gard figure of William Tibbers with drew, and left his little attorney in an indescribable state. He declared till his death that he was not frightened, believing it to be the real William Tibbers, but that he was awfully confused and stupid. When he learned, a few minutes thereafter, that the street door had never been opened nor unbolted, then did his flesh begin to creep, his hairs to stand on end, and he knew not what to think. The first idea that then struck him, was that the hideous figure was concealed in his own house, an inmate of whose vicinity he little approved. (To be continued.) JOHNSON'S WILLOW IN STOW MEADOWS. BY HORACE GUILFORD. (For the Ono) OLD Briareus of the meadows! When the yellow girdled Spring Thee the bolt that rends asunder Through the forest leaf and bough, Undermin'd and disapparell'd, Thou did'st brave th' artillery. Sought in thee her lordliest bower, Make him wish the peaceful pall; Where a thousand vassals waited, Yet if roused by bright achievement, THE POSTHUMOUS LETTERS OF HUGH DELMORE, ESQ. LETTER II. (For the Olio.) I should weary or disgust you, which is much the same thing, were I to dwell upon the events of the three succeeding years: you will easily believe that, at the end of this period, my moderate fortune was much impaired; while my visits to the gaming table became more and more frequent. At last that terrible night that was to decide my future destiny, that sent me forth a wanderer, and I believe a maniac, over boundless seas and desert shores,-to broil beneath the sun of Africa-endure the torments of protracted hunger-to be a slave, and bow my head to the lash of the infidel; and, oh, misery! to abjure my blessed Saviour, to cast from me the promised hopes of a life eternal, and, to save this wretched clay from the executioner, to become another Judas worse! to trample upon the blessed cross, and bow to the bloody and accursed crescent! This night came!-They plied me with large draughts of champagne, and they laughed at my scruples of caution and fear. I doubled with desperate enterprize each succeeding adventure, till I had set my all upon a cast,—and all was gone! I uttered not a word; but, in the cool indifference of despair, walked from the accursed spot. It was a bright spring morning, but its bland, mild breeze seemed to blow on my fevered cheek, and to chill my scalding blood, even as the blasts of December. I wandered on towards Covent Garden, and entered a house open at that early hour. Around large tables sat groups of men and women: the wild laugh, the execration of blasphemy, and the clang of contention mingled in disgusting confusion. In the haggard features there I read profligacy, remorse, agony, and despair!— but I sat down, and joined in their obscene and loathsome ribaldry, for I seemed to feel a strange pleasure in so horrible a communion! The nights were now spent by me in the vilest debauchery, the day in sleeping away its stupifying effects. Reflection was intolerable, and until I had drowned it in half intoxication, I was sullen, peevish, and nervous. My appearance gradually became squalid and wretched, and my deportment bespoke the change in my circumstances. I shuffled hurriedly through the streets, dejected and downcast,-my hands constantly thrust into my pockets and my body bent almost double. The friends of my prosperity shunned me, or did I by chance meet them in the streets, they affected not to see me, or merely honoured me with a cold and contemptuous nod of recognition. One by one, my trinkets, next my books, and, at last, my wearing apparel went to supply the calls of nature, and to gratify the insatiable appetite I had acquired for ardent spirits. At length the crisis arrived! I had nothing remaining but the clothes upon my back, and some fourteen or sixteen shillings. Heedless whither, I wandered about the streets all the day through. I had lost all care, all command of myself; I ran against the foot passengers, and was rebuked or laughed at for my stupidity; a coach or cart nearly ran over me, and the driver swore at and lashed me with his long whip; but I heeded not their execrations nor did I feel their violence. Night at length overtook me, and I sat down on the bank of the Serpentine, in Hyde Park, gazing on its placid waters, rippling and flickering in the moonlight; but the calm beauty of the hour affected me not, nor did I heed the heavy dew that descended,—I sat all the night long in desperate, stolid insensibility. A milkman, who had noticed me as he went to town with his milk, seeing me on his return in the same position my arms folded upon my breast, and my head bent down upon my bosomapproached me, and in a tone of compassion asked why I sat there? I replied not, and he repeated his question, adding, as he placed his hand upon my shoulder, which was wet with the night dew," You'll catch your death of colddo get up, God bless you!"