96

Depravity. A peasant, of the name of As if we challenged him to do his worst, And mattered not his wrath!-Unheard-of tortures J. Angly, was lately convicted at Mentz Must be reserved for such: these herd together; along with a woman with whom he cohab-The common damned shun their society, ited, of having murdered ten persons during And look upon themselves as fiends less foul. Our time is fixed, and all our days are numbered! eighteen months. It appeared, by the evi- How long, how short, we know not:-this we know, dence, that the criminal was a wood-cut-Duty requires we calmly wait the summons, ter, and resided six miles from the city; Nor dare to stir till Heaven shall give permission: being idle, and desirous of subsisting with- Like sentries that must keep their destined stand, And wait th' appointed hour, till they're relieved. out labor, he determined to rob all single Those only are the brave that keep their ground, travellers who passed through a neigh-And keep it to the last. To run away bouring wood; for this purpose he used Is but a coward's trick; to ruu away to conceal himself in a high tree, and take From this world's ill, that at the very worst Will soon blow o'er, thinking to mend ourselves, deliberate aim at his victim; if he fell, he By boldly venturing on a world unknown, descended to finish his work, after plunder- And plunging headlong in the dark ;—'tis mad; ing, buried the body; if, likewise, he mis- No frenzy half so desperate as this." sed his aim, or the person, though wounded, attempted to escape he the signal to a dog which he had trained, and which effectually prevented that design. The number of persons who had suddenly disappeared while passing through the wood, gave rise to suspicions, and led to the apprehension of Angly and the woman both of whom, struck with remorse, made a full confession of their guilt. Angly and the woman were executed, and the dog was shot by order of the magistrates.

gave

THE GRAVE.-BY BLAIR.

"If death were nothing, and nought after death; If when men died, at once they ceased to be, Returning to the barren womb of nothing,

* Whence first they sprung, then might the debauchee
Untrembling mouth the heavens :—them might the
drunkard

Reel over his full bowl, and, when 'tis drained,
Fill up another to the brim, and laugh

At the poor bugbear death :-then might the wretch
That's weary of the world, and tired of life,
At once give each inquietude the slip,
By stealing out of being, when he pleased,
And by what way, whether by hemp or steel;
Death's thousand doors stand open.-Who could
force

The ill-pleased guest to sit out his full time,
Or blame him if he goes ?-Sure he does well,
That helps himself as timely as he can,
When able. But if there's an hereafter,
(And that there is, conscience, uninfluenced
And suffered to speak out, tells every man ;)
Then must it be an awful thing to die :.
More horrid yet to die by one's own hand.
Self-murder!-name it not: our island's shame,
That makes her the reproach of neighbouring states-
Shall nature, swerving from her earliest dictate,
Self-preservation, fall by her own act?
Forbid it, Heaven!-Let not, upon disgust,
The shameless hand be foully crimsoned o'er
With blood of its own lord.-Dreadful attempt!
Just reeking from self-slaughter, in a rage,
To rush into the presence of our Judge;

LINES

Addressed to my absent Daughter.

Thou leav'st thy home, my gentle girl!
Thou leav'st thy father's care,
And stranger forms shall greet thine eye-
Voices unknown, thine ear.

Yet still thou may'st be blest, my child!
In duty's joyful way,

And happy hours may dawn again
As in thine early day.

But should thy dark'ning passions fling
Their shadows o'er thy brow,

And thy worn spirit feel the sting

Thy bosom knows not now;
Think not a father's arm could shield
His child from every care,

Or even a mother's counsel yield
A refuge from despair.

But look to Him who dwells in Heav'n,
To Him thy meek eyes raise,

At whose high altar thou hast giv'n
The young heart's love and praise.

TERMS.

M.

The PHILADELPHIA VISITER AND PAR LOUR COMPANION, is published every other Satruday, on fine white paper, each number will contain 24 large super-royal octavo pages, enveloped in a fine printed cover, forming at the end of the year a volume of nearly 600 pages, at the very low price of $1 25 cts. per annum in advance. $200 will be charged at the end of the year.

Post Masters, and others who will procure four subscribers, and enclose Five Dollars to the propri etor, W. B. ROGERS, 49 Chesnut street, Philadel phia, shall receive the 5th copy gratis.

All orders addressed to the publisher, post paid,

will receive immediate attention.

Editors by copying our prospectus, and sending paper of the same to the office, shall receive the Visiter for one year.

