LONGFELLOW.

Have you ever narrowly scanned the face of one busily plying the needle? or noted how, one after another, peculiarities and characteristics unconsciously develop themselves while the fingers go fleetly over the stitching? or have you fancied you could gather from the countenance-glowing and expanding, brightening and lowering, smiling or saddening-the train of thoughts that was going on beneath? just as on a clear calm day you look down into a glassy lake, and quietly, slowly, steadily, by long patient gazing, distinguish the pebbles far down underneath the waters. I have often amused myself thus. And now let us rally round the work-table, while I try to picture one or two of the dear familiar faces" that have lang syne brightened

mine.

Ever since the time when we heard, with wondrous satisfaction, over and over again, the account of Joseph's pretty coat of many colours-ever since our juvenile initiation to the meaning of the word Tapestry, in "Guide to Knowledge;" and that of Bayeux, as connected with the industry of the empress Matilda, related in "Pinnock's Goldsmith”ever since our ardent and devoted (rather late) admiration of the faithful and discreet Penelope and her never-ending web; our pity for the unfortunate Mary Stuart embroidering with her maidens, or Marie Antoinette in imprisonment, our devout admiration of the industrious and indefatigable Princess Charlotte; and, if all tales are true, of the good Victoria, rivalling William the Third's queen-ever since the touching description of the dear poet Burns first warmed the heart, and carried one in imagination to the simple cottar's home far in the north, where one could almost hear the click of the good wife's "shears"

"Garring auld things maist as gude as new," and see the honest blush of the modest Janet, as she ushers in her escort o'er the moor-ever since poor Hood's song enlisted our sympathies, and copiously robbed us of our tears-ever since but to cease this repetition of 66 ever sinces", is it not in everybody's memory, and cannot all bring forward some

pleasant association connected with the worktable? And oh! if they are sought for, or noted when they present themselves, how innumerable they are, and how cheering!-how truly savouring of the poetry of this mis-called prose life.

The first gentle face that I remember scanning thus was in my very early days long ago—and a sweet, calm face it was. I see it now-gentle, subdued, loving, firm, refined. I could not have defined it, even thus imperfectly, then; but I felt and appreciated fully what it conveyed.

I was one of the "younger pupils" in the school which she of whom I write conducted; and though she spent no time in teaching, she had governesses for those departments; yet in the afternoons it was her pleasure to summon into her pleasant drawing-room one by one of these "little ones," as she lovingly called us, to instruct us with our needle; and to administer many a gentle maxim, and tell many a hearttouching tale, " destined," as she would say, "to help us in after-life, and recall her to our memories when she should have passed away."

Her large low chair was in summer placed near one of the windows opening on a pretty lawn where we played, for she liked to see us and hear our merry voices; and there she sat at her work, mending for her especial charge, the "little ones;" and, in intervals of recreation, knitting lambs'-wool stockings for her darling son and his little children, who lived far away on a Welsh coast, and were doing prosperously, and would have had her with them; but, dear independent old lady, she preferred "working a few years longer."

Her neat black dress, and those delicate mittens on her small white hands; the unassuming quiet widow's cap, white net handkerchief, and crimped collar, could belong to no one but her. They were characteristic of her.

!s rather a favourite, and sat silently by her side many an hour. One after another, teachers, servants, or boarders would steal in, with doleful faces, full of some imagined grievance or petty pique. Patiently would she listen and counsel, comfort, reprove, palliate, explain, in the sweetest manner possible; sending none

away without a feeling of her sympathy and quiet

assistance.

When they were gone, she would lift her placid face from her work, wipe her spectacles, and softly whisper to herself "Hey dear!" And then, catching my childlike inquisitive look, the sweet smile would come back, and perhaps she would stoop and kiss me; and thus learning by the silent hymn" of her beautiful life, my own passions and impatience were hushed, and my unruly spirit quieted. The chastened expression of the delicate white face, and the soft beam of her blue eye, always proved a check to my impetuous rebellious feelings, and hindered me from the complaining which the irksomeness of sitting steadily at work, or the unkindness of my companions, often brought welling-up to my very lips. I was not afraid of her; but when I stole a long considering glance at that peaceful face, there always seemed to be written on it, in legible though silent characters, "Little girl, this face has looked on many a real trouble; these eyes have been often wet with tears of real anguish; these lips have often trembled with unpitied sorrow, and yet I murmur

not!"

