and Miss Polly Suckling was so silly as to ask her why she shook her head so, and what made her hair so white.

Miss Jenny Peace hearing this, and being afraid lest they should say something which might offend the old lady, begged them not to talk so fast.

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"O! let the dear rogues alone,” said the old woman, "I like their prattle :" and, taking Miss Polly by the hand, she added, "Come, my dear, we will go to the dairy, and skim the milk." these words they all ran into the dairy, and being in high spirits, some of them were so rude as to dip their fingers in the cream; which when Mrs. Nelly perceived, who was the eldest daughter of the old woman, and managed all the affairs of the dairy, she requested them all to walk out of the dairy, saying, that she would bring them what was fit for them: upon which, Miss Dolly Friendly reddened with anger, and was going to answer; but Miss Jenny Peace checked her.

The old woman now caused the little company to sit down at a long table, which she soon supplied with plenty of cream, strawberries, brown bread, and sugar.

Mrs. Teachum took her place at the upper end of the table, while the young people sat down in their usual order, to partake of the good things provided for them; being first reminded by their excellent governess to give thanks. After which Mrs. Teachum told them that they might walk into the garden and orchard; when it would be time to return home.

The good old woman showed them the way

into the garden, and gathering the finest roses and pinks she could pick, she gave them to Miss Polly, for whom she had taken a great fancy.

Before they departed, Mrs. Teachum rewarded the old woman for her trouble; who, on her part expressed much pleasure in having seen so many well-behaved young ladies, and said she hoped that they would often repeat their visit.

These little friends had not walked far in their way home before they met a miserable ragged man, who begged their charity. The little girls immediately gathered about this poor creature, and were hearkening with great compassion to his story, when Mrs. Teachum came up to them; who was not a little pleased to perceive all her scholars with their hands in their pockets, whence they speedily distributed some sixpences and several half-pence. She took occasion however to point out to them, after the poor man was gone, that in general alms were more usefully be stowed upon such poor persons as live in the neighbourhood, and are known, than upon those who go begging about the country.

The little party got home about nine o'clock; but, late as it was, they did not forget to return thanks to the Giver of all good things for the variety of pleasures which they had that day enjoyed.

WEDNESDAY.

The sixth Day.

THIS morning the little society were so entirely engaged with their school-duties and their masters, that they had no opportunity of assembling in the beloved arbour before dinner and after schoolhours in the afternoon, two young ladies, Lady Caroline and Lady Fanny Delun, who had formerly known Miss Jenny Peace, and who were at present in that neighbourhood, came to make her a visit.

Lady Caroline was sixteen years of age, tall and genteel in her person, of a fair complexion, and possessing a regular set of features; so that upon the whole she was generally complimented as being very handsome: but her sister, Lady Fanny, had not the least pretensions to beauty.

It was but lately that their father had, by the death of a distant relation, become Earl of Delun ; so that they had not long been addressed by the title usually given to noblemen's daughters.

Miss Jenny Peace received them as old acquaintance: not neglecting however the respect due to their quality. The young ladies drank tea with Miss Jenny in Mrs. Teachum's parlour. After which Mrs. Teachum allowed Miss Jenny to introduce her school-fellows to her visiters; on which occasion all her little companions were

brought into their governess's parlour, and permitted to spend an hour there.

But to describe the behaviour of Miss Jenny Peace's visiters, is no easy matter. Lady Caroline, who was dressed in a pink robe, embroidered thick with gold, adorned with brilliant jewels and the finest Mechlin lace, addressed much of her discourse to her sister, in order that she might have an opportunity of frequently repeating her title. And as she spoke, her fingers were in perpetual motion, either adjusting her tucker, arranging the plaits of her robe, or playing with a diamond cross that hung on her bosom; her eyes still accompanying her fingers as they moved, or being now and then suddenly snatched off, that she might not be observed to think of her dress : yet, in spite of all her artifice, it was plain that her thoughts were wholly occupied by that and by her new title.

Lady Fanny's dress was plain and neat, nor did she seem to think at all about either that or her title; but her manner was nevertheless so affected, and her eyes were so often turned towards a looking-glass which unfortunately happened to hang opposite to her, that she betrayed to every discerning observer, the vanity of thinking herself a beauty, and admiring herself for being such. In short, these young ladies made themselves so disagreeable, that every one was pleased when Lady Caroline arose to go; who, as the eldest, led the way, taking leave with a swimming courtesy, followed by her sister, Lady Fanny, who made a slow courtesy to every one in the room, that she might be the longer under observation..

The little society, as soon as they were released, retired to the arbour; where, without ceremony, two or three of the elder young ladies began to make their remarks on the ridiculous vanity of their noble visiters. Miss Jenny allowed them to proceed for some minutes, being at a loss, as the strangers were her acquaintance, how to word her reproof, so as not herself to appear personally offended. But at length, recovering her presence of mind, "My dear school-fellows," she said, "although I do not attempt to defend what is amiss in the young ladies who have just left us; yet I cannot but say, that I think we are doing wrong to attack them in their absence with so little reserve. If we have seen any thing faulty in their deportment, let us endeavour to profit by it in examining whether we ourselves may not have our share of pride and vanity, although, from being in lower circumstances, or not having the same personal accomplishments, we may not be tempted to make such a display of our qualifications."

Those of the young people who had been most forward in ridiculing Lady Caroline and Lady Fanny, made Miss Jenny Peace no answer, but blushing deeply, remained silent. Miss Nancy Spruce however said, that she felt herself particularly blameable in joining the general laugh against the strangers, since she could very well remember the time, when, without either the fortune or title of Lady Caroline to support her pretensions, she had assumed as many airs of superiority as that young lady had done. Being then requested by all her companions to relate the history of her life, she entered upon it without hesitation.