PARISMAS was bred up to the sea, he was of a comely stature, well pro­portioned, the most perfect symmetry was i [...] his whole construction, his eyes at the same time they discovered the most tender sensa­tions of mind, exhibited the strongest fea­tures of fortitude and maj [...]y, his counte­nance was serene as the un [...]u [...]e [...] [...], but at the same time displayed the most evident tokens of greatness, and was a proper in­dex to a mind the most magnanimous, and a temper the most engaging; he was the pride of [...] acquaintance, and the idle of the sex.

[Page 4] At the [...]g [...] of twenty-one, he took the command of a ship in the India trade, the cargo of which was consigned to an English merchant, at CANTON, by the name of Negotio, he arrived safe at the Port, and delivered his charge to the merchant, who in return, shipped on board such goods as he was directed to, by the owner. While these things were carrying on, Negotio took his country man Parismas to his house, where he was introduced to his lady.—Parismas was struck with astonishment at the sight, beauty's perfections were all displayed, her eyes out shone the diamond, the ruby was rival'd by her lips, the rose faded when compared with the vivid colour of her cheeks, alabaster lost its whiteness when compared with her snowy bosom, her hair of a darkish brown hung in ringling tresses over her shoulders, her shape was the most exquisite that imagination can paint, she was decorated in her habit in all the magnif­icence and pride of the east,

Her mind [...]ited an epitome of all the accomplishment which human nature is capable of, in short, the famed Dejanira, or Flora the Grecian queen, with all the god­desses of antiquity were by no means to be compared with this ne plus [...]itra of human perfection.

[Page 5] She received Parismas, with all that elegance of speech and gesture, which the height of female accomplishments and ac­quirements are capable of inspiring: Parismas was at first lost in wonder, and was for a while totally incapable of return­ing any kind of compliments, at length he recovred in accents scarcely articulate, made as good a return as his situation was cap­able of admitting, but further acquaintance, though it by no means lessened his esteem of her: yet it gradually dimished the awe with which he was at first confounded, 'till he could stedfastly behold her without being confussed with her charms.

His business being compleated, Parismas took an affectionate farewell of Negotio, but infinitely more so of the all accomplished lady, who by this time had unintentionally made herself perfect master of his heart and affections. He left Canton, and embarked for London; sleepless nights and joyless days were by turns the melancholy com­panions of his voyage home, he returned safely, much to the satisfaction of his em­ployers, who assoon as circumstances would admit, sent him again to the same place on a similar errand: after a customary course he arrived safely at Canton again. The sight or the place reanimated every idea of his [Page 6]lovely lady, for whose sake only he could wish to live, though his ideas of chasteical honour forbid his expecting or ever desiring to enjoy her.

He landed and directed his course to the House of Negotio, who received him with that genteel ceremony which the most refined in manners make use of to those they hold most dear, the same pleased vivacity sparkled in his countenance, which Parismas had formerly observed seated there, and he experienced every mark of ge­nerosity as well as affability which Negotio had made use of on former occasions, every thing in his house appeared with the same grandeur and life as was usual, but to the great mortification of our Captain, his ado­rable angel was not to be seen.

He asked no questions, supposing she was absent on a visit to some friend, at night he retired, but the most dismal forebodings that some dire fatality had be­fallen her; at the return of morning, he again pursued the prosecution of his business, and again waited on Negotio, and for seven­teen days successively, dined at his table, but with the most cutting mortification at not having the satisfaction of once beholding this admirable lady, or ever once hearing her name mentioned.

