Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

in the cabin, talking of many things, when they perceived an unusual noise and roaring; and plainly heard the under pilot give orders to take in the sail, and keep a redoubled look-out on every side. All sprang up, and hastened to their posts.

"What's the matter?" asked the captain. "A fearful storm is brewing at the south-east," was the answer. "If we were only in the open sea!"

The ship received the motion given it by the waves; mounting higher and higher continually at every moment, the storm became more violent, the roaring more frightful, and the billows rose to an incredible height. Sometimes the ship hung suspended on the top of the waves, and sometimes she sunk down to the very depths. The day had wholly disappeared. No one could steer the ship with certainty, as the violent storm broke upon the near land, took another direction, and drove forward the ship as if it were a light feather. The captain, otherwise so adventurous a seaman, was here more distressed than he would have been in any other place.

MARIA. Why so, dear father?

FATHER. Because he was not acquainted with this sea and the land adjoining. Had such a storm taken him on a wide open sea, well known to the sailor, then he would have been less affected by it, because he would have felt certain as to the rocks, shoals, and sand - banks: but where he now found himself, all these were to be dreaded. All suitable precautions were taken, but it was now impossible to steer the ship; they were obliged to leave it to the violent assaults of the sea and the tempest. The darkness naturally increased their terror, the glimmer of the day hardly lasting for an hour, could not be perceived on account of the thick clouds deeply overhanging them even down to the water; and the waves caught away with them the ship, dashed about in a wholly unknown region. No one could understand the others, so loud was the roar of the wind and noise of the billows striking against the sides of the ship. Two days had the poor men done all in their power, when the mainmast, broken by the storm, came down with a thundering crash across the ship, by which its

rapid course became greatly impeded "Now we can do nothing more," said the captain, with a stern submission to his fate. "Now no steering, no direction, can help us. If God does not aid us, we must find our grave in the billows here."

How Ivan and Gregory must have felt at these words you can readily imagine. Never had they before made a voyage to any distance; never had they experienced a storm. Whatever they had learned of it, they had gathered from descriptions and narratives; and I need not assure you how far the best description falls short of the impression which the reality produces.

Shut up in the ship, pale and exhausted, without being able to sleep, for a moment the unfortunates sat in the cabin despairing of their safety. They saw nothing but approaching, certain death before their eyes. Every howling, roaring billow spoke to them this fearful doom, so that they even finally wished that all might be soon over; for the anguish of expecting death is more torturing than death itself. No one spoke, no one comforted and tranquillized the others. Like

an

arrow shot forth, the ship flew on through the waves, and the tempest grew continually stronger, the billows roared more dreadfully, and the ship was dashed onward at a more fearful rate.

All at once she struck with so hard and shattering a blow that all were thrown confusedly together. Again, once more the ship raised on the top of the wave, then dashed down, and, on a sudden, stood as if it was fast walled in.

JULIA. Now I can imagine how it was, just as in the case of Robinson Crusoe's ship; to split in pieces and go asunder must be the fate of the poor Juno.

MARIA. And all be drowned.

Gus. That could not have been the case; for who, then, would have told this story?

FATHER. It is now too late: I will go on with the story some other time. Tomorrow evening you may then expect the continuation.

(To be continued.)

A large retinue upon a small income, like a large cascade upon a small stream, tends to discover its tenuity.

ELECTRICAL RECREATIONS.

The Magical Dance.-From the conductor suspend three bells, the two outer by chains, that in the middle by a silk string, while a chain connects it to the floor.-This for music.

Then suspend a plate of metal, and exactly under it a plate of the same size: on the plate place figures of men, &c., cut in paper of leaf gold, and pretty sharply pointed at both ends.

If a piece of gold be cut at a large angle at one extremity, and a very acute angle at the other, it will want no stand, but will hang by its large angle at a small distance from the conductor.

ENGLISH COUNTIES; HISTORICAL
ENIGMA.

