* / $I*VL T H E BOSTHUMOUS WORKS F ANN ELIZA BLEECKER, 1 N PROSE AND VERSE. To which is added, A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS, PROSE AND POETICAL, H B Y MARGARETTA V. FAUGERES. N E W- Y O R.K: Printed by T. and J. SWORDS, No. aj, William-Street* 1793. &G4& To the Public. AN the publication of Pofthumous Works, it has- been ufual for the Editors or Publifhers to accom pany them with a Prefatory Addrefs, generally explaining the particular reafons for offering them to the world, or relating their peculiar merits, andt confequently their claim to the patronage of the lovers of fcience. In compliance with this genera! cuftom we think it neceifary merely to note, that- having been frequently folicited to publifh, in a feparate volume, a part of thofe writings of Mrs. BLEECKER which had appeared in the New-Yor& Magazine, we conceived a collection of all fuch of her poems and eflfays as might with propriety come before the public, would be more likely to meet the approbation both of her friends, and of the friends of American literature. Having fug- gefled this idea to thofe who appeared moft ftrenu- ous for the meafure, we were pleafed to find it met their hearty concurrence; and through the oblig ing difpofition of her hulband and daughter, we are now happy in being able to prefent this volume to our fellow citizens. A 2 We TO THE PUBLIC. We are indebted to a friend for the idea of adding: a number of profe and poetical efiays, which like- wife firfl appeared in the New-York Magazine^ moil of them under the fignature of ELLA, and which are the production of Mrs. MARGARETTA V.FAU- GERES, the daughter of Mrs. BLEECKER. Our obligations to this lady are much increafed by the addition of feveral Original Efiays in verfe, which the reader will find interfperfed in that part of the collection which comprehends her writings. It is not our intention to recommend this volume by an elaborate difplay of its particular merits or peculiar excellencies : the bell recommendation we can give it, is an attentive perufal: and when this is done, that the reader of tafle and elegance will join in aflerting, that though it is not faultlefs, yet that its merits preponderate, and entitle it to the patronage of every true American, is the candid opinion of The PUBLISHERS.. New-York, September ) 1795* SUBSCRIBERS SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. JL Ho MAS Allen, 6 cop. 1 Athenian Society, Andrew Anderfon, William Bache, Gardiner Baker y Eleazer Ball, John Banks, Andrew D. Barclay, Edward Bartlett, Anthony Bartow, Johanna Bayard, 2 cop. Chriftian Beakley, Cornelius Bergen, Anthony L. Blanchard, John R. Bleecker, j un. Alexander Bleecker, Nathaniel Bloodgood, Robert Boggs, John Bolen, George Bowne, jun. Walter Bowne, Samuel Boyd, Lsetitia Bradim, Andrew Bradim, Sufan V. Bradford, Gafherie Bramer, George Brewerton, James Brewerton, A Henry Brewerton, Catharine Bridgen, William Brifkcoa, Michael Brooks, William Broome, John Burger, jun. Lancafter Burling, jun, William Bunce, Samuel Burrowe, Thomas C. Butler, Eliza Caldwell, Calliopean Society, Robert Campbell, Nicholas G. Carmer ? Maria Charles, Mrs. Childs, John Clark, Benjamin Clark, De Witt Clinton, Peter Cole, Richard F. Cooper, Mifs Cooper, Peter S. Cortelyou, Catharine Cox, John Cruger, James Davidfon, Richard B. Davis, Matthew L, Davis, 3 William SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. William A. Davis, Peter Deall, Mrs. Delancey, Thomas Demilt, John De Wint, Henry Dodd, Nathaniel Forfter, Abraham Fowler, Mrs. Fran nces, Hugh Gaine, William Gilliland, Charles D. Gold, Sol. Goodwin, Oliver Goodwin, Thomas Greenleaf, Benjamin Haight, Thomas Hamerfley, Nicholas Hammond, John Harriflon, Ann Julia Hatton, H. Haydock, jun. 2 cop. William Hervey, Sarah Higginfon, Robert Hinchman, Peter Hines, Jacob Hochfiroffer, Robert Hodge, Mary Hodgdon, Horanian Liter. Society William Hurft, E. Jones, Epaphrus Jones, John B. Johnfon, Ifaac L. Kip, Ifaac Kip, jnr. James Kirkland, Jane Kirkpatrick, Jeremiah Laniingh, Jonathan Lawrence, jurt. John Leonard, Edmund Ludlow, Peter Mabie, Elizabeth Mann, Thomas Marmall, John M. Mafon, Benjamin G. Minturn, Jacob Moon, Benjamin I. Moore, Jacob Morton, Robert Mott, Townfend M'Coun, Archibald M'Cullum,,. Dennis M'Gahagan, Eliza O. Millen, John W. Mulligan, John Neilfon, John L. Norton t Daniel Paris, Euphemia Paterfon, Nathaniel Peariall, Henry Poft,jnn. 3 copies- Abraham Prall, William Rainey, John Read, John Reid, James Riflef, Jofeph Roberts, Sufannah Rodgers-, John Ryers, Jofliua Sands, George Service, H. P. Schuyler, Phil!* SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Fhilip Schuyler, Peter C. Schuyler, G. V. Schoonhoven, Maria Scott, James Seaman,. Kichard Seaman, J. Slidell, jun. Thomas R. Smith, George Snowdon, jun. Jofeph M. Stanbury, Daniel Steele, Thomas Stoutenburgh, Samuel Suydam, Mary Swords, Abraham C. Ten Broeck, Anthony Ten Eyck, Jacob Ten Eyck, Cornelius Tiebout, James Tillery, John V. Thomas, Chriftian Tupper, John Utt, Ifaac Vanderbeck, fun; Samuel B. Vanderbilt, Cornelius C. Van Alen, Daniel L. Van Antwerp,. Anna Maria Van Wyck, GebafhViflcher, Harman Vofburgh, James Walker, Sarah Wallace, George J. Warner, George Wattles, C.R.&G.Webfter,6cop, . Ifaac H. Whitney, Benjamin Williamfon, Nathaniel Woodward 3 William Wyche, Jofeph Youle, Jofeph Young, Samuel Young. ^ But few returns have been made of the fub- fcription-papers fent out of this city; many like- wife that were delivered to individuals, we have heard nothing of: Should, therefore, any who have fubfcribed for this volume find their names omit ted, they will be pleafed to afcribe it to the caufe above mentioned,. CONTENTS; CONTENTS. / ^ Page, JViEMOIRS of Ann Eliza Bleecker, . i By Mrs. BLEECKER. PJROSE. The Hiftory of Maria Kittle, ' 19 The Story of Henry and Anne, .... 89 Letters, from 115 to 184. POETICS. Jofeph, ............ 185. On Mrs. Johanna Lupton, 198 To Mr. L , 200 To the fame, 201 To the fame, 203 To the fame, . 2OiJ To Mr. Bleecker, . 207 On the Immenfity of Creation, .... 209 A Thought on Death, . . . ... . 211 On the Death of Cleora, . . . . . . 213 Lines written in the Retreat from Burgoyne, 2 1 A Complaint, 218 Another, 219 A Profpeft CONTENTS. Page* A Profpeft of Death, 220 To Mifs Catharine Ten Eyck, . . . . . ibid The Storm, - 222 Defpondency, 225 Elegy on the Death of General Montgomery, 226 Thaumantia and Fame, 228 Kecolle&ion, 229 On Reading Dry den's Virgil, . . . . 230 To Mifs Ten Ey-ck, 231 To Mr. Bleecker, on his pafTagetoNew-York, 232 A fhort Paftoral Dialogue, . . . . . 236 Hope ariimg from Reirofpection, . . / <. 237 On feeing Mifs S. T. E. croffing the Hudfon, 239 To Mifs M. V. W 240 To Mrs. De H , . . . . . . . 242 On a great Coxcomb recovering from an In- difpofition, 243 An Evening Profpec"t, ....... 244 An Hymn, 246 To Mifs Brmckerhoff, on her quitting New- York, . . 24$ To Julia Amanda, . 250 Peace, 251 A Paftoral Dialogue, 253 Return" to Tomhanick, . , . . . . 260 CONTENTS. By Mrs. FAUGKRES. Page, ESSAYS. Benefits of Scolding, . -265 Fine Feelings exemplified in the Condu& of a Negro Slave, 268 A Fragment, 271 The China After, . . ..273 POEMS. A Dream, 27* A Verfion of the Lord's Prayer, .... 280 To Alfred, in Anfwer to a Complaint, . 282 Lines written on a blank Leaf of Colonel Humphrey's Poems, 285 To Aribert, ibid To the Memory of Aleon, who did at Sea in the Year 1790, 288 An Addrefs to a Profile, 289 Elegy to Mifs Anna Dundafs, .... 291 Morning, . . . . 293 Evening, . 295 Night, 298 To Mortimer embarking for the Weft-Indies, 307 A Verfion of part of the 7th Chapter of Job, 308 A Salute to the Fourteenth Anniverfary of American Independence, 311 Winter, 312 Friend/hip, v CONTENTS. Page. '3?riendfliip, . . . . . . . . . -315 To the Reverend J*** N*****, . . . ' 318 To the Moon, 319 Silence, ........... 322^ To Ethelinde, ......... 324 To the fame, 326 On feeing a Print, exhibiting the Ruins of the Baftille, 329 To the Memory of Mrs. Henrietta Anna Maria Dubuiflbn, 333 To the Memory of Mrs. Scriba and her in fant Daughter, . . 336 To Ethelinde, . 339 .A Verfion of Mrs. Barbauld's Tenth Hymn, 342. Lines occafioned by Mr. Robertfon's refufing to paint for one Lady, and immediately af ter taking another Lady's likenefs, . . 345 To Nature, 346 Arria's Tomb, 347 To a Canary Bird, 349 The Birth Day of Columbia, . . . . 357 July the Fourteenth, 3^3 To Mifs Mafon, at New-Rochelle, .. . 355 The Hudfon, MEMOIRS MEMOIRS F Mrs. ANN ELIZA BLEECKER, Mi .RS. ANN ELIZA BLEECKER was the youngeft child of Mr. BRANDT SCHUYLER, of this city, (the place of her nativity ;) ihe was born in O&ober, anno Domini 1752^ and though in her early years me never difplayed any partiality for fchool, yet fhe was paffionately fond of books, infomuch that fhe read with propriety any book that came to hand long before the time that children in common pafs their Spelling- Books. 