THE BROKEN MERCHANTS.

A TALE OF THE TROUBLES OF 1887.

ken up my house. I wish the government was drowned before it had caused such terrible doings."

"Mrs, Benton, you astonish me," said Mr: Specieton, "pardon me if I say you

"Bless me! who is moving away?" as-speak in a very irreverent and ungrateful ked Mrs. Specieton, who was sitting at manner of those in office." the window of a fashionable boarding- "Ungrateful! Pray. what reason have house in Broadway. The ladies ran to I to be grateful, when they have caused the window, and beheld a cart before the all my boarders to fail and leave me. door, on which they were packing all the Grateful it is no worse, I suppose." etcetras of a boarding family. Just then. "I never talk politics with a female," the lady of the house came in, and with observed Mr. Specieton, gravely, "espea heavy sigh threw herself upon the sofa. cially with one who is so short-sighted as "Whose baggage is that, Mrs. Benton?" not to be able to foresee the glorious end asked, Mrs. Specieton. of this great experiment."

"It belongs to Mr. Smith, who is removing to the country."

*Dear me, I did not know they were going away."

"Nor did they themselves think of leaving me for a year yet; but did you not know he had failed?"

"Before it ends we shall be all starved," said Mrs. Benton.

"He! he!" laughed a thin dark overdressed lady, who was reclining on the other end of the sofa, a Southerner, and withal a violent whig. "He! he! that reminds me of my poor dear grandfather's "Failed! no indeed. But now I recol-experiment--he tried to subsist his slaves lect they have not been at table for two days."

"I knew it," said young Mrs. Marsden; "but did not care to mention it.”

upon cotton-seed, and he used often to say afterwards, he had no doubt he should have succeeded, if they had not all taken it into their heads most unaccountably to die-he, he!"

:

"This is the fourth family who have thus suddenly left me, and really I do not Mr. Specieton did not deign an answer know what is to become of me. My except by shrugging his shoulders and landlord has raised my rent to seven thou-muttering something about stale whig.. sand dollars, and now these hard times jokes.

have put an end to all travelling, and bro- "Oh, inamma," said Matilda Specieton

VOL. III. 1-No. 5.

returning from the window, "do give me experiment you are so fo: d of talking ten shillings. I saw such a love of a scarf about."

at Stewart's, which he sold for three dol

Such ignorance and impertinence, as lars last winter, but which he now sells Mr. Specieton considered it, he did not for ten shillings. I could not get my bills think worthy of an answer. changed."

"Ten shillings," said Mrs. Benton. "I do not know where you are to get that from, I have not seen so much specie in a month."

"Dear me, papa," said Matilda, "what should we do if you should fail?" "I fail, Matilda! what could put so monstrous an idea in your head? No, thank fortune that is impossible," "Of course!" said his wife, drawing herself up in a dignified manner. "It is

"It is very scarce," said Mrs. Specieton, "I have not had much lately," "How vexatious," said her daughter, an absurdity to imagine such a house as "where has all the money gone has it Specieton, Bankley, and Co., could besunk into the sea." come bankrupts-how could you imagine

"No, dear," said Mrs. Cotton the South- such a thing, Matilda." ern lady- the President wants it all for "Oh, I do not know, but Wilhelm says. his own private spending. What cares he no one is safe now-a-days. He is dull or the officers of the government whether about his affairs. Heigho! what hateful the merchants the prop, the stay-nay, times-every one gloomy, no partiesthe very supporters of the government, nothing talked of but failures and troubles." prosper or are involved in utter ruin. "Aye," said Mrs. Cotton, rising to They are callous to the sufferings and dis- leave the room, "you may be glad it is tress of all-save. when it touches their no worse. You will see harder times own interests, and then they discover there yet." And nodding, and twinkling her is a pressure-but none that 'any honest little dark eyes maliciously, she retired. man should fear. The tyrant is seated "How I hate that whig woman," said on his throne, surrounded by his stattelites Mr. Specieton. "Like all her party she eager to do his bidding; and thus he re-is ever prophesying evil, and rather than clines on his bed of down, regardless of their words should not come true, they the misery and ruin of the country of his would ruin themselves and their country." birth. Were but women allowed a voice "Come, come!. leave politics, and take in the legislative halls, I warrant me af- a stroll on the Battery," said his wife. fairs would then be changed." 'The ladies retired to equip themselves, "Pshaw, child," said Mr. Specieton, and joined by Wilhelm Rozenstien, to there is plenty of specie and yellow gold. whom Matilda was betrothed, they sal Do not believe the story the whigs tell-lied out for a walk. here is a handful: it seems to me you have a variety of scarfs, and you must not be so extravagant, child."