The ineffable repose that seemed to linger round her had its influence, too, on those who came with their griefs to her. Often commencing with loud indignant excited expressions, a few of her soft tones and mild looks quieted and rendered subdued the raised voice and angry glance. Never was "peace within" more perfectly embodied: she had herself fought and conquered, and now raised-elevated entirely out of the reach of the conflict, was ever ready and willing to drop balm and comfort into the wounds of those still engaged in it. The very waving of her thread, as her busy needle swept noiselessly along, had something of quiescence in it.

In after-years I was destined to know more of the hidden tales her expressive features shadowed forth. She had been born of humble but respectable parents, and her loveliness of face and disposition had led to her adoption by a lady of rank and fortune, about as unaccountable an oddity of her species as the last century could boast.

To bring up and educate this child according to her own frigid, rigid, and every way icy system of strict discipline, was the grand scheme of her later days; and no poor persecuted cottonpicker in a western plantation could ever have longed to "lie him in de grave" with more cause than the poor little object of so much needless severity. I have heard the good old lady describe her patroness, which she always did with a certain deference and respect of manner, though a tinge of innocent humour would gleam in her eye at the remembrance doubtless of the sovereign awe which that august being once inspired. She deigned not ever to vary her dress according to the mode, but invariably appeared in the costume she had worn in the earlier era of the Georges. The stiffest, richest silks, that would "stand on end" with ease, did

she rustle majestically about in; the highest head-dresses, and most uncompromising ruffles; the most ponderous ear-droppers, and cable chain watch-guard, with a pendant that was a very clock in appearance; and, to crown all, that mighty unwieldy fan, which would have comfortably sifted the chaff from a thrashing-floor; but whose primary aim and end appeared to be to light, on the slightest provocation, or none at all, with no unpretending force, on the offending neck or arms of the dependant, terrified beyond measure at the distant, decided tread of the highheeled shoe, whose very echo sounded discipline. The life of one of nature's gentlest creations was one unending agony of timid apprehension. To check this feminine weakness, and to give strength and force to her character, the lady deemed an effort worth all pains and trouble; and the means she took to achieve her end were decidedly unique. The tenderness of her protegée to animals, and horror of anything like cruelty, was a little affectation that Madame determined early to uproot, amongst other feelings. Majestically sweeping into the room one morning, where sat the little girl busily employed with her needle, on some thick hurden sheets, on which her own weary little body was destined to repose itself, she desired her, authoritatively, to fold up her work.

Reading some terrible infliction in her lady's eye, her small fingers tremblingly obeyed, and succeeded in rolling the ponderous piece of work together, with due nicety.

"And now, Adelina, I have a less sedentary employment for you-one which I intend shall be an effectual cure for a certain squeamishness which I have observed in you, unworthy of woman, and a discredit to the education which my bounty has vouchsafed to you.”

A meek curtsy was the acknowledgment. "Now go. Make what haste you can. Catch the white fowl which I permitted you to rear, and bring it to me."

Without much difficulty this was accomplished, though a certain misgiving at her heart made Adelina quiver from head to foot, as she once more appeared before the awful " Madam,” with her dear white fowl pressed to her own pure bosom; and the timid look of her upturned blue eye, meekly beseeching "nothing very hard."

But when she understood that she was to take this pet to a block in the yard, and there destroy its innocent life, she stood for an instant half paralyzed; and then overcoming her terror of the stony being before her, sank breathlessly upon her knees, and sobbed out, Oh, Madam!-I cannot."

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At these rebellious words, the first that meek spirit had ever uttered, the fan was in instant requisition, sorely to punish such an unwonted display of insubordination. But the blows fell harmlessly: her little stricken heart could only feel, and that it did, bitterly. The furious, angry tone at last roused her, and one glance at that unpitying face told her she must obey-with eyes dilating, and lips compressed, but with a

firm step she turned away to do what seemed to her little less than murder.