'But though her poetical produc tions (which made their appearance very early) difplayed a tafte far fuperior to her years ; yet, fo great was her diffidence of B her 11 MEMOIRS OF her own abilities, that none but her moft intimate acquaintance were ever indulged with a view of any of her performances, and then they were no fooner perufed than fhe deftroyed them. Hence it comes, that none of her com- pofitions previous to the year 1769, are extant : in that year me married JOHN J. BLEECKER, Efq-, of New-Rochelk \ and being willing now to cherifh her genius, after a fhort refidence in the capital, they retired to Poughkeepfie^ where they ftayed a year or two ; and then taking a liking to the northern parts of this ftate, they removed to Tomhanick^ a beautiful folitary little village eighteen mites above Albany. Here Mr. BLEECKER built him an houfe on a little eminence, which commanded a pleating profpecl. On the eafi fide of it was an elegantly fimple garden^ where fruits and flowers, exotics as well as natives, flourimed with beauty ; and a little beyond it the roaring river of Tombawck daflied with ANN ELIZA ELEECKER. Ill with rapidity its foaming waters among the broken rocks ^ toward the weft^ lay wide cultivated fields , in the rear, a young or chard, bounded by a thick fbreftj and in front^ (after eroding the main road) a mea dow, through which wandered a dimpling ftream, ftretched itfelf to join a ridge of tall nodding pines, which rofe in awful grandeur on the fhelving brow of a grafly mountain. Through the openings of this wood you might defcry little cottages feat- tered up and down the country, whofe environs the hard hand of Induftry had transformed into rich fields and blooming gardens, and literally caufed the wildernefs to bloflbm as the rofe It is to this fcene fhe alludes where me fo beautifully fays, Caft your eyes beyond this meadow, Painted by a hand Divine, And obferve the ample Shadow Of that folemn ridge of pine. This was fuch a retreat as fhe had always defired the dark foreft, the rufhing river, B 2 and IV MEMOIRS OF and the green valley; had more charms for her than- the gay metropolis me had left, and in which me was fo well calculated to fhine: and me was fo much attached to rural pleafures, that no birds fthofe of prey excepted) were ever fuffered to be Ihot near her habitation if me could pre vent it- indeed, they built their nefls un- molefted in the very porch of the houfe. And the cultivation of flowers had like- wife a large mare of her attention, fo much, that where Flora had been remifs in deck ing the fod, fhe took upon herfelf that office, by gathering feeds from her own garden and ftrewing them promifcuoufly in the woods and fields, and along the clo- very borders of her favourite brook. 'Till the memorable 1777, they lived in the moft perfect tranquillity fair prof- pects were opening on eVery fide Her mother, a widow, (an ornament to the fex) lived with her her half-fifter, Mifs TEN EYCK, was her cheerful fprightly companion ANN ELIZA BLEECKER. V companion and her attentive hufband and prattling children clofed the circle, and left her fcarce another wifh on this fide of the grave Then, indeed, the clamorous thunders of War frighted them from their peaceful dwelling, and the blafting hand of Defolation difperfed them as a flock in the defert. Mr. BLEECKER, hearing of the ap proaches of the infatuated BUR COYNE, had left Mrs. BLEECKER with the children and fervants, while he went to Albany to feek a place for them, (her mother and filler having juft quitted her. ) But he had fcarce been gone a day when, as fhe fat at breakfaft, fne received intelligence that the enemy were within two miles of the vil lage, burning and murdering all before them. Terrified beyond defcription me rofe from the table, and taking her ABELLA on her arm, and her other daughter (about four years old) by the hand, fhe fet off on foot, with a young mulatto gir! 5 leav- BS ing VI MEMOIRS OP ing the houfe and furniture to the mercy of the approaching favages. The roads were crouded with carriages loaded with women and children, but none could afford her affi&ance diftrefs was depictured on every countenance, and tears of heartfelt anguifh moiftened every cheek. They pafTed on no one fpoke to another and no found but the difmal creaking of bur dened wheels and the trampling of horfes interrupted the mournful filence. After a tedious walk of four or five miles, me ob tained a feat for the children upon one of the waggons, and me walked on to Stony- Arabia^ where fhe expecled to find many friends; but me was deceived no door was open to her, whofe houfe by many of them had been made ufe of as a home flie wandered from houfe to houfe, and at length obtained a place in the garret of a rich old acquaintance, where a couple of blankets, ftretched upon fome boards, were offered her as a bed j ihe, however, fat up- all ANN ELIZA BLEECKER.' Vll all night and wept, and the next morning Mr. BLEECKER coming from Albany^ met with them and returned to that city, from whence they fet off with feveral other fa milies by water. At twelve miles below Albany little ABELLA was taken fo ill that they were obliged to go on fhore, where me died. The impreffions this event made on Mrs. BLEECKER'S mind were never effaced. The remembrance of every cir- cumftance that led to it the return of the feafon the voice of an infant or even the calm approach of a fummer's evening, never failed to awaken all her forrows -, arid fhe being naturally of a penfive turn of mind, too freely indulged them. From this they proceeded to Red-Hook^ where me met with her mother, who was declining very faft, and died a little after her daughter's arrival. The capture of BURGOYNE foon after taking place, they again fet off to vifit their little folitude^ but, in their journey thither, me had the forrowful Vlll MEMOIRS OF forrowful office of clofing the eyes of her laft remaining fitter.* The defcription me has given of thefe events, in a letter to a friend, may not be unacceptable. ) December 15, 1777. " CURST be the heart that is callous sc to the feelings of humanity, and which, " concentered in itfelf, regards not the wail- " ings of affliction ! Excufe my enthufi- " afm it is the effect of repeated injuries tc received in my flight ; but thank heaven " I have fupported every mock with tole- " rable fortitude, except the death of my cc ABELLA me indeed had wound herfelf " round every fibre of my heart I loved, " I idolized her however, my little love " languished and died, and I believe I " could * Her OWN fifter, Mrs. S WITS her half-fifter, Mrs- DABBE, (then Mifs TEN EYCK,) is ftill living. ANN r ELIZA BLEECKER. IX " could then have beheld with lefs anguifti " the di flotation of Nature than the laft " gafp of my infant. The fenfations I felt " at the death of my dear parent were of a " different nature it was a tranquil farrow, " a melancholy which I have heard obferv- " ed fcothes the foul inftead of corroding " it. While I held the expiring faint in " my arms, .and faw her juft verging into " eternity while I dropt tear after tear in 6C folemn iilence over her livid countenance, " oh how fincerely did I wifh to accom- S5 were j n Jcrfcy ; and as the Britiih were ftill here, me could not (with out the greatefl difficulty) viiit them. But the ruinous condition of her native city- gave fuch a mock to her fpirits as the unit ed efforts of her reafon and fortitude were not able to ward off. The places which me once knew as the fcenes of feftivity, were now funk into duft the place that once knew them knowing them no more ; or if by hard fearching me at laft defcried them, they only met her eye as monuments of her paft pleafures dreary piles, moul dering faft beneath the relentlefs hand of C 3C1V MEMOIRS OF and War. Her fenftbility was too keen for her peace She had ftruggled on through the war, and had fuffered Hope to beguile the hours devoted to diftrefs : but now the fcene was changed the illufion vanished, and flie concluded now flie fhould fee no more good upon earth. She return ed again to her cottage, where flie found her health very rapidly decline ; and on the 23 d of the following November, about noon-day, (after two days confinement to her bed) her calm fpirit took its flight from its fluttered habitation, without a Struggle or a groan. She retained her fen- fes till within a few minutes of her death ; and the laft words flie uttered to her weep ing hufband and family, were aflurances of the pleafing profpecl: Immortality offered her. It is needlefs to fay her lofs was feverely felt it may be naturally fuppofed. The benevolence of her difpofition had extend ed itfelf to all clafTes of people j and in the AWN ELIZA BLEECKER. XV the village where fhe dwelt, there were feveral families who might be called her dependants. To the aged and infirm fhe was a phyfician and a friend to the or phan fhe was a mother and a foother of the widow's woes; all loved all honour ed her : and when they followed her to the grave, they weeping faid, (though differ ently exprefled, ftill meaning the fame,) " We have loft HER whofe equal we jhall never fee again!' 