the gloom was heard the savage roaring of the thunder-laden winds; in the brightness was seen the tortured ocean heaving in convulsions, and flinging its spray in impotent wrath far up into the dark concave. Such scenes had become familiar to me, and had almost lost their terrors. My crazy ship went tumbling on, and I had lashed myself to the remnant of one of her masts, lest I should be swept from the deck as every thing else had been already. Again the moon looked down for an instant, again the lightning gushed from the clouds: - Good God! a vessel with all her sails set, bounded past me, and I heard the cries of human beings.-Another gleam of moonshine, she was still there! Another blaze of lightning,-she was gone,—down— down into the gulf for ever!

The storm passed away, and I was still safe. The wind was in the north, and the ship sailed on. One morning I came upon deck; it was clear, though cold, and the sea at some little distance seemed peopled with islands. How my heart bounded! I was approaching them! Shipwreck -death was all I desired, provided I met it in an attempt to make the land. I came nearer the islands. Heaven and earth! they were islands of ice! Where was I? I had been sailing south; - Had I got within the antarctic circle? Icenothing but ice-huge mountains of dreary ice.

"I was the first that ever burst

Into that silent sea!"

I know not how it was, but I sailed far in among those frozen fields. The wind at length shifted, and my course was altered. I retraced part of my way, and went more to the east. One night I was in bed, and my vessel was drifting as usual, where it pleased; suddenly it struck against something with a violent shock and crash. I rushed upon deck; the ship was going to pieces. It seemed to have come upon a reef of rocks. It was calm, and I was a good swimmer: I threw myself into the sea, and reaching some of the most prominent heights, I scrambled up and waited till daylight should discover to me my situation. It came soon enough; I was on the highest peak of two or three insulated rocks, not a hundred yards in circumference altogether, which rose up from the fathomless depths of the Southern Ocean. Water-nothing but water could be seen around.

once.

Here, then, on this unknown rock, which no human eye but mine had ever seen before, it was to be my lot to die. I wonder I did not go mad at I recollect that I lost all belief in my personal identity: I could not conceive it possible that I was the same being who had once so keenly enjoyed all the pleasures of social and civilised life who had loved and hated, who had laughed

H

and wept, who had feared and hoped. On a soli

more

tary peak of the ocean, what was man? useless than the sea-weed, more helpless than the bubbles that floated past with the waves.

The ship had disappeared; but some fragments still floated about the rock. I took possession of one of them, and drifted away, as I believed, to certain death. Now, talk of solitude! on a single plank in the untraversed South Pacific! I floated away and away; but nature was at length exhausted. I stretched myself out at full length; I closed my eyes; and became insensible.

When animation returned, I was on board a French discovery-ship, in a comfortable bed, and enjoying every luxury; — and, oh! that luxury above all other luxuries — the music of the human

voice, when its tones are softened by human affections! I did nothing but weep like a child for a whole week. In two months I was again in England.

Six o'clock, A. M.-Sprung nimbly from my bed, and threw open my shutters. It was a beautiful morning; sun up-birds singing flowers blooming dew glistening. Hurried on my clothes. Took my rod in my hand; -threw my fishing basket over my shoulder, and sallied forth to the banks of the neighbouring stream. Recollected it was my twentieth birth-day laughed to think I was so old; - determined to correct all former faults, and begin a new life; walked home with a basketful of fish, and the conviction that I should one day be the greatest man in Christendom.

Nine o'clock. - Made dreadful havoc at the breakfast-table; - rolls, eggs, ham, jelly, tea, coffee, ran Great St. Legers down my throat;dad said he was glad to see me so hungry; and granny whispered something to my mother about white teeth, blue eyes, and fine complexion ;talked of Ellen Tracey; - dad looked glum mother frowned; and granny said she was a sly gypsey — not worth a farthing;—thought granny an old bore.

Eleven o'clock.-Called on Dick Oliver; - rode out together; never saw Dick so merry; - met Ellen Tracey; - both bowed—our eyes met; never saw her look more beautiful; - told Dick I was determined to marry her, whether dad consented or not; - Dick said I was right — thought Dick a sensible fellow; knew him to be my staunch friend.

Two o'clock. Returned home; - found the Honourable Miss Aubrey in the drawing-room ;mother and granny in a great fuss was sorry I had come in-wished to retreat- stumbled over Miss Aubrey's lap-dog; dog yelped- Miss Aubrey screamed screamed mother shrieked - granny scolded; -wished either myself or them at the devil; - tried to turn it off with a joke — failed, for nobody laughed; - never felt so foolish, or looked so sheepish ;- Miss Aubrey rose to go; carried her lap-dog down stairs, and handed both