VOL. 6.]

me like a death-blow; for though I knew it must come, yet even that certainty did not lighten it. In this state I continued, without any comfort, except what I derived from the rumours now afloat, that our regiment was soon to join our brave army in driving the English out of Spain.

In about a month after I had quitted Paris, St. Pierre arrived, bringing with him an order to cross the Pyrennees. All was now bustle and preparation; but for me, new troubles awaited me. To drown my sorrow I had plunged into dissipation, and was now so much in debt that I could not move. What to do I knew not. I could not apply to my relations, because they had not the means of ex. tricating me from my difficulties. St. Pierre saw my distress; for having left Julia behind him, we once more occupied the same lodgings. By inquiring among the other officers, he soon discovered the cause of at least part of my chagrin; and this most noble of men, most generous of friends, discharged my bills, and set me at liberty to march with the regiment.

My business is not to describe scenery, nor to give a detail of the events of a campaign. With my own feelings alone am I concerned. Our march was long; but, partly from the constant change of place, partly from the anticipations of glory I now experienced, the period which it occupied was to me like a gleam of sunshine in a stormy day. I was almost happy, that is to say, I forgot my sorrows for the time, and entered with cheerfulness into the sports and merriment of those about me. St. Pierre and I occupied the same tent. We were constant companions even on duty-for I was the cornet of his troop; and we now loved each other as friends have seldom loved.

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tained their position, and compelled us to retire. St. Pierre and I were to.. gether during the whole day, till towards the close of the action, when the throng of flying troops separated us. When at last we halted, I eagerly inquired for him. A soldier informed me he was killed. In the depth of affliction I sought the regiment, and what was my joy when I found myself locked in his arms. His horse had been shot under him, and his fall had given rise to the soldier's story.

We

In this manner nearly two years elapsed. At the close of every action St. Pierre and I sought each other, and met as those who love do meet when both have escaped impending danger. Our troops fought bravely; but what could they do against a superior force, and an exasperated populace. were driven from post to post; our baggage was plundered and our wounded slain by the Guerillas; till, finally, our generals were changed, and a retreat in form was begun. It was long and toilsome. Not a moment was given for repose-not a position was seized, though many strong positions were passed over; and we who brought up the rear were harassed by continual skirmishes. At length we halted upon the heights of Vittoria, where we trusted that at least some time would be given for recruiting our exhausted strength. But we were deceived. The English attacked us when we dreamt not of being attacked, and our army was routed almost without resistance. The greater part of the cavalry had been already sent off to join the Emperor.

Our's was almost the only regiment left, consequently upon us much of the toil of this day devolved. We did what we could to check the pursuing enemy; but what could our exertions avail against odds so tremendous. After charging six times, we likewise fled. The enemy's horse

with me through the middle of the enemy.

It was night before we stopped or my wounds could be dressed. I had fainted from loss of blood, and when the surgeon examined my hurts he shook his head. There were two sabre cuts on my head, and a ball through my right arm. From a state of insensibility I was quickly recovered, and put to bed; but I was given to understand that there was no chance of my recovery. Oh, that these prognostications had been realized. But let me proceed.

St. Pierre watched me with more than a brother's care; he sat by my bed-side, administered with his own hands whatever was ordered by the surgeon, and wept over me when he saw me writhing in agony. On the third day I felt so great a diminution of pain, and so overpowering a lassitude to steal over me, that I took it for granted the mortification had already commenced. Believing therefore that my last hour was approaching, I called for St. Pierre. He drew back the curtain-for he was watching beside

me.

"St. Pierre," I said, in a feeble tone, "I cannot die without confessing to you my villainy and ingratitude. I love Julia-I have loved her from the moment you introduced me to her; and though I knew she was your bride, I told her of my love."

"My dear Dumain," cried the noble St. Pierre,."I knew it already. Julia, the morning after our marriage, confessed the whole transaction. Had I but known it sooner she should have been yours."

This was too much for me. I burst into tears, and, overcome by my feelings, I fainted. In dropping my head upon the pillow, the bandages gave way, and my wounds bled afresh. St. Pierre ran for the surgeon-he was not to be found; but accidentally meeting another, he brought him to my chamber. On beholding the manner in which my hurts were dressed, this surgeon lifted up his eyes in amazement; and stripping off all the ban

dages, he re-dressed them himself, declaring that in a few days I should he able to travel. Before they elapsed I had recovered my senses-nor can I say whether the sensations I experienced, on hearing that my life was not really in danger, were agreeable, or the reverse. Now, indeed, I know well what they might have been.

I shall not dwell longer upon my convalescence. In a fortnight I was declared out of danger; but, at the same time, I was desired to return to my native place for the benefit of my health. For this purpose leave of absence was given me, and along with it I was presented with a troop vacant in the corps.

The evening before my departure, St. Pierre entered my chamber. "Dumain," he said, "let us forget the conversation which passed between us some time ago. I cannot now make you happy, neither am I happy myself; but let not any circumstance break off our friendship. In you I have the most unbounded confidence. In Julia my confidence is equally great. To convince you of this, I have desired her to pay a visit to an aunt of mine in Bourdeaux: you will therefore see her when you return thither. Tell her that I envy your wounds, as they have been the means of sending you to her."

What could I say in return for conduct so noble? I wrung his hand, but answered not a word. Oh, that he had put less trust in a villain!.

I was received by my relations with the warmest affections. My battles, my wounds, my honours, my renown,' were the sole subjects of conversation in the village. Julia, too, who was now with the Countess of sent to inquire after my health. I waited upon her next day.

When I entered the saloon, I was introduced to the countess, who soon retired, leaving us together. I trembled all over to find myself again alone with Julia. "Dumain," said she, "I have long wished for such an opportunity as this of speaking a few words to you. You have acted like a

liberty. Yet I was forced to continue thus for upwards of a month. It was then we learned, for the first time, of the change in the government.

When the news arrived, St. Pierre came to me with a face lighted up with transport. "I shall soon be with Julia again," cried he; "and then I shall be the happiest man on earth." I turned away my face, for I dared not look at him. I attempted to speak, but the words died upon my lips. I rushed from the apartment.

I flew to the southern rampart, with the intention of escaping, if possible, through our own guards, and those of the enemy. It was evening; and just as I had reached the gate, I was met by an aid-de-camp, who told me what immediately caused an alteration in my plan. We were that night to make a sortie.

I hastened back to St. Pierre, whom I found busy in preparing for the business of the night. The order which he had received had effaced all recollection of the scene between us in the morning. The regiment was already under arms, and at midnight was to advance. What horrible ideas now rushed upon my brain. I even prayed that St Pierre might fall.

At the appointed hour we attacked. There was no light, except what the stars emitted, till the heavens were il Juminated by the flashes of our guns. The slaughter was great, because the combat was obstinate. At length we began to fall back. We were in the rear of the whole column. St. Pierre and I were together in the rear of all, mingling every now and then with the enemy. Yet neither of us was hurt, though I hoped that every bullet was destined for the heart of my friend. My wishes, however, were vain. We reached the gate. St. Pierre turned to me. "Now, Dumain," cried he, all is over. No more chances of being separated from Julia." The name rung in my ears—a frenzy seized my brain-my pistol was in my hand-I fired-and St. Pierre fell dead at my feet.

Stupified with horror, I stood still, and the gate was shut upon me. The enemy surrounded me; they disarmed me without resistance; and I was conducted to their camp, a prisoner and a murderer. Oh what would I not have given for any weapon of destruction, that I might have at once ended my miserable existence. But they had

taken mine away, and watched me so closely, that I could not lay my hand upon any other. My thoughts dwelt upon no other object but my murdered friend, till at last my intellect gave way, and I became a maniac.

How long I continued in this state, I cannot tell; but when I canie to myself, I found myself in my father's house. There were several letters for me from Julia, which alone prevented me from putting my original intention of suicide into force. She was in retirement not far from Paris, where her situation could be perfectly concealed; and as her husband's death was known, her seclusion was not wondered at. She had heard of my illness, and only lived till she should know my fate, when, be it what it would, she was resolved to share it. If I lived, she would live for me; if I died, she would follow me to the grave, and sleep beside me there.

"Beloved of my soul," I exclaimed, when I had finished the perusal, “I shall live, hateful as life is, for thy sake, Murderer, villain, as I am, with thee I may yet be-oh no, not happy; but I may live."

Being now determined to preserve myself for the sake of her who was so soon to make me a father, I grew rapidly better, and was soon able to set off for her retreat. I found her within two months of being a mother. She knew not the circumstances of her husband's death; nay, she heard that I was taken in striving to defend him. "My own, my generous, my gallant Dumain," she said, "would have preserved the life even of his rival." Oh there were ten thousand scorpions in those words.

Time passed, and the great Napo

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versation.

It was now within a very short time of the period of her confinement, when one morning we walked out together into a green field, adjoining the house where she lived. There had been eattle in that field all along, through the middle of which we were accustomed to walk without apprehension. But, unknown to us, a savage bull had lately been put in. When we were about the middle of the field it came towards us, growling, and pawing the earth. Julia was alarmed; nor did I feel very comfortable, as I had not even a stick with which to defend her. At last after tearing up the grass with its hoofs, and lashing its sides with its tail, it ran at us. I seized Julia's arm, and placed her behind a tree, entreating her, in a hurried manner, to keep that between her and the bull. I myself ran to meet him, and threw my hat in bis face. It had the effect of turning him; but when I came back to Julia, I found she had fainted. I bore her to the house, but the fright, and the injury she had received, together brought on a

Sir,

NOT

I saw in it the hand of an avenging God:-the prize for which I bad waded through blood, through the blood of the best of friends and benefactors, was snatched from me, just as I had fancied it within my reach. I gazed upon her lifeless body, still beautiful even in death, with all the calmness of a fixed despair. I took my hat, and quitted the house.

Mounting my best horse, I made all haste to the frontier, and arrived this morning in the camp. To-morr owis fixed upon for the day which shall determine the fate of France, and tomorrow shall my eternal fate be fixed. It is now midnight; the night is tempestuous.

Here I broke off, for the ghost of St. Pierre at that moment appeared to me. He has told me that I shall fall to-morrow; but why did he: I had already so determined it. My blood runs cold! my hair stands on end! O can I be forgiven! No, no; the murderer, the adulterer, has nothing to look for, except

Here the manuscript abruptly ends. All that can be said in conclusion is, that the body of the unfortunate writer, covered with gashes, was recognised by one of his old companions next morning. He has gone to his last account; but he has done well in leaving this recital as a warning to others.

TOTHING can exhibit a greater want of accurate discrimination, or a more unhappy disregard of public feeling, than the conduct of the Legislature in neglecting to establish the very simple regulations which reason and experience call for in regard to insolvent debtors.

The truth is, that the interference of

the Law between creditors and insolvent debtors, takes place at the wrong time. It sanctions the mischief, aggravates it, and then tenders relief; it inflicts the wound, and then attempts to administer a cure it causes all the diseases which belong to the system, and then evinces an anxiety to discover effective remedies! When the lawyers