MR. OWEN SAILS FOR LEGHORN.

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This evening he is to sail in a felucca for Leghorn. Being the last day, in all human probability, when we shall ever see him, he appeared very desirous to make the best use of every moment. The children came to pay their last visit, and remained longer than usual. He spoke to each separately; Anny could hardly be persuaded to leave his bed-side, where she stood listening with the deepest interest to all which he said, tears rolling rapidly down her cheeks.

Tuesday Evening. The trying hour is over; and we are now returned from seeing Mr. Owen borne like a helpless child on board the felucca: we supported him almost fainting in the carriage which conveyed him to the river side. Our progress was very slow; consequently when we arrived, day-light had given place to the shades of evening. Sir W., my sister, and the children, had been waiting a considerable time, and had every thing arranged as comfortably as possible on board. He looked sick unto death, as the sailors laid him on the little bed which had been prepared in the felucca. We were now obliged to leave him, when I said, "Farewell Mr. Owen, may God of his infinite mercy conduct you to the haven where you would be." He opened his languid eyes, looking up with an expression of prayer which he had not strength to utter. We returned home very sad at heart at leaving this excellent young man in a state which appeared so precarious; we feared that

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his removal might hasten his death; but Dr. Clarke by assuring us to the contrary, in some measure calmed our apprehensions.

His child-like disposition and eminent spiritualmindedness, have endeared him in a peculiar manner to us all. In all human probability he will not recover from this indisposition: and we could have wished to remain with him until he peacefully sleeps in Jesus, that we might have had the consolation of soothing his last moments; but the Lord will order all things well.

May 28. We have had accounts of Mr. Owen. Mr. H. the clergyman to whose care he had been recommended writes thus:

“Mr. Owen arrived on the 25th at 5 o'clock in the morning. He is placed in comfortable lodgings where he will be well attended to by the mistress of the house, who is a pious widow, an English woman, and who promises to spend as much of her time with him as possible, daily reading the Scriptures from which he derives his only consolation. The calm sun-shine of a heart at ease shews itself in every look, and every word which he utters breathes love and good-will to mankind. What a blessing would it be to many should it please God to restore him to his former health. He appears not to spend a single thought on that which regards the body or any temporal affairs; but at the same time, no living soul is more interested in the welfare and happiness of his friends, and none more desirous of

HIS HUMANE DISPOSITION.

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instructing the ignorant, relieving the indigent, and comforting and consoling the afflicted."..

Of this last-mentioned disposition he gave me a proof the day before we separated. Taking from his pocket-book a list of the names of poor people whom he had been in the habit of visiting, when his health would permit, to administer to their wants spiritual and temporal, that I might do the same, he gave me some louis d'ors and Italian and French tracts, directing me how I was to distribute the money in weekly allowances.

LETTER XXVII.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Rome, June 2, 1820.

We have not yet determined where to pass the summer. I am rather inclined to think that it will be at Orvieto, a place strongly recommended as possessing many advantages. The situation is beautiful, the air good, provisions and lodging excellent, and very reasonable, the English not yet having found their way thither.

The weather here is at present so sultry that we can seldom stir out of doors: even in the early morning or in the evening we have no cool air. The utmost

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DEPARTURE FROM ROME.

extent of our walk is to the Quirinale, where the children have great pleasure in going to see the Pope get into his carriage to take his afternoon drive. I must tell you an anecdote of our darling Anny which happened a few days ago on one of these occasions. We were standing amongst the crowd watching for the signal by which we were to know that the Pope was advancing. It was given, and a poor woman, anxious to present a petition which she held in her hand, endeavoured to make her way to him, but was rudely repulsed by the Swiss guards. In a moment Anny sprang forward, shielded the poor creature in her arms, and drew her on through the midst of the guards close to the Pope, to whom the woman presented her petition on her knees. The guards, seeing the benevolent and graceful action of the child, made way for her with a smile of approbation.

June 16. Orvieto is at length decided on as the place of our summer residence. Apartments are engaged in a palace formerly belonging to the Pretender and lately fitted up for the queen of Etruria. The name of its present possessor is Cavaliere Manicucci to whom we have been introduced. Mr. and Mrs. B. have also determined on being our companions, having heard that they can have apartments in the same spacious mansion.

June 21. We left Rome this morning at four o'clock, on our way to Orvieto. For about twelve miles we journeyed through a pretty diversified

LAKE OF BOLSENO.

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country, , but the remainder, until we reached Monte Rossi, was flat, desolate, and uninteresting. Here we stopped to breakfast, twenty-six miles from Rome, at a wretched inn, to which the entrance is a stable. We remained here during the hottest part of the day, and then pursued our way to Vi¬ terbo, where we are to sleep. We had a pleasant evening drive, winding round the wooded lake of Ronciglione which continued long in view. At Viterbo the accommodation is excellent.

June 22. Again on the road. At Monte Fiascone we stopped to visit the tomb of the bishop, whose memory is connected with the pre-eminent excellence of the wines of the place. On the tomb are drawn three wine-glasses, and the word est thrice repeated, that significant word, which was his precursory signal on the casks, at whatever inn he found the wine good. A warning voice seems still to proceed from that cold monument. Whatever be our besetting sin, we can indulge in it but for a moment: and for that moment shall we barter eternal happiness? O, let us watch and pray.

Some of our party had a curiosity to taste the wine, which, from the above-mentioned circumstance, is called Est. Cavaliere Manicucci undertook to procure it, first inviting us to take a walk through the town, to a place from whence we could command an extensive view, which we found enchanting, the lovely lake of Bolseno being just beneath. Leaving the town, we descended a high