hum of busy intercourse was suspended, and something | abode, and reluctantly do my feet turn from its threshold. more like devotion than anything I had seen on former May you live to what you seem, even now, to have Sabbaths among the mountains, appeared to charac- hardly begun to anticipate, a green old age: and may terise the place. I believe that there is a deep-rooted your children possess themselves in the patrimony that natural sense of the existence and superintending providence of God implanted in every bosom,—and I do not believe that its impulses are ever entirely wanting, how much soever they may be disregarded by the thoughtless and the indifferent. This consciousness is the secret of human accountability, and its results, its effects upon the conduct (the outward conduct, at least,) of mankind, may always be relied upon as tending to the establishment and preservation of the observances of religion.

New comers to the last. The northerners are begin. ning to pack up: some to make hasty visits to Salt, Red, Sweet, and Gray,—and others to reach home by the nearest routes. I have heard of some few indefatigable pleasure hunters, who think seriously of looking in on the water drinkers at Saratoga and Ballston, and the lingerers by Niagara. I caught a murmur of "commencement" a day or two since, and some legal gentry are bethinking themselves of special pleas for September and October terms. Young ladies are beginning to look sad, and young men mad, and their papas and mammas glad, at the near approach of the returning day. The invalid is sighing that he came so late, or rejoicing that he came so opportunely,—and the votary of fortune, fun and fashion, respectively, is lamenting that his glories and excitements are so soon to be over.

Yet Virginia is still pouring in her myriads of fair ones and rare ones,-and the ball seems to a new comer to be as merrily kept up as ever. But the tide is just turning, and a few short weeks will witness its last ebbing wave.

But every thing must have an end, and a fortnight at White Sulphur, as well as every thing else. So goodbye, pleasant walks and shades, delightful drives, happy crowd of friends, blue hills, green forests, and deep vallies. Farewell Hygeia! May you for years continue to administer health and happiness to the myriads that cluster annually around your delicious fountain. Adieu, most gallant master of the festivities at White Sulphur! Well have you earned the wreath of fame that this season will add to those already won, and which even yet verdantly grace your smiling brow. It has been yours to take the loveliest and the fairest of the daughters of Columbia by the hand, and to bid them welcome to the enjoyments of this happy valley. May you return to your home in contentment, and continue as heretofore to renew your youth for future harvests in the field of gallantry. Good Colonel, fare you well! And mine host of the fountain, patriarch of the Sulphur valley, adieu! Pleasantly have I sojourned in your delightful

shall descend to them, at some future day, in the same unpretending and praiseworthy manner, that has characterised the career of their father. Good bye, Davie, and Duncan, and Bob, ministers to the creature-comforts of the denizens of White Sulphur! May your gains for the season prove adequate to your respective merits, for what were such an establishment without such aid as yours? Adieu, one and all, and “may your shadows never be less!"

My travelling companions are a member of Congress from Maryland, a gentleman from Alabama, with whom I have formed quite an agreeable acquaintance, and a half dozen Virginians. We shall reach the Thermal waters tomorrow, and my friend and myself will pass some days there, to finish off our experiments upon the healthful qualities of the Virginia Springs.

THE VICISSITUDES OF LIFE,

As portrayed in a Sketch.
BY A LADY.

"What is the tale that I would tell? Not one
Of strange adventure, but a common tale
Of woman's wretchedness; one to be read
Daily, in many a young and blighted heart."

L. E. L.

"Le monde est rompli de beaucoup de traverses."

Moliere.

Ida V was the breathing portraiture of all that poet has sung, or painter embodied. At the time I first knew her, scarce fifteen summers had shed their radiance over her opening loveliness; she was, as it were, on the vestibule of womanhood, "beautiful as a sculptor's dream," with a joyousness rarely varying, bursting like a fountain from its recesses, gleaming like a sunbeam over every object that came within its infiuence, and touching all things with its own golden and gorgeous hues. I have gazed on her with that intensity of admiration, which "outstrips our faint expression," and never have I turned from the contemplation of her brightness of beauty without an involuntary sigh, a sickness of soul, lest a temple so glorious might be scathed by the rude blasts of adversity, crushed beneath the avalanche of "life's dark gift." I have sometimes hoped, that unlike all that is most fair and bright, she would know no sorrow; that time, with its accompanying mutations, would bring unchanging bliss and gladness to her, that "like the long sunny lapse of a summer day's light," existence would never be shadowed to her; but close as gloriously and auspiciously as it had dawned.

