"charming, cheerful, and agreeable;" and Bremer is fond of flowers, she is inundated the three children are "pretty." In the with bouquets. The dinners to which she evening came "a whole crowd of people from is invited are evidently very stupid affairs; the neighbourhood,"-doubtless beautiful and the many sermons by powerful preachers and agreeable, too, but that is not stated. of all possible views, must have been very She goes to see "the Elysian Fields, or park- conflicting; but the pleased lion has a good like tract on an island near New York, and word to say for all.

so called from their beautiful idyllian scenery; At Worcester she is entertained by the and they were beautiful as an idyl; and the mayor, who holds open house in her honour; day, and the air,-nay, we have nothing and there she shakes hands with a multitude. like them in the Old World!" She sees Elihu Burritt is one of the party, "a very Bryant, the poet, who has "a beautiful cha- tall and strong-limbed man, with an unusually racteristic head, with silvery locks." She lofty forehead, large, beautiful eyes, and sees one Marcus, who resembles "our Lord above all, handsome and strong features." both in heart and head;" and he has a wife The description of Emerson, at his house in who is "classically beautiful;" one of the Concord, is one of the best in the book:children "might serve as a model either for "Emerson came to meet us, walking down a cupid or for one of Raphael's angels;" and the little avenue of spruce firs which leads the other two children are "delicate, delight- from his house, bareheaded amid the falling ful," and "sweet." She meets W. N. Chan-snow. He is a quiet, noble, grave figure, his ning, who is "noble and enthusiastic;" "a complexion pale, with strongly-marked feacharacter as ardent as it is pure, with a tures and dark hair. (?) He seemed to me a beaming eye, and a countenance as pure younger man, but not so handsome as I had and regular as I could imagine a seraph to imagined him; his exterior less facinating, be." The figure is described as "noble and but more significant. He is a very peculiar elegant," and he "loves enthusiastically the character, but too cold and hypercritical to ideal and the perfect." please me entirely; a strong, clear eye, alMiss Bremer sails up the Hudson to visit ways looking out for an ideal which he never the North American Phalanstery; and "the finds on earth; discovering wants, shortshores shone out green and gold." The life comings, imperfections; and too strong at the Phalanstery is very well described, of and healthy himself to understand other course in bright colours; but it is too long people's weaknesses and sufferings, for he for extract. She afterwards meets with Mrs. even despises suffering as a weakness unworKirkland (authoress of A New Home-who'll thy of higher natures. This singularity of follow?), and she is described as "one of the character leads one to suppose that he has strong women of the country, with much à never been ill; sorrows, however, he has had, plomb, but with also much womanliness of and has felt them deeply, as some of his most heart and soul; kind as a mother, a friend, beautiful poems prove; nevertheless, he has and fellow-citizen, her beautiful smile, and only allowed himself to be bound for a short the flash of her brown eye, when she be- time by these griefs; the deaths of two beaucomes animated, betray the spirit which tiful and beloved brothers, as well as that of lives in her book of The New Home. a beautiful little boy, his eldest son. He Notwithstanding all this "beautiful young has also lost his first wife, after having life," it is pretty clear that Miss Bremer is been married scarcely a year. Emerson is at times terribly bored. Young people now married for the second time, and has flock about her, asking common-place ques- three children. His pretty little boy, the tions; crowds come to shake hands with her, youngest of his children, seems to be, in and to obtain autographs; female phrenolo- particular, dear to him. Mrs. Emerson has gists want to get hold of her head to examine beautiful eyes, full of feeling, but she appears her developement; and allopaths and ho- delicate, and is in character very different mœopaths contend for the physical control from her husband. He interests me, withof her person. When it is known that Miss out warming me. That critical, crystaline,

