was surely busy that night, for I thought the apparition was the widow, and that I saw Cluty himself, at every other keek she gave, looking at me o'er her shoulder with his fiery een. In short, the sight and vision grew to such a head upon me, that I started up, and cried with a loud voice, "O, Mistress Keckle, Mistress Keckle, what's brought you here?" The sound of my terrification gart the whole house dirl, and the widow herself, with her twa servan' lasses, with candles in their hands, came in their flannen coaties to see what was the matter, thinking I had gane by myself, or was taken with some sore dead-ill. But when the lights entered the room, I was cured of my passion of amazement, and huddling intil the bed aneath the clothes, I expounded to the women what had disturbed me, and what an apparition I had seen-not hinting, however, While I that I thought it was Mrs. Keckle. was thus speaking, one of the maidens gied a shrill skirling laugh, crying, "Och hon, the poor wig!" and sure enough nothing could be more humiliating than the sight it was; for the black cat, instigated, as I think, by Diabolus himself to an endeavour to pull it down, had with her claws combed out both the curls and the pouther; so that it was hinging as lank and feckless as a tap of lint, just as if neither the mistress nor me had laid a hand upon it. And thus it was brought to light and testimony, that what I had seen and heard was but the devil of a black cat louping and jumping to bring down my new wig for a playock to herself, in the which most singular exploits she utterly ruined it; for upon an examine next day, the whole faculty of the curls was destroyed, and great detriment done to the substance thereof.-The Steamboat. THEY ALL ARE GONE. They all are gone into a world of light, It glows and glitters in my cloudy breast, Or those faint beams in which the hill is drest I see them walking in an air of glory, My days which are at best but dull and hoary, O holy hope and high humility, These are your walks and you have show'd them me Dear, beauteous Death, the jewel of the just, He that hath found some fledged bird's nest, may know But what fair field or grove he sings in now, And yet as angels, in some brighter dreams, If a star were confined into a tomb, Her captive flame must needs burn there; O Father of eternal life, and all Resume thy spirit from this world of thrall Either disperse these mists which blot and fill Or else remove me hence unto that hill, HENRY VAUGHAN (1650) SONNET ON HEARING A THRUSH SING IN A MORNING WALK IN JANUARY.1 BY ROBERT BURNS. Sing on, sweet thrush, upon the leafless bough; So in lone poverty's dominion drear, Sits meek content with light unanxious heart, I thank thee, Author of this opening day! Yet come, thou child of poverty and care; I'll share. 1 Written 25th January, 1798, the birthday of the poet, aged 34. IN PERIL. BY H. I. INGLIS. There needs no extraordinary incident to impress upon the traveller a recollection of Gibraltar. Even if Spain were a country devoid of interest, a journey across the Peninsula would be repaid by the first view of this celebrated spot. For my own part, if I had never seen Emily Waring,- -or rescued her lover from his great peril,- -or been present at the trial of the unhappy Donovan,—this majestic object would, nevertheless, be distinguished among the many scenes upon which I have looked with wonder and delight, as that one which is the most vividly pictured upon my memory. But, with my recollections of Gibraltar, some passages of human life are mixed; and when, a year ago, I visited this spot for the second time, the glorious scene that burst upon me as I sailed through the Straits-the Barbary mountains on one hand, the Bay of Algesiras and the Sierra of Granada on the other the placid waters of the Mediterranean spreading towards the east, and the gigantic rock guarding its entrance, were lost in the recollection of mingled sorrow and joy that annihilated ten years, and placed me again beside Emily Waring, and showed me-but I will not anticipate. In the year 1821, in the month of June, I sailed from England with the Levant Packet, in the intention of spending a few weeks in Cadiz and Gibraltar, and of then proceeding to Corfu. I think it was the 15th of June when I stepped upon the mole of Gibraltar; and the same evening I presented my letters to Sir G D, then governor; and to Colonel Waring, of the Royal Engineers, to whose family, indeed, I am distantly related. Sir G- D- invited me to a ball to be given at the Government House the following evening; and Colonel Waring, as fine an old man as ever served the king, shaking me heartily by the hand, and discovering a family likeness, told me I had arrived at a most fortunate time, for that his daughter Emily would next week be united to Captain L, of the Royal Navy. "He's a noble fellow," said the Colonel, "else he should not have my girl;-dine with us to-morrow, and you'll meet him, and stay and sup with us; you must see Emily; and take care you don't fall in love with her." The injunction was necessary; for never do female charms appear so seductive, as when we know that they all but belong to another: and Emily Waring was the only truly lovely girl I have ever beheld. I will not attempt any description of her countenance; the most captivating is the most indescribable; and of her figure I will only say, that to an almost infantine lightness, were added those gracious contours that belong to maturer years. Captain L-— I found all that the Colonel had depicted him. Next evening, I went to the ball at the Government House; and while Emily Waring was dancing