The National Register.
London, England, 1820-05-07 00:00:00

SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1820.

abandon, in consequenceof its recapture by Lord Nelson,
in the month of June following, on the very day I was
horn. Since her departure from tier native land, my
her's health visibly declined. She never mentioned
the happy days she had spent in the south of Frunce but
with tears in her eyes, and she would even weep aloud,
when the thought of -breathing 'her last sigh in a foreign
land took possession of her soul. Although very
young, I well remember weeping myself when I saw
the big drops suffusing her light blue eyes, and even
now I seem to feel the preseureof her hand,as she would
clasp me to her bosom, with all the tenderness of ma-
ternal love. lint a short time before her death, when
she appeared unusually pale, I asked her why. she I.soked
so beautiful ; her answer mado an impression on my
heart which [never can forget—' Ma 'Jenne enigonne e'est
parceque J'irai bientot au ciel.' A few (lays after a
severe shock of au earthquAce was felt at Naples, which
so alarmed her that notwithstanding her assurance that
none of our friends had received injury, she expired a few
hours afterwards in the arms of my father, invoking
heaven for his and her children's prosperity, and thank-
ing him for all his kindness to her, which, she said,
were she to live for ever, she should be unable to repay.
The loss, although not sudden, so materially affected
his mind, that in order to dissipate his melancholy, the
physicians recommended a change of scene, and advised
him if possible to eng.,Le in some pursuit. My brothers
were all provided for; the eldest, now nearly twenty
years of age, had been for some time in a commercial
house of great eminence, with every prospect of future
success. The second, at the age of seventeen, had pro-
cured a commission in the Nospolitaii army ; and the
third was then completing his studies at the University.
I alone was incapable of providing for myself, and con-
sequently my parent's greateatleare ; at one time he pro-
leaving me with his relative, whilst he pursued
pro-
posed
s intended journey, but I bail so endeared myself to
him by my innocent prattle, and the resemblance I bore
to my mother, that he ultjapraely resolved I should
accompany him; Vienna was the place of our destina-
tion. Behold me now an orphan. only three years of
age, commencing my travels, afid beginning my acquaint-
ance with the world at a period when many have not
quitted the cradle. An old domestic and a nurse were
our only attendants. We reached the Austrian capital
in ten days, and took up our abode in one of the sub-
urbs, in a small but elegant house, with an extensive
'garden. My father, when he had become reconciled to
the place, spent a great portion of his time in the arch-
ducal library, which was much frequented by foreign-
ers, and supposed to contain a valuable collection of
printed books and manuscripts. The museum also
afforded him great amusement ; hut he invariably spent
the morning and evening at 'home, instilling into my
mind the virtuous principles sled interesting character of
my departed mother. It was no small pleasure to him
to perceive with what delight I listened to the encomi-
ums on her worth ; and he has since told me, I used fre-
quently, at the end of his discourse, to climb upon his
knees, and ask him when I should be like my mother.
It was our destiny, however, to encounter more mis-
fortune: the French army was making rapid strides
through the Continent; and in lens the city was forced
to surrender. At the peace of Presburgh, which, hap-
pened in the same year, it was given tip to Austria, and
tie were again in some degree restored to our former
quiet. About this time I was ins ited by an English
lady, a widow, residing with her brother in an adjoining
chateau, to commenei my studies with her daughter, fur
whom the most approved masters were provided. The
notedly pleased me, and my father, ambitious that I
should excel in all useful knowledge, consented to my
remit% al.

" 'Mrs. Darner had passed the meridian of life, but
was still a fine woman , there was a dignity in her car-
riage, which intimated an acquaintanceship, and even
a familiarity, with the first-rate society, but there was
also a suavity in her manners and address which few
iv 'n of fortune possess :it acted as a beautiful foil to
the hauteur acquired by moving in the higher circles--
11er husband had been dead nearly two years, and she
still retained the garments of woe, which gave an addi-
tional degree of interest to Iter tine appearance. We
rect 111111 l enced our studies together, and made tolerable
itrutue,s it, the usual ~hie of private education —At
the end of two years we began to study histuly ; Mrs.
D. herself alaulged that of England for our use, and
carefully explained to us all difficulties in our ',ingress.
ller remarks were like beautiful flowers strewed over a
wade and apparently desolate plain, luring us onward
till we were capable of comprehending the importance
of our tonsil!. In this manner we insensibly imbibed a
predilection for all that w is English, which ton kind in-
sunettess by every means its her power stieugthetied and
encouraged.

" 11uw true is it, that similiarity of pursuit and dis.
position strengthens the bonds of trienthhip. Many who
have fonewd early and ardent intimacies, when separated,
have soon become carelei Of their former companions,
and mingling in the busy scenes of the world, have even
forgot the very names of those who trice were their
inseparable friends; bUt we never cease to remetuber
those whom a unity of taste unites with us in a powerful