time at Portsmouth. His letter is dated ' Gibraltar,' and he doubted whether that or himself would first reach England. Delight sparkled in Ellen's eyes as she watched the beams of pleasure in her brother's; yet something of a serious reflection mingled in their expression. After a little pause he said, "It is three years since we last met; and three years at such a period of his life may have given many new impressions to his mind, and perhaps effaced old ones. I too may be altered yet he writes as if the memory of our early attachment was still green in his soul; and every line breathes the spirit of undiminished friendship. Do you remember him, Ellen ?” “Oh, I can never forget him never forget his kindness on a thousand occasions. When he jumped into the little brook, and rescued my doll, as I thought, from drowning; and when he snatched my kitten from the savage grasp of some boys; I regarded him as a hero, as an actual Hotspur. But when he nursed my poor little sick squirrel, fed my nest of black

birds, and afterwards gave them liberty, I loved him as a brother, loved him next to yourself, Edmund; and when he left us, after these acts of heroism and humanity, I remember I wept myself almost blind, and kissed my doll because I thought she was a favourite of his. But it is five or six years since I last saw him; yet I cannot forget how pale and thin he was; nor his fine eye, long eye-lashes, and white teeth. I wonder if he is the same now?" "We shall soon see, Ellen," replied Edmund; "for I must leave you, my dear friends, to make inquiries about the vessel in which he intended to sail, and, if he be arrived at Portsmouth, seek him out, or await his coming; and I then will hasten back."

Whatever were the regrets he felt at parting with Julia, even for a short time, he strove to suppress them, and to give to friendship all its claims. Julia herself urged him to lose no time in going, lest Percy should arrive and set off for Albany whilst they were at Ryde. But as she said this, her

tearful eye and trembling lip betrayed the emotion of her bosom. These unequivocal testimonies of tenderness and grief were to Edmund "sweet though mournful." He soothed her, gazed upon her again and again, pressed her to his heart; and, after "as many farewells as there be stars in the heaven," rushed out of the house, and hastened to the boat which waited to take him to Portsmouth.

Henry Percy was the second son of a private gentleman of large fortune. In his childhood his health was delicate, and from his incapacity to join in the usual sports of boys, originated a greater fondness for reading, study, and reflection. From the wonders: of fairy land, and the heroic exploits of giants, he proceeded to history and travels; and whilst he read of great men, he was emulous to imitate great actions; or to visit scenes which the traveller described, and to which his lively imagination gave the most, glowing colours. The last-formed wish ever became the predominant one in his bosom.

His thoughts wandered from the tropics to the poles; and all created space appeared to his rambling and enthusiastic mind, but as a speck which he might easily explore; and as his boyish fancy pursued the course of such reflections, he determined, when he was a man, to gratify his inclination.

His health improving, he was sent to a public school, where he and Edmund became intimate associates. The same desire of profiting by observation existed in both, and their ardent spirits would inflame each other by the confession of their mutual wishes, the imaginary beauties of distant lands, and the delights of travelling. But Edmund's towering flights were soon repressed by the misfortunes of his family; and with a heart as tender as his fancy was lively, he checked every inclination that might militate against his proving himself to his parents and sister, the son and brother which their sorrows required; directing the powers of his mind, and the force of his ambition, to the regula

tion of his feelings and the acquirement of

knowledge.

Percy accompanied him to Cambridge, and their friendship daily became stronger, though their views were different. His desire of travelling continued to increase, and he anxiously looked forward to the time when he might make his request to his father with a prospect of its being granted. In the mean time he pursued with more avidity. than ever his favourite reading, applied himself to modern languages, and did not entirely neglect his college studies. The example of Edmund was ever before him; and though he did not bear away prizes, he attained a respectable rank amongst the candidates for university honours. He frequently accompanied his friend to the Rectory, and became as much a favourite with the parents and sister as with the son. By the sudden death of his brother, which was soon follow. ed by that of his father, the whole of a very considerable property devolved to him. As