will oftenest, perhaps, be found to attend to the wants of the soul also. Physical degradation, destitution, and improvidence

hear it, ye

people, and ponder it well-are the grave of religion and morality! But, Heaven be thanked, a better day begins to dawn at last a day in which war, and brutalising insufficiency, and mutual alienation, shall perchance subsist no more-a day in which man shall take his brother by the hand, and patiently, trustingly, await the mighty change which is to translate from death to life - to endless communion, not only with the Almighty, but with all that is great and good and glorious in his rich domain." The young Cornelia had now returned: Cornelius hastened to embrace a sister.

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Ah, dearest Cornelia, you know not what has happened: I have discovered my Cecilia, isolated, poverty-stricken; her only companion a child whom she fosters and brings up. You,

my sister, will interpret my wishes; prove my intercessor and my friend. My means are ample; and Cecilia, or no one, shall be the partner of my life!"

Cornelia was not slow to meet a brother's wishes; Cecilia should be her best, dearest, friend, and one more victim snatched from dire adversity. Her carriage was soon on its way; but on arriving at the squalid abode, the lost found treasure was no longer to be seen.

Cornelius flew fortunately I was at home. Cecilia had, indeed, disappeared; never, it would seem, to return. The following communication afforded the only clue to her intentions:

"Rev. Sir, You may not appreciate my motives, but I feel that I could act no otherwise than I do. Adversity has taught me to view the world perhaps too severely, and to look upon others, if not as enemies, at least as indifferent to my humble welfare; for who

would care to propitiate the outcast and the beggar? At times a different feeling whispers

hope and consolation to my torn breast that there may yet be some who love me, and wish me well. But soon the stern monitor dispels the fond illusion. I would fain be spared a second downfall; it were more than I could bear. For a beloved brother's sake I have endured; for him, indeed, I could work and strive, and pray and weep; but another stroke would bury me for ever! Even for him I could no more; and we should sink into one abyss of irretrievable misery.

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No, let me cherish his young heart while yet I may; foster his budding intelligence till sturdy manhood come to his aid: then, my labour of love accomplished, my cares brought to a close, the dim eye and weary heart might gladly sink to rest, thankful to avert chill penury's pressure from his head, though a sister's

blood were the price of the cherished immunity. Enough if in after years, mid happier scenes, a lingering regret, some stray chord of the heart's tones vibrating to the name of Cecilia, should remind him of her that was gone, and waken in his bosom the earnest though not to be gratified wish, that the absent one were there to share the felicity she had died to secure!

"Kind friend, adieu! Seek not to discover my humble abode, my secret home: the search were vain. Should urgent need assail, be assured I shall seek you again, but it is much more likely I bid you for ever farewell."

Tears, shall I confess it, followed the perusal of this so unmistakeable evidence of lofty energy and deep despair. I felt wholly at a loss: "And yet," broke in Cornelius,, "it must be done; Cecilia's resource is her needle; this will serve to discover her."

Vainly, however, had he recourse to those

who gave out work in the city; and it was only after long search that Cornelius and his sister ascertained, at a remote establishment, that an aged woman was in the habit of seeking employment for an individual wholly unknown. It was not, indeed, the first time, as it should not be the last, that the widows and orphans of decayed gentry sought by secret industry to eke out their flagging resources.

Even as they spoke, a decrepit woman came slowly in, and with tremulous accents, for she was very old, requested the arrears, as her mistress was not in circumstances to undertake any more work. The proprietor instantly assented, humanely adding, that he hoped her mistress was not ill.

"No, not exactly ill, blessed be God; but the little brother is dying of the sickness: adverting to the fever which just then was decimating the population.

I