poetry, from the bards of ancient days. Methinks I could have bowed with reverence to the silver-haired minstrel, in the midst of this rustic throng, who poured forth such strains of melody. I will give him credit for any compliment he paid to my Agatha, though she has not sufficient vanity to acknowledge that she felt it to be sincere; but Lord Montague did, and that was enough.

"Of the Castle of Montault, or of its inmates, I can furnish you but with little intelligence, and that little is by no means pleasing, my Agatha; for the Marquis is under a severe depression of spirits, and the Marchioness, in no way affected by the dejection of her lord, has adopted her former habits of dissipation, and employs her hours in a succession of fashionable amuse

ments.

"Lord and Lady Winstone, I regret to state, live unhappily. She is addicted to her mother's fashionable propensities, in opposition to the will and happiness of her lord.

"It is a great misfortune, I think, my dearest Agatha, that those who intend forming a matrimonial connexion, should not adopt a system of conduct by which the whole of their lives hereafter should be regulated; so as to avoid those perpetual jars and quarrels which are the bane of a married life, and from which neither party can honourably retreat. When two perverse tempers meet, either the one or the other must give up the contest, or dreadful must be the consequence which ensues; and though I am by no means an advocate for the use of any improper authority over our de

fenceless sex, yet I would recommend every married woman to use as little violence as possible in dissensions with her husband; and to yield before the stormy passions have gained the victory and render the conquest impracticable, and he leaves her in indifference, and perhaps in disgust; while mild forbearance on her part would have acted very oppositely on his feelings, and restored peace and harmony to each other. However, as her ladyship is a second time very nearly becoming a mother, let us hope that she may be recalled to the sense of her duty to her husband, by the tender pledge of love which will then more sacredly enforce the bonds of the holy tie by which they are united.

"My little Matilda has grown surprisingly, my dear Agatha; and if you could behold her as she is now, you would be delighted with her engaging ways. My father, I fear, will make au idol of her, and that will be very absurd of him; but what can I do with him? I cannot chide my father for his fondness of my only child. It is not a mother's vanity that prompts me to say that Matilda is really extremely beautiful, because had I my choice I would much rather she had not been so, for beauty is a dangerous gift to woman, and is oftener the source of her misfortune than her happiness. Heaven in pity spare my girl from being the victim of vanity or passion! She is exquisitely fair, with Olive's dark brilliant eyes, acquiline nose, and auburn hair, and promises to be tall and slender; but she has not the expression of my sister's countenance, which was austere, and at times scornful and forbidding, though

beautiful. The fate of poor Olive frequently in serious moments recurs to my recollection, and in the words of Goldsmith,

"Turning all the past to pain ;".

however, it is a subject that will not bear much reflection, yet we cannot wash out the traces of a stream that once flowed so sweetly and so purely, but which now deep sorrow has dried up for ever.

"I anticipate the pleasure, my dearest Agatha, when I next hear from you, that you will have an addition to your family by the birth of a dear babe, about which I feel more anxiety than I can express. You appear to have had charming health and spirits since your pleasant tour on the continent. O! my Agatha, may you always enjoy it, and every other blessing this transitory world can boast of, or that your affectionate Jessy can wish you. Should the forth coming little stranger be a daughter, it will be a nice playmate for your Orlando; dear boy, how I long to see him again in England!

"I had forgot to tell you that my father has given up his valuable share in the herring fishery, and generously assigned it over to my husband and his heirs for ever: and at his demise he has left the whole of his property to his granddaughter. I objected to this proposal; but he would have his way, and you know I seldom dissent from his wishes: his age and growing infirmities certainly incapacitated him for transacting the important concerns of the fishery, in which great part of his property was embarked. Herring Dale

he has left to his Jessy, because he knows no gift of bis would have been half so acceptable to me, for there my poor sister Olive and I drew our first breath, and it is a spot most sacred to me.

All good attend you, Agatha.

Yours most faithfully,

Jessy Russel.

Mrs. Russel received no answer to this epistle for nany weeks; and she became restless and alarmed lest any accident had befallen ber beloved friend in her critical situation; but at length a letter arrived from his Grace the Duke of Braganza, couched in the following terms :—

"Dear Mrs. Russel,

"At the request of my son-in-law, Lord Montague Montault, I have undertaken to become the amanuensis both for him and my beloved child, whom I rejoice to tell you was a few days since made happy by the birth of a daughter, who with its dear mother are both doing extremely well; her anxiety that you should be informed of her safety, makes me not delay this post, although I write in haste, from having some business to attend at Venice.

"You will particularly oblige me by taking charge of the enclosed packet, for the Marquis and Marchioness of Montault, which I beg you will deliver personally, as it concerns a matter of importance to my brother. I was exceedingly rejoiced to receive so pleasing an account of your health, happiness, and prosperity, and

that your worthy father has resigned his fishery; it was high time to take this prudent step, or he would have lost considerably, owing to the great injury that concern has sustained by the late inclement storms.

"My daughter begs her kindest regards, in which permit me to unite, to your father and Mr. Russel. I remain, dear Madam,

Most truly your friend,

Venice, Chateau La Flours.

Braganza."