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fro, gnashing his teeth, and beating the air with his clenched hands. At length the hue of passion passed from his cheek, and in the bitter tone of affected calmness, he went on; "Well, well, perhaps his motives were good-but, oh God!" and he drew his large bony hand across his eyes; "what have they not cost me !"

There was a pause. I truly pitied the state of his mind; and in a tone of commiseration, I expressed my regret for the sufferings he had undergone.

"I want no pity," said he, with a sneer of disdain; then, in a tone of candour, dictated, perhaps, by some internal touch of conscience, "I am to blame, perhaps, in yielding to these impulses of passion; yet to send me forth a wanderer, to cut me off from all intercourse with her I loved dearer than life itself -Oh, God!" and he bitterly groaned, "from that time my very nature became changed!"

"For Heaven's sake, be calm!" I exclaimed, terrified at the emotion he betrayed.

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He looked at me with almost savage wildness. "You do not know what passes here," and he pressed his hand tightly on his heart, or you would wonder if, indeed, I ever felt a moment's peace. Alas!" said he, despondingly," it has fled my bosom for ever!"

"This is weakness."

"Weakness!" he repeated, with mournful slowness: 66 one effort, and he might have saved me; but no, he abandoned me, and I became-oh! I shudder to think what!" and he walked away with hasty abruptness.

I knew not what to think; such a contrariety of emotions seemed to actuate him; and when we met the following morning, though I sedulously endeavoured to hide it, his acute eye speedily detected the air of constraint and uneasiness in my manner.

"I suspect," said he, with a faint smile, "you have formed rather loose notions with respect to my morals from our last night's conversation."

I would have disclaimed any such idea; but he interrupted me, and, in his habitual cold manner, proceeded: "Do not trouble yourself, if the feelings into which I was then betrayed have weakened your regard for me. I shall regret it," (his voice trembled) "but it is of no moment; I am leaving this place, and it is scarcely probable that we shall meet again."

"I hope not," I replied, "whenwhere do you go?"

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"Where," he rejoined, "is immaterial-when, immediately."

"Good Heavens! how sudden." "All places are alike to the miserable," said he faintly, and with a dismal smile; "I am here but to bid you adieu-I have a chaise at the doorfarewell! may God keep you!" and he wrung my hand with painful energy.

"Explain all this," I entreated, "I do hope the silly scene of last night has not occasioned your abrupt departure?"

"No, no," he answered, hastily, and somewhat pettishly; " I have been some days thinking of returning to London."

"At any rate, give me your cardsay where I can find you;" putting at the same time my ticket, with my London address into his hand.

"It is immaterial, I am uncertain whither I shall go when I get there, but you shall hear of me."

I could extract nothing more from him, and he departed. In a few weeks I likewise returned to town; and in the bustle of an active life, the two sequent winters passed away. I had almost forgotten my Brighton adventure, when the following note, transmitted to me by the two-penny post, recalled the circumstance to my mind, and awakened afresh my blunted curiosity.

66 Place, Hampstead Road. "SIR,-If you recollect, and still feel any interest in the fate of one into whose society chance threw you at that individual would feel happy if you Brighton, about eighteen months since, could favour him with an immediate

call. &c. &c. HGHU DELMORE. "To J. H. B—, Esq. March 13, 1829.”

"As I live, my Brighton acquaintance," I exclaimed, with an animation which made my methodical aunt start, and spill a portion of the warm tea she was conveying to her mouth, on the back of a petted terrier, (of all pets, dogs are my aversion,) who immediately set up a most persevering yelp, in which the lady chimed, in no very gentle accent.

"There, Joseph, I declare I never saw any one behave so ridiculously; poor Tippoo's back is dreadfully scalded, and do look at my dress."

