siderable line of business, who wants justice to their minds, whatever it exactly such a young man as yourself may to their persons. to transact it. He is old, and has Maria, the eldest, is in her twentyno connections but one daughter. third year, tall, and formed by the most In short, if you are disposed to try exact rules of proportion: her band your fortune in a foreign clime, I and arm are the most delicate, for doubt not that my recommendation, shape and colour, I ever saw. A added to your own exertions, will grace impossible to describe accomeffect in a few years a very consi- panies every action, and à dignity derable alteration in your affairs.' peculiar to herself adds a double

• It is impossible,' I replied, “sir, force to that grace. With these adto thank you as I ought'--and was vantages of figure, an indifferent face proceeding, when he interrupted me would be dispensed with: but hers with---Say not a word of obligation; is not indifferent; it is in my eye I shall be amply repaid if I am made highly pleasing. I am, however, the instrument of good to a warthy willing to subscribe to the assertion, character, at the same time that I that beauty is the lover's gift. An am rendering an essential service to uninterested beholder, I believe,would an old friend, who is in want of such say, that Maria has not a feature in a person to assist him in the close of her face more than tolerable, and life to settle his affairs. Take time that her complexion is too pale. to consider my proposal, and if you Every one, however, must allow that approve it, I will myself furnish she has very fine auburn hair, which you with all necessaries for the voyage, she dresses in a manner extremely and we will lose no time in the exe- becoming. But I will finish my decution of the plan.'

scription of her person with a pa. I will not trouble you with fur- radox. She is not handsome, she ther particulars of this interesting is more; unless you are a lover, you conversation, but inform you that will not comprehend this. I have acceded to the proposal of Now for her sister Harriet. Just the generous colonel.. Very blind turned of twenty, considerably shorter must I have been to my interest if than her sister, and stouter: she is I had not done it; but the doing it notwithstanding a genteel, though has cost me a pang far beyond my not a fine, figure : her manners, power to give you an idea of. I am though not so elegant as Maria's, now going to intrust you' with a se are easy and unaffected; and her face cret but lately known to myself, a would be universally allowed to be secret which I fear will imbitter all my handsomer than her sister's. A comgood fortune. You must know then plexion where the lily and the rose this mean being, this Vernon, has bloom with lustre, is set off by a two sisters half-blood by the father. I profusion of dark-brown hair. These could almost say Heaven was unjust beauties, added to a pair of fine dark

a

yet it is hard to say which to pre An hour, two or three, for what
fer : my heart, however, has never I know,' replied Harriet peevishly.
balanced; it is devoted to Maria, for “Bless me!'is this all the remark
whom I have conceived the purest you can make? why I have been
sentiments of admiration and love. crazy ever since its arrival. Was
Mild and gentle as the dove, she there ever such a generous good-
possesses an understanding and prue natured man as this colonel ?'
dence rarely to be met with; and Why surely, Harriet,' said Ma-
though Harriei's understanding is ria, you would not think of going
equal, and her wit superior, her ex to a masquerade with a man you
treme vivacity and high Aow of have not known a fortnight!. We
spirits would frequently hurry her have, it is true, every reason to think
into imprudences it not checked by highly of colonel Ambrose, but I
Maria, from whom a word or conceive it highly improper to put
look is always attended to by her ourselves wholly in his power ; to
with the utmost deference. I will say nothing of the obligation we
give you one instance which oc shall lie under to his generosity,
curred yesterday, that will exemplify for these masquerades are expensive
my meaning. A box directed for amusements.'
the miss Vernons was left at the "Was there ever such a scrupulous
house. Maria was out; but Harriet, girl?' said Harriet; 'why these ob-
all impatience to see the contents, jections would never have entered
opened it when lo! two masque. my head.'
rade dresses presented themselves, ac 'I wonder at that,' replied Maria,
companied with a polite note con- smiling: 'I dare 'say, some of the
faining colonel Ambrose's complic novels you have been studying lately
ments to the ladies, and informing have furnished you with instances of
them, that having heard them ex damsels being decoyed away at mas-
press a wish to see a masquerade, querades; I will appeal to Mr.
he had procured tickets and dresses Wentworth, it'— Pish! why you
for the next, when he hoped they had better appeal to old Dorcas.
would do him the honour of per- Suy at once, shall we accept the
mitting him to attend them. To colonel's kind offer, or stay at bome
describe the joy that shone in poring over our work as usual? You
every feature of Harriet's face are always right in your

