The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-05-21

IRON the London Magazine, a correspon.
dent gives a valuable and striking lesson.
Thousands who might pass heedlessly over
sober essay designed to inculcate The
sane reflections, will have them irresis,i.
by impressed on their mind by such pic.
tue as is bete spread before ;bem. It's
most affecting display, and The darkest
shades, may all be found IN the realities of
lie:
Twelve friends much about the same age
aid fixed by their pursuits, their family
Connexions, and other local interests, as
ornament inhabitants of the metropolis, n
! greed. one day when they were drinking
their wine at the Star and Garter at Rich
mond, to institute an annual dinner among
themselves, ,underthe following regulations.
! That they should dine alternately at each
others houses on the .frst and last day OF
The ysar, that the first bottle of vino un-
corked at the first dinner, should be recork-
ed and put away. TO be drunk by him who
should be Test Of their Dumber: that they
| should never admit new member; that
when one died, eleven should meet, & when
another died, ten should meet, and so on;
and that, when only one remained, he
should, on those days, dine by himself, and
sit the usual hours at his solitary table; but
the first time he so dined alone lest IT should
he the only one, he should then uncork the
first bottle, and, in the first glass, drink 10
the memory Of all who were gone.
There was something original and whim
seal in the idea, and il was eagerly, en-.
Traced. They were all in the prime of life,
closely attached ty reciprocal friendship,
Ibnd of social enjoyments and looked for
ward TO their future meetings with una
loyed anticipations Of pleasure. The only
thought. indeed, that could have dorkened
those antlcipations, was one not very likely
TO intrude itself at this momont-that Of the
hnpless wight who was destined to uncork
the first bottle at his lonely repnst.
Ii was high summer when this frolic COM
pact was entered intp, and as their pleas.
ure yacht skinned along the dark bosom Of
the Thames, on their return to London, they
talked of nothing but their first and last
feasts Of ensuing years. Their imagina.
tons ran riot with thousand gay predic-
tons of festive merriment. They wonton.
I'd in conjcctures Of what changes time
would operate, joked each other upon their
appearance when they should meet-sorie
hobbling upon crutches after severe fit Of
the -otherspoking about with purblind
ayes which spcctacles could hardly en-
hslGt1 fJfppGsljsh the laald laalderman's welk in a
bellies and tidy little brown wigs, and 9th
ers decently dressed out in new suit Of
mourning, for the death Of great grand :,
daughter or great grandson.
"As for you, George" exclaimed enc Of
the twelve. addressing his brother in law,
81 expect shall see you as dry, withered,
and shrunkep as an odd celskin, you mere
out side of mani" and he accompanied the
words with hearty slap on the shoulder.
George Forescue was leaning coreless-
ly over the side Of the yacht, laughing the
loudcst Of any, at the conversation which
had been carried on. The sudden manual
salntation of his brother in law threw him
off his balance, and in moment he was o.
verboard. They heard the heavy splash OF
his fall, before they could be said to have
seen him fall. The yacht was proceeding
swiftly aloD---but it was instantly stopped.
The utmost CONSERVATION now prevailed.
II was near dark, but Fortescue was known
to be an excellent swimmer, and startling
as the accident was, they felt certain he
would regain The vessel. They could not
see him. They listened. They heard the
sound of his hands and feet. They hailed
him. An answer was returned, but in n
faint gurslDg voice, and the exclamation
"Oh Cod" struck upon their ears. in an
instant, two or three, who wero expert
swimmers, plunged into the riyer,and swan
towards the spot whence tho exclamation
had proceeded. One Of them was within
an arms length Of Fortescue--he saw him
he was struggling and bufeting the wa
ter; before he could be reached, he went
down, and his distracted friend beheld the
eddying circles Of the wave just over the
spot where he had sunk. He dived after
him, and touched the boitom-but the tide
must have drifted the body onwards, for il
could no, be found.
They proceeded 10 one Of the nearest
stations were drags were kept, and having
procured the necessary apparatus, they re.
turned to the fatal spot. After the lapse Of
above an hour, they succeeded in raising
the lileless body of their lost friend. Al
the usual remedies were employed for re
storing suspended animation, bot in vain:
g. they now pursued the remainder oftheir
course 10 London. in mourDfui silence, with
the corpse Of him who commenced the days
pleasure with them in The fulncss ofheolth.
ofspirits, and of hfel Amid their severcr
greC they could no, bot reflect how soon
one of the Joyous twelve had slipped out OF
tho little festive circle
The months rolled on, md cold Decem.
Der came with all It's cheering round of
kindly greetings and merry hospi,alites; &
.ilh il came a softened recollection Of
tho fate of poor Foricscrc; eiepen Of the
twelve assembled on tho last day Of the
year, and IL was impossible not TO feel their
loss as they sat down 10 dinner The very
irregulariiy Of the table, six on ono side,
and only FIVE on the other, forced The mel.
ancho'y event upon their memory.
There are few sorrOws so stubborn os 10