away of human life with his special abhorrence, and to decry the agents of such crimes in the most appalling manner: the delivery of which sentiments were rendered more solemn by a reference to the ponderous and brazenclasped bible of the reverend matron. Sam, terribly impressed with the old lady's relation, bid her "good night," and sought his chamber. But sleep had forsworn his company for that night, and he tossed and turned from side to side in restless agony. He at last renounced the hopes of enviable repose, and gave up to his imagination the reins of thought. Weighing over every circumstance, he came to the decided conclusion that the Lady Priscilla had been murdered; that her body was concealed in the very room from whence his sister beheld the phantom issue; and joining to these deductions Fawcett's fright at the Roebuck, at the mention of the words 66 plastering over," he had little doubt that he had had a guilty participation in the deed. He resolved that the secrets of the closed room should not escape him; and he anxiously waited for the beaming day, in order that his surmises might be either certified or refuted. Sir Ralph might return rather sooner than he was expected; and this daring project admitted of no delay. policy to be adopted was secrecy; any mention of the design to Fawcett was to be especially guarded against, and it was most material that the superstitious Mrs. Crutchley and her two maids should be kept in total ignorance respecting it. The Monday arrived, and the few domestics attached to Gormire Hall were occupied in their respective departments; Fawcett was at work in the garden, Patty and Sarah were reciprocally engaged in the duties of the dairy, and Dame Crutchley was seriously busied in poring over some of the let ters of the Lady Priscilla in her private sitting room, with Seppy asleep at her feet, and her cats purring on the sofa beside her; when Sam, after inspecting the different labourers, and providing himself with a short iron gavelock, stole over the grounds unperceived, crossed the shrubbery and its walks, and crept on his hands and knees to one of the windows in the servants' hall which he had previously left open, and, waiting a short time, in order to ensure his not being observed, effected his entrance. Ridding himself of his shoes, he proceeded with stealthy fleetness up the principal stair, and soon gained the topmost landing. The immense magnitude of the noble staircase, the gloominess and loftiness of the walls and ceiling, and the unbroken silence which reigned around, retarded, for a thoughtful moment, the steps of the intrepid and youthful peasant, and he stood in "speechless awe," with his eyes rivetted on the identical room, expatiating on the bloody secret which he was shortly to discover. A few more strides brought him to the very door, when, without any further preliminary, he applied the gavelock to an interstice, and with violent force inserted the pointed weapon for some depth between the door and its framing;exerting his utmost strength as to a lever, he speedily forced the lock to give way, and in an instant was propelled by his exertion into the apartment. It had originally been a bed-room; but had long been in disuse, and now presented the gloomy evidences of having been forsaken for some years. The windows were half enveloped in their thickly folded curtains; a few pictures were suspended on one side of the chamber, and tapestry lining the other, gave a patched-up and inconsistent appearance to the whole. Amongst the articles of ornamental furniture, was a bust of one of the noble family of Belsyse, of Coxwold, a deceased relative of the Lady Priscilla, which stood on a pedestal of Sienna marble, and which had apparently been moved out of its former situation, as it appeared prominently to occupy a station not originally assigned it,—a circumstance which will be by-and-by explained. Sam's next solicitude was to secure the door, which he did by dragging before it a massy or-molu table. This task completed, he commenced the search for that to ascertain the existence of which was his principal aim,—an aperture in the wall. The jocose words, "plastering over," which had given such a shock to Fawcett, determined him to scrutinize every inch of stone and mortar constituting the room, ere he would be satisfied of the existence of the Lady Priscilla, and the innocence of Fawcett. He next proceeded to remove the tapestry, as, from its adaptation to concealment, it gave rise to his suspicions. Having bared the wall, which was thickly painted, he pursued his inquiry, covered with dust from the displaced tapestry; but, after passing his hands over every portion of the even surface in the wall, hoping in vain by that means to discover a closure, he resigned his task in almost utter hopelessness. Striking his clenched hand against the wall, in disappointment and chagrin, he felt it rebound; he struck, with greater force, a second blow, which convinced him, from the perceptible fluctuation, and the hollow sound produced by the concussion, that it was a recess in the wall, ingeniously covered over by laths and plaster, and painted of a colour with the rest of the structure. Snatching up his gavelock, he soon ratified the conviction, by beating in the laths and mortar, which opposed but a slight resistance to the strokes of the sturdy peasant. Without stopping to explore the opening, which was yet but partially effected, he tore down