[Page 7] At the expiraton of which time having his cargo all on board, & a favourable wind presenting, he went to take his leave of Negotio, who, with the warmest expressions of friendship, was about wishing a pleasant and agreeable passage home, when Paris­mas, whose heart suffered the most vexing anxiety to have some information with re­gard to Negotio's lady, thus addressed him, Dear Sir, you appear possessed of the same tranquil disposition which always ornament­ed you, and your circumstances in life ren­der you a proper object of envy, yet there is one inquiry which labours in my swelling bosom, which I am no longer able to sup­press, I hope therefore you will be so good as to pardon me, when I inquire after your amiable lady, as she has been absent these seventeen days; and I have not once heard her named: Is she living, or is she dead, or absent? his emotion of heart was so great that it was plainly perceivable by his uncommon accents. The undisturbed Negotio calmly replied, she is at home sir. May I be indulged with taking leave of her? said Parismas. O yes, reply'd Ngotio, I will introduce you to her if you desire it, but at the same time, as a friend, I advise you not to trust your curiosity too far, as the fight of her may not produce those agree­able [Page 8]sensations as you may now imagine. O Heavens! said he, with your leave I must see her, my veneration for her is so great, that no consideration whatever can prevent my seeing her, when in my power. Well, said Negotio, your wishes shall be gratified, but if you have in consequence thereof any disagreeable sensations, you will be so good as to blame your own curiosity therefor, and acquit your friend. But however, I think it would be better for you not to think any more on the subject, but depart in peace. Parismas whose anxiety every moment aug­mented in a geometrical proportion, replied, sir, urge that matter no further I beseech you—I am in torment—distracted, in the name of friendship, I conjure you delay me no longer. Friendship, reply'd Negotio forbids my gratifying you—I have such a regard for your peace of mind that I again warmly recommend to give over a design which cannot fail of putting your mind in such a state, as will be very remote from the smallest ideas of satisfaction. Parismas replied, the more you endeavour to dissuade me, the more anxious I am, and I do conjure you, by every principle of friendship, to hold me in this cruel suspence no longer, your dis­course has raised my curiosity to such a pitch, that I am to be delay'd no longer. Well, [Page 9]said Negotio, you shall be gratified, follow me, so quitting the room, they passed a back parlour, on the back side of which, he unlocked a door, that introduced them into a long, narrow, dark and foul room, at the extreme part of which lay a corpse partly devoured, the sight of which, accom­panied with the nauseous scent which it produced, filled poor Parismas with an hor­ror unknown to him before. Negotio pro­ceeded to unlock a door in the back side of this hideous department, from which issued the most wretched object that ever ter­rified the eyes of mortals, it was the wife of Negotio, but what a dreadful, horific meta­morphose! not a single trace was left of her former self; instead of those beautiful charms with which she was formerly posses­sed, the most frightful visage that imagi­nation can depict, presented itself—Her [...]esh emaciated loft her skin forming [...]rinkles of the most gastly aspect, her eyes almost started from their sockets.

She discovered every evidence of the most extreme anguish, horror and dispair, her distorted looks were the emblem of rage and distress, scarcely containing any thing human, the whole decorated with a species of nastiness which served to make the spectacle still more horrid, while a hideous [Page 10]grin compleated the doleful appearance of her face. Round which hung the dishevelled remains of that hair, which was once an ornament to her head.

No sooner had she entered the room, but regardless both of her husband and Paris­mas, she ran with all the haste her enfeebled state of body would admit, to the place where lay the wasting corpse, which she fell to devouring with all the eagerness which hunger is capable of inspiring, tear­ing the putrified flesh with her teeth from the bones. Negotio [...]od holding his watch in his hand f [...] [...] of three minutes, when he steped to [...], took her by the hand, and forcibly dragged her to [...] door, and thrusting h [...] again [...] [...]he [...] abode, turned the key, and confined he [...] while her cries for deliverance were suffi­cient to have mel [...]e [...] a heart of adamant. Parismas was nearly transfixed at the sight, at the same time so singular, so bo [...]d and execrable, and it was with some degree of difficulty that Negotio could induce Pa­rismas to remove back out of the doleful place. With blood full of horror he raised his astonished eyes upon Negotio, and in the accents of grief, cried, "For God's sak [...] Negotio inform me the occasion of thi [...] sight, the idea of it congeals my creeping [Page 11]blood?" Negat [...] i [...] [...] c [...]eless manner, replied, "My [...] inconstant, [...]e [...] favourite died by my ha [...] and his remai [...] are deposited in the long dark room, she is confined as you see, and three minutes in each day she is allowed to [...]at of his body, and as long as she can live in that situation she will live, and no longer; but you will ask me no more questions on this subject. Sir, I have gratified you curiosi­ty, and I expect no more interrogato­ries."

