by any human eye. But again I fell back and concealed myself, as though I were guilty of crime and fearful of detection. It was the fear lest I might greatly alarm her, and place myself needlessly in a situation of great embarrassment that withheld me; and the consciousness, that by thus remaining concealed, I could not injure the being before me one half so much as I possibly might by alarming her with my presence.

A large tree threw its dense shadow upon the front of the Pavilion, so that I could, though at so short a distance, stand perfectly secure from observation, and look upon the object who now engrossed the whole of my attention.

I kept very silent. I believe I scarcely breathed, whilst I watched her as she paced to and fro, apparently rapt in meditation, now gazing on the magnificent arch of the

heavens, and now on the lovely scenery

beneath her.

At length she stood perfectly still; her face turned towards me, the mantle fell from her, the bright moon shone full upon that face and form, and displayed to me, in all their intense loveliness, the self-same features as those of the picture in the gallery, that had so attracted my attention and excited my curiosity.

It was with the utmost difficulty that I restrained myself, and suppressed the exclamation of enthusiastic delight that almost burst from me, whilst this spiritual creature stood, with her arms crossed upon her breast, so absorbed in contemplation, that she was totally unconscious, or at least unheedful, of her mantle having fallen from her, and that she was exposed to the night air. Thus she stood, gazing intently on the bright moon, until her thoughts and feelings, full

to overflowing, she began to give vent to them in language, and made me a sharer and sympathizer in them. The tone of voice was low, but every syllable was so clearly articulated, that not one word escaped my ear or ever escaped my memory. They sank into my very soul - the impression made was indelible—and I was ready to doubt whether I were indeed listening to a mere mortal, whilst she gave utterance to the following words :—

"My people have placed a sceptre in my hand, a crown upon my brow. Should they not strengthen me to sway the one with wisdom, and aid me in the care that the brow which supports the other may be undisguised as the fair face of heaven; and whilst neither bedecked by folly, clouded by remorse, or disfigured by the demons of ambition, or pride, or avarice, it may be ever beaming with the bright and beautiful con

sciousness of the daily discharge of the great duties that devolve upon me. Then, indeed, would my heart be cheered by the love which my people displayed for me: now I am only alive to a sense of degradation whilst I feel they make me their puppet show. I like not their adulation, it makes my heart melancholy. I have shown no qualities for which they should either love or admire me ; they know me not; they have had no opportunity of judging of my character, yet do they worship me as though I were a supernatural being, and I fear me, they will expect me to act as such. They are not wise in being thus lavish in bestowing their adoration upon one who is but a child in years amongst them; they seem not to have taken into consideration that they may thus fill up my unformed mind with foolish vanity, and a false estimate of myself. The exuberance of their joy makes me sad, and as their shouts

of applause assail my ears, the ungovernable tear will glisten in my eye, and almost chase away the smile that I would bestow upon them, whilst the faint whisper is on my lips,

6

Lord, what am I that I should receive this homage!'

"I like not even the ceremonies attendant on my station. This is truly my sweetest

hour of recreation, when I lay aside all the pomp and pageantry of earthly grandeur which awaits me at all other times and seasons, and come to hold converse with my Creator, and to look upon his wonderful works!

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Almighty Father! this Thy splendid palace is more congenial to me than mine own gorgeous one; here can I breathe freely, I pour out my whole soul to Thee, and here can I know and feel that Thou hearest me. Look down, I beseech Thee,

here can

upon Thy poor orphan child who hath no