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known characters are concerned, we have been assailed with every variety of criticism, from the cock of a hat to the colour of a horse.

Besides the familiarity of the subject, there is a scarcity of events, and a poverty in the accompa niments, that drives an author from the undertaking in despair. In the dark ages of our history, it is true that we hung a few unfortunate women for witches, and suffered some inroads from the Indians; but the active curiosity of the people has transmitted those events with so much accuracy, that there is no opportunity for digression. Then, again, notwithstanding that a murder is at all times a serious business, it is much more interesting in a castle than in a corn field. In short, all that glow, which can be given to a tale, through the aid of obscure legends, artificial distinctions, and images connected with the association of the ideas, is not attainable in this land of facts. Man is not the same creature here as in other countries. He is more fettered by reason and less by laws, than in any other section of the globe; consequently, while he enjoys a greater political liberty, he is under a greater moral restraint than his European brother.

We cannot suffer this edition of "The Spy" to appear, without saying a few words in our own justification. While the book was in the press, we consulted with a few friends on the subject of abandoning it entirely, under the apprehension of losing by its publication. We were persuaded to persevere, as it was urged that "Precaution" had

received a respectful notice from a few English periodicals and newspapers, and it was thought its author would be secure from loss. Could we have found a Bookseller who would have given enough for the work to pay the scribe, we might have been tempted to dispose of the copy-right-but none offered. With such a prospect before us, we continued to write by the way of amusement, and because we were committed by an advertisement; but it was with an indifference and carelessness that were somewhat disrespectful to the public, and unjust to ourselves. Were we to relate the disadvantages under which "The Spy" was written and printed, we should only gain credit with some four or five to whom we are intimately known; but after our unexpected introduction to the American public, we must add, that it was printed as it was written; that it was printed with a very superficial revision of the press-the second edition without a proof-sheet coming out of the office; and that it was published without a hope of success. We should have been above stating these facts with a view to disarm criticism; but, after the reception that has been bestowed on our work, we present, them by way of apology.

THE SPY:

A TALE OF

THE NEUTRAL GROUND.

CHAPTER I

And though amidst the calm of thought entire,
Some high and haughty features might betray
A soul impetuous once-'twas earthly fire
That fled composure's intellectual ray,

As Etna's fires grow dim before the rising day.

Gertrude of Wyoming.

It was near the close of the year 1780, that a solitary traveller was seen pursuing his way through one of the numerous little valleys of West Chester. The easterly wind, with its chilling dampness, and increasing violence, gave unerring notice of the approach of a storm, which, as usual, might be expected to continue for several days: and the experienced eye of the traveller was turned, in vain, through the darkness of the evening, in quest of some convenient shelter, in which, for the term of his confinement by the rain, that already began to mix with the atmosphere in a thick mist, he might obtain such accommodations as his age and purposes required. Nothing, however, offered, but he small and inconvenient tenements of the lower order of the inhabitants, with whom, in that immediate neighbourhood, he did not think it either safe or politic to trust himself

The country of West-Chester, after the British had obtained possession of the island of New-York, became common ground, in which both parties continued to act for the remainder of the war of the revolution. A large proportion of its inhabitants, either restrained by their attachments, or influenced by their fears, affected a neutrality they did not feel. The lower towns were, of course, more particularly under the dominion of the crown, while the upper, finding a security from the vicinity of the continental troops, were bold in asserting their revolutionary opinions, and their right to govern themselves. Great numbers, however, wore masks, which even to this day have not been thrown aside; and many an individual has gone down to the tomb, stigmatized as a foe to the rights of his countrymen, while, in secret, he has been the useful agent of the leaders of the revolution; and, on the other hand, could the hidden repositories of divers flaming patriots have been opened to the light of day, royal protections would have been discovered concealed under piles of British gold.

At the sound of the tread of the noble horse ridden by the traveller, the mistress of the farmhouse he was passing at the time might be seen cautiously opening the door of the building to examine the stranger; and perhaps, with an averted face, communicating the result of her observations to her husband, who, in the rear of the building, was prepared to seek, if necessary, his ordinary place of concealment in the adjacent woods. The valley was situated about mid-way in the length of the county, and was sufficiently near to either army to make the restitution of stolen goods no uncommon occurrence in that vicinity. It is true, the same articles were not always regained; but a summary substitute was generally resorted to, in

the absence of legal justice, which restored to the oser the amount of his loss, with no inconsiderable addition for the temporary use of his property.

The passage of a stranger, with an appearance of somewhat doubtful character, and mounted on an animal which, although unfurnished with any of the ordinary trappings of war, partook largely of the bold and upright carriage that distinguished his rider, gave rise to many surmises among the gazing inmates of the different habitations; and in some instances, where conscience was more than ordinarily awake, to no little alarm.

Tired with the exercise of a day of unusual fatigue, and anxious to obtain a speedy shelter from the increasing violence of the storm, that now began to change its character to large drops of driving rain, the traveller determined, as a matter of necessity, to make an application for admission to the next dwelling that offered. An opportunity was not long wanting; and, riding through a pair of neglected bars, he knocked loudly at the outer door of a building, of a very humble exterior, without quitting his saddle. A female of middle age, with an outward bearing but little more prepossessing than that of her dwelling, appeared to answer to his summons. The startled woman half closed her door again in affright, as she saw, by the glare of a large wood fire, a mounted man so unexpectedly near its threshold; and an expression of terror mingled with her natural curiosity, as she required his pleasure.

Although the door was too nearly closed to admit of a minute scrutiny of the accommodations within, enough had been seen to cause the horseman to endeavour, once more, to penetrate the gloom, with longing eyes, in search of a more promising roof before, with an ill-concealed reluc

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