But she returned not; and when the old butler was sent to seek her, she was found lying fainting on the ground beside the block, still holding tightly the headless body of her poor bleeding playmate. It was long ere she recovered, and the effects of that trial, to her a most severe one, changed her disposition and matured her years.

Such her discipline-uncomplaining, gentle, and sweet-tempered-she so won upon the old lady, that gleams of something like affection seemed now and then to display itself as time rolled on; and seated at her lady's embroidery-frame for hours together, in particularly unbending and patronising moments, she gained many peeps of the great world from the reminiscences which conversation brought to light; and though she certainly gained, too, many antique and extraordinary notions, her own adaptation and good sense suited means to circumstances, and on the whole she imbibed much calculated to be of service to her in afterlife. She was about seventeen, and, from her beauty in later years, must have been truly lovely, or, as the worthy Madam allowed, "well favoured."

A distant relative of the lady, in passing through the country, happened once to call; and, strange to say, his affection for his ancient relative thereupon became so vehement, that he was continually repeating the visit on the smallest pretences; and being a man of information, of refined manners, and easy insinuating style of address, his advent was not generally unwelcome: he listened to his kinswoman's tales, told of all sorts of aristocratic connections and acquaintances, whose ancestors once composed the circle where she moved; admired strength of character, nerve, and masculine vigour of mind; in short, did and said everything that could be grateful to her flattered ear; and, traitor that he was, contrived the while, by every delicate unspoken attention, and gentie tone and look, to win for himself the fresh young love of the unsuspecting timid little heart, that throbbed now feverishly at the mere mention of his name.

The only excuse for his treachery was, that he was most ardent and sincere in his affection for the poor dependant.

When, actually discovering the state of affairs, the truth became evident to the old lady, her rage was something awful; all the hard, cruel, unjust epithets that ever were showered upon unoffending mortal, were tauntingly bestowed on the unhappy subjects of her wrath.

For the man-he cared little; he had won the love he wanted, and knew would remain true and devoted to him for ever; for he scanned character narrowly, and with the eye of a thorough man of the world. If he thought of Adelina's sufferings at all (and he could not understand them), he believed that some day his affection would compensate for all; for "have her he would." But he knew not the strength of

character and principle in her whom he loved it had to be proved. For the woman-shut out from all intercourse, even by letter, with the only one in all the world who had ever even solicited her love, a love as deep, and true, and holy as ever was bestowed, her woman's heart did suffer, and suffer deeply. Once only had she asked to be allowed to speak with him, on his incessant, anxious petitions for one more interview.

"Adelina, never open your presumptuous lips on that subject again, nor ever speak or think of so underhanded, treacherous, a serpent again. I command you to obey me!" thundered her patroness in a most tremendous passion of anger. And once again falling at her feet, did Adelina pathetically utter

66

Oh, Madam, I cannot!"

"You dared to say that word to me once before!" said Madam, with a sarcastic, bitter sneer; "and remember, you had to submit then."

Adelina rose tremblingly from the ground, and sorrowfully answered, "True, Madam, I did so; you made me faint then, and you would kill me now."

And no other word was ever spoken between them on the subject. Adelina returned to her accustomed duties; but though she tried to show no difference in manner, voice, nor smile, it was evident to the most careless eye, the timid, tried, little heart was almost broken, as the spirit was. And though Randall called her to his side, and bade her brave wrath, and fly to his protection, the rightly-toned mind could not efface the remembrance of years of protection, though in servitude, and the bread and clothing not grudgingly given whilst her patroness was hale and well; and now infirm and old, severe though she had ever been, could she ungratefully leave her? No.

And the long days passed on, and the pale, gentle face, and attenuated form, which bent over the work-frame, and the small trembling fingers, as they pursued their daily task, might have warned the old lady that the strength of body was not equal to the patient endurance of that beautiful mind-but she would not see.

