Were I deprived of the two latter, heaven might grant me the former; which I would rather have and be the humble, happy occupant of some rural cottage, than deprived of it, to be welcomed in the saloons of fashion, and receive the smiles and caresses of a band of flatterers. I would gain a friend who could appreciate the worth of mind-one whom I could esteem and respect; and then farewell this heartless, soulless life. If I were"Here the opening of the carriage door, by the footman, announced their arrival at the hotel, where they separated,-Edward to dream of Viola; Viola to ponder upon the past, and resolve for the future.

The war had been prosecuted with an uncommon degree of vigor and success, by the armies of France, under the brave Montcalm, who having secured the alliance of nearly all the Indians, had laid the border settlement in ashes, and was spreading terror and dismay the whole length of the frontier, from Montreal to fort Du Quesne, (now Pittsburg,) from Du Quesne to New Orleans. Never was there so powerful and so destructive a combination of the Indian tribes, against the English; and, owing to the inexcusable lethargy and indifference of the British ministry, their arms, joined with the French, were universally victorious. Oswego and other fortifications had fallen into their hands, and great quantities of spoils and numbers of prisoners were daily entering, Montreal.

"The summer is coming, on soft winds born,

Ye may press the grape, ye may bind the corn!"

It was a brilliant day for the climate of Montreal, where the enlivening heat of the golden summer seems to burst at once upon you, from the icy arms of a dreary winter.

But a few days before, and the prince of American waters was blocked with ice-the sky overcast with the dark gloom of a continually impending tempest-the piercing northern blast whistled through the streets, and the furs of the Esquimaux were in high demand. Now the river was free from ice, and boats were daily arriving from Quebec and the lakes. The atmosphere was clear and serene, while a gentle breeze from the river rendered mild the heat of an almost torrid sun. Nature was fast putting on her fairest garb, and all was life and animation. Such was the day on which Viola Stricland, with several of her friends, started upon a boating excursion. Passing several vessels of prisoners just arrived in the harbor, at the urgent request of Viola, they went on board one of them. And while this scene of misfortune and misery called forth the idle jests and mirth of her French companions, it excited the deepest interest

in the breast of Viola, and caused the silent tear. It was not alone a sympathetic feeling of compassion, which any other scene of misery would have awakened, that affected her; but it was the sight of Englishmen, whom she felt were her friends, and that their interest was her interest, and at heart wished them success in the struggle. While walking with Edward about the deck, and occasionally addressing them in her vernacular, she accidentally observed one among them, of commanding mien, who seemed, more than his companions, to rise above his misfortunes, and to reflect upon surrounding circumstances with calm, though deeply affected feelings. When first she cast her eye upon him, she thought him a form of the noblest mould she had ever seen; and as she frequently passed in that direction, and each time met his large blue eye fixed upon her, and saw a countenance beaming frankness and generosity, her good opinion was by no means lessened. When about to leave the vessel, as she took a last look upon him, she felt the crimson come upon her cheek, and yet she knew not why, unless it was from that tender feeling-sympathy!

It is impossible for any who have not viewed for themselves, to conceive of the great variety, and the splendor of the scenery of our border lakes, and the noble St. Lawrence.

The Hudson and Connecticut, more known, because more frequented and sung of, are not superior in the beauty of their scenery, while in majesty, grandeur, and variety, they are, in our opinion, quite inferior. Leaving the thunder of Niagara, and passing Ontario's placid waters, you enter the channel of the river, winding your way through the "thousand islands," a scene of unsurpassed beauty. Then with the broad, deep channel of the majestic river before, and on either hand, the shore so distant as to lend enchantment to the view, the eye is never wearied with gazing at the high bluffs, overhanging crags, sloping woodlands, flourishing villages, and numerous islands, which pass in rapid succession for hundreds of miles, until passing the "Gibraltar of the new world," the river is soon lost in the "dark blue sea." But a truce to this prosing, and to our boating party. Careering gaily o'er the waters under a light press of sail, all were full of mirth and glee, save the fair Viola, o'er whose countenance a pensive thoughtfulness seemed suddenly to have come.

"Remarkably serious all on a sudden, our friend Miss Stricland appears to have become. Mr. Morley, can you divine the cause?" said Miss Fenwick, archly.

"Oh, merely a touch of sympathy for that prisoner, the blue eyed Colonel, I suspect, as I saw them eycing each other very closely," replied Morley. "But, Miss Stricland, do I pray you,

Miss S, relieve us from suspense, by informing us whether this be really an affection of the heart, or only of the head?"

"Only of the head, sir. I trust you don't think my heart so easily stormed," replied Viola, slightly coloring.

"Certainly not," returned Morley, laughing. "I was only thinking how poisonous must have been the atmosphere of the vessel to have affected your head so suddenly! However, I did myself feel quite sorry for that gallant fellow, for he is of the real English blood, high spirit and family, a brave officer, as his conduct at Oswego proved to me, and a generous hearted soldier, as his affability and kindness to his fellow prisoners showed. But the fate which rules our destinies is unseen and unalterable, and the fortunes of war may soon place me in a similar situation."

"Quite possible, Mr. Morley, unless your heels should save you," said Viola.

"Capital!" answered Morley. "I think Miss S-― is convalescing rapidly: but here we are again at the wharf, and I think it is well, for I have a fine appetite for that haunch of venison we were to have for dinner."

