of midnight, she would stand contemplating the silvery beams of the moon as they played upon the curling surface of the waters; and amid the melodious strains of the nightingale, that chaunted in the neighbouring thicket, she would pour forth her sorrows in wild lamentation. "Farewell, ye scenes of gay delight! ye mountains, whose dangerous steeps I so oft have climbed! ye waving woods, in whose dark recesses I so oft have listened to the gentle sighs of the wind! and ye purling streamlets, to whose murmurs I so oft have lent my attentive ear with delight-farewell! Oh! may I again tread your sweet retirements, may I again roam in these flowery meads, and pluck the inviting rose-bud from your thorns: but, no, my light and cheerful steps will never again ramble amid your beauties; never more shall I steal your choicest flowers to deck my bosom, that has so often glowed with silent rapture as I viewed these scenes of my youthful pleasure. The hidden warbler of the grove shall tune his heaven-taught melody unheard by his Julia. The refreshed blade shall retain its dew-drop undisturbed. The flowers of the valley shall spring up, broom, and wither, unnoticed by their Julia, who will be far away from all that has hitherto yielded her pleasure. Yes,

I must tear myself from my friends, from my home, and every thing that till now has been rendered dear to me. But my father commands, and I obey.".

At length the ship that was destined to waft the beautiful Julia to the golden shores and cloudless skies of India was about to sail, and Mr. Courtney was prepared to accompany his daugh ter to Déal, from which port the ship was to sail.

Those who possess a feeling heart can easily imagine the agonising scene that took place when Julia parted from her mother and sister: the pangs of separation were too bitter and acute for the tender heart of her sister Maria to support, and she sunk into a chair near her in a state of torpid grief; whilst her beloved mother seemed wholly absorbed in her sorrow, and her violent throbs of anguish rendered her unable to speak the last melancholy adieu. Amid this pathetic scene, Julia supported herself with uncommon fortitude, and at length tore herself from these beloved objects, and threw herself into the carriage that waited for her; where, after many ineffectual efforts, she received some ease in a copious flood of

tears.

'After an uninteresting journey of a few days,

Mr. Courtney and his lovely charge arrived at the destined port, where he found the captain of the Indiaman awaiting his arrival, being in readiness to sail. This gentleman was to be the guardian of Julia, during her voyage. He was in the hey-day of manhood, of a remarkably engaging person, and possessed a most insinuating address; he had received a liberal education, and united the acquirements of the scholar with the manners of a perfect gentleman. He was, as may be supposed, much admired by the fair sex, whose hearts appear always open to the impression of manly beauty, and too often place too much confidence in external appearance. Captain Harcourt had the character of being a very general gallant; but, as he was then under an engagement of marriage on his return from India, Mr. Courtney did not feel that apprehension for the safety of his Julia, which otherwise he would have felt, more especially as he had received the most favourable accounts of his honour and integrity. Under this gentleman's care, then, was the beauteous maid placed; and as her father gave her into his hands, whilst the tears were trickling down his hoary cheek, he entreated him to watch over her, and pay her every atten tion in his power. "I am going," said he, "to

confide one of my greatest treasures on earth in your hands: I repose with confidence upon your honour; I believe you are a noble, generous, and virtuous, man; do not give me cause to think otherwise, but remember my poor grey hairs. Do not embitter my few remaining days, and render the load of life, that I have hitherto borne with some degree of ease, too wearisome for my aged shoulders to bear; shield and protect my child, and I will ever pray to the Almighty Father and Fountain of all good to render your days of happiness many; and when your leafy honours shall fall around, and the autumn of your days shall be arrived, may the evening be as calm as the summer's morn, and may your sun set amid the radiance of a glorious immortality: then shall the recollection of your good actions dispel the clouds of mental darkness and uncertainty that too often hover over the couches of dying mortals, and your last moments be the best memorial of a well-spent life. Farewell."

CHAP. III.

"O'er the past too fondly wandering."

"THE morn that dawned upon the departure

of Julia was now arrived. The sails were unfurled, and the lofty streamer floated on the breeze that swelled their widely-expanded bosoms, and the crowded deck was all in motion. Many were the white handkerchiefs that waved as parting tokens to disconsolate friends on shore, and frequent were the silent throbs that filled the breasts of those who were bidding a lasting adieu to their relations, friends, and country. The ship was under sail, and the shores of Britain had retired into distance, and were sunk below the hori zon; yet was Julia gazing upon the vacancy, and many minutes elapsed before she started from her reverie, and glanced her heavenly eyes through the whole prospect, searching in vain for some