to suppress his feelings for a while; though the expression of quiet happiness which his features wore, might easily have betrayed them.

On the following evening the matron of sixty became the affianced bride of young Master Eugenius, whose name was still upon the list of students in the university.

CHAPTER II.

con

Eugenius was engaged in trimming some of his plants, when Severus, the only friend of his few leisure hours, walked into the servatory. When he saw Eugenius buried in his work he stood for a moment as if rooted to the spot, and at last burst into an immoderate fit of laughter.

And, in truth, a person of less keen perception of the ridiculous than the merry, light-hearted Severus, might have been tempted to do the same.

The old lady, in the fulness of her affection, had opened the late professor's wardrobe for our young friend, and expressed a wish that, although its fashions might appear too old to admit of its being used in public, he might, at least, wear the professor's morning-gown, while engaged in his studies. Accordingly, there stood Eugenius, arrayed in a capacious silk dressing-gown, embroidered with all sorts of flowers, and a high cap of similar material -its border all wrought and studded with a magnificent Lilium bulbiferum. With his boyish face peering out under this comical head-dress, he looked like some enchanted prince in a fairy tale.

"God preserve and defend us," said Severus, when he was able at length to speak for laughter; "I thought I had walked in upon a ghost, and that the good professor had risen from the grave, to wander about among his plants, in the shape of some foreign shrub, covered with all kinds of extraordinary flowers. What, in heaven's name, means this masquerade?"

Eugenius assured him that "he saw noDame thing of masquerade in the dress. Helms had given him permission, in their present relations, to wear the professor's morning-gowns while engaged in his studies. He found them very comfortable, and the materials were extremely valuable. The several flowers," he continued, "are represented exactly after nature; and among the collection are some rare night-caps, which contain a complete Herbarium vivum. These I mean to reserve for very particular occasions but even this which I am wearing to-day is exceedingly curious. You may see that my late master has written, with his own hand, under the several roots and flowers, their proper botanical names; so that, in fact to a studious youth it might serve all the purposes of a botanical garden."

Severus took the cap, and actually did find

"Thank heaven, then!" exclaimed Severus warmly, "I am come in time to rescue you from the brink of the frightful precipice on which you are standing. O Eugenius, what wretched infatuation has possessed you, that, in the very bloom of life, you are going to sell yourself for a paltry sum of money?"

Of a temper naturally impetuous, he allowed himself to be carried away by his feelings, growing more and more warm, until at length he poured out imprecations against the widow and his misguided friend. At length Eugenius, whom this very violence had restored to his self-possession, succeeded in prevailing on him to be silent and listen to his explanation. In a few calm and collected sentences he explained the whole matter from beginning to end; and concluded by asking, "whether he could doubt that the step was, of all others, best calculated to secure his happiness ?"

"Alas! my poor friend," said Severus, mournfully, "in what a maze of misconceptions have you entangled yourself! And yet," continued he, "there is still hope. Perhaps I may yet succeed in extricating you, and restoring you to peace. You must leave this fatal place."

"Never!" cried Eugenius, becoming excited in his turn. 66 My resolution is fixed. Your worldly mind will not permit you to understand the relation in which I am placed; nor to appreciate the tender solicitude with which my more than mother will guide through life a son who feels himself that he is but a child in its ways."

"You

"Hear me," returned his friend. have called yourself a child; and in a certain sense it is perfectly true. My greater experience, then, independently of my greater age, should give weight to my opinion. Do not imagine it any hasty condemnation of your conduct, if I tell you that, from your situation, it is impossible for you to judge dispassionately. Think not I mean to insinuate any thing against the good intentions of the lady. I know that she means well to youthat she imagines she is consulting your hap

piness. It is you, my dear Eugenius, who have been deceived. Women, with all their powers of perception, cannot understand the feelings of others. What they feel sensibly

