snail shell,reconsiderably heightens the pleasuregofda spring walk;Tiand the discovery of a bird's nest, snugly ensconced perchance beneath a tufted hawthorn; and guarded only by the long grass which forms its canopytif this is happiness.dawnl Lol ST Sometimes when the cold and withering realities of life, have driven all the warmth of the young and confiding heart back upon itself, we have felt half tempted to wish that the days of childhood could return; when ४८ A Playing around the den of sorrow, clad In smiles; believing in their fairy hopes; to And thinking man and woman true!"dow to But why the repining thought? This is not our "abiding city," but a state of probation, which we are rapidly passing through; and in which, the "one thing needful" is to prepare for eternity, where we shall indeed be free from all sin be saved from all sorrow and this, not by any merit of our own; but purchased for us, at no less a price, than by the sacrifice of the Lord of Glory: who waits to give us those "pleasures," which are "at His right hand for evermore." Helen was presently left alone, whilst her little companions searched for the violets scattered around; the air, soft and breezy, was literally perfumed with them. All nature appeared to rejoice, in the anticipation of the coming summer; and as though she had put on a fresher guise, to welcome its approach. The birds sang, as though they too deemed the cold of winter past; and Helen felt her spirits rise with the air of gladness around; for who can, unmoved, mark the bursting into life and beauty of nature's loveliness, in a fine spring morning. The heart beats with a buoyant lightness, and the eye finds a new beauty at every step; and shall He, who is the author and finisher of all-whose mighty power formed the world and without whom not a blade of grass can spring forth-be forgotten ? Would that we could each answer, as the innate feeling of our hearts, no! to Him be the praise, for "He crowneth the year with his goodness:" but, alas! too often, whilst the "good" is enjoyed, the "Giver" is forgotten, and his laws outraged; whilst he still continueth "kind, to the unthankful and evil." The road they were walking, was an unfrequented one; and yielding to the solicitations of her young guides, Helen was soon engaged in clambering up a green, yet rocky bank, to assist in the search after "April's loveliest coronets;" and by the assistance of projecting boughs, she reached the summit. Louisa, making a false step, slipped upon the moss, and was now upon her knees, minus a shoe; when from a gate opposite, a well-known voice greeted them; exclaiming, 'Good morning Miss Sinclair, you are really the very person for the Highlands; but how shall you get down?' Helen answered politely to his enquiries, hoping he would ride on; but he continued, You had better allow me to assist you, the bank is much steeper further on'Why Louisa! you must be Blue Beard turned green,' said he, laughing. , She had in falling embedded her fingers in the moss ; and now having stroked her face with her wet gloves, they had greened it all over. Adelaide laughed with delight, at the ludicrous figure Louisa presented; whilst Helen rather chagrined, stood above them. Mr. Cavendish again offered his assistance; 'No thank you,' said Helen, we have not finished our search yet, and I can get down very easily.' 'Do you wish for some violets?' said he, whilst a smile hovered round his mouth; help; come Adèle, we will soon fill that pretty basket of yours: and leave Miss Sinclair on the heights of her ambition. So saying, he dismounted, and holding the bridle over his arm, was as good as his word. Helen felt annoyed; but perceiving that he was determined to join them, she ran down the bank, at the risk of hurting herself, whilst he was stooping to gather the flowers. Mr. Cavendish uttered an exclamation of surprise, when he saw it; but placing himself by her side, he said, What a lovely morning, is it not? which way are you bending your steps?' Before she could answer, Adelaide, highly delighted, exclaimed, 'To Norham,' so you can go with us. W If Miss Sinclair will permit me?' answered he, 'for I had intended going that way.' 6 We shall walk much too slowly for 1002 す you,' said Helen. No, no,' said the children, 'w 'we will walk faster; do let Mr. Cavendish go with us.' Helen found it was useless saying more, so taking Louisa by the hand, they proceeded to Norham. Mr. Cavendish still leading his horse; whilst the conversation assumed a deeper tone. Jen 5. Helen could not be insensible to the superior and highly cultivated intellect he possessed, and of which she had heard much from Mr. Middleton; who had spoken of him in her presence, as the most talented man he knew. In fact, he was one who could readily adapt himself, to the tastes of any person whom he might wish to please; and Proteus like, "be all things to all men though not in the best sense of the passage. His suavity of manner could be exchanged for cutting sarcasm; and though generally esteemed a perfect specimen of good temper, he could, with the greatest sang froid imaginable, enjoy the confusion of those, on whom it glanced with effect: yet he was generous, and possessed many traits of character to be admired. No one better deserved the appellation of fascinating, than did the handsome Mr. Cavendish. On reaching the cottage, Helen said, 'We have arrived at our destination, Mr. Cavendish; and must now say, good morning.' Not finding any pretext to the contrary, after shaking hands, Mr. Cavendish remounted, and was soon out of sight, in the direction of the public road; which, she felt assured, he must have purposely quitted to join them. 6 Helen was much pleased with the unaffected and humble piety of Betty Wilson, whose gratitude to Mrs. Middleton knew no bounds; after she had primarily referred it to the right source to Him, who has all hearts in his hand;" and she said Give my humble duty to Lady Middleton, if you please Miss, and tell her, as how I hope when the weather comes dry, she will be strong enough to come and see me; but eh! dear she always looks weakly.' 'No I hope not,' said Helen. 'Well to be sure,' rejoined the old woman, 'she has a fresh colour sometimes; but then again how pale she is; and you know Miss that is not healthful!? Helen now bid her good bye; and calling the children who were busy with the cat, they bent their steps towards home. As they returned, Helen felt that she had received a lesson, in witnessing the contentment, under poverty and pain, of the old woman; and she was humbled in reflecting, how far Betty Wilson's gratitude to the Almighty exceeded her own, for all the benefits so liberally bestowed upon her. How many instructive lessons may we not learn from: the poor amongst God's children; though remembering... always, that poverty or any other afflictions, are in themselves utterly insufficient to humble the proud spirit of man: yet, I think, this child-like dependence and ge nuine humility, is more frequently found, amongst those who are poor in this world's goods. Untempted by the |