With a heart confounded with amazement, Parismas took leave of Negotio, repaired to his ship, scarcely realizing were he was, or what he was about. The dismal figure of the distressed lady, kept continually hovering before his terrified eyes, and the baleful [...]lea continually harrowing up every tender sensation of his distressed bosom; he ar­rived at his cabin just as the sun began to emerge below the western horizon, he laid himself down, but could no more compose his mind, than a pennant can hang pendent in a tornado; about ten o'clock he started from his cabbin, called two trusty seamen, order [...] them to take twenty fathoms of small [...] and follow him—they obeyed —he rep [...]ed to the house of Negotio, re­solved to liberate the lady, or perish in the [Page 12]attempt:—He found means to ente [...] the yard which encompassed the house, and by going to the back side, found, to the great joy of Parismas, that the back part of the building, in which was the unfortunate lady, was but one story high; and by the help of some old casks, which incommoded the yard, they ascended the roof where they found a chimney which came from the hor­rid appartment of the lady. Parismas made the rope fast round his middle, and giving the end to the seamen, was by them let down into the room where she was confined, be reached the bottom, groped round in the dark, he at last stumbled over the wretched object of his research, he fell across her, and his head struck the floor, the noise of which, with the blow she received awoke her in a fright; a screech announced to Parismas that she was no longer in a sleep: He prevented her second outcry by saying, ‘Dear lady, I am come to liberate you from this wretched place of confinement; submit yourself to my direction, and you shall once more enjoy that liberty, from which you are now debarred; ask me no question, but if you desire to gain your freedom, and once more be happy, let me make this rope fast around you.’ The lady lost in extacy, [Page 13]at such an unexpected event, could scarcely signify to her deliverer her consent to his proposal; but Parismas lost no time in loosing himself from the rope, and mak­ing it fast about the lady, the seamen at a signal made by Parismas, drew her to the top of the chimney, where they cas [...] the rope from her, and then drew up Parismas.

With all the speed they were capable of, they descended to the ground, passed out of the yard, and the seamen taking up the lady, conveyed her safely on board of Parisma's ship, and deposited her safely in the captain's cabbin.

Parismas called all hands upon deck, they weighed anchor, hoisted fail, and having a favorable wind, a fair night, a full uncloud­ed moon, in a few hours they lost sight of the light, which was erected on the outward point, which formed the harbour. Parismas then descended the cabbin, where, in amaze­ment s [...]t the lady, scarcely realizing but she was still in her doleful confinement.

As soon as Parismas descended, she recog­nized his features, and knew him to be her favourite Parismas. "Heavens! exclaimed she, with hands and eyes uplifted—what do I see? where am I? Is it possible that I have escaped—escaped from a doleful place [Page 14]of misery! have I got myself clear from the man, who with a heart harder than the nether mi [...]s [...]n [...], shut up every avenue of compassion, and with a cruelty which would have brought tears of blood from the even of a NER [...], condemned a poor unfor­tunate (though perfectly innocent) women, to a punishment which the worst of tyrants never thought of inflicting, on the most abandoned malefactors; who in a single mo­ment transformed himself from the tenderest of husbands, into a fury, which language is not capable of bestowing a proper name on.

A flood of tears prevented her from pro­ceeding, and before she could again ar­ticulate, her strength fa [...]led her, she swooned away, and to appearance was dead.

Every thing within the power of Paris­mas was exerted to restore animation to her, and considerable time was expended, be­fore an idea could be formed, whether she would ever recover from the li [...]eless stare in which she then was involved; but at last, signs of recovery appeared, and by slow gra [...]ation, she regained her senses.