themselves is to them the standard of all feeling their own temperament is the medium through which they view the dispositions of others. If I can pronounce from my long experience of her character, I would say that she never was susceptible of any strong passion; and that it is owing to this phlegmatic, passionless temperament, time has made so little impression on her features. We both know that the professor was phlegm itself personified: and, in these good old times, a marriage was considered the model of conjugal happiness, when the husband never found fault with the good dame's house-keeping; and the wife, on her part, never dusted the study at an unseasonable time. This simple-minded old lady imagines that with you the matrimonial duet may still run on in the same never ending andante; for she gives you credit for a sufficient share of phlegm not to burst into any unseasonable allegro. Provided all goes quietly in the professional morning-gown, it matters little who wears it -the old professor Helms or the young student Eugenius. Oh, yes," continued he, perceiving his advantage, "I doubt not she will take every care of you; and I bespeak beforehand many an invitation to the most delicious coffee that ever gudewife prepared. I am sure, too, she will always be glad to see me join you in a pipe of the richest Havannah, filled with her own hand, and lighted with a match-paper made from the good old professor's collectanea.' But let me ask if in the midst of this repose-which, I must confess, to me appears at best dreary and comfortless-if this calm be suddenly broken by any of the storms of life

"You mean," asked Eugenius, "if sickness or misfortune should befall

"I mean," continued Severus, “if a pair of bright eyes look in through this transparent window-their burning glance melting in a moment the flimsy veil which covered your heart

"I do not comprehend you," said his companion.

"And I warn you," pursued Severus, without noticing the interruption-" I warn you, that against these glances your professional morning-gown will be no protection. It will fall into shreds in a moment, even though it were of asbestos! And, even abstracting from the sad consequences in such a case, the worst of all curses attends upon an union so preposterous-a curse which will wither and destroy all that is fair and happy in life-the curse of Ridicule !"

Simple and unskilled in the ways of the world, poor Eugenius could not fully comprehend his friend's meaning. He was on

the point of putting some further questions, when he was interrupted by the entrance of the lady herself.

Severus at first was half tempted to express his not very amicable feelings. But he was completely disarmed by the quiet, matronly dignity of her manner, and the unaffected kindness with which she welcomed him as the friend of her Eugenius. For a moment he felt as if there were in life characters and relations which the world does not appreciate, or even comprehend.

Reader! hast thou ever studied one of Albrecht Durer's matron's? Dame Helms might have sat for the fairest of his portraits -all that sweet but dignified softness of feature-all the womanly tenderness of expression—an impersonation of truth and virtue itself!

Severus swallowed down the bitter word which had been rising to his lips: and, although he could not help smiling to find his prediction so soon verified, he did not decline her invitation to join Eugenius in his pipe and cup of coffee. He thanked his stars, however, when he was fairly clear of the house; for her unaffected kindness, and the inexplicable charms of female purity and worth, were, he found, silently undermining the settled conviction of his judgment: and he could not but feel a secret annoyance in the thought of a possibility of happiness for his friend in an union so preposterous.

Severus was right. In a few days his friend had an opportunity of experiencing one of the consequences which he had predictedthe fatal curse of ridicule. The news of the extraordinary match soon spread abroad; and, as might be expected, on the following morning, when he went to attend lecture in his college, there was many a laughing face ready to receive him. At the end of lecture

the poor bridegroom found a double row of the students drawn up to let him pass; and as he walked along, full of confusion, congratulations poured in from every side, “Give you joy, sir bridegroom!" "Hail to the sweet charming bride !" &c.

The young man's pulse beat quickly-his blood boiled with suppressed indignation; and when at last one bolder or more vulgar than the rest coupled her name with an opprobrious epithet, he could contain himself no longer it seemed as if the furies had awakened in his breast; and with one giant blow upon the face, he hurled the offender backwards upon the pavement. He was on

his feet in a moment; and, joined by a number of his associates, clubs were raised in all directions. But the senior of the Landsmannscraft, of which they were both members, sprung between them.

"Hold" shouted he. "Are ye street brawlers, that ye cudgel one another in the open market? What concern of yours is it, that

He took Eugenius by the arm, and walked towards home with him.

The annoyance did not terminate with the first quarrel, in which Eugenius had defended himself so successfully. As the weddingday approached, a fresh attempt was made; but his late antagonist now became his warmest friend, generously declaring, that he would look upon any insult to Eugenius as offered to himself. This threat had the effect of suppressing the unworthy spirit; and the ceremony passed over without any of the unpleasant consequences which Severus had predicted.

