deck of the Ramillies in that horrid night when the fatal ftorm firft lighted upon her, and this complaint he could not remove for upwards of fix months. He had brought off with himself no more than fome few of his private papers, the reft of his effects having par taken of the fame fate with his fhip; but he feemed moft concerned that he could do no more for that worthy man captain Forfter. He had recommended him in the strongest and warmeft terms to the board for fome peculiar favour or bounty, for having been fo inftrumental in faving the complement of a 74 gun fhip, but the lords contented themselves with merely paying the refpective merchant fhips at fo much per head for the men of the Ramillies they had actually victualled upon the occafion. After the peace, which now took place, Mr. Graves had no other employ than occafionally commanding at the port of Plymouth upon the outfit of men of war, in confequence of two or three alarms of hoftilities, and of fettleing the ceremonial to be observed upon his Majefty's coming to Plymouth, which laft, however, another admiral had the luck to carry into execution. But, foon after the commencement of the prefent war, he was appointed to be fecond in command of the channel fquadron under earl Howe. In the fummer of 1794, when acting in this capacity, he commanded the van in the general and memorable engage ment between the French and English fleets. His conduct throughout that action was confpicuous, and afforded a noble example of fkill and difcipline, as well as of the moft confummate intrepidity. He feemed to be truly anxious to do the atmoft that could be done, and to act as if he thought no praife could be deferved, if any thing poffible was left undone. The 29th of May, upon obferving that the Queen of 90 guns lay totally difabled, and that the enemy, after wearing, pointed their heads towards her; which would have involved the Royal George and Invincible likewife; he gathered as many fhips about him as he could, and placed himfelf between the enemy and them. The van of the enemy engaged this little phalanx as they came forward, and in fucceffion bore away before the wind; by which means that gallant officer Sir Alan Gardner was faved from being taken. On the two following days, during the fog, the bulk of the fleet having been feparated from lord Howe, Mr. Graves kept them well together until they could rejoin the earl. And on the firft of June, when he perceived by the line of battle delivered out, that his own fhip the Royal Sovereign, ftood opposed to a fhip of 74 guns, and that our Marlborough of 74 guns, was oppofed to Le Terrible of 1 10 guns, he by fignal made the Marlborough change places with the Sovereign before the action began, and put himself against the firft-rate of the enemy. In bearing down to her, he made his men lie on the deck until his fhip brought up, and then engaged very clofely. The fuperiority of his fire was apparent after the fecond broadfide, and he foon reduced Le Terrible to a mere wreck, with nothing more than her fore maft ftanding, fo that the muft foon have been forced to ftrike, had not the French commander in chief in Le Montagne come up, who engaged the Royal Sovereign for half an hour, and then bore away with the crippled French fhips, and protected their retreat. For a little time, indeed, the Sovereign was obliged to fire her guns on both fides, which is what rarely happens in any engagement; and in this fight it fell alfo to the lot of the Sovereign, and of her alone, to engage. two first rates of the enemy, commanded by their firft and fecond admirals. None of her wounded, who were able to come to their quarters, were included in the return of wounded made to the commander in chief. It must alfo be mentioned, that in token of approbation of the gallantry of Mr. Graves's conduct on this day, feveral of our fhips took an opportunity, after the clofe of the action, to teftify their fenfe of his behaviour in it, by coming under the ftern of the Sovereign, and cheering her for the exemplary part the had borne in the battle. His gracious mafter likewife was pleafed to raife him to the Irifh peerRrr2 age age (to ufe the words of Mr. Pitt) "as a teftimony of his Majefty's approbation of the diftinguithed lervices which he performed in the naval engagements under lord H we in the fummer of 1794." And there is the greateft rea fon to hope that he may yet do further fervice to the public, as it feems to be generally undertood that he hath alrealy declared he has no doubt, from the prefent flate of his wounds, but that he thail be able to go to fea again, and that it is his moft ardent wifh and conftant purpose fo to do, for he already feels his bodily ftrength returning, and his mind is as vigorous as ever. Derwent Priory. (Continued from page 425.) W LETTER V. Lady Laura to Mifs Lumly.. The Priory, July 27, 179WELL, Jane, are you prepared to applaud my penetration ?