Now, as I happen to be, spite of the declaration of my worthy and amiable aunt Bridget, the most quiet of the unpopular fraternity of bachelors-fair and gentle reader, look not on me with an eye of disfavour, I have not yet passed the awful Rubican of thirty. I imme

diately endeavoured to lull the storm I had unconsciously raised, and, for my pains, my fingers were severely bitten by the injured quadruped; and the incensed lady, catching him up in her arms, bounced out of the room, declaring this chastisement served me right, in which the cur himself appeared to acquiesce, by his sharp, saucy bark, as the pair disappeared through the door.

"Psha!" said I, to myself, somewhat foolishly, "what does it signify?" and my eyes glancing on the note which had occasioned this domestic fracas, Aunt Bridget and her quarrelsome favourite were at once set to the rout, and Delmore, the time we had passed together in Sussex, and his singular deportment, alone occupied my thoughts. I'll go immediately, thought I; and, accordingly, drawing on my boots, in half an hour was at the house whence the let ter was directed. A respectable looking matron opened the door, and heard my enquiry for Mr. Delmore with a strong expression of surprise and curiosity. "Will you tell him the gentlemanbut hold, you had better give him my

card."

"But, sir, he is very ill-he is confined to his bed."

"Ill!it is very strange; but I have reason to believe he is anxious to see me."

I was presently shewn into the sick man's room. A sad alteration had taken place in him since we parted. His features, then wasted, were now so wan and hollow, the bones seemed fairly starting through the lead-like skin. His eyes had lost their fixed glaring lustre, and now rolled in restless vacancy. He immediately knew me, and putting out his long bony hand, a faint smile illumined his ghastly features.

"Mr. B." said he, "I am happy, very happy to see you."

I was much affected, and he appeared to guess the cause, for he continued in his old tone of calmness, though his accents were now faint and dull: "I am altered, I doubt not going to my last home. We parted rather abruptly at Brighton, but I have often thought of you."

Here the surgeon, who was present, interfered. "You must not exhaust yourself, Mr. Delmore, I cannot answer for the consequences." But Delmore only noticed him by a smile and a wave of his hand, as he continued,

"I did not think there was a being in the world I could esteem, and in

parting with whom I should feel a pang of regret."

He pressed my hand, and the tears stood in his sunken eyes.

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"I entreat you not to agitate yourself," said I, you will yet survive to enjoy many happy years with the friend you speak of."

"It is yourself, dear B." said he, warmly, "the feeling, the anxiety you evinced towards me, touched even so seared a spirit as mine. I esteemed you, but from that night which unveiled to you in part the hell I carried in my bosom, I could not brook that the only being I regarded or cared for, should cherish for me so contemptible a feeling as pity; but at this solemn moment, the vanity, the culpability of such weakness are apparent to my wayward heart.Mr. B. I have been a guilty wretch; my own mad passions have embittered my existence, and their violence now hurries me to the grave."

The exertions he had made, and the recollections his words conjured up, were too great for his exhausted frame, and he fell back upon his pillow, motionless and gasping. The surgeon insisted upon my quitting the apartment, and I accordingly descended to the parlour. The good lady of the house was evidently bursting with curiosity, which all her good manners could scarcely keep under, to learn the nature of my acquaintance with her evidently dying lodger. On my part, I was anxious to learn some few particulars respecting him, and the ice being broken, we became mutually communicative.Delmore had lodged in her house for three successive winters. When he first came to her, he had, she thought, just returned from abroad. He held no intercourse with any; he always appeared to have plenty of money, and though liberal in its expenditure, was by no means profuse or extravagant. One gentleman alone occasionally visited him, but he, she had learnt, was a merchant, who transacted his business; with this exception, and his tradesmen, I was the only person who had ever inquired for her tenant.

"I did not think he had kith or kin belonging to him," said the good lady, "till you came;" dwelling on the last two words, as though she would like to learn the situation in which I stood with regard to him.

I assured her that I was merely a casual acquaintance, that we had first met at Brighton: and I quitted her house seemingly in high favour, as the only

acquaintance with one of whom she entertained a most exalted opinion. I now repeatedly visited him, and on each occasion, I could not disguise from myself his evident, though gradual decay. Delmore was perfectly conscious of his situation, and, with a manly firmness, awaited the approach of death.

