my mind. The next morning I waited on the old gentleman, and judge of my delight and astonishment, when I found, after much investigation, that Mr. Clifton was indeed the brother of her grandmother, who had gone abroad when his sister was too young to remember aught about him, and who had returned a husbandless and childless man and the discovery of such a relative was a source of extraordinary happiness to him. He was a proud, stern man, very unlike the parent she had lost; yet he soon proved that he was anxious to bestow upon her, what the world calls substantial proofs of his affection. Being the avowed heiress of a rich Indian merchant could add nothing to the lustre of Alice Lee, but it increased her power of doing good; the idea of Barrybrooke being sold rendered her very miserable. 'Claude was always very kind to me,' she said, and I should like to prove that I am not ungrateful, by saving the house and domain for him.' Her uncle, who might well be proud of her, when I mentioned this wish to him caught at the idea of gratifying her with avidity, and agreed to give money for the purpose, just as if he were bestowing upon her a splendid toy. He wished to visit Dublin, and we set out for that once splendid city with many and varied feelings. But I tire you, —a moment more, and my tale is ended. We were grieved on our arrival there, to find that the sale had been hurried forward: by the desire of Alice Lee, I wrote to the sheriff, offering terms for the house, &c., of Barrybrooke. Through some precious mistake, which could not occur in any other country, my letter miscarried. We drove down to the town of Bannis, situated on the estate, and here you must let me mention an instance of the delicacy of my favourite's mind. She positively would not travel in her uncle's carriage, but racketed the old gentleman all to pieces in an Irish post chaise. "It would insult their distress,' she said, 'to go in splendour, when the family of my benefactor is reduced almost to want.' The auction was going on when we drove into the town; we were ten minutes too late, the very house of Barrybrooke had been sold to the architect I spoke of! The kind and generous feelings of my young friend were thus thrown into another channel; she purchased an annuity for Cousin Claude,' and to the hour of his death he never knew from whom the income came, that enabled him to live with so much comfort during the five years he survived his uncle. She practised the revenge of a Christian: she did good to those who had despitefully used her, nor were they averse to partake of whatever crumbs she chose to bestow. You know the romance of her marriage, and we have often laughed at the grotesque figure Jerry exhibited at Paris;-by the way-" Mr. Newton looked at his watch:- -the kindhearted, garrulous old gentleman took the hint, only adding, that the motto adopted by Alice, was INDEPENDENCE, the device, a little bark passing through a stormy sea, with Hope at the helm, and the haven in view. SONNET. METHOUGHT I heard a voice upon me call, Mid fears that did my fondest hopes enthral. Healing within, wounds bleeding 'neath the smart EDWARD Moxon. THE INFANT ST. JOHN. BY THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY, ESQ. I. OH, where doth human beauty dwell without one taint of earth? 'Tis on the cheek of infancy, still pure as at its birth; Before the lip hath learned to feign a joy unfelt within, Before the eye hath shed one tear of penitence for sin. II. Fit subject for the painter's skill, art thou, most blessed Child! On whom, in her dark hour of age, a grateful mother smiled; Sent to prepare the Saviour's path, to preach his holy word, To wait in meek humility the coming of thy Lord! III. Salvation's "day-spring from on high," was given by thy breath, To those who sat in sorrow's gloom, and in the shade of death: And " Prophet of the Highest" named, thy promise did release Man from sin's penalty, by words of pardon and of peace. |