friend will be much disappointed, and it is not right to give way to grief.”

"My dear mother," said Laura, "my life before now was a bed of flowers, bespangled with the dew of love! each event had its joy, each hour its pleasure; the very air I breathed, was redolent with pleasure. The check I have received has reminded me, that there are thorns in life's path, which must cause reflection to a pious heart; yes, it makes us feel how transitory is this world! and how full of teaching are its sorrows! In my garden, I find the quiet and serene aspect of nature carries away my ideas from harassing cares and calamities, which you, my dear mother, have done your best to alleviate. My frivolity had its day," said Laura, "but it passed away beneath the influence of constant association with one like dear Ellen, whose mind was raised above perishable things: in my beloved sister, an example of holy, self-denying life is set before me. The Divine truths of the Gospel, its lovingkindness and its terrors, have been faithfully announced the prospect of entering into life would sadden me, mamma."

"There was a time, when meadow, grove, and stream, The earth and every common sight,

To me did seem

Apparell'd in celestial light,

The glory and the freshness of a dream;

It is not now as it hath been of yore."

"TO-DAY is the first time," said Aunt Dorothy, "that dear Laura has ventured to touch upon the generosity of Major Spencer. I find he has left her, ten thousand pounds in cash, a handsome estate in Worcestershire, called the Elms, with a curacy attached to it, which at the death of the present incumbent will bring in £180 per annum, and hers for ever. He has left many presents to friends and relations besides.”

Mrs. Lockyer heard all in silence, as she well knew the purport of the will before, and she simply observed, it was too kind of the Major, and she was sure Laura would make a good use of the gifts of Providence.

"Of that I am sure," said Aunt Dorothy, "for she told me, her life henceforward should be in a measure devoted to render the habitations of the poor fit abodes

TURNING TIME TO ACCOUNT.

109

for human beings, and to ameliorate their condition would be her aim. Oh, she has a heart glowing with the warmest love for suffering humanity! she assured me, that the minutest object of nature rose in her eyes into consequence and beauty, and that the carolling of birds was her delight, and that already she felt a large portion of her days had been improvidently squandered. What a wonderful change has affliction wrought in this dear girl! I hope she will not become too serious," added Aunt Dorothy.

"Fear not that, dear sister," said Mrs. Lockyer, "we are strange creatures, our lives are made up of inconsistencies, and we are most prodigal of what we best love! and we throw away what we most fear to lose, I mean time! that time of which life is made up. I believe, as dear Ellen said, that he who devotes time to its best purposes, secures eternity for its best enjoy. ments; the habit of turning time to account, by endeavouring to be useful to others, must be eminently beneficial to ourselves. The heart is a perennial spring, the fountain is inexhaustible, and

"If good we plant not, vice will fill the mind,

And weeds despoil the place for flowers designed;
The human heart ne'er knows a state of rest,
Bad leads to worse, and better tends to best.'

Believe me, dear sister, that she who cannot find time to read her Bible, to visit the sick, to pray, is most likely to find time for sin. It is obvious that the design of life is, to prepare for judgment; and after all, our smallest action is tinctured by the condition of

our minds; the existence of happiness cannot be concealed, any more than restraint or sorrow. The sunshine of the heart tinges everything with brightness.

I am anticipating Annette Cunningham to-day," said Laura, on entering and interrupting the sisters' conversation; "we hope to have a delightful walk, by the side of our smiling river, and if the dew-drops be not impatient, you must not expect us home very early."

Scarcely had Laura named her plans, when her young friend was announced, who declared herself quite ready to explore the country.

"I presume this is almost your farewell visit," said Mrs. Lockyer to the smiling girl, "for I hear you are about to visit the Continent for six weeks."

"I believe it is true," said Annette, "but I shall not stay away long from Laura, for when I return to the Parsonage, I hope she will be much with me. I suppose you have heard,” added Annette, "that Mrs. De Tracy has let her cottage to a party, by name Sober, a Jamaica family of great reputation in the West Indies, as planters, &c., &c. They have had many children, but all are settled in life, the most remarkable personage appears to be a black servant, whom they call Mr. Sambo. He says he is in love with every white woman he sees."

"Justina will get a beau, I dare say," said Laura, smiling, "for she is very good-looking and attractive. But come, Annette, let us take our promised walk, and first on our way visit poor Joe; Angelique is in

sad trouble, Dr. Somers fears he is too weak to rally from his severe attack of influenza; she has been a most devoted wife to him, and her principle of action has received a fresh impetus by matrimony. We have ever esteemed her as a most upright person, of a highly sensitive character. I have of late," continued Laura, frequently called at the lodge, and often found Angelique reading either some good book or a newspaper, to amuse Joe, since his confinement to the house. His age is against his recovery, but I hope his mind is fully prepared for any change which may happen to him.

66