LETTER LXV.
WORTHY to Mrs. HOLMES.
We have surmounted the performance
of the last scene of our tragedy,
with less difficulty and distress than I imagined.
Great numbers crouded to see the
body of poor Harrington; they were impressed
with various emotions, for their sympathizing
sorrow could not be concealed—Indeed a
man without sensibility exhibits no sign of a
soul. I was struck with admiration at the
observations of the populace, and the justness
of the character they drew of the deceased.
“Alas!” said one—“poor youth,
thou art gone. Thou wast of a promising
genius, of violent passions, thou wast possesied
of a too nice sensibility, and a dread of
shame. It is only such an one who would
take the trouble to kill himself. Ah! poor
well natured, warm hearted, hot headed
youth—how my heart bleeds for you! We
consider thee as the dupe of Nature, and the
sacrifice of Seduction.”—The old father
hears this, and becomes overwhelmed with
shame and sorrow.
THE jury which sat upon the body of our
friend, after mature consideration, brought in
their verdict SUICIDE. The rigour of the
law was not executed—the body was privately
taken away, and I saw it deposited by
the side of his faithful Harriot.
I SEND you inclosed a copy of the Monumental
Inscription, as written by Harrington.
I found it with many loose papers. It contains
the story of our unfortunate friends, and
a profitable moral is deduced from it.
THOUGH a few weeks begin to spread a
oalm over our passions, yet the recollection
of our misfortunes will sometimes cause a
momentary agitation, as the ocean retains
its swell, after the storm subsides.
Adieu!
Monumental Inscription.
THOU who shalt wander o'er these humble plains,
Where one kind grave their hapless dust contains,
O pass not on—if merit claim a tear,
Or dying virtue cause a sigh sincere.
Here rest their heads, consign'd to parent earth,
Who to one common father ow'd their birth;
Unknown
Unknown this union—Nature still presides.
And Sympathy unites, whom Fate divides.
They see—they love—but heaven their passion tries
Their
love sustains it, but their
mortal dies.
Stranger! contemplate well before you part,
And take this serious counsel to thy heart
Does some fair female of unspotted fame,
Salute thee, smiling, with a father's name,
Bid her detest the fell Seducer's wiles,
Who smiles to win—and murders as he smiles.
If ever wandering near this dark recess,
Where gaurdian spirits round the ether press;
Where, on their urn, celestial care descends,
Two lovers come, whom fair success attends,
“O'er the pale marble shall they join their heads,
“And drink the falling tears each other sheds
“Then sadly say, with mutual pity moved,
“0! may we never love as these have loved.”
The END.
