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leaving her destitute of every thing save a liberal education, which her father, who was a clergyman, had bestowed upon her. As soon as the violence of her grief for her deceased parents had somewhat subsided, she began to look forward with anxiety to her future prospects in life, when Mr. and Mrs. Hanbury, who lived in the neighbourhood, unexpectedly came to announce their intention of offering her a home, by adopting her as their daughter; which offer she with gratitude accepted. Having made the necessary arrangements, Miss Vernon, accompanied her kind friends to the Lodge, where they resided. During the journey, Mr. and Mrs. Hanbury observed, that they had nothing to offer but their protection, and was afraid that their house would prove rather dull, as she would see no one but themselves; except during the college vacations, when Mr. Douglas, the ward of Mr. Hanbury, would be of their party. Jane had before heard some of her companions speak of that gentleman as being proud and haughty, she therefore entertained a prejudice against him, and instead of promising herself any pleasure from his society, only conceived that her friendless situation would excite his pity and contempt.

At length the time arrived when Mr. Douglas made his appearance at the Lodge, and the usual salutations being over, he retired to his studies. The next evening he joined their party, and Miss Vernon began to entertain a more fayourable opinion of him than she had formerly done; and as she became more acquainted with his character, she looked forward each day with increased anxiety to his evening visit to their fireside. Her happiness, however, was somewhat beclouded by the apparent coldness and absence of mind which Mr. Douglas evinced, even when engaged in the social exercises of the evening. Possessing an ardent passion for learning, and ambitious of emulating his brother students at college, he became particularly anxious to devote almost every moment of his waking hours to the pursuit of his favourite object. Hence he appeared indifferent, when duty or necessity called him from his studies to the pleasures of domestic intercourse; and consequently regardless of the kind attentions of Miss Vernon, and ignorant of those affectionate looks and scarcely stiffled sighs, which a growing passion for him rendered impossible to be at all times concealed-she indeed felt the full force of ThompBon's expression, that

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nought but love

Can answer love, and render bliss secure.

Thus cherishing a secret and corroding passion, she began at length to feel in her weak and languid frame the fatal effects of her indulgence; for independently of the absence of a mutual passion in Mr. Douglas's breast, it was known, that so far from having any intention of becoming a husband, he had determined to make an extensive tour in foreign countries as soon as his collegiate vacations were completed, and his minority ceased. Miss Vernon's growing affection therefore had nothing on which the anchor of hope could safely rest, and consequently she pined in silent and hopeless despair. Her kind benefactors, unacquainted with the cause of her alarming state, procured medical advice; when from some unusual symptoms the doctor soon discovered the cause of his patient's malady, and advised her immediate removal.

After the necessary arrangements were made, she was conveyed to Bristol for change of air; while her friends, grieved at her illness and alarmed lest she should fall a victim to the baneful effects of her hopeless passion, did every thing in their power to restore her to her wonted happiness and health. This was partially effected, when, after her return and a renewed visit from Mr. Douglas to the lodge, her still warm affection and despondency produced another melancholy shock, and she was confined to her room. Mr. Douglas indeed had too much of the "milk of human kindness" not to be affected at the illness of his guardian's adopted daughter, although his abstraction of mind from every thing that had no immediate relation to literature, prevented his perceiving the cause or feeling a mutual flame. He however had always loved her as his sister, and esteemed her as one of his most particular friends. Generous pity and sympathizing regret, now filled his mind, and produced an affectionate anxiety to which he had before been a perfect stranger. While questioning his heart whether Miss Vernon's illness might not have been caused by a passion which his own conduct had involuntarily created, he was interrupted by Mr. Hanbury who came to unfold to him the fatal truth, and to advise with him how to act on so delicate an occasion. Mr. Douglas with an admirable presence of mind requested to be left alone; and Mr. Hanbury withdrew leaving in the hands of his ward some verses which Miss Vernon had composed and had through accident lost. Mr. Douglas now began to feel the warmest emotions. Compassion, al

most rising into love, took entire possession of his soul, while he read the following lines:

Not one kind look-one friendly word?
Wilt thou in chilling silence sit,
Nor through the social hour afford
One cheering smile, or beam of wit?

Yet still absorb'd in studious care,
Neglect to waste one look on me;
For then my happy eyes may dare
To gaze and dwell uncheck'd on thee.

And still in silence sit, nor deign
One gentle precious word to say;
For silent I may then remain,

Nor let my voice my soul betray.

This faltering voice, these conscious eyes,
My throbbing heart too plainly speak:
There timid, hopeless passion lies,

And bids it silence keep and break.