Parismas then sat himself down by her, [...] in a [...]one half expressing joy and half [...]verwhe [...]e [...] with gile [...], fai [...],—"Madam, [Page 15]it is with the greatest sensations of pleasure when I reflect that I have been the happy in­strument of delivering you from a situation, to which none of the human race were ever reduced: it is no part of my business to enquire what was the cause of that treat­ment which I am sure you could not deserve. My regards for you were so great that I had rather have risked any thing than not have relieved you. You are now sat at liberty, I will convey you to England, where you shall be totally secure from your persecutor, and if providence makes it necessary, you shall want for nothing while I have any property left. I shall order that you have a suitable assortment of apparel brought you directly, together with suitable provision, for your disengaging yourself from every thing disagreeable about you."

By this time the cabin boy had provided some suitable nourishment for her, which she with due caution swallowed, and then proceeded to divest herself of her prison apparel, and decked herself in a sumptuous atti [...]ement, which Parismas had prepared for her.

After she had washed herself, &c. Paris­mas's barber dressed her head, and she once more was ornamented with Jewels, diamonds and rings, and discovered many of those [Page 16]charms which formerly shone in full lustre in her countenance, and appeared once more in many respects to be an object of admiration.

In the evening, Parismas coming into the cabin, took a seat by the lady, whose aspect by this time had recovered much of its native serenity, with a look full of gratitude, she cast her eyes on her deliverer, and with as much complisance as her state would admit of, thus addressed him, "Most dear and benevolent sir," it will be forever beyond the reach of my ability to make you any kind of satisfaction, for the inesti­mable favor you have done me, and the strongest language is infinitely too feeble to express the sensations of gratitude, which oc­cupy my sick heaving bosom: All I can say, is, that all I have, together with my­self, I now dedicate to you, and your service, dispose of me as you think proper; I am willing—more than willing—I wish to be your bond slave while I have a breath to draw. But, if being your slave is too great a favor to grant (which I allow is the case) dispose of, and fell me for life, to whom you see fit. She ended, and Parismas ob­served a silent tear stealing involuntarily down her cheek, and he fancied he saw something struggling in her bosom, which her greatest [Page 17]exertions could not wholly conceal: he stood silent a few moments to observe the conflict, he then broke silence, and said, "fair lady, I conjure you, to smother in your breast no longer, what you wish to reveal; your happy situation is so extraor­dinary, that my impatience tortures me to know what those ideas or reflections are, which so agitate your heaving bosom." Dear sir, replied the lady, it is no easy or pleasant piece of business to relate to you, the cause of my misfortune, which I know myself only by conjecture—Nineteen days ago, my husband and myself rose in the morning as usual, we sat down at the table, drank our chocolate, and I imagined that an unusual pleasantness was seated in his countenance, and good nature in his breast, we chatted away an hour at table, in the most agreeable manner, he then arose, gave me a kind salute, and with a look of mild­ness, left me, and repaired to the yard, at the back of the house, where some affairs de­manded his presence. I heard no more of him, for some time. I waited for his return with impatience for about three hours, at which time, I heard a severe blow in the back room, watch was succeeded by two or three of the b [...]tterest groans which ever [...] ­ [...]ed my as [...]shed heart. I [...] ha [...] [Page] [...] [...]ran towards the place from whence [...] distressing accents came, and to my [...]zement, in the back Parlour I met my [...]band, coming out of a long narrow [...], his eyes spakling with rage, malice [...] depicted in his very features, and the [...]h of infernal spirits is mildness, when [...]pared with the malicious aspect of his [...]tenance, he no sooner fixed his eyes on [...] than his rage instantly became redoub­ [...] and convulsions of malice distorted [...]y feature, and strangly agitated every [...]; with hands trembling with rage, he [...]d me; my astonishment at first prevent­ [...] the organs of speech, from performing [...] functions, and I was nearly in a sus­ [...]sion of thought for a few moments, while [...] the fury of a Demon, he spit in my [...] tearing my head dress from off me, my [...] in the next place fell a prey to his [...], he with his merciless hands tearing [...]le handfuls of it by the roots, throwing [...] the floor, and stamping thereon, my [...] next felt the weight of his displeasure, [...]ringing it till the blood spouted there­ [...], with a violent blow he then struck me [...] [...]he [...]or, kicking and stamping on me, [...] the most bitter execrations rushed in [...]s from his mouth. In vain did I cry [...] to inform me the occasion of this [Page 19]unusual and cruel treatment, after brusing my tend [...]r body in this cruel manner, he se [...]zed me by the remaining hairs of my head, he dragged me almost senseless into the long narrow room, and there flung me down on a body just expiring with the wounds he had received from my husband's hands.

