The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-02-22

ceived that a man should suffer himself to
be overcome by the loss of child" These
reflections, however just-however philo-
sophical-tlid not console the father of Tul
liza; because, there are sorrows over which
reason has no power, and tears which time
alone can dry.
During my career of life, I have frequent
ly seen my companions fall by my side-my
brothers in arms-whose loss l have most
deeply deplored; but, in recalling to my
mind those ideas of glory, that hereditary
fame, which SO peculiarly endears the mem
cries of heroes who have fallen in the field of
honour, and rejecting that nothing was left
for me, but an infirm old age, and an obscure
grave, ! have frequently been tempted to
envy those whose names are immortalized
by their very deaths Every day takes from
me some old friend-some companion, of an
age equally advanced with myself regret
them, but without murmuring, in the words
of Montague, their lamp of life had burnt
to the socket; death is the immediate con-
sequence of protracted old age. But, when
young girl, just entering the portals of life
for whom heaven appears to have III store
a long series of happy years, on whom ma
ture has lavished all her most precious gifts
and whom birth and fortune have surround
ed with their most brilliant delusions--when
a being such as this is torn from the EN-.
braces of her mother, the hopes of her family,
and the expectations OF love, there is i'll this
cruel decree of fate, a kind of subvcrsion Of
the general laws of natlre--an assembage
OF contradictory circumstances, ldeaz and
cXpres ssions at which the senses sicken, and
the hearts break. Such is the event to which
| have alluded in the title of this article, and
ofwhch, during this short depression, have
rot lost sight.
/ Robertne de Nilarmont was the daughter
ofa brave companion in arms of the gallant
De Sufireen, who by twenty years nf glori-
GUS toll, had acquired an undoubted right to
enjoy in the bosom of his family, an ample
patrimonial estate, to which he has added lit
tle,or nothing by his services. He still rcckon-
ed among hisimpertlve duties, that of educat-
ing his son for the service of his country, and
ofbringing up his daughtcrto become the re-
ward of some young soldier, who, by
his name, his rank, and his merit should
show himself worthy OF such recompcnse.-
! | had known NJ. de Vilarmont in the East
| Indies.-A1uch Younger than ME, his father
had consigned him to my care; as to that of
a Mentor, and our relations of friendship
have never since been interrupted. 1t is
two years since accompanied him to Roch
etort, when he went thither to enter his son
as a midshipman, on the quarter deck of
vessel which he had himself commanded,
and at whose masthead the grandfather of
the young man had thirty years before,
! hosted the flag of vice-admiral. This reg
ular descent of glory, was good omen. and
/ accordingly our young Leon, as a reward
for gallant action, has already received the
decoration of the brave.
/ r., L.
reached her fifteenth year. Educated with
/ the tenderest care, under the eye of the
most af1'ectionate of mothers, she was alrea-
ly remarked as the model Of every rersec-
ton. 1t was the first season that the young
Robertine had appeared in the world; and all
eyes were turned upon her, and her delight
ed mother enjoyed, with too much con-
/ fidence. (why may | not say with too much
pride') the brilliant success which her
daughter met with at all concerts and balls,
of which she formed at once the principal
object ard the chief ornament. The birth
day of Mademoisel!c de Vlarnnnt had been
celebrated by brillilnt tete at the house of
her maternal grandfather, at which she had
made the deepest impression by the charms
Of her person, and the proofs which she had
given of the superiority Of her talents, which
her interesting modestv set off with double
I, splendour. Monsieurde Niarmont had been
prevented from accompanying the ladies,
whom he had, therefore entrusted to my
care; and during the whole continuance of
the ball, which encroached far into the morn
| ing, had ofliciated as gentleman N waiting
on the fair Robertine; I held her fan and her
iandk erchef while she danced; | led her
back to her place, and took particular care
to cover her with her shawl, as soon as the
country dance was concluded. ] was under
the same charm which had enchanted every
one around me. How suddenly and how
dreadfully was it to be dispelled 1t was
O'Clock when the party broke up-Rober-
tine had danced in the last set--her mother
wished that she should sit down little while
to cool herself; but with shawl, wrapping
cloak lined with fur, and a well closed car
riage, what danger, could possibly be ap
prehendetls On our going down stairs, the
coachmau was not with his horses; and
while the servants went in search of him,
we had to wait some minutes in freezing
hall, Gan inconvenience very general in Paris.
and from which even her palaces are not ex-
empt) Atlast the carriage drove up, Mad
anne de Nilarmont set me down at home, and
the lovely Robertine, in bidding me good
night, added, that she could not do without.
me, and that she retained me as her escort
to all the balls the next season. "lf am
alive" answered |, "but, next year is
Iop,r ,yb e., oil it~ IN l6pk