I had paid my accustomed daily visit. He appeared in better spirits than ordinary, and sat up in his bed, supported b ypillows. It was evening, and the bland rays of the April sun shone on his pale and wasted lineaments, and their cheering influence lit them into a serene smile. His head lay on my bosom, and one dry, fleshless hand rested in mine.

"I am so happy," he softly uttered; "My friend, God will bless thee for thy kindness to me." His voice faltered, but his features preserved their benign and happy expression. After a pause, he continued fervently, "Jane! Jane!-now, now," the words seemed to die upon his lips; he sighed faintly, and his head dropped on my bosom. For a space I thought nothing of this, but the feeling of oppression and weight in that part of his person I supported alarming me, I hastily called the nurse and doctor from the adjoining room.Alas! the spirit of poor Delmore had calmy passed to its place of rest!

It is scarcely necessary to dilate on the funeral ceremonies of my departed friend. I saw him decently interred in the burial ground of Hampstead, and afterwards, in the presence of the landlady, and the surgeon, examined his effects, to ascertain if he had left any will, or clue behind him, as to his rank in life, his connexions, and his affairs. The first we discovered in his desk. It appeared from this document, that his income died with him, with the exception of about 14007. and his personals. Of this sum, he bequeathed 5007. to a Catholic charity, of which communion he had been a member; the remainder, with the exception of a legacy of 1007. to his landlady, and one of the same amount to the surgeon, he gave to his "estimable friend, Joseph B-,” (! quote the words of the instrument,) "in token of his sincere and ardent regard."

In addition to a considerable sum in cash, I thus found myself in unexpected possession of a costly variety of trinkets, mostly of foreign workmanship, and the wardrobe of the deceased. This latter I made over to the delighted landlady, who, I believe, to have secured its

possession, would have gladly compounded for half her legacy. The remainder, with the papers of Delmore, I transmitted to my own house. Among them were a number of letters, written by himself at various periods; and finding, on perusal, they abounded with what appeared to me singular and interesting recitals, evidently penned under the influence of those violent and contrary feelings I have previously remarked as forming so remarkable a trait in his character, I have been tempted to transcribe some of them, which, should the Editor of the Olio deem worthy of publicatiom, are at his service.

J. H. B.

ANCIENT BRITONS.

AMID the joyous banquets, the profusion of lamps, music, ringing of bells, firing of guns, and ten thousand other recreative testimonies which crowned the commemoration of His Majesty's natal day, -none were more warmly felt, nor more happily enjoyed, illustrative of the grateful sense which they exercise in behalf of their King and Patron, than by the scions of the national stock of the Principality, who are so kindly provided for, by the means afforded them at the Institution, Gray's Inn Lane.

When the bright lamps reflected hung,

And Eve's grey throne was spread above,
Pleasure awoke each youthful tongue
To music's sweet harmonious love.
The beam of joy on every cheek,

The dew of hope in every lid;
Like the flush dawn of Morning's break,
Each heart rejoiced as moments slid.
The fairy feet, with antic tread
Untired, in mazes tripp'd each whim;
The giddy whirlpool's in the head,

Were only felt, more safe to swim.
These Cambrian Girls and Boys'-anon,
When cares and years their lives mature,
Wrapp'd in the charms of pleasure gone,
Will smile that memory's rays endure.
May recollections like the morn

Return to those who them succeed, And children's children, thither borne, Receive the Patronage' they need!

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be the pointers to the good and bad things of this life, he might have given the eyes the credit of being the overseers-the gas-lights to the countenance, and the mirrors of intelligence. But, worthy essayist, is the mouth to be overlooked with scorn?-Is the mouth to be sneezed at, in spite of its teeth? — And are the bitter dregs of thy nostrils, clogged with thirty years snuff-taking, to be "swallowed in silence?" For one, I will open my mouth in a better cause, and permit my tongue to protest against the nasal twangs of vaunted superiority, or the snoring emanations of intoxicating dreams.

