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tation of many a thoughtful hour. Yet, was her desire of information by no means permitted to interfere with the accomplishments becoming her station in life, or with those other acquirements which are the especial adornments of woman, and, if we may yield deference to high authority, closely connected with the most amiable features in her character. (a) To these a due proportion of her leisure was devoted. She could sketch from nature with admirable precision and elegance, and she excelled in music; but these were considered merely as recreations, and were ever subordinated to nobler pursuits. Such was Emily du Blesne; exemplifying in no mean degree the beautiful similitude

'The flower of meekness, on a stem of grace.'

Yet, let it not be supposed, that it is our intention to delineate a perfect being. Though Emily was blest by nature with endowments

(a)

For nothing lovelier can be found
In woman, than to study household good.' MILT.

of a superior order, and though the new-creating Spirit of holiness and truth had been her secret friend, still much remained undone. Far be from us the wish to conduct our readers through the visionary regions of romance. No; we would lead them through the walks of real life, that therein they may receive whatever instruction can be derived from the narrative of events, fraught, as we would fondly believe, with something to interest, nor yet totally devoid of edification. But Emily was not perfect. As a descendant of the first transgressor, the germ of every evil grew innate in her breast, as a plant indigenous to the soil-a scion from the root of bitterness; and frequently, too frequently, and too mournfully, was it manifest whence she had drawn her birth.

Still, however, and deeply aware as they were of that original corruption which sin had. entailed on her, Albert and his partner could not beinattentive to the promise of their child. With a satisfaction known only, perhaps, to the parental heart, they looked on her, and called her their's. But few, possibly, have

experienced emotions equally vivid as those, with which they beheld their Emily; for, often, when bearing their offspring in remembrance at the mercy-seat, had she afforded them the sweet anticipation, that she was destined one day to be the brightest jewel of their hope. Yet, there was a worm at the root of their enjoyment; and the tear of apprehension would silently blend itself with the note of gratitude and praise. A secret misgiving would involuntarily intrude upon the thought that rested over her; and they trembled, lest the heavenly exotic should be found but a transient resident on earth's unkindly soil.

He, whose mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,' had indeed numbered her of his family, and • marked her for his own.' His propitious smile had long attended her lowly and unobtrusive path. As a lily, nourished by the dews of his benediction, she had grown beneath his care, and cast forth her roots as Lebanon' and, if she had not hitherto made such advances in the hidden life, as others

have done under less encouraging circumstances, it was to be attributed to causes inscrutable to human eyes. The voice of God had doubtless moved over her, and she had awoke from the sleep of death. But it seemed to have died away into a quietude, that spoke of peace, it is true, yet rather of such as dwelled on the still-agitated bosom of her native lake, ere the storm of the mountain had for ever sunk to silence on its breast, than of that moveless calm, wherein it reflected, without a dimple to obscure their lustre, the glories and loveliness of heaven.

The season, however, had at length arrived, when her spirit was to be imbued more deeply with the reality and importance of

The vast concerns of that eternal scene,'

whither she was hastening-and when Emily was to be prepared to meet those trials, which unerring Wisdom saw fit she should undergo.

V

CHAP. III.

'O Nature! Winds of music, valleys, hills,
Woods, gushing brooks-in you there is a voice
Of potency, an utterance which instils

Ideal freshness, bidding man rejoice
Deeply with joy in spirit. From the noise,
The hum, of busy towns, to you I fly :

Ye were my earliest nurses, my first choice.
Let me not idly hope, nor vainly sigh-
Whisper once more of peace-of my Redeemer, nigh.'

THE eye, enlightened from above, will always feel a relish for the beauties of nature, however varied her aspect. Through them it is led upward; while the heart, soaring with it, as on eagles' wings, beyond the troubles and occupations, and all the little jarring interests of time, holds high communion with other worlds. Earth, with all its intercourse, is then, as it were, beneath our feet. Looking towards the regions of immortality in the full assurance of hope,' the veil that hides them from human

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