ble satisfaction, and soon began to calculate how many useful things she might purchase with all that money. At first indeed, she thought of several things that were not useful; but after a little reflection, she resolved not to think of them any more; but determined that her principal purchase should be a warm cloak, to go to the Sunday school in, this next winter; which she was in the habit of regularly attending through all weathers. This decision, which she knew to be wise and prudent, because she could have pleased her fancy much more by other things, made her feel that pleasantest of all sensations, self-approval; and as she took up her work again she began to sing. The lines she happened to think of were very suitable,—

"Whene'er I take my walks abroad," &c.

But when she came to that part,

"Not more than others I deserve,

Yet God has given me more,”

she chanced to cast her eyes on her bank note; when the large word "ONE," caught her attention. "It is but one pound after all," thought she, and she stopped singing. "Ah, if I am so happy because I have one, what should I be if I had hundreds or thousands like some people! Let me see; if I had ten thousand pounds, for instance, I should be just ten thousand times happier than I am now.' And now it appeared to Rachel, that to be ten thousand times less happy than it was possible to be, was scarcely to be happy at all; this thought made her feel a little discontented.

دو

Some days afterwards she was sitting at her work as usual. The little parlour which her mother allowed her to occupy, was neat and pleasant. A bright yellow canary bird, which sang sweetly, together with a fine box of mignionette, and some pots of beautiful balsams, ornamented the window where she worked; and she

thought it very pleasant to sit there on a fine day, like this, with these pretty flowers before her, and her canary singing his lively tunes. Just as she was thinking so, some ladies came in to look at the different kinds of straw that she used to plait. Rachel displayed specimens of all the various sorts; but the young lady who wished to choose some was very difficult to please. She seemed dissatisfied with them all and complained of" the impossibility of getting any thing in the world in the country. Rachel could not help thinking that this fine lady looked cross and discontented: she also thought that she must be selfish and inconsiderate; for she hindered her from her work the best part of half an hour, looking first at one pattern, and then at another,now seeming inclined to order some, then hesitating again, and at last going away without either choosing any, or making the least apology for giving her so much trouble.

When the ladies were gone, Rachel's mother came in to inquire whether they had bespoke any straw. Rachel told her, and added, " Mother, do you know I was thinking that I had rather sit here all my life, plaiting of straw, than be that lady that had on the purple velvet pelisse ; for I am sure she cannot be happy.' "Child," replied her mother, " you don't know what you are talking about! that young lady has got ten thousand pounds to her fortune."

"Ten thousand pounds!" exclaimed Rachel: she said no more, but the words struck her. They brought forcibly to her mind what she had lately been thinking about her one pound note; and she wondered how it could be, that instead of being ten thousand times happier, the lady did not appear to be nearly so happy as she herself was. In the midst of these thoughts, she was interrupted by the entrance of a young lady whom Rachel was always glad to see, It was her

teacher at the Sunday school, who often called in to converse with her most intelligent scholars; and she was so good and affable, and seemed to take such a kind interest in her affairs, that Rachel was encouraged to communicate to her all the little troubles or pleasures that at any time occupied her mind. It was not long therefore, before she made her acquainted with the subject of her present thoughts; she told her, in fact, the history of her pound note: and requested to know, whether it was really true, that that discontented looking lady had ten thousand times as many pound notes as she had?" Yes, Rachel," replied the teacher," she has indeed quite as many as that; but I suspect that this lady and you have fallen into the same mistake about pound notes, by imagining that persons are happy in proportion to the number of them they happen to possess. You, accordingly, were rather discontented because you had only one; and she, it is said, is very discontented because she has only ten thousand."

Rachel. Only ten thousand! why, is not that enough? Teacher. She expected that the relation who bequeathed her this money in his will, would have left her three times as much; and supposed, that if he had she should have been three times as happy so that when he died, and she found it was only ten thousand, she went into hysterics; and never seems to have recovered the disappointment!

Rachel. Dear me! but sure ten thousand pounds must be enough to buy every thing that she can want?

Teacher. Very true indeed, Rachel, and now, you have yourself answered the question that puzzled you so much. The use of money is to supply our real wants, according to our station; and it is only in this way that money can effect happiness. Those who have enough for this purpose are rich, however small, comparatively, their means may be. You felt pleased and happy as long

as you viewed your savings in this just light. You thought of something you really wanted, and found that you could now purchase it; it was not till you began to think of some things that you did not want-hundreds and thousands of pounds, for instance, that you felt any discontent. I believe, Rachel, that you have every day as much wholesome food as you wish for?

Rachel. O yes ma'am always.

Teacher. And you appear to have warm, neat, and suitable clothes, I think?

Rachel. Why, yes, middling well for that, thank ye ma'am.

Teacher. You have also a comfortable house, a good bed, and a pleasant room, here, to sit and work in.

Rachel. Certainly, maʼam.

Teacher. You have even some luxuries, Rachel ; your pretty balsams here, and your little canary. There are many persons who give a great deal of money for baubles, which after all, do not afford them one half the pleasure that these sweet flowers yield to you. Now, tell me, if you can, what you really want more than you !-(Rachel pauses.)

have!

Teacher. Come now, do tell me?

Rachel. I don't know what to mention, particular. Sometimes I see things in the shops that I think I should like very much.

Teacher. But if those are things which would not be suitable to your station, which I rather think is generally the case, they would not make you any happier, but quite the contrary; for they would only render you ridiculous. Don't you think so.

Rachel. Unless I was a lady.

Teacher. Well, but you are not a lady; but an industrious little girl; who is so happy as to have learned an honest trade, and so successful as to be furnished with constant employment: be assured, then, that there are

few ladies more happily circumstanced than you are; and if you have sense and wisdom enough to believe this, and to be content with such things as you have, you are better off with this one pound note in your box, than most people are who can count their ten thousand.

Rachel felt satisfied by this explanation; and she set off soon after, in good spirits, with her teacher; who was so kind as to offer to assist her, in choosing the cloth for her new cloak.

XXIX.

THE HOPEFUL ONE.

A GOOD minister having occasion to call upon a gen tleman in a neighbouring town, was introduced to his family circle; which consisted of several young people of various ages, from ten or twelve to eighteen and twenty. The bloom and sprightliness of youth graced their countenances; and as the stranger's eye glanced round the lively party, a glow of benevolence warmed his heart. During his visit he had an opportunity to make some observation on the manners and engagements of these young persons.

One of the elder ladies amused him, for a time, by playing, which she did with much taste and skill: she was considered, indeed, to excel; and it was evident she had devoted much time and pains to this pleasing accomplishment. Two younger sisters were occupied in working muslin, on which they appeared intently engaged of the excellence of the work their visiter was no great judge: but he observed that their dexterous fingers were rapidly producing a very rich and elegant effect he remarked, too, the interest they appeared to take in their employment. The eldest son, a fine youth

: