hesitated not. He refused every offer, preferring the possession of his beloved object to the acquisition of riches. In vain did the tradesman attempt to persuade him. Finding at last that all his endeavours were useless—“ Know you," said he, “that before it is long, I may obtain by force, and by the interference of the laws, that which I have humbled myself so far as to solicit. Yea, in spite of you, I shall obtain the hand of your mistress, and you will lose all the advantages which my bounty would have made your's." Williams made light of those threats, and retired without feeling the least inquietude. The woollen-draper boasted of his riches to both the father and daughter, but to no purpose: they had given their word, and nothing in the world could induce them to break their promise. The cashier was soon informed of that step having been taken, and congratulating himself on his triumph, only thought of securing his prize, when he was summoned before a court of justice, to relinquish his intended bride, which he had obtained only with a stock of which he was alone the depositary, and the produce of which, pursuant to the law of the land, belonged to the right owner. Both parties appeared before the judge. "The law is precise," alleged the plaintiff "it adjudges to merchants all the profits made by individuals in their pay. My cashier has used my money to purchase his wife, since he had not two thousand ducats of his own to deposit, in imitation of his competitors, that he might be allowed to take his chance; therefore, what he has acquired, must belong to me. The original stock was mine—the produce or interest, namely, the wife, agreeable to the spirit of the law, must be mine also: I claim her from your justice, neither can you dispense granting my demand.” So singular an application of a commercial law could not but provoke the laughter of the judges, notwithstanding their wonted gravity. The defendant, in reply, observed, "That no law whatever had, hitherto, ranked a wife amongst articles of merchandize like spices and stuffs, although the sex might be reflected upon by some as not entirely free from the sweet bitterness of the former, or the lightness and variety of the latter. In barbarous countries alone," concluded he, with a triumphant air, “it may be allowed to trade in women." The eloquence of the plaintiff proved of no avail; he was nonsuited, and the defendant maintained in all his rights. THE LISTENER. TO TIMOTHY HEARWELL, ESQ. SIR, I am still young and handsome, and my partial friends have made me believe that I am far from unamiable; yet is it not surprising, that the men of the present age behave to me as if I was old, ugly, and disagreeable! the incense of praise seems almost requisite to one's existence; and I believe this is the opinion of every one of my sex, as well as myself. How happy were the females of Athens! To them, the Athenians raised temples and altars! Aspasia, Sappho, Corinna, the Graces, and the Muses, received the homage of heroes and of demi-gods: solemn festivals were formerly instituted in honour of females: we, of the present age, are more modest in our demands: we ask nothing like it. Only let us be admired as we repeat the strains of a Byron or a Mooreonly let the men hang in silence on the notes we pour forth as we sing the compositions of a Corri, a Mazzhingi, a Hook, or of the unique and enchanting Braham; Alas! I shall one day, perhaps, if I live, become all this, and that is sufficient to give one the horrors: but let them wait till such is really the case, before they punish me for what is not in my power to avert. I should not then murmur as I do now, nor hang down my head under the sarcasms that their want of taste may compel me then to endure. But at this period of my life it is both cruel and unjust to seek a quarrel with me. I am just at that age when we are in love with flattery-when || to be in ecstacies as we execute sonātas on her. But some will argue that original property must ever be an object of great temptation, and, together with her eager and earnest desire to be made again a the pianoforte, or display our skill on the harp our desires are all compressed in these trifling requests; and it is not from their pity that we ask this; thank Heaven, we are not yet reduced so low: but we in-modest woman, might prompt her to acvoke the suffrages of the male sex by the ancient rules of gallantry and chivalry, when gentlemen were neither coachmen Bor pugilists, and when fashion did not consist in a total neglect of modest women. We request the gentlemen who frequent the theatre not to turn their backs upon us, nor to look into a box without seeming to perceive the beauty that occupies it, and depart banging the door in the most interesting passage of a new play. We desire, also, that those authors who abound in satiric wit, will be pleased not to ornament and fill their pages at our expence. That no husband shall presume to meddle in household affairs; nor shall they ever be allowed to inquire how we spend our money nor shall any one who keeps a mistress, either secretly or openly, pretend to find fault if his wife has a favourite gallant. cept, indiscriminately, of the first offer, and thus expose her to become the dupe