Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-06
From The yNeW York .4iJio,,.
THE SPAENVIFE.

scotland, and the period of the is in the Yegn
of James the First, who was for several years de-
tanned prisoner in Windsor Castle. During his
absence the Duke of Albany (his unce) was made
Regent of Scotland, which filled the breast of the
Earl of Atholl Ga half brother of the Duke,) with
liked envy and hatred. These feelings, however, he
is compelled for some time TO conccal-and he re-
to his provincial habitation TO brood over hi,
dark and revengeiul designs. In the course of his
Journey through Glenphcarg, Tin the month of Mav)
the Spaowifc aceosts him, and commences her pro-
phccies. Her interruption OF the gloomy Earl is
well described
The Duke of Albany and his Murdoch, dur
ing the twelve years of their regency, have ruled
tie Kingdom in most disgraccu and Irregular man
ner, so that when King james is ransomed, he finds
nothing but feuds and discomfort, arising from the
administration of justice. lie Immediately
searches for the authors of these civil dscortis in
consequence of which the Duke CHS unce) and
two OF his sons tried, found guilty, and bchead-
ed; another son of the above escapes, and endca-
vors to raise party to oppose the King who, how
ever, defeats his rebcllious wishes. This SON Lord
James, is ardcnty attached to Lady Sibiila Macdon
aid, who proves herself u model of consistency and
nobcDess of mind. The most powerfully affecting
scene in the Novel, is the following account of lor
application TO the King for her betrothcd husbands
family and her of feeling during their cxccu-
ton.
After dropping on his hand few tears, she cried
"Oh no! not yet! your Majesty; hear first what
! would say.--When your business is flushed
alas! it may then be too late
81 cannot but divine the suit YOU so earnestly
desire TO advocate, replied the King but sweet La
''y, 1t were 70 suppose some i'll fault in a great So
lemniy, to say that it should be suspended for any
particular solicitation or affection. speak to YOU
us one whose eminent qualities do not tightly cs-
TEEN; and that you in this matter borne for
ward by no common motive. But till the trial is
over my kingly obligations forbid to listen TO
any plea OF mercy"
9 did not come for mercy exclaimed Sibia
- lint ia
tice, whcfr; III this matter stands III imminent dam
ger OF being hereafter condemned as cruelty |
doubt not the grievous guilt of the unfortunate
Princes 'hui would supplicate your Majesty to
consider what boon shall by their death result to
your loving people; for unless good shall there
arise, there be Justice, but only vengeance
al commanding more blood 10 flow than has already
stained The Scafold.
The King stooi in wonder TO hear hcr speak after
this ma amer for although ne was we'll acquainted
with her lofty spirit, lie vet thought, from her be-
rothmcnt 10 the outlawed ia mes, that she was come
10 entreat hun with feminine importantly for miti-
CATION and pardon.
Seeing him touched by what She had said. Sib1o
continued
"Wfen the Earl Of Lcuuox stands before vou
J huinhly suppicate your Majesty to call to mind
that he is than four score wears old do not
= heFvevcr, ask that pity should be allowed to plead
for his grey hairs No. my gracious Sovereign but
ony that you wa" note how plainly Heaveuhas by its
own offcer-0ld Age served the warrant by which
he VIII soon indeed be taken to for his mani
fold sins and treasons. That he has offended his
country and your Majesty may not be doubted
bat what better judge can arbitra,e the sad oups-
ton OF his guilt, than the Ancient of DAYS who
with shining hand opens the everlasting clasps of
the book of life 80
The King, moved by the tenderness of this pite
Gus advocacy, seemed for moment to relent from
MS stern subiImiy; but at that juncture a solemn
peal from the trumpets without recalled him to the
awful sense OF bis regal task and he laid his hand
ON his heart, and bowling his head to the sppliant
moved mournnlly and slowly to the hall OF iudg-
ment.
CHAPTER XIV.
The trial lasted all day, during which the Lady
Syhilla, afflicted with grief and fear, and many a
fiery sting of despair sequestcrcd herself in an I'M
per chamber OF the castle, inaccessible to all but
her maijcns-whom, ever ard anon, she sent to en-
Quirc how the Court was proceeding.
Sometimes she received for answer, tina the witness
pfevarcated 81 that it was thought the prisoners
wouid be assoilized-a others, the poor damses re-
turned weeping, aud sat down beside her IN silence
and then her heart beat audbly, and she spoke not
10 them till after season had passed. whrr she bade
them go and enquire again.
In this maucHful condition the day passed and
the shades Of evening began to fall, and still she had
received no assurance to her hopes, nor were her
fears darkened deeper than in the morning. In the
gloom, however, of the twilight rUstling was
heard among the multitude, that covered in clusters
after announced that the session was ended, and
that the King was returning from the hall.
On hearing this noise and clanrour, SibiIla rose
from her seat gud rushed towards the door but in
The same moment, if she had been arrested by
some invisible hand. she suddenly stopped and look
81 round and gasDed with horror. Her n,ai1ens
Tdn 70 her ussistancc--but she nuttcrcd her hand,
ut them, and cried, Go go!" They knew that she
desired bit to learn the issue OF the trial and thew
hastended out Of the room, wishing that they might
obtain some encouraging tidngs. But they did not
return.
The twilight was now fading away, and save n
deep and solemn murmufiHg from the waves and
movements Of the multitude without silence clothed
with the shadows Of night, stole from the lonely
mountains into the haulets OF the social valleys
! In the mean time, Siha had retired into the oh,
scurcst part of the chamber and sat down. but
though thirstrg - know the doom of the prisoners
her viii was fettcred as with the incubus Of the
night mare. and her spirit appalled, with fantasia,
more dismal thanthg unDcst imagining of puilty
conscience, and she remained as still as an ajabas
ter clfgy tomb.
In this wcefJl state, she heard universal rustic
from the multitude, as if a sudden gale had passc,
the lraiy boughs of n wide forest the lipbt n
torch from the court below then flashed ar1ins
the ceiling Of the A low and snotlcred noise
and whispering arose, and n sound Of many feet
moving slowly onward. She li~toncd-ai fhs, mo.
uen the tolling of a bell made her start from inc,
seat--she rushed TO the wIndow-shc could discern
Helbing distinctly, sU; there were torches and sol