woman had not surrendered her young affections where they had met with no return; she had not known the aching void of a heart obliged to expel the image which had hitherto wholly filled it.

Why do my sister and I feel so differently? To me, it seems as if every one was more fortunate, more blessed than I am, while it appears as if her sorrows only taught her to think herself the most favoured of human beings! To listen to her, one might imagine that all had been afflicted except herself! and yet she does not lack feeling; she always has a tear for the woes of others.

We soon came to a village merry-making; and it proved to be the very wedding, to attend which, our poor old people had left their home in the morning.

I saw the blushing bride, who looked with trust and confidence into the face of the husband to whom she had just plighted her troth; the constant lover, the wedded husband! Happy in the midst of her young companions,

proud of the devotion of him she loved, she had nor hopes, nor fears, nor doubts, nor suspicions a future of assured happiness opened before her! Was it in nature not to compare her lot to mine?

I watched to ascertain whether she was very lovely—but no! her features were homely—she had nothing but youth and a good-humoured countenance to recommend her. I had been taught to believe myself endowed with a certain share of beauty: a year ago, when I thought myself beloved, I fancied I could perceive some attractions in the image reflected in my glass; but if ever I possessed any, what have they availed me? They pleased but for a moment-they could not fix his affection!

We were obliged to wait some time for horses; and, meanwhile, we sat under the trees in front of the Halben Mund,' watching the joyous waltz, and listening to the merry laugh. I saw the gleam of kindness, the whisper of mutual confidence, the expression of guileless, undoubting love—and I thought heart would break!

my

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At length, the horses were caught and harnessed; the dilatory German postboys at length sounded their horns, and I breathed more freely when I was out of hearing of the eternal waltz, and when the contrast between my fate and that of the Fribourg villager was no longer before my eyes.

SECOND FRAGMENT

OF

MARGARET'S JOURNAL.

Mechlin, August 20th.-The day was op pressively hot: we sat all the morning in our apartment at the hôtel, looking upon the gay market-place and the venerable cathedral. We have been much struck with the beauty of the women, since we left Germany: their black cloaks, (the remains of the Spanish mantilla,) the little white cap, and the long gold ear-rings, are singular and becoming.

Towards evening we were preparing to sally forth, and to perambulate the town, when the tolling of the cathedral bell arrested our attention; and we presently saw a funeral procession approaching: we perceived an unusual expression of interest in the passers by; and

there was a commotion among the inmates of the hôtel, which induced us to inquire whose it might be. Our landlord, who, as is usual in the Low Countries, was a man of some intelligence, and of superior manners, gave us an account which interested us much.

It was the funeral of a young merchant, of high character and consideration in the town; one of the wealthy burgesses, the aristocratic merchants, whose treasures exceed those of the nobles of other lands.

Scarcely a year had elapsed since he had been united to a lady, the fairest of the city. She was his equal in birth and in fortune-the loveliest among the many blooming maidens of Mechlin her dower was one of the noblest ; and she was good, as she was rich and lovely.

Every thing that unbounded wealth and the most devoted affection could command

was lavished upon the prosperous bride: she was the idol of her husband, without ceasing to be his friend and companion: their pursuits were the same; both cultivated the arts; both