and by sounding the depth and power of my intellect, found, that under his guidance there were occasions when even my advice might avail him. When a case occurred which obliged him to study at home, he detailed it in simple terms to me, told me the course he should pursue, and its probable results; while, satisfied and happy, I would sit by his side like Klopstock's Meta, "looking so still in his sweet face." Understanding his conduct and feelings, I began to be ambitious for him. Step by step he mounted the ladder of fame. I saw all eyes gazing on him with delight, heard every lip echoing applause; and those sights and sounds were doubly dear to me, for I knew every spring that moved his noble heart, and that his thoughts were mine before they were the world's.

CHAPTER VII.

GREASE.

Chattels which, yesterday, good housewifery
Had rang'd, in cleanly and delightful order,
Lay now disjointed, broken, rent.-GOETHE.

IN the subject I am about to introduce, I am confident of the sympathy of housekeepers.— The theme is grease, which, if I may be allowed a poor pun, has produced as many do mestic disturbances in modern, as it did political in ancient times. Who can tell the amount of temper that has been roused by this evil, from the single drop of lamp oil on the finger, to which the olfactory sense, though driven back, returns with painful tenacity, to the mass which, sinking in your white floor, looks fresher, like the stain on Blue Beard's key, for many a scouring?

I hope I may be excused here for a homely piece of advice, which is, that wives should not

only keep the lamps of their souls trimmed and burning, but attend to that department in their household economy. If they do not, their husbands may as well sit down to sup with the ladies of Queen Charlotte's Sound, whom Captain Cook describes as not only "drinking the oil from his lamps, but eating the cotton wick."

In return for the various attentions we had received, Edward and myself sent out invitations for an evening party. We had not the facilities for lighting our rooms which make it so little trouble now, by sending for a professor in the art, to produce a blaze that shall cast no shudow; but we treated ourselves to an astral lamp, they having been newly brought to this country. Being somewhat ambitious of intellectual display, and the time beginning to pass away when ladies did not feel themselves pinned to the same seat for three hours, we managed, by buying and borrowing, to collect some amusing novelties; among them was a magnifying glass, with splendid Italian views. These were arranged on the sofa table, illuminated

by our new lamp, which attracted universal admiration. The Italian views became the chief subject of attention, but alas! as our guests crowded around the table it was suddenly overthrown, and the lamp shattered to pieces. Satin slippers and gentlemen's pumps received the indiscriminate shower of oil, and the beautiful engravings coming in for a share, a young beau, who never lost a pun, even in calamity, whispered to me that they were "oil paintings."

A general shock was given to our before complacent group; first were circulated whispered complaints and commiseration, then in a louder tone followed details of similar misfortunes, and recipes for extracting them.

I contrived to affect great indifference, and Edward got up his best jokes, but after a struggle at general sociability the company retired, and left us, at an earlier period than we expected, gazing on the wreck.

It is easy to preserve a sweet smile in the presence of fifty people, but the test of good nature follows in a tête-à-tête.

"What an awkward wretch that Mason is," said Edward. "I wish people would not go into society until they are civilized!"

"I am surprised at your blaming Mr. Mason," said I. "It was Miss Otis who knocked over the table-that girl thinks she must be first in every thing."

"Mrs. Packard, I am confident that it was Mr. Mason," returned Edward.

"Mr. Packard," replied I, "I saw Miss Otis do it with my own eyes."

"Women are always obstinate," said he, turning away.

“And men are always domineering,” I answered, in the same tone.

There ended our first party, and began our first quarrel; but it seemed so odd, that turning round, our eyes met, and we burst out into unaffected laughter.

I will not enter into a detail of similar misfortunes. Who has not, after long deliberation, purchased a set of expensive lamps, only to suffocate himself or his friends with smoke?—