Among our killed, was a Dutch boatswain’s mate:  his wife was on board, and the stick which he was allowed to carry in virtue of his office, he very frequently applied to the shoulders of his helpmate, in requital for certain instances of infidelity; nor, with all my respect for the fair sex, can I deny that the punishment was generally deserved.  When the cannon-ball had deprived her of her lawful protector and the guardian of her honour, she sat by the side of his mangled remains, making many unavailing efforts to weep; a tear from one eye coursed down her cheek, and was lost in her mouth; one from the other eye started at the same time, but for want of nourishment, halted on her cheekbone, where, collecting the smoke and gunpowder which surrounded us, it formed a little black peninsula and isthmus on her face, and gave to her heroic grief a truly mourning tear.  This proof of conjugal affection she would not part with until the following day, when having seen the last sad rites paid to the body of her faithful Achilles, she washed her face, and resumed her smiles, nor was she ungrateful to the ship’s company for their sympathy.

We were ordered up to Spithead with despatches, and long before we arrived, she had made the sergeant of marines the happiest of men, under a promise of marriage at Kingston church, before we sailed on our next cruise, which promise was most honourably performed.

A midshipman’s vacancy having occurred on board the frigate, the captain offered it to me.  I gladly accepted of it; and while he was in the humour, I asked him for a week’s leave of absence; this he also granted, adding, at the same time, “No more French leave, if you please.”  I need not say that not an hour of this indulgence was intended either for my father or even the dear Emily.  No, Eugenia, the beloved, in her interesting condition, claimed my undivided care.  I flew to G——­, found the troop; but she, alas! had left it a fortnight before, and had gone no one knew whither.

Distracted with this fatal news, I sunk into a chair almost senseless, when one of the actresses brought me a letter:  I knew the hand, it was that of Eugenia.  Rushing into an empty parlour, I broke the seal, and read as follows:—­

“Believe me, my dearest Mildmay, nothing but the most urgent necessity could induce me to cause you the affliction which I know you will feel on reading these lines.  Circumstances have occurred since we parted, that not only render it necessary that I should quit you, but also that we should not meet again for some time; and that you should be kept in ignorance of my place of abode.  Our separation, though long, will not, I trust, be eternal; but years may elapse before we meet again.  The sacrifice is great to me; but your honour and prosperity demand it.  I have the same ardent love towards you that I ever had; and for your sake, will love and cherish your child.  I am supported in this my trial, by a hope of our being again united.  God in heaven bless you, and prosper all your undertakings.  Follow up your profession.  I shall hear and have constant intelligence of all your motions, and I shall pray to heaven to spare your life amidst all the dangers that your courage will urge you to encounter.  Farewell! and forget not her who never has you one moment from her thoughts.