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From Chambers' Journal. A NIGHT ADVENTURE ON LAKE SIMCOE.

THE rigor of a Canadian winter is such as to enchain in icy bonds, for several consecutive months, the second-rate lakes of the continent. In the higher latitudes of the province, the ice acquires an almost incredible thickness, defying for a long time the influences of spring; and when it yields at length, about the month of May, choking up the rivers, by which it attempts to descend in crowded and fantastic masses, and causing inundations, at all times inconvenient, and sometimes fatal both to life and property.

As soon as these great bodies of fresh water are frozen, an active intercourse immediately strikes up between the different points on the shores of such of them as have become either wholly or partially encircled with an industrious population. Districts of country which, in the summer season, are only accessible to each other by toilsome and circuitous journeys, thus experience, when winter sets in, all the advantages of a direct intercommunication. It is during the winter season that the traffic and intercourse between the rural districts and the towns reach their greatest height, the majority, particularly of the more distant farmers, reserving their visits to the different markets of the province until the smoother and more direct roads of winter can enable them to perform their journeys with greater speed and less toil.

Fearlessly as it is generally undertaken, a journey across one of the great frozen masses of the North American continent is not always unaccompanied with danger. The following incident will exhibit, to some extent, the nature and amount of the peril which is thus occasionally encountered.

in these latitudes, Lake Simcoe yields to the rigors of winter, and becomes perfectly ice-bound for several months in the year.

In the month of December, 184-, in company with two friends, I undertook the passage of the lake upon the ice, which had then been formed for several weeks. We started without dreaming of danger, inasmuch as the roads, which had been marked off in various directions across its surface, had been traversed for some time with perfect safety. For two or three days previously, the thermometer had ranged at from ten to fifteen degrees below zero; but a marked change had suddenly taken place in the temperature, the mercury having risen several degrees. Our object was to cross from the Holland Landing, the nearest point of the lake to Toronto, to the town of Bonie, on Kempenfelt Bay, on the opposite side, and lying in a northwesterly direction from us. Night was fast setting in when we started; but as the moon was then about full, and the sky clear, we set out with every anticipation of a pleasant sleigh-ride over the broad and glistening expanse of the fettered lake. With a good horse, a couple of buffalo robes, and with ample provision for man and beast-for we had a journey of about thirty miles before us, and there were no inns on the road-we wanted nothing that could minister to our comfort. No road of life, however, is smooth, even though it should be over ice; and we had scarcely emerged from the low and sedgy banks of the Holland river, which was quietly emptying itself into the lake under our feet, when we encountered one of those rents or chasms which so frequently permeate large masses of ice, and which sometimes serve effectually to interrupt the road, unless the traveller is provided with the means of overcoming them. These rents are formed by the Amongst the American lakes of the second class, inability of the ice to sustain its own weight; and Lake Simcoe ranks as one of the largest. Its ex- when they occur in the winter covering of large treme length is about forty miles; its width, at masses of water like Lake Simcoe, they frequently some points, being nearly thirty. It is situated in extend from one end of the lake to the other. The the midst of a beautiful and fertile district lying be- water, with which they are immediately filled up, tween Lakes Huron and Ontario; its distance from seldom freezes; and when the ice is covered with a the latter, due north from the city of Toronto, being thin sprinkling of snow, the eye can trace them for forty miles; whilst its northern extremity approach- miles, like the blue veins which underlie a clear es to within five-and-twenty miles of the former, and brilliant complexion. Although they are not into which its superfluous waters are discharged by always of sufficient width to offer any serious imthe river Severn, whose short course is frequently pediment to a journey, it is nevertheless a matter interrupted by successive cascades and brawling of prudence in the traveller to possess himself of rapids. The shores of the lake are such as to adequate means of crossing them. This is generstrike every beholder with their beauty, being in- ally done by attaching to the bottom of the sleigh dented with numerous bays, some of which run far two or three planks, which can be thrown over the up into the land, and retreating at many points, in chasm, should there be need, in the form of a temgraceful undulations from the water, crowned with porary bridge, over which the vehicle can be easily the beech and the maple, the birch, the hickory, pulled or pushed, the horse being in the mean time and the live oak of Canada. It is approached from detached from it, and having to trust for his gainthe capital of Canada West by a fine macadamized ing the opposite side to the powers of leaping with road, on either side of which the forest has been which nature may have endowed him. The procleared away, the whole route being lined with ele- priety of providing ourselves with the necessary gant mansions, and comfortable and commodious materials for putting such a device into execution, farmhouses. In the social organization of Canada, was made manifest to us by this our first interrupwealth has not as yet marked out a very numerous tion, the rent which we encountered being sufficlass for its own; but the shores of Lake Simcoe ciently formidable to call into exercise all our ponare destined to be the future retreat of the wealthy toon accomplishments. We got safely across, withand refined class, to which the progress of the col-out further cost than that of a little delay, and ony will give rise. In less than fifty years it will be encircled with the villas and country mansions of those whom circumstances will enable to retire from the bustle and activities of life. Already have many English families with limited means settled in its neighborhood, and the axe of the husbandman is rapidly transforming the whole aspect of the circumjacent country. Like other lakes of its class

