But the days of Edward's happiness were at an end. Neglected by his friends, deserted by his acquaintances, and detested even by those to whom he had given his despicable and officious information, he also buried himself in seclusion. Alas! how different was his from that delightful retirement, which those whom he had cruelly injured now enjoyed! His was an attempt to fly from the scoffs of the world, and the odium which he had incurred as a talebearer. He could not, however, avert the pangs of conscience, or dispel the gloom of melancholy, which hung over him from day to day. So truly miserable was his life,---with such horror and shame did he look back upon the past, that death itself would have been a relief. But the Divine retribution had ordained it' otherwise, condemning him to expiate his sins, and to feel the miseries which he had inflicted upon others, by a tedious life of anguish and remorse. No years diminished the care which preyed upon his heart; and this dreadful punishment of calumny was extended to his latest hour! Further comment upon this tale is unnecessary. May those under whose observation it chances to fall, should they at any time perceive the impulse of slander rising in their breasts, for once recall to memory the sad example of Edward Overton; and be warned by it from those pursuits which allure us into the tracts of unhappiness, and betray us to the shackles of perpetual woe. M. STERLING. HORE PALUDANE; OR, DROPS OF DERWENT WATER. NO. II. TO THE LADY CAROLINE MOWBRAY. * LADY! no marvel that the kinsman young The wayward youth rode nightly journeying,-he Cheeks of rich bloom, where Love hath built his nest ; Looks like young Juno's; eyes from whose full glance The gazer shrinks abash'd, as in the fight The polish'd shield returns the warrior's lance. STANZAS, (WRITTEN IN MISS HARRISON'S ALBUM,) Showing why Miss Fanny Harrison's Face is so little altered from what it was a short time ago. ONE day, as perch'd by Fanny's chair I turn'd my head, and who was there But gruff old Time, with glass and scythe! He, when he saw me, nodded low His single lock;-full well knows he That poets are his lords below, And therefore pays them courtesy. "And prithee," said I with a bow, "Old Haymaker, what dost thou here? Art come to furrow o'er a brow Thou hast not touch'd for many a year? Beware! if to my cousin's eyes Or cheeks thou dars't do aught of wrong, I'll disappoint thee of thy prize, And shrine them in immortal song." The graybeard answer'd," "T is, indeed, Sickness, who wins me many breasts, He can't find entrance to her brain. And yet I've often ventured near, But when I view the simple grace Her cheerful smiles, and merry face, F. GOLIGHTLY. PEREGRINE'S SCRAP-BOOK. NO. V. April 7.-The Club met for the last time previous to the Vacation. I was assailed by sundry intreaties, admonitions, and commands, to bring N° VII. out to its day. I leave my friends with great hopes upon this point, but certainly I am glad I have not promised. Mr. Oakley talks of Editing, immediately after the Vacation, a Weekly Newspaper, to be called "Contradiction, or the Negative Intelligencer." It is to be conducted upon a plan totally different from any at present in use; and I trust it will meet with all the encouragement it deserves. Instead of giving the news of what has been done in the world, it will give the news of what has not. Mr. Oakley will have great pleasure in saying "No" to all false and scandalous reports; and in refuting all rumours of generous actions, which are not founded on fact. I need not dilate upon the benefits likely to result from such a scheme; and I will therefore conclude my observations by selecting, from the mass of materials which Mr. O. has already compiled, a few short specimens: "We have authority to state that Mr. Blew has not left his debts unpaid. "We are happy to learn that the domestic peace of Sir John and Lady Gander has not been interrupted by the arts of a certain Colonel ;—that a separation has not taken place; that the gentlemen of the long robe are not employed in the business; and that Sir John has not been shot through the thorax, as was at one time reported. "Miss Blossom is not thirty years of age, as is scandalously reported by the Parish Register. A Correspondent informs us that she is not about to be married. "Sir Toby Ginger does not intend to part with his stud. He has not given 1007. to the building of the new church. "There is reason to suspect, that Napoleon Bonaparte has not promised to write for The Etonian."" Mr. Bellamy gave me, upon taking his leave for the present, the following stanzas: I. Away, away with every thought That leads my heart to joy again; That tells me of a former day; When oh! 't were bliss to live on Earth, II. The dream is o'er that Fancy drew, For ev'ry joy my bosom knew Was drawn, lost lovely one, from thee. |