ferings, seemed to be insensible of the objects that surrounded him. He was also continually alone when in his apartment, the door of which appeared to me to be always bolted: He rode out as soon as dinner was over, and commonly returned very late at night.

I questioned the landlord about that strange man, but he shrugged up his shoulders and could tell me nothing. The waiters did

the same.

But,' exclaimed I peevishly, you certainly must know where he comes from, could not you ask his servants?'

The servants,' answered the waiter, are as mute as their mas ter. He is supposed to be an English Lord, that is all that I know.'

I was of the same opinion, when I first saw him; having met, on my travels, with many Englishmen, who had behaved in the same sullen and reserved manner. His melancholy mood I fancied to be the effect of the spleen, and did not trouble myself any more about him.

I had not been above three days at F when I lost my purse: At first I fancied I had dropped it somewhere in a shop, or my pocket had been picked in the street, and determined to be more careful in future; but, in spite of all my precaution and carefulness, I suffered a second loss the next day, missing a diamond ring, with a miniature picture of my deceased mother: I was sure that I, the preceding night, had pulled that ring from my finger, and put it on the table when I went to bed; I questioned the waiters, but they appeared to be offended at my inquiries......in short, the ring was gone.

A few days after I went to the play; I had a snuff box, of very little value, in the right pocket of my coat; a gentleman who was sitting by me, at the left, begged me to give him a pinch of snuff, but I could not find my box. That insignificant theft made me smile. I staid till the play was over with very little concern, and was glad that I had left my purse at home.

The play was over, and a boy with a lighted torch went before me to an adjacent tavern.......I wanted to see what hour it was, but my watch was also gone. "Cursed misfortune!" exclaimed I. The boy reminded me of his money, I gave it him, and entered the suppor room. An acquaintance of mine took notice of the paleness of my countenance, inquiring whether I was ill; I denied it, and took my seat at the table: I hurried down my supper without noticing my neighbours, and was determined to depart the next morning, being persuaded that some cunning rogues had singled me out, to try their skill with me, at the expence of my property......As I was pushing back my chair, somebody close by me, asked me what o'clock it was. I did not answer, because that question, by reminding me of my loss, had vexed me, and was going to leave the room.

Sir, what o'clock is it?? exclaimed somebody once more, tapping me on the shoulder. I do not know,' replied I, without looking back, and paid my bill. "Have you no watch with you?" exclaimed the same person again. Now I turned round in great vexation, and, guess my surprise, the troublesome inquirer was my neighbour at the inn, the very same gentleman who had excited so much my curiosity some days

ago.

He stared at me in the face, as if expecting an answer.
Sir,' said I now, my watch-

رو

'Has been stolen,' interrupted he quickly. I have catched the thief, there it is So saying, he put my watch into my hand. I was stuned with amazement, and could not help wishing to know the thief, that I might recover the other things I had lost, for I was sure that the same person who had robbed me of my watch, had also pilfered what I had lost before: But, ere I could signify my wish, the mysterious gentleman was vanished.

I went home, struck with astonishment, but the stranger was not yet arrived. At length he came, as usual, at midnight; I rushed out of the door when I heard him coming up stairs, made a respectful bow, and begged him to give me leave to ask a question; but he passed me hastily, without taking notice of me, absorbed in melancholy thoughts, took the candle from the servant, and bolted his room.

All my attempts to speak with him were fruitless, like the first. When at home, his door was bolted, in the hall he took no notice of me, and in public places he shunned me. Vexed by his rude behaviour, I would not make another attempt at getting acquainted with that queer fellow.

'Meanwhile three days more elapsed, and that strange accident had made me forget my departure; but now I renewed my resolution of setting off as soon as possible, and was determined to leave F...... the next day, though no farther disagreeable accident had happened to me. I put every thing in order, had my trunks packed, and was obliged to find out a banker, who would take a Bill for Leipzig, which I had brought with me to F

'I found it very difficult to meet with one who would not take too great advantage of my present inconvenience; towards evening I was so fortunate to find out a reasonable man; joyfully did I now put my hand into my pocket to take the pocket-book out of it, but I could not For God's sake,' exclaimed the merchant, when he saw me pale and trembling, what is the matter with you?' thing, nothing at all,' stammered I, rushing out of the house.

find it.

