them, felt the sad effects of a defective education; and endeavoured to instil religious principles into their minds, sensible that without these, she should in vain expect them to become happy and virtuous.

The cousins were kept in constant surprise and astonishment, at the transports of the sentimentalist-the keen censure of the disaffected the ignorance and malice of the churl—and the peevish irritability of the darling ;-strangers to the passions that produced these effects, they recoiled (as the sensitive plant from the touch) at their solicitations to partake the joys of friendship, and were more than ever endeared to each other. The world in miniature was presented to their inspection, a new scene was open before them, and often did they contrast the views they formerly held of human nature, with those they were now compelled to adopt ; frequently did they gratefully acknowledge the restraining grace of God, and the kindness of their parents in correcting

their errors, and preparing them to choose on the side of virtue.

They were early entrusted with the secret of Marianne's attempts to frighten her sister, by procuring a person to station herself nightly under her window, and make various terrific noises. Charlotte smothered in the bed-clothes, believed that the death-watch, the screech-owl, and the dog's howling, were prognostics of her speedy dissolution. Her superstitious fear of these ominous reports, frequently made her fancy a midnight-spectre, spring from its ghostly ambush, and present itself before her closed eyes; and when she slept, she would invariably awake in terror, from a frightful dream, of a funeral, coffin, or the doleful knell. Julia could not retract the promise of secresy which she gave, before she was acquainted with its importance, but endeavoured to expose the absurdity of giving an ominous meaning to the casualties of life; in some degree she succeeded in allaying Charlotte's fears, by assuring her, that the Almighty never

employs wood-worms, owls, and dogs, to announce the approach of death, and commended her to fortify her mind against these gloomy presages, by securing the favour of that Being who disposes of events, and governs futurity.

Julia's new situation exposed her to many persecutions, temptations, and trials; and has it frequently has been the case, that the graces of the christian have flourished and prospered more in the storm, than in the sunshine, so it was with her; fearful of dishonouring the cause she had espoused, and jealous of her own heart, she used much watchfulness over her conduct, éxamining the motives, thoughts, words, and actions, of each day, and continued "instant in prayer" for those supplies of grace, of which she felt her need, in order to "adorn the doctrine of God her Saviour." She obeyed her mother's injunction, "improve your time:" the habits of early rising she had acquired at home, gave her opportunity for reading, prayer, and meditation, which

prepared her mind for the exercises of the day. She never suffered herself to be triflingly employed, but entered with all her energy, into whatever was "praiseworthy and good :" hence she made great proficiency in her scholastic pursuits, excelled her competitors in what are commonly called accomplishments, and generally bore away the prize, to the conviction of all that she deserved it. Her forbearance, when "persecuted for righteousness' sake," was proverbial: she never appeared displeased: it seemed as though no impression could be made, injurious to her companions, and she was prepared to forget, before an offence was offered. There could not exist a more striking contrast, than appeared in the conduct of Julia and Marianne: the resentment of injury to the latter, was closely connected with her honour, while Julia, not offering the petition in vain, "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us," on all occasions threw the mantle of love over the offender, and was

anxious to prove, that no sort of malignity was indulged on her part.

Miss Phillips saw with pleasure the developement of her christian graces, and allowed her frequent opportunities for religious communion with the members of society; the visits she paid to the family of the Rev. Mr. R- were rendered

very profitable to her growth in grace, and the instructions and advices of her mother were sacredly attended to, and rigidly observed.

Julia earnestly desired her cousin's attention to the "things that belonged to her peace;" experiencing the "ways of religion to be ways of pleasantness," she constantly recommended by her example and precept, its superior excellency.

Ellen acknowledged its value, confessed the inability of her pursuits to fill the vacuum she constantly felt, or constitute her happiness; and yet, strange as it may appear (to those unacquainted with the depravity of the human heart) remained a stranger to the vital principles of chris