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Came bright even to wildness-she started up, as if with supernatural strength, from the straw on which she was lying, and shrieked, "My father!" So hollow, yet piercing, was her voice, that it aroused Mr. Filmore from his paralysis. Rushing franticly towards her

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My Mary!" he exclaimed, my own Mary! restored to me thus after so long bereavement ! Starving in wretchedness and misery, while thy parents possess all things richly to enjoy! Well! Heaven be praised for thy restoration even thus!" Then tears came seasonably to his relief.

It was a fearful thing to hear how wildly that hapless woman addressed her father!-To hear her tell him in an incoherent manner of the miles they had travelled-the privations they had endured-and, oh! the crimes they had perpetrated! - To hear her enquire hurriedly, and without waiting for reply-whether her mother still lived?what had caused their change of fortune?-and where did they then reside? But the bewildered father stayed not to answer her; telling the husband to clothe his wife and children in what few garments he had brought, he darted swiftly across the fields to his own house-threw his wife into a paroxysm of joy by informing her that he had tidings of his daughter-went into the stable, and, saddling his horse, proceeded again to the hovel, in order to remove his daughter to a comfortable habitation.

The meeting of the mother and daughter was an affecting scene! They remained for some moments locked in each other's arms, and mutually weeping. Then Mary told of the miserable existence she had dragged on since the base desertion of her parents. How they had wandered over the whole kingdom, her husband endeavouring to support his family by hay-making and reaping in summer, and by robbery and fraudulence in winter-how, a short time since they had visited her native village, where she made every enquiry for her parents, in order to crave their forgiveness and assistance; but could gain no other tidings of them than that they had become " great folks," and had long since left that place; and that, reduced to the lowest state of despair, she had that morning lain down on the straw, praying she might soon be as the lifeless girl beside her!

There was no particular disease on

either Mary or her children; it was mere destitution that had reduced them to the weak condition in which they had been found; and now, enjoying every comfort that affection could devise, they gained strength apace.

Shortly after this there was a great feast given at Ivy Cottage, for the master said " It is meet that we should be merry, seeing that this my child was dead, and is alive again-was lost, and is found." C. J. JUNIOR.

THE THUNDER-STRUCK. Concluded from page 118.

I feel, however, that I should not protract these painful scenes; and shall therefore hurry to their close. The first letter which I had despatched to Oxford after Mr. N—, happened to bear on the outside the words "special haste!" which procured its being forwarded by express after Mr. N—. The consternation with which he received and read it may be imagined. He set off for town that instant in a post-chaise and four; but finding their speed insufficient, he took to horseback for the last fifty miles, and rode at a rate which nearly destroyed both horse and rider. Hence his sudden appearance at my house, and the frenzy of his behaviour! After Miss P- had been carried up stairs, it was thought imprudent for Mr. N-to continue at my house, as he exhibited every symptom of incipient brain fever, and might prove wild and unmanageable. He was therefore removed at once to a house within a few doors off, which was let out in furnished lodgings. Dr. D-accompanied him, and bled him immediately, very copiously. I have no doubt that Mr. N- owed his life to that timely measure. was placed in bed, and put at once under the most vigorous antiphlogistic treatment.

He

The next evening beheld Dr. D—, the Dean of -, and myself, around the bedside of Agnes. All of us expressed the most gloomy apprehensions. The Dean had been offering up a devout and most affecting prayer.

"Well, my friend," said he to me, "she is in the hands of God! All that man can do has been done; let us resign ourselves to the will of Providence!"

"Ay, nothing but a miracle can save her, I fear !" replied Dr. D—.

"How much longer do you think it probable, humanly speaking, that the

system can continue in this state, so as to give hopes of ultimate recovery ?" enquired the Dean.

"I cannot say," I replied with a sigh. "She must sink, and speedily. She has not received, since she was first seized, as much nourishment as would serve for an infant's meal!"

"I have an impression that she will die suddenly," said Dr. D-; "possibly within the next twelve hours; for I cannot understand how her energies can recover from, or bear longer, this fearful paralysis!"

"Alas, I fear so too!" * * * "I have heard some frightful instances of premature burial in cases like this," said the Dean. "I hope in Heaven that you will not think of committing her remains to the earth, before you are satisfied, beyond a doubt, that life is extinct." I made no reply my emotions nearly choked me -I could not bear to contemplate such

an event.