If the nose may direct its dual flue to a personal subject, that pokes his way through society and sniffs whatever is nice, the effort is made, not so much in its individual behalf, as being the servitor and contradistinguisher of the mouth. If, friend essayist, there be varieties of noses, even to the noseless, mouths are as various; and no being can be found without this letter-box appendage to the opening the secrets of the human heart and the outpouring of all delectative ebullition-the very inland receptacle of edible deliciousness, and the tube receiver of all liquids to be decantered for present use, or stored in the human bottle, according to the doctor's label, or the citizen's bin. To avoid being accused of mouthing thee, as Hamlet's spouters are often given to, my mouth shall "utter forth knowledge;" and I will shew the handy-works of nature.

Fortunate is the young lady that can lay claim to a "pretty mouth," inasmuch as it gives her an irresistibly sweet smile and a cheek full of dimples. Though a patch on the nose is a decided blemish, yet when applied to the regions of the mouth, it becomes a decided ornament. Look at Raphael! Every one acknowledges that his is a "kissing mouth!"-as the Duke of Wellington would add with his parliamentary correctness," and, no mistake!" Byron prided himself in both, sometimes for kissing, sometimes for hissing scorn.

Are not the genuine flavorous Havannahs enjoyed by the mouth?-Verily the nose is but as a chimney to consume the superfluous smoke: the very pipe, which wreaths emblems of human pleasures and their evanescent fleeting, treats the nose with a mere puff, that may turn up its gristle for a whiff, but can never relish such "sweet returns" as oronooka, shag, pigtail, short cut, or wholesome scented herbs. No, poor nose thou canst not articulate with a

seasonable euphony, that sublime bit of poesy, which, by enforcing faith, says,

Open your mouth and shut your eyes, And see what God will send ye. Hast thou seen Mons. Alexandre's mouth collapsed by inversion into a shape like the mouth of an empty sack, between which a nose of any dimension might pass direct? Tell me, what could Michael Boai, the chin-chopper, do, however well he may knuckle down, were I to refuse him Balaam's weapon, by which he measures time?

While the nose must be satisfied to be snubbed, the mouth is a form of passion. Hast thou not, to thy disparagement, read a treatise in many a countenance, appertaining to the effectual subversion of good humour, regarding the "crying mouth," the poetic afflatus which constitutes pure elegiac feeling? The very similitude of the mouth of the Tagus, or that of the Texel, sending out rivers of waters, which the nose cannot quench, however volcanic, or promontorial. The nose has scarcely power to turn from its own primeval shadow; but the mouth has capacity, for, like a young bird when hungry, it can reach, in some faces, from "ear to ear." Such a mouth Polyphemus confessed to have had, when he asked for a hundred reeds of decent growth. Hence

The mouth will sometimes meet respect;
The nose invariable neglect:
Whoever heard, in rhyme or prose,

A lover celebrate a nose?

Oh, no! he may depend upon it, That he's no subject for a sonnet. Nose of thy fathers! thou may'st upbraid the mouth that uttereth falsehood,

thou may'st remind me of the mouth, that, when rebellious and treasonable, has required gagging, that padlocks have been deemed useful in suppressing the wrath which rushed from the heart in the wickedness of the spirit ;I will not be a mouthpiece for such, but take up the language of truth and say, "Out of thy own mouth will I condemn thee."

