For I loved the boy, and I could not cloud His soul with a sense of shame:-- 'Twere an evil thing, thought I, to blast A sinless orphan's name! So he grew to be a man of wealth, And of honourable fame. And in after years, when he had ships, I sailed with him the sea, And in all the sorrow of my life He was a son to me; And God hath blessed him every where With a great prosperity. _The Amulet for 1830_. * * * * * THE LITTLE MAJOR'S LOVE ADVENTURE. You must know, when I was in the 18th light dragoons, I was quartered in Canterbury; and having got some introductory letters, I contrived to make out a pleasant time enough. One of my visiting-houses was old Tronson's the banker's--devilish agreeable family--four pretty girls--all flirted--painted on velvet--played the harp--sang Italian, and danced as if they had been brought up under D'Egville in the _corps de ballet._ The old boy kept a man-cook, and gave iced champagne. Now, you know, there is no standing this; and Harriette, the second of the beauties, and I, agreed to fall in love, which in due course of time we effected. Nothing could be better managed than the whole affair; we each selected a confidant, sat for our pictures, interchanged them with a passionate note, and made a regular engagement for ever. Such was the state of things, when the route came, and my troop was ordered to embark for Portugal. Heavens! what a commotion! Harriette was in hysterics: we talked of an elopement, and discussed the propriety of going to Gretna; but the hurry to embark prevented us. I could not, you know, take her with me. Woman in a transport! a devilish bore; and nothing was left for it but to exchange vows of eternal fidelity. We did so, and parted--both persuaded that our hearts were reciprocally broken. Ah!--if you knew what I suffered night and day! her picture rested in my bosom; and I consumed a pipe of wine in toasting her health, while I was dying of damp and rheumatism. But the recollection of my _constant Harriette_ supported me through all; and particularly so, when I was cheered by the report of my snub-nosed surgeon, who joined us six months after at Santarem, and assured me on the faith of a physician, that the dear girl was in the last stage of a consumption. Two years passed away, and we were ordered home. O heavens! what were my feelings when I landed at Portsmouth! I threw myself into a carriage, and started with four horses for Canterbury: I arrived there with a safe neck, and lost not a moment in announcing my return to my constant Harriette.