Page:Tragical history of George Barnwell (1).pdf/22

 some degree reconciled me to the notion of a Providence; the villian Linmore, who had made country his refuge, was in prison when I arrived implicated in a charge of murder. He was executed and dissected. I obtained his scull at a large price. Disgusted at the scenes that passed before me, I embraced the first opportunity of returning to England & bought the estate of the Abbey near your uncle's. Its distance from any other dwelling, the romantic scenery around it, and the gloomy walks along the Abbey ruins, accorded with my soul's distress.The old woman I retained as a servant, had lived some time in the house before I bought it. I deposited the coffin lid and the scull, in my study: and from that moment the poor woman would never enter the room.

"I flew for amusement to chemistry, electricity, and anatomy, but grew tired of each. I in general kept close at home all day, and walked among the ruins when others slept. Among a few other memorandums of former bliss, I had reserved my dear Ellinor's harp—it had been her delight. Annexed to these memoirs you will find some pieces of poctrypoetry [sic] which I composed at midnight in the Abbey: they relate to my dear Ellinor. Let this memorandum sometimes claim a place in your thoughts. (It was a miniature of Mental done in his youth; and how unlike his present appearance! George placed it in his bosom, and resumed Mental's narrative.)—Newspapers, and various publications, shewed me the bustling scenes of life, on which I gazed an unconcerned spectator. Yet there was still one object for whom my heart felt an interest: my daughter often started to my mcmorymemory [sic], and pained me for her fate in such a world of treachery and woe. I heard often from her governess, but could never bring myself to her. The accounts I received were