9 It is to be regretted that the writings which we now have are but a fmall part of what me compofed: me was frequently very lively, and would then give way to the flights of her fertile fancy, and write fbngs, fatires, and burlefque : but, as draw- iiig a cord too tight will make it break, thus me would no fooner eeafe to be merry-, than the heavieft dcje&ion would fucceed, and then all the pieces which were not as melancholy as herfelf, fhe deftroyed. As the feldom kept copies of her poetical epif- "C 2 tics, XVI MEMOIRS OF ties, the moft of them are loft -, one in par ticular, written fome little time before fhe fled from Tomhanick, in 1777, and direcled to General BURGOYNE, was left in her bu reau ; the bureau was broken opn and its contents plundered by his men j but whe ther the letter ever reached him or not, is unknown. In the winters of 1779 and 1780, me amufed herfelf and friends by writing what me called the Albany Gazette, which was fent by every opportunity to Fijhkill, where feveral of her relations lived. This lively and ingenious performance was much admired, and being handed about from one company to another, is entirely loft. Several political and fatirical pieces mared a fimilar fate. Some of thofe, however, which are left, are here prefented to the public. The poli tical fentiments difplayed in feveral of them will, it is probable, recommend them to the notice and favour of the Patriot, and the reft may pleafe the lovers of artlefs ftyle. Many ANN ELIZA BLEECKER. XV11 Many of them are faulty, but their merits are more numerous than their defefts* and tbefe will be eafily pardoned and forgotten by all who knew her; for Detraction will not rife up againft her? after death, whofe virtues, when alive, endeared her to fo many admiring friends^ and whofe enemies (and Envy created her fome) could not fpeak evil of her. As moft of thefe pieces were intended for the amufement of herfelf and particular friends, and not for the public eye, they appear as they flowed extempore from her pen. Frequently fhe wrote while with. company, at the defirc of fome one prefent, without premeditation, and at the fame time bearing a part in the converfation. Mrs. BLEECKER poflefled axonfiderahle fiiare of beauty ^ her countenance was ani mated, and exprefTive of her benevolent, feeling mindj her perfbn, rather tall, was graceful and elegant -, her eafy, unaffected deportment and engaging manners pro>- C 3- cured' xviii MEMOIRS, &c.' cured her the efteem of moft perfons at firft iight, which generally increafed on a more Intimate acquaintance. M. V. F. New- York, May, 1793. THE THE H IS TO R Y OJP MARIA KITTLE, In a Letter to Mijs Ten Eyck. Tomhamck, December 9 1779* DEAR SUSAN, H OWEVER fond of novels and romances you may be, the unfortunate adventures of one of my neighbours, who died yeflerday, will make you defpife that fi6Hon, in which, know ing the fubjecT: to be fabulous, we can never be fo truly interefted. While this lady was ex piring, Mrs. C V , her near kinf- woman, related to me her unhappy hiftory, in which I fhall now take the liberty of interefl- ing your benevolent and feeling heart. MARIA KITTLE was the only iffue of her parents, who cultivated a large farm on the banks 2XF THE HISTORY OF banks of the Hudfon y eighteen miles above Al bany. They were perfons of good natural abi lities, improved by fome learning ; yet, con- fcious of a deficiency in their education, they ftudied nothing fo much as to render their little daughter truly accomplished. MARIA was- born in the year 1721. Her promiling infancy prefaged a maturity of excel lencies ; every amiable quality dawned through her lifping prattle ; every perfonal grace at tended her attitudes and played over her fea tures. As flie advanced through the playful ftage of childhood, flie became more eminent than a Penelope for her induftry ; yet, foon a.s: the fun declined, flie always retired with her books until the time of repofe, by which means ihe foon informed her opening mind with the principles of every ufeful fcience. She was beloved by all her female companions, who* though they eafily difcovered her fuperior ele gance of manners, inftead of envying, were excited to imitate her. As fbe always made one in their little parties of pleafure on feftival days, it is no wonder that flie foon became the reigning goddefs among the fwains. She was importuned to admit the addrefTes of numbers, whom MARIA KITTLE. 21 whom fhe politely difcarded, and withdrew lierfelf awhile from public obfervation. How ever, the fame of her charms attracted feveral gentlemen of family from Albany, who intruded on her retirement, foliciting her hand. But this happinefs was referved for a near relation of her's, one Mr. KITTLE, whofe merits had made an impreffion on her heart. He, although not handfome, was poflefled of a moft engaging addrefs ; while his learning and moral virtues more particularly recommended him to her efteem. Their parents foon difcovered their reciprocal paflion, and highly approving of it, haftened their marriage, which was celebrated under the moft happy aufpices. MARIA was fifteen when married. They removed to- his farm, on which he had built a ;fmall neat houfe, furrounded by tall cedars, which gave it a contemplative air. It was fi- tnated on an eminence, with a green inclofure in the front, graced by a well cultivated gar den on one fide, and on the other by a clear Are am, which, milling over a bed of white pebble, gave them a high poliih, that caft a foft gleam through the water. Here 22 THE HISTORY OF Here they refided in the tranquil enjoyment of that happinefs which fo much merit and in nocence deferved : the indigent, the forrowful, the unfortunate were always fare of confola- tion when they entered thoie peaceful doors. They were almoft adored by their neighbours, and even the wild favages themfelves, who often reforted thither for refreihments when hunting, expreffed the greateft regard for them, and admiration of their virtues. In little more than a year they were blefled with a daughter, the lovelier refemblance of her lovely mother : as flie grew up, her graces iiicreafmg, promifed a bloom and underftand- ing equal to her's; the Indians, in particular, were extremely fond of the f railing ANNA ; whenever they found a yenng fawn, or caught a brood of wood-ducks, or furprifed the young beaver in their daily excurilons through the forefts, they prefented. them with pleafure to her ; they brought her the earlieft flrawberries, the fcarlet plumb, and other delicate wild fruits in painted balkets. How did the fond parents hearts delight to fee their beloved one fo univerfally carefled-] When they fauntered over the vernal fields w itlx MARIA KITTLE. 2 with the little prattler wantoning before them colle&ing flowers and purfuing the velvet elu- five butterfly, MARIA'S cheek fuffufing with rapture, " Oh my dear," fhe would fay, " we " are happier than human beings can expect " to be ; how trivial are the evils annexed to " our fituation ! may God avert that our hea- ** ven be limited to this life !" Eleven years now elapfed before Mrs. KIT TLE discovered any figns of pregnancy: her fpoufe filently wifhed for a fon, and his defires were at length gratified ; fhe was delivered of a charming boy, who was named, after him, WILLIAM. A French and Indian war had commenced fbmetime before ; but about eight months after her delivery, the favages began to commit the moft horrid depredations on the Engliih frontiers. Mr. KITTLE, alarmed at the danger of his brothers, who dwelt near Fort-Edward, (the eldeft being juft married to a very agree able young woman) invited them to reiide with him during the war. , They were fcarce arrived when the enemy made further incurfions in the country, burn ing the villages and fcalping the inhabitants, neither $4 THE HISTORY OF neither refpe&ing age or fex. This terribly alarmed Mrs. KITTLE; fhe began to prepare for flight, and the next evening after receiving this intelligence, as fhe and Mr. KITTLE were bufily employed in packing up china and other things, they were accofted by feveral Indians, V/hofe wigwams were contiguous to the village of Schochticook, and who always feemed