"Do you know," said Dr. D-, with an apprehensive air, "I have been thinking latterly of the awful possibility, that, notwithstanding the stagnation of her physical powers, her mind may be sound, and perfectly conscious of all that has transpired about her!" "Why-why"-stammered the Dean, turning pale-"what if she has--has heard all that has been said!" *

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"Ay!" replied Dr. D-, unconsciously sinking his voice to a whisper, I know of a case-in fact a friend of mine has just published it-in which a woman"- There was a faint knocking at the door, and I stepped to it, for the purpose of enquiring what was wanted. While I was in the act of closing it again, I overheard Dr. D-'s voice exclaim, in an affrighted tone, "Great God!" and on turning round I saw the Dean moving from the bed, his face white as ashes, and he fell from his chair, as if in a fit. How shall I describe what I saw, on approaching the bed?

The moment before, I had left Miss P-lying in her usual position, and with her eyes closed. They were now wide open, and staring upwards with an expression I have no language to describe. It reminded me of what I had seen when I first discovered her in the fit. Blood, too, was streaming from her nostrils and mouth-in short, a

* In almost every known instance of recovery from Catalepsy, the patients have declared that they heard every word that had been uttered beside them.

more frightful spectacle I never witnessed. In a moment both Dr. D- and I lost all power of motion. Here, then, was the spell broken! The trance over!-I implored Dr. D― to recollect himself, and conduct the Dean from the room, while I would attend to Miss P. The nurse was instantly at my side, shaking like an aspen-leaf. She quickly procured warm water, sponges, cloths, &c., with which she at once wiped away and encouraged the bleeding. The first sound uttered by Miss P-was a long deep-drawn sigh, which seemed to relieve her bosom of an intolerable sense of oppression. Her eyes gradually closed again, and she moved her head away, at the same time raising her trembling right hand to her face. Again she sighed again opened her eyes, and, to my delight, their expression was more natural than before. She looked languidly about her for a moment, as if examining the bed curtains -and her eyes closed again. I sent for some weak brandy and water, and gave her a little in a tea-spoon. She swallowed it with great difficulty. I ordered some warm water to be got ready for her feet, to equalize the circulation; and while it was preparing, sat by her, watching every motion of her features with the most eager anxiety. "How are you, Agnes?" I whispered, kissing her. She turned languidly towards me, opened her eyes, and shook her head feebly-but gave me no answer.

"Do you feel pain anywhere?" I enquired. A faint smile stole about her mouth, but she did not utter a syllable. Sensible that her exhausted condition required repose, I determined not to tax her newly-recovered energies; so I ordered her a gentle composing draught, and left her in the care of the nurse, promising to return by and by, to see how my sweet patient went on. I found that the Dean had left. After swallowing a little wine and water, he recovered sufficiently from the shock he had received, to be able, with Dr. D―'s assistance, to step into his carriage, leaving his solemn benediction for Miss P-.

As it was growing late, I sent my wife to bed, and ordered coffee in my study, whither I retired, and sat lost in conjecture and reverie till nearly one o'clock. I then repaired to my patient's room; but my entrance startled her from a sleep that had lasted almost since I had left. As soon as I sat down by her, she opened her eyes-and my

heart leaped with joy to see their increasing calmness-their expression resembling what had oft delighted me, while she was in health. After eyeing me steadily for a few moments, she seemed suddenly to recognise me. "Kiss me!" she whispered, in the faintest possible whisper, while a smile stole over her languid features. I did kiss her; and in doing so, my tears fell up

on her cheek. "Don't cry!" she whispered again, in a tone as feeble as before. She gently moved her hand into mine, and I clasped the trembling, lilied fingers, with an emotion I cannot express. She noticed my agitation; and the tears came into her eyes, while her lip quivered, as though she were going to speak. I implored her, however, not to utter a word, till she was better able to do it without exhaustion; and lest my presence should tempt her beyond her strength, I once more kissed her bade her good-night-her poor slender fingers once more compressed mine -and I left her to the care of the nurse, with a whispered caution to step to me instantly if any change took place in Agnes. I could not sleep! I felt a prodigious burden removed from my mind; and woke my wife, that she might share in my joy.

I received no summons during the night; and on entering her room about nine o'clock in the morning, I found that Miss P- had taken a little arrowroot in the course of the night, and slept calmly, with but few intervals. She had sighed frequently; and once or twice conversed for a short time with the nurse about heaven-as I understood. She was much stronger than I had expected to find her. I kissed her, and she asked me how I was-in a tone that surprised me by its strength and firmness.

"Is the storm over ?" she enquired, looking towards the window.

"Oh yes-long, long ago!" I replied, seeing at once that she seemed to have no consciousness of the interval that had elapsed.

"And are you all well?-Mrs. (my wife,) "how is she?"

"

"You shall see her shortly." "Then, no one was hurt?" "Not a hair of our heads!" "How frightened I must have been !" "Pho, pho, Agnes! Nonsense! For get it!"

"Then-the world is not-there has been no-is all the same as it was?" she murmured, eyeing me apprehensively.

