Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-22

who forwarded to US the annexed extract
from Sir Walter Scott's very popular
novel Of "Rob Roy" we must apologize
to her for the delay that has attended It's
publication; and that apology will be
found IN the numerous concurring and
unavoidable circumstances, which COM
PEELED us to omit laying the extract be-
fore our readers. Although most OF
them have probably read the extract be-
fore this, still they will re-peruse it, with
pleasure,--and in closing these, perhaps
unnecessary, remarks, we ask leave TO
say to our fair friend, that the selection
is equally creditable to her taste and tai
ents;-and that, though she be veiled
from our observation, we look upon her
vision, and fancy her to be some witch
ing Diana Vernon. - Cadet.
i'm erecution eta Spy among The High
lands of Scotland 1t was under the
burning influence Of revenge, that the
wife Of Mac Gregor commanded that
the hostage exchanged .or her husbands s
safety should be brought before her. |
believe her sons had kept this unfortu-
nate wretch from her sight, for fear of
the consequences, but if it was SO, their
precaution only postp oned his fate
They dragged forward, At her summons,
4 wretch already half dead with terror,
in whose agonsed countenance | recog-
nised, to my horror and astonishment,
my old acquaintance, Morris.
He fell PROSTATE before the female
chief, with an effort to clasp her knees,
from which she drew back, as if his
touch has been pollution; so that all he
could do in token Of the extremity of his
humiliation, was to kiss the hem of her
garment. | never heard entreates for
life poured forth with such agony Of
spirit The extacy of fear was such,
that instead Of paralysing his tongue, as
on ordinary occasions, it even rendered
him eloquent, and with checks as pale as
ashes, hands compressed in agony, eyes
that seemed to be taking their last look
OF all mortal objects, he protested with
the deepest oatl,s his total ignorance OF
any design upon the life of Rob Roy,
whom he swore he loved and honoured
as his own soul. In the inconsistency
of his terror he said he was but the
agent Of others, and he muttered the
name of Rashloigh. He prayed but for
life, for life he would give all he had in
the world; he begged only for life -liio,
though it shonid be prolonged under tor
lures and pYiva;ions; he asked only
breath-Abreath, though It should BE-
drawn in the damps Of the lowest cavern
OF their hills.
1t is impossible to describe the scorn,
the loathing, and contempt, with which
the wife Of Mac Grcgor regarded this
wretched petitioner for the poor boon of
existence. | could bid you live, SAID
she, had life been to you the same wea-
ry and wasting burden, that it is to me,
that it is to every noble minded person;
but you, wretch, could creep through the
world unaffected by its various disgraces;
its lnetlabe miserics, its constantly accu-
mulaiing masses of crime and sorrow; !;
you could live and enjoy yourself, while
the noble minded are betrav ed--while
name.ess and birthiess villains tread on
the necks Of the brave and long de-
scended, you could i've like butchers
dog IN the shambes, lattening on gar
bage, while the slaughter of the brave is
going on around you. This enjoyment
you shall not live to partake of; you
shall die, base dog, and that before yon
cloud has passed over the sun.
She gave brief command in Gaelic
to her attendants, two of whom seized
upon the PROSTATE suppliant, and hurried
him 10 the brink Of cliff which over
hung the flood. lie set up the most
piercing and dreadful cries that fear ev-
or uttered-I may well term them dread
full, for they haunted my sleep for years
afterward. AS the murdcrers, or execu.
TONERS, call them as you will, dragged
him along, he recognised me even in
that moment of horror, and exclaimed,
in the last ar',culate words ever heard
him utter, go: Mr.. Osbaldistone, save
me! save me-"
was SO much moved by this horrid
spectacle, that, although in momentary
expectation Of sharing his fate, did at
tempt to speak in his behalf, but, as
might have been expected, my inter- FER
ence was sternly ilisregarded The VIC
tim was held asst by some, while others,
binding a large heavy stone in a plaid.
tied it round his neck, and others again