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his forgiveness, and universal harmony was restored.

Robert Belfield received at the altar the hand of his beloved Sophia, and his happiness exceeded all bounds. Andrew Belfield's penitence was firm and sincere; the perpetual misery he had suffered, ever since he had trodden the crooked paths of guilt, led him to rejoice at the opportunity now offered of repentance and amendment. He also made all the restitution in his power to Lucy Waters, and the worthy Goodwins; yet it was long before he could enjoy tranquillity. Shame preyed upon his heart, and he fancied every eye was turned with scorn upon him. His tender faithful wife watched over and soothed his perturbed mind with the sacred influence of religion, and the beneficence of an allmerciful God-who had, in his divine precepts, assured us that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.

The balmy sleep of innocence is sweet,.
Tranquil, and undisturbed by sudden starts,
Such as distract the slumbers of the guilty:
And next to innocence, repentance stands
In the account of peace. The penance past,.
Which the recording angel claims for sin
(The penance of remorse, and sighs, and tears,
And pray'rs, which purify the tainted soul),
The angel of forgiveness, floats around,
To raise the mind with hope of heavenly grace
Deputed from on high. Religion smiles
And points the path of happiness and peace
Which error had forsaken!-Now regain'd,
Like health returning to the fevered frame,
We count its value, by its recent loss,
And more the peerless blessing estimate.
So doth Repentance sooth th' afflicted soul,
And though 'twere better far we had not erred,.
"Tis the foretaste of Heaven when we repent
And humbly feel assured we are forgiven.

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How cross the ways of life lie! while we think
We travel on direct in one high road,
And have our journey's end opposed in view,
A thousand thwarting paths break in upon us
To puzzle and perplex our wandering steps:
Love, friendship, hatred, in their turns mislead us,
And every passion has its separate interest.***

Ar that eventful period of English history, when the interests and happiness of the nation were disturbed by secret conspiracies or open factions, in the struggles for power between the rigid adherents of the catholic and protestant forms of faith; the death of Edward the Sixth-son of Henry the Eighth, by his third wife, Jane Seymour (who died in childbirth), occasioned much secret contention. Edward was only nine years of age, on the death of his father, and died himself at the age of sixteen; when, passing over his sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, and the claims of Margaret, Queen Dowager of Scotland, his eldest aunt, and the claims of her issue, he bequeathed his crown and kingdom, by will, to his cousin, the Lady Jane Grey-daughter of the Mar

quis of Dorset, afterwards Duke of Suffolk, and an immediate descendant of his grandfather, Henry VII. The ambition of Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, had occasioned this appropriation of Edward; and the motives were, an anxious desire to hold the reins of government in his own hands. His fourth son, Lord Guilford Dudley, was beloved by the Lady Jane; and though it was not within the limits of his power, to make his son king of England; he was, at least, desirous that he should be the husband of England's queen. He therefore represented to Edward, that his sisters, Mary and Elizabeth, having both been declared illegitimate, Mary of Scotland, his aunt, being excluded by his father's will, the succession naturally fell upon the Marchioness of Dorset (now created Duchess of Suffolk); ́ whose immediate heir, as eldest daughter, was Lady Jane Grey. Edward was firmly devoted to the protestant faith, in which Lady Jane had been educated; he was also tenderly attached to her; for they had been companions from childhood; and had partly pursued their studies together: Northumberland therefore found no difficulty in prevailing upon Edward to draw a will in favour of the Lady Jane. Alas, little did the youthful saint know what a fatal bequest he was making: still less did he imagine, that Dudley was guided solely by his own ambition, and by the hopes of aggrandizing his son; rather than an anxiety for England's welfare, or the promotion of the protestant religion.*

Such is the genuine view of the case to be found in the vari ous histories of England; but even to that, the author of the tragedy has not strictly adhered, making such alterations as were necessary for dramatic effect. These alterations, we have also been obliged, naturally, in some measure here to adopt; but for a full view of the real facts of this interesting period, we must refer to an elegant volume, lately published, by George Howard, Esq. entitled Lady Jane Grey; and her Times;" founded upon the most authentic but hitherto unpublished doc unents.

Lady Jane, ignorant of Edward's designs in her favour, watched his dying bed with trembling anxiety; and wept his loss in bitterness of anguish ; á bitterness, which might almost have been considered as a secret presage of the sorrows, his death was to draw upon her.

Lady Jane Grey, in addition to the most exquisite beauty of person, and sweetness of disposition, possessed a mind the most cultivated, and an understanding and judgment so profound, that she was considered by men of erudition as the miracle of her sex, and the wonder of her age; being not yet seventeen. Lord Guilford Dudley was devotedly at i tached to her, and she loved him with equal truth: their growing regard was favoured by their parents, and they looked forward to long years of happiness in each other's society. One only cause of anxiety seemed likely to interrupt their mutual felicity; the Earl of Pembroke, as here stated by the poet, Dudley's bosom friend, was also attached to Lady Jane; and though he had not received any encouragement from her, such was the impetuosity of his temper, that he could not control his resentment toward Guilford in this particular; though in all else, he could have sacrificed his life, to promote the welfare of his friend. When therefore it was determined that the hand of Lady Jane should be conferred on Lord Guilford, Pembroke broke out into the most ungovernable rage; accused him of treachery, and demanded satisfaction. Guilford, whose temper was naturally mild, and whose compassion was excited by the sufferings of Pembroke in loving Lady Jane, laid his hand upon his arm, and urged him not to unsheath his sword; for if they once met on terms like those, farewell to every future friendship: but Pembroke rejected his friendship, with proud disdain; and swore a deadly hatred against him; and though, from respect to he death of Edward, he

now withheld his sword, yet he gave Dudley to understand, that at a future time, and place, he should expect to meet him in open conflict.

In the midst of Lady Jane's sorrow for the death of Edward, Lord Guilford, by the command of his father and with the consent of the Duke and Duchess of Suffolk, solicited her hand; and informed her, by the commands of their parents, that very evening he was to lead her to the altar. The inde

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licacy of such a proceeding gave Lady Jane much uneasiness. But accustomed to the most implici obedience, and being assured it was requisite, no. only to her own, but England's welfare, she no longer hesitated. Yet the altar where she knelt was wet with her tears; and the spirit of the sainted Edward seemed to stand before her; breathing hi soft reproaches, for her cruelty, in pledging her nuptial vows, ere yet the rites of sepulture were performed to his mortal remains ! This sorrow was, however, light to that which immediately fol lowed; when from the chapel she was conducted to the Tower, there to receive the homage of her friends. She started with amazement and horror, when her own parents, her husband, and Northum

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