ADVERTISEMENT.

IT is to paint Misfortune suffering with patience and resignation, under an accumulation of distresses; it is to depict Religion in its brightest garb-contentment, and cheerfulness,—that I venture myself, in humble guise, to public attention: and my friends,. I trust, will attribute to me a far better motive than the wish for fame in thus offering myself a candidate for their favour and li-. berality.

Could thanks repay the kindness of those who have so promptly come forward in support of my little Work, most sincerely would 1 offer them; but my heart is, and I hope will ever remain, alive to their disinterested generosity.

PREFACE.

AMONG the number of Works which deservedly claim and attract attention, a young and inexperienced advocate for favor would scarcely find courage to rank her humble pretensions, were not the liberality of the Public a just ground for hope. Every effort of the pen, where the least ray of talent has appearance, is cherished and fostered; and when exercised in behalf of moral, or religious virtues, it never wants supporters..

Relying, therefore, on the design of this little Story to inculcate the kind and charitable feelings of human nature, and degrade, to their proper level, the follies which are harboured by mis

taken fondness, or an injudicious education, the Authoress ventures to present it to the notice of her Friends.

Whatever faults mark her style, the youthful Writer's anxiety for the increase of moral virtue must plead her excuse; and if the press may be expected to give the tone to the age, the number of advocates in the cause of favor will, it may be supposed, raise higher the standard of moral perfection. The nearer we approach to virtue, the more we ensure our happiness; for although nothing short of infinity can make enjoyment perfect, yet the most delightful as well as the most exalted feelings of our nature are those which spring from the practice of virtue:

A FRIEND.

ROSEMAY LODGE.

"I will instruct my sorrows to be proud;
"For grief is proud, and makes his owner stout."
KING JOHN.

"DEAR Mamma, when are we going to see the blind boys," said little Tommy; and, still looking earnestly in her face, repeated his enquiry," tell me, Mamma ?"" To-day, my darling," replied the fond mother; "I have anticipated your wishes, and see, Louis is already bringing round the carriage; get your hat, my dear, and tell your sister we shall soon return." Tommy joyfully obeyed, and following his mother to the carriage, was soon out of sight of the beautiful chesnut trees, whose dark foliage formed a pleasing shade to the elegant villa inhabited by Mrs. Somerville.

“You promised," said the smiling Tommy,

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