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THE

PHILADELPHIA VISITER,

AND

PARLOUR COMPANION:
COMPANION:

DEVOTED TO

POPULAR AND MISCELLANEOUS LITERATURE, MUSIC, FASHIONS,
BIOGRAPHY, SCIENCE, THE ARTS, &c. &c.

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PHILADELPHIA:
PUBLISHED BY JAMES H. CHAPPELL, NO. 65 SOUTH THIRD STREET.

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AND PARLOUR COMPANION.

Terms -$1,25 per annum. five copies for five dollars. payable in all cases in advance.

Publication Office,
No. 49 Chesnut St. S

NOVEMBER, 1839.

[VOL. SIX-NO. ONE.]

Queen,*" and, if the evanescent triumphs of this For the Philadelphia Visiter. world, the pride of ambition, the soothings of adulation, the consciousness of superior beauty The following papers were found among the post- should stimulate your feelings to vanity or arrohumous effects of a French gentleman, formerly gance, look at this jewel, and recollect her fate, of a resident of this city. They are impressed with whom it was the gift. I dread the licentious probability, and form a thrilling and interesting spirit of the times I shudder at that innovating narrative. The notes are annexed by the compi-fury, which seems eager to tear down every barrier ler, in order that the reader may understand the that decency maintains, obliterate every obligation historical facts to which they refer,

THE HIDDEN CASKET.

"Sweet are the uses of adversity
Which like a toad, ugly and venemous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in its head,”

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My mother had long been subject to a complaint which the physicians had foretold would terminate her existence, but at what period, they could not conjecture, but they pronounced that its effects would probably be sudden, and the event but too well verified their prediction.

After having passed a wretched night, an anodyne procured her some repose. She appeared 'refreshed on waking, and taking my hand, as I stood weeping by her bed side, she said

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that religion holds sacred. A moment may de prive you even of the means of subsistence. Against that cabinet you will find à casket accept its this misfortune I have endeavoured to guard. In contents without scruple; they are exclusively my own; they consist chiefly of jewels, a present privately sent me from the Indies, by my uncle the Governor. I intended to present them to you on your marriage but they may too probably apply to purposes more necessary than the gratification of vanity. Confide the secret of this bequest to no creature but old Basil; ifincurruptible fidelity dwel's with the human race, it inhabits the bosom of that old servant. Let him conceal them in some secret place, in or near this building, and be sure to note well the spot where they are deposited. Should the perilous colour of the times brighten to prospects of serenity and peace, you may apply them to their original destination; but the hour may come, when, driven 'to seek in a foreign Dear Mathilde restrain, this unavailing sorrow, clime that tranquility which inhospitable France and listen with attention to the last words which denies, you and Salaignac may bless the vigilant Heaven may allow me life and strength to address prescience of a mother, which furnished the means to you have long laboured under a slow, but in of escaping to some protecting asy um." curable disorder. I feel the crisis of my fate ap- " How my heart was wounded by this last sad proach, aud wherefore should I wish to avert a proof of the tenderness of my mother! My tremstroke which must be ultimately inevitable? Per-bling hands could scarcely support the weight of haps Heaven deals it in mercy at this peculiar the casket she so ardently wished me to be pósseasou, to spare me the affliction of living to wit- sessed of; at her desire I concealed it for the ness the calamities reserved for this unhappy present in my apartment, and found her at my country. You, dearest Mathilde are my sole source of solicitude, the only tie that holds me to 'the world. It is my sole consolation to reflect, that I leave you to the protection of a man, on Though I wished much to confide to Basil the whose honour and tenderness I feel the most im- secret of the casket, I was very desirous to avoid plicit reliance. Had your union been completed; the suspicion of holding any private correspon-but surely Monsieur de Salaignac your intended dence with him; and were it possible so to husband will not-cannot violate his engage imagine, I should fancy that Laporte, my father's ments!-Ah! at an hour like this, is it wonderful favourite valet-de chambre, had private intimation if the tender anxiety of my fears suppress the dic- of my designs, and had been commissioned to pre. tates of my reason, and give to events the most vent their execution. But by whom could he have Incertain aspect of probability? Heaven may been commissioned, and for what purpose could he ordain a lasting and salutary calm to succeeded thus watch me?-I met him every where-in the these alarming commotions, which divide and house, in the gardens, in the adjoining grounds. distract the State. You may again be restored to The officiousness of his attentions was trouble. the honours of your house, and protected in the some-was odious to me. In his address to me, he peaceful possession of its wealth. If such should had more of the easy familiarity of an equal, wim be your fate, let not the elevation' of prosperity wishes to oblige and please, than the respectful 'render you callous to the suffering of the indigent deference which custoin has taught us to expect or forgetful of those sudden reverses of fortune, to from persons in a menial situation. which the exalted in rank are more liable than the

return more composed; but the tenor of her conversation evinced the same intense anxiety for my future welfare.

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humble. Wear this ring," taking from her finger * Maria Antoinette daughter of Maria Theress that which was presented to her by her unhappy Empress of Austria, ang wife of Louis XVI.

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