-I rudely shook his hand from my person, and morosely bade him mind his own bu siness. "I thought I had," replied the man, with a sentiment above his station; "I thought I had, in endeavouring to assist the unfortunate or the unhappy." I believe every feeling of humanity had at that moment deserted me, for 1 burst into a wild laugh, and springing on my feet ran from the good-hearted creature, with as much speed as my wearied and stiffened limbs would permit. I was truly now what my uncle had often prophecied I should be a pennyless, houseless vagabond! Many, many a night have I wandered through the spacious streets of the metropolis, sinking with fatigue and famine; but there was not one among its million inhabitants to pity-to relieve me. In the day, I beheld on every side the riches and the comforts of life, but to me they were as the viands of Tantalus. I was another Cain-all shrunk from me,-a mark, a curse seemed clinging to me! Oh, God! oh, God! could a youth, when about to embark on the broad ocean of life, with passions warm and unrestrained, but reflect on the utter ruin, the wreck of happiness and peace of mind, their unbridled indulgence will entail upon him-would he―dare he be their slave! Sauntering listlessly through Oxfordstreet, I accidentally brushed rather roughly against the person of a lady, and on raising my languid and heavy eyes, as I mechanically muttered some words of apology, they encountered those of my cousin Jane. The recognition was mutual and instantaneous: she turned pale as marble, and grasping tightly the arm of a gentleman on whom she leant, quickened her pace, as if to avoid me. On my side, a sense of bitter shame and humiliation was mingled with some portion of resentment, that she, whom I thought would, at least, compassionate my situation, should thus unequivocally evince the contempt and abhorrence in which she held me. She was happy and virtuous, surrounded by approving friends, and with all the blessings of life; while I, the compa nion of her youth, allied to her by blood, and once the beloved of her heart, was a squalid and pennyless profligate,—an object only for the cold and pityless finger of scorn to point at. I turned to look once again upon her still dear form-still, why death alone can sever that image from my heart; my love for her is portion of my being, and but with it can die,-she, too, was looking back; but was there scorn or indignation in her sweet eyes?-no, no, they swam in tears, and I knew they were for me; yet I dared not, I could not approach her. I shrank abashed, like a fallen spirit from an angel of light; and as my unsteady footsteps bore me from her presence, burning tears forced themselves slowly from my eyes, and I felt a sensation of choking amounting to agony. While yet gasping for breath, a hand was laid gently on my shoulder, and a voice of kindness pronounced my name. I looked up,-it was Jane's companion, a mild looking and elegant man, about three years my senior. Will you believe it, my friend, that softened as my spirit was by the preceding scene, my hateful pride returned in full tide at this interference. I could not bear that he, perhaps my fortunate successor in the affections of my cousin, should witness my degradation and destitution, and I haughtily uttered, "Sir?" "Pardon me," continued he; and there was something so bland and conciliating in his manner, that my attention was irresistibly engaged; " but your cousin, Miss Ashton, requested that I would follow to-to," and very delicacy made him pause. I thought not of my lost condition; the most extravagant and hopeless anticipations floated in my mind, and I impetuously exclaimed-" And did she then" but glancing at my abject and emaciated figure, I groaned aloud, and burst into a passion of tears. My companion said nothing, but motioning to a hackney-coach, handed me unresistingly into it, and took his seat by my side. "Where shall I bid the man drive?" he asked with much delicacy. "Where !" I repeated ghastily. . That word so uttered sufficed. He at once ordered the driver to proceed to a private, respectable tavern in the neighbourhood. I will not attempt to relate that which passed between us; sufficient, however, escaped him, in answer to my eager enquiries, to convince me of the situation in which