ble. There, in the back ground, is silent Joseph, with his slate, now making a mark, and then biting his lip, and scratching his head, to see if the algebraic expression may have hidden in either of these places. George is in the kitchen, tinkering his skates, or contriving a trap for that old offender of a rat, whose cunning has so long brought mortification upon all his boastings. I can now hear his hammer and his whistle, that peculiar searching kind of whistle, which always indicates a puzzled state of the brain. Little William and Henry are snug in bed, and if you just open their bedroom door, you will barely hear them breathe. And now my mother has stopped, and is absent and thoughtful, and my heart tells me she is thinking of her only absent child. Who can he be? Will you doubt any more that I have studied magic, and can see with my back turned to you, and many a hill and valley between us ?

You have been even kinder than I expected, or you promised. I did not expect to hear from you till tomorrow, at the earliest. But as I was walking to-day, one of my fellow-students cries, "A parcel at the coach office!" and away I went as fast as the dignity of academy habit would allow me. The parcel I seized, and muffled it under my cloak, though it made my arm ache, and, with as much speed as my "condition" would permit me, I reached my room. Out came my knife, and forgetting all your good advice about "strings and payments," the said parcel quickly owned me victor, and opened its very heart to me; and it had a warm heart too, for there were the stockings, (they are now on my feet, i. e. one pair,) and there were the flan

nels, and the braces, and the gloves, and the pin-cushion from Louisa, and the needle-book from Sarah, and the paper from Mary, and the letter I love, from all of you. I spread open my treasures, and both my heart and feet danced for joy, while my hands actually rubbed each other out of sympathy. Thanks to you all, for bundle, and letters, and love. One corner of my eye is moistened, while I say, "Thank ye all, good folks." [ must not forget to mention the apples, "the six apples, one from each," and the beautiful little loaf of cake. I should not dare to call it little, if it had not brought the name from you. The apples I have smelled of, and the cake I have just nibbled a little, and pronounced it to be "in the finest taste."

Now, a word about your letters. I cannot say much, for I have only read my mother's three times, and Mary's twice. Those parts which relate to my own acts and doings, greatly edify me. Right glad to find that the spectacles fitted my mother's eyes so well. You wondered how I hit it. Why, have I not been told from my very babyhood, "You have your mother's eyes!" And what is plainer than that-if I have her eyes, I can pick out glasses that will fit them? I am glad too, that the new book is a favourite. I shall have to depend on you to read for me; for here I read nothing but my Lexicon, and peradventure, dip into mathematics. Joseph's knife shall be forthcoming, and the orders of William and Henry shall be honoured, if the apothecary has the pigments. "George is delighted with his new chaise," a cheering item: for my thumb has retired into his cot, and growled and ached ever since, and even now, ever and anon, gives me a twinge, by way of recalling the feat of building the chaise. And you really think the pigs have profited by my labours, and that, though they have forgotten me, they like the stye! If they do well, I shall be paid next

season, whether they are grateful or not. Old Charley should be kept warm. He has carried us too many miles to be neglected now. I am sorry I had not his condition more in mind when at home. Poor fellow, I enjoyed his aid, and helped to make him grow old. And old Rover, let him have his new kennel warm; and if he thinks as much of me as to "go to my room" after me, let him have my old wrapper. One thing more, tell Sukey, though I mention her after horses and dogs, it is not out of any want of respect. I will wear the mittens which she knit and sent, and, in return, though I cannot approve, will send as much, at least, of "real Scotch," as will fill her box.

I suppose the pond is all frozen over, and the skating good. I know it is foolish; yet if my mother and Mary had skated as many "merry" nights as I have, they would sigh, not at the thought, but at the fact, that skating days are over. Never was a face more bright and beautiful, than the face of that pond in a clear, cold night, under a full moon. Do the boys go down by my willow still? and have they still the flag on the little island in the centre, where I used to rear the flagstaff once a year? I was going to tell you all about college. But when I think I will begin, pop! my thoughts are all at home! What a place home is! I would not now exchange ours for wealth enough to make you all kings and queens.

I am warm, well, and comfortable: we all study something, and dull fellows like me have to confess that we study hard. We have no genius to help us.

Your gentle hint, dear mother, about leaving my Bible at home, was kind; but it will relieve you to know, that I left it designedly, and in its place, took my dear father's from the upper shelf in our little library room; and what is more, I read it every day.

I have got it framed, and there it hangs-the picture

of my Father! I never look up without seeing it, and I never see it without thinking that my mother is a widow, and that I am her eldest son. What more I think I will not be fool enough to say: you will imagine it better than I can say it.

I need not say, write, write for I know that some of you will, at the end of three weeks. Best love to all, and much too I shall tell you of my

method of economy in the next.

Your affectionate son, &c.

LETTER XXVIII.*

To Two absent Daughters,-On the Improvement of Time in Youth.

Your joint letter, so well written, and so readily expressed, delighted me, my dearest girls; and I am particularly glad that the weather was so favourable as to allow of your writing every thing worthy of observation in the course of your journey. Few things are better calculated to enlarge and improve the understanding than travelling; and though in the short distance of two hundred miles, traversed in a hasty manner, it may be imagined much information cannot be acquired, yet the youthful observer may learn something from the different appearances of nature, even if she should

Mrs Rundell (author of " Domestic Cookery" to two of her Daughters.

not have the opportunity of benefiting by the observations of others. I can trace by your journal that such advantages were not neglected.

It affords me particular pleasure to observe, that not even the attractions presented by the metropolis are sufficient to reconcile you to this our first separation; because I consider it as a happy omen, when the love of novelty does not operate on the mind to the prejudice of nobler feelings.-Cherish such tender affection, but at the same time with judgment and discretion, for I wish you to guard equally against an excess of sensibility that will render you miserable, and the contrary extreme of indifference.

I am glad no time has been lost in commencing with your masters, for time is of all treasures the most fleeting; and as upon a proper use of it depends our credit here and our hope of felicity hereafter, it may well be deemed invaluable; so precious indeed is the gift, that we are entrusted with it only by single moments. In the commencement of the day, so large a portion of this means of improvement lies before us, that we often neglect and mispend the only part, thinking enough will remain for our business; and this is too much the case in the lengthened day of life; youth is prodigal of that which money cannot purchase, and the evening of old age, as well as that of day, often closes, leaving the allotted task of each unfulfilled.

Much of our happiness depends on always having some pursuit to engage our attention; and this is evinced by cheerfulness almost invariably attendant on those who worthily employ their talents, according to their several stations.

The labouring part of the community exhibit in a striking manner the advantages of perpetual employWe find them often destitute of even the common necessaries of life; but industry beguiles the hours,

inent.