early as the age of fourteen or fifteen, and perhaps at an earlier period. We find the following letter, to one of her juvenile correspondents on reading Beattie's Minstrel.

Killingworth, March 4, 1808.

I have read the sweet little poem, whose admirable author you so much admire, and am happy that we are alike pleased with it. Some of his descriptions are inimitably charming and picturesque, and some of his observations concerning the ways of providence very just, especially when he says,

One part, one little part, we dimly scan,' &c.

in which he is condemning us for doubting the wisdom and goodness of providence. My ideas correspond with his on this interesting subject, for I firmly believe that

'Oft from apparent ill, our blessings rise.'

All things, we are assured, work together for good to them that love God. And, as we are ignorant of the manner in which our heavenly Father is pleased to overrule events for our happiness, it is extremely reprehensible in us to be dissatisfied with any of his appointments. The prayer of the true christian is, 'Make me happy with prosperity; but, above all, give me conformity to, and contentment with, thy will.'

I have been reading Cowper also, and love his sentiments, his expressions, and his works, entire,

Perhaps you will think I speak with the

ture of an enthusiast, rather than with the reaSomble animation of a reasonable creature. But how can one fail to be delighted with the mild, deliCats, and pious sentiments which continually flow From the saniable author of the Task? In all his expressims he is simple, grave, sincere;" his style, alke removed from the torgid and the weak, and peculiarly free from that affectation which was his perfect starn

cannot sufficiently express the value I place upon is excellent work. Some of his "Winter evening" scriptions fill me with pleasure. I, in fancy, visit the lonely spots he describes, and wander with him over each heath and plain. I love the man for his meek and benevolent spirit. His writings are entirely free from that acrimony, (which distinguishes some of the English poets.) of satire against any class whom be disliked.

The intelligence that the Lord is visting you with the showers of his grace, and causing the Sun of Righteousness to shine on N—— H——, and the neighboring towns, affords me unspeakable plea

hopefully turned from darkness unto light. May this happy state of things long continue, and your I light shine more and more, unto the perfect day.

To the same friend, in December of the same year, she wrote another,indicating a taste for a different species of reading, and exhibiting evidence of strong thought and much reflection. The book referred to, was one which we should not have expected a young lady, of her age, to read at all. It contains four essays on important subjects, full of interesting original thought, but written in a style possessing few attractions for youth, and requiring indeed in the adult reader, very profound attention.

Killingworth, Dec. 20, 1808. I have been reading Foster's Essays. I admire them greatly. You recollect, I presume, what he says respecting romantic friendship. I fear his remarks are too true. He is certainly a man of great discernment, and has an extensive knowledge of human nature. I was surprised to observe with what facility he makes the minutest events in nature subservient to the design of his work; and how, even those circumstances or occurrences of life which we should judge of no importance, are, by him, recorded with an accuracy of recollection which we adr an energy of expression which makes ther illustrate his ideas than, perhaps, any th have done. The essay on decision of c

titious tale which we can procure; unless the fact that the latter is untrue be kept out of sight.

Almost all children ask instinctively, when a narration is read "Is this a true story?" and we have often witnessed the painful disappointment occasioned by the discovery that it was false. Religious biography is read with more universal interest, probably, than any other species of religious reading. How important then, that the lives of those who were pious in childhood be presented to the young; that at this erring period, they may have models continually before them, not only of ministers, missionaries, and martyrs, who have fought the good fight; but of little children and youth also, who were beset with temptations like their own and were enabled to triumph over them.