faults which may conquer you, instead of your conquering them; and who, with such a belief, could hope for happiness? Happiness is a rare plant, that seldom takes root on earth: few ever enjoyed it, except for a brief period; the search after it is rarely rewarded by the discovery. But, there is an admirable substitute for it, which all may hope to attain, as its attainment depends wholly on self- and that is, a contented spirit. This panacea for the ills of life can never belong to those who are governed by, instead of governing their feelings. Feelings are delightful acquaintances; and, like acquaintances, they are charming during prosperity; but, principles are our true friends, rescuing us from danger, and consoling us in affliction. Cultivate principles, then, dearest Augusta, and learn to make feelings as subservient to them as good servants should be to their

masters, knowing that wisdom and justice guide them. A ship on the trackless main, without a rudder or compass, is not in a more fearful state than a young and lovely woman without fixed principles, abandoned to the sole government of her feelings.

And now, let me tell you, that this will, probably, be the last lecture you will receive from Mary Howard. But do not, therefore, think you are to escape future admonitions. No, dearest Augusta; Mary Delaward, in her matron character, will continue to give her giddy, but dearly loved friend, as many lectures (when required) as sober-minded Mary Howard ever has done.

All is finally fixed for my marriage: the probation, to which Lord Delaward at first submitted with so bad a grace, is expired; and I now may become a wife, with that indispensable, and only surety for domestic

peace, a perfect reliance on the principles. of a husband. That I preferred him to all others, you have known; and you know, also, that, when after his return from Italy he sought my hand, I had no means of judging of his tastes or pursuits, except by waiting a year, and seeing or hearing how he occupied his time. He has passed triumphantly through the dangerous ordeal of a season in London, and an autumn and winter in the society of his friends, at their residences, and at Delaward Park. He has neither frequented Crockford's, nor attended every meeting at Newmarket; nor hunted at Melton; nor formed intimacies with dissolute men; nor flirted with any of the women who are more remarkable for attracting admiration than for repelling admirers. In short, he is not a young man of fashion; or, rather, a fashionable man; and therefore, I am not

afraid that he will find clrbs more agreeable than home, or any other man's wife more to his taste, than his own.

My father has written to yours, to request that he, and your good mother, will conduct your giddy self to Howard Castle, to be present at the nuptial ceremony. This will be a good occasion for you to display your pearls, on the possession of which I congratulate you : and to gratify, by your presence, your fondly MARY HOWARD.

attached

LADY A. VERNON TO MISS MONTRESSOR.

Howard Castle.

HERE we are, my dear Caroline, safely arrived; and, according to promise, I give you an account of all that is going on in this place. Dear Mary Howard is as amiable, as hand

some, and as reasonable, as ever; and seems to me unaccountably tranquil, for one who is on the point of marrying the man of her choice. I should be all in a flutter on such an occasion, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, and doing both by turns. Lord Delaward is very good-looking, but has a sort of dignified gravity about him that is rather chilling and imposing; at least, such is its effect on me. There is a respectful deference in his manner towards Mary, that checks even my habitual familiarity: it is as though he wished to intimate, that she whom he had chosen was not to be lightly approached; consequently, I find myself involuntarily assuming a more reverential demeanour towards her not that I am less attached to her than before. I wonder, Caroline, whether I shall ever excite this respectful feeling in the breast of any man. There is something very flatter