entieing delusions which riches present, and "rich i faith" alone they look beyond this present scene, and more readily fix their hopes on a never-fading inheritance. Such, like Lazarus, receive not their good things in this life; but often may we find in them, more thankfulness for a morsel of bread; than in the rich and worldly minded, for all the abundance they possess. in Mrs. Middleton, however, considered her riches as a stewardship, of which she must one day give an account; and greatly did the poor around, feel the benefit of this truly christian principle. She went amongst them too with the word of life, whilst administering to their temporal necessities; and though sometimes dismayed by the difficulties which presented themselves in this respect, she still persevered, trusting in that Scripture which saith, "Cast thy bread upon the waters, and it shall be found after many days." Although Mr. Middleton sometimes grieved her, by his levity of manner, when speaking upon religious topics; yet he was so really attached to his amiable and still lovely wife, that in no one thing did he ever thwart or oppose her. Occasionally, he would jokingly call her his methodist wife; and then add, perhaps, the next moment, But Louisa, in your charitable excursions pray take care of yourself; for what should I do without you?? Mrs. Middleton appeared to have only that one cause for regret; and Helen frequently perceived it, by her subdued and sorrowful looks at him; when he was indulging in any thoughtless remarks, connected with this momentous subject; or when she gently endeavoured to recommend it to his attention, by many la praiseworthy ruse; which a woman who truly loves the chosen one of her heart, can alone think of and act upon; тэ A ruse! some one may exclaim with surprise, 'Why that can never be right? Certainly not, when taken in its general sense; but in this it may not only be allowed, but commended, if perfectly free from real deception. Many who are anxiously striving to recommend their principles, offend by the brusque, and ungentle manner they assume; not pleading but dictating. Truly, to be good and disagreeable is high treason against virtue. T Mrs. Middleton, on the contrary, would let fall a word in season; and then wait with prayerful patience and resignation to the divine will; until it should please Him to fertilize it with the dew of his Spirit; trusting that the time might come, when her prayers would be answered; though she herself might not live to witness it. He who is "faithful" has promised to hear and answer prayer; and she believed in these promises, with a cheerful conviction of their truth; for of what avail is it, if, when professing with our lips one moment to trust in Him, for every thing temporal and spiritual; the next finds us as anxious and care worn, as though we had never known Him; or as if our "God had forgotten to be gracious." 'Well my dears,' said Mrs. Middleton, when as usual they entered the room, to give an account of their morning's walk, Have you seen Bettyd: Protonom at it -Yes Mamma,' said Louisa, presenting a bouquet of violets, tied with the characteristic neatness natural to her; and for which, an affectionate kiss amply repaid Thesgiddyw Adelaide ran behind Mrs. Middleton's chair and having mounted an ottoman, she turned her basket wrong side upwards, showering the violets over herdt There dear Mamma, said she, capering round to look at her, Louisa has made you a nosegay, and mine are all young butterflies, coming to tell you summer will soon be here; for you love summer, do you not dear Mamma? Mrs. Middleton had risen to shake off the little intruders; but now stooping to Adelaide, whose blue eyes were dancing with health and animation, she parted the clustering curls from her forehead, and fondly kissed her fair and smiling brow. "I wonder,' said Adelaide glancing at Helen, 'why those pretty things are called butterflies. Do you think it is because they only live in summer, and their life is so soon melted away? Mrs. Middleton and Helen could not forbear laughing at the very unpoetical idea suggested by Adelaide; but turning to Louisa, Mrs. Middleton said, 'What is your idea of the butterfly, Louisa, and what analogy does it bear to anything you have heard of or read? E Louisa blushed, and her natural timidity rendered her silent, until reassured by Mrs. Middleton, she answered, It is compared to the soul; the chrysalis, to death,oas when our own bodies lie in the tomb, and the butterfly bursting from its covering, as when our spirits go to heaven wwabas: medi 'Pretty well,' said Mrs. Middleton, but you should have stated, that it was the renovated body, which the perfect insect will represent to us, for "it is sown an animal body, it shall be raised a spiritual body."...We resemble it too, in being surrounded by many enemies; who would fain prevent its reaching a degree of perfection; and the ichneumon is not more fatal to the larvae of the butterfly, than our own indwelling sins are to the welfare of our own souls. And now my dear girls, whilst you admire the painted wing of this gay little insect, we have been speaking of; never, let me beg of you, make what is called a collection of butterflies.ro Let them live their short summer, and as their life according to Adèle's account, is so soon melted away; leave them to enjoy it unmolested. I love to watch their free and graceful movements; and have been astonished to see young ladies, who would be shocked even at the idea of cruelty, deliberately and coolly torturing the little creatures; and forgetting that they felt "a pang as great as when a giant dies Mr. Middleton now entered the room. Look! papa,' cried Adelaide, what a great many we have gathered, but Mry Cavendish helped me.' й пот To Did he said Mr. Middleton, taking her on his knee, and pray who helped Miss Sinclair, who has such a bloomsafter her walk?' continued he, glancing at Helen's heightened colour, for she was sorry not to have thought of mentioning that Mr. Cavendish had joined them; and now it was too late to retrieve the omission, for such indeed it was. Well, and what did he say? did he go far with you? continued Mr. Middleton, to Adelaide, whilst he was mischievously enjoying Helen's evident discomposure. Yes, papa, and he led his horse all the way to Norham; but I wished he had been away too.' >1116 Because as soon as he came, Miss Sinclair looked so grave; and never gathered any more violets. Very I think well little parrot; and now go to your dinner. my love,' said he, turning to Mrs. Middleton we had better walk to Norham tomorrow; will you have us in your train Miss Sinclair ? To relieve Helen's embarrassment, Mrs. Middleton here changed the subject of conversation; and from that moment, Mr. Middleton never alluded to it againt There was one thing Helen ever avoided, and that was, encroaching upon their kindness. It would be well, if many who are similarly placed, would follow her example in this respect; for by never overstepping the bounds to be observed, even in familiar intercourse, much that is unpleasant might often be avoided. b. Rather than wishing to intrude upon their society, Helen |