"What can be the matter with our dear Margaret?" said Dame Helms, when the two friends of the late professor, who had been present at the ceremony, had withdrawn. "Her eyes are red with weeping, and she is the very picture of distress. Can the dear child imagine, that we will now be less attached to her than before? Never-never!" said she, clasping her fondly in her arms; "never shall my sweet girl cease to be my child-my beloved daughter!"

"Yes, she is and ever shall be our dear child," said Eugenius. "And remember, Margaret, we must now labour, more than ever, at our lessons in botany."

He drew her towards him, as he spoke; and, for the first time in his life, imprinted a kiss upon her lips. The poor girl fainted

away in his arms.

"What is the matter, my dear child ?" said he in consternation. “Ah, she is a little sensitive plant, fainting away if one but touch her."

"Alas! I fear she is seriously ill," said the old lady, herself alarmed. "The damp and cold of the church have been too much for her."

But in a few minutes she opened her eyes, with a convulsive sigh. "She had felt," she said, "a sudden pain, which shot through her heart, she knew not how. But it was now quite gone."

CHAPTER III.

Introduces a Spanish gentleman who acquires a great influence over Eugenius.

CHAPTER IV.

The mind, in any of its extremes, whether of sorrow or of passion, naturally turns within for relief. When Eugenius found himself at the entrance of the coffee house, instead of going in to seek his friend as usual, he turned away rapidly, his steps mechanically leading him towards the open fields.

He found himself opposite the gate of a spacious garden. The air was literally loaded with the most delicious perfume; and when he ventured to look in, astonishment fixed him to the spot.

It seemed as though the trees and shrubs of every clime had been transplanted by magic from their several countries to this enchanted garden. The colours were as richthe growth as luxuriant as if they stood upon their native soil. The spacious walks were lined with exotics, which Eugenius knew but by name or description; and even those which he had seen before in his own conservatory, here bloomed in beauty and luxuriance, such as he had never dreamed of. the extremity of the principal walk, he could see a circular space, with a marble fountain, from which a triton was dashing streams of water into the air. Here and there you might see the rarest and most beautiful birds

At

silver peacocks displaying their rich trains golden pheasants, their plumage as if bathed in the tints of the evening sun. Opposite the entrance stood a DATURA FASTUOSA. It was literally covered with those fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers; so magnificent, that the poor student blushed when he thought of the miserable specimen at home. It was the mother's favourite; and he forgot all his vexation in the involuntary wish, “Ah, if she had such a Datura in her garden!"

On a sudden the evening breeze wafted towards him, from a distant part of this magic grove, the faint notes of some unknown instrument; and then the full tones of a female voice, surpassingly beautiful. It was one of those outpourings of the passionate inspirations of the south-the glowing romances of Spain.

He was intoxicated-bewildered with contradictory emotions-soft, indescribable melancholy-burning yet nameless desire. He sunk upon his knees, his throbbing brow pressed against the bars of the lattice. last the sound of approaching footsteps awakened him from this dreamy state; and he withdrew hastily, fearful of being surprised under such excitement.

At

On his return home, although it was nearly dark, he found Margaret still busied with the plants in the garden. Her voice trembled as she bade him good evening; and she did not raise her eyes from the ground.

"What is the matter, dearest Margaret?" said he, struck by the confusion of her manner. "Look up, my dear girl, and say what has grieved you so much."

She raised her eyes-they were filled with

tears.

"What is the matter, dearest Margaret?" repeated Eugenius, taking her hand. A thrill ran through her frame, she trembled, and her breast heaved quickly, till at length she burst into a convulsive sobbing.

"Speak for the love of heaven!" repeated he, leading her with difficulty to a seat. "Tell me all-do not fear to confide all to me."

The kindness of his tone appeared to reassure her. It was with great difficulty, notwithstanding, that he drew from her the cause of her alarm.

