you say, poor people, your objection will not apply with full force to the Claytons, for they are now in tolerably easy circumstances. As to the family of Mr. Clayton, I believe his father was a man of integrity, though not rich. And Mrs. Clayton's family I know to be without reproach of any kind." 6. "And yet they are common people for all that," persevered Mrs. Marygold. "Wasn't old Clayton a mere petty dealer in small wares. And wasn't Mrs. Clayton's father a mechanic?"

"Perhaps, if some of us were to go back a generation or two, we might trace out an ancestor who held no higher place in society," Mrs. Lemmington remarked quietly. “I have no doubt but that I should."

7. "I have no fears of that kind," replied Mrs. Marygold, in an exulting tone. "I shall never blush when my pedigree

is traced."

"Nor I either, I hope. Still, I should not wonder, if some one of my ancestors had disgraced himself; for there are but few families that are not cursed with a spotted sheep. But I have nothing to do with that, and ask only to be judged by what I am not by what my progenitors have been."

8. “A standard that few will respect, let me tell you." "A standard that far the largest portion of society will regard as the true one, I hope," replied Mrs. Lemmington. "But surely, you do not intend refusing to call upon the Claytons for the reasons you have assigned, Mrs. Marygold."

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Certainly I do. They are nothing but common people, and therefore beneath me. I shall not stoop to associate with them."

"I think that I will call upon them. In fact, my object in dropping in this morning was to see, if you would not accompany me," said Mrs. Lemmington.

9. "Indeed, I will not, and for the reasons I have given. They are only common people. You will be stooping."

"No one stoops in doing a kind act. Mrs. Clayton is a stranger in the neighborhood, and is entitled to the courtesy

of a call, if no more; and that I shall extend to her. If I find her to be uncongenial in her tastes, no intimate acquaintanceship need be formed. If she is congenial, I will add another to my list of valued friends. You and I, I find, estimate differently. I judge every individual by merit, you by family, or descent."

10. "You can do as you please," rejoined Mrs. Marygold, somewhat coldly. "For my part, I am particular about my associates. I will visit Mrs. Florence, and Mrs. Harwood, and such as move in good society, but as to your schoolteachers' wives and daughters, I must beg to be excused."

"Every one to her taste," rejoined Mrs. Lemmington, with a smile, as she moved towards the door, where she stood for a few moments to utter some parting compliments, and then withdrew.

11. Five minutes afterwards she was shown into Mrs. Clayton's parlors, where, in a moment or two, she was met by the lady upon whom she had called, and received with an easy gracefulness that at once charmed her. A brief conversation convinced her that Mrs. Clayton was, in intelligence and moral worth, as far above Mrs. Marygold, as that personage imagined herself to be above her. Her daughters, who came in while she sat conversing with their mother, showed themselves to possess all those graces of mind and manner that win upon our admiration so irresistibly. An hour passed quickly and pleasantly, and then Mrs. Lemmington withdrew.

12. The difference between Mrs. Lemmington and Mrs. Marygold was simply this. The former had been familiar with what is called the best society from her earliest recollection, and being, therefore, constantly in association with those looked upon as the upper class, knew nothing of the upstart self-estimation which is felt by certain weak, ignorant persons, who, by some accidental circumstance, are elevated far above the condition into which they moved originally.

13. She could estimate true worth in humble garb as well

as in velvet and rich satins. She was one of those individuals who never pass an old and worthy domestic in the street without recognition, or stopping to make some kind inquiry— one who never forgot a familiar face, or neglected to pass a kind word to even the humblest who possessed the merit of good principles.

CUPID'S ARROW.-N. Y. MIRROR.

1. YOUNG Cupid went storming to Vulcan one day,
And besought him to look at his arrow.

""Tis useless," he cried; "you must mend it, I say;
"Tisn't fit to let fly at a sparrow.

There's something that's wrong in the shaft or the dart,
For it flutters quite false to my aim

'Tis an age since it fairly went home to the heart,

And the world really jests at my name.

2. "I have straighten'd, I've bent, I've tried all I declare, I've perfumed it with sweetest of sighs;

'Tis feather'd with ringlets my mother might wear,
And the barb gleams with light from young eyes;
But it falls without touching-I'll break it, I vow,
For there's Hymen beginning to pout;
He's complaining his torch burns so dull and so low,
That Zephyr might put it right out."

3. Little Cupid went on with his pitiful tale,
Till Vulcan the weapon restored.

“There, take it, young sir; try it now—if it fail,

I will ask neither fee nor reward."

The urchin shot out, and rare havoc he made;
The wounded and dead were untold;

But no wonder the rogue had such slaughtering trade,
For the arrow was laden with GOLD!

WATER IS BEST.

1. WATER is best for the man of health, "Twill keep his strength secure; Water is best for the man of wealth, "Twill keep his riches sure.

2. Water is best for the feeble man,
"Twill make his health improve;
Water is best for the poor, I ken,
"Twill make his wants remove.

3. Water for those who are growing old, "Twill keep them hale and strong; Water is best for the young and bold, "Twill make their moments long.

4. Water is best for the man of toil,
"Twill make his labor light;

Water is best for the "loafers," who soil
Not a hand from morning till night.

5. Water is best for the man of strife,
"Twill make his anger slow;
And for him who leads a peaceful life,
'Tis the very best drink I know.

6. Water is best for the man of state,
"Twill make his judgment true;
Water is best for those who wait
His high commands to do.

7. Water, pure water's the drink for man, Its fountains are full and free!

Others may drink "fire-waters" who can,
Pure water's the nectar for me!

A CONTRAST.-WASHINGTON IRVING.

1. I was yet a stranger in England, and curious to notice the manners of its fashionable classes. I found, as usual, that there was the least pretension where there was the most acknowledged title to respect. I was particularly struck, for instance, with the family of a nobleman of high rank, consisting of several sons and daughters. Nothing could be more simple and unassuming than their appearance. They generally came to church in the plainest equipage, and often on foot. The young ladies would stop and converse in the kindest manner with the peasantry, caress the children, and listen to the stories of the humble cottagers.

2. Their countenances were open and beautifully fair, with an expression of high refinement, but, at the same time, a frank cheerfulness, and an engaging affability. Their brothers were tall and elegantly formed. They were dressed fashionably, but simply; with strict neatness and propriety, but without any mannerism or foppishness. Their whole demeanor was easy and natural, with that lofty grace, and noble frankness, which bespeak free-born souls that have never been checked in their growth by feelings of inferiority.

3. There is a healthful hardiness about real dignity, that never dreads contact and communication with others, however humble. It is only spurious pride that is morbid and sensitive, and shrinks from every touch. I was pleased to see the manner in which they would converse with the peasantry about those rural concerns and field-sports, in which the gentlemen of this country so much delight. In these conversations, there was neither haughtiness on the one part, nor servility on the other; and you were only reminded of the dif ference of rank by the habitual respect of the peasant.

4. In contrast to these, was the family of a wealthy citizen who had amassed a vast fortune; and, having purchased the estate and mansion of a ruined nobleman in the neighborhood, was endeavoring to assume all the style and dignity of an