The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-08-07 00:00:00

SUPPLEMENT TO THE LIVERPOOL STANDAED.

; she had fitted it up with book-shelves, a
guitar, and painting materials, and they passed much
of their time there. It afterwards appeared that,
unable to sleep, the idea had struck Lady Falkland
that she would take a last farewell of this room,
endeared by so many early and tender remembrances ;
she sat down on a low ottoman there, her own peculiar
seat, rested her head on the chair usually occupied by
Sir Edgar, and gave vent to her grief and passionate
sobs, till at length she fell into that dull and heavy
sleep so often the result of continued weeping.
She awoke to a scene of awful danger ; she
attempted to open the door, but the flames and smoke
that assailed her immediately drove her to the window ;
' it was two stories from the ground—death would be
the result of an endeavour to leap from it. One of the
servants immediately ran to a neighbouring farm,
where, he said, was a ladder of sufficient length to
reach the window ; but how poor appeared this pros-
pect of relief, when the danger was so impiediate and
imminent! The staircase was in flames—who could
venture to ascend it ? I offered large pecuniary
rewards to the person who should save her life. One
of the under-gardeners, tempted by my munificence,
advanced a few steps into the house and then returned.
" I shall be suffocated in the attempt," he said,
"and what will become of my widow and fatherless
children ?"

" At that moment, Sir Edgar, who had been giving
directions in a different part of the premises, made his
appearance, and, more by gestures than by words, we
pointed out to him the situation of his wife. I shall
never forget his agonised cry of distress ; but he did
not waste a moment in deliberation. He snatched
from me my military cloak, and rushed into the house.
The old steward, who had been in the family at the
time of his birth, endeavoured to hold him back.
" You are rushing to certain death, dear Sir Ed-
gar,' he cried ; pray return.' But Sir Edgar shook
him off.

" I will save her life,' he exclaimed, or lose my
own in the attempt ;' and in another moment he dis-
appeared up the blazing staircase. I had scarcely
time to hope before Lady Falkland gave me fresh
cause for alarm. The flames were approaching
rapidly to the place where she stood : she evidently
contemplated the desperate measure of a leap from the
window • and I was shuddering at the idea of speedily
beholding -her mangled form, when I saw her drawn
tiack by a strong hand. Sir Edgar wrapped the cloak
round her, and carried her from the window. Once
more I ventured to breathe; as Sir Edgar had
ascended the staircase without material injury, I
trusted that he might descend in the same manner ;
but at that moment the event so long anticipated took
place, the staircase fell in with a tremendous crash,
and all hopes of retreat were cut off. A dreadful and
inevitable death seemed now the portion of the young
people : but there was a melancholy consolation in the
idea that they would die together, clasped in each
others arms, and exchanging mutual assurances of
forgiveness. My head began to swim, and my eyes to
feel dim, and I was on the point of sinking to the
ground, when loud shouting voices near me aroused
me to perception ; a party of men were approaching,
bearing the expected ladder ; and headed by Denms
O'Flaherty, an Irish labourer at the farm. Even at
this moment the thought passed through my mind of
the strange manner in which we estimate the value of
a person according to the existence of local circum-
stances. I had frequently, during my visits at the
hall conversed with Dennis O'Flaherty, and amused
Myself much with his brogue, his blunders, and his
uncouth manners. I knew him to be an honest and
good-natured fellow; but it had never entered into my
head that he could be of use to me in' any other point
of view than as a person to be laughed at ; but, now,
when I contemplated his athletic frame, his muscular
limbs and his bold bearing, I felt that the most gifted
genius, or the most polished courtier of the age, would
be an object of inferior consequence in my eyes to
Dennis O'Flaherty, and the sweetest music would
have been less delightful to my ears than the powerful
brogue which made itself heard above all the uproar,
in vehement commands to his companions, ' To waste
no time, but set up the ladder quick and steady.' It
was speedily put up under Dennis's direction ; he was
at the top in a moment. Sir Edgar deposited the
fainting Lady Falkland in his arms ; he speedily bore
her down, and Sir Edgar followed in safety. Three
loud cheers broke from the assembled spectators as he

reached the ground. I could not join in their accla-
mations, but I silently mid fervently offered up a
thanksgiving to Heaven for the preservation of my
dear young friends, and a prayer that the circum-
stances attending it might have a beneficial effect on
their future lives. Lady Falkland was not hurt by
the flames, although weeping and hysterical through
alarm, she was immediately borne to the farm, and
medical assistance was procured for her. Sir Edgar
had not escaped so well ; he was severely scorched,
and in great pain, but in the midst of his sufferings he
could not refrain from telling me of his happiness ;
the few minutes that elapsed between his entrance
into Lady Falkland's room, and the arrival of the
ladder, had passed in mutual entreaties for -pardon, in
the most tender interchange of protestations of affec-
tion, and in their lamentations over their too probable
separation from each other by death, although they
had both so recently desired to effect a separation'in
life. At length the medical man, having left Lady
Falkland, took Sir Edgar under his care, and imme-
diately silenced his transports by a composing
draught; fire-engines arrived from the county town,
and in a few hours the house had ceased to blaze ;
presenting, however, a lamentable spectacle of
blackened and smoking ruins.
" Morning came ; the father and mother of Lady
Falkland were expected, and I rode to meet them,
anxious to acquaint them with the happy change in
the prospects of their daughter ; they were astonished
that I should greet them with a smile, still more so
when I described the tremendous scene of the preced-
ing night, which seemed little calculated to excite such
a token of pleasure ; but most grateful were they
when I had finished my story, and fervently did they
return thanks to the gracious Lord, who had thus
wonderfully and mysteriously wrought good out of evil.
" Lady Falkland attended her husband with the
most unremitting tenderness and assiduity during an
illness of several weeks ; on his recovery they passed
some months in travelling, and neither of them made
any complaints of want of attention on the part of the
other. The house was rebuilt exactly in the same
form, but it was more attractive to my eyes than it
had ever been, for it had now become a ' Mansion of
I Peace.' " _ _ _