-if not-liften and believe. This morning, before Mrs. Merioneth had made her appearance, I ftrolled into her dreffing room, and foon perceived the good foul was dying with a fecret, which fhe did not know how in the world to be delivered of; and, well knowing that there was no way of coming at it fo cafily as a pearing inattentive to it, I fat down, took up a book, a id afked it I fhould read while the drefied "No, ny dear," the replied: "I have fomething of confequence to im part, and will not dreis yet." Then difmiffing her attendant, the informed me that lord Derwent had made propofals fo flattering and generous, on behalf of his fon, to your friend, that he hoped I would acquicfce in their united Wifhes, and content to receive bis addrelles. "Are you quite certain, madam, that Merioneth withes his addreffes to be received'?” 46 Of what then are you certain ?” "That I have made no impreffion on Merioneth, and that he is perfectly indifferent to me." "Do you think he will never be otherwife. I think he will not." "Oh," cried fhe, rather pettifhly, "this comes of your nonfenfical notion of firft-fight in preffions. So, because you did not fall violently in love with him at firfi, you are never to like each other afterwards!" "My dear madam, you entirely miftake the cafe." 66 No, Laura; it is you who miftake the cafe; and as to mifs Rutland, I have talked that matter over with lady Derwent, who affures me there is no attachment at all between them.” "Mifs Rutland and lord Merioneth!" cried I. " Really, madam, I do not comprehend you." Why, Laura, I have obferved,— and I think you muli have observed it too, that lord Merioneth is ufually very attentive to mifs Rutland; and not knowing how that young lady might interpret his affi uities, I frankly mentioned the matter to lady Derwent, who affured me that Albert knew better what was due to his family, than to think fmif. Rutland in any other light than that of a friend; 2nd mifs Rutland," fid her ladyfhip. "has too much delicacy, too high a fenfe of honour, to wound, through my fon, the peace of his family." Now, to oblige me, Laura, confider of this, and inpower me to give a favourable answer to lord Derwent." "Indeed, I cannot,-and muft fay I am very forry you fhould have been at the trouble of examining lord MeriI have no doubt of it," was her oneth's fentiments on my account." Here we were interrupted, and the converfation anfwer. converfation ended. No wonder there was a fpare place for my picture. Love is preparing a pretty game at crofs purpoles for us; and it feems as if there would be adventures enough in our Priory, to furnish out materials for a modern novel. Here is the humble Clifford, bowing to me, while Mrs. Maynard evidently congees to him. Merioneth pursues Ellen, who is purfued by that brute fir John, her profeffed admirer. Severn follows Julia, who fmiles on him without reftraint; and they are the only part of the family who are left to pleaf themfelves. I believe Mrs. Merioneth, had acquainted lord Derwent with the nature of my reply to their propofals; for, when we met at dinner, his lordship was rather more fately to me than ufu al. "Ah!" thought I, "you will not awe me into compliance;" and I knew he had been lecturing his fon, for he looked ferious and uneafy.. After dinner, when the whole family were affembled in the drawing-room, lord Derwent afked Clifford to walk with him into the park, and inspect fome timber he was about felling. Mrs. Maynard declared the propofal was quite in time, for the wanted a walk in the park, to fee if Myrtle (her faddle horse, which arrived the day before) would know her.. They departed.-Lady Derwent foon after told Julia, the wanted her in the dreffing-room; and they retired. Prefently Julia returned" Ellen, mama wants you." "For what?" cried the. -"Nay, I don't know; but, I believe, to take a walk." Soon after, Mrs. Merioneth contrived to have forgotten fomething which he muft fetch herfelf; and fo we were completely left to make love. I was netting, and continued my work.