he stood with relation to Jane. And could I accept from his hand, even as the minister of my angel cousin, assistance-alms-the thought was wormwood! Yet to hear her praises from his lips was a sad and soothing pleasure, for it seemed to rivet anew the connexion my vices had severed with a being so pure. And she pitied me she had never forgotten one abandoned even by himself, and would now, at the risk of her inexora ble father's anger, stretch forth her generous hand to snatch me from the deep abyss I had dug for myself, and into which I had fallen. Tears but they were holy ones, for my perverted and wayward spirit was, for a moment, softened-filled my eyes, and my dry feverish lips murmured a heart-felt benediction on her head. Profiting by these favourable symptoms, Mr. took my hand, and resumed the topic in terms at which the most jealous sensibility could not have taken alarm. "You have been unfortunate and indiscreet," said he, "but the lessons of adversity will be a beacon to you in future, and you have got warm friends." "I know it, I feel it," I exclaimed. "And you will be guided by them," said he, anxiously watching the fluctuation of my countenance. Again the bitter idea of charity arose to my mind, and with it a firm determination to reject it from any, more especially from their hands. I arose from my seat, and, with a bursting heart and aching head, moved towards the door. What succeeded from this moment until I found myself lying upon a bed in a neat apartment, and attended by a decent matron, I know not. A confused and hideous mass of ideas, like the chaotic images of a troubled dream, floated in my brain. I thought that I had passed the silent and awful boundary of the grave, and had entered the abodes of fallen spirits, and partaken in their tortures and their sufferings; then a bright and seraphic form arose, and stretching its gracious arms over me, the burning lake on which I writhed, and the legions of the damned, that chorussed my frantic and blasphemous wailings, were exchanged for delicious shades, and the hymnings of pure and happy spirits. I tried to raise myself on the pillow in vain; so weak and powerless had suffering and privation left me. My attendant observed the action, and turned her eyes upon me. "Tell me," said 1, "how came I hither-where am I?" My words appeared somewhat to surprise and gratify her. She laid her hand upon my forehead, and replied, in accents of kindness, "There, keep yourself quiet, and all will be well yet." The struggle of feelings excited by the accidental meeting with my cousin Jane, and the subsequent interview with Mr., had been too great for my ex hausted frame and crushed spirits. After staggering a pace or two from the tavern, I fell insensible to the pavement. Mr. had compassionately watched and followed my footsteps, and he caused me to be lifted up and again conveyed into the house. I never enquired what explanation he gave to the people; for two months I had laid almost in a state of torpor, save occasion ally when sullen fits of weeping, or muttered and unmeaning expressions escaped me. Another and another weary month of bodily and mental suffering brought me to the threshold of death, yet without producing any wholesome and holy reformation in my spirit. On the contrary, I moodily persuaded myself that all I had and then suffered, had been occasioned by the unjust prejudices and abandonment of my natural protectors. I did not recollect, or take into account how wilfully I had abused and perverted the bounties with which a beneficent providence had endowed me, and I awaited in callous indifference the moment which would rid me of an existance hateful to myself, and a burden to others. attempt at pleasantry; but Mr. would represent that such an interview would be highly distressing to her, and that her father, though he knew and sanctioned his visits, would be highly incensed did she attempt to see me.Every pulse in my body then quickened with hope at his words; Jane or himself had at last overcome the scruples of the father, and I should see her. He then informed me of my fortunate" windfall," but of so little value did it appear, at the moment, in my eyes, that I peevishly exclaimed, "And is this all; I was in hopes the old man had allowed her to come to me at last." When alone, however, another train of thoughts arose in my mind. Dissipation had lost its charms-London, and England itself, had become distasteful to me; and I would quit a country that had been the scene of my thousand mortifications and disgraces. I believe the idea of putting this new whim into