ception, with a mind of much intelligence and depth of observation.

The second day of their journey had nearly closed before the spires of the Boston churches, and the majestic dome of the State House met the intense gaze of our heroine. Thousands of lights soon twinkled over the city of the three hills, and the long vistas of|| lamps that illuminated the bridges, seemed to the unpractised eyes of Laura Lovel to realize the glories of the Arabian Nights. ، Oh! she involuntarily exclaimed, if any dear little sisters could only be with me now.' As they entered by the western avenue, and as Mr. Brantley's residence was situated in the eastern part of the city, Laura had an opportunity of seeing as she passed, a vast number of lofty, spacious, and noble-looking dwelling-houses, in the erection of which the patrician families of Boston, have perhaps surpassed all the other aristocracies of the Union; for sternly republican as are our laws and institutions, it cannot be denied that in private life every section of our commonwealth has its aristocracy.

ecs.

'How happy you must be, Miss Brantley,' said Laura, to have it in your power to read so many new books.'

After tea, Mrs. Brantley reclined herself idly annual, entitled the Pearl, and said to Augusin one of the rocking-chairs, Mr. Brantley ta-'You have, most probably, a complete retired to the back parlor to read undisturbed set of the Pearl.' the evening papers, and Augusta took up 'After all mamma,' pursued Augusta, * butsome bead-work, while Laura looked over the||terfly bows are much prettier than shell bows. souvenirs with which the center-table was What were you saying just now, Miss Lovel, strewed. about my having a set of pearls ?-you may well ask,'-looking spitefully towards the backparlor, in which her father was sitting. Papa holds out that he will not give me a 'As to reading,' replied Augusta, 'I never set till I am eighteen-and as to gold chains, have any time to spare for that purpose, what and corals, and cornelians, I am sick of them, with my music, and my dancing, and my and I won't wear them at all-so you see me lessons in French conversation, and my bead-without any ornaments whatever, which you work; then I have every-day to go out shop-must think very peculiar.' ping, for I always will choose every thing for Laura had tact enough to perceive that any myself. Mamma has not the least idea of further attempt at a conversation on books, my taste; at least, she never remembers it. would be unavailing; and she made some And then there is always some business with inquiry about the annual exhibition of pictures the mantua-makers and milliners. And I at the Athenæum. have so many morning visits to pay with manima-and in the afternoon I am generally so tired that I can do nothing but put on a wrapper, and throw myself on the bed, and sleep till it is time to dress for evening.'

'Oh!' thought Laura Lovel, how differently do we pass our time at Rosebrook! Is not this abeautiful engraving?' she continued, holding one of the open souvenirs towards Augusta. 'Yes-pretty enough,' replied Augusta, scarcely turning her head to look at it mamma, do not you think I had better have my green pelerine cut in scollops rather than in points?'

'I believe it is a very good one,' replied Mrs. Brantley. 'We stopped there one day on our way to dine with some friends out of town. But as the carriage was waiting, and the horses were impatient, we only stayed a few minutes, just long enough to walk round.'

'Oh! yes, mamma,' cried Augusta, ‘and don't you recollect we saw Miss Darford there in a new dress of lavender-colored grenadine, though grenadines having beenover these hundred years. And there was pretty Mrs. Lenham, as the gentleman call her, in a puce-coloured italianet, though italianets have been out for ages. And

، I think, replied Mrs. Brantley, ' that scol- || don't you remember Miss Grover's canarylops are the prettiest.'

Very well then my love,' replied Mrs. Brantly indolently, consult your own taste.' "That I always do,' said Augusta, balfaside to Laura, who addressing herself to Mrs. Brantley, made some inquiry about the last new