Nose of thy mothers! thou may'st deride me, that, in provincial society, the "gaping mouth" is detrimental to the credit of an aquiline profile, or a carefully guarded rubicond carbuncle ; but, with submission, I remind all the fastidious in this matter, that maternal faces would lose half their attractive vivacity without the "sweetly smiling mouth!"-the "maiden-screw mouth!" the "ruby lipped come-kiss-ine mouth!" the hoyden's "hearty laughing mouth!" the giggling girl's half pouting mouth!"-the lark-whistle mouth!"

the dwarf young lady's 'cocker-mouth,' perked up to reach a stooping giant's salute, not to mention the simpering saucepan, yocking mouth. Age, alas! -and who that lives can dispense with it? is forced to wear a toothless mouth," or pay a dentist tax for setters, -a kind of set-off in the nose account, for which it may take credit, provided an artificial proboscis be not directed towards the central asterisk of the face. I advocate not the "greedy mouth," nor the "awful mouth ;"-both may be reprehended; for the one is of an alldevouring capacity to the injury of brothers, sisters, wives and sweethearts; and the other, akin to the "Mawworm" and the "Gulf." But,

A harbinger of ecstacy

The whispering mouth must ever be! Organ of human intercourse, I plead each varied passions force; And over-hung, or under-hung, Afford a passage for the tongue. Hear me, thou patient nose! that leanest over the precipice of my lips, like a fisherman baited with 37. There is a mouth, in which the shark is opening with rows of teeth, figured in old books, yawning and swallowing the wicked by shoals, and typifying their pain, by the whale's Jonah-like digestion. This reflection may make thee moderate. Tin-mouth belongs to Chabert, Ports-mouth to wine bibbers. But in all cases, when the features of society are out of order, I would say with Hosea, as I say to thee, "Set thy trumpet to thy mouth," and acknowledge, with the wise monarch of old, that "the words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the well-spring of wisdom as a flowing brook." If, then "wisdom shines upon thy nose," and thon art willing to prove thyself a real "Old Nosey," thou wilt yield to a present pinch; and, in thy behalf, my "mouth shall shew forth thy praise." J. R.P.

THE MINER'S WIFE.
Concluded from p. 133.

MR. EVERARD left the mines immediately, to seek the means of the child's removal; but had no sooner reached the small village which is nearest to the mines, than a person arrived at the post-house there express from Vienna, anxiously inquiring if Alberti or his wife were still alive. In a few hours after, another person arrived, with the same haste, and on the same errand; they were, the one, a near relation to Blanch the other, Alberti's fellow sol

dier and most intimate friend. Pardon had been at length granted to the young exile at the petition of the general officer whom he had wounded, and he was recalled by the Empress herself to the court of Vienna.

The bearers of these happy tidings immediately descended into the mines. As they approached Alberti's hut, the light which glimmered through some apertures in the shattered door induced them to look at its inmates before they entered. Though dressed in a dark, coarse garment, and wasted away to an almost incredible slightness, still enough of her former loveliness remained to tell them that the pallid female they beheld was the young Countess; and the heart admired her more, as she sat leaning over her husband, and holding up to his kisses her small infant, her dark hair carelessly parted, and bound round her pale brow, seeming to live but in her husband's love; than when elegance vied with splendour in her attire-when her hair sparkled with diamonds, and, in full health and beauty, she was the one gazed at and admired in the midst of the noblest and fairest The door was company of Vienna. still unopened, for Blanch had begun to sing, and had chosen a song which her hearers had last listened to in her own splendid saloon on the last night she had sung there; the soft, complaining notes of her voice had seemed out of

place then, where all was careless mirth and festivity, but its tone was suited to that dark solitude-it was like the song of hope in the cave of despair.

The feelings of Blanch, as she ascended slowly in the miners' bucket, from the dark mine, cannot be described; she had unwillingly yielded to her be first drawn up, and, with her infant husband's entreaties, that she should in her bosom, her eyes shaded with a thick veil, and supported by the surveyor of the mines, she gradually rose from the horrible depths; the dripping damps that hung round the cavern fell upon her, but she heeded them not: once she looked up at the pale, pure star of light, far, far above her, but immediately after, she bent down over her infant, and continued without moving or speaking. Several times the bucket swayed against the sides of the shaft, and Blanch shuddered, but her companion calmly steadied it; and at last she was lifted out upon the ground; she did not look up; she only rose to kneel, and she continued kneeling, till she heard the bucket that contained her hus

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