-Merioneth continued playing with Julia's lap-dog.At length my beau advanced. "Lady Laura, will you forgive my ftupidity? I am horrid company." Really," faid I, looking furprifed, "I had forgot you were in the room." Again we were filent; at laft, by mere accident, I fpoke of Ellen. His fine eyes 1parkled with pleasure, and he exclaimed "is the not charm ing?" "She is indeed, was my reply. He walked to the other end of the room; and I, without ceremony, walked off. After spending fome time in my own apartment, I went in fearch of the ladies, whom I found in lady Derwent's dreifing room. On my entrance, there was not one of the groupe it contained, but betrayed by their looks their fecret anxieties. Lady Derwent looked in my face with fcrutinifing earnestness, as if he would have faid, "Albert has been commanded to make love to you, I hope he has fucceeded." Ellen appeared agitated: Julia smiled: Mrs. Merioneth fimpered; but nobody spoke, "Blefs me!" I exclaimed, looking at Ellen, "I am afraid your walk has fatigued you, for you look very ill." "What walk?" replied lady Der went: we have been here all the afternoon." Really, ladies," returned I, curt feying, "you have been very polite. What apology can you offer for leav ing me out of your afternoon party?" "We fuppofed," replied Mrs. Merioneth, "that we lett you in very agreeable company." "Why, fo you did" (glancing my eye on Ellen): "lord Merioneth is a perpetual fund of entertainment; and this afternoon he has been particularly amufing." The blood forfook the cheek of Ellen. "What is the matter with you ?", cried lady Derwent, obferving her. "I have got," the replied, an unufual pain in my fide." 66 "Ah!" thought I," the pain I fear is in your heart." Are you inclined,' faid I, "to take a walk in fearch of Mrs. Maynard? Perhaps exercife may relieve you." She affented: and, for a wonder, nobody followed us; and, in walking through the rubbery, whom should we meet but the identical hero of my tale. Ellen drew up mighty ftately; I could easily perceive the had been informed of the plan in agitation,I could have fet her heart at eafe: but it was a fubject I could not enter on, without wounding her delicacy. He approach ed-looked anxioufly in her face, and inquired if the was unwell. ed myfelf with remarking, that as it was a matter on which we unfortu nately differed, I thought the lefs we poke of it the better. ་་ I cannot give it up fo cafily," cried the good lady: "I muft have better reafons than any you have yet given me, before I can bring myfelf to de cline lord Derwent's propofals." She replied, "only a little vapourifh, and overcome, I believe, with heat." She leaned on me, and trembled violently. Nothing I think, could exceed the tenderness of his manner. Perceiving that he walked with difficulty, be placed himself between us: we each took an arm: he led the way to a feat," Well, madam !" faid I, (vexed, shrew his arm round her, but was filent. I muft own, at her obftinacy) "take At length, finding we were not likely notice that I lead you into no errors: to become very good company in the for I feriously declare I never can, nay garden, I propofed returning to the more, I never will give my hand to houfe. I chatted; Merioneth fmiled, Merioneth." and Ellen loft her tremor. We joined the family; and the reft of the day was spent as ufual. Farewell for the prefent. Tuesday Noon. PASSING the mufic room this morning, the door was half open, and on feeing Merioneth and Ellen alone, I paufed, and heard her entreat him to forbear urging a subject which muft involve them both in ruin. "I have no family, nor any fortune," fhe cried; and I fhould have no gratitude if I could for a moment encourage hopes which muft unavoidably defeat all the views of your lordship's family." "Ah! Ellen," faid he, "is it fill neceffary for me to repeat that I cannot in this refpect yield to their commands, or fubmit to their prejudices? My heart, in a choice for life, claims a right to be confulted, and fpurns, with honeft fcorn, the paltry confiderations of birth or fortune. I efteem lady Laura: fhe is a charming woman: but I cannot give her that love which has long been only yours." "Good God!" the replied: "what perverfenefs "do you expect a more advantageous offer ?" 46 That," I answered, “ is a fubject I have never thought of." "Have you any objection to the chas racter of Merioneth?" "Quite the contrary-I admire it very much." "Do you never intend to marry, Laura? that you thus make a point of rejecting every propofal that is made to you.' "I certainly do not intend to marry any of those I have rejected," said I. Here the entrance of Mrs. Maynard put a period to the conversation. She rallied me moft unmercifully on the fubject; and I found it was an alliance that the family confidered as concluded. I believe Mrs. Maynard ardently withes it to take place, to further views of her own. She is a woman of the world, and does not pay much attention to the peace of others, to the promotes her own defigns. I am a little out of humour at their thus arrogating to themfelves a right to direct my choice. I believe they will find a failure in their plan-I never will marry where I can not love; and I, like Merioneth, have no heart to give. Yours, &c. LAURA MERIONETH. (To be continued.) He paufed; and I tripped away. I with he would only fpeak, that