At length they stopped at Mr. Brantley's| door, and Laura had a very polite reception from the lady of the mansion, an indolent, good-natured, insipid woman, the chief business of whose life was dress and company. Mr. Brantley had purchased a large and hand- || some house in the western part of the town, to which the family were to remove in the the course of the autumn, and it was Mrs. Brantley's intention when they were settled in their new and elegant establishment to get into a higher circle, and to have weekly soir- 'Really mamma,' said Augusta, petulantly, To make her parties the more attrac-it is very peculiar in you to say so, when tive, she was desirous of engaging some very you ought to know that scollops have had pretty young lady, (a stranger with a new their day, and that points have come round face) to pass the winter with her. She had again.' but one child, a pert, forward girl about fourteen, thin, pale, and seeming as if she suffered a great deal in order to look pretty.' She sat, stood and moved, as if in constant pain from the tightness of her corsets, the smallness of her sleeve-holes, and the nar- | novel. rowness of her shoes. Her hair, having been kept long during the whole period of her childhood, was exhausted with incessant tying, brushing and curling, and she was already obliged to make artificial additions to it. It was at this time, a mountain of bows, plaits, and puffs; and her costume was in every respect that of a woman of twenty. She was extremely anxious to come out,' as it is called, but her father insisted on her staying in, till she had finished her education; and her mother had been told that it was very impolitic to allow young ladies to appear in society'at too carly an age, as they were always supposed to be older than they really were, and therefore would be the sooner considered passed.

'I cannot say that I have read it,' answered Mrs. Brantley, at least, I don't know that I have. Augusta, my love, do you recollect if you have heard me say any thing about the last new book-the-a-the-what is it you call it, Miss Lovel?'

La! mamma,' said Augusta, 'I should as soon expect you to write a book as to read one.'

colored reps bonnet, that looked as if it had been made in the ark. The idea of any one wearing reps!—a thing that has not been seen since the flood! Only think of reps!'

Laura Lovel wondered what reps could possibly be. • Now I talk of bonnets,' pursued Augusta; pray, mamma, did you tell Miss Pipingcord that I would have my Tuscan leghorn trimmed with the lilac and green riband, instead of the blue and yellow?'

'Indeed,' replied Mrs. Brantley. I found your cousin Mary so extremely ill this afternoon when I went to see her, and my sister so very uneasy on her account, that I absolutely forgot to call at the milliner's as I had promised you.'

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Was there ever any thing so vexatious!' exclaimed, Augusta, throwing down her beadwork- Really, mamma, there is no trusting you at all. You never remember to do any thing you are desired.' And flying to the There was a pause for a minute or two. Au-bell she rang it with violence. gusta then leaning back towards her mother, exclaimed- Upon second thought, I think I will have the green pelerine scolloped, and the blue one pointed. But the points shall Dreadful!' ejaculated Augusta. ، But you be squared at the ends-on that I am deter-might have supposed that the leeches would mined.' do her good, as of course they will. Here, Laura now took up a volume of the juvenile William,' addressing the servant man that

'I could think of nothing but poor Mary's danger,' said Mrs. Brantley, and the twentyfive leeches that I saw on her forehead.'

expressed any thing but satisfaction.

had just entered; run as if you were running || cloud the understanding, injure the temper, || while her mother advanced a few steps, and for your life to Miss Pipingcord, the milliner, || and harden the heart. and tell her upon no account whatever, to trim Miss Brantley's Tuscan Leghorn with the blue and yellow riband that was decided on yesterday. Tell her I have changed my mind and resolved upon the lilac and green. Fly as if you had not another moment to live, or Miss Pipingcord will have already trimmed the bonnet with the blue and yellow.'

Mr. Brantley threw down his paper, and hasTill the return of William, Augusta seemed ||tened into the front-parlor with a look that indeed to be on thorns. At last he came, and brought with him the bonnet, trimmed with the blue and yellow. Augusta snatched it out of the bandbox, and stood speechless with passion, and William thus delivered his message from the milliner

'And then,' said Mrs. Brantley, 'go to Mrs. Ashmore's, and inquire how Miss Mary is this evening.'

'Why, mamma,' exclaimed Augusta; aunt Ashmore lives so far from Miss Pipingcord's that it will be ten or eleven o'clock before William gets back, and I shall be all that time on thorns to know if she has not already disfigured my bonnet with the vile blue and yellow.'

you

'Yesterday,' said Mrs. Brantley, admired that very riband extremely.' So I did,' replied Augusta, but I have been thinking about it since, and as I tell you, I have changed my mind. And now that I have set my heart upon the lilac and green, absolutely detest the blue and yellow.'

