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no further conversation ensued; but this I do know, that Lily Bingham has and does devote herself to the welfare of others: the affection which she would have prized so much was never granted, or made known to her. She and Gerald have not, I believe, met since that bright sunny evening, wherefore I cannot tell; whether he feared those affections were centred in another, whether his prospects were not sufficiently promising for him to marry, or whether he was really indifferent to Lily I pretend not to say; indeed Lily never knew herself. But though many have sought her hand, her heart has looked in vain for the virtues and sterling qualities that she believed to be centred in Gerald, her early friend; and she considers it a wise dispensation

of heaven to deny her the company and affections of one whom she fears she should have converted into an idol. Her father has been for some months past a tenant of the quiet tomb, and Lily is left alone in the world; but she has many attached friends, she has a comfortable independence, and both time and opportunity to do good; so she is far from being unhappy, since peace is in her heart; and in the constant endeavour to forget herself, and to think and live for others, she may be well considered a blessing to those among whom she dwells; and so gentle and meek is her spirit that she would scarcely be angry if she heard you laughing at her for being an Old Maid.” FANNY U.

AN ADVENTURE.

BY F. HERSEE.

In the middle of the delightful summer of 18-, it fell to my lot to be invited to spend a few weeks in the north of Wales, with a maternal aunt; rather a crabbed as well as an antiquated piece of furniture for me, a mere boy, to visit; but human nature is human nature, and, in fact, the thoughts of meeting the gaze of the sparkling black eyes of my pretty cousin Emmeline, did more in the way of inducing me to visit Thornton Hall than all the affection I bore to my aunt (poor soul) could have done. I need not repeat all the pretty tokens of cousinly affection ma belle cousine made use of in her elegant epistle, containing the invite, but merely benefit the reader by giving the climax of it. After the invitation was delivered in due form, she said

"Do not fail, dear coz., to join us, as we are all on the tiptoe of expectation, in consequence of a party of pleasure being proposed to visit the celebrated mountain of CG, in this neighbourhood."

Could human nature stand this appeal? If it could, I am in no way connected with it, for I could not; but ordering my carriage, curling my moustache, and adjusting my collar, in two hours after the receipt of the note I was being whirled away as fast as four horses could go, considering the roads not to be in exactly such close connexion with McAdam as might have been wished. I will not tire the reader with an account of the various jolts and jumbles I experienced on the road, but, if such be his wish, take him up beside me, and, in imagination, set him down at the precise moment I touched my foot to the velvet-like lawn which fronted the old-fashioned mansion, Thornton Hall.

My introduction to my aunt was of course rather a common-place affair, accompanied with all the good wishes, kind inquiries, &c., generally attendant upon first meeting a person to whom one is obliged to be civil, She inquired

about the health of my parents, exhorted me to be of a quiet, steady disposition; and last, though by far not least, said, she supposed I should like to see my cousin Emmeline. Of course I suppose I should; so, offering her my arm, I accompanied her to the drawing-room, where I found my cousin reclining, rather idly I must confess, upon a couch. She rose to greet my arrival at the Hall, and with as much affection in my tone as one can address "only a cousin" with, I speedily entered into conversa tion with her. I admired her drawings, with which the room abounded; patted her favourite dog; was in ecstasies with the scenes of which she was fond; and, in short, made myself as agreeable to her as it is in my poor power to be. While I am doing so, it may be well to acquaint the reader with the features of my cousin, as they appeared to me when addressing her. First, to begin with, she was good-looking! As a great deal may be taken from these words, and, moreover, conveying as they do no very accurate idea of what she really was, I will proceed further. Her face was oval: "That was good," says the reader. Her eyes were full, and of a fine hazel; hair to match: "Good again." Her nose very fine: "Ditto," says the reader. Her mouth rather large; and the beauty of my heroine is dispelled at once. But stop your "venom clamours," gentle critic, and blush for your sin, when I add that her teeth were of the most perfect beauty that it was ever my good fortune to behold. A fine commanding figure added to make, what fops and men of fashion call, "worth looking at."

