not have heard too much?" "No, that cannot be: is not preaching the nourishment appointed for our souls? It is more needful than the food we eat." "But there is such a thing as reflecting on what we hear. And then you have had no time to yourself all day." "No, that is the worst of it: but we must not live for ourselves." "And yet, I think the Sabbath was given us for our own sakes, to rest and refresh our souls." "From weekday labours-but we should spend it in well-doing, and imparting spiritual good to all who❞—"Who need it; and you, then, are not of that number?" "Indeed, yes; I need every thing; I feel very sad, and quite confused. I know I should profit more by being in my chamber, in communion with God; but then"—" But then you are the only person for whose benefit Sabbath was not intended."

your

I arrived on the following Saturday at the house of a friend. She apologised for the absence of her daughters all the morning. "Saturday," she said, “is a particular day among us: we feel like schoolboys finishing up their tasks to be ready for a holyday. We write all necessary letters: if any little matters are in agitation among us, we try to arrange them, to get them off our minds; particularly we try to disencumber our memory of little things, such as orders, promises, &c., that they may not obtrude themselves to-morrow. In short, it is a universal settling day among us. And you would be amused to see how the little ones mimic and burlesque our plan:-arranging their toys, giving back what they have of each other's, and settling all differences. You will see them in every corner of the house, collecting what they have left about, and hunting for what is lost.-If I want one of them, it is 0, mamma, you know it is Saturday, and we are so busy.'

I never let them see me smile at their odd devices of arrangement, for I love to see them imbibe our habits, before they can share our feelings."

At dinner, I learned that all arrangement was at an end. Indeed I could see it, for the house looked as I have seen others look when every thing is put in order for a rout. Fresh flowers were in the chimney, fresh perfumes on the table: work, books, and drawings, all were laid away. I foolishly asked, if company was expected. "Yes," my friend replied, "we shall have company; but not such as will trouble you. We do nothing on Saturday evening but prepare for Sunday, We collect our ignorant neighbours together, to instruct them in religion, and prepare their hearts for Sabbath occupation; and, as far as we can, remove any little anxieties that may be on their minds, or disputes that may be between them. We give them tea, and while the elders instruct them, it is the privilege of the little ones to sit up half an hour later than usual, to wait upon them: one not lightly prized, I assure When this is done, we like to sit down and talk together, or perhaps read together, if any thing particularly interesting has come in: but we do not like to have any matters of business brought in; and our girls have made it a forfeit to disarrange their minds by the introduction of any unwelcome subjects. It sometimes causes us a little mirth, to determine whether the forfeit has been incurred."

you.

Sunday came. When I appeared, the youngest child ran up to me, and asked if I was sure I was in a good-humour-I said, "I hoped so." "Because," she said, "nobody must get up in a bad-humour on a Sunday." The parents smiled, but did not check her: I had before remarked the stillness of the house.

I believe, literally, nothing had been done, but to light the fires, and prepare the breakfast.

The little ones were all present during breakfast, an unusual thing, receiving from mamma the materials of occupation and amusement; pictures of sacred subjects, little Sunday books, and various articles of that sort, made valuable by being never produced except on Sunday. My friend told me, that though they had similar things in the week, she always had a choice set for Sunday, a trick that was certain to succeed in making them desired; and when the set was worn, and the novelty quite exhausted, they passed into the common nursery store, and new ones were provided; by which the Sabbath was a distinguished and desired day: this was all she could do for them while so young. Some little things were given them to learn; but it was made rather a matter of credit and ambition than necessity, to have plenty of things to repeat at tea-time. After breakfast, every body disappeared till the service-bell rang; then all were expected to assemble, to go together to divine worship.

On our return home, my friend said to me, “You will excuse our leaving you till dinner. It is our rule to separate, and pass the time alone; our servants, who are confined in the week, have leave to walk out. Our doors are closed against all comers. The girls go to their rooms, or to the garden, where they like, but are strictly enjoined to be each one alone. For my own part, charged as I am with the care of such a family, the right to be alone with God, and do nothing but communicate with myself or him, is a privilege I cannot forego for any thing. I never even read, except a little in my Bible: I read enough on other days. It is so sweet

to me to feel I may do nothing, after a week of which every hour is employed; it is really the greatest luxury I know. If I could find no thoughts of my own to employ my mind, this morning's service would amply have supplied them. I believe the girls feel the same; but I do not constrain them as to occupation: merely that they should not be in company. We shall meet you at dinner hour. I hope you will not want any thing, for it is very likely your bell might not be answered: there are folks in the nursery, however."

At the proper time we met at a dinner entirely cold; and remained together, talking or silent, as we pleased; but no one spoke of yesterday's business, or to-morrow's plans: and what pleased me almost as much, nobody said, "I am going to so and so; where are you going?" We were all going, of course, to our accustomed place of worship. We went; and when we returned, all the children came forth to tea, with hymns and verses to say: we each took our share in hearing them. There was abundance of gaiety, and abundance of cake and fruit, to lay by for to-morrow; and I remarked that some were sent down for the servants. Then the Sunday books and pictures were surrendered, and in half an hour all was peace again.

The elder party remained together; sacred music was then proposed; every one who had learned to play, however imperfectly, was to do her part. All sang together, or those who excelled sang apart for the pleasure and improvement of the rest. Books were on the table if any one liked to read; but not the same that lay there always. Prayers were as usual, and we retired.

Here are three patterns for making a Sunday. My readers can choose between them.

JANET BEVOIR.

I BEGIN to feel very much like a pedlar, who goes about the country, delivering at one place the wares he collects at another. Often the ladies ask me for what they want. I tell them I will look out for it where I go, and bring it them; and I always feel obliged by the commission. It is not long since I was asked, "if it is possible to acquire Simplicity?” There is enough in the question to occupy the philosophic mind, and put the quickest reasoner to a pause. For there is an anomaly in the ideas the words convey. To acquire, in this sense, implies to study after, to put on-it implies intention, and design; and those are not features of Simplicity. And again, the want of Simplicity implies something too much already, not a deficiency to be supplied. The pure white web may be dyed of many colours, and when tired of one colour, we may dye it of another; but he is a skilful chemist who brings it white again. Can the learned acquire ignorance? Can the guilty acquire innocence? Can the beautiful flower, that the sun has faded, and the rains have stained, and the worms have gnawed upon, close up its petals and blow again, as fair and spotless as it opened first? It was a deep question. I thought it might be solved by one passage of Scripture: but, mindful of my profession, I said I would inquire, and report what I could learn. I tell a tale of truth-disguised in outward circumstance, but true in all that is essential