There was no time for comment or preparation.-The sound was heard of baggage depositing, and in a few moments Augusta returned to the parlor, hanging lovingly on the arm of a lady in a very handsome traveling 'Miss Pippincod sends word that she had dress, who flew to Mrs. Brantley and kissedribanded the bonnet afore I come for it-she her familiarly, and then shook hands with her says she has used up all her laylock green for || husband, and was introduced by him, to our another lady's bonnet, as chose it this very heroine. afternoon; and she guesses you won't stand no chance of finding no more of it, if you sarch Boston through; and she says, she shew you all her ribands yesterday, and you chose the yellow blue yourself, and she han't got no more ribands as you'd be likely to like.antly of her friends-for so she called every Them's her very words.'

'How I hate milliners!' exclaimed Augusta, and ringing for the maid that always assisted her in undressing, she flounced out of the room and went to bed.

'Miss Lovel,' said Mrs. Brantley, smiling, you must excuse dear Augusta. She is extremely sensitive about every thing, and But I am really very anxious to know how that is the reason she is apt to give way to Mary is to-night,' said Mrs. Brantley. these little fits of irritation.'

passion for dress.

Augusta's cousin Mary did not die.

'Oh!' replied Augusta, I dare say the Laura retired to her room, grieving to leeches have relieved her. And if they have think how unamiable a young girl might be not, no doubt Dr. Warren will order twenty-made, by the indulgence of an inordinate five more or something else that will answer the purpose. She is in very good hands-I am certain that in the morning we shall hear she is considerably better. At all events I will not wear the hateful blue and yellow riband-William what are you standing for?' The man turned to leave the room, but Mrs. Brantley called him back. William,' said she, tell one of the women to go to Mrs. Ashmore's and inquire how Miss Mary is.' Eliza and Matilda are both out,' said William, and Louisa is crying with the toothache, and steaming her face over hot herbsI guess she won't be willing to walk so far in the night-air, just out of the steam.'

The following day was to have been devoted to shopping, and to making some additions to the simple wardrobe of Laura Lovel, for which purpose her father had given her as much money as he could possibly spare. But it rained till late in the afternoon, and Mrs. Brantley's coach was out of order, and the Brantleys (like many other families that keep carriages of their own) could not conceive the possibility of hiring a similar vehicle upon any exigency whatever.

Miss Frampton was a fashionable looking woman of no particular age. Her figure was good, but her features were the contrary, and the expression of her eye was strikingly bad. She had no relations, but she talked incess

person whom she ever knew by sight, provided always that they were presentable people. She had some property, on the income of which she lived, exercising close economy in every thing but dress.-Sometimes she boarded out, and sometimes she billeted herself on one or other of these said friends, having no scruples of delicacy to deter her from eagerly availing herself of the slightest hint that might be construed into the semblance of an invitation. In short, she was assiduous in trying to get acquainted with every body from whom any thing was to be gained, flattering them to their faces, though she abused them behind their backs. Still, strange to tell, she had succeeded in forcing her way into the outShe drest works of what is called society. well, professed to know every body, and to go everywhere, was au fait to all the gossip of the day, and could always furnish ample food for the too prevailing appetite for scandal. Therefore, though every one disliked Miss Frampton, still every one tolerated her; and though a notorious calumniator, she excited so much fear, that it was generally thought safer to keep up some slight intercourse with It is true that the present case was in real-her, than to affront her by throwing her off ity no exigency at all; but Mrs. Brantley and 'William!' exclaimed Augusta, stamping her daughter seemed to consider it as such, Philadelphia was her usual place of resiwith her foot, don't stand here talking, but from the one watching the clouds all day as dence; but she had met the Brantley family go at once; there's not a moment to lose. she sat at the window, in her rocking-chair, at the Saratoga Springs, had managed to Tell Miss Pipingcord if she has put on that and the other wandering about like a troubled accompany them to New-York on their way horrid ribin, she must take it off again, and spirit, fretting all the time, and complaining home, had boarded at Bunker's during the charge it in the bill, if she pretends she can't of the weather. Laura got through the hours week they stayed at that house, had assisted afford to lose it, as I dare say she will-and very well, between reading Souvenirs, (almost them in their shopping expeditions, and protell her to be sure and send the bonnet home the only books in the house,) and writing a fessed a violent regard for Augusta, who early in the morning-I am dying to see it.' long letter, to inform her family of her safe professed the same for her. Mrs. Brantley's To all this Laura Lovel had sat listening in arrival, and to describe her journey. To- slight intimation she should be glad to see amazement, and could scarcely conceive the wards evening, a coach was heard to stop at her if ever she came to Boston,' Miss Framppossibility of the mind of so young a girl the door, and there was a violent ringing, ton had now taken advantage of, on pretext being totally absorbed in things that concern- followed by a loud sharp voice in the entry, of benefitting by change of air. Conscious ed nothing but external appearance. She had inquiring for Mrs. Brantley, who started from of her faded looks, but still hoping to pass yet to learn that a passion for dress, when her rocking-chair, as Augusta exclaimed for a young woman, she pretended always to thoroughly excited in the female bosom, and Miss Frampton!-I know 'tis Miss Framp-be in precarious health, though of this there carried to excess, has a direct tendency to ton! The young lady rushed into the hall, was seldom any proof positive.

