my heart to scold them, although when I first came among them what a life they led me! Practical jokes were played upon me, inkstands and their contents were sure to be upset (by pure accident of course) whenever I had on a clean muslin apron, or collar; apple-pie beds were made for me: they thought they should have full leave to quiz "old cousin Dorothy." One day, however, they, by an ingenious device, placed a string across the doorway, which was attached to the bolster, pillows, &c., of the bed, in such a manner that, by a little manoeuvreing on the part of the conspirators, they would infallibly give way during the night. The trick. I believe was not meant to explode until I was sound asleep; unfortunately, however, for them and myself, in passing from my room I caught my foot in the string, and falling with great violence to the ground, sprained my ancle. This was far more than they had intended; and never shall I forget the agony depicted on their young faces lest Mr. Sidney should be informed of their mal-practices. In that case indeed they knew full well his anger would be excessive. Several times during the day did young Dick approach me with penitential face; I am sure the boy longed to throw himself on my mercy, but sundry becks, nods, and winks, from the indomitable Margaret withheld him,-she was too proud to supplicate my forbearance. For nearly a

week I was chair-ridden; but as, in answer to all inquiries, I merely said my foot had tripped, and as in addition to the pain I was suffering I received a severe admonition from Mr. Sidney (who by the way was rather addicted to lecturing,) on my sin of carelessness, Margaret and Richard were so well satisfied with what they were pleased to term my magnanimous conduct, that from that day forward they took me under their especial protection. It certainly was a great relief to me. In addition to this I had a secret feeling that at least I was not eating the bread of idleness-and this conviction greatly consoled me. In the first place it was discovered I had a tolerably correct ear; so I was allowed to practise reels and country dances for the young people, as Miss Sharpe averred they spoilt her touch for more scientific music; although Margaret with inflexible pertinacity declared "that the fact was, Miss Sharpe always seemed to be running a race with the dancers; in vain they essayed to keep pace with her-the faster they skipped the faster she played-they galloped, still she contrived to keep a-head of them."

Viola too was pleased to say that I played to her singing, instead of making her sing to the accompaniment, as was the wont with Miss Sharpe and others who were in the habit of marring her performance. Yet how could I do otherwise?

How could I help dwelling as she dwelt on each note in those touching ballads? There was a lingering, sad tone in her low mellow voice, which entered into my very soul, and seemed to evoke the pale dim spectres of by-gone regrets. I thought of my lost mother, of hopes long buried, of ... . but whither am I wandering?

Very different were Miss Sidney's vocal talents to those of the tribe of chaunting Misses who give forth their dulcet strains in a "still, small voice;" which, like that of conscience, is for the most part unheeded. It was indeed a rare treat to listen to Viola.

.

I one

But to revert to my own occupations. day, to oblige Mrs. Sidney, braided a coat for Master Dick, in a style which she declared might vie with the tailor's most elaborate performance; so for the future this rather masculine kind of occupation devolved on me-Mrs. Sidney having, in a happy moment discovered that she might by this notable process save some few pounds a year. Neither can I tell exactly how it happened, but soon after I entered the house, Marables (Mrs. Sidney's favourite maid,) had a sudden revelation, that to borrow her own choice phraseology, "too much was put upon her;" and as she at the same time, by a rare coincidence, made the ingenious discovery that Miss Dorothy had a capital knack of plaiting, from that moment all the cap-borders,

ruches, frills, &c., (and they were not a few,) fell to my share.

But the worst of all was, that Miss Sharpe being afflicted with very sensitive nerves, I had the luxury of that never sufficiently to be deprecated annual visit to the dentists. Thither had I to escort the children; I had to coax, to bribe, to implore, for I could not scold them on such an occasion. Poor young things! my heart ached for them. Once indeed I remember having had recourse to rather an expert manœuvre, for, whilst Margaret was suffering under Mr.'s tender mercies, I instituted a game of "bob-cherry" with Dick, who, be it said by the way, had an especial affection for the good things of this life, and just as the boy was making with distended jaw for the prize which I held aloft, the dexterous operator slid in his instrument and hauled forth the " fanged monster." But this of course would not bear repetition; and in general it was tedious work, not to mention the kicks and cuffs I received (whilst holding their hands and feet), which would otherwise have fallen to the share of that Prince of Surgeon-Dentists, and most kind-hearted of men,

Mr.

* But that the date of this story is perhaps somewhat too early, we should have thought that the celebrated Mr. C―t was here alluded to.-ED.

From this same unfortunate malady of weak nerves, Miss Sharpe complained that the ridingschool threw her into fits; so thither also I accompanied my cousins, and there in a little dark den called the gallery, where the wind entered from a thousand labyrinthine passages, I had to sit for nearly two hours; their stint was an hour, but when Margaret was once mounted no Centaur could have been more difficult to detach from his equine half. On she would go; exclaiming at the top of her voice, "I know you won't mind waiting, cousin Dorothy; indeed it must be rare fun for you." What was I to say? I could not bear to deprive her of her ride, but it was a dismal time to me. I could not see to work or read; if I approached the fire-place, a volume of smoke drove me back; if I went to the window, I was perished with cold, and had besides to look on half a dozen young ladies, who were following each other in melancholy monotony at a slow dosy pace, which fairly dispirited me. I think the tread-mill must have been exhilirating in comparison; and all this was varied only by the stentorian voice of the Ducrow* of the circle, calling on them after each drowsy canter to walk, which summons the horses

* Perhaps a progenitor of the famous equestrian who now "witches the world with noble horsemanship."-ED.