ments proceed from the negligence of your milliner, jeweller, or coach-maker; who are strangers to vexation, save that which ye feel when eclipsed by some more ingenious fair one in the vanities and elegancies of fashion;—which of you could renounce the allurements of the great world; which of you could resolve to encounter all the distresses incidental to a military life, purely from motives of affection to imitate the example of the virtuous and heroic Lady Acland?

The reflections of that lady, during so long an interval of painful suspence, could not inspire her with very encouraging ideas of the treatment she was afterwards to expect.

Morning arrived, and General Gates being apprised of her situation, sent instant orders to conduct the fair sufferer to his quarters, where he set before her every refreshment which he couid procure, and lamented that he had not been informed of the conduct of the centinel; and treated her with all the humanity and respect that her rank and her merits deserved; she was then conducted to her husband, who, through her tender care, recovered from his wounds.

It was not many days after this, that General Burgoyne's whole army, worn out with fatigue, destitute of provisions, and greatly reduced by losses, were compelled to capitulate. The British officers bore testimony to General Gates's moderation and humanity on this occasion. He endeavoured to sooth the distresses of mind in which the circum

stances of war had involved his adverse commander, and sought, by every possible means, to render his situation, and that of his officers less irksome.

Having conquered in the north, General Gates was invested by the congress with the command of their southern army; but there fortune did not second his exertions. He was defeated in his turn, by Lord Cornwallis, who thus for a time subdued the Carolinas. Being superseded by General Green, he retired to his estate in Virginia, quitting "the trade of arms," perhaps not altogether without disgust at the manner in which the congress deprived him of his command. I have conversed on the subject of this his last engagement, with American officers, who agreed that no blame could attach to their commander, whose orders were to check the rapid progress of the British force, superior to his own, both in numbers and appointment.

The private virtues of General Gates were many and eminent. He was charitable, humane, just in all his dealings, inflexible in his friendship, and ever acted under the impulse of a good heart. He was the scholar, the soldier, and the gentleman.

REFLECTIONS ON VICE.

THE pleasures of vice, if pleasures they can be ealled, are of short duration, and leave behind them the most painful remembrances. To the confirmed

profligate, these remembrances act as inducements to plunge into fresh excesses, and he endeavours to drown them in a new delirium-but with the novice in guilt, they produce a contrary effect, and seldom fail to be succeeded by a momentary enthusiasm in the cause of virtue. Young man persevere I beseech you, these first impressions-they are the surest of criterions of right and wrong, and are the least sophisticated of all our decisions respecting our own conduct.

Whatever certain philosophers may talk of the calm and dispassionate investigation of our reason, rely upon it, that whatever the untainted heart condemns, the untainted judgment cannot approve.

THE CHILD OF NATURE.

THE entrance of the venerable monk interrupted the conversation. "I should have paid you an earlier visit, my daughter," said he," but was prevented by an accident."

"I trust nothing amiss has happened at the monastery," replied Melissa, with emotion.

"Not to any of our brotherhood," answered the monk; "but a foreigner was conducted by one of our trusty dogs to the monastery, who was attacked by a wolf in the forest, and severely wounded. He is under my care at present, and dangerously indisposed."

"Indeed,” said Melissa, starting-" a foreigner-and had he not a portmanteau?”

"The same; but have you seen him?”

"O yes," replied Melissa, much agitated, "I ̧ have seen that unfortunate youth-has he not a most interesting address, an air of dignity, an eye beaming spirit, tempered with the soft glow of benevolence- his hair was auburn, and

The monk gazed at her with astonishment, and exclaimed, "what means all this, Melissa ?—surely you forget yourself—”

"Have I said any thing improper, good father?? "Your simplicity, my child, has led you into an indiscretion-you should not talk thus warmly of any man."

"I ask your pardon-I thought there could be no harm in pitying a person in distress; for I remember when a sick goat-herd came to the door, I brought him some warm whey, and pitied him, and wiped the cold drops from his forehead, and you praised me for it; and is not a goat-herd a man?”

"You are young and innocent, my dear daughter," replied the monk, "and know not the world, or the dangers your sex are exposed to in it. Sweet as are offices of humanity-yet in their exercise a. prudential caution is not to be neglected. But how. came you to know this stranger ?"

"Yesterday at the opening of the morn, as I sat at my casement, I saw an agreeable looking cavalier approach the cottage, and gently tapping at the door, he retired a few paces in a most respectful dis

tance. Constanzia opened the door, and he addressed her with a foreign accent, and in very polite and engaging terms, requested the liberty of depositing his portmanteau under the protection of this roof until he could recover his mule, which had strayed from him-A heart of stone would scarcely refuse him; but Constanzia shut the door in his face, and dismissed him with an abundance of opprobrious epithets-I am sure I never could have acted in such

a manner.

AFRICAN RECREATIONS, WITH THE CEREMONY OF A NEGRO FUNERAL.

SUNDAY is a day of festivity among the slaves. They are passionately fond of dancing, and the sabbath, offering them an interval from toil, is generally devoted to their favourite amusement; and instead of remaining in tranquil rest, they undergo more fatigues, or at least more personal exertion during their gala hours of Saturday night and Sunday, than is demanded from them, in labour, during any four days of the week.

They assemble in crowds upon the open green, or in any square or corner of the town, and forming a ring in the center of the throng, dance to the sound of their beloved music, and the singing of their favourite African yell. Both music and dance are of a savage nature. I have wished myself a musician