over the gifts of bounteous Nature, arraying hill and dale in all the united treasures of spring and autumn. The forest stretches its yet unseared arms to the breeze; whilst that breeze comes laden with the fragrance of the tented hay, and the thousand sweets breathed from flowers, which in this delicious country weep honey. "A magnificent flight of steps led us from the foot of the ramparts up to the gate of the palace. We entered it; and were presently surrounded by a train of attendants in such sumptuous liveries, that I found myself all at once carried back into the fifteenth century, and might have fancied myself within the courtly halls of our Tudors and Plantagenets. You can better conceive than I can paint the scene which took place between the palatine, the countess, and her son. I can only repeat, that from that hour I have known no want of happiness, but what arises from regret that my dear family are not partakers with me. "You know that this stupendous building was the favourite residence of John Sobieski, and that he erected it as a resting place from the labours of his long and glorious reign. I cannot move without meeting some vestige of that truly great monarch. I sleep in his bed-chamber: there hangs his portrait, dressed in the robes of sovereignty; here are suspended the arms with which he saved the very kingdoms which have now met together to destroy his country. On one side is his library; on the other, the little chapel in which he used to pay his morning and evening devotions. Wherever I look, my eye finds some object to excite my reflections and emulation. The noble dead seem to address me from their graves; and I blush at the inglorious life I might have pursued, had I never visited this house and its inhabitants. Yet, my dearest mother, I do not mean to reproach you, nor to insinuate that my revered father and brave ancestors have not set me examples as bright as man need follow but human nature is capricious; we are not so easily stimulated by what is always in our view, as with sights which, rising up when we are removed from our customary associations, surprise and captivate our attention. Villanow has only awakened me to the lesson which I conned over in drowsy carelessness at home. Thaddeus Sobieski is hardly one year my senior; but, good heaven! what has he not done? what has he not acquired? Whilst I abused the indulgence of my parents, and wasted my days in riding, shooting, and walking the streets, he was learning to act as became a man of rank and virtue ; and by seizing every opportunity to serve the state, he has obtained a rich reward in the respect and admiration of his country. I am not envious, but I now feel the truth of Cæsar's speech when he declared, the reputation of Alexander would not let him sleep. Nevertheless, I dearly love my friend. I murmur at my own demerits, not at his worth. "I have scribbled over all my paper, otherwise I verily believe I should write more; however, I promise you another letter in a week or two. Meanwhile I shall send this packet to Mr. Loftus, who is at Petersburgh, to forward it to you. Adieu, my dear mother! I am, with reverence to my father and yourself, "Your truly affectionate son, "Villanow, August, 1792.” "PEMBROKE SOMERSET. CHAPTER VI. "To Lady Somerset, Somerset Castle, England. "You know, my dear mother, that your Pembroke is famous for his ingenious mode of showing the full value of every favour he confers! Can I then relinquish the temptation of telling you what I have left to make you happy with this epistle? "About five minutes ago, I was sitting on the lawn at the feet of the countess, reading to her and the Princess Poniatowski the charming poem of The Pleasures of Memory.' As both these ladies understand English, they were admiring it, and paying many compliments to the graces of my delivery, when the palatine presented himself, and told me, if I had any commands for Petersburgh, I must prepare them, for a messenger was to set off on the next morning by daybreak. I instantly sprang up, threw my book into the hand of Thaddeus; and here I am in my own room, scribbling to you! "Even at the moment in which I dip my pen in the ink, my hurrying imagination paints on my heart the situation of my beloved home when this letter reaches you. I think I see you and my good aunt seated on the blue sofa in your dressing-room, with your needle-work on the little table before you; I see Mary in her usual nook, the recess by the old harpsichord; and my dear father, bringing in this happy letter from your son! I must confess this romantic kind of fancy-sketching makes me feel rather oddly; very unlike what I felt a few months ago, when I was a mere coxcomb; indifferent, unreflecting, unappreciating, and fit for nothing better than to hold pins at my lady's toilet. Well, it is now made evident to me, that we never know the blessings of existence until we are separated from the possession of them. Absence tightens the string which unites friends as well as lovers; at least I find it so; and though I am in the fruition of every good on this side the ocean, yet my happiness renders me ungrateful, and I repine because I enjoy it alone. Positively, I must bring you all hither to pass a summer; or come back at the termination of my travels, and carry away this dear family by main force to England. 