of a profligate fortune-hunter, destitute of every principle of honour, who would squander away all she is worth, and reduce her to greater distress than ever was intended to reach her. Could not such a calamitous circumstance be provided against, by making her a ward in Chancery from the time of the dissolution of her first mar ||riage, or by means of an entail, which would leave the income only to be disposed of? If this reform could but be brought about in the fashionable world, what a charming || effect it would produce! I hope, however, you will not fail to publish this letter, containing these requests and wishes, that I make in behalf of half-a-dozen chosen female friends, and in particular of that of your devoted servant, CLARA. ANSWER TO HUMANUS. TO TIMOTHY HEARWELL, ESQ. SIR,-Notwithstanding I coincide in many respects with your correspondent "Humanus," as, for instance, in the hus band who sues for a divorce not receiving any damages; in the seducer forfeiting onehalf of his property; and in the clergyman who had bound the parties setting them free again, without the interference of barristers, &c. &c. yet I think the divorced wife ought not to be stripped of her for tune, because, though she were to perform miracles, she would stand but a poor chance of re-entering the marriage state, if she were left without a portion to recommend If I understand rightly the meaning of 'Humanus," the formalities of the divorce should be no less, if not rather calculated to serve as an example to others, than as a punishment to the real delinquent, who has heaped upon herself privations enough: neither can I put another construction on his inquiring into the means of restoring the unfortunate woman to a state of respectability. If I am told of a young and beauteous wife, tenderly beloved by her husband, respected by her family, esteemed by all who know her, in the full enjoyment of every comfort, and having every gratification at command-if I were informed that such a person, forgetful of so many advantages, had committed suicide, I certainly would not hesitate to think that the rash. deed was perpetrated in a fit of insanity. Now, since the adulterous wife sacrifices. all the same benefits, with the certainty, moreover, of surviving her disgrace, and of being daily exposed to the sneers and sarcasms of an ill-natured world, were it not possible to bring in against her likewise a verdict of lunacy? The effect being similar, it might be thought a just plea to ascribe it to a similar cause. That would. leave a door open to repentance, agreeable to the wish of Humanus. Without taking the trouble of appointing commissioners to superintend her conduct, and to report the progress of her recovery (reform), an inquisitive public would not fail to keep a watchful eye over the victim of seduction ;. it is a birth-right which they would never I need not say, that in the occurrence of a relinquish all I doubt is, their being relapse, I would not scruple declaring the equally eager to certify the total cure of patient to be incurable; and, in consethe patient, and her competence to be re- quence, never to be trusted in the comstored to society. In a case like this, si-pany of such respectable members of the Jenced slander may judiciously and impar- community, whom her breath might contially be construed into public approbation. | taminate, or her approach disgrace. THE HURRICANE AND EARTHQUAKE AT QUEBEC, IN 1663, AND THE MASSACRE OF ENGLISH PRISONERS AT FORT WILLIAM HENRY, IN 1757. may dazzle passing generations-but never may the heart of Montcalm grow so callous to self-reverence as to rest satisfied with the transient acclamations of present fame, while the impartial voice of posterity must stigmatize a horrible transgression against justice and mercy. The perfidious Jesuit ensnared me in compliances that have blighted in one hour all the laurels earned in a life of hard service. The brave Englishmen that surrendered to superior force, will rise up in future times to brand with dishonour the commander who overpowered their gallant resistance by numerical superiority and misused his victory. Yet they held out until liberal terms of capitulation were granted, and they trusted to these conditions for security in marching out to the covered waggons promised for conveying them under a safe escort to Fort Edward. At this solemn solitary midnight THE most approved Ladies' Magazines || have corrected the deficiency or fault so often regretted by zealous and judicious promoters of solid feminine accomplishments, and they now frequently intersperse with moral and amusing fictions select portions of natural history, or historical facts, illustrative of the consequences resulting from laudable or reprehensible actions. Contributions to this important department || may be rendered more attractive by exchanging the didactic array for a gayer dress, interwoven with some interesting recitals. The well informed fair reader can easily distinguish between faets and mere embellishment; and younger ladies who desire to attain this discrimination can be agreeably entertained in acquainting themselves with the elements of physio. Jogy so far as to know the most remarkable phenomena of nature in different