hough he disapproved of many of the measures that had been pursued
by the government, yet, when he saw his sovereign in distress, he would
not withhold his aid. He was particularly active in endeavouring to put
a stop to the devastation caused by a misguided populace; and in a fray
between some peasants and soldiers, he fell a victim to his benevolent
exertions in the cause of humanity.

The sad news was brought to Madame de Melcour just as she was recovering
from the bed of sickness; her constitution already much weakened, was
unable to support the fatal shock, and she soon after closed her eyes
for ever in the arms of her beloved children.

At this period, Frederic was just fifteen, his sister two years younger;
they were left without any protector but an aged grandmother, who had
constantly resided with her daughter since the marriage of the latter
with M. de Melcour. Already suffering from the infirmities of age,
Madame de Joinville felt herself unable to resist the persecutions of
ill-disposed persons, and in the course of a few months found it
necessary to leave the chateau. It was her intention to retire with her
grandchildren into England, the country where she had spent much of the
early part of her life, and where she still hoped to discover some of
her former friends. Accordingly, having settled her affairs as well as
the distracted state of the nation would permit, and, accompanied by
Frederic and Elizabeth, she proceeded to the nearest seaport. They
encountered many difficulties on the road, but at length, through
Frederic's activity, succeeded in securing their passage in a vessel
that was on the point of sailing for England.

Madame de Joinville suffered extremely from the fatigues and anxieties
she had lately undergone, and on their arrival at ---- it was found
necessary to remain there a few days in order to recruit her exhausted
strength.

As soon as Madame de Joinville was sufficiently recovered, they
hastened to London, where, by the assistance of some friends, a small
house was hired for their reception. The expences of a long journey had
much diminished the sum Madame de Joinville had collected before her
departure from France, and the most rigid economy was necessary to
prevent them from becoming burthensome to others. In these
circumstances, Frederic could not bear the idea of leading an idle life;
he greatly wished to follow the profession of his father, but the
anxious fears of his grandmot