proceeded merrily on our journey, occasionally enlivening our way with a song, and satisfied that we could have but little to complain of if all our obstacles should be as easily overcome.

The shadows of evening had scarcely closed around us, ere the moon rose in her full-orbed splendor. Adequately to describe the scene which her silvery light displayed to us is next to impossi

ble. The sky was without a cloud. As night advanced, the eastern horizon was bathed in that glorious flood of pearly lustre, which the moon, in the clear atmosphere of America, pours over earth and heaven. To the westward, the sky gradually darkened into the deepest blue; imbedded in which, the far-off stars twinkled with a brilliancy unknown in our murky climate. The loneliness and stillness of the scene were absolutely oppressive. Had I been alone, the conviction would easily have settled upon me that I was that unhappy wretch, the "last man." Not a sound stirred in the air, except that of our own voices, which we sometimes strained to the uttermost, to catch, if possible, an echo; but in vain our appeals met with no response, and all around us was as still as death. As far as the eye could reach, a belt of spectral pines lined the shore, whose sombre and dusky forms contrasted strongly with the glistening ice. Their branches were heavily laden with snow, and gleamed in the moonlight with myriads of pendent icicles. The more distant shores of the lake looked ghastly and shadowy; whilst towards the north, in the direction of its greatest length, the vast plain of ice which we were traversing appeared to stretch to infinity, merging into the horizon, as if it led to heaven. A lovelier night never shone on earth-a more beautiful and impressive scene was never witnessed.

As we were in no hurry, we proceeded at a leisurely pace, guided in our course by a wide breach which was observable in the broad shadow that lay under the high bank forming the eastern shore of the lake, and which we knew indicated the entrance to Kempenfelt Bay. It was but natural that our conversation, as we proceeded, should turn upon the prospects, social, political, and economical, of the magnificent country which spread around us, and which, with few exceptions, still rioted undisturbed in all the wild luxuriance of nature.

and the moon was at length completely obscured. No sooner had the last gleam of light forsaken the sky, than the wind began to beat around us in fitful and eddying gusts. The snow, which lay lightly upon the ice, was lifted up and thrown rudely against our faces. Our position was every moment becoming more and more discouraging, and we at length began to give way to apprehensions for our safety. Land was, in every direction, many miles distant, and we were hemmed in by treacherous chasms on every side. This was no pleasant predicament in which to be overtaken by the howling tempests of a boisterous winter night. The darkness which had so suddenly succeeded to the brilliant moonlight, was now nearly complete, and to add to our discomfiture, the wind was almost directly in our teeth. Nothing was wanting to impart a climax to our perplexity but a blinding fall of snow, nor was this wanting long. A few large and ominous flakes spotting the buffalo robes in which we now wrapped ourselves, gave token of its approach; after which the storm rapidly progressed in its fury, when the gloom cast upon our spirits was only exceeded by the still deeper gloom which reigned around us. Faster and faster fell the drifting snow, and more dismally howled the wintry wind, as we crawled along, feeling our steps, in momentary expectation of encountering another rent in the ice, which our present position would have rendered dangerous in the extreme. It seemed as if the elements had conspired to torment us; for the snow, which now beat against us in masses, when it fell, refused to lie, but mounted again on the wings of the tempest, to mingle with the falling flakes; and it was not until it had been whirled about for some time in furious eddies, that it was at length deposited in fantastic drifts upon the ice.

