nd after waiting till
the sound of footsteps had died away in the distance, he cautiously
descended, and stood beneath the gloomy arch that forms the landing-place
from the river.

The tide was in, and the water flowed at his feet. The rain had ceased,
the wind was lulled, and all was, for the moment, still and quiet--so
quiet, that the slightest sound on the opposite bank, even the rippling
of the water against the barges that were moored there, was distinctly
audible to his ear. The stream stole languidly and sluggishly on.
Strange and fantastic forms rose to the surface, and beckoned him to
approach; dark gleaming eyes peered from the water, and seemed to mock
his hesitation, while hollow murmurs from behind, urged him onwards. He
retreated a few paces, took a short run, desperate leap, and plunged into
the river.

Not five seconds had passed when he rose to the water's surface--but what
a change had taken place in that short time, in all his thoughts and
feelings! Life--life in any form, poverty, misery, starvation--anything
but death. He fought and struggled with the water that closed over his
head, and screamed in agonies of terror. The curse of his own son rang
in his ears. The shore--but one foot of dry ground--he could almost
touch the step. One hand's breadth nearer, and he was saved--but the
tide bore him onward, under the dark arches of the bridge, and he sank to
the bottom.

Again he rose, and struggled for life. For one instant--for one brief
instant--the buildings on the river's banks, the lights on the bridge
through which the current had borne him, the black water, and the
fast-flying clouds, were distinctly visible--once more he sunk, and once
again he rose. Bright flames of fire shot up from earth to heaven, and
reeled before his eyes, while the water thundered in his ears, and
stunned him with its furious roar.

A week afterwards the body was washed ashore, some miles down the river,
a swollen and disfigured mass. Unrecognised and unpitied, it was borne
to the grave; and there it has long since mouldered away!

SKETCHES OF YOUNG GENTLEMEN

TO THE YOUNG LADIES
OF THE
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland;
ALSO
THE YOUNG LADIES
OF
THE PRINCIPALITY OF WALES,