upon his knees, imploring the assistance of the Almighty to prevent him from cursing the author of his misery; the mother, in speechless agony, knelt by his side."

Pneumanee paused as if overcome by the recollection of the scene; all were silent, till sobs stole upon the ear from the elder part of the audience, who sympathized in the misery of grief so sincere, and a loud cry from the younger, because their sisters were shedding tears.

"A sad scene indeed," repeated Pneumanee; "so many years of past happiness blasted, to gratify a selfish man, who would sacrifice the peace of a heart so young and unsuspecting, and, setting aside the sacred claims of filial duty, lay up remorse and sorrow for every hour of her future life."—"I hope, my dear Madam," said Fanny," that you found some subject for their comfort, some alleviation to their misery?"" Alas, my dear, their comfort depended upon their darling child, and she had effectually destroyed it. It would have been no balsam to the wound to hear how severe would be her punishment. The enchanting smiles and early endearments of her first infant will unfold infinitely distressing pangs to her feeling heart; the exquisite enjoyment of feelings so new and so delightful will be embittered by the consciousness of her own ingratitude. Such was my mother's joy, her heart will whisper, such her raptures at the dawnings of my infant reason, and where is her reward? where are her expectations flown? The father of her infant may, long before that period, have taught her what a wretched exchange she has made from her parental roof to the careless and unfeeling protection of his." Charles expressed his sorrow, and Fanny most

sincerely lamented the poor young lady's indiscretion. "You would grieve for her indeed," said Pneumanee, "if you could judge of the gloom that her conscious failure of duty will throw over the pleasing solicitudes and anticipating delights of a fond mother's heart."-

Pneumanee, aware that any other subject might weaken the impression she evidently had made, continued some comments upon it, and joined in their remarks with the same good sense and good humour she never ceased to display upon all occasions. Enlightened minds easily conceive how interesting every subject of conversation becomes, where vivacity and good humour, governed by discretion and good sense, take the lead, but cannot be understood by those who require riot or frolic or fun to pass away their hours.

As it was settled the preceding evening, that early hours increased the beauty of youth, the health of the body, and improved the faculties of the mind, our young party were up and breakfasted earlier than usual; and having lost every idea of fear, connected with the fairy character of their guest, they hung round her, kissed her hands, her lips and forehead; and the youngest girl, not reaching to those high distinctions, caught up her glove that lay upon the table, and eagerly pressed it to her lips. Pneumanee felt the kindness, and kissed away the blushes that mantled upon the little creature's cheek when she saw herself observed. It was a fine clear autumnal morning; a spirit of health and "joy was felt in every breeze, and diffused with the sun upon every herb, tree, fruit, and flower glittering with dew;" and when they returned from their walk, with increased anima

tion and delight they went to their various pursuits. As they travelled over the maps of India, Pneumance gave them an accurate account of the Hindoos, their various habits and customs, their scrupulous attention to their religious ceremonies, and the dreadful state of degradation to those who violate the laws of their cast. It is impossible to express the sensation of vileness it conveys to a Hindoo mind. The entire loss of all human comfort is a poor expression of it: water is defiled by even their shadow passing over it. Charles asked how it would be possible to convert such a nation, so numerous and so bigoted, to Christianity?" Not by missionaries; it must be effected by the exemplary conduct of the Christians themselves; and as churches are now building in India, we may hope that the purity of the worship, and the corresponding propriety of Christian duties, will in time excite their admiration, and open their eyes to the truth of the Gospel."-" But that will be so long about."—" It may," replied Pneumanee; " but as we know not in what period of the prophecy we stand, 'When by all the nations of the earth from the rising up of the sun to the going down of the same, God's name shall be glorified,'. we are not able to judge how near or how distant the fulfilment may be. An unprejudiced mind," she added, "is the result of long observation, of great docility and benevolence; even you, my dear Charles, preferred an English fisherman the other day before an American, who was a stronger object of your compassion, from a prejudice such a mind as yours should carefully discard. We have all one common Father, our claims to his mercy depend upon our charity; and if we ought not to

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be indifferent, and cannot be blind to the pre-eminence of our own country, we should be indulgent and compassionate to those of less, favoured nations."—"I am quite ashamed of myself," Charles replied with his usual candour; "I shall take care that never happens again." Fanny asked Pneumanee, if she had ever witnessed a Hindoo woman's burning with her husband? "O yes, and my heart bleeds at the recollection. She was a young and very interesting, I had almost said, very handsome creature. The pile was raised in a little sequestered spot near the Ganges, surrounded by high trees. I shall never forget the composed firmness with which she stepped out of the palanquin, and stood to look at the corpse of her husband, already laid upon the awful pile-she appeared eager to ascend it; and after distributing her ornaments to her female friends, with sweetmeats and rice given her for the purpose upon the spot, she lay down, assisted by her father; combustibles and light wood were added; the father, with an averted face, lighted the pile in several places. I will spare you farther details; it is too distressing for description."

"Was there no person," said Charles, "who would risk his life to save her?"" O no, because it would have been more cruel than the dreadful agonies of such a' death, to have survived such a pollution; she would have lost cast, and would have been sunk to the lowest degradation of human nature."-" How happy we are," said Fanny," to have been born Christians. The Jewish ceremonies are many and burdensome, the places of their worship fixed and inconvenient; Mahomet's disciples have great deprivations, and great attentions to

pay to his tomb, which must be a long journey for his followers.”—“Go on, my dear," said Pneumanee," and remark with delight, that the pure heart and upright spirit of a Christian is in all places, from the rising to the setting sun, the temple of his God."

As Pneumanee had mentioned, in the course of the day, that she had lately been in a very crowded assembly in London, Fanny requested, in the evening, as they were sitting round their work-table, that she would give them some idea of what such an assembly was composed. "I shall most certainly never see one," she said; "and your description will be most gratifying to me."

“You will find it very dull, my dear Fanny; for most of its pleasantry depends upon knowing most of the parties, having an interest in their concerns, hearing the fashionable topics of the day, delighting in a squeeze, hearing a constant rapping at the door, and fresh visitors announced; whilst the staircase is so full of some parties coming up, and others going down, that you are in great luck if you reach the drawing-room, or see the lady of the house for the whole evening. Sometimes indeed your carriage cannot get up, for you to get a sight of the door; and if you have not courage to dip under the necks of horses, to encounter numbers of rude footmen, the bustle of coachmen, and the unnecessary whipping-on and pulling-up of their horses, and all the mud that may be in your way, you have a good chance of composing your nerves to such scenes for some hours; for it would be equally impossible to return as it would be to go on: but upon ordinary occasions, and at this season of the year, assemblies are not so crowded, or beyond the ma