As the hours flew by in her presence, I listened more intently for every word she uttered, until-to come to the point at once-I found myself in that worst of all predicaments for a fellow like me-in love. I know not how it was; for I had firmly, as I thought, made up my

mind on the journey, to keep my feet from touching the birdlime snare named love; but, like the rats who rush at the cheese suspended within the trap which is to deprive them of their liberty, I nibbled hungrily at her delightful conversation, until I found the snare I had fallen, open-mouthed, into; and then, in vain, tried to creep between the bars. It was useless to deny it-I tried to fancy I was not in love; laughed at myself for being such a fool; walked the garden, trying to think of other things; and, perhaps, for awhile, did manage to throw the shackles off: but the remedy was worse than the cure; for, the next time we met, her beaming eyes seemed to me to pierce my very thoughts. I was truly in a miserable situation; for the longer I stopped, the worse it was. I felt I not only loved the girl, but that I absolutely adored her; and, as a man who to save himself from a height clutches a slender beam with so much force that it bends and snaps, so I, in the heat and power of my passion, poured out my love to her in such deep sighings and intent gazings (the only way I dare at present express it), that the poor girl absolutely thought I was affected, at intervals, in my head.

One lovely morning (surely Nature must have collected all her beauty to deck the brow of that bright morn!) Emmeline came rushing into the room in which I was reading, and, playfully putting her tiny hands over the page I was intent upon, exclaimed-" Pray, cousin Alfred, put aside that drowsy book; one would think you were reading for a clergyman. Do you not see," continued she, in a tone so sweet it seemed not to come from a being of earth; "do you not see how beautifully the sun is shining on those tall oak trees? Do you not see how the streamlet yonder glitters and sparkles like gems upon the brow of earth? Hear you not how merrily the song-birds are carolling their varied strains, until the old ruin before us can scarce find echoes enough about its walls to chaunt their notes again? I perceive from your look that you do see and hear all these; and for what purpose, then, could Nature have breathed into life so fair a morning? Why, surely, for no other purpose than to gladden the hearts of as happy a party as ever visited the old mountain of CG" I started from the couch on which I reclined, and dashing the book I had been reading to the ground, I stammered out an apology for my forgetfulness, in not remembering that that was the very day fixed on for our jaunt.

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Fie, fie, cousin," continued she; "is it you who profess to admire Nature in her homeliest garb, and for that purpose left your own home to see her beauties decked in chrystal gems; and blushing 'neath the early tints of morning light from the highest points on the mountain's crown. Is it one who thinks and feels, as you profess to do, who should forget the glorious sight elect? Fie cousin; talk not to me again of Nature, and of her works, for I see the contemplation of them is wearisome to you."

my breast; and, after making a somewhat careful toilette, I joined the "chosen band" who were to accompany us.

Oh! how lovely was that morning. I have travelled beneath the cloudless sky of Italy; I have wandered far beneath the pleasant gaze of the bright warm sun of southern France; but never-I may say never-did I see a morn so lovely, so teeming with all that is bright and beautiful on earth, as that on which we started. Of course I offered my arm to Emmeline, and lingering behind the rest of the party, we indulged in admiring the passing scenery; and I soon found out how poetical and beautiful were all the thoughts of that dear girl. The fluttering bee, returning home with heavy-laden limbs; the bright green summer-tinted trees, among whose branches the gentle zephers softly peered, as schoolboy urchins peep from cottage doors, to see the passers by; the rippling streamlet "creeping like snail" among the water-flowers, that slightly checked its onward course-all, all, met her gaze; and each new beauty, as we passed, brought thoughts and feelings from her soul, as grateful water bubbles from the fountain's mouth.

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"Look, Alfred," said she, as we came in sight of the majestic brow of the hill; "look there at that proud monument of His almighty power! See how boldly the sunbeams rest upon his giant head, as if rejoicing in the strength of both-fit emblem of eternity are they! Oh! for an atheist here, who might, with me, see all that lies before us! Could he, with open eyes, look upon that wondrous pile, that cloudless sky, that rippling streamlet, and then, with his hand pressed on his bosom-if he be a man and a mortal-could he exclaim, "There is no God?" Emmeline," said I, "it is indeed true-there is a power unknown to man, which liveth with the flowers, and dwelleth amid all that is bright and good. There is a spirit reigneth in each created thing, which biddeth the flowers to bloom, the trees to grow, and the ear of wheat to wither, and be food for man. It is an universal soul-an all-powerful monarch; it dwelleth in the floweret's cup, and lives in every leaf upon the forest tree. But, come, let us change the subject; 'tis too high and holy for a party like the present, when we come to enjoy the more lively thoughts of Nature, and cast the dreary ones aside to contemplate in lonelier hours."

"True, Alfred, true," replied she; "but I have a strange feeling come over me. It is not of things of this earth; but seems to soar up to the bright blue sky of heaven! I will not weary you, however, with such sad thoughts," continued she, in a lighter tone; but, though her words came freer forth from her lips, I knew her heart was sad, and so its very lightness brought pain with each short syllable.