That Miss Stricland's sympathetic temperament should have induced her to make frequent "visits of mercy" to the barracks of the prisoners, would by no means seem surprising, while the fact that she always accidentally passed Maverick's (for such, gentle reader, you must have, ere this, conjectured the gallant prisoner to have been) place of confinement, and that the crimson came to her cheeks as she met his noble countenance and benignant smile, was indeed rather surprising. Nor did the fact escape the observation of Maverick, who almost unconsciously hoped, and yet dared not think himself the cause. Two or three weeks passed thus, when an order was brought from an unknown source for Maverick to have the freedom of the city on parole. The exchange of the miserable accommodations of a prisoner's barracks for lodgings in an airy hotel, was by no means displeasing, but more especially agreeable, as it afforded the advantages of society, into the most fashionable of which, M.'s versatile genius, the bland politeness of his manners, together with his reputation as a soldier, quickly gained him admission. The frequent opportunities Maverick and Viola now had for each other's society, and a free interchange of sentiments, daily tended to increase the favorable opinion each had formed of the other, when fortune first threw them in contact. There was a magic charm, which neither had ever before felt, that drew them together at the dance and the social party. But why should the inexperienced attempt a description of "the course of true love." It is in vain, and we forbear! At the evident preference of Viola for Maverick, the maiden gossips of the city were aroused; scandal, rife with jealousy, was awake, and rumor abroad. Viola's uncle,

whose whole attention had been engaged in military affairs, became alarmed. That his niece should form an attachment to any one except Edward, was too much; but that it should be to an Englishman! an English prisoner! was really enraging. He used every art to depreciate M. in her esteem, which, only tending to kindle into a flame their already deeply excited passions, and their future union being resolved upon, Maverick was, under false pretenses, remanded to prison, soon to be sent to Quebec. He immediately sent the following by a trusty servant to Viola. "Viola, the injustice of Senezergus is about to consign me to the dungeons of Quebec. My only anxiety is for your safety and welfare. Fear not for me. Confident that I possess your esteem, I can smile at the grates and bars of a dungeon. But the fortunes of war are uncertain; and should fate bestow on me freedom, I fly to my country's noble standard, "to gather laurels to garland your brow." I look upon the past with pleasure, and the future with hope. Let me know of your situation if possible, Devotedly yours, MAVERICK."

To which Viola, enraged at the injustice of her uncle, returned the following answer; which, if not quite so sentimental, is quite as expressive as some modern love epistles:

"Dearest Henry:-The treatment I receive from my uncle is scarcely less rigorous than it is towards you; closely watched, I receive little at his hands but taunts and invective. And should I unsuccessfully attempt to thwart his designs, I can expect nothing from his tyranny but the severest vengeance.

"I would I were free from his unjust domination. Edward is my only friend, and would be more kind but for the power of uncle over him. Were you only free and safe, I should be comparatively happy. As it is, let us calmly await the events of the future. VIOLA."

On receiving this, the spirit of Maverick was aroused, and he resolved at least to make an attempt, to free himself and Viola from the tyranny of Senezergus. He devised a thousand schemes, all of which were unsatisfactory; until, in union with Teniqua, (a faithful Indian friend taken with him at Oswego,) he hit upon the following bold plan. To free himself from confinement, which from his universal good conduct would be comparatively easy; meet Viola at some place agreed upon; pass the river in a boat prepared by Teniqua; remain in a cavern known only to Teniqua, until pursuit should cease, and then pass under the guidance of their Indian friend, through that dense wilderness, stretching from the St. Lawrence to the valley of the Mohawk, and inhabited only by a few hostile Indians. Difficult and dangerous as it was, it was the best plan they could devise, and did not hesitate to attempt its execution. Its success is already known. A servant

accidentally perceiving some one leaving the house, and suspecting it was Viola, went to her apartment, and finding her absent, aroused her uncle, who sending servants in all directions, went himself to the prison of Maverick, and finding him gone, the whole scheme broke at once upon him; and mad with rage, in company with Edward, and two or three of the soldiers, he was wandering about the banks of the river, when the report of the dying sentinel's carabine attracted them to the spot, where he saw the boat passing the river. The rage and barbarity of Senezergus passed all bounds.

Maverick was tried and condemned to be shot, for the murder of the sentinel; notwithstanding Viola declared that the murder was committed by Teniqua, Maverick's blood would alone satisfy the vengeance of Senezergus. He was however, at the earnest request of Edward, reprieved for a short time. Soon after, Louisbourg having fallen into the hands of the English, and an assault daily expected upon Quebec, Senezergus was called with a reinforcement, for the defense of that fortress. Leaving Viola in care of Edward at Montreal, he took Maverick with him, resolved to free himself from fear of so dangerous an enemy by his death. In the mean time Teniqua was not forgetful of his friend. Having by various means discovered the removal of Maverick, as well as his sentence of death, he entered Quebec as a friend, sent from a distant tribe, to form an alliance with the victorious French. Montcalm received him with that studied ease and affability he knew so well how to assume, and which gave him such unbounded influence over the wild sons of the forest. Knowing the necessity of gratifying all their capricious whims in order to preserve their friendship, he, after presenting Teniqua with various trifling trinkets, gave him a passport directing the officers to gratify him in any trifling request and dismissed him. Teniqua wandering about the city near dark, came with apparent carelessness to the place where prisoners were confined, and as the keeper was going his evening round with their allowance of food, desired to go with him. The keeper at first roughly pushed him aside, but on seeing his passport from Montcalm, very doggedly and sullenly allowed him to follow. They had passed nearly all the cells, and Teniqua began to despair, when the soft sound of a flagelet, which he had often heard Maverick play, struck upon his ear. Presently the door of the cell whence the sound issued was opened, and there he beheld the stately form of Maverick, with a pale and dejected countenance, reclining on a miserable couch of straw. M. not immediately recognizing Teniqua, addressed the keeper, "Hell Fonzell, what says the general about my fate?" "You will learn soon enough. Eight o'clock to-morrow morning, at the old barracks, will tell you," replied the keeper gruffly. "Let it come," said Maverick, "for