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LADIES' MUSEUM,

NEW AND IMPROVED SERIES.

UNDER

THE ESPECIAL PATRONAGE OF

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent.

FOR THE YEAR MDCCCXXXI.

VOL. I.

JANUARY TO JUNE.

London:

SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL, STATIONERS' COURT;

AND

G. G. BENNIS, PARIS.

1831.

CD.

ན་

LADIES' MUSEUM.

New and Emproved Series.

JANUARY, 1831.

THE FOUNDLING OF LIVERPOOL. BY THE AUTHOR OF THE HERMIT IN LONDON. THERE is no romance like the romance of real life, and such is that now before us. It was on a dark tempestuous night, when the wind raged off shore, and the black waves were hugely swelling and raising their angry crests mountains high, that the captain of a fine vessel, arrived direct from China, with that heart of oak which distinguishes a British seaman in the commercial service as well as in that of the royal navy, resolved, at all risks, on landing personally at the nearest point his letters, and the welcome announcement of the arrival of the ship and its valuable cargo. The boat was got ready, lowered, and manned by four stout skilful hands, when the intrepid captain and the mate of another vessel leaped into her, followed by a passen ger, who seemed equally fearless, and eager to gain the shore. After tossing about for some time, buffeted by the hostile billows, they gained their place of destination, and sprung on shore with that indescribably elastic bound which distinguishes the mariner feeling his foot for the first time on his native soil, after a long absence and tedious voyage, and after all the dangers and vicissitudes by land and sea. The boat's-crew and passengers were drenched with salt water, and eagerly made for the first house of reception that presented itself, which was an obscure publichouse in a remote part of the town; here, having obtained something like fresh clothing, consisting of a few boat cloaks and blankets, and giving their garments to be dried, they nestled round the fire, and called for something to warm the inner man, as well as the outward form and body of mortality. There is, in a British tar, JAN. 1831.

a something of light heart, which keeps him above water in the storm, and exhilarates his spirits in the calm, more especially when enjoying the comforts of dry land, and indulging in the delights of home and native shore. Content gilds then the humblest fare, and I am convinced that a natural innate feeling of gratitude to Providence warms the bosom at that precious moment. The faithful captain had discharged his duty, and all was calm and self-approving in his peaceful breast; the mate had thrown care overboard, since he saw the white cliffs of Albion; the crew were lighthearted easy fellows, and the merchant passenger had the satisfaction of returning home in safety with his wealth, with a mind, nevertheless, full of eventful remembrances, doubtful cogitations, and speculative intentions, mostly bearing on duties to perform, benevolence to exert, an establishment to seek, and a determination to cast anchor in repose for the rest of his life.

When cold and thirst were appeased and provided for, they all looked around them, as men lately arrived naturally do, when one lonely being in the form of a fellow-man, seated in a corner of the tap-room, met their eye. He was poorly habited, or rather in the faded and fast-decaying remains of respectable attire: he was cleanly, yet shabby-necessitous, yet apparently above seeking alms. On the table before him was something wrapped up in the ragged remnant of a silk handkerchief, and at his feet a Newfoundland dog, looking affection in its master's face, in return for a sad regretful glance which he cast upon the poor animal, and which seemed to say, "thou art all fidelity, my poor com.

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