waves. Helen's grief and terror redoubled; and she called in vain on the name of her parents. The storm continued until the fourteenth day, when they perceived land; and soon after, a large forest of trees was discernible. Men were immediately dispatched in the boat to explore this unknown region; and they soon returned with the most pleasing tidings. The island, though apparently uninhabited, was rich in verdure, and promised a most delightful restingplace from the fatigues of the late frightful tempest. Mashom therefore entreated the captain to set them ashore, as he found the life of his Helen to be in the most imminent danger. He complied with their request, and Mashom, with his faithful Helen by his side, instantly seated himself in the boat, and made towards the island, accompanied by some of the crew. As they advanced from the sea-side, the country seemed a little Eden: fruits and flowers waved over their heads, and enamelled the ground. At length they penetrated into a beautiful glade surrounded with laurels, and watered by a rivulet, which, leaping from a high mountain over rocks, and crossing arms of trees, fell, in a sparkling cascade, into a bed of pebbles, and then glided gently through the lawn, until it mixed with the waves of the ocean. Here Nature seemed to afford every thing in her highest luxuriance. They remained for some time gazing on this enchanting spot. They could perceive no form like their own, nor hear any thing but the bubbling of fountains, and the warbling of the birds. A spreading tree which offered its shade to shield the wanderers from the rays of the meridian sun, soon had them all collected under its boughs. Near this hospitable monarch of the wood' Mashom resolved to build a little hut, and there to live with his beloved mistress upon the spontaneous productions which the place produced. Accordingly, tents were erected; but, on the morwhilst the little party were regaling themselves with a delightful ramble over the island, a second storm row, arose, which drove them back to their huts for shelter; the winds blew like a hurricane, and the sea rose in such mountains all around the beach, as if it was intended that even the land should not preserve the voyagers from its rage. The tempest continued all that day and the following night; and, when the seamen rose on the ensuing morning to make preparations for joining the vessel, no trace of it was to be seen. The storm had torn it from its moorings, and driven it off the coast. The captain, however, with that portion of the crew which remained on board, was enabled to make the French port to which his ship was destined. He continued to trade between France and England for several years afterwards; and on one occasion, having publicly mentioned the circumstance of leaving our hero and heroine on the desert island, he was sent for by Earl Dorset, and closely interrogated as to all circumstances connected with so singular an affair. The result was, that the earl determined on making a voyage, in person, in order to discover whether his long lost daughter was dead or alive. In the mean time, the English sailors, soon becoming tired of insular solitude, thought only of returning to their native country. Accordingly, having bade their companions farewell, they put their boat in order and sailed for England. But again, storms and tempests pursued the poor fugitives, and drove their half-wrecked bark upon the coast of Barbary. They were immediately seized and sent as slaves to Morocco. Mashom and his consort having remained on the island for nearly five years, and being blessed with several pledges of their mutual love, it happened one winter's evening, when they had just retired to rest, that a dreadful hurricane arose, which desolated the fields, and tore up the trees by the roots. They heard the billows roar, mingled with the lamentations of some unfortunate persons, who had, no doubt, suffered shipwreck; and they hastened immediately to the shore, where they beheld several people lying lifeless on the sands. The next object that presented itself was a venerable old man, stretched at the bottom of a tree, and showing some signs of life. Helen immediately ran up to him, and looking wildly on him, cried out my father!' and fainted by his side. Mashom, perceiving her distress, flew to her assistance, and soon discovered the stranger to be Lord Dorset, who with his consort had embarked in search of their daughter. They immediately conducted him to their cabin. After he was somewhat recovered, the old man embraced his children, but told them there was one thing yet which would for ever destroy his happiness: his beloved wife, he feared, had shared the same fate as the rest by the storm. Helen was almost distracted. She entreated her husband to fly to the shore, and search after the dear object of their wishes. Mashom complied, and, after he bad wandered about for some time, saw at some distance a lady, to all appearance breathless, in the arms of a servant. He presently recollected in her face the features of Lady Dorset, and bore her to his cabin, where she soon after recovered. Opening her eyes, and looking steadfastly on Helen and Earl Dorset, she exclaimed, Gracious Heaven!--my husband alive, and in the arms of his daughter!' She had scarcely uttered these words, when she fainted in Mashom's arms. ་ When she revived, their joy was not to be described. She perceived her son-in-law on his knees; and she tenderly embraced him and her daughter. They all four mingled their tears of joy together. A few days afterwards, several officers and others of the crew who had been preserved from the wreck, discovered the abode of their noble chief; and they were received with the greatest cordiality by Mashom and his lovely partner. The beauties of this charming island, which seemed to its new visitors another Eden, made such an impression upon the followers of Lord Dorset, that they determined to make it the place of their future abode. VOL. 1. April, 1830. P It is now time to return to the English seamen who were enslaved in Barbary. The prisons of Morocco were full of Christian captives. Among the rest was John de Moralis, a noble Spaniard of Seville, who took a particular delight in listening to the strange adventure of the English sailors. Having informed himself minutely of the situation of the new island they had discovered, and the marks by which he should know it for the same, he made every exertion to regain his liberty. On his return to his native land, he made a proffer of his services to Don Juan Gonsalvo Zasco, a Portuguese, who was employed by Prince Henry of Portugal to make new discoveries. Zasco, in compliance with the Spaniard's persuasion, undertook the expedition, which was crowned with the happiest success; and he arrived at the island on the 8th of July, 1421. Here he found the little colony, which had separated itself from Earl Dorset's retinue; and which had settled in the most fertile spots. As to Mashom and his family, they had removed to England; deeply regretting, however, the necessity of leaving an island where they had enjoyed so much unalloyed happiness. Zasco soon transmitted to Prince Henry an accurate description of this island, with its natural produce, &c. and, as it abounded in forests, his royal highness named it Madeira, from the Portuguese word Madera, which signifies Wood. TO A LADY ON THE DEATH OF Her daughter. In anguish must not wildly roll; 'Twas love thy daughter's knell did ring, By love thy bosom hath been riven; For on redeeming love's light wing Her spirit rose to Heaven. Yet thou wilt on her grassy tomb A mother's sorrows shower; For ne'er did summer, in its bloom, Sweet twilight shall with thee weep there, Thou weep'st, and could I weep-oue source To print a parting kiss. Tho' faith assures-her eyes' love-beams Tho' joy immortal near thee seems, To dry these blood-red tears, or cast Dear lady, oh! I feel how fast LOVE. WOMAN, it is not beauty's face D. CORKINDALE. That most attracts the constant heart; It is not phantasy's hot fire, Whose wishes, soon as granted, fly; It liveth not in live desire, With dead desire it does not die. It is that secret bond of love, Which heart to heart, and mind to mind, (Fixed by the favouring gods above) In body and in soul can bind. P 2 J. R-LL. |