Idolized by all who knew her, followed by the lingering gaze of admiration, caressed by her friends, it would have been strange had Ida V dreamed life's book held, amid its pure leaves, one gift of darkness; the phantoms of sorrow had never invaded the beautiful scenes the world held out to her. Her feelings, though

deeply tinctured with gladness, were, however, not the echo of fortune's waywardness murmured within without that usual accompaniment of a gifted mind-the tottering walls of its decaying palaces. Six months keen sensibility. She was morbidly alive to neglect had fled, and I hailed a letter from Ida, which told me from those she loved, and I have seen the tear bright- herself and her father were domesticated in the interestening the lustre of her soft dark eye, laving the blooming family of an Englishman, who was residing in an and gloss of her young pure cheek, as her heart whis- elegant and picturesque villa near Naples. She dwelt pered the suspicion of alienation on the part of those to with rapture on their new friends, and from the spirit whose affection she clung; but it was only momentary. of her letter I learned the lady of the mansion, Mrs. The cloud passed off to make succeeding sunshine more Clifford, was a genuine and practical christian, whose sparkling, and she was again wreathed in smiles-the piety threw its halo round their circle, gleaned from personification of "youth and hope and joy." every passing incident subject for gratitude to an Almighty Being, and the brightness of whose faith shone with unflickering lustre amid the mists of Romish superstition which environed her. To one whose susceptibility was extreme, who inhaled, as it were, the sentiments and principles of those whom she loved, and with whom she associated, this blessed example was not without its influences. Thoughtfulness perceptibly imbued the tone of Ida's communications, and usurped gradually the place of that light-heartedness and sportive gaiety, which had so characterised them. I was not therefore surprised to hear, before a year had passed, that she had renounced the "gilded hollowness" of the world's pleasures, for the hope of imperishable and eternal joys.

The term of their residence in Italy, though considerably prolonged after this event, was now drawing to a close. Mr. V—— found himself so renovated in health, he bethought him of returning to America, which, though but the land of his adoption, was loved by him far better than the sunny clime which had smiled alike on his hap

Mr. V, who had emigrated to America shortly subsequent to Ida's birth, was an European, and it was beneath the starry skies of Italy, encompassed by all that is most beautiful and seductive in nature, that Ida V— first awoke to wayward life. Her mother had closed her eyes in death almost immediately after giving birth to her only child, and the feeble wail of her infant voice stilled the bursting anguish of her father's grief, as it reminded him that although the ruthless spoiler had invaded his hearth, it had not borne thence all his "household gods." Time, whose obliviating tide effaces the memory of the keenest grief, was not without its balm to the lacerated feelings of Mr. V; and before the smiles and caresses of his infant daughter, whose features wore the impress of its mother's loveliness, the first agony of sorrow melted. He blessed heaven that he was not desolate, and the "lightly-fibred sprays" of his affection clung to the unconscious babe, with a tenacity the greater that he had nought else to love. As I have before said, he fixed his residence in America, in a retired and beauti-piness and misfortunes. It was early in April that I reful spot, which he took pleasure in ornamenting with classic elegance. Beneath the watchful care of her doating father, Ida sprang to womanhood, adorned with all the graces of her sex, gifted with a rare beauty, and her mind enriched with all those charms of literature, which, like the "glittering glory" of the fabled talisman, dazzled, but not to deceive. Though deprived of the gentle and elevating influences of a mother's love, a mother's care, she was as femininely soft and refined, as shrinkingly timid, as though she had been nurtured beneath its beams. Her whole soul seemed concentrated in her father, and there was a beautiful and touching blending of confiding devotion, playful tenderness and worshipping deference, in her deportment towards him, none predominating, but mingling in harmonious concord. Amid the shades and retirement of her own home, commenced the intimacy of that friendship between us, which after years so strongly cemented; but the imperative demands of duty soon called me from the enjoyment of personal communion, and with a tearful eye and sad heart, I tore myself from the parting embrace of Ida.

ceived from Ida intelligence of their intended embarkation for the United States, naming the probable time of their arrival, and conjuring me to meet them at their own home. It is not to be supposed I was deaf to these solicitations, and at the appointed time I found myself near Mr. V's residence. May-gladsome, laughing May-" the bride of the summer, and child of the spring," with her fairy gifts of sunshine and flowers, had shaken her sparkling wreath over the smiling landscape, and every object had waked into life beneath the touch of her golden wand. I had scarce time to cast a glance towards these bursting beauties, for the carriage was bearing me rapidly to the house. On the portico I beheld Ida waiting to embrace me; a moment more and I was encircled in her arms-from her I turned to greet her father, who, with paternal fondness, drew me to his bosom, and imprinted a kiss upon my brow.

