LIFE, SUFFERINGS,
A
SURPRISING ADVENTURES
OF
ELIZABETH SMITH.I am a native of Greenock, my parents are respectable merchants of that town. I was born of the 1st of October, 1822. About 1C years ago, a young man of the name of Robert Taylor, paid his addresses to me; he was then serving his apprenticeship to a cabinet maker: our love was mutual, our attachment growing stronger every hour. In the beginning of 1839 he proposed to have a secret marriage, but I would not consent withont acquainting my parents. My mother consented, observing that she could not attempt to marry me contrary to my inclination: but my father refused me to marry a man without property. He said I was too young to marry, and that when I grew older he would provide a suitable match for me. He watched me closely, but we contrived to meet every evening. I told him my father’s determination, and he was sad—our grief was great, and we shed tears of sorrow. At length I consented to a private marriage—parted in sadness, fearing that my father wonld prevent us accomplishing our purpose, and so it proved.
On the following morning he compelled me to accompan ym ona visit to my uncle who resides in