countries. One hour, or even half an hour, daily be-hour, I think the magnanimous band pass stowed on the perusal of history will in- before my eyes, while their countenances vigorate the reasoning powers, give per- and every motion bespoke intrepidity of spicacity to the judgment, and confirm spirit, which even fatigue, privation, and every principle most essential to female captivity could not subdue. I see them worth and respectability. The following assisting the females, the infantine, the story contains much historical truth; but sick and wounded, hardly deigning to look the loves of a soldier and a beautiful Indian at the ferocious savages gathering around have been gratuitously dignified with a them. Even after those intruders began British origin, and the military amoroso has to pillage and strip the exterior ranks, their a better education than commonly belongs comrades, as they afforded succour, seemed to his sphere; though much insubordina- | to depend upon the more effectual interpotion and debauchery among our defenders || sition of the guard promised to defend them might be prevented if their leisure moments were occupied in cultivating their rational faculties, and seeking enjoyment within themselves. "Power may be perverted to tyranny, the valorous achievements of the warrior may be tarnished by inhumanity, conquerors from adverse Indians. The Jesuit, by insidious misrepresentations, persuaded me that by granting the savages an opportunity to see the English in their enfeebled state, they would feel increased contempt for our humiliated enemies. The diaboli cal churchman executed my orders, and intimated to the chiefs my wish to have the British heretics exterminated. When the warhoop announced their hostile intentions, I would have rushed into the midst of the execrable assassins; but my staff, with too anxious coercion, saved my life at the expence of my honour; and I would not throw away the lives of my soldiers in vain efforts to aid the devoted prisoners. Oh God! never shall placid repose visit the eyelids of Montcalm. The haunting vision of my slaughtered captives stalks before me, rendering privacy hideous! The blood still curdles at my heart in recollecting how men, women, and children were scalped with fiend-like ferocity, and the harpies drank the gore as it streamed from the gashes they inflicted upon the bodies of their unarmed victims. The English, with unconquered valour, presented themselves as a barrier between the inveterate foe and their helpless or disabled compatriots. The husband, staggering with mortal wounds, collecting his strength, protected his wife and children; she clasped a babe to her bleeding bosom, warding from the innocent each stroke that made a purple tide gush from her arms. Little boys performed the deeds of manhood to screen their juniors; but the whole mass, disfigured, mangled, trampled, and expiring, bequeathed to posterity the name of Montcalm steeped in opprobrium." liberation. Half an hour after her departure he entrusted another messenger to inform the young and beautiful Cambayai, that her parents were hurried away in fetters to Fort Edward, and enjoined her to meet them there, with no fellow traveller but the bearer of the message, as they con|| sidered it imprudent to let the nation have a surmise of their capture. Cambayai instantly obeyed the parental mandate, and the priest followed at some distance. In the evening her companion disappeared, and after a painful search, she concluded the woman had perished in some swamp, as no response to her loud, reiterated, and persevering calls allowed a hope of her existence. In exploring different paths, she caught a glimpse of the priest, and Cambayai had not forgot how on a former occasion he forgot the deference due to maidenly reserve. Darting into a thicket of lofty pines, she climbed a tree, and concealed herself until the shades of night permitted her to pursue her journey. The priest did not dare to enter the forest lest straggling parties of Indians, instigated by Cambayai, might avenge the wrongs he attempted to perpetrate. Yet bent upon his villainous design, he proceeded by the open route, assured that Cambayai must cross a champaign country before she reached the Fort, and then would fall an easy prey. He calculated aright, that The sad ruminations of Montcalm were though her companion was gone, she would broken by an aide-de-camp, with intelli- || persevere in making her way to her pagence that the Indians tumultuously re-rents; but the circuitous woodland progress quired their late chief and his wife to be so detained her, that he had to wait on the committed to the General's custody, leaving it optional to him either to punish them for refusing to assist his nation in cutting down root and branch of the Britons, or to send those refractory persons to their own people at Fort Edward. Besides endeavouring to prevent the massacre of the English, this aged chief was charged with accusing the Oneidas of keeping his only daughter from him. A short digression will impart the secret of her mysterious fate. While the Indians were engaged in the work of death, the Jesuit who misled Montcalm hastened to the Oneida camp, and lay in ambush till a messenger he sent to the