The novels of Charles Brockden Brown, consisting of Wieland;or, The transformation. Arthur Mervyn; or, Memoirs of the year 1793. Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a sleep-walker. Jane Talbot. Ormond; or, The secret witness. Clara Howard; or, The enthusiasm of love. With a memoir of the author.

THE SECRET WITNESS.

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through an alley in the upper part of the town, her eye
was caught by a label on the door of a small house signifying that it was to be let. It was smaller than that
she at present occupied, but it had an aspect of much
greater comfort and neatness. Its situation near the
centre of the city, in a quiet, cleanly, and well-paved
alley, was far preferable to that of her present habitation,
in the suburbs, scarcely accessible in winter, for pools
and gullies, and in a neighbourhood abounding with indigence and profligacy. She likewise considered that the
rent of this might be less, and that the proprietor of this
might have more forbearance and benignity than she had
hitherto met with.
Unconversant as she was with the world, imbued with
the timidity of her sex and her youth, many enterprises
were arduous to her which would, to age and experience,
have been easy. Her reluctances, however, when required by necessity, were overcome, and all the measures
which her situation prescribed executed with address and
despatch. One marking her deportment would have perceived nothing but dignity and courage. He would have
regarded these as the fruits of habitual independence and
exertion, whereas they were merely the results of clear
perceptions and inflexible resolves.
The proprietor of this mansion was immediately sought
out, and a bargain, favourable as she could reasonably
desire, concluded. Possession was to be taken in a week.
For this end carters and draymen were to be engaged,
household implements to be prepared for removal, and
negligence and knavery prevented by scrupulous attention. The duties of superintendence and execution devolved upon her. Her father's blindness rendered him
powerless. His personal ease required no small portion
of care. Household and professional functions were not
to be omitted. She stood alone in the world. There was
none whose services or counsel she could claim. Tortured
by multiplicity of cares, shrinking from exposure to rude
eyes and fiom contention with refractory and insolent
spirits, and overpowered with fatigue and disgust, she was
yet compelled to retain a cheerful tone in her father's presence, and to struggle with his regrets and his peevishness.
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