were," was his rejoinder, "would you not pity me? Were I to turn the tables and ask you, Ernestine, if you were in love, you would answer, No. But if I asked you if you loved me, you would answer promptly, Yes, as a sister loves a brother. What will you, then, think of me when I tell you I do not return that love? I say, not that love. The love that I have garnered in my heart of hearts for you has never been the love of friendship, or of blood: but the love of passion, maddening, bewildering, intoxicating passion! You have never been to me a sister, but my light, my joy, my life since I could lisp your name. For your dear sake it has been that I have despised the glitter of court life. For your sake I have relinquished the dreams of fond ambition. For your sake I have refused to enter the army, a profession which I love. Hitherto I have counted all these sacrifices as dross, because I have never been away from your side. Hitherto my existence has been a joyous one for I have breathed your atmosphere. It rests with you whether henceforth it shall not be a bitter and a blighted one. Unless you give me the right to claim you as my own, we must soon be severed. I have demolished my household gods for you, and at your request. I have no sooner done so than I find a censorious world --not our little world but the great one of the metropolis-condemning us for an intimacy which at one time my youth, and subsequently the presence of your husband, fully explained and excused.

""You are shocked, I see, at the substance and the abruptness of my disclosure. Alas! of my love you would have heard long, long ago, had I conceived it possible your mother would have consented to your contracting a marriage while you were so young. When first I was told of your betrothal, I felt as if a thunderbolt had fallen on me. I was speechless, paralyzed with grief. Anger I could not feel; for my bitterest rival was my truest benefactor. But enough of this. The dear old man is removed. Oh, let me supply his vacant place. Though you may think, at present, that the affection you feel for me is not the affection a wife should feel for her husband-yet is it, let me ask, less warm than that you felt for him you scrupled not to marry? Are not our years more suited to each other? Are not our tastes

more congenial? Have we not more pursuits in common?-Stay! stay! I conjure you! Before you answer, and seal my fate and your own, let me tell you my sole alternative, in the event of a refusal. If you will not be mine, I leave this spot for ever, never to see your face again. Are you prepared to lose the companionship and sympathy of the friend of your childhood-the depositary of the secrets of your womanhood? I wait your answer."

In a

'His importunity, and the dawning sense of her equivocal position in the eyes of the world, prevailed at last over her natural repugnance to wed with one whom she had always treated with the familiarity of a near relation. word, his skilful wooing won her, and they married. What the course of their conjugal life was, whether smooth or ruffled, my informant did not tell me. But certain it was, that after the Baroness had borne him three children, he was as recherché in the gay circles of Vienna as ever, while she was never seen.

'And now, to return to the eventful evening of Albert's capture.

'The very day before it happened, an audience of the Emperor had been solicited by one who begged permission to withhold his name until he had stated the object for which he asked the interview. This unusual request being granted, a man of wan, anxious, almost cadaverous aspect, flung himself at the feet of his sovereign; and, in much agitation, asked his Majesty if he remembered a notorious murder which had taken place some years beforethe murder of old Baron

""Full well," said the Emperor, "who can forget it? Have you anything to tell which will lead to the detection of its wretched author ?"

666

I have, Sire; I know the man, and so does your Majesty. I have come to denounce him." ""I know a murderer? Have a care, man. Who is it?"

""Albert, Count A—, whom, if I mistake not, your Majesty has honoured with your confidence and favour."

""Villain! You calumniate an honourable man. You mention the most deservedly popular of our nobility. You will have cause to rue your temerity unless you substantiate your charge. What, tell me, is the evidence you offer ?"

"The evidence, Sire, of my own senses. May it please your Imperial Majesty, it is not under the spur of malignity, but under the sting of remorse; it is in dread of a higher tribunal than yours, Sire, that I beg you to be my priest as well as my king and to receive the confession of a wretch who has just been told by three medical men that his hours are numbered. Their verdict has, I own, taken me by surprise, though I knew a malignant malady to be preying on my vitals. I fear death: but that which comes after death I fear still more. The sins of my past life, within the last few minutes, have come before me in all their aggravation. I can make no atonement for them myself. But I will try to do justice to an injured woman, and bring down condign punishment on the wicked man who has wronged her. I charge, then, Count Albert A- with having murdered his best friend; not from mercenary or vindictive motives, but from an impatience to sweep from out of his path the great impediment in the way of his union with one he loved too madly. Alas! while I denounce him, what can I say for myself? I was base enough to accept a bribe to assume the priestly garb and office, and thus desecrate the Sacrament of Marriage by performing a sham ceremony. His motive for this crime I never have been able to fathom : for, assuredly, he loved sincerely. Possibly he had some one in his eye whom he wished, eventually, to marry. But that is mere conjecture, after all.”