Oh, ye hours of happiness! ye days of youthful joy! ye are sunk into the ashes of the past! ye are shrouded beneath its dark pall-hidden within its hollow channels, but your fragrance has not departed with your freshness

"Summer's breath, or spring,
A flower-a leaf,"

oft conspire to unseal the fount of memory, whose waters come gushing forth like rich music bursting into a requiem for that fate which consigns the brightest to earliest decay.

Time passed on, bearing many changes. The health of Mr. V- became precarious, and he was induced to remove for a time to Italy. During their sojourn there, which was prolonged to nearly two years, I heard often from Ida; she seemed, with the enthusiasm inseparable from her temperament, to have burst upon a new existence in this land of poetry and romance, where every object glows with beauty beneath a sky After the first salutations were over, I followed my always bathed in light, where the whisper of past gran- friend to the saloon, where my attention was immedeur is borne on its balmy breezes; the tale of departed diately arrested by a pale, romantic looking girl, who glory written on its crumbling monuments of empire; I was seated in a recess of the apartment, seemingly ab

sorbed in the pages of a book which rested on a table [sion clothing her lightest words, which added unspeaka before her. Her profile was turned towards me as I bly to her attractions. In short, she was no longer the entered, and struck me painfully with its attenuated laughing, rosy girl, sporting so heedlessly in life's path, and spirit-like appearance. Her features were beauti- but the regally, intellectually, beautiful woman, who fully and classically chiselled, and though "the rose of felt a more exalted destiny awaited her than butterflyyouth" had apparently been prematurely blighted in like to be lured by the gorgeous hues of every flower the dark, luxuriant tresses of her hair, which hung like which blossomed around her. a cloud around her, in the delicately pencilled and curved brows, the pure forehead and perfectly formed mouth, there lingered, if not the bloom of beauty, its breathing soul.

Before I had been an inmate of Mr. V's household many days, "a heart's hushed secret" was whispered in my ear, and I learned Ida was betrothed. The recital was too eloquently told to be forgotten, and As Mr. V-called “Nina,” she raised her lus- I remember with vividness the tumult of feelings which trous eyes, with an expression of such sadness and crowded my bosom, as I first hearkened to that tale melancholy, that I was forcibly reminded of the poetical from the friend I had loved so long and so truly. There words of a certain authoress, and mentally applied was the voice of joy for her coming happiness—the them to the fair stranger before me. "If in her depres- whisper of hope, that her sky might ever be as bright sion she resembles night, it is night wearing her stars." as now, mingling with other thick-coming fancies, which Slowly and gracefully she approached us. Mr. VI thrust from me, not choosing to mar the sunlight of the presented her to me, and as she returned my greeting, I future, by lowering forebodings. almost started; her soft low voice floated so like melody from her lips. She was dressed in deep black, which, added to the almost unearthly purity of her complexion and her mourning habiliments, (with a richly gemmed crucifix which hung on her breast,) told its own tale. After we were seated, Nina returned to her table and book, and on Ida crossing the room to speak to her, Mr. V— briefly told me she was of Italian parentage, almost noble lineage, and had received her education within the walls of a convent, from which she had been emancipated, an enthusiast in the Catholic religion. High-born, surrounded by the glittering fascinations of rank and wealth, himself and daughter had formed her acquaintance. Her suavity of manner and superior intelligence, had contributed towards the continuance of that acquaintance; soon it sprang into friendship, and the successive calamities which had deprived her of friends, fortune, and even a home, in the little space of a few weeks, had increased the interest he had conceived for her. The peculiar desolation of her situation, encouraged him to offer her his guardianship and a home in his house; an offer which she had readily and thankfully accepted. This information added to the feeling of sympathy with which I already began to regard the fair Catholic-and every hour tended to augment the interest I entertained for her.