We joined the party at the foot of the rise, and, trusting ourselves to a guide, commenced our ascent. The view, indeed, was lovely as we got higher up the bank; the varied scene of These words spoken half in jest, half in quiet hamlets mingled in the distance with humearnest, roused all the feelings slumbering within | ble villages and country seats; while at the back

of all, the rushing sea, dashing wildly on the the sturdy grip of the guide, who, pushing me beach-all seemed like a panorama of the bright- back, approached with steady footsteps to the est scenes of earth! The walk grew narrower as spot on which she lay. Gradually did the we approached the summit; and it was, indeed, mountaineer move forward, until one more a fearful sight to see the abysses, where the vision stride would have brought him to her side; was lost in darkness, stretching below us. A respiration seemed to have stopped with the shout from the guide, who was before us, caused whole of the party, for not a sound was heard us to stop; and we then heard him caution us as we gazed, anxiously waiting the result. how we proceeded, as our passage was now over Suddenly the eyes of the poor girl opened-she a narrow ledge of rock, for about a dozen yards. gave a shriek, and attempted to rise. It was her Terror seemed to strike the whole of the party last shriek! Before the guide could stretch out at this unexpected piece of ill news. It was im- his hand to save her, she had lost her balance, possible to return; for the guide was in front of and was falling, with fearful force, into the us, and the walk was so narrow that he could streamlet, which she had, but a few short not turn back, and so pass us. The first of the minutes before, so ardently admired. Oh! party was a fine athletic young man, who seemed never-though I were to be numbered with the to court the danger as much as possible, to show things of eternity-never could I forget my his strong nerve and steady eye; but I beheld feelings at that moment! "Twas but for a his firm lip quiver as he walked along the ledge; moment, and the next I was lying senseless on and, though he feigned to have no fear, I know the rock. I was carried home to the mansion his heart well nigh sunk within him. It was in- by a more circuitous though less dangerous deed enough to make the stoutest heart quail, as route; where I lay, with little hopes of the eye looked down the immense precipice; regaining my senses, for several weeks. When below us, on the right-hand side, was, at a dis- reason once more held sway over my shattance too great to calculate, the gently floating tered mind, I saw, by the sorrowful faces streamlet which had attracted the notice of Em- of the domestics, and the deep mourning garmeline on the walk up the hill; on the left I ments in which they were attired, that the tradared not look, for the guide strongly urged us gedy was complete! I have since learned that not to do so, as the sight might make us giddy. her body was picked up by the guide who atOne by one the party proceeded over the pass, tended us; but her soul was winged to a realm until only Emmeline and I remained to cross. brighter and more suited for her than that she With trembling heart-not for myself altogether, had left. Poor girl! how fondly had she looked though a strong feeling of fear unknown to me to the coming of that bright morning, for weeks! before, crept over me-I first attempted to pass. How she had dwelt with ecstacy on every pasNever shall I forget my feelings at that moment. sing scene-little dreaming it would be the last I felt as if I were suspended between earth and time her eyes would light on things so fair on heaven by a single thread, when a slight move- this earth! Nature truly did smile on a "happy ment would hurl me into eternity. At last, but party;" but the sun sunk upon her upwardone step remained for me to walk, and I was bound spirit ere yet the evening hour crept forth, safe! Without casting my eyes on either side, leaving the rest to mourn the setting of their I gave a leap-it was to safety-and I found favourite light! myself, with indescribable emotion, upon safe ground. But yet it seemed to me as if my body only were safe, for my heart and soul were with the being who had yet to cross. It was impossible for us to help her, as the very act of stretching out an arm might prove the destruction of the adventurer, by overbalancing, in how ever slight a degree, his equilibrium.

Oh, Heavens! what feelings came over us as we observed the frail girl-the favourite of all commence her arduous task. With fearless step she advanced boldly to the ledge. Without casting her eyes below on either side, she began to tread, with more cautious movement, upon the moss which covered it. She advanced a few steps, but I saw fear was gradually gaining on her nerves; her quick eye started, and her white lip quivered, as she moved along with trembling feet. She had already gained the middle of the pass, when a shriek burst from the whole party, as we observed her dark eye close, and saw her sink down upon the rocky border. She had fainted; and as her head fell lifelessly on her bosom, she turned upon her side, and one arm was overhanging the precipice! I attempted to rush forward to save her, but found myself in

It is now many years since the occurrence cited above took place; but I still bear each thought, each feeling of that awful day in my mind as vividly as if memory had slept to every passing scene save that. I have visited Snowdon; I have ascended the snow "capped towers" of the mighty Mont Blanc; but I never, amid all my travels, recollect experiencing such fearful thoughts as broke upon my mind at my first and last visit to the mountain-heights of C—G—.

