Charlotte Temple

King with unremitted ardour for many years. At the age of twenty-five I married an amiable woman; one son, and the girl who just now left us, were the fruits of our union. My b

with a Mr. Lewis, a young man of affluent fortune: as they grew up their int

procure him a commission, and had wished him to embrace a nautical life: bu

so specious was his manner that we hesitated not to state to him all our little difficulties in regard to George's

ar Lucy returned from school, and I soon began to imagine Lewis looked at her with eyes of affection. I gave my child a caution to beware of him, and to look on her mother as her friend. She was unaffectedly

oncerning his intentions towards my child: he gav

ng in that time to mortgage my half pay, and live on a small annuity which my wife possessed, rather than be under an obligation to so worthless a man: but this shor

arms of our servant, as I left my own habitation for the comfortless walls of a prison. My poor Lucy, distracted with her fears for us both, sunk on the floor and endeavoured t

posure, he cried-"What a mere infant I am! Why, Sir, I never felt thus in the day of battle."

s for philosophy. How many exquisite delights should I have passed by unnoticed, but for these keen sensations, this quick sense of happiness or misery? Then let us, my friend, take the cu

philosophy,"

of life," replied he. "But I forget myself. I will not longe

late as it was, flew on the wings of wounded affection, to the house of his false friend, and earnestly enquired the cause of this cruel conduct. With all the calmness of a cool deliberate villain, he avowed his passion for

tter to me, blaming himself severely for having introduced Lewis into the family, or permitted him to confer an obligation, which had brought inevitable ruin on us all. He begged me, whate

feelings on the perusal of it; suffice it to say, that a merciful Providence interposed, and I

fatigue, gave way to the salutary power of rest, and a quiet slumber of some hours restored me to reason,

es for poor George: for the letter I had received from him, was the first thing that occurred to my memory. By degrees the rest return

I pressed Lucy's hand, and looked earnestly roun

r mother?" sa

in expressive silence; and throwing herself on the

oth gone

ing to restrain her emotions:

collection of the scene was too