Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-01

Ne
,u;ner interesting tale from Blackwood's Magazine,
which is supposed to be elected by seeing inscrp
ton upon tombstone over the grave of Blanche DIAL
biz
Blanche D'Albi, at the time of her decease,
had been for more than twelvemonth resident
in the family of Mr.. L. one OF the weai'hiest
merchants in the city OF London. She had Deeh
engaged as French governcss TO ms TWO i''ue
daughters, who were also provided WIN ah
English teacher, and attended oy han the mas
fers in the metropolis. The young Swisses
had been received on the most unexceptionabe
recommendation, as 10 character. connexions,
and elegant requirements, but nothing more oil
her priyate history was communicated, than
Thar she was the only daughter OF respectable
protestant minister. That the sudden death oil
h,.,b her parents occurring within few months
of each other, had left her at the age OF eight
cen destitute orphan, deprived OF the protec-
ton of an only brother, who, previous 10 the
death of their parents, had taken service In inc
Swiss corps De Mueron, and had accompanied
that regiment to India. So situated, blanche
D'Albi had recourse Tor her future maintenance
20 the expedienr so often resorted to, even un-
der happier circumstances, by numbers OF her
Young countrywomen.
In company with several young persons from
her own canton, embarked on the same enter
pr;ze. and provided with such recommendations
&C conld be obtained to mercantile houses In
London. or such of her own countrymen as were
already established there. Blanche babe adieu
IN her town romantic land and very shortly
after her arrival in England, it was her good
fortune to be engaged in the family OF Mr.. l.
where her situation might with truth have been
called almost enyiable, compared with the ge-
neral lot Of young persons in the same circum-
stances. She shared the school room, and the
task of educating four engaging spoilt children,
with an elderly English governess, to whose
domineering, but not harsh temper, she will
ingly yielded supremacy, and was therefore
treated by Miss Crawford with somewhat OF the
indulgent consideration she would have bestow-
ed on an elder pupil The little girls soon at
tached themselves fondly TO their young lndui-
gent governess, and their affection soon obtain
ed for her all the good will and unbending kind
ness il was in the nature OF Mrs. L. to confer
on any human being in dependant situation.
Mr. l.. a man of cold and formal manners, fully
impressed with the sense Of his own wealth and
consequence, but one whose better feelings
were not at all sacrificed at the shrine OF mann
mon. treated her with invariable and almost at
tentive politeness, during the stated intervals
when in attendance on her young charges, she
was Admired to his society. II Is true, he ex-
changed but few words with her, and those APP
neared constrained, and as il by the latent fear
Of compromising his dlgnihed importance; but
there was gentleness In the tone of his voice
when he addressed himself to the timid orphan,
and benevolence In his eyes, which Carried
with them to the Young bereaved heart Of Blan-
che D'Albi far kindier Specification than was
implied by the mere words of his UNMARRIED for
NAL salutation, 81 hope you are we'll TO day,
Ma'amselle
Blanche had not only every comfort, but ma
ny Inquiries at her command, especially that
which she priced beyond all others, the dispo-
sal of her own time for some hours in the even
ing of each day. Taking all circumstance in
to consideration, therefore, the young emigrant
might be pronounced singularly fortunate, in
having so soon found a shelter In so secure a
haven. And she felt that Providence had been
very gracious to her, and her heart was CRATE
full and contented. But was she happy? Who
ever asked that question! Who ever doubted
that she was so in situation so favored with
peculiar advantages! The home she lost, the
friends she had left, the brother so widely Sc
parated from her, the recollection of her own
dear village, and Of her young happy years
No one ever inquired into; or interested Them
selves about all these things. No voice inviting
confidence ever Interrupted those deep and ST.
lent spells of inward vision, when all the past
was busy in her heart, and one frank kind ques~
ton, one affeciionate word, would have unlock
ed, as from the source of fountain, all the in-
genious feelings all the tender recolections, all
the anxious thoughts, and innocent hopes, that
were crowded together in that pure sanctuary,
cherished and brooded over in secret and in si-
lence, tilthe playful yiysvity of her nature, its
Characteristic charm in happier days, was sub
due6 into tone OF almost reserved seriousness.
At times, during the play hours of the children,
when they had coaxed her 10 mingle In their
innocent sports; at such times the playful beau
~ of her nature would break out into CLEAN
of its former brightness; and then her laugh
was SO Joyous, her countenance so sparkling,
her voice so mirthful in unison with their
childish glee, that stranger would have taken
her for the eldest sister, and the happies, of
those four happy children.
Those also were among her happiest mo-
ments, when, encircled by her young attentive
auditory, she spoke to them;-for to them she
could speak Of it--of her own native land, of its
high mountains, whose tops were white with
snow in the hottest summer days; of the seas
ct ice, with their hard frozen ridges; of its
beautiful clear lakes, on one Of which she and