Warwick, Nov.

Ingratitude is not a solitary vice; the heart where it dwells is usually closed to all the kindly feelings of humanity, and loves and friendships know no place

therein.

Experience does take dreadfully high schoolwages; but he teaches like no other.

CARLYLE.

THE PROFESSOR'S DAUGHTER.

(From the French.)

BY MARY E. LE E.

At the time of her marriage, Madame Reidsand had brought her husband a pretty little fortune, and the worthy pair exercised such prudent economy in the midst of the tasteful establishment, that they had no anxiety respecting their daughter's future support; but the mother would often remark how happy she felt that Ebba had no need of forcing her inclinations, but might marry whoever she best loved.

The northern faubourg forms the most beau- | touching simplicity, which often affected the tiful quarter of the city of Stockholm, and, in learned professor even to tears. 1820, one of its most attractive mansions was that of the worthy professor, Reidsand. Its beautiful proportions were well set off by an avenue of fine trees, whose verdure was perpetual; a small brook meandered gracefully through the spacious garden, and a hot-house of chosen plants dispensed a rich perfume to every passer-by. Within the house all was in perfect keeping; costly furniture, a well-selected library, some old pictures; while the whole was under the supervision of the faithful Stina, a Flemish dame, who had been the domestic of Madame Reidsand's mother, and who, in following the fortunes of her young mistress, brought with her fifty years' experience that industry and activity which never tire. Although considerably advanced in life, Stina possessed all the vivacity of a girl; and after going on errands, scrubbing, rubbing, dusting, and attending to the culinary department, she was never too weary to take her place in the parlour each evening, where, with her spinning-wheel in full progress, she could enjoy the society of her master and mistress and of her pet-child, the young Ebba, from whom she had not been separated a single day since her birth. Ebba was, indeed, the joy of Stina's existence; her least word, her most trifling gesture was the subject of constant admiration; every little whim was attended to, and Stina would have given her her very soul, had she been able to do so.

It was on one pleasant evening, when Madame Reidsand thus yielded herself to these fancies, while Ebba, in her anxiety for her father's return, was constantly running from the clock to the avenue, that the professor was seen slowly advancing along the grassy walk, his head bowed on his breast, and his whole appearance indicating some strong mental suffering. As his daughter flew to meet him, the unhappy father turned away, and losing all self-command, burst into a passion of tears, till at length, becoming somewhat soothed by his wife's affectionate solicitude, he tried to articulate-" Wife, we are ruined! totally ruined!"

For a single moment, Madame Reidsand looked on her blooming daughter with an expression of acute agony; but suddenly recovering herself, she turned towards her husband, and on inquiring further, learned that her husband's brother, for whom he had stood security, had failed to an immense amount, and had secretly left Stockholm, leaving his wife and children in the greatest misery and shame on account of his dishonest conduct.

Few there were who would not have been attracted by the loveliness of the young Ebba; and as she leant from her favourite, window, her slight form strongly defined in the shaded aperture, her bright face smiling out of its profusion of golden ringlets, she might well have been mistaken for one of those pretty spirits who so often figure in the ballads of Sweden's best poet,posure by her innocent caresses. Frangen. Even in her domestic routine of small duties, Ebba contrived to mingle the poetic largely with the prosaic. After attending to the flowers of the hot-house and garden, she assisted Stina in the preparation of the breakfast; and that finished, she plied her needle industriously at her mother's side, or prosecuted her various studies, until the professor's return from his lecture caused her to fly and welcome him with a glad shout and a loving kiss. Then came her time of truest enjoyment. When seated at the piano, her young voice absolutely revelled in melody as she sung one song or ballad after another, with that depth of expression, yet

"What misery lies before us!" exclaimed Madame Reidsand, as she clasped to her bosom the young Ebba, who, unable to realize her change of fortune, went from one parent to another, vainly seeking to soothe them into com

"And what dishonour!" murmured the professor, who gloried in the honest name which had been bequeathed him by his ancestors, and who now saw that name suddenly tarnished by his brother's shameful conduct.

M. Reidsand was a man of the nicest sensibility and the sternest integrity; and such was the excitement of his mind, that a fever ensued, delirium took possession of his powerful intellect, and in spite of the attentions of friends and the skill of physicians, he sank in the course of a few days beneath the violence of his disease. And now came the first trial of the once happy family, for poverty soon made sad inroads in

their broken household. The hot-house plants first disappeared from their covert; picture after picture was disposed of; favourite pieces of furniture were bartered away to strangers; and, at length, Madame Reidsand was actually obliged to procure needlework for her support. Every morning found them seated at their sedentary employment, and even then they were not able to meet the expenses of their simple establishment, since debts, at first trifling, soon multiplied into hydra-heads, and in a few months they were compelled to quit their beloved home, and to take possession of a small chamber in a retired quarter of Stockholm, where the narrow streets were hardly less noisome than many which are now to be found in the most wretched faubourgs of Paris.