Whether the person thus butchered, was a stranger to me, or one of my acquaintance, his mangled situation and my own direful condition would not admit of my determin­ing.

Now (said he in a voice of rage) faith­less woman, now solace thyself in criminal pleasure! see if the cold embraces of death, will give you more satisfaction than innocent enjoyments of nuptial embrances—He turned pale, stood a few moments motion­less, then drawing his sword, with a tone infernal, he cryed, with this, I would put an instantaneous extinction to your life, but I owe you not so much good will—you shall be reserved for a punishment far more horrid—you [...] all from this instant never taste of any kind of food, except that of the rotting carcase before you—three minutes in each day, you shall have liberty of solacing yourself on his putrifying re­mains, the rest of your time, you shall be contined in the foul apartment on the back [Page 20]side of the house, and no human face but mine shall you ever behold—as long as you can live in that situation you are wel­come to life, when that ceases to be the case, you must go to reap the bitter effects of your disloyalty in the world of spirits. Say­ing this, he with violence seized me, and draged me to the door.

Fruitless were all my entreaties for him to explain my crime to me, and the most solemn declarations that I would evince my innocence if he would admit me to an opportunity therefor—He made me no answer but went off in a rage.

In that situation I remained until Heaven sent you to deliver me. This dear sir, is all that I know of the matter, and I am totally ignorant of what strange fatality gave rise to the passion of jealousy, which it appear­ed to me was the dictator of his conduct.

Parismas listened with the most perfound attention to the Lady's narration, while the trickling tear stole down his cheek, and the [...]g sign could not be prevented from forcing itself from his bosom; after con­soling the Lady, he ordered a tankard of wine to be brought on the [...]a [...]le, with which having refreshed themselves, and business calling Parismas on the deck, he left her in the [...] to her own reflection.

[Page 21] When he returned, he entered into a very familiar discourse on her situation, enquiring if she had no idea of any cir­cumstance, which might give rise to those suspicions in her husband's breast, which induced him to that conduct, in her ans­wer she informed him she was totally ignorant of any thing more than she had told him in her relation before, and her sincerity appeared to be such, as gave Parismas no reason to doubt of her veracity.

Parismas continued to conduct himself towards her with all possible politeness, and with particular care, and saw that she wanted for nothing that could conduce to her wel­fare, and notwithstanding the dreadful situa­tion she was in, before they reached Eng­land she had perfectly recovered whatever she had lost by the barbarous treatment of her husband; brightness again sparkled with additional brilliancy in her eyes, the rose again bloomed in her cheeks, her skin re­assumed its fairness, and she was once more an object which could not be beheld without admiration.

One evening as they sat together in the cabin, after some agreeable discourse, he interrogated her whether she considered her­self under any kind of obligation to her [Page 22]husband or not, on account of the mar­riage covenant between them.

The Lady replied, that notwithstanding the solemnity of marriage contracts, and the great attention with which he had always treated her until the late unheard of transaction, that though, till that time no woman was ever blessed with a better, kinder, or more loving husband, [...]et she had not the least doubt, but that such an open and unprovoked violation of the marriage covenant, must in the nature of things, totally absolve her from every degree of obligation which she laid herself under, when she entered thereinto. Parismas then infor­med her, if she considered herself at her own disposal, and had no objections for exchanging a single life, for a matrimonial one, if her late treatment had not discour­aged her from again trusting her person in the hands of one of that sex who had misus­ed her, he would make an offer of his per­son to her, and that, if it was agreeable to her, on their arrival at England, they would join their hands at the altar of Hymen.

