POPULAR AND MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE, MUSIC, FASHIONS, PUBLISHED BY JAMES H. CHAPPELL, NO. 65 SOUTH THIRD STREET. The Twin Sisters, 97, 121, 145, 168, 194, 218, 241. Literary History of the Bible, 6, 44, 92, 132 Fossil Animalcule, View of Mount of Olives, (embellishment,) 9 Stories of the Irish Peasantry, Influence of Women, 161 Letter to Editress of La Belle Assemblee, 70 My Neighbour, AND PARLOUR COMPΑΝΙΟΝ. Terms--$1,25 per annum. five copies for five dollars. payable in all cases in advance. For the Philadelphia Visiter. The following papers were found among the post humous effects of a French gentleman, formerly a resident of this city. They are impressed with probability, and form a thrilling and interesting narrative. The notes are annexed by the compiler, in order that the reader may understand the historical facts to which they refer. [VOL. SIX-NO. ONE.] Queen,*" and, if the evanescent triumphs of this world, the pride of ambition, the soothings of adulation, the consciousness of superior beauty should stimulate your feelings to vanity or arrogance, look at this jewel, and recollect her fate, of whom it was the gift. I dread the licentious spirit of the times-I shudder at that innovating fury, which seems eager to tear down every barrier that decency maintains, obliterate every obligation that religion holds sacred. A moment may de prive you even of the means of subsistence. Against this misfortune I have endeavoured to guard. In THE HIDDEN CASKET. that cabinet you will find a casket-accept its contents without scruple; they are exclusively my own; they consist chiefly of jewels, a present privately sent me from the Indies, by my uncle the Governor. I intended to present them to you on your marriage: but they may too probably apply to purposes more necessary than the gratification of vanity. Confide the secret of this bequest to no creature but old Basil; ifincurruptible fidèlity dwel's with the human race, it inhabits the bosom of that My mother had long been subject to a complaint which the physicians had foretold would terminate her existence, but at what period, they could not conjecture, but they pronounced that its effects old servant. Let him conceal them in some secret. would probably be sudden, and the event but too well verified their prediction. After having passed a wretched night, an anodynė procured her some repose. She appeared 'refreshed on waking, and taking my hand, as I stood weeping by her bed side, she said *Dear Mathilde restrain, this unavailing sorrow, and listen with attention to the last words which Heaven may allow me life and strength to address to you. Thave long laboured under a slow, but in curable disorder. I feel the crisis of my fate approach, and wherefore should I wish to avert a stroke which must be ultimately inevitable? Per place, in or near this building; and be sure to note well the spot where they are deposited. Should the perilous colour of the times brighten to prospects of serenity and peace, you may apply them to 'their original destination; but the hour may come, when, driven 'to seek in a foreign clime that tranquility which inhospitable France dentes, you and Salaignac may bless the vigilant prescience of a mother, which furnished the means of escaping to some protecting asy um." How my heart was wounded by this last sad proof of the tenderness of my mother!-My trembling hands could scarcely support the weight of haps Heaven deals it in mercy at this peculiar the casket she so ardently wished me to be pósseason, to spare me the affliction of living to wit-sessed of; at her desire I concealed it for the ness the calamities reserved for this unhappy present in my apartment, and found her at my country. You, dearest Mathilde are my sole return more composed; but the tenor of her consource of solicitude, the only tie that holds me to versation evinced the same intense anxiety for my the world. It is my sole consolation to reflect, future welfare. that I leave you to the protection of a man, on Though I wished much to confide to Basil the whose honour and tenderness I feel the most im- secret of the casket, I was very desirous' to avoid plicit reliance. Had your union been completed; the suspicion of holding any private correspon-but surely Monsieur de Salaignac your intended dence with him; and were it possible so to husband will not-cannot violate his engage-imagine, I should fancy that Laporte, my father's ments!-Ah! at an hour like this, is it wonderful favourite valet-de chambre, had private intimation 'if the tender anxiety of my fears suppress the dic- of my designs, and had beerr commissioned to pretates of my reason, and give to events the most vent their execution. But by whom could he have uncertain aspect of probability? Heaven may been' commissioned, and for what purpose could he ordain a lasting and salutary calm 'to succeeded thus watch me?-I met him every where-in the these alarming commotions, which divide and house, in the gardens, in the adjoining grounds. distract the State. You may again be restored to The officiousness of his attentions was troublethe honours of your house, and protected in the some-was odious to me. In his address to me, he peaceful possession of its wealth. If such should had more of the easy familiarity of an equal, wim be your fate, let not the elevation' of prosperity wishes to oblige and please, than the respectful 'render you callons to the suffering of the indigent deference which custoin has taught us to expect or forgetful of those sudden' reverses of fortune, to from persons in a menial situation. which the exalted in rank are more liable than the humble. Wear this ring," taking from her finger Y * Maria Antoinette daughter of Maria Therese that which was presented to her by her unhappy Empress of Austria, and wife of Louis XVI. |