From the contemplation of Nina's subdued loveliness, I turned towards my friend, to see if time's wing had brushed aside one flower of that beauty which used to come over the beholder like "a burst of sunlight." She was now at my side, pouring forth her enthusiasm of admiration for the land she had so recently quitted. She was still beautiful, I saw at a glance, and as I gazed into her face as she continued to speak, and watched the "thousand blushing apparitions" which swept so changingly over her cheek, varying with every feeling she expressed, I lamented not the partial decay of that unfading bloom which had given to her early girlhood its flashing brilliancy. Her smile was sweet, but not so frequent as formerly, and on the polished fairness of her lovely brow, thought had made itself a beautiful resting place. The rays of gladness which had so unceasingly danced in her beaming eyes, were shadowed by the depth of tenderness which reposed there so sweetly. There was, too, an irresistible softness and fascination of manner about her-a poetry of expres

"It was after we had been in Italy about eight months, and in the family of Mr. Clifford," said Ida V, "that I first saw Gerald Beaumont. The increasing danger of my father's malady, which had induced us to remove from Naples, where we had established ourselves upon our arrival at Italy, and accept the polite and kind offer of our English friends, was not mitigated for several months, and my time was unremittingly engrossed for many long weeks in attendance on him. The duties of the sick chamber were lightened by my inestimable friend, Mrs. Clifford, and it was in those vigils, those hours of watching, beside my dear father's pillow, that I first learned to appreciate and admire the principles of piety, unmurmuring resignation, and trusting faith, which she took pains to infuse into my soul. I have adverted to this change in my letters to you. Mrs. Clifford's whole deportment was the most beautiful exemplification of all that is hallowed in our blessed religion of which it is possible to conceive, and I cannot pass over this period when I first awoke to a sense of my depravity, and subsequently grasped the fulfilment of the most precious promise, without adding this merited tribute to my spiritual guide.

"The violence of my father's symptoms yielded before the remedies which were employed, and though he was still unable to quit his chamber, I could sometimes resign my duties near him for the enjoyment of a refreshing ramble over the beautiful grounds of Clifford villa. One day I had returned from such an excursion, and before ascending to my father, I had thrown myself listlessly and languidly in the embrace of a luxurious fauteuil which stood in the library. I had scarce recovered from the fatigue of my walk, and was preparing to seek my father's room, when an advancing footstep startled me, and before I had time to arise from my seat, the door of the apartment was thrown open. A tall and elegant looking young man, in a travelling dress, entered. He was evidently as much surprised at beholding me so unceremoniously established, as I had been at the interruption. I instantly arose, hastily returning the courtly salutation of the young stranger, and retreated through a door opposite the one near which he still continued standing. It was not till the dinner hour approached, and I repaired to the drawing room, that I learned the new comer was

Gerald Beaumont, the nephew of Mr. Clifford, who was making his continental tour, and had arrived at the seat of his uncle, intending to spend some time with his relatives.

communion increased the feelings of interest with which I regarded her, for I could not bear to think that her youth and bloom and gladness of heart should be immolated to superstition, and after I had become a participator in that 'peace which passeth understanding,' I conceived the hope of her conversion. Since that period my efforts to exhibit to her the purity and beauty of our holy religion, in hues which might disclose the glaring inconsistency of her professed faith, have been unceasing. I had the influences of early education to combat, than which, you know, none cling with a more tenacious grasp. I now hope she is only a nominal Catholic, though she has not openly abjured her faith." Ida now ceased speaking, and the subject of Nina's history was never after revived by me, for there was a sacredness in the sorrows of the beautiful Italian, on which I forbore to intrude farther.

The moments passed with "a dove's wing," the singularly interesting Catholic girl entwining herself around me slowly, but surely. She joined us occasionally in our strolls, sang to us sometimes in her own sweet, low, thrilling tones, the lays of her "far-off land," in its melting, rich and glowing language, accompanying herself on her harp, the only relic of her departed grandeur which she retained-but she was more frequently secluded in the solitude of her own apartment, holding converse with her sad thoughts,