6 "Tell my cousin Mary that, either way, I shall present to her esteem the most accomplished of human beings; but I warn her not to fall in love with him, neither in propriâ personâ, nor by his public fame, nor with his private character. Tell her, he is a bright and particular star,' neither in her sphere nor in any other woman's. In this way, he is as cold as Dian's Crescent;' and to my great amazement too; for when I throw my eyes over the many lovely young women who at different times fill the drawing-room of the countess, I cannot but wonder at the perfect indifference with which he views their (to me) irresistible attractions. "He is polite and attentive to them all: he talks with them, smiles with them, and treats them with every active complacency; but they do not live one instant in his me E mory. I mean, they do not occupy his particular wishes; for with regard to every respectful sentiment towards the sex in general, and esteem to some amiable individuals, he is as awakened as in the other case he is still asleep. The fact is, he has no idea of appropriation; he never casts one thought upon himself: kindness is spontaneous in his nature; his sunny eyes beam on all with modest benignity; and his frank and glowing conversation is directed to every rank of people. They imbibe it with an avidity and love, which makes its way to his heart without awakening his vanity. Thus, whilst his fine person and splendid actions fill every eye and bosom, I see him moving in the circle unconscious of his eminence, and the interest he excites. "Drawn by such an example, to which his high quality as well as extraordinary merit gives so great an influence, most of the younger nobility have been led to enter the army. These circumstances, added to the detail of his bravery and uncommon talents in the field, have made him an object of universal regard; and, in consequence, wherever he is seen he meets with applause and acclamation: nay, even at the appearance of his carriage in the streets, the passengers take off their hats, and pray for him till he is out of sight. It is only then that I perceive his cheek flush with the conviction that he is adored. "It is this, Thaddeus,' said I to him one day, when walking together we were obliged to retire into a house from the crowds that followed him; it is this, my dear friend, which shields your heart against the arrows of love. You have no place for that passion; your mistress is glory, and she courts you.' 66 6 My mistress is my country,' replied he; at present I desire no other. For her I would die; for her only I would wish to live.' Whilst he spoke, the energy of his soul blazed in his eyes: I smiled. "You are an enthusiast, Thaddeus.' "Pembroke!' returned he, in a surprised and reproachful tone. "I do not give you that name opprobriously,' resumed I, laughing; but there are many in my country, who, hearing these sentiments, would not scruple to call you mad.' "Then I pity them,' returned Thaddeus. Men who cannot ardently feel, cannot taste supreme happiness. My grandfather educated me at the feet of patriotism; and when I forget his precepts and example, may my guardian angel forget me!' 66 6 Happy, glorious Thaddeus!' cried I, grasping his hand; how I envy you your destiny!-To live as you do, in the lap of honour; virtue and glory, the aim and end of your existence !' "The animated countenance of my friend changed at these words, and laying his hand on my arm, he said, 'Do not envy me my destiny. Pembroke, you are the citizen of a free country, at peace with itself; insatiate power has not dared to invade its rights. Your king in happy security reigns in the hearts of his people; whilst our anointed Stanislaus is baited and insulted by oppression from without, and ingratitude within. Do not envy me; I would rather live in obscurity all my days, than have the means which calamity has bestowed, of acquiring celebrity over the ruins of Poland. O! my friend, the wreath that crowns the head of conquest is thick and bright; but that which binds the olive of peace on the bleeding wounds of my country will be the dearest to me.' "Such sentiments, my dear madam, have opened new lights upon my poor mistaken faculties. I did not consider the subject so maturely as my friend has done; victory and glory were with me synonymous words. I had not learned, until frequent conversations with the young, ardent, and pious Sobieski taught me, how to discriminate between ferocity and valour; between the patriot and the assassin; between the defender of his country and the ravager of other states. In short, I see in Thaddeus Sobieski all that my fancy hath ever pictured of the heroic character. Whilst I contemplate the sublimity of his sentiments, and the tenderness of his soul, I cannot help thinking how few would believe that so many admirable qualities could belong to one mind, and yet that mind remain unacquainted with the throes of ambition or the throbs of vanity." Pembroke judged rightly of his friend; for if ever the |