Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-03-10

He fixed upon my face My dying hour
! Must pass ere forget it.
Old Play.
The following narrative of crime and retribnton,
strange as the declaration may appear. is strictly
true, and many now in existence know 1t to be SO.
rs gwen IN the words of the miserable writer who
left this written memorial OF his guilt anu suGerngs
10 the hangs of his executor who bad been his tutor
and was his old friend by this gentleman it was
communicated to the Rev. author of IA work which
it is impossible to read without delight and edifca
ton, 1.-The Living and the Dead" Noconfderce
is violated by the disclosure, as it was intended for
the world. The name of Moyston is, for obvious
reasons, substituted one.
Surrounded with every blessing which exis-
tence afford possessing prospects ola brilliant,
nay, almost unrivalled, nature few entered this
chequered scene of being with greater advantages
than myself-lt is true, that the lapse OF few short
years made me an unconscious orphan. But by a
kind and watchful guardian and his sister, who had
been my mothers early friend their place was most
afectionately supplied and of such IA brother DIS
possessed, few could boast. He was eighteen
months older than myself, and though in our pur-
suits and tasks, and turns of thought, essential
difference was perceptibie, warmly and
dcvotedly attached. Alone in the world, chung
to each other with intensity of affection which
orphans only can feel will describe him--tbough
It cost me bitter pang. More sedate more re-
fleeing more refined and highly cultivated than
myself, with mind slightly tlnged with melancholy,
and deeply but unafectcdly impressed by the great
truths OF religion, he exhibited a character remar-
kable for mental energy, when excited, but which
took rare and sparng interest IN ordinary occurren-
ces. But in despite OF an air of pensve gravity and
reserve, unusual in happily clrcumstanced,
there were few who more generally and deser-
vedly beloved than the young Sir Walter Aloyston,
i, Of Mcuntsicli.
"My brother was about twenty, and had Just
! quilted Oxford when addition was made to our
5lneighborhood in the person OF Mrs. De Courcey.
i She was te widow of very gallant officer and
the bravery Of her husband-and the circumstance
OF his loss reducing her from comfort and mdepen-
dence, TO the lowliest retirement and the scantiesl
pltance added 10 her own noble descent and very
superior manners, excited avery powerful interest
in her favor, and she was generally courted On her
appearance amongst MS. Yet, amidst II all, she
was a cold, calculating, mercenary beng All auepl
IN Intrigue, and IA hcartless mannuverer.
In word, she ,rdS 1eoHo:n Of the lrorid and
could contrlve, at will to make appear virtue,
aud art seem innocence. She was accompanied by
her daughter, whom 10 see and ove-to love against
hope, against reason-to love with all the Jealousy
and dcspondence of d youthful hear-wlth all the
Intensity and devotion OF first alrecon--was very
speedily mice. say to love against hope, againsl
reason, for discovered but too soon, that Adela's
beauty, her innocence, her misiortunes and the All
OF cheerful resignation with which she submitted Il
their pressure, had made powerful and perna
y, =, pent impression on my brothers. heart saw tina
;. had no chance.--And yet A'ela's return to he
, lovers passion cold and faint in the extreme
. Living in his immediate eighborhood-heafing
J hour by hour, OF his unhounded benevolence, In
unaffected piety, his humility, his disinterestednes
she respected she esteemed--but no, she neve
loved him. To her mother his wealth, his rank
: his generous, easy temper were irresistible. Mrs
De Courcey smiled upon his suit was bankrup
in affection from that vety hour! For the hrs
time now felt that | was younger brother; TO
e the first time my heart sweed with envy and ami
mostly towards the unsuspecting Walter; for tn
"a first time regarded, with feelings OF Satisfaction
IL his slender form and sicky habit, treasured up thu
n passing indications of the decacy Of constitution
a and calcnlated--yes, actually calculated, whethe
of it was not possible might survive him. And the
. . better feelings would return, and would oppos
to those banelul, but eyanescent emotions, my owl
" purity ofintentlon and rectitude OF heart!
lie Preparations for the marriage were in progress
Instructions had been issued for the settlements
. and the ceremony stood fixed iorthe day on whic
,e my brother should attain his majority. The feel
ngs of nv mind strangely harmonized with the sea
son of the year. TWAS far advanced in autumn
the trees were almost stripped of their foliage tn
Re dew lay thick upon the grass; the landscape wa
" entirely shrouded with vapour, excepting where
J. solitary sunbeam seemed to struggle with the mist
Q the woods were silent and net single sign OF Int
enlivened the monotony of the scene, save wher
the ,lusky livery of a huge old fir was contraste
by the brilliant berries otthe mountain ash. 1t wa
nature 10 her sepulchre.
: +" My brother challenged me 10 walk. On
morning cherries and gloomy as that which hay
been describing, was sure the invitation contempia
ted some particular object Nor was mistaken
He annonnced to me, in form, his intended marriag
smoke to me most confdentally, most unreser
is yedy-unlolded all his plans for the present, hi
tie prospects for the future-apprsed me, in the mos
delicate terms, ofthe addition which he had deem
al 4 r;obt To make TO n Younger brothers. portion