" And do you really think it possible, uncle," said
Emma, " that a couple who were once on the verge of
separation, could be thoroughly happy afterwards ?"
" It is not only possible, but it is true, said Major
Hervey ; they are as happy, Emma, as your own dear
father and mother."
" Now, uncle, I cannot believe you ; I shall be only
satisfied with proofs."
" Then I will give you a proof, Emma, which will
be quite satisfactory ; it is of your own dear father
and mother I have been speaking."
Emma cast a wondering, incredulous glance towards
her mother.

" Surely my uncle is jesting ?" said she.
" No, my love," answered Lady Wilmot ; " he has
given you, under imaginary names, a narrative of facts.
The awful scene took place twenty years ago, on this
very site, and the room in which we are now sitting
answers to the one in which I stood, momentarily ex-
pecting a painful and violent death, and shrinking
from the idea of appearing before my Creator with a
spirit irritated by angry pride, and a conscience
burdened with the neglect and defiance of my duties
as a wife and as a christian. I trust that, by the
assistance of Providence, I have been enabled to correct
the faults of my temper, and most happy, my. dear
Emma, am I to say that I have never observed any
indications of the same imperious and exacting dis-
position in you ; but in case any future alteration in
your situation should bring to light defects in your
temper hitherto unknown, I am glad that your uncle
has told you these particulars of the early wedded life
of myself and your dear father. Your choice, I trust,
will be cautious and prudent ; but that choice once
made, consider that it is equally your duty and interest
to bear patiently with the foibles of the object of it,
and ever remember that the bonds you assume are not
merely light and temporary ties, but are to be worn
by yourself, and by the husband of your selection, in
fidelity and constancy, so long as ye both shall live.' "

PARIS IN SUMMER.

ONE can scarcely believe, from the present aspect of
Paris, that France is engaged in a great war, demand-

ing thousands of men and rail,
from the active industry crea
Exhibition, the public impro-
are an extraordinary illustrat,
the country. The continuati,
and the magnificent buildi
Tuileries, are rapidly complel
bridges over the Seine. Par
superb city in Europe. Wll
scene the Champs Elysees pr(
interesting horticultural enclo:
de l'lndustrie, rich in every d,
flowers, with inviting walks
idler. Then the pleasure-see'
perpetual fair, night and
swings and round-abouts,
cakes and bon-bons, curious er
men who make little images
be seen a solemn, middle-aged
deliberate aim at a plaster im:
with a toy-gun, or firing at a
happen to hit, presto ! appeal
tion of the battle of the Ali
before him. The gambler's
from boys playing at infant
an old lady is turning round a
of gingerbread. But if you
amusement, turn into one
grounds. There you will find
temple of Apollo peopled b:
height of fashion, who come fi
of a very fair orchestra, and
you hear about, les beaux
amours, &c., rudely cannonade
excitable drinks in which
Then, again, if you want to
may take a seat under the trt
and observe the passing crow,
sex have courage to walk al
toilets, as if they could buy a •
night aspect of the Champ
animated scene imaginable,
met with in any other capital.
a wonderful city for the stral
moment it is unusually attrac•

THE JEWELS IN

THE exhibition has recei
sidered the crowning orname;
compartment. The imperial,
of France have been placed
wonderful productions of hu
arranged around the circles
thus go on increasing in sum
until they finally and appropr
point where priceless among;
selves "the Regent of Frai
precious compeers. Now,
the forms of crowns and di;
jewels appear again in royal
pyramidal case of nine divisiol
is placed, alone and unset,
mentioned. A narrow plat
glass case, approached by a
the public is admitted in si;
tion of watchful guardians.
have been adopted to ensurt
cious deposit, valued at some;
a half sterling. But ami
objects can convey little id(
materials or of the effect
diadems of torquoises of pr&
of colour ; bouquets of dia,
tassels to match to tie arol
mond stomachers filled with
the great star of light above 1
twenty-eight diamond neckL
posed in rows of light, suppE b
with the same, while a di
places the happy head of the wearer,' 1(1310,
equality with the hand. The pearls, Voisetleo
are fifteen rows, exclusive of all other °eel'. oe A
of that brilliant lustre which gives t° r sec a 51"
dimple, and makes them appear ratlie,oo,o,
round. Numbers of them are of the'eo 04,..000;
bird's egg, and of a purity and white: Yof
incomparable. Another case is entitl tthe
de l'lmperatriee," meant to imply"' tree"
Eugenie brought her own portion to