The lady, with looks tool of astonishment and sweetness, in accents which discovered the fur [...] rise of her mind, replied, Is it possi­ble that a person of your nobleness of mind [...] of education, should descend to [Page 23]insult the most unfortunate woman in the world; for it is impossible you should be in earnest.—You, sir, could never brook the idea of [...]ooping to marry a person in my forlorn and distressed circumstances; you will therefore, excuse me, if I view your proposal as a piece of banter, which had better not have escaped from your lips. Most admirable goddess of sincere adora­tion, replied Parismas, you injure me when you suppose I have a tongue which is cap­able of speaking a language foreign from my heart; dissimulation forms no part of my character, and I can easily acquit you of believing the suggestion which you have manifested, I only conceive that my pro­posal does not meet your approbation, and that you have made choice of this genteel method of signifying your disinclination to comply therewith; but a person whose heart is undergoing those torments, which now take full possession of my wretched bosom, is not to be put off by irony or any oblique pretence. I must have my doom categori­cally pronounced by your lips before I give up the object, which is the great pole star of my affections, so you will proceed to declare me the happiest of mortals, or the most miserable of any of the human species, according as you wish well or ill. The [Page 24]lady stood stedfastly looking on his face, till she could read sincerity in every feature in his anx [...]ous countenance, when in accents of rapture she exclaimed, "O! Heavens! is it possible, that the man whom, since first I saw him, I prized above mortals, and whose benevolence has snatched me from the most loathsome, distressing and perishing condition, has notwithstanding all my mis­fortunes, vouchsafed to offer me the nuptial hand! Dear Sir, I am wholly at your dis­posal—I wish to spend the remainder of life in the service of that man who has sav­ed my life, but as to having you for a husband, it would have been an idea I never should have dared to entertain in the most eligible part of my life; so at this time of my dejection and disgrace: the regard I have for you forbids every idea of so far imposing on you as to form that con­nection with you which you request.

Parismas now found use for all his reas­oning powers, in offering her arguments and entreaties to rescind that resolution which she had formed and which she was obstinately determined r [...]v [...] to alter; how­ever, after days spent for that purpose, she was prevailed on to give her [...]ste [...], by giving him her hand in massage, when they [...] at England.

[Page 25] Parsimas now thought himself the hap­piest and most enviable person ex [...]sting; and nothing was to be seen in his cabin but joy and festivity; but a horrid storm arising, drove them one night on a sandy beach, near a small port town, where their ship received a considerable damage, which took considerable time to be repaired.

After having sufficiently repaired their vessel, they again put to sea, and were favoured with a pleasant passage, and the tedious days rolled away, and im­perceptibly shortened the time, necessary to transpire before they could reach the long-wished for British shore; at last ar­riving in the neighbourhood of the Cape de Verd Islands, where there hove in sight a British privateer, which had been con­structed on a merchant ship, and was of nearly the size of the ship in which Parismas was.

Parismas was overjoyed at seeing a ship; belonging to his own country: a sight he had not before beheld for many months, he bore down to her in order to speak with her, hoping to have some intelligence from his country and friends; he spoke with her, found she was a privateer from Bristol. Of her he first learned that a war had then [Page 26]lately broke out between England, Spain and Holland, that he had been cruising off the cape of Good-Hope, in order to in­tercept some of [...] homewar [...] abound Dutch East-Indian en [...]th [...] Captain of the privateer politely invited Parismas on board, which he accepted, and went on board with the lady; [...]s they were sitting in th [...] cabin, discoursing on various sub­jects, the Captain informed them of a very singular action when he had been enga [...]ed in three days before; that in the morning of said day, they found themselves chafed by a ship of a foreign construction, which, to appearan [...] was a ship little in [...] in strength in the privat [...]er; she hov [...] too, for her to come up, and made every pre­paration for an engagment, which in about [...]i [...]ty-five minutes from that, commerced with the greatest fury, and long time for­tune seemed undetermined in whose favour to declare, until [...]ll [...]d [...]ected broad side from the privated, in [...]se a fatal inroad, [...]n the holl of the ass [...]lant, which though it was good to appearance, ye [...], was, vastly in [...]er [...]or to a European built-ship, and in less than thirty minutes went to the bottom; a [...]o [...] a dozen of, the men holy, saving themselves [...]y swamming, one of w [...]ca was the principle character which belonged [Page 27]to the ship, who was taken up badly wounded, and whose life was now despair­ed of; that gentleman was an Englishman, and said he belonged in Canton, and that he was pursuing an English vessel, which had plundered him of a considerable pro­perty, and which he had mistaken the privateer for.

