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MUSES RETREAT.
THE BLUSH OF ~ SIMPLICITY.
While Charlotte, confcioui that (he loves,
Would hide the crimlun’s tnnfient hue,
She veils the biufh, wh.ch only prove*
A he»rt to iove ani Coria true.
In errjng maid* that fondly stray,
A tinge as bright a* thine we lee;
Y*t clouded lo ks i's f urte betny,
Unknown to innocence and thee.
No cloud thine eyes of Candor know,
To lh*.de th-ir sweet expreflion o’er j
Tut to the foft luffuftng g;«w,
They kindle quick, and sparkle more,
Ah ! may such glances ever speak
The Ample b’.ufli on Chariot e’s cheek !
THE FOLLOWING LINES
fVere written on feeing a Bird reftlejs in a cage
which, had been newly caught
AH! thou poor little flutt’ring thing,
DragM from thy freedom dear ;
In iron ptifon doom’d to sing,
To charm th’ oppreflur’s ear.
Alas! dear bird, thy fate is mine,
A pris’ner’s woes I (hare,
My captive heart doth pant like thine,
1 listen to difpair.
THE AGE OF CHIVALRY.
On the fort refs of St. John at Marseilles,
which was demoliflied during the revolu
tion, human nature had been for almost a
century insulted, by a Latin inscription,
“ Tnis tower vva9 credted bv Louis XIV.
left his faithful people of Marseilles flnuld
become infatuated with the love of lib
erty.”
THE JACOBIN’S EVASION.
WHEN Tom had lcditioully dat ’d to (Xtlaim,
That in England w t wanted no king,
And was brought toihejuftice toanfwer the fame,
Thus contriv’d he his accufcrs to fling -
" Pleafc your worfliip, (fay* Tom) that I said so, I
grant,
“ And in what I’ve affirmed I’ll be Heady,
“ l'or Englishmen finely no monarch can want,
“They have such a good one AL
READY.” * |
~ I
PULPIT METAPHORS.
TIIE late Mr. John Wesley, when ,
preaching once at Cheller, soon after the
death of the pious lady Huntington, said ,
that “he was sure her ladyfliip was a look- |
ing-glifs in heaven, for departed brothers ,
and filters to fee their f ices in ”
A fanatical preacher, near Stockport, ,
tHely called upon the Lord, “to wipe his ,
lips with the towel of love— and to lend him ,
a pair of gospel fnuffers that lie might fnujf j
the caudle ol grace." \
At Liverpool a certain reverend Pastor,
(of well-known eccentricity) once told his |
flock, that when he mounted the pulpit, |
he sometimes fancied he was firting down |
to plav a rubber at all fours with Belxebub !
“My text I confnler, (laid he) as turning i
tip a trump card; and this night 1 have high,
law, fact, and in my own hand.”-
ANECDOTES.
A CERTAIN woman gave her husband
a dole of poison in order to get rid of him,
but finding it did dot operate so soon as file
expedted, (or rather wiflied) added a quan
titv of quicksilver to hasten the business;
but that nimble and weighty fubtlance 1
soon made its way through his. body, and
carried the poison with it, before it could
frize on the vital parts, and so freed him
from danger; on which an epigram was
wrote, which ends thus:
The goi* fern health by a molt wretched wife,
F.>r, when utc will, two yoifon* save * life.
A WOMAN in the village of Piotou
was ill, and fell into so deep a tleep, that
all about her thought her dead. She was
wrapped in linen only (as is the ettftom of
the poor people in France! and was then
carried to be buried. As they were going
to the church yard, the bearers went so
close to a bulh, that one of the thorns
pricked her and roused her from her leth
argy. Fourteen vear* alter, flie was again
thought to be dead: as now they were car
ring her to the grave, coining near the old
place, the husband cried out fcveral times
Pray keep further off tkt bujh.
\ SCOTCH bag piper travelling to
Ireland, opened his wallet by a wood fide,
and fat down to dinner: no sooner had he
said grace, but three wolves came about
him. To one he threw bread, to another
meat, tiii his provender was ail gone. At
* length he took up his pipes, and began to
play, ;.t which the wolves runaway. “ The
clcel saw me, (faidSawney,)and had I ken’d
you loo'd music so wed, you tliould have
lueu \t betore dinner l”
, - jiTVi ... 11 ’'
pkcebe smith.
A MORAL TALE.
BY Mr. C. I. PITT.