with her betrothed, I chanced to observe the eyes of a gentleman intently fixed upon the pair; he was evidently deeply interested; and in the expression of a very handsome countenance, it was not difficult to discover that the most deadly jealousy was mingled with the most intense admiration. "Who is that gentleman?" said I to a friend whom I had accidentally discovered among the officers of the garrison. "His name," said he, in a whisper, "is Donovan; you have of course remarked that his eyes constantly pursue the Colonel's daughter and her partner; there are some curious facts, and rather unpleasant suspicions, connected with the history of this Donovan. I need scarcely tell you what are his feelings towards Miss Waring and Captain L--; that he loves the one, and hates the other; and yet, you will be surprised to be told, that Donovan and Captain L- are apparently the best friends in the world. Three years ago Donovan saved the Captain's life, by an act of extraordinary daring; and although Donovan has, since that time, twice forced Captain L-to fight a duel with him under the most suspicious circumstances, and, as every one believed, with the express intent of shooting him, Captain L-— still remembers the benefit conferred upon him, and persists in believing in the nice honour of Donovan, and in his friendship." Donovan now approached the spot where we stood, and our conversation was interrupted; but when it was afterwards renewed, my friend informed me that Donovan had formerly been married; and that some years ago he was put upon his trial on suspicion of having poisoned his wife; and that, although he was acquitted, strong doubt yet rests upon the minds of many. "He has high interest," added my friend, "and holds an important government employment; and etiquette obliges the governor to invite him." This ball took place on Thursday; and on Monday morning Emily Waring and Captain L were to have been united. On Friday and on Saturday I dined with Colonel Waring, his daughter, and Captain L, who on Saturday evening said, in taking leave, that he had promised to dine the next day with Donovan. I noticed a cloud-a shade not of displeasure, but uneasiness-pass over Emily's countenance; and the Colonel said, Emily looks as if she thought you ought not to run away from us to-morrow; and besides, I cannot bring myself to like Donovan." 66 "He is misunderstood," said Captain L-; "I can never forget," continued he, turning to Emily, and taking her hand, "that but for Donovan, this could never have been mine; I could not refuse him." "Well, well," said the Colonel, "we'll see you at all events in the morning;" and we took leave. Next morning we went to parade, which, in Gibraltar, is the morning lounge. When it was over the Colonel complained of fatigue, and returned home; I seated myself beside the statue of General Elliot; and the two betrothed strolled into the Alameda, that most charming labyrinth of geranium, and acacia, and orange trees; and they staid in it so long that I left my seat and returned to the Colonel's house, where I afterwards dined. We expected that Captain L- would have passed the evening with us after leaving Donovan; but he did not appear. The Colonel was evidently piqued; and Emily betrayed some uneasiness, and perhaps a little disappointment. I took my leave about eleven; and promised to accompany the wedding party at nine o'clock next morning to the Government House, where the ceremony was to take place. I was punctual to my time; Emily looked, as a lovely bride ought to look-modest and enchanting; the Colonel was impatient; for Captain L had not arrived. It was now nine o'clock; halfpast nine-ten o'clock came; but the bridegroom was still absent. The Colonel's pique began to yield to uneasiness; Emily's uneasiness was changed for agitation. I offered to go to Captain L——; and I learned at his hotel that he had not been seen since five o'clock the day before. A message was then sent to Mr. Donovan, who returned for answer that after dinner he and Captain I walked up the rock; but that having taken different paths, they had missed each other; and he had not seen Captain L- since. I need not describe the change which a few hours had wrought upon Emily. I saw her sitting in her bridal dress, pale and tearless; and the old Colonel stood beside her: one hand inclosed his daughter's, and with the other he brushed away the tear that now and then started to his own eye. At this moment the Governor Sir GD- was announced; and the Colonel and myself received him. "The unaccountable disappearance of Captain L-," said he, “has been made known to me some hours ago; I have used every means to penetrate the mystery, but without success; the sentinels on the eastern piquet saw him pass up in company with Mr. Donovan; and under all the circumstances I have thought it my duty to order Mr. Donovan's arrest." By a singular, and for Mr. Donovan unfor tunate fatality, the court, for the judgment of civil and criminal causes, commenced its sittings at Gibraltar on the day following; and from some farther evidence which had been tendered, it was thought necessary to send Mr. Donovan to trial. There was no direct evidence; but there were strong presumptions against him. His hatred of Captain L- was proved by many witnesses; the cause of it, the preference of Miss Waring, was proved by her father; the circumstances attending the two duels were inquired into; and the result of the inquiry militated more strongly against the character of Mr. Donovan than had even been expected. It was proved, moreover, that when Mr. Donovan left his house in company with Captain L———, he