Parismas hearing this, desired to see his unfortunate countryman, on which the Cap­tain gave orders that he should be taken up carefully in a blanket and brought in­to the cabin, which was done accordingly; but what was the astonishment of Paris­mas and the lady, when in their poor un­fortunate countryman, they found Negotio, the husband of the lady! They both stood in silent wonder, gazing on the poor un­fortunate man; while distressed Negotio's eyes, recognised both their visages; while his countenance expressed grief, anger malice, chagrin and shame by turns; a space ensued, when no ideas were com­municated, but by their expressive coun­tenances; at length, Parismas broke silence and thus addressed him—Sir, I am at a loss for words to communicate to you the vari­ous, transitions of lensatiens with which my mind is exercised towards you—your case is truly pitiful, as well as to all ap­pearance, [Page 28]remediless—pity, grief, amaze­ment, horror, resentment, all occupy at the same time my tempestuous bosom, and which of these passions will break out the most furious, I can form no conjecture of; however, I feel a kind of strange satisfac­tion in seeing you, though my sensations on the occasion are very far from being in any sense agreeable.

Negotio pale and wan with the loss of blood, and weakened by pain, chagrin, and reflexion of such a change of circumstances, rolled his eyes round, and begged as a dying man that the cabin might be left a­lone to him, Parismas, and the lady, as he wished a dying conferrence with them: this was granted, and as soon as the cab­in was in their sole possession, the lady thus addressed him: "as you are a dying man, just entering on the eternal world, I demand of you a full explanation of your barbarous and cruel treatment of me the last seventeen days I was in Canton; your recollection will furnish you with ideas, which, I wish not to be pained by mentioning, if it is in your power to satisfy the greatest object of injured innocence, I wish you would do it before those eyes which I formerly beheld with raptures, though now with very differ­ent [Page 29]sensations, are closed in eternal night.

Negotio replied with a faul [...]e [...]ing voice, I will satisfy your curiosity, never was the heart of a man so fully wrapt up in the 'complacency of a woman, as mine in you, till fatal jealousy, a foible of my soul, terminated the short-connection—my most tranquil hours were disturbed by some dire­ful foreboding, that some favourite would be my rival, though I artfully concealed those bitter goadings from the perception of any one—but after we had breakfasted together the last time, and I had repaired to the yard to attend on some business there, an intimate friend and neighbour came up, and I discovered discontent, sat lowering on his countanence, and after the usual complements of meeting, he said, I have something which [...]es with the greatest weight on my mind, and the respect I have for your character, forbids my any l [...]ger concealing it from you—I must give you this information, I shall then [...]ave done my duty, and you may conduct your self in such a way on the occasion as your own [...]on shall dict [...].—Your [...] is notoriously [...]ue to your be [...], and has bee [...] cru [...]a [...]y g [...]y of a violation of the ma [...]ge contract the forme [...] [...] you, [...]o [Page 30]my certain knowledge, for two long years.

Your servant Fidelio is the favourite, and he has twice since you have been in this yard violated your bed. Stung with the most keen resentment, I cry'd, I'll be re­venged—In all the terrors of distraction, I ran into the house, where meeting poor Fidelio, his life fell a sacrifice to my rage; dear madam, you know the rest—here his tears and sighs prevented his proceeding.

