"And now lash'd on by destiny severe, With horror fraught the dreadful scene drew near; The ship hangs hovering on the verge of death, At last the keel struck upon a rock, and all the masts fell overboard. Several of the crew, clinging to them, were carried into the breakers, and perished. A returning sea from the rocks released the vessel from her perilous situation, and drove her rapidly round a jutting point into a small creek, where she fell broadside on a sandy beach, and by help of the natives, every person was landed in safety, having only to regret their companions, whose fears induced them to trust their salvation to the masts and yards. The ways of Providence are dark and mysterious, and till his appointed time arrives, every man may be accounted immortal. The The island of Ithaca is chiefly inhabited by fishermen, and if it were not more fruitful in ancient times, it was not worth the trouble Ulysses had to find it on his return from the siege of Troy. Harolde took up his residence at the best house on the island, and waited patiently until the ship had again been put into repair. This occupied some weeks, and a vessel was reported to have anchored under the lee of the island, bearing Venetian colours. Freeman was sent to reconnoitre, and made a report that she was a pleasnre yacht, the property of Count St. Florian, a Sardinian nobleman, who had his wife and family on board. Harolde took his gun, and walked over the hills to offer him the use of his house, and every accommodation his stores could afford, as Freeman learnt they had been trying C 4 trying in vain to find a house fit to receive them, the lady's health requiring her instant removal to the shore. CHAP. CHAP. II. She lives, she breathes, and we may yet be happy. SHAKESPEare. A long lost friend, miraculously restor❜d, CAMPBELL. Harolde visits the shore near the Count's yacht.-An interesting child and a communicative nurse.-His surprise to find in the Countess St. Florian his long-loved, long-lost Berenice.--The Count accepts a share of his house. The joy of Harolde and Berenice.-Notice of Ithaca.-Harolde relates to the Countess his wanderings, the confession of Lamska, and that she is not the daughter of Bernardo.—Penelope's Garden.-The tale of the Countess.-Recollections of juvenile days in Cyprus.Bernardo a collector of Greek tribute for the Bashaw-his extravagance her mother's awe of him.-Dark hint from an Armenian merchant.-Lamska's influence.-A mother's innocence doubted.-The old Bashaw is promised the hand of Berenice when she is a few years older.—Bernardo loses his office -leaves Lernicah after selling his estates.-A house and garden left for Berenice in charge of the merchant Demetrius. -Proceed C 5 -Proceed to Lucca.-Quarrels betwixt Bernardo and Berenice's mother-she dies, supposed to have been poisoned by Lamska, whom she accuses with her dying breath.—Bernardo arrested-he accuses Lamska of his wife's murder.-Lamska escapes.-Bernardo sells the estates, and goes to Marseilles—his care of Berenice.-Arrival at Elba-she is shocked to find Lamska again in attendance on Bernardo-his excuses for it.— Harolde's observations on liberty and slavery.-Berenice interrupted in her narration.-A confession of love on both sides. THE day was remarkably fine, and Harolde, after sporting over the hills (if shooting curlews can be called sporting), descended into the vale, and rested himself on a bench at the door of a cottage, whose inhabitants, with genuine Greek hospitality, which has never altered since the days of Homer and Hesiod, presented him with milk and fruits. The girls surrounded him, eager to shew respect to the stranger; and having made their best courtesies, sat down to their usual occupations -making |