Work on, pale, patient one; if no other reward awaits thee, thou shalt gain an elevated strength of mental vigour and calmness for after-life; and "patient endurance is Godlike."

If the cause of the languor and evident illever of the sufferer health occurred to Madam, she never in any way appeared to notice it. But her patient strength at last gave way, and at the end of two years she was laid, to all appearance, on the bed of death. Bitter was her grief, that he for whom she bore so much never now attempted to see or speak with her. His pride at her refusal had been so roused, that sympathy for anything she might be enduring was out of the question: he was deBut when termined to make her feel too. news reached him that the only one he had ever really loved lay at the point of death, his ten

:

A man of violent and excitable temper-this did not conciliate; and the noise and confusion occasioned by their mutual vehemence reached the languid ear of Adelina: she knew that voice, and had she been dying, she must have responded to it-that he was come again, and was pleading for her she never doubted: and the thought that, though she might not see or speak to him, she was still beloved, was balm to her spirit. The lamp of hope re-lit, Adelina recovered.

The year had barely flitted round, ere the stern and unlovely life of Madam closed. Real and sincere was the grief of the poor dependant, as sorrowfully she watched the nodding plumes of the hearse wind down the dark avenue, and through the old gateway; and tearfully she laid her weary head on her pillow that night, with an unprotected feeling of loneliness which she had never known before. Days passed, and she wondered to see none but the old lady's solicitor ever enter the house; and more and more did she wonder, and less and less believe her senses, when it was whispered around that she was the heiress of all Madam's wealth; all seemed so unreal and so like dreamland, that Adelina felt paralyzed. To say she never thought of the one whom the old lady had not scrupled to call her greatest enemy, would be wrong; but it was with a misty, undefined sort of half-fear, that she could not account for.

The worthy lawyer, in whose integrity the old lady had always had most implicit trust, had long been in the perfect confidence of her relative, Randall, and had duly intimated to him the fact, that, some time before, a codicil, which he was instructed to add to the will, had distinctly stated, that in case of Adelina's marrying him, her fortune was to be applied to the building of a charitable institution, and only a small annual stipend settled upon her for her lifetime. This little alteration they pleasantly discussed together over a bottle of wine, and generously decided to omit, in carrying out the will, that part altogether, as a useless and wicked destruction of the well-being and happiness of an innocent girl, sacrificed to an "old woman's whim."

And again he was at her side; and what wonder that the timid, half-bewildered heiress should thankfully, gladly cling to the only arm she ever cared to cling to, and believe every word spoken by the only voice she ever loved to listen to?

And when in all that wealth and luxury which Randall now lavished as it had once been hoarded, did his conscience ever speak? Assuredly it did; for though of weak principle, he was not wholly bad; and when sometimes he looked at the pure loveliness of his highprincipled wife, a pang shot through his heart as he thought of the deceit which he had practised to obtain such a prize; and the fear, the

him; and when his extravagance began at length to tell, and speculations which he had hoped great things from failed, how powerfully he felt that the "way of the wicked shall not prosper.” Vicissitudes Adelina was indeed called upon to experience; and now the real beauty and strength of her character shone forth. Utterly destitute, and bereft of even necessaries, she and her two little children had not even a shelter-their natural protector had forsaken them, and fled. Yes, that was the bitterest drop in the overflowing cup; fled without one word to her of comfort or advice, or the hope of meeting again - but it was not a time to indulge regrets. She saw friend after friend depart, bearing from her once beautiful home all that had made it so. And amongst those friends she went, and besought, not assistance, but work-employment; and that not with head bent down and averted look of shame, but with the true and beautiful dignity that was peculiar to her, and which made even those who had been but simply curious, respect her. Day after day did she toil with her needle, only too thankful to know that the debts had been covered by the sale of the estate and effects. No murmur-no reproach; still she worked on, and supported herself and the poor helpless ones whose welfare was so dear to her; and when all was done, and they slumbered softly side by side, nightly she spent hours on her knees, beseeching Heaven for him who had forsaken her: she could do no more: that she did earnestly— she begged she might see him again, be with him always. And her prayer so far was granted: he came again; but ah! how altered-he came haggard, aged, reckless-a fallen man: his proud spirit could not endure his humiliation, and he sought by excitement to drown recollection-pitiable object that he was, and stricken to the heart as she felt, he was still her own. To redouble her exertions, keep him by her side, win him back perhaps to a happier path, became the great objects of her existence-thus she hoped, and toiled, and prayed; and thus those lines of meek disciplined submission were drawn on the face my childish eyes so often scanned.

