hours; and they that would see the same in the spiritual, must follow the leadings of hope, though her path may sometimes lie through the dark labyrinth of earthly pleasure, of fashion, and of infidelity. M. M.S. RECOLLECTIONS OF A RAMBLE. HAPPENING a few months ago to be in a remote part of the county of Northumberland, whither I had gone for the benefit of my health, I have often thought with delight of an evening ramble, which I hope may be turned to profit by the readers of the Youths' Magazine. I It was one of those beautiful autumnal evenings, when Sol was fast sinking in the western sky, tinging the clouds with colors which far surpassed the art of the painter; the air was cool and fragrant. With these attractions I ventured abroad to enjoy and meditate on the beauties of nature. directed my steps across some beautiful meadows, with the lofty hills of Cheviot full in my view. Here contentment seemed to reign; how did my heart rise in thankfulness to my Creator for the blessings we then enjoyed, compared to what had been seen in former times, for the very ground I then trod had been the scene of many bloody actions, which sent thousands unprepared, and in the open violation of the commandment "Thou shalt not kill," into eternity. After crossing the meadows above-mentioned, I turned up a footpath, which was thickly wooded on one side, with a clear cool rivulet on the other. On arriving at the end of it, I opened a small wicket, but was surprised to find myself within the limits of a cottage garden; where an industrious-looking man, with three healthy children, were busily employed. I of course made an apology for the intrusion, but he assured me it was none, and at the same time kindly invited me into his cottage to rest a little. I thanked him for his attention. He then introduced me to his wife, who was a clean housewife-looking woman, with an infant in her arms. His manner was so superior, that I thought he must have been in very different circumstances, as it appeared afterwards. On being seated, I was much struck with the order and neatness of the cottage; the clean white walls decorated with a few articles for kitchen use. There was nothing superfluous. After a few remarks on the weather, and the abundance of the crops, he entered freely into conversation, in the course of which I learnt that he had been an extensive merchant in the town of N, but having speculated rather imprudently, had lost his all. He then retired to his present little dwelling, where, to use his own words, "I enjoy more peace of mind and real comfort, and feel more thankful to God for what I now possess, than I did when surrounded by menials, and rolling in luxury." (Here the tear of gratitude started in his eye.) "But then I knew not God, for gold alone was my idol; on it my heart was fixed, for Where the treasure is, there will the heart be also.' What a mercy it was that he took from me that idol which was as briers in the way to heaven. Here I enjoy the blessings of health and plenty; and can now say that I feel more grateful for the daily bread which I earn by the sweat of my brow, than I did for all the far-fetched and dear-bought rarities which I formerly possessed. I have now time to instruct my children in the path of virtue; to love and adore the God of their father-but before I had not, and their education was intrusted to the care of others." He was here interrupted by the entrance of the children, who seated themselves at the table to take their evening repast, which consisted of new milk, and a good wholesome bread made of peas and barley, which is the common fare in that part of the country. The father then seated himself at the head. Oh! my young friends, could I here describe to you the scene which was before me. All was silence, and with his joined hands, and upraised eyes, humbly thanked the Almighty for all his benefits, in giving them bread to eat, and water to drink, and raiment to put on; adding, "For thy beloved Son had not where to lay his head." The children seemed attentive, and when their father had finished they began their simple meal with cheerfulness. The evening was then far advanced, when I arose to take my leave, thanking my kind entertainer and his wife for their hospitality. They assured me they had derived much pleasure from my visit, and pressingly invited me to renew it. On my return home my mind was filled with what I had heard and seen. I thought how good a lesson it might teach to many, who centred all their happiness upon that perishable thing, gold. We should rather lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, like this good man, and then our hearts will be WHERE we have found pleasure and profit ourselves, we naturally conclude others will find it also. I will, therefore, invite my reader to spend an evening with me at Miss Marten's seminary for young ladies; a winter evening, in which no member of that favored group was permitted to feel the want of social enjoyment; though many a one, no doubt, longed again to behold the countenances which smiled around her own domestic hearth. Miss Marten was well qualified to educate her pupils in a very superior manner; and as her school was intended for those to whom comforts and advantages were more important than money, her terms, as stated in pounds, shillings and pence, were high; but so conscientiously did she proportion her expenditure to those terms, so liberally did she provide for the benefit both of mind and body, that I question