A stranger, of a most singular appearance, had come into the garden suddenly to inquire for Eugenius, during his absence. His man

ner was forward, and even daring; and there was a reckless familiarity in his gaze, which terrified the poor girl. He asked her a number of rude questions about herself and Eugenius, which she could scarcely bring herself to repeat; and when the good mother appeared at the window, he laughed at her with a most malicious leer, ridiculing her age, and asking Margaret whether she was not jealous. He quitted the garden at last, in the same hurried, mysterious manner in which he had entered.

"But, dear Margaret," said Eugenius, when she had concluded, "I do not see anything in this to create such dreadful alarm."

"Oh my God!" cried the girl, with a fresh burst of grief, "how often has the good mother told me that the devil wanders about perpetually in human form, sowing tares among the good corn-spreading snares for the feet of the virtuous! Alas! alas! I doubt not this stranger was-the demon " -she stopt short.

Eugenius in her description had recognised his Spanish friend, and guessed what she was unwilling to say. Struck by her extreme distress, he asked whether, of late, she had observed any change in his conduct?

The question unlocked the whole store of her uneasiness. She told him, with the most touching simplicity, that "at home, where he used to be so cheerful, he was now always moody, reserved, and silent-often so gloomy and severe, that she could not summon courage to speak to him-that now he never thought of her evening lesson, to her the happiest hour of the day-that he had lost all care for his once loved flowers; and even yesterday had passed without bestowing one look on the beautiful balsams which she had taken so much pains to bring into blow--that, above all, the dear

Her voice was choked with weeping. "Be calm, dear child," said Eugenius, soothingly, "do not distress yourself about these foolish imaginations."

The poor girl had risen from her seat. Eugenius, while he was speaking, was astonished to see, as if a veil had fallen from his eyes, that she was no longer a child, but a blooming maiden of sixteen. He was confounded-for although she had been before his eyes every day, he had always thought of her as the little girl whom he had first known, years before.

As he was leaving the garden he said to her

"Do not distress yourself, dear Margaretall this will be corrected."

[To be concluded in our next.]

CARTER BRAXTON,

THE COTEMPORARY OF JEFFERSON.

It often happens that those who forget_right and abuse power undermine the foundation of their own citadel, and prepare the way to be shorn of their present enjoyments by an improper course to enhance them. Thus it was with England. Previous to the causes that produced the American revolution, the idea of a separation from the mother country, and of forming an independent government, had probably entered the minds of but few of the patriots who were engaged in its consummation. When the impolitic measures towards the colonists were first commenced, relying upon their chartered rights, based upon the British constitution as they were, they believed their grievances would and must be redressed by the king, when properly requested by petitions. These were repeatedly forwarded to him, couched in the most respectful and eloquent language, to which he turned a deaf ear. Parliament was appealed to in vain. Remonstrances formed the next link in the chain. These also were treated with contempt. A formal demand to desist from oppression, in bold, but still in respectful language, breathing allegiance to the king in every word, was the next resortbut all to no purpose. The ministerial cry, give-give-give-resounded from Albion's shore, and pierced afresh the sensibilities of the imploring suppliants. Resolutions of non-importation followed; these produced menaces from the British military, a preparation for resistance by the colonies succeeded; American blood was spilt; the tocsin of war was sounded; millions rushed to the conflict; the struggle was long, doubtful, and bloody; the patriots triumphed; the power of Britain was dissolved; Columbia was free, and patriots rejoiced.

His

Among them stood CARTER BRAXTON, the son of George Braxton, a wealthy planter, who resided on the north bank of Mattapony river, where he owned a valuable plantation, situated in the county of King and Queen, Virginia. At that beautiful place Carter was born, on the 10th of September, 1736: paternal and maternal connexions were highly respectable and wealthy, and several of them officers of the crown at various periods. He was liberally educated at the college of William and Mary, and reared amidst all the splendours of opulence, without the tender care of a mother to correct his childish foibles, or of a father to guard him against the errors of

youth; the former having died when he was but seven days old, and the latter when he was quite young. When but nineteen years of age, he married the beautiful and amiable Judith Robinson, who was wealthy, and entered into full possession of his large estate, which, united with that of his wife, constituted a princely fortune. She survived but a short time, leaving him two daughters, the youngest but a few hours old.