It was impossible that such a lovely and devoted character should not be admired and appreciated; and as time wore on, one friend after another held out a hand to help her forward. It was not in her deepest need that this aid came; for the Divine, who ordains trial to purify, and declares that the wearers of "white robes" are those who "come out of great tribulation," leaves his own, apparently unassisted, to struggle and conquer.

One influential person placed her boy at Christchurch; another let her a cottage at a low rent; and now and then came some present, not of value perhaps, but yet so to her, for the kind word with which it was tendered. Her daughter she had sent to a neighbouring school, where her hardships as half-boarder were little known to her mother, for she had the same noble, selfdenying spirit.

Years passed thus; and her husband, a mere helpless imbecile, sank into his grave; the few last months of his life had been marked by many a tone and look of the dear old times which she could never, never forget; and the tenderness which they threw over many a bitter memory, veiled, softened, and half-shadowed the more painful ones.

Things seemed brighter: with her daughter's aid she commenced instructing a few little girls; their numbers increased, and from pure respect many helped her thus; but that dear aid failed. Perhaps her loving nature was again clinging more to earth, and it was thought necessary to unloose another tie. As she closed the eyes of the sweet, hopeful creature, whose every look and thought she knew, her meek spirit still acknowledged the hand which smote, and she roused herself to strive once more

alone.

And thus it was when I first knew her. you wonder at my reverence?

Do

The last time I looked at that pale, calm, cheerful face, was at the house of her son, where, carefully tended and cherished by his family, and almost worshipped as a superior

being, her life is tranquilly ebbing away. I am again reminded of the Lake-" Her bosom still reflects to heaven the image it receives."

secret of this elevation and strength_of_chaIn sketching thus, I have tried to show the racter: it seems to me that I cannot do better than close with these spirit-giving words of Channing

"Providence ordains storms, disasters, hostilities, sufferings; and the great question whether we shall live to any purpose or not-whether we shall grow strong in mind and heart, or be weak and pitiable-depends on nothing so much as on our use of these adverse circumstances. Selfculture never goes on so fast, as when suffering, instead of disheartening, throws us on our own resources, turns us for strength to God, clears up to us the great purpose of life, and inspires calm resolution. Hardships are not on this account to be sought for: they come fast enough; and we are in more danger of sinking under, than of needing them. But when God sends them, they are noble means of self-improvement; and as such let us meet, and bear them cheerfully."

The mania for this work still continuing, and with, if possible, greater violence than ever, our readers would probably hardly be satisfied unless we gave them, from time to time, notices of the progress of the art.

Among the greatest novelties, we may mention the Porphyry Potichomanie; that is, glass having designs arranged on it in the ordinary way, but grounded with an imitation of porphyry instead of the usual colouring. The material which produces it is extremely singular. It is no other than the tiny round bits of paper which are struck out of the various sheets of heads for postage and stamps. These, it will be remembered, are red, blue, green, and brown. Of course it takes millions of these atoms to

fill even a small box.

The way in which they are used is very simple. The surface of the glass being covered with liquid gum, after the figures and flowers are arranged and stuck in their places, the porphyry dust is dropped or dusted in, so that it may adhere to every part. It really does produce an excellent imitation of the stone it is intended to represent.

Gold ornaments, ready cut or stamped out, are also a recent invention calculated to save the time of the poticheworker.

In the candlestick of which we give an engraving, we are indebted to these gold ornaments and some small medallions of views in Paris, set in gold, for all the ornamentation of the article. The ground is Score's blue.

AIGUILLETTE.