dour, at least, to recollect, that you you pity me-Say only, that you do yourself commanded me. I have read over your billet an hundred times, without being able to difcover any thing in it that would give me the leaft glimpse of hope: and tho' I am in the fame uncertainty that I was in before I ventured to write to you, yet it hath raised me to a comparative ftate of happiness. I intended to give you the detail of my folly at length, but find myfelf incapable of it. You mult, therefore, be content with the leading circumstances, and judge from them of the more minute: by this method, I fhall avoid a narration I am unable to make, and offend you, it may be, lefs by my prefumption and vanity; once more hoping, that you will recollect, you ordered me to give you the account. You must remember our visit to Hampton Court, and cannot forget the circumftance which took place in the gardens: an attempt to particularife it would only ferve to fhew my own conceit; and befides, I could not do it. These circumstances, however, must be ftill fresh in your memory; and, I will confefs, they are the foundation upon which I have built fuch a ftupendous edifice of mifery. These were the cause of my difquiet; and any thing further that I could add, would be merely acceffary. You are in poffeffion of the outline, and must finish the picture with any colouring of unhappiness or folly that you please. not defpife me, and I will hug myfelf in my wretchednefs.-I know I have offended you beyond every hope of pardon-yet I could wish you to forgive me; and then I fhall die in peace. Now, madam, have I complied with your request; and what I wish to add is, that I throw myfelf upon your generofity; and, if I might venture to afk any thing, it would be, that you will not let me become the object of your derifion and fcorn. LETTER V. The Same to the Same. I AM fenfible of it-I have fhewn you upon what flight grounds my arrogance was founded; and you, with juftice, abandon me to my fate. O write to me only one word-fay To incur your displeasure is an evil of fuch an extent, that it fhocks my very nature; but to be despised is a torture-is a reflection too dreadful to be borne.-If, therefore, you have the leaft grain of pity-only fay fo—I will be content. LETTER VI. From Frances Cromwell to Charles Waller. WHY do you intreat me to do an act which will not alleviate your distress, but which cannot fail to have the most cruel confequences to me? Why do you wish me to write to you, when I can neither attempt to confole you, nor, without drawing down ruin upon me, favour your hopes? Do you think, because I have been indifcreet enough to answer one of your letters in order to undeceive you, that I fhall proceed to any lengths, and not shrink back with horror from a precipice on the top of which I am tottering? Or is it because you have drank deeply of a cup of poifon, and would willingly have a companion in misfortune, that you hold out the dreadful chalice to my hand? If, however, you would delight in that draught, if you could contemplate my ruin with joy, if it will afford you the fmalleft fatisfaction to know that you alone are not borne down by mifery, if it be a confolation to you to know that there is another as wretched as yourfelf-let a gleam of pleasure light up thy care worn countenance; for be affured the fufferings you complain of are only to be equalled by thofe which I feel. As I have thus frankly confeffed that your as affection is returned, and that I love you (for why fhould I attempt to conceal what you have difcovered by my actions?) I will not hesitate to give you a narration of its beginning and progrefs; and, in the relation, if any ᎥᏝ any thing fhould fhould appear harsh to you, or grate your feelings, I hope you will reflect that all the difgrace attaches to me, who formed fuch unworthy opinions. : When I first perceived that my heart was not indifferent to you, alarmed at the idea, I fpared no pains to overcome a paffion in its early ftate, which, young as I was, I had fenfe enough to perceive, was pregnant with difafter. I thought abfence the most likely method to overcome it; and, therefore, entreated my father to permit me to vifit a relation in a distant part of the country; but in this I was totally mistaken for I was fo far from finding any benefit by the change of fituation, that it actually increased my diforder. In my reveries, your image eternally prefented itself to my view, and all that folitude feemed to effect, was to render it more interesting; and for want of a proper diffipation of thought, love became the only fubject of my contemplations, and