feebleness, at which, curiosity ceases to influence. | wings. Who has not felt the spell of such a time? From meeting the stranger under such circum-Who has not lingered in reverie, upon those hauntstances, we speedily became, as it were old friends, ed moments, when reflection forms, as it were, a and more familiar with each other's characters," bridge of sighs" between light and darkness, when than would have resulted from an intercourse of we turn instinctively from the palpable and actual many months, under different auspices. to the spiritual world within; when the fire-gleam is You will perhaps, be surprised, Edith, that I full of images, and those we love gather around us never mentioned to you, having met the Italian lady. with almost a visible presence; when in fancy, we I scarcely know my motives for silence on the sub-grasp the hand never again to touch ours, hear ject at first, and I did not afterwards allude to it, voices, that long ago, have ceased to speak, and from a fear you would imagine, from the early con- feel nearer to those who have gone before us to the cealment, that I was more interested than I was silent land, the loved, the loving, and the sadly willing to confess. This intellectual communion missed? continued for several weeks, and my fancy was I possess, perhaps, in an unusual degree, the singularly fascinated by the graceful mental endow-power of withdrawing my mind from actual things, ments of the stranger, but her attractions had no and of wandering at will among imaginative and power over my gentler feelings, though in many of bright creations. To one who has loved and sufmy upward aspirings she evinced a sympathy Ifered-and few are they, who have not! this gift have never found elsewhere. She seemed to read of abstraction is no idle blessing, but a strange and my mind, as it were an open book, and I felt in her precious link between the common world and the presence, as if my inmost thoughts lay visibly be- hidden existence, the two-fold nature of the human fore her. I regarded her as one highly gifted and heart. As I rested solitary and still, vividly came improved, as strangely captivating in appearance the past with its dream-like realities, the future, and manner, but my heart was no longer accessible, with its more dream-like anticipations, to color my even to charms like these; and when I compared fancies. And with both, blended a soft tone, ever her dazzling attractions and careless independence answering tenderly, and a sweet face, looking up of opinion, with the simpler beauty and more timid in love to mine own. spirit of the one I loved, the contrast was ever in It is one of the beautiful things in life, this hoverTheresa's favor. Yet, Nina had noble traits and ing of affectionate remembrance and solicitude, mental capacities I have seldom seen equalled, around those from whom distance divides us. Not blended with a rare blandness and suavity which a single taint of selfishness sullies such devotedmade even her defects seem but the dark and essen-ness, not a stain of the earth rests on its snow-like tial shading in the glowing mosaic of her character. purity, but, hallowed by the sorrowful ordeal of It was well for me there existed so wide a difference in our ages, and that I was strengthened by the enduring influence of an earlier love, or there might have been danger to me, in this flattering and familiar communion with a being so fraught with poetry and enthusiasm, a woman in whom art had perfected the loveliest endowments of nature. You know the painful event which marked our sojourn at —, and the impetuous grief, whose violence I could not restrain, though its cause was not unexpected, and you will not marvel that in the depth of this new affliction I ceased to visit, even my suffering friend. Many days elapsed without How delightful it is to grasp a letter from the my leaving my own apartment, and shrouded in the one we love, as we would clasp a friendly hand; dark solitude of an irreparable sorrow, all lighter to unclose the folds carefully, as if it were profaimpressions perished from my memory. I was one nation to break the seal which affection had placed; evening sitting alone, as usual, holding silent com- and then to pore over the lines traced in tendermunion with my mournful thoughts. It was early ness, never beheld by another, but spoken with twilight, the passers-by were few in the shadowed sweetest mystery to our inmost heart! It had come street below, and the stars looked down pale and dim at last, that letter sighed and prayed for, through upon the faintly lighted city. The night was chilly, long dark hours of loneliness and grief-it had for the autumn had then nearly past, and the fire come at last, and after I had read again and again, in my room threw restless and fantastic shadows its words of kindness, why was it, that something around. There was a charm for me in the hour of disappointment succeeded that perusal? I could and its melancholy loneliness, and the visions, which not have explained whence such an impression in the busy daylight fold their pinions and lie still sprang, nor have pointed to one sentence as its within the heart, now flitted before me on spirit foundation, but the unsatisfying tone of the whole,

separation, thought follows the pathway of the absent with angelic guardianship, and there is holiness in the watchfulness which looks upward to the sky, and whose only audible utterance is a blessing or a prayer.

