Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-20
MISCELLAN EOUS.
THE
FISHERMAN OF THE NORTH SEA.
BY ROBERT BURNS.

"Begn murderer leave thy damnable face and begin,
Come, the croaking raven doth below for revenge"
shakespeare.
The sterile coast Of Scotland possesses few
situations which surpass in point of dreari-
ness, the site of Duncansby Castle. This mas
sive pile of architecture, situated in barren
plain, upon the extreme northeastern point of
the Kingdom, exposed 10 the bleak blasts of the
North Sea, in front, and the heavy drifts of
snow from the mountains in the rear, offers but
few inducements as a habitation for mankind;
nor does the castle relieve the dreariness of the
heath that surrounds it. a mass of frowning
towers and battlements, half-dilapidated, and
oyergrown with moss and ivy, and on which
century hath showered its duskiness and
decay, sung to by nought save the bowling
wind, the shriekiDg new, or the moan of the
restless North Sea as it dashes against the
rocky shore, is a sight lily calculated to cheer
or enliven the feelings Of a spectator
The last rays of the setting sun where Gid
ing the dark stone towers, and lighting its
gloomy halls and galleries, through the fettered
easements, when person, attired in the finest
gsrb of hunter, followed by brace of hounds,
issued from the castle gate, and bent his course
lstlessly towards the shore. There was the void
of an unoccupied mind in the expression of his
handsome countenance, which was slightly
tinged with the effects ofdissipation, and seating
himself upon rock, he directed his attention
to the graceful swoops of the sea bird, for want
of more interesting and engaging subject.
Presently another figure, whose apparel be-
spoke him fisherman, advanced and touching
the hunter, to apprise him of his presence, he
exclaimed
"Ellen is dead"
The voice was stern and tremulous, and the
blue eye of the young fisherman lightened his
melancholy features, with deep and troubled
emotion but It passed away, and he stood calm
and collected, awaiting his companions reply.
The hunter started and grew slightly pale,
as his eyes fell on the fisherman; but quickly
recovering his equanimity, he said:
"Can I, in any manner, sllay your grief'
Masses shall be said for her souls repose, and
here, Paul, is gold to discharge her funeral
rites; take it. man, and if II Is not sufficient,
you shall have more"
"Nc, Sir James," returned the fisherman,
with repulsive wave Of the hand, and smile
Of bitterness upon his countenancc, 1--WE have
enough LEFT from the hard earned saving Of our
daily toll, to deposit the victim Of your scduc-
ton in the bosom Of her mother earth"
"Paul, had Ellen lived, should have yet
redeemed her honor" said the nobleman, visi-
bly, affected by the deep and impassioned tones
Of the fisherman, which seemed to issue from
his inmost soul al have frequently meditsted
repsration, and finally resolved apon It. It is
the truth, Paul. the honest truth"
"The descendants Of dukes and earls--the
heir to princely name and fortune connect
himself with the daughter Of q menial, /" said
Paul, sternly cycling his companion. "Sir
James, II Ia useless to add the epthet Of liar to
that Of william"