672 
in the country; on the contrary, they 
occur there less seldom, as beneficial oc- 
cupatiuns and useful cares afford me the 
most favourable opportunites, while “at 
the castle, of escaping as it were from 
myself. Indeed, Elizabeth, Lam weary 
of this world; [meet with nothing in it 
that pleases me; my eyes are tired with 
beholding the nulliues of existence which 
war in their little splere for precedency. 
eorshe who has seen but one man, 
has nothing new to see; there is for ever 
the same round of ideas, the same unva- 
vying circle of phrases and sensations, 
and the most interesting of the sex can 
never be any thing more than merely 
ainiable. 
“ But do not think that my 
lot is the subject of complaint. I should 
be guilty indeed were I to murmur, for 
is not iny husband the best of men? Le 
loves me, aud I revere him; nay, I would 
die for him, and, in addition to all other 
ties, is he not the father of my two dear 
children, Adolphus and Laura? Besides 
this, he possesses many other claims to 
my tenderness, for he is not only attached 
to this spot, but he daily returns thanks 
to me for approving of it. 
“In addition to this, the care of. his 
manufactory, and the superintendance of 
the workmen employed in it, are occupa- 
tions wholly congenial to bis taste. Be- 
sides, it aflurds the means of contributing 
not a little to the felicity, as well as the 
prosperity of others, particularly the vil- 
fagers who inhabit the neighbouring han- 
let. He employs the idle, gives bread to 
the hungry; industry smiles around, for 
the women and childien all work: and 
indeed he appears to be the very centre, 
as well as the real cause, of all the good 
that is done within ten leagues of his 
habitation. 
* Ab! my friend, bad the world but 
so large a portion of attraction, as in- 
spires disgust, 1 would still remain here; 
to a woman who loves ber busband, the 
days in which she experiences pleasure, 
are considered merely as ordinary days. 
On the cther hand, those during which 
she possesses the means of communicating 
her happiness to others, are reckoned as 
so many festivals, dedicated to joy.” 
Notwithstanding this strange mixture 
of vice and virtue, time might bave re- 
conciled the mind ef Clara, even with 
ai] the warmth of such an ungovernable 
imagination, to that duty which .alone 
could constitute her happiness; had not 
an unfortunate accident thrown Frederic, 
a very interesting young man, nineteen 
Retrospect of French Literature—Miscellances, 
years of age in her way, and made hime 
an inmate in the same family. The best 
description of the hero, perhaps, will be 
found in the very words of the lady her- 
self, who describes him ‘as beautilul, 
very beautiful, with a demeanor noble, 
a physiognomy open, and a conduct re- 
served without being embarrassed. 
“Vhis young man” adds she ‘ was 
born, and has been brought up among 
the Cevennes; and his residence in those 
mountains has conferred as much sup- 
pleness and activity on his. body, as 
onginalityron bis mind, and candour on 
his character. Meantime, he is totally 
unacquainted with our customs, for if we 
are at a door, and he bappeus to be ina 
hurry,he goes through Grst; and whenever 
he is hungry, he helps himself to what he 
wants, without waiting to be asked. Ife 
has no manner of reserve whatsoever, in 
enquiring about any thing concerning 
which he wants to be informed, so: that 
his questions would seem indiscreet, were 
it not that he puts them merely because 
he is ignorant that ibey ought not to be 
introduced, 
“ As to myself, [love that novel kind 
of character which exhibits itself frankly 
aud without disguise. I adinive that 
honesty which makes him sometimes ap- 
pear deficient in politeness, but never in 
complaisance, because the gratification of 
others constitutes his own pleasure.” 
Meanwhile Frederic, who is the kins- 
man of M. d’Albe, is treated as a son, 
and the kind but imprudent husband, 
finding the young stranger utterly unac- 
quainted with the world, entrusts him 
to the care and management of his wile, 
who is strictly enjoined to form hls man- 
ners and superimtend his behavioar., ‘This 
soon proves to be a dangerous task for 
both, and accordingly while the good 
unsuspecting old gentleman is occupied 
with the caves of bis manufactory, the 
young couple become deeply, but insen- 
sibly, enamoured with each other. 
At first Clara wishes to disguise the 
real state of her heart, both to herself 
and her correspondent; and this “ grave 
preceptor of a young man of nineteen,” 
endeavours to consider their love uacer 
the less gniltv guise of friendship, 
“qs not friendship,” exclaims she “ far 
from being a cold sentiment? Hasit not 
also its emotions, its transports? and 
when we confound these with a more 
impassioned sensation, it is not the feel- 
ing, but the judgment that is in fault. 
Frederic experiences the passion of 
friendship fur the first time in his ide, 
gu 