the superficial covering to the floor, the dust and rubbish of which nearly suffocated him. Advancing, he encountered a curtain, which seemed to have been a rich cloth table cover, but which now hung in pitiful tatters within the recess, as if intended to veil something from the eye of any intruder. Tearing it down, Sam beheld the mouldering remains of a reclining skeleton! Motionless with terror, he gazed for some time on the ghastly spectacle, when, assuming a kind of artificial courage, he ventured to abstract from the consuming fragments, attracted by the glistening, a splendid necklace, on the locket suspended from which was embossed the crest of Sir Ralph Myton. Continuing his researches amongst the ruins of the lath and mortar, he shovelled up with his feet a bricklayer's hammer, which, bringing to the light, he found to be marked with the letters J. F. burnt into the handle! Here the enigma was solved ;-in brief, the Lady Priscilla had been murdered, and Fawcett, the trembling Fawcett, had been accessary, if not to the murder, at least to its concealment! By what fatality he had left the hammer behind him, remains to be told, but in this recess, beyond question, had stood the bust and pedestal which struck the discoverer as being rather oddly placed. Having acquired possession of the necklace and hammer, and the time being considerably advanced, he piled the rubbish in a heap, and letting fall the tapestry over it, adjusting the carpet and furniture, and fastening the door by tying a piece of cord to the lock, and tacking it to a nail outside, he glided down stairs with the swiftness of the hunted hare, and in a few minutes more was within sight of Fawcett, who was employed with his spade in the garden behind the house. (To be continued.) THE POET'S DREAM. The poet sleeps in his attic rude, With a firm and heroic air, And be framed a glowing and martial lay of deeds that were done in the olden day: of knights who their bold compeers did slay, Mid the cymbal's clash and the trumpet's bray, And were crown'd with palm-leaves there. The Legendary ORIGINAL ANECDOTES OF LOUIS, KING OF HOLLAND. Royal Condescension.-Complaints having been made to the king, that his chef de cuisine, Monsieur Darras, neglected the royal table, his majesty, one day, when at breakfast, sent for him, and threatened to discharge him, if he did not pay more attention to his office. Darras, knowing he was protected by the sommelier (butler), ventured to remonstrate with his majesty, denying the charge, saying, "that he had been denounced by some enemy; but," added he, "whoever may have spoken ill of me, I have nothing to reproach myself with; and, since I do not merit your majesty's confidence, I beg respectfully to return le tablier de mon service. I will return to France, where, I am sure, my merits will be acknowledged." On saying which he bowed and retired; but immediately returned to the king's presence, sans facon, and with an air of attendrissement, presented on a salver the emblem of his office, a white apron, putting as much dignity in the action, as if he had been a minister returning his porte-feuille. The king did not take offence at this resignation, which, though frank, would have been inconvenient, as cooks are not so easily replaced as ministers of state; he therefore smilingly, and with an air of solicitation, returned to the too sensible chef his badge. "Sire," replied the general of the ovens, "I can refuse your majesty nothing." He said, “He had loo'd her long;' She said, "Maids must kiss no men, THE POSTHUMOUS LETTERS OF LETTER IV. (For the Olio) WE rounded the Cape of Good Hope under the malefic influence of a strong S. E. gale, somewhat similar, I take it, to that which the sturdy Dutch schipper, so blasphemously presumed to brave. No spectre bark and phantom crew arose, however, "to freeze our expectant blood, or blench the cheek with horror," though the legend did not lack supporters, and sturdy ones, too, among our crew; some old seamen going so far, even, as to declare that they had seen "with their own eyes,' the restless and ominous vision. Be this as it may, certes, the iron bound, vast, and savage aspect of the coast at the southern extremity of Africa, the tremendous sea, and almost ever raging gales that prevail off it, render it a fitting scene for so wild and picturesque a fiction. Obstinate Dogs. His majesty had a favourite dog called Teil, his constant companion in his travels. One day Teil, though daily fed with the most dainty bits by his master, strayed into the kitchens. The chef and his marmitons strove who should offer the nicest plats; but Tiel preferred a bone to all these delicacies, which he discovered in the scullery. The aides endeavoured to wrest it from him, but he would swallow the bone, however, in spite of all the world; but rage made him imprudent, and the vile bone, which the most vulgar barbet would have rejected, stuck in his throat. What was to be done in such a case? In seeking to relieve the favourite, the firmer was the bone fixed in his gullet. Fortunately, one of the prefects of the palace was passing, in grand costume. They begged his excellency to come to Tiel's aid. The danger was pressing; the prefect, taking him in his arms, carried him to the king, who ordered Giraud, his first surgeon, to attend. The leech, fearing that some accident had befallen his majesty, fled to the presence like a Mercury: but when the quadruped patient was produced, he