The Litchfield County post., 1827-01-26

Vienna, where was brought up with the ne- phew of the Archbishop; who, together with his relations, all persons of great influence, | showed me the strongest marks of affection, and promoted to the utmost my education at the academy.
 At the time when held only the rank of a lieutenant, l was selected by the government ! for the purpose of making some trigOnOmetri- cal surveys in Hungary. l set out according ly, with an escort of soldiers appointed for the management of the mathematical instruments. On the road l found myself treated like a prince by all the post masters, who, at the very sound of the name of an officer cOmmis- stoned by the court. will almost lick the ground to serve him. NOrecOmmendatiOn,h however, of this kind is required to induce the upper classes to give an officer frank and hospita- ble reception. The hospitality, indeed, which | reigns through Hungary, together with the primitive simplicity and purity of manners, which at the period speak of prevailed a. mong the females of the country, will very plainly appearin the course of my narrative. Being young, soldier, and employed by the government, could scarcely fail of hay ing much attention paid to me at Presburg.- had not been long there before the season of Carnival came on: during which the no- bles are in the habit of giving public balls.- The customs of the country on this occasion are singular. Should there be garrison, or any officers in the city, they immediately re- ceive tickets of admission to the balls, without being at any trouble to procure them. The directors make a list of all who are invited ;- and if the number of men should be found to exceed that of females, they propose the names of some young ladies of their acquan- tance, which are inserted in the list to make up the deficiency. When this is done, it would be considered improper in the parents ofthe young ladies to prevent their daughters from attending the balls.
 "As soon as they commenced, I became acquainted with two sisters, the ladies of P-, young women of great beauty and agreeable manners: the elder excelled in the waltz, the younger loved the country dance. was charmed with them both but soon from day to day. Yet why should I cherish or make known passion which could not terminate happily? What folly, for a young
 lieutenant without fortune, to think of offering his hand to young female, born :o higher and better hopes On the last day, however, of our meeting, l could do no less, as l had no acquaintance with the family of my partner, than take my leave. by saying to her, We have now danced the keruhW tor concusion) and in truth here my story ends, for shall never see you again." "Not so,'' she repli- ed, with an openness of manner quite idnes- cribable," unless indeed you wish to run away from us. Every thing is arranged for your visiting in our family. My father knows who you are; and |, too, am more interested in the matter than, perhaps, you imagine.- Come, therefore, if you please, and visit us to- morrow" Such innocence and simplicity won possession in moment of my whole heart; though to say the truth, the whole of it had been made captive long before. re- solved, however, at the same time most firm Iy not to abuse in the slightest degree the O. penness and simplicity of the fair object of my love.
 Hitherto my residence had been in the I'm perial Castle; which, as it commands, both in a geographical and military se:se, the city and the Danube, affords to the eye one of the Ioveliest prospects to be met with in Hungary. From the moment, however, in which l re- ccived the invitation l have mentioned, till that of my departure with a beating heart to pay the expected visit, Presburg and the Danube with all their beauties, had vanished | from my eyes. Scarcely upon my arrival at their fathers, had entered the house, when the two sisters, placing themselves one on each side of me, took me by the hand to in troduce me to him. In spite of the agitation ofmy mind, could scarcely forbear smiling when the good knight received me as if he had been bishop pronouncing blessing over me.
 Uprl my asking the reason of so unusual a ceremony, l immediately perceived by the answer given to me, the state of ignorance and superstition in which the country was sunk; for the object in making the sign of the cross over me was, they said, to prevent my entrance into their house from being attended with any iIl-fortune. Would that such a precaution could have been efectual! or that, in the room of superstitious ceremony, l could have offered prayer to Heaven capa- ble of averting the misfortunes which l was the innocent means of bringing upon the fam fly who had so hospitably received me under their roof.
 Ihad continued for some time 10 visit them with the freedom of "a near relation, when one day their father said to me, My friend, have favour to ask of you. My wife is so unwel that am prevented from going to my estate in the country, as had at first intend ed. But, as my daughters know how to man. age my affairs there as well as myself, 1 think of sending them thither in my place, and should be greatly obliged to you, if you would accompany them." Such a request | f oc c%I