and cold nature may be very estimable, quite cipated ladies" in Boston; that is, female lechealthy, and, in its way, beneficial for those turers, doctors, and preachers. One of these, who possess it, and also for those who allow Mrs. Paulina Davis, she describes as striking themselves to be measured and criticised by "from the picturesque beauty of her figure it. But for me, David's heart with David's and head, her pale noble countenance and songs!" Afterwards Miss Bremer goes to rich golden hair;" while Mr. Davis, the spend a few days with "Sphinx of Concord." lady's husband, contrary to Miss Bremer's as she styles Emerson, in his home: and she usual tone of high praise, is only described then "had a real enjoyment in the study of as seemingly "a sensible man." this strong, noble, eagle-like nature. Pan- At Boston, Miss Bremer "was obliged to theistic as Emerson is in his philosophy, in go out and dine, and after that to a Swedenthe moral view, with which he regards the borgian meeting, where I shook hands with world and life, he is in a high degree pure, about one hundred Swedenborgians." This noble, and severe, demanding as much from becomes weary work, and the tired lion at himself as he demands from others. His length exclaims, after having had to undergo words are severe, his judgment often keen the same hand-shaking process at an immense and merciless, but his demeanor is alike noble night party,-"It was too much! And that and pleasing, and his voice beautiful.” is the way they kill strangers in this counMiss Bremer meets Alcott, the Platonic try. They have no mercy on the poor lion, idealist, who is "one of the most noble men who must make a show and whisk his tail in Massachusetts," and has a" remarkably about as long as there is any life left in him." beautiful silver-haired head;" "the young, Miss Bremer has still, however, abundant true American poet Lowell-a perfect Apollo praise left for all comers; and speaking genin appearance;" Garrison, the abolutionist, erally of the Americans, she says,—“I canof whom she says "one sees in his beautiful not tell whether I rightly know the American countenance and clear eagle-eye that reso- character, but of this I am certain, that what lute spirit which makes the martyr." I do know of it is more beautiful and more

Miss Charlotte Cushman, the principal worthy to be loved than any other I am acactress in the United States, kindly placed a quainted with in the world." As for their box at Miss Bremer's disposal on her return failings (though Miss Bremer saw none), to New York, and she there witnessed her she says that if they exist at all "they may unquestionably great personations of "Meg be all attributed principally to the youthful Merrilies" and "Lady Macbeth." Afterwards life of the people." She gives a description she became acquainted personally with Miss of Young America, in which she says he "is Cushman, and says of her "I like Miss Cush- a young man-it is all the same if he is old man personally very much. One sees evi--who makes his own way in the world in dently in her an honest, earnest, powerful full reliance on his own power; stops at soul, which regards life and her vocation with nothing, turns his back on nothing, finds a noble earnestness. She has, through great nothing impossible, goes through everything, difficulties, made her own way to the position and comes out of everything always the same." which, by universal recognition and by uni- Of the American women she says, "I saw on versal esteem, she now occupies. She belongs this occasion many beautiful toilettes, and to an old Puritanic family, and after her many beautiful faces. The American ladies father's misfortunes she supported by her dress well and with good taste. And here, talent for some years, her mother and her indeed, one seems to meet nothing but handyounger sister. She looks almost better in some faces, scarcely a countenance which private than on the stage; the frank blue eye, may be called ugly. Yet, nevertheless, I the strong, clear forehead, and the honest, think it would be a refreshment to see such sensible expression of her whole demeanour a one," &c. &c. and conversation make one like to be with her."

The reader will see from these descriptions what is the character of the book, and that

Miss Bremer also met several of the "eman- everything is couleur de rose, or carnation,

or some other "beautiful" colour of the very refers. And it was being kept in downright brightest. The book is a succession of high-old English earnest. Troops of children had flown praise-we might almost say of flattery been for days past rifling the hedges of their —of individuals whom she names, or half evergreens, and begging nosegays of all who conceals under initials. For instance, of owned the pretty "bits of garden" in front Elizabeth H. she says, "there is something of the well whitewashed cottages, which very profound and great in this young wo- anon would seem set in a frame of hollohocks man, and her words frequently are as bril- and scarlet-runners. Great had been the liant as diamonds in sunshine." Doubtless competition as to who should bring the larg Elizabeth H. belongs to a large circle of ad- est contributions towards the maypole (for mirers, and the praise will please her and is a glorious old-fashioned place in such her friends; but it is anything but interest- matters, and old customs are never interfered ing to us. Theodore Parker has "a Socratic with when they are harmless). Unheard-of head." Dr. Lowell, the poet's father, is "a acts of generosity in the shape of gifts of handsome old man." Professor Holmes's milk, oatcakes, and other delicacies, had dehead is "singularly beautiful." Whittier, monstrated the fact that "Measter Farmer the poet, has "a beautiful head with regular Gibbs warn't so hard a man as was thought features, black eyes full of fire," and many to be." The vicar's lady had been as liberal other beauties. Everybody is "beautiful." in giving away ribbons and outgrown white Even Laura Bridgman, the poor deaf and frocks, as she was of blankets when the days blind girl, is "pretty." smile less brightly, and the yule-log is more There are, however, some very pleasing comfortable than the green field. Everybody sketches of life in the south; and the sail up had been up since unknown times of the the Mississippi among the Indians is charm-morning, and everybody was thinking about ingly described. The account which Miss the great business of the day, the maypole Bremer gives of Washington, and the scenes and its festivities. Rich folks made an early in the Senate and House of Representatives appearance at the vicarage. They loved the there, is extremely graphic and instructive. fun as well as the poor, for whom they did And, had the large quantity of "sugar-plums" so much, and by whom they were so much been omitted from the book, it would have looked up to. There was to be a dinner and been brought within more reasonable limits, a musical party in the evening, and the vicar and would have been much better liked by and half a dozen neighbouring clergymen the general reader.

