OR, WEEKLY THE VISITOR. FOR THE USE AND AMUSEMENT OF BOTH SEXES. VOL. XII.] Saturday, November 17,....1810. A SINGULAR TALE. [NO. 4. charmer's consent to enter into the holy bands of matrimo ny without any farther consultation with the parents, who semed so resolutely to persist WE are about to indulge our readers with a very singu-in a denial. lar, but a very true relation of an affair which happened some years since in one of the French provinces. A man of fashion paid his addresses to a young lady of beauty, rank, and distinguished merit. As their was a parity in years, in fortune, and in situ. ation, the lady received her gallant with the customary condescension females seldom withhold from those whom Having fully explained himself on this head, the young lady, after recovering from a confusion which, ever on those occasions, is visible among the virgin fair, consented to become his wife; they were weded, and the marriage kept a profound secret. It happened, after a few years had elapsed, that the husband was obliged to leave his lovely bride, being called into a foreign country in order to they are taught to pronounce upon an equality with them-adjust some family affairs, selves. The parents of the young lady, however, from whatever motive, disapproved of the match. The gentleman pleaded-but in vain; and finding it impossible to overcome the aged obstinacy of the parents, he resolved to solicit his which required his immediate presence. The necessity was no less urgent than disagreeable to both parties; however, they permitted their good sense to operate, and after vowing mutual affection and fidelity, parted in certain expectation of seeing each other, at a time when such an altera ous seas, frequent answers to his epistles as he had reason to expect. This he attributed to the difference of climate, rendering a regular correspondence altogether impracticable; and as he imagined his letters had miscarried, he resolved for the present to desist from writing; and not relishing the idea of having his sentiments cavassed over by indifferent strangers, Or perhaps captious enemies. Another reason which induced him to lay aside for the present all thoughts of continuing an epistolary correspondence, was the prospect he had of shortly returning to France, where the presence of his amiable consort would infinitely exceed all ideal interviews, and make ample amends for every pang his heart had undergone. It is now time that we should rable share of youth and bean- ents, who never dreamt about their daughter's previous marriage, became each day more anxious to select a person whose mental and personal endowments might, in their estimation, render him worthy their favourite daughter's hand and heart. ed on, without the lady's hearSeveral years had now roll ing a syllable of her real husband. At last the fatal news arrived that he was no more. The lady was inconsolable, but she fond it prudent to stifle her griefs, that she might obliterate the smallest degree of suspicion. When she had paid every tribute consistent with reflection to the memory of her departed lord, a gentleman was proposed by her parents fer her approbation, and the good old people were so prejudiced in favour of the person they had introduced, that they gave their daughter to understand their happiness depended on her compliance, The young lady, who As she possessed a conside. thought herself entirely at lib. erty to commit a second trespass upon Hymen, after some little hesitation consented.The nuptials were celebrated: the lady, if not happy, was placid, and serenely content; the parents were delighted; the bride-groom was enraptured; and all were jocund, all were sprightly. For four years this newly married couple lived in perfect harmony; but at length an intermitting fever seized the lady; the physicians were baffled, and she, to all appearance, paid the debt due to nature. She was buried with pomp, and every reverence shewn to her memory the custom of the country would admit of During her last illness, her former husband, whom we left abroad, had returned; and, after making the necessary enquires, was informed of every circumstance we have related above. ness seized his soul, and he resolved to receive no mannèr of sustenance, but to bury himself amongst the mould which lay lightly on her breast, and thus pine out the short remaining period of his existence. Full of this resolution, he repaired, the night she was buried, to her tomb, and, after digging up the earth, discovered her coffin, fetched a deep sigh, and was about to stretch his wearied limbs, when, to his consternation, astonishment and affright, he perceived signs of life. He tore open the coffin, and found it even as he suspected. His wife was al most suffocated; he snatched her up in his arms, conveyed her to the house of a neighbouring friend, had her put into a warm