Every trace of the road was now blotted out; and Engaged in this manner, we were insensible to as no distant landmarks were discernible for our the indications which were accumulating around us, guidance, we proceeded for some time in an uncerthat the repose of the elements was soon likely to tain course, with nothing to guide us but the direcbe disturbed. The first that we observed was the tion of the wind, which we knew to be easterly. momentary obscuration of the moon, caused by the We had every now and then to encounter heavy passage across its disk of a small cloud, dark and snow drifts, that had rapidly accumulated in our watery-looking in the centre, but fringed with light-path, through which we penetrated with some difer and fleecy vapors. It passed swiftly by, and its ficulty; but consoling ourselves with the reflection shadow spread over the frozen lake, as if it marked that, if they were toilsome, they were not dangerthe flight of an eagle. In its lower strata, the air ous, like the yawning chasms, of which we stood was motionless as betore; but the winds were madly in constant dread. We exerted ourselves to the careering aloft, as was plainly indicated by the rapid utmost to proceed; but at length, weary and beand fitful motions of the clouds, which now mottled numbed with cold, and unable any longer to face the eastern half of the sky, whilst the horizon be- the pitiless storm, we came to a halt, without a tree yond was shrouded in an impervious screen of dark or bush to shelter us from the tempest. Our first stormy vapor. We were sufficiently acquainted care was to protect both our horse and ourselves with the climate to know what this sudden change from its fury, which we did by turning our vehicle in the aspect of things portended; and as we had in the contrary direction to that of the wind. We still many miles before us, we became anxious for had but two buffalo robes along with us, one of the termination of our journey. The road was but which we threw over the horse, huddling under the here and there slightly traced; and should the night other in the sleigh for warmth and shelter. There become dark, our position would be very uncom- we remained for some time, in the hope that the fortable, to say the least of it. It is usual for those storm would ere long abate somewhat in its fury. who traverse the lake, to stop about half way and Nor were we disappointed in this respect. After bait their horses on the ice; but we had no longer waiting for about twenty minutes, it sensibly retime to spare for such a detention, and proceeded laxed. It was still almost pitchy dark, but the at an accelerated pace. We had already encoun- wind had fallen considerably, and the snow fell tered several chasms, similar to that which had first more sparingly than before. We resumed our obstructed our course; but owing to their no great journey-if crawling along, one leading the horse, width, and aided by the light of the moon, we ea- the other moving cautiously a little in advance, to sily passed them. To overcome them in the dark, ascertain that the ice was safe, can be called a rehowever, would be quite another matter; and dark-sumption. Thus we proceeded for some time, in ness was now fast stealing around us.

The angry horizon rapidly unfolded its vapors,

utter uncertainty as to the point to which our weary footsteps were leading us; and almost sickened at

