voyage, the bright and beautiful moonlight scenery floated before their eyes, like a vision of enchantment. Every object, half hid, and half revealed, in the pale and uncertain light, was mellowed into grace; and not a sound was heard, except the sighing of the wind among the trees of the forest, which hung, like a cloud, around the skirts of the settlement, and the low murmuring of the ocean, slowly rolling its waves upon the strand. The village of Plymouth, with its lowly houses and cultivated fields, alone interrupted the wild magnificence of nature; and, unimportant as it seemed amidst her vast dominions, was a striking monument of the enterprise of man, and the freedom and independence of his spirit. The scene produced, in the mind of Atherton, sensations of mingled awe and delight; he felt, as if translated to a holier and happier sphere; and, for awhile, the passions, and hopes, and disappointments of earth, were lost in the novelty and intenseness of his emotions. He stopped, and gazed around; and his companion, who, if he did not comprehend the nature of his feelings, at least, forbore to interrupt them, retired within the shadow of a dwelling-house, apart from Atherton, who stood leaning against the twisted and gnarled trunk of a venerable oak, quite unconscious of his vicinity to the residence of man. The evening was far advanced, the busy hum of voices had ceased, and a few feeble lights streaming through the narrow casements, and then sud denly extinguished, shewed, that the inhabitants were fast seeking their repose. Suddenly, a low, sweet strain of vocal music stole upon the ear;-it gradually rose, and swelled into full cadence, and a female voice, soft, rich, and powerful, predominated in a slow and solemn tune of sacred melody. Atherton started, and looked round; but his half uttered exclamation of surprise was interrupted by the Captain, who softly approached, motioning him to silence. 6 Hush,' said he in a whisper, or we shall disturb the family, who are now at their evening worship; it is the custom, here, to begin and close each day with devotional exercises, in which the singing of a psalm is included.' 'And whose voice is that, so full of sweetness and harmony,' asked Atherton. 6 'It is Miriam Grey's, the fairest maiden of NewEngland,' replied his friend; but had we not better withdraw? I would not, for the world, be discovered loitering beneath the windows.' Oh no, not yet, hark!" said Atherton, almost breathless with attention; and again he listened, till the last notes died away; and even then lingered, hoping again to hear the voice, or at least to catch a glimpse of the fair musician: but he waited in vain; all continued silent, and, though a faint light shewed the apartment in which the family was assembled, they were screened from observation by a curtain, which hung against the casement. At that moment, too, a favourite dog, who had long shared the fortunes of Atherton, began to bark at some offensive object, threatening a speedy discovery; and he reluctantly turned from the spot. During the remainder of their walk, Major Atherton sunk into a deep reverie: and his imagination was so excited by the events of the evening, and the novelty of his situation, that it was long after he had retired to rest, before sleep visited his eyelids; and, then, the sweet voice of Miriam Grey haunted his dreams. He awoke and heard only the waves lashing the sides of the vessel, and the wind whistling among the shrouds; and again closing his eyes, to exclude the day-light, which was beginning to steal into the cabin, he fell into a long and profound slumber. CHAPTER II. Scenes of woe and scenes of pleasure, BURNS. THE father of Major Atherton was left an orphan in early childhood; and, with an only sister, consigned to the guardianship of his maternal uncle, Sir Robert Fenly, who, in receiving his young charge from the hands of their dying mother, promised to watch over them with care, and faithfully discharge the duties of his interesting and responsible office; a promise which he fulfilled, at least, to his own satisfaction, by entrusting their education and morals entirely to strangers; while, engaged in an eager pursuit of pleasure, which left no leisure from its selfish and absorbing engagments to observe the intellectual progress of his wards, he contented himself with remarking, from time to time, their proficiency in the outward accomplishments, suited to their rank and age, and which, in his opinion, were alone of essential importance. But the gentleman he selected, as tutor to his nephew, was fortunately possessed of excellent principles, a vigorous understanding, and those attaching qualities of the mind and heart, which secured the entire confidence and affection of his VOL. I. 2 voyage, the bright and beautiful moonlight scenery floated before their eyes, like a vision of enchantment. Every object, half hid, and half revealed, in the pale and uncertain light, was mellowed into grace; and not a sound was heard, except the sighing of the wind among the trees of the forest, which hung, like a cloud, around the skirts of the settlement, and the low murmuring of the ocean, slowly rolling its waves upon the strand. The village of Plymouth, with its lowly houses and cultivated fields, alone interrupted the wild magnificence of nature; and, unimportant as it seemed amidst her vast dominions, was a striking monument of the enterprise of man, and the freedom and independence of his spirit. The scene produced, in the mind of Atherton, sensations of mingled awe and delight; he felt, as if translated to a holier and happier sphere; and, for awhile, the passions, and hopes, and disappointments of earth, were lost in the novelty and intenseness of his emotions. He stopped, and gazed around; and his companion, who, if he did not comprehend the nature of his feelings, at least, forbore to interrupt them, retired within the shadow of a dwelling-house, apart from Atherton, who stood leaning against the twisted and gnarled trunk of a venerable oak, quite unconscious of his vicinity to the residence of man. The evening was far advanced, the busy hum of voices had ceased, and a few feeble lights streaming through the narrow casements, and then sud |