"I will not dwell," continued Ida, "on the progress of my acquaintance with Gerald Beaumont, but hasten to speak of that event which has conspired to affect my future destiny. My father was enabled soon after Gerald's arrival, to join the social circle of our kind friends, and I was exposed to all the fascinating influences of the young Englishman's society. In this manner weeks fled, and before I was aware, the hope that I was beloved seemed inextricably interwoven with my happiness. The soul of tenderness which was conveyed in the tone in which Gerald addressed me, the deep affection which spoke in his very look, were enough to brighten the dimness of that hope. Yet no magical words, 'small, still, but sweet,' had bid me revel in the depth of bliss I had dared to image--no murmured vow had shown me my dream was reality. My father had long been anxious to visit Rome; thither he now purposed going, and the day before the one appointed for our departure from our hospitable friends, wooed by the balmy breath of summer's eve, I had strayed to the tiny lake which spread its silvery expanse amid the embowering shades of Clifford villa. Gerald followed me, and before we sought our friends, I had been told I was beloved with a passion unswerv-bathing the memory of the past with such tears, ing and undying. Amid the hush of nature's repose; amid the glories of' parting day,' we plighted our troth. My father confirmed it with his blessing. Our union was deferred till my return to America, and accompa. She seemed not insensible to my proffered affection, nied by Gerald, we spent the remainder of our stay in and before many weeks the chill of reserve had faded Italy, partly at Rome, partly at Naples. A few weeks from our intercourse, and we were friends. I passed previous to our departure for the United States, Gerald many quiet and happy hours with her: when sometimes sailed for England in order to make some arrangements she would revert with tearful sadness to her past sorpreparatory to changing his place of residence; for he rows, in the tone of resignation, humility and faith, has yielded to my wishes to fix his home here. He is which pervaded these conversations, I recognized not an orphan, and has no ties which this decision would the sentiments I had been taught to expect from the sever. Soon after, we bade adieu to our cherished Catholic, but those of the genuine and humble Chrisfriends, to the bright land which had fostered my dawn- tian, receiving chastenings with that unmurmuring ing happiness, and in a few more days we were bound-gentleness and meekness which spring from unmixed ing 'o'er the glad waters of the dark blue sea.' My last letters from Gerald hold out to me the hope of his speedy arrival in America."

"But Ida," said I, after a moment's pause, "what can you tell me of Nina? My imagination has not been idle in picturing the history of one whose very glance is fraught with magical interest."

"As rain the hoarded agonies of years

From the heart's urn."

love of an Almighty Being.

Nor did the arrival of Gerald Beaumont, which happened about this time, interrupt our tête-à-têtes. "Tis true, Ida was less frequently with us, but then we could not regret it, she seemed so happy with Gerald; indeed I could not wonder at the idolatry of that affection he had waked in the bosom of my young friend; there was something so indescribably fascinating about him. It was not the symmetry of feature which rendered him so strikingly, so intensely handsome, though his were by no means defective; it was rather the glowing, speaking expression of the large, dark, lustrous eyes, the stamp of towering intellect, of " inborn nobleness," which reposed so proudly on the broad, pale brow; and then the deep, touching melancholy, which at times

"Poor Nina!" sighed Ida, "her history is one, as far as I know, of fearful grief, and its pages bear sad testimony to the oft reiterated truth of earth's mutability. When we first knew her, she was encompassed by luxury and pomp, glowing in all the fascinations of beauty, and the incense of flattery and adulation was wafted to her shrine by all who knew her. With the sunshine of fortune this homage has departed. The sorrows of her heart are written on her brow in inef-shaded his countenance, seized so on one's interest, and faceable characters; the flowers of life have withered ere its morning has past, and the bitterness of her destiny is brooded on by her with an intensity of feeling which is blighting her soul's energies. We became acquainted with her some months after our arrival in Italy; our intercourse soon ripened into friendship, and the circumstance of her being attached to the Romish

the rich tones of his voice were at times so thrillingly sad, one could not help imagining life's morn had not been cloudless. Be that as it may, 'twas evident he loved Ida with enthusiastic passion, and not willing to act Mademoiselle De Trop, I left the lovers to seek their own enjoyments, and continued to devote myself to Nina, whose gradually decaying health awakened

not our apprehensions; the unnatural brilliancy of her | the purple heaven of her own Italy," looked down upon eye, and beauty of her rare smile, veiling the progress us, and seemed to smile in mockery of the tale of grief of the destroyer. Meanwhile the preparations for Ida's to which I hearkened, and of whose bitterness I had not marriage continued, and the bridal morn at length dreamed. arrived, being ushered in amid the cloudless brightness of heaven, and the flowering verdure of earth.

In the radiant glances of Ida, hope spoke, nor were the jewels sparkling amid the waves of her shining hair more gloriously bright than the smile which seemed banqueting on the roses of her young cheek. As I gazed on her in irrepressible admiration; as I watched the beams of fond affection which fell from the dark, flashing eye of the lordly-looking bridegroom on the beautiful being at his side, and hearkened to the tones of Ida's voice, as tremulous with agitated joy, she pronounced the "fitting vows," I prayed that the golden hours which were opening before them might never fade before the touch of decay, that no dark worm might prey on the bud of happiness which was unfolding its leaves in their smiling path.