• No

A faint ray of hope was still glimmering within my soul; I fancied I had left all the remainder of my little fortune at the inn, though I was certain that I had taken the pocket-book with me. I arrived, trembling, at my lodging, and was hardly able to unlock my door; I entered slowly, as if I wanted to avoid the terrible blow that threatened me: I searched the room with an anxious look, but, alas! all my little wealth was gone!

'I could not believe the reality of my misfortune: I emptied my trunk more than ten times, and more than an hundred times did I search every corner of the room, thinking it impossible that the bill and the pocket-book should not be there, however I could find neither of them.

It grew late, and I was still sitting on my trunk, half distracted, leaning on my trembling hand, at length I resolved to go next morning to some of my acquaintance, and endeavour to get some money advanced. That terrible evening was followed by a more terrible night; morning dawned and I still could not sleep.....my pride revolted against the thought of borrowing money, but the idea of the unavoidable want staring me in the face, got the better of it, and I went. Every one

whom I applied to was sorry for what had happened to me, railed against and cursed the villain who had robbed me, but nobody would lend me money......scarcity of cash, the backwardness of the debtors; alas! these and a thousand other obstacles prevented my friends from assisting me. I went home in a gloomy melancholy mood, and did not know what to do. It struck one, the dinner was on the table, but I could not eat. I was standing in my room with a downcast look, and musing on my distress, a son of misery and a slave to cruel necessity. I cannot tell how long I had been in that desponding situation, when a gentle knocking at my door roused me suddenly from my reverie: I exclaimed in an agony, come in!' The door opened, and I was thunderstruck when I beheld the unknown gentleman before me. My soul was filled with rapture, I ran almost frantic with joy towards him, clasped him in my arms, and exclaimed, Have you, have you found

it?"

I have not!' answered he.

6

Methinks I see him still standing before me, a tall lean figure, his face pale, his looks staring and serious: I trembled as he spoke.'

Not! not!' groaned I,

am I.'

gracious heaven! how unhappy

Patience, young man,' replied he, although the thief may have made his escape, yet I am here.'

I gazed at him with astonishment. He took his pocket-book, opened it, and gave me two papers. There, take it,' said he, it is as much as you may want at present, the mail will set off to-morrow for your native country, I wish you an happy journey.'

Then he laid the papers on my table, and hastened out of the room: A strange sensation had fixed me to the floor, had fettered my tongue, and I could neither thank my benefactor, nor enquire how I was to repay him. I felt veneration for this singular man, admired his humanity, and yet I could not help feeling some inward sensations of horror; I was for a considerable time as motionless as a statue. Having recovered from my amazement, I went to the table, took up the papers, which he had left behind, and saw, with astonishment, that each of them was a draft for a hundred dollars payable at F: It grieved me to be obliged to accept a present from a strange unknown man. But what could I do? How could I get access to him? Perhaps (thought I) he will send his direction, but I waited in vain for it. He got into his carriage and drove away.

I also left the house and returned late, the stranger was not yet come home: However, I was determined to await his return, and as soon as he should enter the house, to hasten to his apartment, and to insist on his taking a bond for his money, and if he should happen to refuse it, to force him to take back his present. This resolution was good enough, however I could not execute it because he did not

return.

Night being far advanced, I laid myself down upon a couch, and the harbinger of sleep surprised me; I began to doze. At once I heard a noise before my door, I got up, and all was hushed in silence. I fancied the noise I had heard had been the effects of those early dreams which sometimes amuse our fancy when sleep is coming on; but soon after I heard the same noise again. I got once more up from my couch,

and all was silent again. Listening attentively, I heard the same noise repeated; it grew now louder and louder, and resembled the tapping of somebody who could not find the latch. I was going to open the door, but before I came into the middle of the room, saw it move on its hinges. I stopped, the door opened slowly, and now I could distinguish my visitor. It was a strange figure, tall and emaciated, clad in a white garment. As it entered the room, it advanced towards me with slow and solemn steps; I staggered back, and a chilly terror trembled through my frame. The apparition moved towards the table in awful silence. It took up my watch, looked at it, gave a hollow groan, and then laid it down again. I was thunderstruck. The phantom now moved slowly back, and I looked at its face as it was passing the table where the candle stood...Merciful heaven! how was I chilled with horror, when I beheld the features of my deceased mother! My knees shook, a cold sweat bedewed my face, and my strength forsook me.

