added, she knew not what to make of all this; but her instructress thought him a needy adventurer, who wished to secure her money; and she really wished Mr Vandellyn would come and transact her business with him, without delay.

This summons was of course readily obeyed. On his arrival, he was astonished to find how much art had been used to dazzle Mary's ambition, and win her affections from him; and many a time he sighed that hypocrisy should have the power to move so majestically in the disguise of high minded virtue.

For various reasons, it seemed desirable that Vandellyn should possess a legal right to protect the orphan and her property; and an immediate marriage was decided upon. The unknown could not be found; but eighty thousand dollars were remitted, with a promise to see Miss Campbell in a few days. A new mansion was purchased in the immediate vicinity of New York; and the morning after a very private wedding, little George accompanied the bride and bridegroom there. Mary was delighted with the tasteful arrangement of everything around her, but what was Vandellyn's surprise when he found all his beloved pictures and statues, with many a valuable addition! Even his birds and flowers were there; and the servant joyfully announced that the horses and greyhounds had arrived! Before he had time to allude to the mysterious benefactor, whose conduct had been so strangely contradictory, the door opened, and he appeared. Forgetful of his suspicions, Vandellyn eagerly stepped forward to meet him. The stranger

seized his hand, and looked upon him with unutterable affection, as he said, "God bless you, Arthur; may your romantic loves be happy." Then sinking his head upon the young man's shoulder, he added, in a troubled voice, "My son, my son!"

*

*

* When the first agitating moments of surprise and happiness were over, Arthur inquired why he had been led to suppose he had no father. "I was obliged to take a long and perilous voyage," replied the elder Vandellyn. "I thought it very probable I might never return. I wished you to inherit my fortune; yet I feared to trust you with so large a sum in the heyday of youth and passion. If I died, I believed you would, sooner or later, thank me for the precautions I took; and if I lived I should have the satisfaction of seeing how my son would bear wealth and freedom. I have seen it, Arthur; and it has been balm to my heart that your life, though a visionary one, has been unstained by anything of sin, or shame. But society has its duties, and its pleasures too; and my dear son must no longer live out of a world which needs all the assistance of the good and the gifted. When the long winter evenings come, I will tell you, George, how I landed in Mexico; went to view the lead mines in Missouri; and finally hastened to New York, on account of letters I received from my son's trustees; but I shall not tell you how much I have learned to love your sweet sister Mary; nor shall I ask Mrs Vandellyn's pardon, for urging her to marry my son."

Never was there a happier family than the one now

assembled around him, who was once called the Recluse of the Lake. Mary's mind gradually expanded under the influence of her husband and father, until she sympathized with the artist and the poet in his most refined and intellectual pleasures. The grandmother was amply provided for, and many a kind indication of remembrance sent her. As for little George, he was in a perfect ecstasy with everything he saw and heard. His bird-cage was suspended in the breakfast room; but, when he began to sound the praises of its beautiful inmate, Arthur Vandellyn would affectionately part the hair on the boy's forehead, and answer playfully, "Nay, brother George; now I have the handsomest bird-cage; and the handsomest bird in the whole world in it."

HONESTY.

To be punctual in our engagements, and just in our dealings, though it may sometimes seem to be contrary to our present advantage, is always sure in the end to promote our true interests.

A fair and honest course of conduct will always be rewarded by the approbation of our fellow-creatures; and this approbation will naturally be followed by good offices and grateful returns, which will certainly tend to promote, and give success to, all our undertakings.

It is a maxim worthy of being written in letters of gold, that there is no method so certain of defeating the plots of wicked men against us, as by acting uprightly.

PROVERBS.

"A fool's bolt is soon shot," or silly people speak without reflection. The instruction of this proverb lies in teaching us to govern the tongue with discretion and prudence. It is a lecture which enjoins deliberation, courtesy and affability in company, and fidelity and secrecy in the affairs of life.

"Cut your coat according to your cloth." This proverb contains good advice to people of several ranks and degrees, to balance accounts between their expenses and their income, and not to let their vanity lead them into debt.

"As you brew, so you shall bake." This bitter taunt is applicable to such as act inconsiderately in matters of moment, without the precaution of good counsel and good advice.

"Much falls between the cup and the lip," or many things which we expect, we do not realize. This is a cautionary proverb to persons who too confidently depend upon future hopes, unmindful of the contingencies that may intervene.

PARENTAL AFFECTION.

As the vexations which parents receive from their children, hasten the approach of age, and double the force of years, so the comforts which they reap from them are balm to all other sorrows, and repair, in some degree, the injuries of time.

However strong we may suppose the fondness of a father for his children, yet they will find more lively marks of tenderness in the bosom of a mother. There are no ties in nature to compare with those which unite an affectionate mother to her children, when they repay her tenderness with obedience and love.

FLORA'S PARTY.

LADY FLORA gave cards for a party at tea,

To flowers, buds and blossoms of every degree;

So from town and from country they throng'd at the call,
And strove by their charins to embellish the hall.

First came the exotics, with ornaments rare,
The tall Miss Corcoris, and Cyclamen fair,
Auricula splendid, with jewels new-set,
And gay Polyanthus, the pretty coquette.
The Tulips came flaunting in gaudy array,

With the Hyacinths, bright as the eye of the day;

Dandy Coxcombs and Daffodils, rich and polite,

With their dazzling new vests and their corsets laced tight;
While the Soldiers in Green, cavalierly attired,

Were all by the ladies extremely admired.
But prudish Miss Lily, with bosom of snow,
Declared that "those gentlemen stared at her so,
It was horribly rude,”—so retired in a fright,
And scarce stay'd to bid Lady Flora good night.
There were Myrtles and Roses from garden and plain,

And Venus's Fly-Trap they brought in their train,

So the beaux throng'd around them, they scarcely knew why,
At the smile of the lip, or the glance of the eye.
Madam Damask complain'd of her household and care,
That she seldom went out save to breathe the fresh air,
There were so many young ones and servants to stray,
And the thorns grew so fast, if her eye was away.

"Neighbor Moss-Rose," says she, " you who live like a queen, And ne'er wet your fingers, don't know what I mean."