University of Virginia Library

25. CHAPTER XXV.

The fortunes of our hero and his beloved Julia
having reached their zenith, and the destiny of those
whose fate was linked with theirs being fixed for
good or ill, it behoves us, with them, to retire from
the scene, nor linger before the audience after the
fitting time for the descending of our drama's curtain.

Impressed with this conviction; we bid adieu to all
our fellow-voyageurs, referring them to the following
editorial article from the Court Journal for the
particulars of a denouement, which it is presumed
they have generally anticipated.

From the Court Journal of—, 18—

“MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.

“On Monday last Jerningham House, the beautiful
and romantic seat of Lord Templeton, was honoured

by the presence of a most brilliant assemblage
of rank, beauty and fashion, on the occasion of the
union of his lordship's eldest daughter, the Hon. Miss
Jerningham, with his Excellency Lucius Courtenay,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
from the United States of America, near the Court
of St. James', and also that of Sydney Clifton Borrowdale,
Esquire, of New-York, America, to Julia,
adopted daughter of James Borrowdale, Esquire, of
Boston, in the state of Massachusetts.

“The interest attached to the performance of this
important ceremony was greatly heightened on the
present occasion by the romantic nature of the
younger Mr. Borrowdale's history; who, stolen from
his parents in childhood, was placed in charge of a
wretched couple named Glenthorne, who both closed
a life of crime by suicide. The facts connected
with his supposed parentage have attained notoreity
by their partial disclosure at a recent trial for
highway robbery; but it is not generally known
that the young gentleman is a near relative of the
noble lord whom he gallantly rescued from the
clutches of the robbers, and will, at the demise of
his father, stand next in succession to the title and
estates.

“From his first advent in this world of trouble,
Mr. Borrowdale appears to have been the sport of
malign influences, which, until quite recently, have
reigned with despotic sway over his fortunes and reputation.
To the schemes of one De Lyle is attributed

the greater portion of his late calamities, who,
our readers will recollect, was murdered a few days
since by one whom he had deeply injured. In addition
to all these circumstances, the authorship of
“Fatality” and “The Conscience Stricken,” is
avowed by this accomplished American, who will
rival the most celebrated authors of our time, if a
fortune and the possession of the young lady to
whom he is passionately attached, do not clip the
eagle wings of his ambition, and cause him to abandon
a career in which he is so well fitted to shine.

“Among the guests were several distinguished
Americans, of whom Baillie Shafton, Julius Ellingbourne
and Pierce Matthison, Esquires, were conspicuous.
The first named gentleman is a great
favourite in our fashionable circles, where on a previous
visit to the metropolis his sallies of wit, and
courteous manners rendered him a welcome guest
at every mansion.

“Mr. Ellingbourne was the antagonist of the
younger Mr. Borrowdale, in an affair of honour,
previous to his leaving New-York, the result of
which was nearly fatal to the former. Mutual
explanations have removed all cause of hostility,
and, like men of honour, they are again friends. Mr.
Matthison is somewhat celebrated, considering his recent
arrival among us, for the promulgation of a
novel theory relating to the mutual operation of mind
and matter, and although we do not profess to have
become converts to the gentleman's doctrines, we

cheerfully admit the originality and plausibility
with which they are presented.

“It would perhaps be invidious to select any lady
from the brilliant throng as peculiarly entitled to admiration,
but we may well be pardoned for noticing
the majestic figure and graceful bearing of Miss
Helen Elwell, a young American lady—and the
cousin of Mr. Borrowdale's charming bride—who
was the cynosure of all eyes.

“A whisper circulated through the crowd, alledging
her early attachment to the young American who
has wedded her cousin, excited the curious attention
of many guests; but if “grief, like a worm in
the bud,” preyed on her heart, its effect on her person
was not discernible; unless a lofty appearance
of indifference to the ceremonies of the bridal, might
be deemed the result of studied effort, rather than the
natural effects of constitutional coldness.

“Since the celebration of these nuptials, we learn
that Julius Ellingbourne, Esq., has led this young
lady to the hymeneal altar, and we trust that no regrets
for unattainable enjoyments will poison the
happiness of either party.

“We are informed that it is the intention of Lord
Templeton and his beautiful unmarried daughter,
the Hon. Miss Euphenia Jerningham, to visit an
estate in the north of England, in company with
the new-married couples.

“As a sequel to the notice of Mr. Borrowdale, jun.'s
history, it may be well to state that to a worthy gentleman

of New-York and his lady was he indebted
for the name of Clifton, who, although in moderate
circumstances, gave their adopted son an education
which his genius and application have nobly improved.
For this excellent couple their charge entertains
the most affectionate regard; and from respect
for those to whom his future heir is so deeply
indebted, Lord Templeton has transferred them the
title deeds of a valuable estate in the county of Northumberland,
and in the event of their declining its
occupancy the income will be remitted them annually.

“By late arrivals from New-York, it appears that
an individual named Thomas Burchard, who was
the instrument and pander of De Lyle, in his base
assaults upon the character of Mr. Borrowdale, has
at length atoned for his crimes, by being recently
sentenced to the State's prison for life. The immediate
cause of his arrest was the commission of a
daring burglary; and the developments on his
trial were so fatal to his cause, that the bench of
judges unanimously concurred in awarding the
severest punishment which the law would permit.
The eminent mercantile house of Howard, De Lyle
& Co., of New-York, have suspended payment.
This unlooked-for event created the most intense
excitement in commercial circles, when it was understood
that the large engagements which caused
their bankruptcy were entered into surreptitiously by
the younger De Lyle, without the knowledge of his

partners; and that the endorsements were, in many
instances, forgeries. That the senior partner of the
firm, the father of the wretched individual whose
career was recently closed in this city, will, on learning
the fate of his only child, be prostrated, never to
rise, is but too probable; and we unite with his business
friends here, in deploring a calamity which
will embitter the remaining days of a high-minded
and virtuous gentleman.

“A recurrence by Messrs. Courtenay and Clifton to
early reminiscences disclosed an intimacy which existed
between them in boyhood of which both were
previously unaware.

“In consequence of Mr. Courtenay having inherited
a large fortune, on condition of assuming the name
of the legatee, the gentlemen met in London as
strangers.

“The name of the American minister was originally
Henry Melbourne, and it is stated that his
father was a distinguished American officer.”