may be made useful to those who Love to meditate upon the mysterious ways of the wonder working GOD.

I was born in the once proud and haughty Island of St. Domingo, in the Parish of St. Rose, of Ancient and respectable parents. My Father and Mother, were the most accomplished union according to their Religion and ways of worshiping; they were equal in fortune, for they had each a plantation, when united together made them an exceeding good livelihood.

But I have not taken my pen for to write my parents History, but my own: here then my narration shall begin. In the year one thousand seven-hundred and eighty-three, the Sixth of September, betwixt eight and nine o'Clock in the morning I was brought forth into a World of troubles, and was baptised the twenty-fourth of November in the same year, by Father Julien Capuchin Missionary Curate; and had for God-father my Mother's Brother, and for God-mother my Father's Sister.

From the day that I was born, I never enjoyed a good state of health; for I was so weak and Sickly, that I looked more like a Spectre than a human creature; for my Death was daily and Hourly expected, in me was seen the very picture of Death: I was in that situation till I attained my seventh year; when I was forced to leave a Mother by whom I was dearly loved, and a Father that cherished me above all earthly creatures.

For one Morning I yet very well remember, (though I did not expect it,) my Father called me and my two eldest Brothers also, and lead us into my Mother's chamber, where I saw her weeping bitterly: when there I could not help asking her what was the matter that she was crying so; she made no reply but by sighs and tears; when in a sympathetic manner she took me up in her arms and pressed me with tenderness to her bosom and bedewed my innocent face with tears; it was with great difficulty that she consented to let me go; and then she kissed my Brothers in the like manner, when we left her to sooth her sorrows, and to console herself to the loss: in the mean time my Father handed us into our coach, and gave orders to drive away to Town.

I was some time silent, effected by this sudden change; when looking through the window of the coach, I saw both my little Sisters stretching out their arms as if it were to bid me the last Adieu; the scene was so affecting, that I could not restrain myself but to ask my Father where we were going to; (for I did not know any thing about that sudden journey.) He satisfied me, by saying, that he was sending us into France for our education, and that he would spare no expence to give us a good one.

In the afternoon we reached the Town, and alighted at the Crown-Hotel: my Father being not well in health, we were obliged to delay our voyage for the space of three weeks; and when the appointed time was come to separate us from a Father dear and tender, I was taken very ill, in which state I remained for some days; at the same time the Captain of the Ship came to let my Father know that he could not wait any longer, and that he was to weigh Anchor the next day. My Father, though very ill, said, "well, they shall be ready to go with you to-morrow." (I was then but indifferent in health.)

The most affecting parting took place, he took us by the hand and led us to the Sea-side where we were to embark, and said, in the most pathetic manner.—"My most beloved Children! the time is now come that you must be parted from a Father, by whom you are dearly loved; receive for the last time from my almost dead lips, the pledge and tenderness of my love towards you; for I know I shall never live to see you again, so take the last parting of your Father, for you shall never see him any more; to day is the last time that you will behold the Author of your days: my duty forced me to send you into France, and your education will be a friend to you when in distress."

Before we parted he recommended us to a gentleman that was on board, and that nothing should be wanted for our care. And then he withdrew, extending his arms once more towards us in the most distressing manner: so that we were filled with grief and sorrow to see our Father in such a melancholy state.

We begun our course with a fair wind and good weather, which continued for several days.

About twenty days after we were upon the Sea, the wind rose with such violence, that we expected every instant to be cast into the depth of the Ocean: we was in that situation for a considerable time, till at last it pleased the ALMIGHTY to appease the waves, and to send fair weather. We were seventy-two days in crossing the immense Ocean, at the end of which we landed at Bordeaux. Myself and my Brothers were received with great kindness by our Banker, to whom we delivered the letter concerning our coming into France.

The next day we were sent to school in the same Town, to give us the first beginning of education before we could go to College.

Three months after we were arrived in France, we received a letter sealed in black from our Mother, in which the Death of our Father was confirmed: his last parting from this World is too cutting to relate. ("I hope he died happy, and hope to meet him in Glory.")

Though I was so young, the impression of the Death of my Father plunged me into such a melancholy state, that soon after I was seized with a violent fever; no rest was to be found for a long while: in the strongest of my pain I used to get out of my bed and run about the chamber like a madman, crying out, "Oh! my Father! my Father is no more." I was in that state for six months, before my health was established.

As my Father's desire was to give us a good education, he told my Mother when on his Death-bed, that we must be removed as soon as possible to the College: accordingly we were sent into the South of France, at the distance of two-hundred and twenty miles from Bordeaux, to the College of Soreze, one of the most eminent places of teaching that ever existed since the World began; for every thing, consisting of Arts and Sciences was to be learned.

Here is an account of what the College consisted. Teaching Masters, ninety; besides ten prefects to maintain the police into the yards: and twelve-hundred scholars. Instruments of Music of all sorts to be learned; Latin, Greek, German, Spanish, English, Italian, and French tongues to be learned; Writing of different sorts; Reading, Arithmetic; Drawing of all kinds, both of Human-likeness, as also the Landscape: Dancing, both French and English; Ancient History, Chronology, Literature, Declamation, Fortification, Structure, Poesy, Rhetoric, Philosophy, Natural History, Geometry, Geography, Trigonometry, Statics, Fencing, Riding, Military Exercise, Natation, Architecture, Algebra, Mythology, Theology, Cosmography, &c.

I took such a delight in learning, that all my Masters were pleased with my conduct; but this did not last long, for one evening the Director of the College called me and my Brothers, and said, "here is a letter from your Mother that I have just received." On opening the letter I saw these words.

My most beloved Children, it is with grief and sorrow, that I took the pen to inform you of all the misfortunes which have destroyed St. Domingo; your fortune[3] is lost for ever, it is only in your Education, that you will be able to recover it: my long silence would perhaps make you think that I have perished among so many Victims which were destroyed in that unhappy Island, no! the LORD was pleased to save me from so many dangers, that I might be useful again to you; and I hope that by his Mighty Power, He will restore you