to harass his mind with other consolations than what he had already bestowed, or to discuss the more important question of his present condition or future views. Meanwhile, the time had elapsed which Caleb could spare, and he quitted, though unwillingly, this interesting business: but he had paid for his place, and he could not reconcile to his own feelings, the notion of losing the deposit, for the sake of idle curiosity, or for any benefit which he might be of to the forlorn and afflicted youth. Not indeed that there was an actual or obvious occasion for such benefit: but a man should always keep his post by the side of the mourner, till the very possibility of aid is removed. Caleb, however, thought otherwise, and jogging his uncle's elbow, he told him that the coach would set off in a few minutes. Mr. Barnaby prepared, therefore, to accompany him, as did also Paul; the former intimating, however, his intention to the

baker and to Mr. Walton, that he would return forthwith, as he was greatly interested in the circumstance which he had witnessed, and wished to know yet more about it. The spirit of generosity seized Caleb as he was about to depart, and advancing, with a mysterious air, to the poor youth, who sat in one corner of the room with downcast eyes, he whispered something to him, slipped sixpence into his hand with all the tender confusion of virtue detected, and then hurried out of the place, overcome with the rising emotions of sympathy. The munificent oblation was unnoticed by its object, whose thoughts were too deeply buried in the contemplation of his own. calamities to be able to attend to what was passing round him,

After they were gone, Mr. Walton took the baker aside, and told him that he would go to the workhouse, and give suitable directions for the interment of the deceased, which should be decently

performed at his own expence.

"Do

not disturb him while I am gone," added he, with a tone of pity; "he requires. rest and silence: I will soon return."

When he arrived at the workhouse, he begged to be shewn the place where the body lay, which was accordingly done, and even his imagination had not pictured such a spectacle as he then beheld. He could not endure it long, but was turning away from the contemplation of so distressing a sight which harrowed up his feelings, when he thought he perceived something hanging to a black ribbon which was tied round his neck. He approached the body, and drew from his bosom the miniature of a lady, in the bloom of youth and beauty, but whose countenance was over-shadowed by a tender air of melancholy, which rather heightened than diminished its lustre. While Mr. Walton. stood gazing at this relic, he noticed a small silken bag, which was slightly fastened

at the back of the picture, and which, on opening he found to contain a piece of written paper, This he unfolded, thinking it might be some document illustrative of this singular transaction : but there were only the following remarkable words, which he perused with no ordinary feelings :

MATILDA.

"On her form dwelt softness and beauty; within her heart virtue took up her abode. The gaiety of her mind was the mirth of innocence; and the tear which sometimes clouded that mirth, was the offspring of a pity, warm and generous as ever glowed within a human breast. When cheerfulness, with alluring accents, beckoned her forth, MATILDA followed in all the eager joy of youth: but if, on the right hand, stood sorrow, with downcast, weeping eyes; if on the left, misery pined in hopeless

affliction, as she folded her forlorn baby to her bosom, the sparkling lustre of MATILDA'S countenance faded into the tender melancholy of sympathy, the jocund voice of cheerfulness was heard in vain : she stopped ; she gave to sorrow the voice of consolation: she extended to misery the hand of help and the look of comfort.

"Yet in the dance, the song, who than Matilda was sprightlier? Who, in the circle of festivity, chased pleasure's mirthful round with greater glee ? But her mirth was like the fanning breezes of the west: it quickened with silent power the kind affections of her nature it expanded her heart to the admission of love and mercy towards all mankind: and the smile that played upon her lips was often the offspring of joy and

sorrow.

"Oh! I have sat and looked upon her angel face, and. have marked, in every lineament, the eloquent language of nature as she spoke through that her most