His folded arms, his studious brow,
His thoughtful eye, unmask'd I see;
Nor could his voice or words bestow
So dear, so true a joy to me.

But he forgets that I am near

Fame, future fame in thought he seeks :

To him ambition's paths appear;

And bright the sun of science breaks.

His heart with ardent hope is filled;
His
prospects full of beauty bloom;
But, oh my heart despair has chill'd,
My only prospect is the tomb!

One only boon from hence I claim,
And may it grant the fond desire,
That I may live to hear his fame,
And in that throb of joy expire.

"No-that thou shalt not," said Douglas, bursting into tears; "thou shalt live to share and to enjoy it; how blind, how fatally blind have I been." Then having requested an interview, which was granted, he took her passive hand, and almost weeping over her faded form, told her, how much he was interested in her speedy recovery; that in a few weeks he should be of age," and then," said he, "if you are able and willing to listen to me, dearest Jane, it is my fixed intention to offer you my heart and hand."

On hearing these words, these welcome, precious, and unexpected words, she sprang up from her chair in a transport of joy and tenderness, and instantly fell lifeless at his

feet. In vain was every remedy applied, it was too soon ascertained that the too susceptible girl was indeed gone for ever.

DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING LETTERS.

EPISTOLARY writing, by which a great part of the commerce of human life is carried on, was esteemed by the Romans a liberal and polite accomplishment; and Cicero, the father of eloquence, and master of style, speaks with great pleasure in his epistles to Atticus, of his son's genius in this particular. Among them it was undoubtedly a part of their, education; and, in the opinion of Mr. Locke, it well deserves a share in our's. "The writing letters," says this great genius, "enters so much into all the occasions of life, that no gentleman can avoid showing himself in compositions of this kind. Occurences will daily force him to make this use of his pen; which lays open his breeding, his sense, and his abilities, to a severer examination than any oral discourse."

When you sit down to write a letter, remember that this sort of writing should be like conversation. Observe this, and you will be no more at a loss to write, than you will be to speak to the person were he present; and this will be nature, without affectation, which, generally speaking, always pleases. As to subjects, you are allowed in writing letters. the utmost liberty; whatsoever has been done, or seen, or heard, or thought of, your own observations on what you know, your enquiries about what you do not know, the time, the place, the weather, every thing about you stands ready for a subject; and the more variety you intermix, if not rudely thrown together, the better.-Set discourses require a dignity or formality of style, suitable to the subject; whereas letter writing rejects all pomp of words, and is most agreeable when most familiar. But, though lofty phrases are here improper, the style should not be low and mean; and, to avoid it, let an easy complaisance, and sincerity, and unaffected good nature, appear in all you say; for a fine letter does not consist in saying fine things, but in expressing ordinary ones with elegance and propriety; so as to please while it informs, and charm even in giving advice.

It should also wear an honest cheerful countenance, like one who truly esteems, and is glad to see her friend; and not like a vain woman, admiring her own dress, and seemingly pleased with nothing but herself.

Express your meaning as freely as possible. Long periods may please the ear, but they perplex the understanding; a short plain style, strikes the mind and fixes an impression; a tedious one is seldom clearly understood, and never remembered. But there is still something requisite beyond all this, towards the writing a polite and agreeable letter, and that is an air of good breeding and humanity, which ought constantly to appear in every expression, and that will give a beauty to the whole.

But in familiar letters, in the common concerns of life, elegance is not required, nor is it the thing we ought to attempt; for, when attempted, the labour is often seen, and the end prevented by the very means. Ease and clearness

are the only beauties we need to study.

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Never be in pain about familiarity in the style to those with whom you are acquainted; for that very pain will make it awkward and stiff, in spite of all your endeavours to the contrary.

Write freely, but not hastily; let your words drop from your pen, as they would from your tongue when speaking deliberately on a subject of which you are master, and to a person with whom you are intimate.

Accustom yourself to think justly, and you will not be at a loss to write clearly; for while there is confusion at the fountain head, the brook will never be clear.

Before you begin to write, think what you are going to write. However unnecessary this caution may seem, I will venture to say, that ten appear ridiculous on paper through hurry and want of thought, for one that is so through want of understanding.

A woman that begins a speech or letter, before she is determined what to say, will undoubtedly find herself bewildered before she gets to the end; not in sentiment only, but in grammar. To avoid this, before you begin a sentence, have the whole of it in your head, and make use of the first words that offer themselves to express your meaning; for, be assured, they are the most natural, and will, generally speaking, best answer your purpose; for to stand, searching after expressions, breaks in upon the natural diction; and, for a word, that, perhaps, is not a jot more expressive, you make the whole sentence stiff and

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