96 The Life and Writings of the late Mrs. H. Downing.

stimulants to write on the strong and true side, for the sake of the oppressed poor of our common country; and that son answered, that he had, and would continue to do. She died! As a mark of respect to her character, eight ladies of the town, accompanied by her family, followed her earthly remains to the grave; and a tablet is about to be placed in the church to her memory.

Mrs. Harriet Downing's mind is fully developed in her writings; but those who had the pleasure of her society, could better appreciate the generosity of her disposition, as well as the sympathy and enthusiastic turn of her genius; for whether in the actual word, or in that she pourtrayed in her writings, there appeared to be but one impulse-that of creating universal love and good-will towards all. Yes, throughout the whole of her writings one spirit prevailed-the spirit of universal sympathy; and, whether amongst her own family, in the circles she mixed in, or when in ordinary society, it was as apparent as noon-day; and it never deserted her to the last. Before closing this brief paper, we ought to state, that many letters passed between Charles Dickens and Harriet Downing, in which were displayed the hearts of the two; and really, upon comparison, there appears to be an identity of feeling, for they each are full of affectionate sentences -of mutual praise as well as joint encouragement to pursue the true path of genius for the benefit of the world.

But earth now covers the worldly remains of this kind-hearted lady, whose whole life appears to have been one continuous struggle in the cause of philanthropy; and we are certain, that if other authors were to follow her example, they would attain, not only the reputation, but the golden opinions of the world, which it was Harriet Downing's fortune to gain: for not only did fortune smile upon her genius whilst living, but even now, "The Remembrances of a Monthly Nurse" are about to be republished, when, we have no doubt, they will be a profitable speculation to the publisher, as well as tend to perpetuate the remembrance of one whose kind spirit breathes through every paragraph of her writings, and says to others, "Now, go thou and do likewise."

THE BRIDE-CAKE.

A TALE.BY L. RUEGG.

"Now mind, I shall expect a slice of cake and a pair of kid gloves from you when you are married, Mr. Denison, that I certainly shall; and I should think you would not forget me."

These words were addressed by a good-looking maiden (perhaps she might have been rather on the shady side of maidenism) to a fine-looking young fellow in the well-known library at S. The female, Miss Norris, was the respected proprietor thereof, and the gentleman addressed was one of her frequent visitants. A greater intimacy might have existed between the pair than between Miss Norris and the generality of her customers; but the lady was on such good terms with all who knew her, that joking and being joked with on the delicate subject of matrimony was no very unusual thing with her. The reader, then, may wonder why we introduce our little tale with so common-place an observation. Let him wait awhile and we will show him.

Miss Norris, as we have said, was fast approaching the confines of that period which is usually allotted to young ladies to get a husband in; though what the limit of that period really and tangibly is, we do not pretend to say. We never yet knew of the precise period being fixed at which juvenility ended and old maidenism began. The line of demarcation between these two states was never yet definitely settled, and we fear it never will be generally agreed on; and yet all the world admit that there is such a line, and further, that it is so exceedingly perspicuous that it is immediately discerned even if a lady has one leg across it. However, it matters little to us; we may refer the reader to the ideal line without seeking to trace its visionary continuations or fix its existence.

We declare, we have got to the end of one paragraph and the commencement of another without progressing an inch in our simple story. We have diverged from the narrative itself towards a certain very indistinct visionary something, and are obliged to return to the very tangent from whence we started without accomplishing anything except diverting the reader's attention and almost losing the thread of the story. Miss Norris, then . . . "Yes, yes, I understand," says some kind reader. Thank you, sir, you have saved us a deal of trouble and yourself the perusal of a few lines of tautology. Well, having settled what Miss Norris's age was, permit us to tell you what were her circumstances.

May, 1845.-VOL. XLIII. NO. CLXIX.

H

The lady, then, was comfortably settled as the principal proprietress of a large stationery shop and reading room in the popu lous parish of S. Two or three sisters somewhat younger than herself assisted her in the business, and, I dare say, shared in the profits, whatever they might be. 'Tis true Miss Norris herself would often complain of the badness of the times; but as this observation happened usually to be addressed to some frequenter of the reading room rather in arrear with his subscription, it was supposed to be uttered more as a hint than a complaint. Indeed, some persons who professed to know the worldly circumstances of every one in the town, roundly declared that Miss Norris had no ground for grumbling about pecuniary matters, seeing that for many years she had drawn a very pretty income from her business, which income was somewhat swelled by a small patrimony that she inherited. It was matter of wonderment to many that the knowledge of these circumstances had not induced one individual amongst the many, many needy bachelors in the town to make Miss N. an offer; but the aforementioned persons uncharitably hinted that Miss N. attached herself so much to business, and paid such close attention to money matters, that she was slipping into the state which we have been talking about without thinking of aught except those things which fell within the scope of her daily avocations-viz., sorting and doubling newspapers, directing magazines and periodicals, and serving pens, ink, paper, and wafers to numerous customers.