the thought, that, on the most favorable calculation, | by, and a dull, grayish light in the east betokened fully four miles of treacherous ice yet intervened the approach of morning; but with it came no between us and land. abatement of the tempest. The thick air was still We had made but little progress in this way, oppressed with its heavy burden of snow, of which when, to our dismay, the wind began once more to it seemed vainly endeavoring to rid itself. But the increase in violence, and we were compelled again approach of light had deprived the scene of nine to seek what shelter we could by coming to a dead tenths of its horrors, and we lost no time in preparhalt. We had scarcely done so, however, when ing to resume our journey. our alarm took another direction. We were startled by a dull deep sound, resembling a heavy but smoth-us, that it was with difficulty we succeeded, by our ered crack, which arose to our left, and apparently in the vicinity of the shore; and which, after a moment's cessation, was repeated, and, growing louder and louder, seemed to approach the spot where we stood, and to which we were now riveted with terror. For a few moments we listened, unconscious of its cause, but recognized it, as it came nearer and nearer to us, bellowing like thunder. It seemed to pass swiftly about a hundred yards in advance of us; and although still in fear, we could not refrain from mutual congratulations on having escaped the danger. As it receded to our right, it became fainter and fainter, until at length it resembled the sound of musketry heard at a distance, and finally died away amongst the bays and promontories at the upper end of the lake. The whole proceeded from the occurrence of one of the physical phenomena of these wintry regions. The ice had, in fact, opened another seam; and in doing so, it roared as if it had been racked with pain. As it swept by, we clung instinctively to the sleigh, for the chasm might have opened beneath our feet.

The cold had by this time, however, so enfeebled conjoint efforts, in restoring the sleigh to its right position. I held the horse, whilst my companions proceeded to reconnoitre the chasm, to select the most favorable point for crossing it. Whilst they were so engaged, I had to shout occasionally to them, with all the strength that remained to me, to enable them to rejoin me, for the light was still faint, and the heavy snow, mingled with the drift, soon hid us from each other. The noise thus occasioned, or something else, which it is not now necessary to ascertain, caused the horse to become restive. I tried to soothe him, but failed, and my hand was not strong enough long to retain the rein. Finding himself at liberty, he darted off, and ran past my companions, who made a vain effort to stop him. We followed him for a few seconds in the direction he had taken, until at length a heavy plash warned us that further pursuit might be as dangerous as it was useless. We cautiously approached the spot whence the sound proceeded, but on reaching the chasm, could find no trace of the poor animal, save a little blood, which the feeble light enabled us to discern staining the snow on the opposite side, and which showed that his head had come in violent contact with the ice in tumbling into the water.

As this might prove a crowning difficulty to us, we cautiously advanced to ascertain its extent. We had not proceeded far, when we heard the water beating in small ripples against the newly- We had now no alternative left but to prosecute rent ice. It was so distinct, that even the horse our journey on foot. To cross the chasm, it was seemed to recognize it; and with unerring instinct, necessary to resort to our planks; but these were recoiled a step or two from the danger. There no longer at our command, being by this time buried was now no alternative before us but to retrace our under a heavy wreath of snow. We made several steps, or to remain where we were until morning. ineffectual efforts to recover them, and at last gave Between the two, however, there could be no hesi- up the attempt in despair. Our situation was now tation, and we at once determined to remain. We more than ever hopeless. We had not sufficient could gain nothing by retreating; for, to say noth-strength left us to overcome the chasm by a leap, ing of our having already crossed the greater por- nor were we in a condition to undertake a journey tion of the lake, there were dangers behind us sim- of five-and-twenty miles, which an attempt to reilar to those before. The width of the newly-opened trace our steps would have involved. Exhausted seam we ascertained to be about four feet at the and benumbed, and in utter despair at our situation, point where we stood. Dark and stormy as it was, we once more resorted to our buffalo skins, wrapped half that width would have deterred us from attempt-in which we again lay down under the shelter of ing to cross it. We therefore prepared to bivouac the sleigh. The storm raged wildly as before, and for the night. Retreating some distance from the although the sun had been now more than half an chasm, we unharnessed the horse, and turned the hour above the horizon, the thick atmosphere seemed sleigh on its side, to protect us from the wind and to absorb its struggling beams, and nothing but a the still drifting snow. The horse we tied by the dull grayish twilight was the result. It was again reins to the sleigh, and left him to forget the cold with extreme difficulty that we prevented one another in an ample feed of oats, which we placed before from yielding to that drowsy lethargy which, under him. We then sat down, enveloped in our buffalo such circumstances, is the sure prelude to dissoluskins, under the shelter of the sleigh, in which pos- tion. Our powers of resistance would have sustained ture we determined to remain until returning light us but little longer, when hope again shed its cheershould enable us to pursue our journey. ing light into our souls. A solitary gleam of wan We were obliged, however, frequently to spring and struggling sunlight suddenly passed over us, to our feet, and move briskly about, in order to but was instantly swallowed up again by the driftcounteract the insidious and benumbing effects of ing clouds. It was an omen of good, and we hailed the cold, to which one of my companions, despite it with a feeble shout. With renewed prospects of of remonstrance, was fast giving way. Determined life and future happiness in store for us, our enerto rescue him from the dangerous lethargy which gies once more revived, and we sprang instantly to was stealing over him, and finding persuasion use- our feet. The spell of the storm was broken; it less, I resorted to the device of provocation. By had spent its fury, and torn itself to pieces in its degrees I managed to rouse him into a towering passion, which restored his languid circulation; and saved him, by arousing him to a state of physical activity. The weary hours at length crawled

