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Then let the rich in domes of marble dwell,

The stout October, used in days of yore, Is now forgot, base Whiskey we adore!

The proud, the vain in gaudy trap. Whiskey, and whiskey-punch around

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OR,

WEEKLY

THE

VISITOR.

FOR THE USE AND AMUSEMENT OF BOTH SEXES.

VOL. XI.

AMELIA:

Saturday, October 6th,....1810.

OR THE FAITHLESS BRITON,
founded upon facts.
(Continued)

An anxious interval of silence took place; but when at length, the power of expression returned, Amelia urged the duty which she owed to a parent, the scandal which the world imputed to clandestine, marriages, and the fatal consequences that might rise from the obscurity of the transaction---But Doliscus, steady to his purpose, again deprecated the folly of pursuing the shadow in preference to the substance, of preserving fame at the expence of happiness, and of relinquishing the blessings of connubial life, for the sake of its formalities. He spoke of Horatio's inflexible integrity, which could not brook even the appear. ance of deception, and of his punctilious honor, which could not submit even to the appearance of in trusion upon the domestic arrangements of another, as insurmountable arguments of denying him the knowledge of their union. Finally, he described, in the warmest colouring of passion and fancy, the effects of Amelia's refusal upon the future tenor of his life, and bathing her hand with his cbedi

[NO. 24.

ent tears, practised all the arts of flattery and frenzy. The influence of love supercedes every other obligation: Amelia acknowledged its dominion, and yielded to the persuasion of the exulting Doliscus. The marriage ceremony was privately repeated :--but how will it excite the indignation of the virtuous reader when he understands, that the sacred character of the priest was personated for this iniquitous occasion! Ye spirits of seduction! whose means are the prostitution of faith, and whose end is the destruction of innocence,-tremble at impending judgement, for " there is no mercy in heaven for such unheard of crimes as these!"

But a short time had elapsed after this fatal step, when the mandate of the commanding officer obliged Doliscus to prepare for joining his corps. A silent, but pungent sense of indiscretion, added to the anguish which Amelia felt in the hour of separation; and not all his strong assurances of inviolable truth and attachment, with the soothing prospect of an honorable avowal of their union could efface the melancholy impressions of her mind. The farmer, at

whose house the fictitious marriage had been rehearsed, was employed to manage their future correspondence; and Doliscus, finally, left the cottage with vows of love and gratitude on his lips; but schemes of fraud and perjury in his heart.

The small distance

from New-York, where he was quartered, rendered it easy to maintain an epistolary intercourse; which became, during its continuance, the only employment, and the only gratification of Amelia's existence. Its continuance, however, exceeded not a few weeks. Doliscus soon assumed a formal and dispassionate style, the number of his letters gradually diminished. and every allusion to that marriage, which was the last hope and consolation of Amelia, he cautiously avoided.

But an event, that demanded the exercise of all her fortitude, now forced itself upon Amelia's thoughts. She was pregnant ; yet could neither resort

for

council and comfort to the father whom she had deceived, or obtain it from the lover by whom she had been seduced. In the tenderest and most delicate terms she communicated her situation to Doliscus, emphatically called upon him to rescue her reputation from obloquy, and solicitously courted his return to the cottage, or, at least, that he would disclose to Horatio the secret of their union. To prevent any accident, the farmer was prevailed upon to

be the bearer of the paper which contained these sentiments, and, on his return produced the followepistle.

"MADAM,

The sudden death of my father will occasion my embarking for England to-morrow. It is not therfore possible to visit the cottage before my departure; but you may be assured, that I still entertain the warmest gratitude for the favours which were there conferred upon me by the virtuous Horatio, and his amiable daugh

ter.

Although I do not perfectly comprehend the meaning of some expressions you have employed, 1 perceive that you stand in need of a confidential person, to whom you can reveal the consequence of an indiscreet attachment; and from my knowledge of his probity (of which you are likewise a judge) no man seems more conveniently situated, or better calculated for that office than the worthy farmer who has delivered your letter. To him, therefore, I have recommended you; and, left any pecuniany assistance should it be necessary on this occasion, I have entrusted him with a temporary supply, directing him in what manner he may, from time to time, obtain a sum adequate to your exigencies.

The hurry of package and adieus, compels me abruptly to subscribe myself,

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day wafted her to Britain, friend-
less and forlorn.

Innumerable difficulties and inconveniences were encountered by the inexperienced traveller, but they vanished before the object of her pursuit; and even her entrance into London, that chaos of clamour and dissipation, produced No other sensations than those which naturally arose from her approach to the dwelling of Dolis

cus.

Amelia recollected that Doliscus had often descried the family residence to be situated in Grosvenor place, and the stage, in which she journeyed, stopping in the evening, at a public house in Picadilly, she determined, without delay, to pay her unexpected and unwelcome visit The embarrassed and anxious manner with which she enquired for his house, exposed her to unjust surmise and senseless ribaldry; but her grief rendered her incapable of observation' and her purity was superior to insult.

It has often been observed that despondency begets boldness and enterprize; and the female heart, which is susceptible of the gentle sentiment, is, likewise, capable of the noblest fortitude. Amelia perceived all the baseness of the desertion meditated by Doliscus, she foresaw all its ruinous consequences upon Horatio's peace, her own character, and the fate of the innocent being which she bore, and, wiping the useless tears from her cheek, she resolved publicly to vindicate her honor, and assert her rights. Animated then, with the important purpose, supported by the presumption of her marriage, and hoping yet to find Doliscus in New-York, she immediately repaired to that city-but, alas! he was gone! This disap-cess, and supplied him with a nupointment, however, did not defeat, nor could any obstacle retard he prosecution of her design: ship that sailed the succeeding

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Doliscus had arrived about a fortnight earlier than Amelia.--The title, influence, and fortune which devolved upon him in consequence of his father's death, had swelled his youthful vanity to ex

merous retinue of flatterers and
dependants. At the moment that
he was listening in extasy to that
servile crew, the victim of his arts,

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