of the latter part of it except leaning my head on my father's shoulder, and asking very often how many miles we had yet to travel.

When the coach stopped before the house of my godmother, I started from an uneasy slumber, and in the clear moonlight could distinguish a large brick house a little distant from the road, and elevated considerably above it. We ascended a long flight of stone steps, passed through a large iron gate, and found ourselves in an open court, paved with different colored stones, forming a rude kind of mosaic. Another flight of steps led to the door, which being now opened, displayed a large hall, dimly lighted by a plain lamp, and furnished with a few old-fashioned chairs, a table, and clock.

On the sides of this entrance-hall were several doors, leading to different apartments, at one of which my godmother appeared, to welcome us, and inviting us to follow, led the way into a comfortable parlour, where we were regaled with tea; after which repast we were shown to our rooms, all the girls, except ourselves, being in bed, and most of them asleep. The apartment into which I was conducted, was in the third story, large, low, and gloomy in appearance, being lighted by a single small window, so near the ceiling, that it was scarcely possible to get into disgrace by peeping out into the public road, of which it commanded a view. The furniture of the room consisted of four beds neatly hung with white dimity; four rush-bottomed chairs with blue painted legs, and four baskets, intended to hold our night clothes. There was a bareness about the whitewashed walls, and uncarpeted floor, which formed an unpleasing contrast to the snug little closet I had left at home; yet, this was more than compensated for, by the cheering thought that we were seven in our room, for I had had the misfortune to be frightened when young by an ignorant maid servant, and company was more than an equivalent for the luxuries I had lost. For the first time I slept in a strange bed, and amongst strangers, yet I slept soundly. I had a delightful feeling of security, and was pleased to recollect that I should see my father on the morrow; for, already, I dreaded the separation which was to sever the last link that connected me with home. In the cold grey light of a winter morning I was aroused by the ringing of a bell, and

following the example of my companions, began to dress hastily. No one spoke to me, but I heard a whispering and tittering between the girls who occupied the bed next to mine, and distinguished the words, "She came with the Holdens last night; it is Caroline Wilmot, Miss Percy's god-daughter."

I now felt awkward and ready to cry, which, one of the elder girls perceiving, addressed me by name, saying she would show me the way to the general dressing-room, where a number of the girls were already assembled, and where I witnessed something approaching to a scramble for the four basins, and towards the single looking-glass, provided for the use of about thirty young ladies. Presently we were summoned by a second bell to the school-room, which was long and rather narrow, with a fire-place at each end, and five windows in a row fronting the road. Here we found two teachers ready to receive us.

The girls seated themselves on forms around the room, and commenced repeating the lessons, which I afterwards found were prepared the previous evening. This was done in the greatest order; the girls going in rotation, beginning at the top of the room, and as each had several lessons to repeat, this business occupied more than an hour. During this time I sat on one of the lower forms, looking on with wonder, and feeling as bashful as persons generally do, when placed in situations perfectly new, and not very agreeable; nevertheless, I ventured to scrutinize the teachers, more especially the one who occupied the post of honor, and to whom the elder girls were repeating their lessons.

Miss Charlotte Percy, (for this was the lady's name) was the step-sister of my godmother, and at least fifteen years her junior ; a remarkably little person, being scarcely taller than any child in the room. Her complexion was dark,-her eye penetrating and keen; nay, so quick were her glances, that it appeared impossible to elude her observation. This lady I regarded with awe, as I observed the effect which her smile or frown produced on the girls; and I was not long in discovering that the second teacher, who was a fine young woman with a commanding figure, was, nevertheless, a person little to be dreaded; since, where Miss Charlotte bore rule, no star of second magnitude might hope to shine. Indeed, I have often since reflected with indignation on the treatment which under-teachers experience too frequently

both from the principals and pupils in establishments of this kind, and I had not been long at school before I formed the resolution never to take such a situation myself.

Hitherto, I had seen nothing of my godmother; but when the lessons were concluded, the school-room door was thrown open, and she entered, holding in her hand a large prayer book. On her appearance all the girls rose, and continued standing whilst she marched with stately and measured steps to the top of the long room, and seated herself in the arm chair which Miss Charlotte vacated on her approach. One of the young ladies now read a portion of the Psalms for the day, which was followed by prayers, after which breakfast was brought in.