execution, contributed mainly to my rapid renovation of health and spirits. India was the point to which my wishes were principally directed. In that "golden land" I should speedily acquire the treasure hoards, which would give me consideration with a world, I persuaded myself, I despised, or in it I should find a silent and unwept grave. H.D. I saw Mr. almost daily. He endeavoured, with unceasing perseverance, to arouse me from my desponding condition; yet, though I could not but respect his motives and his kindness, his very presence, by suggesting MR. MARSDEN'S HISTORICAL PAINTto my mind the woeful contrast in our situations, rather added to my mental disease. Thus I hung, as it were, by a thread between life and death; when an unlooked-for incident occurred to give another and decided bias to my mind. This was the death of my guardian, (Mr. H-.) He had bequeated me a legacy of £500, with a parental recommendation that I would profit by that I had endured, and endeavour to regain the station in life and the esteem of the good, which I had sacrificed by my past follies. Mr. was the bearer of these glad tidings. "I have rare news for you, Delmore," said he, as he entered my room in high spirits, and took his seat by my bed-side. I had long entreated him to prevail on my cousin Jane to visit me; "the sight of her-the pressure of her dear hand would do more to restore my health and strength, and nerve my mind to future exertions, than all the apothecary's drugs, or your homilies," I was wont to add, with an ING OF ST. PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA. For the Olio. ་་ "I would also hear the man myself." HELD by a chain, the Roman soldier keeps, In robes of white and amber, sandall'd feet, Head bare, and bearded chin, one arm stretch'd forth, Paul pleads before Agrippa. On his seat The spider taketh hold with his hands, and is in kings' palaces. PROV. XXX. I saw in a very old hedge-row, where a white rose tree burgeoned in a thousand silver stars from its deep-green bosom, a spider web framed with most wonderful art. A large platform, about eight inches square, extended in front of the portal: from its extremities, at regular intervals, long lines were drawn up to the sprigs above it, like the cords of a pavilion, and all meeting in a central spire or cupola at the height of about ten inches: this formed the court of the old tyrant's palace, at its extremity. A circular or Norman porch led into a sort of cylindrical gallery, tapestried with a substance thick and white as cotton-wool; and beyond that lay the hall of the crookback. Couched at its further nook nestled a monstrous mottled spider, who started forth the instant I touched his gate, a hideous deformity, that reminded me of the hag Hyparusan in the eastern tale of the "Enchanters." Beyond this hall was a kind of postern doorway, the filaments of the cotton substance stretching thin and wide, and forming a communication with a back court, which extended into the penetralia of the hedge. A brilliant morning sun was shining upon this Den of Dionysius; the vestibule was strewn with the carcasses of flies, &c., and the despot seemed, when I first perceived him, to be slumbering full-gorged, and to awake like a guilty thing, for whom the bright beam brought shame and disgust. What a long reign must this hoary tyrant have enjoyed! How many chances and perils must he have conquered or escaped! How many fortresses of his weaker brethren must be have stormed! What oceans of blood must he have waded through to his present detestable plumpness! What shrieks and groans of widow spideresses and orphaned spiderets must haunt his guilty slumbers! Yet hath this insect Ali Pacha built his castle in a pleasant upland. Birds caroling, streams meandering, bright sweet flowers blossoming, and green woods rustling about him. But he thinks only of the lusty blue-bottle, that cased in purple panoply, runs a tilt at the sunbeam before the monster's gate; or, if he looks forth on the lovely scene, it is only to view with jealous squint the rising fortress of some brother bloodsucker, which he grimly destines for his own. LUNATIC LAYS. "I must have music in my soul." 1 must have music in my soul, And spite of fate I'll try it; I'll hold a note-till you shall think I never mean to change that note, Then name the notes one dozen, At present up and down the scale Till minor points are carried; That man in eating spendeth.) I scorn his plodding labour ! Who live on slops and dozing, As if that could disturb them? My talents in their true sense,) And singing rather forte! New Mon |