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his memory, had assumed a new appearance. In vain were his looks directed to all the objects around him; he could discover nothing of which he had the smallest remembrance. Terrified, he stopped and fetched a deep sigh. To him what did it import, that the city was peopled with living creatures? None of them were alive to him; he was unknown to all the world, and he knew nobody; and whilst he wept, he regretted his dungeon.

6. At the name of the Bastile, which he often pronounced and even claimed as an asylum, and the sight of his clothes which marked his former age, the crowd gathered around him; curiosity, blended with pity, excited their attention. The most aged asked him many questions, but had no remembrance of the circumstances which he recapitulated. At length accident brought to his way an ancient domestic, now a superannuated porter, who, confined to his lodge for fifteen years, had barely sufficient strength to open the gate. Even he did not know the master he had served; but informed him that grief and misfortune had brought his wife to the grave thirty years before; that his children were gone abroad to distant climes, and that of all his relations and friends, none now remained.

7. This recital was made with the indifference which -people discover for the events long passed and almost forgotten. The miserable man groaned, and groaned alone. The crowd around, offering only unknown features to his view, made him feel the excess of his calamities even more than he would have done in the dreadful solitude which he had left. Overcome with sorrow, he presented himself before the minister, to whose humanity he owed that liberty which was now become a burden to him. Bowing down, he said, "Restore me again to that prison from which you have taken me. I cannot survive the loss of my nearest relations; of my friends; and in one word, of a whole generation. Is it possible in the same moment to be informed of this universal destruction and not to wish for death?

8. "This general mortality, which to others comes slowly and by degrees, has to me been instantaneous,

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the operation of a moment. Whilst secluded from society, I lived with myself only; but here I can neither live with myself, nor with this new race, to whom my anguish and despair appear only as a dream." The minister was melted; he caused the old domestic to attend this unfortunate person, as only he could talk to him of his family.

9. This discourse was the single consolation which he received; for he shunned intercourse with the new race, born since he had been exiled from the world ; and he passed his time in the midst of Paris in the same solitude as he had done whilst confined in a dungeon for almost half a century. But the chagrin and mortification of meeting no person who could say to him, "We were formerly known to each other," seon put an end to his existence.

QUESTIONS.

1. In whose reign was there a general release of prisoners from the French Bastile?-2. How long had the aged prisoner ben confined?-3. What was the reason of his wishing to be again returned to the Bastile?

PLYMOUTH COLONY.

Not

1. NEW ENGLAND owes its origin, as a civil and christian community, to a congregation of Puritans under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Robinson. being tolerated in the exercise of that religious liberty which they reckoned necessary for their spiritual edification and growth in grace, they resolved on emigration to some foreign country. Their views were, at once, directed to Holland, where the spirit of commerce had dictated a free toleration in matters of faith and worship. Accordingly, in 1607, a part of the congregation sailed for Amsterdam, where, in the following year, they were joined by their pastor and such others as had been obliged to remain behind. But from Amsterdam they soon judged it advisable to remove to Leyden. In this place they continued about eleven years, and experienced much satisfaction in the enjoyment of their christian privileges,

2 But a continuance and permanent settlement in Holland was now viewed as defeating, in a great measure, the object of leaving their native country. They were not joined in Leyden by so many of their English friends as they expected, and many of such as did come over, only speculated in trade, and added but little to their spiritual prospects. A continuance, therefore, in Holland, would finally be the means of scattering their families and descendants; the old people would die, and the young ones would soon be amalgamated with the people of their adopted country, and so the great object of preserving and promoting their peculiar state of church polity would be lost. Another removal was considered a duty; and after much inquiry, America, the newly discovered world, was fixed upon as an asylum.

Mr.

3. It was determined, that a part of them should go and prepare the way for others; and that if a major part should consent to go, the pastor should go with them; otherwise he should remain in Holland. It was found, on examination, that though a major part was willing to go, yet they could not get ready in season; therefore, the greater number being obliged to stay, they required Mr. Robinson to stay with them. Brewster, the ruling elder, was appointed to go with the minority, who were to be an absolute church of themselves, as well as those who should stay, with this proviso, "that as they should go over or return, they should be reputed as members without further dismission or testimonial." The others were to follow as soon as possible.

4. On the 6th of September, 1620, the company, consisting of one hundred and one souls, exclusive of the crew, proceeded on their voyage in the ship May-flower, commanded by Capt. Jones. The former part of their passage was attended with nothing remarkable, but the latter exposed them to frequent and great perils. "" On the 9th of November they made land, which proved to be the sandy cliffs of Cape Cod." Not the land to which they, in their own imagination, had been directing their course. Hudson's river was their object, a part

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