Be the reason what it may, Miss Norris at the time we are speaking of had not any one to whom she could look as a future husband; and, indeed, she appeared so careless of the matter that, as we have shown, she could, even when not engaged in business, talk and joke about it quite unconcernedly. The young man to whom she addressed the words had been just engaged with her in a discussion upon matrimony to which they had been led by the perusal of a flaming marriage in the pages of the Morning Post. The gentleman had descanted rather warmly and glowingly upon the happiness of the marriage state, but had had some difficulty in making the lady as believing as himself. She had expressed herself sceptically upon the point, and had at last told him roundly that she thought a woman much happier in celibacy than amid the cares and the troubles, the discords and the jars, of wedded life; and when the gentleman talked of connubial bliss she only laughed and muttered "rubbish," and said that she had never seen any of it, although she knew hundreds of married couples. It was in vain for Mr. Denison to combat her, and he therefore brought the conversation to a close by very warmly asserting that he would get a wife himself soon, to which the lady replied in the words we have quoted.

Now some of the gossips in S- would go out of their way to

discuss the fitness of Mr. Denison as a matrimonial partner for Miss Norris,; and all agreed that he was a vastly fit and proper person. First, he was so good-looking, and then he was so affable; his conversation was so polished that he could sustain his part in any company, and yet so simple that the most meanly-educated could understand it; his gait, his manner, his dress, were all so gentlemanly, that really it was a wonder what Miss Norris was about that she did not set her cap at him, especially as Mr. Denison was even more affable and attentive when in Miss Norris's company than in that of any one else.

So reasoned these good folks, whilst, in the meantime, the two parties immediately concerned might, for aught that they exhibited, be the only persons unconscious of the matter. Truth, however, will compel us to state-especially since we have let the reader into the gossip affecting Mr. Denison-truth compels us to state, that an accurate observer might have detected a little emotion in the countenance of the lady whenever Mr. Denison entered her shop,-that there was a little more cordiality in his reception -a little more hearty shake of the hand; though it was so little that few except those who were watching for such indications would have remarked them. Indeed, there was also a little more animation in her really pretty dark eyes, and occasionally, when alone, there was an abstractedness about her the likes of which she had never before exhibited; yet, as this might have been connected with matters of business, it is, perhaps, hardly fair to in

troduce it here.

However, one fine morning our hero entered the shop as usual, and extending his hand, said

"Miss Norris, I am come to wish you good bye; I have obtained a situation in the north of England, and shall be obliged to quit this pretty town early in next week."

"Then we shall see you again," said the maiden.

"Why, yes, certainly," said he; "I must not part with you so quickly; I suppose I must find time to look in again before I start by the coach on Monday; but as I have to bid my relatives good bye, I shall hardly have time to see you before that day."

"Then I am sure I shall not bid you good bye now," said the lady; but why-why-how came you to think of leaving, Mr. Denison? I am sure I did not dream of such a thing; I thought you would spend your days here; I could not have imagined it. Bless me, how surprised people will be."

Mr. Denison exhibited a little confusion, but answered in a jocular manner; and, having penned an address where he might be written to "in case any one wanted him," he suddenly espied a friend on the opposite side of the street, shook Miss Norris heartily by the hand, and made a rapid exit.

All that day Miss N. exhibited a restlessness, and, we are con

strained to add, a pettishness of manner strangely at variance with her usual quiet conduct. She had evidently been greatly sur prised, for she would stop in the midst of her duties to her customers, and mutter, "Well, I could not have thought it; how strange-how very strange!" And that some unpleasant feeling was at work in her bosom was evident from a very unusual abstractedness, and from something like a sigh occasionally escaping from her bosom.

Time waits for no man or woman either, and though the old gentleman at one time appeared to Miss Norris to be very dilatory (this was during the week), and at another (and this was when Monday and Mr. Denison arrived) to have been striding on at a most inconscionable pace, yet still the veteran paid no attention to the thoughts or wishes of the thousands whose destiny he could so powerfully effect, but continued to proceed on his long journey with the same measured, restless step as ever. Monday arrived in due course, and with it, as we have intimated, came Mr. Denison, with carpet-bag in hand, and attired as if for a long journey. He was full early, for the coach was not to start for more than two hours.

"Well, Miss Norris," said he, with forced cheerfulness, "I am off on my journey; do you not wish it may be a pleasant one?” He extended his hand and looked into her face with an expression that said as plainly as if it had been uttered-"Oh! why will you let me go."

The maiden took the proferred hand, and a thrill of anguish passed through her whole frame. It was that feeling of utter Joneliness and misery which those who are bidding adieu to a much-loved being, perchance for ever! have-God help them!-felt the full bitterness of. It lasted but a moment-but what a moment was that! Its duration had needs be short when its influence is so tremendous! But her pride came to her relief; she shook off the feeling, and, in a tone of firmness-ay, of almost unconcern-she wished him prosperity and trusted he would be happy. She then shook his hand heartily, and, in the midst of a repetition of the most commonplace compliments he took his departure.

He had not been gone five minutes before he came back for his umbrella, and entered the shop so suddenly that he nearly struck down Miss Norris, who was behind the door looking through its little glass window. He searched in vain for the article for some time, during which the confusion of the pair became almost painful. At length he suddenly recollected that it was packed up with the rest of his luggage; and, apologising for the trouble he had given, he shook her hand again as heartily, and yet in a more tender manner than he had done before. Once only did she raise her eyes to his face, and then she saw that it was flushed, and that