First tell the Court that well befriends
The lawyer who on it attends:
Though the poor clients often wait,
Till death's decision ends their fate.
-Next where the noble Lords repair,
Who make our wooden walls their care;
From whence they issue those decrees
That guide our navy on the seas.
-A Park I now would wish to know,
Whose trees have scarce begun to grow;
But will a beauteous place appear,
When time shall high their branches rear.
-Now the appointed place declare,
For th' erring but repentant fair;
Where they their follies may bemoan,
And flee to Him who can atone.
-The happy institution find,
For orphans of the female kind;
Who are instructed to attain

All useful arts, their bread to gain.
-Then tell me what they call the space
Where carriages too oft have place
On Sundays, with their liveries gay,
Fashion and beauty to display.

-Now name me o'er what Gate of wood
The heads of Traitors often stood.
-Next where's the place to which you go,
When your descent you wish to know:
Or when you want to blazon forth
The arms and crest you may be worth.
-Then I would know, if you're at leisure,
Where they safe keep the royal treasure:
For it's a place, I've heard them say,
From which you'd better keep away.
-Last where do British sailors come,
When they return in safety home,

To prove their right, and claim the pay,
They've earn'd upon the watery way.
-And now I think you soon will find,
If all these places close are join'd,
A western Shire, within whose bound
Both tin and iron mines are found.

TRANSPOSITIONS.

1.

Complete, you'll find I am a substance hard,
Yet oft of genuine worth and high regard,
Behead me, I become a dulcet sound,
Which, if transposed, will still alike be found;
Reverse me, I conduct you to a college

For learning famed, and ev'ry classic knowledge.

2.

A well known tree transpose aright, Will bring to view a useful light.

[blocks in formation]

ELLEN LYNDHURST:

A TALE OF TRIAL AND TRIUMPH. (Continued from page 96.)

As soon as the examination was over, Dr. Montague drove off to meet some professional engagements, leaving Alfred to pack up his instruments, and to make proper entries in the books. Having completed this, and the other students having taken their departure, Alfred said, Now, I'll snatch a moment to read my cousin's letter." He threw himself back in the Doctor's chair, and read:

"My dear Alfred,-You will pardon my emission to write to you on the accustomed day, when I tell you that our little society in Windmere has been enlivened by the arrival of a gentleman from London-a nephew of the good old Squire's, named Charles Langford. He seems to be a gentleman of much refinement and of truly benevolent feeling. I have therefore felt much interest in his society, and he has paid me most courteous attention.

"Do, my dear Alfred carefully guard yourself against the temptations of the great city in which you are now situated. Not a day passes but I think of you, and tremble lest the ardour of your youth may be imposed upon, by those influences which have ruined many promising young men upon their outset in life. Mr. Langford has told me much of the dangers that necessarily encompass you. We have all been pained by his revelations. He has seen much of the world, and has fortunately had strength of mind enough to sustain him through many trials.

"We have formed a little party to go down to the Smuggler's Cave, where we once passed such a happy day, gathering shells and sea-weeds from the shore, and admiring the blue waters as they spread their cooling waves at our feet. It has been arranged that Mr. Langford and myself shall ride on horseback, and that father shall drive Mrs. Davis and the Squire in the phaeton of the latter. How I wish you could be with us. Let us hope that the time will soon come for you to pay us a visit. Father sends his kind love.

"Believe me, your affectionate Cousin,

VOL. VIII.NO. XC.

"ELLEN."

66

"Langford," said Alfred reflectively, can that be the Langford of whom I have heard Dr. Montague's brother speak so reproachfully ?- a gentleman of much refinement, and truly benevolent feeling,' read he, glancing back over the letter," it can't be him. Yet I think the name was Charles, and that I heard something of his having a rich uncle in the country. I must keep my ears open. So, they are to ride horseback to the Cave! I wish I could be of the party." Thus saying, he with a downcast air, folded the letter, and returned it to his pocket, and then left the hospital.

CHAPTER IX.

THE SMUGGLER'S CAVE. FIRST IMPRESSIONS.