'The counterfeit priest was allowed to go to

his own quarters. A guard was set over him; and within a few hours he died, swearing to the guilt of Count Albert A.

'The unhappy man was hardly dead before Ernestine requested audience of the Emperor, conjured him to see her righted, and told him that she had been apprised of her husband's treachery by his own lips. He listened to her prayer, and promised that she should be married legally, and her children be legitimatized. It was shortly after this interview with the Emperor that her husband was taken from the ball-room on the occasion referred to, and transferred to his cell in Spielberg. The next night was enacted a scene alike dramatic and affecting. As the castle bell tolled twelve, in a dismal corridor beneath the Danube, midway between the outer and inner entrance to the prisoner's cell, a temporary altar was erected, covered with black cloth. Across the centre was a grille. At the head stood a priest; and while from the outer entrance there appeared the injured Ernestine, with head averted and faltering step, from the opposite end came Albert, also with averted head, but with resolute tread and unblushing front, escorted by halberdiers, and lighted by torch-bearers. As they reached the altar, on either side the grille, the ceremony commenced their hands, thrust through the interposing grille, were joined together; the ring was given again, for the second time, and each returned from whence they came, without exchanging look or word.'

U

The effects of rough weather on the Lake at the close of 1799, as detailed by the Niagara Constellation of the 7th of December, will not be out of place. "On Thursday last" the Constellation says a boat arrived here from Schenectady, which place she left on the 22nd ult. She passed the York sticking on a rock off the Devil's Nose: no prospect of getting her off. A small deck-boat also, she reports, lately sprung a leak twelve miles distant from Oswego. The people on board, many of whom were passengers, were taken off by a vessel passing, when she instantly sank: cargo is all lost." The narrative then proceeds to say, A vessel supposed to be the Genesee schooner, has been two days endeavouring to come in. It is a singular misfortune" the Constellation says 'that this vessel, which sailed more than a month ago from Oswego, laden for this place, has been several times in sight, and driven back by heavy gales."

66

In the same number of the Constellation (Dec. 7th, 1799,) we have "the well-known schooner Peggy" spoken of. A moiety of her is offered for sale. Richard Beasley of Barton, executor, and Margaret Berry of York, executrix, to the estate of Thomas Berry, merchant, late of York, deceased, advertise for sale. "One moiety of the well-known schooner Peggy: any recommendation of her sailing or accommodation" they say "will be unnecessary: with these particulars the public are well acquainted, and the purchaser will, no doubt, satisfy himself with personal inspection. For terms of sale apply to the executor and executrix."

In the Constellation of the following week is the mysterious paragraph: "If Jonathan A. Pell will return and pay Captain Selleck for the freight of the salt which he took from on board the Duchess of York without leave, it will be thankfully received and no questions asked." The disastrous effects of the gales are referred to again in the Gazette of Dec. 21st, 1799. "We hear from very good authority," the Gazette says, "that the schooner York, Captain Murray, has foundered, and is cast upon the American shore about fifty miles from Niagara, where the captain and men are encamped. Mr. Forsyth, one of the passengers,

are entertained for the fate of the Terrahoga," (a government vessel so named.)

On the 15th of May, 1800, Governor Hunter arrives again in York Harbour. The Gazette of Saturday the 17th, 1800, announces that “on Thursday evening last, (May 15th), his Excellency Peter Hunter, Esq., Lieutenant Governor and Commander-in-Chief of this Province, arrived in our harbour on board the Toronto; and on Friday morning about 9 o'clock landed at the garrison, where he is at present to side." On May 16th in the following year Governor Hunter arrives again in the Toronto, from Quebec. "Arrived this morning Saturday, May 16th, 1801," says the Gazette, “on board the Toronto, Captain Earl, his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, his Aide-de-Camp and Secretary, from Quebec. We hear " continues the Gazette "that his Excellency has ordered the Parliament to meet on the 28th instant for the actual despatch of business."

In the Gazette of Aug. 29th, in this year, (1801), we have the appointment of Mr. Allan to the collectorship for the harbour of York. Thus runs the announcement: "To the public. His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor has been pleased to appoint the subscriber Collector of Duties at this Port, for the Home District: as likewise Inspector of Pot and Pearl Ashes and Flour. Notice is hereby given that the Custom House for entry will be held at my store-house at the water's edge, and that I will attend accordingly, agreeably to the Act. W. Allan, York, 25th Aug. 1801."

