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aside the false ideas of distinction prevailing in the social world, and to build up, on a broader and truer foundation, a right estimate of men and things. Florence, I have observed, discriminates according to the quality of the person's mind into whose society she is thrown, and estimates accordingly. But you, and Emily, and Adeline, judge of people according to their rank in society—that is, according to the position to which wealth alone has raised them. In this way, and in no other, can you be thrown so into association with 'all kinds of people,' as to be really affected by them. For the result of my observation is, that in any circle where a mere external sign is the passport to association 'all sorts of people,' the good, the bad, and the indifferent, are mingled. It is not a very difficult thing for a bad man to get rich, sister; but for a man of evil principles to rise above them, is very hard indeed, and is an occurrence that too rarely happens. The consequence is, that they who are rich are not always the ones whom we should most desire to mingle with."

"I do not see that there is any use in our talking about these things, brother," replied Mrs. Ludlow. "You know that you and I never did agree in matters of this kind. As I have often told you, I think you incline to be rather low in your social views."

"How can that be a low view which regards the quality of another, and estimates him accordingly?" was the reply.

"I do not pretend to argue with you on these subjects, brother; so you will oblige me by dropping them," said Mrs. Ludlow, colouring, and speaking in an offended tone.

"Well, well, never mind," uncle Joseph replied soothingly; we will drop them."

Then turning to Emily, he continued

"And so your minds are made up not to go to S

"Yes, indeed."

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"Well, where do you intend spending the summer months?"

"I hardly know yet. But, if I have my choice, we will

take a trip to the Continent. A flying visit to Paris would be delightful."

"What does your father say to that?"

"Why, he won't listen to it. But I shall do my best to bring him round-and so will Adeline. As for Florence, I believe I shall ask father to let her go to S- with the Joneses."

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I shall have no very decided objections," was the quiet reply of Florence. A half angry and reproving glance from her mother, warned her to be more discreet in the declaration of her sentiments.

"A young lady should never attempt to influence her father," said uncle Joseph. "She should trust to his judgment in all matters, and be willing to deny herself any pleasure to which he objected. If your father will not listen to your proposition to go to Paris, be sure that he has some good reason for it."

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Well, I do not know that he has such very good reasons, beyond his reluctance to go away from business,” Emily replied, tossing her head.

"And should not you, as his daughter, consider this a most conclusive reason? Ought not your father's wishes and feelings to be considered first ?"

"You may consider it so, uncle; but I cannot say that I do."

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Emily!" and uncle Joseph spoke in an excited tone of voice, "if you hold these sentiments, you are unworthy of such a father!"

"Brother, you must not speak to the girls in that way," said Mrs. Ludlow.

"I shall always speak my thoughts in your house, Margaret," was the reply; "at least to you and the girls. As far as Mr. Ludlow is concerned, I have rarely occasion to differ with him."

A long silence followed, broken at last by an allusion to some other subject; when a better understanding among all parties ensued.

On that evening, Mr. Ludlow seemed graver than usual

when he came in. After tea, Emily said, breaking in upon a conversation that had become somewhat interesting to Mr. Ludlow

"I am not going to let you have a moment's peace, pa', until you consent to go to Paris with us this season."

"I am afraid it will be a long time before I shall have any peace then, Emily," replied the father, with an effort to smile, but evidently annoyed by the remark. This, Florence, who was sitting close by him, perceived instantly, and said— "Well, I can tell you for one, pa', that I do not wish to go. I would rather stay at home a hundred times."

"It is no particular difference, I presume, what you like," remarked Emily, ill-naturedly. "If you do not wish to go, I suppose no one will quarrel with you for staying at

home."

"You are wrong to talk so, Emily," said Mr. Ludlow, calmly but firmly, "and I cannot permit such remarks in my presence."

Emily looked rebuked, and Mr. Ludlow proceeded

"As to going to Paris, that is altogether out of the question. The reasons why it is so are various, and I cannot now make you acquainted with all of them. One is, that I cannot leave my business so long as such a journey would require. Another is, that I do not think it altogether right for me to indulge you in such views and feelings as you and Adeline are beginning to entertain. You wish to go to Paris, because you do not choose to go to S

or to any other of our watering-places; and you do not want to go there, because certain others, whom you esteem below you in rank, can afford to enjoy themselves and recruit their health at the same places of public resort. All this I do not approve, and cannot encourage."

"You certainly cannot wish us to associate with every one," said Emily, in a tone less arrogant.

"Of course not, Emily," replied Mr. Ludlow; "but I do most decidedly condemn the spirit from which you are now acting. It would exclude others, many of whom, in moral character, are far superior to yourself, from enjoying the

pleasant, health-imparting recreation of a visit to the Springs, because it hurts your self-importance to be brought into brief contact with them."

"I cannot understand what you mean by speaking of these kind of people as superior in moral character to us," Mrs. Ludlow remarked.

“I said some of them. And, in this, I mean what I say. Wealth and station in society do not give moral tone. They are altogether extraneous, and too frequently exercise a deteriorating influence upon the character. There is Thomas, the porter in my store; a plain, poor man, of limited education ; yet possessing high moral qualities, that I would give much to call my own. This man's character I esteem far above that of many in society to whom no one thinks of objecting. There are hundreds and thousands of humble and unassuming persons like him, far superior in the high moral qualities of mind to the mass of self-esteeming exclusives, who think the very air around them tainted by their breath. Do you suppose that I would enjoy less the pleasures of a few weeks at S, because Thomas was there? I would rather be gratified to see him enjoying a brief relaxation, if his duties at the warehouse could be remitted in my absence."

There was so much of the appearance of truth in what Mr. Ludlow said, combined with a decided tone and manner, that neither his wife nor daughters ventured a reply. But they had no affection for the truth he uttered, and of course it made no salutary impression on their minds.

"What shall we do, mamma?" asked Adeline, as they sat with their mother, on the next afternoon. "We must go somewhere this summer, and papa seems in earnest about not letting us visit Paris."

"I do not know, I am sure, child," was the reply.

"I cannot think of going to S- ," said Emily, in a positive tone.

"The Emmersons are going," Adeline remarked.

"How do you know?" asked Emily, in a tone of surprise. "Victorine told me so this morning."

"She did!"

"Yes. I met her at Mrs. Lemmington's, and she said that they were all going next week."

"I do not understand that," said Emily, musingly.

"It was only last week that Victorine told me that they were done with going to S- ; that the place had become too common. It had been settled, she said, that they were to go to the Continent."

"Mr. Emmerson, I believe, would not consent, and so, rather than not go anywhere, they concluded to visit especially as the Lesters, and Milfords, and Lup

S
tons are going."

"Are they all going?" asked Emily, in renewed surprise. "So Victorine said."

"Well, I declare there is no kind of dependence to be placed in people now-a-days. They all told me that they could not think of going to such a vulgar place as Sagain."

Then, after a pause, Emily resumed

"As it will never do to stay at home, we will have to go somewhere. What do you think of the St. R― Springs,

mamma ?"

"I think that I am not going there, to be half jolted to death in a stage-coach by the way."

"Where, then, shall we go?"

"I do not know, unless to S

"Victorine said," remarked Adeline," that a large number of distinguished visiters were to be there, and that it was thought the season would be the gayest spent for some time."

"I suppose we shall have to go, then," said Emily. "I am ready," responded Adeline.

"And so am I," said Florence.

That evening Mr. Ludlow was graver and more silent than usual. After tea, as he felt no inclination to join in the general conversation about the sayings and doings of distinguished and fashionable individuals, he took a newspaper, and endeavoured to become interested in its contents. But

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