I had been long indulging the wayward imaginings of this visionary mood, when I was interrupted by the entrance of a messenger, who brought me two letters. One was from Theresa, for well I knew her fair familiar writing, and I greeted it eagerly, as an interval longer than usual had elapsed, since the reception of her last letter.

have tempted the Italian to address me, I hastily glanced over the pages, and then read attentively, every word of the strange, but characteristic production. It was written in English with the flowing ease and accuracy which bespoke a thorough knowledge of our language, and its lines fraught with the lofty spirit and fearlessness of opinion which distinguished the stranger, were in strong contrast with the timid, reserved tone of Theresa's words. It concluded thus:

sank on my mind coldly and painfully. You know, |ing to the signature, I read with surprise, the Edith, how warm and impetuous my affections are, name of Nina. Impatient to discover what could and how deep has ever been my yearning for that perfect devotedness my dreamings paint. It is the prevailing fault of such natures to be exacting in their ties, and I feel that the placid tenderness, which might render others blest, would but make me wretched. My early youth, dimmed as it was by physical infirmity and mental disquietude, possessed yet one vision of surpassing beauty, one ideal whose pure and spiritual loveliness, I wildly trusted and believed the future might shadow forth and fulfil. With the credulous enthusiasm of my "Do not misinterpret my motives in addressing character, I thought that vague, haunting image of you, nor wrong me by attributing to one unworthy gentleness, fully realized in Theresa, and I have impulse, the interest which has prompted this letter. loved her, as only a poet can love, the being he I am well aware, your national prejudices would draperies with his own sweetest and fairest imagi- | condemn it, that even in your eyes, it may seem nings. She has, in truth, every charm which worse than imprudent; but I have been reared youth and beauty can impart, and her feelings are under warmer skies, where such impressions are kind and unsullied, but calm and serene, even to a less rigid, and there is not a single emotion condefect. I remember that once, in the early days nected with this step, which could call a blush to of our attachment, you expressed surprise at my the purest cheek. I think of you kindly, but I vehement admiration of one, who, though refined have outlived the time, when affection is passion, in taste, had no claim to intellectual superiority, and my dreams of love, have long ago been "dreamand who, with all her girlish attractions mingled ed out." There is nothing of them in the solicinothing of that mental ardor which so strongly tude you have excited, for the inherent enthusiasm characterized my own disposition. You said hers of my disposition, circumstances have changed in was not a nature to satisfy expectations like mine; its tendencies, and it now brightens the intellect, that, quiet in the common tenor of her thoughts, but has ceased to warm the heart. I would but moved to transient emotion by very trifles, yet be your friend, and sometimes hold communion totally unimaginative, she could neither share in with you, to give the counsel of one, who knows my aspirations, sympathize with my illusions, nor the world only too well. Your character, its imcomprehend my enjoyments. I answered you with passioned aspirations, its exacting requirements, a lover's impatience, and the subject was never attracted me from the first, and your poetic ardor mentioned by either of us again. Yet often, even reminded me of that I once possessed. There then, I was constrained to acknowledge, but unwil- was too, another link between us, for you singulingly, even to myself, that my dearest anticipa-larly resemble in appearance and temperament, one tions were perishing unfulfilled, that the "love whom I loved, as the heart never loves again. The which my spirit had painted," was not the one fires of that young illusion, have died into ashes, whose reality I had found. Sometimes, when my and yet, if it comforts me now, to recall its beautyheart was overflowing with its strong tide of affec- if it brings me a solace, to trace the faint resemtion, when I felt almost painfully, the overwhelm-blance of a reality which is no longer my friend! ing depth of my own devotion, her words have blame me not, and grant this feeble consolation to grieved me by their peaceful calmness, by the un- a spirit, which, with all its lauded brilliancy, has ruffled serenity of a love, so widely different from many moments of unutterable grief! I know-it the fervor shadowing my very soul. Must it be matters not how-much of your brief history, and ever thus? Is the sweetest creed of earthly hope, I shall watch with earnest anxiety over your future never realized by earthly beings;-is there ever in wanderings. Unless I am sure that you need my natures like mine, a void only to be filled when presence, we shall never meet again, and ignorant their mortality hath passed away? Edith! I am of my movements, you cannot reply to the letters weary and disappointed, and yet I know not why. I shall send you, and such is my desire. If you I am so sad, for Theresa is lovely and gentle and pure in thought, but I look into the future, and the power of prophecy seems over me, and a voice whispers, "not for thee, is a heart so still and calm, a fitting resting-place!"