well affected to the Engliih. An elderly favage undertook to be prolocutor, and defired the family to compofe themfelves, alluring them they fhould be cautioned againft any approach ing danger. To inforce his argument, he pre- fented MARIA with a belt interwoven with filk and beads, faying, " There, receive my 61 token of friendfhip: we go to dig up the *' hatchet, to fink it in the heads of your ene- " mies ; we {hall guard this wood with a wall " of fire you fhall be fafe." A warm glow of hope deepened in MARIA'S cheek at this Then ordering wine to be brought to the friendly favages, with a fmile of diffidence, " I am afraid," faid fhe, " neceffity may oblige 11 you to abandon us, or neglect of your pro- " mife may deprive us of your protection." ** Neglect of my promife !" retorted he with fome 3VIARXA KITTLE* 25 fome acrimony: " No, MARIA, I am a true " man; I fhoot the arrow up to the Great " Captain every new moon: depend upon it, ** I will trample down the briars round your '*' dwelling, that you do not hurt your feet." MARIA now retired, bowing a grateful ac knowledgment, and leaving the favages to in dulge their feftivity, who pafTed the night in tlie moft vociferous mirth. Mrs. KITTLE, with a fort of exultation, re lated the fubjecl: of their conference to her huf- band, who had abfented himfelf on their fidl appearance, having formed fome fufpicion of the fmcerity of their friendship, and not being willing to be duped by their diflimulation. *' And now," added MARIA fmiling, " our '* fears may again fubfide: Oh my dear! my " happinefs is trebled into rapture, by feeing *' you and my fweet babes out of danger." He .only fighed, and reaching his arm round her polifhed neck, prefled her to his bofom. After a fhort paufe, *' My love," faid he, <4 be not " too confident of their fidelity; you furely 4 1 know what a fmall dependence is to be placed ** on their promifes: however, to appear fuf- *< pic ious -might be fuddenly fatal to \is; we D " will 6 THE HISTORY OF will therefore fufpend our journey to Albany " for a few days." Though MARIA'S foul 'faddened at the conviction of this truth ; though her fears again urged her to propofe immediate flight, yet flie acquiefced ; and having fupped \vith the family, this tender pair funk afkep on the hofom of reft. Early the next morning Mr. KITTLE arofe, firft imprefling a kifs on MARIA'S foft cheek, ^s (he {lumbered with her infant in her arms. He then awaked his brother, reminding him that he had propofed a hunting match the pre ceding evening. " It is true," replied PETER, " but fince hoftilities have commenced fo near " us as the Indians inform, I think it rather * imprudent to quit the family." " Come, " come," .replied the other, " do not let us *' intimidate the neighbours by cloiflering our- " felvesup with women and children." " I * l rejecl the thought," rejoined PETER, " df 66 being afraid." Then having drefled him- felf, while his brother charged their pieces, they left the houfe, and traverfed the pathlefs grafs for many hours without perceiving any thing hut fmall birds, who filled the fragrant air with melody. PETER," faid Mr. KIT TLE, MARIA KITTLE, 2f TLE; cafting his eyes around the lovely land- ieape, " what a profufion of fweets does Na~ To thefe interrogatories PETEH replied,' <* Excufe my weaknefs, T arn not unwell, but u an unufual horror chilled my blood; I felto *' as if the damps of death preft already round 4t my foul ; but the vapour is gone off again, " I feel quite better." Mr. KITTLE cheered his brother, attributing his emotion to fear ; who, by this time, having re-aiTumei his com-- pofure, entered into difcourfe with clieerful- nefs, refufmg to return home without having, killed any thing. D 2 Then 28 THE HISTORY OF Then rifmg, they proceeded through lofty groves of pine, and open fields that feemed to bend under the heavy hand of Ceres. At laft, difappointment and fatigue prevailed on them to return home, they had gone farther than they apprehended ; but paffing along the bank of the river within a few miles of Mr. KIT- TLE'S, they efpied a fat doe walking fecurely on the beach, which PETER foftly approach ing, levelled his piece with fo good an aim that the animal dropped inftantly at the expiofion. This feeming fuccefs was, however, the origin cf their calamities ; for immediately after, two favages appeared, directed in their coiirfe by the firing. Setting up a loud yell, they ran up to the brothers and diicharged their fire-arms. Mr. KITTLE ftartcdback, but PETER receiv ed a brace of balls in his bofom. He recoiled a few fleps back, and then funk down incom- paffed by thofe -.leaclly horrors of which in the morning he haJ a prefentiment. Mr. KITTLE ftood awhile aghail, like a perfon juft waked, from a frightful dream ; but on feeing the In dian advancing to tear the fcalp from his dying brother, he fuddenly recollected himfeif, and ihot a bullet through his head : then grappling with MARIA KITTLE > S$ with the other, who was loading again, hs wrefted his* firelock from him, and felled him to the ground with the but-end of it. This was no time for reflexion or unavailing laments ; the danger was eminent : fo leaving, the favages for dead, with a mournful h'lence Mr. KITTLE haftened to throw.the deer from oft his horfe, and laid his bleeding brother acrofshirn, :. When our fouls are gloomy, they feem to caft a ihade over the objects that fin-round, us* and make nature correfpondent to. our feelings : ib Mr. KITTLE thought the- night fell with a deeper gloom than ufual. The foft notes of evening birds feemed to be the refpsiifes of fa- vage yells. The .echo of his tread, which h* never before regarded, now>rung difmally hoi* low in his ears. Even the ruftling, of the windi through the leaves feemed attended with a fo* lemnity that chilled him with cold tremors. As he proceeded with his mournful .charge, his feelings were alarmed for his dear he dreaded the agitation and diftrefs .this venture -would throw her in : but it was avoidable ! The found, of his horfes feet no fooner in* the ears-of MARIA , than feizing a light D 3 he 3<5 THE" HISTORY OF {lie fprung with a joyful impatience to the door, and was met by her partner pale and bloody, who endeavoured to prevent too fudden a dif- eovery of this calamity. But at the firft glance ihe comprehended the whole affair, and retir ing a few fteps, with the moil exquifite agony i-n her countenance, "-Oh Mr. KITTLE!" flie cried, clafping her hands together, " it is " all over we are betrayed your brother is " killed!"--" Too true, oh, too fatally true 1" replied he, falling on his knees befide her as ihe funk down, " my angel ! the very favages " that folemnly engaged to protect us have de- -*' prived him of life ; but I am yet alive, my " MARIA, be comforted I will inftantly pro- " cure carriages, and before morning you and " your innocents (hall be beyond the reach of ** their malevolence." By this time the family had croud ed about them, and with grievous waitings were, inquir ing the particulars of this fad adventure. Mr. KITTLE having related every circumftance with brevity, ordered the corpfe to be laid in a remote chamber, defiring at the fame time a hcrfe to be faddled for him. Then, more op- prefled by his wife's griefs than his own, he kd MARIA KITTLE. 31 led the difconfolate fair to her chamber, where, being feated, fhe fighing demanded where he intended to go at that time of night. " Only,'* faid he, " to the village of Schochticook to hire " a couple of waggons ; I Ihall return in an " hour I hope, with a proper guard to fecure * our retreat from this hoflile place." MARIA was iilent ;. at length ilie burfl into a flood of tears, which his endearments only augmented; Then, expoftulating with him, " Is it not " enough," cried {he, " that you have efcaped " one danger, but mull you be fo very eager " to encounter others? befides, you are fpent " with for row and fatigue let one of your " brothers perform this filent expedition. "~- 4< It is impoflible," replied. the tender hufband ; ** how can I dare to propofe a danger to them " from which I would ihrink niyfelf ? their " lives are equally precious with mine : but *< God may difappoint our fears, my love !" He would have continued, but his fpoufe, rifmg from her feat, interrupted him " At leaft, ** my dear, before you leave us give your lovely 44 babes a farewell embrace, that if fate mould " fhould feparate us, that yet fliail fweeten 14 our hours cf abfence." Here fhe found- herfek" 2 THE HISTORY OF herfelf clafped in her confortYaiins, who ex-* claimed, " My MARIA ! I love you paffion- *' ately, and if the leaft fhadow of danger did s * appear to attend this night's travel, for your "fake, for my WefTed children's fake I would 1 *' decline it : but I have kft the Indians lifelefs, " who no doubt attacked us from fome private ** pique ; nor will they be difcovered untii *' morning."