SWEET as the voice of the fyren is the
language of lenfibility j foft as the afpedt
of nature, when the genius of storms me
detares, in silence, a tumultuous defeent:
but oft, like the prelufive calm it contains
the feeds of mifehief; and, like the har
mony of the fyren, should be heard with
distrust. As the delightful beverage of the
vineyard, it attunes the heart to the molt
generous and falurary affections: but, with
that, deals inlenfibly on the imagination;
and, unless tempered by the according
hand of diferetion, debates where it ftiouid
refine, and ennervates where it Ihouid
confirm.
Sensibility, though undoubtedly propi
tious to virtue, like all excellencies, has its
counterfeit; and, when carried to an ex
treme, degenerates into vice. The spirit
of nature rejoices in equanimity ; and pre
fers, for her refidencc, the bovvers of spring.
Phoebe Smith was the only, and darling
child of captain Smith ; a military gentle
man, who having devoted the flower of
his days to the honorable service of his
country, retired at fifty-fix, crowned with
the well-earned laurel, to a small family es
tate in Fiintfllire. His avocations were
such as will naturally suggest themselves
to be mod eligible to a liberal and poliQud
mind. An union of thirty years had im
proved, rather than impaired, the afFedtion
of an amiable wife; and the dutiful de
meanor of his daughter, founded on prin
ciple, was confirmed by parental tender -
nefs. So entire a confidence, indeed, sub
sisted between the members of this little fa
rnilv, that they might truly be said to ex
perience that summit of terrestrial joy, do
mestic felicity. Unhappily, however, a
chief trait in the character of Phoebe was
an ingenuous benevolence of heart, which,
through judging others by herfelf, induced
her generally to attribute more sincerity to
mankind than common experience will an
tliorife She also pofllfled a delicate fenli
bility; which by an immediate attachment
to what is called Sentimental Literature,
became so exquisitely refined, that hcraf
fedfions grew too chimerical to fatisfy, and
her solicitudes almost too poignant to lup
port.
Her father witntfled this perversion of
her mind with no little anxiety ; but, in
his attempts to reclaim her, averse to harfli
nefs, only took the mild methods of re
monstrance and reasoning. “ My dear
Phoebe,” would he fay, lenfibility is the
offspring of Humanity ; and, consequent
ly ought to be cheriflied; but let us be
careful that the method* wc take to im
prove, do not corrupt it. Too much in
dulgence is as detrimental as total negledt.
Whenever we refine our ideas and affec
tions to such a degree that the former can
not be reduced to pradlice, and the latter
revolts, at co-operating with the claims of
focietv, there is great reason to fufpedt
that we have transgressed the ordinances of
Nature; for virtue disclaims useless specu
lation, and focietv can only be benefited
by alacrity and perseverance. lam afraid,
that the world has more to dread, on the
(core of degeneracy, from those who flile
themselves Sentimental Writers, than we
are apt to conceive. The genuine effu
(ions of honest fenfibilitv, are of service to
morality ; but if we allow ourselves to be
affcdled by the quaint bombast of a diftem
pered fancy, or the querulous detail of a
diffatisfied mind ; we (hall, in all probabi
lity, imbibe the enthufi.ifm of the one, and
the peevifhnels of the other. When the
mind poflcHes (Length to difcri.minate, anil
coolness to examine, little danger need be
apprehended ; but as the credulous impe
tuosity of youth often produces improper
confidences, and fatal decisions; and, as
we are always liable to be milled, through
the arts of the designing, and the specious
arguments of infatuated error; it is cer
tainly moftadvifable, in such cases to con
sult experience for information, before we
form conclusions, or meditate pursuits.
“ Do not imagine that I would curtail
your pleasures. I only wilh to diredt them
to a proper channel; and I think it my
duty to warn you against the iticonvenien
cies you are likely to fuffer from an intem
perate paflion for aufpicies of writing, ge
nerally captivating, but rarely natural;
conllquently, calculated chiefly to aflfedl
our hnppinefs by vitiating our morals.”
Phoebe was nineteen when ensign Med
hurft, ion to an old fchoolfellow of the
captain’s came down to spend a few weeks
with our little family. He was a young
man polfdled of many accomplishments,
but destitute of Principle. He had never
seen Phoebe before; and had not been long
acquainted with her, before he rcfolved to
repay the hofpitaiity of the father by the
ruin of the daughter. Adlive observation
soon informed him of her ruling palfion ;
and, by flattering this, he promised him
felf the attainment ot his wilh. Evcrv
one much conversant with fentihnental no
vels. will readily conceive the methods
which he took; and, from the fame intel*
ligence, will probably anticipate the ca
tastrophe! Hisdefignsaccompltflied, Med
hurft, on a preconcerted i’cheme, took his
leave at the villa sooner Ulan was expe&ed;
but succeeded in consoling the heart break
ing Phoebe, by alfuring her, that the mo
ment he had fettled the business which un
expectedly called him away, he would as
ftiredly return, and ask her hand rs her fa
ther, being certain, as he said, of obtain
ing that of his own.
months, however, palled without
her leeing him; it is true, that he had
twice written to her, from motives of po
licy, and this kept hope aiive in her bteaft;
nor was it till the expiration of that period,
when she heard of his being married in
London, that her eyes were completely
open to his villainy, and her own lhame.
