with an answer. At length I found one who said-blessed words!-that he could assure me that they were still in their own house and in a security their elevated position insured them. But then he also told me that it was but three or four hours since it became impossible to reach them by the increase of the flood; so that my delay-my confidence my hope-had exiled me during her danger from my sweetheart's side! Had I hastened at an earlier hour to assure myself of her safety, I would have shared her imprisonment, and been at her side in case of peril! This was indeed a bitter thought. After as careful a survey as my perturbation and self-reprobation would permit of the position and depth of the water, and being assured that a boat was hourly expected from some quarter, I judged that if I could procure a horse I might ride so far down as to obtain a glimpse of the windows of Mr. Oswald, and perhaps see Isabella at one of them. A proffer of about as much as the value of the brute, procured me the loan of a miserable creature from a carter, who unharnessed the animal, and on its naked back I rode into the water till it reached my knees and the girths of the hack, which then would go no farther. I however attained my purpose. The jeers of the crowd, and the awkward spluttering of the animal, unaccustomed equally to water and being rode on, attracted to the windows all who could spare a thought from their own fears. Isabella opened the casement of her room and looked out. A glance showed me that she was safe, and her that I was an object of not uncalledfor merriment to the gazers. I perceived this myself--but not till the wave of her 'kerchief told me all was well-and the arch nod of her head showed she was sufficiently at her ease to smile. I returned to the shore, as I may call it, happy-yet, shall I confess it, almost angry too. The waters continued to rise—and, as the wind had abated, it was obvious that the melting of the snow was the cause. Of course it was impossible to guess at what hour there was a chance of them subsiding. I hesitated for a time whether to exhibit any further violence of anxiety to reach Mr. Oswald's, or wait for the expected boat which was to be employed in carrying provisions to the besieged who might need a supply. The delay of its arrival at length became intolerable as I paced to and fro upon the margin, on which the rising waters still seemed to encroach. The day wore on-the churches emptied their crowds to throng to the scene and return again to sermon with a tranquillity that I envied. At length, chafed to contempt for even the titter of a hundred gazers, or the deprecatory smile of my mistress herself, I retraced my steps to the Trongate, and pursued its westward course towards the Broomielaw, anticipating the possibility of procuring there a boat and a couple of rowers from one of the vessels in that harbour. In my anxious haste, I had forgotten that the same river which leaped over its bounds at a higher part of its course, was not likely to confine itself within them so much farther down the level of its channel. As I might have anticipated, I found the scene at the Jamaica Street bridge-which the elevation of its roadway enabled me to reach-one of wider desolation, but far more awful grandeur, than the circumscribed one I had left. Placed on its centre arch, and looking upward, it seemed as if some mighty transatlantic stream, and not an island river, rolled along in terrible depth and irresistible might, between banks whose edges were steep and abrupt indeed, for, defined only by the fronts of the far-separated lines of houses that stood many hundred feet distant from its usual channel, but close beside which it now rushed furiously by in boiling eddies of clay-coloured waves, fearful in their silent, unfoamy turbulence, which no wind stirred up-as is the angry malice of a man, for whose fury we perceive no present cause. Beneath the bridge the water roared with thundering turmoil, and all of it that could not escape through the roomy arches, curled up into yeast by the resistance of the abutments, raged noisily and fiercely through uncommon. | had arrived from the neighbouring canal basin; but, after carrying assistance to many sufferers, had swamped upon a bulk, hidden under water, and it was not thought worth while to cart another from such a distance. For some hours, then, even under the most favourable circumstances, it was evident that no exertion on my part could enable me to overcome the obstacles which separated me from my beloved; and, exhausted with anxiety, fatigue, cold, and hunger, I was prevailed upon by some friends who had now joined me, to retire to a neighbouring tavern for refreshment. Night was now closing in, but it was in the unclouded beauty of a rising moon, and the clear atmosphere of a returning frost, so that I was cheered with the hope, on my part, and certainty on that of others, that, ere nine o'clock, the pas sage to the foot of the Saltmarket would be practicable. Some of my companions even asserted that the street would be almost as soon drained as the bowl in whose brimming contents they pledged my mistress, and the wish, at the same time, that I might never the ornamental circular openings placed above them. Looking down the stream, if there was less turbulence, because greater room for expansion, the prospect was not less terr:ble and Between the houses far remote from the breast-work of the harbour and those on the opposite shore, still more widely separated from the broad and level bank of the river, on that side, by a pasture park and