IT was a fine bracing morning at the close of October, when the trees were clad in hues of amber and of brown, that was fixed for the ride to the Smuggler's Cave. About nine o'clock in the morning, Matthew drove an old-fashioned phaeton, drawn by a horse, whose feet were flanked by long tufts of hair, and whose main and tail would have been a prize to a working upholsterer. He was followed by a boy, who led a couple of horses that for many months had never received such a careful grooming as they had upon this occasion. Still they were as rough as some of Landseer's best studies; and so little accustomed to the rules of polite training, that when standing at the gate waiting for their riders, one would thrust his neck over the other's back, and both would drop off into a comfortable doze.

Mrs. Davis had prepared sundry niceties with her accustomed zeal. A well-stored basket containing meat pasties, and fruit tarts, a pot of cream, a bag of sugar, with sundry bottles of wine and porter, whose necks started up over the milk-white towel which enveloped the solid viands as if their spirits were too high to brook such confinement. Then there were knives and forks, and spoons, a tea kettle, cups, and saucers, and some lucifer matches. These were all stored away beneath the broad seat of the phaeton. As soon as the preparations were completed, Mr. Lyndhurst stepped out and assumed the reins, examining the equipments of the horse with as much care as if he had to

I

control a thorough-blood animal, whose fiery propensities might endanger the lives of the passengers. Then came the Squire, looking as nice as a new pin, and as rosy as a school-boy; then Mrs. Davis, who had evidently taken extreme precautions for the exclusion of cold, by enveloping herself in garments which visibly increased her dimensions. Besides these she bore upon her arm, in the shape of coats and cloaks, a most ample provision against any severe inclemency of the weather; and bore in her hand an umbrella, whose dimensions completely threw into the shade, the meagre capacities of the modern improvements in this useful article. Matthew appeared dressed in a new suit of clothes, which if they offered no testimony to the ability of the country tailor, at least proved that he was not selfishly sparing of the cloth, for the sleeves extended over Matthew's hands, almost to their entire concealment; and he found it necessary to turn up the bottoms of his trousers, as a matter of obvious convenience and economy. Matthew held the horse while Mr. Lyndhurst took his seat, and adjusted the reins; then he assisted the Squire to the seat by Mr. Lyndhurst's side; then he contrived, after repeated attempts to get Mrs. Davis into the narrow place behind, and managed by repeated pressures of petticoats and external garments, to reserve a few inches of space for himself.

Lastly came Mr. Charles Langford and Miss Lyndhurst, the latter looking as blithe as a village maid going to a market. By dint of hard tugging at the reins, and a cut or two with the whip, Matthew managed to separate the two horses from the lazy position in which they had placed themselves; and Ellen was speedily mounted upon Dobbin, a rough white nag with jet black eyes, and with a tail that swept the ground. Mr. Langford jumped upon Peggy, a brown mare whose age exceeded. that of "the oldest inhabitant;" and Matthew having taken his place, and under gone some severe expostulations from Mrs. Davis, upon the manner in which he trod upon her dress and inconvenienced her person, the party drove off towards the Smuggler's Cave.

"This is quite a primitive turn out," said Charles laughingly, as he kicked the sides of his sluggish steed.

[ocr errors]

"It must appear so to you," replied Ellen, "after seeing the first-rate equipages of London. However, if you are unaccustomed to riding, there is comfort in knowing that you are safe in your seat -that no tricks of the animal you ride will be likely to destroy your day's pleasure. Ellen's impression of Charles Langford, derived from the intercourse of a few days, was that he entirely shunned the gaieties and enjoyments of life. She little thought that the steady and demure equestrian now by her side was one of the best huntsmen in the counties around London, that he was known upon the turf, and that among his companions he often went by the unenviable cognomen of "Sporting Charley."

The road to the Smuggler's Cave lay through a romantic country, reminding the passenger of the olden time before turnpike-roads and iron railways had interfered with the poetry of Nature. There were hills and dales in rapid succession, -streams of water crossed by wooden bridges, upon which the treading of the horses' hoofs woke a hollow sound that reverberated through the valley, there were little streams dropping from the road-side with a bell-like music, and making the moss and fallen leaves around glisten with pearly drops. There were places where old elms spread their thick branches and formed an avenue of shade into which the light stole through green and yellow leaves, and tinged with varied dyes the objects underneath. The leaves that had already fallen formed a soft carpet which broke the sound of the wheels and hoofs, as the phaeton jolted along over deep ruts and fallen branches of trees. As the day advanced, the sun shone out with splendour and with power, as if summer and autumn were holding a truce and had determined to blend their charms.