was not a little blesse, and refused to act. The king, indignant that the poor dog should be left to his sufferings, besides his orders being At length, we passed these enchantdisobeyed, got into a violent passion, ed waters, and once again stood to the and ordered the doctor to retire. The northward. Light and baffling airs, chamberlain on service recollected that accompanied by a short, tumbling sea, the king's dentist was in the palace. In and a dull and heavy murkiness, sucan instant he was at the side of the pa- ceeded to the clear, exhilarating astient, and with great dexterity removed pect the atmosphere and heavens had the bone. Monsieur Giraud gradually presented during the storm; and we lost favour, and was sent to Paris as laid for days, as it were, the sport of first surgeon to the Hotel de Dieu, the mocking elements. We prayed where he died with the reputation of a for wind; but east, west, north, and man of talent in his profession, but a south,-in every direction alike, nabad courtier. ture seemed enwrapped in sullen, threatening repose, as though gathering all her angry energies to overwhelm The sun had descended, surrounded by a mass of dense vapours; his last rays gloomily tinging the western waves with a hue, as of molten brass; and short, gusty squalls ushered in a heavy and starless night. Warned by these threatening appearances, all the small sails had been handed, the topsails double reefed, and the main-course PHILLIDA AND CORIDON. In the merry month of May, Mach ado there was, God wot; us. hauled up. Thus the weather continued till about half-an-hour past midnight; when suddenly, the water, about half-a-mile to leeward of us, became convulsed in a manner I can only compare to the boiling and bubbling of an immense furnace, (being at the time on deck), with a peculiar and dismal whistling of the wind, and two or three successive and vivid flashes of lightning. Harris's experienced eye immediately perceived, and knew the meaning of this phenomenon. Hastily ordering the man at the wheel to shift the helm, he snatched up a speaking trumpet, and in a voice that rang with startling effect in the death-like silence that prevailed throughout the ship, commanded the watch to "let fly every thing.' Promptly as he was obeyed, the blast anticipated the efforts of the people. I have witnessed many convulsions of wind and sea, yet I recollect none so positively awful as the effect of this squall. It was not that prolonged gale which may be, in some measure, guarded against, by its equal and steady violence; but it came like the angry flight of ten thousand demons, changing with each shriek-like blast, now from the West, then shifting to the South, the S. W. round again to the West. All this time, the ship tossed furiously and franticly amid the whirlpool of waters, totally unmanageable, as (if the comparison may be tolerated) indued with vitality and phrenzy. The first gust had taken her on her leequarter, and shaking her up in the wind, she quivered and moaned in every timber; and, as this died away, another succeeded, which, filling the sails, urged her furiously through the waves for a moment; but, unable to resist its violence, every stitch of canvass burst from the bolt ropes in shattered fragments, carrying away the fore top-gallant-mast and jib-boom, with a crashing, compared with which the elemental clamour was but as the wailing of a terrified infant. Passengers and seamen had rushed upon deck in confusion and dismay. So unexpected and instantaneous had been the bursting of the squall; so changeable and terrific its violence, that all were perplexed how to act; and they hurried here and there, or gazed upon its devastating effects, in unnerved and stupid silence. Mean while, rocked to and fro, a mere log upon the waves, the ship washed in the water, forward, abaft, and on each side, (for it is impossible to distinguish weather from lee, when the wind was every minute chopping about,) and it poured down the hatchways, which in our panic we had omitted to batten down to the gun deck, in vast quantities. Captain Green perceived that the weight of such continued bodies of water would, unless speedily checked, overwhelm the ship; and with accents, which poured through the dense atmosphere, and the raving storm, like a warning voice from another world, he exclaimed, "the hatchways-the hatchways-will ye see the ship smothered by the water!" His words acted as an electric shock; the hatches were secured, and the wreck of the fore-top-gallant mast, jib-boom, and tattered sails, cleared away. But as the morning advanced, the hurricane waxed more and more furious, and the ship shook like a disjointed thing, making so much water, that the united exertions of both pumps could scarcely keep it under. The top-gallant mast had already been sent down, and the topmasts lowered to relieve her, but with so little effect, that just before daybreak, it was deemed necessary to cut away the main-mast. Slowly and sullenly dawned the morning-a poetical imagination might have compared the frowning and misty clouds that seemed almost to touch the maddened and boiling waves, to a pall spread over our fathomless and inevitable grave. I do not suppose that such a fancy occurred to the minds of our poor tars, but I do know that others equally gloomy did, for their spirits and energies now failed them. Some retired apart, sullen, silent, and gloomy, others loudly bewailed their situation, or