In this year, it is noted in the Niagara Herald (Nov. 18th 1801), the people of Niagara saw for the first time flying from Fort George the British Flag, as blazoned after the recent union of Great Britain and Ireland. "On Tuesday the 17th instant, at 12 o'clock," the Herald says, we were most agreeably entertained with a display from Fort George, for the first time, of the flag of the United Kingdom. The wind being in a favourable point, it unfurled to the greatest advantage to a view from the town. Its size, we apprehend, will subject it to injury in the high winds that prevail here.' It was possibly the Royal Standard.

In the following year, 1802, Governor Hunter arrives at York on the 14th of May, and again in the Toronto. "It is with infinite plea

sure" (such is the warm language of the Gazette of May 15th, 1802), we announce the arrival of his Excellency Peter Hunter, Esq. Lieutenant Governor of this Province, and suite, in a very short passage from Quebec. His Excellency arrived in the harbour late yesterday evening (May 14), on board the Toronto, and landed at the Garrison at 9 'oclock: We understand he left Quebec the 27th ult." The officer in command at York on the occasion of Governor Hunter's visit in 1802 was Capt. Æneas Macdonell. We have before us a note from him, dated York Garrison, May 15th, to Lieut. Chiniquy at Fort George, in which he speaks of this visit. "General Hunter appeared off this harbour" he says, " at 4 o'clock yesterday, with a Jack at his main-top-mast head. A guard of two sergeants, two corporals, and thirty men," Capt. Macdonell continues, was soon ready to receive him, which I had the honour to command; but I had not the pleasure to salute him, as he could not land before 9 o'clock last night." (At the close of his note, Capt. Macdonell begs Mr. Chiniquy to send him over from Niagara some butter,such a luxury being, as we must suppose, difficult to be procured at York. If you will be good enough to take the trouble," Capt. Macdonell says, "to procure me a few pounds of butter and send it over, I will willingly take the same trouble for you when in my power.")

In the Gazette of the preceding April a boat is advertised as about to make trips between York and the Head of the Lake. This is the advertisement: "The subscriber will run a boat from York to the Head of the Lake once a week. The first departure will be from York the 31st instant (on Wednesday), and from the Head of the Lake on Saturday, every week. Any commands left with Messrs. Miles and Playter, and Mr. Beaman at York, and at the Government House, Mr. Bates; and Richard Beasly, Esq. at the Head of the Lake, will be attended to with confidence and despatch. Levi Willard, York, 30th March, 1802."

So early as Jan. 18, in this year (1802), the following notice appeared in the Niagara Herald:-"The sloop Mary Ann will sail from this town (Niagara) on first favourable day." -In August of this year a young Scotchman falls from this sloop and is drowned. The Niagara Herald of Aug, 21, 1802, notes the in

cident :-" On Monday last, James McQueen, a native of Scotland, aged about 20, fell from the Mary Ann and was drowned. The vessel being under sail, with wind and current in her favour, could not put about in the very short time he remained above water."-In 1802, "Skinner's Sloop" was plying occasionally between York and Niagara. We have a letter before us from Capt. Eneas Macdonell to Ensign Chiniquy, dated York Garrison, 28th March, 1802, acknowledging a budget of news received by "Skinner's Sloop."

In 1803, on the 13th of May, the arrival at York of a government vessel named the Duke of Kent, with troops, is anounced in the Gazette. "This morning arrived at the Garrison the Duke of Kent from Kingston, having on board a detachment of His Majesty's 49th regiment, which is to do duty here in place of the 41st regiment, ordered to Lower Canada." This same vessel arrives again in the harbour on the 27th of the following July. She now has on board "The Right Reverend Jacob, Lord Bishop of Quebec : "On Thursday the 27th," says the Gazette of the 29th of July, 1803, " arrived here (York), the Duke of Kent, having on board the Right Reverend Jacob, Lord Bishop of Quebec. We understand," the Gazette adds, "his Lordship intended first to visit Detroit, but owing to contrary winds, was necessitated to postpone his journey. His Lordship will leave town for Niagara shortly after the Confirmation, which will immediately take place."