took a deeper root in my heart than ever. As this was the cafe, and feeing that every day I remained in the country only added to my torment, I returned to my father's house, thinking it more prudent even to truft myself in your prefence, than to perish by retirement. When I came home, I did not, however, give myself up to defpair; but was determined to combat with my inclination in the best manner I was able; for this purpose I ufed frequently to fet before my mind how little it became a perfon of my fuperior fituation to entertain the least affection for a man so infinitely beneath me, as pride taught me to confider you; but confcience infinuated, that I had no right to the station I held, and that the refpect I received from all ranks of people, was the effect of fear. It convinced me that the former was gained by an unjuft ufurpation and cruelty, and the latter would moft unquestionably diminish in proportion as the power of my father declined; confequently that the violent difference that I imagined to fubfift between refpective ftations, was merely idea!. A our Befides, the conduct of the Protector to you convinced me, that ambition did not think it below its dignity to be intimate with merit.-Then I would recollect the fafcinating charms of your converfation, and the graces of your mind polished to the highest degree of literary fplendour. These circumstances united to fhew me how vain it was to attempt my cure by having recourfe to pride, and I therefore gave it up. When a woman has found her vanity of no fervice to her upon fuch an occafion, it is not surprising that she should not be able to raife any other force fufficiently powerful to aid her endeavours. From this time, I gave myfelf over as loft, and abandoned myfelf to love, as to a conquering and triumphant enemy, whom I was no longer able to refift. I had flattered myself, however, that if I was unfortunate enough to be in fuch a situation, I could at least conceal the fhame of it, and avert the calamities it portended, by burying the fecret for ever in my bofom. I had fo far reconciled myself to this idea, that I began to feel a fort of tranquil mifery-a lethargy of grief, and looked forward to death with calmness, though I fometimes wished for it with anxiety, as a certain relief from what I endured. Judge then, into what an agitation your first letter threw me. It awakened again all those fentiments, I hoped, were vanquished; and revived thoughts, that I wished extinguished for ever. I foon found I had all the ftruggles to fuftain again; and, overcome with my feelings, I became nearly defperate. Cool reflection, neverthelefs, once more, kindly interpofed between me and my fate; I thought it then most advisable not to take the least notice of what you had done, hoping that you would be difcouraged by my filence from proceeding any further; but when I faw your hand a fecond time, I confefs I could no longer retain` my refolution, and I therefore was determined to write to you. After this explicit, recital; you may eafily conceive my fituation; yet I muft 312 inform inform you, that if you expect from it my hand trembled, and noticed my that I fhould favour your addreffes, alarm, and infifted to fee the paper Í believe me, you will be mistaken; for I had concealed. I could not refufe, for will never confent to any requeft, that refiftance would have been ineffectual. may injure my father's peace; nor will Luckily I had there a letter from a I drive you to ruin on my account. young lady, the Lady who had made me the confidant of her fecret affection for the Lord B. I availed myfelf of the fortunate circumftance, and put it into father's hand. He chid me for fuch a foolish correfpondence, and we walked together to the house. Adieu! but write to me no more. I have already kept this letter three days in my bofom, without having had an opportunity of delivering it to you. I was yesterday perufing your last billet in the garden, when my father appeared in fight, and was clofe upon me before I could recover myself. I inftantly hurried it into my bofom, he faw that LOVE AND JOY-AN ALLEGORICAL TALE. unamiable features of her mother were fo blended with the sweetness of her father, that her countenance, though mournful, was highly pleasing. The maids and fhepherds of the neighbouring plains gathered round her, and called her Pity. A red-breaft was obferved to build in the cottage where she was born; and, while fhe was yet an infant, a dove, puifued by a hawk, flew into her bofom. This nymph had a dejected appearance, but fo foft and gentle a mien, that the was beloved to a degree of enthusiasm. Her