Anxious to reduce their most trifling expenditures, Madame Reidsand'sorrowfully proposed that Stina should seek for other service; but the faithful domestic indignantly rejected her mistress's suggestion; and while she sought to assist in every possible way, she would not even share their frugal meal, but disappeared each day at a certain hour from the house, and on inquiry it was found that she was employed, during that interval, as cook, by several poor labourers, who paid her for her services in food, instead of money. Madame Reidsand's health soon sank beneath her constant labours; she could not resist the weight of sorrow and anxiety which weighed upon her spirits, and at length she became so feeble as to be compelled to remain in bed. Sensible of her approaching end, she one day, in the absence of Ebba, took the opportunity of expressing her presentiments to the faithful Stina. "I feel," said she, "that my days are already numbered; but listen to me, friend, while I make some arrangements with regard to my dear Ebba, who, in the bloom of her youth and beauty, will soon stand alone and unprotected in the world, unless you will fill a mother's place to her, Stina."

| slept peacefully at her side, she bade Stina approach, and delivered to her a letter for the counsellor Hoffman, along with one to her daughter, in which she explained her ardent wishes with regard to her future career. Then extending her arms towards the slumbering girl, she blessed her with all the fervour of maternal love; and turning to Stina, laid her cold hand in hers, murmuring-" Be to her as a mother: Ebba, dear child, Heaven guard you!" and then, with a long drawn sigh, fell back fainting on her pillow.

When Ebba awoke from her long nap, what was her distress on seeing her beloved parent's corpse lying decently prepared for burial, while the weeping servant prayed fervently at the side of the couch!

A few days after the humble burial, Stina set off with her charge for Dresden, and during the long and fatiguing journey, nothing could exceed the care with which she watched over the young Ebba; and on reaching the city, her first thought, after procuring cheap lodgings, was to proceed to the house of the counsellor Hoffman, the direction to which was willingly given by their kindhearted landlady. On reaching his dwelling, the door was opened by an old servant, who, inviting them to enter, conducted them into a parlour where reigned the most striking disorder. In the middle of the apartment stood a piano, while pêle-mêle on every side were to be seen books, empty bottles, rude models for statuary, half-finished pictures, and scattered papers. large cat was the only occupant of the apartment, and at the sight of the two strangers, it sought to make its escape through the door, by which a queer-looking little man now entered, completely enveloped in a loose great coat. He took from Ebba's trembling hand the letter which she now presented him, and glancing at its contents, exclaimed-"The worthy professor dead! and his good wife, too! Welcome then, child, to my The weeping domestic signified her willing-house. Your mother was right when she enness by a mute gesture, for her grief would not allow any utterance, and then the dying lady continued her directions.

"A few days since, I received a small sum from my brother-in-law, which will support you both, with frugality, through the next year. However, trust not to such poor help, Stina, but as soon as possible after my death, you must accompany my daughter to Dresden, with a letter from myself, which you will deliver to Earnest Hoffman, a counsellor residing in that city, and the intimate friend of my deceased husband. Should he give you an encouraging answer with regard to the project which I will there unfold, you must urge Ebba to prosecute the studies which the counsellor will point out, and to follow faithfully all his directions. If he does not approve, however, of my hint, my last hopes are futile, and I can but entrust my poor child to the mercy of a protecting God."

Some days elapsed after this conversation, and each one found Madame Reidsand more feeble and emaciated, till one morning, as Ebba

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trusted you to my care, for I can never forget the favours which I received from your parents when I myself was in indigent circumstances. Come, child, come; let us have some music at once." And with these words he took his scat at the piano, chose a piece, placed it on the music desk, and animatedly struck the keys. Ebba gazed upon him with an expression of sorrow and alarm, and seemed inclined to shrink from this early essay; but the little man grew impatient, and exclaimed-"What! such an excellent musician, and yet not able to sing at first sight? You can? Áh, well, here is a piece composed by my friend, Weber; make haste; don't be frightened, but begin immediately.”

The agitated Ebba made several attempts before she could command her voice entirely; but scarcely had she sung through the first line of the recitative, when Hoffman interrupted her with a loud cry of joy, and yielding to that singularity which regulated all his movements, he ran towards the door which opened into the next apartment, vociferating loudly" Jean Paul

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