road, there was but one vast channel for the sea-like stream that filled it brimmingly. The water was even een to extend far up the streets, which on either side opened laterally from what seemed now but the stone edging of this gigantic canal, or vast basin; and the long line of vessels, secured to their usual rings and fastenings on the quay, and either riding close to its front, or over its top, as their cables gave them space, looked but a large fleet at anchor in the middle of the stream. At the moment I turned my face westward, a little sloop had broke from its fastenings with apparently but an old man and a boy on board, and was reeling down the eldying current in drunken-like whirls, while the ear shrunk from the screams of these help-suffer so much from drought as I had done less extremes of existence, as did the eye from their peril-a peril from which they could only escape by the miracle of their bark being speedily driven on the level shore, or running foul of some larger vessel that could stand the shock. Of yawl or pinnace there was not one in view. Everything without a mast that was not swamped had been hoisted up into snug security on the deck of the larger vessels they attended; and to my hurried, and, I fear, incoherent inquiries whether I could hire a boat and some rowers to proceed to the Saltmarket and carry me to a building insulated by the water, I only procured in answer the stare of vacant astonishment, or vulgar jesting and fresh-water sailors' slang. It soon became obvious even to myself that it was altogether hopeless to expect effecting a communication | with Mr. Oswald's family by such means, and there was obviously nothing for me but patience -a sufficient punishment. I strained my eyes to watch if there was any perceptible deelension in the height of the water, and almost blessed a person who assured me that he thought it had begun to ebb, although even my eagerness could not perceive its recession. I returned again to my station in the street where Isabella lived. The waters had not subsided; but the wind had again risen, and at six o'clock-it was now four-the tide would be full, and, consequently, the flood greater. In my absence, I learned with regret, but without self-reproach, that the expected beat At When from moisture. Though anxious, I became | in a moment, and graze against the sides of the chasm as I descended; and she was with me- clinging to me- -locked in my arms! One dreadful scream from her—a gurgling groan from myself-and the feeling of intense pain in my temples for a moment-is all that I remember of this dreadful hour. Dim recollections I have, indeed, of flaming torches-coils of ropes and iron-spiked drags-bleeding temples, and draughts forced down my throatoaths-exclamations-wailings and tears; but these I dare not think upon-for I was mad, they tell me, for a time, when, weeks after, I inquired where I stood-and for my Isabella. I then learned that it was presumed she-more severely bruised than even I had been in the descent to the cellar beneath the gateway, whose arch had fallen in-had sunk with me, while her body had not instantaneously risen to the surface of the horrid gap, with mine, and had perished-half-stricken and halfdrowned-beneath this low-browed vault, and amid these slimy waters! Her father died broken-hearted. It has been my award to live Lunatics are mad when the moon is at the full; I am only so when again the hateful waves of the spate are in the streets of the city, and, it may be, sapping more foundations A—and drowning more earthly hopes of happiness and Isabellas. It is but then only that I can speak of her name, or tell her fearful and untimely fate. buildings, from the lower flats of which the water was now hastening with rapid and destructive suction. I saw nothing of this, for I waited not to look. It was enough that I had heard. Throwing myself into a cart, I seized the halter of the horse, and, hardly waiting for the driver, forced it onwards through the still deep, though receding flood. The water was over the flooring of the car before it reached the gateway leading to Isabella's dwelling; and was up to my breast as at one bound I leaped over the wheels, regardless of the snorting capers of the affrighted horse. In one minute I was under the archway, and in utter darkness; but I half-stepped half-floated onwards towards where I guessed was the entrance to the stair. In a moment I was over the eyesplunged into a hole occasioned by the breaking up of the pavement-but in another, dripping at every lock, I had struggled, I hardly knew how, but instinctively, to the turnpike, and was above the water-mark on its steps. A second showed me a frightful rent in the wall of the stair; and almost with but one bound, I was by the side of Isabella. Less alarmed than I, she was, however, like all the inmates of the land, greatly terrified, and anxiously waiting the assistance for which her father was by this time making signals at the window. word served to explain that the means of succour and escape were near at hand in the cart I had ordered to wait my return. The old man was grateful: my beloved silently but fondly submitted to be lifted up in my arms; and, followed by the servants with papers and other valuables, I proceeded down to the still half choked-up archway. As we proceeded a loud crack from the timbers of the building, and a visible widening of the rent before noticed, together with the fall of masses of plaster from the roof, increased their terror, and quickened our speed. Bearing aloft my precious charge, and exclaiming that I should lead the way, I plunged into the water, which now reached no higher than my middle. Taking care to avoid that side where I had stumbled as I entered, I cautiously advanced, pressing my dear burden to my breast with one arm, while the other served to pilot me along the walls with I still remember-unhurrying care. The father and domestics hesitated to follow, and the lights they held in their hands threw a dazzling glare upon the dismal waters as I turned round to inquire the cause of their delay, and to encourage their advance. In one instant of time I was plunged into a dark and narrow gulf, which had yawned open for my destruction as I advanced. I felt myself sink So. EVENING. The holy time is quiet as a nun, WORDSWORTH. "Tis Evening.