During the short interval which elapsed, from Miss Percy's entrance till the end of breakfast, my feelings towards that lady underwent a complete revolution. I had been accustomed to see her occasionally at my father's house, and to conduct myself towards her with the freedom of a child under no restraint, never dreaming of assuming any other than my natural manner before her. Now I saw her regarded by the girls around me, most of whom were older than myself, as a being to be feared, and in whose presence every thing natural and easy was to be repressed. Not one unnecessary word was spoken during that solemn meal, not a smile was visible on any young face; but all sat erect and looked constrained. Once, and only once, did my god-mother appear to recollect my presence. Perhaps she reflected that I had been indulged at home, and might not be able to eat the thick pieces of bread and butter, which, however, I soon learned to relish; for as one of the girls was handing a plate of toast to her, she said kindly, “Take it to Miss Wilmot, my dear."

"No, thank you," cried I, determined not to profit by this indulgence, "I prefer eating what the others do," and rising from the low form on which I sat, I hastened to the table, and helped myself to a piece of the thick bread and butter. This speech, and the action which accompanied it, excited evident surprise amongst my companions; and I saw Miss Percy and her sister exchange a smile. In truth I had undertaken a task I found it sufficiently difficult to perform, but perform it I did, greatly to my own satisfaction.

The remainder of this, and the whole of the following day, I

ent in the society of my dear father, who had friends in the ighbourhood, to whom he took this opportunity of introducing

2.

The third day was fixed for his departure, I was alone with n a short time previous to the arrival of the coach, which was convey him home, and I struggled in vain to repress my feelings sorrow, as from time to time I whispered some message to my amma or brothers.

Before his departure we were joined by my god-mother and iss Charlotte, the latter of whom had ingratiated herself in my pa's good opinion, by her praises of me, and her predictions at I should be greatly improved by my change of residence. At length the horses were distinctly heard, and I clung round y father in an agony of grief: he was sensibly affected—when Tiss Charlotte, taking my hand, said in a tone of sympathy, Ah! these partings are sad and painful things, Mr. Wilmot, ut dear Caroline is of a happy temperament, and will probably augh before papa is many miles on his journey."

"I am satisfied that I leave her in good hands," replied my ather, and hastily embracing me, he mounted the coach box, and n a few moments was out of sight. I remained some time at the vindow, and wept in silence, then, turning round, perceived to ny surprise that I was alone. I hastened to the dressing room, >pened my box, and taking out my little Bible, kissed it again and again, sobbing, and calling in a low voice, "Oh! papa, papa, how shall I live away from you!" Here I was presently interrupted by the entrance of the girls, who had come up to dress for dinner. A few tried to comfort me, others laughed and said "She will get broken in in time; she is home-sick, let her alone." In truth, this latter piece of advice was pretty generally acted upon, for no notice was taken of my fits of weeping, which continued at intervals during some days. The most violent was provoked by a piece of heartlessness on the part of Miss Charlotte, which proved that however competent she might deem herself to instruct the young, she was destitute of the principal requisites of a good teacher-a love for children, and a quick perception of individual character.

It happened one evening, that my god-mother being absent, Miss Charlotte conducted family worship, after which she caused

some of the younger children to repeat their prayers aloud. To my surprise I was called upon in my turn, Miss Charlotte observing, "that she made it a rule, to ascertain whether new pupils were acquainted with suitable forms of prayer, lest they should neglect the duty altogether." I cannot describe my sensations as I walked towards the place where my teacher sat. Wounded feeling, shame and resentment, struggled hard for the mastery. It was sometime since I had discontinued the childish form I had been taught when very young. I knew, however, that I could repeat this correctly, and decided to do so, if Miss Charlotte persisted in her request. With a trembling voice I begged to be excused, urging as a reason, that I had not been accustomed to say my prayers aloud.

"Perhaps you have not been accustomed to say them at all," was the tart reply. "Let me have no affectation of modesty, but do as you are desired.”

I obeyed, though with extreme reluctance, and managed to go on till I came to the words, "Bless my father and mother." I then made a full stop. It seemed almost profanation to offer up prayers for those beloved ones, as a mere matter of form, before an assembly of thoughtless school girls.

"Go on, if you please;" said Miss Charlotte.

I was silent.

"Will you have the goodness to do as you are bid," persisted

she.

I attempted to proceed, but as I uttered the word father, the flood gates of my grief were re-opened, and I burst into a passion of tears. I was ordered to bed immediately, and being left some time to my own meditations, my resentment was mingled with self-condemnation, as I reflected upon my own guilt, in having neglected the affectionate admonitions of my beloved parents, concerning the duty of prayer. When a very little child, I had been made to understand the difference between repeating a form of words, and praying from the heart. My conscience told me that I too frequently "drew near to God with my lips, whilst my heart was far from him," and I felt as if the mortification I had endured was the just punishment for my sin: yet I was not truly humbled, being more disposed to dwell upon the faults of others than to acknowledge my own, and this disposition served to foster