To assuage his grief, he sailed for England, where he remained for nearly three years, during which time he added greatly to the store of knowledge he had previously acquired, and became familiar with the feelings, views and designs of that kingdom towards his native country. His rank and fortune gave him access to the nobility, from whom he obtained much valuable information relative to the ministerial conclave then concocting plans to raise money in America to support royalty in Great Britain.

Although his family connexions were favourites of the king, and every thing around him was calculated to foster aristocracy in his bosom, Mr. Braxton became a warm friend of liberal principles and equal rights. Soon after his return from Europe in 1760, he was elected a member of the house of burgesses, and in 1765, was an ardent supporter in that body of the bold resolutions offered by Patrick Henry, relative to the stamp act. From that time forward he was a zealous advocate in the cause of freedom. He was one of the house in May, 1769, when the proceedings of the members excited the ire of the royal governor, Bottetourt, to such a degree that he dissolved them without ceremony. They immediately repaired to a private room in Williamsburgh, and entered into a solemn agreement not to import any articles from the mother country until their chartered rights were restored. The same members were elected to the next session, and, being aware of the kind of materials he had to manage, the smooth and shrewd governor lulled them into a more quiet mood by the syren song of promises, assuring them that at the next session of parliament the offensive revenue taxes would be removed. Still cherishing hopes that their rights would be recognised, they waited in respectful but watchful silence. Mr. Braxton was an active member of the committees and an agreeable speaker. In the house of burgesses there were six standing committees, one on courts of justice, one on public claims, one on elections and privileges, one on trade, one on grievances and propositions, and one on religion. Of the three last, then by far the most important, Mr. Braxton was uniformly a member. In 1771, Governor Bottetourt, died, and was succeeded by Lord Dunmore, who, being fresh from the fountain of high notions and ministerial corruption, dissolved the tur

bulent assembly then in commission, and issued his proclamation for a new election. Mr. Braxton was then sheriff of his county, and could not serve in the house. The peo

In

ple continued to live on promises and hang on hope until the 27th of May, 1774, when the house of burgesses again took a bold stand against oppression, and was preremptorily dissolved by Lord Dunmore. He then dissolved the gordian knot virtually; the people became enraged; eighty-nine of the members, immediately after the dissolution, formed themselves, with many other patriots, into an association of resistance, and the fire of freedom began to rise in curling flames. August, a convention of the friends of liberty met in Williamsburg, of which Mr. Braxton was an active member. They elected seven delegates to meet the Congress at Philadelphia, and bound themselves to act in concert with the people of Boston, in the common cause against the common enemy. Governor Dunmore had a new house of burgesses elected; not being pleased with their proceedings he prorogued it several times, until he prorogued himself, on the night of the 7th of June, 1775, on board the armed ship Fowey, never again to assume his power over the turbulent rebels of America. The Virginia convention met again in March, 1775, and took every precaution necessary to put their state in a condition of defence. In April following, Lord Dunmore had caused the powder to be removed from the magazine, under pretence that it would probably be needed in another part of the colony, to repel an expected insurrection of the blacks.This enraged the people, who assembled in large numbers, but were persuaded to return to their homes by Peyton Randolph. Not fully satisfied, a Spartan band soon after collected, headed by Patrick Henry, and proceeded towards Williamsburg, determined on having the powder or its equivalent. armed force was sent from the Fowey to sustain the governor; this only enraged the patriots; the spilling of blood seemed inevitable.

An

At that juncture Mr. Braxton and others interceded; the powder was paid for by the receiver general; Mr. Henry gave a receipt for the money, and his troops returned home.

The flight of the governor was the dissolution of British power in Virginia. For a time the government was managed entirely by the committee of safety, of which Mr. Braxton was a member. On the 15th of December, 1775, he was elected to the Continental Congress, and entered upon the duties of his new station with great zeal and vigour. He had already seen much public service, and was prepared to act well his part. He advocated, voted for and signed the declaration, the instrument that formally dissolved the maternal ties that bound the pilgrim fathers