if a more reasonable arrangement were ever made. In her was no sordid desire to make undue gain by her pupils; she considered what were their usual habits, and too noble herself to be needlessly influenced by pecuniary considerations, she concluded that parents who were well able to meet the expense, would rather place their children in a second happy home, than lead them to consider school as a kind of banishment, by depriving them of comforts non-essential, perhaps, in themselves, yet by custom rendered almost necessary. She knew some young persons who had actually imbibed a distaste for instruction, by comparing the privations attending it with the liberty and indulgence which, as if to heighten the contrast, were augmented during the seasons of vacation. It was therefore her decided opinion, that home and school should more nearly resemble each other: on the one hand, by the abridgement of foolish gratifications, on the other, by the increase of suitable enjoyments. It was a winter evening, and the long room, as we used to call it, with all its warmth, and lights, and comfort, seems still present to my mind. How many happy hours have I spent there! It was devoted to our meals and our evening occupations. The apartment was long enough truly, but a comfortable fire at each end prevented any part from being cold; a neat substantial carpet covered the floor, and before the three windows which occupied one side, were drawn crimson moreen curtains. The town being lighted by gas, three pretty branches, one over each mantelpiece, and one over the centre window, made our room as brilliant as the day. Our lengthy table was, I believe, of simple deal, but a fresh looking green baize always clothed it with respectability. Beneath the centre light Miss Marten usually sat, for the ends of our table were purposely left vacant, that the benefit of the fires might extend equally to all. Ranged on each side, with our teachers scattered among us, scarcely did an evening pass in which we were not disposed to chide the hasty-footed time. Our instructress presided in the midst of us, as she might have done in a family of her own, and while our minds were gratified by entertaining improving books, or curious illustrations and experiments upon a variety of interesting subjects, for which she possessed all needful apparatus; our hands were at the same time employed in works of charity, usefulness, or skill. But I forget that this detail does not conjure up to the reader's ear the holy memoir, the historic page, the tale, the poem; or to her eye, the cheerful efforts of industrious benevolence, and the beautiful specimens of ingenious fancy, which at this moment flit before my own memory. It is time then that I should quit these agreeable recollections, and confine myself to the hour which was originally mentioned. We were seated, as usual, when our kind preceptress took from her drawing case a paper, which she introduced to us in the following manner :— I am intending to read you a singular letter, which I received with a note, from Mr. Wood this morning. Wood was the name of the excellent clergyman under whose ministry we sat, and with whose family Miss Marten had the happiness to be intimate. He had often manifested tender and anxious concern for our welfare, both by verbal and written instruction; nor did he ever, I believe, visit at the house without permitting the long room to share in the benefit, consequently we felt towards him all the ardent attachment of youth, while the mere mention of his name shed a pleasant expression over almost every countenan ce. "I shall first," continued Miss Marten, "read the note, and then the letter of which it speaks. The note is as follows:" MY DEAR FRIEND.—Will you give my love to your young people; and tell them I have met with an extraordinary letter among my papers; which, as it may possibly interest them, I forward to you. It purports to be written by a lady, engaged like yourself in the work of tuition and contains the most pressing entreaty for help, under very urgent and affecting circumstances. When we have the pleasure of meeting, I will give your circle some further explanation respecting it. In the mean time believe me to be, Your's very faithfully, C. WOOD. "Such, my young friends," observed Miss Marten," is the note, and now I will proceed to the letter itself." To the REV. C. WOOD. Thursday Night, half-past Twelve. REV. SIR.-Knowing that activity and compassion form an essential part in the character of a faithful minister; I venture to entreat your speedy help under circumstances of fearful distress and danger. I have discovered that the lower part of my house is on fire and I am every moment agonized with the fear lest it should reach the floors of the sleeping-rooms, and precipitate my ⚫ beloved pupils into the flames. Under this dread, I have been hurrying from room to room, endeavoring, but alas! almost in vain, to awaken the poor children. They are in such a deep sleep that with respect to most of them, no call of mine seems able to reach their ears. One who is in the habit, poor thing! of sleeptalking, answers all I say, and tells me laughingly, “there is no danger: it is only some one wishing to alarm me." grievous case of all, is that of your little niece. roused, and preparing for flight, when, I, thinking to hasten her observed, "Be quick, my love; we are scarcely certain of a moment's safety, and at any rate, if the flames continue, they cannot But the most She seemed |