wrath. The vapory masses, which had shrouded the heavens and deluged earth with snow, were rent asunder on all sides; the sky gradually lightened of its burden; and in half an hour's time, over the

vast surface of the lake-to which the myriad snowwreaths now imparted as stormy an appearance as its unchained waters had ever worn when lashed into billows by the wind-the shadows of the broken and fast-drifting clouds were sporting themselves in the dazzling sunlight.

It is unnecessary to prolong the recital. After considerable search, we discovered a point at which we could safely cross the chasm which had so unseasonably yawned across our pathway during the night. We had not proceeded far on our way towards Bonie, when, to our inexpressible joy, we perceived a sleigh making directly towards us. It was driven by our warm-hearted friend Mr. to visit whom was the object of our journey. Aware of our intention to make a night passage of the lake, our non-arrival, coupled with the storm which had occurred, gave rise to apprehensions in his mind which induced him to start off in search of us. The relief which his appearance gave us was more than seasonable. We jumped into his sleigh, and made for land at as rapid a pace as the loose deep snow, with which the ice was now covered, would permit On arriving at our journey's end, we inured ourselves gradually, as was but prudent, to the warmth of the house; and when, shortly afterwards, seated by the large, crackling, blazing logfire, which leaped and roared in the ample chimney around which we were ranged, its comfortable heat, together with the happy faces and cordial welcomes of those around us, made us forget for a time the miseries of the night, and the painful apprehensions of the morning.

us.

From Chambers' Journal.

LADY LUCY'S PETITION.

A TALE FOUNDED ON FACTS.

OUR attention has been drawn to this little piece by an obliging correspondent, who considers it, and with reason, as worth preservation. It appeared some years ago in a magazine-we think the "Pocket Magazine"-now out of print.

"And is my dear papa shut up in this dismal place to which you are taking me, nurse?" asked the Lady Lucy Preston, raising her eyes fearfully to the Tower of London, as the coach in which she was seated with Amy Gradwell, her nurse, drove under the gateway. She trembled, and hid her face in Amy's cloak, when they alighted, and she saw the soldiers on guard, and the sentinels with their crossed partisans before the portals of that part of the fortress where the prisoners of state were confined, and where her own father, Lord Preston, of whom she was come to take her last farewell, was then confined under sentence of death.

"Yes, my dear child," returned Amy sorrowfully, "my lord your father is indeed within these sad walls. You are now going to visit him; shall you be afraid of entering this place, my dear?" "No," replied Lady Lucy resolutely; "I am not afraid of going to any place where my dear papa is."

Yet she clung closer to the arms of her attendant as they were admitted into the gloomy precincts of the buildings, and her little heart fluttered fearfully as she glanced around her, and she whispered to her nurse, "Was it not here that the two young princes, Edward V. and his brother Richard Duke of York were murdered by their cruel uncle, Richard Duke of Gloucester ?"

