The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-04-13


the vessel and once more free men. Blu,
scarcely had they realized their novel po.
sition, when an unlocked. for difficulty oc.
Cured. No officer was left to command
the crew; and they were all sailors in the
rank Of common, scamcn, utterly unedu.
Gated, and ignorant of .hc science Of nav.
igation, and none of their number had ev.
er been at the port of Madras. Al were
perplexed TO know how TO proceed on
their voyage, and their frequent consulta.
tions seemed but to mako the case more
hopeless.
The little Eliza was present on these
occasions, listening at.entively. She was
intelligent far beyond her years. Her
uncle had made her tho partner of his
studies, and often instructed her in sub.
jects which girls seldom acquire. Among
these she had learned, partly as an amuse-
ment, the use Of sea. charts Now came
proof that knowledge, though seeming.
ly ill.adapted to certain course of life,
and hid away in the storehousc of memory,
may yet find a use, and see the light again
to bless and benefit its owner. Eliza,
hearing the sailors difficulties, at length
asked them to show her the charts, as
she believed she could point out to them
the port they had left, and that 10 which
they were bound, as well as explain the
degrees to north and west toward which
they had to sail In despair, the men
placed themselves under her guidance );
and by her direction, the vessel reached
Its destination in safety This wonderful
instance Of youthful precocity was related
in Memorial to Lord Give, then Cover.
nor general of India. The fact was with
out dispute The sailors testimony, that
to her alone they owed the rccapture
and subsequent safety of the ship the
death Of Captain Cooper and the other
officcrs-were public evidences Of the
fact, But though the Memorial explain
ed that female child nine years Of age
saved company's ship, and every effort
was made by ELIAS friends to obtain
some reward for Sc rare a service Lord
Give disregarded these applications the
/ youthful heroine received no sort Of re
compensc
Eliza Warwick now found herself again
resident in Madras, under the roof Of her
kind friend, Mrs. Steel, by whom she was
treated as a daughter. The poceeds Of
her uncle's property to which she had
succeeded were transmitted from Suma-
ira, and this, joined to the kindness OF
friends made her circumstances comiorta.
BILE. One subject engaged her sad thoughts
namely, the fate of her brother, of
whom and her uncle no intelligence had
been procured. Years passed on, and no
tidings came to apprisc her if they yet
lived. 1t was conjcctured that some ter,
rible misfortune had ovcrtakcn the iami-
ly; perhaps they had fallen into the hands
Of savage tribes and perished.
Eliza's growing years served to dcvel-
op the natural talent and amiability Of
her nature. Mrs. Steel procured for her
the best masters, and spared no effort to
cultivate and adorn the mind She quick
ly acquired several original languages
she excelled also in the fine arts, partcu-
larly painting and music. At this june
ture it was her lot to win the love of a
youthful and altogether worthy admrer,
an officer in the royal navy. The suit
being pressed, Eliza returned with ardor
the devotion of the young officer; and,
though their united fortunes were compar-
atively small, Eliza's friends consented to
to their union Mrs. Steel on this occa-
sion gave the wedding banquet; and
whilst the guests assembled in honor of
the young pair were offering their con-
gratulations, and merrily enjoying the
festive scene, an unlooked-ior messenger
arrived with packet for the bridegroom.
1t contents were unexpected, and words
cannot depict tho distress it occasioned, las
therein was contained an order to the
young lieutenant, for scarce one hour a
husband, to proceed without one minute S
delay to join his ship, on the point Of
sailing.
Lamentations were in vain. for the com.
mand of duty brooked no delay, With
many mutual promises of frequent CON-
munication, and the assuring confidence
of not distant meeting, the newly.mar.
ried pair parted Alas the dark des-
tiny of Eliza still unanchingly pursued
hcr-they parted, no more to meet again.
Her husband never again returned, nor
was the vessel again heard of. The
general supposition was, that it had
ioundered at sea and days, weeks
months, years drearily rolled away over
the head Of poor Eliza, without bringing
to her one trace Of her husbands and
brothers fate. Soon complication oI
singular misfortunes pressed heavily upor
her spirit. She brought to her aid al
the comforts of religion and tho supports
of principle. Still, life was dreary. Ex
hausted by anxiety and sorrow, the sorely
stricken being retired from society, al,
led a secluded life till her thirteth year
At this date, a new misfortune fell upol
her, for in that year she lost her dearl,
loved friends, Mr.. and Mrs Steel. Thi
last blow seemed to fill her cup OF sadnes
to overfowipg. la despair she resolved
to leave Madras, aud 90 to reside in Cal
cutta, hoping that change Of scene nigh
help her in the pursuit Of patience. lle
worldly circumstances also now require,
the effort Of her own industry, and sh
resolved to exert her talents for her iu
ture support.
1t was noble resolve, worthy Q
imitation. She laid aside half OF he
, property left by her parents. and uncle, u
the hope Of her brothers return still clun
to her heart; and having made all neces
D sary arrangements, moved to Calcutta
which she henceiorth made her HON,
1 After her settlement, she began to cor
r slider the manner in which she might mos
advantageously exert her talents and q
0 she exceled in drawing, the idea presen
e ed itself to her of hiring native women
work muslins while she drew the pattern
@ The singular elegance of these desigr
: speedily engaged attention, and procure
4. a., nxtona,v.. a. non1 eo nuch on th,