Seated at the window of a large and elegantly furnished apartment, immediate"Heigho!" sighed Mrs. Benton, "I doly over the drawing-room, were three pernot care who makes the money pressure-sons: Mr. and Mrs. Marsden, a young government or whigs, but I do hate to see couple who had been married only one my boarders ruined and my house emp-month, and Mrs. Granger, a lady who ty." And with another heavy sigh she boarded in the same house.

left the room. "Dear me, what a show our friends the "What a silly woman that is," said Specietòns make," said Mrs. Granger, Mr. Specieton, after she had left the room, looking after them. "Their gay dresses "with her sighs and groans and money- attract every eye. Pink satin mantelets, pressure. I tell you it is all a mistake--trimmed with broad black lace-bonnets wait in patience. I have no idea but that all satin and blonde-for my part, I could all will go on right-I have no fears.". not bear to be dressed out so splendidly "It is awful times," said Mrs. Cotton. when all the city is plunged in such gloom "All my acquaintances are selling off, and distress."

ruined and disappearing from society. 1 That has often struck me," said Mr. fancy they are not so delighted with the Marsden, rousing from the gloomy reverie

in which he had been plunged, "when I

"Caroline, I have tried-I have strug

have been all day in the business part of gled against this depression, but it is in the city, surrounded by men wan with vain. If you knew what an effort it is to anxiety or haggard with despair, and see strive to appear composed, when the bothe ladies in Broadway decked out like som is torn with contending emotions, butterflies, sailing along as if in mockery you will not ask it. It costs me too much." of the woes of their fathers and husbands, "Well, dear, be dull then if you choose, it has struck me as something so utterly but tell me what it is that makes you so shocking and unfeeling that I have turn- gloomy and despairing, You have not ed away in disgust." failed, and may yet weather the storm." "It is not so much the case now as for- "No. my wife-do not deceive yourmerly," observed Mrs. Granger, "Broad- self; every day I am more convinced of way and the shops are not by any means the appalling certainty that the next may as thronged as usual, and it will diminish see me a bankrupt, and all my friends involved in my ruin."

more."

"Besides those who have dresses must "Certainly there is nothing pleasant in wear them," said Mrs. Marsden, "and such an expectation. Still it becomes us they should not give up all exercise." all in times of great emergency, to arouse "No, Caroline; but I would have them ourselves from despondency, and sharpen as you have done," he replied, gazing ad-all our faculties to keep above the current, miringly upon his young bride. "Do or to seize upon new resources for safety. you know, Mrs. Granger, the dear crea- If you are bankrupt, it will not be from ture has laid aside all her rich wedding- any mismanagement of yours-and no dresses, and wears only calico in the one will blame you."

house, and plain dark silk to church-and "But to reduce my wife to beggeryeven her bridal hat of satin and blonde, you who have been brought up to every has given place to straw and plain green comfort-no I cannot bear it." And risribbon." ing up, he paced the floor in the greatest

"Then that is the reason we never see agitation. you in any of those pretty dresses you "Ah, yes, I see I am a burden upon you wore when you first came here! a just Alfred," said his wife, "if you were not compliment to the times, which we all married you would feel it less. When might follow." you married me I was an heiress, and you Mrs. Marsden blushing and smiling could rely in case of reverse upon the asfoudly upon her husband said, “Pray do sistance of my father-he is now a banknot praise me alfred-it was from a sel- rupt and cannot serve. I have also plungfish motive, I assure; for when I saw my ed you into more expense by taking this husband and friends were so much dis- costly suit of apartments-but I will give tressed, and there was so much suffering them up-to-morrow will see us in cheaparound me, I did not feel comfortable in er lodgings, and there will be one thing less gay dresses." to reproach myself with."

"You are a noble-minded woman," said "Give up these beautiful rooms which Mrs. Granger as she arose to depart, all your friends have admired so much"and if all had acted as you have done, dearest Caroline, I cannot permit it." the sinful luxury of this city would soon Oh, I am the master here, and am decease, and our husbands be relieved from termined I will be no more a burden upa load of care." on you."