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"Yes, it was! Do you know, Doctor?" she continued, with a mysterous air-"I-I-saw-yes-there were terrible faces in the lightning""Come, child, you rave!" "They seemed coming towards the world"—

Her voice trembled, and the colour of her face changed.

"Well-if you will talk such nonsense, Agnes, I must leave you. I will go and fetch my wife. Would you like to see her?"

"Tell N-to come to me to-day-I must see him. I have a message for him!" She said this with a sudden energy that surprised me, while her eye brightened as it settled on me. I kissed her, and retired. The last words surprised and disturbed me. Were her intellects affected? How did she know how could she conjecture that he was within reach? I took an opportunity of asking the nurse whether she had mentioned Mr. N-'s name to her, but not a syllable had been interchanged upon the subject.

Before setting out on my daily visits, I stepped into her room, to take my leave. I had kissed her, and was quiting the room, when happening to look back, I saw her beckoning to me. returned.

I

"I must see N- this evening!" said she, with a solemn emphasis that startled me; and as soon as she had uttered the words, she turned her head from me, as if she wished no more to be said.

My first visit was to Mr. N-, whom I found in a very weak state, but so much recovered from his illness, as to be sitting up, and partially dressed. He was perfectly calm and collected; and, in answer to his earnest enquiries, I gave him a full account of the nature of Miss P-'s illness. He received the intelligence of the favourable change that had occurred, with evident though silent ecstasy. After much inward doubt and hesitation, I thought I might venture to tell him of the parting-the twice-repeated request she had made.

The intelligence blanched his already pallid cheeks to a whiter hue, and he trembled violently.

"Did you tell her I was in town? Did she recollect me?"

"No one has breathed your name to her!" I replied. * * *

"Well, Doctor-if, on the whole, you think so that it would be safe,' said N-, after we had talked much on the matter-"I will step over and see her; but it looks very-very strange!" "Whatever whim may actuate her, I think it better, on the whole, to gratify her. Your refusal may be attended with infinitely worse effects than an interview. However, you shall hear from me again. I will see if she continues in the same mind; and, if so, I will step over and tell you." I took my leave.

A few moments before stepping down to dinner, I sat beside Miss P-, making my usual enquiries; and was gratified to find that her progress, though slow, seemed sure. I was going to kiss her, before leaving, when, with similar emphasis to that she had previously displayed, she again said— "Remember! Nto-night!"

MUST be here

I was confounded. What could be the meaning of this mysterious pertinacity? I felt distracted with doubt, and dissatisfied with myself for what I had told to N-. I felt answerable for whatever ill effects might ensue; and yet, what could I do?

It was evening, -a mild, though lustrous, July evening. The skies were all blue and white, save where the retiring sun-light produced a mellow inixture of colours towards the west. Not a breath of air disturbed the serene complacency. My wife and I sat on each side of the bed where lay our lovely invalid, looking, despite of her recent illness, beautiful, and in comparative health. Her hair was parted with negligent simplicity over her pale forehead. Her eyes were brilliant, and her cheeks occasionally flushed with colour. She spoke scarce a word to us, as we sat beside her. I gazed at her with doubt and apprehension. I was aware that health could not possibly produce the colour and vivacity of her complexion and eyes; and felt at a loss to what I should refer it.

"Agnes, love!-How beautiful is the setting sun!" exclaimed my wife, drawing aside the curtains.

"Raise me! Let we look at it!" re

She gazed

plied Miss P— faintly. earnestly at the magnificent object for some minutes; and then abruptly said to me-" He will be here soon?"

"In a few moments I expect him. But, Agnes, why do you wish to see him?" She sighed, and shook her head. It had been arranged that Dr. Dshould accompany Mr. N-to my house, and conduct him up stairs, after strongly enjoining on him the necessity there was for controlling his feelings, and displaying as little emotion as possible. My heart leaped into my mouth—as the saying is-when I heard the expected knock at the door.

"Nis come at last!" said 1, in a gentle tone, looking earnestly at her, to see if she was agitated. It was not the case. She sighed, but evinced no trepidation.

"Shall he be shewn in at once?" I enquired.

No-wait a few moments,” replied the extraordinary girl, and seemed lost in thought for about a minute. "Now!" she exclaimed; and I sent down the nurse, herself pale and trembling with apprehension, to request the attendance of Dr. D- and Mr. N-.