These circumftanccs operated so ftverely
on her mind, as to throw her into a molt
violent fever: out of which she arose, af
ter more than two months, an emaciated
objeCf of lunacy i
It was now, from her emphatic incohe
rences, that the doating parents firft ga
thered the occasion of their daughter’s ma
lady, and a knowledge of the wretch who
had betrayed her. To attempt at deferib
ing the father’s agonies, would be affecta
tion ; for the mother’s, ft.dice it to fay,
that Ihe fell an immediate victim to them !
But for the interference of an intimate
friend of the Captain, he had set off imme
diately to London, that he might facrifice
Medhurft to the manes of hL wife, and as
an expiatory offering for the indiferetion
of his child. This gentleman represented,
that he was altogether unworthy of death
infliCted by the hand of a man of honor;
recommended him, for his child’s f-ke,
not to risk his own life ; and assured him,
s hat he would exert himfelf to the utmofl,
in bringing that vi lain to as condign a
punishment as the law would allow.
The wretched parent seemed fatisfied
with these afTurances, and endeavored to
appear composed ; but his flattering ap
pearance was like that of Etna, whose sides
are covered with verdure, while fires prey
on its entrails.
He had fully determined in his own
mind, to avenge his wrongs more effectu
ally than the law would admit: for this
purpose, unknown to his friend, he sent a
pielfing invitation to old Medhurft and
his fun, which he begged they would com
ply with as fcon as pofiible. Frank, who
had every thing to dread, made every ex
cuse hereafunably could ; but as his father
was very partial to the Captain, he infilled
on his compliance, and they set off to
gether.
On their arrival, they were (hewn into
the parlor; where the Captain fat, with his
/fiend, who was surprised at their unex
pected appearance. Mr. Medhurft, after
the salutation, which he thought rather
tool,enquired for Mrs. Smith, and Phoe
be, and thertafon why the family was in
mourning. The Captain, with a deep sigh,
r.nfwereJ, that his wife was no more; and
entreated their company, with that of his
friend, to visit Phoebe, whom they would
find in the garden.
She was now in so deplorable a state, as
scarcely to remember the features of any
one ; and, when they difeovered her, she
was fitting in the very bower where she
had firft uftened to her betrayer. Fiank
trembled at the approach, and shrunk back
behind his father. She did not perceive
them till thev were close to the entrance.
“ Huflt !” file cried, “you’ve frightened
him away ; and he was faying thefweeteft
thing ! he knelt there; and when he said
he loved me , oh ! how the tears ran down
his cheekb—and my heart fluttered—yes,
he talked so charmingly—but, there I’ve a
fad memory.”—Then taking up the re- I
mains of a role, the leaves of which file had
scattered on the ground, and looking will
fully at her father—“ This was a pretty
rose once!”—So striking an emblem of
herfelf, heightened by the unconscious
manner in which she uttered it, operated
with full force on her father. He hid his
face for a moment; and then, recolleCling
himlelf, re-aflumed his previous sternness.
At this moment, Frank, by altering his
position, caught the eye of the affliCled
girl ; she fnrveyed him forne time, with a
lort of confufed terror; then, riling from
her feat, left the bower, and walked pre
cipitately to the house. Their eyes fol
lowed her, till they loft fight of her, when
the Captain thusaddreffed them—“ This
entertainment 1 have provided for you is
a melancholy one, but necessity demands
it; the fate of that unhappy girl was the
death of her mriher !”—Here he drew’ his
hand across his eyes—“ and her misery
was occasioned by a wretch who, while he
eat at my table, planned the ruin of my
child.” Then, turning to Frank, “do I
(peak fafely ?” Hardened as he was in vice,
the contemptible culprit hung his head,
incapable of either denying the accufarion,
or of offering the fmalltft excuse, while his
father llood confounded with wonder end
horror. But the silence of a few moments
was interrupted by the Captain; who,
drawing r case of pistols from his pocket,
preiented one to young Medhurft. “ There,
Sir! Would roGodyon had dealt J,,m
with me.” The father and friend j,,'.*/
sered in vain : the Captain was
ed, they measured paces, and t! e
fell. It were needltfs to dwell (-n the
filing scene. Mr. Medhurft applied to t'-j
bar of criminal jorifcii&ion for rtd-e-"
The Capiain religned himfelf with chear!
fuinels; and, being found guilty of rnur
der, heard with great fitmnefs, fentenceo f
death pa fled on him.