entirely.

On being introduced to Laura Lovel, as to a young lady on a visit to the family, Miss Frampton, who at once considered her an interloper, surveyed our heroine from head to foot, with something like a sneer, and exchanged significant glances with Augusta. As soon as Miss Frampton had taken her seat, My dear Mrs. Brantley,' said she, how delighted I am to see you! And my sweet Augusta too! Why she has grown a perfect sylph!'

After hearing this, Augusta could not keep her seat five minutes together, but was gliding and flitting about all the remainder of the evening, and hovering round Miss Frampton's chair.

of your city,' replied Miss Frampton. The Next morning, Miss Frampton did not whole family had been at Washington, and appear at the breakfast table, but had her first as soon as I heard they were in Philadelphia meal carried into her room, and Augusta on their return home, I sent to inquire-that|| breakfasted with her. Between them, Laura is, or rather, I mean they sent to inquire as Lovel was discussed at full length, and their soon as they came to town, and heard that I conclusion was, she had not a single good feaintended visiting Boston-they sent to inquire ture-that her complexion was nothing.her figif I would make them happy by joining their ure nothing, and her dress worse than nothing. party.'

'Well,' observed Mr. Brantley, I cannot imagine how you got along with all the Twamberleys. Mr. Twamberley, besides being a clumsy fat man, upwards of seventy years old, and lame with the gout, and nearly quite deaf, and having cataracts coming on both eyes, is always obliged to travel with his silly Miss Frampton continued, Yes, my dear young wife, and the eight children of her first Mrs. Brantley, my health has, as usual, been husband, and I should think he had enough extremely delicate. My friends have been to do in taking care of himself and them. I seriously alarmed for me, and all my physi-wonder you did not prefer availing yourself cians have been quite miserable on my ac- of the politeness of some of the single gentlecount. Dr. Dengue has been seen driving men you mentioned.' through the streets like a madman, in his haste to get to me. Poor man-you must have heard the report of his suffering Mrs. Smith's baby to die with the croup, from neglecting to visit it, which if true, was certainly in very bad taste. However, Dr. Dengue is one of my oldest friends, and a most charming man.

'I don't suppose,' said Augusta, that her father has given her much money to bring to town with her.'

To be sure he has not,' replied Miss Frampton, if he is only a poor country clergyman. I think it was in very bad taste for him to let her come at all.'

Oh! I remember her,' cried Augusta. She was a mountain of blonde lace.'

'Yes,' observed Miss Frampton, and not an inch of that blonde has yet been paid for, or ever will be. I know it from good authority.' [To be Continued.]

West Point.

'BRIGHT are the memories linkled with thee, Boast of a glory hallowed land!