"My family name," said Nina, "is Genovesi, and my earliest recollections are blended with my mothermy beautiful mother! My father died while I was yet a feeble, wailing infant, leaving my mother the possessor of a princely estate. Surrounded by all the blandishments of wealth, youth and beauty, it is not to be supposed she was without many lovers, who, though they might not have been indifferent to the first mentioned attraction, were nevertheless as likely to have been captivated by her sunny loveliness; for I never remember to have looked on a face on which the soul of beauty was more indelibly stamped. Yet she nobly rejected all these offers, and devoted herself to the care of me her only child. She was a zealous Catholic, and in the tenets of our national faith I was bred. She piqued herself on the long line of almost noble ancestry But my eyes unconsciously sought Nina. She stood which we could boast, and failed not to inspire me near the fair bride, and I could not conceive that even with that pride in which she gloried. I was taught to in the flush of health she could have appeared more believe myself all-powerful in the majesty of my titled touchingly lovely. The lustre of her expressive eye kindred, in the accumulated wealth which I was to was not dimmed, and as I looked on her I could not inherit, and in numberless other advantages of which believe the shadow of the tomb was then resting on I was not slow to imagine myself possessed. In short, aught so beautiful. She met my gaze-she read my I grew up a haughty, self-willed, obstinate, overbearing thoughts, and a bright sweet smile wreathed her lip child, and if my mother was aware of my faults, she momentarily; it spoke of the hope of bliss beyond the was too blindly devoted to me to correct them. I grave. loved my mother with intensity, and I could not believe another than herself had ever been gifted with such superlative beauty. I used to stand for hours gazing on her portrait which hung in her dressing-room, and which represented her in the mid-day blaze of her loveliness, 'till in the enthusiasm of my admiration, I would exclaim to myself, "Shall I ever be such a woman as my mother?" To hear myself, therefore, often called strikingly like her, to be said to resemble her, as she was in her girlhood, was a flattering observation; the pernicious effects of which were soon visible in the air of self-complacency and vanity, which assumed the place of that innocence and purity and freshness of feeling so inseparable from childhood.

In the evening, when I repaired to her apartment, she bore the traces of weeping, and as she extended her hand towards me, the large tears fell glittering on her

sable dress.

"You will not be surprised," said she, "that the scene of happiness I have so recently beheld, has recalled to me my own blighted fortunes; and though I do not doubt the justice of that decree, which has thus darkened my horizon, I sometimes so far yield to my infirmity as to wish it had been otherwise. Your unwearying kindness and affection, my dear bearing so meekly my petulence and ill-humors, have endeared you to me beyond the power of words to express."

"Dear Nina," interrupted I, pressing my lips to her pale, silken cheek, "who could accuse you of ill-humors? One, so gentle, so uncomplaining."

She smiled gratefully, and continued

"If the relation of those calamities which have thus depressed me, and thrown their shadows athwart my path, will not tire you, you shall hear it; and when the star of prosperity shines gloriously on you, when the bright wings of the world's favor are folded around you, remember the voice my history breathes. 'Lean not on earth;' trust it not; be not lured by its fair, but false promises; for its golden dreams must vanish, and what are the sensations of that bosom, when all it has loved, all it has rejoiced in, is melting in its grasp, and a hereafter is disclosed, shrouded in gloom, deep and impenetrable?"

As Nina concluded, the glow of enthusiasm bathed with its rich hues her pale cheek,—she looked not like the bride of death,—but it passed; for it was but the rush of thought which had stirred the waters of memory. A gorgeous sky, which Nina said was "not unlike

"At the age of ten years I had the inexpressible misfortune to lose my mother; she was ill but for a short period; and when I was taken to see her for the last time, I could not look towards her without trembling; for I had never beheld death before. She called me to her bedside, and with a sad smile, placed in my hand a rich crucifix, saying to me—

"Keep this, my child-remember your mother-be faithful to your religion-that holy religion, in which I die-the blessed Catholic faith.'

"I bowed my youthful head upon the jewelled gift as I responded to my mother's dying charge. I was then suffered to kiss her pale cheek, and while she laid her hand on my head and blessed me long and fervently, the first tears I ever remember to have shed stole from my eyes.

"After this heavy bereavement, which I felt long and sensibly, I was sent to a convent for the completion of my education. I spent many years in this nursery of my faith, and as I hearkened to the beautiful ritual, when it rose with rich melody, filling the fretted dome of the chapel where I was a regular attendant-as I