At length, he recovered, and thus went on, "After you had by some means effec­ted an escape, I fell in company with this same intimate, who had been absent from town from the time of giving the fatal in­formation, till then: to whom I related the whole of the adventure; I read the great­est perplexity of mind in his visage, while I was repeating the shameful and inhuman part I had acted; at the close of which, he fell on his knees, and said, "forgive me! [...]R GOD'S SAKE, forgive me!" Affronted at a smart repartee, I received from your lady, in company a few evenings before, in which I thought she was too pointed, and that her observation was too [...]sely con­nected w [...]th facts, and the s [...]sfaction which I perceived, or fancied the company took on the mortification w [...] it was out of, my power to prevent them from witnessing [Page 31]what I endured on the occasion. I mentally swore the most severe revenge against her, which it was in my power to be instrumental in procuring. My invention suggested the false and groundless report which I made to you, as I passed by to go out of town.

Thunderstruck with the unexpected con­fession of this incendiary, I was in a suspen­sion of rationality; I drew my sword, and at one stroke reduced him to a lifeless corpse.

With all the speed which I was master of I fitted out a vessel, for the purpose of re­covering my cruelly injured wife; whom, I took it for granted, you Parismas had found means to liberate, and had carried off with you: and the idea I had of her charms forbid my having any hopes of your de­livering her to me, unless compelled by force: I therefore made preparation accord­ingly; I sat sail, prosecuted my voyage, un [...]ll I fell in with the, ship, on board of which we now are: this I took to be your ship; I accordingly began a fierce attack, on her, the issue of which was the sinking of my ship, and being left afloat, mortally wounded; I was taken on board in a cour­teous manner, and have experienced every attention which my situation is capable of admi [...]ing.

[Page 32] But the last s [...]nd of my glass is running, my candle is jost expiring in its socket, and all that did invigorate has deserted me; and my eyes shall soon be closed to open no more: I feel a satisfaction in beholding, that most accomplished of all women, and am happy that she has once more re­gained e [...]na [...]ive lustre.

I thank you sir, that you have taken so much trouble and care to relieve her, but above all, [...]nadam, I heartily, on the bended knees of my soul, ask your pardon and for­givness of my merciless, cruel and causeless abuse of you; and may I bid adieu to this world, with the satisfaction of having your forgiveness: I s [...]e [...]ly resign all, and every right of claim that I have or might be supposed to have to you, and to your illus­ [...]ous deliverer, and may God long bless you together. Here his effections put a stop to his utterance, while [...]ears prevented either Parismas or the lacy for some [...]me from answering. At length she answering, gave h [...]m her [...]ank and [...]ll forgiveness, sealing it with, a kiss. The unfortunate Negotio, sighed out it is enough! I have once more see [...] the woman who has not an equal, and who if is [...]ad no [...] been for my [...]unded jealously, I might st [...]ll have been happy in her enjoyment, but who by my all and [...] ­perable [Page 33]ill treatment, have forfeited every right of claim to, and am wholly unworthy of her; but she has forgiven me, and 'tis but a few moments more I shall see her, but no doubt she will be happy in the enjoyment of her deliverer, who doubtless will be her husband when I am no more I and when that is the case, they have my sincere bles­sing. Parismas stood holding one of his hands, and the lady the other, and each strove to conceal from the other the sensa­tions of their respective hearts, but their countenances spoke a language not easily misunderstood, while Negotio thus continu­ed, "No tongue can express, no imagina­tion can depict the heart rending reflections which have been my constant companions ever since I was informed of your innocence, my eyes would have wept clear blood to have brought you back to my arms, and freely would I have parted with every thing except my life, and even that, if it could have undone what I had so wickedly and precipitately performed, but this is all out of my power, and a few moments more will introduce me to the world of spirits, and ah! here his speech failed him, and they perceived his countenance changed, he strove to speak, but in vain, death the interrupter of all human pursuits, laid h [...]s icy benumbing hand [Page 34]upon him, and within five minutes the un­fortunate Negotio was no more.

His remains was taken suitable care of, and safely deposited in a coffin, and carried to Bristol, and decently in [...]erred.

Parismas and the lady left the privateer after the corps was taken care of, they re­turned to their own ship, and being favored with a prosperous gale, they soon arrived at their desired port, where, after the neces­sary preparations, their nuptials were cele­bratd, and peace, joy, and every species of happiness now crowns their jov [...]al days.