The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-03-20

congratulate Herwaldsen, whom found
already surrounded by admirers. On
seeing me his eye sparkled with delight |:
the name Of Hortense escaped him.
"How delighted she will be TO know of
my reception" he whispered; "but l
must not tell her yet--ihe ceremony of
my public dinner must first be gone
through" Memorable dinner who, a
mong the nsmbers that attended, will
ever forget it ? throughout the evening,
Herwaldsen was as dazzling-as imag-
inative--as triumpant--as hc had shewn
himself in the university hall. BY one
successful flight he seemed to have
reached the very summit ofhis ambition.
He laughed-he jested-he philosophical
he sported alike with the most elevated
and familiar forms Of eloquence--and E.
ven when at later hour than usual, the
party separated, and we were left once
again to ourselves, the fervor Of his en-
thusiasm kept up undiminished and un-
impaired.
But the time was now drawing near
when, according to promises, he should
return to Hortense.-The night was far
advanced, SO, by way Of despatch, he re-
solved to 60 by water freak in which
i foolishly indulged him. As we push.
ed off from the shore the wind which
had till then been brisk, subsidized into
a sudden calm the sail hung dropping
to the mast; the waters of the Maclar
lay stretched out calm, CLASSY, and un-
wrinkled, before us. Lightly, and with
scarce motion, we foated in succession
past the noble bronze statue Of Gustavus
ILL.,; the Royal Palace, that pride of
our northern architecture the outward
ranges Of the extensive and far-spread-
ing arsenal ; when, just as we had round
ed point that brought us full towards
the Mount of Moses, Herwaldsen made
sudden move to the side Of the vessel,
and, in so doing, lost his balance, and
fell lheadlong overheard. The moon was
at this time unclouded, the water trans
parent as glass, and as gazed in the d.
rection in which he had fallen, / could
actually discern my unfortunate friend,
struggling at considerable depth below
the surface, his hands spread out, his legs
wide apart, his head bent back upon his
shoulders and his whole appearance in
dicating the extreme agony Of CONFUSION
and suffocation. Twice he rose and
twice made vain efforts to rescue him ;
but when, for the third and last time, he
ascended to the surface ofthe water, the
spirit of death was OIL him he struggled;
he gasped for breath his eye was glaz-
ed, his lip blue, his mouth distorted he
made one last feeble attemp, to clutch
the oar which / had thrown out to assist
him; and then, casting on me a look
which rivers Of tears and God knows /
have shed them since will never wash
away from my remembrance, sank slow
ly and without struggle, before my face.
plunged after him it was vain he was
gone from life forever The very heavens
conspired together for his destruction /;
for, just as he sunk for the third and last
time, dark, sullen, envious cloud crept
over the moon: and the waters, thus Sc
cure oftheir prey, gathered darkly, slow
ly, and without an effort, above his head.
How myself subsequently contrived to
reach the shore, know not for some
hours my recollection, my very life itself
was blank and the first thing recalled
me to my senses, was hurried visit
from Hortense's favorite female domes-
tic, with request that would instantly
step up to her mistress, who was painting
with impatience to see me.
Ii was fearful trial but felt that it
must be endured, and went without n
moments hesitation. AS reached the
cottage, Hortense flew herselfto the door
to let me in.
"Where is Herwaldscn 7" she exclaim-
ed ;-"speak in mercy speak-he has
been absent all night"
She ceased, and life seemed depending
on the answer she should receive.
"Compose yourself Hortense," re-
piled, "you are too agitated-too terrified
too
"Man,-man this suspense is torture:
l cannot, l will not bear it. Speak at
once or kill me.'
"Hortense," / resumed-and the tears
in spite of myself, flowed fast down my
checks--'your husband is"
"Dead ?'
SEVEN So"
She heard no more. Her eye glared
wildly !; the blood sprung to her brow,
knotting the dark veins there till they
seemed in act to burst and, with shrill
yell---half-shriek, half laugh-shet drop
ped senseless at my feet.
In about an hour, by prompt medical
aid, animation was restored but reason
was fled for ever.-Madness had at once
| succeeded insensibiity n deeD. deter