decisions.'
is impossible. She traversed the • Dear Harriet,' said Maria, take
room, unable to sit still a moment, ing her hand, I am much concerna
in a perfect erstasy. At length ed to see you disappointed; but
Maria returned. The contents of indeed I. conceive it improper to
the box were displayed, and the co- accept his offer at present--when we
Jopel's note read in an instant. She have been longer acquainted with
then seated herself opposite ber sister, him we will not be so scrupulous.
to enjoy the pleasure and surprise I may be wrong, but let us cre on

3

1

• Well, I will if I can.'

come to no determination, but your • But do you see the propriety of opinion shall contirm' me. In the sefusing?' said Maria.

hope you will ere long favour me I cannot say I do; but if you with it, think it right, I acquiesce.'

I remain, 'I had rather you would acquiesce, Dear Johnson, yours sincerely, my dear Harriet, from your own conviction than compliance to my

CHARLES WENTWORTH, opinion, flattering as that compli., The colonel has been here ten ance is.'

days, but he appears to me heartily • Well,' said Harriet, “I'll think tired of Mr. Vernon's society. He no more of it: manage it as you intends taking* lodgings till he can please.'

6x on a country residence. I will not enter into more pasticulars at present, but proceed to inform you, that I never have dis

LETTER VI. covered my passion for my beloved Maria.

The motive which halh Miss Iest to Miss Harriet Vernon, withheld me has been this: I am not in a situation to marry, and shall Thanks, my dear Harriet, for I endeavour to gain a woman's af your two last letters, which have fections, and fetter her by engage afforded my mother and me much ments I shall most likely never have entertainment. Pray, my dear, conit in my power to fulfil: Miss Vernon tinue to favour us with more of will probably meet with good offers, them ; I say us, for I know you will and surely I do not shew my love have no objection to my mother's by wishing to attach her to myself, seeing all you write. We have had when ruin must be the consequence as dull a winter here as you describe of that attachment. No: i will to have had in town, with this dif. forget her; I will fly from the house ference, that our slender income while I have resolution to fly, A obliges us to live retired, whilst your thousand times have I made this artificial poverty prevents your para resolution, but I have found myself taking in any amusement attend.. as it were chained to the spot. The ed with expence. And pray where struggle I have maintained in for. is the difference between possessing bearing to declare my passion can wealth for no other purpose than only be conceived by those in like locking it up, and the absolute want circumstances. Judge then my feels of it? The differenee, indeed, taken in. ings when acceding to the colonel's a moral view, is great; but it is truly proposal. I tear myself from all the astonishing to me how any one can hopes of ever possessing the dear love money for its own sake alone. Maria. I might, however, previous Finding that with economy we might to niy departure, declare my serdi live comfortably, we gave up the ments, and receive my fate from school about nine months since, as I her own lips. Would you, my dear informed you, and took a small house friend, advise this measure? I have more out of the village. The fatigue informed Mr. Vernon of my inten- of a school is too great for my motions of quitting him, but have not ther, whose health very much declines, had resolution to mention it to the although she has been obliged to Badies. The agitation of mind I follow that mode of livelihood pow labour under is extreme; I can ever since my father's death, which

in ore

is now fourteen years. So much worthy your hand that would neifor our affairs.--I observe what you ther hang or drown himself at the say respecting your sister and Mr. refusal of it. I wish you, however, Wentworth: it does not surprise to engage in

