week succeeded week without any decided preparations; we were all happy, and reluctant to the necessary steps towards a change of our abode.

"In this way November had nearly closed; when one morning that a hard frost covered the ground, and a bright sun enlivened every object, Harriet, with her friend, on their return from a long walk, entered my dressing-room, where I was seated with my child on my knee. "Oh,' cried she, on entering, what a pity it is to give up such delicious mornings as these to that hateful London! You have no idea,' addressing me, "of the beauty of this morning; how my brothers would enjoy such in the holidays!" Her face bore evident marks of its invigorating effects; it was glowing with health and animation. My husband, who was reading in the room, forgot his book; he gazed at her with fond delight; when, throwing aside her muff, she suddenly catched up the infant in her arms, and said, 'Plead for us my cherub! tell this father of yours,' carrying it towards him, that you will climb his knee a year sooner for staying here; tell him that we have no frightful fevers here to kill and harrass our dearest friends! She looked at me with sensibility. Persuade him,' added she, smothering the babe with her caresses, and I promise you a bed of roses in the summer.' 'I heartily wish,' said I, that she may succeed.' My husband, steadfastly looking at me, said, 'Are you serious, Susan? Most assuredly,' answered I; "what inducements can I have to quit this scene of endeared comfort, beyond that of gratifying your inclinations?' "Well,' replied he, I am glad that we understand cach other; for I assure you that your amusement was the sole object with me for engaging the house in town; and to be frank, I must tell you, that I

detest London. The result of this conversation was, giving up the idle burthen of a town house; and we have not seen London since, but in passing through it.

"The time of our young men's return now approached. They had informed us of the day of their arrival, and Harriet was busily occupied in the morning with her sister's dress. No cap could do but the one she had worked; no robe, but that she had ornamented with fringe. She had scarcely finished her labours, when she heard the horses enter the court. She was in an instant at the hall door, with the infant in her arms. I stood at the window, apprehensive, not of her care, but of the cold. See,' cried she, before they had well dismounted, look at her! look at little Emily!" The brothers eagerly advanced, and a friendly contest ensued who should have the first kiss. Ah! my dear Mr. Palmerstone! at that moment I experienced a pleasure, which recompensed me for every evil of my life! There,' said the lively nurse, take her between you,' resigning her to Frank; only do not devour the marmoset.' George, now turned to a fine youth, who had till this instant been the unnoticed spectator of this scene, introduced Mr. Berry to Harriet, who blushingly, but not ungracefully, led the way to the drawing room, where I met them, and recovered my treasure. The stranger enlivened our society; our balls were brilliant; and Miss Barnet had many occasions of seeing the mother-in-law the promoter and sharer of the happiness of her family.

"Six happy years flew on downy wings over our heads. Harriet became the wife of Mr. Berry, and our hearts exulted in the prospect of the happiness of our condition. I fear we were

too secure; we forgot that misfortune could break down our fences. I lost my sweet child the year after Harriet married. My health was unequal to the shock; a nervous fever succeeded, which for many months obstinately rejected every means of relief. To you, my excellent friend, who so nobly exhibit the goodness of that nature which all have derived from the pure source of their existence, it will be no matter of surprise to hear that I was indebted to the grateful cares of my old housekeeper Dawson, for attentions which in no small degree contributed to my recovery. This worthy woman left her own comfortable ease, and the care of her own concerns, on the first intelligence of my illness, to watch with unremitting patience by my bed-side, and to console my weakened mind by her soothings. Had I stood in need of inducements for the observance of one of the most binding of the relative duties (for such I will venture to call kindness and consideration to domestics) I must in this instance have met with them: but to such as do forget these claims I will say, 'Render your servants happy, respect their ease and their health, consult their interest and security: If they be ungrateful, you are unfortunate, and may be allowed to complain.' But I forget myself, and my story should finish. My sons are now in Scotland, at George's paternal house, for which he is probably as much indebted to Mr. Davenport as to his own father.

These

young men are connected by ties which they take not the trouble to define; their hearts have long since established them as common blessings to each other. One interest unites them. social pleasures are incomplete when divided.— Their characters are different: but this difference forms another bond of union; the mild and seri

Their

ous disposition of George is happily blended with the brave and careless gayety of Frank, who, not without reason, calls his friend the "Sage Mentor." You see my daughter; she is the well earned praise of my life. You see my grandchildren fondly soliciting my love and notice. You see your worthy friend Davenport treading the downhill of life with honour and peace; and you see in me the example that the upright of heart, even in this world, are blessed."

THE WEST INDIANS.

"You know that I was born in Jamaica; and that I possess in that island a considerable estate, once the property of my parents. My mother died when I was only six months old. 1 was nursed and reared by a white woman, the wife of one of the overseers of the plantation on which we resided. This woman had been my mother's housekeeper, and she continued to superintend the domestic affairs of the family with fidelity after her decease. Her tender care in regard to me well merited the confidence which my father reposed in her; for she was without reproach, unless her excessive indulgence to her charge be construed into one, by that candour which considers the motives that governed her; for she thought it an imputation on her affection and respect for my mother, when a tear fell from my eyes.

"My good father had not altogether the same apology for the same weakness in regard to his

child: for he was a man of sense; yet he treated me with fondness as pernicious as that of my faithful nurse. At ten years of age it is probable he discovered something of this truth; and in spite of nurse's tears, and his own reluctant heart, he consigned me to the care of his friends. Mr. and Mrs. Delmy, in order that I might receive that education in London which he despaired of obtaining for me under his own eye. Mrs. Needham's attention and tenderness to her pupils being as fully established as the reputation of her talents and good sense, I was accordingly placed in her hands, with as many cautions as the fond anxiety of Mrs. Delmy could suggest.

"I had never been accustomed to contradiction-My diet had been carefully attended toNo expense would be regarded, in which my comforts and gratifications were included-No attentions unnoticed. Mrs. Needham with the utmost good humour, engaged for all that was demanded consistently with the rules of her house, and the duty she imposed on herself to attend to the health and happiness of the young people under her care, as sedulously as to their improvement; and with great tenderness satisfied Mrs. Delmy that she had nothing to fear for me. This truly respectable woman did not deceive her. My friends left me with a cargo of cakes and trinkets, and as much money in my purse as it pleased me to take from theirs.

"The assistant ladies, by Mrs. Needham's direction I presume, left me two or three days to myself, in order, I suppose, that I might be reconciled to my new situation. I was perfectly satisfied with the one and the other. The profuseness, or, if you will, the generosity of my temper soon gained me an interest with the girls: