gard for the trust of generous hearts, gained her many confidants. Her uniform loveliness of deportment and sweetness of conversation, her blandness of manner and beauty of person, all conspired to attract the fancy and win the heart.

This is a beautiful letter, and addressed to the same girl with the one we have already transcribed.

MY DEAR J————

Do we

Retired from the busy and trying scenes of the day, how can a few moments be more pleasantly passed by a mind formed for affection, than in communing with a dear though absent friend. Does she ever think of Mary? not sympathize with each other's fortunes? It seems to me that hearts joined together in true affection possess the most perfect enjoyment this world will admit. If so, should we not seize the fleeting bliss of friendship as it passes? Although we cannot see each other, we should be grateful that we have sufficient education to write letters, which I consider one of the richest blessings.

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* As we advance in years and understanding, I hope we shall be able to

examine for ourselves the evidences of the Christian religion, that we may be convinced on rational grounds of its divine authority; for Christianity invites us to examine its claims, and certainly

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(Lines filled with stars are obliterated.)

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My dear girl, you tell me you are not well. I know how to sympathize with you, I have so long been deprived of health myself. I have long known you, and my love has increased with my acquaintance, till it constitutes no small share of the happiness of my life.

Converse with one we love diffuses a joy through the soul which we cannot expect in a circle of friends. Lovely girl! when I am with you, I can truly say that I am happy; for the mind never so effectually unburdens itself as in the society of one we love.

How much to be prized is a friend in whom we can always confide! So much unhappiness is mingled in the lot of all, that it is our duty to spend our time in the attainment of wisdom and the practice of virtue, that we may be prepared to augment the joys of interchange of feeling and reciprocated affection.

It is delightful to do good; and surrounding scenes, like the friendly monitor of the soul, are calculated to inspire us with those reflections respecting the nature of permanent happiness, which will influence us in increasing our own and securing that of others. Thus employed, the hours fly swiftly and pleasantly away. Deprived of affection, life is but a painful journey ; and unless that affection is permanent, its loss only wounds the soul.

You have undoubtedly in the circle of your acquaintance seen those who, like the birds of summer, prize each other's presence and music while the sun shines bright; but suddenly desert each other when the ground is whitened by the snows of winter; but may our affection be as lasting as it is dear. May we also be conscious of the swiftness of the flight of time, and remember that every setting sun brings us nearer to the hour of death.

How many lessons could we learn from the scenes which surround us if we would listen to their voice. How loud do the works of the Creator speak the praises of God! Oh! why are we so insensible? How happy should we be if we would only learn God from the beautiful dis

plays of his attributes "in the heavens above and the earth beneath." When we are wearied with care and oppressed with sorrow, why do we not forget all our perplexities amid the quiet repose of Nature? We have had sufficient of this life to know that it is a scene of treachery and delusion; yet it is ever assuming the aspect of bliss never to be realized. We chase the phantoms that dazzle our vision till they vanish, and then we weep that we pursued them so long. Do we ever realize the fancies and hopes of youth? How do our young imaginations pave

our future pathway with roses and flowers!

We

give the world our good wishes, and expect her own. We indulge the dream till the meteor leads us to the precipice, and oh! how often plunges us into ruin.

But, dear J, you are too sensible, and know too well the value of time, to indulge in fancies or waste your leisure hours. And since virtue is so necessary to our happiness, and so durable are the accomplishments of a refined understanding and amiable temper, let us possess them all. The foolish ornaments of dress are made to catch the unthinking and enthrall the vulgar. But the virtuous and refined mind has charms

which will survive the wreck of every inferior embellishment, and last as long as mind endures. Farewell, M.

These two are the only remaining letters which can now be found of a long correspondence with the little girl to whom they were addressed. It is a great pity that they have been destroyed; for they are wonderful, touching, and beautiful compositions for a girl of twelve years and wayward fortunes.