this reconciliation, with the real concern for my welfare, which appeared in every line, raised a sense of honour in my soul. I read the letter again, and found my guilt aggravated by its bright reverse; and my falsehood was heightened by the warmth and fidelity with which the generous man had pursued my interest; my crime stood before me in its most infamous view, but how to extrieate myself from this perplexity I was entirely at a loss.

To neglect an opportunity I had with such solicitude obtained; to disappoint a yielding beauty; to dare the effects of her contempt or resentment, by acting contrary to all the gallant maxims of the world, was doing the utmost violence to a disposition like mine. But then, to wrong my friend with an evidence of his fidelity in my hand, where every tender line would reproach such villany; Alexander and Scipio (I told myself) would condemn me; with many an heroic Pagan, who, in the height of youthful desires, had conquered the allurements of a guilty passion.

It was happy for me that some accident prevented Aspasia from following me so soon as she designed. I was so far from being impatient at her absence, that I blessed every moment's delay, and was contriving to avoid the interview just as I saw her entering the garden.

I had been unused to mental devotion; and yet,

in this dangerous moment, on which my perdition seemed to hang, I sent a secret prayer to Heaven for assistance.

Instead of flying to the charmer's embraces with the gaiety of a lover, I went forward with a slow reluctant pace 'till we met, and then gave her my friend's letter. As soon as she had read it, she told me, "I might be assured it spoke the language of "his soul; and it is (added she) to the advantage"ous light in which he has set your character; it "is entirely to that you are obliged for the favour"able opinion I have of you."

"Is it, indeed, to this generous man," I replied, "that I am indebted for the share I have in your "esteem? And can I return such goodness with

the vilest ingratitude !"-Here I paused, still keeping a respectful distance.

Aspasia, with her eyes fixed on the ground, stood in a silent confusion: but, in this mute interval, imagine, if you can, what must be the conflict of my soul! I had spoke my last; an eternal silence must certainly have ensued, if the gentle Aspasia, perceiving my distress, had not put me out of pain for an apology.

"I see," said she, "the disorder you are in: "this retreat of honour ought to have been mine; "I sincerely wish it had been so: however, you

have led me the way, and I owe my recovery to .65 your prudence."

"It was my importunity, Madam,” replied I, "that drew you into this criminal engagement;, "for which I am going to inflict on myself the severe penalty of seeing you no more.”

"This was what I was just resolving," answered the fair penitent, "but you have gone before: "me in every step of virtue; we must indeed meet: "no more: some disorder I feel gives me a pre-: "tence to retire immediately to my chamber; and

you may leave this place early in the morning, "with a proper excuse for not seeing me."

She was seated under a shade of jessamin, and appeared charming as the Queen of Love. My. philosophy began to stagger, when she hastily rose, and left me in an agony of mind which no words can express.

However, I had so much command of myself, as not to follow her; my Reason exerted all its powers; the Divinity within spoke with a commanding force, and bid the wild tempestuous passions be still my soul obeyed the sacred dictates,, while Truth and Friendship took full possession of my breast.

I hasted early the next morning from this dangerous place; and must own to you this action has given me a pleasure in reflection superior to all the gratifications of sense..

Your's, &c.

ALCANDER..

LETTER V.

To CARLOS, from the same.

AFTER your severest raillery on my conduct, I hope you will pardon me for being a reasonable creature, and not insist on my making an apology for following the dictates of Honour and Gratitude. To your cooler thoughts virtue may not, perhaps, appear so trivial and fantastic a thing; in your splenetic intervals Falsehood and Treachery will probably lose their charms, and put on an aspect of horror and deformity; when the sagacity of youth is past, and a few years have impaired your understanding, you may grow superstitious, and be whimsical enough to fancy friendship and truth are words of the most sacred importance. Since it is not impossible for you to fall into such errors yourself, you ought to pass a charitable censure on my principles and practice, however different from your own.

I have ventured to send you this careless translation of Tasso's Enchanted Forest. This beautiful fiction seems contrived to arm the soul with a noble resolution in whatever occurrence its virtues are called into action. Rinaldo's inflexibility, I hope, will keep me a little in countenance, though I have not the vanity to run a parallel between the young hero's exploit and mine.

Dear Carlos, adieu! be assured I am too much

your friend to leave any method untried for your

reformation.

ALCANDER.

THE ENCHANTED FOREST.

[Taken from Tasso's JERUSALEM, Book XVIII.]
The dawning light scarce hover'd in the east,
When young Rinaldo left his wonted rest;
Completely arm'd in all his martial pride,
A costly scarf was o'er his shoulders ty'd :
Unseen he pass'd along each silent tent,
And onward to the dreadful forest went.
'Twas now the season when the ling'ring Night
Disputes her empire with the rising light;

A rosy blush here paints the doubtful morn,
There glimm'ring stars th' uncertain shades adorn :
This scene the thoughtful hero entertain❜d,
As on the steep of Olivet he gain'd;
The dawning lustre, and declining night,
With various beauties entertain his sight.
"Ye num'rous flaming lamps above," he cries,
"Which deck the lofty temple of the skies!
"Thou, Sun, whose face a golden splendour wears!
"Thou silver Moon, and all ye sparkling stars!
"What trifles to your glories are preferr'd!
"How little we celestial things regard!

"A sparkling glance, the lightning of a smile,
"Of heaven itself our easy hearts beguile."

Thus reas'ning, he the sacred hill ascends,
And humbly there, with decent rev'rence, bends,
Adoring; to the East he turns his eyes,
His thoughts unbounded reach the inmost skies.
Meanwhile the Morn in golden vestments rose,
Her visage with a bright vermilion glows: