earl-a labouring figh burft from the bofom of the spectre he again pointed to his woundand flowly retired at a door leading to the chapel of the Percy family.

Here the manufcript is rendered unintelligible by the damp; but we find in another part that jealoufy had occafioned Sir Philip to hire ruffians in his pay, to lay wait and murder the unfufpecting knight. They too faithfully executed their commiffion, and the author of the tragedy remained fecure. In confequence of the recital of the apparition to baron Percy, the noble earl challenged, according to the custom of these days, the murderer to fingle combat. Both knights were men renowned in arms, and of undaunted refolution, nor had age damped the energy and activity of their minds. Victory, however, fupported the cause of innocence, and Sir Philip, after confeffing his guilt, and owning the imputation of jealousy to be groundlefs, expired in convulfive agonies, unlamented.

Sir Alwyne was found in the field of battle covered with wounds, but through the Strength of a good conftitution, unimpaired by vi. cious habits, he recovered, and returned to be bleffed in a partner, the femblance of virtue, joined to an affability, which is the characteristic of great and noble minds, at once pleafing to her beloved confort, and the admiration of a numerous tenantry,

C 3

CHAP. V.

Each lonely scene shall thee reftore;
For thee the tear be duly fhed;

Belov'd till life can charm no more,
And mourn'd till Pity's felf be dead.

Collins

Can ftoried urn or animated buft,

Back to it's manfion, call the fleeting breath?
Can honour's voice provoke the filent duft,
Or flatt'ry foothe the dull cold ear of death?

Gray,

Deth-Filial Affection-the Cavalcade-Felicity -Generofity-Gratitude.

FULL

ULL of days, and crowned with honour, died the Baron de Percy in the arms of his affectionate daughter. His laurels had never been blighted by the breath of envy, nor could malice fcatter one weed upon his grave.

One hundred maffes were ordered for the repofe of his departed fpirit, and for fome time. the caftle wore the appearance of forrow.

Every place around the domain, reminded Elwina of the many excellent qualities of her lamented parent-his death occafioned fuch uneafinefs in her filial bofom, that had not the kind folicitude of Alwyne drawn her from fcenes of youthful days, a fhort period would have brought her on a level with the meaneft plebeian in the dust.

Sir Alwyne found his domains encreased beyond expectation, and to diffipate the melancholy of his lady, he purposed on a tour through his eftates. A numerous retinue, therefore, prepared to depart with their chieftain, and a ftranger would have imagined royalty itself could alone boaft the grandeur of the cavalcade.

But oftentation was far removed from the bofom of Sir Alwyne-open fincerity marked the tenor of his way, and mild benevolence beamed in his eye. The old and chofen fervants of his father's house were to him as many friends-they had followed his footsteps in the fcenes of war, and why not now, he thought, when fmiling peace had cherifhed his every wifh.

After a pleasant journey of fome days, the princely retinue arrived at the castle of Alwyne. -It's Gothic appearance charmed the fair daughter of the once renowned Percy. Fond of nature's fcenery, fhe chofe her abode in this

romantic fpot, to the great delight of her admiring husband. To wander with his beloved Elwina thro' the cooling woods of his paternal manfion-to point out the various beauties that adorned it, formed his chief felicity. Thus happy in each other

They wandered heedlefs on,

Hid from the vulgar eye, and fat them down.
Upon the floping cowflip cover'd bank,
Where the pure limpid ftream has flid along
In grateful errors thro' the underwood.
Twas happiness too exquifite to last.

Blair.

Four years had fled when an addition of a lovely boy and girl to the family, the iffue of chafte and honourable love, fpread joy throughout the domains of Alwyne. Yet no tournament was difplayed, endangering broils -no fhouts of madening revelry-nor was their harmless merriment chequered by the loud unmeaning exclamations of frantic inebriety.

The cottages around were ftocked with pro vifions, and the poor inmates, with tattered garments that would fcarcely ftem the pitilefs pelting of the wintry fhower, received a fuitable fhare of warm habiliments from the gener eus hand of their virtuous lady.

When the cold feather'd fnow does in plenty defcend,
And whiten the profpect around;

When the keen cutting winds from the north shall attend,
Hard incruftating over the ground.

When the hills and the dales are all candied with white,

When the rivers congeal to the fhore;

While the bright twinkling ftars fhall proclaim a cold night, Then Remember the ftate of the Poor.

When the poor robin red-breast approaches the cot,
When the icicles hang at the door,

When the bowl fmoaks with fomething reviving and hot,
That's the time to Remember the poor.

The aftonishing acts of munificence by the liberal and philanthropic owners of the castle, filled every tongue with admiration, and all around was heard the bleffings of a grateful people. Youth fang their praises in ftanzas of honeft zeal, while a tear gliftened down the wrinkled cheek of age, that would rival in luftre the coftly jewel placed in the centre of a diadem -the tear of gratitude.