will repay my interest in your welfare, with a kind recollection of me, when your soul is sorrowful, and when you painfully realize the insufficiency of your ties of love, if you will remember with something of sympathy, that mine have all been rudely broken, At length, tired of reflections that perplexed, it will bring me a pleasant consciousness, to feel I without solacing, I languidly opened the other let-have awakened in a young heart, a gentle thought ter. The writing was singularly bold and grace- for my own youth. Arthur, you must endeavor to ful, but one I had never seen before, and on turn- learn contentment, and to dispel those wild antici

pations of perfect happiness, which served but to Peace be around thee, purest and dearest one! render you neglectful of calmer, but existing bless- the peace thou hast so often brought to him, who may hold it to his heart no longer!

ings. There are minds, which the world never, even temporarily, satisfies, which pleasure wearies, and ambition only desecrates. Yours is one of these, and mine was; but I have found comfort in the faith of my land, which appeals most forcibly to such natures, and that faith will never be yours. My friend your genius will not bestow peace; the beautiful visions of the poet, have their home in heaven, and as their brightness shines upon him, it serves but to bewilder him with the mystery of loveliness, and to cast shadows across his path. Be patient and hopeful, and now, for awhile, farewell!"

Ah! Edith, had Theresa spoken to me with half this stranger's earnestness how much happier would have been my thoughts!

You know it was my father's wish that our marriage should not take place until the expiration of two years; a request probably arising from his own fatal experience, and a desire that time should test our constancy while we had still the privilege of change.

Under different circumstances I might have deeply regretted this delay, but Theresa has yielded to it so tranquilly, that I acknowledge the prudence of the ordeal, and cease to lament its necessity. During those years, it was his wish that I should travel, and now, with my silent troubles for companions, I go my lonely way.

Chilicothe, Ohio.

JANE TAYLOE W

SEAWARD'S NARRATIVE.

VOL ONE, HARPER AND BROTHERS: NEW-YORK: 1843. This, we think, is destined to be a story of great popularity in our country, as it has been in England. It is a narrative of extraordinary events, colored and adorned by the lively and graceful fancy of its English editor, Miss Jane Porter. The American edition is abridged and revised, which will add to its attraction, by excluding much matter uninteresting to the lover of story-reading, and giving it a more inviting size and shape. Edward Seaward, at an early age,-about the close of the year 1733, is shipwrecked on his passage from Jamaica to the Balize. The captain and crew abandon the vessel during the height of the gale, leaving Seaward and his young wife blocked up in the cabin, and are never more heard of. The return of high water with a wind off shore, forces the vessel (comparatively uninjured) off the reef on which she has struck, and by hoisting the jib and coasting along shore, Seaward at length contrives to run the vessel into a little creek or inlet, where he secures her with ropes to the trees.