were comparing notes as to the state of the schools, refractory paupers, cottage rents and repairs, and a host of such other matters as

THE MAY FLOWER AND ITS BLIGHT. none but country clergymen can discuss.

To be sure there was one exception to all Ir was Mayday, and Mayday was outshining this content. Leaning against the door of herself. May that, in the words of Milton, the village public-house, a rough looking, "from her green lap throws the yellow cow-discontented man, with a short pipe in his slip and the pale primrose," seemed bent mouth, looked with a heavy malicious eye at upon being more bounteous of her flowers the party who were engaged in decorating than ever. The sun shone forth in the pure, the pole just opposite. This was Luke Scroglively blue sky, as though resolved not to be gins, the "discontented man" of the whole beaten by the bright flowers of the field, and village. He was in good employ, but never all nature looked as if it was out for a holi-liked his employers; he had no children, day. and therefore fewer hardships than his neighIt was in the lovely village of where bours; but he was a "progress" man—not the inhabitants are poor enough to be hum- in the good sense of the world. He had heard ble and hardworking, and rich enough to some Sheffield lectures about "the rights of look well-fed and hearty, that Mayday was man," and he thought no small things of being kept at the time to which our story himself. He did not like people to enjoy

what he did not like; he thought that those than her anxious mother thought good for who received and appreciated the kindness her health, and after flirting with some good of their superiors sold themselves to them; looking but unwieldy swain, would break his he muttered an imprecation against all may- heart by saying "Go along, I'll have nopoles, Maydays, and tomfoolery, whiffed at thing to say to you; I don't want you." The his pipe, and turned in for another half-pint. gentleman in question would immediately "What, again this morning, Scroggins," meditate suicide or enlistment, but we are observed a rubicund jovial-faced countryman, bound to say that it generally ended in who was carrying a parcel of osier-hoops up smoke, and that neither the demand for pato the pole. "Better be with us than inside rish coffins, nor the list of her Majesty's o' there first thing in the mornin'." forces, gained much by the dangerous attractions of the " May Flower."

A sulky growl met his remark, and the discontented man sat where he was, and the Placed above absolute want, the widow of contented one went whither he was going. Farmer Fisher, aided by the surrounding We wonder how each looked in the evening. gentry, had been enabled to give both her Very different was the sight which a little daughters a tolerable English education, as chamber in Dame (or as she was sometimes well as to imbue them with a refinement of called Granny) Fisher's little house display- ideas which could not be blighted by the ed. At a window half bedded in the dense rusticity of those around them. Jane, the thatch of the sloping roof, half blocked up eldest, was teacher in a good district school, with ivy and flower-pots, a blooming creature and was everyway disposed to do well; but of sixteen was weaving her long ringlets be- Flora, the heroine of our story, was an idle neath a straw hat, daintily perched on one side, as if to set off the most roguish pair of dark brown eyes which peered out from beneath. An old lady (for such she was by courtesy, and perhaps nearer the denomination than all might be aware) was lacing her white frock, and adjusting a sash round a waist which none would have thought ple- She had no pride, but would romp with beian. The small looking-glass told a pleas- anybody, and come in with burning cheeks ing copy of the countenance of both the one and fling her tired form on her mother's proud of herself, the other of her daughter, shoulder, and laugh away her chidings. as from time to time the younger creature Somehow or other, Flora was always waychattered on, and ever and anon exclaimed, ward and provoking, and always loving and "And I'm to be Queen, mother; I'm to be Queen of the May!"

puss, too clever to wish to stick to anything long, fond of play, dress, tumbling in the hay, rambling about the lanes at moonlight, and singing, at the top of her clear voice, ballads somewhat beyond the comprehension of her companions, but to which they nevertheless lent very grateful attention.