franticly rushed to the spirit-room to drown all thought, and to lose all power of exertion in desperate intoxication; while the few, whom the arguments and entreaties of the officers still kept at the pumps, worked with little spirit, because all hope had de serted them. Noon, evening, and night again,— and no change in the gloomy aspect of the elements. How we managed to keep our miserable bark afloat, is, to this day, a miracle to me; but by daybreak of the second morning, it was evident that she was fast settling in the water. I cannot, and I will not attempt to describe the scenes of frantic and disgusting intoxication our decks presented during this period; or the base cowardice of the wretches (for they deserve not the name of sea men) who had thus given way to their vilest propensities in the hour of danger, when it was found necessary to abandon the ship, and have recourse to the only two boats left us, the launch and a large cutter. Of this number was the mate (Harris). Much addicted, at all times, to strong liquors, he had indulged this horrible appetite during the hurricane to such extent, that his passions had become inflamed to a degree little short of insanity.Captain Green, to do him justice, had evinced great presence of mind, decision, and coolness; and on the second morning (the quarter-deck then being ancle deep in water, and the gale still at its height) addressed the passengers, and those of the crew who had stood by him, and their duty. He represented to us, (I, dear B- was of the number) what indeed, was but too apparent, the sinking condition of the ship; adding that though, in taking to the boats, we exposed ourselves to a peril scarcely less imminent; yet they might live through the hurricane, and reach the east coast of Madagascar, or the Isle of France, from both which places we could not be far distant. His favourable anticipations were exactly conformable to our own wishes; and we all simultaneously expressed our approbation thereof, and our determination to be guided entirely by him. But getting the boats afloat was a work of no little time and danger; and before we had accomplished this, and deposited in them a few articles of provision, the whole of the ship, from the quarter-deck, aft, had settled down, forming a wide and powerful vortex, of which the vessel herself was the centre. Our numbers amounted to nearly ninety; and though our boats were of considerable magnitude, it seemed a miracle if, being so laden, they lived in such a sea and gale. I have no wish to eulogise myself, but, certainly, Captain Green expressed himself as much gratified by my efforts and coolness, coolness, and Hugh Delmore-what a conjunction!—as he was disgusted with Harris's "shameful and beastly conduct;" and, as he stepped into the launch, of which he took the direction, he warmly pressed my hand, observing, "to you, Delmore, and Mr. Amber, (the second mate) I confide the safety of these men-nothing on your parts, will, I am well aware, be wanting to secure it." With infinite difficulty (the boat being twice all but swamped) we pass ed the influence of the tremendous whirlpool our devoted ship formed around her as she sank, and hoisted a small sail, rather to keep her head to the sea, than from any hope that it would speedily drive us into a hospitable harbour. The detestable Harris was with us. Stupified, as usual, with liquor, he had appeared to notice or contemplate nothing, save the mere mechanical instinct of self-preservation: but now, lifting his savage and bloodshot eyes towards the wreck, he exclaimed with a horrid oath : " What, desert the ship with all that treasure on board ?-by G-d, boys, we'll have a chest if we die for it!" So saying, he endeavoured to snatch the boat's tiller from the man who held it. Alarmed at this frantic action, Amber seized his arm, and in a voice of hasty remonstrance, entreated him to be quiet. "And why?" shouted the ruffian, “I'm your officer, and you shall obey megive me the tiller, fellow," he went on, "I'll put the boat about in a jiffey."The allusion to the treasure had excited the cupidity of others, as worthless and drunk as himself, and they appeared inclined to second his phrenzied purpose; when Amber, plucking a pistol from his breast, clapped it to the mate's head, swearing that did he presume to move a limb, or utter a syllable, either should be his death warrant.This close neighbourhood of a loaded pistol had the desired effect; the scoundrel muttered an oath or two, folded his brawny arms across his chest, drooped his head, and snored aloud. We suspected we were about sixty leagues to the S. S. E. of the Mauritius, to which island, it had been resolved upon, that both boats should make the best of their way, should they unluckily lose each other in the night, or otherwise. Our's (the cutter) contained no less than thirty individuals, or rather, that number were packed into her; to support whom, we were provided with two small casks of water, containing together near upon sixteen gallons, the same quantity of rum, sixty or eighty lbs. of bread, and some pieces of salt beef. All the day through we kept on the same course as the launch; the sea momentarily breaking over us, so that it required incessant exertion to bale out the water from the boat.Towards evening, the wind and sea abated, and a strong southerly breeze enabled us to set more sail. Each of us took a dram of spirits; and, deeming the hurricane broken, composed |