Why is it, dear one, that farewell is so hard to be spoken? Why is it, that I have the fortitude to leave you for my pilgrimage beyond the seas, yet We have examined the map, and find laid down cannot bear to feel your parting clasp, to hear your in the latitude and longitude given by Seaward, tearful words, to give your sweet sad face, the long, some rocky islets, called "Las Serenas," surlast look for years? Yet, it is thus, and I must de-rounded by reefs and shoals, and, we suppose, unpart with the sorrowful sound unuttered. Write to inhabited, as we can find them in the books only me of Theresa, as you would speak of a friend, noted as dangers to the mariner. Seaward, howkindly, but candidly, and tell me all you would have ever, found a delicious climate, good water, and said in that voice whose gentleness I shall pine for some productive soil. By planting the seeds of so grievously. These are strange sensations which the fruits and vegetables brought in the brig from come over us, when we are leaving those we hold Jamaica, subsisting in the meanwhile upon the dear, to see them no more for many months. It stores of the vessel, he soon obtained, with the seems as if love becomes fonder when its daily ex-addition of iguanas, (a large and very palatable spepression is lost, and all that made communion beau-cies of lizard,) turtle and fish, a plentiful supply of tiful returns to make absence darker.

Edith my soul grows sorrowful as it parts with thee! What can I say to thee, of all I tearfully and gratefully feel? Never, before, have I been beyond thy counsel, and without the blessing of thy sisterly care; how I shall miss thee, when the dim night closeth, and thoughts of home are busy with me! I will not bid thee to recall me tenderly it were to wrong the intensity of thy love, to doubt the kindness of thy memory. But I will bid thee pray for the wanderer, that his yearnings may be stilled and his spirit find its rest. Let the presence of thy prayer go with me, and I shall not be alone.

necessary food. Blessed with a strong mind, a vigorous body, a never failing trust in God; and, cheered and animated by the counsel and example of his most sweet wife, he lived six months upon the otherwise uninhabited island, a period of unalloyed happiness without a fear, a care, or scarcely an inconvenience. The reader is struck with surprise to see how every thing seems to spring up, as it were, to meet his wants; and he learns that almost every thing needful for a man's support, and even comfort, is to be found among the stores of a well-fitted ship. Subjects are now added to his little dominion by the arrival of a canoe with four or five male and female negroes, the survivors of