The very peculiar circumstances efi -
cale, however, together with the recoiled
tion of his profelfional fcrvices, procured
him the Ro\al n.ercy. But, though restor
ed to society, he was not so to himfelf.
buried Phoebe soon after; fold his eftai» ;
and, retiring to one of the most jemete
parts of England, dedicated the fliort
mainder of his life to brocd ; >g fditude
and hopeless lorrow.
[FROM a LATE LONDON PAPER.]
The following dreadful tale is tcld in the
French Journal, Le Clef du Cabinet:
A MAN in the Department of Bar fur
Onain, having been mutilated by three ruf
flans, applied to the Police, who in conse
quence of it apprehended a man in the
Canton of Vaid, who was charged by the
injured party with the crime. The wife
of the accused, w ith all his family, consist
ing of a daughter of sixteen years of age,
and two Tons, one aged nineteen and the
other seventeen years, went to visit him
and returned home in a state of despair.
On the following morning the children
went into the field to the plow’, and about
ten o’clock the mother called them home.
In returning they parted by a rivulet, when
the daughter said, “ Magdalen, you may
throw the clothes into the water as we fliaii
have nofurtheroccafion for them.” They
then entered the liable and shut the door
ciofe. Screams and groans were heard,
and shortly afterwards the young man of
nineteen opened the door, and ran into
the street with his throat cut and covered
with blood ; he plunged himfelf into the
rivulet, came out again, and threw him
(elf on the bank. The people ran to him,
interogated him, but he could give no an
swer, and died. They ruflied into the
house, but found no one, they hastened to
the liable, where they saw the young man
of seventeen years of age, with his throat
cut, expiring, and laying or. the breall of
his lifter, who had also her throat cut, and
by the fide of w hom lay a bloody hatchet.
In searching the loft, they perceived a
deadly and lived hand, which they found
to be that of the woman, bathed in her
blood. She was yet alive, and every af
fifiance having been given to her, she "V
brought to herfelf, and her wounds found
not to be mortal. The unhappy woman
declared, that having been to fee her hus
band, she could not bear the idea of the
dilhonor which would attach to herfelf and
her family from his execution: Ihe had
therefore determined to die, and prevailed
upon her children to die with her. They
knelt down before her to receive their
death wound, which Die gave them with a
hatchet j that Ihe immediately afterwards
attempted to stab herfelf, but the knife not
having reached her heart, Ihe had twice
stabbed herfelf in the body; that having
perceived that her eldelt son, in struggling
with death, had opened the door, and fear
ing to be difeovered, Ihe had fufficient
strength to afeend into the loft, with an
intent to throw herfelf out of the window,
but her strength failed her. She was ar
rested and carried to commercy. In go
ing out of her house, Ihe saw the bodies
of her three children, without betraying
any emotion, and declared, that if Ihe had
had thirty, {lie should have put them all to
death, to avoid the lhame of having their
father gullotined.
moralist.
THOUGHTS ON VIRTUE.
VIRTUE is the highelt exercise and
improvement of reason, the connexion,
harmony, and just balance of affections
and palftons; the health strength and beau
ty of the mind. The fatisfacliou of vir
tue may be purchased without a bribe,
and poflefted by the humblest, as well as
the most triumphat fortune; they can
bear the ftrifteft review, do not change
with circumstances, not grow old with
time, force cannot rob, nor fraud cheat
us of them ; and, to crown all, inltead of
abating they enhance every other pleasure.
Virtue is the greatest ornament; it is to
the young neceflarv, to the aged comfor
table, to the poor serviceable, to the rich
an ornament, to the fortunate an honor, to
the unfortunate a support. She enobles
the Have, and exalts nobility itfelf. In
Ihort, let it be remembered that none can
be disciples of the graces but in the Ichool
of virtue, and that those who wish to be
lovely, but learn to be good.
“ To suppliant virtue nothing is deny’d.'*
“ For beili-gs ever wait on virtuous deeds,
“ Aad tho' a late a lure reward lucceeds.”