I might fet all matters to rights again, by telling him I never will accept of him. I dare fay they have told him that he must make love to me; and then I fuppofe they mean to tell me that I mu marry him; but I can afSure them they will be much mistaken. My aunt this morning renewed the subject, juft after I had witneffed the fcene I have been relating; but I did ALOYSIUS was the fon of an offi The Sport of Fortune. (Taken from 4 real Hiftory.) cer in the fervice of a German not choose to make her my confident Prince; and his good natural talents on this occafion. I therefore contents Werd ufes of which he felt a fufficiency of courage and ability. While the Prince was running a round of pleafures, the young favourite employed himself in digging in the mines of records and books; and devoted himself with laborious affiduity to the business of the State; in which at length he rendered himself fo accomplished and expert, that all affairs of any confequence paffed through his hands. From being a companion in the pleafures, he became the chief counfellor and prime minifter, and at laft the mafter of his prince, There was foon no way to the latter but through him. He difpofed of all offices and dignities; all recompences and favours were received from his hands. were unfolded and cultivated by a liberal education. Being ftill very young, but fraught with much fubftantial knowledge, he entered into the military fervice of his Sovereign; to whom he was not long unknown as a young man of great mèrit, and of ftill greater hopes. Aloyfius was in the full ardour of youth, and the Prince was fo likewife; Aloyfius was impetuous and enterprifing; the Prince, who was fo too, was fond of fuch characters. By a copious vein of wit, and a full ftock of knowledge, Aloyfius was the foul of every company he frequented; enlivened eve ry circle into which he happened to fall, by a joviality always equal, and diffufed life and gaiety over every object that came in his way; and the prince knew how to prize the virtues Aloyfius had mounted to this pinwhich he himself poffeffed in an emi- nacle of grandeur at too early a time of nent degree. Whatever he took in hand, life, and in too fudden a manner, for ennot excepting his very paftimes, had a joying it in moderation. The elevation tincture of elevation: no obftacle could to which he faw himself raised made affright him, and no difappointment him giddy with ambition; his modeftg could conquer his fpirit, The value of forfook him when he had reached the thefe qualities was enhanced by a grace- laft aim of his withes. The tribute of ful figure; the perfect picture of bloom- humble fubmiffion which was paid him ing health and Herculean vigour was by the first perfons of the country, by animated by the eloquent play of an ac- all who were his fuperiors by birth, tive mind; an inborn natural majefty confideration, and fortune, and even by in mien gait and air, was tempered the veterans in office, intoxicated him by a noble modesty. If the prince was with pride, and the unbounded authecharmed with the mind of his young rity with which he was invefted foon companion, this captivating exterior gave a certain harfhnefs to his deportimpreffed his fenfes with an irrefiftible ment, which thenceforward became a force. Equality of age, harmony of main feature in his character, and atdifpofition and character, foon formed tached itself to him through all the via connection between them, that par- ciffitudes of his fortune. No fervices took of all the energy of friendfhip, were too painful and great for his friends and all the vehemence of ardent affec- to expect of him; but his enemies had tion. Aloyfius rather flew than was reafon to tremble; for as exceffive as raifed from one promotion to another: bis complacency was on one fide, fo but thefe outward marks of favour little moderation was in his revenge on seemed very far fhort of the lively ef- the other. He made lefs ufe of his teem the Prince had for him. His for authority for enriching himself, than in tune fprung up with aftonifhing rapi- making the fortune of numbers, who dity, as the creator of it was his admir- might look up to him as the author of er, his paffionate friend. Not yet their profperity; but humour, not twenty-two years of age, he faw him- equity, felected the object. By a haughfelf on a fummit, at which the most ty imperious demeanour he eitranged fortunate commonly finish their career. from him the very hearts of those whom But his active fpirit could not long re- he had cherished moft, while he at the main quiet in the bofom of idle repofe, fame time turned all his rivals in o fo nor yet content itself with the fhining many fecret maligners or implacable appendages of a greatnefs, to the folid foes. Among |