the wreck of a Spanish schooner. They, true to you. The minister has two ears, which, perhaps, their habits, are willing to serve, and he governs you may think a very foolish observation. You them with a simple but comprehensive wisdom, did not speak to him through the right ear, although which strikes us as the strangest thing in the book. I understand you were very impressive, so much We have attributed it, either to the coloring of so indeed, that he said, 'I must know something Miss Porter, or to Seaward's habitual intercourse more of this young man; I should not like him for with his Creator, who put it into his heart to do an enemy.' But this sort of Puffendorff reasoning right. with a prime minister wont do, my friend; thereIn February, 1735, an American schooner is fore, if you desire to gain your point, be advised driven in by a Spanish Guarda Costa, who is afraid by me; lower your tone and get the right ear of the to follow her in among the shoals. From that hour, prime minister, which, by-the-by, he does not wear the charm of the book is broke; Seaward begins on his own head, having there only the left and the every day intercourse with his species, and one tother ear." Mr. Powis seemed to lay so much reads only to finish the story. The American stress upon this matter of the right ear, that, coueditor has well observed" that the great charm and pling it with what the secretary had said about interest of the book, center in that portion of it making a friend of some one 66 who had the ear of which gives an account. of the simple Crusoe-like the minister," I really began to believe there was life of Sir Edward and his Eliza, in which they an auricular pivot somewhere, on which alone this exhibit the rare and beautiful spectacle of two business, and perhaps all others of a similar kind, loving hearts, needing nothing for their happiness could favorably turn. But," resumed Mr. Powis, but communion with their God and with each "you have not yet promised to keep inviolably other." Seaward employs the American to carry what I may impart to you." "I faithfully promise," him, with an immense amount of treasure, which I replied. "Do you remember," he continued, he has found buried in the sides of a natural cave," what passed between Sir Robert Walpole and and which he supposes to have been deposited you at the interview?" "I certainly do remember there, years before, by the Bucaneers of the Spanish the substance of it," I replied. "Is that anything main, to Jamaica. There he charters a vessel, like it?" he asked, putting a sheet of paper into employs mechanics and laborers, purchases neces- my hands. After reading it attentively, "it is the saries, and commences regular colonization. In very words," I said; "you astonish me Mr. Powis ; July, 1736, he visits England, where he endeavors how is this? there was no person in the room. to obtain a grant of these islands from the Govern-"You are right," he replied, "there was no one ment, and we are presented with a curious account in the room, but Sir Robert and yourself, but there of the bribery and corruption necessary to success is a listening door, or rather a person within hearin matters of this sort during the ministry of Sir ing behind a door, who takes down, verbatim, the Robert Walpole: for instance, "Now, Mr. Sea-conversation held with every one admitted to an ward," said Mr. Perry, "I hate bribery and corrup-audience! and this is one of the minister's vouchers tion of all shapes, and I have reason to believe for the uprightness and integrity of his conduct you are of the same mind; but when you take this card, you must give a crown to the porter at the gate, another to the bardeur in the great hall, and half a guinea to the servant in waiting, who will show you into the secretary's room; and when you present him (I mean the secretary) the card, put a couple of guineas into his hand wrapped up in a clean piece of paper saying, sir, I will thank you to give this to those to whom I have given so much trouble." And again. After an unsuccessful interview with Sir Robert, Seaward is visited by a Jackall of the minister, Mr. Powis, who strives to enlighten him as to the course he should pursue to ensure success, when the following conversation ensues: "Well, you have had an interview with Sir Robert, and it terminated just as I would have anticipated." "And how do you know how it ter- This is very like the man who said, "that every minated, Mr. Powis ?" I replied. "On your honor, man had his price," and his crooked policy was Mr. Seaward, you will never disclose any commu- well rebuked by honest Mrs. Seaward, who said, nication I may make to you, and I will tell you "There is no point, Mr. Powis, of sufficient immore than you could suppose. You won on my portance to call for the sacrifice of singleness of friendship the first day I had the pleasure of meet-purpose, without which all is perplexity ending in ing you at Mr. Child's, and I am anxious to serve remorse; and if Sir Robert Walpole cannot man

which he always keeps. And I do believe he is an honest man and means right," continued Mr. Powis; "but he is so beset and finds so much difficulty in managing parliament, that he must preserve appearances, however ready he may be, under the rose, to grant through other channels any thing for a hope of parliamentary services"—(this last sentence, we are free to admit, we don't understand a word of)-" and indeed he is so hard driven in this way, that he has been necessitated to establish a sort of fund, which is fed by such means as I have hinted at, for the purpose of securing votes from that quarter of the world' from whence,' as the Psalmist says, 'promotion cometh,' and the treasurer of this fund is the person who has his right ear.

age parliament in any other way than you have ex-up, with a like compendium of Congressional proceedings, plained, he must be both a foolish and a wicked

Seaward refused to tickle the right ear, and the patent was only granted by the minister, after he found that he was rich and likely to be influential, for Mrs. Seaward had obtained the favor of the queen by a present of some splendid gold tissue, a portion of the spoils of the Bucaneers. Seaward was knighted and went back to his islands in 1737, where he remained till 1744, when he returned and purchased estates in England. In 1749, in spite of Sir Edward's earnest remonstrances, his possessions were turned over to the crown of Spain. The colonists were removed and settled on the Mosquito shore, and thenceforth the history of the Seaward Islands is a blank.

The object of this work is to present a classification of the measures brought before Congress, within this period. The subjects are all classified and arranged and divided into chapters to facilitate references. This work is an ex-mirable style-and the value of the Geographical Encycloperiment, it being the intention of the compiler to follow it pædia loses nothing as the work advances.