Oct. 24general, we stint ourselves to have such a thing fi nished by a certain time; and we are as eager to accomplish that as pofsible. Mrs D. enters into conversation with us on every subject, and listens to our remarks on any book we are reading, or the incidents that occur, directing our judgement rather by mild hints than formal advices, wherever fhe sees us wrong. By this means her daughters have acquired a habit of thinking justly on most subjects, that others of their age seldom pofsefs. I feel this; I feel my own wants when compared with them; but by attention to what falls from either her or them, I hope, in my turn, to become wise enough to be able to make you be pleased with something else than the mere innocence of my prattle. That you may have. some idea of the nature of this small female cotterie, (you know I learnt this word from yourself,) I fhall endeavour to recollect some of our yesterday's conversation.

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My dear," said Mrs D. to me, with her usual gentleness and imprefsive manner, "this house you will find is a very unfashionable place. Instead of gadding about through the whole country after amusement, you here find us continually at work, and busy from day to day, as if our sustenance depended on the labour of our hands. I dare say you are much surprised at this, though I am happy to see you fall into our way with much more ease than I could have expected. I fhall be glad if you continue to do so; for I am so pleased with your ingenuous candour and goodness of heart, that I begin to feel myself nearly as much interested in your wel

fare as in that of my own daughters; and were I not convinced that the acquiring a habit of industry at an early period of life, was of the utmost consequence to female happinefs, believe me, I never should have bestowed half the pains about it I have done.

"If we were all certain that we should die young, I should not have thought this a matter of great importance; for at an early period of life our minds are so volatile and flighty, there are so many new objects to attract our attention,-and nature has attached such power to the charms of youth,-and others are then so much disposed to bear with follies and impertinencies from us, as to make life pass very smoothly on at that period, even where no durable fund, or sources of amusement have been prepared. But when years steal on, the world will no longer tolerate girlish impertinencies; the adulation which youth and beauty obtain, begins to subside; and amusements of another sort become necefsary even in the prime of life. But when old age approaches, a woman who has not accustomed herself to find amusement in work of one sort or other, becomes the most uncomfortable being imaginable. She is no longer able to partake in active amusements abroad; fhe is deserted at home; solitude becomes a burden fhe cannot support; and fhe has scarcely an alternative left, but either to betake herself to the card table or the closet."

"You seem to be

I fhuddered at this recital. startled, my dear, at this fhocking description; but be not afraid, there is no necefsity for being reduced

to this deplorable dilemma; and I hope you will never experience that wearinefs which leads to it; but you ought to observe how difficult it is to avoid it, unless it be by the help of that endless and innocent amusement, work. We all hope to be married one time or other; and if so, in the natural course of things, a woman sometimes must be confined to the house, and always ought to take pleasure in home ; but if fhe has no resource for amusement, how can that be? and without taking pleasure in female work, and domestic concerns, how can home be pleasing?A man has generally his businefs to attend. Few hufbands can either afford to keep in their family idle persons to furnish amusement for their wives; or if they could afford it, would they like to have them there?-A woman, therefore, finds herself, soon after marriage, in a new situation, in which solitude, to a certain degree, must be experienced. If fhe has been in the custom of taking pleasure in work, fhe finds abundance of it to employ her; and fhe has the satisfaction of contriving something new for the convenience of her family, without incurring unnecefsary expence; and often she has the pleasure of obliging her husband by presenting him with some little thing done by her own band, as a mark of her attention to his convenience or taste. This is, in general, the surest means of procuring reciprocal attachment from him. You cannot, my dear, at your time of life, form an idea of the domestic pleasure that such trifling attentions produce." And here, my Albert, had you seen with what a gentle suffusion her eyes were filled on

this occasion, you would have been delighted." One attention begets another, as one neglect is the fruitful source of many other disobliging acts of unkindness, which are the cause of much domestic misery."

I could not help being struck with these, remarks, which I found had not occurred to Mrs D. now for the first time; for her whole conduct discovers that he has been actuated on every occasion by these principles; and the is herself a living example of the justnefs of her own maxims. I tried to make some acknowledgements for her goodness, for speaking so kindly to me. She smiled at my aukward efforts, for my mind was so impressed with a conviction that she would perceive I had her own conduct in my eye, that I stammered, and hesitated at every word. She hastened to relieve me.

"You would surely like, my dear, to be beautiful," said the in a more lively manner; " and what would you give if I fhould teach you the secret of becoming so?" That would be a discovery indeed,' said I, recovering myself. "Believe me," said fhe, "it is not such a difficult thing as many persons imagine. I cannot indeed teach you how to acquire the nicest symmetry of features; or those delicate tints that produce universal admiration. These are gifts that bountiful nature alone can bestow; but there is a charm, superior far to any thing that these can give, that it is in the power of every young woman to acquire. But my dear," said fhe, gently patting my head, as I sat in silent attention beside her, "it is now time to walk;-go, my dears, and divert yourselves toge

ther; and when you are tired with play, and sit down again to work, I fhall teach you the envied artof becoming beautiful; and, let me tell you, it is not every one to whom I would communicate this important secret."

a

Such, my dear Albert, is the stile of our conversations while at work. I listen with the most anxious attention; and not word that charming woman utters is lost upon me. I have a thousand things to say; but my paper is nearly filled; though I have written the last part of it so small, that I wish you may be able to read it. I was going to entreat you to beseech my mother to let me stay here as long as I am to be from home; and not to make me return any more to the boarding school. I had prepared a hundred reasons to induce you to be hearty in the cause; but I have only room to mention the last, which, I know, will ever be the most powerful with you, and that is, that nothing could ever contribute so much to the happiness of your ISABELLA.

THE admifsion into your useful miscellany, of the following observations, concerning the best means of obtaining the most substantial popularity, will oblige, at least, one of your readers.

Justice, like all other virtues, is amiable. A man, when treated with equity or justice, has no reason to expect more; he is pleased, and rests contented: but generosity, when opportunity offers, or when ob