66

When Mrs. Marsden returned to her "You a burden ?" he exclaimed, seatseat after seeing Mrs. Granger to the ing himself by her side and pressing her door, she found her husband leaning his to him. "You are my only comfort, Ca

head upon

upon his hand in the same despond-roline. When in my office, harrassed by ing attitude which had been so common a thousand unpleasant things, I am ready with him of late. "Now, Alfred, dearest, to despair, and wish I could lay me down you must not look so wretched," she said and die; but when I return to your cheercaressingly; did you not promise me you ing and sympathising bosom, I forget all would try to look more cheerful." my distress. Sometimes, do you know,

I think if it were not for you,' he added, are falling-bad news from England." gasping for breath and looking wildly up- "Any new cases, as we used to say in on her," I should-yes, Carolina, I know Cholera times; any new failures?" I should destroy myself!"

"Good God, yes, a dozen. I remember "Destroy yourself!" she repeated slow-the time when one failure set all Wall ly, gazing fixedly into her husband's agi- street in a ferment, and now we have tated face." And do I hear this from the twenty-five a-day. The great house of high-souled, pious Alfred Marsden. Do Specieton, Bankley and Co. are gone all not let me hear those words again.. Oh, to smash-not save a cent."

do not lead me to think, I have been de- He! he laughed Mrs. Cotton. "I ceived in my husband, and that his spirit, wonder if he finds a pressure real now." once so noble and exalted, has not been able to bear up against .the ills of life!" Alfred shook his head and turned gloomily away from her.

"How unamiable politics render a woman,' said Mrs. Granger, aside: "but what is poor Mrs. Specieton to do without money,' she added aloud; "she never denied "What!" she said, "can it be possible herself any thing, and I fancy does not the loss of mere worldly goods of luxuries, possess a mind strong enough to rise suwhen health, and strength, and innocence, perior to circumstances.'

are left, can thus break down all high re- "She was an awfully extravagant wosolves, all religious principles, and throw man-and so lazy,' said Mrs. Cotton, aryou into the ranks of the weak, the imbe-ranging the sofa cushions, upon which she cile, whose pigmy soul is unable to with- had been lolling all the morning; "that I stand the shocks of fate. Have you for- have seen her lounge on the sofa all day. gotten, my husband, there is another and she has dresses enough to, last her two a happier world to the virtuous," she con- years, and so costly, she might support tinued, lifting her fine eyes.streaming with herself by the sale of them. Her pockettears to heaven; "another home where a handkerchiefs cost twenty-five dollars a kind and pitying, father watches his chil- piece.'

dren as they travel their weary and thor- "Any woman who gives so much money ny road, hoping they will but prove true for a pocket handkerchief, deserves to suf to him and to themselves, that he may joy- fer,' said Mrs. Granger. "I declare it makes fully welcome them to that better land he me shudder when I look around me and has in reserve for them, "In my father's see the awful waste of money, caused by house there are many mansions,' Oh, some of the silly, dressy ladies of our ciAlfred! rise, I conjure you, superior to ty.'

these trials, and we shall inhabit them to- "Madam, you are very right,' said Mr. gether when earth and all its troubles shall Norton. "It is truly ridiculous to see wohave passed away?' men, whose husbands toil day and night Tears burst from the eyes of young Mars- for a living, and who may one day lose den, and the stern and despairing feelings it all, tricked out in dresses only fit for, and which had seized upon his heart and only made for the nobility of Europe, crushed all its best resolves, vanished from whose daily income is greater than the his breast, and throwing his arms around yearly receipts of some of their husbands. her, he called her his guardian spirit, and If they knew how silly they appeared in blessed the hour he had taken to his heart the eyes of the world, and particularly the so firm a counsellor and tender guide. thinking class of their own countrymen, . About a week after this, some of the they would dress less expensively and less remaining boarders of Mrs. Benton were gaily.?

seated in the drawing-room awaiting din- "A very different woman is my friend, ner. The last to enter was Mr. Granger, Mrs. Marsden,' said Mrs. Granger; "who who threw himself upon a sofa overcome is almost the only support and stay of her with fatigue. suffering husband.'

"Anything new in Wall St.?" asked Mr. Norton, an elderly gentleman. not in business, who had been out all day.

"By-the bye, how are they making out since his failure?"

"She behaved nobly on the occasion.

"Matters look worse and worse-stocks Determined to economize, she has given