know that she ever prays especially against this sin."

"But," said Miss Jenny, kindly, "you should lead her to confess this her grievous offence before God, and instruct her in her religious duties, if you have not hitherto done so; and God will, no doubt, bless your endeavours."

The young ladies then threw down a few halfpence to the poor woman, and returned to their arbour.

On being again seated, Miss Jenny could not help expressing her great detestation of all lying whatsoever when Miss Dolly Friendly colouring, confessed that she had often been guilty of this fault, though scarcely ever but for the purpose of serving a friend.

"If

Here Miss Jenny interrupting her, said that friendship was no sort of excuse for lying. our friends do ill," she said, "we ought to be silent respecting their faults; and indeed it is a duty we owe to every one, not unnecessarily to mention their failings. But true friendship has a view to another world, as well as to the present," added Miss Jenny; "and whoever encourages another to do ill, or upholds him in an evil course, is so far from being the friend of that person, that he may properly be called his worst enemy.'

Miss Jenny was proceeding, but on perceiving that Miss Dolly Friendly was covered with confusion, she held out her hand to her, saying, she hoped that Miss Dolly would take this opportunity of obliging them with the history of her past life : which request the young lady made no hesitation to grant, assuring the company that the shame

she felt for her past faults should by no means induce her to conceal them.

The Description of Miss Dolly Friendly.

MISS DOLLY FRIENDLY was just turned twelve years of age. Her person was neither plain nor handsome. She had generally something very quiet or rather indolent in her appearance, except when she was moved by anger, which seldom happened except in defence of some friend or favourite; on which occasions she exhibited a fierceness and eagerness which altered her whole countenance. But her friendships hitherto, though violent, had been liable to frequent changes and interruptions; as is indeed the case of all friendships which are not formed under the control of religion. We may hope however that the affection which Miss Dolly Friendly has lately indulged for Miss Jenny Peace is of that kind which will prove lasting, since it has already, with God's blessing, produced a happy influence upon her conduct.

Miss Dolly Friendly then no sooner understood that it was Miss Jenny Peace's wish that she should relate her history, than she immediately began as follows.

The Life of Miss Dolly Friendly.

"I was bred up till I was nine years of age with ¿ a sister who was one year younger than myself. I had a very great love for my sister, and yet I fear that I did not make her happy; for I was so

extremely jealous lest she should like any one as well as she did me, that I was on the constant fret. Sometimes my little sister Molly could do nothing to offend me; her every word and act appeared right in my eyes: and my friendship for ber, as I called it, was carried to such a height, that I scrupled no lies to excuse her faults, justifying whatever she did, and thinking it right only because she did it. I was ready to fight all her battles, whether right or wrong, and hated every body that offended her. But in the midst of all this apparent love, I was jealous and uneasy; and made her so too, because I used to think that I did not receive from her a suitable return. And all this time every person that visited at our house was accustomed to speak in high terms of my affectionate conduct towards my sister, filling me with much self-conceit on that account.

"At length my poor little sister grew very sickly, and died. I appeared to mourn very deeply for her; and yet, not long afterwards, so volatile was I that I attached myself to a young lady of my own age, or rather older, who lived next door to us. She was not of a good character; and, being extremely artful, she led me into many great faults, insomuch that my mother shortly insisted upon my giving her up; after which I was not allowed to go out, except in company with my mother. But it was not long before this habit of forming violent attachments became a snare to me again for my mother having lately hired a new waiting-maid, my wandering affections were soon fixed upon her, and to her I went with my complaints as often as I was controlled or con

tradicted. She soothed and flattered me; and I, in return, concealed from my mother all the numerous faults of which she was guilty.

"At length, however, my mother found out this indiscreet intimacy, and sent me hither; where I immediately attached myself to Miss Nancy Spruce and I should, no doubt, have been the means of leading her into many indiscretions by my foolish affection, had not you, my dear Miss Jenny, given us your good advice, and taught us the necessity of maintaining a more reasonable mode of conduct."

"Give not that honour to me, my dear Miss Dolly," replied Miss Jenny, "but to God: for if I have been enabled to offer you any good advice, it was by the assistance of God, since of ourselves we can do no one good thing."

Miss Dolly Friendly replied, "Indeed, Miss Jenny, I begin to think as you do upon this subject; although, a very little time ago, I should have been exceedingly offended if any one had told me that I was a sinful person, having always looked upon myself as a very good girl."

The bell now summoned our little company to supper, when they all went into the house in a sweet and peaceful state of mind.

Sunday,

The third Day.

On this blessed day the little society were awakened by the ringing of bells; and being all dressed with neatness, they assembled for prayers in the school-room. The morning was exceedingly fine, and the windows of the school-room being open, the whole room was filled with the fragrant smell of flowers. The little party had already learned from Mrs. Teachum and Miss Jenny Peace, to love the Lord's-day more than any other, and to consider it as a day of sacred rejoicing, when the usual labours of the week were to be laid aside, and the service of God to be attended upon without interruption.

After breakfast each little Miss took her Bible, for Mrs. Teachum had expressed her desire that no other but the book of God should be studied on the Lord's-day; and as each of the children was provided with a Bible, it was very pleasing to see so many little immortal creatures employed in studying the words of everlasting life. When the hour of divine service arrived, Mrs. Teachum put Miss Polly Suckling before her, while the rest followed, two and two, with perfect regularity to church.

Mrs. Teachum expressed great pleasure in noticing that her scholars, notwithstanding their