voice was low and plaintive, but inexpreffibly fweet; and she loved to lie, for hours together, on the banks of some wild and melancholy ftream, finging to her lute. She taught men to weep; for he took a ftrange delight in tears; and often, when the virgins of the hamlet were affembled at their evening fports, fhe would fteal in among them, and captivate their hearts by her tales full of a charming sadness. She wore on her head a garland compofed of her father's myrtles twisted with her mother's cypress. IN the happy period of the golden both her parents; but the, fullen and age, when all the celestial inhabitants defcended to the earth, and converfed familiarly with mortals, among the most cherished of the heavenly powers were twins, the offspring of Jupiter, Love and Joy. Where they appeared, the Bowers fprung up beneath their feet, the fun fhone with a brighter radiance, and all nature feemed embellished by their prefence, They were infeparable companions; and their growing attachment was favoured by Jupiter, who had decreed that a lafting union fhould be folemnized between them, as foon as they were arrived at more mature years: but, in the mean time, the fons of men deviated from their native innocence; vice and ruin overran the earth with giant ftrides; and Aftrea, with her train of celeftial vifitors, for fook their polluted abodes. Love alone remained, having been ftolen away by Hope, who was his nurse, and conveyed by her to the forefts of Arcadia, where he was brought up among the shepherds. But Jupiter affigned him a different partner, and commanded him to espouse Sorrow, the daughter of Alté. He complied with reluctance; for her features were harsh and difagreeable, her eyes funk, her fore head contracted into perpetual wrinkles, and her temples were covered with a wreath of cyprefs and wormwood. From this union fprung a virgin, in whom might be traced a strong refemblance to One day, as the fat mufing by the waters of Helicon, her tears by chance fell into the fountain, and, ever finces the Mufes' fpring has retained a strong taste of the infufion. Pity was comb manded by Jupiter to follow the steps & of her mother through the world, drop-o ping balm into the wounds fhe made, The nymph is mortal, for her mother is fo; and when he has fulfilled her deftined courfe upon the earth, fley fhall both expiré together, and Love be again united to Joy, his immortal and long-betrothed bride. and binding up the hearts fhe had broken. She follows with her hair loose, her bofom bare and throbbing, her garments torn by the briars, and her feet bleeding with the roughnefs of the path. THE SPORT OF FORTUNE. ALOYSIUS was the fon of an offi- the vehemence of ardent affection. Aloycer in the fervice of a German Prince; fius rather flew than was taifed from and his good natural talents were un- one promotion to another: but these folded and cultivated by a liberal edu- outward marks of favour feeraed very cation. Being ftill very young, but far fhort of the lively efteem the Prince fraught with much fubítantial know- had for him. Ilis fortune fprung up ledge, he entered into the military fer- with aftonishing rapidity, as the creator vice of his Sovereign; to whom he was of it was his admirer, his paffionate not long unknown as a young man of friend. Not yet twenty-two years of great merit, and of ftill greater hopes. age, he faw himself on a fummit, at Aloyfius was in the full ardour of which the most fortunate commonly youth, and the Prince was fo likewife; finifh their career. But his active fpirit Aloyfius was impetuous and enterprif- could not long remain quiet in the bo ing; the Prince, who was fo too, was fom of idle repofe, nor yet content it fond of fuch characters. By a copious felf with the fhiaing, appendages of a vein of wit, and a full ftock of know- greatnefs, to the folid ules of which he ledge, Aloyfius was the foul of every company he frequented; enlivened every circle into which he happened to fall, by a joviality always equal, and diffufed life and gaiety over every object that came in his way; and the Prince knew how to prize the virtues which he himself poffeffed in an eminent degree. Whatever he took in hand, not excepting his very paftimes, had a tinc ture of elevation: no obstacle could af fright him, and no difappointment could conquer his fpirit. The value of thefe qualities was enhanced by a graceful figure; the perfect picture of blooming health and Herculean vigour was animated by the cloquent play of an active mind; an inborn natural majefty in mien, and gait, and air, was tempered by a noble modesty. If the Prince was