carried a concealed stiletto; and it was proved that they were last seen together walking towards the eastern extremity of the rock, more than half a mile beyond the farthest piquet. The reader perhaps requires to be informed that the highest summit of the rock of Gibraltar is its eastern extremity, which ter minates in a precipice of fifteen hundred feet; and that about half a mile beyond the farthest sentinel the road to the summit branches into two-one branch gaining the height by an easy zig-zag path; the other skirting the angle of the rock, and passing near the mouth of the excavations. It was of course irregular, upon the trial of Mr. Donovan, to refer to his former trial, but this had no doubt its weight; and he was adjudged guilty of murder, and sentenced to die. The sentence was pronounced on Friday, and on Monday it was to be carried into execution. When the morning of the day arrived Mr. Donovan desired to make a confession; and his confession was to this effect: that although innocent of the crime on suspicion of which he was about to forfeit his life, punishment was nevertheless justly due, both on account of the former murder of which he had been acquitted, but of which he had in reality been guilty, and on account of the crime he had meditated, though not perpetrated, against Captain LHe admitted that he had resolved upon his destruction; that in order to accomplish his purpose, he had proposed a walk to the eastern summit of the rock; and that his design had been frustrated only by Captain L- having taken a different path, and having never arrived at the summit. The same night, while lying in bed, and revolving in my mind the extraordinary events of the last few days, I could not resist the conclusion that Donovan was guiltless of the blood of Captain L- Why should he have confessed only to the intention, if he had been guilty of the act? why confess one murder and not another?-and a vague suspicion floated upon my fancy, that Captain L- might yet be living. In this mood I fell asleep, and dreamed that Donovan stood by my bed-side. I thought he said three several times, and in a tone of great solemnity, such as might be the tone of one who had passed from the state of the living, "I suffered justly: but I did not murder him-he yet lives." I am far from meaning to infer that the dream is to be looked upon as any supernatural visitation; it was the result, and a very natural result, of my waking thoughts: nevertheless, it impressed the conviction more strongly upon my mind; and when I awoke, and saw the gray dawn, I started from my bed with the resolution of acting upon its intimation. I crossed the draw-bridge, which was then just lowered, traversed the Alameda, and followed the path that leads to Europa Point. Some houses skirt the southern side of the rock near to the sea; and several boats were moored close to the shore. No one was stirring; it was not then five o'clock, for the morning gun had not fired; but I stepped into a boat, unfastened its moorings, and rowed under the great rock towards the eastern extremity. I soon doubled the south eastern point, and found myself in front of the great precipice; and now I backed from the rock, keeping my eyes steadfastly fixed upon the fissures and projections; and the reader will scarcely be inclined to credit me, if I assert, that when I first descried, upon a distant projection, something that bore the resemblance of a human figure, I felt more joy than surprise, so strongly was I impressed with the belief that Captain Lmight yet be living. A nearer and closer inspection almost convinced me that I was not deceived; and I need scarcely say, that my boat shot swiftly through the water as I returned towards Europa Point. It is unnecessary that I should detail the farther steps that were taken in order to discover whether the information I had given was correct, or the means resorted to to rescue Captain L from his perilous situation, or the measures which were adopted to restore him to consciousness and strength. I can never forget the visit I made to the house of Colonel Waring, the evening upon which it had been slowly broken to Emily that Captain Lyet lived. Never did smiles and tears meet under happier auspices; for joy had unlocked the fountain that sorrow had choked up, and every tear was gilded by a smile. As for the old Colonel, his delight knew no bounds he alternately shook me by the hand, and kissed the wet, though smiling cheek of his daughter. "I am not a man of many words," said he, "but by heaven, all I can say is this, that if Captain L-- had perished, you should have been the man." was I was It was some days before Captain Lsufficiently recovered to see his bride. present at the meeting. It was one of those scenes that can never pass from the memory of him who has witnessed such. Never was happiness so prodigal of tears; never were tears less bitter. It was now evening; we had left the house, and were seated in the Colonel's garden, which overlooks the Alameda, and the Bay of Algesiras, which lay in perfect calm, coloured with the gorgeous hues reflected from Andalusian skies. Captain L- had not yet been requested to relate those particulars which he alone knew, but he guessed our wish; and when Emily had seated herself in an obscure corner of the summer-house, he gave us the following relation. "I left Griffith's hotel about five o'clock to dine with poor Donovan, as I had promised: he received me, as usual, with apparent kindness; but during dinner he was often abstracted— there was evident agitation in his tone and manner-and for the first time in my life I felt uncomfortable