chief's wife, conducted her to Quebec, under pretence that her husband was a prisoner, and depended on her intercession to obtain his verge of a sylvan tract many hours. At length Cambayai emerged, lovely as a wood nymph issuing from the verdant bower to hail the rising sun; but fleet as the startled deer from the hunter, she fled when the Jesuit would have accosted her. Her flowing tresses entangled in a bush, the execrable pursuer overtook, and would have succeeded in the most irreparable outrage, if a clenched hand had not felled him to the ground. Cambayai and her deliverer drew near the Fort ere they recognized each other. The British soldier must return to the foraging party he left only to rescue Cambayai; but he committed her to the charge of his aunt, who was head nurse in the garrison hospital. We shall leave her with a virtuous matron, to inquire for the doom of her father. When the aide-de-camp came to Montcalm, he had not undressed. He gave orders to make the strictest search for the chief's daughter, and to bring him and his wife before a select council of officers without delay. In a few eloquent remarks he made them feel the stigma incurred by the French on account of the base massacre of their prisoners, and that the Indian chief ought to be sent to the nearest British station, to explain the circumstances, which ought to be considered as exonerating his most Christian Majesty's officers and soldiers in all share in that horrid transaction. The officers eagerly seized those ideas, and the Indian chief was called into their presence. He seemed above six feet in height. His unwrinkled forehead was shaded by a profusion of hair silvered by age; but age had not impaired the elasticity of his limbs, nor the animation of his dark eyes, nor the erect dignity of his figure; and beneath an Indian garb the European form and linea- | ments were manifest. A majestic female, with the remains of fine features, hung upon his arm, and in addressing the council an air of habitual command rendered more impressive their energetic language. Both spoke French fluently, and after her husband had paid a graceful compliment to Montcalm, the chieftainess, with a flood of tears, implored him to make every exertion to restore the last of their race. Her sous had all shed their blood, even unto death, in the service of the French against the nations that opposed them; and though the chief could not endure to combat his own natural people, he had permitted the next in command to head the tribe and to join their good allies. He had indeed endeavoured to prevent the massacre of his countrymen, and this could be no crime in the eyes of the generous French. Montcalm replied, that the chief could not be more averse to the murder of the English than he, his officers, and all his army; and they earnestly requested him to go to Fort Edward, and make known the unhappy catastrophe in its genuine colours. As to the fair Indian, Montcalm had ordered inquiries concerning her in every quarter. While Montcalm spoke, a party of Indians brought forward a Huron boy, who affirmed he met Cambayai alone in the forest, travelling very fast, as she said, to Fort Edward, where her parents had desired her to meet them. The chief and his wife testified impatience to depart immediately for that garrison; but some preparations were requisite for the soldiery who should go as their guard; and during those arrangements Montcalm asked how two Europeans had attained the highest station over an Indian tribe? The chief replied:-"I am old, but not so old as to have witnessed the earthquake which, in the spring 1663, spread terror over Quebec and a large extent of the surrounding territory. That event separated my father from his own people, and I shall relate the particulars, as he often communicated them to me, and to others, who never were weary in listening to his narration. My father spoke thus: Political troubles banished my parents from their native land-or rather they voluntarily filed from civil and religious persecution. My father died on the passage to America; and my mother married, in a few months, a man much older than herself-but she was destitute, and I totally helpless, being not three years of age. My step-father loved me as his own child; and after my mother's demise, his tenderness never abated. A young English girl, in her twelfth year, having lost both her parents, in a fever, became resident in our family. She was near sixteen when my mother fell into a decline; and on her death-bed urged her husband to make that lovely young creature the partner of his fortune. They were about eleven months married, when the good old man died of a few hours' sickness. I might be then nearly seven years old, and I bewailed my affectionate step-father with inconsolable anguish. The widow took me in her lap, and the crowd of neighbours that came to condole with her, joined in soothing the child. A rushing noise made every one forget they had any object to engage them but their own safety. Their perturbed spirits foreboded a dreadful conflagration, or some convulsion of nature. All hurried down stairs. My father-in-law's wife caught me in her arms, and, ominous meeting! as she left the gate of her own house, she found |