"Yes, my love, it was; but do not be alarmed on that account, for no one will harm you," said old Amy in an encouraging tone.

"And was not good King Henry VI. murdered here also by that same wicked Richard?" continued the little girl, whose imagination was full of the records of the deeds of blood that had been perpetrated in this fatally celebrated place, many of which had been related to her by Bridget Holdworth, the housekeeper, since her father had been imprisoned in the Tower on a charge of high treason.

"But do you think they will murder papa, nurse?" pursued the child, as they began to ascend the stairs leading to the apartment in which the unfortunate nobleman was confined.

"Hush-hush! dear child, you must not talk of these things here," said Amy, "or they will shut us both up in a room with bolts and bars, instead of admitting us to see my lord your father."

Lady Lucy pressed closer to her nurse's side, and was silent till they were ushered into the room where her father was confined, when, forgetting everything else in her joy at seeing him again, she sprang into his arms, and almost stifled him with her kisses.

Lord Preston was greatly affected at the sight of his little daughter; and overcome by her passionate demonstrations of fondness, his own anguish at the thought of his approaching separation from her, and the idea of leaving her an orphan at her tender age, (for she had only just completed her ninth year, and had lost her mother,) he clasped her to his bosom, and bedewed her innocent face with his tears.

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'Why do you cry, dear papa?" asked the innocent child, who was herself weeping at the sight of his distress. "And why will you not leave this gloomy place, and come home to your own hall again ?"

"Attend to me, Lucy, and I will tell you the cause of my grief," said her father, seating the little girl on his knee. "I shall never come home again, for I have been condemned to die for high treason, which means an offence against the king, and I shall not leave this place till they bring me forth on Tower Hill, where they will cut off my head with a sharp axe, and set it up afterwards over Temple-Bar or London Bridge."

At this terrible intelligence Lady Lucy screamed aloud, and hid her face in her father's bosom, which she wetted with her tears.

"Be composed, my dear child,” said Lord Preston, "for I have much to say to you, and we may never meet again on this side the grave."

"No, no! dear papa," cried she; "they shall not kill you, for I will cling so fast about your neck, that they shall not be able to cut your head off; and I will tell them all how good and kind you are, and then they will not want to kill you."

"My dearest love, this is all simple talking," said Lord Preston. "I have offended against the law as it is at present established, by trying to have my old master, King James, restored to the throne, and therefore I must die. Do not you remember, Lucy, I took you once to Whitehall to see King James, and how kindly he spoke to you?"

"Oh yes, papa; and I recollect he laid his hand upon my head, and said I was like what his daughter the Princess of Orange was at my age," replied Lady Lucy with great animation.

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Well, my child, very shortly after you saw King James at Whitehall, the Prince of Orange,

who married his daughter, came over to England, and drove King James out of his palace and kingdom, and the people made him and the Princess of Orange king and queen in his stead."

"But was it not very wicked of the Princess of Orange to join with her husband to take her father's kingdom from him? I am very sorry King James thought me like her," said Lady Lucy earnestly.

"Hush-hush! my love, you must not talk so of the Princess of Orange, for perhaps she considered she was doing right in depriving her father of his dominions, because he had embraced the Catholic religion, and it is against the law for a king of England to be a Catholic. Yet I confess I did not believe she would have consented to sign the death-warrants of so many of her father's old servants, only on account of their faithful attachment to him," said Lord Preston with a sigh.

"I have heard that the Princess of Orange is of a merciful disposition," said old Amy Gradwell, advancing towards her master; "and perhaps she might be induced to spare your life, my lord, if your pardon were very earnestly intreated of her by some of your friends."

"Alas! my good Amy, I have no one who will undertake the perilous office of soliciting the royal grace for an attainted traitor, lest they should be suspected of favoring the cause of King James." "Dear papa! let me go to the queen and beg for your pardon," cried Lady Lucy with a crimsoned cheek and a sparkling eye. "I will so beg and pray her to spare your life, dear papa, that she will not have the heart to deny me."