beloved. Even the lectures of the vicar's lady were so tempered with a real fondness This was Flora Fisher, the "flower of the for the female urchin, that she did but little village," the "May Flower," the "Queen good. And so Flora grew up a charming, of the May," the youngest surviving daugh- dangerous, delicious little village coquette, ter of a large family of eleven children, and a sort of being of whom no one could have the darling of a widowed mother who had imagined harm, but whom no one could quite "known better days," but was still above make out.

the level of many of those around her. Flora

Night after night had Flora been sleepless, was the dangerous cause of many a broil as some voice within her little soul whisperamong village youth-a Phillis for whom ed that she was to be "Queen of the May." there were more Corydons than Virgil or The morning came, and among all early Theoeritus could have furnished-a pet gos- risers none rose so early as she. How every sip with her own sex-and a favourite with little article of finery was ransacked over, everybody. At every village festival she and turned upside down, and inside out, and shone in as brightsome colours as any Bel- how unwontedly and steadily busy were gravian beauty "just out," romped more those little fingers that cared so little for the

thimble on ordinary occasions! augurated with every village honour, and At length, the all-important toilette fin- with a good deal of village noise. He now ished, her mother kissed, and the May Flower introduces himself; the May Flower blushes, slips away to the scene of her future triumph, pouts, thinks how different he is from Robin, her feet beating time to the words, "I'm and gives him her hand. Robin looks dagQueen of the May, Queen of the May."

Across the field, and down the lane, and

gers, speaks very politely, and seeks another partner.

to the vicarage the words pursue her. Her How different is her new partner's danchead is filled with naught else. But the ing! How gently does he press her waist, vicar's wife whispers a kindly "Don't take and how different are his polished boots from cold, love and don't be proud because all the clumsy ones of Robin! And what a tell you you are pretty." But the advice smile is his! How dangerously gentle! And dies away, and "Queen of the May, Queen when, sportively claiming the privilege of of the May" again fills the girl's ear, beats the day, he presses a kiss on her cheek, how time to her step, and sparkles in her ex- the May Flower forgets the happiness of the cited and delighted eye. May Queen, and sighs for some unknown lot. The procession is just forming, when up The dancing went on with enthusiasm, but comes young Robin Sykes, one of the best-cautious people talked upon the strange partto-do young farmers in the neighbourhood, ner of the May Flower, and very sage ones and one on whom the May Flower had been shook their heads, and quoted traditional hismore liberal of her good graces than on tories relative to the familiarities of the high others. He is the best of her beaux, and, and low. Widow Fisher felt anxious, but somehow or other, she likes him the best, so there was no drawing away Flora from the she accepts his rough but gallant attentions. dance. "You know I'm Queen of the May, A bevy of girls bear hoops quaintly formed mother," and she laughed and slipped away, into crowns, covered with flowers and rib-and once more threaded the dance on the bons, and beneath which the "lord and young squire's arm.

lady" of the feast are to pass in a Sir Roger And to judge from his appearance, he was de Coverley sort of procession. The may- no less happy. The simple beauty and artpole itself is worthy of St. Andrew Under- less liveliness of his new companion delighted schaft; it forms with its streamers a perfect him after the heavy routine of "good sociopen marquee of flowers, and every one who ety." He thought of his romps with girls surrounds it looks as gay, only less gro- no less lovely during his continental trips, tesque, than the most elaborate court of King and perhaps he sighed as he reflected that his Jack in the Green. Farmers are sipping father and his debts had long since engaged good light country ale at the al fresco deal him to Lady Emily. who would have tables, and comparing the beauty of the lads as soon gone to a pauper's funeral as to a and lasses; many are the rustic belles, but maypole festival. none come up to the May Flower.

There is an end to all things, and even a Suddenly up rides a young man on a splen-May Queen cannot dance for ever. People did horse, and whose dress and appearance began to disperse. The "discontented vie with the handsomest of the more fashion- man," who had long since been approaching able spectators. In an instant he has dis- the natural results of his morning's carouse, mounted, and is heart and soul in the fun. was escorted home, with some difficulty, by It is young Squire —, who has just come two village constables, loudly condemning down to take possession of his estates in the the whole proceedings of the day. And neighbourhood, and who has never missed Flora and her mother were walking home an opportunity for fun in his life. He es- silently in the clear, but now cool night, tablishes immediate popularity by giving and the little Queen of the May felt that she carte blanche on the public-house for that had abdicated her brief-lasting throne, and evening, but declares he must have a dance wished she had never been queen--she knew with the May Queen, who has just been in- not why.