"I've been looking, friend Lyndhurst," said the Squire, as Ellen and Charles trotted by, "at these young people, and do you know I've been thinking that they are calculated to make a happy pair."

"They are a happy pair, no doubt, already," said Mr. Lyndhurst; alluding to the hilarity of spirits which he had marked them enjoy."

"But I mean," said the Squire, "that if their relationship became a nearer one,

they might be exceedingly happy. You won't, perhaps, deem me bold if I tell you that I feel towards your daughter almost the sentiments of a father. She is so good a girl-so benevolent-so devoted to you, and to the poor of the village, that I think she is too good a creature to be left to the chance of matrimony."

"The subject has never occupied my thoughts," said Mr. Lyndhurst; "she is the only object for which I have a strong desire to live, and the thought of parting with her has never once crossed my mind." "But we know the decrees of Providence," said the Squire; "we all must part at some time; and would it not be better for you to direct your daughter's choice, and secure to her a happy settlement, than to leave her at last alone in the world with no one to shed a protecting influence over her?"

"It is a subject that I can scarcely bear to think of," said Mr. Lyndhurst.

Perhaps I have done wrong in naming it," said the Squire; "but I confess I have more than once thought that Ellen and Charles are admirably matched; and as I am about to settle my worldly affairs, and he will become the heir to most of my possessions, I confess I should like to see him married to some one worthy of him." "You harm me, by your kind opinion of my daughter," said Mr. Lyndhurst. "I confess that the subject has been painful to me, because it came by surprise. But I may feel it to be my duty to think seriously of the matter, and to resume the subject with you again."

"I shall be delighted," said the Squire; "and if I am not mistaken, Charles already entertains sentiments of affection towards Ellen. Old bachelor as I am, think I see enough to assure me of that. He has made many inquiries about her of me, and this fact strengthens my suspicions." At this moment the young people, who were in advance, were observed to be in deep conversation. And it is singular that at the moment when the foregoing dialogue took place, they were engaged in a conversation of a similar tendency. It is too much a custom with "men of the world," as they are termed, to trifle with the weaker sex, and to play upon them as mere instruments to be sounded at will. No sooner was Charles Langford introduced

to Ellen than as rapidly as prudence would allow, he commenced whispering the poison of flattery into her ear. He talked less of the beauties of her person than of the graces of her mind, and those good qualities of the heart, which she so much cherished. He modulated these outbursts of flattery by frequent remarks upon principles which he judged her to approve; and by endeavouring to claim for himself in her eyes some of the elements of character which he so freely ascribed to her. It must be confessed that, by these means, he already exercised an influence over her heart, an influence that to he was strange and embarrassing, and which she scarcely yet understood the nature of Charles fully perceived how far he had succeeded. The hesitating manner, and the rising blush, the listening ear, and the ready appreciation of whatever merited notice even in a slight degree, too readily tell their tale to those who are practised in the arts of flattery and deception. knew that he had ensnared the heart of a young girl, and he looked upon it merely as a part of the pastime which relieved the monotony of his country life. Succeeding in one step he took another; and growing bolder by degrees, he at length made an unreserved avowal of love.

Не

"I little thought," said he, "that my present visit to Windmere would be attended by circumstances so sweetly interesting to myself-the meeting with one who in mind and in person should prove so completely all that I have pictured to myself as essential to impart happiness to man."

"You may be deceived," said Ellen; "I have heard that impressions easily made are as easily effaced. Besides, I am fully conscious of my own defects. I know that I am but a country girl, of plain and unsophisticated manners. If I have good qualities of mind and heart, I owe them all to my father, who from my childhood has bestowed the most anxious care upon me. I know too well, however, that I must lack those personal graces which, though they may not constitute the strongest tie of love, are at least necessary to its perfection, especially with those who are daily and nightly dazzled by the exhibition of fashion, beauty and taste."

« НазадПродовжити »