: his lively sallies of good-humoured mirth; and dozens, whom I could mention. One of them I must mention; 'tis R, the most singular, inoffensive mortal I ever met with. R- fell in love-a thing of common occurrence and slight moment with most men; but it was otherwise with him his constitution was delicate, and his feelings sensitive beyond the conception of any but his intimates; to such a being, to love as he loved, was an exertion of energies almost alarming. He succeeded the object of his adoration loved him the day was fixed for their marriage before it came, she died, and R's fond ties were broken. From that hour, all his time was spent in retracing the walks they had taken together. There was a rose tree, which she had planted, and R- watched over it with incessant care; for he was the slave of sympathy." I found it near him one day: he said to me— "You see that tree-I shall live as long as it; no longer!" He would not be persuaded that it was a mere whim of the imagination. Two months after this, he died. I passed through the garden-the tree was withered. I am perfectly sensible not half my readers will believe this story. To those who do who will look upon it as an instance of the strong power of the imagination over the mental and physical faculties-I relate this short notice of a gentle and innocent being. Poor R! it is an humble stone that covers his remains, in yonder church-yard: his name is unknown, save to a few, but by those it will be long honoured, loved, and wept over. -And therefore such was their post hast to be gone, and so great their feare in running awaye, that though to others they ran as harts, yeat to themselves they crept as snayles, thinking every threashoole a thicket, and every rish a ridge in their way. WARNER'S SYRINX. THE TEST OF AFFECTION. Gardener. There you have it. He's a fearful man. If I had as much learning as he, and I met the Ghost, I'd tell him his own. But, alack! what can one of us poor men do with a spirit, that can neither read nor write? THE DRUMMER. I AROSE early in the morning, and after taking a good breakfast, set out from home; I was furnished with an oaken cudgel, which I deemed might, towards the latter end of my journey, be useful. On the end of it was slung a small matter of provision, packed up in a handkerchief, and then hoisted over my left shoulder. A considerable quantity of rain had fallen in the night. It was, however, fair when I commenced my expedition, |