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Her father clasped her to his bosom, but said, "Thou wouldst be afraid of speaking to the queen, even if thou shouldst be admitted to her presence, my child."

"Why should I be afraid of speaking to the queen, papa?-for even if she would be angry with me, and answer harshly, I should be thinking too much of you, father, to mind it; or if she were to send me to the Tower, and cut off my head, she could only kill my body, but would have no power at all to hurt my soul, which is under the protection of One who is greater than any king or queen upon earth."

"You are right, my child, to fear God, and to have no other fear," said her father. "It is he who hath perhaps put it into your heart to plead with the queen for my life; which, if it be his pleasure to grant, I shall feel it indeed a happiness for my child to be made the instrument of my deliverance from the perils of death, which now encompass me; but if it should be otherwise, His will be done! He hath promised to be a father to the fatherless, and he will not forsake my good and dutiful child when I am low in the dust.

"But how will Lady Lucy gain admittance to the queen's presence, my lord?" asked old Amy, who had been a weeping spectator of the scene between the father and the child.

"I will write a letter to her godmother, the Lady Clarendon, requesting her to accomplish the

matter."

He then wrote a few hasty lines to that lady,

which he gave to his daughter, telling her that she was to go the next day to Hampton Court, properly attended, and to obtain a sight of Lady Clarendon, who was there in waiting upon the queen, and deliver that letter to her with her own hand. He then kissed his child tenderly, and bade her farewell. Though the little girl wept at parting with her father, yet she left the Tower with a far more composed mind than she entered it; for she had formed her resolution, and her young heart was full of hope. She had silently committed her cause to God, and she trusted that he would dispose the event prosperously for her.

The next morning before the lark had sung her matins, Lady Lucy was up, and dressed in a suit of deep mourning, which Amy had provided as the most suitable garb for a daughter whose only surviving parent was under the sentence of death. The servants, who had been informed of their young lady's intention to solicit the queen for her father's pardon, were all assembled in the entrance hall to see her depart; and as she passed through them, leaning on her nurse's arm, and attended by her father's confidential secretary and the old butler, they shed tears, and bade God bless her, and prosper her in her design.

Lady Lucy, arrived at Hampton Court, was introduced into the Countess of Clarendon's apartments before her ladyship was out of bed, and having told her artless tale with great earnestness, delivered her father's letter. Lady Clarendon, who was wife to the queen's uncle, was very kind to her young god-daughter, but plainly told her she must not reckon on her influence with the queen, because the Earl of Clarendon was in disgrace, on account of being suspected of carrying on a correspondence with King James, his brotherin-law; therefore she dared not to solicit the queen on behalf of her friend Lord Preston, against whom her majesty was so deeply exasperated, that she had declared she would not show him any mercy.

"Oh!" said the little girl, "if I could only see the queen myself, I would not wish any one to speak for me, for I should plead so earnestly to her for my dear papa's life, that she could not refuse me, I'm sure.

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"Poor child! what could you say to the queen?" asked the countess compassionately. "Only let me see her and you shall hear," rejoined Lady Lucy.

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Well, my love, it were a pity but what thou shouldst have the opportunity," said Lady Clarendon; "but much I fear thy little heart will fail thee; and when thou seest the queen face to face, thou wilt not be able to utter a syllable."

"God will direct the words of my lips," said the little girl, with tears in her eyes.

The countess was impressed with the piety and filial tenderness of her little god-daughter, and she hastened to rise and dress, that she might conduct the child into the palace-gallery, where the queen usually passed an hour in walking, after her return from chapel, which she attended every morning. Her majesty had not left the chapel when Lady Clarendon and Lady Lucy entered the gallery; and her ladyship endeavored to divert the anxious impatience of her little friend by pointing out to her the portraits with which it was adorned.

"I know that gentleman well," said the child, pointing to a noble whole-length portrait of James II. "That is the portrait of the deposed King James, Queen Mary's father," observed the countess, sigh

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