-'* Well then,',' MARIA an-* fwered, " I no longer oppofe you ; forgive my * fears." Meanwhile, as flie ftept to the cra dle for her fuckling, the fair ANNA, who was liilening at the door anxious to hear her parents fentimentson this occafion, quitted hesitation and flew to them fwift as light; dropping on her knees before her father, and looked up iri his face with the moft attractive graces- and the perfuafive eloquence of fimplicity. Her neck' and features were elegantly .turned, her com plexion fairer than the tuberofe, and contrafted by the moft -mining ringlets of dark hair. Her eyes, whofe brilliancy was foftened through the medium of tears, fora while dwelt tenderly on his countenance. At length, with -a' voice fcarce audible, (he fighed out, " Oh papa ! do 44 not leave us ; if any accident ihould happen * to MARIA KITTLE, 33 *< to you, mamma will die of grief, and what " will become, of poor ANNA and BILLY? " who will care for me? who will teach me " when my papa, rny mamma's papa is gone r" "My fweet child," replied he, embrac ing her and holding her to his bofom, '* there ** is no danger ; I ihall return in an hour, and "before to-morrow 1 you ihall be fafe on the " plains of Albany^ and my heart iliall exult " over the happinefs of my family-." Mrs. KITTLE now approached with her playful infant in her arms ; but its winning ac-^ tions extorted nothing but groans from her pain ed bofom, which was more ftormy than On tario-Lake, when agitated by fierce winds, Mr. KITTLE perciving this uncommon emo-- tion, gently took the child from her, and re peatedly kiiTed it, while new fmiles dimpled its lovely afpe&. " Oh !" faid he to himfelf, " this gloom that darkens MARIA'S foul is fu- '* pernatural ! it feems dreadfully portenti- " ous ! Shall I yet fcay ?" But here a fervant Informing him that his. horfe was ready, he felumed at his want of fortitude ; and having conquered his irrefolution, after the mod at- feeing and folemn parting, he quitted his houfe* n.svef to review it mote ! MARIA 3 THE HISTORY OF MARIA then walked fadly back again, and* having aflembled the family in a little hall, they clofed and barred the doors. Mrs. Co- MELIA KITTLE, MARIA'S fifter-ki-law, was far advanced in her pregnancy, which increaf- ed her hufband's uneafmefs for her; and they were debating in what manner to accommo date her at Albany, when the trampling of feet about the houfe^ and a yell of complicated voices, announced the Indians arrival.' Struck with horror and confirmation, the little family crouded together in the center of the hall,: while ' the fervants at this alarm, being in a kitchen diant from the houfe, faved them- felves by- a precipitate flight. The little BIL LY, frightened at fueh ^dreadful founds, clung faft to his mother's throbbing breaft, while ANNA, in-a filent agony of amazement, clafp- ed her; trembling knees. The echo of their yells yet rung in long vibrations through the foreft, when, with a thundering peal of ftrokes at the door, they demanded entrance. Diftrac- tion and defpair fit upon every face. MARIA- . and her companions gazed wildly at each other,- till, upon repeated menaces and efforts to break open the door, GOMELIA'S hufband, giving all- for MARIA KITTLE. 25 for loft, leifurely advanced to the door. Co- iMELiA feeing this, uttered a great ihtiek, and cried out, " O God i what are your doing, my *< rafh, rafh, -unfortunate hufband ! you will * ' be facrinced ! ' ' Then falling on her knees, fhe caught hold of his hand and fobbed out, '*' O pity me ! have mercy on yourfelf, on me, -" on my child !" " Alas! my' love," faidhe, half turning with a look of diftradtion, " what *' can we do? let us be refigned to the will dt *' God." So faying he unbarred the door, and that inftant received a fatal bullet in his bdfom, and fell backward writhing in agonies of death ; the reft recoiled at this horrible fpeftacle, and huddled in a corner, fending forth the moil piercing cries : in the interim the favages rufli- ing in with great ihouts, proceeded to mangle rthe corpfe, and having made an incifion round his head with a crooked knife, thdy tugged .off his bloody fcalp with barbarous triumph. While this was perpetrating, an Indian, hi- deoufly painted, ftrode ferociouflyuptoCoME- LI A, '(who funk away at the fight, and fainted on a chair) and cleft her white forehead deep- ly with his tomahack. Her fine azure eyes ;jufl opened, and then fuddenly doling for ever, me 6 THE HISTORY OF /he tumbled lifelefs at his feet. His fangni* nary foul was not yet fatislied with blood ; he deformed her lovely body with deep gaihes ; and, tearing her unborn babe away, dafhed it to pieces againft the ftone wall; with many additional circumftances of infernal cruelty. During this horrid carnage, the dead were {tripped, and dragged from the houfe, when one of 4ie hellifh band advanced to MARIA, who circling her babes with her white arms, was fending hopelefs petitions to heaven, and bemoaning their cruelly loft fitxtat ion : as he approached, expedling the fatal ftroke, fhe en deavoured to guard her children, and with fup- -plicating looks, implored for mercy. The fa- vage attempted not .to ftrike ; but the aftoniihed ANNA flickered herfelf behind her mamma, while her blooming fuckling quitting her breaft, gazed with a pleafing wonder on the painted flranger. MARIA foon recognized her old friend that prefented her with the belt, through the loads of fliells and feathers that difguifed him. This was no time, however, to irritate him, by reminding him of his pro- rnife ; yet, guefTing her thoughts, he antici pated her rernonftrancc. " MARIA," faid he, 44 be not afraid, I havepromifed to protect you ; ** you MAUIA KKTTLE. 37 you (hall live and dance with us around the ** fire at Canada: but you have one fmall in- *' cumbrance, which, if not removed, will ** much impede your progrefs thither." So laying he feized her laughing babe by the wrifts, and forcibly endeavoured to draw him from her arms. At this, terrified beyond conception, me exclaimed, " O God ! leave me, leave me my *' child ! he (hall not go, though a legion of de~ ' vils ihould try to feparate us !" Holding him {till fall, while the Indian applied his flrength to tear him away, gnaming his teeth at her op- pofition ; " Help ! God of heaven !" fcreamed fhe, " help ! have pity, have mercy on this " infant ! O God ! O Chrift ! can you bear * 4 to fee this ? O mercy ! mercy ! mercy ! let " a little fparkof companion fave this inofFend- ** ing, this lovely angel !" By this time the breathlefs babe dropt its head on its bofom ; tlie writs were nigh pinched off, and feeing him juil expiring, with a dreadful fhriek me refigned him to the mercilefs hands of the favage, who inflantly daflied his little forehead againft the flones, and cafting his bleeding body at fome diftancc from the houfc, left him to make his exit in feeble and unheard groans. Then in- E deed, 38 THE HISTORY 'OF deed, in the unutterable anguifh of her foal, fhe fell proflrate, and rending away her hair, fhe roared out her forrows with a voice louder than natural, and rendered awfully hollow by too great an exertion. " O barbarians!" fhe exclaimed, " furpa fling devils in wicked- " nefs ! fo may a tenfold night of mifery en- 11 wrap your black fouls, as you have deprived *' the babe of my bofom, the comfort of my " cares, my blefTcd cherub, of light and life " O hell ! are not thy flames impatient to " cleave the center and engulph thefe wretches * ' in thy ever burning waves ? are there no thun- ** ders in Heaven no avenging Angel no *' God .to .take notice of fuch Heaven defying " cruelties ?" Then rufhing to her dead infant with redoubled cries, and clapping her hands, fhe laid herfelf over his mangled body ; again ibftened in tears and .moans, fhe wiped the blood from his ghaftly countenance, and preft him to her heaving bofom, alternately carefling him and her trembling ANNA, who, clinging to her with bitter wailings, and kifling her hands and face, entreated her to implore the fa- vages for mercy. " Do, my angel mamma," fhe urged, " do beg them yet to pity beg " themyettofave youformypoor, poor papas "fake! MARIA KITTLE. 