object, however rude, to break the general sameness; but when not even the haggard front of a rock presented itself, nor yet the wheeling flight of the seamew, to attract the attention, she burst into tears, and flew to her cabin and solitude, there to ease her heavy load of grief, that well nigh overcame her.

Captain Harcourt was, from the first moment in which he had beheld this lovely girl, most forcibly struck with her uncommon beauty and elegance of form. She was then about twenty years of age; her person was of the middle stature, and formed in such an exquisite mould, that all her motions were distinguished by their peculiar grace and captivating ease: so eminent indeed were her personal attractions, that, amidst numbers of the most beautiful of her sex, the instantly fixed, by a fascinating impulse, upon her form, which appeared to derive additional charms from a comparison with those surrounding her. Her long flaxen tresses, entwined with tasteful wreath over her snowy forehead; the clear azure and penetrating glance of her heavenly eyes, whose pearly lustre added interest to beauty; the delicious bloom of her finely turned cheek, and the inviting pout of her ruby lips; oft raised

eye

a tender sigh in the breast of many a youth who dared not attempt the conquest of so fair a kingdom.

Many days, and even weeks, had elapsed ere the tender assiduities of her guardian were able to revive her drooping spirits; but at length they had the desired effect, and she resumed a great portion of her wonted cheerfulness, appearing much pleased with the constant attentions of her captain; indeed they soon began to make a very sensible impression upon her susceptible heart, which, notwithstanding her endeavours to destroy, gained strength daily; yet had she sufficient command over herself to prevent this prepossession in his favour being noticed by him. His attentions were indeed particularly marked towards her, and she, who had never before received any of these peculiar tokens of regard, imagined they proceeded from the dictates of affection, and not from mere gallantry, which at first was the sole motive of his conduct, but which eventually gave place for one of a more tender nature. He had often been heard to remark, that the situation of young ladies on board a ship was so liable to distressing circumstances, unavoidable in some cases, that he always endeavoured, by every means in his power,

to render their voyage as pleasant as possible; therefore the attentions which he had first paid to Julia were only those he would have bestowed upon any other of the same sex, until, after a constant intercourse with her, he found it impossible to resist the potent charm of love, which soon absorbed all other thoughts, and he redoubled his endeavours to please. He would frequently read to her, play, sing, and draw with her, and sometimes interest her feelings by a recital of his adventures in various parts of the world, doing all that lay in his power to amuse her. These attentions, although in themselves trifling, served to increase the flame that burned in the soft bosom of Julia, which gradually took possession of her whole soul, and which she never afterwards could eradicate. And though she conducted herself with sufficient dignity to prevent any unwarrantable liberty on his part, yet she loved him with the most impetuous ardour possible, and longed for some opportunity of repaying his kindness. Such an opportunity soon offered. The ship having met with some damage during a violent gale of wind, the captain was under the necessity of putting into the nearest port for repairs, and the wind having shifted, was obliged to run

into a Portugueze port, on the coast of South America, where he was detained some months, during which period he was taken dangerously ill, and was for many weeks confined to his bed; all which time Julia undertook the office of nurse, and almost constantly remained by his bed-side, using her utmost endeavours to alleviate his distress: she watched over him by day and night, giving him his food, and administering his medicines; soothed him with her tender assiduities, and allayed the pangs of his disease by her endearing and sweet converse, watching every stage of his disorder with the most anxious solicitude.

⚫ Such extraordinary attention did this incom parable girl pay to the object of her love, that she had excited the admiration of the whole ship's company; and she had soon the happiness to remove the malignity of disease from the couch of her beloved, who once more hailed returning health, and again rejoiced in his existence. But notwithstanding the tender assiduity Julia had exercised in her benevolent office of nurse had made a deep impression on the heart of her friend, and he felt the ardour of affection and gratitude glow in his bosom, yet was it wholly out of his power to make her the only return she wished, and which

would have made her the happiest of her sex : this was the offer of his hand. The engagement he had entered into in England could not be broken; his honour was at stake; and poor Julia was unacquainted with the cruel circumstance, until her affections were unalterably fixed.

The repairs of the ship being completed, and her captain enabled to pursue his voyage, the company once more embarked, and in a short time arrived at the destined port in India, where the uncle and aunt of Julia were in readiness to receive her. So extremely engaging had the conduct of this amiable girl been during the voyage, that every passenger in the ship felt himself interested in her welfare; and one gentleman in particular (who, during the passage, had kept a respectful distance, on account of the partiality he had perceived her entertain for the captain, but who was acquainted with that gentleman's engagement, and consequently thought himself at liberty to pay his addresses to the object of his love as soon as opportunity offered) now endeavoured to insinuate himself into her good graces, more especially as the captain was obliged to depart upon a country voyage.

This gentleman was young and accomplished,