in a very reprehensible degree, the cause of their present adversity, she considered herself as doubly bound to soothe with unremitting tenderness the wounded mind of her excellent husband, and to meliorate, as much as her strenuous exertions could effect it, the sad alteration in his circumstances. Her foster-sister (who had attended the O'Neils to England, and who proved a most attached and faithful servant) and Biddy O'Connor, then a mere girl, and daughter to this honest and affectionate domestic, now formed the household; yet the most conspicuous neatness and comfortable order reigned not only in the nursery, but throughout the house; and although this once-luxurious family were now compelled to partake only of the most frugal repasts, yet still rigid decorum, in all the propriety of polished manners, was persevered in, and the appointments, neatness, and comfort of good order ever prevailed.

The economy of Mrs. Goodwin was now also obliged to extend itself even to the dress of her children, and here too it assumed a pleasing aspect; the uncommon simplicity, blended with the striking neatness of their dress, took off completely from

the homeliness of the materials, and was in fact so becoming, that it added to, rather than diminished the natural beauty of the children; and the education too of her girls, which she anxiously undertook, reflected infinite credit upon her abilities and judg ment, by the evident improvement they rapidly evinced, and the judicious choice of their attainments.

The lot of Matilda O'Neil had been very unlike her sister's. It is not for us to presume to seek for the causes, why the most deserving are frequently the least fortunate: it is enough that we feel convinced it is right that it should be so, or unerring Wisdom would not decree it. In her brotherin law, Matilda O'Neil found a kind, a tender, generous protector, who, immediately upon his marriage, invited her to live entirely with her sister; and for two years, during which she resided in his house, she experienced the most affectionate treatment from him. Harriot was all kind and partial indulgence to her; she allowed her as much command over her carriage and servants as she had herself. Mr. Goodwin was liberal to excess in presents to her; and the thoughtless, gay, and then extravagant Harriot

never purchased any article of dress for herself, that she did not present her sister with its counterpart.

Harriot was but scarcely of the middle stature; something inclining to embonpoint, but with a very fine face, dazzling complexion, eyes sparkling with animated intelligence, and a countenance beaming with sweetness, benevolence, and vivacity. Matilda possessed a tall and finely-formed figure, a handsome face without bloom, large blue languishing eyes, and was quite a languid beauty, too indolent for any exertion but that of adorning her person, and studying those attitudes most likely to display the graces of her form to the most striking advantage.

Amongst the numerous guests entertained at Mr. Goodwin's, a Mr. Hargrave appeared-a young man of uncommonlygreat personal attractions, and excelling in the eloquence of conversation, his society was much courted. No one could clearly ascertain what soil he sprung from, as family and country were subjects he ever sedulously shunned his accent was pure English; his education had been, to a certainty, good, and his talents, in many respects, far from

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contemptible: but his prime excellence lay in his oratoric abilities, and his wisdom was chiefly worldly. He had been nearly three years adventuring in the public eye, in various ways striving to obtain subsistence; and now, having turned his versatile genius to divinity, had got by some contrivance into orders, and was publishing sermons, certainly above mediocrity, which introduced him to the acquaintance of Mr. Goodwin, and obtained for him a frequent admission to his hospitable table, where he saw the languishingly-beautiful Miss O'Neil, and became deeply enamoured, The flame was mutual: the Goodwins highly disapproved the match; but the fair Matilda was resolutely determined to die, unless she were united to Mr. Hargravea determination that instantly won upon her affectionate sister to offer no further advice against the measure. Mr. Goodwin, too, was silenced by this dreadful alternative; and believing it vain to contend with a woman resolved upon doing an imprudent thing, benevolently guarded against her ever knowing the stings of actual poverty, by presenting her with two thousand

pounds, which he settled upon her, solely out of the power of her husband, or even herself, to touch the principal of; while Mrs. Goodwin, with a prodigal hand, provided the wedding wardrobe of her sister, and made her many valuable presents beside.

By the interest of Mr. Goodwin, Hargrave was appointed curate at a very fashionable chapel of ease; where, by preaching to the passions, he won all the fair part of his congregation, but particularly the old dowagers who frequented that place of worship, by whose advice he set up a school for twelve young noblemen, or boys of fortune, which succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations; and in a very few years he found himself enabled to give up this ardu ous, though lucrative undertaking, by very great church preferment, bestowed upon him through the exertions of some of his fascinated congregation.

While the Goodwins were gliding down into the vale of adversity, Hargrave had climbed up the hill of prosperity. He now wrote LL. D. after his name, and resided at the pleasantest of his two considerable rectories, near to, and under the avowed