39 " fake ! Alas ! if we are all killed, his heart " will break ! Oh ! they can't be rocks and " ftones ! Don't cry mamma, they will " fpare us!" Thus the little orator endea voured to confole her afflicted mother; but their melancholy endearments were foon in terrupted by the relentlefs favages, who hav ing plundered the houfe of every valuable thing that was portable, returned to MARIA, and rudely catching her arm, commanded her to follow them ; but repulfmg them with the bold- nefs of defpafr, *' Leave me, leave me," me faid> " I cannot go I never will quit my " murdered child ! Too cruel in your mercies', " you have given me life only to prolong my " miferies !" Meanwhile the lovely ANNA, terrified at the hoftile appearance ot the enemy, left her mamma ft niggling to diiengage her- felf from the Indians, and fled precipitately to the houfe. She had already concealed herfelf in a clofet, when Mrs. KITTLE purfuing her, was intercepted by flames, the favages having fired the houfe. The wretched child foon dif- covered her deplorable fituation, and almoft fuf- focated by the fmoke, with piercing cries called fojr help to her dear, dear mother. Alas! K 2. what 40 THE HISTORY .OF what could the unhappy parent do ? whole iheets of flames rolled between them, while in a phrenzy of grief (he (creamed out, " O " my laft treafure ! my beloved ANNA! try " to efcape the devouring fire come to me ' my fweet child the Indians will not kill " us O my perilling babe! have pity on t( your mother do not leave me quite defti- " tute !" Then turning to the calm villains who attended her, ihe cried, " Why do you 44 not attempt to refcue my fweet innocent? 44 can your unfeeling hearts not bear to leave ** me cne a fo!itr.ry fmgle one?" Again calling to her ANNA, (he received no anfwer, \v iiich being a prefumption of her death, the Indians obliged MARIA and her brother KEN- R y to quit the hcufe, which they effected with fome difficulty, tlie glowing beams falling a- round them and thick volumes of fmoke ob- icuring their paffage. The flames now (truck a long fplendor through thejiumid atmofpliere, and bluihed to open the tragical fcene on the face of heaven. They had fcarce advanced two hundred yards with their reluctant captives, when the flaming ftruclure tumbled to the earth with a dreadful cra(h. Our travellers by in- ftindt MARIA KITTLE, 41 flinch turned theii; eyes to the mournful blaze ; and MARIA, burfting afreili into grievous la mentations, cried, " There, there my brother, " my children are wrapt in arching ilieets of t( flames, that ufed to be circled in my arms ! ** they are entombed in ruins- that breathed " their flumbers on my bofom ! yet, oh ! their " fpotlefs fouls even now rife from this chaos " of blood and fire, and are pleading our injur- - " ed caufe before our God, my brother ! " He replied only in fighs and groans ; he fcarcely Heard her ; horror had froze up the avenues of his foul ; and all amazed and trembling, he fol lowed his leaders like a perfon in a troublefome dream. The diftant flames now caft a fainter light, and' the northern breeze bent the columns of T' {moke. over the fouth horizon. Sad and be nighted they wandered through ahnoli impe netrable fwamps, forded the broad ft ream of ' Tomhanick and the rapid river of Hofack \ they, paffed through .deferted fettlements, where the yelling of folitary dogs increafed the folemnity of midnight, nor halted till the ffors, emitting a feebler luftre, prefaged the approach of day. MARIA, overcome by forrow andfatigue, im- E 3 42 THE HISTORY OF mediately funk helplefs at the foot of a tree,, while the favages (who were fix in number) kindled a fire, and prepared their meal, (in a calabafh) which confifted only of fome parched maize pulverized and enriched with the fat of bears flefh. Obferving MARIA had fallen aileep, they offered not to difturb her, but in vited HENRY KITTLE to partake of their re- pa ft. He durft not refufe them ; and having fwsllowed a few mcuthfuls of their unpalatable, food, and accepted of a pipe of tobacco, he de- fired leave to repofe himfelf, which being rea dily granted, they foon followed his example^ and funk aileep, leaving two centinels to guard againft furprife, which precaution they always make ufe of. I am forry, dear SUSAN, to quit MARIA in faJs interefting part of her hiilory ; but order requires that we mould now return to her fpoufc, whom we left on his way through the wood. The village of Schochticock is fituatcd on a circular plain > furrounded by high hills, rifmg in form of an amphitheatre. Mr. KITTLE had juil gained the verge, when, chancing to cafl his eyes around, he perceived the whole fouth- ern MARIA KITTLE. . 43 ern hemifphere fuddenly illuminated with a bright blaze ; however, being accuftomed to the foreft's being often fired to clear it from the under-wood, he was. not much furprifed, but proceeded to defcend the hilL On his arriving with the account of his brother's murder, the place was put in the higheft commotion; the men fitting tip their arms, and true women cla mouring about them, highly importunate to be removed to Albany ; but the night being very dark, this manoeuvre was deferred till morn ing ; nor could Mr. KITTLE prevail on a fmgle perfon to return with him during the darknefs : he felt himfelf ftrangely agitated at this difap- pointment, and refufing to repofe himfelf, with great Impatience he watched the firfl orient beam of Phofphor, which appearing, he fat off for fiome with two waggons and a guard of three Indians. As he approached his late happy dwelling, his bofom dilated with the pleafmg hope of foon extricating his beloved family from danger 1 ; he chid the flownefs of the carriages, and felt impatient to diilipate the apprehenfions of MARIA, to kifrtlie pendant tear from her eye, and prcfs his fportive inno cents to his bofom. While thefe bright ideas played 44 THE HISTORY' Of played round his foul, he lifted up his eyes, and through an- opening in the woods beheld his farm: but what language can exprefs his fnrprife and confirmation at feeing his habita^- tion fo fuddenly defolated ! a loud exclamation of amaze burft from the whole company at fo unexpected a view the blood revolted from Mr. KITTLE'S cheek his heart throbbed un^ der the big emotion, and all aghaft, fpurring on his horfe, he entered the inclofure with full fpeed. Stop here unhappy man ! here let the fibres of thy heart crack with excruciat ing mifery -let the cruel view of mangled wretches, fo nearly allied to thee, extort drops- of blood from thy cleaving bofom ! It did it did. Uttering a deep groan he fell infenfible from his horfe, while his attendants, haftening towards him, were {nocked beyond concep tion at the difmal fpc&acle ; and, ftarting back with averted eyes from the dead, were thun der ilruck, not having power to move or ipeak. After awhile two Indians (who being vifed to fanguinary fcenes, recovered them- felves nril) took a blanket, and walking back ward to the mangled COMELIA, threw it over her naked body ; the others then timidly advanced. MARIA KITTLE, 4 advanced, and Mr. KITTLE opening his eyes, groaned again bitterly ; then railing himfelf on his knees, with a look of unutterable an- guiih, he called upon his dear MARIA. Alas ! no voice but the folemn repetition of his own cries was articulated to him : then rifmg with an air of diiira&ion, he flalked round the bloody fcene, and examined the dead bodies; firft uncovering the pale vifage of COMELIA, he furveyed in filence her distorted features ; but perceiving it was not MARIA, he gently laid the cloth over again, and turning furi- oufly, caught up his ghaftly infant, whofe little body was black with contufions, and his fkull horribly fractured. Almoft fainting un der his. mournful load, and {Daggering at the dreadful difcovery, he depofited it again on. the bloody earth, and clapping his hands to gether repeatedly, with violence, " O hell! " hell!" he cried,-"" you cannot infli& tor- " ments fo cxquifite as thofe I now fuffer ! " how am I crumed to the center! how " deeply am I degraded below the worms of " the fod ! O my children! my children! " where are you now? O my wife! my " MARIA ! the beloved of my boibm, are you " too. 46 THE HISTORY OT " too fallen a facrifice? Why do I furvive " thefe miferies, my God ? how can mortality " fupport them? Burft burft mymrinking " heart, and punifh a wretch for not having " died in the defence of fuch lovely and in- ** nccent beings ! Oh ! why was I abfent in " this fatal hour? why did not their groans " vibrate on my foul 'that I might have flown " to their aid ?" Thus wildly lamenting and wandering among the fmoaking ruins, he picked up fom'e of the calcined bones of his once beautiful ANNA. At this fight defpair jQiook his foul afrefh, new agonies convulfed his features, and dropping the fad evidence of liis miferies, he extended his arms to Heaven, and roared out, " Revenge! great God! re- '* venge if thou art juft and kind as reprefent- " ed ! Oh ! that I had the power of an arch- *' angel to thunder eternal horrors on. the " guilty wretches who have blafted the bud- *' of my happinefs, who have darkened the " brighteft eyes that ever opened on the light!" The men here interfering, to confole him obferved, the bones were probably thofe of his brother PETER; but on rinding his fkeleton entire, Mr. KITTLE infiiledthat it mull have been MARIA KITTLE. 