-On Abruzzo's hill The landscape of its softest beam,- To think that, like a lovely dream, 'Tis Evening;-and a general hush Prevails, save when the mountain spring And makes melodious murmuring;- With soft and diapason swell, Yet there are seasons when the soul, Rapt in some dear delicious dream, Heedless what skies may o'er it roll, What rays of beauty round it beam, Shuts up its inmost cell;-lest aught, However wondrous, wild, or fair, Shine in-and interrupt the thought, The one deep thought that centres there! Though with the passionate sense, so shrined And canonized, the hues of grief Perchance be darkly, closely twined, The louely bosom spurns relief; That pierced its cloud of gloom, if so TO J*** H***, FOUR YEARS OLD. Pien d'amori, Pen di canti, e pien di fiori.-FRUGONI. Ah, little ranting Johnny! For ever blithe and bonny, And singing nonny, nonny, With hat just thrown upon ye; Or whistling like the thrushes With voice in silver gushes; Or twisting random posies With daisies, weeds, and roses; And strutting in and out so, Or dancing all about so, With cock-up nose so lightsome, And sidelong eyes so brightsome, And cheeks as ripe as apples, And head as rough as Dapple's, And arms as sunny shining As if their veins had wine in; And mouth that smiles so truly, Heaven seems to have made it newly, It breaks into such sweetness, With merry-lipped completeness; Ah Jack, ah Gianni mio, As blithe as Laughing Trio, -Sir Richard, too, you rattler, So christened from the Tattler,My Bacchus in his glory, My little cor-di-fiori, My tricksome Puck, my Robin, Who in and out come bobbing, As full of feints and frolic as That fibbing rogue Autolycus, And play the graceless robber on Your grave-eyed brother Oberon,Ah! Dick, ah Dolce-riso, How can you, can you be so? One cannot turn a minute, In midst of which your nose is; And half-shut teeth with "Mayn't I?" And there you dance, and clap hands, Or plucking flow`rs or bowling, With "What a young rogue this is!" Ah rogue!-and do you know, John, Do what you like, and pet ye, And, in the midst of pleasure, To think, my boy, of ours, But see, the sun shines brightly, "Earth to earth, and dust to dust!" Here the sword and sceptre rust- O'er this pale and mighty throng; Ne'er shall break their slumbers more. But a day is coming fast, Then thy mount, Jerusalem, CROLY. A FAMILY SCENE. [Susan Edmonstone Ferrier, born in Edinburgh, 178%; died November, 1851. She was the daughter of James Ferrier, one of the clerks of the Court of Session, Edinburgh. In 1818 she published her first novel, Marriage, which earned her a lasting reputation. Scott in his epilogue to the Toles of my Llord, distinguishes his sister-shadow the author of the very lively work entitled Marriage," as one of those best qualified to illustrate the varieties of Scottish character which he had left untouche 1. Miss Ferrier's second work, The Inheritance, appeared in 1824; and in 1831, Destiny, or the Chief's Daughter, a story illustrative of Highland manners and scenery. The following amusing sketch is from the second work The great use of delineating absurdities is, that we may kow how far hum in folly can go, the account, therefore, ought, of absolute necessity, to be faithful.JOHNSON, The first appearance of the Holm was highly. prepossessing. It was a large, handsome-looking house, situated in a well-wooded park, by the side of a broad placid river, and an air of seclusion and stillness reigned all round, which impressed the mind with images of peace and repose. The interior of the house was no less promising there was a spacious hall and a handsome staircase, with all appliances to boot -but as they approached the drawing-room, all the luxurious indolence of thought, inspired by the tranquillity of the scenery, was quickly dispelled by the discordant sounds which issued from thence: and when the door was thrown open, the footman in vain attempted to announce the visitors. In the middle of the room all the chairs were collected to form a coach and horses for the Masters and Misses Fairbairn. One unruly-looking urchin sat in front, cracking a long whip with all his might -another acted as guard behind, and blew a shrill trumpet with all his strength--while a third, in a night-cap and flannel lappet, who had somewhat the air of having quarrelled with the rest of the party, paraded up and down, in solitary majesty, beating a drum. On a sofa sat Mrs. Fairbairn, a soft, fair, genteel-looking woman, with a crying child of about three years old at her side, tearing paper into shreds, seemingly for the delight of littering the carpet, which was already strewed with headless dolls, tailless horses, wheelless carts, &c. As she rose to receive her visitors it began to scream. "I'm not going away, Charlotte, love-don't be frightened," said the fond mother, with a look of ineffable pleasure. |