"Meanwhile the apparition was coming to the door, without having turned its face; it opened the latch gently, and, when on the threshhold, turned round, staring me in the face, with a ghastly look, and lifting up its emaciated hand, threatening three times in a horrible manner, and disappeared.

"I fell senseless back upon my couch, and when I could recollect myself again, I fancied I had been haunted by a bad dream. The clock struck one as I was going to look at my watch.

"Vexed that the stranger did not come home, I went to bed, and slept till it was broad day. When the waiter brought my breakfast, I asked whether my neighbour was come home. He denied it. Then I asked if he perhaps had left F......? The waiter answered, it may be, he always pays his bill after dinner, he carries no trunks with him, and none of his servants lodge in our house.

"I went with the waiter to the apartment which the stranger had occupied the key was in the lock, we walked in, all was empty.

"I went back to my room, took up the drafts he had given me, and would have destroyed them, if I thus could have disencumbered myself of the obligation which I owed him. It suddenly came in my mind that they might be fictitious, or the name of the merchant who was to pay the money, not known. This thought afforded me pleasure, though I could expect nothing but misery if it should prove

true.

"I hastened to the host, shewing him my drafts, under the pretext as if I wanted to know the direction of a merchant. He described the house and street where he lived. I was frightened, and went that same morning to the merchant. He looked slightly at the paper, but very seriously at me, and his eyes seemed to denote astonishment and pity. I expected, joyfully, that the bills would be protested; however, I was mistaken. He opened, sighing, his drawers, and counted down two hundred dollars, still looking at me with astonishment. I put the money in my pocket, and being convinced that he pitied me for being obliged to that stranger, I took the liberty of asking him, by whom he was to be repaid; upon which he appeared to be disconcerted, shrugged his shoulders, muttered some unintelligible words, and left me suddenly. I went away under the greatest apprehensions, and the weather being fine, was tempted to take a walk in a public garden,

VOL. II.

B b

"The beautiful morning had assembled there a great number of foreigners and of the inhabitants of F......I went into a remote bower, and ordered some chocolate.

"Retired from the noisy bustle of company, I could now muse on the strange accidents which I had experienced during my short stay at F...... I also recollected my dream, and reflected on it more seriously than before. Though I was very much tempted to deem it something more than a delusion of fancy, yet I was still disinclined to ascribe that strange incident to a supernatural cause, being strongly prepossessed against the belief in apparitions, and found myself bewildered in a maze of irksome fancies. I struggled hard with my imagination, striving to forget what had made me so uneasy; however, all my struggles proved abortive; the dream, or rather the apparition continued returning to my remembrance, in defiance of my reasoning and the nocturnal horrid spectre hovered still before my eyes, haunting me with gloomy thoughts.

"Being tired and wearied by the uninterrupted struggle between reason and fancy, I endeavoured to ease my soul of her heavy load, by a loud exclamation, and, without recollecting where I was, I suddenly broke out in the words, "No, it was a deluding dream."

"It was no dream!" exclaimed a well known voice on a sudden. "I cast down my eyes filled with shame and terror...Imagine how I was surprised to behold the mysterious stranger standing before

me.

66

Young man," said he, without giving me time to utter a single word, "young man, do you wish for an explanation of the apparition of last night?".

"I gazed at him in dumb silence.

"If you

wish to have unfolded that incident," he resumed after a "then await me this evening, by ten o'clock, at the town gate, next to the inn."

short pause,

"The stranger pronounced these words with a friendly, courteous mien, made me a bow, and left the bower, disappearing amid the crowd.

"The waiter brought the chocolate, but I could not swallow a single drop. In vain did I now roam all over the garden, in hopes of meeting the stranger: in vain ask all my acquaintances and the waiters, describing minutely the stranger to every one; nobody had seen

him."

"I hastened home, awe and terror struck me as I entered my apartment; the door of my chamber seemed to be in constant motion, and the figure of my mother haunted me without intermission. I could not get rid of the gloomy reflection on her threatening looks, and left the house. I now rambled about, in great uneasiness, the fore and afternoon, went from the coffee-house to the promenade, from thence to the museum, from the museum to the tavern, from the tavern to the exhibition of wild beasts, and last to the play-house, but I could no where find tranquillity and ease of mind.

"It was growing dark when I left the play-house, my soul was disturbed by strange sensations, and I was consulting with myself whether I should go or not. Doubt and apprehension suspended my resolation for a considerable time, and overwhelmed me with pungent agony,