47 "been MARIA and ANNA,, who, having hid themfelves, had doubtlefs periihed in the flames. Again, in the furious extravagance of paffion, lie tore the hair from his head, and cafting himfelf proftrate on the afhes, he gathered the crumbling bones to his bofom, while the big drops of anguifh ifTued at every pore, till life, unable longer to fuftain the mental con flict, fufpended her powers, and once more deprived him of fenfation. His companions having laid him on a waggon, now conferred together in what manner to proceed, and ap prehending an attack from the favages, they 4.inanimoufly concluded to lay the dead bodies on the remaining carriage, and make the beft of their way to Schochticook, which they ac cordingly performed with great filence and expedition. You may judge, my dear, what a panic the appearance of this mournful cavalcade ftruck over the inhabitants of this defencelefs village. Mr. KITTLE was gently laid on a bed, and ^being let blood, his refpiration became lefs obftruted, though he continued fenfelefs till .his unfortunate family were interred. Six weeks elapfed before he recovered any degree of 4* THE HISTORY OF of flrength; but even then he appeared pale and emaciated, like a fecond LAZARUS ; his difpofition was entirely changed, hislooks were fierce, his attitudes wild and extravagant, and his convention, which formerly was-fenfible, commanding attention by a mufical voice, now \vas incoherent, and his cadence deep and hol low, rather infpiring terror than any pleafing fenfation. Thirfting for revenge, and perceiv-* ing that folitude only tended to corrode his mo ments with the blackeft melancholy, he foon after entered the Britilh ferviee in the capacity of gentleman volunteer, and fignalized him- felf by his prudence and intrepidity, attract ing the particular notice of his officers, who being affected with his misfortunes, proffered their fervices to him with fo much friend/hip and candour, as obliged him to accept of them, and yet lightened the obligation. But doubtlefs, my dear, you-r generous fen- fibility is alarmed at my filence about Mrs. KITTLE,; I think we left her repofmg under a tree : {he was the firft that awaked as the fun began to exhale the cryftal globules of morning, when half rifmg, and reclining on her elbow, ihc furveyed the lovely landfcape around MARIA KITTLE. 49 her with a deep figh ; they were on an eminence that commanded an unlimited prof- pect of the country every way. The birds were cheerful; the deer bounded feaiiefs over the hills ; the meadows blumed with the ena mel of FLORA: but grief had faddened every object in her fight ; the whole creation feemed a dark blank to the fair mourner. Again re collection unlocked the flukes of her eyes, and her foft complaints difturbed her favage com panions, who, rifmg and kindling up the dying embers, began to prepare their victuals, which they invited her to partake of. This me de clined with vimble deteftation ; and turning to her brother, with the dignity of confcious merit in diftrefs, " No, 7 ' faid me, " I never will " receive a morfel from thofe bloody hands yet ** dropping with recent murder ! let me pe- " rifh let the iron hand of famine rirft pinch '" out my vitals and fend me after my chil- "dren!" Notwithstanding this, HEN-RY added his felicitations that (he ihould accept of feme refrefhment, reminding her of the con- fcquence of her fatal refolution, which could be deemed no otherwife th&n fuicide. Find ing this had no effect, he tried to touch her feelings on a fofier key Remember, MA- <[O THE HISTORY OF t RIA," faid he, " you have a tender hufband *' yet living; would you wifh to deprive him *' of every earthly confolation? Would you " add affliction to affliction, and after he ** has performed the forrowful obfequies of *' his children, to crufli all his remaining hope *' by the news of your voluntary death ? No, " live my filler ! be allured he will foon get " us exchanged, when foft fympathies fhall *' walh away your forrows ; and after a few *' years, who knows but the fmiles of a new " lovely progeny may again dawn a paradife *' of happinefs on you." MARIA was arle6t- ed, and half raifing her eyes from the earth, fhe replied, " O my brother ! how confoling c< do your words fink on my heart ! though " my reafon tells me your arguments are im- c< probable and fallacious, yet it foothes the ** tempeft of my foul I will try to live *' perhaps I may again behold my dear, dear, " dear hufband !" Here a flood of tears inter rupted her. As this converfation was held in Englifh, the favages were inquifitive to know the fub- je6l of it, at the fame time enjoining them both never to utter a fyllable in their prefence ex cept MARIA KITTLE. $ cept in their own uncouth dialed, which, as they perfectly underftoocl, they could not ex- cufe themfelvcs from. HENRY then informed them that his fifter, obje6ling to their method of preparing food, had deftred him to prevail with them to indulge her in dreffing her meals herfelf. This they readily granted, and farther to ingratiate themfelves in the prisoners' fa vour, they diipalched a young Indian to hunt for partridges or quails in the groves adjoining them : He inftantly returned with a brood of wood-pigeons, fcarcely fledged, which he pre- lented to HENRY, who cleaned and broiled them on fticks r with an officious folicitude to pleafe his fiHer r which ihe obferved wjth a look of gratitude, and taking a pigeon from the flick, began to eat more from complaifance than inclination. HENRY was delighted at her ready acquiefcence, and their repafl being end ed, they proceeded on their tirefome journey with lefs repining than the preceding night. MARIA was exempted from carrying a bur den, yet ihe found the fatigue almoft intolera ble. They continually paffed through a fcene of conflagration, the favages firing every cot tage in their way, whofe mournful blaze catch- F 2 ins: 52 THE HISTORY OF Ing the dry fields of grain, .would fcorch off hundreds of acres in a few moments, and form a burning path for their deftroyers. As the fun advanced to his zenith, its rays beat fierce ly on our travellers, augmented by the crack ling flames around them ; when meeting with a cool Art-am of water, MARIA was com manded to fit down (being over-heated) while the reft approached the rivulet: the Indian that guarded MARIA was {looping down to drink, when a loud ruftling among the leaves and trampling of bumes attracted his attention ; he liflened awhile feemingly much alarmed, then ftarting up fuddchly, he flew to MARIA, and caught hold of her hair, aiming his hatchet at her head : the confequence was obvious, and her fate feemed inevitable ; yet, with a ftoical compofure, fhe folded her arms acrofs, and waited the fatal ftroke with perfecl: refigna- tion ; but while the weapon was yet fufpended over her, chancing to look around, he perceived the noife to proceed from a large deer, whofe antlers were entangled in the branches of a thicket. Though an uncivilized inhabitant of the fcreft, he bluflied at his precipitancy, and returning the inftrument of death to his girdle, MARIA KITTLE. 53 girdle, after fome heii Cation made this apology i < MARIA, this fudden difcovery is well for ' you; I thought we had been purfued, and " with an aperture juft large enough to admit 4< fo fmall a woman as I am. Here we had *' often laughingly propofed to hide our chil- * dren, in cafe of a viiit from the olive colour- 4< ed MARIA KITTLE. 77 " ed natives. In this we now took flicker; " and being feated Come time, my foul leemed " to awake as it were from a vifion of horror : " I lifted up my eyes, and beheld the cottage " that lately circumicribed all my worldly " wealth and delight, melting away before the " devouring fire. I dropt a tear as our apoftate " nrft parents did when thruft out from Eden. " The world lay all before them, where to " chufe their place of reft, and Providence " their guide. Ah, E^E,! thought I, hadft " thou been like me, folitary, maimed, and *' unprotected, thy fituation had been deplo- " rable indeed. Then prefling my babe to my " heart, ll How quiet art thou, my angel, (faid " I ;) fare -Cure, Heaven has ftilled thy lit- *' tie plaints in mercy to us." " Ah ! (fobbed * SOPHIA,) now I am comforted again that " I hear my dear mamma's voice. . I was " afraid grief would have forever deprived me " of that happinefs." And here me kifTed " my babe and me with vehemence. When ** .,.