We hear of casualties on the Lake towards the close of the year. We read in the Gazette of Nov. 16, that "it is currently reported, and we are sorry to add with every appearance of foundation, that the sloop Lady Washington, commanded by Capt. Murray, was lately lost in a gale of wind near Oswego, on her passage to Niagara. Pieces of the wreck, and her boat, by which she was recognized, together with several other articles, are said to have been picked up. It is yet uncertain," the Gazette says, whether the crew and passengers are saved; among the latter were Messrs. Dunn and Boyd, of Niagara."-Again: the Gazette of Dec. 10, 1803, reports that " a gentleman from Oswego, by the name of Mr. Dunlop, was on Wednesday last accidentally knocked from on board a vessel near the Highlands by the gibbing of the boom, and unfortunately drowned '

The disappointment occasioned to merchants sometimes by the uncertainty of communication between York and the outer world in the stormy season, may be conceived of from a postscript to an advertisement of Mr. Quetton St. George's in the Gazette of Dec. 10, 1803. It says: "Mr. St. George is very sorry on account of his customers, that he has not received his East India Goods and Groceries: he is sure they are at Oswego; and should they not arrive this season, they may be looked for early in the spring." It was tantalizing to suppose they were so near to York as Oswego, and yet could not be had until the spring.

The principal incident connected with the marine of the harbour of York in 1804 was the loss of the Speedy. We give the contemporary account of the disaster from the Gazette of Saturday, Nov. 3, 1804.

"The following," the Gazette says, "is as accurate an account of the loss of the schooner Speedy, in His Majesty's service on Lake Ontario, as we have been able to collect. The Speedy, Captain Paxton, left this port (York) on Sunday evening, the 7th of October last, with a moderate breeze from the north-west, for Presqu'isle, and was descried off that island on the Monday following before dark, where preparations were made for the reception of the passengers, but the wind coming round from the north-east, blew with such violence as to render it impossible for her to enter the harbour; and very shortly after she disappeared. A large fire was then kindled on shore as a guide to the vessel during the night; but she has not since been seen or heard of; and it is with the most painful sensations we have to say, we fear is totally lost. Inquiry, we understand, has been made at almost every port of the Lake, but without effect; and no intelligence respecting the fate of this unfortunate vessel could be obtained. It is, therefore, generally concluded that she has either upset or foundered. It is also reported by respectable authority that several articles, such as the compass-box, hencoop and mast, known to have belonged to this vessel, have been picked up on the opposite side of the Lake.-The passengers on board the ill-fated Speedy, as near as we can recollect," the narrative goes on to say, were Mr. Justice Cochrane; Robert J. D. Gray, Esq., Solicitor-General, and Member of the House of

Assembly; Angus Macdonell, Esq., Advocate, Member of the House of Assembly; Mr. Jacob Herchmer, Merchant ; Mr. John Stegman, Surveyor; Mr. George Cowan, Indian Interpreter; James Ruggles, Esq.,; Mr. Anderson, Student in the Law; Mr. John Fisk, High Constable, all of this place. The above named gentlemen were proceeding to the District of Newcastle, in order to hold the Circuit, and for the trial of an Indian (also on board the Speedy) indicted for the murder of John Sharp, late of the Queen's Rangers. It is also reported, but we cannot vouch for its authenticity, that exclusive of the above passengers, there were on board two other persons, one in the service of Mr. Justice Cochrane, and the other in that of the Solicitor-General; as also two children of parents whose indigent circumstances necessitated them to travel by land. The crew of the Speedy, it is said, consisted of five seamen (three of whom have left large families) exclusive of Captain Paxton, who also had a very | large family. The total number of souls on board the Speedy is computed to be about twenty. A more distressing and melancholy event has not occurred to this place for many years; nor does it often happen that such a number of persons of respectability are collected in the same vessel. Not less than nine widows, and we know not how many children, have to lament the loss of their husbands and fathers, who, alas, have, perhaps in the course of a few minutes, met with a watery grave. It is somewhat remarkable,” the Gasette then observes, │“ that this is the third or fourth accident of a similar nature within these few years, the cause of which appears worthy the attention and investigation of persons conversant in the art of ship-building."

Two of the disasters to vessels probably alluded to by the Gazette were noted above. In 1802 the Lady Washington, Captain Murray, foundered in the Lake, leaving scarcely a trace. And three years previously, the York, in command of the same Captain Murray, was lost at the point known as the Devil's Nose, not far from the entrance to the River Genesee. And again, some years earlier, in 1780, before the organization of the Province of Upper Canada, the Ontario, Capt. Andrews, carrying twenty-two guns, went down with all on board, while conveying troops, a detac'