Hope of the valiant and the free,

Home of their youthful soldier band.'

'Well,' said Augusta, we must take her a shopping this morning, and try to get her fitted out, so as to make a decent appearance at Nahant,as we were going thither in a few days.' Then I have come just in the right time,' said Miss Frampton. Nahant is the very place I wish to visit-My sweet friend Mrs. 'Oh!' replied Miss Frampton, any of Dick Pewsey has given me such an account them would have been too happy, as they of it. She says there is considerable style politely expesssd it, to have had the pleasure there. She passed a week at Nahant when of waiting on me to Boston. Indeed, I knew she came to Boston last summer,' not how to make a selection, being unwilling to offend any of them by a preference. And then again, it is always in better taste for But, as I was saying, my health still con- young ladies to travel, and indeed to go every tinued delicate, and excitement was unani- where, under the wing of a married woman. mously recommended by the medical gentle- I doat upon chaperones, and by coming with men-excitement and ice-cream. And as this family, I had Mrs. Twamberley to matsoon as this was known in society, it is in- ronize me. I have just parted with them all credible how many parties were made for me, at their own door, where they were set down.' and how many excursions were planned on Mr. Brantley smiled when he thought of my account. I had carriages at my door day | Mrs. Twamberley (who had been married to and night. My friends were absolutely drag- her first husband at fiftcen, and was still a ging me from each other's arms. Finally they all suggested entire change of air, and total change of scene. So I consented to tear myself awhile from my beloved Philadelphia, Laura Lovel, though new to the world, had and pay you my promised visit in Boston.' sufficient good sense and penetration to • We are much obliged to you,' said Mrs. perceive almost immediately, that Miss FrampBrantley. And really,' pursued Miss Frampton was a woman of much vanity and pretenton, 'I had so many engagements on my hands, that I had fixed five different days for starting, and disappointed five different escorts. My receiving-room was like a levee every morning at visiting hours, with young gentlemen of fashion, coming to press their services, as is always the case when it is reported in Philapelphia that Miss Frampton has a disposition to travel. A whole procession of my friends accompanied me to the steamboat, and I believe I had more than a dozen elegant smelling-bottles presented to me-as it is universally known how much I always suffer during a journey, being deadly sick on the water, and in a constant state of nervous agitating while riding.'

blooming girlish looking woman) matronizing
the faded Miss Frampton, so evidently by
many years her senior.

IF each bright spot on earth is indeed benignantly shone upon by some bright particular star' in night's glorious canopy, then may we hope that the hallowed one which we have named is under no despicable influence. Hallowed by the footsteps of Washington and Kosciusko; consecrated by a nation to the Spartan-like training of a few devoted sion, and she was in the habit of talking with|| sons; nor less sacredly secluded by nature great exaggeration; and in a short time she more than suspected that many of her assertions were arrant falsehoods—a fact that was well known to all those numerous persons that Miss Frampton called her friends.

as the scene of retirement and study; it seems alike calculated to please the pensive sage and the aspiring youthful soldier; while even female loveliness vouchsafes to paint its memories in hues of hope and brightness, as the boast of a glory hallowed land.'

Tea was now brought in and Miss Framptontook occasion to relate in what manner she Courteous reader, if it has ever been your had discovered that the famous silver urn of privilege, of a gentle summer's day, to sail that charming family, the Sam Kettlethorps. down the picturesque river Hudson, are you was, in reality only plated-that her particular not glad to recognize the lovely scene here favorites, the Joe Sowerbys, showed such presented, as the view of West-Point from bad taste at their great terrapin supper, as to the Highlands? You have passed by Newhave green hock-glasses for the champaigne;burgh and are entering the mountain gap, and that those delightful people, the Bob through which the waters have forced their Skutterbys, the first time they attempted the rugged way. They seem baffled in the strugAnd who did you come with at last?' new style of heaters at a venison dinner, had gle, and you glance forward to the stern shore asked Mrs. Brantley. them filled with spirits of turpentine, instead which seemed to repel their progress; saying Oh! with my friends the Twamberleys, of spirits of wine. to the proud wave, thus far shalt thou come,

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