bed, and in a few weeks she was perfectly restored to life and health. As she had a real affection for her first husband, she made no scruple of choosing him for her companion; but as the affair soon msde a prodigious noise throughout the country, the second husband, who also doated on her to distraction, no sooner was informed of the particulars, than he attempted to force her to live with him; reached his ears, a frantic wild-the prior claimant as resolute As he was unwilling to surprise her whilst she combated with sickness, he had employed a trusty person to make him acquainted with each particular of her case; and the instant the news of her death Extract from a Sketch of the Life and Writings of Kotzebue. (Concluded from our last.) ly persisted in keeping her to himself, In short, a law suit was commenced ; the most learned advocates in France were employed; a redundancy of erudition was displayed, and, after being litigated for a considerable length of time, a solemn decision was given indulged myself in a joke, which favour of the gentleman who had first married her. This story has so much the air of fable and romance, that to leave an impression of its truth on the minds of our readers, we shall inform them, that the French lawyers have selected all the famous trials, with the decisions which have been given in their courts for a series of years. This work which is contained in several folio volumes, is entitled, "Les Gause Celebres." The above very extraordinary relation is recited therein, together with all the subtile and ingenious arguments used by the opposite advocates for the different busbands. So that there can be little doubt of the truth of a narrative so extremely well authenticated. Virtue is the best source of Pleasure. "It was only last spring that on the first of April I in ended in still farther proving her benevoleuce. I wrote her an ill-spent, illiterate letter, as from a poor widow, living in a remote part of the town, with two half-naked children, and no bed to lie on, and who having heard of her goodness, implored her assistance. The day was cold and windy, yet my Frederica ordered the carriage to be got ready immedistely, and looking out some clothes and linen, set off for the place. I had run thither before ;-I saw the carriage coming, but as it drew up to a house in the suburbs, I began to be afraid my trick was discovered. Oh no! she only stopped to buy some rolls for the hungry children, and with these, her bundle of linen, and two roubles in her hand, she proceeded to the house pointed out, where I met her. She was less angry at my boyish levity, than concerned that she was disappointed at doing a good action.Yet in the eyes of God it was performed -Oh, never will the first of April return without bringing tears into my eyes! And this was only one instance out of ten thousand !-Such a wife I have possessed! such a wife I have lost! You, my cherished friends and acquaintance! You to whom I have been able to write nothing but my wife is dead! You will receive this book with candour and kindness, since it will tell you what, and where I have been, ever since fate, while it spared my life, robbed me of all that made life valuable !--Alas! I once thought that I had lost my greatest treasure when I lost my health-Oh how was I mistaken! Even in the horrible winter of 1788, when I laboured under such severe bodily suffering, still with my Frederica by my side I tasted. the soothing consolation of domestic joy, not to be purchased by wealth or honours. For my sake she renounced all company, all diversions, and considered it as no sacrifice to confine herself entirely to my sick chamber. If then I was but for a few minutes free from anguish, how serene was my soul! how deeply did I feel that all other happiness is poor and weak when compared with wedded happiness! One kiss from my wife, one pressure of her hand, made even my most nauseous medicine sweet. Thus was she my sole support, when I was lost to every thing else, and now I could again have enjoyed life with her as formerly, now she is no more !-But she was perhaps only a protecting angel sent to save me her errand is accomplished, and she is returned to her blest abode-yet she still hovers invisibly over me! we shall one day, be re-united! Oh sweet self flattery forsake me not! in this hope alone ean I find a balsam for my wounds. 'I know not by what name to call these effusions of my heart. This should be a preface-but what resemblance does it bear to a preface? No matter! it speaks of Frederica and my bosom is relieved! "It was my design to state to thee, compassionate reader, what thou wert to expect in this book. 'Tis a tour to Paris, yet has it no resemblance to the common mass of tours, since I saw nothing but my lost wife !-she followed me every where !-she then must be almost sole theme! my Yes, I was for awhile an |