in his company. After dinner he proposed a walk; I left the house first; and chancing to glance in at the window as I passed round the angle, I saw him place a short dagger in his bosom. Suspicion then, for the first time, entered into my mind; and the manner of Donovan as we ascended was calculated to increase it. You recollect, that about half a mile beyond the highest piquet station, the road to the eastern point branches into two. I proposed that we should go different ways. Donovan took the zig-zag path; I followed the narrow steep path, intending to shun another meeting, and to scramble | down the southern side. In passing the en- morning when Emily would have given herself trance to the excavations, I noticed that the to me; the morning from which I had in imiron gate was open-left open probably acci-agination dated the commencement of happidentally-and the coolness of these subter- ness. I renewed my vain efforts; I sprang up ranean galleries invited me to enter. While to the port-hole, but fell back upon the platform, and was nearly precipitated into the ocean; I cried aloud for help; but my cry was answered only by some monkeys that jabbered from an opposite cliff. I thought of leaping into the sea, which would have been certain death; I prayed to God; I fear I blasphemed: I called wildly and insanely, called upon Emily; I cursed, and bewailed my fate, and even wept like a child; and then I sunk down exhausted. Oh! how I envied the great birds that sailed by, and that sank down in safety upon the bosom of the deep. The history of one day is the history of all, until weakness bereaved me of my powers. Hunger assailed me; I ate the scanty grasses that covered the platform, and gradually became weaker; and as the sufferings of the body increased, that of the mind diminished. Reason often wandered; I fancied that strange music, and sometimes the voice of Emily, mingled with the roar of the waves. I saw the face of Donovan looking at me through the port-hole; and I fancied that I was married; and that the flowers in my bosom were my bride, and I spoke to her, and told her not to fear the depth, or the roar of the sea. I have kept the flowers, Emily; I found them in my bosom when I was rescued; here they are," said Captain L-, rising, and laying them upon Emily's lap. But the recital had been too much for her feelings; she had striven to repress them, but they could bear no more control; "Hated flowers," said she, as throwing herself upon the neck of her betrothed, she found relief in a flood of tears. walking through them, I stopped to look out at one of the port holes; and seeing, upon a little platform of the rock, about nine feet below, some stalks of white narcissus, I felt a strong desire to possess myself of them--in fact, I thought Emily would like them, for we had often, when walking on the rock, or rowing under it, noticed these pretty flowers in inaccessible spots, and regretted the impossibility of reaching them. Betwixt the port hole and the platform there was a small square projection, and a geranium root twining round it, by which I saw that I could easily and safely accomplish my purpose. I accordingly stepped, or rather dropped upon the projection, and, only lightly touching it, descended to the platform. Having possessed myself of the flowers, I seized the projection, to raise myself up; but, to my inexpressible horror, the mass gave way, and, with the geranium-root, bounded from point to point, into the sea. The separation of this fragment left the face of the rock entirely bare-without point, fissure, or root; it was at least nine feet from the spot where I stood to the lower part of the port hole. It was impossible, by any exertion, to reach this; and the face of the rock was so smooth, that even a bird could not have found a footing upon it. I saw that I was lost,-I saw that no effort of mine could save me, and that no human eye could see me; and the roaring of the waves below drowned all cries for succour. I was placed about the middle of the precipice, with seven or eight hundred feet both above and below. Above, the rock projected, so that no one could see me from the summit; and the bulging of the rock on both sides, I saw must prevent any one discovering me from the sea, unless a boat should chance to come directly under the spot. Evening passed away, it grew dark; and when night came I sat down upon the platform, leaning my back against the rock. Night passed too, and morning dawned-this was the 1 It may be necessary to inform the reader, that the excavations of Gibraltar are immense passages, or, as they are there called, galleries, hewn in the centre of the rock. These are carried within the face of the great precipice, and at short intervals there are openings, or port-holes, for cannon. 2 Every projection and every nook in the face of the precipice is adorned with these beautiful and sweet smelling flowers. My sweet girl, my dear Emily," said the Colonel, as he gently raised her from her resting place, and pressed her to a father's bosom, "it is past now; and I propose that next Monday we'll"-but Emily had left the summer house-"next Monday," resumed the Colonel, addressing Captain L- "we'll have the wedding.” And so it was. How soon are sorrows forgotten. I saw Emily led to the altar: 1 saw her afterwards a happy and beloved wife. Between my first and second visit to Gibraltar, the Colonel had paid the debt of nature; but Emily's house is always my home. I found her as beautiful as ever; as gentle and good; as much loved. Emily Waring, I shall never see thee more; then Heaven bless thee, thy husband, and thy children! |