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As they were heard slowly approaching the room, I looked anxiously at my patient, and kept my fingers at her pulse. There was not a symptom of flutter or agitation. At length the door was opened, and Dr. D— slowly entered, with N upon his arm. As soon as his pale, trembling figure was visible, a calm and heavenly smile beamed upon the countenance of Miss P-. It was full of ineffable loveliness! She stretched out her right arm: he pressed it it to his lips, without uttering a word. My eyes were rivetted on the features of Miss P-. Either they deceived me, or I saw a strange alteration-as if a cloud were stealing over her face. I was right!We all observed her colour fading rapidly. I rose from my chair; Dr. Dalso came nearer, thinking she was on the verge of fainting. Her eye was fixed upon the flushed features of her lover, and gleamed with radiance. She gently elevated both her arms towards him, and he leaned over her.

"PREPARE!" she exclaimed, in a low thrilling tone ;-her features became paler and paler-her arms fell. She had spoken-she had breathed her last. She was dead!

Within twelve months poor N- followed her; and, to the period of his death, no other word or thought seemed to occupy his mind but the momentous

warning which issued from the expiring lips of Agnes P―, Prepare!

I have no mystery to solve, no denouement to make. I tell the facts as they occurred; and hope they may not be told in vain!

TO MISS ELIZ. HEMMINGS. For the Olio.

Fair as the rosy blushing morn
That decks the eastern sky;
No foreign aids thy face adorn,
To fix the wandering eye.
But modesty and meekness fair,
With innate grace combined,
Beauty and innocence are there
In every feature join'd.

Thy bosom, like the snow-drop, puie,
No sorrow shall oppress;
Envy herself could not endure
Such virtue to distress.

Myrtilla every art essays
To lure the unwary breast,
And every wanton look displays
To rob the youth of rest;
But tell the vain, deluded fair,
Virtue alone hath charms!
Virtue alone can ease our care,
And baffle love's alarms.

Continue, then, ah! gentle maid,
This heavenly path to run;

Let no frail thoughts thy breast invade,
But female follies shun.

Beauty's but a vernal flower,

The blossom of a day,

That serves to deck an eastern bower,
And then to fade away.

But virtue always paints the face
With everlasting hue,

And gives the form that pleasing grace
Which now appears in you.

J. D. NEWMAN.

THE FLASK OF SCHEDAM.

FOR THE OLIO.

"YAW! ugh! ugh! a murrain o' these fogs-they'll be the death o' me," quod Mynheer Von Donderdonc, of the goodly city of Amsterdam, who was shuffling along one cold wintry night on the Stancen yatcht, through an opaque mist. A long pull at a portly flask followed the ejaculation, and the sturdy Hollander drew his mantle tighter around him, and trudged along with amended pace. A full moon that had long been struggling with the dense fog, was now beginning to describe her circle somewhat more distinctly, and threw a grim and hazy light over the profound black masses of shipping that Îay in the canals. Von Donderdonc made his way towards a flight of wooden steps that led down to the water's edge, and giving a signal, a boat put off from the opposite side, took up the bulky ollander and rowed away.

"A cold night, Mynheer," said one of the boatmen, shrugging his shoulders, and looking wistfully at the flask, which was again resorted to.

"Yaw!" replied the Hollander,— smacking his lips, and returning the bottle to his pocket.

"A drop of Schedam is no bad companion in such a night," said the boatman, endeavouring to entice a dram. "Humph!" responded the other.

"And would counteract the fogHugh ugh! it has entered my stomach woundily."

"Donner welter," cried Von Donderdonc angrily," get on with the boat."

"Ho! ho!" quoth the boatman"Ho! ho!" said another-and "Ho! ho!" responded many more in succession.

They now emerged from the crowd of shipping whither they had been progressing for some time, and proceeded in silence down the river. The fog appeared to be clearing away, and the moon became more and more brilliant ; but the more the air brightened, the more intensely grew the cold, until it got to such a pitch that Mynheer shivered from head to foot, and his nose looked like burning brimstone. The flask was applied to, and squeezed to his quivering lips again and again; but in vainevery drop, every particle was consumed; and it was only now that Von Donderdonc deigned to survey his companions, to see if aught of comfort could be extracted from them, for the cold increased instead of diminishing. With this design therefore the Hollander upraised the front rim of his slouched beaver, and peered forth his little grey piggish eyes, and the personage on whom they first fell was the boatman whom his angry exclamation had silenced. This worthy sat immediately fronting Von Donderdonc, whose miserable plight he had been eyeing with malicious satisfaction.

"A cold night, Mynheer," said he, with a most saturnine grin, and resting his oars, he took a vigorous pull from a flask of about thrice the bulk of the Hollander's, and returned it to his pocket. Immediately a flask was raised with one accord as it were to every other lip in the boat.

"A bottle of Schedam is a right pleasant companion in such a night as this -the water freezes beneath us."

And so in sooth it did, and the ice seemed to crackle and break before the keel, the air darkened too, and it began

to snow.

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