important me; an amiable young man and studies than those you mention. woman living together usually pro- My mother says she will allow you duces an attachment: but if your con no novels but Richardson's, and a jecture is right, I own I am sorry, very few besides. I think a wellas there is little confort to be ex- disposed mind would not be hurt *pected in a marriage where there is by many of our modern novels, a lack of money on both sides ; un but they certainly should not be les, indeed, your brother could be made our chief study : more useful prevailedon to draw his purse-strings, and instructive authors should claim which, from your account of his dis. our first attention. When I write to position, I Har is not likely. Prue you I take the privilege of advising : dence cannot always direct in the you know I am five years older, choice of a lover ; but it is surely and have seen more of the world in our pouver to conquer an inn- than yourself; added to this, I love prudent passion, though we may not you, and that alone will be a suffi. be able to transfer our affections to cient excuse for the liberty 1 take. another, You give such pleasing My mother joins me in love to outlines of this colonel, thai I wish Miria, from whom she hopes to to my heart he may fall in love with hear shortly; as for me, I suppose I one of you. What say you, Har- am not to expect that honour. I' siet? If he is the man you describe, hope you will make up for the deI think you will not have his con- ficiencés. Nothing short of seeing pany long, unless he is attractel by my dear Harriet can equal the pleaether, motives than your brother's sure her letters at all times afford society. I shall judge by the length her ever affectionate friend, of his visit how this matter stanıts.

SUSAN WEST I fear I shall not be able to visit

(To be continued.) you next winter; my mother's ill health and recluse life will make my eaving her improper. This I know you will deem a sufficient reason. THE DOWNHILL OF LIFE. But it is time encugh to talk of this. I suppose you will, before the sum

A VISION mer is over, pay your cousin Wilson a visit. You have promised to give me • He chat first sins, like him that treads one a description of that lady, who I con ice, ceive to be a strange character. I hear Slides cautious down the slippery paths of she has lately taken to herself a third He slides on cautious till, his fears got o'er, busband; a young man

He slides on swiftly, and looks back ao

more.' avarice! what sacrifices are daily

DREDEN, making at thy shrine! I smile at your romantic notions, as you well SITTING one cold and gloomy call them, of love; I, however, wish day by the fire-side, revolving the you to continue them for the pre many moving accidents and hairs sent: it is time enough for you to breadth 'scapes human nature is de convinced that a man may be liable to, Morpheus gently touched

100.

my eyelids with his ebon wand, and reverse, threw themselves down the presented the following vision to precipice, and were dashed to pieces. imy mind's eye.'

One charming maid I observed Methought I stood on an exceed- walk alone, with sober pace, over the ing high hill. A plain but elegant enamelled lawn. Her face was dazstructure rose before me, from which zlingly beautiful, and the symmetry issued hundreds of youth of both of her person exquisite; her fine sexes: they were just emancipated arms clasped to her lovely bosom the from the restrictions of their go- volume given her by Religion. She vernors, and

gay hope was theirs, had been lesa elated by the pleasures by fancy dressed. On each side of of the first part of the journey, and the porch stood two women of un- appeared less depressed by the discommon height and beauty; the agreeable reverse than most of her name of the one was, Virtue, the companions. When her feet be. other was called Religion.., At parte came defiled with the dust and dirt ing, Virtue embraced her pupils, and of the way, or torn by the rugged cautioned them to treasure in their stones which in many places stuck memory the lessons she had incul- up with sharp points, she would cated. Religion also presented each stop, and, washing them with her with a thick volume, which she com tears, dry them with the redundant manded them to peruse with the ut tresses of her golden hair, and after most diligence, nor suffer a day to reading a little in her book proceed elapse without consulting its holy with an air of contentment and cheerpages. • This book,' continued Re- fulness. While so engaged, she freligion, is an unerring guide: if quently became the object of derision you follow its instructions you can to the passers by: but their sarcasms never deviate; it will be your coun had no effect on the mind of Innosellor in difficulties, your support in cence (for that was the maiden's danger, your comfort in sickness, name). I observed, that she was your triumph in death, and your particularly careful to preserve her sure passport to immortal happiness.' garments free from soil ; they were All promised to remember the many white, and spotless as the unsullied kind lessons of their first instructors, snow. After descending for some and began their journey with alacrity. time with much toil and care, a

The road, for the first few miles, pipe and tabor struck on her car: appeared most charming. It was an she looked on one side, and in a

green easy declivity of green, embroidered lane beheld several lovely shep. with fragrant flowers of the most herdesses with their swains dancing, 'vivid colours, and intersected with while their tlocks peacefully grazed pleasant cool springs. The sun shone by their side. The scene appeared uncommonly bright; the birds sung at once cheerful and innocent. She

every face wore the

melodiously.

stood for a moment irresolute whether