-r tranfports were moderated, '* How cold " my lifter is, (faid fhe,) do wrap her up " warmer, mamma; poor thing, ihe is not ** ufed to fach uncomfortable lodging." H 3 " The )8 THE HISTORY OF " The pain of my arm now called for all " my fortitude and attention ; but I forbore to " mention this afflicting circumliance to my " daughter. " The cheerful fwallow now began to ufber '* in the dawn with melody; we timidly pre- " pared to quit our hiding place; and turning " round to the light, I caft an anxious eye cf " love on my innocent, wondering that ihe ** flept fo long. But oh ! horror anchnifery I * I beheld her a pale, ftiff corpfe in my arms ; " (fuffer me to weep, ladies, at the cruel te- " collection.) It feems the piece of wood that *< difabled me, had alfo crufhed my CHAR- * LOTTED tender ikull, and no wonder my 44 haplefs habe was quiet. I could no longer ** fuflain rny forrowful burden, but falling *< proftrate, almoft infenfible at the dreadful >< difcovery, uttered nothing but groans. So- " J>HIA'S little heart was too fufceptible for *f fo moving a fcene. Diftracled between her ' concern for me, and her grief for the lofs of her dear fitter, fhe caft herfelf befide me, '* and with the fofteft voice of forrow, bewail- < ed the fate of her beloved CHARLOTTE - her fw cet .companion- her innocent, laugh- " lag MARIA KITTL-E, 73- " ing play-fellow. At length we rofe, and " SOPHIA, clafping all that remained of my " cherub in her arms, " Ah! (faid {he,) I dick " engage to carry you, my fitter, but little " did I expect in this diilrefling manner,"' *' When we came in fight of the fort, though 11 I endeavoured to fpirit up my grieved child, 44 yet I found my fprings of a&ion begin to " move heavily, my heart fluttered, and J " fuddenly fainted away. SOPHIA, conclud- " ing I was dead, uttered fo piercing a cry, ' that the centinel looking up, immediately * called to thofe in the fort to afiift us. When " I recovered, I found myfelf in abed encir- " cled by my kind neighbours, who divided " their expreffions of love and condolement *' between me and my child. I remained in * * the fort after this ; but, ladies, you may think, " that bereft as I was of fo kind a hufband and " endearing child, I foon found myfelf foli- '" tary and deftitute. I wept inceffaritly ; and 4< hearing nothing from my dear WILLIS, I " at length relblved to traverfe the wilds cf " Canada in purfuit of him. When I com- ' municated this to my friends, they all ftrong- *' ly oppofed it; but finding me inflexible* " they 80 THE HISTORY OF 44 they furnifhed me with fome money and ne- '* cefiaries, and obtained a permiflion from * 4 the Governor to let me go under protection * 4 of a flag that was on the way. Hearing 44 like wife that a cartel was drawn for an ex- * 4 change of prifoners, I fat out, flufhed with " hope, and with indefatigable induftry and 14 painful tblicirude, arrived at Montreal, worn * 4 toaikeleton (as you fee ladies) with fatigue. 44 I omitted not to inquire of every officer, <4 the names of prifoners who had been brought " in. At length I underftocd that Mr. WIL- <4 LIS had perifhed in jail, on his firft arrival, ^ of a dyfentery, Here my expectations ter- ik minated in defpair. I had no money to re- " turn with, and indeed but for my SOPHIA 44 no inclinationthe whole world feemed 44 dark and cheerlefs to me as the fabled re- lt gion of Cimmeria, and I was nigh periihing 64 for very want, when Mrs. BRATT, hearing 44 of my diftrefs, fought rny acquaintance : ihe 44 kindly participated my fortows, and too 44 too generoufly {hared her purfe and bed with 44 me. This, ladies, is the ftory of a broken- 44 hearted woman ;^nor fhould I have intruded * 4 it in any other but the houfe of mourning.'* Here MARfA KITTXE. 8s Here fhe concluded, while the ladies fe~ verally embracing- her, exprefled their ac knowledgments for the painful talk fhe had complied with to oblige their curiofity. " Would to Heaven!" laid Madame DE R. " that the brutal nations were extinct, for " never never can the united humanity of " France and Britain compenfate forthe horrid " cruelties of their favage allies/* They were foon after fummoned to an ele gant collation ; and having fpent befi^part of the night together, the guefts retired to their refpe&ive homes. During two years, in which the French., ladies continued their bounty and friendship to Mrs. KITTLE, fhe never could gain the leaft intelligence of herhufband. Her letters, after wandering through feveral provinces, would often return to "her hands unopened. Defpairing at length of ever feeing him, " Ah !" fhe would fay to Mrs. D , " my *' poor hufband has undoubtedly perifhed, per- 4< haps in his fruitlefs fearch after me, and I " am left to be a long long burden on your " goodnefs, a very unprofitable dependant." la $2 THE HISTORY OF In her friend's abfenee me would defcend into the kitchen, and fubmit to the moil me nial offices i nor could the fervants prevent her ; however, they apprifed Mrs. D of it, who feized an opportunity of detecting her at her labour. Being baffled in her humble attempt by the gentle reproaches of her indulgent pa- tronefs, fhe fat down on the flep of the door, and began to weep. " I believe, good Mrs, *< D ," faid ihe, " were you a hard tafk- " matter, that exacted from thefe ufelefs hands " the moft ilaviih bufinefs, I could acquit my- " felf with cheerfulnefs : my heart is like ice, " that brightens and grows firmer by tempefls, ** but cannot ftand the warm rays of a kind ** fun." Mrs. D was beginning to an- fwer, when hearing a tumult in the ftreet, they both hafted to the door, and MARIA, calling her eyes careiefily over the crowd, in an inflant recognized the features of her long-lamented huiband, who fprang towards her with an un- defcribable and involuntary rapture : but the tide of joy and furprife was too ftrong for the delicacy of her frame : ihe gave a faint excla mation, and ilretching out her arms to receive him, dropped fenfelefs at his feet. The fuc- ceilioa MARIA KITTLE. -gj cefllon of his ideas was too rapid to admit defcribing. He caught her up, and bearing her in the hall, laid his precious burden on a fettee, kneeling befide her in a fpeechlefs a- gony of delight and concern. Meanwhile the fpectators found themfelves wonderfully affe ft- ed -the tender contagion ran from bofom to bofom they wept aloud; and the houfe of joy feemed to be the houfe of lamentation. At length MARIA opened her eyes and burft into a violent fit of tears -Mr. KITTLE, with anfwering emotions, filently accompanying her ; then clafping his arms endearingly round her, " It is enough, my love," faidhe, " we " have had OUT night of affliction, and furely *' this blefied meeting is a prefage of a long " day of future happinefs; let me kifs offthofe *' tears, and {hew by your fmiles that I am " indeed welcome." MARIA then bending fondly forward to his bofom, replied, fighing, " Alas ! how can your beggared wife give you * ( a proper reception ? fhe cannot reftore your <; prattling babes to your arms me comes a- " lone! Alas! her prefence will only ferve " to remind you of the treafures the filial " delights you have loft !" " God forbid," anfwered $4 THE HISTORY O-F anfwered he, " that I fhould repine at the lofs " of my.'fmaller comforts, when fo capital a " blefling as rny beloved MARIA is fo won- c < derfully reftored to me." Here he was in civility obliged to rife and receive the compli ments of Mrs. BRATT, Mrs. WILLIS, and Madame DE R -r, who, hearing of his ar rival, entered juft then, half breathlefs with impatience and joy. The company increaf- ed ; an elegant dinner was prepared : in ihort, the day was devoted to pleafure ; and never was fatisfa6tion more general feftivity glow ed on every face, and complacency dimpled .every cheek. After tea MARIA withdrew in the garden, to give her beloved an account of what had be fallen her during their feparation. The elo quence of forrow is irrefiftible. Mr. Ki FILE wept, he groaned, while all impaffioned (with long interruptions of grief in her voice) fhe Hammered through her doleful hiftory ; and yet fhe felt a great fatisfaclion in pouring her complaints into a bofom whofe feelings were in unifon with her's they wept they fmiled they mourned, and rejoiced alternately, with an abrupt tranfition from one paflion to another. Mr. MARIA KITTLE. 8$ Mr. KITTLE, in return, informed her, that having thrown himfelf into the army, in hopes of ending a being that grew infupport- able under the reflection of paft happinefs, he tempted death in every action wherein he was engaged, and being difappointed, gave himfelf up to the blacked melancholy. " This *' gloomy fcene," he obferved, " would foon " have been clofed by fome a6l of defpera- " tion; but one evening, fitting penfive in his " tent, and attentively running over the cir-