charmed with the mind of his young companion, this captivating exterior impreffed his fenfes with an irrefiltible force. Equality of age, harmony of difpofitions and character, foon formed a connection between them, that partook of all the energy of friendship, and all 3079 felt a fufficiency of courage and ability. Aloyfius had mounted to this pinnacle of grandeur at too early a time of life, and in too fudden a, manuer, for, enjoying it in moderation. The eleva-. tien to which he faw himself raised made him giddy with ambition; his modesty forfook him when he had reached the laft aim of his wishes. The tribute of humble fubmiffion which was paid him by by the first perfons of the country, by all who were his fuperiors by birth, confideration, and fortune, and even by the veterans in office, intoxicated him with pride; and the unbounded authority with which he was invefted foon gave a certain harness to his deportment, which thenceforward became a main feature in his character, and attached itself to him through all the vicif. fitudes of his fortune. No fervices were too painful and great for his friends to expect of him; but his enemies had reafon to tremble; for as exceffive as his complacency was on one fide, fo little moderation was in his revenge on the other. He made lefs ufe of his authority for enriching himself, than in making the fortune of numbers, who might look up to him as the author of their profperity; but humour, not equity, felected the object. By a haughty imperious demeanour he eftranged from him the very hearts of those whom he had cherished most, while he at the fame time turned all his rivals into fo many fecret maligners or implacable foes. Among the number of those who watched all his fteps with jealous and invidious eyes, and were already forming themselves into the inftruments of his ruin, was a Count of Piedmont, Jofeph Martinengo, belonging to the fuite of the Prince, whom Aloyfius himfelf had put into this poft, as a harmlefs creature devoted to him, that he might fill the place in the Prince's amufements which he began to feel too dull for himself, and which he rather chofe to exchange for a more important employment. As he confidered this man as the work of his hands, whom, by a fingle nod, he could replunge into the primitive nothing out of which he had drawn him by the breath of his mouth; fo he held himself sure of him, as well from motives of fear as from gratitude; and thus fell into the fame mistake as Richelieu did, in delivering the young Le Grand as a plaything to Louis XIII. But, befides being unable to correct this mistake with Riche . lieu's addrefs, he had to do with a more artful enemy than the French minifter had to contend with. Instead of being vain of his fuccefs, and making his benefactor feel that he could now do without him, Martinengo was fedulous to keep up the fhow of dependence, and, with a feigned fubmiffion, to attach himself clofer to the creator of his fortune. At the fame time, however, he did not neglect to use the opportunities his poft afforded him of being frequently about the Prince, in their full extent, and to render himself, by imperceptible degrees, neceffary and indifpenfible to him. In a fhort time he had gained a thorough knowledge of the temper and difpofitions of his mafter, had defcried every latent avenue to his confidence, and had infenfibly stolen into his graces. All thofe arts which a generous pride and a natural elevation of foul had taught the minifter to look down upon with contempt, were put in play by the Italian, who did not difdain to employ the most bafe and fervile means for arriving at his aim. Knowing full well that a man is nowhere in more want of a guide and affiftant than in the ways of vice, and that nothing conduces to bolder confidences than a co-partnership in fecret indulgences; he inflamed thofe paffions which had hitherto lain dormant in the heart of the Prince, and then preffed himself upon him as his confidant and encourager. He feduced him into thofe exceffes which least of all admit of being witneffed or known; and thus imperceptibly accustomed him to make him the depofitory of fecrets from which a third was ever excluded. In fhort, he at length built his infamous plan of fuccefs on the corruption of the Prince, and executed it the more eafily, as fecrecy was a means effential to its completion; fo that he was in poffeffion of the heart of the Prince ere Aloyfius could have the fmalleft furmife that he fhared it with another. It may be thought fomewhat furprif ing, that fo confiderable a change fhould efcape the attention of the fagacious mi |